03/29/2026
HMP Oval Track Opening Day was nothing short of AWESOME! Great Crowd Attendance, Great New Announcer Duo for the Track, and Great start to a Season for MOST of our Shake N Shake N' Bake Driving Team! Long Post Alert. 😂
Eco Stock Class Recap: Unfortunately our usual Podium Finisher, Troy Covin, had some struggles with his car during practice and ended up not running for the Feature race. However, Jim Stohr in the #45 Silver Bullet ran a great race moving up a couple positions but came up just short of the podium ending in 4th Place.
Legacy Class Recap: After a random draw start position, Colton Gillinger started in 4th place. The first start of the race he could not find a clean line to drop into the inside lane and was pushed back to 7th position. He worked his way up a couple positions before a caution. During the restart he worked his way to 4th place and was battling to find a clean line around Mike Knotts who was blocking him well. After the second caution was out, he picked the outside 4th place position behind Mike Knotts on the outside. Mike went a little high on the track in turn 1&2, with Rowdy on the inside low on the track, and Colton saw his opportunity to strike and took the 2nd place position like a Bullet coming through the middle. He held 2nd place for the remainder of the race and came out with a FIRST EVER Podium Finish! He has come so far from Solo Spinning and getting black flagged his first season to learning patience and not forcing a move too early. Excited to see what the remainder of the season has in store for this Young man!
Crown Vic Class: First time ever racing in this class and it was a learning curve for sure. In the words of Will Planter, it's like driving a boat on a race track. No race tires allowed only stock street wheels so you don't grip in the corners very well at all. But that is what makes this class fun! It is a low cost, no modifications allowed, best driver kind of Race. With new Smokey and the Bandit Buford T. Justice Crown Vic, Jim was able to battle his way to 2nd place. This was his first time on the Podium as well for a single Race! (He has won a podium finish for overall season finish) There is no doubt this car could end up in the front of this class!
All in All: 2 - 2nd Place Podium Finishes for the Shake N Bake Team. Better yet it was the New Bandit Replica and Smokey Replica on the Podiums!!!
None of this would be possible without the help of the amazing Shawn O'Neal and the whole Racing Monkeys Shop Crew. You all have been a game changer in helping us keep these cars showing up race after race. If you are in the need of a mechanic for a personal vehicle or a race car, I would highly recommend them. Thank you so much Will for helping out at the Tech barn after Coltons Race. With the races so close together you were a lifesaver helping pull the Valve Cover off and getting Colton through Tech while the other racers were lining up for their features.
Jeff Rabourn thank you for all of your knowledge on Racing and how to set up a car to turn left faster! The Motor you rebuilt helped push Colton into a second place finish after being stripped from Jim's old Legacy. Finally have a driver showing off all that hard work 😂😉
Race Fans: Thank you for always showing up and supporting the Shake N Bake Team as well as Houston Motorsports Park! The Last Short Asphalt Oval Track in Texas! You make this all worth it!
And to our Sponsors- Thank you. You help keep this race team on the track entertaining for clients, race fans, and newcomers. None of this would be possible without your financial support!
SIGMA Corporation : Top Tier Manufacturer for Water and Wastewater Materials.
Crosby Vinyl and Craft Supply : Keeping our Cars looking the Best on the Track!
Racing Monkeys : Best Race and Personal Car Mechanic! Always staying within the Rule Book and getting us back on the track in record time.
