The store will not work correctly when cookies are disabled.
We use cookies to make your experience better.To comply with the new e-Privacy directive, we need to ask for your consent to set the cookies. Learn more.
Terry McCarl is looking forward to experiencing a successful season in 2012 and hopes to ultimately earn a spot in the Knoxville Nationals.
After starting the season strong in Georgia, Terry McCarl and team T-MAC Motorsports Inc. ran into some mechanical issues. McCarl and his crew have since diagnosed and repaired the electrical problem and recently experienced yet another great night of racing at the Thunderbowl Raceway.
Rolling into Tulare California, the driver and his crew anticipated how the #24 car would perform with the needed repairs behind them. McCarl had experienced his fair share of success at the Tulare Bullring during previous World of Outlaw events, and if his car performed to what they expected, they were likely in for a pretty good night of racing.
Of the twenty five drivers scheduled to run in the 410 Sprint Class, the Altoona, Iowa driver was the seventh quickest, but finished at the very back of the pack during the qualifying event. Although the car was not performing to par during the beginning of the event, McCarl had the benefit of an experienced crew on his side. Between runs, McCarl, Brad Goebel and Paul Silva, whose driver was presently racing "Down Under," continued fine tuning the engine. In turn, as the night progressed, McCarl's success did also.
After finishing second in his heat race the driver and his team were satisfied with a third place finish in the dash. With confidence starting to pile up terry McCarl prepared for the main event. Starting in the third position, the driver was perfectly aware that he had a battle ahead of him.
At the waving of the green flag, the driver on the outside immediately shot out to the front, leaving the remaining drivers battling for second place. During the beginning of the event, McCarl held the fourth place spot and was in contention, but Craig Dollansky worked his way around him in the first lap. Terry McCarl is not one to let up though, and as the field got into traffic, he took advantage of the opportunity to start working his way toward the front. McCarl got situated on the high side of the track, as the field grew increasingly tighter.
After experiencing electrical problems early in the season, Terry McCarl and team T-MAC Motorsports Inc. have the problem resolved and recently experienced success at the Thunderbowl Raceway.
As a series of caution flags flew, McCarl managed to work his way to the runner-up position, but a slick track eventually took its toll. Not only did he loose traction at the bottom of a straightaway, but he also gave up his second place spot. In fact, McCarl was in the fourth position at the waving of the checkered flag.
Although barely missing a podium finish at Thunderbowl, Terry McCarl and his crew were satisfied with their cars overall performance, and have high hopes of what lies in store for the remainder of the 2012 season. "We definitely had a top five car all night long," explained McCarl. "We had a great finish on a real racy track." When asked if there we any upcoming races in particular that he and his team are looking forward to, McCarl said, "We just take them as they come."
This season, Terry McCarl will own his own team. That said, he is acutely aware of the importance of each and every member of T-MAC Motorsports, and the job they perform. Experience has also taught McCarl that enough can't be said for maintenance. "They call it motorsports for a reason," said the driver. "The guy with the best engine is having the most fun. You just have to keep the dirt out of those engines of you want optimal performance." That in mind, Terry McCarl depends upon K&N products to ensure the internal components of his engines remain contaminant free. Referring to K&N products he said, "It's the best filter out there."
Although Terry McCarl has a competitive nature, and is always a force to be reckoned with, he also appreciates the bonds and friendships he has acquired during his racing career. "You're competitive against each other, but once the race is over, you're just one big family. It's a great family sport and all of the competitors are like one big family."
Throughout many years of racing, Terry McCarl and T-MAC Motorsports have acquired many fans. When asked what his fans could expect from Terry McCarl in 2012 he said, "Hopefully, we'll experience a successful season and in turn, will have a shot at winning the Knoxville Nationals."
The Jason Johnson Racing team's primary focus is capturing the ASCS National Championship. Photo by Timothy Passmore.
Southern New Mexico Speedway in Las Cruces, New Mexico is where Jason Johnson Racing and Stenhouse Jr. Racing recently completed their first ever ASCS 305 Sprint Car Shootout together.
"The opportunity for Stenhouse Jr. Racing to compete in our first ASCS 305 race was an education to say the least," commented Johnson. "Coming from the 360 ranks, the 305 ASCS class is very limited on power. The smoother driver, who keeps up his momentum, is definitely the fastest guy. We would like to thank Mesilla Valley Transportation for finding us a competitive engine to be able to compete while traveling through. We always enjoy our time out in Las Cruces, especially being how beautiful the weather is at this time of the year."
From left to right: Crew Chief-Philip Dietz, Tim Courmier, Emily Annett, Jason Johnson. Down front: local fan Chevy Coleman, and Bobbi Johnson. Photo by Timothy Passmore.
Jason and the crew bolted the 305 engine into their Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT)/Gleco Plating Inc. No. 41 and went racing. In Friday night's action, the "Cajun Sensation" finished 5th in his heat and in the A-Main, missing a lock in position for Saturday's race by one spot. The crew woke up early Saturday morning and worked all day to prepare their sprint car for Saturday night's final round of competition.
In Saturday's action Johnson ran third in his heat and finished 9th in the A-Main. According to Johnson, the entire team had a lot of fun racing in Las Cruces. After a quick break the team next headed to Mesquite, Texas to compete in the 39th Annual Spring Nationals at Devil's Bowl Speedway. With Johnson back behind the wheel of a familiar power-curve he was able to notch his second win of the 2012 ASCS National Tour season.
"To capture our second victory of the season with Roush Yates Ford power under the hood of our Stenhouse Jr. Racing Maxim chassis was fantastic," said Johnson. "The Ford engine has great power on the top end, and with Devils Bowl Speedway being a bigger venue, we got to showcase the power Roush Yates has developed. These Stenhouse Jr. crew guys have worked their tails off all winter long looking for more speed, and it is great to begin the ASCS National Tour season off with such success."
Jason Johnson scored his second 2012 ASCS National Tour win at Devil's Bowl Speedway driving his Roush Yates Ford powered car. Photo by Timothy Passmore.
For 2012 Stenhouse Jr. Racing has four Maxim Chassis assembled for Johnson to compete in anywhere from 70 to 90 events throughout the racing season. "With the ASCS National Tour as our main priority, we enjoy filling in the off weekend with racing with other organizations," said Johnson. "One of the benefits of racing under the ASCS banner is there always a regional race we can attend. Included within our schedule for 2012, Stenhouse Jr. Racing looks forward to showcasing the 410 Ford powerplant assembled by Roush Yates Racing Engines. With one common equation to all the varieties of series and engine combinations, K&N products are used exclusively by me and the Stenhouse Jr. organization."
"For the 2012 goals, our main focus is to capture the ASCS National Championship. Along with the championship, we would like to win as many races as possible, with a goal of 25 victories or better. We realize these are tough goals to achieve, but we feel we are up to the challenge!"
Johnson is no stranger to winning championships, in 2010 he and his wife Bobbi captured the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour Championship in their first year as team owners at Jason Johnson Racing (JJR) and they continued their success during the 2011 season by winning a series leading six races, and defending their owner's point title. Johnson and the JJR team are looking to continue their successful momentum in 2012.
Next up, the ASCS National tour moves down to Beaumont, Texas on Friday, April 13th, and Saturday, April 14th. Johnson added, "The very next weekend after Beaumont, we look forward to utilizing the Roush Yates 410 Ford powerplant for the first time in our home base state of Sedalia, Missouri."
After taking the win at Cowtown, Brady Bacon and Wilke-Pak Motorsports experienced mechanical difficulties on night two.
Pulling into Dallas, Texas, Brady Bacon and team Wilke-Pak Motorsports were geared up for a battle at "The Midget Stampede in Dallas" at the Cowtown Speedway. Racing in the USAC National Midgets class, the driver went into the first night of the event confident. "Going into any race, we always have a pretty high confidence level," shared Bacon. "I believe every competitor's confidence is pretty high before any event."
Driving the Wilke-Pak Motorsport #11 the driver started the night off with a bang, winning his heat race, a standard he planned to follow for the remainder of the night. "It's always a good boost for the night to win the heat race," he explained. "It lets you know that you have a car that is in tune with the track and you hope to carry that to the main."
Starting on the pole position after earning top points in a sixty-six car field, the driver took the lead early and never looked back. In fact, when the dust had settled, Bacon had managed to hold the lead throughout the entire race and at the waving of the checkered flag had scored a three thousand dollar victory.
Although holding the lead from start to finish, that was no indication that Brady wasn't contended. "We were challenged for most of the race," Bacon recalled. "It was someone I wasn't familiar with, but I'll tell you what, he was one heck of a racer." Referring to Cowtown Raceway, he continued, "It's a great track, and offers a driver with great skills the opportunity to really excel above the rest."
Brady Bacon recently earned the checkered flag at the Midget Stampede in Dallas, at the Cowtown Speedway.
With a win under his belt on Friday night, Bacon return to Cowtown on the following day with anticipation of continuing where he had left off. That said, his luck went south when the driver experienced mechanical difficulties. "It was a let-down to drop out of the Saturday feature, but it was a mechanical failure that not even we could prevent," explained the driver. "The brake line broke at the master cylinder. It's the first time in our team's history that this type of malfunction has happened. We would have been a serious contender for the win," he explained. "We had a great car, and although we got caught up in an early crash, we were up to seventh from last in just about seven laps."
Although the final day of the event was filled with disappointment, Brady Bacon and team Wilke-Pak Motorsports are more than ready to put that stroke of bad luck behind them and are looking forward to what might transpire during the remainder of the 2012 season. "In midget racing, a lot of the major events that used to hold a lot of luster have faded," recalled Bacon. "But we always look forward to such events like the 'Belleville Midget Nationals,' 'Night Before The 500,' and the 'Turkey Night Grand Prix.'"
When asked the key to success during future races, Bacon said, "Well, in any motorsports event, the main key to success is competing at a high level. But more importantly, you have to finish the race and have a good driver and reliable equipment."
The driver and his team are also aware that maintenance plays a huge role in keeping their equipment in optimal working condition. "Maintenance is a top priority at Wilke-Pak Motorsports," he explained. "There are few teams in the sport that are as particular and stringent on maintenance as Wilke-Pak." Referring to keeping their engines contaminant free, he continued, "We use the K&N Carbon Fiber midget air box, and their breather and oil filters. We have been associated with K&N for more than ten years, using their products religiously for our filter needs. Anytime you can have a quality product like K&N filters, it not only helps you achieve the highest probability of winning, but it gives you peace of mind. It's refreshing to know that your engine is going to be protected in the harshest of conditions."
Referring to what he and his team plans to deliver to their fans and sponsors in 2012, Brady Bacon concluded, "Wins and Records! Come out and support Midget and local racing!"
Tyler Bowers recently won his second consecutive AMA Arenacross Championship.
Tyler Bowers and Team Monster Energy Babbitt's Kawasaki recently rolled into Minneapolis, Minnesota eager to arrive at the Target Center, where Bowers was scheduled to race in the final AMA Arenacross event of the season. The rider was prepared for a battle, and in a good position. He had managed to earn twelve main event wins during previous races and the only obstacle standing between him and his second consecutive championship was to qualify for the main event on the final round of the series.
Fastest in qualifying on his KX250F, Bowers then managed to win his heat race. After taking the lead, the rider noticed a puncture on his rear tire. Aware that he couldn't risk missing the main, stopping was not an option. In fact, the rider never looked back and took the win.
Eager to continue his pursuit to end the season with a bang, the rider then focused on the Dash for Cash. In third place until the last corner of the race, Bowers maneuvered his way to the front for a victory when the leading two riders collided.
With momentum on his side and a championship title pretty well in the bag, Bowers was more than prepared for an exciting and fierce battle in the main event. Upon qualifying and clinching the championship, some riders in his situation might have very well been satisfied with coasting through the race, but Bowers is not geared that way. In fact, he was focused on finishing the season with a top-notched and memorable performance.
Tyler Bowers managed to earn twelve main event wins prior to the final round of the series.
Coming out of the first turn in the third position, Bowers went to work on the two drivers situated between him and the first place spot. Passing spots were sparse, forcing the rider to hold his third place position for a portion of the race until he finally managed to take over the number two spot. Although Bowers remained focused on taking the winning position from, Zach Ames, the opportunity never arose prior to the waving of the checkered flag. Tyler Bowers ended the final race with a second place spot on the podium and another championship title under his belt.
Going into the season, Bowers and the team were confident that they had a grip on what it would take to experience success on a consistent basis. Of course Bowers' riding skills would play a huge role and one might suspect that luck would occasionally be needed, but they were confident that a good running bike and team effort would distinguish them from the other riders in the circuit.
When asked about the importance of his team, Bowers said, "The team is super important to me because it has to be a very fine tuned machine with everyone working together, each with a unique purpose to achieve the amount of success we have in Arenacross," explained the rider. "Plus, a good team and great teammates create a positive environment at the races."
With two consecutive championships under his belt, Tyler Bowers is obviously a force to be reckoned with in the world of Arenacross racing. Referring to Bowers' riding abilities, team owner, Eddie Babbitt explained, "Tyler is always ready." When asked what separates Bowers from his competitors, Babbitt continued, "his ability to work through the pack when he gets a bad start, his ability to pick new lines no one else uses allows him to move forward."
Team Monster Energy Babbitt's Kawasaki and Tyler Bowers are also strong advocates of maintaining their bikes to the jot and to the tittle. That in mind, they depend upon K&N air and oil filters to keep their engines contaminant free. "We have been using K&N filters for six years now," explained Bowers, "and we have always seen horsepower gains on the dyno. This year we gained three-quarters of a horsepower."
When asked what fans can expect from Tyler Bowers and Team Monster Energy Babbitt's Kawasaki in the future, the rider said, "Another great season. I'd like to thank all my fans and sponsors, Team Babbitt's Monster Energy Amsoil Kawasaki, for sticking with me. There have been plenty of ups and downs along the road, and I'm proud to say I have such a dedicated group of people around me."
It's about the Benjamins and winning for Eric Bowling and his green rolling ATM.
How is it even possible that Bloomington, Indiana bracket racer, Eric Bowling could ever be in the position of being the Rodney Dangerfield of drag racing? It is way past time to show this accomplished racer a little love and a lot of respect. Bowling and his team started out their 2012 season in Cleves, Ohio at NHRA's Edgewater Sports Park, where he debut his new ride, and Bowling drove his Blazer straight to the winners circle. Now had this been his first victory, perhaps we'd understand, however Bowling has quite literally been bowling down the competition for years.
In 2010 Bowling won 21 of 24 final round appearances and put over 600 passes on his 1969 Camaro. He followed that up in 2011 by winning 20 of 23 final round appearances in even fewer rounds than 2010. Yet, it took an article by Drag Race Central titled "Eric Who?" to make people sit up and take notice.
Bowling's late father started taking him to the track when he was still a kid, which led to him starting his own race career in 1998. Today Bowling still competes in the very same 1969 Camaro that his dad used to race. Bowling won his first points championship in 1999 and has since collected a total of 13 championships at three different race tracks in Indiana, including two IHRA Summit Super Series Points Championships, and most impressively three straight titles at Lyon's Raceway Park, the 2010 and 2011 Division 3 "NHRA "Track of the Year."
What's the back-story with your new ride and what how did you decide on the going with the Blazer?
Bowling fired-up his 2012 season by winning in Cleves, Ohio at NHRA's Edgewater Sports Park.
"I've always wanted a big tired car. This past fall my father-in-law Don called me and said 'I got your new race car.' I asked what it was and he said 'You'll just have to come see for yourself.' When I got there I saw this bright green Blazer sitting on his trailer. I asked him where in the world he found that thing and he said he followed a guy who had it on a trailer into a salvage yard and asked him if he was going to junk it. The guy said yup, and my father-in-law asked him what he'd take for it and the guy said $200. Don paid the man and the rest is history. I can't take much credit as I was always racing while Don was doing the building. I made its first debut last fall and won the first race we entered with it."
You got into drag racing through your dad, but did you have an interest in other types of racing too?
"Before drag racing I was into motocross. After many broken bones I decided to try drag racing. My dad was always into cars and racing and my first car that I drove to high school was my 1969 Camaro Z/28. My dad took me a few times when it still had the DZ302 and Muncie 4-speed in it. My father passed away in 1995, and since the car had been titled in my name since I was two months old, I figured the car is safer on the track than on the streets, so we made it into a racecar. After winning the first race I ever entered I was hooked. I have raced it every year since 1998 and have won 13 points titles and have over 200 event wins in it. That Camaro is like home to me, but she's tired and needs some major changes made. I've put over 5,000 passes on her and I need to give her some much needed much deserved TLC. This gave us yet another reason for building the Blazer."
Bowling estimates he's put over 5,000 passes on the trusty 1969 Camaro Z/28 that his dad gave him.
I like the Benjamins banner running around the bottom of the car, what was your thinking with that?
"The $100 bills on the Blazer started out being a way to cover a paint blemish. I didn't want just plain vinyl, and I had seen a helmet with $100 bills on it, so we got this idea and figured needed to put the money on the truck. Plus I was also thinking about how it could help me on the race track. For example at the race in Edgewater a couple weeks ago, some buddy's and me were standing back talking and someone in the background says, 'What kind of cocky SOB shows up at a track with $100 bills on their car?' I just laughed and thought to myself, I'm already in this guy's head and we haven't even pulled into staging yet. Trust me, it gets looks from just about everyone, whether that's good or bad I'll let you be the judge of that. We joke and call it 'The ATM Machine.'"
What race goals have you set for the 2012 season?
"This offseason was my best as far as getting support from new marketing partners. I was able to get Mickey Thompson Tires, Ohio Crankshaft, Cometic Gasket, Spy Optics, QA1, and then to be able to add K&N to this lineup was huge. I plan on running a few more big money events, the first being the Ohio Crankshaft No Box Nationals coming up in June which I won in 2008. I also plan to go over to support Luke Bogacki's deal in July. I have won three straight points titles at Lyons Raceway Park and I plan to race there quite a bit this season to possibly make it four in a row. But I'm not yet completely committed to that, as I will be doing a little more travelling than normal this year. I will also start dabbling in some top bulb stuff now that I have a car that I know will do well in the heat of the summer. The biggest thing going on for me in 2012, though, is my wife and I are expecting a new crew member to the team in late June. We are really excited for him to get here."
