TAMS: CCMS recap and results 2005-06-11

Beddoe Holds off Chrudimsky at Corpus Christi Motor Speedway

Veteran Texas Asphalt Modified Series driver Bruce Beddoe of Robstown has won many races at the tight Corpus Christi Motor Speedway quarter-mile oval during his storied racing career, but non was sweeter than this one.

Beddoe, who qualified fifth fastest in the 16-car Texas Asphalt Modified Series field, started on the pole thanks to a dice roll fast-qualifier Jerry Schild of Katy that determined the number of cars to invert. After two false starts due to first-lap spins back in the pack, Beddoe took the lead over outside pole-sitter Mark Chrudimsky of Hutto.

Although Chrudimsky was able to stay with Beddoe throughout the entire race, he was never able to get in position to make the pass. Beddoe took the checkered flag by a little over a car-length in his Hog Racing Chassis, Andrews Distributing, Aramendia Motorsports, AAA House Leveling, Spreen Racing Engines, J.L. Masters & Sons Custom Homes, T-N-T Crane & Rigging modified.

"I got lucky on the dice roll," a jubilant Beddoe said after the race. "I usually end up losing positions on these inverts, but this time the dice worked in my favor. Mark (Chrudimsky) was right on my tail the entire race. He was a little better in the middle of the turns, but I had the advantage accelerating off the turns. Once I got into my rhythm and I got the car running smoothly, I felt like I could hold him off and I did."

If Beddoe had good luck, TAMS points leader Chris Swenson of Comfort had nothing by bad. He and rookie sensation Matt Merrell of Portland got together in the first turn of the first lap and was forced to give up the hunt due to the extensive damage to his car. Merrell was able to continue after pitting for repairs and raced with the lead pack until he and Beeville's Bob Slezinsky made hard contact on the 42nd circuit ending both their nights early.

Local favorite and defending TAMS champion Joey Heinaman of Corpus Christi finished in fourth, right on the bumper of third-place finisher and fellow Corpus Christi driver Lawrence Mikulencak, who raced up near the front for the entire race. Steve Grantz of Aransas Pass came home fifth, the last car on the lead lap.

The race was slowed by seven caution periods, mostly for minor fender benders and solo spins.

The worst wreck of the evening occurred on lap 42 just a few seconds after the yellow flag flew for the Slezinsky-Merrell wreck. Jerry Schild, who was running fifth at the time, had slowed to avoid the wreck but Del Valle's David Machen was unable to slow in time and slammed into the side of Schild modified, ripping off the entire driver's side sheet metal from the car. Machen was shaken up and evaluated by the track medical personnel, but did not require further treatment. Schild was unhurt. Schild set fast time (13.85 seconds) during time trials, tying the existing TAMS CCMS record set by Chris Swenson earlier this season.

The next TAMS modified race will be at San Antonio Speedway on June 25 to take part in a huge event featuring three of the top touring series in the Southwest -- the USRA Super Late Model Series, the TAMS modifieds and the USRA ARTS Truck series.

Results of 50-lap TAMS feature at CCMS, 6/11/05, showing finishing position, car number, driver's name, hometown, qualifying time and laps completed <pre> 1. (18) Bruce Beddoe Robstown 13.99 seconds 50 laps 2. (55) Mark Chrudimsky Hutto 13.98 50 3. (87) Lawrence Mikulencak Corpus Christi 14.07 50 4. (71) Joey Heinaman Corpus Christi 14.07 50 5. (91) Steve Grantz Aransas Pass 14.42 50 6. (6) Jim Myers Corpus Christi 14.17 49 7. (38) David Schury Corpus Christi 14.50 49 8. (70) Milton Krauss Bulverde 14.43 49 9. (45) Clare Randell Portland 14.67 47 10. (03) Matt Merrell Portland 13.98 44 11. (97) John Witzsche Corpus Christi 14.21 43 12. (5) Jerry Schild Katy 13.85 41 13. (26) Bob Slezinsky Beeville 14.61 41 14. (81) David Machen Austin 14.39 35 15. (99) John Hendricks Conroe 15.00 13 16. (15) Chris Swenson Comfort 13.87 1

Lap leaders: Bruce Beddoe, 1-50 Margin of Victory: 0.65 second Fast time: 13.85 seconds, tying the TAMS CCMS track record set by Chris Swenson, 3/5/05.

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