Texas Speedzone - Nothing New for New at TSRS Allstate Texas Thunder 50 at THR, 3/31/07

Nothing New as New grabs TSRS top spot in qualifying.

by JM Hallas

Kyle, TX (April 1, 2007) - In qualifying for the Allstate Texas Thunder 50, Austin area racing Veteran, Bobby Joe New found his way to the top of the speed charts once again to take the Champion Toyota Pole Award. New put his Southside Wrecker, Lefthander Chassis, Lozano Brothers Race Engine, Chevy Monte Carlo on the pole with a lap of 15.679. Jesse Salazar looked to perhaps unseat the local hotshoe but fell 1/1000th of a second short with his lap of 15.680
“My crew chief JR Crommer gets this car set up and it drives like dream. I knew it was fast today when we came out here, but didn’t realize it was that fast. I hope to start up front and stay up front. The cars are so even now, we’re all turning lap times so close, I want to start on the pole.”
When asked who would be the one to give going into turn one, New jokingly said, “Ask me on lap 2.” We plan to run the entire series this year, but don’t know about the year after. I’d like to find a younger driver to put in the car and mentor him. We’ve just been around this for so long, well have to wait and see what happens this year.”

New Knows the Way to Victory Lane
Well, it took one complete lap to answer the question of who was going to let off first as New and Salazar stayed side by side for nearly a full lap. After fending of Salazar, New would pull ahead, put it on cruise control, hold off challenges from 2006 San Antonio Speedway track champion, Joe Aramendia on restarts, and roll into Victory Lane for yet another time in Allstate Texas Thunder 50.

When Green flew on the 22-car TSRS field, nearly the entire pack stayed door to door for the first circuit. New got the advantage on lap 1 with Aramendia falling into second and Salazar third. Just as field started to sort out, Kyle Sirozzotti got turned around in the pack causing a multi-car tangle in turn 4.

On the restart New got away clean and was increasing his lead over Aramendia, Salazar, Bobby Teer jr, 2006 series champion Tommy Gural, James Reeder and Ian Webster, who were running nose to tail. On lap 14 Jason Hollander started to smoke and then spun in turn 2. At the same time Gary Chancellor jr was looping his ride in turn 4.

As the race went back to green, Teer looked low on Salazar for third, while Cody Smith was slowing rapidly, finally pulling to the pits. At the crossed flags it New with a big lead over Aramendia, Salazar, Teer and To. Gural. The field was rebunched on lap 28 after Robert Walton and Chancellor got together between turns 3-4.

After one aborted restart when Hollander spun, Aramendia was able to hang on to the bumper of New. New was able to inch ahead lap after lap until Brian Moczygemba had trouble and slowed on the back stretch. As Moczygemba went into turn 3 he tapped Craig Sellman sending both around and bringing out the caution on lap 37.

New got a two car length lead when green waved again and had added some distance with five to go, while Salazar was turning up the pressure on Aramendia. Salazar got close enough to give Aramendia a love tap in turn 4, but they battled for second, New was increasing his advantage. As the checkers flew it was New taking the win by a comfortable margin.

“The car was feeling great,” said New. “My crew chief had a good set up and every time I popped the throttle, it would go. It just stood in a little longer than he(Salazar) did on lap 1. I wanted to win a little worse. He’s a good driver, he drove a clean race with me. These cars are just so competitive right now. It makes it hard to win one. With all my experience around here, it takes any pressure(to win) away. I know what the car is capable of, I know what I can do. We’re just here to have fun.”

Texas Super Racing Series, Allstate Texas Thunder 50 feature results
1 1 Bobby Joe New
2 79 Joe Aramendia
3 18 Jesse Salazar
4 2 Bobby Teer jr
5 9 Tommy Gural
6 4 James Reeder
7 13 Ian Webster
8 38 Craig Sellman
9 12 Adam Haugh
10 44 Gary Chancellor jr
11 53 Ryan Englehardt
12 49 Robert Walton
13 25 Teresa Gural
14 50 Brian Moczygemba
15 23 Ugo
16 7 Chris Schild
17 03 David Snokhaus
18 18s Cody Smith
19 6 Jason Hollander
20 00 Beau Bukowski
21 28 Leland Waddell
22 93 Kyle Sirozzotti