By JM Hallas

PLEASANTON, Texas – After a full night of racing on Friday night, 32 drivers were locked into tonight’s finales at I-37 Speedway. Tonight’s action would fill the fields for the Inaugural Summer Kick-Off A-main events in the Cash Bred Off Road Modifieds, Swenson Racing Products Sport Modifieds, SABFI Transportation Street Stocks, All In Designs Pure Stocks and Brown ChevroletSport Compacts.

Friday’s qualifiers saw Greg Dinsmore take the win in the Cash Bred Off Road Modifieds, along with five other drivers making the transfer. The Swenson Racing Products Sport Modifieds ran two qualifiers taking 4 from each. Lawrence Mikulencak and Steve Whiteaker jr. got the victories.

In the SABFI Transportation Street Stocks 6 drivers transferred from the qualifier with Wade Jones grabbing the checkers. All In Designs Pure Stocks had twin qualifiers moving 4 drivers on to tonight. Dakota Heinaman and Dakota Hurley took home Pure Stock wins, while Jamie Garner was victorious in Sport Compacts, which locked in the top 6.

The Nogalitos Gear Limited Late Models had the night off completing all their weekend racing on Friday night. Frank OKruhlik went home with the win and the extra purse.

The remaining non-qualified cars, plus any new cars would run Last Chance Qualifiers to set the final feature spots for the money.

Modified winner Greg Dinsmore three wheeling it through turn 1. Photo by JM Hallas

Dinsmore Dashes to Modified Money

Kerrville’s Greg Dinsmore doubled up on the weekend taking home the Modified Main Saturday night, beating not only the competition, but the rain. Dinsmore battled with Talon Minten early in the 20-lapper keeping the pressure on. Just past halfway, as a light rain began, Dinsmore got by Minten who appeared to slow. Chad Melton also got by Minten, who got back in the fight. While Melton and Minten swapped the spot, Dinsmore got several car lengths as he tip-toed on the slick track to the checkers.

As the 14-car Modified field roared to life, Dinsmore was first into turn 1. Minten battled back on the top and was first back to the line to lead lap 1. Dinsmore fell in line second with Jamie Campbell, Bill Pittaway and Melton in tow. Pittaway got third from Campbell when yellow flew for a tangle between Robert Scrivner, Hunter Flanagan and Brandon Brzozowski in turn 4.

Melton took fourth from Campbell back under green, but Campbell fought back when the races final caution came on lap 3 when James Samford looped it and collected Brzozowski and Scrivner. As Minten and Dinsmore got away, Melton retook the spot from Campbell, then third from Pittaway, bringing Cody Leonard along to fourth.

Coming to halfway Dinsmore was giving Minten a look low for the lead. At the crossed flags it was Minten, Dinsmore with the nose inside, Melton, Leonard and Campbell. Minten slowed as they came up on lapped traffic giving Dinsmore the opening to grab the lead on lap 11 with Melton following to second. Melton and Minten then began to fight for second.

As they went at it, Dinsmore got away by a handful of car lengths. With the rain now coming a bit harder, and the track slicking up, Dinsmore held about six car lengths with two to go. From there he was able to slip-slide to the victory in the Sundowner Performance Diesel Repair, Texas Land Restoration, Performance Towing, Race Safe Technologies, The Alignment Shop, Wehrs, Sanderson Motorsports, Fast Shafts, AFCO, Six-Two Graphics, Friesen crate powered, BMS Chassis.

“We had some good cars out there tonight,” commented Dinsmore. “The car started digging and was coming up on Talon (Minten) when he lifted. I looked at the lights and didn’t see a yellow on, so I went on. I’ve made that mistake before. In beginning of race I think I must have sealed the tires off in hot laps. I had a fast car in hot laps. I felt the car just wouldn’t dig. Then after about 6-7 laps it started digging.”

“Once I got around I just tried to keep my car out of the ruts. The ruts were an issue with the car because I run so much bar angle on the brake floater, it was hitting the frame.”

“When it started raining I was thinking, ok who is going to be the best driver on a skating rink. I’m glad I-37 put the show on. I can’t thank the fans and my sponsors enough for hanging with us through the good and the bad.”

Cash Bred Off Road Modifieds

8g Greg Dinsmore, 71 Chad Melton, 14t Talon Minten, 12 Cody Leonard, 29 Jamie Campbell, 48 Chris Swenson, 137 Bill Pittaway, 77 Robert Liese Jr., 91 Jeremy Davenport, 55 Mike Morris, 58 Hunter Flangan, 53 Robert Scrivner, 29b Brandon Brzozowski, 28 James Samford

Modified Last Chance Qualifier (transfer by finish)

71 Chad Melton, 12 Cody Leonard, 53 Robert Scrivner, 58 Hunter Flanagan, 29b Brandon Brzozowski, 55m Mike Morris, 28 James Samford, 48 Chris Swenson

Swenson Racing Products Sport Modifieds

Rained out—Make up race To Be Determined

Sport Modified Last Chance Qualifier (transfer by finish)

Qualifier 1; 99 Edward Oakes, 90k Dustin Butcher, 37 Bill Pittaway, 66 Johnny Torres, 9 Chris Swenson, 11t Tom Grothues, 5r Ryan Doyon, 24r Robby Minten

Qualifier 2; 77 Cody Beddoe, 57 Hunter Flanagan, 184 Brian Rye, 31 Chase Havely, 21r Eric Ramos, 24 Jim Blevins, 10 Steven Nores, 25t Michael Keylich

Sport Modified winner rain Photo by Karen Davis, ADT Photography

Street Stock winner Wade Jones. Photo by JM Hallas

Jones Jousts with Stout Street Stock Field for Weekend Sweep

It was pretty much business as usual for Wade Jones (Jourdanton) in the 20-lap Street Stock feature. Jones would go flag to flag for the win, but there’s a new player in the class. Ryan Luza, making his dirt debut, gave Jones some pressure in the final half of the race that was full of cautions. At the checkers it was Jones by a couple car lengths, in the SABFI Transportation, Opiela Mechanical, Mission Racing, Chevy Camaro grabbing the win.

Sixteen cars took the green for Street Stock feature with Jones first into turn 1. Cody Leonard and Jarrett Barber were side by side for second with Luza fourth and Allen Torres fifth. Barber finally secured the spot leaving Leonard alongside Luza for third. Luza got the spot a lap later while Anthony Gordon got fifth from Torres.

After the first of several cautions, it looked like Bowman-Gray “Madhouse” style restarts were being used. Jones got away while Luza, Leonard and Barber slugged it out for second. Once Luza got the spot, Leonard, Barber and Gordon went three wide for third. Barbers top five run ended when he spun on a restart in front of the field, with everyone avoiding major contact.

In the pack, Jason Fitch, recovering from early spin, was trading fifth with Kenny Hurley. On a restart with five to go, Luza gave Jones a good look low for the lead. Jones held him off, while Gordon and Leonard swapped third. As the white waved Jones had a two car length on Luza on his way to the checkers, his fourth in a row.

“I felt like I had a real dominant weekend,” said Jones. We had 3 wins this weekend with a stout field of street stocks. Couldn’t of made it happen without all the hard work of my grandpa and support of my family and friends. Thanks to Gary Northway with SABFI Transportation, Opiela Mechanical, Mission Racing. We sure would like to make it 5 in a row and maybe sweep the season.”

SABFI Transportation Street Stocks

41 Wade Jones, 80 Ryan Luza, 7 Cody Leonard, 22 Anthony Gordon, 23f Jason Fitch, 19 Jarrett Barber, 40 Kenny Hurley, 5 Brad Hayes, 99 Frank Okruhlik, 33z James Zarbock, 11t Allen Torres, 37 AJ Wernette, 2x Dennis Hilla, 9s Jarrett Payton, 82 Jarred Stepanski, 7x Janel Liese, 75 Kenneth Densman—dns, 52 Kyle Speer—dns

Street Stock Last Chance Qualifiers (transfer by finish)

Qualifier 1; 22 Anthony Gordon, 23f Jason Fitch, 37 AJ Wernette, 9s Jarrett Payton, 99 Frank Okruhlik, 75 Kenneth Densman

Qualifier 2; 33z James Zarbock, 2x Dennis Hilla, 82 Jarred Stepanski, 5 Brad Hayes, 7x Janel Liese, 52 Kyle Speer

Pure Stock winner Dakota Hurley. Photo by JM Hallas

Hurley Hustles to Pure Stock Payday

Dakota Hurley (La Vernia) almost saw his chance to win go away after an early tangle with Dakota Heinaman. Once back on point, Hurley would go on to lead every lap in the 20-lapper and hold off the field after a late race caution that re-bunched the field.

As green waved on the 23-car field Hurley got out front with Heinaman, Joseph Snow, Colt Beaver and Josh Sewell in pursuit. On lap 1 Heinaman made contact with Hurley, hooked bumpers, and turned Hurley to the infield. The call was made on Heinaman, who was sent to the back, and Hurley retook his spot.

Hurley got away on the restart with Snow and Beaver door to door for second. Snow secured the spot while Jamie Dear got alongside Sewell for fourth. Aaron Leddy moved in to make three wide for the spot. On restart Beaver broke an axle and stacked up the pack ending his top run. Once back to green at halfway it was Hurley, Snow, Sewell, Dear and JW Blocker in the top five.

With five to go, Hurley was coming up on traffic while Snow and Sewell were side by side for second. Sewell got the spot with Dear now challenging Snow. Cheyloh Brodnax set up a green, white, checker finish with a late spin. Hurley in the Clayton Homes of Seguin, Schneider Solar Screens, Delivery Made Easy, Beaver Motorsports, Sassy Styles, All In Designs, Hurley Racing, Chevy Nova got a good restart and scored the victory.

“I just want to thank All In Designs, Clayton Homes of Seguin and my family for making this happen. I had a great car and I owe it all to them.” replied Hurley.

All In Designs Pure Stocks

40 Dakota Hurley, 38 Josh Sewell, 15d Jamie Dear, 01 Joseph Snow, 15b JW Blocker, 25 Bobby Jack, 51 Daniel Waer, 98 William Saunders, 9 Johnny Westfall, 441 Dakota Heinaman, 95s Sterling Tausch, 6 Daniel Preston, d68 Cody Earnhardt, 97 James Aremendia jr., 56 Bob Caulfield , 50 John Wasek, 58 Cheyloh Brodnax, 00 Lesley Lazrine, 96e Eric Madden, 20 Colt Beaver, 93 Aaron Leddy, 9c Caitlin Leonard, 48 Patrick Lyon, 57 Ben Franke—dns

Pure Stock Last Chance Qualifier (transfer by finish)

Qualifier 1; 51 Daniel Waer, 9c Caitlin Leonard, 9 Johnny Westfall, 00 Lesley Lazrine, 98 William Saunders, 57 Ben Franke, 6 Daniel Preston

Qualifier 2; 97 James Aramendia jr., 25 Bobby Jack, 48 Patrick Lyon, 95s Sterling Tausch, 56 Bob Caulfield, 50 John Wasek, 96e Eric Madden, d68 Cody Earnhardt

Sport Compact winner Robert Kelm. Photo by JM Hallas

Kelm Captures Compact Cash

In one of the most exciting features, Robert Kelm (Kyle) made a late pass to take the victory. Kelm battled late with Jamie Garner and GB Carter, who both took turns leading. Kelm got the spot from Carter then held on for win in the Oakhill Motorsports, M&E Automotive, Rachel Plant Picture Taker, Saturn.

At the start of the 19-car Sport Compact feature Garner got pushed out front by Jeremy Hernandez to lead lap 1. Hernandez held second chased by Kirk Ball, Roy Easler and Eric Wilson. Ball hooked bumpers with Hernandez and turned him in front of the field on lap 1. After another quick caution for debris, GB Carter made a charge past Hernandez for second.

Brandon McCall was next to put Hernandez back a spot. As the leaders began catching traffic, Garner got cut off allowing Carter to go by for the lead on lap 6. McCall then moved in to battle with Garner while Kelm took fourth from Hernandez. Garner ducked inside Carter on lap 8 to retake the point on lap 9.

While the lead duo slugged it out, Kelm closed in on the two. Carter was able to get inside Garner and after two laps was back out front on lap13. By now Kelm was in the mix too. Once Kelm grabbed second he was on Carters bumper. Kelm ducked under Carter in turn 1 to get the top spot on lap 17. From there he was able to hold off Carter and Garner to pick up the victory.

Brown Chevrolet Sport Compacts.

8 Robert Kelm, 77 GB Carter, 3 Jamie Garner, 114 Brandon McCall, 6p Jeremy Hernandez, 43 Alyson Dorken, 71 Chris Wetz, 12 Roy Easler, 3g Garrett Godfredson, 13m Jeremy Watson, 33c Charles Earnhardt jr., 53 Treyler Caulfield, 56 Dooley Smith, 69 Felipe Ruiz, 42 Daniel Zajac, 38 Kirk Ball, 6pjr Levi Hernandez, 76 Eric Wilson, 33 Lizzy Blackstock

Sport Compact Last Chance Qualifier (transfer by finish)

Qualifier 1; 77 Gb Carter, 43 Alyson Dorken, 33c Charles Earnhardt III, 3g Garrett Godfredson, 33 Lizzy Blackstock, 69 Felipe Ruiz, 6pjr Levi Hernandez

Qualifier 2; 8 Robert Kelm, 42 Daniel Zajac, 71 Chris Wetz, 13m Jeremy Watson, 53 Treyler Caulfield, 56 Dooley Smith