Mesquite, TX (March 15, 2002) - Brad Furr mastered a tricky track to lead the Pennzoil World of Outlaws from green flag to checkered flag as the 29^th Annual Spring Nationals opened the Devil’s Bowl Speedway 2002 racing season. Rick McCommas set the pace for the USA modifieds winning his heat and the feature.

Temperatures in the mid-80's on Thursday and a cold front Friday which dropped the mercury to 40's and brought a brisk northerly wind made the track especially difficult to predict. Devil’s Bowl regulars were scratching their head as the track dried early, regained some moisture and took rubber late in the evening.

Furr was seventh quick in time trials in his Sanmina Nr. 2. Danny Lasoski was the only driver below 14 seconds with a lap of 13.744 for fast time. That was well off Joey’s Saldana’s record of 13.366 set in October 1999.

After finishing third in his heat race, Furr qualified for one of the twin dashes to determine the top eight rows for the feature. When Lasoski drew the number 4 pill for the inversion, that put Furr on the outside front row of the first dash. He rode the rim around the first two turns to take the lead from Mark Kinser. In the five lap dash, Furr never lifted as he took the win over Kinser and Tyler Walker. Steve Kinser battled with Johnny Herrera at the start of the second dash, finally taking the lead. Joey Saldana made the move of the race by passing Herrera for second on the final lap.

The heat race victories went to Danny Wood, Stevie Smith, Herrera and Steve Kinser. The third quick car in time trials was Steve Kinser’s son Kraig. He cranked off a blistering lap of 14.090 on his first trip around the famed half-mile clay oval. Starting fourth in his heat race, Kraig almost made the transfer spot as he battled more experienced racers, slipping to sixth in the last laps.

Fourteen cars lined up for the 12-lap B main, including a Ricky Logan and Randy Hannagan who had problems in their heat races. Hannagan lost a motor in his heat, but the K&C Drywall crew made the switch in time for the B main. Kraig Kinser held off Logan on the start and charged around the track with a comfortable lead. An early caution did not slow Kinser, but a lapped car was his undoing. As Kinser tried to get past the slower car of Dan Oswalt, the two tangled in turn three. Oswalt dropped out and Kinser restarted 13^th in a race where only the top four transferred to the feature. Hannagan had a clear track and took the win by half the length of the front straight over Logan. Wayne Johnson and Michael Dupuy were third and fourth in a spirited battle for the final transfer spot. Matt Clevenger was fifth. Donnie Schatz was sixth, but used one of his two provisionals to start the feature.

With dash winners Furr and Steve Kinser on the front row, the 25 car field took the green flag. Furr was first on the gas and quickly moved into the lead. Mark Kinser went low into turn three on the second lap to slip in front of his cousin Steve for second place. Johnny Herrera spun on the fifth lap and Michael Dupuy spun on the 19^th circuit for the only two yellow flags of the race. Furr would hit the power deep in turn three on the restarts and easily pulled ahead of the Kinser cousins. The battle of the race was for second - third and fourth while Furr steadily pulled away. He worked lapped traffic carefully on the tricky track to take the victory by .8 seconds.

Tyler Walker battled with the Kinser cousins for several laps, especially after the two restarts, but could never move past them, settling for fourth place. Mark and Steve traded the runner-up spot a half dozen times. They were both fast through turns one and two, normally taking the high line. The low line was also useful in the north turns. On the other end of the track, the high line was the fastest, but a good run and slide job in turn three made it possible to grab a position. The only problem was that the driver being passed could often dive to the bottom of turn four and regain the position on the front straight. The Kinsers were just inches apart several times in their battle with Steve taking second place with three laps to go and holding on to the checkered flag. Furr, Steve Kinser, Mark Kinser and Tyler Walker qualified for Saturday’s feature with their top four finishes. Fifth on the final lap with a slide job through turn three was Danny Lasoski, taking the spot from Joey Saldana. Craig Dollansky, Tim Shaffer, P.J. Chesson and Randy Hannagan completed the top ten. Schatz moved from 25^th on the start to finish 15^th.

McCommas easily captured his heat race and earned enough passing points for the pole of the USA modified feature. Other heat winners were Clyde Dunn, Jr. and Darrell Hathcock. McCommas and Dunn were on the front row for the modified main, but it was McCommas quickly pulling away. In a strong run, he built his lead to a full straight away length before taking the checkered flag. Dunn was a strong second in close racing most of the race until the final turn. His car turned sideways as he tried to power out of turn four. Right behind Dunn, Charles Lasater spun when trying to miss the other car. That let Hathcock slip past for second at the checkered flag, followed by Ronnie Welborn, Johnny Hitt and Richard McGibboney.

PENNZOIL WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT CARS - Time Trials: 1. #20, Danny Lasoski, Dover, MO, 13.744; 2. #7, Craig Dollansky, Elk River, MN, 14.034; 3. #11K, Kraig Kinser, Bloomington, IN, 14.090; 4. #35, Tyler Walker, Santa Clarita, CA, 14.150; 5. #17, Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN, 14.161; 6. #3S, Ricky Logan, Little Rock, AR, 14.170; 7. #2, Brad Furr, Pleasanton, CA, 14.208; 8. #11, Steve Kinser, Bloomington, IN, 14.212; 9. #1X, Randy Hannagan, San Jose, CA, 14.234; 10. #5M, Mark Kinser, Oolitic, IN, 14.264; 11. #2W, Johnny Herrera, Albuquerque, NM, 14.272; 12. #41, Jason Johnson, Eunice, LA, 14.302; 13. #5, Jac Haudenschild, Wooster, OH, 14.304; 14. #76, P.J. Chesson, Far Hills, NJ, 14.331; 15. #66, Brooke Tatnell, San Soucy, NSW, New South Wales, Australia., 14.348; 16. #9, Gary Wright, Hooks, TX, 14.366; 17. #83, Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, PA, 14.419; 18. #11H, Stevie Smith, New Oxford, PA, 14.423; 19. #4M, Michael Dupuy, Amite, LA, 14.426; 20. #50D, Derrick Beckman, Runnells, IA, 14.453; 21. #6, Danny Wood, Norman, OK, 14.480; 22. #24, Terry McCarl, Pleasant Hill, IA, 14.552; 23. #9S, Darren Stewart, Bixby, OK, 14.627; 24. #16L, Leonard Lee, Milo, IA, 14.697; 25. #31, Matt Clevenger, Flower Mound, TX, 14.721; 26. #15, Donny Schatz, Minot, ND, 14.731; 27. #50Z, Zac Chappell, Talala, OK, 14.744; 28. #R19, Justin Henderson, Sioux Falls, SD, 14.748; 29. #29, Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK, 14.760; 30. #85, Bob Ewell, Forney, TX, 14.949; 31. #17R, Mike Reinke, Kiel, WI, 14.973; 32. #6M, Blake Mallory, Joshua, TX, 15.275; 33. #D1, Dan Oswalt, Iola, KS, 15.430; 34. #39, Marvin Lough, Fort Worth, TX, 15.447; 35. #11J, Jan Howard, Byhalia, MS, 15.452; 36. #52, Keith Walker, Irving, TX, 15.945

First Heat Race: 1. #6, Danny Wood, Norman, OK; 2. #83, Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, PA; 3. #17, Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 4. #5, Jac Haudenschild, Wooster, OH; 5. #20, Danny Lasoski, Dover, MO; 6. #29, Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK; 7. #31, Matt Clevenger, Flower Mound, TX; 8. #D1, Dan Oswalt, Iola, KS; 9. #1X, Randy Hannagan, San Jose, CA

Second Heat Race: 1. #11H, Stevie Smith, New Oxford, PA; 2. #24, Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA; 3. #7, Craig Dollansky, Zimmerman, MN; 4. #76, P.J. Chesson, Far Hills, NJ; 5. #5M, Mark Kinser, Oolitic, IN; 6. #3S, Ricky Logan, Little Rock, AR; 7. #15, Donny Schatz, Minot, ND; 8. #85, Bob Ewell, Forney, TX; 9. #39, Marvin Lough, Fort Worth, TX

Third Heat Race: 1. #2W, Johnny Herrera, Gilbert, AZ; 2. #66, Brooke Tatnell, San Soucy, New South Wales, Australia; 3. #2, Brad Furr, Pleasonton, CA; 4. #50Z, Zach Chappell, Talala, OK; 5. #9S, Darren Stewart, Bixby, OK; 6. #11K, Kraig Kinser, Bloomington, IN; 7. #17R, Mike Reinke, Kiel, WI; Did not start - #4M, Michael Dupuy, Amite, LA; Did not start - #11J, Jan Howard, Byhalia, MS

Fourth Heat Race: 1. #11, Steve Kinser, Bloomington, IN; 2. #9, Gary Wright, Hooks, TX; 3. #41, Jason Johnson, Eunice, LA; 4. #35, Tyler Walker, Tulsa, OK; 5. #16L, Leonard Lee, Milo, IA; 6. #50D, Derek Beckman, Runnells, IA; 7. #6M, Blake Mallory, Joshua, TX; 8. #R19, Justin Henderson, Sioux Falls, SD; Did not start - #52, Keith Walker, Irving, TX

First Dash: 1. #2, Brad Furr, Pleasonton, CA; 2. #5M, Mark Kinser, Oolitic, IN; 3. #35, Tyler Walker, Tulsa, OK; 4. #20, Danny Lasoski, Dover, MO; 5. #11H, Stevie Smith, New Oxford, PA; 6. #9, Gary Wright, Hooks, TX; 7. #76, P.J. Chesson, Far Hills, NJ; 8. #41, Jason Johnson, Eunice, LA

Second Dash: 1. #11, Steve Kinser, Bloomington, IN; 2. #17, Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 3. #2W, Johnny Herrera, Gilbert, AZ; 4. #7, Craig Dollansky, Zimmerman, MN; 5. #83, Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, PA; 6. #5, Jac Haudenschild, Wooster, OH; 7. #6, Danny Wood, Norman, OK; 8. #66, Brooke Tatnell, San Soucy, New South Wales, Australia

B Main: 1. #1X, Randy Hannagan, San Jose, CA; 2. #3S, Ricky Logan, Little Rock, AR; 3. #29, Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK; 4. #4M, Michael Dupuy, Amite, LA; 5. #31, Matt Clevenger, Flower Mound, TX; 6. #15, Donny Schatz, Minot, ND; 7. #6M, Blake Mallory, Joshua, TX; 8. #11J, Jan Howard, Byhalia, MS; 9. #11K, Kraig Kinser, Bloomington, IN; 10. #50D, Derek Beckman, Runnells, IA; 11. #85, Bob Ewell, Forney, TX; 12. #17R, Mike Reinke, Kiel, WI; 13. #39, Marvin Lough, Fort Worth, TX; 14. #D1, Dan Oswalt, Iola, KS; Did not start - #R19, Justin Henderson, Sioux Falls, SD; Did not start - #52, Keith Walker, Irving, TX

A FEATURE: 1. #2, Brad Furr, Pleasonton, CA; 2. #11, Steve Kinser, Bloomington, IN; 3. #5M, Mark Kinser, Oolitic, IN; 4. #35, Tyler Walker, Tulsa, OK; 5. #20, Danny Lasoski, Dover, MO; 6. #17, Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 7. #7, Craig Dollansky, Zimmerman, MN; 8. #83, Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, PA; 9. #76, P.J. Chesson, Far Hills, NJ; 10. #1X, Randy Hannagan, San Jose, CA; 11. #9, Gary Wright, Hooks, TX; 12. #11H, Stevie Smith, New Oxford, PA; 13. #41, Jason Johnson, Eunice, LA; 14. #66, Brooke Tatnell, San Soucy, New South Wales, Australia; 15. #15, Donny Schatz, Minot, ND; 16. #5, Jac Haudenschild, Wooster, OH; 17. #2W, Johnny Herrera, Gilbert, AZ; 18. #6, Danny Wood, Norman, OK; 19. #4M, Michael Dupuy, Amite, LA; 20. #3S, Ricky Logan, Little Rock, AR; 21. #29, Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK; 22. #9S, Darren Stewart, Bixby, OK; 23. #24, Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA; 24. #16L, Leonard Lee, Milo, IA; 25. #50Z, Zach Chappell, Talala, OK

USA MODIFIEDS - First Heat Race: 1. #88, Clyde Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale, TX; 2. #90, Johnny Hitt, Kaufman, TX; 3. #50D, David Gailley, Mesquite, TX; 4. #13, George White, Fort Worth, TX; 5. #311, Billy Henderson, Quinlan, TX; 6. #25X, Buck Spears, Bells, TX; 7. #23, Gary Lowe, Red Oak, TX; 8. #5P, Craig Petty, Waxahachie, TX

Second Heat Race: 1. #04, Darrell Hathcock, Dallas, TX; 2. #74, Kevin Hazelip, Kemp, TX; 3. #77, Randy Kirkland, Mesquite, TX; 4. #19, Richard McGibboney, Dallas, TX; 5. #82, Brandon Houk, The Colony, TX; 6. #34, Jay Miller, Terrell, TX; 7. #44, Scotty Brown, Seagoville, TX; 8. #33, Ray Carrier, Seagoville, TX

Third Heat Race: 1. #39, Rick McCommas, Balch Springs, TX; 2. #20, Ronnie Welborn, Princeton, TX; 3. #17, Charles Lasater, Garland, TX; 4. #87, Tommy Roberts, Quinlan, TX; 5. #71, Ronnie Carty, DeSoto, TX; 6. #23Z, Richard Miller, Terrell, TX; 7. #97, Mark Norris, Richland Hills, TX; 8. #142, Brandon Kirkland, Mesquite, TX

A FEATURE: 1. #39, Rick McCommas, Balch Springs, TX; 2. #04, Darrell Hathcock, Dallas, TX; 3. #20, Ronnie Welborn, Princeton, TX; 4. #90, Johnny Hitt, Kaufman, TX; 5. #19, Richard McGibboney, Dallas, TX; 6. #50D, David Gailley, Mesquite, TX; 7. #82, Brandon Houk, The Colony, TX; 8. #13, George White, Fort Worth, TX; 9. #25X, Buck Spears, Bells, TX; 10. #23Z, Richard Miller, Terrell, TX; 11. #34, Jay Miller, Terrell, TX; 12. #71, Ronnie Carty, DeSoto, TX; 13. #17, Charles Lasater, Garland, TX; 14. #88, Clyde Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale, TX; 15. #142, Brandon Kirkland, Mesquite, TX; 16. #77, Randy Kirkland, Mesquite, TX; 17. #74, Kevin Hazelip, Kemp, TX; 18. #33, Ray Carrier, Seagoville, TX; 19. #97, Mark Norris, Richland Hills, TX; Did not start - #87, Tommy Roberts, Quinlan, TX; Did not start - #311, Billy Henderson, Quinlan, TX; Did not start - #23, Gary Lowe, Red Oak, TX; Did not start - #44, Scotty Brown, Seagoville, TX; Did not start - #5P, Craig Petty, Waxahachie, TX