rebelracewriter Posted July 16, 2008 Report Share Posted July 16, 2008 16th Annual Toyota Tundra ASCS Speedweek Resumes Thursday at Devil's Bowl Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (July 15, 2008) – With the opening three rounds of the 16th Annual Toyota Tundra ASCS Sizzlin' Summer Speedweek in the books, the points landscape for the O'Reilly American Sprint Cars on Tour National series has already changed dramatically. So, it's anybody's guess as to what will transpire as the final three nights of intense action unfold this Thursday, Friday and Saturday as the 16th Annual Toyota Tundra ASCS Speedweek winds down. Action picks back up on Thursday night at the famed Devil's Bowl Speedway clay oval in Mesquite, TX. Then on Friday night, it's up to Oklahoma City's State Fair Speedway. Then on Saturday night, the Speedweek finale takes place atop Oklahoma's red clay at Lawton Speedway. Three drivers have graced victory lane through the opening three nights of ASCS Speedweek. Gary Taylor snared his first career ASCS National win in Friday night's opener at 67 Texarkana Speedway, Gary Wright added his 121st career series win in Saturday night's card at Little Rock's I-30 Speedway and Jason Johnson continued his title assault(s) with Monday's win at Creek County Speedway in Sapulpa, OK. Entering Thursday's event at Devil's Bowl, Jason Johnson is in the driver's for not only his second ASCS Speedweek crown, but his first ASCoT National championship as well. The Eunice, LA, shoe holds a slim 8-point lead over Oklahoma City native Wayne Johnson in the Speedweek points chase, as the unrelated Johnson duo are the only two drivers to finish among the top five through the opening three legs of Speedweek. Most noteworthy over the first three rounds has been the virtual collapse of Gary Wright's season championship hopes. The six-time Speedweek champion did add his 28th career ASCS Speedweek feature win in Saturday night's card at I-30, the 100th feature event in Speedweek history. But the rest of the week has been disastrous for the four-time ASCS National champion, as a DNF at Texarkana and then the use of a provisional after shearing a distributor gear pin at Creek County Speedway has put Wright 97 points off the season-long points chase after entering the week eight points ahead of Jason Johnson. Wright will try to reverse his fortunes over the latter portion of Speedweek at Devil's Bowl, State Fair Speedway and Lawton Speedway, where he has tallied up 32 of his career ASCS National Tour feature wins (17 at Devil's Bowl, 11 at State Fair Speedway and 4 at Lawton). At the same time, Jason Johnson will try to put the finishing touches on a second Speedweek title as well as move a few steps closer to his first $50,000 series championship. Johnson has enjoyed his share of success at both Devil's Bowl and State Fair Speedway over the past two seasons with nine overall wins. But, if "The Ragin' Cajun" has an Achilles Heel, it could well be at Lawton Speedway, where a provisional derailed his title hopes last season. Lurking in second in both Speedweek and season points is Wayne Johnson, who is waiting patiently for that one slip by the points leader that could change the entire points race. Zach Chappell of Talala, OK, enters the rest of the week third in Speedweek points, just eight markers ahead of Forney, TX, shoe Travis Rilat. Gary Taylor, hailing from Sapulpa, OK, by way of Washington, holds down the critical fifth spot in Speedweek points right now, but not by much. With the top five in final Toyota Tundra ASCS Speedweek points receiving bonus money at the end of the week, Taylor is just two points ahead of Rose, OK, racer Jamie Passmore. Also within a dozen points are three more contenders, including Brad Bowden (Hernando, MS), Sean McClelland (Tulsa, OK) and Claud Estes (Godley, TX). Thus far, 43 different drivers have competed in at least one leg of the 16th Annual Toyota Tundra ASCS Speedweek, with 18 drivers taking in all three events thus far. Those competing in each event so far include Eric Baldaccini, Brad Bowden, Zach Chappell, Matt Covington, Claud Estes, J.J. Hickle, Jason Johnson, Wayne Johnson, Garry Lee Maier, Sean McClelland, Kathryne Minter, Jamie Passmore, Travis Rilat, Nick Smith, Channin Tankersley, Gary Taylor, Kenneth Walker and Gary Wright. All drivers competing in all six rounds will be eligible for a set of Brodix heads to be awarded via a drawing during the Speedweek finale at Lawton. The Series: O’Reilly American Sprint Cars on Tour (ASCoT) When & Where: 16th Annual Toyota Tundra ASCS Sizzlin' Summer Speedweek: Round Four – Thursday night, July 17 – Devil's Bowl Speedway at 8:00 p.m. Round Five – Friday night, July 18 – State Fair Speedway at 7:30 p.m. Round Six – Saturday night, July 19 – Lawton Speedway at 8:00 p.m. Track Information: Devil’s Bowl Speedway (Mesquite, TX) – ½-mile high-banked clay oval located six miles east of Dallas’ Loop I-635 on US 80, then three miles south on Lawson Road. Track phone: 972-222-2421. State Fair Speedway (Oklahoma City, OK) – 3/8-mile semi-banked clay oval located on the Oklahoma State Fair Grounds near the intersection of N.W. 10th and May Avenue. Track phone: 405-948-6796. Lawton Speedway (Lawton, OK) – ¼-mile semi-banked clay oval located off I-44 Exit 36, then 2.5 miles west on Lee Boulevard, then 1.4 miles south on Sheridan Road. For more information, contact the track at 580-355-6417. O’Reilly ASCoT Devil's Bowl Speedway History: Devil’s Bowl Speedway has been hosting the O’Reilly ASCS National Tour since 1994, with 20 different drivers scoring at least one victory in 53 feature events. Gary Wright has claimed 17 of his 120 career ASCS National wins at Devil’s Bowl, including a pair of triumphs in 2007 and a dramatic last corner pass to win this year's edition of the Devil's Bowl Spring Nationals. Wright also won last year's Devil's Bowl leg of ASCS Speedweek. Jason Johnson, who swept last October's Winter Nationals, topped the most recent ASCS event at Devil's Bowl with a triumph in the second leg of May's Red River Shootout. Devil’s Bowl ASCS National winners include: Gary Wright 17, Jason Johnson 5, Wayne Johnson 4, Danny Jennings 3, Kevin Ramey 3, Shane Carson 2, Terry Gray 2, Garry Lee Maier 2, Mike Peters 2, Travis Rilat 2, Sammy Swindell 2, Tony Bruce, Jr. 1, Tim Crawley 1, Edd French 1, Johnny Herrera 1, Larry Neighbors 1, Alan Payne 1, Jake Peters 1, Shane Stewart 1, Mike Ward 1. Past Speedweek Winners at Devil's Bowl Speedway: Shane Carson (1994), Mike Ward (1995), Wayne Johnson (1996), Wayne Johnson (1997), Gary Wright (1998), Garry Lee Maier (1999), Gary Wright (2000), Gary Wright (2001), Jason Johnson (2002), Danny Jennings (2005), Gary Wright (2006), Gary Wright (2007). Devil’s Bowl O’Reilly ASCoT Race-by-race Winners: Shane Carson (6/21/94), Alan Payne (5/12/95), Mike Ward (7/23/95), Mike Peters (9/1/95), Sammy Swindell (9/2/95), Sammy Swindell (9/3/95), Wayne Johnson (6/18/96), Terry Gray (7/6/96), Terry Gray (11/1/96), Johnny Herrera (11/2/96), Shane Carson (4/5/97), Wayne Johnson (6/18/97), Edd French (10/31/97), Mike Peters (11/1/97), Gary Wright (6/19/98), Gary Wright (10/3/98), Garry Lee Maier (10/4/98), Gary Wright (7/8/99), Garry Lee Maier (7/30/99), Gary Wright (10/1/99), Gary Wright (10/2/99), Gary Wright (7/21/00), Gary Wright (10/6/00), Larry Neighbors (4/20/01), Gary Wright (7/20/01), Gary Wright (10/6/01), Travis Rilat (4/19/02), Jason Johnson (6/7/02), Wayne Johnson (10/4/02), Gary Wright (10/5/02), Kevin Ramey (4/18/03), Tim Crawley (10/17/03), Gary Wright (10/18/03), Shane Stewart (10/23/04), Danny Jennings (3/18/05), Danny Jennings (3/19/05), Danny Jennings (6/9/05), Gary Wright (10/21/05), Gary Wright (10/22/05), Kevin Ramey (6/24/06 – Spring Nationals makeup feature), Kevin Ramey (6/24/06 – Summer Nationals), Gary Wright (7/13/06), Jason Johnson (10/13/06), Travis Rilat (10/14/06), Wayne Johnson (3/16/07), Jake Peters (3/17/07), Gary Wright (5/12/07), Gary Wright (7/19/07), Jason Johnson (10/12/07), Jason Johnson (10/13/07), Tony Bruce, Jr. (3/14/08), Gary Wright (3/15/08), Jason Johnson (5/10/08). O’Reilly ASCoT State Fair Speedway History: State Fair Speedway has hosted 27 ASCS National Tour events since 1994, with 23 events in Oklahoma City since the track was reconfigured prior to the 2002 season. Gary Wright has won nine of 23 feature events since the reconfiguration, with Jason Johnson and Kevin Ramey the only other drivers to score multiple wins since that time. The last time Gary Wright missed an ASCS National Tour event, it was at State Fair Speedway on May 9, 2003, when an accident while en route forced his absence. Since that time, Wright has racked up four series titles and has competed in 184 consecutive ASCS National Tour events. Wright topped three of four ASCS National Tour features at State Fair Speedway in 2007, including the OKC leg of Speedweek. Jason Johnson topped Oklahoma City's Spring Nationals for the second time in three years this March after Danny Lasoski topped the prelim, while Nebraska teen Jack Dover scored his first series win in May's Oklahoma City leg of the Red River Shootout. State Fair Speedway ASCS National winners include: Gary Wright 11, Jason Johnson 4, Kevin Ramey 2, Zach Chappell 1, Jack Dover 1, Tommie Estes, Jr. 1, Wayne Johnson 1, Danny Lasoski 1, Wayne Pennington 1, Travis Rilat 1, Darren Stewart 1, Shane Stewart 1, Danny Wood 1. Past Speedweek Winners at State Fair Speedway: Zach Chappell (2001), Shane Stewart (2003), Jason Johnson (2006), Gary Wright (2007). State Fair Speedway O’Reilly ASCoT Race-by-race Winners: Gary Wright (10/13/94), Tommie Estes, Jr. (5/26/96), Gary Wright (8/11/96), Zach Chappell (7/21/01), Wayne Pennington (5/17/02), Kevin Ramey (6/28/02), Gary Wright (8/23/02), Travis Rilat (5/9/03), Shane Stewart (6/1/03), Gary Wright (6/27/03), Gary Wright (8/1/03), Danny Wood (6/25/04), Gary Wright (7/30/04), Kevin Ramey (5/20/05), Darren Stewart (6/24/05), Gary Wright (7/29/05), Jason Johnson (3/24/06), Jason Johnson (3/25/06), Gary Wright (6/23/06), Jason Johnson (7/14/06), Gary Wright (3/23/07), Wayne Johnson (3/24/07), Gary Wright (5/11/07), Gary Wright (7/20/07), Danny Lasoski (3/21/08), Jason Johnson (3/22/08), Jack Dover (5/10/08). O’Reilly ASCoT Lawton Speedway History: A regular stop on the American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Regional trail, Lawton Speedway hosts the ASCS Speedweek finale for the fifth time in the last seven years. Gary Wright has topped three of the four ASCS Speedweek events at Lawton Speedway, including last year's stop. Two-time ASCS Sooner Region champion Kevin Ramey took the 2006 Speedweek win at Lawton to go along with his five ASCS Sooner Region wins atop the red clay. Lawton Speedway ASCS National winners include: Gary Wright 4, Danny Jennings 1, Daryn Pittman 1, Kevin Ramey 1, Paul White 1. Past Speedweek Winners at Lawton Speedway: Gary Wright (2002), Gary Wright (2003), Kevin Ramey (2006), Gary Wright (2007). Lawton Speedway O’Reilly ASCoT Race-by-race Winners: Daryn Pittman (9/12/98), Paul White (9/11/99), Gary Wright (8/5/00), Danny Jennings (8/4/01), Gary Wright (6/8/02), Gary Wright (6/7/03), Kevin Ramey (7/15/06), Gary Wright (7/21/07). Current O’Reilly ASCoT Points (After 21 Nights): Drivers: Top Fifteen: 1. Jason Johnson (Eunice, LA) 2,681, 2. Wayne Johnson (Oklahoma City, OK) 2,609, 3. Gary Wright (Hooks, TX) 2,584, 4. Zach Chappell (Talala, OK) 2,521, 5. Garry Lee Maier (Cimarron, KS) 2,342, 6. Eric Baldaccini (Keller, TX) 2,187, 7. Nick Smith (Broken Arrow, OK) 2,072, 8. Kenneth Walker (Sapulpa, OK) 1,969, 9. Travis Rilat (Forney, TX) 1,770, 10. Kathryne Minter (Bedford, TX) 1,656, 11. Gary Taylor (Sapulpa, OK) 1,651, 12. Jack Dover (Springfield, NE) 1,648, 13. Aaron Berryhill (Broken Arrow, OK) 1,174, 14. Jason Sides (Bartlett, TN) 1,130, 15. Matt Covington (Glenpool, OK) 1,044. Owners: Top Fifteen: 1. Lanny Row 41 – 2,681, 2. Mike Hammers 94 – 2,609, 3. Wright-Cooper Motorsports 9 / 01 – 2,584, 4. David Chappell 50z – 2,521, 5. Scott Brown 11x – 2,342, 6. Harry Baldaccini B4 2,187, 7. Kip Smith 15s – 2,072, 8. Sandra Walker 2 – 1,969, 9. Travis Rilat 29 - 1,770, 10. Bobby Sparks 91 – 1,658, 11. Tracy Minter 13 – 1,656, 12. Mike Eubanks 5* - 1,651, 13. Lori Dover 53 – 1,648, 14. Aaron Berryhill 97 – 1,249, 15. Sides Motorsports 7s – 1,130. 2008 O’Reilly ASCoT Feature Winners: Jason Johnson 8, Tony Bruce, Jr., 2, Gary Wright 2, Kenny Adams 1, Aaron Berryhill 1, Jack Dover 1, Wayne Johnson 1, Danny Lasoski 1, Terry McCarl 1, Nick Smith 1, Gary Taylor 1, Skip Wilson 1. Current Toyota Tundra ASCS Sizzlin' Summer Speedway Points (Through Three of Six Rounds): Top Fifteen: 1. Jason Johnson (Eunice, LA) 440, 2. Wayne Johnson (Oklahoma City, OK) 432, 3. Zach Chappell (Talala, OK) 414, 4. Travis Rilat (Forney, TX) 406, 5. Gary Taylor (Sapulpa, OK) 388, 6. Jamie Passmore (Rose, OK) 386, 7. Brad Bowden (Hernando, MS) 382, 8. (tie) Sean McClelland (Tulsa, OK) and Claud Estes (Godley, TX) 376, 10. Garry Lee Maier (Cimarron, KS) 374, 11. Nick Smith (Broken Arrow, OK) 359, 12. (tie) Eric Baldaccini (Keller, TX) and J.J. Hickle (Quilcene, WA) 358, 14. Kenneth Walker (Sapulpa, OK) 354, 15. Gary Wright (Hooks, TX) 335. O'Reilly ASCoT – A Look Ahead: July 31 18th Annual Knoxville ASCS Nationals (Knoxville, IA) August 1 18th Annual Knoxville ASCS Nationals (Knoxville, IA) August 2 18th Annual Knoxville ASCS Nationals (Knoxville, IA) - $10,000 to win The O'Reilly American Sprint Cars on Tour National series is currently slated for approximately 40 nights of racing action at nearly 20 different tracks throughout a dozen different states, with more than $1,000,000 in purse money and point fund to be distributed during the 2008 season. The nation's most prominent Sprint Car sanctioning body with a dozen different Regions throughout the United States in addition to the O'Reilly American Sprint Cars on Tour National series, the American Sprint Car Series' (ASCS) 17th year of activity will include approximately 250 nights of racing at more than 100 different race tracks throughout 28 different states and Canada. Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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