On Friday February 18th the Forsberg #92 made the 900 mile tow to USA Raceway in Tucson Arizona for a two day National ASCS race.
Andy Started 4th in his heat race and finished 2nd, putting him 5th overall in points. Luckily Andy missed the re-draw to line up the front rows so series promoter Emmett Hahn pulled for Andy and put him on the front row outside of pole sitter Johnny Herrara. At the wave of the green flag Andy jumped the cushion in turns 1&2 and immediately fell into the 4th spot where he would run for about the 1st 6 laps, on lap 7
Andy hit the cushion a little weird and the right front wheel got packed with mud, causing a huge vibration in the front end, un-known to Andy this also bent the tie rod, so for the next few laps he ended up getting more and more toe out, to the point where he had to pull the car in as the 92 sprint car became un-controllable.
On Saturday February 19th Andy started 8th in his heat race and finished 6th, missing the A by 2 spots. Andy would need to run the B main where he would finish 3rd and would start 18th in the A main. Andy never really got up to speed in the A main and would eventually finish 17th, but on a positive note it was the 1st checkered flag of the season in an A main event for the start of 2011.
A Big Thank You to Steve and Scott Van Den Broeke with Autism Awareness for the use of the ASCS Motor these past four races, and for towing the car to Tucson Arizona for us, and to Jeff Del Rio with Medeiros Concrete Pumping for all the help in the first four National ASCS races of 2011, we would not have been able to put the #92 sprint car on the track and to have done all the distant traveling with out you and your support.
Running with the National Tour was definitely a learning experience for me as a driver, its competitive and tuff.
This upcoming weekend Saturday February 26th Andy is headed to MRP in Marysville CA for his first test session with the F&F X1 car.
TK Motorsports on display at the 2011 "World Ag Expo" at Tulare, CA's International Agri-Center
When the "World Ag Expo" began in 1968 at the Tulare (California) County Fairgrounds, it featured over 150 exhibitors and over 28,000 attendees. Since then, the three-day event has grown to cover 2.6 million square feet at the International Agri-Center in Tulare, and averages over 100,000 attendees to view displays from over 1,600 exhibitors each year. Statistics like these make the "World Ag Expo" the world's largest annual Agriculture Exposition, and this year, TK Motorsports is there.
With drivers Kody & Tanner Swanson, who each served as their High School FFA Chapter President and received their American FFA Degrees, TK Motorsports and the Swanson brothers have been a great fit to promote the value of Agriculture Education beyond the role of farming and to occupations as extreme as professional racecar driving. Their role at this year;s "World Ag Expo" has included the display of the TK Motorsports #17 USAC Pavement Sprint Car, which set a "New Track Record" in it's last outing at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, California, as well as being on site to visit with attendees and exhibitors. The Brothers will be on hand to answer questions and tell their story tomorrow and Thursday at the Expo, next to their car on display at the World Ag Expo Registration Center at the corner of Median & J Streets, booth J30.
Race fans and Agriculturalists alike, come on out to the International Agri-Center in Tulare to check out the TK Motorsports Sprint Car on display and see just what the "World Ag Expo" has to offer!
Ray Cook Turns Focus from Winternationals to Winterfest this Weekend!
February 17, 2011
Ray Cook and the D&R Motorsports team have returned back to the shop following a busy ‘Winternationals’ at the East Bay Raceway Park in Gibsonton, Florida last week. Even with Mother Nature trying her best to spoil the six-race week at the Tampa area venue with two-rainouts, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series officials made up the pair of events with two day/night doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday, February 11-12. In all, Ray advanced into each of the six main events during the ‘Winternationals’ and racked up a pair of top ten finishes.
Both top ten efforts came last Friday when Ray finished sixth in the $5,000 to win afternoon show and tenth, after starting twenty-fourth, in the $10,000 to win nightcap. When all of the points were tabulated following the trip to the “Clay by the Bay,” Ray emerged tenth in the first version of the 2011 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series point standings. You can view a race-by-race recap from East Bay by logging onto www.raycook53.com.
With no rest for the weary, the #53 team will jump back into Dirt Late Model competition this Saturday afternoon, February 19 at the Winchester Speedway in Winchester, Tennessee. The annual running of the ‘Winterfest’ will take place at Winchester on Saturday and a $3,000 payday is up for grabs. Ray plans to race his spec engine/big spoiler package again this weekend in the unsanctioned event. Additional information concerning the ‘Winterfest’ program can be found online at www.winchesterspeedway.net.
Ray Cook would like to thank all of his supporters including: D&R Motorsports, Hicks & Ingle Company, MasterSbilt Race Cars, Race Engine Design, PPM Racing Products, A+ Moving and Storage Company, K&N Filters, PRC Racing, Real Racing Wheels, Star Grafix, Bill Elliott Racing, James Cook Construction, American Race Tire, Bert Transmissions, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Chizmark & Larson Insurance Agency, DBR Starters, Delph Communications, Demon Carburetors, FK Rod Ends, Frankland Racing Supply, GW Performance, Integra Shocks, ISC Racers Tape, JB Performance, Mason Racin', MSD Ignition, Peterson Fluid Systems, Schaeffer’s Racing Oil, Scott Performance Wire, Stealth Carburetors, Sweet Mfg., T&D Machine, Turbo Start Batteries, VP Racing Fuels, Wiles Driveshafts, and Wilwood.
For the latest news and schedule information concerning the #53 team, feel free to visit their official Internet home at www.raycook53.com.
From the FK Bearings......
"You Guys Rock!" Department
Although Mother Nature prevented us from attending the Southern Farm Equipment show in Raleigh, NC this weekend, we are still very well represented by the Atkins family!
Thanks Joe, Ryan, Jason and Lonette for everything!!
LOVELL PUTS #4432 AMSOIL RANGER IN 15TH AT KING OF THE HAMMERS
FEB 15, 2011
After months of anticipation the Baja 1000 of the rockcrawling world went down in grand fashion. A race as wild as King of the Hammers can yield triumph or heartbreak but like most epic races grand adventure is guaranteed.
The Lovell Racing crew showed up on Means Dry Lakebed with the best equipment, personnel, and strategy. As soon as the pre-run file was available, the team took to the desert to explore the brutal terrain. Bugs were quickly worked out of the race trucks and everything went relatively smoothly until a vicious wind storm blew the team tent away scattering tools and parts. Luckily, nobody was injured, the pit was reorganized, and pre-running continued for the next 2 days.
By the start of the race, the brothers had driven the entire course and surveyed most areas twice. The GPS’s contained a library of notes and AMSOIL rock racers were in top order. Everything was prepared, fine tuned, and ready for battle.
#232 Brad Lovell / Joachim Schwiesow started the race 7th with a fast pace. The morning desert air was frigid and Brad battled numbness in his fingers. Extremely dry conditions and light wind led to hovering dust clouds and unseen dangers marked every mile. As the #232 AMSOIL team reached the roughest of the rock trails (Outer Limits), they had climbed to 4th. Once free of the rocks they made the call to bypass Pit #1. As soon as the call went out, a loud bang erupted from the drivetrain and the truck was dead in the water. The transmission output shaft had sheared. With hopes of a win gone, Lovell and Schwiesow started dismantling the truck and a new transmission was sent from the main pit. #4432 Lovell / Ashley soon crested the hill and gave them a much appreciated tow into pit #1.
The Lovell pit crew did an amazing job and completed an 8 hour transmission change in only 1 hour and 15 minutes. “The camaraderie of rock racing is amazing,” recalled Brad, “Everyone around us pitched in – Torchmate, 4 Wheel Parts, 667 Rockers, RJ Brown, and our crew did an amazing job and we got out of the pit still in the top half of the pack.” En route once more, the pair faced heartbreak as the front differential gradually chewed itself to chards leaving #232 with no front drive and miles from assistance. Unable to continue, they were forced to throw in the towel. “In 8 years, we have never lost an output shaft or differential. In the months leading up to the race we rebuilt and inspected every part of the vehicle and there were no signs of faulty parts. It is very discouraging to lose this way.”
The red AMSOIL clad rock racer of Roger Lovell & Dallas Ashley ran strong all day and after towing their teammates to the pit passed enough racers to regain their original starting position of 9th. With a strong pace, #4432 completed lap #1 with no problems and made quick work of the huge rock climb on Backdoor. Disaster struck near race mile 83 as the truck took a tumble and ended up resting on the driver’s side. Undeterred, the pair managed to winch the vehicle upright and lost only one position. With 15 miles to go, progress was badly hampered when extreme heat caused the truck to vapor lock. Without a functional engine, the pair could only watch as an onslaught of racers passed by. After repairs were made, Lovell & Ashley made up enough ground to finish the race in 15th position and automatically qualify for the 2012 race. 47 of 100 entrants finished the race.
“I am really happy to show these guys that we are competitive,” Roger concludes, “A couple small problems delayed us but overall the truck is solid. The new 39” BFG’s made all the difference. It feels like a new truck in the rocks. I really want to thank my co-driver Dallas and everyone else who came out to support our team. I wish Brad could have finished and we’ll do whatever is needed to weed out the mechanical problems he had.”
Andy Folsberg Begins With His 2011 Opening Weekend
On Wednesday February 9th the Forsberg Owned #92 headed to Tulare CA for the season opener of the National ASCS Tour. Unfortunately the team was in for a long night as they fought fuel issues the entire night. It wasn’t until right before the B-Main when the problem was found and fixed with the help of Paul Silva, Andy was able to make a few laps during the B to knock all the rust off and feel the car out.
On Saturday February 12th the Forsberg #92 headed back down Hwy 99 to Hanford CA for round #2 of the National ASCS Tour. Andy started 4th in his heat and raced to a 2nd place finish, this put him 5th overall in points and eligible for the draw to place the front 4 rows of the A main event. Andy drew a 6 pill and would line up behind Tim Keading, Kyle Larson, Bud Keading, Tim Crawley and Jeff Swindell. Andy at the green flag moved into 5th and was racing hard with BK and Crawley but that would soon end as the 6th place car running behind Andy would make contact and send Andy air born and off the track, luckily there was no wall and Andy just bounced to a stop with minor damage this would end Andy’s night and send him home a bit disappointed.
This Thursday February 17th the team hits the road and heads for Tucson Arizona for round 3 & 4 of the ASCS National Tour on Friday & Saturday.
Thursday, February 03, 2011
CAP HENRY Rolls Out New Car for 2011 Season Opener Tonight in Georgia...
With just under 25 laps in his brand new Stanton MOPAR powered Maxim winged sprint car, 2010 All Stars Circuit of Champions Sprint Car “Rookie-of-the Year” CAP HENRY is more than ready to show the fans what Team CHR is fully capable of getting done this year.
Tonight, weather permitting, CAP and crew will debut their new paint scheme at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Georgia before heading further south into a ten day tour of Florida on Friday.
“I am really excited to get back in the car and race this year,” said the likeable northern Ohio youngster. “We have the crew, the power and some great experience to draw from now and I think we’ll do very well all season long!”
The O’Reilly All-Star Circuit of Champions rolls into Ocala, Florida this weekend for back-to-back races on Friday and Saturday and then its on to Volusia Speedway Park next Wednesday and Thursday. The team expects to get about 10 races under their belt between both of their 410 and 360 machines as the hauler headed out of their Bellevue, Ohio shop just before the storm dumped snow and ice throughout the Midwest.
The team will compete with some great new alignments in 2011 as they will run Stanton Motors and utilize Lucas Oil products exclusively.
Team CHR would like to thank the following sponsors: HMS, Inc., Lucas Oil Products, RaceFanRadio, Indy Race Products, Stanton Race Engines, Outerwear Performance Products, GME/Neilds Steering, Kistler Racing Products, Simpson Race Products, Green Filters, Mad Industry, T-N-T Graphics, FK Bearings, Fragola Performance Systems, Stewart’s Custom Coatings, G-Force, Race Coveralls. Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Inc., Green High Performance Filters, Beaberbuilt, Maxim Racing Chassis and Team CHR.
