O’Neal’s perfect night started with the first green flag of the evening. He quickly moved from the inside second row to lead the first lap of his heat and pulled away to victory. He easily outpaced the other cars in the dash. The A feature was a different matter. Ronnie Long pulled ahead to lead the opening laps, with O’Neal right behind him. By the fifth lap, O’Neal’s car was working better and he pulled even with Long. They raced side by side for almost the entire lap before O’Neal took the lead. As the leader pulled away, Long had to fight an increasingly difficult race car and a hard charging Jimmy Quick, Jr. After the only caution of the race on lap 13, Quick went to the inside in turn three to take the runner-up position. O’Neal claimed the checkered flag, followed by Quick, Long, Darren Ellis and Brit Ables. Quick won the other heat race.

Mechanical woes have kept Kevin Ramey out of victory lane for the opening races of the 2001 season. The three time defending USA sprint car champion did benefit from a second row starting spot for the 20-lap feature due to his low point average. Saturday night, he ran a perfect race, and the car was perfect. Pulling away at the drop of the green flag, Ramey quickly built his lead to over 15 car lengths. He was only slowed when he lapped cars while charging around the half-mile clay oval. Dennis Welch was running fourth when he was forced into the front straight wall while trying to pass a lapped car. That brought out the only caution of the race. Skip Wilson and Paul White got past second running Eric Payne on the restart as they worked past a lapped car. Ramey charged unchallenged to the checkered flag, with White making a flying move around the outside of turns three and four to take second on the last lap. Wilson, Payne and Glen Stubblefield, Jr. rounded out the top five. Rick Summers, Payne and Jimmy Goodwin won the heats.

McCommas always runs well at Devil’s Bowl, and his point average put hin on the fifth row in the B&B Sandblasting / Jimmy Allard Racing Engines Nr. 39 when the green flag fell. Cody Smith quickly jumped out to lead the 15 lap feature with a slight margin over David Booze and Jeff Welborn. An early caution slowed the field but Smith was strong while McCommas had just climbed to fifth when the caution flew on lap nine.

On the restart carnage reigned. The video doesn’t make clear what happened, possibly Smith did not get a strong start, possibly Welborn started to spin, possibly Booze made contact - what ever actually happened, in the exit to turn four Welborn’s car snapped suddenly sideways, blocking the front straight. By the time the cars stopped there were 13 cars piled up on the front straight. McCommas managed to find an opening on the outside and escaped unscathed.

After the cleanup, McCommas was second on the restart. A lap later he went low in turns one and two to take the lead. Dale Wester also managed to pass Smith before the checkered flag, but could not catch McCommas. Mike Goodson was fourth behind Smith, with Tom Lorenz fifth. Wester took the Timber Wolf Hard Charger award after starting 15^th. McCommas, Ronnie Welborn, Darrell Hathcock and Goodson won the heats. Tony Batt and David Gailley won the twin B mains. Darby Shelby has his first top ten finish in a good run from 21st.

Weeks claimed the points lead in the street stock class with his first win this year in the Jerry Salinas / D Smith Nr 5X. Starting 12^th, Weeks had to work through a competitive field while Pat Walls set the pace. Strong from the start, Walls had a comfortable lead until a mid-race caution. Weeks ran right with Walls for several laps before taking the lead two laps before the finish. In a tight three way battle, Weeks took the win, with Walls and Frank Shafer right behind. Tim McManus and Chuck Hooks were fourth and fifth. Weeks, Shafer and Mike Meeks, Jr. won the heat races.

USA SPRINT CARS - First Heat Race: 1. #99, Rick Summers, Mesquite, TX; 2. #7M, Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 3. #31, Matt Clevenger, Flower Mound, TX; 4. #31B, Brian Harvill, Irving, TX; 5. #44, Glen Stubblefield, Jr., Irving, TX; 6. #5, Jerry Pinckard, Coppell, TX; 7. #9C, Chad Cavett, Rockwall, TX; 8. #12, Jeff Shaddock, Rowlett, TX

Second Heat Race: 1. #2, Eric Payne, Garland, TX; 2. #1X, George White, Fort Worth, TX; 3. #9, Greg Young, Wichita Falls, TX; 4. #7J, Justin Zimmerman, Rockwall, TX; 5. #3, Scott Blackman, Dallas, TX; 6. #R23, Rodney Brown, Wichita Falls, TX; 7. #4D, Jimmy Quick, Jr., Royse City, TX

Third Heat Race: 1. #2L, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland, TX; 2. #39, Paul White, Temple, TX; 3. #42, Dennis Welch, Roanoke, TX; 4. #65, Skip Wilson, Garland, TX; 5. #5E, Brandon Erwin, Denton, TX; 6. #21, Jeff Liles, Mesquite, TX; Did not start - #8H, Rowdy Hull, Kennedale, TX

A FEATURE: 1. #7M, Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 2. #39, Paul White, Temple, TX; 3. #65, Skip Wilson, Garland, TX; 4. #2, Eric Payne, Garland, TX; 5. #44, Glen Stubblefield, Jr., Irving, TX; 6. #9, Greg Young, Wichita Falls, TX; 7. #7J, Justin Zimmerman, Rockwall, TX; 8. #31B, Brian Harvill, Irving, TX; 9. #3, Scott Blackman, Dallas, TX; 10. #12, Jeff Shaddock, Rowlett, TX; 11. #R23, Rodney Brown, Wichita Falls, TX; 12. #1X, George White, Fort Worth, TX; 13. #5E, Brandon Erwin, Denton, TX; 14. #42, Dennis Welch, Roanoke, TX; 15. #2L, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland, TX; 16. #9C, Chad Cavett, Rockwall, TX; 17. #5, Jerry Pinckard, Coppell, TX; 18. #99, Rick Summers, Mesquite, TX; 19. #31, Matt Clevenger, Flower Mound, TX; 20. #4D, Jimmy Quick, Jr., Royse City, TX; Did not start - #21, Jeff Liles, Mesquite, TX; Did not start - #8H, Rowdy Hull, Kennedale, TX

LATE MODELS - First Heat Race: 1. #8, Montie O'Neal, Midlothian, TX; 2. #51, Britt Ables, Wylie, TX; 3. #2, Darren Ellis, Royse City, TX; 4. #77, Stephen Manning, Rowlett, TX; 5. #55, Ron Lane, Bedford, TX; 6. #97, Christopher Drewry, Ben Wheeler, TX; 7. #19, Jeff McGibboney, Dallas, TX; 8. #12, Mike Jones, Dallas, TX

Second Heat Race: 1. #121, Jimmy Quick, Jr., Royse City, TX; 2. #28, Ronnie Long, Dallas, TX; 3. #11X, Brad Zimmerman, Mesquite, TX; 4. #92, Harry Hronas, Sunnyvale, TX; 5. #9, Bobby Woods, Rowlett, TX; 6. #24, Bubba Sterry, McKinney, TX; 7. #7, Mike Nelson, Rowlett, TX; Did not start - #88, Keith Darrow, Mesquite, TX

Trophy Dash: 1. #8, Montie O'Neal, Midlothian, TX; 2. #2, Darren Ellis, Royse City, TX; 3. #11X, Brad Zimmerman, Mesquite, TX; 4. #121, Jimmy Quick, Jr., Royse City, TX; Did not start - #51, Britt Ables, Wylie, TX; Did not start - #28, Ronnie Long, Dallas, TX

A FEATURE: 1. #8, Montie O'Neal, Midlothian, TX; 2. #121, Jimmy Quick, Jr., Royse City, TX; 3. #28, Ronnie Long, Dallas, TX; 4. #2, Darren Ellis, Royse City, TX; 5. #51, Britt Ables, Wylie, TX; 6. #11X, Brad Zimmerman, Mesquite, TX; 7. #92, Harry Hronas, Sunnyvale, TX; 8. #12, Mike Jones, Dallas, TX; 9. #55, Ron Lane, Bedford, TX; 10. #7, Mike Nelson, Rowlett, TX; 11. #24, Bubba Sterry, McKinney, TX; 12. #77, Stephen Manning, Rowlett, TX; 13. #19, Jeff McGibboney, Dallas, TX; 14. #9, Bobby Woods, Rowlett, TX; 15. #97, Christopher Drewry, Ben Wheeler, TX; Did not start - #88, Keith Darrow, Mesquite, TX

USA MODIFIEDS - First Heat Race: 1. #39, Rick McCommas, Balch Springs, TX; 2. #105, Cody Smith, Watauga, TX; 3. #6P, Jerry Cowart, Mesquite, TX; 4. #51, Rusty Trevathan, Garland, TX; 5. #41, Kevin Rowland, Midlothian, TX; 6. #98, Marc Madison, The Colony, TX; 7. #10B, Aaron Booze, Mesquite, TX; Did not start - #5B, Billy Fronterhouse, Wylie, TX; Did not start - #29, Tim Ables, Royse City, TX

Second Heat Race: 1. #20, Ronnie Welborn, Princeton, TX; 2. #34, Jay Miller, Terrell, TX; 3. #12W, Dale Wester, Red Oak, TX; 4. #22B, David Booze, Mesquite, TX; 5. #97, Joe Nevoit, Kennedale, TX; 6. #915, Bobby Malchus, Glenn Heights, TX; 7. #50D, David Gailley, Mesquite, TX; 8. #24, Jeff London, Wolfe City, TX; 9. #7, Darby Shelby, Mesquite, TX

Third Heat Race: 1. #79R, Darrell Hathcock, Dallas, TX; 2. #19J, Jeff Welborn, Princeton, TX; 3. #6L, Jody Mayne, Grand Saline, TX; 4. #50X, Rowdy Starnes, McKinney, TX; 5. #12C, Kevin Hazelip, Kemp, TX; 6. #17, Charles Lasater, Garland, TX; 7. #12$, James Creagh, Mabank, TX; 8. #199, Tad Kimbrough, Wylie, TX; 9. #69, Bobby Freeman, Ovilla, TX

Fourth Heat Race: 1. #66, Mike Goodson, Ardmore, OK; 2. #84, Tom Lorenz, Blach Springs, TX; 3. #13, Chuck Beusch, Red Oak, TX; 4. #77, Randy Kirkland, Mesquite, TX; 5. #27, Tony Batt, Plano, TX; 6. #10V, Danny Villanueva, Arlington, TX; 7. #23, Gary Lowe, Red Oak, TX; 8. #68, George Howard, Mesquite, TX; 9. #18, Frank Rose, Mesquite, TX

First B Main: 1. #27, Tony Batt, Plano, TX; 2. #24, Jeff London, Wolfe City, TX; 3. #7, Darby Shelby, Mesquite, TX; 4. #199, Tad Kimbrough, Wylie, TX; 5. #97, Joe Nevoit, Kennedale, TX; Did not start - #41, Kevin Rowland, Midlothian, TX; Did not start - #10B, Aaron Booze, Mesquite, TX; Did not start - #69, Bobby Freeman, Ovilla, TX; Did not start - #5B, Billy Fronterhouse, Wylie, TX

Second B Main: 1. #50D, David Gailley, Mesquite, TX; 2. #915, Bobby Malchus, Glenn Heights, TX; 3. #12$, James Creagh, Mabank, TX; 4. #18, Frank Rose, Mesquite, TX; 5. #23, Gary Lowe, Red Oak, TX; 6. #17, Charles Lasater, Garland, TX; 7. #12C, Kevin Hazelip, Kemp, TX; 8. #68, George Howard, Mesquite, TX; Did not start - #98, Marc Madison, The Colony, TX; Did not start - #10V, Danny Villanueva, Arlington, TX; Did not start - #29, Tim Ables, Royse City, TX

A FEATURE: 1. #39, Rick McCommas, Balch Springs, TX; 2. #12W, Dale Wester, Red Oak, TX; 3. #105, Cody Smith, Watauga, TX; 4. #66, Mike Goodson, Ardmore, OK; 5. #84, Tom Lorenz, Blach Springs, TX; 6. #51, Rusty Trevathan, Garland, TX; 7. #20, Ronnie Welborn, Princeton, TX; 8. #27, Tony Batt, Plano, TX; 9. #7, Darby Shelby, Mesquite, TX; 10. #6P, Jerry Cowart, Mesquite, TX; 11. #50X, Rowdy Starnes, McKinney, TX; 12. #24, Jeff London, Wolfe City, TX; 13. #19J, Jeff Welborn, Princeton, TX; 14. #34, Jay Miller, Terrell, TX; 15. #79R, Darrell Hathcock, Dallas, TX; 16. #22B, David Booze, Mesquite, TX; 17. #6L, Jody Mayne, Grand Saline, TX; 18. #915, Bobby Malchus, Glenn Heights, TX; 19. #13, Chuck Beusch, Red Oak, TX; 20. #50D, David Gailley, Mesquite, TX; 21. #12$, James Creagh, Mabank, TX; 22. #77, Randy Kirkland, Mesquite, TX

STREET STOCKS - First Heat Race: 1. #84, Frank Shafer, Balch Springs, TX; 2. #22, Butch Rymers, Mesquite, TX; 3. #34X, Richard Miller, Terrell, TX; 4. #10, Trandel White, Balch Springs, TX; 5. #38, Mike Walls, Flower Mound, TX; 6. #25, Steve Porter, Mesquite, TX; 7. #30, Shayne Gatlin, Mesquite, TX; 8. #00X, Michael Grubbs, Sachse, TX

Second Heat Race: 1. #5X, Thomas Weeks, Quinlan, TX; 2. #29, Tim McManus, Dallas, TX; 3. #39, Pat Walls, Frisco, TX; 4. #27, Chuck Hooks, Mesquite, TX; 5. #48, Ricky Wycough, Richardson, TX; 6. #70, Chet Chambers, Scurry, TX; 7. #88K, James Kaye, Dallas, TX; 8. #12$, James Barina, Dallas, TX

Third Heat Race: 1. #37, Mike Meeks, Jr., Mesquite, TX; 2. #21, Michael Murphy, Ferris, TX; 3. #7, Chuck Hall, Mesquite, TX; 4. #16, Johnny Points, Balch Springs, TX; 5. #5, Mark Reedy, Mesquite, TX; 6. #62, Gary Whitaker, Quinlan, TX; 7. #20, Michael Villeneva, Arlington, TX

A FEATURE: 1. #5X, Thomas Weeks, Quinlan, TX; 2. #39, Pat Walls, Frisco, TX; 3. #84, Frank Shafer, Balch Springs, TX; 4. #29, Tim McManus, Dallas, TX; 5. #27, Chuck Hooks, Mesquite, TX; 6. #22, Butch Rymers, Mesquite, TX; 7. #70, Chet Chambers, Scurry, TX; 8. #5, Mark Reedy, Mesquite, TX; 9. #62, Gary Whitaker, Quinlan, TX; 10. #34X, Richard Miller, Terrell, TX; 11. #00X, Michael Grubbs, Sachse, TX; 12. #20, Michael Villeneva, Arlington, TX; 13. #25, Steve Porter, Mesquite, TX; 14. #7, Chuck Hall, Mesquite, TX; 15. #30, Shayne Gatlin, Mesquite, TX; 16. #88K, James Kaye, Dallas, TX; 17. #16, Johnny Points, Balch Springs, TX; 18. #21, Michael Murphy, Ferris, TX; 19. #48, Ricky Wycough, Richardson, TX; 20. #38, Mike Walls, Flower Mound, TX; 21. #10, Trandel White, Balch Springs, TX; 22. #37, Mike Meeks, Jr., Mesquite, TX; Did not start - #12$, James Barina, Dallas, TX