The Altoona, Iowa driver was once one to beat at the fast high-banked half-mile in Ohio.  “We were really fast at Eldora in 2009,” says TMAC.  “I had run second a lot of times there.  We were finally able to win there during Ohio Speedweek from the sixth row.  Then we were able to win the “Knight Before the King’s Royal”.  We went out late in the King’s Royal, to qualify, and qualified well.  We had to run the B.  We started 22^nd, but I’m telling you, if it hadn’t laid rubber, I think we had a shot at winning it.  As it was, it did, and we were able to get to fifth.  We had the fall race handled there and blew a tire.”

TMAC’s injury in 2010 and the switch to Goodyear tires changed things.  “That was really the last time I went there,” he says.  “I went back a year or so ago, and I was out to lunch on the Goodyears.  It was good to get back there.  Anyone who wins there earns it.  It’s a tough joint to win.  When you can conquer it, it’s a great feeling.”

So what brought on the decision to head to Eldora?  “I have to admit, I wasn’t that excited about going,” says TMAC.  “My confidence was down about running there.  Ryan Yager, my friend, said he’d drive and he bought the fuel for us to go.  I wouldn’t have gone, but I’m really happy we did.  Our results weren’t exactly what we were looking for, but I can’t wait to go back.  I know the next time we go, we’ll do a lot better.  I shook some cobwebs off that I had since my injury.”

TMAC finished 17^th on Friday and 15^th on Saturday.  “We made the show both nights with a lot of great cars there,” he says.  “We need to qualify better, or you’re behind the 8-ball.”

TMAC gained steam as the weekend went.  “Friday, we came from 21^st to 17^th,” he says.  “The second day, I was able to pass a lot of cars early (after starting 23^rd).  I was just kind of tight and running the bottom.  I was up to sixteenth early and I got chopped off pretty hard.  I ended up getting back up to fifteenth.  I’m excited to go back.”

The track proved racy both nights.  “It’s such a fun track to run,” says TMAC.  “They did a really nice job with the track.  The racing was excellent both days, and our good friend, Daryn Pittman was able to win.  My confidence is back there, and I can’t wait to go back.  I’m glad we went.”

This weekend’s events at Elko Speedway and Knoxville Raceway will be followed up by the season opener at Huset’s Speedway near Brandon, South Dakota making for a three-race weekend.  “I’m excited,” says TMAC.  “People from Justice Brothers, and the guys from SnowPlow Snow Pushers will be there.  The Elko facility is so cool.  I recommend that any fan go there.  The pits are all concrete.  The grandstands are so nice, and behind them, they have a restaurant and sports bar.  It’s just a fun place.  It’s easy to get to…right off the interstate.”

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

(Bill W) April 30, 2013 – It was a solid start for Terry McCarl in the TMAC Motorsports #24 at Knoxville Raceway last Saturday night.  He started his pursuit of an eighth Knoxville Championship Cup Series crown with a second place finish.  Weather pending, he’ll be back at this Saturday night.  He’s also happy to welcome SnowPlow Snow Pushers to the team as a new partner!

All inverts are eight for features this year at Knoxville, so qualifying eighth was good come feature time, but TMAC was aiming for more.   “We ended up qualifying in a prime spot for the feature, but I’m the type of person who wants to win everything,” he says.  “I want to have fast time and win the feature.  The car wasn’t locking down as well as I needed it to.  I do love the (Hoosier) tires.  I have to work on the car a little bit to make it nicer.  We are fast, and we are close.”

Starting outside row two in his heat race, TMAC would come home second and lock himself on the front row of the main event.  “The car was solid in the heat, but not great,” he says.  “We ran second, which was good.”

Starting beside pole-sitter DonDroud Jr., TMAC would see second row starter Shane Stewart pass the pair early and set sail.  “Shane drove by Don Droud and I like we were tied to a stump,” he says.  “I got a little better later.  I kind of found out my line, and I feel like I drove my best for the car we had.”

Despite not being 100% comfortable in the car, TMAC did a solid job driving to a second place finish on opening night.  “I didn’t have the fastest car, and maybe not a second place car…but I started up (front),” he says.  “It was one of those nights where you are happy, because you did your best.  I figured out the best line to run where the car was going to work best.  That’s really all you can do at that point.”

While TMAC chased Stewart up front, son Austin was providing excitement from the back.  “All in all, it was a good night,” he says.  “I think it was a good race for the fans.  Austin was coming up through the field with Brian (Brown).  He actually had an oil line come loose.  I came around and saw him, and I thought the worst.  It was the oil line coming off, which is still bad, but it could have been worse.”

TMAC was pleased with the new move to Hoosier tires at Knoxville.  “The tires, after the feature, weren’t like new, but you could definitely run them again,” he says.  “That’s awesome.”

Despite a practice session Friday night, TMAC is still trying to nail down his setup on the half-mile.  “I’m not as happy with my car right now as I could be,” he admits.  “It felt really good the first time out on practice night.  Then Carson ran it in the second set, which scared me.  Then it felt o.k. when it got slicker, but it’s not 100%.  Still, we finished second, which makes me excited to go back.”

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


SnowPlow Snow Pushers On Board for 2013!

TMAC is happy to have SnowPlow Snow Pushers join his team for 2013.  “SnowPlow Snow Pushers are built in Iowa by an Iowa company, so that makes it really, really cool,” he says.  “I’m pretty happy about that aspect of it.  You can go and buy these shovels right in the town of Altoona.  That makes this partnership pretty special for me.”


More on SnowPlow Snow Pushers…
The SnowPlow Snow Pushers are a top quality product built with the commercial users needs in mind. There is always the right tool for the right job. If you are looking to quickly clear large areas from several inches of snow we have the right tool.  

Sidewalks, Steps, Wood Decks, Patios, and Aggregate & Stone surfaces usually create a challenge but not with a lightweight, rust free, non abrasive, indestructible The Snowplow snow pusher. 

Our product is built with a formed 1/4″ thick UHMW poly blade available in widths up to 48″ wide. The typical commercial user will get 2-4 seasons of extreme use out of our blades before they need replaced. A homeowner typically uses an individual shovel for 10 years plus. 

All of our parts are assembled with a simple bolt together construction. This allows the user to replace any of the parts if that becomes necessary or if you decide to replace blades after a few seasons you could choose a larger or smaller size blade to better fit your needs. 

Our product has been put to the test. From the largest contractors to the single plow truck our product is built for the abuse of the season.

Don’t be afraid to chop with it! 

Visit them online at www.TheSnowPlow.com!

Websites for the McCarl Gang!

Driverwebsites.com develops the websites for the McCarl boys. Check out www.TerryMcCarl.com, as well as www.AustinMcCarl.com and www.CarsonMcCarl.com!

This Month in TMAC History!

TMAC has two career wins on April 27.  In 1991, he drove the Offill #88 to victory at the San Jose Fairgrounds over Rick Martin, Tom Henry, Scott Luhdorff and Danny Olmstead.  He also had a win at Huset’s in 2003, topping Justin Henderson, Mark Dobmeier, Jake Peters and John Lambertz.


“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 Country Builders Construction, Rossie Feed and Grain, “Lord I Apologize BBQ Sauce”, Deanfield Farms, Bosma Poultry, SnowPlow Snow Pushers – www.TheSnowPlow.com, Eagle Motorsports, DeBerg Concrete, Berryhill Racing, Phil and Vivian, SCE Gaskets, Justice Brothers, 212 The Boiling Point Bar & Grill, Vortex Racing, Hoosier Tire, Chris Spaulding – Attorney at Law, Schoenfeld Headers, K&N Filters, Pick Farms, NutriShop – Maple Grove, MN, HRP, All Pro Cylinder Heads, Bob and Beulah Elder, Engler Injection, Superflow Technologies, T&P Brothers, Mediacom, Larry Fleck Trucking, Winters, DriverWebsites.com, CM Rock, Jocko’s Sprint Parts, Sander, Brown and Miller, Pro Shocks, Ben Cook, Bell Helmets, Burnett’s Rock and Landscaping, Van Der Brink Designs, Morgan Strawberry Farms, Aurora Rod Ends, Crow Safety, Justice Brothers, KSE Steering, Strange Performance, Saldana Racing Products, Scribner Plastics, Waterman Fuel Pumps, Weiland Racing, Butlerbuilt, PBS Bushings and Mote Fasteners.

TMAC, who registered nine wins on the season, also won at his 59^th track, the Lonestar Speedway in Kilgore, Texas.  His title at Huset’s was not planned to start the year.  “I really didn’t intend on going after the points at Huset’s,” he says.  “For the bulk of the year, it was just Austin, Carson, Lori and me.  Justin Boese and Marty Barber helped us up there and we picked up Alex Johnson, and Bob Vogel helped too.  Bob was the only one other than me to drive the truck.” 

Towing every Sunday to Huset’s became the pattern.  “I don’t think Huset’s got rained out, other than when we were already there,” says TMAC.  “That was the only place Austin could run.  Bargain Barn Tire ended up letting him run their motor.  He works so hard, and it was important that he was able to go run.  We threw both cars in one trailer.  That seems like it would be a good thing, but it’s a lot of work!” 

The budget was slim for the team all year.  “I’ve won some championships, but these mean a lot to me, because it was such a family thing,” says TMAC.  “I’d say 75% of the season I had one engine and one car.  A lot of the season, I had a mag problem and I didn’t realize it.  The motor wasn’t running well, and I just kept running it.  We finally got some fresh stuff back and I came on at the end of the season.  I don’t think I’ve ever worked as hard as I did this year.  I was down (from 200) to 175 pounds around Nationals time.” 

Some help was also needed from a good friend in July.  “I crashed at the Huset’s Outlaw show on a Tuesday, and I didn’t have a car for the weekend,” says TMAC.  “It was Twin Features at Knoxville.  Lynton Jeffrey loaned me a car and we did well.  We won the big race at Huset’s that weekend too.  Without him, we wouldn’t have been able to run there for a couple of weeks.” 

Many think the McCarl’s operate on an unlimited budget.  It is far from true.  “I have to thank Bosma Poultry for providing us with a beautiful rig,” says TMAC.  “People assume we have a lot, but we don’t operate that way.  You do have to look like a million bucks to get a million bucks.  With most people, it’s not the case.  Most are on a shoestring budget like we were.  To come away with the championships with a budget like that, especially at Knoxville, is very difficult.  At Huset’s, other than the week we crashed, we just had solid finishes.  I think we started and finished every local show there, which is tough.” 

One race could have turned a great season into an outstanding one.  A twist of fate intervened at the Knoxville Nationals when TMAC was caught up in a heat race accident on his preliminary night.  “On the white flag lap, I was running fifth,” he says.  “When the fourth place car went up in smoke, I wish you could have read my mind.  I saw smoke coming out of his car and thought, ‘I’m going to make it.’  I had qualified perfect, and I was going to start in the first three rows of the feature.  That would have set us up well.  I did well in the last two shows at Knoxville.  Then I was caught up in it and crashed. That’s fate.  If that hadn’t happened and I had a top ten at the Nationals, it would have been an incredible year.” 

In addition to his championship at Knoxville, TMAC was awarded as the “Junior Fan Club Driver of the Year” for the second straight season.  “One of the things I’m most proud of is getting voted that for the fourth time at Knoxville.  It’s voted on by the kids.  To me, that’s a great award to win.  It’s very important to me.” 

Austin narrowly missed finishing second behind his father at Huset’s.  “Austin had a great year,” says TMAC.  “He finished third at Huset’s, one point behind Mark Dobmeier.  The Lunstra/Dobmeier team is one of the best in the nation.  I’m proud of what he did.  He worked so hard.  I was really hoping he could finish second.  I don’t know that a father and son have done that anywhere.” 

Carson ran his first full year in a 360 sprint car, almost exclusively at Knoxville.  “Carson ended up with Rookie of the Year at Knoxville,” says TMAC.  “He did really well.  He led the points after the first night.  He was second after the second week.  He did well.  We’d like to see him running some other tracks next year.  He’s working hard on getting a couple of rides.  I don’t know that he’ll run points at Knoxville next year.” 

Both boys are ride searching for 2013.  “They are both on their own looking for rides,” says TMAC.  “You know, we couldn’t afford to do it this year, and we really won’t be able to next year.  They both have a ton of talent, and they need to learn the other side of things.  That would be selling themselves and building relationships.  They need to adapt.  Nowadays you have to sell yourself along with being a great driver.  They are both good drivers.  They have proven that.” 

As for TMAC, he is stoked that he will be racing for a potent team in Australia next month.  “I’m excited to announce that I’ll be driving for Colin Bulmer, one of the premiere owners in Australia for the President’s Cup at Avalon and the Grand Annual Classic in Warrnambool,” he says.  “Colin owns the Bay Aire Industries #2.  The last time I was there in 2010, Shane Stewart won the Classic in that car.” 

TMAC had success in his last trip to Victoria.  “We were able to win the World Series race there a couple of days later on Australia Day,” he says.  “That’s the last time we were there.  I’m really happy to get this ride.  Shane Stewart and Wayne Johnson had a lot to do with it, so I’d like to thank them.  That will qualify me for the Speed Sport World Challenge at the Nationals, so I’m excited about it.”

(Bill W) September 25, 2012 – A pair of second place finishes with the MOWA series in Jacksonville, Illinois and West Burlington, Iowa highlighted the weekend for Terry McCarl and the TMAC Motorsports #24 team.  The Altoona, Iowa driver will pair with Missouri car owner, Donnie Cooper and his potent #01 at this weekend’s Jesse Hockett/Daniel McMillin Memorial at the beautiful Lucas Oil Speedway near Wheatland, Missouri Friday and Saturday.

Things started at Eagle Raceway in Nebraska last Wednesday night with the World of Outlaws.  “We didn’t qualify as well as we have been (16^th),” says TMAC.  “The track was greasy when we went out.  It was one of those nights.  The track was really heavy in the heat race too.”

The end feature result was a DNF.  “It was really rough in one and two and the car jumped out of gear,” says TMAC.  “I caused a yellow, and it bent a couple of exhaust valves.  I pushed back off and tried to run it.  The motor was not running.  We had quite a few nights on it, so that was unfortunate.”

The “Shaheen’s Blast from the Past” at Jacksonville Speedway was up next Friday.  “I love going to Jacksonville because it is so different from what I’m used to racing,” says TMAC.  “It is all ‘Cowboy Up’.  It’s a little more like non-wing racing.  I think all the Knoxville guys should go run at Jacksonville.  At Knoxville, it’s all about being straight.  At a place like Jacksonville, when it is wet and rough and heavy like Friday, you have to pitch the car, stomp the throttle and let the tires turn.”

TMAC went from fourth to second in his heat and earned a trip to the Dash.  “The MOWA guys are great to run with,” he says.  “I really love the stuff they are doing with promotions. We were fortunate to get up to second right away in the heat and stay there.”

The main event saw TMAC run second, and he joined in the festivities with the fans afterward.  “We were able to win the Dash and start on the pole,” he says.  “I always want to win, but if you get beat fair and square, it’s easier to take.  Joey Moughan was just better than we were.  I was way too tight.  I thought we may have a chance in traffic, but he did a good job.  It was a solid finish for us.  It was fun to go under the stands afterwards, hand out some checkered flags, and hang with the fans.”

The heavy conditions carried over to the 34 Raceway near West Burlington on Saturday.  TMAC charged from seventh to finish third in the heat.  “It was a pretty crazy heat,” he says.  “They had the track wet there too.  It’s one of my favorite racetracks.  I drew the back row, and I was a little nervous.  It was a great race for the fans.  We were able to get to third and qualify for the Dash.”

After running second in the Dash, TMAC led most of the way.  “I left the same tires on, and it slicked off a lot quicker than I thought it would,” he says.  “I just got a little loose.  Part of my thinking was being too tight at Jacksonville.  I just wasn’t that good.  I came up on two lapped cars side by side late in the race and had nowhere to go.  I tried to go to the bottom and I was just way too loose and Danny (Smith) got by me.”

TMAC was disappointed in second.  “I was not happy with that one, because unlike Jacksonville, I thought I let one get away,” he says.  “It’s part of the deal.  It was good to race with MOWA and come out with a couple of seconds.”

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

(Bill W) September 18, 2012 – Terry McCarl and the TMAC Motorsports #24 team ran a pair of shows with the World of Outlaws last weekend, and had a fast car both nights.  A busy week lies ahead with a show with the WoO on Wednesday night before taking on the Illinois-based MOWA series for a $4,000 to win event in Jacksonville and a show at the 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa Saturday.

TMAC registered the sixth quick time of the night with the WoO at the Clay County Fairgrounds Speedway in Spencer, Iowa Friday.  “We’re really happy with our motor situation,” he says.  “It has a lot of nights on it, but it is doing well and we’ll run it through the weekend.  I went out to qualify, and they pushed a car out right in front of me.  I had to swerve to miss him. I felt like it was a good lap, and we came in and were fifth.  You have to decide right away if you want another one or if you want to give one up.  I just decided to take it.  I thought we’d be about ninth quick, but the time stood up well.”

After a spin, TMAC would come back to finish fourth in his heat.  “We were good in the heat,” he says.  “We had a great start and I went in there and got the air taken off the wings a little.  I spun it out, but I was able to come back and get a transfer (finishing fourth).”

Starting 13^th in the main event, TMAC moved forward early.  “We were great,” he says.  “We were coming up through there well.  The car was hooked up on the bottom.  We got to seventh and the red came out.  At that point, I felt we had a top five car for sure.  The left rear had shrunk only ¾ of an inch under red, but when we came in afterwards, it was down two inches.  We haven’t had that problem this year.”

The condition had an obvious effect on the car.  “It loosened the car up, and we backed up to twelfth,” says TMAC.  “That’s the way it is sometimes.  We had a fast car, and it was good to run so close to the good people at Rossie Feed & Grain, DeBerg Concrete and Bosma Poultry.  They are all in that area.”

TMAC repeated his sixth quick performance at Deer Creek Speedway near Spring Valley, Minnesota on Saturday.  “We qualified well again,” he says.  “We were just a tick off of second quick.  Kerry Madsen laid down a great lap to set quick time.  A little better and we would have been second quick, but as it was, we were inside row two for the heat in no-man’s land.  You are out of being quick enough to lock into the Dash, but in a tough spot to make the top two.”

He would do just that though, as he ran second in the heat.  “Our engine takes off really great,” says TMAC.  “A lot of times we are accused of jumping the start because it’s so good.  I do pay attention to the starts.  We did some work with Tim Engler a few years back on our starts.  People don’t realize that a slight hesitation can be a lifetime on the start.  We were able to get by Jason Sides on the start and get into the Dash (where he finished seventh).”

Starting from row four in the feature, TMAC fought the handling because of a mechanical gremlin and checkered 18^th.  “We were tight early on,” he says.  “I couldn’t figure it out.  We had a couple of reds.  I thought we made a mistake and put weight in the left front of the car or something.  We ended up having a broken bolt in the right rear radius rod…nobody’s fault.”

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

(Bill W) September 4, 2012 – It was a banner weekend for Terry McCarl and the TMAC Motorsports #24 team.  They were able to rack up two track championships in one weekend.  It was the seventh track championship at both the Knoxville Raceway in Iowa and at the Huset’s Speedway near Brandon, South Dakota.  The Altoona, Iowa driver cinched the Huset’s crown with one week of racing to go, while he did what he had to do to carry out another title at Knoxville.

TMAC came into Knoxville on Saturday just eight points ahead of Davey Heskin in the standings.  He would register quick time of the night.  “I don’t know that we’ve had quick time all year (he hasn’t at Knoxville),” he says.  “It was awesome.  Davey has done a good job of qualifying this year, and has a lot of points on us doing it.  We were down to one engine, and we kind of hurt it, getting it way too hot.  Since we got a couple engines back, we’ve been qualifying better the last month or so.”

He would win his heat from outside row three.  “It was a fun night,” says TMAC.  “We just kind of started the night even, and we were able to get quick time, and won the heat race.”

With an invert of six, TMAC would line up outside of row three for the main event.  “On the first start I came out running third,” he says.  “On the second, I was back in fifth or so, and I didn’t want to take too many chances.  I wasn’t as worried about the battle as I was the war.  I knew Davey would be tough to beat with a brand new right rear tire on starting on the front row.”

Heskin went on to win, while TMAC checkered fifth and won the title.  “Our goal was to win the war and we did that,” he says.  “I tried to get around there and stay out of trouble.  We were able to do that.  It worked out well for us.”

It was on to Huset’s on Sunday.  “It was the same as Knoxville in that we set quick time (his 6^th of the season there) and won the heat,” says TMAC.  “We were able to start fourth in the feature and got by (Mark) Dobmeier for the lead.  It laid rubber pretty early.”

TMAC would settle for second.  “The yellow came out and we had to go back behind him,” he says of Dobmeier.  “He’s a pretty smart racer, so he’s tough to beat.  I tried to get him in traffic a couple of times, but we weren’t able to.  Once it laid rubber, I was pretty tight.”

TMAC will be back at Huset’s for the final night this Sunday night with big money on the line.  “We clinched the title there,” he says.  “To get two championships in one weekend is pretty awesome.  One of our goals starting the season was the Knoxville championship.  I really hadn’t planned on going for the Huset’s championship with the one engine.  Austin was the crew chief on my car, his car and Carson’s car.  I’m so proud of him and my whole family.  Because of our engine situation, he wasn’t able to race at Knoxville, but he worked his tail off all summer long.”

TMAC will also compete with the IRA at the Jerry Richert Memorial at the Cedar Lake Speedway near New Richmond, Wisconsin on Saturday.

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

(Bill W) August 21, 2012 – Another win at the Huset’s Speedway in Brandon, South Dakota has Terry McCarl primed for his seventh track championship at the popular oval.  This weekend, the Altoona, Iowa driver will try to also pull down a seventh track championship at the Knoxville Raceway.  He enters the night a mere eight points behind Davey Heskin in the standings.

TMAC started Sunday night registering quick time at Huset’s.  After a fourth place heat finish, he posted outside row three for the main event.  “The car was a little tight early on,” he says.  “I was a little bit off on the car, but we got stronger.  I got to third, and at one point, I actually spun out.  I was able to save it really quick, and I only lost one spot.”

A caution let TMAC catch his breath in his #24.  “There was a yellow, and I was able to get back to third behind (Jody) Rosenboom and Justin Henderson,” he says.  “I was able to get Justin coming hard off of turn four.”

Next up, was the leader.  “Then I was able to get by Rosenboom late in the race,” says TMAC.  “We were able to get around there really well.  The car was working well.  We were able to get by Jody with two laps to go, and off we went.”

It was a tougher night for son, Austin.  “It was kind of a disappointing for Austin,” says TMAC.  “He was fourth quick, and got up into the cushion and blew a tire in the heat race.  You can’t do any work during the heats, so he was done and had to start at the back of the feature.”

Still the McCarl’s stand 1-2 on top of the Huset’s Speedway point standings.  “He started last, and worked his way to seventh,” says TMAC.  “It was disappointing on that end, but on the other side, he took over second place in points.  So that is kind of cool.”

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

(Bill W) August 14, 2012 – At the Knoxville Nationals, things need to go your way.  For Terry McCarl, it was clear it was not his year.  Things mounted after misfortune hit in his heat race on qualifying night, and it was clear the deck was stacked against him.  Saturday finished disappointingly in the B main, but he will be back in action this Sunday night at Huset’s Speedway near Brandon, South Dakota, where he holds the point lead.

Things started well with Thursday’s qualifying.  TMAC timed in seventh quick, but couldn’t make it through the heat after a mishap.  “The car was fast,” he says of the TMAC Motorsports #24.  “With seventh quick, and what looked like fourth in the heat…that would have probably put us in the A on Saturday pretty easily.  It was pretty disappointing, but that’s part of the Nationals.”

TMAC worked his way up to fifth in the heat, one spot out of a transfer.  “Everything is so important,” he says.  “You can’t win it all in the heat race, but you can lose it.  We would have even been o.k. running fifth in the heat and making it through the B.  I wasn’t that worried.”

Geoff Ensign was running in the fourth and final transfer spot.  He blew and engine and skidded up the track, collecting TMAC.  “I was coming down the back straightaway following him,” he says.  “He was going to be disqualified for losing a muffler anyway, but I didn’t know that.  I saw sparks coming out of his car, and he started moving towards the bottom.  That’s when I went on an emotional roller coaster in about one second.”

He tried to avoid the incident, but caught the rough stuff and tipped over.  “I thought I would make it through, but all of a sudden his car veered to the right,” says TMAC.  “It wasn’t his fault at all.  I had every intention of running up the fence and back down to finish the race.  I about had it.  Unfortunately, it was so deep coming down that my nose dug in and we turned over.”

The front end was repaired to get ready for the B.  Slated to start fourth, TMAC pulled into the work area before it could begin.  “We had a bunch of people jump in and help us,” he says.  “Unfortunately, the left front brake locked up before the B main.  When things like that happen, you know it’s just not your year.”

The new Friday format gave TMAC a second chance at Saturday’s A main.  “With someone like me, it gives you a second chance.  We were able to qualify well (12^th) and make it through the heat (1^st).  We were starting fifth in the feature and it seemed like we could run fourth.”

TMAC would end up seventh.  “We ran something over and put a hole in the right rear tire,” he says.  “We were lucky to finish seventh.  Danny (Lasoski) had a flat and didn’t fare that well.  On one hand, it was pretty amazing we finished, but you know it’s not your year.”

Lining up thirteenth in Saturday’s B main, the car suffered issues that landed TMAC 14^th.  “We were the fastest car in hot laps,” he says.  “It sounds like craziness, but I check this stuff myself.  We left with ten and a half inches of stagger and came in with twelve and a half inches.  The right rear grew an inch, and the left rear shrunk an inch.  We checked the pressures and they were right on.  I was just so loose the way the track was.”

The team will bounce back this weekend.  “We’ll be back at Huset’s,” he says.  “Hopefully, we can hang on to our point lead there and at Knoxville and grab a couple track championships.”

With a stout 410 field in the house at Knoxville Saturday night, TMAC timed in fifth quick.  “I was testing a new wing for Lynton (Jeffrey) for Vortex,” he says.  “I was actually off a bit with my car, so I think we could have had a shot at quick time.  Our fresh Rider engine was in that we got back from Tommy Rider.  It was really running good all night long.”

TMAC rode most of his heat in the fifth and final transfer spot, but finished fourth.  He was awarded third when Kyle Larson was DQed for changing his right rear tire.  “That’s happened to me before too,” he says.  “Sometimes the outside guys don’t know how Knoxville runs it.  It was heavy early on, but they did a great job with the track with the weather conditions like they were.”

For the second week in a row, TMAC started outside row one for the feature.  He would lead every lap, holding off Brown.  “We got lucky, and they pulled the right invert,” he says.  “Both weeks, we’ve had an excellent racecar.  Last week, we were a victim of circumstance a little bit, but our car has been great.  Brian is on.  He has a heck of a team put together.  It’s kind of what we had in 2009.  He’s on top of his game, so to beat him right now is good.  I think we’re getting pretty close.”

TMAC is proud of a young team.  “Austin McCarl is my crew chief,” he says.  “Alex, Bob and Carson are working really hard.  We kind of have a makeshift crew.  I call them my ‘band of misfits’.  They’ve all been working hard and we’re having a blast.”

Sunday night, TMAC would have to fight through the B after a good qualifying time.  “The flat wing did affect my car a bit,” he says.  “We don’t usually run that at Huset’s.  They had it wet and heavy early.  We were second quick.  I had a guy trying to kill me the whole eight laps in the heat.”

Starting eleventh in the feature was an advantage.  “It worked in our favor, because we missed a big pileup at the start of the feature,” says TMAC.  “I kind of missed the setup.  The track blew off a little more than I thought and we were loose.  We brought it home in fourth place.  On a night where you felt you missed your setup, a fourth place finish with the All Stars leaves you pretty content.”

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

TMAC is chasing Davey Heskin in points at Knoxville and registered the ninth quick time of the night.  “There is so much influence on points with time trials,” he says.  “Then you just get one lap to do it.  I kind of missed it going into turn one and qualified kind of bad.  The car was really awesome all night, other than the one time in qualifying when I messed up a bit.  Davey is doing a great job in qualifying every week.  We jus thaven’t been doing our job.”

After a good second place run in the heat, TMAC lined up outside of row one for the feature, and jumped out to an early lead.  “It was a lot of fun because the track really did change,” he says.  “We had a great car early on, especially, but really the whole race.  It was laying a little rubber here and there.”

A mechanical issue complicated things, but TMAC stayed out front.  “We had the restart with like thirteen to go,” he says.  “After that, the throttle link broke, so we were basically wide open out there.  It hurt me a bit coming out of the corners.  I could be aggressive on the cushion, and I could roll out of it a little bit, especially in turn four.”

Still, he held the point.  On the last lap, he was bottled up in traffic, allowing Brian Brown to get by for the win.  “I was able to overcome it,” says TMAC of the throttle issue.  “I was still happy with the way I drove.  We went into the last corner on the last lap, and a lapped car made a mistake.  That cost us the feature, but that happens.  It’s happened to Brian before, and it’s not the last time it will happen to either of us.  He was in the right place at the right time.”

Most expected TMAC to be boiling.  “My wife and crew were more upset than I was,” he says.  “I was happy with the car and the way I drove after the throttle issue.  In my mind, we should have wadded it up a couple times!”

After setting second quick time of the night and running fourth in his heat, TMAC would start inside row four for Sunday’s feature at Huset’s Speedway near Brandon, South Dakota.  “It was a great racetrack at Huset’s,” he says.  “There was a good bottom and a good top.  It was a heck of a battle the first four or five laps.  I had a great race with (Mark) Dobmeier and (Robby) Wolfgang.  There were four or five of us coming off turn two.  It was kind of crazy.”

The leader was checking out.  “In the meantime, Austin was taking off up front,” says TMAC.  “I think he was coming around to lap us after about 12 laps when we had a caution.  We were able to get to third on the restart, and we got by Kaley (Gharst) into second.  I really didn’t have a whole lot for Austin.  He made a couple mistakes, but I wasn’t able to get by him.”

TMAC is proud of Austin.  “That’s two in a row for him on a tough racetrack,” he says.
“You really have to drive it there.  I have to thank the crew.  I was so doggone hot all weekend.  They all do a great job.  The hard work pays off.”

The All Stars are running in the Upper Midwest this week, but TMAC will only make the Hibbing stop with them.  “We wish we could do the whole swing, but we need to pick up a motor from Don Ott for the Nationals,” he says.  “We would do the whole thing if we had motors.”

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