1 STIMS winner Jared Maupin
2 Limited Modified winner Trent Beaver
3 Factory Stock winner Jared Maupin
4 Fireball winner Brandon Spreen
5 Sport Compact winner Rod Tait
ODS/STIMS Night @ I-37 Speedway 8-23-25
By JM Hallas
Pleasanton, TX.,(August 23rd, 2025) Finally, the wait is over…..
Seems like a month since the track saw racecars going in circles. Actually due to rain, the collapsing the front stretch retaining wall, it's been over two months, but who's counting.
On the nights agenda on the ¼ mile, semi-banked, (new)dirt oval were the Limited Modifieds, Factory Stocks. Fireballs, Sport Compacts and the final 2025 race in the South Texas IMCA Modified Series.
The STIMS comes into action as part of a double-header weekend(hold on to that thought) where they competed in Corpus Christi Friday night that saw Steven Whiteaker jr. take the victory. 3-D Landscaping/Ray Doyon threw in an extra $200 for a weekend sweep. On top of the points is Logan Dinsmore, who fell just short of the 2024 championship. Dinsmore comes in 16 points ahead of Cody Leonard, Johnny Torres 20 back, Marcus Mikulencak 22 behind and Ryan Doyon minus 36.
With the tracks regular season winding down Robert Wiggins heads the Limited Modifieds by only one point over Steven Whiteaker III, who picked up his first win earlier this season, with a big gap to Tom Grothues, Lupe Gomez and Trent Beaver.
In Factory Stocks Paul Reyes holds a comfortable margin(29) over Stephanie Green and Treyer Caulfield(tied), and forty ahead of Dillon Gaither and Allen Torres, also tied.
We have a rookie leading the Fireball class with former Go-kart champ Blaine Markgraf holding the edge on Justin Henley(-17), Shane Stonebraker and Sammy Smith tied for third(-22) and AJ Dancer(-27).
The Sport Compact title chase is led by Josh Jones with a seven point cushion over Rod Tait, and ten back to defending champ Eric Wilson, Sonny Kinnaman(-23) and Fons Ponsioen(-27).
The Late Models were off this weekend, but their points chase shakes out with Ray Doyon III out front of Matt Fox by 5, Robby Minten by 12, Ty Walley by 14 and Cody Leonard, who has only raced twice but won both times, by 33. Late Models return to action on September 13th.
Maupin Motors to Modified Money
After the redraw for the top qualifiers what would be the the odds that the two Dinsmore brothers would start on the front row on the STIMS 20-lap main event? One, Logan, with several years experience under his belt and battling for a series championship while the other, Cameron, is in his first half season of IMCA Modified racing.
As green waved, L. Dinsmore got the jump into turn 1 first for the lead ahead of Jared Maupin, Colin Carroll, C. Dinsmore and Johnny Torres. As Maupin began pressuring L. Dinsmore for the lead Marcus Mikulencak got by Torres for fifth. Maupin gave L. Dinsmore a look low in turn 1 on lap 2. Maupin got a better run off the bottom of turn 2 on the next lap to get alongside L. Dinsmore. L. Dinsmore fought back through the middle of (turns) 3-4 to hold the point.
The scenario upfront continued for the next for the five laps until Maupin finally gained the advantage in (turns 3-4) and took the top spot on lap 8. In the pack, Torres was able to take fourth from Co. Carroll. At halfway it was Maupin, L. Dinsmore, Mikulencak, Torres and Co. Carroll in the top five. The finals laps saw Maupin increase his margin on the field going on to get the victory in the Bobby Smith owned, 91 Specialties, JGR Fab, crate powered, CAM Chassis. This broke his drought for the year while splitting time with asphalt racing.
***With his second place finish Logan Dinsmore picked up the STIMS 2025 Championship.
“A little light night tonight,” joked Maupin on only racing two classes tonight. “We're just trying to get back in the rhythm, We've been on a DNF streak the past about eight races so it's good to get one off our back.”
“Ya it was rough tonight. These Modifieds really show a rough track. We made a few changes trying to stay neutral and help the car get through the ruts a bit better. Luckily enough we never got any stupid pushes. It bounced around, but the car was pretty good. You try to miss them as much as you can and then miss the ski jump in turn 1. But to miss that, you're in the rough stuff. It's Interesting for sure.”
“In the main running next to Logan(Dinsmore) there for the lead I'm not going to try to ruin his championship deal. He's aggressive, we're aggressive. You can't kneel down too much. But you don't want to put the guy in a tough spot either. You run him as clean as you possibly can.”
STIMS by ODShirts
91 Jared Maupin, 8jr Logan Dinsmore, 9m Marcus Mikulencak, 66 Johnny Torres, 71 Colin Carroll, 5rm Robby Minten, 15 Chris Carroll, 8c Cameron Dinsmore, 5r Ryan Doyon, 22z Talon Minten, 48r Raymond McSpadden, 5j Dwight East, 12 Cody Leonard, 81 Chris Gallien, 49 Ryan Slott, 89 Steven Whiteaker jr---dns, 141 Brandon Sanderson---dns, 11x Brian Harbison---dns, 12 ½ John Dewitt---dns, x Doug Cameron---dns, 55 John Owen---dns, 45 Brian Machicek---dns
STIMS heats
Heat 1; 91 Jared Maupin, 66 Johnny Torres, 15 Chris Carroll, 81 Chris Gallien, 22z Talon Minten, 48r Raymond McSpadden, 12 ½ John Dewitt
Heat 2; 8jr Logan Dinsmore, 9m Marcus Mikulencak, 12 Cody Leonard, 5rm Robby Minten, 5r Ryan Doyon, 5j Dwight East, 11x Brian Harbison
Heat 3; 8c Cameron Dinsmore, 71 Colin Carroll, 49 Ryan Slott, 45 Brian Machicek, 89 Steven Whiteaker jr., 55 John Owens, 141 Brandon Sanderson, x Doug Cameron
Limited Modified Bucks to Beaver
As the 20-lapper for the Limited Modified fired off it was Ziggy Reusser leading into turn 1. Trent Beaver got inside coming off turn 2 took the spot on lap 1. Trailing Beaver were Steven Whiteaker III, Charles Flanagan, Reusser and James Cole. Cole quickly got by Reusser and Flanagan for third as the top five sorted out while Clint Everage and Tom Grothues ran side by side for sixth.
At halfway it was Beaver, Whiteaker, Cole, Flanagan and Reusser separated out in the top five. Everage was able to work his way up to take fifth from Reusser, while Beaver continued to hold the point. Whiteaker pulled off from second after trying out the new wall, moving Cole, Flanagan and Everage up with Robert Wiggins now fifth. As the white waved, Beaver had almost a full straight lead easily taking the checkers in the Beaver Air Conditioning, Beaver Medical Group, Auburn Custom Homes, La Vernia Mini Storage, La Vernia Bear Wash,CPD Racing Shocks LLC, Rush Race Gear by Austin Witt, Best Race Engines, IRP Racecars
“This year we've been all around racing,” replied Beaver. Cotton Bowl, then picked up a big win in Edna, we're trying to hit some of the big shows. There was good competition out there tonight. We had a good piece. I lost the left front with about seven laps to go, but the car was still good.”
“With the track conditions out there tonight we just loosened up the car to make sure it turns. You want it to get off the corner straight. I was't looking for anyone to come along. I was just running my race, hitting my line. The car was good. I knew if I held my line no one would be able to get by me.”
Limited Modifieds
14 Trent Beaver,87 James Cole, 58 Charles Flanagan, 822 Clint Everage, 26 Robert Wiggins, 503 Ziggy Reusser, 7k Lupe Gomez, 88 Steven Whiteaker III, 94 Tom Grothues, 14t Beau Begnaud
Limited Modified heats
Heat 1; 503 Ziggy Reusser, 58 Charles Flanagan, 94 Tom Grothues, 14t Beau Begnaud, 7k Lupe Gomez
Heat 2; 88 Steven Whiteaker III,14 Trent Beaver, 26w Robert Wiggins, 87 James Cole, 822 Clint Everage
More Money for Maupin
Jared Maupin got a good launch off turn 4 to grab the early lead of the 20-lap Factory Stock feature. Maupin was pursued by Dakota Hurley, Dillon Gaither, Rowdy Choiunard and Anthony Gordon. Choiunard was abe to take third from Gaither on lap 1 while Paul Reyes took fifth from Gordon. Reyes then grabbed fourth from Gaither who continued to hemmorage positions to Gordon too.
Reyes then took third from Chouinard, who was slowing, giving up more spots before pulling off. At the midway point it was Maupin, with a good lead, Da. Hurley, Reyes, Tim Sewell and Gordon. Sewell and Gordon then began a scrap for fourth with Gordon getting the spot. Up front it Maupin with a half straightaway lead cruising to his second win of the night in the Jamie Fuller owned, JGR Fab, RMN Install, 91 Specialties, All in Designs, On Demand Shirts, Wells Race Engines, Lazer Chassis.
“I called the race the Baja 500 the way the track was tonight,” reported Maupin. “The bottom was smooth enough that you just roll it and hug the tires. The was a lot of grip still down there. It made for a nice slow pace.We tend to keep this car in the shop for big shows. We brought it out to get it up to speed.”
“I just try to hit my spots and not worry much about anybody. The car felt good enough. You know when a car feels good enough that you know you've got them covered. I was looking at Jamie(Fuller) a little for signals. We were clear so I was just cruising. I know Dillon(Gaither) has had some good runs here recently.”
Factory Stocks by All in Designs
91 Jared Maupin, 40 Dakota Hurley, 24 Paul Reyes, 5 Anthony Gordon, 22 Tim Sewell, 41 Dillon Gaither, 14 Trey Heald, 82 Treyler Caulfield, 757 Stephanie Green, 28 Rowdy Chouinard, 20 Mike Lyon, four Brandon Welker, 94 Allen Torres---dns
Factory Stock heats
Heat 1; 91 Jared Maupin, 41 Dillon Gaither, 24 Paul Reyes, 78 Dustin Hurley, 14t Trey Heald, 757 Stephanie Green,20 Mike Lyon
Heat 2; 40 Dakota Hurley, 28 Rowdy Chouinard, 5 Anthony Gordon, 22 Tim Sewell, 82 Treyler Caulfield, 94 Allen Torres, four Brandon Welker
Spreen Scores Again
Brandon Spreen was first into turn 1 at the start of the 20-lapper for the Fireballs. Eric Ramos gave him a look high off turn 2, but Spreen held the top spot with Ramos, Jason Kelly, Howie Marcx and Danny Dear falling in behind. Jamie Dear was able to get by both D. Dear and Marcx for fourth. J. Dear caught Kelly for third while Marcx tried to find an opening low. Zack Dodson went for a spin to the infield on lap 8 for a yellow. Under caution, Ramos pulled off from second and Kelly hit the hot pits taking them both out of the top five.
Back to green, Blaine Markgraf was able to get by D. Dear for fourth with Shawn Paul Lehman following to fifth. Lehman, from near the back, picked off spots from Markgraf and Marcx to move into third. At the crossed flags it was Spreen, J. Dear, Lehman, Marcx and Markgraf in the top five. A debris caution slowed the pace on lap 13.
On the restart Lehman snagged second from J. Dear while Markgraf and DJ Schroat passed Marcx for fourth and fifth as Marcx faded. Lehman closed in on Spreen for the lead and another debris caution bunched the field. Spreen tried a late launch on the restart with Lehman getting a run high in turns1-2. Lehman kept the pressure on Spreen, but looped it in turn 1 for a late caution.
Spreen got away on the next restart while Dodson and Schroat traded some paint. Spreen was able to slowly creep away from J. Dear the final two circuits to grab another win as a hired gun in the Kelly Marbach owned, Swenson Shocks and Chassis, Spreen Carburators and Race Engines, Body by DSM, “Scrap Metal” Chassis.
“Kelly Marbach let me come out and play tonight,” commented Spreen. “I was just kind of pacing my own race. Under yellow Shawn Paul Lehman showed me his nose and kind of played his card. Towards the end I didn't think he was there anymore. He and I go back years and years with the asphalt stuff. I know he's going to race me pretty clean.”
“Wrecking someone elses car is always in the back of my mind. In conversations we've had he tells me to race it like it's my own. Kelly and Chris Swenson put in a lot of hours in this car. It definitely shows. It's an awesome opportunity.”
Fireballs by Johnson HVAC Supply
6 Brandon Spreen, 12 Jamie Dear, 8 Zack Dodson, 88 DJ Schroat, 6m Blaine Marlgraf, h2s Shane Stonebraker, 72 Paul Colter, 86 Sammy Smith, 528 Shawn Paul, m5 Mark Pivarnik, 13 Howie Marcx, 28 Levi Hernandez, 64 Danny Dear, 49 Jason Kelly, 21r Eric Ramos, 15 William Cavender
Fireball heats
Heat 1; 6 Brandon Spreen, 49+8 Jason Kelly, 64 Danny Dear, 86 Sammy Smith, 88 Bobby Jack, 28 Levi Hernandez, m5 Mark Pivarnik, 72 Paul Colter
Heat 2;
21r Eric Ramos, 13 Howie Marcx, 12 Jamie Dear, 6m Blaine Markgraf, h2s Shane Stonebraker, 8 Zack Dodson, 528 Shawn Paul Lehman, 15 William Cavender
Tait Tames Sport Compacts
The 20-lap Sport Compact got off to a crazy start with Rod Tait jumping out front chased by Josh Jones, Fons Ponsioen, Eric Wilson and Shaun Tracy. On lap 2 Tracy got a flat and spun to the infield. Behind him Mason McQueen and Lesie Chouinard made contact trying to check up. Under caution Wilson was noted with a broken rear strut and pulled off from fourth shaking up the top five for the restart.
Tait and Jones got away under green and quickly ran up on slower traffic by lap 5.Ryker Hernandez moved up to battle with Ponsioen for third as they run into traffic. Shaylee Edwards lost the tread off her tire to bring out a lap 8 yellow. Tait and Jones again cleared themselves with Hernandez and Ponsioen side by side for third coming tohalfway with Stephen Boubel holding fifth.
Boubel would get too high off turn 4, get sideways and make contact with Anthony Norris sending Boubel into the new front stretch wall, ending both their nights. Officials reduced the laps to a green, white, checker finish due to time limits. Jones tried a look low on the restart while Hernandez tried up high. Tait held them both off and was able to grab the win, his first in a while, in the Turtle Team Racing, Kinnaman Racing, McQueen Racing, Pontiac Sunfire.
“I want to dedicate this win to my son Anson,” said Tait. “I get to pick him up tomorrow. This win was for him. Yes, it's been a while what with the chemo, wrecking the other car and breaking my hand. I had to get a new car and it's just good to be back. The competition has always been good out here. I love racing this track.
“A lot of the drivers here are experienced and they race fair. Do we rub on each other, ya. That's just part of racing. Josh and I played a little bumper tag there at the end. He's a good racer. I've watched him come up. He knows his car and hes a clean racer. The track was a little rough but very managable and the new wall looks great.”
“We didn't take Rays(Doyon) challenge and go turtle fishing. We did go look though.”
Sport Compacts
70 Rod Tait, 11j Josh Jones, 6p Ryker Hernandez, 22 Fons Ponsioen, 28L Leslie Chouinard, 76y Donald Lewis, 3 Daelyn McQueen, 88b Audrey Norris, 8 Reva McQueen, 23 Yesenia Ruiz, 83 Jessica Adams, 007 Stephen Boubel, 81 Anthony Norris, 43 Shaylee Edwards, 18 Eric Wilson, 21t Shaun Tracy, 7 Mason McQueen, 38 Sonny Kinnaman
Sport Compact heats
Heat 1 ; 70 Rod Tait, 22 Fons Posioen, 76y Donald Lewis, 38 Sonny Kinnaman, 23 Yesenia Ruiz, 43 Shaylee Edwards
Heat 2; 21t Shaun Tracy, 007 Stephen Boubel, 6p Ryker Hernandez, 88d Aubrey Norris, 83 Jessica Adams, 3 Daelyn McQueen
Heat 3; 11j Josh Jones, 18 Eric Wilson, 7 Mason McQueen, 81 Anthony Norris, 28L Leslie Chouinard, 8Reva McQueen