

2/4/2025
I-37 Speedway
Texas Showdown by Comanche Concrete @ I-37 Speedway 1/31-1/2/25
By JM Hallas
Pleasanton, TX., February 2nd, 2025 It's show(down) time….
Saturday nights qualifiers locked 6 drivers into today's Texas Showdown finale features with the big money on the line. In the IMCA Modifieds Cody Thompson, Garrett Gregory, Izac Mallicoat, Jordan Grabouski, Trevor Fitz and local driver Cameron Starry made their way into the big money show. Trent Beaver, JJ Jennings, Jared Maupin, Mason Martin, Cody Smith and Dean Abbey transferred in the Limited Modifieds.*** Tanner Whitmire replaced Beaver after new equipment reteched Beavers car and found it over on compression
Could Boone Iowa driver Izac Mallicoat run the weekend sweep after taking hot lap quick time, heat race and qualifier wins?
Could Dalton Faulkner repeat in the Factory stocks after taking home last nights $1000 top prize. James Dear scored the victory in Saturdays Fireball feature.
Grabo Grabs Modified Greenbacks
After refarming the track it was finally time for the $10k to win IMCA Modified main event. It was interesting that nine of the ten states drivers in attendance filled the field of twenty-two cars. Oddly enough it also covered from coast to coast with with Trevor Fitz(Camarillo, Ca.) on the pole and Jason Barnhill(Milton, Fla) in the 22nd spot. Weird.
After a three wide salute to the crowd the 40-lap IMCA Modified main took the green. Fitz and Izac Mallicoat stayed side by side until Mallicoat edged ahead. Fitz fell in line second with Jordan Grabouski, Garrett Gregory and Cody Thompson sorting out in the top five. Grabouski had just gotten past Fitz for second when William Gould and Jason Barnhill got tangled, literally, and ended up in the front stretch wall.
Both drivers were alright, but officials were concerned with methanol running out on the track. With the fire crew at the ready, they worked to unhook the two cars. Both pulled to the hot pits and returned to the track, but exited after a few laps.
As the race restarted, Grabouski got by Fitz for second while Johnson took fourth from Gregory. Grabouski quickly ran down Mallicoat taking over the top spot on lap 6. Cameron Starry would loop it in turn 3 for a lap 9 caution. As Grabouski crept away Mallicoat and Fitz battled for second while Steven Whiteaker jr. was sailing around the top moving into the top ten. Up front Grabouski was coming on lapped traffic.
At the crossed flags it was Grabouski, Mallicoat, Fitz, Thompson and Gregory in the top five. Mallicoat and Fitz were forced three wide around a lapped car with Mallicoat securing the spot. With ten to go Mallicoat started closing the gap to Grabouski who got slowed in traffic. Mallicoat continued to cut into Grabouski's lead down to about 4 car lengths with a lapped car in the middle.
Mallicoat chance to sweep the weekend ended as he suffered the same fate behind the same slower car as Grabouski, losing several car lengths. As the white flag waved Grabouski(Beatrice, Nebr.) had pulled away several more car lengths easily taking the checkers in his Stone Oilfield Service, Wehrs, Hergott Farms, Twin Rivers, Schmidts, Rush by AW, SRC Carburetors, Integra Shocks, Friesen, Brand X Racecar.
“They say I do all the work, all I do is drive this thing,” said Grabouski. “It's been amazing. I can't thank everybody enough for all they do at the track and back at the shop. I even called (Terry) Phillips today. This is badass for us. Having Izac Mallicoat run second says a lot for our team. It's been a lot of hard work getting here. It's cool that it's finally paying off.”
“We'll come back and try again next year,” added third place finisher Trevor Fitz. “The track was slowing down and we were trying to save a little tire. Earlier today they were getting hot and feathering. Once the sun goes down they stay cool and only get a little wear. It's frustrating because we had a real good week. I've said it before, Jordan is one of the best. I should have just run him over.”
Editor side note; During the feature I noticed the top that the top, say 6-7 drivers, mostly the traveling guys, were smooth off the corners. You could barely hear the engine revving. While the remainder off the field were blowing the tires off, screaming down the straightaway.
Texas Showdown IMCA Modifieds
30 Jordan Grabouski, 11 Izac Mallicoat, 28 Trevor Fitz, 25 Cody Thompson, 77 Garrett Gregory, 10 Jeremy Mills, 89 Steven Whiteaker jr., 14x Josh Landers, 8jr Logan Dinsmore, 154 Jason Ingalls, 24b Owen Barnhill, 7w Wesley Wise, 82m Jared Maupin, 9m Marcus Mikulencak, 5b Brenda Kirby, 61 Michael Ables, 9z Chris Zogg , 5r Ryan Doyon, 8js Cameron Starry, 26 Dean Abbey, 1b Jason Barnhill, 60 William Gould
IMCA Modified LCQ 1(top 3to A-main)
9m Marcus Mikulencak, 82 Jared Maupin, 5r Ryan Doyon, 7w Wesley Wise, 1b Jason Barnhill, 03 RC Whitwell, 749 Vince Ogle, 49 Ryan Slott, 7m Daniel Miller, 87 John Webb, 12 Reed Payne, 711 Kade Ogle---dns, 37 John Neal Reid---dns, 17 Cody Tidwell---dns, 22 Talon Minten---dns, 8g Greg Dinsmore---dns
IMCA Modified LCQ 2(top 3 to A-main)
24b Owen Barhill, 61 Michael Ables, 154 Jason Ingalls, 163 Hardy Henderson, 5f Drake Findley, 3j Josh Cain, 1 Paul White, 128 Keith Brown jr., 11x Brian Harbison, 18j Jake Huckaby, 12s John Smelly, 82 Rick Green, 94 Chris Morris, 73 Jacob Hortch, 48 Rob Slott---dns, 10p Wade Pistole---dns, 366 David Gibson---dns
IMCA Modified Heats(top 2 to A-main)
Heat 1; 9z Chris Zogg, 60 William Gould, 9m Marcus Mikulencak, 87 John Webb, 82m Jared Maupin, 51 Eddie Martin, 03 RC Whitwell, 749 Vince Ogle, 7m Daniel Miller, 8g Greg Dinsmore---dns, 22 Talon Minten---dns
Heat 2; 10 Jeremy Mills, 8jr Logan Dinsmore, b24 Owen Barnhill, 61 Michael Ables, 163 Hardy Henderson, 18j Jake Huckaby, 3j Josh Cain, 128 Keith Brown jr., 94 Chris Morris, 73 Jacob Hortch, 366 David Gibson
Heat 3; 14x Josh Landers, 89c Steven Whiteaker jr., 5r Ryan Doyon, 49 Ryan Slott, 12 Reed Payne, 7w Wesley Wise, 1b Jason Barnhill, 55 Rick Talley---dns, 71 Kade Ogle---dns, 17 Cody Tidwell---dns, 37 John Neal Reed---dns
Smith Scores Limited Modified Money
As the 30-lap Limited Modified feature fired off Cody Smith got the advantage from the outside ahead of Tanner Whitmire, Mason Martin, Jared Maupin and JJ Jennings. Eric Cegielski would spin in turn 2 while Steven Whiteaker III slowed in turn 4 with a flat. The green wouldn't stay out long when Shane Hoefling, Gilbert Perez III and Mike Terry tangled in turn 4 bringing out a red on lap 8.
Back to green, Smith began to check out with Martin getting second from Whitmire and Maupin side by side with Jennings for fourth. As Maupin, Whitmire and Jennings scrapped it out for third, Martin got some breathing room. At the midway point Smith had built a big over Martin, with Whitmire, Maupin and Jennings sorting out.
The only thing to slow Smith the final half of the race, was slower traffic. That didn't even give Martin the chance to close much. At the checkers it was Smith(Kaufman) in the Honeycutt Sand & Gravel, Club 18 Racing, Dirt Defender, Bell Air Heating & Air, Parts Express, Undercover Shocks, Best Engines, IRP Chassis snagging the victory.
“The car got better there at the end,” explained Smith. “I have to thank Robert Clark and Chris Bell, they worked their butts off all weekend. Really what won it for was starting on the front row and getting the jump on them.”
“It was fun,” added second place Martin. “It was a good race track. I needed more time, but I don't think we'd have caught Cody anyway. It's hard to catch Cody.”
“I'd like to go 50 laps,” said third place Whitmire. “The car kept getting better and better. I know a lot of people don't like to run on this rubber. I love running on it. All the starts killed me. I needed heat in the tires or I couldn't go.”
“”It was fun,” replied Maupin. “I was hoping the track would widen out a hair. On those restarts you could peek on the outside and get a good run. Once you get stretched out it doesn't make it wider. After the mod race, I left the car a little free. I think I left it too free.”
Texas Showdown Limited Modifieds
25c Cody Smith, 31 Mason Martin, 101 Tanner Whitmire, 96 Jared Maupin, 26 JJ Jennings, 14c James Cole, 7 Dean Abbey, 94 Allen Torres, 55 Josh Cain, 66 Johnny Torres, 87 Nathan Titzman, 21 Dustin Mooney, 343 Justin Johnson, 13 Benjamin Mikulencak, 17e Eric Cegielski, 15t Mike Terry, 10d Clint Everage, 63 Shane Hoefling, bd1 Gilbert Perez III, 211 Chase Hatton, 88 Steven Whiteaker III, 44x Brandon Welker
Limited Modified Non-Qualifiers Race
Gore Goes Green to Checkers.
On the initial start Jason Gore was first into turn 1, but Ryan Harris got a better run off turn 2 on a freshly refarmed track. The yellow was quickly out when the pack stacked up in turn 3. The next start, Gore again got out first and held Harris off in turn 2 to take the lead on lap 1. Harris, Hunter O'Keefe, Aaron Alley and Adam Schach fell in line running top five. Colton Birmingham brought out a quick caution when rolled to a stop in turn 4.
Back under green, Gore got away while Alley and O'Keefe battled for third. Alley got the spot while O'Keefe would give up another spot to Schach. At halfway it was Gore, Harris, Alley, Schach and James Kelly breaking into the top five. Gore(Kaufman) would cruise on unchallenged to the victory in the PlumbER, Dash for Cash Pawn Shop, 3G Automotive & Diesel, Rayburn Graphics, Clonch Chassis.
“I'm going to take my money and go home”, exclaimed Gore when offered the option of the payday or start tail of Limited Modified feature. “It's a brand new car and it's been tricky all weekend.”
217 Jason Gore, 199 Ryan Harris, 17a Aaron Alley, 91 Adam Schach, 58k James Kelly, 95s Sterling Tausch, x88 Duane Biddle, 2h Hunter O'Keefe, 10c Colton Birmingham, 164 Jason Downey, 3 Charles Riley---dns, 4164 AJ Daniels---dns, 15t Mike Terry---dns, 1* Jacob Martin---dns, 84 Justin Collins---dns, 10d Clint Everage---dns, 416 Chase Neill---dns
Limited Modified LCQ 1(top 3 to A-main)
13 Benjamin Mikulencak, 87 Nathan Titzman, 63 Shane Hoefling, 217 Jason Gore, 2h Hunter O'Keefe, 17a Aaron Alley, 91 Adam Schach, 58k James Kelly, 4164 AJ Daniels, 95 Sterling Tausch, 10d Clint Everage, x88 Duane Biddle, 10 Earl Alsobrook, 11t Tom Grothues, 28 Collin Hodges---dns
Limited Modified LCQ 2(top 3 to A-main)
44x Brandon Welker, 66 Johnny Torres, 343 Justin Johnson, 199 Ryan Harris, 3 Charles Riley, 164 Jason Downey, 10c Colton Birmingham, 15t Mike Terry, 1* Jacob Martin, 84 Justin Collins, 51w Wyatt McDonald, 58 Charles Flanagan, 00k Oliver Billingsley---dns, 166 Sherrill Lewis---dns
Limited Modified Heats(top 2 to A-main)
Heat 1; 101 Tanner Whitmire, 88 Steven Whiteaker III, 17e Eric Cegielski, 13 Benjamin Mikulencak, 63 Shane Hoefling, 11t Tom Grothues, 58k James Kelly, 17a Aaron Alley, 95 Sterling Tausch, 28 Collin Hodges---dns
Heat 2; 14c James Cole, 94 Allen Torres, 44x Brandon Welker, 51w Wyatt McDonald, 199 Ryan Harris, 3 Charles Riley, 15t Mike Terry, 416 Chase Neill, 00k Oliver Billingsley---dns, 166 Sherrill Lewis---dns
Heat 3; 55 Josh Cain, bd1 Gilbert Perez, 87 Nathan Titzman, 217 Jason Gore, 2h Hunter O'Keefe, 4164 AJ Daniels, 10 Earl Alsobrook, 91 Adam Schach, 10d Clint Everage
Gaither Gets Factory Stock Gold
As the 18-car Factory Stock feature took the green it was polesitter Dillon Gaither jumping to the lead after a challenge from Justin Whitehead.
Whitehead fell in line second trailed by Dalton Faulkner, Rusty Head and Steve Grantz. Whitehead and Faulkner then ran side by side for second until Faulkner slipped falling back into the clutches of Head. Scott Jerkins brought out a lap 9 caution when he slowed.
On the restart coming to halfway it was Gaither, Whitehead, Head, Faulkner and GW Egbert taking fifth. Grantz and Frank Lackey got together sending Lackey around for a quick yellow. When green waved again, Gaither got away leaving Whitehead, Head and Faulkner nose to tail for second. Head got under Whitehead for second who would then get freight trained stuck on the high side.
With Gaither comfortably in the lead, Egbert began picking off spots. Faulkner was first to get passed, for third, then Head for second. Egbert was able to close the gap in the last five laps but never close enough to mount a serious charge as Gaither(San Antonio) in the Paul Horelka owned, Opiela Mechanical, SABFI Transportation, All in Designs, Gaither Motorsports, Chevy.
“The track was in my favor”, said Gaither. “I was able to run the bottom with it being rubbered up. It felt good to run up front with two of the best guys in Factory Stocks, Justin Whitehead and Dalton Faulkner. We struggled with the setup yesterday, but glad we were able to get it done today.”
Factory Stocks
41 Dillon Gaither, 717 GW Egbert, 27 Dalton Faulkner, 55 Rusty Head, 2k Kiehl VanBlarcum, 53k Kasey Krauss, 21g Steve Grantz, 141 Frank Lackey, 757 Stephanie Green, 55m Dustin Mooney, 7 Johnny Walker, 36 Justin Whitehead, 94 Allen Torres, 8c Cameron Dinsmore, 5r Ryan Doyon, 44 Michael Keylich, 10 Scott Jerkins, 27a Zach Freeman
Factory Stock heats
Heat 1; 41 Dillon Gaither, 27 Dalton Faulkner, 21g Steve Grantz, 141 Frank Lackey, 94 Allen Torres, 2k Kiehl VanBlarcum, 55m Dustin Mooney, 5r Ryan Doyon, 8c Cameron Dinsmore
Heat 2; 36j Justin Whitehead, 55 Rusty Head, 53k Kasey Krauss, 717 GW Egbert, 44k Michael Keylich, 27a Zach Freeman, 10 Scott Jerkins, 7 Johnny Walker Brown, 757 Stephanie Green
Article Credit: Jay Hallas, Rebs Race Reports
Submitted By: Kammie Peterson