Track Schedules

Tuesdays with TMAC – Quick Time x2!

(Bill W) May 31, 2011 – Mother Nature gave everyone a reprieve last weekend, and the Knoxville Raceway ran for the first time in three weeks.  Terry McCarl scored quick time and an impressive heat win in the VerMeer Motorsports #55 before recording a top ten finish.  At Huset’s Speedway in South Dakota on Sunday, he would finish a solid third, before rain took Monday’s finale.  He will return to the two venues this weekend. 

Competitors struggled to get a handle on Knoxville’s rough surface on Saturday.  Despite being the 20^th of 32 cars out to time, TMAC set the standard in time trials.  “We’ve been fast every night,” he says.  “On Saturday, we were able to get quick time, and win the heat convincingly.  Knoxville has it where you can keep track of your lap times, and we were a half second quicker than any of the heat winners.” 

The Altoona, Iowa driver drew an eight for the feature invert, putting him outside of row four.  “We were confident heading in,” says TMAC.  “We tightened it up just a little bit, not a ton.  The straightaways were slick, but the turns got some moisture coming up and got heavy and rough.” 

The track proved to be tricky, and TMAC would finish eighth.  “I hadn’t seen Knoxville that rough in a long time,” he says.  “It was disappointing, because I thought we had the fastest car by far all night long.  That’s part of racing, and we’ll be back this week.  I’m excited about this new Eagle.” 

Sunday saw the team make the trip to Huset’s.  The event was sanctioned by NOSA, so the heat draw/passing points system was in use.  TMAC won his heat after drawing the pole on a damp night.  “We were just a little tight all night long,” he says.  “It was misting and raining off and on, but we were able to win the heat.” 

Starting sixth in the main event, TMAC came upon a familiar sight in front of him as he advanced to fourth.  “We were able to get up to fourth right away,” he says.  “Some kid in a 17A was beating us.  I had to jump a start a little to get by him.  Austin did a really good job.” 

After disposing of his oldest son and Chuck McGillivray, he tried to reel in leader, Shane Stewart.  He would finish third at the checkers.  “We were up to second at one point, but the car was too tight,” says TMAC.  “I was kind of hanging on.  We weren’t super-fast.  (Mark) Dobmeier got by us and we ended up running third.  I haven’t really driven the #55 too much.  The more Matt, Gary, Joey and I work together, the better we’re going to get.” 

Monday resulted in a rain out, but TMAC set his second quick time of the weekend before the race was called.  “It felt good,” he says.  “I think we figured out some of our mistakes from the night before.  We’re getting better every night, and we’re looking forward to Huset’s and Knoxville again this week.” 

To check out opportunities to partner with TMAC Motorsports on a nightly basis, visit www.TerryMcCarl.com or call 515 957-0020!