Devil's Bowl Speedway

 

 

Ewell Out Runs Sprint Field at Devil's Bowl

Mesquite, TX (May 18, 2002) - Bob Ewell started on the pole and ran away from the rest of the field in the USA Sprint Car feature Saturday night at Devil's Bowl Speedway. Darren Ellis claimed the late model victory. Rowdy Starnes topped the USA modifieds and Doug Smith topped the street stocks.

A difficult run last week gave Ewell a low point average. That put him on the pole for Saturday's 20-lap USA sprint car feature. When the green flag fell, Ewell took off in the Foam Enterprises / Longhorn Urethane Contractors Nr. 85. Jerry Bell ran second of several laps trying to catch Ewell, but he had no luck. The leader was several car lengths ahead and pulling away. The first yellow flag of the race came out on the fourth lap. Ewell again pulled away as Marvin Lough got past Bell for second in turn two. Lough could only watch Ewell pull away as the best battle of the race was behind him. Keith Walker and Kevin Ramey were battling with Bell for third. They got past on the fifth lap.

The caution came out again when Greg Young stopped at the top of turn one. On the restart Ewell easily pulled away, but Ramey got past Lough in turn two. He tried to catch Ewell, but was not having much success. Another yellow when Phil Valvura got spun on the ninth lap again slowed the race and bunched up the field.

Ewell's skill and many laps around Devil's Bowl were evident as his car was perfectly setup for the track conditions. Ramey's only hope for a second straight win was a red flag to allow him to adjust his car. That needed red flag flew on the 16th lap when Paul White tried to get under Keith Walker going into turn one. They made wheel to wheel contact and 2001 USAC Silver Crown Champion White went end over end.

When the race resumed with for a four lap dash to the checkered flag, all fans were watching Ramey. Had he made changes that would allow him to catch Ewell? The answer was clear a lap later as Ewell again pulled away. Riding the rim from start to finish, Ewell easily took his first victory this season at Devil's Bowl. Ramey was able to close occasionally by running the low line in the turns, but could not match Ewell's performance. Lough was third with George White taking fourth and Bell was fifth at the checkered flag. Ewell, Bell in the Coursey's Concrete / Bell's Carpets Nr. 85B and Lough in the Commercial Music / Smoke Pit Bar-B-Que Nr. 39 won the heat races.

A small late model field gave the fans plenty of exciting racing. Two early cautions before a lap was completed kept the cars close together. Rapid Richard Robinson was on the pole, but Harry Hornas took the lead by the time an actual complete green flag lap was recorded. Ellis moved up from the fourth row in his Nr. 23 to take the lead from Hronas in turn two before the 15-lap race was half finished. Hronas did not give up, and he was joined by a determined Jimmy Goodwin. The trio raced inches apart for the rest of the race. Things got very interesting on the final lap as Goodwin went high around the outside of turns three and four. He looked to be past Hronas and getting past Ellis when Goodwin had to pinch his car down to avoid a lapped car. Though they finished bumper to bumper, it was a close, exciting race to the checkered flag. Ellis took his first win of the year, followed by Hornas and Goodwin. Points leader Steve Trevathan was fourth with Keith Darrow fifth. Trevathan in the Nr. 21 and Skip O'Neal in the Barnsco Construction Marterials / Corbin TV Nr. 8 won their heat races.

The USA modifieds started out the evening with hard charging racing and never let up. The action was close and fender rubbin' was the order of the day as Richard McGibboney won the first heat in the Baber's Garage / Red's Meat Co. Nr. 19. Frank Rose made the most impressive move of his career at Devil's Bowl with a three wide charge around the top of turns three and four to take the lead on the opening lap of the second heat. He ran a perfect race in the Sherrell Heating & Air Nr. 18. Bobby Ruffin also ran a strong race to win the third heat in the Mooney Racing Engines / Unlimited Racing Products Nr. 121.

The real action came in the trophy dash. Rose took the lead on the start and paced the first two laps. With the race half finished, Ruffin pulled ahead coming out of turn two on the third circuit, and despite a little contact, pulled a half car length ahead. A lap later as they ran to the checkered flag, Rose and Ronnie Carty were side by side with Ruffin entering turn three. There wasn't enough room. The contact sent Rose and Carty spinning, Darrell Hathcock clipped the stopped cars, and Brian Short crashed hard into Rose's stopped modified. Carty was able to limp across the finish line behind winner Ruffin. Even he did not escape, having a broken right rear wheel from the contact.

Charles Lasater's victory in the B main driving the Acelco Services Nr. 17 was positively sedate after the earlier action. The best action was Jimmy Goodwin and Steve Sickels battling for the final transfer position, with Goodwin edging Sickels.

Things quickly heated up again in the 15-lap feature. On the start, Marc Madison got sideways on the front straight and collected Jerry Cowart, McGibboney and Ruffin. The yellow flew again a lap later as Jimmy Goodwin spun in turn four. Carty took the lead as the race finally got going. he had the Southwest Engines / Speciality Automotive Nr. 71 moving as Rowdy Starnes broke free of the traffic and started to chase the leader. Two more cautions on laps five and eight kept everyone close together. Carty got a great break on the first yellow. After spinning toward the infield coming out of turn two, Carty got the lead back when the yellow flew before the fifth lap was complete. After the two cautions, Starnes got a run off turn two on the tenth circuit to pull ahead of Carthy to take the lead.

Last week's winner Clyde Dunn, Jr. was third, trying to get past Carty a lap later when he got sideways in turn one. Dunn quickly straightened the car and tried to rejoin the race. Unfortunately Ruffin was coming up the inside at full speed and the two made contact. Both were knocked out of the race, with Dunn slightly shaken by the hard contact. A sixth yellow flag flew on the restart. Finally two time defending champion Starnes was able to race ahead in his Starnes Trucking / Cain's Machine Shop Nr. 50X. Current points leader Rick McCommas was right behind him but had to settle for second, three car lengths back. Ronnie Welborn was third with McGibboney taking fourth on the last lap. Lasater came up to finish fifth. McCommas won the Timber Wolf Racing Hard Charger Award for the second straigh week with his run from 14th at the start to second. There were eight of the 19 starters running at the finish of the USA modified feature.

A full field of 23 street stocks took the green flag for their 12-lap feature. Danny Florence had the early lead in the Mike Cain's Engine Service / Sadler Auto Salvage Nr. 51X. After the yellow flag came out for Travis Pace and Mike Walls on the fourth lap, it was Ricky Wycough and Doug Smith challenging Florence for the top spot. Smith went low in turn three to put his Stack's Hamburger / Satpro Networks Nr. 4 into the lead. Wycough tried to stay close but could not. Even an eighth lap caution could not help Wycough catch Smith, who was running perfectly. On the final lap, the third and fourth place cars of Michael Murphy and Trandel White got hooked together coming out of turn two. Dewitt Donald, Jr. slipped past the tangled pair to claim third, with Mike Meeks, Jr. taking fourth and Thomas Weeks moving up to fifth. Murphy and White finished sixth and seventh. There were 20 street stocks racing on the track when the checkered flag fell in the most quickly completed feature of the evening.

Story by Reggie Fields

For more information, call Devil’s Speedway at 972-222-2421

RACE RESULTS - Devil’s Bowl Speedway - Saturday, May 18, 2002

USA SPRINT CARS - First Heat Race: 1. #85, Bob Ewell, Forney, TX; 2. #52, Keith Walker, Irving, TX; 3. #10W, George White, Fort Worth, TX; 4. #7M, Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 5. #31, Matt Clevenger, Flower Mound, TX; 6. #5E, Brandon Erwin, Lake Kiowa, TX; 7. #72, Charlie Brown, Greenville, TX

Second Heat Race: 1. #39, Marvin Lough, Fort Worth, TX; 2. #47, Jim Holder, Georgetown, TX; 3. #28, Larry Long, Dallas, TX; 4. #31B, Brian Harvill, Irving, TX; 5. #43, Phil Valvra, Ennis, TX; 6. #3, Hunter Bloxom, Terrell, TX; 7. #65, Skip Wilson, Garland, TX

Third Heat Race: 1. #85B, Jerry Bell, Rowlett, TX; 2. #9, Greg Young, Wichita Falls, TX; 3. #44, Glen Stubblefield, Jr., Seagoville, TX; 4. #1, Paul White, Temple, TX; 5. #99, Rick Summers, Mesquite, TX; Did not start - #0, Jerry Pinckard, Coppell, TX

A FEATURE: 1. #85, Bob Ewell, Forney, TX; 2. #7M, Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 3. #39, Marvin Lough, Fort Worth, TX; 4. #10W, George White, Fort Worth, TX; 5. #85B, Jerry Bell, Rowlett, TX; 6. #44, Glen Stubblefield, Jr., Seagoville, TX; 7. #31B, Brian Harvill, Irving, TX; 8. #52, Keith Walker, Irving, TX; 9. #99, Rick Summers, Mesquite, TX; 10. #1, Paul White, Temple, TX; 11. #43, Phil Valvra, Ennis, TX; 12. #9, Greg Young, Wichita Falls, TX; 13. #3, Hunter Bloxom, Terrell, TX; 14. #65, Skip Wilson, Garland, TX; 15. #5E, Brandon Erwin, Lake Kiowa, TX; 16. #47, Jim Holder, Georgetown, TX; 17. #28, Larry Long, Dallas, TX; 18. #0, Jerry Pinckard, Coppell, TX; 19. #31, Matt Clevenger, Flower Mound, TX; Did not start - #72, Charlie Brown, Greenville, TX

USA MODIFIEDS - First Heat Race: 1. #19, Richard McGibboney, Dallas, TX; 2. #71, Ronnie Carty, DeSoto, TX; 3. #6P, Jerry Cowart, Mesquite, TX; 4. #19J, Jeff Welborn, Princeton, TX; 5. #39, Rick McCommas, Balch Springs, TX; 6. #12W, Dale Wester, Ovilla, TX; 7. #50, Steve Sickels, Rowlett, TX; 8. #23, Gary Lowe, Red Oak, TX; 9. #34, Jay Miller, Terrell, TX

Second Heat Race: 1. #18, Frank Rose, Mesquite, TX; 2. #2, Brian Short, Denison, TX; 3. #88, Clyde Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale, TX; 4. #98, Marc Madison, The Colony, TX; 5. #64, Rick Preddy, Little Elm, TX; 6. #17G, Clarence Greer, Mesquite, TX; 7. #11, Dave Peoples, Royse City, TX; 8. #66, Mike Goodson, Ardmore, OK; 9. #23Z, Richard Miller, Terrell, TX

Third Heat Race: 1. #121, Bobby Ruffin, Crandall, TX; 2. #04, Darrell Hathcock, Dallas, TX; 3. #20, Ronnie Welborn, Princeton, TX; 4. #50X, Rowdy Starnes, McKinney, TX; 5. #50D, David Gailley, Mesquite, TX; 6. #17, Charles Lasater, Garland, TX; 7. #5, Billy Fronterhouse, Wylie, TX; 8. #28, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland, TX; 9. #85B, Bryan Bell, Garland, TX

Trophy Dash: 1. #121, Bobby Ruffin, Crandall, TX; 2. #71, Ronnie Carty, DeSoto, TX; 3. #18, Frank Rose, Mesquite, TX; 4. #04, Darrell Hathcock, Dallas, TX; 5. #2, Brian Short, Denison, TX; Did not start - #19, Richard McGibboney, Dallas, TX

B Main: 1. #17, Charles Lasater, Garland, TX; 2. #11, Dave Peoples, Royse City, TX; 3. #12W, Dale Wester, Ovilla, TX; 4. #5, Billy Fronterhouse, Wylie, TX; 5. #28, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland, TX; 6. #50, Steve Sickels, Rowlett, TX; 7. #85B, Bryan Bell, Garland, TX; 8. #17G, Clarence Greer, Mesquite, TX; Did not start - #66, Mike Goodson, Ardmore, OK; Did not start - #23Z, Richard Miller, Terrell, TX; Did not start - #34, Jay Miller, Terrell, TX; Did not start - #23, Gary Lowe, Red Oak, TX

A FEATURE: 1. #50X, Rowdy Starnes, McKinney, TX; 2. #39, Rick McCommas, Balch Springs, TX; 3. #20, Ronnie Welborn, Princeton, TX; 4. #19, Richard McGibboney, Dallas, TX; 5. #17, Charles Lasater, Garland, TX; 6. #71, Ronnie Carty, DeSoto, TX; 7. #19J, Jeff Welborn, Princeton, TX; 8. #5, Billy Fronterhouse, Wylie, TX; 9. #88, Clyde Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale, TX; 10. #12W, Dale Wester, Ovilla, TX; 11. #121, Bobby Ruffin, Crandall, TX; 12. #64, Rick Preddy, Little Elm, TX; 13. #28, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland, TX; 14. #50D, David Gailley, Mesquite, TX; 15. #18, Frank Rose, Mesquite, TX; 16. #6P, Jerry Cowart, Mesquite, TX; 17. #98, Marc Madison, The Colony, TX; 18. #04, Darrell Hathcock, Dallas, TX; 19. #11, Dave Peoples, Royse City, TX; Did not start - #2, Brian Short, Denison, TX

LATE MODELS - First Heat Race: 1. #8, Skip O'Neal, Midlothian, TX; 2. #11X, Brad Zimmerman, Mesquite, TX; 3. #23, Darren Ellis, Royse City, TX; 4. #9, Rapid Richard Robinson, Hurst, TX; 5. #19, Jeff McGibboney, Dallas, TX; Did not start - #1, Scott Prather, Mesquite, TX

Second Heat Race: 1. #21, Steve Trevathan, Forney, TX; 2. #92, Harry Hronas, Sunnyvale, TX; 3. #88, Keith Darrow, Mesquite, TX; 4. #44, Cameron Wilson, Gainesville, TX; Did not start - #22, Cheyney Hopkins, Combine, TX; Did not start - #12, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland, TX

A FEATURE: 1. #23, Darren Ellis, Royse City, TX; 2. #92, Harry Hronas, Sunnyvale, TX; 3. #12, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland, TX; 4. #21, Steve Trevathan, Forney, TX; 5. #88, Keith Darrow, Mesquite, TX; 6. #9, Rapid Richard Robinson, Hurst, TX; 7. #11X, Brad Zimmerman, Mesquite, TX; 8. #19, Jeff McGibboney, Dallas, TX; 9. #1, Scott Prather, Mesquite, TX; 10. #22, Cheyney Hopkins, Combine, TX; 11. #44, Cameron Wilson, Gainesville, TX; 12. #8, Skip O'Neal, Midlothian, TX

STREET STOCKS - First Heat Race: 1. #4, Doug Smith, Mesquite, TX; 2. #21, Michael Murphy, Ferris, TX; 3. #10, Trandel White, Balch Springs, TX; 4. #99, Dewitt Donald, Jr., Garland, TX; 5. #00X, Michael Grubbs, Sachse, TX; 6. #31, Walter Dorsett, Royse City, TX; 7. #8, Mark Ross, Mesquite, TX; 8. #72, Joe Crowder, Garland, TX; 9. #29, Tim McManus, Dallas, TX

Second Heat Race: 1. #48, Rick Wycough, Richardson, TX; 2. #39, Pat Walls, Frisco, TX; 3. #51X, Danny Florence, McKinney, TX; 4. #5X, Thomas Weeks, Quinlan, TX; 5. #5, Mark Reedy, Mesquite, TX; 6. #38, Mike Walls, Flower Mound, TX; 7. #17, Travis Pace, Mesquite, TX; 8. #811, Jesse Maupin, Rockwall, TX; 9. #11X, Brad Zimmerman, Mesquite, TX

Third Heat Race: 1. #7, Chuck Hall, Mesquite, TX; 2. #37, Mike Meeks, Jr., Mesquite, TX; 3. #9L, Arin Lawrence, Carrollton, TX; 4. #9, Andy Jones, Mesquite, TX; 5. #24, Stephen Swanson, Mesquite, TX; 6. #34, Jimmy Luker, Terrell, TX; 7. #29D, Mike Deaver, Mesquite, TX; 8. #42, Gayla Jones, Mesquite, TX

A FEATURE: 1. #4, Doug Smith, Mesquite, TX; 2. #48, Rick Wycough, Richardson, TX; 3. #99, Dewitt Donald, Jr., Garland, TX; 4. #37, Mike Meeks, Jr., Mesquite, TX; 5. #5X, Thomas Weeks, Quinlan, TX; 6. #21, Michael Murphy, Ferris, TX; 7. #10, Trandel White, Balch Springs, TX; 8. #17, Travis Pace, Mesquite, TX; 9. #29D, Mike Deaver, Mesquite, TX; 10. #38, Mike Walls, Flower Mound, TX; 11. #5, Mark Reedy, Mesquite, TX; 12. #00X, Michael Grubbs, Sachse, TX; 13. #31, Walter Dorsett, Royse City, TX; 14. #24, Stephen Swanson, Mesquite, TX; 15. #42, Gayla Jones, Mesquite, TX; 16. #11X, Brad Zimmerman, Mesquite, TX; 17. #811, Jesse Maupin, Rockwall, TX; 18. #8, Mark Ross, Mesquite, TX; 19. #9, Andy Jones, Mesquite, TX; 20. #51X, Danny Florence, McKinney, TX; 21. #39, Pat Walls, Frisco, TX; 22. #9L, Arin Lawrence, Carrollton, TX; 23. #72, Joe Crowder, Garland, TX; Did not start - #34, Jimmy Luker, Terrell, TX; Did not start - #29, Tim McManus, Dallas, TX; Did not start - #7, Chuck Hall, Mesquite, TX

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