I wasn’t the only one looking for a race last night.
08/26/2007
I headed up to watch the dirt track action in Killeen at Texas Thunder Speedway.
It was an easy afternoon drive up I 35 and a left and a right to the track. It was about 80 miles, it took about 1 ½ hours but not all that far by Texas standards. I landed at the track thinking it would be a 7:00 start, but much to my surprise, it all started at 8:00 with the heat laps. I was in the stands when I saw a couple of familiar faces: the Tschoener brothers, Terry and Joey, drivers from the track in Kyle, Thunder Hill Raceway. There was no racing for them last night at our “home” track. I said hello as they walked up and we sat next to each other for the nights events. It was a good thing, as an asphalt girl, I had a couple of questions as the night ran through the events.
The field of cars was 120 was impressive for a regular racing night. They had Teen mini stocks (4 cylinders), Racing Twisters, Street Stocks, IMCA Stocks, IMCA SportMods and IMCA Modifieds. Oh, yah they had a power puff race at the end of the night with the girls borrowing the twister cars.
The double lights caught me off guard the first time I saw them thrown. The yellow caution and the green were on at the same time. I guess with dirt, they don’t stop very often, only to pick up the parts and sort out the order. No need for a clean up crew, the oil and antifreeze just mix with the dirt. There was not pace car, no pretty young trophy girl, just the track officials in the middle of the track. The races are much shorter, 15 and 20 lap events so they do go quickly.
I am a bit confused about the difference between the Street Stocks and the IMCA Street Stocks. I guess I have a bit of research to do on that. The Modifieds were quick, the sliding into the turns and the front right wheels not touching the ground coming off the corners. I like watching them on the asphalt, but they sure looked good in the dirt.
It was a quiet drive home, I took TX 130 to avoid the construction on I 35 on the way home, it was quick, no traffic and was about the same time, but a bit more distance. I can’t wait until they open the next stretch near the house. It will make the trip to Killeen a breeze. I have to switch toll roads going that way. I wish I had a co-pilot for the drive home, I got a bit tired towards the end of my drive home.
