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Tuesdays with TMAC – "Dyno"-mite Combination!
(Bill W) May 20, 2008 – Sprint car driver Terry McCarl had a strong week with the World of Outlaws between the usual rain showers that have been plaguing the series. A strong second place run at the Lernerville Speedway on Tuesday coinciding with a newly formed partnership with crew chief Dave "Dyno" Lawrence was the highlight of the week. This week, the WoO will try to get three shows in again as they head to the Dirt Track at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina, Virginia Motor Speedway in Salida, Virginia and Rolling Wheels Raceway Park in Elbridge, New York.
There's nothing like jumping into your new job right away, and that's exactly what Lawrence did at Lernerville. "It was Dave's first day, and right away we were checking the timing, and the stud that holds the clamp for the mag broke in the motor, and we couldn't get it out," says TMAC. "So right away, we had to change engines. We couldn't get it changed very quickly with all the new crew configurations, so we didn't get any hot laps."
With only one lap of qualifying in the offing, and no practice, things were looking bleak, but the Altoona, Iowa driver posted the 10th quick time of the night in a 44 car field. He went on to win his heat from the front row, and finish fourth in the dash, putting him outside row two for the main event.
TMAC settled into third at the start of the 35-lapper, passed Jac Haudenschild for second on lap eight, and tracked down early leader and front row starter Dale Blaney to take the point on lap nine. He led the pack until sliding up the track on lap 18 and surrendering the lead to Jason Meyers. "Obviously, we were in contention to win the thing," says TMAC. "We just hooked a rut there in lapped traffic and slid a bit, and Jason got by. We lost our forward momentum, and we were just sitting ducks on the straightaway after that. It was really a thinking man's racetrack; with the straightaway really slick and the corners were rough and choppy. It was a fun track to race."
A late caution bunched the field, but Meyers made the right moves to lead the final stanzas, with TMAC settling for second. "After that last yellow, I thought we would have something for Jason if he stayed up there on the top," he says. "It was faster up there, but a lot more treacherous. It was a great way to start out with Dave, and the car felt awesome. I'm kind of pumped about it."
The WoO was scheduled for a pair of races at Williams Grove Speedway, but ended up only getting their Thursday show run. It was a forgettable night for TMAC after coming out late to qualify 34th quick. He ended up taking a provisional and climbing to 18th after starting 25th. "We got a little bit loose down in one and two in time trials and you can't screw up like that with one lap only at the Grove," he says.
After raining out on Friday at the Grove, the boys tried it again on Saturday. Two heat races were run before the rain came again, but TMAC gained some needed confidence. "Everyone knows the second night at Williams Grove can be brutal," he says. "The track usually blows off and you really need a good draw for qualifying. We showed up and drew a 72 out of 75, which is normally the 'Kiss of Death' there."
Coming out 41st in the highly competitive 43 car field for his qualifying lap, TMAC couldn't have asked for more. "We ended up nailing it for 13th quick," he says. "We were very happy about that. The car felt awesome. It was a big deal for us confidence-wise, to go out and then win the heat by a half straightaway. We drew a four for the dash, so we were sitting pretty, but then the rains came."
After one more rainout, Orange County Fair Speedway in New York (Sunday) became the 16th WoO show either postponed or cancelled due to the elements. Nine shows have actually been run this season in contrast, and three of those were in Florida. They will try it again this week at Lowe's (Friday), in Virginia (Saturday) and at Rolling Wheels (Monday).
TMAC is in the mix with six other drivers for positions five through ten in the point standings. Only 113 points separate the pack, and TMAC would be a factor in the top five had he avoided his misfortunes earlier this year at Eldora. "What stinks about the points right now, is we were a top three car at Eldora and proved it (before running out of fuel with 1 ½ laps to go)," he says. "Some nights like at Knoxville you aren't good or have motor problems. We were stout that night at Eldora, and that one hurts a bit, and really affected our points. It ticks me off most, because we shouldn't have made the mistake of running out of fuel. That's just stupid."
Austin Plans on Three-Race Weekend
After getting taken out on the backstretch at Eagle Raceway last Saturday by another competitor, and taking a hard ride, Austin McCarl will attempt a three-race Memorial Day weekend. "Thank goodness for these new Butlerbuilt seats," says Austin's father. "They keep making them better and better."
Plans are to run with the Winged Outlaw Warriors at Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa on Friday, and the Gary Scott Memorial at 24 Raceway near Moberly, Missouri on Saturday. Austin will return to southeast Iowa to run with the Sprint Invaders on Sunday at 34 Raceway near West Burlington.
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!
WoO at 34 Raceway!
The World of Outlaws are coming to another of TMAC's favorite tracks, the 34 Raceway near West Burlington, Iowa on July 30, 2008. The race will be a prelude to the 10-day Southern Iowa Sprintweek. "The deal was finalized last Friday," says TMAC, who will have a hand in promotion. "What a great place that will be for an Outlaw show!"
Stay tuned for more info on the event!
2008 FRC/UC Tickets!
Order your Front Row Challenge and Ultimate Challenge tickets right now! Call McTwo Promotions Tuesday-Thursday beginning from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 515 957-0020 to secure your seats for these popular events!
Infield Party Passes for the August 4 and 5 events will be $20 in advance or $25 the day of the race!
For more information on the Challenges or on TMAC Motorsports, visit www.TerryMcCarl.com.
In"Terry"gation
Terry in Missouri asks: You've had Bugs Bunny on some of your shirts for years. How did that originate and why?
TMAC Answers: As a child, I was a big Warner Brothers cartoon fan, and Bugs was my favorite. Then, Danny Lasoski started showing up with Yosemite Sam on his shirt in the '90s. Bugs was always screwing with Yosemite Sam, so I just thought it was a natural! The rest is history, I guess.
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!
This is a painful date in history for TMAC. On this date in 2006, he suffered a serious broken leg after crossing the line 7th at Sharon Speedway (OH), and had to sit out a good share of the next month. Though he was in serious pain, he returned to action on June 18, and won from the tail of the field at Huset's Speedway, topping Larry Ball Jr., Dusty Zomer, Jake Peters and Gary DeWall! He returned to WoO action on June 30, finishing third at 81 Speedway in Wichita, Kansas.
Website Updates
New pics are up from the last couple of weeks in the "Terry McCarl" and "At the Races" galleries!
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, Bosma Poultry, Inc., AmeriCashAdvance.com, DeBerg Concrete and Remington Treestands.
TMAC at Williams Grove Speedway (Jason McConnell Photography)
Bill Wright
Bill W Media
Monroe, IAUSA
[email protected]
If this post isn't results, stories or something c
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