Texas Speedzone - Walton wins USRA ARTS Truck Race at San Antonio Speedway

For Immediate Release – August 10, 2005

Contact: Nick Holt, USRA Media Director
cnholt@sbcglobal.net
(210) 415-1251
(903) 576-4144

Robert Walton wins USRA ARTS Truck Race at San Antonio Speedway

San Antonio, TX (August 14, 2005) - Robert Walton made it look easy in winning the United States Racing Association (USRA) All Star Truck Series (ARTS) 50-lap feature at San Antonio Speedway Saturday night. The 2003 ARTS champion had everything go his way as sailed to a convincing win over a strong 20-car field at the high-banked, paved, half-mile oval.

“It wasn’t as easy as it looked,” Walton confessed as he waited for the USRA staff to conduct a post-race technical inspection. “We weren’t all that great in practice and we only qualified fifth fastest, but I set my car up for long runs and it paid off. I knew once I got out front that the car was very, very good and all I had to do was be consistent and stay out of trouble.”

And trouble stuck early and often as eight caution periods marred the event.

Keith Patrick of Helotes, who won his first-ever USRA ARTS race at Corpus Christi two weeks ago, jumped to the early lead from his outside pole position with a very determined Craig Roper of Wichita Falls right on his rear bumper. Things turned sour for both, however, when the pair made solid contact in turn three to bring out the first of those eight caution periods. Walton, who was running a solid third at the time, inherited the lead when the Patrick and Roper were restarted at the rear. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Many of the caution periods were for debris and minor spins, but a serious crash on the sixteenth circuit brought out the red flag. Richard Bunte of Georgetown and Jeff Hull of Bellville made heavy contact going into turn one and several trucks running close behind were caught up in the melee with a few slamming into the turn one wall. San Antonio Speedway NASCAR Sunbelt Champion Justin Oates, who had set fast time (21.167 seconds) was among those involved and was unable to continue due to extensive damage to his truck. Fortunately, everyone was able to walk away from the wreck, but an extensive clean up was required before the race resumed.

The last lap provided some of the most entertaining racing of the event.

Bill Hamilton of Red Oak, Bryan Meredith of Austin and Shawn Paul Lehman of Manchaca had a rousing, paint-swapping, fender banging last lap that had the crowd, estimated at 3,500, on their feet. Exactly who hit whom and how hard was the subject of more than one heated debate after the race was over, but Hamilton wound up second, Meredith finished third and Lehman was scored in fourth. Rounding out the top 5 was Rusty Mirth of Austin.

The USRA ARTS trucks travel to Houston Motorsports Park for their next event on August 27, 2005, and return to San Antonio Speedway on October 8, 2005.

Unofficial results of the USRA ARTS 50-lap feature at San Antonio Speedway, 8/13/05

Place, Car Number, Name, Hometown, Qualifying Time, Laps Completed

1. (10) Robert Walton, Del Valle, TX, 21.404, 50 laps
2. (30) Bryan Meredith, Austin, TX, 21.271, 50
3. (28) Shawn Paul Lehman, Manchaca, TX, 22.511, 50
4. (07) Rusty Mirth, Austin, TX, 22.047, 50
5. (40) Craig Roper, Wichita Falls, TX, 21.511, 50
6. (21) Keith Patrick, Helotes, TX, 21.401, 50
7. (33) Josh Freeman, Austin, TX, 22.024, 50
8. (8) Jeff Rosenbeck, Austin, TX, 21.590, 50
9. (20) Richard Bunte, Georgetown, TX, 21.622, 50
10. (38) Cameron Moore, Jr, Mountain City, TX, 22.76, 50
11. (72) Brent Bell, Katy, TX, 22.463, 50
12. (54) Steve Green, Marble Falls, TX, 21.509*, 49
13. (18) Bud Carroll, Streetman, TX, 21.652, 41
14. (09) Josh Cheek, Buffalo, TX, 21.208*, 40
15. (47) Jeff Hull, Jr., Bellville, TX, 21.887, 28
16. (23) Justin Oates, San Antonio, TX, 21.167, 15
17. (42) Jason Marshall, Leander 21.619, 14
18. (25) Donny Stuckey, Hallsville, TX, 22.512, 14
19. (31) Mark O’Donnell, San Antonio, TX, 24.111, 12
20. (22) Bill Hamilton, Red Oak, TX, 21.834, DQ

Fast time: Justin Oates, (21.167 seconds)
Lap Leaders: Keith Patrick laps 1-8; Robert Walton 9-50
Margin of Victory 1.98 seconds
*Qualifying times disallowed due to post-qualifying weight infractions

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