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Tuesdays with TMAC – Back in the Top Ten!
(Bill W) August 19, 2008 – With two top tens in North Dakota this past week, sprint car driver, Terry McCarl, is gaining some momentum. It may have been three for three, if not for a broke ring and pinion at Fargo. Having used his finishes to surge back into the top ten in the WoO standings, the Altoona, Iowa resident plans to stay there this week with shows in Billings, Montana and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Last Tuesday night at the Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo, TMAC continued his good qualifying with a 5th quick effort. After getting through the heat and the dash, he started 10th in the feature. That's when disaster struck resulting in a 19th place DNF. "The ring and pinion broke on our new rear-end that we had installed after the qualifying night of the Nationals," says TMAC. "I think we had a top ten car that night, so it was disappointing to have that break on only its second night."
After a Thursday rainout in Gillette, Wyoming, the WoO returned to North Dakota for Saturday and Sunday races at the Dacotah Speedway in Mandan and Nodak Speedway in Minot. TMAC is always enthused about racing in the Peace Garden State. "I like coming to the races up here in North Dakota," he says. "The people are really nice, the crowds are huge, and that makes it fun. It (Mandan) was a big track that they turned into a nice 3/8 mile, and it turned out great."
TMAC was eighth quick on a track that turned abrasive early. "We put down the third quick time of the night, but the track started laying rubber at the end of qualifying, so it got faster for some guys at the end," he relates. "Larry Hillerud (SLS Promotions) does a nice job preparing these tracks, but sometimes he's at the mercy of the track folks. They don't do track prep for sprint cars very often. Also, the dirt up in the area is a little rocky. Larry reworked it after time trials which made for some good heats."
TMAC had the Big Game Treestands #24 running on all cylinders, and finished 10th. "We were really good at Mandan," he says. "We had a rough start (from 11th) and were running back around 16th at one point. We were stuck behind (Paul) McMahan for awhile, but once we got going, we really went forward. We got back into the top ten and ran down the seventh and eighth place cars. That's when it laid rubber. If it hadn't, I think we'd have been a threat for a top five."
Sunday night at Minot saw another good night in time trials for TMAC. "We had the second quick time of the night on the first lap, and then hooked the cushion, so I pulled off," he says. "It feels good to be a threat in qualifying every night out."
Starting ninth in the feature event, TMAC held his own, running in the top ten for most of the way. He settled into ninth before rubber-down conditions took over. He was awarded 8th when Jac Haudenschild (2nd place) came in light at the scales. "It laid rubber about 15 laps in or so," says TMAC. "Early on, you could pass on the stuff. We weren't too stellar. We weren't as good as we had been at Mandan, but happy to get another top ten finish. I would have changed some stuff if I had it to do over again."
TMAC won at the first ever WoO race in Minot in 2006. Minot is the hometown of 2-time WoO champion, and three-time Nationals winner, Donny Schatz. "Some people were saying that Schatz would trade his Nationals win for the one I got up here two years ago," says TMAC of some comments he received at the track. "I told them, 'I don't think he'll do that in a million years, but I'd be willing to trade my half of the deal!'"
The Big Game team is settling in for their trip out west and getting used to a new chassis. "We're learning about the Maxims right now," says TMAC. "It's a learning deal. Gary Isom, who has helped us in the past, is with us, and Dave Lawrence and Brandon are doing a great job."
The WoO will be in action tonight at the home of Craig "Cowboy" Smith, Billings, Montana. Then it's on to Edmonton Friday and Saturday.
Crazee Combos Continue!
TMAC and Daryn Pittman are continuing their "Crazee Combo" deals at the merchandise trailer! For $25, you can purchase a t-shirt, hat, sticker and coozie from TMAC! Take advantage of the "Crazee Combo" this weekend!
In"Terry"gation
Ben in Edmonton, Alberta asks: Are you looking forward to your return to Edmonton?
TMAC Answers: The racetrack and facility is very impressive. On the first night last year, we felt we had the feature won at one point. We had passed Steve Kinser for the lead before a yellow came out, and then he tangled with Jason Sides and we were caught up in it. To be honest, it's a huge hassle to cross the border with our rigs these days, but the people are so excited to see us up there, it makes it worth it. The fans are awesome. It rained on Saturday last year, and there were thousands of people who stayed for over an hour in the rain around the t-shirt trailers. We're looking forward to it.
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.
Today in TMAC History!
On this date in 2006, TMAC won the first World of Outlaws race held at the Nodak Speedway in Minot, North Dakota. The largest crowd in the history of the track was on their feet for much of the feature event as TMAC battled with Craig Dollansky and then Donny Schatz. His harder tire choice proved a key, as Schatz lost his right rear late in the race, and Dollansky failed to pass the weight limit. In the end, it was TMAC over Brooke Tatnell, Joey Saldana, Daryn Pittman and Chad Kemenah.
Website Updates
Keep up to date with McCarl Motorsports at www.TerryMcCarl.com. We keep it fresh for TMAC fans!
"Tuesdays with TMAC"!
"Tuesdays with TMAC" is an up close and personal look at colorful sprint car veteran Terry McCarl. 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, AmeriCashAdvance.com, DeBerg Concrete and Remington Treestands.
(Daniel Beard Photo)
Bill Wright
Bill W Media
Monroe, IAUSA
[email protected]
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