Cowart Edges Kirkland in Modified Main at Devil's Bowl

Racing Saturday night, May 17 will be Super Sprints, Champ Sprints, USA Modifieds, Late Models and Street Stocks. 

Saturday May 17, will be free admission to the grand stands for residents of Plano, Richardson, Coppell, Addison, Lewisville, Allen, McKinney, Flower Mound, Carrollton, Farmer’s Branch, Frisco and The Colony with photo ID.

Mesquite, TX (May 17) – In what has to be one of the closet finishes in Devil's Bowl history, Jerry Cowart held off Randy Kirkland by just a couple inches to win Saturday night’s USA Modified feature. Arin Lawrence won his first street stock feature at Devil’s Bowl. Danny Jennings walked away with his second sprint victory of the year. Jimmy Goodwin topped the late models, also for the second time this season.

Three close heat races set the stage for the rest of the night’s action in the USA modifieds. Russell Shoulders won the first heat in his Nr. 21, Jay Miller in the Jeanie’s Used Auto Parts / Rick Shipp Rebuilders Nr. 34 topped the second heat and Rowdy Starnes in the Starnes Trucking / Big G Auto Supply Nr. 50X won the third heat race. Dale Wester took the lead on the second lap and won the B main in the Jimmy Allard Machine & Supply / T - N - T Truck Parts Nr. 12. Jerry Cowart in the Texas Roadhouse / Mortage Support Services Nr. 6P held off Starnes to win the trophy dash.

The most exciting moment of the early evening was when the modifieds went three wide out of turn two on the second lap of the third heat race. David Gailley in the Stanley Commission Company / Rector Equipment Nr. 50D and Richard Miller in the Jeanie’s Used Auto Parts / Rick Shipp Rebuilders Nr. 1X made contact. Gailley’s car turned sideways across the nose of Miller’s machine and Gailley went flipping down the back straight. He climbed out to the car uninjured but very unhappy.

When the 20 top modifieds lined up to start their 15-lap feature, Cowart was on the pole with Shoulders on the outside. Cowart got the jump while Shoulders went wide in turn four as they took the green flag. The action was close and exciting in the pace with Rick McCommas suffering a flat after clipping the infield marker tire in turn two. On the sixth lap Richard Miller went around and brought out the first caution. Another yellow flag waved after contact on the restart forced Billy Fronterhouse to stop on the back straight.

Randy Kirkland had moved up to second place and was trying to challenge Cowart for the lead. The pair battled for the top spot for the rest of the feature. Behind them several drivers were beating and banging on each other trying to get to the front. But it was Cowart all the way to the checkered flag. Kirkland pulled even in turn two on the 13^th lap, but the Reliable Plumbing / American Locksmith Nr. 77 could not make the pass. Kirkland set up one last attempt on the final lap. As Cowart protected his low line going into turn three, Kirkland moved to the top. The cars powered through the turn side by side, with Kirkland having the momentum on the outside. But Cowart was faster on the straight and stayed just a couple inches ahead of Kirkland as they took the checkered flag. Clyde Dunn, Jr. ran a good race to take third in the Dunn Motorsports / Master Auto Body of Mesquite Nr. 88. Rowdy Starnes survived a race long duel with Tom Lorenz to take fourth to Lorenz’s fifth place finish. Starnes won the Timber Wolf Racing Hard Charger Award for passing 11 cars on his run from starting 15^th and finishing fourth.

Perseverance and a little luck paid off for Arin Lawrence as he won his first street stock feature Saturday night in the A-9 Align Hunter Equipment / Chapparal Auto Parts Nr. 9. Starting from the pole position after winning his heat race, Lawrence took off and pulled away. He had a ten car length lead over Shayne Gatlin on the second lap. There were only two things standing in Lawrence’s way as he chased his first feature win, lapped traffic and two time winner Michael Murphy. Lawrence handled the lapped traffic in the caution free race, but did lose much of his advantage. Murphy in the Valvoline Nr. 21 was coming throughout the race, narrowing the lead every lap. Lawrence never slowed and added a little comfort zone to this lead when Murphy got trapped temporarily behind a lapped car. The win was the first for Lawrence in three years of racing at Devil’s Bowl, with Murphy second. Third was Gatlin in the All American Locksmith Nr. 30. Gatlin also won the other street stock heat race. Fourth was Trandel White in the Garcia’s Lawn Care / Whitestar Trailers Nr. 10 with street stock points leader Walter Dorsett fifth in the Nikon Dallas / Home Care Supply Nr. 31.

The late model main was filled with close racing action. Britt Ables in the Ables Auto / First Mechanical Heating & Air Nr 51 and Sloppy Hogg in the Nr. ZZ won the heat races, but both dropped out early in the feature. The inverted point average put Mike Ambern in the ABT Transmissions / Woody Weaver Pharmacy Nr. 94 on the pole with Chuck Beusch in the Family Chiropractic 1^st Care / Judy’s Café Nr. 13 on the outside. A caution on the opening lap shuffled the pack, but Ambern led the way under the green flag for a second time and pulled away. Jimmy Goodwin in the TFA Automatic Sprinklers / RC Drywall Nr. 12 moved up quickly to take second on the next trip around the half-mile clay oval. Ambern was fast out front and Goodwin had to be patient to catch the leader. Goodwin was just a couple car lengths back when Ambern pushed entering turn one on the eighth lap. Goodwin ducked to the low side and took the lead. He never looked back pulling away lap after lap to take the checkered flag by the length of the front straight. Ambern was second with Darren Ellis surviving several fender rubs to take third in the Blueprint Service of Plano Nr. 23. Fourth was Jack Ambern, Jr. in the Woody Weaver Pharmacy and Home Medical / ABT Transmissions Nr. 2, with Tom Lorenz taking fifth in the Smiley’s Racing Nr. 84.

Danny Jennings was easily the fastest sprint car on the track Saturday night has he won both super sprint heat races in his Bishop Racing Products / Goodyear Tire Nr. 61J. Jimmy Goodwin won the champ sprint heat in the Nr. 3. All the sprinters lined up together for the 15-lap feature, and Sam Hafertepe, Jr. took lead on the start in his G-H Plumbing / Plumb Fast Racing Nr. 15. On the third lap Jennings went low in turn three and claimed the lead. From that point Jennings simply pulled away and took the checkered flag in the 15-lap feature by over 15 car lengths. Hafertepe was second with 71 year old Earnest Jennings running third in the Jennings Garage Nr. 61. Goodwin got past Justin Spoerl in the Nr. 6 right at the finish line to take fourth overall, and first among the championship sprints.

Next week Devil’s Bowl Speedway hosts the Super Sprints, Championship Sprints, USA Modifieds, Late Models and Street Stocks on Saturday night. Residents of Plano, Richardson, Coppell, Addison, Lewisville, Allen, McKinney, Flower Mound, Carrollton, Farmer’s Branch, Frisco and The Colony will be admitted free to the speedway grandstands with photo ID.

Story by Reggie Fields, Photos by Linda Fields

Devil’s Bowl Speedway – Race Results – Sat, May 17, 2003

SUPER SPRINTS - Heat 1: 1. #61J, Danny Jennings, Norman, Okla.; 2. #72, Charlie Brown, Greenville; 3. #99, Kurt Summers, Mesquite; 4. #15, Sam Hafertepe, Jr., Sunnyvale; 5. #61, Earnest Jennings, Norman, Okla.; 6. #34, Jeff Leep, Oklahoma City, Okla.; 7. #28X, Jeff Day, Greenville; 8. #10, John Bontrager, Poetry; 9. #6, Justin Spoerl, Mesquite; 10. #12, Jeff Shaddock, Rowlett

Heat 2: 1. #61J, Danny Jennings, Norman, Okla.; 2. #6, Justin Spoerl, Mesquite; 3. #15, Sam Hafertepe, Jr., Sunnyvale; 4. #72, Charlie Brown, Greenville; 5. #12, Jeff Shaddock, Rowlett; 6. #61, Earnest Jennings, Norman, Okla.; 7. #99, Kurt Summers, Mesquite; 8. #34, Jeff Leep, Oklahoma City, Okla.; DNS - #28X, Jeff Day, Greenville; DNS - #10, John Bontrager, Poetry

CHAMPIONSHIP SPRINTS - Heat 1: 1. #3, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland; 2. #10T, Troy Bontrager, Wylie; 3. #43X, Dale Wester, Ovilla

SPRINT CAR A FEATURE: 1. Danny Jennings, Norman, Okla.; 2. Sam Hafertepe, Jr., Sunnyvale; 3. Earnest Jennings, Norman, Okla.; 4. #3, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland; 5. Justin Spoerl, Mesquite; 6. Jeff Leep, Oklahoma City, Okla.; 7. #43X, Dale Wester, Ovilla; 8. Jeff Shaddock, Rowlett; 9. Charlie Brown, Greenville; 10. #10T, Troy Bontrager, Wylie; 11. Kurt Summers, Mesquite; DNS - #28X, Jeff Day, Greenville; DNS - #10, John Bontrager, Poetry

USA MODIFIEDS - Heat 1: 1. #21, Russell Shoulders, Forney; 2. #77, Randy Kirkland, Mesquite; 3. #39, Rick McCommas, Balch Springs; 4. #5, Billy Fronterhouse, Wylie; 5. #90, Johnny Hitt, Kaufman; 6. #16, Clarence Greer, Mesquite; 7. #12, Dale Wester, Ovilla; 8. #98, Marc Madison, Tioga; 9. #56X, Jeff Liles, Rowlett; 10. #12C, Chuck Hooks, Mesquite

Heat 2: 1. #34, Jay Miller, Terrell; 2. #88, Clyde Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 3. #84, Tom Lorenz, Balch Springs; 4. #99, Johnny Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 5. #50, Steve Sickels, Rowlett; 6. #4, Tracy Adams, Rowlett; 7. #64, Rick Preddy, Aubrey; 8. #84, David Flanagan, Terrell; DNS - #71, Ronnie Carty, DeSoto

Heat 3: 1. #50X, Rowdy Starnes, McKinney; 2. #6P, Jerry Cowart, Mesquite; 3. #17, Charles Lasater, Garland; 4. #19, Richard McGibboney, Dallas; 5. #1X, Richard Miller, Terrell; 6. #15, Chris Locke, Mesquite; 7. #01, Tanner Whitmire, Taft; 8. #00, Dink McCullough, Balch Springs; 9. #18, Frank Rose, Mesquite; 10. #50D, David Gailley, Mesquite

Trophy Dash: 1. #6P, Jerry Cowart, Mesquite; 2. #50X, Rowdy Starnes, McKinney; 3. #88, Clyde Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 4. #77, Randy Kirkland, Mesquite; 5. #34, Jay Miller, Terrell; 6. #21, Russell Shoulders, Forney

B Main: 1. #12, Dale Wester, Ovilla; 2. #98, Marc Madison, Tioga; 3. #15, Chris Locke, Mesquite; 4. #4, Tracy Adams, Rowlett; 5. #01, Tanner Whitmire, Taft; 6. #64, Rick Preddy, Aubrey; 7. #00, Dink McCullough, Balch Springs; 8. #16, Clarence Greer, Mesquite; 9. #12C, Chuck Hooks, Mesquite; 10. #81, David Flanagan, Terrell; 11. #56X, Jeff Liles, Rowlett; DNS - #71, Ronnie Carty, DeSoto; DNS - #18, Frank Rose, Mesquite; DNS - #50D, David Gailley

A FEATURE: 1. #6P, Jerry Cowart, Mesquite; 2. #77, Randy Kirkland, Mesquite; 3. #88, Clyde Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 4. #50X, Rowdy Starnes, McKinney; 5. #84, Tom Lorenz, Balch Springs; 6. #17, Charles Lasater, Garland; 7. #99, Johnny Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 8. #19, Richard McGibboney, Dallas; 9. #50, Steve Sickels, Rowlett; 10. #98, Marc Madison, Tioga; 11. #15, Chris Locke, Mesquite; 12. #4, Tracy Adams, Rowlett; 13. #5, Billy Fronterhouse, Wylie; 14. #90, Johnny Hitt, Kaufman; 15. #01, Tanner Whitmire, Taft; 16. #12, Dale Wester, Ovilla; 17. #34, Jay Miller, Terrell; 18. #1X, Richard Miller, Terrell; 19. #21, Russell Shoulders, Forney; 20. #39, Rick McCommas, Balch Springs

LATE MODELS - Heat 1: 1. #51, Britt Ables, Wylie; 2. #28, Ronnie Long, Dallas; 3. #13, Chuck Beusch, Red Oak; 4. #84, Tom Lorenz, Balch Springs; 5. #8, Skip O'Neal, Midlothian; 6. #44, Cameron Wilson, Gainesville

Heat 2: 1. #ZZ, Sloppy Hogg, Arlington; 2. #12, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland; 3. #2, Jack Ambern,Jr., Arp; 4. #94, Mike Ambern, Longview; 5. #23, Darren Ellis, Quinlan; 6. #90.5, Tommy Fain, Abilene

A FEATURE: 1. #12, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland; 2. #94, Mike Ambern, Longview; 3. #23, Darren Ellis, Quinlan; 4. #2, Jack Ambern,Jr., Arp; 5. #84, Tom Lorenz, Balch Springs; 6. #8, Skip O'Neal, Midlothian; 7. #13, Chuck Beusch, Red Oak; 8. #28, Ronnie Long, Dallas; 9. #90.5, Tommy Fain, Abilene; 10. #44, Cameron Wilson, Gainesville; 11. #ZZ, Sloppy Hogg, Arlington; 12. #51, Britt Ables, Wylie

STREET STOCKS - Heat 1: 1. Shayne Gatlin, Mesquite; 2. Mike Walls, Flower Mound; 3. Walter Dorsett, Royse City; 4. Johnny Philpot, Sunnyvale; 5. George Parrish, Terrell; DNS - #47, Danny d'Happart, Wylie

Heat 2: 1. #9, Arin Lawrence, Carrollton; 2. #00X, Michael Grubbs, Sachse; 3. #21, Michael Murphy, Ferris; 4. #8, Mark Ross, Royse City; 5. #42, Gayla Jones, Mesquite; 6. #10, Trandel White, Balch Springs

A FEATURE: 1. #9, Arin Lawrence, Carrollton; 2. #21, Michael Murphy, Ferris; 3. #30, Shayne Gatlin, Mesquite; 4. #10, Trandel White, Balch Springs; 5. #31, Walter Dorsett, Royse City; 6. #00X, Michael Grubbs, Sachse; 7. #8, Mark Ross, Royse City; 8. #49, George Parrish, Terrell; 9. #47, Danny d'Happart, Wylie; 10. #42, Gayla Jones, Mesquite; 11. #12, Johnny Philpot, Sunnyvale; DNS - #38, Mike Walls, Flower Mound

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Dirt Track Photography is the official photographer for Devil's Bowl. We take digital pictures to post on this web side, but for quality pictures of the drivers, cars and action on the speedway, visit the Dirt Track Photography trailer next to the front grandstand gate.

A first feature victory is a special moment in a racer's life, and Arin Lawrence was enjoying every minute after Saturday's street stock feature..

The USA modified feature could not have been any closer at the finish. Kirkland's momentum off the top of the turn came up just a hair short. The margin of victory was only a couple inches.

Mark Ross is steadily making his presence know in the street stocks. He has run every feature this season in the Ross Racing / Tommy G's Welding / Speed Specialties Nr. 8, averaging a sixth place finish each night.

Parts of David Gailley's modified were being carried off by fans as souvenirs after the races. The flip left the car twisted and looking very bad. Luckily Gailley recently purchased another modified, and rumor has it he is working on a deal to get into a sprint car.

Mark Madison continues to have top ten finishes in his backup car with the smaller 351 motor. He and car owner Jay Gutherie are awaiting parts for the motor on their faster / newer car. Maybe they should stick with the old one after the luck they've had recently.

Charles Lasater had a strong run in Saturday's modified feature, finishing sixth in the Acelco Services Nr. 17. He's struggled to make the feature a couple times this year, but Saturday he ran with faster cars and more experienced drivers, holding his own the entire race.

Justin Spoerl holds the super sprint points lead. He is improving each week and the laps are paying off in smoother runs and better performance.

Jeff Leep, the grandson of Oklahoma racer Harold Leep, made his first start at Devil's Bowl Saturday night in the Super Sprint Nr. 34.

Dale Wester got a taste of sprint car action, taking the wheel in Jimmy Allard's Nr. 43X Championship Sprint. He ran some good laps, and was very consistent in his line on the track and entry in the corners, especially when being lapped by Jennings late in the sprint feature.

There were a lot of fenders pushed in in the late model feature. The action in the pack was tight, and these racers were not above using a fender to gain an advantage. Luckily no crashes or major damage occured, this week.

Arin Lawrence's street stock heat race win over Michael Grubbs and Sloppy Hogg's late model heat win over Jimmy Goodwin were among the best heat races of the season.

Devil's Bowl welcomed back David Flanagan Saturday night, driving his brand new Nr. 81 modified. So new the numbers were applied at the track with taps.