(Bill W) April 11, 2017 – Terry McCarl and the TMAC Motorsports #24 team were back in action last weekend at the I-80 Speedway “Bugeater Bash” featuring the Nebraska 360 Sprint Series. After bringing a tight racecar home fourth on Friday night, unfortunately, a broken part sent the veteran upside down on Saturday. The Altoona, Iowa driver will be ready for this Saturday night’s opener at the Knoxville Raceway.
TMAC started seventh in his heat in Friday’s prelim. “I thought we had one of the toughest heats of the night,” he says. “I was definitely surprised that we were good enough to drive up to second. We were pretty happy with everything and the car worked great. I-80 is one of my favorite tracks in the country, and that’s why we went there.”
The second-place run was good enough for a redraw that saw a starting spot inside row three. “We just really missed it in the feature,” says TMAC. “I knew on my practice lap that we weren’t good. We got to third right away, and we were into second a couple times. That’s when we about got into the fence. If I hadn’t done that…clean air would have helped my car. We were really tight. We were just really tight. We needed to be leading or in second to get some clean air.”
TMAC’s slide sideways in turn two almost got him into the wall and cost him momentum. “That got me out of my game plan a bit and made me cautious on my entries into the turns,” he says. “We were back in sixth or seventh at one point. We were able to move around a little and get back up to fourth. I was disappointed that we didn’t win, but I was happy to get to fourth with the car the way it was.”
His fourth-place finish ended up earning a bonus. “We were lucky enough to be in the draw and won $300 from the Ledger family (Electrical Systems, Inc.),” says TMAC. “That was pretty cool and it worked out pretty good. That made that night a little better. I appreciate those extra things. We try to do that for the Front Row Challenge and being on the receiving end reminds me how much the racer appreciates those things.”
One of TMAC’s former crew members is helping him out again this season. “Of course, Doug (Rankin) is back and Steve Fitzpatrick is back working with us on a part-time basis,” he says. “I think he’s going to be a great piece to the puzzle, and we’re going to be just a little better this year. It’s a little more help for Doug and we’re excited to have him back on board.”
Things started well enough in Saturday’s finale. “We felt great in hot laps,” says TMAC.
“We started sixth in the heat and got right up to third. I hate being in the same heat with Carson, and it was the first heat, which is usually a little narrower. Anyway, we were cruising pretty good there and I felt a ‘clunk’. I knew it was going to be bad at that point. I went to turn and it didn’t. The right rear wheel exited stage right. We went for a pretty good ride.”
TMAC was sore, but o.k. otherwise. “Even if you’re driving for the best team in the world, parts can fail now and then,” he says. “We broke a spindle. If you hold them in your hand, they’re just aluminum with a steel or titanium shaft. It’s amazing the abuse they take. I had kaleidoscope eye for a while, but we are fine. It was probably the worst thing that could have happened to Carson, because I became crew chief for him and he was way too tight in the feature!”
He’s excited for the opener at Knoxville. “We’re putting a new car together for this weekend,” says TMAC. “We’ll go to practice Friday night and run the opener on Saturday. All three McCarl boys (Austin will be in the TKS Motorsports #2KS and Carson will be in the 360 class) will be there and it’s been awhile since that happened.”
McCarl Family Websites!
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!
On April 11, 2003, TMAC was victorious in the Sprint Invaders Association feature at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa. He bested Mike Trent, Kurt Davis, Tyson Hart and Matt Rogerson. Despite competing in limited action with the series, TMAC set what was then a record with five wins that year. He is fourth on the all-time series’ win list with ten.
"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@hotmail.com with "TMAC" in the subject line.
TMAC Motorsports would like to thank sponsors SnowPlow Snow Pushers – www.TheSnowPlow.com, Country Builders Construction, Bosma Poultry, Destiny Motorsports, Simplot Grower Solutions, Price Chopper, Hiland Dairy, Searsboro Telephone Company, A.R.T. Speed Equipment, Berryhill Racing, Phil and Vivian, Justice Brothers/Gillund Enterprises, Vortex Racing, Hoosier Tire, Chris Spaulding – Attorney at Law, SuperFlow, Schoenfeld Headers, Rens Trucking, NutriShop – Maple Grove, MN, HRP, All Pro Cylinder Heads, Maxim Chassis, Bob and Beulah Elder, Engler Injection, Snap On Tools, Sposato Paint, Winters, Kilani Fender, Inc., DriverWebsites.com, CM Rock, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Pro Shocks, Bell Helmets, Burnett's Rock and Landscaping, Octane Ink, Morgan Strawberry Farms, Dynasty Stucco, Aurora Rod Ends, Crow Safety, KSE Steering, Snyder Lawn & Landscaping, Strange Performance, Saldana Racing Products, Scribner Plastics, Waterman Fuel Pumps, Butlerbuilt and Mote Fasteners.
Bill Wright
Bill W Media
Monroe, IA USA
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