June 23, 2001, Race Results |
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Lorenz and McManus Reclaim Points Lead with Victories Mesquite, TX (June 23, 2001) - Tom Lorenz and Tim McManus heated up the championship points battle in the USA modifieds and street stocks Saturday night at Devil's Bowl Speedway. Each won his feature and took back the points lead they surrendered a week ago. Kevin Ramey became the first driver to win four features this season with a victory in the USA sprints. Darren Ellis survived a very close late model main for the win.After winning his heat race with a hard charge through the pack, Tom Lorenz lined up the Hoosier Tire Southwest / Smiley’s Racing Nr. 84 on the inside of the seventh row as 22 USA modifieds took the green flag. Two quick cautions flags before the first lap was completed kept the cars together but mixed up the order. Lorenz avoided most of the carnage and ended up ninth when one lap had been completed. Charles Lasater paced the first lap with Clyde Dunn, Jr. taking over on the next trip around the Devil’s Bowl half-mile clay oval. The third yellow of the race fled on the fourth lap. As the cars lined up for the restart, Lorenz was seventh, with Rowdy Starnes sixth. Dunn took off as the green flag waved, but behind him the cars were three and four wide. Starnes went low and moved up to second. On the sixth lap, Starnes pulled alongside and took the lead. Starnes was out front by five car lengths on the ninth lap, while Lorenz was trapped in the battle for position, running fifth. Lorenz had moved up to third when Darrell Hathcock and Bobby Ruffin crashed in turn four. On the restart Lorenz went around the outside to pass Dale Wester and challenged Starnes. After two laps racing side by side, Lorenz took the lead diving into turn three. At the checkered flag, Lorenz was a car length ahead of Starnes with Wester third. Jody Mayne and Randy Kirkland rounded out the top five. The win put Lorenz back in the points lead by 20 points over Starnes. Ruffin and Jerry Cowart won the other heats. McManus is engaged in a tight points race with Thomas Weeks in the street stock class. Weeks had edged 20 points ahead of McManus with a win last week. Saturday, Weeks topped his heat race, with McManus fourth in his qualifier, won by Michael Murphy. Weeks was second in the trophy dash to Trandel White. That increased Weeks points lead to 80 points as the street stocks lined up for their 12-lap feature. The pair lined up side by side on the fifth row. Chet Chambers jumped out to the early lead, with White taking the top spot on the next circuit. McManus quickly slipped past slower cars to put the F&J Construction Nr. 29 into the top five. Weeks was in a tight battle with several cars near tenth position. McManus had climbed to third on the fifth lap when a four car collision in turn one slowed the race. Weeks was one of the cars involved, ending his night. Another quick caution slowed the restart, but McManus rode the rim around turn three to take the lead after the green flag flew. White and Frank Shafer challenged McManus, but could not keep up as McManus charged to victory. White claimed second, with Mike Walls, Michael Murphy and Ricky Wycough completing the top five. Shafer suffered a flat in the final laps and fell to ninth. The 20-lap USA sprint car main got off to a fast start as Rodney Brown held off Dan Burk in the first turns to take the early lead. Justin Zimmerman carefully dove under Brown in turn two on the third lap to take over the lead. As Zimmerman pulled away, the other cars battled for the follow up positions. Ramey was in eighth halfway through the race, but as the leaders slowed for lapped traffic, his experience in the Quik Couriers / Burkham Construction Nr. 7M brought him to the front. The track had dried and required very precise car control to avoid trouble. Ramey took advantage of mistakes by others and quickly moved to third. He claimed second from Matt Clevenger on the 17th lap and a lap later pulled even with Zimmerman. After racing side by side for a lap, Ramey pulled ahead as the white flag flew. The victory made Ramey the first four time winner at Devil’s Bow this year. Zimmerman was second with Clevenger third. Paul White and Greg Young rounded out the top five. Jerry Pinckard, Brown and Zimmerman won the heat races. Darren Ellis started outside the fifth row as the late models took the green flag for their 15-lapper. Bradley Zimmerman went low in turn four to take the lead as the first lap was completed. As Ellis worked through the pack in his Quaker State / Marshall’s RV Nr. 2, Zimmerman was battling for the lead with Steve Trevathan. Jeff Jones spun in the second turn on the eighth lap. Zimmerman dodged the stalled car, but Trevathan clipped Jones, knocking Trevathan’s rear axle loose. That put the three wide battle of Chuck Beusch, Ellis and Skip O’Neal right behind Zimmerman for the restart. As the green flag dropped, Ellis went high. The top three cars of Zimmerman, Ellis and O’Neal were racing side by side just inches apart. For two laps they battled before Ellis edged ahead. Zimmerman still did not give up, challenging Ellis again on the next two laps. O’Neal and Ronnie Long got past Zimmerman as the white flag flew, but could not top Ellis before the checkered flag fell. O’Neal claimed second, followed by Long and Zimmerman. Jimmy Quick, Jr. rounded out the top five. Keith Darrow won the first heat, but lost his engine crossing the finish line and could not start the main. Ron Lane topped the second heat in his Mopar powered late model. Story by Reggie Fields For more information, call Devil’s Speedway at 972-222-2421 RACE RESULTS - Devil=s Bowl Speedway - Saturday, June 23, 2001 USA SPRINT CARS - First Heat Race: 1. #5, Jerry Pinckard, Coppell, TX; 2. #65, Skip Wilson, Garland, TX; 3. #19, Bob Ewell, Forney, TX; 4. #31, Matt Clevenger, Flower Mound, TX; 5. #49, Dan Burk, Highland Village, TX; 6. #2L, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland, TX; 7. #74E, Claud Estes, Godley, TX Second Heat Race: 1. #R23, Rodney Brown, Wichita Falls, TX; 2. #39, Paul White, Temple, TX; 3. #5E, Brandon Erwin, Denton, TX; 4. #9C, Chad Cavett, Rockwall, TX; 5. #1X, George White, Fort Worth, TX; 6. #69H, Larry Howard, Hearne, TX; 7. #3, Scott Blackman, Dallas, TX Third Heat Race: 1. #7J, Justin Zimmerman, Rockwall, TX; 2. #99, Rick Summers, Mesquite, TX; 3. #7M, Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 4. #44, Glen Stubblefield, Jr., Seagoville, TX; 5. #9, Greg Young, Wichita Falls, TX; 6. #31B, Brian Harvill, Irving, TX; 7. #8H, Rawdy Hull, Kennedale, TX A FEATURE: 1. #7M, Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 2. #7J, Justin Zimmerman, Rockwall, TX; 3. #31, Matt Clevenger, Flower Mound, TX; 4. #39, Paul White, Temple, TX; 5. #9, Greg Young, Wichita Falls, TX; 6. #19, Bob Ewell, Forney, TX; 7. #9C, Chad Cavett, Rockwall, TX; 8. #99, Rick Summers, Mesquite, TX; 9. #5, Jerry Pinckard, Coppell, TX; 10. #44, Glen Stubblefield, Jr., Seagoville, TX; 11. #49, Dan Burk, Highland Village, TX; 12. #31B, Brian Harvill, Irving, TX; 13. #8H, Rawdy Hull, Kennedale, TX; 14. #R23, Rodney Brown, Wichita Falls, TX; 15. #69H, Larry Howard, Hearne, TX; 16. #65, Skip Wilson, Garland, TX; 17. #74E, Claud Estes, Godley, TX; 18. #1X, George White, Fort Worth, TX; 19. #2L, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland, TX; Did not start - #5E, Brandon Erwin, Denton, TX; Did not start - #3, Scott Blackman, Dallas, TX LATE MODELS - First Heat Race: 1. #88, Keith Darrow, Mesquite, TX; 2. #77, Stephen Manning, Rowlett, TX; 3. #3, Chuck Beusch, Red Oak, TX; 4. #21, Steve Trevathan, Forney, TX; 5. #11X, Brad Zimmerman, Mesquite, TX; 6. #28, Ronnie Long, Dallas, TX; 7. #19, Jeff McGibboney, Dallas, TX; 8. #5J, Jeff Jones, Sachse, TX Second Heat Race: 1. #55, Ron Lane, Bedford, TX; 2. #2, Darren Ellis, Royse City, TX; 3. #8, Skip O'Neal, Midlothian, TX; 4. #92, Harry Hronas, Sunnyvale, TX; 5. #24, Bubba Sterry, McKinney, TX; 6. #121, Jimmy Quick, Jr., Royse City, TX; 7. #51, Britt Ables, Wylie, TX A FEATURE: 1. #2, Darren Ellis, Royse City, TX; 2. #8, Skip O'Neal, Midlothian, TX; 3. #28, Ronnie Long, Dallas, TX; 4. #11X, Brad Zimmerman, Mesquite, TX; 5. #121, Jimmy Quick, Jr., Royse City, TX; 6. #77, Stephen Manning, Rowlett, TX; 7. #55, Ron Lane, Bedford, TX; 8. #19, Jeff McGibboney, Dallas, TX; 9. #24, Bubba Sterry, McKinney, TX; 10. #92, Harry Hronas, Sunnyvale, TX; 11. #51, Britt Ables, Wylie, TX; 12. #3, Chuck Beusch, Red Oak, TX; 13. #21, Steve Trevathan, Forney, TX; 14. #5J, Jeff Jones, Sachse, TX; Did not start - #88, Keith Darrow, Mesquite, TX USA MODIFIEDS - First Heat Race: 1. #121, Bobby Ruffin, Crandall, TX; 2. #5B, Billy Fronterhouse, Wylie, TX; 3. #50D, David Gailley, Mesquite, TX; 4. #50X, Rowdy Starnes, McKinney, TX; 5. #77, Randy Kirkland, Mesquite, TX; 6. #50, Steve Sickles, Rowlett, TX; 7. #185, Gerald Dunn, Combine, TX; 8. #7, Darby Shelby, Mesquite, TX; 9. #34, Jay Miller, Terrell, TX Second Heat Race: 1. #84, Tom Lorenz, Balch Springs, TX; 2. #12W, Dale Wester, Red Oak, TX; 3. #88, Clyde Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale, TX; 4. #17, Charles Lasater, Garland, TX; 5. #79R, Darrell Hathcock, Dallas, TX; 6. #98, Marc Madison, The Colony, TX; 7. #66, Mike Goodson, Ardmore, OK; 8. #19J, Jeff Welborn, Princeton, TX; 9. #6L, Jody Mayne, Grand Saline, TX Third Heat Race: 1. #6P, Jerry Cowart, Mesquite, TX; 2. #20, Ronnie Welborn, Princeton, TX; 3. #19, Richard McGibboney, Dallas, TX; 4. #22B, David Booze, Mesquite, TX; 5. #64, Rick Preddy, Little Elm, TX; 6. #68, George Howard, Mesquite, TX; 7. #00, Dink McCullough, Balch Springs, TX; Disqualified - #27, Tony Batt, Plano, TX A FEATURE: 1. #84, Tom Lorenz, Balch Springs, TX; 2. #50X, Rowdy Starnes, McKinney, TX; 3. #12W, Dale Wester, Red Oak, TX; 4. #6L, Jody Mayne, Grand Saline, TX; 5. #77, Randy Kirkland, Mesquite, TX; 6. #17, Charles Lasater, Garland, TX; 7. #50, Steve Sickles, Rowlett, TX; 8. #19J, Jeff Welborn, Princeton, TX; 9. #20, Ronnie Welborn, Princeton, TX; 10. #6P, Jerry Cowart, Mesquite, TX; 11. #98, Marc Madison, The Colony, TX; 12. #68, George Howard, Mesquite, TX; 13. #19, Richard McGibboney, Dallas, TX; 14. #121, Bobby Ruffin, Crandall, TX; 15. #88, Clyde Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale, TX; 16. #79R, Darrell Hathcock, Dallas, TX; 17. #5B, Billy Fronterhouse, Wylie, TX; 18. #66, Mike Goodson, Ardmore, OK; 19. #00, Dink McCullough, Balch Springs, TX; 20. #22B, David Booze, Mesquite, TX; 21. #7, Darby Shelby, Mesquite, TX; 22. #50D, David Gailley, Mesquite, TX; Did not start - #64, Rick Preddy, Little Elm, TX; Did not start - #34, Jay Miller, Terrell, TX; Did not start - #185, Gerald Dunn, Combine, TX STREET STOCKS - First Heat Race: 1. #21, Michael Murphy, Ferris, TX; 2. #84, Frank Shafer, Balch Springs, TX; 3. #70, Chet Chambers, Scurry, TX; 4. #29, Tim McManus, Dallas, TX; 5. #48, Ricky Wycough, Richardson, TX; 6. #39, Pat Walls, Frisco, TX; 7. #5, Mark Reedy, Mesquite, TX; 8. #24, Stephen Swanson, Mesquite, TX; 9. #30, Shayne Gatlin, Mesquite, TX; 10. #35, Wes Goodwin, Garland, TX Second Heat Race: 1. #5X, Thomas Weeks, Quinlan, TX; 2. #10, Trandel White, Balch Springs, TX; 3. #34X, Richard Miller, Terrell, TX; 4. #38, Mike Walls, Flower Mound, TX; 5. #7, Chuck Hall, Mesquite, TX; 6. #9, Andy Jones, Mesquite, TX; 7. #25, Steve Porter, Mesquite, TX; 8. #37, Mike Meeks, Jr., Mesquite, TX; 9. #00X, Michael Grubbs, Sachse, TX; 10. #159, Bubba Tawwater, Sachse, TX Trophy Dash: 1. #10, Trandel White, Balch Springs, TX; 2. #5X, Thomas Weeks, Quinlan, TX; 3. #84, Frank Shafer, Balch Springs, TX; 4. #70, Chet Chambers, Scurry, TX; 5. #21, Michael Murphy, Ferris, TX; 6. #34X, Richard Miller, Terrell, TX A FEATURE: 1. #29, Tim McManus, Dallas, TX; 2. #10, Trandel White, Balch Springs, TX; 3. #38, Mike Walls, Flower Mound, TX; 4. #21, Michael Murphy, Ferris, TX; 5. #48, Ricky Wycough, Richardson, TX; 6. #37, Mike Meeks, Jr., Mesquite, TX; 7. #39, Pat Walls, Frisco, TX; 8. #00X, Michael Grubbs, Sachse, TX; 9. #84, Frank Shafer, Balch Springs, TX; 10. #5, Mark Reedy, Mesquite, TX; 11. #25, Steve Porter, Mesquite, TX; 12. #70, Chet Chambers, Scurry, TX; 13. #5X, Thomas Weeks, Quinlan, TX; 14. #7, Chuck Hall, Mesquite, TX; 15. #34X, Richard Miller, Terrell, TX; 16. #9, Andy Jones, Mesquite, TX; 17. #24, Stephen Swanson, Mesquite, TX; 18. #30, Shayne Gatlin, Mesquite, TX; 19. #35, Wes Goodwin, Garland, TX; Did not start - #159, Bubba Tawwater, Sachse, TX |