Ohio Speedweek Night One: Terry McCarl Triumphs at Eldora Speedway
Camargo, IL (6-20-09) by Kelly Brown - Public Relations Director – Terry McCarl is one of the biggest showmen in 410 Sprint Car racing, so why should it be any different on the beginning of Ohio Speedweek? Starting in the eleventh position, after transferring from the B main, McCarl emerged victorious in O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions action at Eldora Speedway. Not only did McCarl go to Victory Lane, but he dipped the trophy girl and gave her a kiss on the cheek before his wife got her winner’s kiss.
Tonight’s A Main began with a bang, as the red flag came out almost immediately for a melee in Turn 1. The back two rows of the field got together leaving the 91 of Brad Sweet on his wing. Also involved in the incident were: Chris Andrews, David Gravel and Ben Gregg.
As the Green Flag flew Stevie Smith got ahead of pole sitter Greg Wilson going into the second turn, and took off to an early lead. Lining up behind the duo was Butch Schroeder, Randy Hannagan, and Craig Conley. On Lap 2 Hannagan attempted to size up Schroeder, but before he could make the pass stick the Yellow Flag came out. Going into Turn 1, Phil Gressman got into Ed Lynch Jr. and both came to a stop on the track in between Turns 1 and 2.
When the Green Flag fell again, Smith took off with Wilson on his tail. Wilson was able to get side-by-side with him in Turn 4, but Smith held on. While they were battling for the top spot, Hannagan was on the move picking up the third position. On Lap 5 McCarl made his first appearance in the top-five and started picking off spots, position by position.
Smith opened up a large lead as he left Wilson and Hannagan to battle for second. The duo would fight back-and-forth, side-by-side for the second position. On Lap 9 Hannagan made it stick as he moved his way up to second. On the following lap it was McCarl who was on the move again sliding into fourth.
As Smith started encountering lapped traffic on the eleventh circuit of the course, Hannagan started to reel him in and McCarl picked off another position moving to third. There would be a brief scuffle between McCarl and Hannagan, but the Red Flag would fly bringing racing action to a stop. On the fifteenth lap Schroeder got into the wall in Turn 4 and got upside down.
On the restart at half way it was Smith, Hannagan, McCarl, Wilson and Blaney. Smith and Hannagan would struggle side-by-side for the lead before Smith got the edge. Another Yellow Flag would fly on Lap 17 when Blaney came to a stop in Turn 4 and almost simultaneously the 11b of Brock Mayes came to a stop in Turn 2. When the Green Flag was unfurled again Smith got a jump leaving Hannagan and McCarl to decide who would be second. McCarl would get the edge on Lap 19 taking second away from “The Hurricane.”
Another caution came out on Lap 23 when the 20x of Craig Mintz came to a stop on the back stretch. When racing action resumed, McCarl made his move pulling side-by-side with Smith. On Lap 24 McCarl would take the lead shortly before another Yellow Flag flew. This time it was for Dean Jacobs who got into the wall in Turn 4. At this point the maximum number of laps that can be run on a tank of fuel was reached, so the Red Flag came out for a fuel stop.
On the restart the top-five were McCarl, Smith, Wilson, Hannagan, and Rob Chaney. When racing action began again McCarl got the jump and left Smith and Wilson who were fighting for the second position in the dust. In the final laps it was a scuffle to see who would finish where in the top ten. Wilson would get around Smith to take second and Chaney would get around Hannagan to claim fourth.
As the Checkered Flag loomed in the distance McCarl had almost a straight-away lead. Second across the line was Smith, followed by Wilson, Chaney and Hannagan. This is McCarl’s twelfth O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions victory and his second this season. His first came in the second race of the season at Ocala Speedway.
This was McCarl’s first win at Eldora Speedweek, which carries extra meaning for the Altoona, Iowa, driver since he is a history buff and has always wanted to win at the legendary “Big E.”
The next step in the climb to see who will reign supreme during Ohio Speedweek is Millstream Speedway tomorrow night, Sunday, June 21. The gates will open at 3:00 pm and racing action is slated to begin at 7:00 pm.
Tickets for the event start at $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, ages 16 – 11 are $15, while ages 10 and under are free. Pit Passes for the event will run $30. For more information on the event you can call the track office at (419) 420-1900 or visit www.millstreamspeedway.com.
Don’t miss a minute of Ohio Speedweek Action. Keep yourself updated by visiting both www.allstarsprint.com and www.ohiospeedweek.com .
Speedweek Fan Info
If fans are looking for a place to stay during Ohio Speedweek there are several places that are offering special Ohio Speedweek rates. After the race at Millstream Speedway on June 21, stay at the Extended Stay in Findlay, Ohio. To get the Ohio Speedweek racers rate all you need to do is make your reservation at www.extendedstayhotels.com and enter the access code STR.
Another great place to stay is the Rodeway Inn in Wooster, Ohio. To make reservations all you need to do is go online to www.rodewayinn.com or call (330) 262-5008 and ask for the Ohio Speedweek rate.
An excellent place to stay and relax when visiting Limaland Motorsports Park or Waynesfield Raceway Park is the Comfort Inn of Lima. They offer great rates along with a free deluxe continental breakfast and coffee!
They also have free high-speed wireless internet and a fitness center. For more information on the Comfort Inn of Lima call 419-228-4251 or visit www.comfortinn.com.
Whether you are at Fremont Speedway or Attica Raceway Park, stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Tiffin, Ohio.
To make reservations visit www.holidayinn.com or call (419) 443-5100 and ask for the Ohio Speedweek racers rate.
During Speedweek the fans in attendance should check out the O’Reilly All Star Merchandise trailer as there are several new items. Special for Ohio Speedweek, ASI Sportswear has created several items including: 2009 Ohio Speedweek decals, 2009 Ohio Speedweek die cast, and an exclusive tye-dye 2009 Ohio Speedweek t-shirt. Also new to the trailer is 2010 All Star calendars with are 12X12, full color, and priced at $15. Also new is the 2009 O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions souvenir program, which is a must read for fans of the series. Also in the trailer is a host of the best and highest quality race wear that ASI Sportswear has to offer including new driver shirts for Greg Wilson, Ryan Bunton, Dale Blaney and Tim Shaffer.
Kistler Engines Qualifying
Car-Driver-Time
- 3c Cale Conley 13.577
- 20b Butch Schroeder 13.605
- 0 Brandon Wimmer 13.632
- 1 Stevie Smith 13.635
- 1x Randy Hannagan 13.683
- 24 Terry McCarl 13.732
- w20 Greg Wilson 13.733
- 56r Ryan Myers 13.744
- 2h Tim Hunter 13.759
- 71m Paul May 13.800
- 2 Dale Blaney 13.814
- 7k Rob Chaney 13.823
- 20x Craig Mintz 13.824
- 2l Ed Lynch Jr. 13.893
- 12 Caleb Griffin 13.932
- 17 Daryn Pittman 13.951
- 7c Neil Shepherd 13.952
- 11b Brock Mayes 13.953
- 83 Tim Shaffer 13.974
- 45au Steve Lines 13.976
- 41 Jason Johnson 13.989
- 22b Ben Gregg 14.012
- 97 Dean Jacobs 14.016
- 9x Phil Gressman 14.025
- 89g David Gravel 14.026
- 15c Chris Andrews 14.041
- 2m Dusin Daggett 14.042
- 21au Brooke Tatnell 14.046
- 51 Kaley Gharst 14.051
- 6x Todd Kane 14.073
- 92 Daron Clayton 14.085
- 91 Brad Sweet 14.100
- 63 Chad Kemenah