---

Back to School Night/STIMS @ I-37 Speedway by Allways Auto Group, 8-3-24

1 Late Model winner Robby Minten
2 STIMS winner Ryan Doyon
3 Limited Modified winner Bobby Smith
4 Factory Stock winner Dakota Hurley
5 Fireball winner AJ Dancer
6 Sport Compact winner Eric Wilson
7 Dwarf Car Series of Texas winner Dylan Budnik

By JM Hallas
Pleasanton, TX.,( August 3rd, 2024) Here comes the bride….

The tradition of getting the kids ready to go back to school continued with the annual 'Back to School Night' at I-37 Speedway Saturday night. Back packs and school supplies were handed out during intermission along with school bus rides around the ¼ mile, semi-banked, dirt oval.

It was a full night of racing with seven classes scheduled; The Late Models, STIMS(South Texas IMCA Modified Series), Limited Modifieds, Factory Stocks, Fireballs, Sport Compacts, Texas Dwarf Car Racing Series and if that weren't enough, an on-track wedding. Sport Compact racer Jennifer Kidd and Nathan Ashelin exchanged vows on front stretch entry road.

STIMS points
Ryan Doyon has the STIMS points lead by a mere 2 points ahead of Chris Carroll with Chris Morris moving to third, Rick Green fourth and Jacob Hortch rounding out the top five. The four previous I-37 Speedway races have seen Chris Morris take two wins, both at the expense of Doyon, Logan Dinsmore and Cody Leonard.

Jared Maupin picked the victory last race out in a controversial finish at Cotton Bowl Speedway(Paige). It his third of the season tying Logan Dinsmore in race wins. Dinsmore, despite his three tallies, sits seventh in points after missing two events. Carroll and Doyon and Cody Leonard have one victory each.

Late Model Money to Minten
The 20-lap Late Model main saw Marcus Mikulencak and Ryan Doyon side by side until Mikulencak edged out front trailed by Ry. Doyon, Robby Minten, Rory Jordan and Steve Whiteaker jr. Ry. Doyon was looking for the lead on lap 3 when yellow waved for debris to rebunch the pack.

Minten snagged second from his cousin, Ry. Doyon, with Whiteaker getting by Jordan for fourth. Cody Leonard then grabbed fifth from Jordan. Whiteaker and Leonard continued going forward taking third and fourth from Ry. Doyon. At the crossed flags it was Mikulencak, Minten, Whiteaker, Leonard and Ry. Doyon in the top five.

Lap 11 saw Minten get by Mikulencak for the lead. A lap later Ziggy Reusser found the front stretch wall for a caution. Back under green, Minten got out while Whiteaker and Leonard passed Mikulencak for second and third. Mikulencak faded further giving up spots to Whiteaker and Leonard before pulling off.

As Minten began to stretch out his advantage Whiteaker and Leonard began a battle for second. As they ran side by side, Minten was able to increase his margin with Leonard finally getting spot but too far back, with too few laps as Minten(La Coste) in his Site One, 3-D Landscaping, Alamo Truck Accessories, Shannon Realty Group, Gunn Chevrolet, crate powered, Black Diamond chassis took home his first ever Late model victory.

“I can't remember the last time I won a race,” exclaimed Minten. “It feels great, It was awesome. I kept thinking someone was going to come up on me pretty quick. Once I got up to that high line I felt pretty confident. It was going to be tough to pass me.”

If my cousin and uncle find something on the cars they pretty much share it. JW works on all three of our cars. So if they've found something he will let me know. When racing them it's just race clean and the better driver will win. Part of my downfall is I drive a little too hard sometimes and get myself in trouble.”

“They call me the “concrete cowboy” since I slap the wall so much. I tore it up again in the heat race. JW helped me fix it between the heat and feature. He helped get Darrell Boyds Modified ready too. Once I found the high line in the Late Model race I felt confident in the Modified set up. Unfortunately with that wreck I didn't get to run much. I feel bad for Darrell, the car is pretty much totaled. I feel bad about that.”

Late Models by Nogalitos Gear
24 Robby Minten, 48 Cody Leonard, 89 Steve Whiteaker jr., 5r Ryan Doyon, 7x Rory Jordan, 9 Ray Doyon III, 08 Landon Sowder, 93 Aaron Leddy, 77 Mark Taylor, 87 Marcus Mikulencak, 5k Ziggy Reusser, 57 Jason Kelly, 77x Robert Liese jr---dns

Late Model heat winners; 87 Marcus Mikulencak, 5r Ryan Doyon

Doyon Dodges His Way to Win
After the STIMS four-wide salute to veterans, the 16-car field took the green, Raymond McSpadden jumped out with a good push from David Gibson. McSpadden would spin in front of the field scattering everyone. In the melee Robby Minten, and Robert Liese made hard contact with McSpadden along with Brayden Tumlinson and Gilbert Amezquita. Liese complained of a sore shoulder and Minten had his bell rung, but both were checked and released by paramedics.

On the complete restart Rick Green got away with Ryan Doyon looking low, as Logan Dinsmore, Chris Morris and Steve Whiteaker jr. sorted out, Doyon, Whiteaker and Morris were three wide for third. Gibson would spin at one end with Brian Harbison going around at the other end for a lap 2 caution.

On the restart Dinsmore, up top, moved to second behind Green who appeared to slow abruptly in turn 3. Dinsmore, with no where to go, ran up the back of Green getting hooked together. With two distinct grooves, the top four began a good battle where if you slipped, you got passed. Lap 7 saw Whiteaker throw a slide job on Doyon for the lead, over shoot turn 4 entry and spin. Reminding me of Top Gun when Mav tells Goose, “I'll slam on the brakes, he'll fly right by.”

Once back to green, Morris and Doyon went back at it for the lead while Dinsmore was now three wide with Tanner Whitmire and Brenda Kirby for third. Brayden Tumlinson went around for a caution just as Morris had the nose out front to lead. On the restart Morris was again inside Doyon for the lead at halfway with Dinsmore, Whitmire and Whiteaker, back up to the top five.

Doyon would retake the lead on lap 11 with Morris giving up spots to Dinsmore and Whiteaker. Whiteaker used the slide job on Dinsmore to take second and ran Doyon back down for the lead. With two to go, the top three were nose to tail. Whiteaker took a look low, but Doyon(La Coste) was able to hang on for the win in his 3-D Landscaping, Alamo Truck Accessories, Boss JCB, Site One Landscaping Supply, Gunn Fleet Management Chevrolet, RainBird, crate powered, IRP Chassis.

“It was a pretty adventurous race from my seat too,” commented Doyon. I feel like I saw a little bit of everything out there. Had some close calls. Dodged a couple wrecks.”

“Once Rick(Green) got out I was just hoping to fall in line behind him. When he and Logan(Dinsmore) got together I was just in the right place, right time. I saw (Chris) Morris down there seems like every turn and hoping he wasn't going to make the bottom stick where he could get up in front of me where the moisture was.”

“On of those adventurous moments was when I saw Stevie(Whiteaker) out of the corner of my eye and was lucky that I was able to react fast enough to let him slide right by. Thankfully we didn't touch. I know whenever he goes to the back it's just a matter of time until he's back at the front. I was hoping we didn't have any more yellows and just click laps off before he could get back to me.”

“I tried the bottom in turn 4 under caution and it felt too dirty for me. Coming off the top of turn 4 seemed to have the best moisture. I didn't really think anyone would get a good run out of turn 4 on the bottom.”

“It was chaos on that first lap. I know I was right right behind Rick Green. He got slid up in front of when (Raymond) McSpadden spun. I know I had to have hit a couple bumpers in that deal, but I didn't get the worse end like some did.”

“I really have to thank 89 Motorsports, Stevie and all his guys. After that last race at Cotton Bowl this car was in pretty bad shape. They got it back together and on the right path. IRP gave me a couple good tips and they seemed to help out.”

STIMS by Hortch Speed Shop
5r Ryan Doyon, 89 Steve Whiteaker jr., 8jr Logan Dinsmore, 94 Chris Morris, 101 Tanner Whitmire, 5b Brenda Kirby, 27 Charles Strong, 366 David Gibson, 45 Brian Machicek, 11 Brian Harbison, 33 Brayden Tumlinson, 82 Rick Green,48 Raymond McSpadden, 22 Robby Minten, 77 Robert Liese jr., 56 Gilbert Amezquita

STIMS heat winners; 5b Brenda Kirby, 89 Steve Whiteaker jr.

Smith Scores First Win in Over a Decade
The start of the Limited Modified feature saw Logan Densman, Allen Torres and Tom Grothues three wide for the lead off turn 2. Torres got to the line first to lead lap 1 with Grothues, Bobby Smith, Ray Allen Kulhanek and Densman in the top five. Grothues put the pressure on Torres and got by to lead lap 4 with Kulhanek and Smith wheel to wheel for third.

After a debris caution, Trent Beaver charged into the top five getting by Torres and Smith for second. Smith fought back getting alongside Beaver, with both catching Grothues. It was again three wide for the lead now between Grothues, Smith and Beaver with Smith getting the spot.

At halfway it was Smith, Beaver, Grothues, Kulhanek and Torres in the top five with Logan Dinsmore, Tanner Whitmire and Jaden Edmund three wide for sixth. Grothues would loop it for a lap 14 caution that saw Kulhanek and Beaver pull off from the top five. On the restart it was now Whitmire looking for the lead on Smith.

Smith then began to inch away from Whitmire while Edmund, Dinsmore and Roly Rodriguez fought it out for fourth. With two to go Smith(Encinol) had motored ahead by a half straightaway. This left him unchallenged to the checkers in his Matt Brown Automotive, 91 Specialties, DJ Construction, Top Hat Signs & Designs, L&H Crane Service, Express Chassis.

“It's been since about 2008 since I've won a race,” replied Smith. “I bought an old HOT Chassis from Adan (Arambula). He's the one that has done all the work on my car and motors. Jared Maupin, who I've know since he was a kid, does the set up on this car. We don't change anything on this car without going through him.”

“In the heat I knew once I got to the top that the car was fast. If we got to the top and got it hooked up in the feature, they wouldn't be able to touch us. It's nice to be back in the winners circle. It's been nothing but fun getting back into racing after being off a while. The competition now, these cars have gotten a lot faster than when I first got in one.”

“I saw Trent(Beaver) one time coming out of (turn) 4.Then I didn't see him again. To be honest I didn't see a lot of anyone I was focusing on my line. The only other person I saw was Ray Allen Kulhanek. They're heavy hitters so I knew I had my work cut out and couldn't mess up.”

Limited Modifieds by Iron Horse RV Specialists
9s Bobby Smith, 101 Tanner Whitmire, 51 Allen Torres, 00e Jaden Edmund, 30 Logan Dinsmore, 12r Roly Rodriguez, 58 Charles Flanagan, 26 Logan Densman, 26w Robert Wiggins, 95 Sterling Tausch, 00k Oliver Billingsly. 14 Trent Beaver, 11t Tom Grothues, 21t Ray Allen Kulhanek, 88 Steven Whiteaker III---dns, 15t Mike Terry---dns

Limited Modified heat winners; 51 Allen Torres, 14 Trent Beaver

Hurley Hustles from Last to First
The Factory Stock heats proved an omen of the feature. As the field took the green Hunter Peterson went around off turn 4 collecting numerous cars. Two of the favorites, Johnny Torres and Cameron Starry were both eliminated. On the second start Scott Jerkins grabbed the point chased by Kyle Kirkland, Johnny Walker Brown, Dylan Kowalik, using the top, and Allen Torres.

Kowalik, Brown and A. Torres were three wide for third, then Kowalik and A. Torres moved three abreast with Kirkland for second. Jerkins would spin from the lead in turn 1, but continue on giving up many spots and the lead to Kowalik. Kowalik had A. Torres pressuring him when something broke on Kowalik's car ending his night.

With A. Torres now on point, Kirkland and Dillon Gaither were side by side for second. On the charge from the back, twice, Dakota Hurley moved up to battle with Kirkland and Gaither. The trio were three wide for second on lap 9 with Da. Hurley getting the spot. Coming to halfway it was A. Torres being challenged by Da. Hurley, Gaither, Kirkland and Mike Lyon in the top five.

Da. Hurley was able to get by A. Torres for the lead on lap 11. A. Torres moved up top trying to retake the spot, but a spin by Peterson would slow the pace on lap 14. Once back to green it was Gaither and A. Torres door to door for second, but still keeping pace with the leader. DA. Hurley got three car lengths as the white waved and held on for the win in his All in Designs, Schneider Solar Screens, in house powered, Kenny Hurley Race Car Chassis.

“Yeah I messed up in the heat race,” said Hurley. “That got us behind, starting in the last row. Then when we had that caution coming to the green(in the feature) and I had a right rear flat. So, to the tail again. I thought we were out of it, but we had a good car and hit the set up right. Thanks to my dad, and my family for all they do.”

Factory Stocks by All in Design
40 Dakota Hurley, 91 Allen Torres, 18 Kyle Kirland, 41 Dillon Gaither, 20 Mike Lyon, 7 Johnny Walker Brown, 44k Michael Keylich, 92r Robert Keylich, 10 Scott Jerkins, 34h Hunter Peterson, 29k Dylan Kowalik, 741 Cameron Starry, 66 Johnny Torres, 14t Trey Heald---dns, 4 Austin Bean---dns, 4d Dustin Hurley---dns, 329 Eric Robbins---dns, 329fa Marcus Buckley---dns

Factory Stock heat winners; 29k Dylan Kowalik, 741 Cameron Starry

Dancer Dashes to Fireball Dough
Eighteen cars took the green for the scheduled 20-lap Fireball feature with Ryker Hernandez and Kenny Wright staying side by side as Hernandez lead at the line. Wright, Danny Dear, AJ Dancer and Howie Marcx sorted out behind. Dancer quickly got by Dear and Wright. Marcx got along side Dear for third before a yellow for a Nick Morris' spin.

On the restart Dancer got past Hernandez for the lead with Marcx moving to third. A series of six cautions dotted the mid-point of the race prompting officials to cut the race to 15-laps. Finally to some green flag racing with Dancer edging away as Marcx looked high on Hernandez for second and Evahdent Ivy, Joe Boop and Clint Montanio battling for fourth.

Ivy got spun out of that scrap with Jo. Boop going around to miss Ivy. The race was again cut to a green, white, checker finish on time. Sadly it took four tries trying to get the final two laps in so it was cut to a one-lap shootout. Dancer(Red Rock) got away by a couple car lengths and scored the victory in his Brewster Baker themed car.

Fireballs by Winners Circle Transmissions
49 AJ Dancer, 55 Ryker Hernandez, 13 Howie Marcx, 67 Joe Boop, h2s Shane Stonebraker, 86 Sammy Smith, 68 Kenny Wright, 6 Kelly Marbach, 05w Evahdent Ivy, 17 Scott Walker, 09 Clint Montanio, 64 Danny Dear, 72 Justin Boop, 6m Blaine Markgraf, 56 Jeffrey Walker, 15 Trevor Smith, 18s Jarrett Payton, 94 Nick Morris

Fireball heat winners; 13 Howie Marcx, 49 AJ Dancer

Wilson Back in Winners Circle
A half dozen cars took the green for the 10-lap Sport Compact feature with Sonny Kinnaman grabbing the early lead followed by Eric Wilson, Josh Jones, Donald Lewis and the newly married, Jennifer Kidd-Ashelin. Wilson, who had issues in his heat race, quickly got by Kinnaman for the lead.

As Wilson pulled away, Kinnaman took a trip through the infield and received the black flag for not slowing down. From there Wilson(Uvalde) cruised to the checkers in his Ted Taxidermy and After Hours Feed, 1.9L Saturn SC2.

“It's been a few races,” said Wilson. “We've had some problems with fuel injectors. Turns out it was shorting one out and cutting the power to all the injectors and power to the whole car. We got that fixed last night. Obviously the car is happy again.”

“I was in charge of the hood pins in the heat race. I get a little forgetful sometimes. I forgot the air box tonight and have to thank my friend Anthony Norris for bringing me one from Uvalde and his father for helping me in the garage.”

“Starting in the back with only six cars I just wanted to get out front as quick as I could. The leader didn't get out good start so I gave him a little push to get us single filed out and I could work on him. From there it was game over.”

“I put in way too many hours of work on this car with all the past body work and fighting the electrical issue. Actually it's the wall and other cars doing most of the body work, I just patch it. The chickens are still upset with me using their coop doors as body parts. One day they'll get over it. They aren't laying any eggs yet. I'm not sure if they're protesting or just not old enough.”

“I'd like to move up to a Modified some day. I've got an old IMCA car from the 90's up at the ranch waiting for someone to give it some love. Maybe I'll start working on it the middle of next year. I'll stay in the Compacts til then. We're getting a couple more cars together and should have three team cars next race, hopefully.

Sport Compacts by Johnson Supply
18 Eric Wilson, 76y Donald Lewis, 43 Jennifer Kidd-Ashelin, 11 Josh Jones, 15 Devon Surrit, 38 Sonny Kinnaman---BF

Sport Compact heat winner;

Dylan/Dillon Dice for Dwarf Dollars
At the start of the 20-lap DCRST feature it was Dylan Budnik jumping out front ahead of Duane Burford, Jerry Burford, Colby Urbanovsky and Dillon Coyne. Coyne moved past Urbanovsky and J. Burford for third on lap 1, then by D. Burford a lap later for second with Urbanbovsky also picking up a spot.

After a quick caution for Brian Batchelor stalled out on the back stretch. Urbanovsky got by Coyne back under green briefly while Danielle Long made her way to sixth after starting last. Adam Stehle, Jerry Batchelor and Joe Sansing had a meeting in turn 4 for a lap 7 caution. As Budnik got away on green, Coyne and Urbanovsky resumed their scrap for second.

At halfway it was Budnik, Coyne, Urbanovsky, D. Burford and J. Burford in the top five. Ron Thiel and Long tangled for a caution that saw the two Dylan/Dillons get away while Urbanovsky and D. Burford swapped third and J. Burford swapped fifth with David Miller. Jerry Batchelor slowed on track for a lap 15 caution.

On the restart the two Dylan/Dillons began an epic high-low battle for the lead as they got away from the field. This seems to be a theme with the DCRST at I-37 Speedway only missing, Dillon Spreen this time. Coyne gave it one final try coming to the checkers, but it was Budnik(Boerne) in the Sky Haulers, Epperson Paint & Body, Dall Co., Flying V Motorsports, B&B Chassis, dsm, Suzuki GSXR 1000 taking the win.

Dwarf Car Racing Series of Texas
25 Dylan Budnik, 12 Dillon Coyne, 14r Duane Burford, 24t Colby Urbanovsky, 81d Jerry Burford, 31 David Miller, 09 Danielle Long, 7 Ron Thiel, 30 Billy Groff, 36 Joe Sansing, 51 Jerry Batchelor, 93 Adam Stehle, 18 Brian Batchelor

DCRST heat winners; 12 Dillon Coyne, 25 Dylan Budnik

---

Article Media

Back to News