Track Schedules

Tuesdays with TMAC – Huset’s All Star!

(Bill W) August 2, 2011 – A last minute decision prompted by a friend resulted in victory with the All Stars at the Huset’s Speedway last Sunday night for Terry McCarl.  He had not planned on running until friend, Lynton Jeffrey, insisted he drive his back-up car.  The results couldn’t have been better.  The Altoona, Iowa driver will try to win his fourth Knoxville 360 Nationals this weekend. 

Originally, TMAC had planned to be a crew chief for his son on Sunday night.  “Lynton is one of the best friends you can have on Earth,” he says.  “He’s a great mechanic and an awesome manufacturer.  He literally forced me to drive his car.  I didn’t want to do it.  I wanted to focus on Austin.  It was kind of a last minute deal.” 

There was plenty of help in the crew department too.  “Without Glen Saville, it wouldn’t have happened,” says TMAC.  “He got the car ready for me at the last minute.  Brad Goebel is an awesome mechanic, and he was working on my car and Austin’s car.  Then we called Justin Boese out of retirement again up there, and he’s a good help.  He may be the key, because the week he helped Austin he won up there too.  Without those guys, it wouldn’t have happened.” 

Monday marked one year since TMAC’s devastating leg injury at Huset’s.  “It was eerily similar to last year at this time,” he says.  “I was in Lynton’s back-up car last year for this race and set quick time, and the same happened Sunday.  Everything was repeating itself, except of course, the injury.” 

Things were a bit rushed, but went smoothly.  “We were a little late to the track,” says TMAC.  “It wasn’t my seat or pedals, but I felt comfortable from the word ‘go’.  It had a new Charlie Fisher racing engine in the Eagle Chassis.  We went out and set quick time, and ended up winning the feature.  It’s a great story.  It was almost a year to the day since I broke my leg and it was really a special night.” 

Starting third, TMAC settled into the main event.  “(Tim) Shaffer got me on the start,” he says.  “I was running third for awhile, just stalking he and Cap Henry.  It was really a great race for the fans and they had to be going crazy.  Those two were going at it, and I tried to wait for the right spot.” 

And it came.  “We got in lapped traffic with about a lap and a half to go,” he says.  “I was able to stick the bottom of turn two and get by them.  It was a great night.” 

Last Thursday, TMAC and the VerMeer Motorsports #55 team ventured to the MOWA race at Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Illinois.  “We had fun there,” he says.  “We went over to get some laps in, and having Hoosier Tires on again felt awesome.  We were able to win the heat going away…it really felt good.” 

After winning the dash, TMAC was ready for the feature.  “It’s a great track, and Kevin (Gundaker) and his wife are great promoters, but I wish they would dig it up and water more when we’re running down there,” he says.  “I know it’s a stock car track, but you hate to see the thing rubber up.” 

The hard surface would cost TMAC.  “We got out to the lead early, but we just didn’t have a hard enough tire on,” he says.  The track rubbered up, and Danny Smith got by us.  He had a hard D25 on and I had a D15.  I started shaking about the fourth lap, and I had to be smooth.” 

He would settle for second.  “Danny did a heck of a job and he deserved to win,” he says.  “We had fun.  I think we were good all night, and the car felt good.  We like to support as many MOWA races as we can.  That organization is going to keep growing.” 

Saturday night at Knoxville, things started well.  “I’m perplexed about Knoxville,” says TMAC.  “We changed the car a bunch last Saturday, and we were really good hot lapping and qualifying.  To come out last and lay down fourth quick after all those cars (360’s took two laps of qualifying) were out there is good heading into the Nationals.” 

He would finish third in the heat after starting on the tail.  “The car was rolling well in the heat too,” he says.  “We were able to move up there, and I felt really good.” 

Starting tenth in the main event, TMAC would struggle to an eleventh place finish.  “I tried to go a little ‘Old School’ with the gear in the feature and it was a big mistake,” he says.  “I struggled to get going, and when I did, there were a couple of guys blocking pretty badly.” 

Still, TMAC is confident heading into the busy weekend at Knoxville.  “All in all the car was decent,” he says.  “Sometimes when you’re struggling a little bit, you try to make so many changes that you feel like you’re digging the hole deeper.  It could be just one simple thing.  We’ll figure it out.  I knew starting this team in April that we’d have some growing pains.  I’d still like to think we can contend for the Championship, but Danny about has it wrapped up.  I’m hoping this will be a great team as we finish this season and go into next.” 

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