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Covington claims Heart O’ Texas ASCS Regional Showdown win

Matt Covington scored one for The Oil Medics ASCS Lone Star ranks by topping Friday night’s 25-lap main event pitting the Lone Star Region versus the Smiley’s Racing Products ASCS Gulf South Region at Heart O’ Texas Speedway.

The current ASCS Lone Star points leader assumed the point on the 12th round and went on to post his second Regional triumph of the year aboard Dennis Marshala’s Wesmar-powered Oilfield Equipment & Manufacturing No. 11c Triple X.

Thirty-five drivers, from four states, signed in the do battle on the high-banked ,¼ mile, dirt track just north of Waco in front of a near capacity crowd.

All the heavy hitters were in attendance as the top ten points chasers from each region signed in, with Matt Covington (Lone Star) and George White (Gulf South) leading their contingents. The feature line up was nearly a 50/50 split with 13 Lone Star Region drivers and 11 Gulf South racers filling the 24-car field after the heats and B-mains. The number could have reversed had Greg Rilat and Michael McNeil not tangled in their B-main while running in the top two positions.

Heat race action saw Bean Elliott, Ray Allen Kulhanek, Covington and Chris Sweeney take wins, with B-mains going to Chad Wilson and Claud Estes. Dustin Welch and Martin Edwards took tumbles in their heats, both were alright. Edwards recovered to transfer from his B-main, but Welch was done for the night.

Lone Star Region points leader Matt Covington used a picture perfect slide job on early leader Brandon Berryman to get the point in the 25-lap ASCS Sprint Car main event. Covington worked his way up from his second row starting spot and put the slider on Berryman during a lap 6 restart. From there Covington built a comfortable over Berryman and Travis Rilat who tried, unsuccessfully, to close up in traffic.

Getting the 24-car ASCS Sprint Car feature underway was harder than herding cats as it took four attempts to get the race under green. The first try saw Tommy Bryant slide off turn 4. Try number two had Evan Pardo spin in turn 4, while Chad Wilson tipped over in turn 3. Debris slowed the third attempt.

Finally a clean lap with Brandon Berryman beating Chris Sweeney into turn 1. Sweeney tried low off turn 4, but it was former Gulf South champ, Berryman holding the point. Sweeney fell in line second pursued by another GS champ, Ray Allen Kulhanek, Covington and Mike Goodman. Travis Rilat made an early charge getting by Eric Baldacinni for sixth on lap 3.

Sweeney got sideways, with Kulhanek checking up allowing Covington to get by for second. Berryman was out to a good lead when John Ricketts spun in turn 1 for a lap 6 caution erasing Berryman’s advantage. When the green flew again Covington dove under Berryman in turn 1, slid up in turn 2 executing a classic slide job for the lead on lap 7.

Berryman, Goodman and Sweeney went three wide for second, with Berryman holding the position and Goodman up to third. Goodman then picked off Berryman for second on lap 8 only to have yellow wave for a spin by Kulhanek in turn 4. On the restart Goodman had to repass Berryman for second, while Rilat and Baldacinni battled for fifth.

Berryman retook second from Goodman, who began to slow, with Rilat getting past Sweeney for fourth which became third after Goodman rolled to stop in turn 2 for a yellow. Covington got a big jump as the race went back to green and Baldacinni trying to charge on top. Coming to halfway it was Covington stretching his lead over Berryman, Rilat, Sweeney with Baldacinni and Channin Tankersley side by side for fifth.

Michael Lang spun off turn 4 collecting Brandon Corn with Cody Whitworth lightly tagging Corn trying to stop. Covington got away clean on the restart while Rilat pressured Berryman for second and Baldacinni took fourth Sweeney. With five to go Covington ran up on traffic, with Berryman and Rilat trying to reel him in. Covington, in the Oilfield Equipment & Manufacturing, CG Martin Company, Keizer Wheels, T&L Foundry, Butler Built, Winters, DMI, Pro Shocks, Brodix, Factor 1, Wesmar Race Engines, Triple X Chassis, cleared traffic and held his margin at the checkers.

ASCS Sprint Cars

1. 11c Matt Covington
2. 31 Brandon Berryman
3. 29 Travis Elliott
4. 4 Eric Baldacinni
5. 71 Channin Tankersley
6. 93 Chris Sweeney
7. 10 George White
8. 25 Brian McClelland
9. 28 Tommy Bryant
19. 74E Claud Estes
11. 45 Martin Edwards
12. 54 Evan Pardo
13. 19 Klint Angelette
14. 51 Beau Smith
16. 76 John Ricketts
17. 14b Robert Byrom
18. 50 Cody Whitworth
19. 14 Michael Lang
20. 30x Bean Elliott
21. 30 Brandon Corn
22.11g Mike Goodman
23. 15t Travis Elliott
24. 21t Ray Allen Kulhanek
25. 20 Chad Wilson

ASCS B-main 1 (12 laps, top 3 to A-main)

20 Chad Wilson, 25 Brian McClelland, 15t Travis Elliott, 36 John Pate, 74x Joshua Hodges, 69 Larry Howery, 24 Brandi Hass, 11 Justin Melton, 52 Roger Oakes

ASCS B-main 2 (12 laps, top 3 to A-main)

74E Claud Estes, 30 Brandon Corn, 45 Martin Edwards, 12 Dale Wester, 17 Bruce Griffith jr., 25m Michael McNeil, 35 Greg Rilat, 7w Dustin Welch—DNS

ASCS Heats(top 18 in passing points to A-main)

Heat 1
30x Bean Elliott, 76 John Ricketts, 14b Robert Byrom, 10 George White, 15t Travis Elliott, 25 Brian McClelland, 35 Greg Rilat, 24 Brandi Hass, 52 Roger Oakes–DNS

Heat 2
21t Ray Allen Kulhanek, 4 Eric Baldacinni, 11g Mike Goodman, 50 Cody Whitworth, 51 Beau Smith, 69 Larry Howery, 11 Justin Melton, 45 Martin Edwards, 7w Dustin Welch

Heat 3
11c Matt Covington, 54 Evan Pardo, 29 Travis Rilat, 71 Channin Tankersley, 14 Michael Lang, 30 Brandon Corn, 36 John Pate, 20 Chad Wilson, 74x Joshua Hodges

Heat 4
93 Chris Sweeney, 28 Tommy Bryant, 31 Brandon Berryman, 19 Klint Angelette, 25m Michael McNeil, 74E Claud Estes, 12 Dale Wester, 17 Bruce Griffith jr

Also in action were the IMCA Modifieds, Southern Sportmods and Hobby Stocks, all running features only. Street Stock, Pure Stocks, Cruisers, Twisters and Jr. Mini Stocks filled the remainder of the nights racing card.

White Wires IMCA Modified Main

Starting straight up by points in all the IMCA Classes, the IMCA Modified feature shaped up to be a shootout between track and national points rivals Keith White and Chase Jupe. An early incident involving Jupe kept that from ever happening leaving the multi-time IMCA Southern Sportmod National Champion, virtually alone up front throughout the 20-lap race.

As the green waved on the 18-car field White was first into turn 1. Jupe got sideways off turn 2 stacking up the inside line with several cars making contact in the melee. Doyle Massa brought out a lap 1 caution with a spin in turn 3. The yellow gave several drivers, including Jupe, the chance to pit and assess damage. Jupe tried to return, but finally pulled off before the restart.

White got away clean on the restart while Pat McGuire and last weeks winner, Ben Ketteman stayed side by side for second until McGuire finally secured the spot. As the top seven sorted out single file, Justin Radcliff, Justin Redmon and Ricky Kizer were three wide for eighth. Radcliff and Redmon then caught Dwayne Grantham trying three abreast for seventh on lap 6.

Radcliff’s run to the front ended on lap 8 with a flat right front and trip into the wall in turn 2. Back under green coming to the crossed flags it was White, McGuire, Ketteman, Keith Green and Steve MacIsaac in the top five. Grantham expired a motor with Joe Spillman slapping the wall behind him. Grantham rolled to the infield and Spillman soldiered on without caution.

Ketteman and McGuire then began a battle for second as they swapped the spot Redmon slipped past MacIsaac for fifth. Making a charge from the back, Andrew Simmerman was next to put MacIsaac back a spot. As the white flag waved, White had a ¾ straightaway lead and easily cruised on to the win the Traceys Auto Sales, Braka Operating, BSB Manufacturing, Belton Metals, Tubbs Paint & Body, Kempner Iron & Steel, TCI, Temple Iron & Metal, Extreme Graphics, racinwithneal.com, Stephenville Starter, CenTex Motorsports powered Hughes Chassis.

IMCA Modifieds

1 Keith White, 37 Ben Ketteman, 9 Pat McGuire, 5 Keith Green, 21 Justin Redmon, 15x Andrew Simmerman, 45t Eric Tomlinson, 14 Joe O’Bryan, 38 Billy Bachmeyer jr 22k Ricky Kizer, 21x Jimmie Helona, 43 Steve MacIsaac, 44s Joe Spillman, 27 Dewayne Grantham, 11j Justin Radcliff, 2x Brandon Stewart, 303 Chase Jupe, 31 Doyle Massa

Green vs. Green for Gold in Sportmod Scramble

It was a family feud of sorts as the Green brothers, Kevin and TJ, battled it for the IMCA Southern Sportmod win. K. Green ed the first half of the 20-lapper, but lapped traffic gave TJ an opening to take over and lead the last half of the event in the Greens Automatic Transmissions, Hewitt Gun Shop, Lambs Muffler, Hewitt Pawn Shop, Du-All Contracting, Stewart Stainless, Simpson Race Products, Outlaw Race Engines, TRE Chassis.

The sibling rivalry began early with the Green boys leading the 16-car field to the green flag. K. Green outran TJ Green into turn 1 for the lead. TJ Green, Chris Cogburn, Ronnie Bell jr. and Randy Doyle fell in line behind the leader. Shelly Sakhnini brought out an early caution with a spin on lap 1. Once back to green again Sid Kiphen squirted through the middle of a three wide fight between he, Doyle and Bell.

Kiphen spun on lap 2 and fell to the back, while Doyle got the black flag, ending his night. As the lead group came up on lapped traffic, Kenny Merritt spun in front of them. TJ Green was able get by K. Green for the lead, while Cogburn spun to the infield. The new top five at halfway was TJ Green, K. Green, Bell, Brandon Guerin and Cody Daniels.

The two Green boys continue to dice through traffic, while Guerin and Bell were forced three wide around a slower car. Guerin and Bell were still wheel to wheel, as K. Green stayed on TJ Greens bumper. As the checkers waved TJ Green held off K. Green for the victory, with Guerin sneaking by Bell at the line for third.

IMCA Southern Sportmods

55 TJ Green, 5 Kevin Green, sly1 Brandon Guerin, 95 Ronnie Bell, 76s Cody Daniels, 101 Johnny Sheets, 11 Mark McDaniel, 118 Russell White, 75 Edward Schmidt, v18 Kenny Merritt, 23s Shelly Sakhnini, 5c Chris Cogburn, 702 Brian Walker, 58 Sid Kiphen, 134 Ronnie Warren, 65 Randy Doyle—BF

Gaunet Goes Green to Checkers for Hobby Honors

Michael Gaunet wired the IMCA Hobby Stock feature with a flag to flag win in the 20-lap event. Gaunet built a lead while Jeremy Oliver, Andy Roller and Garrett Rawls who slugged it for second. In the waning laps Gaunet, in the Greens Automatic Transmissions, Lambs Muffler, South West Maintenance, Renschlers Automotive car, held off a challenge by Oliver for the victory.

Gaunet was out front first as the 18-car IMCA Hobby Stock field took the green. Behind him, Oliver, Roller and Rawls were three wide for second, with Oliver getting the spot. Shannon Dulock moved in the go three abreast with Roller and Rawls on lap 2. Oliver was pressuring Gaunet for the lead, with Roller and Dulock swapping third.

The battle up front ran into traffic with Oliver getting slowed by a lapped car, giving Gaunet breathing room until caution waved for debris on lap 9. On the restart Oliver got along side Gaunet, who held the point. Roller and Dulock continue to trade third until Dulock slapped the wall ending his night. Gaunet hung on to the top spot in the final laps for the win, while Jeremy Wininger got by Rawls coming to the checkers.

IMCA Hobby Stocks

25 Michael Gaunet, 82 Jeremy Oliver, 63 Andy Roller, 41 Jeremy Wininger, 82g Garrett Rawls, 38 Allen Montgomery, 28 Richard Pickens, 7 Jaron Shahan, 53 Robert Scrivner, 77 Bill Siegman jr., 14 Zack Riley, 47 Shannon Dulock, 21j Jordan Kornegay, 74 Chris Grusendorf, 23 Michael Hilliard, 18 Jeremy Hendrix, 13r Brandon Nichols, 3D Dylan Smith, 45 Ray Kemp jr.

The 15-lap Street Stock feature saw a great three car scramble up front between the Andrews, Greg and Doug, and Bobby Mercer. G. Andrews got the point early chased by Mercer, Ed Thompson, Lewis Blackwood and D. Andrews. D. Andrews quickly worked his way to third, while Mercer was challenging G Andrews for the lead.

David Khoury brought out a yellow on lap 8 when he broke and stopped in turn 4. On the restart D. Andrews snuck past both Mercer and G. Andrews who were battling between each other. Mercer and G. Andrews swapped second nearly lap for lap as they tried to keep pace with D. Andrews. At the checkers it was D. Andrews holding off G. Andrews for the win.

Street Stocks

1 Doug Andrews, 8 Greg Andrews, 4 Bobby Mercer jr, 3a Matt Hood, 181 Ed Thompson, 84x Adam Schwarz , 73 Jason Gauntt, 74 Lewis Blackwood, 71 Tommy Kirkpatrick, 32 Bill Eller, 173 David Khoury

Street Stock heat winners; 8 Greg Andrews, 173 David Khoury

In the 15-lap Pure Stock feature Melvin Kemp jumped out front first trailed by Cody Shaw, Ryan Hopkins, Jeff Sheppard and Weston Glaser. Glaser, Hopkins and Sheppard were three wide for third with Glaser getting the spot. Tommy Honey, in a borrowed ride from Jack Jenkins, grabbed a top five spot getting by Kevin Smith. Honey and Sheppard made contact scrapping from fourth with Sheppard going around, and Honey receiving the black flag. Up front it was all Kemp as he motored away to the victory.

Pure Stocks

54 Melvin Kemp, 9 Cody Shaw, 15 Weston Glaser, 57 Kevin Smith, 4 Ryan Hopkins, 17 Jeff Sheppard, 8 Tim Homeyer, 117 Devin Adler , j33 Jamie Haynes, 27 Thomas Schmidt, 13 Cameron Smith, 24 Chris Wills, 22(18) Tommy Honey—BF, 22 Jack Jenkins —DNS

Pure Stock heat winners; 4 Ryan Hopkins, 9 Cody Shaw

Anthony Simcik grabbed the early lead in the 15-lap Cruiser feature trailed by David Andrews, Russell Bullock and Jr. Jean. Andrews and Bullock were fighting for second when Simcik got loose off turn 2 giving Andrews a look inside. Simcik again had trouble, this time in turn 4, going around and giving up the lead to Andrews on lap 9. Bullock gave Andrews a run at the end but it was Andrews holding on for the win.

Cruisers

8 David Andrews, 1 Russell Bullock, 24 Dwain Wills, 11 Marshall Saucedo, 44d William Dean, 9 Andrew Richards, 47 Jr. Jean, 53 Jason Honey, 23 Les Maxwell, 8w Steve Wade, 28 Billy Williams, 44 Anthony Simcik, 5n Amy Nichols

James Cochran jumped out front at the start of the 12-lap Twister feature, with Tommy Hultz working to second and Don Krahn third, with a four wide battle for fourth. Cochran and Hultz pulled away as Krahn retired early leaving John Fikes third. Hultz challenged the young Cochran who held steady. Fikes car gave up on the last lap from his top three spot. At the checkers it was the 13-year ol Cochran taking his first ever feature win.

Twisters
1. James Cochran II (Harker Heights, TX)
2. Tommy Hultz (Kempner, TX)
3. George Clarkson (Kempner, TX)
4. Clayton Clarkson (Kempner, TX)
5. Johnny Japort (China Spring, TX)
6 Katy Baur (Crawford, TX)
7. Dena Wachsmann (West, TX)
8. Ronnie Bell, Jr. (Waco, TX)
9. John Fikes (Waco, TX)
10. Don Krahn (Round Rock, TX)

Driver of the week, Jarrett Roberts picked up win number nine in the Jr. Mini Stock feature in dominating fashion. Kayleigh Kornegay and Jarrett Charnock made contact early sending Charnock around and Kornegay to the pits. This left Roberts alone out front. Alex DePalma and Taylor Florio gave chase, but had nothing for Roberts as the field separated out leaving Roberts cruising to the victory.

Jr. Mini Stock
1. Jarrett Roberts (Temple, TX)
2. Alexis DePalma (Woodway, TX)
3. Taylor Florio (Copperas Cove, TX)
4. Jarrett Charnock (Belton, TX)
5. Robby Black (Mart, TX)
6. Kayleigh Kornegay (China Spring, TX)

Story by J M Hallas (portions contributed by ASCS PR)
Front page photo by Karen Davis

Joe Wood, Jr, whips ASCS Foes in Devil’s Bowl Summer Nationals

Joe Wood, Jr., padded his American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region points lead by topping Saturday’s main event at the Devil’s Bowl Summer Nationals that pitted the ASCS Sooner forces versus The Oil Medics ASCS Lone Star Region contenders.

The ASCS Sooner champion in 2009, Wood, Jr., assumed the point on lap 18 and went on to post his first win of the year and fifth of his career aboard the familiar No. 03 machine.

While Wood, Jr., started Saturday’s Summer Nationals finale inside the second row, it was front row outside starter Kevin Ramey gunning into the lead at the outset and pacing the initial 17 circuits until spinning exiting turn four with a broken left front shock tower.

Wood, Jr., still had to earn the win though, as ninth-starter Brady Bacon pulled alongside to challenge for the top spot in the final corner, only to have Wood, Jr., beat the Broken Arrow, OK, racer to the line for the $2,000 triumph.

Bacon settled for runner-up honors for the second night in a row, with New Mexico’s Joshua Hodges claiming the show position. Dustin Morgan climbed ten spots from 14th to fourth, with Andy Shouse rounding out the top five.

Defending ASCS Lone Star champion Eric Baldaccini was sixth, with Dale Wester, Brandon Corn, 19th-starter Justin Melton and Friday night winner Tony Bruce, Jr., completing the top ten.

Wood, Jr., Hodges and Wester won Saturday night’s heat races, with Melton winning the “B” Main.

The Oil Medics ASCS Lone Star Region versus American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region Results from Devil’s Bowl Speedway:

First Heat (8 Laps): 1. 03-Joe Wood, Jr., 2. 27-Andy Shouse, 3. 14-Michael Lang, 4. 11c-Matt Covington, 5. 99-Brady Bacon, 6. 2L-Logan Payne, 7. 74e-Claud Estes, 8. 45-Martin Edwards, 9. 77-Colt Treharn.

Second Heat (8 Laps): 1. 74x-Joshua Hodges, 2. 7-Michelle Decker, 3. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 4. 30-Brandon Corn, 5. 2-Dustin Morgan, 6. 54-Evan Pardo, 7. 110-Cameron Hagin, 8. 11-Justin Melton, 9. 76-John Ricketts.

Third Heat (8 Laps): 1. 12-Dale Wester, 2. 61-Danny Jennings, 3. 7m-Kevin Ramey, 4. 5-Kyle McCutcheon, 5. 18-Tony Bruce, Jr., 6. 14b-Robert Byrom, 7. 45x-J.P. Bailey, 8. 35-Rick Wright, Jr.

“B” Feature (10 Laps): 1. 11-Justin Melton, 2. 77-Colt Treharn, 3. 74e-Claud Estes, 4. 45-Martin Edwards, 5. 110-Cameron Hagin, 6. 35-Rick Wright, Jr., 7. 45x-J.P. Bailey, 8. 76-John Ricketts.

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 03-Joe Wood, Jr., 2. 99-Brady Bacon, 3. 74x-Joshua Hodges, 4. 2-Dustin Morgan, 5. 27-Andy Shouse, 6. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 7. 12-Dale Wester, 8. 30-Brandon Corn, 9. 11-Justin Melton, 10. 18-Tony Bruce, Jr., 11. 74e-Claud Estes, 12. 54-Evan Pardo, 13. 45-Martin Edwards, 14. 5-Kyle McCutcheon, 15. 11c-Matt Covington, 16. 110-Cameron Hagin, 17. 35-Rick Wright, Jr., 18. 2L-Logan Payne, 19. 61-Danny Jennings, 20. 7m-Kevin Ramey, 21. 14-Michael Lang, 22. 7-Michelle Decker, 23. 77-Colt Treharn, 24. 14b-Robert Byrom.

The Oil Medics ASCS Lone Star Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Matt Covington 1,011, 2. Eric Baldaccini 971, 3. Claud Estes 962, 4. Justin Melton 925, 5. Martin Edwards 919, 6. Michael Lang 917, 7. Evan Pardo 877, 8. John Ricketts 808, 9. Robert Byrom 806, 10. Dale Wester 638.

American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Joe Wood, Jr. 915, 2. Michelle Decker 840, 3. Andy Shouse 839, 4. Matt Covington 833, 5. Claud Estes 614, 6. Tony Bruce, Jr. 566, 7. Brady Bacon 556, 8. Cameron Hagin 550, 9. Rick Wright, Jr. 545, 10. Koby Barksdale 541.

Hafertepe takes Lucas Oil ASCS honors in Devil’s Bowl Spring Nationals

Sam Hafertepe, Jr., became the sixth different winner in as many nights of 2011 Lucas Oil ASCS presented by K&N Filters National action by taking top honors in Saturday night’s 38th Annual Devil’s Bowl Spring Nationals 30-lap championship finale.

After pacing the initial pair of circuits, Hafertepe rallied past both Danny Lasoski and leader Brian Brown on a lap 17 restart en route to the $6,000 triumph, his second career ASCS National victory aboard the Fisher-powered Lone Star Speedway No. 15h Maxim.

Struggling with a faulty wing slider, the Sunnyvale, TX, shoe slipped back as far as fifth at the race’s midway point before rallying for the win in front of current Lucas Oil Sprint Car points leader Shane Stewart from eleventh and defending series champion Jason Johnson in third after winning Friday night’s preliminary feature.

“I’d written myself off, the wing was stuck all the way back and I couldn’t get going,” Hafertepe explained. “It finally got where I could keep my momentum up though and we were able to get back up front.”

Starting from the pole position, Hafertepe outgunned Brian Brown for the lead at the drop of the green flag and led just two laps before Brown and fifth-starter Lasoski raced by on the third circuit.

Brown kept the FVP No. 21 Maxim in front of Missouri relative Lasoski over the ensuing rounds, with sixth-starting Brady Bacon putting the top side of turns one and two to good use to race around Hafertepe for third on the ninth circuit and then take second from Lasoski by the midway point as Wayne Johnson relegated Hafertepe to fifth.

A seemingly innocuous caution for Eric Baldaccini’s race-ending excursion off turn three after 16 laps changed the complexion of the race though, as Wayne Johnson clipped an infield tire in turn two and slid to a stop with front end damage on the restart with Bacon falling victim to a failed fuel line on the next try.

Up to third behind Brown and Lasoski after the misfortune of Johnson and Bacon, Hafertepe hustled past them both for the lead and checked out in short order with 2009 series champion Shane Stewart taking over second by the 19th round.

After a final caution for Dustin Morgan in turn two on the 24th lap, Hafertepe checked out again only to reach traffic again before the white flag flew. Stewart tried to move in, but was unable to mount a challenge on the 25-year-old.

Stewart settled for runner-up honors in Paul Silva’s Wesmar-powered Rockstar Energy Drink No. 57 A.R.T., holding off the late charges of Friday night preliminary winner Jason Johnson in the Don Ott-powered Haynes No. 41 Maxim.

Lasoski crossed the stripe fourth, with Brown rounding out the top five after pacing 13 early rounds. In just his second National start since suffering severe burns last July, Travis Rilat charged from the 17th starting position to claim sixth with 15th-starter Danny Wood, 14th-starter Matt Covington, “Texan” Gary Wright and Missouri’s Kyle Bellm completing the top ten.

Covington, Wood, Johnny Herrera, Tim Crawley, Stewart and Brown won Saturday night’s heat races. Rilat made a lap 12 move around Zach Chappell to win the first “B” Main, while Channin Tankersley’s last corner pass of Dustin Morgan netted the win in an enthralling second “B” Main.

A total of 54 different drivers took part in the Lucas Oil ASCS presented by K&N Filters portion of the 38th Annual Devil’s Bowl Spring Nationals without the red flag ever flying over the course of two full nights.

Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Cars presented by K&N Filters
38th Annual Devil’s Bowl Spring Nationals Championship Finale
Devil’s Bowl Speedway – Mesquite, TX

Locked in from Friday Night’s Preliminary Feature:

41-Jason Johnson, 15h-Sam Hafertepe, Jr., 99-Brady Bacon, 33-Danny Lasoski.

Heat Races (Top 12 in Passing Points, including the six heat race winners, to “A” Main; Balance to Two “B” Main):

Heat One (8 Laps): 1. 95-Matt Covington, 2. 71-Channin Tankersley, 3. 74x-Joshua Hodges, 4. 12$-Michelle Decker, 5. 29-Travis Rilat, 6. 21T-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 7. 21v-Taylor Velasquez, 8. 28x-Mitch Runge.

Heat Two (8 Laps): 1. 81-Danny Wood, 2. 8-John Carney II, 3. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 4. 2-Dustin Morgan, 5. 1j-Danny Jennings, 6. 11-Jeffrey Newell, 7. 15T-Travis Elliott, 8. 51-Beau Smith.

Heat Three (8 Laps): 1. 45x-Johnny Herrera, 2. 14k-Kyle Bellm, 3. 38-Wayne Johnson, 4. 7m-Kevin Ramey, 5. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 6. 2x-Logan Payne, 7. 31-Brandon Berryman, 8. 53-Jack Dover.

Heat Four (8 Laps): 1. 88-Tim Crawley, 2. 0-Zach Chappell, 3. 18-Tony Bruce, Jr., 4. 15d-Brady Demeree, 5. 74e-Claud Estes, 6. 31x-Mark Pace, 7. 35-Rick Wright, Jr., 8. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr.

Heat Five (8 Laps): 1. 57-Shane Stewart, 2. 10-George White, 3. 2L-Logan Forler, 4. 44w-Austen Wheatley, 5. 3x-Michael Dupuy, 6. 45-Martin Edwards, 7. 54-Evan Pardo, 8. 23-Seth Bergman.

Heat Six (8 Laps): 1. 21-Brian Brown, 2. 28-Jeff Swindell, 3. 01-Gary Wright, 4. 14-Michael Lang, 5. 23x-Darryl Wills, 6. 35g-Barry Gifford, 7. 1x-Garry Lee Maier, 8. 9-Brian Parker.

“B” Main (Top 3 from Each Advance to “A” Main):

First “B” Feature (15 Laps): 1. 29-Travis Rilat, 2. 8-John Carney II, 3. 0-Zach Chappell, 4. 74x-Joshua Hodges, 5. 21T-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 6. 12$-Michelle Decker, 7. 74e-Claud Estes, 8. 35g-Barry Gifford, 9. 31x-Mark Pace, 10. 15T-Travis Elliott, 11. 45-Martin Edwards, 12. 15d-Brady Demeree, 13. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 14. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 15. 9-Brian Parker. DNS: 44w-Austen Wheatley, 31-Brandon Berryman, 53-Jack Dover.

Second “B” Feature (15 Laps): 1. 71-Channin Tankersley, 2. 2-Dustin Morgan, 3. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 4. 28-Jeff Swindell, 5. 1x-Garry Lee Maier, 6. 11-Jeffrey Newell, 7. 1j-Danny Jennings, 8. 7m-Kevin Ramey, 9. 3x-Michael Dupuy, 10. 54-Evan Pardo, 11. 35-Rick Wright, Jr., 12. 23x-Darryl Wills, 13. 21v-Taylor Velasquez, 14. 51-Beau Smith, 15. 28x-Mitch Runge, 16. 2x-Logan Payne. DNS: 14-Michael Lang, 23-Seth Bergman.

38th Annual Devil’s Bowl Spring Nationals Championship “A” Main:

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 15h-Sam Hafertepe, Jr., 2. 57-Shane Stewart, 3. 41-Jason Johnson, 4. 33-Danny Lasoski, 5. 21-Brian Brown, 6. 29-Travis Rilat, 7. 81-Danny Wood, 8. 95-Matt Covington, 9. 01-Gary Wright, 10. 14k-Kyle Bellm, 11. 88-Tim Crawley, 12. 45x-Johnny Herrera, 13. 71-Channin Tankersley, 14. 18-Tony Bruce, Jr., 15. 28-Jeff Swindell, 16. 0-Zach Chappell, 17. 2L-Logan Forler, 18. 8-John Carney II, 19. 10-George White, 20. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 21. 2-Dustin Morgan, 22. 99-Brady Bacon, 23. 38-Wayne Johnson, 24. 4-Eric Baldaccini.

Lap Leaders: Sam Hafertepe, Jr. 1-2, Brian Brown 3-16, Sam Hafertepe, Jr. 17-30.

Note: Jeff Swindell and Aaron Reutzel both utilized their first provisionals of 2011 to start the main event.

Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Cars presented by K&N Filters Driver Points (Top 15): 1. Shane Stewart 800, 2. Johnny Herrera 743, 3. Tim Crawley 665, 4. Jeff Swindell 664, 5. Brady Bacon 654, 6. Aaron Reutzel 627, 7. Tony Bruce, Jr. 604, 8. Seth Bergman 600, 9. Gary Wright 596, 10. Logan Forler 553, 11. Zach Chappell 543, 12. Dustin Morgan 501, 13. (tie) Mason Moore and Trey Starks 391, 15. Jack Dover 387.

Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Cars presented by K&N Filters Owner Points (Top 15): 1. Jason Johnson Racing #41 – 837, 2. Paul Silva #57 - 800, 3. Herrera/Main #45x - 743, 4. Mike Ward #88 - 665, 5. Swindell Group #28 – 664, 6. Bacon/Tel-Star #99 - 654, 7. Kenny Reutzel #87 – 627, 8. Bruce Racing #18 – 604, 9. Petersen Motorsports #23 - 600, 10. Cooper/Sperry #01/51 - 596, 11. Steve Forler #2L – 553, 12. Randy Washburn #0 – 543, 13. M&M Motorsports #2 – 501, 14. (tie) Harley Van Dyke #5h and Terry Starks #55 – 391

by Lonnie Wheatley
Tim Aylwin photos

Gary Wright makes late move to win ASCS Sprint Car feature at Lone Star Speedway

National Sprint Car Hall of Fame bound Gary Wright took full advantage of a late caution flag to win Saturday night’s 25-lap season-opening The Oil Medics ASCS Lone Star Region main event atop the newly reconfigured 3/8-mile Lone Star Speedway clay oval.

Reigning ASCS Lone Star champion Eric Baldaccini paced the initial 21 circuits before a late caution flag set the table for the Hooks, TX, veteran to pounce upon his 16th career ASCS Regional triumph to go along with an all-time best 126 Lucas Oil ASCS National scores.

While Wright tacked another feature win on to his legendary career, the night was highlighted by Travis Rilat’s successful return to the seat after critical burns less than eight months ago. Rilat needed just three laps to race from sixth to win his heat race and then claimed third in the feature behind Wright and Matt Covington.

As Wright started the feature from seventh aboard his No. 9 entry, Baldaccini led the way to the green flag with George White alongside. Gunning into the lead at the outset, Baldaccini was closing in on a fourth career ASCS Lone Star triumph when a caution flew after 21 laps for Jeffrey Newell’s stalled mount.

With Baldanccini’s left rear tire low on air pressure and Wright on his tailtank on the restart, “The Texan” charged into the lead and raced on to the checkered flag as Baldaccini lost several positions in the closing circuits. Covington, a Lucas Oil National Sprint Car winner at Lone Star Speedway last year, claimed runner-up honors with Rilat in the show position. Sam Hafertepe, Jr., climbed from eighth to fourth, with Baldaccini rounding out the top five.

White was sixth, with Martin Edwards, Travis Elliott, Beau Smith and 15th-starter Justin Melton completing the top ten.

Baldaccini, Covington, Rilat and White topped heat race action for the 28-car field, with Newell winning the 12-lap “B” Main.

The Oil Medics ASCS Lone Star Region Results from Lone Star Speedway:

First Heat (8 Laps): 1. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 2. 14-Michael Lang, 3. 33-Mark Huddleston, 4. 11-Justin Melton, 5. 20-Chad Wilson, 6. 15b-Curtis Wayne Brown, 7. 7w-Dustin Welch.

Second Heat (8 Laps): 1. 95-Matt Covington, 2. 15T-Travis Elliott, 3. 51-Beau Smith, 4. 76-John Ricketts, 5. 17w-Brad Welborn, 6. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 7. 12w-Dale Wester.

Third Heat (8 Laps): 1. 29-Travis Rilat, 2. 45-Martin Edwards, 3. 40-Junior Jenkins, 4. 74e-Claud Estes, 5. 11x-Jeffrey Newell, 6. 36-John Pate, 7. 15d-Brady Demeree.

Fourth Heat (8 Laps): 1. 10-George White, 2. 15h-Sam Hafertepe, Jr., 3. 9-Gary Wright, 4. 64j-Johnny Miller, 5. 79-Ryan Hall, 6. 14b-Robert Byrom, 7. 54-Evan Pardo.

“B” Main (12 Laps): 1. 11x-Jeffrey Newell, 2. 17w-Brad Welborn, 3. 64j-Johnny Miller, 4. 36-John Pate, 5. 79-Ryan Hall, 6. 14b-Robert Byrom, 7. 15d-Brady Demeree, 8. 54-Evan Pardo, 9. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 10. 7w-Dustin Welch, 11. 15b-Curtis Wayne Brown. DNS: 12w-Dale Wester.

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 9-Gary Wright, 2. 95-Matt Covington, 3. 29-Travis Rilat, 4. 15h-Sam Hafertepe, Jr., 5. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 6. 10-George White, 7. 45-Martin Edwards, 8. 15T-Travis Elliott, 9. 51-Beau Smith, 10. 11-Justin Melton, 11. 74e-Claud Estes, 12. 17w-Brad Welborn, 13. 76-John Ricketts, 14. 40-Junior Jenkins, 15. 36-John Pate, 16. 33-Mark Huddleston, 17. 20-Chad Wilson, 18. 14-Michael Lang, 19. 11x-Jeffrey Newell, 20. 64j-Johnny Miller.

The Oil Medics ASCS Lone Star Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Gary Wright 150, 2. Matt Covington 142, 3. Travis Rilat 135, 4. Sam Hafertepe, Jr. 130, 5. Eric Baldaccini 125, 6. George White 122, 7. Martin Edwards 119, 8. Travis Elliott 116, 9. Beau Smith 113, 10. Justin Melton 110.

By Lonnie Wheatley
Photos by Tim Aylwin

Brian McClelland back on top; Takes ASCS Sooner win at Springfield

Tulsa’s Brian McClelland broke out of his early season doldrums in convincing fashion by racing to victory lane in Saturday night’s 25-lap American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region debut atop the ¼-mile Springfield Raceway clay oval.

The two-time and defending series champion assumed the point on the second round and led the rest of the way for his first win of the season aboard the Wesmar-powered R&B Motorsports/Maxwell Oil No. 87 Triple-X.

And, he survived not only a treacherous turn four cushion that gobbled up initial leader Joe Wood, Jr., but also the challenges of Zach Chappell to collect his sixth career ASCS Sooner Region win.

“I ran off the top of the track there in turn four two different times, I couldn’t believe nobody passed me,” McClelland explained in victory lane. “And then Zach showed me his nose in one and two, I moved down a little bit and the car really took off after that.”

With McClelland starting the feature outside the second row, it was front row outside starter Joe Wood, Jr., who had raced from the tail of the field to win the night’s first heat race, outgunning pole sitter and second heat race winner Sherman Davis for the point at the drop of the green.

McClelland immediately moved into second and began the chase for the lead. The chase was short-lived though, as Wood jumped the turn four cushion the second time around and crashed as Matt Covington sailed off the steep turn four embankment as well in the aftermath. Wood’s mount was too damaged to continue while Covington rejoined the chase.

With McClelland in the lead, Zach Chappell kept the pressure on much of the way before McClelland began to slip away in the final circuits. Not even a final caution with just three laps to go for New Mexico’s Derrik Ortega, who looped it turn two while running fifth, could prevent McClelland from breaking into victory lane.

McClelland hit his marks perfectly over the final three-lap dash to the stripe and jumped from 12th to sixth in the championship points race with the triumph.

Chappell settled for runner-up honors in the familiar family-owned No. 50z Legend’s Bar-B-Que & Steak Joint entry, with Donnie Ray Crawford battling into the third position by the third round and holding the spot down the rest of the way in the A&W Motorsports/Tel-Star No. 55.

Kyle Bellm crossed the stripe fourth, with Sherman Davis rounding out the top five.

Sean McClelland scratched for the night after breaking a camshaft in hot laps. Davis overcame early engine issues to celebrate his birthday with a top-five finish, while Matt Covington claimed sixth after swapping out rear ends following hot laps.

American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region Results from Springfield Raceway:

Heat One (8 Laps): 1. 03-Joe Wood, Jr., 2. 50z-Zach Chappell, 3. 55-Donnie Ray Crawford, 4. 04-Brad Graham, 5. 28-Chris Lloyd. DNS: 1-Sean McClelland.

Heat Two (8 Laps): 1. 72-Sherman Davis, 2. 87-Brian McClelland, 3. 14k-Kyle Bellm, 4. 19s-Steven Cross, 5. 35-Derrik Ortega, 6. 95-Matt Covington.

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 87-Brian McClelland, 2. 50z-Zach Chappell, 3. 55-Donnie Ray Crawford, 4. 14k-Kyle Bellm, 5. 72-Sherman Davis, 6. 95-Matt Covington, 7. 28-Chris Lloyd, 8. 35-Derrik Ortega, 9. 19s-Steven Cross, 10. 04-Brad Graham, 11. 03-Joe Wood, Jr. DNS: 1-Sean McClelland.

American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Joe Wood, Jr. 546, 2. Matt Covington 538, 3. Sherman Davis 514, 4. Kyle Bellm 474, 5. Sean McClelland 470, 6. Brian McClelland 461, 7. Donnie Ray Crawford 459, 8. Danny Wood 446, 9. Brad Graham 423, 10. Brady Bacon 394.

by Lonnie Wheatley

‘Zach Attack’ in ASCS Speedweek round three; Chappell wins wild one

Zach Chappell became the third different winner in as many legs of the 17th Annual F&J Construction ASCS Speedweek featuring the Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series presented by K&N Filters by topping Tuesday night’s 30-lap feature at Creek County Speedway.

The Talala, OK, racer paced the final four circuits after racing forward from 16th in the wildly unpredictable affair atop the tight ¼-mile bullring to capture his second career ASCS Speedweek triumph and first ASCS win since a Sooner score in July of 2005.

“It feels good to win this, the team’s really been working hard and they had this one coming,” Chappell commented after his triumph aboard the family-owned Legend’s Bar-B-Q & Steak Joint No. 50z Maxim.

After Tony Bruce, Jr., and Seth Bergman enjoyed stints at the head of the pack, Chappell became the race’s fourth and final leader when Tim Crawley surrendered the point with a cut right rear in the final handful of laps. And, it was a cut that was by all indications inflicted by Chappell.

“I don’t like to race like that and sure didn’t mean to get into him,” Chappell explained. “I had a real good run off of two and tried to cut down into three to try to get around and I guess I clipped his right rear. It’s not the way we wanted it. But, hey, we’ll take it.”

Following a red flag stoppage after 20 rounds for Donnie Ray Crawford’s flip down the backstretch, Chappell had turned the heat up on Crawley, who had taken the lead away from Washington’s Bergman on the 16th round.

Chasing Crawley around the bottom of one and two and then challenging on the top side of turns three and four, the pair raced side-by-side several times before the slightest of contact entering turn three on the 27th round sent Crawley coasting to a stop at the top of turn four.

“I drove the exact same line I’d driven every lap before that, it’s not like I moved up the track,” Crawley commented after being credited with a 15th place finish rather than collecting his second win of the week.

With Crawley sidelined, Chappell led the final circuits to collect the win in front of Bergman, who held off Missouri’s Brian Brown for runner-up honors.

Piloting Steven Bergman’s Shark-powered Corridor Electric No. 23 Eagle, Bergman had outdueled Crawley for second in the early rounds and then took command when Tony Bruce, Jr., spun out of the lead on the 12th lap.

But, a lap after Shane Stewart spun from contention on the 15th circuit, Crawley battled past Bergman and set sail. “We were good, but Tim found the bottom of the track before we did,” Bergman explained.

Advancing from the 12th starting position, Brown kept his nose clean to collect show honors in his Creek County debut aboard the Super Clean No. 21 Maxim.

After losing a torsion arm while leading his heat race, Brady Bacon raced from the tail of the “B” Main to earn a transfer position and then charged from 23rd to claim fourth in the Wesmar-powered Tel-Star Communications No. 99 Triple X.

Originally slated to start eleventh, Paul McMahan started tailback after getting collected in an opening lap melee that sidelined four cars (Gary Taylor, Eric Baldaccini, Kenneth Walker and Forrest Sutherland) and raced back through the field to round out the top five aboard the Wesmar-powered J&D Motorsports No. 3d Maxim.

Tony Bruce, Jr., who paced the opening eleven rounds before looping it off the top of turn two, raced back through the field to salvage a sixth place finish and retain the ASCS Speedweek points lead.

Ninth-row starters Matt Clevenger and Sean McClelland were seventh and eighth, respectively, with fourth heat race tusslers Nick Smith and Dustin Morgan advancing from “B” Main action to complete the top ten in the feature.

Jason Johnson, Claud Estes, Baldaccini and Danny Wood topped heat race action for the 31-car field, with Smith making a move around Morgan to win the 12-lap “B” Main. Defending ASCS Speedweek champ Jason Johnson spun in turn four on the second attempt to start the feature and was forced pitside with a flat front tire, while Wood finished 13th after looping it in turn two while running among the top five in the early stages of the feature.

Crawley and Sapulpa’s Danny Smith both got upside down in a double tumble in the night’s second heat race. Smith was done for the night while Crawley continued on with minimal damage to earn the 13th starting position for the feature.

After battling from sixth to take the lead in the third heat, six-time ASCS Speedweek champion Gary Wright slipped too high in turn two and dumped his mount after tagging the wall. After a “B” Main spin, Wright charged into a transfer position in the final rounds before making an early exit from the feature.

The 17th Annual F&J Construction ASCS Speedweek featuring the Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series presented by K&N Filters resumes with Round Four at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, TX, on Thursday night before moving on to Oklahoma City’s State Fair Speedway on Friday and then concluding on Saturday night at Lawton Speedway.

Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series presented by K&N Filters
17th Annual F&J Construction ASCS Speedweek
Round Three – Creek County Speedway

Heat Races (Top 18 in Passing Points to “A” Main):

Heat One (8 Laps): 1. 41-Jason Johnson, 2. 91-Gary Taylor, 3. 18-Tony Bruce, Jr., 4. 21-Brian Brown, 5. 1-Sean McClelland, 6. 77-Colt Treharn, 7. 95-Matt Covington, 8. 99-Brady Bacon.

Heat Two (8 Laps): 1. 74e-Claud Estes, 2. 1a-Robby Wolfgang, 3. 2-Kenneth Walker, 4. 88-Tim Crawley, 5. 85s-Forrest Sutherland, 6. 22-Koby Barksdale, 7. 87-Brian McClelland, 8. 5$-Danny Smith.

Heat Three (8 Laps): 1. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 2. 20s-Sheldon Barksdale, 3. 50z-Zach Chappell, 4. 31m-Matt Clevenger, 5. 55-Donnie Ray Crawford, 6. 9x-Gary Wright, 7. 52-Frank Sudduth, 8. 87a-Andrew Marshala.

Heat Four (8 Laps): 1. 94-Danny Wood, 2. 23-Seth Bergman, 3. 3d-Paul McMahan, 4. 57-Shane Stewart, 5. 93-Dustin Morgan, 6. 15s-Nick Smith, 7. 72-Sherman Davis.

“B” Main (Top 6 Advance to “A” Main):

“B” Feature (12 Laps): 1. 15s-Nick Smith, 2. 93-Dustin Morgan, 3. 55-Donnie Ray Crawford, 4. 9x-Gary Wright, 5. 99-Brady Bacon, 6. 95-Matt Covington, 7. 5$-Danny Smith, 8. 87-Brian McClelland, 9. 72-Sherman Davis, 10. 87a-Andrew Marshala, 11. 77-Colt Treharn. DNS: 22-Koby Barksdale, 52-Frank Sudduth.

ASCS Speedweek Round Three “A” Main Event:

“A” Feature (30 Laps): 1. 50z-Zach Chappell, 2. 23-Seth Bergman, 3. 21-Brian Brown, 4. 99-Brady Bacon, 5. 3d-Paul McMahan, 6. 18-Tony Bruce, Jr., 7. 31m-Matt Clevenger, 8. 1-Sean McClelland, 9. 15s-Nick Smith, 10. 93-Dustin Morgan, 11. 95-Matt Covington, 12. 20s-Sheldon Barksdale, 13. 94-Danny Wood, 14. 1a-Robby Wolfgang, 15. 88-Tim Crawley, 16. 55-Donnie Ray Crawford, 17. 57-Shane Stewart, 18. 9x-Gary Wright, 19. 74e-Claud Estes, 20. 41-Jason Johnson, 21. 91-Gary Taylor, 22. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 23. 2-Kenneth Walker, 24. 85s-Forrest Sutherland.

Lap Leaders: Tony Bruce, Jr., 1-11, Seth Bergman 12-15, Tim Crawley 16-26, Zach Chappell 27-30.

17th Annual F&J Construction ASCS Speedweek Points (Top Fifteen – Through Round Three of Six): 1. Tony Bruce, Jr. 430, 2. Tim Crawley 410, 3. Sean McClelland 406, 4. Paul McMahan 402, 5. Brady Bacon 398, 6. Jason Johnson 390, 7. (tie) Shane Stewart and Zach Chappell 386, 9. Matt Clevenger 382, 10. Dustin Morgan 380, 11. Gary Wright 368, 12. Kenneth Walker 362, 13. (tie) Donnie Ray Crawford and Danny Wood 352, 15. Nick Smith 351.

by Lonnie Wheatley

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