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Tuesdays with TMAC – Overcoming Obstacles!
(Bill W) August 7, 2007 – Despite obstacles being placed in front of him, sprint car driver and race promoter, Terry McCarl came through the week with flying colors whether it was on the track or wearing his promoter's hat.
Last Friday night at Charter Raceway Park near Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, the World of Outlaws took to the banked 3/8 mile oval in front of the ESPN2 cameras. Terry registered the 7th quick time of the night, and ran third in his heat race, placing him outside of row seven for the main event.
It took five starts before a lap of racing could be completed in the main event. The failed attempts included two eight-car pileups. "We survived the carnage," says a relieved McCarl. "I was actually a little tight. I went with a little bigger left rear than most guys. In the end, that didn't turn out to be a very smart deal. I thought it would slick off a little more than it did, and it didn't."
Despite the mix-up in tire selection, things went well when the green flag finally came out. "We passed some guys early," he says. "We ran down Paul (McMahan), Joey (Saldana) and (eventual race winner Jason) Solwold, but we kept having reds and yellows and my right rear kept sealing up. Having that big left rear tire got really bad, because when the right rear seals, that makes it really worse. Early on, having the big left rear didn't hurt me much, but in the long run with all the yellows, we just go tighter and tighter."
TMAC was able to command the Biggame Treestands #24 into fifth at the checkers. "We kind of hung in there and survived and got a top five out of it, and we were happy with that. We rolled it into the trailer with no damage, so that was pretty good for that night."
Knoxville Nationals Up Next
TMAC's goal of winning the 47th Annual Knoxville Nationals will see its beginnings on Thursday, when he qualifies. He says, "For every sprint car driver, it is biggest race we have. We've come close to winning it before. Coming from Iowa it's a little bit different. I grew up there and that place means a lot to me. Believe it or not, no driver from Iowa has ever won the race. It would be a first and to win it would be the biggest race of our career… I don't want them to lower the purse, that's for sure, but you don't think about the money. Maybe on Monday morning when you get that check it would sink in. I want my name out there on the plaque out front and if you win that race, your name is written forever in the history books, and that's the biggest thing. The money wouldn't hurt anything though."
Wet FRC
Sometimes the best laid plans go awry. Tuesday afternoon, a 20-minute downpour in Oskaloosa, set a huge hurdle to leap for the Front Row Challenge. Despite the setback, those behind the scenes went to bat to make the event a reality. "I want to thank all the people who helped make the Front Row Challenge a success from the bottom of my heart!" says TMAC. "From the people operating the heavy equipment, to the push truck drivers, to the officials, and especially the fans…I can't thank them enough. I don't want to start listing names, because I may forget someone, but it's people like them that made it possible. The patience shown by everyone was incredible! Thank you all!"
Rob Chaney, from Wooster, Ohio took the lead from Bronson Maeschen on a lap 15 restart to claim the $5,000 top prize. Donny Schatz took the challenge to head to the back and try for $50,000, but his night came to an end with a broken torsion arm on lap 15, after he had charged to seventh.
UC Tonight!
Tickets still remain for tonight's "One Night Stand for 30 Grand"! Come see the best of the non-wing world challenge some talented drivers from the winged sprint car world, as they tangle for the $30,000 first place money at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa! Even Nextel Cup start JJ Yeley is planning on taking another shot at the dough! There are more surprise entries in store! For more information, visit www.TerryMcCarl.com and click on the UC link on the left-hand side of the homepage.
In"Terry"gation
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?
Levi Jones and Cory Kruseman are the only two drivers to qualify for every Ultimate Challenge feature event. Kruseman has finished in the top ten in every UC. Damion Gardner and Jac Haudenschild lead the top five finish list with three apiece.
Website
Keep up to date with McCarl Motorsports at www.TerryMcCarl.com. We keep it fresh for TMAC fans!
"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.
TMAC at K-C Raceway (Mike Campbell Photos)
Bill Wright
Bill W Media
Monroe, IA USA
[email protected]
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