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Thomas Career Stats
Max Force Racing Team Pictures
Racing for
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Moose Rallies and Perseveres in First Talladega Start
After rained washed out a 3 hour practice session and qualifying on Thursday, the Moose, Thomas Praytor, and his Andy Belmont/Hixson Racing Realtor team had just 55 minutes to prepare the Talladega rookie and his car for the International Motorsports Hall of Fame 250 on Friday.
The last 55 minute practice on race day used to be called “Happy Hour” and for the Realtor Fusion it should have been titled unhappy hour. “Not having that long practice under race conditions really set us behind. I needed all the laps I could get and we got less than 15 in practice on Friday,” offered the Moose. “Lee (Leslie) and the guys worked their butts off we just couldn’t find the speed we were looking for and we didn’t get any drafting practice.”
The Moose was slated to roll off 16th based on the 2’s 2011 owner’s points. After a disappointing practice and no drafting time the Moose made the decision to start the race at the tail end of the field. “As a racer it was one of the toughest moves I’ve ever made. I don’t know that I’m happy about it still but I know it was the right move,” continued Thomas.
As it turned out the Moose would start the race on pit road. With unhappy hour in the books Lee Leslie and the crew threw multiple changes at the Realtor Fusion. One of those changes was another strip of tape to the nose to help improve the handling. With less air going to the radiator the water temperature climbed to over 250 degrees on the warm up laps the Moose had to come to pit road to have some of the tape removed while the field took the green flag. Without drafting help the Realtor Fusion was a sitting duck for the pack as they rumbled around Talladega in full drafting trim and the Moose soon went a lap down. An early caution gave the team the lucky dog pass putting the Moose back on the lead lap. Playing a fuel strategy game crew chief Lee Leslie called Thomas to pit road to top off for fuel. Back under green, veteran spotter Bob Jeffrey helped the Moose learn his way around the draft. “I probably made every Rookie drafting mistake you can make and Mr. Bob helped me work through all of them. Easy to see why they consider him the dean on the roof.”
With each caution, Leslie called the Moose to pit road continuing to top off for fuel putting the Realtor Ford in a position to take advantage of a long green flag run. The Talladega rookie earned his rookie stripes by getting busted for speeding, too fast on exit. The penalty was tail end of the longest line putting the Moose behind the entire field not just the lead lap cars with not much drafting help. The Realtor team got the long green flag run it was looking for but without drafting help the Moose went down a lap again. Another caution let the team take gas and the Moose lined up inside the leader as the first car a lap down with the other lap down cars behind him. Back under green, the race for the lucky dog pass was wilder than the race for the lead with a 3 wide battle down the backstretch. With a big shot in the rear bumper from another car the Moose took the lead of the lap down cars as the caution flag flew again. Back on the lead lap, the Realtor Ford now had a driver with a little drafting experience and the Moose was ready to rumble. As fate would have it, Thomas’s teammate, Mikey Kile, had been turned around on the back stretch and lost a lap. Kile was the first car a lap down and the Moose was the last car on the lead lap. “Our Ford really didn’t suck up to the Chevy’s and we struggled drafting with them. With Mikey’s Ford in front of us we were able to draw up to his bumper and our Realtor Fusion came alive.” Alive is an understatement, drafting with another Ford the Realtor car was 2 seconds faster than it had been all day and the Moose worked his way up to 17th. A couple of late cautions shuffled the field and in the final dash for the checkers the Moose finished 20th. “The race today was wild! It was like a Saturday night 6 lap heat race at 200 mile per hour with 40 cars. Having Affarano flipping down the front stretch in front of me got my attention. Glad he’s OK. Congratulations to Brandon McReynolds and Mr. Steve (Turner) they had a great car. Brandon and I raced Bandolero’s against each other and he was in a Turner car, cool to see them take the win.” (Turner supplied the Moose with his Super Late Model Car) “I probably made every Rookie mistake that could be made today but we had 3 goals coming in, make the race, work the draft and make all 250 miles. We accomplished those goals and our Realtor Fusion doesn’t have a mark on it. I can’t thank the Realtor family enough for making a dream come true for me. When you think about it that’s what Realtors do, they make dreams come true every day.”
After a 3 hour 250 mile race the Moose made his way over to the Alabama Institute of the Deaf and Blind’s Racefever to sign autographs and help raise money for AIDB at the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. The race at Talladega was just the beginning of a big weekend for the Moose. After the AIDB fundraiser Thomas made the trip to Montgomery for his twin sister, Hayley’s graduation on Saturday morning.
Realtors Sponsor Praytor at Talladega
Realtors will be the primary sponsor for Thomas “Moose” Praytor’s entry in the International Motorsports Hall of Fame 250 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 4th. “The Real Estate market is turning around in the state of Alabama and racing at Talladega is a great way to get the word out,” offered Jo Glenn, President of the Montgomery Association of Realtors. “Race weekend follows the Realtors National Open House Weekend and the timing is perfect to promote homeownership and the value of using a Realtor.” The iconic Realtor R will adorn the hood and quarter panels of Alabama native Thomas “Moose” Praytor’s Andy Belmont Racing Ford Fusion. A fellow Realtor the Moose will be making his first start on the famed high banks of Talladega Superspeedway. “For an Alabama driver it doesn’t get any bigger than Talladega. As a 3rd generation Realtor to have the support from your fellow Realtors at racings biggest track is just awesome,” said Praytor. “Being a Realtor and serving the people who entrust their biggest investment, their home, meant everything to my Grandmother (Jamie Praytor). Every day we try to live up to the standards she set for all of us in the real estate business.” Race fans will get an opportunity to see the Realtor car up close and meet the Moose as they embark on the “My Home Is In Alabama” tour, April 27th through May 1st. The tour will begin in Mobile with stops across Alabama leading up to Talladega. “We hope that by taking the Realtor car to the people across the state we will remind everyone that home ownership matters,” Gina Stopa President, Baldwin County Association of Realtors MLS. “We feel like the Alabama housing market is just like a racecar after a pit stop-we made an adjustment, put on 4 fresh tires, full of fuel and we’re ready to go go go!” The International Motorsports Hall of Fame 250 is the opening act of Aarons Dream Weekend at Talladega Superspeedway May 4th-6th. Alabama racing legend Bobby Allison will wave the green flag and one of the Hall’s newest inductees, Richard Childress will serve as the Grand Marshall. The race will be broadcast live on Speed TV and hosted on radio by Thunder 92.7. The radio broadcast along with timing and scoring will be streamed live on www.arcaracing.com. REALTORS®: Are “The Voice for Real Estate.” REALTORS® are composed of residential and commercial REALTORS®, who are brokers, salespeople, property managers, appraisers, counselors and others engaged in all aspects of the real estate industry. REALTORS® are working for America's property owners, providing a facility for professional development, research and exchange of information among its members and to the public and government for the purpose of preserving the free enterprise system and the right to own real property. The term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. My Home is In Alabama Tour Friday-Mobile Area Association of Realtors Saturday-Montgomery Association of Realtors at the Sandbar Downtown 2-7 Sunday-Wiregrass Association of Realtors 1-4 Monday-Baldwin County Association of Realtors 10:00 AM Maryvale Elementary School 1:00 Tuesday-Birmingham 10:00 Moose Wraps Up 2 Day Test at Talladega
Testing for the International Motorsports Hall of Fame 250 at Talladega Superspeedway continued today and the Moose, Thomas Praytor, continued to turn heads. The Moose had originally been slated for a one day test but team owner Andy Belmont had the Mobile, Alabama native stay an extra day.
“Thomas was stellar on Tuesday while we working on qualifying efforts and pushing to see how fast he could go. Today instead of speed, we worked hard on getting him comfortable in a car that can draft and make 250 miles,” offered team owner, Andy Belmont. “
After logging a few laps and working with some different setups the Moose finished ahead of his teammate, Mikey Kile and went from driver to crew member.
“We had a great couple of days at Talladega. I can’t thank Mr. Andy and Mrs. Jennifer (Belmont) enough for giving me the opportunity. The guys gave me a great car and I was just the lucky one to get to drive it,” said Thomas. “I learned so much about Speedway racing, I really hope we’re able to put together sponsorship to come back in May. We’re working hard to make it happen.”
Moose 4th Fastest At Talladega Test
After posting the 3rd fastest time in the morning practice session for the ARCA 250 at Talladega Superspeedway the Moose backed it up with the 4th fastest time in the afternoon session with an average speed just under 180 MPH.
In and out of the car all day and dodging rain showers Thomas had a chance to reflect on testing at Talladega; “In the car you’re focused on hitting your marks and making sure you get all of the speed you can. You have a break and you look up at the grandstands and realize it’s Talladega! For an Alabama driver it just doesn’t get any bigger. I’ve been here so many times, both as a fan and a crew member to be on the track is incredible.” Moose Testing At Talladega Superspeedway
Thomas “Moose” Praytor will take part in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards open test at Talladega Superspeedway on Tuesday April 17th. The “Moose” will pilot an Andy Belmont Racing Ford on the high banks of Talladega in advance of the upcoming ARCA Racing 250 at Talladega on Friday, May 4, 2012. “Thomas has outperformed our expectations at everything we’ve asked him to do. We’ve had the Moose under the car, in the car and on the roof; whatever it takes he gives us 100 percent. We’re looking forward to having him back behind the wheel for us at Talladega,” said Andy Belmont. The team will utilize chassis #184 during the test. This is the same chassis that Thomas worked on and spotted for at Daytona International Speedway in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 250. “Frankly, we want to see Thomas do more than test at Talladega, we want him in the race,” added Belmont. “We’ve already put a lot of pieces of the puzzle in place to make that happen but we’re still looking for primary sponsorship,” “For an Alabama driver, it doesn’t get any bigger than Talladega. I really appreciate Mr. Andy and Mrs. Jennifer (Belmont) for giving me the opportunity,” said the Moose. “The history at Talladega with Alabama drivers is just incredible. Just to have an opportunity to make laps on the same track as the Alabama Gang- Bonnett, Farmer and the Allison’s became legends on is just really special.” For Thomas “Moose” Praytor, the only thing bigger than testing at Talladega, would be the opportunity to race at Talladega Superspeedway. For more information on “Moose” and available sponsorship opportunities, Tommy Praytor 251-423-2213. Live timing and scoring for the test on will be available on arcaracing.com. Ticket information for the Aaron’s Dream Weekend, May 4-6, 2012, is available at www.talladegasuperspeedway.com. Picture-Thomas “Moose” Praytor in ABR Ford at ARCA-Mobile 200.
Moose’s Charge In Miller Lite 100 Shorts Out Thomas Praytor 3-24-12: A record field of 33 cars packed the infield of Mobile International Speedway a Rick Crawford Performance Track for the first round of the Miller Lite Super Late Model Series. The Moose qualified his Mobile Lumber Fusion 26th and charged his way up to 14th before an electrical issue ended his night early.
The Moose and our Max Force team had been prepping for weeks for their 5th Super start at MIS and first regular season race of the season. After the ARCA-Mobile 200 the Moose had tested several times including a 5 hour test on Friday before the race. “We never have found the right balance on the Super Car. Every time we test, we get better and we learn more about how the Super works versus the Pro,” offered the Moose. “With the ARCA-Mobile 200 behind us we’ve really been focused on testing, it’s paying off but we still have a long ways to go.” Testing became an adventure when an electrical short nearly burned up the Mobile Lumber Fusion. “Nothing worse than that burning smell inside the car while you’re strapped in the seat. Fortunately the guys got it handled quickly. We did have to do a rewire job on Saturday morning and that could have been part of our problem later on Saturday night.”
The Moose pushed through a tight racecar in qualifying to time into the 26th starting position. In an impound race a tight racecar in qualifying is going to be dump truck in the race, the team started working on a plan.
True to expectations, the Mobile Lumber Fusion wouldn’t turn in the center of the corners but the Moose was picking up positions in some intense racing from the front of the field all the way back. “Wild, wild, wild! Normally everyone settles down and logs some laps in the first half of the race but not tonight. We were 2 wide the first 10 laps and sometimes 3 wide just crazy.” With 33 cars there were some early cautions. The Moose was called to pit road several times for adjustments and the Mobile Lumber machine started to respond.
Back on track, with changes in place, the Moose started to rumble forward. By lap 60 the Moose was inside the top 15 and a car that was tight was now loose off the corner. “The changes the guys made on pit road really made the car better but when you’re swinging at it like we were, we went just a little too far. I felt like we were better than the next few in front of us but the car started missing off the corner.” Missing off the corner turned into missing down the straightaway and the Moose brought his ailing machine to pit road for the team to check out. Our Max Force Team got the hood off and started checking the normal gremlins, loose plug wires, loose electrical wires etc. and sent the Moose back out. Several attempts at debugging the problem during cautions didn’t work and the Moose was done for the night.
“I really appreciate the Hendersons and Mobile Lumber and Millwork for all of their support this weekend. We made our car better all weekend we still have some work to do to catch the guys running up front. I don’t know how many cars we passed but it was bunch. Really had a good time racing with that many cars, lots of racing.”
Mobile Lumber & Millwork
Riding With the Moose Mobile Lumber & Millwork will be the primary sponsor for the Moose, Thomas Praytor, this weekend for the Miller Lite 100 at Mobile International Speedway, a Rick Crawford Performance Track. Currently operating in 3 states, Mobile Lumber & Millwork is the market leader for construction professionals while maintaining a close relationship with local retail customers. “We’ve been watching Thomas work his way up the racing ranks over the past 10 years and he represents a lot of our company’s core values,” said Jim Henderson, President of Mobile Lumber & Millwork. “He and the all-volunteer race team work hard to put out a great product on the track and they don’t ever stop working to get better. Our company works under the same philosophy; we don’t ever stop working on serving our customers better. We’re proud to help turn the Moose loose!” This weekend’s Miller Lite 100 marks the first visit of the Super Late Models to MIS in 2012 and the beginning of a 5-race series that includes points for the Sunoco Gulf Coast Championship. 2012 will be the Moose’s second year of competing in the Gulf Coast signature series. “It means a lot to have great people like the Henderson’s behind us. Having grown up in a real estate family I’m used to seeing the Mobile Lumber & Millwork trucks on construction sites. Maybe one day Mr. H will let me drive a delivery truck too,” offered the Moose. “We’ve worked really hard on preparing our car for this weekend. We’ve had 3 tests with another one planned for Friday that looks like it’s going to get washed out. We feel like we’ve made progress but we also think we have work to do.” Round 1 of the Miller Lite Series is slated for Saturday March 24th with the grandstand opening at 5:00 p.m. and racing starting at 8:00 p.m. Live updates throughout the weekend are available at www.speed51.com. About Mobile Lumber & Millwork: Locally owned and operated since 1975, Mobile Lumber & Millwork is firmly rooted in the retail and wholesale building materials, millwork, truss and cabinetry business, offering customers a blend of products and services to meet their remodeling, homebuilding and commercial construction needs. The Company has grown from a single lumberyard and hardware store (formerly Stacy's) in 1975 to one of the largest family owned lumber and millwork companies on the Gulf Coast. The Company now encompasses 8 facilities in 3 states from Mississippi to Florida, a state-of-the-art cabinet showroom and production operation, a sister store (Grand Bay Lumber), a millwork and truss production plant, a growing fleet of delivery and operations vehicles and its own truck shop. Mobile Lumber has positioned itself favorably, even in this dreary economy, and invested in its commitment to serve this industry and the Gulf Coast for years to come. www.mobilelumber.com Black and Yellow, Black and Yellow
With Legend Cellars Wine moving to an associate sponsor role, the Moose returns to his traditional 28 number and the familiar black and yellow paint scheme. “We appreciate Mr. Ken (Stabler) sponsoring the car last year, he’s a big part of our team,” said the Moose. “We’re looking for primary sponsorship for the Miller Lite Series and hope to have an announcement this week.” Saturday night is round 1 of the 5 race Miller Lite Super Late Series at Mobile International Speedway. Live updates will be available all weekend on Speed51.com.
MOOSE MAKES HISTORIC START IN INAUGURAL ARCA-MOBILE 200 Thomas Praytor ARCA-Mobile 200 March 10, 2012: After kicking off the weekend hosting the Home Mortgage of America Green Flag Party at Grand Central it was time for the Moose to get down to business on Friday in his Andy Belmont Racing Ford Fusion.
With the track dried, the Moose logged a few get to know you laps with the HULK and then he turned the wick up. Crew Chief Lee Leslie and the Moose's Max Force team worked tirelessly to give the Moose the right feel for the Hulk to come to life. "ARCA cars are 600 pounds heavier and have 150 more horsepower than a late model. It took a few laps to get the handle on our G-Force Fusion but it was a blast slinging it into the corners at Mobile," offered the Moose.
With each lap the G-Force Fusion got quicker and the last lap of practice was the fastest of the day. The Moose's exploits in qualifying are well documented and it was appropriate that his first qualifying lap in the ARCA Series would be an adventure. The car that went before the Moose in qualifying spun in turns 1 & 2 down into the grass slinging dirt on the track. When the Moose hit the gas coming off of turn 2 there was no grip just dirt and the car got very loose but the Moose was able to calm the Hulk and keep it pointed forward. The second lap was a second and a half faster than the first and the Moose would take up the tail end of the ARCA-Mobile 200 field. "What a wild couple of laps! The guys really gave me a good car. I thought I was going to take a ride out in Mrs. Ida's back pasture on the first lap. We barely made it in the show but I felt like we won the lottery!"
The 35 car field roared to life with the command to fire engines from Thomas's old teammate and current National Championship quarterback A.J. McCarron. "Really cool to have A.J. give the command to start engines in my first ARCA race. What a year he's had!"
In the first few laps the field minded their manners and the Moose was logging laps picking up spots. By lap 20 the Moose was lapping slower cars and by lap 30 the Moose's day was over early with a bad rear end.
"I realize the stats for my first ARCA race are not very impressive, started 35th finished 34th but I really learned a lot, it was a great opportunity. I appreciate Mrs. Jennifer and Mr. Andy (Belmont) for giving me the chance. Lee and the guys worked hard on giving me a good car and we made solid progress all weekend." Next up for the Moose, round 1 of the Miller Lite Super Late Model Series at Mobile International Speedway a Rick Crawford Performance Track.
G-FORCE TO SPONSOR THE MOOSE FOR ARCA-MOBILE 200
G-Force Racing Gear will be the primary sponsor for the Moose, Thomas Praytor in the inaugural ARCA-Mobile 200 at Mobile International Speedway a Rick Crawford Performance Track.
Roswell, Georgia based G-FORCE Racing Gear® is a manufacturer of high quality, economically priced safety gear. Since 1998, G-FORCE Racing Gear® has supplied drivers and teams from local short tracks to the upper tiers of NASCAR. 2012 will mark the 13th consecutive season of G-Force's association with Tommy, Thomas and Max Force Racing.
"Really appreciate all the guys at G-Force stepping up to help us make the ARCA-Mobile 200," offered the Moose. "I've never worn anything but a G-Force suit from my first yard cart to the one I'll be wearing in Saturday's ARCA race. Shoes, belts, helmet nothing fits or protects you like G-Force equipment."
After the Home Mortgage of America Green Flag party hosted by the Moose at Downtown hotspot Grand Central Thursday night ARCA team get down to business today at Mobile International Speedway a Rick Crawford Performance Track. Technical inspection this morning, with practice starting at 1:30 and qualifying tonight at 7:00. The green flag drop on the Inaugural ARCA Mobile 200 Saturday at 2:00 PM .
The race will be broadcast live on WNTM 701 and streamed from arcaracing.com. Live timing and scoring will be available at today and tomorrow at arcaracing.com.
MOOSE TO BELMONT FOR
ARCA-MOBILE 200 The reigning Gulf Coast Ironman, Thomas “Moose” Praytor, has been tapped to drive an ABR Ford in the ARCA-Mobile 200 for Andy Belmont Racing on March 9th and 10th. “I can’t thank Mrs. Jennifer and Mr. Andy (Belmont) enough for the opportunity. From racing biggest stage in Daytona to Mobile’s biggest race it’s been an awesome couple of months,” offered the Moose. The Moose will pilot ABR Chassis #63 nicknamed the HULK because of its green chassis. As fate would have it the Moose and the HULK have a history. “The HULK was my first job at ABR. It had been stripped down, I cleaned it then put it back together. We’re getting ready to find out how good a job I did.” The Moose’s climb up the racing ladder has been guided for the last year by ARCA veteran Andy Belmont. “We gave the Moose every crappy job in the shop and he never backed up. He cleaned the HULK with 1 rag and some fuel and the only time we heard from him was when he needed more fuel,” said Belmont. “We’re happy to add the Moose to the list of drivers that have gotten their first ARCA start with ABR.” The Moose will be attempting to become a part of ARCA and MIS history by making the starting lineup for Inaugural ARCA-Mobile 200. The Moose’s all Mobile Max Force Racing team will crew the ABR entry under the watchful eye of long time ARCA crew chief Lee Leslie. The HULK and the Moose are searching for primary and associate marketing partners for the ARCA-Mobile 200 and the remainder of the 2012 season.
SWEET HOME ALABAMA-TALLADEGA-DAYTONA
Thomas Praytor 2-6-12: As the off-season winds down, the Moose’s schedule is picking up speed moving towards Daytona. Last week the Moose spent a day at Talladega Superspeedway as a crewmember for Andy Belmont Racing on Mikey Kile’s new Ford Fusion. Kile spent the 2011 season with Turner Motorsports in the Nationwide Series and will be behind the wheel of Belmont’s 14 machine in 2012 in the ARCA Series.
The trip to Talladega was a perfect opportunity to drop the badly damaged Pro-Late Model off at chassis builder Grand American Race Car in Birmingham. The Grill’s have already started working with the defibulator bringing Christine back to life again. At the shop, our Max Force team continues to work on our Turner Motorsports Super Late Model in anticipation of the start of the Miller Lite Super Late Model Series on March 24th.
Friday night’s installment of CMT’s popular reality show Sweet Home Alabama was not kind to NASCAR driver Danny Bopp. Bopp was one of the bachelors eliminated by former NASCAR spokesmodel, Paige Duke, trying to pick between the Country Boys and City Guys. With Bopp eliminated, we can now reveal our race teams role in the series. The Moose returned to stunt driver status, earned during the filming of Warner Brother’s Final Destination 4, doing the on track driving for CMT. The crew got the cameo helping Bopp in and out of the car.
To keep up with Sweet Home Alabama:
http://www.cmt.com/show/sweet_home_alabama/season_3/series.jhtml
BANQUETS KICK OFF 2012 RACING
SEASON Thomas Praytor 1-23-12: The Annual Awards Banquets for 5 Flags Speedway and Mobile International Speedway signal the beginning of the 2012 racing season. The Moose and his Max Force team added some more hardware to the trophy case giving the Moose time to reflect on the 2011 season. “What an incredible year! We started with sponsorship from Ken Stabler’s Legend Cellars Wine, ended with Andy Belmont Racing testing at Daytona and in between we were the only race team to make every late model race on the Gulf Coast. Wow! There are so many people who helped make it happen I want to thank them all. At the top of the list is McGunegill Racing engines, they kept us running all year making the impossible possible. Mr. Frankie and Augie Grill, our chassis builders, just do a great job keeping us going. Our all volunteer race team, you guys simply did the impossible. A lot of late nights and long weekends we couldn’t have done it without you.”
Next up: The Moose will be headed to Talladega Super Speedway on Monday to work as a crew member for Andy Belmont Racing as they prepare for the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona International Speedway. MOOSE MAKES MOST OF DAYTONA CHANCE
Thomas Praytor 12/17-18/11 Daytona Beach, FL: Under the watchful eye of long time ARCA team owner Andy Belmont and the guiding hands of veteran crew chief Lee Leslie, the Moose was set to make his first laps at Daytona International Speedway during the ARCA test for the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200. "I've been to Daytona a lot and signing in happens every time I go but on this trip my hands weren't quite as steady signing the sign in sheet. The place is just awe inspiring and signing in as the driver for the first time was when it really set in," said the Moose. Due to a freak accident on Friday, on pit road, with one of the Belmont cars the Moose had a long day on Saturday before he would make his first laps as practice wound down. "I worked with a lot of the crew in Salem over the Summer and they helped me get settled in to the ModSpace Ford Fusion. Those first few Laps were like nothing I've ever done before. The G's you pull in the corner really push you down in the seat." A couple of short get acquainted sessions on Saturday led to some long green flag runs on Sunday.
While the Moose was making his first laps, ABR's 2 other cars were itching for drafting practice. Short a spotter on Sunday, the "elder Praytor", Tommy, was in the spotting stand at Daytona for the first time since the 2001 Daytona 500. "I'm not going to say I've been avoiding the place since 2001 but I will say it sure was easy to have my PR, TV or Radio jobs keep me from spotting at Daytona. I guess there couldn't have been a better reason to go back up top than to help Andy, who was giving Thomas such a big opportunity. Watching Thomas from the roof sure made it feel like the right decision," offered Tommy.
After getting past his first laps on Saturday the Moose was able to settle in on Sunday. "Everything was just more comfortable and we really got a chance to start working on the stopwatch. Andy and Lee really took the time to help make me better. Their experience probably cut the learning curve in half for me, I really can't thank everyone at Andy Belmont Racing enough for all their help this weekend."
With the haulers loaded and ready to head back to North Carolina, Andy Belmont reflected on the Moose's weekend; "Thomas did a great job. He listened well each time he got in the car he improved. I would rate his test a huge success and we're looking for the right opportunity for him. We'd love to have him in one of our cars."
From the high banks of Daytona the Moose and his Max Force team return to the shop in Mobile to start working on the Legend Cellars Pro Late Model that was torn up at the Snowball Derby in Pensacola.
Pictures: Top - The Moose on track in ModSpace Ford at Daytona International Speedway. Middle - Team Owner Andy Belmont debriefing with the Moose after a run at Daytona. Bottom - The Moose with his Late Model crew during testing at Daytona International Speedway.
FATBOY ON THE FRONT ROW AT 5 FLAGS
Tommy Praytor Pensacola 5 Flags Speedway 5-20-11: After a 2 year lay off and having to wait a week for a rain delay Fatboy finally got to take the Final Destination Super Stock for another ride. “I said it was all about having fun and then as fast as you can hit the button on a stop watch it wasn’t anymore,” said Tommy “Reversing roles with Thomas was fun for both of us and for me really brought back some cool memories of Thomas spotting for me when he was 10. The Moose worked his butt of and gave me a great car and I probably left a at least 2 tenths on the table in qualifying.” The Fatman qualified 9th and then the dreaded dice roll put him on the front row. Starting 9th was fun, the front row was serious business. “My only shot was to get a good jump on the start and try to clear the pole sitter. I got a great start, maybe a little too good and race director Dan Spence made us redo the restart. Well everyone had seen my 1 time trick and they were all waiting on me the second time. Into turn 1 Thomas was screaming 3 wide your at the top. I knew it was going to be ugly.” The pole sitter bounced off of the Max Force machine 3 or 4 times and then the Fatman was up in the marbles falling backwards. The Moose found Tommy a spot to get down in around 8th. A few laps later they were bouncing off Tommy and a pack of cars wrecked in turn 1. The Fatman got his Final Destination machine stopped without hitting anything but the race director determined Tommy was involved in the incident and now he would take up the tail end of the 16 car field. “I try to make sure Thomas keeps his cool on the radio after a tough deal and I didn’t set a very good example for him.” At the tail end the Fatman started to knock some of the rust off and started his march to the front. “After the first couple of laps I realized the group I was with was crazy and I joined the crowd. On my back up I think I hit just about everything but the lottery.” With 4 to go Tommy was up to 6th and was looking for a top 5. The final caution put Tommy on the outside lane for the final restart and the group he just passed was waiting for him. Hung out on the outside lane Tommy was shuffled back to 9th. In the final laps he was able to pick a couple back off and finished 7th. “I really had a good time, I absolutely sucked but I had a good time. Even after all these years we had a top 5 car and I just didn’t bring home the bacon. Thomas did a great job spotting for me. Now he knows how it feels to tell the driver the same thing over and over again and the driver not listen to you. Last week Vince Vaughn was in the stands to watch me race this week we had the “Snake”, Ken Stabler with us. The big stars come out when I drive! Seriously, the stars will be out this weekend with a huge Super Late Model double header on the coast. There are whole bunch of Super Stock drivers that will be glad I’m back on the spotters stand for the Moose.”
Picture: Top-Tommy on the front row at 5 Flags. The Moose Ben and Andrew with Ken Stabler. Lots of pics being posted on Tommy’s Facebook page.
For live coverage of the Memorial Day Weekend Super Late Model races: www.Speed51.com
For track coverage: www.5flagsspeedway.com & www.mobilespeedway.net
KEN STABLER’S LEGEND CELLARS TO SPONSOR THE MOOSE
TODAY- Super Bowl and NCAA football champion Ken Stabler, president of Legend Cellars, announced that Legend Cellars will partner with and sponsor Thomas “Moose” Praytor’s Max Force Race team in 2011. The “12” Championship Collection Wine label complete with a snake and championship ring will appear on Moose’s Ford Fusion with the Legend Cellars Crest. “Our wine is all about celebrating great teams and success, the Moose and his team embody that idea,” said Stabler. In addition to carrying the Legend Cellars Wine colors the Moose’s number will change from 28 to Stabler’s iconic #12. Along with the number change, Moose’s Yellow trim will be changed to Crimson and White. “Mr. Ken is a legend and to have him entrust promoting his new Legend Cellars Wine with our race team is a real honor. Mr. Ken has been to the shop and to the track with our race team, it may have been a while since he competed on the field but he still knows how to inspire teammates and you can see our guys get a lift when he’s with us,” offered the Moose. The Wine ride will race this weekend at the opener of the Sunoco Gulf Coast Championship. The series starts Friday, March 25th at Pensacola 5 Flags Speedway and continues on Saturday night, March 26th, at Mobile International Speedway, a Rick Crawford Performance Track with the Miller Lite 100. Moose has announced a 22 – race schedule along the Gulf Coast. “I’ve been watching Thomas race since he was at Sunny South Speedway in a Bandolero, his determination and commitment to racing is incredible. I’m pumped up to be a part of his effort as he moves up to the next level,” said Stabler. Legend Cellars Wine: Stabler’s Legend Cellars partnered with Anderson Estate Wines of Santiago Chile to produce the “12” Championship Collection. The “12” Championship Collection consist of five expressive world-class wines. The tag line, “Celebrate your success,” alluding to Stabler’s winning career can be found on each bottle. A portion of the sales will benefit the XOXO Stabler Foundation, which supports such charities as the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Mulherin Custodial Home for special-needs children in Mobile, and Mobile's Camp Rap-A-Hope, a summer camp for children with cancer. Thomas “Moose” Praytor: Starting with a borrowed Go-Kart the Moose and his Max Force Race Team have parlayed that small beginning to become a Track champion, a State Champion and a 3-time US Army Rookie of the Year. The Moose earned his nickname from one of his first sponsors, the Outdoor Channel. The Moose’s Outdoor Channel Bandolero featured a large Moose coming out of the wheel well, his name on the roof was changed to Thomoose and now is simply “Moose.” The Moose will be attempting to win US Army Rookie of the Year honors again in 2011, as he makes his first Super Late Model start. For more Moose: www.MaxForceRacing.com ABOUT KEN STABLER: As quarterback for the Alabama Crimson Tide, Ken “Snake” Stabler was a member of the 1965 national championship team. He went on to enjoy a successful career in the NFL, playing for the Oakland Raiders from 1968-1979. Stabler led the Raiders to their first Super Bowl championship in 1977, had the most victories as a Raiders QB (71), played in three Pro Bowls, was the 1974 NFL MVP, and was voted the NFL Player of the Year in 1976. He played for the Houston Oilers in 1980-1981 and the New Orleans Saints from 1982-1984. For more information:
Kim Ross Bush
MOOSE-DANICA Thomas Praytor Mobile, Alabama 1-15-11: Two of the sexiest drivers in motorsports took time out for a picture at the Go Daddy.com Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. Of course this is not that picture, this picture is of one of the sexiest drivers, Danica Patrick and the Moose. The Moose was on hand for the press conference and Mayor’s Luncheon prior to the first Go Daddy.com Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. “I really appreciate Mr. Jerry (Silverstein, President of the GoDaddy.com Bowl) including us. That was actually closer then they let us get during testing last year in Daytona for the ARCA race. It’s big for Mobile to have one of racings biggest names in for the bowl game. Our MaxForceRacing.com site has been registered with Go Daddy for years and I offered to help with their next commercial but it wasn’t happening,” said Thomas. Our Max Force Team has been working hard in the off season prepping 2 cars for the 2011 season. The tracks are starting to publish their schedules and we will release our 2011 schedule before Daytona. For more Danica: www.danicaracing.com For more on the Go Daddy.Com Bowl: www.godaddybowl.com
MOOSE TEAMS WITH TURNER MOTORSPORTS
Thomas Praytor 11-11-10: The Moose has teamed up with Turner Motorsports to campaign a second late model in 2011. With Turner Motorsports announcement last week to field 3 NASCAR Nationwide teams and 3 NASCAR Camping World Truck teams in 2011 the Moose joins a growing field of drivers for car owner Steve Turner. Turner’s Grand American Race Car (Grill) chassis has been delivered to our Max Force Race shop in Mobile and will be crewed by our race team during the 2011 season. “It’s really a big honor to have Mr. Turner choose our team for one of his late models. When you look at the people who are driving for him in 2011 and the drivers he’s worked with in the past, well honor is the best word I can come up with. We’ve had the car back at Grill’s getting the latest updates and getting it ready to go.”
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