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Tommy Bryant Bags ASCS Lone Star Sprint Car win at Cowtown/s November Sprint Shootout

Tommy Bryant bagged his third American Sprint Car Series regional win of the year by topping Cowtown Speedway’s Fourth Annual November Sprint Shootout 35-lap championship feature event on Saturday night.

While Bryant tacked the season-ending ASCS Lone Star feature win on to a pair of previous ASCS Gulf South wins, it was Eric Baldaccini coming away with the 2010 ASCS Lone Star championship.

Bryant started Saturday night’s main event from the pole position, but it was fellow Gulf South shoe and 2009 champ Aaron Reutzel leading the initial handful of laps before running afoul of lapped traffic.

Bryant assumed the point and led the rest of the way aboard Todd Evans’ Sport Clips No. 14e machine for his seventh career ASCS Regional win in front of Justin Melton, with Andy Shouse, newly-crowned ASCS Gulf South champ Ray Allen Kulhanek and Kevin Ramey rounding out the top five.

Brandon Berryman was sixth, with Claud Estes, 20th-starter Travis Elliott, 19th-starter J.P. Bailey and Rafe Essary completing the top ten.

Despite a 19th place finish in the season finale, 22-year-old Baldaccini of Keller, TX, claimed the ASCS Lone Star title by an 81-point margin over Claud Estes.

Kolt Walker, D.J. Estes, Melton, Ramey and Brian McClelland won Saturday night’s heat races, with Bailey and Elliott winning the “B” Mains.

ASCS Lone Star Saturday Results from Cowtown Speedway’s November Sprint Shootout:

Locked in from Friday Night’s Feature: 1x-Gary Taylor, 87-Aaron Reutzel, 14e-Tommy Bryant, 30-Brandon Corn.

First Heat (10 Laps): 1. 45k-Kolt Walker, 2. 74e-Claud Estes, 3. 21T-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 4. 31-Brandon Berryman, 5. 0-Chris Morgan, 6. 26-Dalton Steed, 7. 22a-Dan Adkins, 8. 45x-Martin Edwards. DNS: 22k-Kevin Barksdale.

Second Heat (10 Laps): 1. 74d-D.J. Estes, 2. 36-Jonathan Beason, 3. 45-J.P. Bailey, 4. 22-Koby Barksdale, 5. 29-Greg Rilat, 6. 4j-Jamie Passmore, 7. 8a-Alan Myers, 8. 05-Dustin Woods. DNS: 33-Mark Huddleston.

Third Heat (10 Laps): 1. 11-Justin Melton, 2. 9-Justin Sturch, 3. 15T-Travis Elliott, 4. 67-Rodney Henderson, 5. 55-Donnie Ray Crawford, 6. 15b-Michael Brown, 7. 16-Koty Adams, 8. 58-Gary Floyd, 9. 79-Ryan Hall.

Fourth Heat (10 Laps): 1. 7m-Kevin Ramey, 2. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 3. 85-Jerry Bell, 4. 1r-Scott Reneau, 5. 66-J.J. Simmons, 6. 24-Evan Pardo, 7. 40-Junior Jenkins, 8. 010-Brian Roberts. DNS: 5m-Raven Culp.

Fifth Heat (10 Laps): 1. 25-Brian McClelland, 2. 26x-Rafe Essary, 3. 27-Andy Shouse, 4. 76-John Ricketts, 5. 17g-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 6. 2-Logan Payne, 7. 7-Roger Wayne Brown, 8. 15-Curtis Wayne Brown.

First “B” Main (12 Laps): 1. 45-J.P. Bailey, 2. 29-Greg Rilat, 3. 66-J.J. Simmons, 4. 1r-Scott Reneau, 5. 24-Evan Pardo, 6. 67-Rodney Henderson, 7. 45x-Martin Edwards, 8. 17g-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 9. 2-Logan Payne, 10. 40-Junior Jenkins, 11. 010-Brian Roberts, 12. 16-Koty Adams, 13. 7-Roger Wayne Brown. DNS: 33-Mark Huddleston, 79-Ryan Hall.

Second “B” Main (12 Laps): 1. 15T-Travis Elliott, 2. 22-Koby Barksdale, 3. 15b-Michael Brown, 4. 76-John Ricketts, 5. 4j-Jamie Passmore, 6. 58-Gary Floyd, 7. 26-Dalton Steed, 8. 0-Chris Morgan, 9. 8a-Alan Myers, 10. 55-Donnie Ray Crawford, 11. 05-Dustin Woods, 12. 22a-Dan Adkins, 13. 15-Curtis Wayne Brown. DNS: 22k-Kevin Barksdale, 5m-Raven Culp.

“A” Feature (35 Laps): 1. 14e-Tommy Bryant, 2. 11-Justin Melton, 3. 27-Andy Shouse, 4. 21T-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 5. 7m-Kevin Ramey, 6. 31-Brandon Berryman, 7. 74e-Claud Estes, 8. 15T-Travis Elliott, 9. 45-J.P. Bailey, 10. 26x-Rafe Essary, 11. 29-Greg Rilat, 12. 15b-Michael Brown, 13. 36-Jonathan Beason, 14. 1x-Gary Taylor, 15. 22-Koby Barksdale, 16. 45k-Kolt Walker, 17. 30-Brandon Corn, 18. 25-Brian McClelland, 19. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 20. 9-Justin Sturch, 21. 74d-D.J. Estes, 22. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 23. 85-Jerry Bell, 24. 66-J.J. Simmons.

ASCS Lone Star Region Points (Top 10): 1. Eric Baldaccini 1,862, 2. Claud Estes 1,781, 3. Justin Melton 1,702, 4. Brandon Corn 1,631, 5. Martin Edwards 1,572, 6. John Ricketts 1,540, 7. Kolt Walker 1,513, 8. Brian McClelland 1,407, 9. Kevin Ramey 1,367, 10. Preston Peebles II 1,333.

by Lonnie Wheatley
Photos by Rudy Garcia

Kolt Walker claims ASCS Lone Star Region win at Lone Star Speedway

Kolt Walker became the first repeat winner in American Sprint Car Series Lone Star Region action so far this season by taking top honors in Saturday night’s 25-lap main event at Lone Star Speedway in Kilgore, Texas.

After racing from eighth to win the night’s opening heat race, the Kermit, TX, native backed it up by charging past Gary Wright early in the main event en route to his second series win of the year aboard the Jars Inc./Texas Moon No. 45k Maxim.

While Walker started sixth in the 13th ASCS Lone Star main event of the year, he needed less than two laps to slide past pole starter Wright for the lead. Walker led the rest of the way, with Wright, Brandon Corn, Michael Lang and Martin Edwards rounding out the top five.

Current series points leader Eric Baldaccini climbed from 11th to sixth, with Dale Wester, 18th-starter Chad Wilson, 15th-starter Skip Wilson and Claud Estes completing the top ten.

Logan Payne turned over early in the feature, with Justin Melton, Justin Spoerl and Josh Hawkins all eliminated in a lap five tangle.

Walker, Corn and Wright each claimed heat race wins.

ASCS Lone Star Results from Lone Star Speedway:

First Heat (8 Laps): 1. 45k-Kolt Walker, 2. 45-Martin Edwards, 3. 6-Justin Spoerl, 4. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 5. 2-Logan Payne, 6. 15T-Travis Elliott, 7. 69-Larry Howery, 8. 5c-Chris Coker.

Second Heat (8 Laps): 1. 30-Brandon Corn, 2. 76-John Ricketts, 3. 11-Justin Melton, 4. 12-Dale Wester, 5. 74e-Claud Estes, 6. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 7. 14e-Todd Evans, 8. 16-Koty Adams.

Third Heat (8 Laps): 1. 9x-Gary Wright, 2. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 3. 14-Michael Lang, 4. 31-Brandon Berryman, 5. 65-Skip Wilson, 6. 20-Chad Wilson, 7. 80-Josh Hawkins, 8. 01-Greg Bartchy.

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 45k-Kolt Walker, 2. 9x-Gary Wright, 3. 30-Brandon Corn, 4. 14-Michael Lang, 5. 45-Martin Edwards, 6. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 7. 12-Dale Wester, 8. 20-Chad Wilson, 9. 65-Skip Wilson, 10. 74e-Claud Estes, 11. 31-Brandon Berryman, 12. 16-Koty Adams, 13. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 14. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 15. 69-Larry Howery, 16. 01-Greg Bartchy, 17. 11-Justin Melton, 18. 6-Justin Spoerl, 19. 80-Josh Hawkins, 20. 76-John Ricketts, 21. 15T-Travis Elliott, 22. 2-Logan Payne. DNS: 14e-Todd Evans, 5c-Chris Coker.

ASCS Lone Star Region Points (Top 10): 1. Eric Baldaccini 1,660, 2. Claud Estes 1,558, 3. Justin Melton 1,454, 4. Martin Edwards 1,442, 5. Brandon Corn 1,405, 6. John Ricketts 1,377, 7. Preston Peebles II 1,333, 8. Kolt Walker 1,302, 9. Brian McClelland 1,205, 10. Scott Reneau 1,122.

by Lonnie Wheatley
Photos by Tim Aylwin

Cool Kulhanek takes ASCS Gulf South vs. Lone Star Regional Shootout at Heart O’ Texas Speedway

Former Gulf South Region Champion Ray Allen Kulhanek grabbed the lead early and led every lap on his way to victory at Heart o’ Texas Speedway in Elm Mott, Texas, but it wasn’t easy.

Traffic was almost the equalizer as the 2005 champ got slowed by slower cars allowing four-time National Champion Gary Wright and Skip Wilson to close in. Wright and Wilson began their own battle giving Kulhanek some breathing room at the finish.

As green waved on the 20-car, 25-lap ASCS Gulf South vs. Lone Star Regional shootout, Claud Estes beat Kulhanek into turn 1, but Kulhanek drew back even as they crossed the line side-by-side. Kulhanek secured the spot on lap 2 with Estes, 15-year old Joshua Hodges, Kolt Walker and Preston Peebles in tow.

Chad Wilson brought out a quick caution when he broke and rolled to a stop in turn 4.

On the restart Kulhanek got away clean, while Peebles and Walker battled side by side for fourth with Wright alongside Skip Wilson for sixth. Wright got the spot from Wilson on lap 3 as Kulhanek began to ease away from the field.

Michael Lang and Eric Baldacinni tangled in turn 1 sending Lang around for a caution on lap 5. Baldacinni pitted but didn’t make the call for the restart, ending his night.

Skip Wilson got a good run up top as the race resumed, picking off spots from Wright and Walker. Andy Shouse did a 360 scattering the pack with Justin Melton coming up lame with a flat right rear on lap 11.

Wilson again used the restart to grab another spot taking third from Hodges, while Wright got by Walker for fifth and beside Hodges. Up front Kulhanek again was easing away as Wright snagged fourth from Hodges.

At halfway it was Kulhanek, Estes, S. Wilson, Wright and Hodges in the top five. As Kulhanek ran up on the back of the pack, Skip Wilson closed on Estes for second and took the spot on lap 15 bringing Wright along to third. Wilson and Wright went wheel-to-wheel for the second spot on lap 18, with Wright finally getting the position on lap 20. Kulhanek again got hung up behind slower cars allowing Wright and Wilson to close the gap.

With five to go the top three were nose-to-tail and trying to dice through traffic at the same time. Wilson was able to retake second from Wright with two to go while Kulhanek broke free of slower cars. From there the young Houston area driver was able to keep S. Wilson and Wright at bay in the David and Beverly Miller, Smileys Racing Products, Penske Shocks, Hoosier Tires Southwest, Miller RV Park, TNT Custom Golf Carts, Highway 105 Machine Shop, J&J Chassis

“All our hard work paid off, both in the shop and in the pits,” Kulhanek said after the race. “All the races are won there getting the car prepared. We got the job done and we’re just going to keep plugging away and try to pick up another win tomorrow night. To be out here running against this many cars and getting a win, plus beating Gary Wright is just icing on the cake. He was someone I looked up to growing up as a kid.”

“I could hear them back there when I got in traffic. I was pretty much just racing the track as I tried to pick my way through. I was trying to look far enough ahead to know where everybody was going. Everyone was bouncing around on the track and it was hard to know where they were going. I just picked one off at a time and was lucky enough to get through better than anyone else.”

“I ran where the car felt the best and play a little defense at the same time. It was one of those where I had track position more than what lines to run. I knew no one could come off the bottom of (turn) 4 quite as good the top. So I just kept my momentum up there.”

“It’s tough chasing a points championship in this series. Back in 2005 when I won everyone was more just getting into ASCS. It’s a lot, a lot of work throughout the week. Everyone working together at the race track. It’s a lot of luck also.”

ASCS Sprint Cars
21t Ray Allen Kulhanek, Magnolia
65 Skip Wilson, Mesquite
9x Gary Wright, Hooks
74E Claud Estes, Godley
45k Kolt Walker, Graham
0c Preston Peebles, Lubbock
74x Joshua Hodges, Tijeras N.M.
85 Tommy Bryant, Garland
30 Brandon Corn, Gause
45x Martin Edwards, Mesquite
31 Brandon Berryman, Missouri City
93 Chris Sweeney, Humble
11 Justin Melton, Flower Mound
51s Beau Smith, Texas City
79 Charlie McDonald,
27 Andy Shouse, Okla. City, Okla.
4 Eric Baldacinni, Keller
14 Michael Lang, Mesquite
20 Chad Wilson, N. Richland Hills
8 Bruce Crockett, Porter

ASCS Sprint Car B-mains(Top 3 to A-main)
B-main #1
11 Justin Melton
31 Brandon Berryman
8 Bruce Crockett
3 Gary Watson
25 Brian McClelland
12 Logan Bledsoe
69 Larry Howery
19 Klint Angelette
77 Colt Treharn
87 Aaron Reutzal
7w Dustin Welch
17 Bruce Griffith jr.—DNS
36 John Pate—DNS
71t Shane Thompson—DNS

B-main #2
4 Eric Baldacinni
85 Tommy Bryant
30 Brandon Corn
76 John Ricketts
15t Travis Elliott
88 Scottie McDonald
51w Wes Miller
5c Chris Coker
24 Brandi Jass
1R Scott Reneau
30x Bean Elliott
67 Rodney Henderson
26 Dalton Stead
28 James Cooper—DNS

ASCS Sprint Car heats(Winners + top 8 in passing points)
Heat #1
74x Joshua Hodges
79 Charlie McDonald
27 Andy Shouse
76 John Ricketts
9 Larry Howery
87 Aaron Reutzal
7w Dustin Welch

Heat #2
9x Gary Wright
51s Beau Smith
30 Brandon Corn
20 Chad Wilson
25 Brian McClelland
26 Dalton Steed
88 Scottie McDonald

Heat #3
45x Martin Edwards
65 Skip Wilson
0c Preston Peebles
12 Logan Bledsoe
30x Bean Elliott
17 Bruce Griffith
5c Chris Coker

Heat #4
21t Ray Allen Kulhanek
74E Claud Estes
14 Michael Lang
1R Scott Reneau
67 Rodney Hederson
28 James Cooper–DNS
15t Travis Elliott—DNS

Heat #5
45k Kolt Walker
85 Tmmy Bryant
11 Justin Melton
8 Bruce Crockett
51w Wes Miller
19 Klint Angelette
36 John Pate—DNS

Heat #6
93 Chris Sweeney
3 Gary Watson
31 Brandon Berryman
4 Eric Baldacinni
77 Colt Treharn
24 Brandi Jass
71T Shane Thompson

by JM Hallas
Photo by Tim Aylwin

Claude Estes takes ASCS Red River Challenge honors at Cowtown Speedway

Claud Estes became the second first-time ASCS Red River Challenge victor in as many nights by topping Saturday night’s 25-lap ASCS Lone Star vs. American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region main event atop the high-banked, ¼-mile Cowtown Speedway dirt oval.

The ASCS Lone Star rep from Godley, TX, fought off past ASCS Sooner champion Andy Shouse over the final rounds for the $2,000 triumph, his first in Lone Star action and first ASCS triumph since a Gulf South score at Waco’s Heart O’ Texas Speedway in June of 2004.

Estes took Saturday night’s checkered flag aboard the Texas United Bank Card/Skyvue Corp. No. 74e ahead of Shouse, with Kevin Ramey, George White and current ASCS Lone Star points leader Eric Baldaccini rounding out the top five.

Brian McClelland was sixth, with Michael Lang, J.P. Bailey, 19th-starter Brandon Corn and Ryan Hall completing the top ten.

Skip Wilson, Estes, Kolt Walker and Kenneth Walker topped heat race action, with Corn flourishing in the “B” Main.

ASCS Lone Star vs. Sooner Results from Cowtown Speedway:

First Heat (8 Laps): 1. 65-Skip Wilson, 2. 55-Donnie Ray Crawford, 3. 0c-Preston Peebles II, 4. 45-J.P. Bailey, 5. 45x-Martin Edwards, 6. 40-Junior Jenkins. DNS: 20-Chad Wilson.

Second Heat (8 Laps): 1. 74e-Claud Estes, 2. 26-Dalton Steed, 3. 10-George White, 4. 79-Ryan Hall, 5. 1-Sean McClelland, 6. 11-Justin Melton, 7. 56-Jarrett Lucito.

Third Heat (8 Laps): 1. 45k-Kolt Walker, 2. 25-Brian McClelland, 3. 27-Andy Shouse, 4. 14-Michael Lang, 5. 15b-Michael Brown, 6. 1r-Scott Reneau, 7. 5c-Chris Coker.

Fourth Heat (8 Laps): 1. 2-Kenneth Walker, 2. 7m-Kevin Ramey, 3. 03-Joe Wood, Jr., 4. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 5. 30-Brandon Corn, 6. 67-John Ricketts.

“B” Main: 1. 30-Brandon Corn, 2. 15b-Michael Brown, 3. 11-Justin Melton, 4. 1r-Scott Reneau, 5. 5c-Chris Coker, 6. 67-John Ricketts, 7. 56-Jarrett Lucito. DNS: 40-Junior Jenkins, 20-Chad Wilson.

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 74e-Claud Estes, 2. 27-Andy Shouse, 3. 7m-Kevin Ramey, 4. 10-George White, 5. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 6. 25-Brian McClelland, 7. 14-Michael Lang, 8. 45-J.P. Bailey, 9. 30-Brandon Corn, 10. 79-Ryan Hall, 11. 15b-Michael Brown, 12. 0c-Preston Peebles II, 13. 11-Justin Melton, 14. 1-Sean McClelland, 15. 45x-Martin Edwards, 16. 67-John Ricketts, 17. 55-Donnie Ray Crawford, 18. 65-Skip Wilson, 19. 1r-Scott Reneau, 20. 03-Joe Wood, Jr., 21. 5c-Chris Coker, 22. 26-Dalton Steed, 23. 45k-Kolt Walker, 24. 2-Kenneth Walker.

ASCS Lone Star Region Points (Top 10): 1. Eric Baldaccini 1,293, 2. Claud Estes 1,181, 3. Justin Melton 1,126, 4. Preston Peebles II 1,099, 5. Martin Edwards 1,079, 6. John Ricketts 1,061, 7. Brandon Corn 1,056, 8. Brian McClelland 1,001, 9. Kevin Ramey 975, 10. Scott Reneau 930.

American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Sean McClelland 1,210, 2. Joe Wood, Jr. 1,150, 3. Kenneth Walker 1,121, 4. Andy Shouse 1,081, 5. Donnie Ray Crawford 1,077, 6. Brian McClelland 997, 7. Michelle Decker 719, 8. Tony Bruce, Jr. 687, 9. Danny Jennings 555, 10. Joshua Hodges 553.

by Lonnie Wheatley
ASCS photo

Travis Rilat rounds up ASCS Lone Star Region win at Cowtown Speedway

The Kennedale parking lot challenge came to the most spectacular of conclusions at Cowtown Speedway on Saturday night, with Travis Rilat ultimately standing in victory lane when the checkered flag flew upon the evening’s 25-lap American Sprint Car Series Lone Star feature event.

And, after a last-lap scramble for the lead that sent Kevin Ramey out of the park, the roar from the crowd was an undeniable one, a hearty mix of both cheers and jeers directed towards the Forney, TX, racer.

“You know they’ll be back in October for the ASCS Cowtown Sprint Nationals after that one,” Rilat commented afterward.

Ramey, who started the feature event inside the third row alongside Rilat, had battled past early pacesetter Matt Clevenger on the 14th circuit and was closing in on his fourth series triumph of the year aboard Ray Williams’ No. 7m entry.

But, as heavy traffic became a factor in the final rounds, Rilat quickly began closing the gap on the leader after taking second away from Clevenger on the 18th circuit.

On Ramey’s tailtank as the white flag flew, Rilat dove to the bottom of the track entering turn one and edged ahead as the pair raced off turn two with Ramey on the top side.

Wheel-to-wheel down the backstretch and approaching turn three, contact was made and the current ASCS Lone Star point leader tumbled several times before launching over the turn three retaining wall and out of sight into the back pit area.

“I had him passed coming off of two,” Rilat explained afterward. “I was moving to the top to get into three and he just drove right over my right rear.”

Ramey likely disagreed with that account, as evidenced by his march down the backstretch to Rilat’s mount parked in turn two, where some pleasantries were exchanged among the drivers and several crew members.

With the stage set for a green-white-checkered run after the lap 25 mishap, Rilat raced on to the stripe unchallenged aboard the Shark-powered F&J Construction No. 29 Triple-X for his 17th career ASCS Regional triumph and 41st overall ASCS victory.

Rilat’s apparent $1,500 payday was bolstered in a big way by www.shoptheboss.com, which anted up $3,600 worth of hardwood flooring for the triumph, making the night’s take worth $5,100.

Rilat was chased to the stripe by Matt Clevenger, who settled for runner-up honors after pacing the initial 13 circuits. “We had a first place car, just didn’t get the job done,” a disappointed Clevenger explained.

Eric Baldaccini claimed the show position, while current ASCS Southwest points leader Ben Gregg of Phoenix, AZ, charged from 16th to claim fourth at the stripe. George White rounded out the top five, with Marvin Lough in sixth.

Skip Wilson rebounded from a lap 12 incident in which Brian Parker got upside down in turn one to finish seventh, with Claud Estes, Scott Reneau and 17th-starter Brian McClelland completing the top ten.

Baldaccini, Kolt Walker, Ramey and Clevenger topped Saturday night’s heat race action, with McClelland winning the 15-lap “B” Main.

Ramey was credited with a 15th place finish in the final rundown, escaping the night with a 135-point advantage over Brad Welborn, who scratched from “B” Main action with engine woes.

ASCS Lone Star competition continues with next weekend’s double versus the ASCS Gulf South Region at Crandall’s RPM Speedway on Friday night and then Mesquite’s Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Saturday night.

ASCS Lone Star Results from Cowtown Speedway:

Heat One (8 Laps): 1. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 2. 29-Travis Rilat, 3. 65-Skip Wilson, 4. 20-Chad Wilson, 5. 25-Brian McClelland, 6. 76-John Ricketts, 7. 14-Michael Lang, 8. 71T-Shane Thompson.

Heat Two (8 Laps): 1. 45k-Kolt Walker, 2. 9-Brian Parker, 3. 10-George White, 4. 11-Justin Melton, 5. 22b-Ben Gregg, 6. 17w-Brad Welborn, 7. 5m-Glenn Martin, 8. 56-Jarrett Lucito.

Heat Three (8 Laps): 1. 7m-Kevin Ramey, 2. 74e-Claud Estes, 3. 1r-Scott Reneau, 4. 22j-John Gaston, 5. 87-Billy Melton, 6. 45-J.P. Bailey, 7. 87a-Andrew Marshala.

Heat Four (8 Laps): 1. 31m-Matt Clevenger, 2. 69-Larry Howery, 3. 39-Marvin Lough, 4. 0-Chris Morgan, 5. 5c-Chris Coker, 6. 55-David Doyle, 7. 88-Andy Rea.

“B” Feature (15 Laps): 1. 25-Brian McClelland, 2. 87-Billy Melton, 3. 45-J.P. Bailey, 4. 76-John Ricketts, 5. 5c-Chris Coker, 6. 20-Chad Wilson, 7. 5m-Glenn Martin, 8. 55-David Doyle, 9. 56-Jarrett Lucito, 10. 71T-Shane Thompson, 11. 88-Andy Rea, 12. 14-Michael Lang. DNS: 17w-Brad Welborn, 87a-Andrew Marshala.

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 29-Travis Rilat, 2. 31m-Matt Clevenger, 3. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 4. 22b-Ben Gregg, 5. 10-George White, 6. 39-Marvin Lough, 7. 65-Skip Wilson, 8. 74e-Claud Estes, 9. 1r-Scott Reneau, 10. 25-Brian McClelland, 11. 11-Justin Melton, 12. 22j-John Gaston, 13. 45-J.P. Bailey, 14. 69-Larry Howery, 15. 7m-Kevin Ramey, 16. 45k-Kolt Walker, 17. 76-John Ricketts, 18. 0-Chris Morgan, 19. 9-Brian Parker, 20. 87-Billy Melton.

ASCS Lone Star Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Kevin Ramey 1,670, 2. Brad Welborn 1,535, 3. Justin Melton 1,524, 4. Matt Clevenger 1,522, 5. Claud Estes 1,499, 6. Eric Baldaccini 1,463, 7. Michael Lang 1,422, 8. Kolt Walker 1,361, 9. Scott Reneau 1,350, 10. Brian McClelland 1,316.

by Lonnie Wheatley

Brian McClelland wins wild ASCS Lone Star feature at Kennedale Speedway Park

Brian McClelland topped the opening leg of the Kennedale parking lot challenge by earning a much-needed victory in Friday night’s frenetic 25-lap American Sprint Car Series Lone Star Region main event at Kennedale Speedway Park.

The two-time ASCS Sooner Region champion hailing from Tulsa, OK, cashed in on Travis Rilat’s late misfortune, pacing the final handful of circuits to the checkered flag after Rilat surrendered the point with steering woes.

“This year has been the worst, we really needed this one,” a relieved McClelland commented after his second overall ASCS Regional win of the year. “In fact, we both needed it,” he stated in reference to long-time Sooner Region car owner Ronnie Davis, whom he joined forces with several weeks ago.

McClelland’s final stint at the front of the pack was his third different time to lead the wild 25-lapper after starting from the outside pole position aboard Davis’ D&L Performance Machine No. 25 Eagle.

Outgunning pole starter Skip Wilson for the lead at the drop of the green flag, McClelland reached the tail of the field in just three circuits on the tight ¼-mile clay oval, establishing what would become a recurring theme in the race.

“It seemed like it was just two or three laps and you were beating on lapped traffic again,” McClelland explained. “And those guys were racing for position too, it was tough.”

McClelland gave up the lead for the first time when Wilson took advantage of traffic on the sixth round. McClelland battled back three laps later, only to have Michael Lang’s turn one spin bring out a caution that negated the move.

McClelland wasted little time on the restart though, blasting past Wilson in turns three and four to reclaim the lead on the ninth circuit. “He left an opening and I was able to take advantage.”

With traffic an ever-present factor and cars throughout the field often bicycling at either end of the track, ninth-starter Rilat was on the move. Up to third by the time Lang spun, Rilat raced past Wilson for second on the tenth round and began putting the heat on McClelland for the point.

Finding the opening he needed, Rilat charged into the lead on the 14th circuit and appeared to be destined for victory lane until steering issues forced him to a stop in turn two on the 21st lap.

Back up front with three lapped cars between himself and Wilson on the final restart, there was no stopping McClelland from capturing his seventh career ASCS Regional win and first since teaming with Wichita Falls, TX, car owner Davis.

Wilson held on for runner-up honors, with Kolt Walker taking the show position. Eric Baldaccini climbed a half-dozen positions to snare fourth, while eighth-starter and current ASCS Lone Star points leader Kevin Ramey worked up to third and then lost a pair of positions in the final laps to round out the top five.

J.P. Bailey was sixth, with 18th-starter Brad Welborn, Matt Clevenger, Lang and Arizona’s Ben Gregg completing the top ten.

Bailey, Walker, McClelland and Clevenger topped heat race action for Friday night’s 31-car field, with Gregg winning the 15-lap “B” Main.

Scott Reneau got upside down lining up for the night’s third heat race, with Billy Melton taking a hard ride down the backstretch on the opening lap of the “B” Main. Melton walked away uninjured, while Reneau ultimately finished 13th in the “A” Main.

After contact with Chad Wilson, Topeka, KS, shoe Chris Morgan took out some of the infield signage towards turn three and four in the main event.

The ASCS Lone Star Region moves across the parking lot to Cowtown Speedway on Saturday night for the second leg of the Kennedale parking lot challenge.

ASCS Lone Star Results from Kennedale Speedway Park:

Heat One (8 Laps): 1. 45-J.P. Bailey, 2. 14-Michael Lang, 3. 7m-Kevin Ramey, 4. 69-Larry Howery, 5. 22j-John Gaston, 6. 88-Andy Rea, 7. 58-Gary Floyd, 8. 45x-Martin Edwards.

Heat Two (8 Laps): 1. 45k-Kolt Walker, 2. 11-Justin Melton, 3. 65-Skip Wilson, 4. 22b-Ben Gregg, 5. 39-Marvin Lough, 6. 17w-Brad Welborn, 7. 5c-Chris Coker, 8. 87x-Billy Melton.

Heat Three (8 Laps): 1. 25-Brian McClelland, 2. 87a-Andrew Marshala, 3. 29-Travis Rilat, 4. 74-Claud Estes, 5. 76-John Ricketts, 6. 71T-Shane Thompson, 7. 14b-Robert Byrom, 8. 1r-Scott Reneau.

Heat Four (8 Laps): 1. 31m-Matt Clevenger, 2. 0-Chris Morgan, 3. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 4. 9-Brian Parker, 5. 20-Chad Wilson, 6. 5m-Glenn Martin. DNS: 26-Dalton Steed.

“B” Feature (15 Laps): 1. 22b-Ben Gregg, 2. 17w-Brad Welborn, 3. 1r-Scott Reneau, 4. 20-Chad Wilson, 5. 5m-Glenn Martin, 6. 9-Brian Parker, 7. 5c-Chris Coker, 8. 45x-Martin Edwards, 9. 76-John Ricketts, 10. 88-Andy Rea, 11. 71T-Shane Thompson, 12. 87x-Billy Melton. DNS: 14b-Robert Byrom, 58-Gary Floyd, 26-Dalton Steed.

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 25-Brian McClelland, 2. 65-Skip Wilson, 3. 45k-Kolt Walker, 4. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 5. 7m-Kevin Ramey, 6. 45-J.P. Bailey, 7. 17w-Brad Welborn, 8. 31m-Matt Clevenger, 9. 14-Michael Lang, 10. 22b-Ben Gregg, 11. 22j-John Gaston, 12. 74e-Claud Estes, 13. 1r-Scott Reneau, 14. 29-Travis Rilat, 15. 11-Justin Melton, 16. 20-Chad Wilson, 17. 0-Chris Morgan, 18. 69-Larry Howery, 19. 39-Marvin Lough, 20. 87a-Andrew Marshala.

ASCS Lone Star Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Kevin Ramey 1,550, 2. Brad Welborn 1,460, 3. Justin Melton 1,396, 4. Matt Clevenger 1,376, 5. Claud Estes 1,365, 6. Michael Lang 1,347, 7. Eric Baldaccini 1,319, 8. Kolt Walker 1,243, 9. Scott Reneau 1,218, 10. Brian McClelland 1,186.

by Lonnie Wheatley

ASCS Lone Star Region visits Kennedale Speeway Park and Cowtown Speedway this weekend

There’s not another layout like it. No other site has two different dirt tracks separated by little more than a parking lot.

Sprint Car fans will have the opportunity to check out this unique configuration this weekend near Fort Worth, TX, as the American Sprint Car Series Lone Star Region takes to the pair of Kennedale ¼-mile clay ovals.

On Friday night, the series invades Kennedale Speedway Park. Then, on Saturday night, it’s a couple of hundred yards across the parking lot to the high banks of Cowtown Speedway.

Kevin Ramey, who was topped both Lone Star events at Cowtown this year, leads the way into the weekend with an 86-point advantage in the chase for the inaugural ASCS Lone Star championship. The Fort Worth shoe is trying to add Lone Star accolades to a pair of previous Sooner Region crowns.

Ramey’s closest chaser is Brad Welborn, an ASCS winner at Cowtown last year. Welborn is 48 markers ahead of Flower Mound’s Justin Melton, with fellow Flower Mound shoe Matt Clevenger and Godley’s Claud Estes rounding out the current top five.

The balance of the current top ten in Lone Star points includes Mesquite’s Michael Lang, Keller’s Eric Baldaccini, Graham’s Kolt Walker, Kemp’s Scott Reneau and Burleson’s John Ricketts.

While Ramey has topped both previous Lone Star events at Cowtown this season, Baldaccini took top honors in the series’ lone previous stop at Kennedale Speedway Park.

This weekend’s Kennedale Speedway Park-Cowtown double marks the first of three consecutive weekends of Lone Star competition, with challenge events versus the ASCS Gulf South Region at Crandall’s RPM Speedway and Mesquite’s Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Labor Day weekend (September 4-5) followed up by a September 12 stop at Kilgore’s Lone Star Speedway.

Both nights of racing action are slated to get under way at 7:00 p.m.

The pair of Kennedale, TX, tracks are located just east of Fort Worth off I-20 Exit 442-A, then 1.7 miles southeast on Mansfield Highway, then 1.4 miles southwest on New Hope Road.

The semi-banked, ¼-mile Kennedale Speedway Park dirt oval may be reached at 817-478-7223 or 817-229-0287, while the high-banked, ¼-mile Cowtown Speedway dirt oval can be contacted at 817-478-9952.

The inaugural slate of ASCS Lone Star Region competition consists of 18 events at nine different tracks throughout North Texas in addition to one venture north of the Red River to Oklahoma City’s State Fair Speedway.

Past ASCS Regional Feature Winners at Kennedale Speedway Park:
7/11/09 – Eric Baldaccini
7/25/08 – Joe Wood, Jr.
6/27/08 – Joe Wood, Jr.

Past ASCS Regional Feature Winners at Cowtown Speedway:
6/27/09 – Kevin Ramey (Lone Star)
4/4/09 – Kevin Ramey (Lone Star)
10/11/08 – Brian Brown (National vs. Sooner)
10/10/08 – Gavin Punch (National vs. Sooner)
8/23/08 – Kolt Walker (Gulf South)
7/26/08 – Brad Welborn (Sooner)
5/17/08 – Gary Taylor (Sooner)
4/5/08 – Travis Rilat (Sooner)
9/15/07 - Nick Smith (Sooner)
7/7/07 - Brian McClelland (Sooner)
4/14/07 - Kevin Ramey (Sooner)
9/23/06 - Travis Rilat (Sooner)
6/10/06 - Sam Hafertepe, Jr. (Sooner)
4/8/06 - Sam Hafertepe, Jr. (Sooner)
9/24/05 - Travis Rilat (Sooner)
6/25/05 - Jason Martin (National vs. Sooner)
4/9/05 - Sean McClelland (Sooner)
9/25/04 - Andy Shouse (Sooner)
5/29/04 - Kevin Ramey (Sooner)

The American Sprint Car Series, in its 18th year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing events, brings the best of Sprint Car racing to nearly 100 different tracks throughout 25 states and Canada in 2009. Anchored by the Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series presented by K&N Filters, ASCS also consists of a dozen different Regions throughout the nation.

Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com.

by Lonnie Wheatley

Eric Baldaccini takes ASCS Lone Star feature at Kennedale Speedway Park

Eric Baldaccini put a halt to the Joe Wood, Jr. domination of Kennedale Speedway Park by winning Saturday night’s 25-lap ASCS Lone Star Region main event atop the ¼-mile dirt oval.

Baldaccini wrestled the lead away from Wood in the final handful of circuits to post his second Lone Star win of the season aboard his father’s Smiley’s Racing Products No. 4 Maxim.

Kolt Walker paced the opening nine laps of the feature before Wood, who topped both ASCS Regional events at Kennedale Speedway Park, took command. Wood led until slipping too high in turns one and two on the 21st lap to open the door for Baldaccini.

Baldaccini beat Wood to the stripe, with Brad Welborn, Walker and Marvin Lough rounding out the top five. Current ASCS Lone Star points leader Kevin Ramey was sixth, with Justin Melton, Scott Reneau, Michael Lang and Robert Sellers completing the top ten.

Melton, Wood and Ramey topped heat race action, with Chad Wilson winning the “B” Main.

ASCS Lone Star Region Results from Kennedale Speedway Park:

Heat One (8 Laps): 1. 11-Justin Melton, 2. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 3. 31m-Matt Clevenger, 4. 1r-Scott Reneau, 5. 25-Robert Sellers, 6. 5m-Glenn Martin, 7. 9-Brian Parker, 8. 14b-Robert Byrom, 9. 12-Shawn Mize.

Heat Two (8 Laps): 1. 03-Joe Wood, Jr., 2. 65-Skip Wilson, 3. 39-Marvin Lough, 4. 76-John Ricketts, 5. 74e-Claud Estes, 6. 87x-Billy Melton, 7. 26-Dalton Steed, 8. 40-Junior Jenkins, 9. 88-Andy Rea.

Heat Three (8 Laps): 1. 7m-Kevin Ramey, 2. 17w-Brad Welborn, 3. 45k-Kolt Walker, 4. 14-Michael Lang, 5. 20-Chad Wilson, 6. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 7. 71T-Shane Thompson, 8. 5c-Chris Coker.

“B” Feature (12 Laps): 1. 20-Chad Wilson, 2. 87x-Billy Melton, 3. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 4. 40-Junior Jenkins, 5. 12-Shawn Mize, 6. 14b-Robert Byrom, 7. 5m-Glenn Martin, 8. 9-Brian Parker, 9. 71T-Shane Thompson, 10. 26-Dalton Steed, 11. 88-Andy Rea, 12. 5c-Chris Coker.

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 2. 03-Joe Wood, Jr., 3. 17w-Brad Welborn, 4. 45k-Kolt Walker, 5. 39-Marvin Lough, 6. 7m-Kevin Ramey, 7. 11-Justin Melton, 8. 1r-Scott Reneau, 9. 14-Michael Lang, 10. 25-Robert Sellers, 11. 74e-Claud Estes, 12. 31m-Matt Clevenger, 13. 20-Chad Wilson, 14. 40-Junior Jenkins, 15. 14b-Robert Byrom, 16. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 17. 12-Shawn Mize, 18. 65-Skip Wilson, 19. 87x-Billy Melton, 20. 76-John Ricketts.

ASCS Lone Star Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Kevin Ramey 1,282, 2. Brad Welborn 1,210, 3. (tie) Justin Melton and Matt Clevenger 1,140, 5. Claud Estes 1,097, 6. Michael Lang 1,091, 7. Eric Baldaccini 1,033, 8. Scott Reneau 994, 9. Robert Sellers 979, 10. Kolt Walker 967.

by Lonnie Wheatley

Two more in Texas - RPM Speedway and Kennedale Speedway Park - for ASCS Lone Star Region this weekend

The North Texas Sprint Car racing scene fires back to life this weekend as the American Sprint Car Series Lone Star Region takes to a pair of DFW Metroplex ovals.

On Friday night, the series breaks new ground at Crandall’s RPM Speedway. Then, on Saturday night, the series travels west to Kennedale Speedway Park near Fort Worth.

Friday’s card atop the cozy confines of RPM Speedway marks the series debut atop the newly-built oval in its first year of operation. The series’ originally scheduled RPM debut on May 15 was rained out.

Saturday’s event at Kennedale Speedway Park marks the first of two events at the track just across the parking lot from series fixture Cowtown Speedway. Oklahoma City’s Joe Wood, Jr., topped both Regional events at Kennedale Speedway Park last year.

In the inaugural season of ASCS Lone Star competition, Fort Worth’s Kevin Ramey is out to the lead in championship points chase with a 66-point advantage over Princeton’s Brad Welborn. Two-time and reigning Sooner Region champion Brian McClelland of Tulsa, OK, is third in points, with the Flower Mound duo of Matt Clevenger and Justin Melton rounding out the current top five.

The balance of the current top ten in ASCS Lone Star points includes Michael Lang (Mesquite), Claud Estes (Godley), Kolt Walker (Graham), J.P. Bailey (Fort Worth) and Eric Baldaccini (Keller).

With the initial seven events of the season in the books, Ramey is the series only repeat winner by topping both events at Cowtown. Other event winners include Skip Wilson, Nick Smith, Gary Wright, Jerry Bell and Baldaccini.

Friday’s racing action at RPM Speedway is slated to go green at 8:30 p.m., with Saturday’s card at Kennedale Speedway Park firing off at 7:00 p.m.

The semi-banked, ¼-mile RPM Speedway dirt oval is located southeast of Crandall, TX, on US 175 to CR 4106 (Bud Story Road exit) to the intersection of CR 4104. For more information, contact the track at 972-427-6822.

The semi-banked, ¼-mile Kennedale Speedway Park dirt oval is located in Kennedale, TX, just east of Fort Worth off I-20 Exit 442-A, then 1.7 miles southeast on Mansfield Highway, then 1.6 miles southwest on New Hope Road, then 0.3 miles east on Hudson Village Creek Road. For more information, contact the track at 817-478-7223 or 817-229-0287.

The inaugural slate of ASCS Lone Star Region competition consists of 18 events at nine different tracks throughout North Texas in addition to one venture north of the Red River to Oklahoma City’s State Fair Speedway.

Past ASCS Regional Feature Winners at RPM Speedway:
None – First Sprint Car event in track history

Past ASCS Regional Feature Winners at Kennedale Speedway Park:
7/25/08 – Joe Wood, Jr.
6/27/08 – Joe Wood, Jr.

The American Sprint Car Series, in its 18th year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing events, brings the best of Sprint Car racing to nearly 100 different tracks throughout 25 states and Canada in 2009. Anchored by the Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series presented by K&N Filters, ASCS also consists of a dozen different Regions throughout the nation.

Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com.

by Lonnie Wheatley

Eric Baldaccini bags ASCS Lone Star Region sprint car feature at Boyd Raceway

Baldaccini Bags ASCS Lone Star Win at Boyd

Lonnie Wheatley, BOYD, Texas (June 26, 2009) – Eric Baldaccini became the sixth different winner in as many American Sprint Car Series Lone Star Region events by topping Friday night’s 25-lap feature at Boyd Raceway.

The 21-year-old overtook early pace setter Robert Sellers en route to capturing his second triumph of the year aboard Harry Baldaccini’s Smiley’s Racing Products No. 4 Maxim after posting his first career ASCS victory in Gulf South action just six weeks earlier.

Taking the point before a lap 18 red flag for Kolt Walker’s tip over, Baldaccini took the checkered flag in front of current ASCS Lone Star point leader Kevin Ramey, who took the runner-up slot away from Sellers in the final handful of circuits.

Sellers settled for the show position, with Matt Clevenger and Tennessee’s Don Young rounding out the top five. Billy Melton was sixth, with J.P. Bailey in seventh. Brian McClelland picked up Hard Charger honors by racing from 17th to eighth, with Michael Lang and Scott Reneau completing the top ten.

Two-time ASCS Gulf South champion Brandon Berryman, Melton, Brad Welborn and Sellers topped heat race action for the 28-car field, with McClelland winning the “B” Main.

ASCS Lone Star Region Results from Boyd Raceway:

Heat One (8 Laps): 1. 31-Brandon Berryman, 2. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 3. 14-Michael Lang, 4. 20-Chad Wilson, 5. 40-Junior Jenkins, 6. 26-Dalton Steed, 7. 5m-Glenn Martin.

Heat Two (8 Laps): 1. 87x-Billy Melton, 2. 74e-Claud Estes, 3. 7m-Kevin Ramey, 4. 11-Justin Melton, 5. 87-Brian McClelland, 6. 33-Kris Miller, 7. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr.

Heat Three (8 Laps): 1. 17w-Brad Welborn, 2. 65-Skip Wilson, 3. 45k-Kolt Walker, 4. 1r-Scott Reneau, 5. 76-John Ricketts, 6. 45x-Martin Edwards, 7. 10-George White.

Heat Four (8 Laps): 1. 25-Robert Sellers, 2. 31m-Matt Clevenger, 3. 75-Don Young, 4. 45-J.P. Bailey, 5. 14b-Robert Byrom, 6. 9-Brian Parker, 7. 69-Larry Howery.

“B” Feature (12 Laps): 1. 87-Brian McClelland, 2. 1r-Scott Reneau, 3. 11-Justin Melton, 4. 45x-Martin Edwards, 5. 10-George White, 6. 33-Kris Miller, 7. 76-John Ricketts, 8. 26-Dalton Steed, 9. 5m-Glenn Martin, 10. 69-Larry Howery, 11. 9-Brian Parker, 12. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr.

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 2. 7m-Kevin Ramey, 3. 25-Robert Sellers, 4. 31m-Matt Clevenger, 5. 75-Don Young, 6. 87x-Billy Melton, 7. 45-J.P. Bailey, 8. 87-Brian McClelland, 9. 14-Michael Lang, 10. 1r-Scott Reneau, 11. 11-Justin Melton, 12. 45k-Kolt Walker, 13. 20-Chad Wilson, 14. 31-Brandon Berryman, 15. 17w-Brad Welborn, 16. 65-Skip Wilson, 17. 45x-Martin Edwards, 18. 40-Junior Jenkins, 19. 74e-Claud Estes, 20. 14b-Robert Byrom.

ASCS Lone Star Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Kevin Ramey 844, 2. Brad Welborn 788, 3. Brian McClelland 786, 4. Matt Clevenger 762, 5. Kolt Walker 750, 6. Justin Melton 720, 7. Michael Lang 719, 8. J.P. Bailey 711, 9. Eric Baldaccini 698, 10. Claud Estes 697.

by Lonnie Wheatley
Photo by Tim Aylwin

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