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Tuesdays with TMAC – Western Sting!
(Bill W) October 23, 2007 – Racing has its peaks and valleys. Right now, Terry McCarl seems to be in the latter. A World of Outlaws western swing became a "western sting", with a pair of uneventful finishes. The WoO will take this weekend off, and that could be what the doctor order for the TMAC Motorsports team.
A trip to the ½ mile Manzanita Speedway last Friday night resulted in a fifteenth place finish. After registering the 18th quick time of the night, TMAC transferred through his heat to start outside row nine for the main event. TMAC held his own in the 30-lapper, while trying to learn some things for 2008. "We're so out of the points that we're doing some testing for next year," he says. "That seems like a great idea, until you do it and don't do well. Then you ask yourself why you're doing it."
The Perris Auto Speedway near Los Angeles was on the docket for Saturday. After qualifying 16th, TMAC started on the pole of his heat. "We had a great starting spot and did a big wheelie on the start," he says. "That pretty much put the kibosh on our evening." The wheelie allowed several cars by, and though he held onto the fifth and final transfer, the chance at registering a top two and a trip to the dash was…dashed.
The feature was more of the same, with TMAC finishing 19th. "We're just kind of off right now," he laments while reflecting on the season a bit. "We just need to go home and regroup after the season. We need to put this season behind us and start working towards next year. We shined in a lot of the big races this year, but we've changed our crew a bunch, changed cars and motors around, and had a lot of different combinations. It's been a learning process."
Putting your finger on one or two things when things aren't going well is difficult. "It hasn't been any one thing, just all of the above," says TMAC. "Confidence has been down in the driver, and the switching of cars around. It'll be nice to have a week off to go back and regroup a bit. We can get pumped up and get everything ready for the finale at Charlotte, and come back after the Winter with a great attitude. When you're winning, it's not just the driver, it's the whole team. It's the same when you're not going well. We just need to go home and get everything ready to go like we have the last few years and get strong."
Banquet Time
The weekend off will provide an opportunity to celebrate Austin McCarl's track championship at English Creek Speedway in the Micro-Sprint class. English Creek's banquet will be this Saturday at the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum. While Austin won the championship, Carson was fourth in the points while competing in fewer shows.
In"Terry"gation
Terry in Missouri asks: I've heard you're considering moving Austin up to 360's next year. If so, what tracks would he be able to run at his age, and what are your thoughts and concerns about it?
TMAC Answers: I go back and forth on it. On one hand, I'd like to see him race, on the other, I'm his father, and I just wish he'd be a doctor or a lawyer. Unfortunately, I don't think Carson or Austin is headed in that direction. There seem to be more and more young guys racing, and the rules a bit more lax as far as insurance. I know Knoxville has never allowed anyone under 16 to race (Austin will be 15). Austin is 6'3" and weighs 200 pounds. I'm not too crazy about some of these guys who are 13, 14 and 15 years old racing…and some of them don't even weigh 100 pounds. I think it's a bit ridiculous that they're racing a sprint car against the World of Outlaws. We're working on some things for Austin. Maybe he can run some with the ASCS or Sprint Invaders. If their grades are good, we've talked about letting both of them hot lap the car next Spring. It depends on how they do in school, and they both do pretty well. It's not a top priority for us, just if they want to. The biggest thing is finding someone I can trust to work with him, especially in keeping him safe. Glenn Freeland and my brother Kenny helped him with the Micro, and they both have busy schedules, so it just depends how much they can get off. To answer the question, there's a chance you could see him in a 360 or maybe even a 410 if we can find a place to run. If you're a potential sponsor, give us a call!
Got a question for TMAC? Send it to us at [email protected], and we may answer it in this section! Put "? for TMAC" in your subject line.
Did you know?
Austin finished with ten wins, and Carson garnered three at the English Creek Speedway.
Website
Keep up to date with McCarl Motorsports at www.TerryMcCarl.com. We keep it fresh for TMAC fans!
Ultimate Challenge Tickets (Refund/Exchange)
Unfortunately, severe weather cancelled the 6th Annual Ultimate Challenge.
A refund or ticket exchange (for your same seats) for 2008 can be requested at:
McTwo Promotions
Box 185
Altoona, IA 50009
(Please include your raincheck and a SASE with your request)
"Tuesdays with TMAC"
To receive "Tuesdays with TMAC", send an e-mail to [email protected] with "TMAC" in the subject line.
TMAC Motorsports would like to thank sponsors Big Game Treestands, Bosma Poultry, Inc., AmeriCash Advance, and Ground Max Hunting Blinds.
(Tear-Off Heaven Fotos)
Bill Wright
Bill W Media
Monroe, IA USA
[email protected]
If this post isn't results, stories or something c
constructive, it isn't me!
@BillWMedia
www.OpenWheel101.com
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