(Elite Series Race 1) 2014 Smash Beer 500

Webster suffers a Header failure in first attempt at the Full Time

It seems that while other drivers suffered issues or suffered from a massive case of brainfade (which isn't surprising in FARC), Zack Webster held his own and managed to steer clear of wrecking anyone or getting involved in wrecks. He suffered a Header failure about halfway into the race. Accelerator Motorsports, who were hoping to get off the ground on a high note, were outright depressed as Webster's engine went out. The same thing happened to Kurt Plissken, who also drove a Lenard.

Plissken Wreck Causes Seismic Earthquake

Southwest Seismic Network (SWSN) used a trio of strong-motion seismometers to monitor crowd generated "earthquakes" at College Station, Texas during the running of the Smash Beer 500 at the Texas World Speedway. There were 2 earthquakes registered that day. The second and smaller of the events was when Tammy Barnton won the race. The first, and by far the much larger of the events occurred when Kurt Plissken's engine expired and he was swept up into a wreck. When the crowd erupted in approval to see the controversial Plissken wrecked out of the race, it registered the highest degree of seismic activity. Fans were so rambunctious when they jumped, stomped and screamed, it generated energy roughly equivalent to a magnitude 2.4 magnitude earthquake. It's now being referred to as the "snakequake." It's unknown at this time if this event has set the record for the largest outdoor fan generated earthquake, but the fans sure let Plissken know of their displeasure with his performance in his controversial B Main win in a most vociferous of manners.

Strong Start for Richard Scott Ends in Smoke

After leading in the opening laps of the Smash Beer 500, FARC Elite Series sophomore Richard Scott found himself out of the race with a broken gearbox, after completing just 86 laps. Needless to say, Scott was not the happiest driver in the garage.

"Well, I hate it for all of the guys back at the shop, first of all. They work so hard to get us here, and to run towards the front and give up the opportunity to run races like this. 26th if definitely not where we wanted to end up today, but we at least have a bit of a points advantage over the guys who didn't make the race. We're just going to have to move on to Columbia, and focus on getting a win and the championship."

IDI and Clason Start off Season with a Bang

After an impressive Tornado Alley showing in 2013, Tanner Clason was contacted by Ike Durbin to drive a second car for his team Ike Durbin, Inc. for the 2014 season, with Clason running for Rookie of the Year honors.  His season started off with the Rookie Shootout, and despite not really contending for a top spot, it appeared to help him in the official season opener.

Clason was not initially expected to make the Smash Beer 500, with over 150 cars entered, but he overcame the odds, snaking through the 'Alphabet Soup' that was the qualifying races, and made it solidly into the races.  Despite that, Clason was still not expected to perform well in the race, and although the car appeared to be under-powered, it held up longer than most, and Clason kept out of trouble, silently sneaking into the top five.  Eventually, Clason would end up second, where he would go on to finish, equaling the best result IDI has had in the Elite Series, a result that Ryan Griffin met at 70/77 Speedway last season.  Clason now goes into the second round of the FARC Elite Season third in points.

Great Run Ends Early for Santos

After failing to qualify for every attempt since his debut race in 2011, Henry Santos came into the Smash Beer 500 week looking for something good to happen.  And with a great car behind him, Santos would ease his way into the show without a problem.  Racing against forty-one of the best cars at Texas World didn't seem to phase Santos or his car, as he quickly proved that his car still had the speed to compete for the lead, as he ran up to the front on multiple occasions.  Unfortunately for Santos, it would be in vain, as his engine would expire early on in the event.  

When interviewed after the race, Santos didn't seem discouraged, however, but motivated. "I wish we could have finished the race, but it was so much fun and the Sylab Technologies Saar was a rocket.  We'll be back, maybe sooner than you think, who knows, and hopefully we'll last the whole race next time,"  Santos said with a chuckle.  

Since the 500, rumors began to circulate that Santos could run more than just the over-capacity events, and run a limited schedule to gain experience.

Luke Ocean unhappy with Chuck Johnson, while Jennifer Duke while crashed out, unfazed and still pleased

"Boy, that's not how I wanted to start this season. Last year at Pocono, made my first start and lost an engine, but this year, we finish 39th due to a bonehead move by Chuck Johnson. This track is more then big enough to handle several lanes of traffic and he managed to screw that up, so yeah not really sure what the hell he was doing or thinking, but yeah being the first car of 2014 to DNF due to an accident isn't exactly ideal and I'm none too thrilled about it." - Luke Ocean

"I want to say sorry to Bob Stephans for getting him involved in that wreck but I got hit by Laura [Cyrus] and slid up and yeah...however, that being said, even though we only got 35th place, I am still very proud of what our small team was able to accomplish. We made a FARC race and not just any FARC race but the Smash Beer 500, which is a big deal. I am certainly hoping we can come do a few events later in the year again because this was such an incredible experience." - Jennifer Duke