Des Moines, IA (June 5, 2018) – Terry McCarl and the TMAC Motorsports team got back in the groove of things Saturday night at the Knoxville Raceway, picking up his fourth top-five finish of the year at the track, but first since suffering a concussion on May 12th. TMAC is back on track and looking forward to one of the biggest weekends of the season with three nights of competition against the World of Outlaws at Jackson Motorplex, where McCarl will try to win another Jackson Nationals!
Terry’s Saturday night kicked off with quite a wait, as an unlucky pill draw had him going out as the very last car to take time at the Knoxville Raceway. “We went out dead last on Saturday, but qualified really well,” said TMAC. “I ended up 6th quick, which felt great considering I didn’t feel too well all day leading up to jumping in the car. I’m still just trying to get back to full health after my concussion and Saturday felt like a big step forward, but I’d still say I’m only around 80%.”
McCarl was able to wheel the SnowPlow Snow Pushers #24 to a fourth-place finish in his heat, but really felt like the team had hit on something Saturday night. “At the start of our heat, I was just looking to stay out of trouble,” said Terry. “The car felt great all night long and I’ve felt like every single week, we’ve gotten better as a team.”
The TMAC Motorsports team has really been gelling together nicely and, at this point in the season, McCarl feels good about what’s to come. “Doug Rankin does a great job as my crew chief,” said TMAC. “And this year we have Steve Fitzpatrick back on the team and we’re really clicking. Steve was with me when I was running the Outlaws before he left to have a wife and kids, but he’s back with us now and it’s been great this year.”
That teamwork helped TMAC race his way to his fourth top-five finish of the season at Knoxville and into third in the 410 point standings, which are currently led by son Austin. While it was a solid night overall, Terry still sees room for improvement and feels he has the car to get him there. “A driver’s confidence is so important,” said Terry. “It’s hard to build and very easy to knockdown, and I feel like I’ve been in the process of rebuilding it since my wreck. I don’t feel like I’m attacking at 100% right now, but the car is running great and that means a lot to me and the team.”
One bright spot was noted by TMAC about having to take it easy after his injury. “Our Paul Silva chassis feels really good,” said McCarl. “Being hurt has actually let us test some things out since we aren’t really in contention for the point championship, and we’ve definitely hit on some great setups.”
While TMAC has had to rest and skip some races he would have liked to compete in, this coming weekend has him excited. “I would love to go race with the Outlaws at Fairbury tonight, but I decided it would be better to rest up for a big weekend,” said Terry. “Three nights with the Outlaws at one of my favorite tracks for the Jackson Nationals has me looking forward to Thursday night!”
It isn’t only the fact that McCarl is a multiple time winner at the Jackson Nationals that has him excited, but also the opportunity to race closer to some close friends and sponsors. “Having raced at Jackson and up at Huset’s for such a long time, we have a lot of great support up in that area,” said TMAC. “Bosma Poultry has been on the car since 1995, and both Simplot Grower Solutions and Rens Trucking are up in that area as well.”
The TMAC Motorsports #24 will also have an old sponsor back on the car this weekend. “Kevin DeBerg has been a long-time friend and sponsor,” said McCarl. “He hasn’t been on the car the last couple of years, but DeBerg Concrete will be back this weekend for the Jackson Nationals and I’m hoping to put on a good show!”
The Jackson Nationals kickoff this Thursday night, with full shows Thursday and Friday, before the $40,000 to win main event on Saturday. All three of the McCarls will be racing against the Outlaws and looking to add the McCarl name to the list of winners (again)!
Open Red Podcast!
TMAC sat down with Ross Wece and Justin Fiedler for this week’s episode of the Open Red podcast, the official podcast of the World of Outlaws, which you can find anywhere you go to get your podcasts, or by clicking on the following link: http://www.woosprint.com/news/open-red-podcast
Front Row Challenge & Ultimate Challenge Tickets!
We are only two months away from the Sage Fruit Front Row Challenge presented by Musco Lighting, and the Sage Fruit Ultimate ASCS Challenge presented by Searsboro Telephone Company at the Southern Iowa Speedway!
You can purchase your tickets now by calling (515) 957-0020 between 10:00am-4:00pm; Adult tickets for Monday are $30, Tuesday for $25, or both nights for $50 if purchased before July 30th, with Children’s tickets $15 each night. You can also buy tickets at the TMAC Motorsports merchandise trailer or at the race hauler after the races!
Check out the Osky Challenges website to learn more at: http://www.oskychallenges.com/
McCarl Family Websites!
Driverwebsites.com develops the websites for the McCarl boys. Check out www.TerryMcCarl.com, as well as www.AustinMcCarl.com and www.CarsonMcCarl.com!
"Tuesdays with TMAC"!
"Tuesdays with TMAC" is an up close and personal look at colorful sprint car veteran Terry McCarl. To receive "Tuesdays with TMAC", send an e-mail to broegracewriting@gmail.com with "TMAC" in the subject line.
TMAC Motorsports would like to thank their great list of partners for the 2018 season: SnowPlow Snow Pushers – www.TheSnowPlow.com, KC Breweries, Bosma Poultry, Justice Brothers/Gillund Enterprises, TW Vance Trucking, Chris Spaulding – Attorney at Law, Simplot Grower Solutions, Rens Trucking, Hoosier Tire, Don Long’s Searsboro Telephone, Octane Ink, Destiny Motorsports, Country Builders Construction, 212 The Boiling Point, AL Drive Line, All Pro Cylinder Heads, All Star Performance, A.R.T. Speed Equipment, Aurora Rod Ends, Bell Helmets, Berryhill Racing, Bob and Beulah Elder, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Burnett's Rock and Landscaping, Butlerbuilt, CM Rock, Crow Safety, DriverWebsites.com, Dynasty Stucco, Engler Injection, HRP, JLT Ent., Kilani Fender, Inc., KSE Steering, Mote Fasteners, NutriShop – Maple Grove, MN, Phil and Vivian, Pro Shocks, Saldana Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Scribner Plastics, Silva Chassis, Snap On Tools, Snyder Lawn & Landscaping, Sposato Paint, Strange Performance, and Winters.
Photo Credit: Chuck Stowe
Morgan Broeg
West Des Moines, IA USA
broegracewriting@gmail.com
Twitter: @BroegW