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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

Channin Tankersley takes ASCS Gulf South Sprint Car win at Golden Triangle

Channin Tankersley picked off his second Smiley’s Racing Products ASCS Gulf South main event win of the season by racing to victory lane in Friday night’s 25-lap feature at Golden Triangle Raceway Park.

Tankersley took the lead away from current series points leader Paul White on the eleventh round and went on to post his second GTRP win of the year aboard the Harris-powered CVS/Griffith Truck & Equipment No. 71 Maxim after posting an early Beaumont win just over a month ago.

After starting fifth, Tankersley worked his way into second by the tenth round and then quickly disposed of White en route to his sixth career ASCS Gulf South score.

Tankersley was chased to the line by White, with defending champion Ray Allen Kulhanek, Travis Elliott and Scottie McDonald rounding out the top five. Aaron Reutzel was sixth, with Wes Miller, Beau Smith, Tommy Bryant and Chris Sweeney completing the top ten.

Tankersley, Bryant and Kulhanek topped heat race action, with Michael McNeil winning the “B” Main.

Smiley’s Racing Products ASCS Gulf South Results from Golden Triangle Raceway Park:

First Heat (8 Laps): 1. 71-Channin Tankersley, 2. 3-Gary Watson, 3. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 4. 35-Greg Rilat, 5. 93-Chris Sweeney, 6. 51-Jimmy Brooks, 7. 82-Mark Harris, 8. 12b-Logan Bledsoe, 9. 31-Brandon Berryman.

Second Heat (8 Laps): 1. 28-Tommy Bryant, 2. 15T-Travis Elliott, 3. 2-Wes Miller, 4. 19-Klint Angelette, 5. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 6. 69-Larry Howery, 7. 52-Roger Oakes, 8. 24-Brandie Jass.

Third Heat (8 Laps): 1. 21T-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 2. 88-Scottie McDonald, 3. 51s-Beau Smith, 4. 10-George White, 5. 9-Gary Wright, 6. 25m-Michael McNeil, 7. 5c-Chris Coker, 8. B51-Johnny Brown.

“B” Main (12 Laps): 1. 25m-Michael McNeil, 2. 5c-Chris Coker, 3. 12b-Logan Bledsoe, 4. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 5. B51-Johnny Brown, 6. 31-Brandon Berryman, 7. 52-Roger Oakes. DNS: 69-Larry Howery, 82-Mark Harris, 51-Jimmy Brooks, 24-Brandie Jass.

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 71-Channin Tankersley, 2. 10-George White, 3. 21T-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 4. 15T-Travis Elliott, 5. 88-Scottie McDonald, 6. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 7. 2-Wes Miller, 8. 51s-Beau Smith, 9. 28-Tommy Bryant, 10. 93-Chris Sweeney, 11. 3-Gary Watson, 12. 25m-Michhael McNeil, 13. 31-Brandon Berryman, 14. 35-Greg Rilat, 15. 5c-Chris Coker, 16. 19-Klint Angelette, 17. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 18. B51-Johnny Brown, 19. 9-Gary Wright, 20. 12b-Logan Bledsoe.

Smiley’s Racing Products ASCS Gulf South Region Points (Top Ten): 1. George White 1,452, 2. Ray Allen Kulhanek 1,388, 3. Tommy Bryant 1,378, 4. Brandon Berryman 1,299, 5. Chris Sweeney 1,296, 6. Channin Tankersley 1,264, 7. Travis Elliott 1,203, 8. Aaron Reutzel 1,202, 9. Greg Rilat 1,190, 10. Gary Watson 1,138.

by Lonnie Wheatley
ASCS Gulf South photo

Jason Johnson is an ASCS Gulf South “Spoiler” at Speedarama

Reigning Lucas Oil ASCS National champion Jason Johnson put an end to Gary Wright’s bid for a perfect Regional weekend by taking the $2,000 triumph in Sunday night’s 25-lap Smiley’s Racing Products ASCS Gulf South main event at the Speedarama Raceway.

With Wright vying for a $1,000 bonus for topping all three nights of the Gulf South’s “Memorial Day Classic”, Johnson played the role of spoiler by picking off his fifth overall ASCS feature win of the season aboard the Don Ott-powered Haynes No. 41 Maxim.

Wright still picked up a $500 bonus for winning two of the weekend’s three feature events.

Pole starter Brandon Berryman paced the initial pair of rounds before fifth-starter Johnson raced into a lead he would never relinquish. Johnson went on to the checkered flag ahead of Michael Dupuy, with Berryman settling for the show position.

Wright crossed the stripe fourth, with reigning series champion Ray Allen Kulhanek in fifth. Kevin Ramey was sixth, with Chris Sweeney, George White, Wes Miller and Brandon Corn completing the top ten.

Kulhanek, Wright, Beau Smith and Berryman won Sunday night’s heat races, with Eric Baldaccini winning the “B” Main.

George White reclaimed the series points lead with his eighth place finish, as Tommy Bryant missed the feature cut for the first time in eleven events this season after entering the night with a slim 6-point advantage.

Smiley’s Racing Products ASCS Gulf South Results from Speedarama Raceway:

First Heat (8 Laps): 1. 21T-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 2. 2-Wes Miller, 3. 35-Greg Rilat, 4. 7m-Kevin Ramey, 5. 88-Scottie McDonald, 6. 25m-Michael McNeil, 7. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 8. 7w-Dustin Welch.

Second Heat (8 Laps): 1. 9-Gary Wright, 2. 41-Jason Johnson, 3. 3-Gary Watson, 4. 14e-Tommy Bryant, 5. 71-Channin Tankersley, 6. 5-Nathan Hamberg, 7. 19-Klint Angelette, 8. 45-Martin Edwards.

Third Heat (8 Laps): 1. 51s-Beau Smith, 2. 3x-Michael Dupuy, 3. 15T-Travis Elliott, 4. 30-Brandon Corn, 5. 52-Roger Oakes, 6. 24-Brandie Jass. DNS: 69-Larry Howery.

Fourth Heat (8 Laps): 1. 31-Brandon Berryman, 2. 93-Chris Sweeney, 3. 10-George White, 4. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 5. 12b-Logan Bledsoe, 6. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 7. 5c-Chris Coker.

“B” Main (12 Laps): 1. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 2. 88-Scottie McDonald, 3. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 4. 12b-Logan Bledsoe, 5. 25m-Michael McNeil, 6. 52-Roger Oakes, 7. 45-Martin Edwards, 8. 19-Klint Angelette, 9. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 10. 24-Brandie Jass, 11. 71-Channin Tankersley, 12. 5-Nathan Hamberg, 13. 5c-Chris Coker, 14. 14e-Tommy Bryant, 15. 7w-Dustin Welch. DNS: 69-Larry Howery.

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 41-Jason Johnson, 2. 3x-Michael Dupuy, 3. 31-Brandon Berryman, 4. 9-Gary Wright, 5. 21T-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 6. 7m-Kevin Ramey, 7. 93-Chris Sweeney, 8. 10-George White, 9. 2-Wes Miller, 10. 30-Brandon Corn, 11. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 12. 88-Scottie McDonald, 13. 25m-Michael McNeil, 14. 15T-Travis Elliott, 15. 35-Greg Rilat, 16. 51s-Beau Smith, 17. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 18. 3-Gary Watson, 19. 12b-Logan Bledsoe, 20. 52-Roger Oakes.

Smiley’s Racing Products ASCS Gulf South Region Points (Top Ten): 1. George White 1,310, 2. Tommy Bryant 1,265, 3. Ray Allen Kulhanek 1,253, 4. Brandon Berryman 1,195, 5. Chris Sweeney 1,186, 6. Channin Tankersley 1,114, 7. (tie) Greg Rilat and Jason Johnson 1,088, 9. Aaron Reutzel 1,080, 10. Travis Elliott 1,073.

by Lonnie Wheatley
ASCS Gulf South photos

“The Texan” is Tops in ASCS Gulf South Golden Triangle go

Just because he’s being inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame next weekend doesn’t mean that Gary Wright is done winning races. “The Texan” made that evident on Friday night by topping the opening leg of the Smiley’s Racing Products ASCS Gulf South three-night “Memorial Day Classic” at Golden Triangle Raceway Park.

Wright added his 18th overall ASCS Regional win to 127 previous ASCS National triumphs by driving his No. 9 Maxim to victory lane for the fourth in just six 2011 outings aboard his own entry, becoming the first repeat ASCS Gulf South winner of the season through nine events.

While Wright started the feature from the front row outside, it was pole starter Gary Watson leading the opening circuit before Wright took command.

Wright paced the field the rest of the way, taking the checkered flag ahead of fifth-starter Jason Johnson, defending series champion Ray Allen Kulhanek, current Gulf South points leader Tommy Bryant and Michael Dupuy, who earned Hard Charger honors by racing from 15th to round out the top five.

Watson was sixth, with Michael McNeil, John Pate, Wes Miller and George White completing the top ten.

Johnson, Chris Sweeney, Watson and Wright topped heat race action, with Dupuy winning the “B” Main.

The Smiley’s Racing Products ASCS Gulf South “Memorial Day Classic” continues on Saturday night at the Gator Motorplex in Willis, TX, before finishing up at Lufkin’s Speedarama Raceway on Sunday.

With his $2,000 triumph in Friday’s feature, Wright is eligible for a $1,000 bonus if he can pull down wins over each of the next two nights as well.

Smiley’s Racing Products ASCS Gulf South Results from Golden Triangle Raceway Park:

First Heat (8 Laps): 1. 41-Jason Johnson, 2. 10-George White, 3. 14e-Tommy Bryant, 4. 3x-Michael Dupuy, 5. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 6. 2-Wes Miller, 7. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 8. 19-Klint Angelette.

Second Heat (8 Laps): 1. 93-Chris Sweeney, 2. 36-John Pate, 3. 40-Junior Jenkins, 4. 24j-Brandie Jass, 5. 76-John Ricketts, 6. 31-Brandon Berryman, 7. 30-Brandon Corn.

Third Heat (8 Laps): 1. 3-Gary Watson, 2. 25m-Michael McNeil, 3. 15T-Travis Elliott, 4. 12b-Logan Bledsoe, 5. 71-Channin Tankersley, 6. 66-J.J. Simmons, 7. 5c-Chris Coker.

Fourth Heat (8 Laps): 1. 9-Gary Wright, 2. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 3. 21T-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 4. 35-Greg Rilat, 5. 51s-Beau Smith, 6. 69-Larry Howery, 7. 52-Roger Oakes.

“B” Main (12 Laps): 1. 3x-Michael Dupuy, 2. 2-Wes Miller, 3. 12b-Logan Bledsoe, 4. 71-Channin Tankersley, 5. 69-Larry Howery, 6. 35-Greg Rilat, 7. 31-Brandon Berryman, 8. 66-J.J. Simmons, 9. 51s-Beau Smith, 10. 19-Klint Angelette, 11. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 12. 52-Roger Oakes, 13. 76-John Ricketts, 14. 30-Brandon Corn, 15. 5c-Chris Coker.

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 9-Gary Wright, 2. 41-Jason Johnson, 3. 21T-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 4. 14e-Tommy Bryant, 5. 3x-Michael Dupuy, 6. 3-Gary Watson, 7. 25m-Michael McNeil, 8. 36-John Pate, 9. 2-Wes Miller, 10. 10-George White, 11. 93-Chris Sweeney, 12. 35-Greg Rilat, 13. 40-Junior Jenkins, 14. 69-Larry Howery, 15. 24j-Brandie Jass, 16. 12b-Logan Bledsoe, 17. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 18. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 19. 15T-Travis Elliott, 20. 71-Channin Tankersley.

Smiley’s Racing Products ASCS Gulf South Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Tommy Bryant 1,108, 2. George White 1,086, 3. Ray Allen Kulhanek 1,026, 4. Chris Sweeney 957, 5. Brandon Berryman 947, 6. Channin Tankersley 924, 7. Travis Elliott 906, 8. Greg Rilat 882, 9. Gary Watson 871, 10. Aaron Reutzel 842.

by Lonnie Wheatley, ASCS PR
ASCS Gulf South photo

Wiley Travis Rilat wins wild ASCS Gulf South war at Texana Raceway Park

Texan Travis Rilat used lapped traffic to reel in two-time ASCS National Champion Jason Johnson in Saturday night’s 25-lap Smiley’s Racing Products ASCS Gulf South main event at Texana Raceway Park - not once, but twice.

Coming to take the checkers it was nearly four-wide coming of turn 4 in the race to the flag. Both cars made contact with slower traffic and had two wheels off the ground as Rilat eked out the victory, by maybe 3 feet, followed by a celebratory “wing dance.

After missing last year due to Mother Nature the ASCS Gulf South Region Sprint Car stars made the trip to Edna’s Texana Raceway Park on the tight, ¼ mile, paper-clip-shaped gumbo oval. Always a crowd favorite, these winged warriors put on an exciting, high speed show to the delight of the crowd. Tonight would be no exception with one of the wildest finishes this reporter has seen in my 40 years of being involved in racing.

Running in support of the Sprints were the local ‘Outlaw’ Modifieds, Limited Modifieds, Late Models Street Stocks and Hot Stock Trucks.

Wiley Rilat Wins Wild One

As green waved on the 20-car starting field, Johnson jumped out front from the outside pole. In the pack Beau Smith flipped on the back stretch with points leader Tommy Bryant getting a piece of the action and pitting for repairs. On the second try as they dove into turn 1 Evan Pardo jumped wheels sending him airborne in a cork-screw flip into turn 2. Both drivers were able to climb out and walk away.

Finally, the third time was a charm as Johnson again broke out front, followed by T. Rilat and Aaron Reutzel making a big charge from sixth to third. It wasn’t long until the high-flying Johnson caught the back of the field on lap 4. This gave T. Rilat the chance to close. T. Rilat was on Johnson’s rear nerf bar on lap 7 as they duo diced through slower cars. Reutzel used the battle and slower cars to reel in both the leaders.

T. Rilat ducked low on Johnson, who got ‘picked’ up top, to get the point on lap 10. At the crossed flags it was T. Rilat, Johnson, Reutzel, previous night’s winner, Channin Tankersley and George White in the top five. The top two were still nose to tail until Johnson put a classic slide job on T. Rilat going into turn 1 to regain the top spot on lap 18.

Johnson looked to be a runaway winner until he again caught a large pack of slower cars in the final laps. With five to go the lead battle was shaping up again as slower cars became rolling obstacles in the waning laps. As the flagman showed the lead duo two to go, Johnson had a five car length margin on T. Rilat. With the white flag in the air that margin had shrunk to only about a car length as the near capacity crowd rose to its feet.

Johnson, running the top, held the advantage going into turn 3 with two slower cars side by side ahead. T. Rilat took the low road getting along side Johnson in the middle of the corner. T. Rilat made it three wide coming off turn 4 on the bottom, while Johnson carried the momentum up top. T. Rilat jumped a tire sending him bicycling towards the infield as Johnson ran out of room and into the back of Gary Watson.

T. Rilat regained control landing it back on all fours just short of the finish line while Johnson was climbing the tail tank of Watson. At the line it was T. Rilat in the F&J Construction, shoptheboss.com, Murray & Son Enterprises, Shark Racing Engines, Triple X Chassis getting the win by a couple feet as Johnson, with only the rear wheels on the ground, was being carried piggy-back by Watson across the line.

The crowd was going crazy after witnessing what I’d call the biggest OMG racing finish in my lifetime. T. Rilat did a couple do-nuts before climbing out and giving the fans a wing dance.

Several other drivers found themselves looking at the wrong side of the track with Dustin Welch going over in the B-main, while Roger Oakes and Chris Coker flipped in heat race action.

“That was pretty spectacular,” replied Rilat. “It was kind of like a movie script, like Stroker Ace who crossed(the line) upside down. That’s about what this was. I thought for sure I was going to go over there. I knew I had to make a move on the last lap, but those lapped cars were there and I had to get through them. It was pretty exciting and we got it done.”

“I don’t think I could have run Jason(Johnson) down. The lapped cars helped out a lot. Our cars were pretty equal. I passed him him earlier the same way in lapped traffic, on these short tracks it always comes into play.”

“Running these regional shows is a little different than the national shows. There are always some good cars that show up, like Jason and some others. You still have to go all out and be heads up. You can never back down whether it’s a regional or national show.”

“I’m back in good health and everything is coming along good. We’re wining races so it can’t be to bad. We’re just going race here and there the rest of the year and give a shot at the championships next year.”

ASCS Sprint Cars, 25 laps

29 Travis Rilat, 41 Jason Johnson, 87 Aaron Reutzel, 71 Channin Tankersley, 21t Ray Allen Kulhanek, 31 Brandon Berryman, 15T Travis Elliott, 10 George White, 93 Chris Sweeney, 69 Larry Howery, 14E Tommy Bryant, 3 Gary Watson, 51 Jimmy Brooks, 5c Chris Coker, 19 Klint Angelette, 35 Greg Rilat, 12b Logan Bledsoe, 1(52) Roger Oakes, 54 Evan Pardo, 51s Beau Smith

ASCS B-main(Top 6 to A-main)

93 Chris Sweeney, 31 Brandon Berryman, 69 Larry Howery, 51 Jimmy Brooks, 5c Chris Coker, 52 Roger Oakes, 17 Bruce Griffith, 15 Andy VanBlarcum, 7w Dustin Welch

ASCS heats(Top 14 passing points to A-main)

Heat 1

29 Travis Rilat, 54 Evan Pardo, 3 Gary Watson, 14c Tommy Bryant, 12B Logan Bledsoe, 69 Larry Howery, 7w Dustin Welch 5c Chris Coker

Heat 2

87 Aaron Reutzel, 51 Beau Smith, 35 Greg Rilat, 21t Ray Allen Kulhanek,15t Travis Elliott, 31 Brandon Berryman, 17 Bruce Griffith, 15 Andy VanBlarcum

Heat 3

71 Channin Tankersley, 41 Jason Johnson, 10 George White, 19 Klint Angelette, 93 Chris Sweeney, 51 Jimmy Brooks, 52 Roger Oakes

Manning Masters Modified Main

Brazoria’s Jesse Manning bested a short, but stout field in the Outlaw Modified 20-lapper. Manning, running a part-time USMTS schedule, got past another USMTS contender, Rory Jordan early then pulled away throughout the race to take the checkers with a good advantage.

Jordan beat Dustin Brandl off turn 2 to get the early lead with Manning up to second followed by Brandl, Tanner Whitmire and Jason Borlace. Manning got inside Jordan coming off turn 2 on lap 1 with a brief side by side battle down the back stretch. Manning got the best run into turn 3 coming out with the lead on lap 2. Coming to halfway it was Manning, Jordan, Whitmire Brandl and Nick Hardcastle getting by Borlace for fifth.

Stew Savage slowed the action on lap 11 with the races only caution for his spin in turn 4. On the restart, Manning quickly broke out front, while Hardcastle slipped giving up spots to Borlace, Terry Woodall and Brandl. As Manning eased away, Whitmire got by Jordan for second. Hardcastle was able to retake a top five position in the waning laps. Up front it was Manning, with a huge lead, putting the JTC Motors, Auto Repair Unlimited, Jays Equipment, 105 Machine, Evolution Chassis in Victory Lane.

“We’ve been working hard on the set up on this new Evolution Chassis,” commented Manning. “We’ve been struggling for a while, but working with Howard Willis and Russell Moore it’s coming around now. We’ve got on top of it and it’s working out. We’ve got a couple wins under our belt this year and hope to have more.”

“When you get into a new chassis it’s driver preference mostly. It’s the feel and everyone has a different set up they like. What works for one(driver) doesn’t always work for another. So you take a little bit of what they are doing and your own ideas and go for it.”

“It’s a short but stout field here. These guys have come a long way. We all get along well and travel for some of the USMTS Southern Series shows. I wish there more cars around here, but with the economy it’s just the way it goes right now.”

Modified

76 Jesse Manning, 101 Tanner Whitmire, 7x Rory Jordan, 21 Jason Borlace, 94 Nick Hardcastle, 3w Terry Woodall, 00x Dustin Brandl, 77 Jason Lewis, 4 Stew Savage

Modified heat

00x Dustin Brandl, 7x Rory Jordan, 21 Jason Borlace. 76 Jesse Manning, 101 Tanner Whitmire, 94 Nick Hardcastle, 4* Stew Savage, 77 Jason Lewis, 3w Terry Woodall

White Wins Another One

The past few years Texana Raceway has been kind to the former USAC Silver Crown and NASCAR Sunbelt Region champion Paul White(Temple) driving as a hired gun. Tonight would be no different as he battled with GW Hessong and Wade Moyer early in the 20-lap feature. White took over near halfway and then left Moyer, Jensen Prey and Mickey Helms battling for second as he was snagging another checkers.

Seventeen Limited Modified took the green with Hessong getting the run off turn 2, but a tangle back in the pack brought out the caution. Hessong and Moyer stayed side by side on the next start until Hessong got the advantage coming off turn 4 to lead lap 1. Moyer fell in line second trailed by White, Prey and Helms running wheel to wheel with Vince Kacir.

Moyer moved in the give Hessong a look for the lead on lap 2. This gave White an opening to sneak past Moyer for second on lap 3. White then got beside Hessong for the lead but yellow waved for a spin by Bo Beckner on lap 4. On the restart White gave Hessong a look low, but Hessong held on, as the top three got away.

White got a run on Hessong to grab the top spot on lap 8 followed by Moyer to second. Coming to halfway it was White, Moyer, Hessong, Helms and Shane Hoefling getting by Prey for fifth. Helms then picked off Hessong for third on lap 10. Yellow waved on lap 11 for Hoefling who spun in turn 3 and got T-boned by Kacir, ending both their nights.

Back under green, White got away clean with Moyer and Helms fighting for second. Tim Heatherly brought out a yellow on lap 12 when stopped in turn 1. On the restart, Art Rodriguez went around on the front stretch causing Chase Sanchez and Allgayer to spin as they tried to dodge him. Back under green White got a big jump when Helms slipped and fell back to fourth.

Helms and Prey then battled for third swapping the spot on lap 16. Both Helms and Prey caught Moyer with two to go in the scramble for second. Up front it was White, on cruise control and easing away. At the checkers it as White in the B&D, Craftmasters Powdercoating, Westside Performance powered, Big Chief Chassis adding another TRP win to his total.

“We really diced around pretty good,” said White. “The track got tricky enough that it made it a lot of fun. I was trying to take advantage where my car was better they were messing up. One of them was slipping a bit in the middle of the turns and mine was actually a little tight. I just tried to keep myself in the right position and keep working at it until I could get there.”

“This (Bruce Tesch car) is a new one for me after being in the Bridwell car for so long. We’re still trying to get all we can get out of it. We were happy with the other car and knew what we needed to do on it. The things we used to do don’t work on this car like the other one. We had to go another direction to make it all work.”

Limited Modifieds

2w Paul White, 23 Wade Moyer, 57 Jensen Prey, 174 Mickey Helms, 147 GW Hessong, 6 Vince Louden, 22 Art Rodriguez, 24 John Lieta, 26 David McBride, J1 Tim Heatherly, 24x Mike Lieta, 75 Bo Beckner, 11 Jeff Allgayer, 4 Chase Sanchez, 63 Shane Hoefling, 155 Vince Kacir, 21c Barry Codling

Limited Modified heats

Heat 1

23 Wade Moyer, 2w Paul White, 155 Vince Kacir, 174 Mickey Helms, 22 Art Rodriguez, 4 Chase Sanchez, 63 Shane Hoefling, 24 John Lieta

Heat 2

147 GW Hessong, 57 Jensen Prey, 6 Vince Louden, 75 Bo Beckner, J1 Tim Heatherly, 24x Mike Lieta, 11 Jeff Allgayer, 26 David McBride, 21c Barry Codling

In the 12-lap Late Model feature it was Eric Neal going wire to wire for the win. Neal was chased throughout the race by Michael Wagner, who was never able to mount a serious challenge. The races only yellow flew when David Kulhanek spun while battling with Randy Kacir for third.

Late Models

97 Eric Neal, 18 Michael Wagner, 36 Randy Kacir, 9 Mitch Wagner, 37 David Kulhanek

Late Model heat winner, 97 Eric Neal

Justin Bloom took advantage of the misfortune of Jason Bloom to get the lead early in the 12-lap Hot Stock Truck feature. Ja. Bloom got out front on green, but spun off to the turn 4 mud puddle and lost the clutch trying to get out. This gave the lead to Ju. Bloom who pulled away from the field as it spread out, for the victory.

Hot Stock Trucks

84 Justin Bloom, 76 Justin Airhardt, 15 KC Jimmerson, 43 Bob Ort, 88 Mikey Harvel, 62 Scott Symonds, 44 Billy Ragsdale, 49 Jason Bloom

Hot Stock Truck heat winner, 84 Justin Bloom

Chris Shafer jumped out front at the start of the 12-car, 20-lap Street Stock feature with Tony Blankenship second and Mike Moseley, AJ Solis and Jason Fox going three wide for third. Fox and Solis tangled on lap 1 for an early caution that saw Fox pit with a flat tire. On the restart Shafer and Blankenship eased away as Lauren Chamberlain moved past Solis for fourth.

Brian King started his march to the front getting by Fox for fifth on lap 2 and along side Chamberlain. After putting her back a spot, King got by Moseley for third on lap 3 as Kasey Garvin got sixth from Solis. Up front Blankenship ducked under Shafer to get the lead on lap 6, then held off Shafer who tried to retake the spot.

As Blankenship eased away, Moseley slipped and went backwards giving up several positions. Brad Hayes and Solis then began a lap by lap battle for fifth. Shafer was able to chase down Blankenship in traffic with five to go, while Hayes and Solis continued to swap fifth. At the checkers it was Blankenship able to hold the lead and grab the victory over Shafer.

Street Stocks

35 Tony Blankenship, 77 Chris Shafer, 31 Brian King, 55 Lauren Chamberlain, 9* Brad Hayes, 21 AJ Solis, 36 Lucky Gilbert, 19 Kasey Garvin, 58 James Hess, 3 Mike Moseley, 88 Johnny Hess, 21x Jason Fox
Street Stock heat winners, 77 Chris Shafer, 3 Mike Moseley

By JM Hallas
ASCS Gulf South photo in story
Joe Orth photo on front page

Gary Wright holds on to win ASCS Gulf South feature at Speedarama

Gary Wright picked up his second overall American Sprint Car Series Regional feature win of the year by limping to the checkered flag in Saturday night’s 25-lap Smiley’s Racing Products ASCS Gulf South Region main event at the Speedarama Raceway.

Working forward from the ninth starting position in his familiar No. 9, Wright raced into the lead on the 15th circuit and then slipped across the finish line in command moments after a piston failure in his powerplant.

Wright claimed the victory just in front of eleventh-starter Jason Johnson, who charged past George White in the final corner for runner-up honors. With a broken steering box, White tagged the wall and flipped across the finish line to claim the show position and assume the ASCS Gulf South points lead.

With the red flag flying with checkered as White flipped, the balance of the field was scored on the previous lap with Scottie McDonald in fourth and Jeffrey Newell posting his first career top-five ASCS finish by rounding out the top five.

Tommy Bryant was sixth, with defending series champion Ray Allen Kulhanek, 15th-starter Travis Rilat, Brandon Berryman and pole starter Chris Sweeney completing the top ten.

Aaron Reutzel, Bryant, McDonald and Newell topped heat race action, with Travis Rilat winning the “B” Main.

Smiley’s Racing Products ASCS Gulf South Results from Speedarama Raceway:

First Heat (8 Laps): 1. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 2. 12b-Logan Bledsoe, 3. 21T-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 4. 41-Jason Johnson, 5. 3-Gary Watson, 6. 51s-Beau Smith, 7. 17-Channin Tankersley, 8. 7w-Dustin Welch.

Second Heat (8 Laps): 1. 14e-Tommy Bryant, 2. 35-Greg Rilat, 3. 9-Gary Wright, 4. 31-Brandon Berryman, 5. 51-Jimmy Brooks, 6. 19-Klint Angelette, 7. 69-Larry Howery. DNS: 64j-Johnny Miller.

Third Heat (8 Laps): 1. 88-Scottie McDonald, 2. 5c-Chris Coker, 3. 10-George White, 4. 93-Chris Sweeney, 5. 54-Evan Pardo, 6. 28-James Cooper, 7. 25h-Trey Schmidt, 8. 17c-Greg Coleman.

Fourth Heat (8 Laps): 1. 11-Jeffrey Newell, 2. 15T-Travis Elliott, 3. 25m-Michael McNeil, 4. 29-Travis Rilat, 5. 40-Junior Jenkins, 6. 2-Wes Miller, 7. 2s-Steve Hubbard.

“B” Main (12 Laps): 1. 29-Travis Rilat, 2. 54-Evan Pardo, 3. 51s-Beau Smith, 4. 31-Brandon Berryman, 5. 17-Channin Tankersley, 6. 3-Gary Watson, 7. 40-Junior Jenkins, 8. 51-Jimmy Brooks, 9. 19-Klint Angelette, 10. 28-James Cooper, 11. 69-Larry Howery, 12. 2-Wes Miller, 13. 17c-Greg Coleman, 14. 25h-Trey Schmidt, 15. 2s-Steve Hubbard, 16. 7w-Dustin Welch. DNS: 64j-Johnny Miller.

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 9-Gary Wright, 2. 41-Jason Johnson, 3. 10-George White, 4. 88-Scottie McDonald, 5. 11-Jeffrey Newell, 6. 14e-Tommy Bryant, 7. 21T-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 8. 29-Travis Rilat, 9. 31-Brandon Berryman, 10. 93-Chris Sweeney, 11. 15T-Travis Elliott, 12. 25m-Michael McNeil, 13. 35-Greg Rilat, 14. 12b-Logan Bledsoe, 15. 54-Evan Pardo, 16. 51s-Beau Smith, 17. 17-Channin Tankersley, 18. 5c-Chris Coker, 19. 3-Gary Watson, 20. 87-Aaron Reutzel.

Smiley’s Racing Products ASCS Gulf South Region Points (Top Ten): 1. George White 389, 2. Aaron Reutzel 353, 3. Brandon Berryman 351, 4. Tommy Bryant 338, 5. Greg Rilat 312, 6. Ray Allen Kulhanek 309, 7. Jeffrey Newell 290, 8. Michael McNeil 287, 9. Chris Sweeney 285, 10. Channin Tankersley 282.

by Lonnie Wheatley

Aaron Reutzel rules ASCS Gulf South at Heart O’ Texas

Leading Brodix Rookie of the Year contender Aaron Reutzel took full advantage of an idle weekend for the Lucas Oil ASCS National series by racing to victory lane in Friday night’s 30-lap Smiley’s Racing Products ASCS Gulf South Region main event at Heart O’ Texas Speedway.

The 20-year-old from Clute, TX, made a late-race move around Brandon Berryman for the lead to claim his second career ASCS Gulf South triumph aboard Kenny Reutzel’s Simpson Race Products No. 87 Triple-X, this one worth $3,000.

While 2009 Gulf South champ Reutzel took the green flag from the sixth starting position, it was two-time series champ Brandon Berryman leading most of the way after starting from the pole. Berryman briefly surrendered the lead on the seventh lap to Jason Johnson, who then jumped the cushion and spun to a stop.

As the laps wound down, Reutzel and Channin Tankersley battled past Berryman on the 22nd circuit only to have Tankersley tangle with a lapped car and get upside down.

With Berryman back up front on the restart, Reutzel kept the pressure on until taking command with just three rounds to go. Reutzel raced on to the checkered flag in front of Berryman, with George White racing into the show position after starting 12th.

Reigning Lucas Oil ASCS National champion Jason Johnson rebounded from his early miscue to salvage fourth, with defending ASCS Gulf South champion Ray Allen Kulhanek rounding out the top five. Claud Estes was sixth, with Martin Edwards, Chris Coker, Gary Watson and Tommy Bryant completing the top ten.

Johnson, Tankersley, Ryan Hall, Berryman and Watson topped heat race action for the 37-car field, with Evan Pardo and Bryant winning the “B” Mains.

After turning over in heat race action, Travis Rilat fell one spot short of a transfer in “B” Main action.

Smiley’s Racing Products ASCS Gulf South Results from Heart O’ Texas Speedway:

First Heat (8 Laps): 1. 41-Jason Johnson, 2. 28-James Cooper, 3. 40-Junior Jenkins, 4. 76-John Ricketts, 5. 54-Evan Pardo, 6. 2s-Steve Hubbard, 7. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr. DNS: 17c-Greg Coleman.

Second Heat (8 Laps): 1. 71-Channin Tankersley, 2. 5c-Chris Coker, 3. 15T-Travis Elliott, 4. 74e-Claud Estes, 5. 9-Brian Parker, 6. 93-Chris Sweeney, 7. 11x-Justin Melton, 8. 8-Bruce Crockett.

Third Heat (8 Laps): 1. 79-Ryan Hall, 2. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 3. 2-Wes Miller, 4. 19-Klint Angelette, 5. 64j-Johnny Miller, 6. 69-Larry Howery, 7. 14b-Robert Byrom.

Fourth Heat (8 Laps): 1. 31-Brandon Berryman, 2. 10-George White, 3. 25m-Michael McNeil, 4. 51-Beau Smith, 5. 35-Greg Rilat, 6. 11-Jeffrey Newell, 7. 29-Travis Rilat.

Fifth Heat (8 Laps): 1. 3-Gary Watson, 2. 45-Martin Edwards, 3. 21T-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 4. 14e-Tommy Bryant, 5. 12b-Logan Bledsoe, 6. 7w-Dustin Welch, 7. 52-Roger Oakes.

First “B” Main (12 Laps): 1. 54-Evan Pardo, 2. 2-Wes Miller, 3. 35-Greg Rilat, 4. 51-Beau Smith, 5. 12b-Logan Bledsoe, 6. 69-Larry Howery, 7. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 8. 52-Roger Oakes, 9. 11-Jeffrey Newell, 10. 2s-Steve Hubbard. DNS: 25m-Michael McNeil, 17c-Greg Coleman.

Second “B” Main (12 Laps): 1. 14e-Tommy Bryant, 2. 64j-Johnny Miller, 3. 76-John Ricketts, 4. 29-Travis Rilat, 5. 11x-Justin Melton, 6. 19-Klint Angelette, 7. 93-Chris Sweeney, 8. 14b-Robert Byrom, 9. 9-Brian Parker, 10. 7w-Dustin Welch. DNS: 8-Bruce Crockett.

“A” Feature (30 Laps): 1. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 2. 31-Brandon Berryman, 3. 10-George White, 4. 41-Jason Johnson, 5. 21T-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 6. 74e-Claud Estes, 7. 45-Martin Edwards, 8. 5c-Chris Coker, 9. 3-Gary Watson, 10. 14e-Tommy Bryant, 11. 15T-Travis Elliott, 12. 64j-Johnny Miller, 13. 54-Evan Pardo, 14. 40-Junior Jenkins, 15. 35-Greg Rilat, 16. 79-Ryan Hall, 17. 71-Channin Tankersley, 18. 2-Wes Miller, 19. 28-James Cooper, 20. 76-John Ricketts.

Smiley’s Racing Products ASCS Gulf South Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Aaron Reutzel 263, 2. George White 254, 3. Brandon Berryman 238, 4. Tommy Bryant 216, 5. Greg Rilat 208, 6. Wes Miller 198, 7. Ray Allen Kulhanek 190, 8. Channin Tankersley 186, 9. (tie) Michael McNeil and Chris Coker 181.

Story by Lonnie Wheatley

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

Andy Shouse ends 6-year ASCS drought at Speedarama Raceway

Oklahoma invader Andy Shouse foiled Jason Johnson’s hopes of an American Sprint Car Series Gulf South Region Labor Day weekend tripleheader sweep by racing to victory lane in Sunday night’s 25-lap main event at Speedarama Raceway.

The 2004 ASCS Sooner Region champion hailing from Oklahoma City surged past Beau Smith for the lead at the midway point and set the pace the rest of the way for his third career ASCS Regional triumph and the first since a Sooner score at Cowtown Speedway nearly six years ago on September 25, 2004.

“It was getting a little rough in the middle coming off of two, I found a little piece just above it that gave us a really good run off the corner,” Shouse explained in victory lane.

In the process, Shouse denied Johnson a weekend sweep which would have been worth an extra $1,000 from Griffith Trucking for Johnson. Johnson rebounded from an early encounter with Gary Wright to snare third at the line behind Shouse and Channin Tankersley and collected an extra $500 for winning two of three events over the weekend.

After the initial start was waved off for a three-car tangle in turn one, Beau Smith gunned into the lead from the pole position with third-starting Shouse working past Tommy Bryant for second in the opening circuits.

With Smith fending off Shouse, Tankersley and Bryant, Johnson’s hopes of a three-peat were diminished when he and Gary Wright tangled exiting turn two and slid to a stop on the backstretch while battling for sixth on the fifth circuit. Both restarted at the tail.

Shouse went to work on Smith and ultimately raced into the lead on the 13th round, a lap before fourth-running Bryant stopped in turn three with Johnson and Wright back up to seventh and ninth, respectively.

While Shouse cruised out front in the ensuing circuits, Tankersley battled past Smith for second as Johnson and Wright scratched their way forward. The race’s final caution flew just four laps shy of the checkered flag when Smith spun to a stop on the backstretch after contact with Johnson, who was up to fourth as Wright checked his mount into the pit area.

Shouse held off Tankersley over the final four rounds to secure the win aboard the Bishop Racing Components No. 27, while Johnson nipped 15th-starter Skip Wilson at the line for the show position. Wilson was fourth, with Aaron Reutzel rounding out the top five.

Chris Sweeney was sixth, with Travis Elliott, Wes Miller, Jimmy Brooks and Larry Howery completing the top ten.

Scottie McDonald, Bryant, Miller and Johnson topped heat race action for the 32-car field, with Wilson winning the “B” Main.

ASCS Gulf South Results from Speedarama Raceway:

First Heat (8 Laps): 1. 88-Scottie McDonald, 2. 51s-Beau Smith, 3. 3-Gary Watson, 4. 35-Greg Rilat, 5. 69-Larry Howery, 6. 58-Gary Floyd, 7. 36-John Pate. DNS: 74e-Claud Estes.

Second Heat (8 Laps): 1. 85-Tommy Bryant, 2. 93-Chris Sweeney, 3. 12b-Logan Bledsoe, 4. 21T-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 5. 51-Jimmy Brooks, 6. 14-Michael Lang, 7. 8tw-Kent Lewis, Jr., 8. 19-Klint Angelette.

Third Heat (8 Laps): 1. 51w-Wes Miller, 2. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 3. 27-Andy Shouse, 4. 5c-Chris Coker, 5. 16-Koty Adams, 6. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 7. 30-Brandon Corn, 8. 76-John Ricketts.

Fourth Heat (8 Laps): 1. 41-Jason Johnson, 2. 71-Channin Tankersley, 3. 9x-Gary Wright, 4. 65-Skip Wilson, 5. 15T-Travis Elliott, 6. 30x-Bean Elliott, 7. 31-Brandon Berryman. DNS: 8-Bruce Crockett.

“B” Main (12 Laps): 1. 65-Skip Wilson, 2. 69-Larry Howery, 3. 16-Koty Adams, 4. 15T-Travis Elliott, 5. 74e-Claud Estes, 6. 51-Jimmy Brooks, 7. 31-Brandon Berryman, 8. 76-John Ricketts, 9. 19-Klint Angelette, 10. 58-Gary Floyd, 11. 36-John Pate, 12. 8tw-Kent Lewis, Jr., 13. 14-Michael Lang, 14. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr. DNS: 5c-Chris Coker, 30x-Bean Elliott, 30-Brandon Corn, 8b-Bruce Crockett.

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 27-Andy Shouse, 2. 71-Channin Tankersley, 3. 41-Jason Johnson, 4. 65-Skip Wilson, 5. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 6. 93-Chris Sweeney, 7. 15T-Travis Elliott, 8. 51w-Wes Miller, 9. 51-Jimmy Brooks, 10. 69-Larry Howery, 11. 51s-Beau Smith, 12. 9x-Gary Wright, 13. 21T-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 14. 16-Koty Adams, 15. 35-Greg Rilat, 16. 74e-Claud Estes, 17. 85-Tommy Bryant, 18. 3-Gary Watson, 19. 88-Scottie McDonald, 20. 12b-Logan Bledsoe.

ASCS Gulf South Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Ray Allen Kulhanek 2,165, 2. Aaron Reutzel 2,098, 3. Tommy Bryant 2,083, 4. Brandon Berryman 1,986, 5. Travis Elliott 1,911, 6. Chris Sweeney 1,833, 7. Wes Miller 1,770, 8. Beau Smith 1,684, 9. Scottie McDonald 1,679, 10. Logan Bledsoe 1,641.

Photos and story by Lonnie Wheatley

Jason Johnson golden in ASCS Gulf South go at Golden Triangle

Jason Johnson kicked off the American Sprint Car Series Gulf South Region Labor Day weekend triple by racing to victory lane in Friday night’s 25-lap main event at Golden Triangle Raceway Park.

Johnson needed just four laps to charge into the lead from the sixth starting position and led the rest of the way for his 12th overall ASCS win of 2010 aboard the JJR Don Ott-powered Haynes No. 41 Maxim and sixth in Gulf South action.

While Skip Wilson jumped into the early lead from the pole position, Johnson raced around the top side of the ¼-mile clay oval into third on the opening circuit behind Wilson and Reutzel.

Johnson disposed of Reutzel for second the next time around and then dove underneath Wilson entering turn three on the fourth circuit to snare a lead he would never relinquish although Reutzel kept pace throughout after taking second from Wilson a lap after Johnson took command.

While Johnson found some breathing room after a lap 13 restart, one final caution with six laps to go put Reutzel on Johnson’s tailtank and in position to challenge for the point in the final circuits. But, Johnson worked the top of one and two and the bottom of turns three and four flawlessly over the final half dozen rounds to secure the win over the defending ASCS Gulf South champion.

Tommy Bryant chased Johnson and Reutzel to the line, with Wilson and Travis Elliott rounding out the top five. Chris Sweeney was sixth, with Wes Miller, current ASCS Gulf South points leader Ray Allen Kulhanek, 17th-starter Andy Shouse and Greg Rilat completing the top ten.

Channin Tankersley, Johnson, Bryant and Wilson topped heat race action for the 27-car field, with Larry Howery making a last-lap pass of Gary Watson to win the 12-lap “B” Main. After starting eighth in the main event, Tankersley was sideline after tagged the turn one wall on the third lap.

ASCS Gulf South Results from Golden Triangle Raceway Park:

First Heat (8 Laps): 1. 71-Channin Tankersley, 2. 15T-Travis Elliott, 3. 21T-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 4. 12b-Logan Bledsoe, 5. 69-Larry Howery, 6. 8-Bruce Crockett, 7. 5c-Chris Coker.

Second Heat (8 Laps): 1. 41-Jason Johnson, 2. 93-Chris Sweeney, 3. 51w-Wes Miller, 4. 27-Andy Shouse, 5. 31-Brandon Berryman, 6. 52-Roger Oakes, 7. 76-John Ricketts.

Third Heat (8 Laps): 1. 85-Tommy Bryant, 2. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 3. 16-Koty Adams, 4. 3-Gary Watson, 5. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 6. 30x-Bean Elliott, 7. 45k-Kolt Walker.

Fourth Heat (8 Laps): 1. 65-Skip Wilson, 2. 51s-Beau Smith, 3. 35-Greg Rilat, 4. 51-Jimmy Brooks, 5. 7-Michael McNeil, 6. 19-Klint Angelette.

“B” Main (12 Laps): 1. 69-Larry Howery, 2. 3-Gary Watson, 3. 27-Andy Shouse, 4. 7-Michael McNeil, 5. 30x-Bean Elliott, 6. 31-Brandon Berryman, 7. 8-Bruce Crockett, 8. 45k-Kolt Walker, 9. 5c-Chris Coker, 10. 76-John Ricketts, 11. 52-Roger Oakes, 12. 19-Klint Angelette, 13. 12b-Logan Bledsoe.

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 41-Jason Johnson, 2. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 3. 85-Tommy Bryant, 4. 65-Skip Wilson, 5. 15T-Travis Elliott, 6. 93-Chris Sweeney, 7. 51w-Wes Miller, 8. 21T-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 9. 27-Andy Shouse, 10. 35-Greg Rilat, 11. 16-Koty Adams, 12. 3-Gary Watson, 13. 30x-Bean Elliott, 14. 7-Michael McNeil, 15. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 16. 51-Jimmy Brooks, 17. 51s-Beau Smith, 18. 31-Brandon Berryman, 19. 71-Channin Tankersley, 20. 69-Larry Howery.

ASCS Gulf South Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Ray Allen Kulhanek 1,996 2. Tommy Bryant 1,895, 3. Aaron Reutzel 1,843, 4. Brandon Berryman 1,811, 5. Travis Elliott 1,692, 6. Chris Sweeney 1,605, 7. Wes Miller 1,564, 8. Beau Smith 1,482, 9. Scottie McDonald 1,462, 10. Logan Bledsoe 1,443.

Photos and story by Lonnie Wheatley

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