Tuesdays with TMAC – Win 47 at Knoxville!
(Bill W) September 1, 2009 – Terry McCarl won for the 47th time in his career at the Knoxville Raceway last Saturday night. The Altoona, Iowa driver is fourth on the all-time winners’ list at the historic half-mile after the $3,000 victory. This weekend, he’ll try to nail down an Owner’s Championship for Tod Quiring on Season Championship night at Knoxville.
The Big Game Treestands #24 took the weekend off after the Knoxville Nationals and were champing at the bit to get back on the track. “It felt like it was a month off, especially with the sour note we ended on at the Nationals,” said TMAC, who spent his off-weekend trying to mount tires and such as crew chief to son Austin. “To come back and win at Knoxville was nice. It was fun helping Austin at Burlington. He was fast down there. He was getting some laps in and having fun.”
TMAC settled into the 2nd quick spot in time trials on Saturday, and ran from 6th to 3rd in his heat race. “It was the same setup we’ve used all year at Knoxville, and we’ve had success all but at the Knoxville Nationals,” he says. “It didn’t work there the way the track was on Sunday, and that was really disappointing.”
It was also more frustrating in a way, after he started seventh in the feature, and was into second almost immediately. A lap eight restart saw him drive by leader Rager Phillips and pull away for the win. “We were definitely pretty fast,” says TMAC. “The car was perfect no matter where I went on the racetrack. I was really shocked how quickly we got to second. The whole night went really smooth, and the crew was working well together. They were even helping Austin, and he had a good night until the motor ended badly.”
The team headed up to the Huset’s Speedway near Brandon, South Dakota on Sunday for weekly action. “The car felt good,” says TMAC. “We were quick (qualifier) by three-tenths of a second. We were third (from sixth) by inches in the heat, as well.”
At intermission, the decision was made to go to the back of the pack and try the Baete-Forseth challenge. “We took the challenge knowing it was probably too wet to get it done,” he says. “It was tough to get through there and we ended up sixth. Taking the challenge this year, makes us eligible for the $5,000 bonus this Sunday there though.”
The bonus comes no matter where the drivers who have taken challenges this season start in Sunday’s action. TMAC represented the team at the new Bass Pro Shops in Altoona, Iowa last week. The new facility hosts and restaurant, bowling alley, and many more amenities. For TMAC, the highlight was meeting an old football hero. “The highlight for me was meeting #22 Paul Krause,” he says. “I was a big Vikings fan when I was a kid, and he’s the all-time interceptions leader in the NFL. I got to sit beside him there for three hours. He said to give him a call if we do the race at ELKO again, which is close to where he lives. I was happy for three days after that.”
Websites for the McCarl Gang!
Driverwebsites.com has developed websites for the McCarl boys. Check out the new look of www.TerryMcCarl.com, and check out the newly developed www.AustinMcCarl.com and www.CarsonMcCarl.com!
In"Terry"gation
Larry Mandarich from Sacramento, CA asks: What was the best thing about racing in California in the early ’90’s and will you be coming out to the Gold Cup at Chico?
TMAC Answers: We’re not planning on the Gold Cup this year. The best thing about racing out there was meeting a lot of people who were very influential in my life. Weldon Offill with Country Builders is someone I really respect. I learned a lot about business and everyone was just like family to me. “Cowboy” Craig Smith and I have become lifelong friends. Lori and I weren’t married long before we went out there, and I feel we got to be even better friends during that time. That time really helped our relationship. I look back on it fondly, even though we were broke. It was a lot of fun and I met a lot of good people.
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.
This Day in TMAC History!
September 1 has been good to TMAC, with four wins recorded in his racing career on this date. He swept Twin Features at San Jose Speedway back in 1990, driving the Offill #88. It’s a good thing he won both, as they paid $750 each. Rick Martin was second in both features. In 1996, he won the $3,000 main event at the Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Indiana driving the Gray #51. Gary Hayhurst Jr. was second, followed by Lee Dunn, Kevin Briscoe and Kevin Stepter. He also beat the All Stars on this date in 1997 at Attica (OH) Raceway Park, aboard the Holbrook #8H. Mark Keegan was second, trailed by Kenny Jacobs, Dale Blaney and Dean Jacobs.
Website Updates
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 sprntcar@iowatelecom.net with "TMAC" in the subject line.
TMAC Motorsports would like to thank sponsors Big Game Treestands, AmeriCashAdvance.com, DeBerg Concrete and Remington Treestands.
Bill Wright
Bill W Media
Monroe, IA USA
sprntcar@iowatelecom.net