Texas Speedzone - Bendele Best in MagnumTrailers 125(USRA Super Late Model) Qualifying

Magnum Trailers 125, USRA Super Late Model @ San Antonio Speedway 7/8/06
By J M Hallas

San Antonio, Tx., In Texasspeedzone.com, USRA Super Late Model qualifying it was no surprise that multi-time NASCAR Late Model, San Antonio Speedway and ROMCO Super Late Model champion, Brandon Bendele put his name on top of the board, posting a lap of 18.262. Another former ROMCO Super Late Model champion, Donnie Wilson made a return to the area after a three year hiatus and posted second quickest time. Chris Davidson, yet another former series titliest and current USRA SLM points leader, was third.

"It feels good to set fast time," said Bendele. It was pretty good. The track was a little greasy. Qualifying really doesn't tell you anything. Either your car's hooked up or it isnt. Comme race time everyone's going to have a good chance. This could be one of the best races for the fans to see tonight. In practice and on old tires, everyone is pretty close."
"We haven't raced the last two races here, so we changed our set-up to try to catch up with everybody else. It's a long race. It going to be the one who is most consistant that win probably win. With opening up the (motor) rules to the Five Flags type motors, we're seeing better times. The guys with the McGunegill spec motors, like Casey(Smith) and Matt(Merrell) are on a pretty level field with us now."

"I like it here at San Antonio Speedway," replied Wilson. I've always had good luck here. We just kind of winged it in quaqlifying. This is a lot different set up than we ran three years ago here. Of course the cars have changed a lot too. The track is still the same. About the biggest difference is the tires. They changed the (motor) rules to what we've been running lately and it makes it easier to come down here. The weight rule is back to where it needs to be. I love the ABC Bodies that you can run everywhere from the east coast to California."

Another new face making USRA Super Late Model debut, Eric Wallace timed in 15th stated, "We're pretty good. We're still trying to get it to work off the turns. It's a new track for us and a new car so we're just trying to get a handle on it. I think we'll do better in the race, I kind of overdrove it in qualifying. We'll just ride where we start and stay out of trouble. John Kelly gave me some advise, he told me you'll never learn this track in one night. We've run a lot of ASA races and other Super Late Model shows, if we can keep it together, we'll try to make a couple more here or at Thunder Hill(Kyle). My family has a big racing history here and they've all run pretty well. Being from a large racing family puts a little pressure on me to do well, too."