Texas Speedzone - Lehman Inherits Lead, Takes Caution-filled Win at Houston Motorsports Park

For Immediate Release – August 28, 2005

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

Lehman Inherits Lead, Takes Caution-filled Win at Houston Motorsports Park

Houston, TX (August 28. 2005) - United States Racing Association (USRA) All Star Truck Series (ATRS) points leader Shawn Paul Lehman of Manchaca was in the right place at the right time Saturday night at Houston Motorsports Park.

Lehman, who started the 50-lap feature at the well-maintained, three-eighth-mile oval in seventh place, worked his way up to third by the twenty-third lap when suddenly the two leaders – fast qualifier Steve Green on Marble Falls and race-leader Bill Hamilton of Red Oak – collided coming off the fourth turn. The resulting spin brought out a caution period so the pair was sent to the rear 16-car field for the restart.

With the lead now in hand, Lehman was able to hold off spirited challenges from Robert Walton of Del Valle while Steve Green of Marble Falls dogged Walton. The lead trio treated the large, appreciative crowd on hand to some fine door-to-door and bumper-to-bumper paint swapping for most of the last half of the race.

The front threesome managed to avoid involvement in the seven caution periods that plagued the event, the most serious of which occurred on the 14th lap when the engine in Richard Bunte’s truck blew up going into turn one leaving a wide oil slick. The Georgetown native ended up in the wall and several other trucks spun wildly in the oil. Everyone except Bunte was able to continue racing after an extensive cleanup.

There was a scary moment on the 29th lap when Cameron Moore of Buda spun coming off turn 4 and ended up in the front straight wall as the yellow caution flag flew. Brent Bell of Katy was unable to stop in time and clipped the motionless Moore, spreading truck body parts down the front straight. Moore’s car was too badly damaged to continue while Bell was able to complete several more laps before retiring. No one was hurt in the incident.

Second-fast qualifier Crag Roper of Vernon and defending ARTS champion Bryan Meredith of Austin only completed three laps each. Roper’s truck developed transmission trouble while Meredith’s ride experienced ignition problems to end their nights early.

The last few laps provided some of the most entertaining racing of the event as Walton went to his bag of tricks in an attempt to pressure Lehman into making a mistake. But Lehman was more than up to the challenge and never wavered from his racing line. Meanwhile, Green was doing his best to get by Walton who was forced to play both offense and defense at the same time. Lehman took the checkered flag two truck-lengths in front of Walton who finished about the same distance in front of Green.

The lead trio was followed to the checkered flag by Rusty Mirth of Austin, the fast-improving Josh Freeman of Austin, John Kelly, Jr., of La Vernia and Neal Rogers of Luling, all on the lead lap.

The USRA ARTS trucks travel to Corpus Christi Motor Speedway for their next event on September 10, 2005. The series will return to Houston Motorsports Park on October 29, 2005.

Results of the USRA ARTS 50-lap feature at Houston Motorsports Park, 8/27/05

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

1. (28) Shawn Paul Lehman, Manchaca, TX, 16.310, 50 laps
2. (10) Robert Walton, Del Valle, TX, 16.650, 50
3. (54) Steve Green, Marble Falls, TX, 15.905, 50
4. (07) Rusty Mirth, Austin, TX, 16.550, 50
5. (33) Josh Freeman, Austin, TX, 16.606, 50
6. (57) John Kelly Jr., La Vernia, TX, 16.960, 50
7. (3) Neal Rogers, Luling, TX, 17.371, 50
8. (22) Shane Harris, Fairfield, TX, 16.682, 49
9. (72) Brent Bell, Katy, TX, 16.709, 41
10. (5) Bill Hamilton, Red Oak, TX, 16.277, 37
11. (21) Keith Patrick, Helotes, TX, 16.393, 34
12. (38) Cameron Moore, Jr, Buda, TX, 16.594, 28
13. (18) Bud Carroll, Streetman, TX, 16.211, 28
14. (20) Richard Bunte, Georgetown, TX, 16.153, 13
15. (30) Bryan Meredith, Austin, TX, 16.252, 3
16. (40) Craig Roper, Wichita Falls, TX, 16.032, 3

Fast time: Steve Green, (15.905 seconds)
Lap Leaders: Bryan Meredith, lap 1; Bill Hamilton, laps 2-22; Shawn Paul Lehman, laps 23-50
Margin of Victory 0.38 seconds

-- 30 --