TMAC NEWS

Tuesdays with TMAC – Back on Track!

Terry at work (Skinner Photos)
5/29/2007 - Tuesdays with TMAC – Back on Track!

(Bill W) May 29, 2007 – Rough would not describe Terry McCarl’s East Coast tour prior to entering The Dirt Track at Lowe’s Motor Speedway last Friday night. Bad finishes, no finishes, mechanical problems and bad luck were all on hand before the Altoona, Iowa driver entered Charlotte.

Perhaps a tough “cowboy up” kind of track was what the doctor ordered to get things back in order, and that’s exactly what happened at the 4/10-mile oval. Turning the sixth quick time of the night was a good start, and an eighth place dash finish put TMAC outside row four for the feature event.

“It was rough,” says TMAC. “They tried packing it in with the big trucks, but it was rough. On the start, I went from 8th to 4th by the back straightaway, but that was called back for the (Jason) Meyers crash. That put us up to sixth for the next start, and the car was really fast. I got up to fourth and worked by Joey (Saldana) and then we got into lapped traffic. I went above the cushion and tried to come back down over it. I tried to go between a couple of guys, and I pitched sideways and came off the ground about four feet. I should have wrecked, and unfortunately, Joey was behind us and that got him into the fence.”

The veteran was surprised to see exactly how tall the cushion had grown. “We pushed back off, and I couldn’t believe it. I knew it was a little rough, but after they pushed me back off, the cushion looked three feet high. We had a great car; I could drive above or below the curb. The crew did a great job. I spent most of my time with all four wheels above the rough stuff trying to pass guys. We ended up coming from the back to get ninth, and we were all over the eighth place car.”

The strong finish was impressive, especially considering the circumstances, but TMAC had mixed feelings. “I probably should have crashed pretty hard, so we shouldn’t feel too bad. On the other hand, I think we had the car to win it. We had some tough races going into that, so it was good to finally get another top ten, and get back on track!”

Rolling On and Heading West!

TMAC finished 13th at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park near Elbridge, New York, on Monday night. After dominating his heat race, he also finished seventh in the dash.

The TMAC Motorsports team will head back west to the home state of Crew Chief, Brian Kemenah, after their long east coast swing. Friday, Terry will return to the scene of the accident that caused his broken leg a year ago, the Sharon Speedway. “When I think of Sharon, I think of the fact I can’t play racquetball right now,” he laughs.

On Saturday, the WoO tackle the high banks of Eldora Speedway. The track should look more like the track that the drivers saw in 2006, than the track they saw earlier this season. Terry is planning on improving on the 20th place finish he had last April.

A-MAC Gets His First!

It was Austin McCarl’s turn last Friday night, as he quieted his brother Carson for at least a week. Austin won the Micro-Sprint feature, stopping his brother’s two-race winning streak at English Creek Speedway south of Knoxville. The win was Austin’s first in a Micro. Carson finished seventh after spinning out of third late in the feature. Carson won his heat and registered quick time on night, while Austin won the trophy dash.

In"Terry"gation

Jason in Burlington, IA asks: When you are struggling with the WoO, what is the key to getting things turned around when there are so many heavy hitters?

TMAC answers: When you have a bad night, whether you’re a driver, crew member, sponsor, owner or even a wife, nothing makes you feel better except racing again. That’s one good thing about the WoO. When you have a bad night, or a few, like we had, you’re usually racing the next night or a couple nights later. At a weekly track like Knoxville, you have to wait a whole week before you can race again.

It is brutal out here. I’m not one to make excuses, but if you get just a little bit off, you’re in trouble. It does get to be a vicious cycle. If you do bad, then you’re going to feel bad. If you feel bad, you’re going to do bad, so you have to be really optimistic. My crew guys are really good at it (being optimistic), and I’m not so bad at it either, I guess because I’ve been around for awhile.

Got a question for TMAC? Send it to us at sprntcar@iowatelecom.net, and we may answer it in this section! Put "? for TMAC" in your subject line.

Did you know?

Terry McCarl has one career win at Sharon Speedway. Driving the Holbrook #8h, he bested Ed Lynch Jr., Mike Lutz, Scott Jones and Jarod Larson on April 20, 1997.

Website

Keep up to date with McCarl Motorsports at www.TerryMcCarl.com. We keep it fresh for TMAC fans!

Front Row/Ultimate Challenge Update

Order your tickets for the Musco Lighting Front Row Challenge and Searsboro Telephone Ultimate Challenge today! Call McTwo Promotions Tuesday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 515 957-0020 to order!

Infield Party Passes are $20 in advance or $25 the day of the race!

For more information on the Challenges or on TMAC Motorsports, visit www.TerryMcCarl.com.

"Tuesdays with TMAC"

To receive "Tuesdays with TMAC", send an e-mail to sprntcar@iowatelecom.net 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.

Bill Wright
Bill W Media
Monroe, IA USA
sprntcar@iowatelecom.net


Tuesdays with TMAC – Momma Said There Would be Days Like This!

Terry ponders Williams Grove 5-17-07 (Skinner Photos)
5/22/2007 - Tuesdays with TMAC – Momma Said There Would be Days Like This!

(Bill W) May 22, 2007 – Mechanical ills, bad breaks and old fashioned bad luck turned a good week of racing sour for Altoona, Iowa’s Terry McCarl. There is no time to look back, as a busy week ahead with the World of Outlaws will not allow it!

The week got off to a tough start at the Lernerville Speedway last Tuesday. After having trouble getting the motor to run, TMAC was forced to take his last early season provisional, and finished 21st (from 27th). “The motor really didn’t have a top or a bottom end. Usually if you don’t have one, you at least have the other. At Lernerville there was neither. When your motor doesn’t run it screws the car up too.”

With 50+ cars in the field at Williams Grove on Thursday night, the motor had problems before a lap of practice could happen. Not much improved in time trials. “You qualify 41st at Williams Grove, you’re done,” TMAC says abruptly. Indeed, starting last in his heat and deep in the C resulted in the first DNQ of the year.

With the competition at Williams Grove at its toughest again on Friday, the night started a little better as he timed in 23rd. Starting from the third row in the heat, TMAC finished fourth to qualify for the feature. But it could have been more. TMAC explains, “We got a great jump in the heat into the top three in turn one, and then someone (Doug Esh) brought out the caution on purpose. If we run top two there, we’re in the dash.” In the feature event, TMAC would cross a disappointing 21st.

After rain cancelled racing at the Orange County Fair Speedway on Saturday, the WoO headed to New Egypt Speedway in New Jersey on Sunday. After rains delayed events by over three hours, a narrow track that was faster than a New York minute would see little passing. That made qualifying essential, and as luck would have it, TMAC drew the last pill, and qualified 18th. That was two spots out of a pole position spot in the heat, with a shot at a top two run into the dash. “There’s no room for error out here (with the WoO). We were .08 of a second out of a pole spot in the heat, that’s how close it is!” After a rough heat run, TMAC walked away with the B, and finished 20th in the main event.

Despite the tough week, TMAC is confident it will get turned around. “Usually when you’re having bad luck, it’s because you’re not fast enough to stay out of it, and we weren’t. We’ve got to get faster, and we will!”

Variety is the Spice of this Week!

A variety of track configurations in three different states await the TMAC Motorsports team! Grandview Speedway near Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania is up first on Wednesday night. The high-banked 1/3 mile bullring has seen TMAC finish fifth and eighth the past two seasons. “I look forward to getting back there,” says TMAC. “The PA Posse should be back as it is part of that series (Keystone Cup) they’re doing. The fans are always great in PA, and we’ll give them a good show!”

The WoO travels to The Dirt Track at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on Friday to tackle the semi-banked 4/10 mile oval near Charlotte, North Carolina. “I’ve only raced there once (2001),” says Terry. “Lowe’s is a first-class facility.”

Monday will see the group back up in New York near Elbridge where the 5/8 mile Rolling Wheels Raceway Park is located. The track is almost twice the distance of Grandview Speedway, so the crew will get a workout this week!

C-MAC Strikes Again!

Carson McCarl has won for the second time in only three career starts! Last Friday night he turned the trick again in the Micro-Sprint division at English Creek Speedway south of Knoxville, Iowa in the family #24. Brother, Austin “A-Mac” McCarl, set quick time and won the dash, but exited the feature event in the lead after a “racing deal” in the #7x.

On the Air

TMAC visited with Knoxville driver Brian Brown and Announcer Scotty Cook on “Win It or Wear It” last Monday night. To see the archived show, visit www.Racinboys.com and click on “Videos”.

Treestand Winner

Troy Junkins of Carlisle, Pennsylvania was the winner of the Big Game Treestands Big Buddy Ladderstand at Williams Grove.

In"Terry"gation

Jared Johnson from Harrisburg, PA: Though the WoO did pretty well this trip in (as far as up front anyway), why is Williams Grove such a challenge for traveling drivers coming in? Good luck the rest of the season!

TMAC answers: It’s the most unique racetrack we run at. It’s got the longest straightaways we probably run, and really tight corners, especially turn four. It’s a narrow, older style fairgrounds kind of track. It’s definitely a place where it’s hard for any driver to feel comfortable. Down the straightaways your front end wants to come up at 130 or 140 mph, and then you have to turn a corner. It’s a weird feeling, and that gives the locals an advantage. Even in my dad’s day, the locals in Pennsylvania had the strongest motors because the track they ran were all big half miles. We’ve run well there in the past, and it can fool you. Just look at last weekend…we won there last year and did poorly this time around. Joey (Saldana) was second in the feature the first night and in the D the second with Ricky Warner (from PA) as his crew chief. It’s tricky.

Got a question for TMAC? Send it to us at sprntcar@iowatelecom.net, and we may answer it in this section! Put "? for TMAC" in your subject line.

Did you know?

After Terry won his first race at Knoxville back in 1986, he went on to win the next two weeks. He was driving the Daryl Arend #1A.
Website

Check out Photos from Jason McConnell (Skinner Photos). Jason got a lot of good shots at Williams Grove! Check them out 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!

Front Row/Ultimate Challenge Update

Order your tickets for the Musco Lighting Front Row Challenge and Searsboro Telephone Ultimate Challenge today! Call McTwo Promotions Tuesday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 515 957-0020 to order!

Infield Party Passes are $20 in advance or $25 the day of the race!

For more information on the Challenges or on TMAC Motorsports, visit www.TerryMcCarl.com.

"Tuesdays with TMAC"

To receive "Tuesdays with TMAC", send an e-mail to sprntcar@iowatelecom.net 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.

Bill Wright
Bill W Media
Monroe, IA USA
sprntcar@iowatelecom.net



Tuesdays with TMAC – Heading East!

Stacy McCrea wins the Treestand at US36
5/15/2007 - Tuesdays with TMAC – Heading East!

(Bill W) May 15, 2007 – With a fast car and high hopes going into last weekend, things didn’t turn out as hoped for World of Outlaws driver, Terry McCarl. Unfortunate circumstances overshadowed what was a great handling and fast racecar. The good news sees TMAC heading for five nights of racing in the next six days, starting tonight at Lernerville Speedway near Sarver, Pennsylvania.

A packed house at US36 Raceway near Osborn, Missouri, last Friday night was not disappointed, as the WoO brought their expected thrills and spills to the high-banked 3/8 mile oval. For TMAC, things started out well, as the former track record holder timed in 11th quick, won his heat race in convincing fashion and charged into fourth in the dash.

Starting outside row two for the 40-lap feature, things were looking great for TMAC. “The car felt really good. I really wanted to see traffic, and I thought we could win the dang thing! The car was good on the top or the bottom. As soon as we hit traffic and got by (Paul) McMahan, the yellow came out.” TMAC had moved the Big Game Treestands #24 into second on lap nine, but a caution negated the move.

A series of early yellow flags spoiled the rhythm of several drivers including Terry. “I felt really good, but all of a sudden, everywhere I went on the restarts there was a hole! I moved up to miss a hole, and I hit a hole…I went low to miss a hole, and I hit a hole!” One of the bigger holes hit, seemed to come on a lap 25 restart. While restarting fourth, TMAC veered to the right, and lost several spots. From that point on, he looked to be riding a bucking horse, coming home ninth at the checkers.

The finish drew mixed feelings from Terry. “We were disappointed, because we thought we were good enough to run at least in the top three. On the other hand, we were happy to finish ninth, because we should have flipped about four times! A couple of times, I about crashed the whole field.”

After he brought the car to the trailer, a mechanical diagnosis was completed. “I knew something was wrong, and when I came in, the right front shock was junk. We were happy to not have a big pile of rubble after the races. It was a good night of racing for the fans, and US36 Raceway always puts on a good show!”

The team towed down to Lake of the Ozarks Speedway near Eldon on Saturday night. Again, the night had a strong start as the #24 was ninth quick, and had second place finishes in both the heat and the dash. The feature looked like a good run was in store. “The car was great again. I’m so happy with the crew we’ve assembled. I was in a position where I was just waiting for traffic again. I was kind of hanging with (leader) Craig (Dollansky). We were tearing the tires up a bit, and the track was ready to lay some rubber and our tires were about half worn out.”

On lap ten, disaster struck. “We got in a little too hard on the top, and got up over the cushion. The cushion was a little deep, and it hooked the car and sent me sideways. Steve Kinser did a great job of not hitting me square, but he tagged me in the left front and that broke the steering.” TMAC suffered just his second DNF of the season, and was scored 23rd.

No Rest for the Weary

The hot rods of the WoO will stretch their legs after two stops at Missouri bullrings last weekend. Lernerville Speedway awaits tonight (Tuesday), and represents the smallest track configuration (4/10 mile) in a six-day stretch that will see five nights of racing. TMAC finished seventh at Lernerville’s Silver Cup last July, and hopes to improve on that this time around. Out with his leg injury in 2006, TMAC’s replacement was Dean Jacobs, who visited victory lane at the western Pennsylvania speedplant in May.

Williams Grove Speedway near Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania will host the WoO on Thursday and Friday. TMAC returns to the half-mile that was the site of his July 20, 2006 victory there. On Saturday, the traveling band moves up to Middletown, New York and the 5/8 mile Orange County Fair Speedway. On Sunday, the weekend swing ends at the ½ mile New Egypt Speedway in New Egypt, New Jersey.

TMAC looks forward to the week ahead. “We’re looking at showing everyone how strong this team is. With all these races coming up, that’s where you find out how strong everyone is and how deep they are. The schedule this year is tough from the driver’s perspective…it’s all over the place. It is what it is, though, and it’s the same for everybody. I think this is when we’re going to show our strength, and what a good team we have. I’m looking forward to winning some races.”
A-MAC/C-MAC…and Grandpa Lenard

A first time winner stood in victory lane last Friday night at the English Creek Speedway south of Knoxville. Twelve year old Carson “C-MAC” McCarl enjoyed the spoils of victory in just his second racing appearance in the Micro-Sprint division. Older brother Austin “A-MAC” finished fifth in the event, with Uncle Kenny and Glenn Freeland turning wrenches pitside.

They have a proud father. “I couldn’t be more proud of them. Carson had never even sat in the thing until opening night (April 29). Austin really didn’t get a whole lot of practice (10 laps) either, so we just threw them to the wolves two weeks ago on opening night. I told Carson, ‘You’re not going to win, bud. You’re racing against men, and we’re just trying to have fun. Don’t get your hopes up.’ He made sure to remind me of what I said when he called Lori on Friday night!”

TMAC feels Friday night racing at English Creek Speedway is important to the future of sprint car racing. “We need more stepping stones in the sprint car ranks, and these cars feel like a sprint, they have a lot of power, and it’s a good way to start out. The stock cars have a number of classes. I’d like to see the Micro-Sprints take off in our area (Iowa).”

Terry’s father Lenard wrenched the winning car on Saturday night in the 410 class at Knoxville Raceway. Dusty Zomer dominated the field for his first career win. “I guess I’m the only McCarl that didn’t hold up their end of the bargain last weekend,” says TMAC.

Treestand Winner

Stacy McCrea from St. Joseph, Missouri, was the winner of a Big Buddy Ladderstand from Big Game Treestands at the US36 Raceway.

In"Terry"gation

Stacey Manitz asks: How do you feel about the new tire rule, is it a good move on the part of the WoO? Just want to say that you and Brian make a great team and can't wait to see you all at Huset's in July!

TMAC answers: I was all for the tire rule going in. Anything you can do to lessen the cost is great. A lot of rules end up costing people more money. I think it’s working out extremely well. Before the rule, Hoosier was making just too great a tire. If we can get everyone in the Nation to go with the same right rear rule, it makes it a lot easier for the local guys to come run with us. Another thing that people may not realize is that the WoO puts on new tires every night, and we can sell our tires to the local teams pretty inexpensively. They can get a good tire for $40 or $50. Another benefit is our guys don’t have to mount nearly as many tires as they did before. That lessens their load especially when the schedule gets hectic. Another thing happening is far less of the tracks are laying rubber.

Got a question for TMAC? Send it to us at sprntcar@iowatelecom.net, and we may answer it in this section! Put "? for TMAC" in your subject line.

Did you know?

In Terry’s first outing at the Orange County Fairgrounds in 1992, there were only 18 cars present. He finished eighth. The WoO will bring eight more than that number on their own on Saturday.

Website

Check out the updated photos in the “At the Races” gallery.

Keep up to date with McCarl Motorsports at www.TerryMcCarl.com. We keep it fresh for TMAC fans!

Front Row/Ultimate Challenge Update

Order your tickets for the Musco Lighting Front Row Challenge and Searsboro Telephone Ultimate Challenge today! Call McTwo Promotions Tuesday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 515 957-0020 to order!

Infield Party Passes are $20 in advance or $25 the day of the race!

For more information on the Challenges or on TMAC Motorsports, visit www.TerryMcCarl.com.

"Tuesdays with TMAC"

To receive "Tuesdays with TMAC", send an e-mail to sprntcar@iowatelecom.net 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.

Bill Wright
Bill W Media
Monroe, IA USA
sprntcar@iowatelecom.net



Tuesdays with TMAC – Down by the Riverside!

(Dennis Krieger Imagery)
5/8/2007 - Tuesdays with TMAC – Down by the Riverside!

(Bill W) May 8, 2007 – Having never seen Riverside International Speedway before and dodging rain drops all weekend, Terry McCarl didn’t know what to expect. After coming out of the West Memphis, Arkansas quarter mile with a top ten finish, he was pleased with the results last Saturday night.

Starting out seventh quick in qualifications, TMAC again found himself in that ‘no-man’s land’ for heat race alignment. Luck smiled on him a bit after running fourth in his heat. “We were lucky to get through the heats, and lucky the top qualifiers got into the top two (to qualify for the dash). That got us in the dash and helped with the starting spot. This is one of those nights that seventh may not sound astounding, but we really had a great car. I’m really happy with my crew,” he explains.

Starting ninth in the feature event, McCarl would duel with several cars and come home with a solid seventh place finish despite a number of stoppages that slowed the event. “We couldn’t quite get around Jason Meyers. If we could have, maybe we would have been up there in the top three eventually. I could run all over the track, high, low and middle. Every time we seemed to get into lapped traffic, the yellow would come out, and I think that hurt me quite a bit. We needed to be in traffic and moving around, because my car was so good everywhere,” he remembers.

The determined Altoona, Iowa driver is happy with where things are headed after Saturday night. “All in all, when you’re on a nasty little bullring, you come out without a scratch on the car, and you load it up with a seventh place finish, it’s a great night! If we keep running top ten every night, we’ll be moving back towards that point championship!”

TMAC was complimentary of the racetrack staff. “I have to give the people at Riverside credit. They had rain all week, just like we’ve been having back in Iowa. They did a really good job just getting the event in. It was a really fun atmosphere with a lot of great aura going on. It was nice to be someplace that has such a rich sprint car history and see the place packed. We’ll be back!”

Terry couldn’t be more pleased with Crew Chief Brian Kemenah, and crewmen Greg McCormick and Rod Tiner Jr. “One of the things that really means a lot to me is that every time we go out, we improve. Every time we hit the racetrack we get a little faster.” They will continue their journey this weekend in Missouri.

Win a Treestand, then Go to the Lake!

The World of Outlaws head for the popular high-banked 3/8 mile oval near Cameron, Missouri this Friday night. US36 Raceway is one of the few tracks to boast sub-10 second laps in qualifying.

TMAC was the first under the barrier, and has enjoyed his trips to US36. “We run basically the same gear we run at Huset’s (Speedway in South Dakota). It’s probably not a full 3/8, but it’s definitely a fast racetrack with a lot of bank in it! With all the rain in the area, it will probably be a ‘Cowboy Up’ racetrack! The fans will definitely have a good time!”

Opportunities abound for TMAC fans and hunters in Northwestern Missouri and surrounding areas. Terry is excited about a special promotion. “Wednesday (May 9) from noon to six, I’ll be in St. Joseph, Missouri at the Harley Davidson store. We’ll have the truck and trailer and the car. We’ll be signing autographs, and we have a neat promotion going on. St. Joe Harley Davidson is one of our outlets for pre-bought tickets. If you buy your ticket in advance there, your ticket number will go into a hat, and we’ll draw for a Big Buddy Two-man Ladderstand from Big Game Treestands on Friday night. I’ll have the stand with me to present after the races. The only way to be eligible is to get your tickets at St. Joe Harley Davidson!”

The fun doesn’t end there. “Some of the Outlaw teams will be out at the drag strip at US36 on Wednesday night. It will be kind of a pre-race party, so everyone’s welcome to come to that too!” he says.

On Saturday, the gang heads for Lake Ozark Speedway near Eldon, Missouri. In his only trip to Lake Ozark, TMAC registered second quick time back in 2005. “It’s a beautiful facility right by the Lake of the Ozarks. It’s a great place to come down, take a weekend off and catch the Outlaws!”

Be sure to stop down after the races and say “Hi” to Terry and the rest of the crew!

In"Terry"gation

Terry in Lee’s Summit, MO asks: Terry, What is your most treasured piece of racing memorabilia?


TMAC answers: Thanks for the question. I would say that the most important piece of racing memorabilia would have to be my signed autograph card of Joe Saldana in the Red #2 from 1970. My older brother gave it to me for Christmas a few years ago because he knew I really wanted it. It is framed and sitting on a shelf in my living room today.

This is the car that he won the Knoxville Championship and the Knoxville Nationals in the same year. I believe the owner was John Leverenze.

Got a question for TMAC? Send it to us at sprntcar@iowatelecom.net, and we may answer it in this section! Put "? for TMAC" in your subject line.

Did you know?

TMAC won at US36 Raceway on June 7, 2002 in the Bud Shootout. He bested Colin Northway, Skip Jackson, Christi Passmore and Bryan Grimes in the $2000 to win event. He became the first driver ever to tour the high banks under ten seconds in 2003 when he set the standard at 9.99.

Website

Keep up to date with McCarl Motorsports at www.TerryMcCarl.com. We keep it fresh for TMAC fans!

Front Row/Ultimate Challenge Update

Order your tickets for the Musco Lighting Front Row Challenge and Searsboro Telephone Ultimate Challenge today! Call McTwo Promotions Tuesday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 515 957-0020 to order!

Infield Party Passes are $20 in advance or $25 the day of the race!

For more information on the Challenges or on TMAC Motorsports, visit www.TerryMcCarl.com.

"Tuesdays with TMAC"

To receive "Tuesdays with TMAC", send an e-mail to sprntcar@iowatelecom.net 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.

Bill Wright
Bill W Media
Monroe, IA USA
sprntcar@iowatelecom.net


TMAC leads Missouri Meet and Greet Starting Wednesday!

(Dave Hill)
5/7/2007 - Contact: DIRT MotorSports d/b/a World Racing Group

Tony Veneziano, World of Outlaws PR
405-623-1442 • tveneziano@dirtmotorsports.com
Meet & Greet Kicks off Missouri High Banked Nationals at U.S. 36 Raceway

Osborn, MO—May 7, 2007--By: Tony Veneziano, WoO Sprint Series PR Director

The Second Annual Missouri High Banked Nationals for the World of Outlaws at U.S. 36 Raceway in Osborn, Missouri will kick off with a Meet and Greet on Wednesday, May 9.

Terry McCarl, driver of the Big Game Tree Stands Eagle will be at St. Joe Harley- Davidson from noon to 6:00 p.m., signing autographs and meeting with fans. Anybody that buys tickets from St. Joe Harley-Davidson will be in the drawing to win a Big Game Tree Stand that holds 2 people called a “Big Buddy.”


McCarl along with a number of other World of Outlaws drivers will also be at U.S. 36 Raceway for their weekly drag racing, on Wednesday night from 6-10 p.m., with some of the World of Outlaws drivers trying their hand at drag racing.

In addition to purchasing tickets at St. Joe Harley-Davidson, fans can also call SLS Promotions for tickets at 815-344-2023 or visit: http://www.slspromotions.com.

Reserved tickets in the main grandstand for the Missouri High Banked Nationals - Sections A-B-C-D Rows - 20 & 21, including a pit pass will be $40, while rows - 11 thru 19 are $35, and rows - 6 thru 10 are $30. Reserved tickets for children 12-under are $15.

Adult general admission tickets in Rows 1 thru 5 & Top Bleachers are $28, with children (6 -12 yrs) $12, and kids 5-under will be admitted free of charge (with paid adult General Admission Only). Pit/Combo will also be available for advanced purchase for $38.

On Friday, May 11 pit gates will open at U.S. 36 Raceway at 2 p.m., with grandstand gates opening at 4 p.m. Hot laps set for 6:30 p.m., with time trials to follow.



Tuesdays with TMAC – Home Sweet Home!

(IBRacn)

5/1/2007 - Tuesdays with TMAC – Home Sweet Home!

(Bill W) May 1, 2007 – Coming home to Knoxville Raceway proved sweet for Terry McCarl and TMAC Motorsports last Saturday night with the World of Outlaws. With fifty-eight cars pitside, TMAC brought the Big Game Treestands #24 home fifth under Doug Clark’s checkered flags.

Registering 14th quick wasn’t the plan, but it proved to be what the doctor ordered in the end. It gave McCarl a heat race start on the front row. He made the most of it by beating Joey Saldana to the line for the win. The bottom was the preferred groove for Terry in the heat. “I was a little off to run the top. I tried it a little bit. The car was so good on the bottom. It was as good as the car felt all night long on the bottom. I’m extremely happy with my crew right now, and they had it dialed in.”

In just his second weekend with crew chief, Brian Kemenah, they continue to mesh. A little experimentation was in order for the dash according to Terry. “Brian and I are still getting to know each other. We screwed up a little bit on the setup. Our tire was a bit sealed up, and starting seventh, we kind of used it as a test session. There was really nothing to lose, so we tried a few things that didn’t work out. It didn’t hurt us too much.”

An eighth place finish in the dash saw TMAC starting outside row four in the 25-lap main event. The first start was called back for a Sam Hafertepe Jr. tip-over. “On the first start, we gained a few spots. We got by (Jason) Meyers, and we kind of showed him the way through the middle, and I knew on the next start, he wasn’t going to let that happen, so I guessed that he would go to the bottom or the middle and I went to the top full tilt. We had a great start there.” The trip around the cushion in turns one and two saw TMAC gain a few spots.

A good run through the middle of the race saw a surge by McCarl into fifth behind fellow Knoxville Raceway champ Kerry Madsen. On the nineteenth go-around, TMAC’s charge was slowed by a caution. He explains, “The car was great through the whole feature. We’re still learning with this new tire, new structure and new sidewall that we have. I think it kind of bit me later (in the race). We ran down Kerry who was in fourth, and the two of us kind of ran the leaders down. I didn’t want to see a yellow, and on the restart, I about spun the thing.”

The restart saw McCarl get sideways in turn two, missing the bottom groove. Craig Dollansky was able to get by, but Madsen would exit later with mechanical issues allowing TMAC to garner a fifth place finish. He was complimentary of the new tire rule put into effect earlier this month. “It was a great race. I think the tires are doing a great job. There was great racing all night long, and has been since we went to this rule. It makes it a great show for the fans, and that’s what it’s all about! I don’t know the last time Knoxville had four or five lead changes in a WoO show, but it’s been awhile. It’s nice to know if your car is right and your motor is hitting, you can come from the back and have a good finish again.”

The relationship between McCarl and Kemenah is off to a great start. “Brian is everything we thought he was and more. He’s a great guy and a super-positive person. He’s always pumping me up, and helping us out with what we need to do. That’s really what I needed as a driver. The more I work with him, the more I respect him. I think we’re going to get faster and faster as we go.”

Busy Weekend Ahead

WoO Action

The World of Outlaws head to Tri-City Speedway near Granite City, Illinois on Friday night and Riverside International Speedway in West Memphis, Arkansas on Saturday. The last WoO event held at Tri-City was in 2005, while the last showing at Riverside was in 1981.

Tri-City Speedway will be sporting a new configuration as the big, flat, narrow ½ mile has been changed to a 3/8 oval with some banking. TMAC is excited about the change. “I’ve known Kevin Gundaker (owner of the track) for a long time. He’s a super nice guy, and a great late model driver. I talked to him about getting rid of the half-mile a couple years ago. Knoxville is an exception, but the smaller tracks usually lend to more action! That’s what the fans want, so I’m excited about the change! Kevin’s a great guy, he knows what it takes to pull off a great race. There are a lot of great fans around St. Louis and I think we’ll put on a great show for them.” To add to the open wheel excitement, the PowRi midgets will be on the card as well.

The sprint car hotbed of the Memphis area should yield a packed house on Saturday at Riverside. Though his father Lenard competed there years ago, TMAC will be making his maiden voyage. “I’ve never even seen the place. From what I’ve heard the owners have put a lot into it the last couple of years. Memphis is a long-standing sprint car town, so I hope Riverside can bring the area back to life for sprint cars. It should be exciting for the fans!”

Burlington on Sunday

The TMAC Motorsports hauler will head north after the Riverside event and make the trip back to 34 Raceway near Burlington for the Interstate Racing Association event on Sunday night. Though the 3/8 mile banked oval hosts sprint cars on a regular basis, this is the first stop for the 410’s since 1998 and should prove to be a monumental night with a healthy field of sprints.

The McCarl family has a long tradition at Burlington. “I’ve been going to Burlington since 1972. We lived in Keosauqua, Iowa, and my dad drove there for a couple years. I’ve been to Burlington quite often; it’s one of my favorite tracks. I’ve even inquired about buying it in the past. That’s how much I think about it. It’s a great facility, and the perfect sized track. It’s a great location, with a strong sprint car fan base. I think it’s going to be a great show!”

In"Terry"gation

Scott and Dolly Barglof from North English, IA ask: Terry, is there a setup trick that makes the car get off turn four better at Knoxville? It seems like you have mastered the last lap pass right there. (Taking the last B transfer from Jason Meyers on your qualifying night in the 2005 Nationals is one of the examples)

TMAC answers: No, I don't think that there are any setup tricks that I know of. I am fortunate that I live 35 miles from the greatest dirt track in the world so I have quite a few laps around there.

Actually, turn two is a lot trickier than turn four. It is a bit tighter, and to run the bottom you sometimes have to nearly stop, use the brakes real hard and make sure that you come off right on the bottom. To run the top off of two sometimes you have to actually turn the car to the right on exit to catch the cushion right. That is a trick that Doug Wolfgang told me a long time ago. I thought he was crazy, but at Knoxville and Eldora it seems to work.

I guess the reason I get around three and four well is that it is more of a momentum corner than one and two and I am pretty good at keeping the car straight.

Got a question for TMAC? Send it to us at sprntcar@iowatelecom.net, and we may answer it in this section! Put "? for TMAC" in your subject line.

Did you know?

Terry’s best finish at the Tri-City ½ mile was in his WoO rookie season in 1992. On May 6, he finished fourth behind Steve Kinser, Dave Blaney and Johnny Herrera.

Terry’s last win at 34 Raceway came on May 5, 2004 in Sprint Invaders action.

Website

Check out Knoxville pictures from Brad Brown and Dave Hill in the “Photos” section.

A record 131,418 page visits were recorded on the website in April. Thanks to all for stopping by!

Keep up to date with McCarl Motorsports at www.TerryMcCarl.com. We keep it fresh for TMAC fans!

Front Row/Ultimate Challenge Update

Order your tickets for the Musco Lighting Front Row Challenge and Searsboro Telephone Ultimate Challenge today! Call McTwo Promotions Tuesday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 515 957-0020 to order!

Infield Party Passes are $20 in advance or $25 the day of the race!

For more information on the Challenges or on TMAC Motorsports, visit www.TerryMcCarl.com.

"Tuesdays with TMAC"

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TMAC Motorsports would like to thank sponsors Big Game Treestands, Bosma Poultry, Inc., AmeriCash Advance, and Ground Max Hunting Blinds.


Bill Wright
Bill W Media
Monroe, IA USA
sprntcar@iowatelecom.net

READ MORE TMAC NEWS FROM APRIL 07