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 ARCA Testing at Daytona International Speedway 12-17&18-11 |
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Thomas Career Stats
Max Force Racing Team Pictures
Racing for
Legend Car Specs Links to Alabama Tracks
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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 CRUISING THE COAST IN 2011
Thomas Praytor 3-11-11: Open practice this weekend at Mobile International Speedway and Pensacola 5 Flags Speedway signal the official beginning of the 2011 racing season. While most teams are picking one track to practice at this weekend the Moose will be doing double duty, 5 Flags in the morning/afternoon then MIS in the afternoon/night. While it will be a long day, it gives our team a chance to practice the Two Step Tango (race at 5 Flags on Friday night change the setup and race at MIS on Saturday night) we’ll be performing on doubleheader weekends. “This weekend we’ll test Christine (Pro Late Model) with both the Pro and Super setup. We’re still putting the finishing touches on the new Super Car and we’ll test it next weekend. Normally we would just be knocking the rust off but both tracks have changed the tire compound we’re using in 2011. We’ll have some work to do to get a handle on the new tire but we think the new tire is a better compound and should be better for our G-Force Fusion over the long 100 laps races,” said Thomas. Testing begins at 9:00 AM at 5 Flags and ends at 9:00PM at MIS.
We've also attached our 2011 Mobile/Pensacola racing schedule. With a Pro and Super Late Model the Moose will be Cruising the Coast for a total of 22-100 lap races at 5 Flags and MIS. We're also letting Fatboy take a turn in the Super Stock in May at 5 Flags. A multi-time winner of the US Army Rookie of the Year title at both tracks, the Moose will be attempting to win it twice in one year in the Miller Lite Super Late Model Division. Hang on we're turning the Moose LOOSE!
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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