Des Moines, IA (August 22, 2018) – Austin McCarl and the TKS Motorsports team took full advantage of the off-week between the Knoxville Nationals and Season Championship night, picking up the $5,000 victory at Park Jefferson’s first running of the “Nationals Hangover.” Now the Troy & Tammy Renfro-owned team turn their sights to wrapping up Austin and the team’s first Knoxville track championship this Saturday!
For the TKS team, it was easy to enjoy the weekend after the Knoxville Nationals, where they could put aside their normal Saturday night worries. “It was a great weekend,” said Troy Renfro. “It was relaxing to go up to Park Jefferson and to not have to worry about points; just being there to race.”
From the moment the Casey’s General Stores/Midwest Basement Systems #2KS hit the track, it was the car to beat. “We went out first for time trials and set quick time,” said Austin. “That was a great way to start the night and it basically went that well the rest of the way.”
Austin would move from a 4th-place starting spot to a runner-up finish behind his dad Terry in the first heat, before getting a bit of help prior to the dash. “We got off to a great start in our heat and I just fell in line and followed my dad,” said Austin. “Then, for the dash, the little girl who drew for us did a great job and pulled us the #2.”
Going on to win the dash, McCarl would cruise to a pretty easy victory in the night’s A-main. “Austin did a great job: quick time, second in the heat, won the dash, won the A-main, it doesn’t get much better than that,” said Troy. “The last time I had been to Park Jefferson was in 1995 with Terry [McCarl]. It’s a great facility and there was a great crowd on-hand.”
“It was great for Park Jefferson to put on a show for us with such a strong purse the week after Nationals. Hopefully they’ll be able to do the ‘Nationals Hangover’ event again next year.”
Picking up the win wasn’t the only thing the TKS Motorsports team accomplished on Saturday, as they were also able to get some testing done. “Leading every lap was great, but we were also able to get some testing under race conditions in a different car than the one we take to Knoxville,” said McCarl.
With the Season Championship at Knoxville Raceway fast approaching, the Renfros will have a busy day on Friday, before making their way to the track Saturday. “This week will be a bit stressful, for Tammy especially,” said Troy. “Our daughters move into college on Friday, then we wrap up the season at Knoxville on Saturday. Big week!”
Though the point race at Knoxville isn’t yet wrapped up, it will be business as usual for the team on Saturday night. “We’re going to treat it just like any other week,” said Troy. “If we qualify well and race well, the points will work out for us in the end.”
Austin also chose to leave the math up to someone else. “We have a pretty solid lead, but I’m just focusing on what we can control,” said McCarl. “If we can go out and lay down a good lap in qualifying, that will make the night a lot easier.”
“I’m looking forward to Saturday night,” said Troy. “Our whole team is about family and we appreciate everyone that has helped us get to this point.”
Troy, Austin, and the rest of the TKS team will look to put an exclamation point on their great season at Knoxville this Saturday night, by scoring win #5 of the season at the famed half-mile, while also taking home the points championship! 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, Chalk Stix Torsion Bars, 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, PennGrade Motor Oil, 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: Jeff Bylsma
Morgan Broeg
broegracewriting@gmail.com
West Des Moines, IA USA
Twitter: @BroegW