Late Model winner Cody Leonard
South Texas Dirt Truck Series winner Zach Freeman
Factory stock winner Marcus Mikulencak
Fireball winner Lance Gaither
Dwarf Car Racing Series of Texas winner Dylan Budnik
Sport Compact winner Josh Jones
By JM Hallas
Pleasanton TX.,(Sept. 13Th, 2025) Aptly named night for the late summer heat….
It was a big night of racing Saturday night on the ¼ mile, semi-banked, dirt oval with six classes in action at I-37 Speedway. Afternoon temperatures near the century mark kept tracks crews busy trying to keep moisture in the racing surface.
The nights racing card included two traveling series', the Dwarf Car Racing Series of Texas(DCRST) and the South Texas Dirt Truck Series(STDTS). The local Late Models returned after a lengthy hiatus due to scheduling, rain outs and track repairs. Also on tap were the Factory Stocks, Fireballs, and Sport Compacts all battling for points as the season winds down.
The STDTS points show veteran Russ Parker heading the field with Russell Vickery eighteen behind. Rookie, Paul Colter is tied with Evahdent Ivy for third, thirty-seven behind Parker and another rookie, Ashley Walker fifth.
In the local Late Model class Ray Doyon III has a slight five point margin on Matt Fox with Robby Minten twelve back, Ty Walley minus sixteen, and Cody Leonard hanging on to fifth with two wins in his only two starts.
Paul Reyes leads the Factory Stock points with more than thirty points over any one else. Treyler Caulfield, Stephanie Green, Dillon Gaither and Allen Torres are second through fifth, respectively.
Young Blaine Markgraf, a former Go-kart champ, comes into the night with a nice advantage over Shane Stonebraker(-23), Sammy Smith(-26), Levi Hernandez(-35) and Howie Marcx(-46).
It's looking a two man race in Sport Compacts with Josh Jones holding a six point advantage over past track champ, Rod Tait. Defending champ, Eric Wilson, Fons Posioen and Sonny Kinnaman round out the top five, but over twenty points behind.
***Couldn't find any current DCRST points. Must need super secret permission to view them?
Leonard Lands Number Three
As the 20-lap Late Model main roared to life it was Cody Leonard first into turn 1, but it was Ray Doyon III around the outside off turn 2 getting out front. A medical emergency in the stands brought out a red for EMS crews to get out of the infield. On the next start, Leonard again got to the point pursued by Ryan Doyon, Rory Jordan, Ra. Doyon and Landon Sowder. Ra. Doyon brought out an early yellow stopping in turn 3. Back to green, Leonard and Ry. Doyon pulled away from Jordan and Robby Minten.
Once in a rhythm, Leonard started to increase his margin while Ryan Doyon fell victim to Jordan for second. At halfway it was Leonard, Jordan, Sowder, Nathan Titzman and Ray Doyon when Ryan Doyon pulled off. The only thing to slow Leonard was traffic in the final laps giving Jordan the chance to cut the gap. But it was Leonard(Sinton) in the Chris Swenson owned, Smileys, On Demand Shirts, All in Design, 366 Motorsports, DB Insurance, Swenson Racing Products, QA1 Shocks, VP Racing Fuel, Farm & Ranch, Ingram Race Engines, Swenson Racing Chassis taking his third I-37 Speedway Late Model win, in three tries.
“The car was pretty good,” Commented Leonard. “Chris(Swenson) went to work on getting it dialed in more on the rougher tacky tracks. The track had some character and made for some good racing. There was a lot of searching for the smoothest but quickest line. I almost thought it was over with one of the lapped cars but we got it gathered back up and kept pushing. I think it had a few inches of toe out after, but the car was still rocking.”
Late Models by Nogalitos Gear
48 Cody Leonard, 7x Rory Jordan, 91 Nathan Titzman, 9r Ray Doyon III, 53x Matt Fox, 08 Landon Sowder, 33 Brayden Tomlinson, 52 AJ Dancer, 1x Andrew Heser, 5r Ryan Doyon, 24r Robby Minten
Late Model heats
Heat 1; 48 Cody Leonard, 5r Ryan Doyon, 7x Rory Jordan, 08 Landon Sowder, 52 AJ Dancer, 91 Nathan Titzman
Heat 2; 24r Robby Minten, 53x Matt Fox, 33 Brayden Tomlinson, 9r Ray Doyon III, 1x Andrew Hesler
Freeman to the Front After Fire
Before the green even waved the red flew for a fire in the back of Zach Freemans truck due to some overfill ignited by exhaust backfire. No harm, and Freeman was able to continue. As green waned it was three wide going into turn 1 between Freeman, Russ Parker and Chris Varni. In the pack Pete Arce somehow ended up off the back stretch and into the weeds for another red.
Finally under green it was Parker and Varni side by side with Varni getting loose. Freeman capitalized getting by for second and Parker for the lead. Parker held on to second followed by Paul Colter, Daniel Gaudette and Varni. Gaudette got by Colter for third while Russell Vickery taking fifth from Varni, then fourth from Colter. Up front, Freeman was increasing his lead with Vickery going around losing several spots, but continuing with no yellow.
At the midway point it was Freeman, Parker, Gaudette, Varni and Colter in the top five. Colter would give up fifth to Justin Henley and sixth to Vickery, recovering from his spin. By lap 15 Freeman(Pleasanton) had put a half straightaway advantage over Parker and held that margin to score the victory in his Scott Walker owned, All Out Diesel, All in Design, Schaffer Oil, Winners Circle, Russ Parker Construction, C3 Speed Horses, 602 crate powered, ARTS Chassis.
“Ya, we overfilled a little and then it back fired,” said Freeman on his pre-pace fire. “It got a little toasty. I never knew I was on fire. Usually when it back fires people always say something. I heard 'fire, fire, fire' on the raceiever, then she yelled to get the hell out of the truck. So I guess it was time to get out. Nothing damaged, just burning the overfill off the tank.”
“I didn't really have a plan to get the lead like that. People say you can't win it on the first lap, but it sure helps. The leader was sleeping a little on the initial start so I tried get by. We had that second start ,he bobbled a bit in (turns) 1-2. I took the lead and never looked back. The three wide stuff can be a bit sketchy, but this track is pretty wide. So it's not too bad.”
“I worried the entire time is Russ(Parker) was right behind me or if someone else was finding a better line. It felt like I was driving so slow that I was going to get lapped. So I was afraid someone was gonna run me over.”
“It's absolutely no help running the other truck with the Fireballs. The trucks are 11” pull off slicks and the Fireballs are 8” grooved. The 8” are actually way better, no grip, more side bite. Plus the Late Models slicked everything off pretty good. So there's no advantage to running both.”
South Texas Dirt Truck Series
72 Zach Freeman, 28 Russ Parker, 05 Daniel Gaudette, 17 Chris Varni, 29k Justin Henley, 02 Russell Vickery, 72 Paul Colter, 45 Roy Powell, 85 Ashley Walker, 08 Evahdent Ivy, 05w Michael Gonzales, 9 Pete Arce
STDTS heats
Heat 1; 27 Zach Freeman, 28 Russ Parker, 72 Paul Colter, 05 Daniel Gaudette, 85 Ashley Walker, 05w Michael Gonzales
Heat 2; 02 Russell Vickery, 9 Pete Arce, 17 Chris Varni, 29k Justin Henley, 08 Evahdent Ivy, 45 Roy Powell
Factory Stock Main to Mikulencak
The Factory Stock 20-lap feature started with Marcus Mikulencak grabbing the point ahead of Dillon Gaither, Dakota Hurley, Trey Heald and Rusty Head. M. Mikulencak and Gaither began to pull away until Darryl Prosek and Hudson Mikulencak made contact at the same time Joe Aramendia was going over the turn 3 hill to bring out a yellow. Back to green, Hurley was challenging Gaither for second with Prosek and Head door to door for fourth with Paul Reyes, Prosek and Kiehl VanBlarcum three wide for fifth.
Reyes and Prosek got together sending Reyes off turn 2 for a lap 8 yellow. Once back to green coming to the crossed flags it was M. Mikulencak, Gaither, Hurley, K. Van Blarcum and Head in the top five. Johnny Walker Brown stopped on track for lap 10 caution after contact with a tractor tire. On the restart Gaither and Hurley stayed side by side while Aramendia made his way back up getting by Mike Lyon and H. Mikulencak.
Gaither and Hurley were still wheel to wheel when H. Mikulencak turned Aramendia on lap 11. The now single file restart saw M. Mikulencak inch away from Gaither until Reyes slowed and stopped in turn 2. After a quick debris caution, M. Mikulencak(Corpus Christi) got away from Gaither enough hold the point and snag to the win in the Ace Transmission, L-87 Speedway, On Demand Shirts, 517 Awards, Aramendia Motorsports, Oil Field Services Factory Stock. Coming to the checkers K. VanBlarcum got into Hurley sending around before the finish line for third, but was disqualified for the contact.
Factory Stocks by All in Designs
87 Marcus Mikulencak, 41 Dillon Gaither, 40 Dakota Hurley, 55r Rusty Head, 20 Mike Lyon, 58 Joe Aramendia, 32 Hudson Mikulencak, 757 Stephanie Green, 14t Trey Heald, 24 Paul Reyes, 44k Michael Keylich, 25r Nathan Rachui, 7 Johnny Walker Brown---BF, 19 Darryl Prosek, 82 Treyler Caulfield, 11Noah Van Blarcum, 2k Keihl VanBlarcum---DQ, 3d Tres Nesloney---dns
Factory Stock heats
Heat 1; 87 Marcus Mikulencak, 41 Dillon Gaither, 19 Daryl Prosek, 24 Paul Reyes, 2k Keihl VanBlarcum, 20 Mike Lyon, 757 Stephanie Green, 58 Joe Aramendia, 44k Michael Keylich
Heat 2; 40 Dakota Hurley, 55r Rusty Head, 14t Trey Heald, 32 Hudson Mikulencak, 7 Johnny Walker Brown, 11 Noah VanBlarcum, 82 Treyler Caulfield, 25r Nathan Rachui, 3d Tres Nesloney
Gaither Gains Win
As the Fireball feature took the green for their 20-lapper it was Jason Kelly out front off turn 2, but Eric Ramos got by to lead lap 1. Nate Robbins, Kelly, Zach Freeman and Blaine Markgraf filled out the top five. Freeman would spin on lap 4 for a caution. Ramos got the jump on green with Robbins and Kelly side by side. Kelly would get the spot a lap later with Lance Gaither taking fourth from Markgraf and Howie Marcx, Jarrett Payton and Levi Hernandez three wide for eighth.
Robbins would slow and pull off giving Kelly an opening to chase down Ramos for the lead catching him in traffic. At the crossed flags it was Ramos, Kelly, Gaither, DJ Schroat and Markgraf in the top five. Kelly got under Ramos and alongside for the lead. As Kelly inched ahead the two made some contact sending Kelly around and over the turn 3 hill. Ramos was called for the yellow and sent to the tail and Kelly awarded the lead back.
Kelly gapped Gaither and Schroat on the restart as the top four separated themselves. Danny Dear spun on lap 18 collecting H. Marcx setting up a green, white, checker finish. Kelly and Schroat got away on green, but Dear would loop it again coming to the white. Kelly got away after Schroat spun himself out and crossed the finish line first. But during tech Kelly's car was too light giving the victory to Gaither(San Antonio) in the Supreme Foundation Repair, Opiela Mechanical, Industrial Radiator, Swenson Racing Products, Longs Machine Shop, Spreen Race Engines, Outlaw Chassis
“I don't like to win them that way, especially since it was Jasons(Kelly) first,” replied Gaither. “But I'm getting old and take 'em any way I can get 'em. Ya, I've probably lost a few on the tech pad too. I know Jason has worked hard on that car and what he's done with it. I didn't see he and Eric(Ramos) get together in front me until he was off the track.”
“I didn't have anything for either of them tonight. I had a third place car. It was real slick, real rough and I just sat there and rode with what I had. I know Dillon(Gaither)” told me the track actually smooth tonight. I do want to thank Ray(Doyon) and Michael(Keylich) for giving us a place to race. It'll take some time to get the new dirt worked in good.”
“I'm not doing any asphalt stuff anymore. I don't even have an asphalt car in my shop anymore. This is old Allen Alexander car that I've won here in before. My oldest son, Brandon, is married, another baby on the way and he doesn't want to do any kind of racing. My shop's just full of dirt cars now and I come out to play every once in a while.”
Fireballs By Johnson HVAC Supply
14 Lance Gaither, 6m Blaine Markgraf, 86 Sammy Smith, 21 Eric Ramos, h2s Shane Stonebraker, 13 Howie Marcx, 64 Danny Dear, 88 DJ Schroat, 113 Hailee Marcx, 28 Levi Hernandez, 22x Nate Robbins, 18s Jarrett Payton, 5 Jeff Wills, 72 Zach Freeman, 49 Jason Kelly----dq(tech-light), 4c Mark Cupp jr---dns
Fireball heats
Heat 1; 4c Mark Cupp, 22x Nathan Robbins, 6m Blaine Marlgraf, 72 Zach Freeman, 64 Danny Dear, 13 Howie Marcx,18s Jarrett Payton, 86 Sammy Smith
Heat 2; 49 Jason Kelly, 21r Eric Ramos, 14 Lance Gaither, 28 Levi Hernandez, h2s Shane Stonebraker, 113 Hailee Marcx, 5 Jeff Wills, 88 DJ Schroat
Budnik Best of DCRST Bunch
At the start of the 20-lapper for the Dwarf Cars it was Keagan Moore getting the early advantage trailed by Dylan Budnik, Mason Mach, Dillon Coyne and Cauy Moore. Budnik was able to work past K. Moore for the lead while C. Moore and Thomas Mach battled side by side for fifth.
The races only yellow waved just before halfway when Duane Burford rolled to a stop in turn 4. As Budnik got away back under green, Coyne took second from K. Moore followed by C. Moore to third. At halfway it was Budnik, Coyne, C. Moore, K. Moore and M. Mach in the top five. In the final laps, Budnik(Boerne) eased away as the field spread out taking the win in the Sky Haulers, Eppersons, All in Designs, Dall Co. LLC, LRI Fabrication, Dwarf Car
Dwarf Car Racing Series of Texas
25t Dylan Budnik, 12t Dillon Coyne, 22c Cauy Moore, 1k Keagan Moore, 44m Mason Mach, 0 Chris Ochoa, 4m Thomas Mach, 81d Jerry Burford, 14r Duane Burford, 78e Easton Sargisson, 15 Billy Groff
DCRST Restrictor Feature
78e Easton Sargisson, 52t Landon Budnik, 29 Parker Dresch
DCRST heats
Heat 1(Restrictors); 78e Easton Sargisson, 52t Landon Budnik, 29 Parker Dresch
Heat 2; 25c Cauy Moore, 1k Keagan Moore, 4m Thomas Mach, 81d Jerry Burford, 0 Chris Ochoa
Heat 3; 25t Dylan Budnik, 44m Mason Mach, 12t Dillon Coyne, 15 Billy Groff, 14r Duane Burford
Jones Avoids Chaos for Compact Cash
Seventeen Sport Compacts took the green for their 20-lap feature with Jeremy Hernandez getting to turn 1 first for the lead. Before the completion on lap 1 the pack stacked up with Daelyn McQueen getting into the wall hard and Shaun Tracy going around. Hernandez repeated the start followed by Fons Ponsioen, Josh Jones, Sonny Kinnaman and Eric Wilson. Hernandez clipped an infield tire on lap 2 and barrel-rolled several times down the back stretch for a red. He was checked and released by EMS crews.
Ponsioen inherited the lead with the race cut to 15 laps on time. As green flew again Ponsioen got a gap while Jones and Wilson battled side by side for second. After several laps Wilson secured the spot. At halfway it was Ponsioen, Wilson, Jones, Rod Tait and Stephen Boubel in the top five. The lead group caught traffic with Wilson jumping the front tire of Reva McQueen breaking the front suspension, ending his night.
On the restart, the top four of Ponsioen, Jones, Tait and Boubel quickly broke away from the pack. On lap 11, Ponsioen spun himself from the lead in turn 4 giving the top spot to Jones for the restart. Jones, Tait and Boubel got clear of Aubrey Norris, Shaylee Edwards and Donald Lewis while Ponsioen quickly made way back through into the top five. Jones(San Antonio) in the Keepin' Up Racing Team, Elliot Welding Services, Talbert Shop, Triple D Ranch, SBR Performance, Sweet Texas Creations, Chevy Cavalier would hold off Tait for the victory.
“Very eventful, lots of action,” exclaimed Jones. “I was just giving it all I had. I really didn't have anything for them. I was just in the right place at the right time. Jeremy's rollover happened so quick. Looks he barely caught the last infield tire. It's covered with mud and kind of blends in with the track. He got too close and it reached out and grabbed him. It was pretty scary watching him flip through the air. You don't ever want to see anybody doing that.”
“Track was tricky, real slick spots in the bottom of (turns 3-4) is what got Fons(Ponsioen). When I saw him coming around all I could think of was get out of his way, give him some room so maybe he can correct it. Just another one of those deals. It's just part of racing. He held me off pretty well and just caught a bad spot.”
“You start thinking, man this is taking a while with all those delays. It starts to get in your head. Once you get rolling again, all that goes away. You focus on protecting the bottom and holding the lead. Rod(Tait) and I have fun with each other. I heard him revving up under that caution. He's an awesome dude. We'll get each other back and forth. I told him on the tech pad I had to get that one point back from him he took last race. We'll call it square.”
“Both the cars have the exact same set up. We're just trying the Eco-tech stuff. The push rod engines are so much easier to tune and work on. I wanted to get my dad back in a car and he had a blast, but he hasn't given me the key back yet. I'll finish out the season in the old car, and use the Eco-tech car for the big shows. I've run it a couple times down in Corpus with a win and a second.”
Sport Compacts
11j Josh Jones, 70 Rod Tait, 007 Stephen Boubel, 22 Fons Ponsioen, 88d Aubrey Norris, 43 Shaylee Edwards, 76y Donald Lewis, 7 Mason McQueen, 211 Jerry Jones, 83 Jessica Adams, 8 Reva McQueen, 18 Eric Wilson, 6p Jeremy Hernandez, 38 Sonny Kinnaman, 81 Anthony Norris, 21t Shaun Tracy, 3 Daelyn McQueen, 3m Zachary Gentry---dns
Sport Compact heats
Heat 1; 39 Sonny Kinnaman, 007 Stephen Boubel, two11 Jerry Jones, 3 Daelyn McQueen, 88d Aubrey Norris, 43 Shaylee Edwards, 7 Mason McQueen, 8 Reva McQueen, 3m Zachery Gentry
Heat 2; 6p Jeremy Hernandez, 22 Fons Ponsioen, 11j Josh Jones, 18 Eric Wilson, 70 Rod Tait, 21t Shaun Tracy, 76y Donald Lewis, 83 Jessica Adams, 81 Anthony Norris
****My thoughts go out to a local San Antonio racing icon, Donna Kay Kinnaman, who was transported to the hospital after having a medical issue in the stands during the Late Model race. Heck of a way to spend your birthday Ms. Kinnaman.