Des Moines, IA (May 3, 2018) – The TKS Motorsports team and driver Austin McCarl decided that one win just wasn’t enough to kickoff the season at the Knoxville Raceway, as they parked the #2KS in victory lane again last Saturday. The Troy & Tammy Renfro-owned team will carry the momentum from the opening weeks to the track on Saturday, as Austin will go for three in a row.
Saturday night began with Austin being able to time in 5th quick in qualifying, but it was due to some very well-timed bad luck. “We had a chance to get on the track Friday night, as Matt Moro had rented the track for a practice session and we were able to join in,” said Troy Renfro. “We ended up having an issue after our first few laps and were able to get it fixed when that would have happened on Saturday night had we not had the practice opportunity.”
Both Troy and Austin were much happier with the qualifying effort in week two. “Not having to go out last this week definitely helped, but I was able to lay down a much better time and set the TKS team up well for the rest of the night,” said Austin. Troy noted that having the team’s second motor back was also a big plus. “We have two great motors, but only one available on opening night, so I had to play it safe,” said Troy. “Week one, we had our HP Engine from Tim Supplee and this week we had our Parker engine back in the car and Al does a great job; both are great motors and can obviously get the job done.”
Austin rolled off inside of the third row in his heat and didn’t get out to the best start, but was able to move up to 4th when the checkered flew and ran a smart race. “Heats at Knoxville are a tricky deal with the rule that you have to run the same right rear the whole night, so you really have to be careful,” said Troy. “Austin did a great job of that on Saturday; got up to fourth and didn’t push it too hard to try and gain another spot when he didn’t have many laps left anyway.”
The A-main got off to a great start for the TKS Motorsports #2KS, as Austin was able to jump into the lead on lap one. “Chris (Martin) did a great job on the start, but he left me a hole going into turn one and I was able to slide up in front,” said Austin. “We got out to a big lead before the caution and I honestly had no idea how far out in front I was, but the Dunkins did an awesome job and you could really run anywhere on the track.”
There was one close call a few laps past the halfway mark of the feature where Austin thought he might have some explaining to do. “I really don’t know what happened, but on lap 13 I felt like the right front had fallen off going into turn three,” said Austin. “There couldn’t have been more than an inch between the bumper and the wall and I was already thinking about how I was going to explain to Troy that I wrecked it while leading.”
However, Austin was able to keep the car off the wall and in the lead to earn back-to-back wins to start the year at Knoxville. “It’s been a great way to start the year and it was awesome to have a lot of our sponsors there to celebrate with,” said Troy. “Austin has done a great job so far and we had Tim Heady and his wife from Midwest Basement Systems, as well as Chad Bunner and more from Neumann Brothers Construction at the track Saturday.”
The team is currently sitting 2nd in the points after two weeks, as Brooke Tatnell has been hot on the heels of the TKS car each week in the A-main, and just a bit faster earlier in the night. “Brooke has been great so far and Knoxville has a great system that really pushes drivers to give it their all every time they’re on the track,” said Troy. “Knoxville goes above and beyond to put on a great show for the fans and if we keep doing what we have been, the points will work out well in the end.”
While Austin and the TKS Motorsports team will be back on the track at the usual stomping grounds this Saturday, Austin will be taking a shot at a new track on Friday night. “I’m heading down to Lake Ozark Speedway to race with Outlaws on Friday in the family-owned #17A,” said Austin. “Hopefully I can learn as much as I can running with them on a new track and be able to come back on Saturday to go for the three-peat.”
Austin McCarl and the Casey’s General Stores #2KS will be back at the Knoxville Raceway this Saturday night looking for the hat trick! Check out the new TKS Motorsports website for the season schedule and more from the TKS team.
TKS Motorsports is thankful for the support from all of their loyal sponsors:
Casey's General Stores, Des Moines Industrial Products (DMIP), Midwest Basement Systems, Neumann Brothers Construction, AFA Wheels, AL Driveline, All Star Performance, AO Designs, ATL Racing Fuel Cells, Aurora Rod Ends, Billy Bell House Moving, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Butlerbuilt, Fibreworks Composites, Gail Dielman, Hoosier, HRP, Indy Race Parts, Justice Brothers, KSE Racing Products, Liberty Ready Mix, Mag Tech Ignition, Maxim Racing Chassis, Parker Performance, Schoenfeld Headers, Slade Shock Technology, Snyder Landscaping & Lawn Care, Tony Moro Collision Center, Tony Moro Powdercoating & Sandblasting, Top Flight Wings, Walker Filtration Systems, Webb Family Farms, Wilwood, and Winters Performance Products.
Photo Credit: Knoxville Raceway
Morgan Broeg
broegracewriting@gmail.com
West Des Moines, IA USA
Twitter: @BroegW