TULARE, Calif. — The McCarl name and Country Builders Racing are a pairing that rings familiar in Northern California. After having success in years past with Terry McCarl, Country Builders Racing has stayed with ‘TMac’s’ bloodline for the 27th Trophy Cup as McCarl’s two sons, Austin, and Carson, will fly the famed No. 88 colors at Thunderbowl Raceway this weekend.
“I think it’s awesome that Austin and Carson will both be in Country Builders Construction cars at this weekend’s Trophy Cup,” Terry McCarl said. “The Offill’s are like our second family, and Weldon Offill has been a father figure to me, and someone I have the utmost respect for. There’s a ton of history with that iconic red No. 88 car and the McCarl name, and I am really excited that its continuing with Austin and Carson.”
Over the last month and a half, Austin McCarl has been hard at it for Country Builders Racing battling with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series as well as the King of the West Series as he continues to adapt to California soil with heavy doses of Chico’s Silver Dollar Speedway and Hanford’s Keller Auto Speedway.
The eldest of the two McCarl sons also turned laps in the Golden State earlier this season, and at the end of the 2020 season with Roth Motorsports and Tarlton Motorsports respectively and is looking forward for a return trip to Thunderbowl Raceway as well as his second crack at the famed Trophy Cup.
“I couldn’t be more excited to get going at what is probably the biggest race in California, and really one of the biggest races in the country at a really tricky track,” Austin McCarl said. “To have my brother, Carson, as a teammate this weekend, and have my family in attendance as well, it is shaping up to be a really fun environment, and I am really thankful that the Offill family, and Country Builders have given us such a cool opportunity.”
While Austin bounced around California and the Midwest during the season, Carson McCarl stuck closer to home and focused on running a 410-sprint car schedule as he ended up eighth in Knoxville Raceway points.
Over the last few years, Carson has been able to make a few cameos in California, but this weekend marks his first ever look at Thunderbowl Raceway as he will make his Trophy Cup debut.
“To get the opportunity to make my debut at a prestigious event like the Trophy Cup with a team that my Dad used to drive for and as a teammate to my brother Austin is pretty cool, and I am really thankful that the Offill family and Country Builders Construction put this together,” Carson McCarl said. “The Offill family has been such great supporters of our family for years, so I am excited to get this weekend underway. I have never competed in Tulare, but I know it’s an intense track, and you have to be up on the wheel anytime you hit the track. I am looking forward to competing and can’t wait to get up on the Thunderbowl Raceway fence.”
The 27th Trophy Cup is slated to kick off with preliminary nights on Thursday and Friday night, the Trophy Cup finale taking center stage on Saturday night.