Texas Speedzone - Four Races – Four Faces

Four Races – Four Faces – Hexsel wins TPS at THR

Thunder Hill Raceway, Kyle, Texas (May 28, 2005)

By: Neil Upchurch, Texas Pro Sedans – Race Director

Kyle, Texas (May 28, 2005) - The Texas Pro Sedans (TPS) touring series returned to Thunder Hill Raceway on Saturday night, May 28th. It was their second appearance of eight scheduled races during the 2005 season at the three-eighth mile track in Kyle, Texas. TPS presented 22 four-cylinder stock cars for their fourth event of the year. The event was highlighted by four time TPS Champion Bucky Hutchison’s return to TPS racing. He substituted in the VW Rabbit usually driven by Tom Johnson who planned to depart the track to attend his daughter’s graduation from Kingsland High School.

Sergio Hexsel and Bill LaBarge won the qualifying heat races in which Hexsel earned the feature race pole position. LaBarge won the second qualifying heat race and the front row outside starting position. Hexsel and his VW Rabbit would hold the feature race lead until Jesse Sandoval passed him on lap 3 in his Ford Pinto. Hexsel re-appropriated the lead on lap 6 when Sandoval’s engine faltered. Hexsel held the point to capture his first TPS points feature race win. It was his first TPS points feature race victory in TPS competition. He drove his OEM-framed VW Rabbit.

Leal retains his TPS point lead by six markers over defending champion LaBarge who moves into second place in the standings with a one point margin over third place Hexsel.

Donnie Moore came back from the worst crash in 30 years of TPS racing three weeks ago to be the race runner-up in the George Merrell VW Scirocco. Third went to point leader Leal in his Ford Mustang. Six time TPS Champion Bill LaBarge was 4th in his BMW.

Eleven TPS drivers completed the race on the lead lap. Turning in creditable performances were Eddie Orr from Weatherford in his Ford T Bird who was 5th. Bucky Hutchison returned to TPS action with a 6th. 7th went to Mike Knotts. 8th place was claimed by #07 Mike O’Connor in his Ford Taurus. Jamie Garner, Jack Dishman and Lloyd Hart rounded out the 9th to 11th positions.

Chip Harmon finished 17th in his #30 Ford Mustang but re-takes the lead in the “Rookie of the Year” TPS points chase.

The 20-lap TPS feature race was run with the need for three caution flag periods.

The San Antonio based Texas Pro Sedans touring series is conducting its 30th consecutive year of four-cylinder stock car racing in Texas and the Southwest. The Thunder Hill Raceway event was the fourth race of the 2005 TPS season. Eight more races remain to be run.

The next TPS race will also be held at Thunder Hill Raceway on Saturday night, June 18. The event will feature two of the most popular touring series in the Lone Star State. The Texas Super Racing Series (TSRS) and the Texas Pro Sedans (TPS) on the D shaped THR asphalt oval.