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Tuesdays with TMAC – Smooth Sailing!
(Bill W) June 10, 2008 – Things have been going smoothly for World of Outlaws sprint car driver, Terry McCarl. Three races last weekend yielded varying results, because of a couple of mechanical problems, but the one constant was a fast racecar. This week, three races on familiar ground in Sedalia, South Dakota and Nebraska should lend stability to the newfound consistency the Altoona, Iowa drive has had since the hiring of crew chief, "Dyno" Dave Lawrence.
A two-night stand at Knoxville Raceway last Friday and Saturday showed that TMAC can be good whatever is thrown his way at the track in which he has recorded six championships. He was one of the fastest cars both nights, even though he was running two different motors on two drastically different racing surfaces.
A heavy track awaited Knoxville's drivers on Friday. TMAC registered the 10th quick time of the night, won his heat going away from the front row, and finished fourth in the dash, putting him outside of row two for the feature. The Big Game Treestands #24 shot off like a cannon on the cushion. After getting in front of fellow row two starter, Donny Schatz, he was making a high move for second around Tony Bruce Jr. on lap three when the rear-end broke, ending his night prematurely. "We had a great car, and I know we have a bit of an advantage because we know the track really well," he says. "I felt like we had the car to beat. That's easy to say in hindsight after only a few laps, but I believe it. Worst-case scenario, we were top three."
Officially scored 23rd after the DNF, TMAC takes solace in the fact that he was fast. "I've broken down running in back, and I've broke down running in front, and believe it or not, it's better to break down out front," he relates. "Even though you think about the money and points you lost, at least you know you were fast."
The mechanical failure caused some changes for Saturday. "When the rear-end broke on Friday night, our favorite motor turned 9900 rpm, so we had to take it out for Saturday," says TMAC. "We actually put one in that has a little smaller head on it. It's not one we usually use on the bigger tracks. I'm confident with Dave, he knows his engines."
After coming out late to time 14th quick on a quickly drying race surface, TMAC won his heat for the second night in a row and ran away with the dash. "It was good to come out on Saturday and do well, showing everyone it wasn't a fluke," he says. "We were decent in the heat. Joey (Saldana) caught me leaning at one time, but I was working the throttle a little bit there. The car wasn't super comfortable to me, and I was slowing down the throttle a little."
Thirteen track championships were assembled in the dash's front row starters, six for TMAC and seven for Danny Lasoski. "We made some changes for the dash, and the car was just perfect," says TMAC. "I think I surprised Danny (Lasoski) a little bit getting the jump on the start, that was kind of a fun front row for the fans."
Saldana, who started beside TMAC got the jump at the outset of the 25-lapper. The track had been slicking off all night long, but as the cushion approached the fence, that changed as well. After Schatz got by TMAC for second, he settled into third for the duration of the non-stop affair. "That cushion moved up about three or four feet from the fence, and it got a little rough up there," he remembers. "I noticed it when they were packing the track that they never packed that last four feet. Once the cushion got to that point, we just got too tight. A lot of moisture and rough stuff was building up there. Everyone we came up to in traffic was going through the same thing with their car. It just made us 'off' a bit. (Donny) Schatz and Joey were running well."
The WoO headed to the Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Illinois on Sunday. Despite a late pill for time trials, TMAC registered the third quick time of the night. "We were kind of off on the car all night long, and I never really was comfortable, so to go out late and time well was a good sign," he says.
A fifth place finish in the heat and a tenth place dash run were mediocre, but the team was ready for the 35-lap main event on the banked 3/8 mile oval. "We got a lot better for the feature," says TMAC. "Dave and I went out and looked at the track. They had watered it before the modified feature, but we knew that would blow off, so we set up the car for the last half of the race, knowing we would be a little tight at the start."
Another part malfunction reared itself, just as TMAC had run up to eighth and was feeling good. Instead, he languished somewhat helplessly to an 11th place finish. "Once the car was getting good, the gremlins got us again there a little bit," he says. "The right rear brake caliper broke off about halfway through, spoiling a sure top ten and a possible top five. I had to roll right around the middle there towards the end and just keep it as straight as I could. That kind of thing is tough, but it could have been worse, like it was for some of the other guys who didn't finish."
All in all, the confidence meter is high for Terry. "We had a fast car all weekend, but especially Friday," he says. "I had the best mental attitude going in…kind of a Nationals attitude, if you will. Dave really makes me confident, because he's a confident person himself. We're making the dash now on a regular basis, and that is huge. We've had a lot to straighten out, but I'm really looking forward to the future."
There is a lot of racing in the very near future. Wednesday night the WoO will be in action at the State Fair Speedway in Sedalia, Missouri. Friday night they hit the Huset's Speedway in Brandon, South Dakota, and Saturday night they'll be at Eagle Raceway in Eagle, Nebraska.
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
Kole in Brandon, SD asks: Terry, you've pretty much run your own team for most of your career and how you finish directly relates to how much you make during a race season. How much are the other drivers on circuit making while driving for their car owners? Do they start off with a base pay per race, per year, plus incentives on how they do? This may be something you may not really know but just looking for an explanation on how things work. TMAC Answers: Every team or driver combination is different. I personally won't drive for anyone for fewer than 50% of the winnings. When I started, I got 30% like Austin is getting right now with his deal. A lot of drivers may get 40%, and then a percentage or incentive if they win. Just like with anything, it varies. Some guys are on salaries, and they're on them all winter plus a percentage when they race. For the most part, the drivers get 40-50% plus bonuses.
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!
TMAC has two victories at Knoxville on this day in history. In 1995, he piloted the family #24 to a win over Skip Jackson, Johnny Herrera in the Forbrook #5, Craig Dollansky and Steve Beitler. In 2000, he drove the Serace #55 to victory under the NCRA sanction ahead of Travis Cram, Dennis Moore Jr., Steve Gennetten and Travis Rilat. TMAC has four career NCRA wins. In addition to his Knoxville triumph, he also has wins at River Cities Speedway (ND), Park Jefferson Speedway (SD) and Salina Highbanks Speedway (KS).
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 races with Kerry Madsen at Knoxville (Danny Howk Photo)
Bill Wright
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Monroe, IAUSA
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