Third Wins for Jennings in Sprints and Murphy in Street Stocks at Devil's Bowl

Racing Saturday night, May 24 will be Super Sprints, Champ Sprints, USA Modifieds, Late Models and Street Stocks. 

Saturday May 24, will be free admission to the grand stands for residents of DeSoto, Duncanville, Lancaster, Cedar Hill, Red Oak, Glenn Heights, Midlothian, Wilmer and Hutchins with photo ID.

Mesquite, TX (May 24) – Danny Jennings claimed his third sprint car feature win of the year at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Saturday night, while Michael Murphy topped the street stocks for the third time in 2003. Rick McCommas was last a week ago, but finished first in the USA modified feature Saturday night. Woody Weaver paced the late models from flag to flag for his first victory at Devil’s Bowl.

It took three tries to get the field of 13 sprints going for their 15-lap feature. Earnest Jennings got on the gas early in the first start, and on the second attempt, Duane Baker made contact with Earnest Jennings in turn one and went high end over end over the top of the turn. Baker was the first sprint driver to get upside down this season at Devil’s Bowl. Baker walked away from the torn up race car.

On the third attempt at the green flag, polesitter Charlie Brown held the lead in his City Blues / Koin Kar Wash Nr. 72 with Danny Jennings just a couple feet behind in his Bishop Racing Components / Lucas Oil / Mr. Gasket Products Nr. 61J. It was a close exciting battle up front as Jennings tried to get past Brown for the lead. On the fifth trip around the half-mile clay oval, Jennings was able to pull past Brown and take the lead. By the end of the next lap, Jennings was catching some of the Championship Sprints running at the back of the field. Terry DeVeny spun in turn two to bring out the yellow flag.

The restart put Brown right on Jennings rear bumper. Though Brown tried, he could not keep up with the swift Super Sprint from Oklahoma. Jennings managed to establish a three car length lead throughout the rest of the race on his way to winning his third feature. Brown was second, while Larry Neighbors was third right behind the leaders on his first visit to Devil’s Bowl this year. Fourth place was Jimmy Goodwin in the Championship Sprint Nr. 3, with Earnest Jennings taking fifth.

Andy Shouse won the Championship Sprint heat race in his Nr. 27, while Goodwin won the Championship Sprint trophy Dash. Danny Jennings won the first Super Sprint heat, with Earnest Jennings winning the other Super Sprint heat race.

The closest feature of the evening was the street stock main with five different leaders and a pass for the top spot on the final lap. Johnny Philpot set the early pace from the pole in his Nr. 12 while Arin Lawrence battled for the lead. Lawrence put the A-9 Align Hunter Equipment / Chapparal Auto Parts Nr. 9 into the lead on the third lap. Mark Ross took second after Philpot had trouble on the restart after the first caution. Fourth row starters Murphy and Walter Dorsett were up to the top five. Several green flag laps were filled with close racing as Ross put his Ross Racing / Tommy G’s Welding / Speed Specialities Nr. 8 into the lead for the seventh lap when Lawrence drifted high in turn two. Dorsett was able to pass the battling duo of Ross and Lawrence on the next lap to make his Nikon Dallas / Home Care Supply Nr. 31 the fourth car to lead the feature. Travis Pace was running fourth when his Gary’s Machine Shop / Scharamm’s Ammo and Weapons Nr. 17 billowed a cloud of smoke on the tenth lap and put moisture down in turn two. Ross had a flat left rear tire, while Lawrence’s car had been damaged from contact with two spinning cars.

That set up a two lap dash to the checkered flag. Dorsett was out front with Murphy in his Valvoline Nr. 21 and Trandel White in the Garcia’s Lawn Cars / White Star Trailers Nr. 10 side by side behind him. The cars roared under the green flag, and Dorsett held the lead a lap later as the white flag waved. Murphy got a run off the second turn and pulled even down the back straight. Murphy edged ahead entering the third turn and was half a car length out front as they exited turn four. Murphy claimed the win by a half car length, with Dorsett and White side by side. Dorsett took the runner-up spot by a couple feet over white. Michael Grubbs ran in the top five the entire race and finished fourth in the Fullen’s Crankshaft Service / Grubbs Motorsports Nr. 00X. Avoiding all the late race cautions was Gayla Jones who finished fifth in the Koool Touch Refrigeration / Imperial Electric Nr. 42. Murphy and Ross won the street stock heat races.

Last week McCommas was knocked out of the USA modified feature on the first lap, this week he charged to the front after starting in the 13^th position to win. Dink McCullough started on the pole and took the early lead in his Kelsey Equipment Repair / Duckworth Asphalt and Paving Nr. 00. Russell Shoulders challenged McCullough early, but the first of five cautions flew after the second lap. McCommas had passed five cars to line up eighth after the second caution on the third lap. Five green flag laps saw McCullough and Shoulders in a good battle up front while Richard Miller, McCommas, Tom Lorenz and points leader Rowdy Starnes battled for the third position. While racing for the lead, Shoulders got punted into the front straight wall on the ninth lap.

On the restart, third starting McCommas moved past Miller and tapped McCullough’s rear bumper a few times while charging down the back straight. McCommas had to slow suddenly after making contact with McCullough again. Miller could not avoid McCommas and the contact sent McCommas sideways into Starnes, launching Starnes spinning off the track in turn three. McCommas got past McCullough on the next restart and took the lead in his Jimmy Allard Racing Engines / B&H Painting Nr. 39. Finishing second behind McCommas at the checkered flag was Tom Lorenz in the Smiley’s Racing Nr. 84, followed closely by Clyde Dunn, Jr. in the Dunn Motorsports / Master Auto Body of Mesquite Nr. 88 in third. Steve Sickels in the Troy’s Used Cars / S&S Fabrication Nr. 50 and Randy Kirkland in the Reliable Plumbing / American Locksmith Nr. 77 were fourth and fifth. Starnes, McCommas and Shoulders won the heat races. McCommas won the Timber Wolf Racing Hard Charger Award by passing 12 cars on his run from 13th to first.

Woody Weaver started his brand new Woody Weaver Pharmacy / Kenny’s Machine Shop Nr. 94 on the pole for the 15-lap late model main. He took off and never looked back at a great battle behind him as he won his first late model main at Devil’s Bowl. Weaver held off the Town East Ford Nr. 28 of Ronnie Long early in the race. Long soon had his hands full in a battle with Chuck Beusch. Two cautions in the middle of the race kept the action close. Beusch was second for several laps, but Long reclaimed the runner-up spot on the sixth lap. Long closed up to give Weaver a run, but contact from Beusch slowed Long and brought out the yellow flag again. On the final restart, Steve Trevathan and Skip O’Neal got past Long. Trevathan could not catch Weaver before the checkered flag and had to settle for second in his Nr. 3, with O’Neal third in the Barnsco Construction Materials / Urban Fire Protection Nr. 8. Long was fourth, with Mike Ambern in the ABT Transmissions / Woody Weaver Pharmacy Nr. 29 was fifth. Weaver and Tom Lorenz in the Smiley’s Racing Nr. 84 won the heat races.

Next week Devil’s Bowl Speedway hosts the Super Sprints, Championship Sprints, USA Modifieds, Late Models and Street Stocks on Saturday night. Residents of DeSoto, Duncanville, Lancaster, Cedar Hill, Midlothian, Red Oak, Glenn Heights, Wilmer and Hutchins will be admitted free to the speedway grandstands with photo ID.

Photos by Linda Fields

Devil’s Bowl Speedway – Race Results – Sat, May 24, 2003

SUPER SPRINTS - Heat 1: 1. #61J, Danny Jennings, Norman, Okla.; 2. #36, Larry Neighbors, Oklahoma City, Okla.; 3. #72, Charlie Brown, Greenville; 4. #28X, Jeff Day, Greenville; 5. #99, Kurt Summers, Mesquite; 6. #6, Justin Spoerl, Mesquite

Heat 2: 1. #61, Earnest Jennings, Norman, Okla.; 2. #29, Duane Baker, Shawnee, Okla.; 3. #1, Tony Poe, Midwest City, Okla.; 4. #15, Sam Hafertepe, Jr., Sunnyvale; 5. #8, Wayne McNally, Dallas; DNS - #34, Jeff Leep, Oklahoma City, Okla.

CHAMPIONSHIP SPRINTS - Heat 1: 1. #27, Andy Shouse, Tuttle, Okla.; 2. #43X, Dale Wester, Ovilla; 3. #6, Terry DeVeny, Moore, Okla.; DNS - #3, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland

Trophy Dash: 1. #3, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland; 2. #43X, Dale Wester, Ovilla; 3. #27, Andy Shouse, Tuttle, Okla.; DNS - #6, Terry DeVeny, Moore, Okla.

SPRINT CAR A FEATURE: 1. #61J, Danny Jennings, Norman, Okla.; 2. #72, Charlie Brown, Greenville; 3. #36, Larry Neighbors, Oklahoma City, Okla.; 4. #3, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland; 5. #61, Earnest Jennings, Norman, Okla.; 6. #1, Tony Poe, Midwest City, Okla.; 7. #27, Andy Shouse, Tuttle, Okla.; 8. #34, Jeff Leep, Oklahoma City, Okla.; 9. #6, Terry DeVeny, Moore, Okla.; 10. #6, Justin Spoerl, Mesquite; 11. #43X, Dale Wester, Ovilla; 12. #8, Wayne McNally, Dallas; 13. #29, Duane Baker, Shawnee, Okla.; DNS - #28X, Jeff Day, Greenville; DNS - #99, Kurt Summers, Mesquite; DNS - #15, Sam Hafertepe, Jr., Sunnyvale

USA MODIFIEDS - Heat 1: 1. #50X, Rowdy Starnes, McKinney; 2. #34, Richard Miller, Terrell; 3. #77, Randy Kirkland, Mesquite; 4. #5, Billy Fronterhouse, Wylie; 5. #27, Tony Batt, Princeton; 6. #16, Clarence Greer, Mesquite; 7. #12C, Chuck Hooks, Mesquite; 8. #29, Gary Hart, Venus; 9. #6P, Jerry Cowart, Mesquite

Heat 2: 1. #39, Rick McCommas, Balch Springs; 2. #17, Charles Lasater, Garland; 3. #88, Clyde Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 4. #15, Chris Locke, Mesquite; 5. #4, Tracy Adams, Rowlett; 6. #64, Rick Preddy, Aubrey; 7. #22, Sonny Kirkland, Mesquite; DNS - #90, Johnny Hitt, Kaufman

Heat 3: 1. #21, Russell Shoulders, Forney; 2. #84, Tom Lorenz, Balch Springs; 3. #12, Dale Wester, Ovilla; 4. #00, Dink McCullough, Balch Springs; 5. #50, Steve Sickels, Rowlett; 6. #99, Johnny Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 7. #98, Marc Madison, Tioga; 8. #722, Jeff Hart, Scurry

A FEATURE: 1. #39, Rick McCommas, Balch Springs; 2. #84, Tom Lorenz, Balch Springs; 3. #88, Clyde Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 4. #50, Steve Sickels, Rowlett; 5. #77, Randy Kirkland, Mesquite; 6. #34, Richard Miller, Terrell; 7. #88, Johnny Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 8. #17, Charles Lasater, Garland; 9. #15, Chris Locke, Mesquite; 10. #6P, Jerry Cowart, Mesquite; 11. #64. Rick Preddy, Aubrey; 12. #12C, Chuck Hooks, Mesquite; 13. #27, Tony Batt, Princeton; 14. #16, Clarence Greer, Mesquite; 15. #00, Dink McCullough, Balch Springs; 16. #12, Dale Wester, Ovilla; 17. #21, Russell Shoulders, Forney; 18. #50X, Rowdy Starnes, McKinney; 19. #4, Tracy Adams, Rowlett; 20. #5, Billy Fronterhouse, Wylie; 21. #22, Sonny Kirkland, Mesquite; 22. #722, Jeff Hart, Scurry; DNS - #90, Johnny Hitt, Kaufman; DNS - #98, Marc Madison, Tioga; DNS - #29, Gary Hart, Venus

LATE MODELS - Heat 1: 1. #94, Woody Weaver, Tyler; 2. #ZZ, Sloppy Hogg, Arlington; 3. #1, Cheyney Hopkins, Combine; 4. #12, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland; 5. #29, Mike Ambern, Longview; 6. #8, Skip O'Neal, Midlothian; 7. #51, Britt Ables, Wylie

Heat 2: 1. #84, Tom Lorenz, Balch Springs; 2. #28, Ronnie Long, Dallas; 3. #2, Jack Ambern,Jr., Arp; 4. #9D, Jerry Horn, Athens; 5. #13, Chuck Beusch, Red Oak; 6. #23, Darren Ellis, Quinlan; 7. #3, Steve Trevathan, Forney

A FEATURE: 1. #94, Woody Weaver, Tyler; 2. #3, Steve Trevathan, Forney; 3. #8, Skip O'Neal, Midlothian; 4. #28, Ronnie Long, Dallas; 5. #29, Mike Ambern, Longview; 6. #9D, Jerry Horn, Athens; 7. #ZZ, Sloppy Hogg, Arlington; 8. #13, Chuck Beusch, Red Oak; 9. #1, Cheyney Hopkins, Combine; 10. #84, Tom Lorenz, Balch Springs; 11. #51, Britt Ables, Wylie; 12. #12, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland; 13. #2, Jack Ambern,Jr., Arp; DNS - #23, Darren Ellis, Quinlan

STREET STOCKS - Heat 1: 1. #21, Michael Murphy, Ferris; 2. #38, Mike Walls, Flower Mound; 3. #10, Trandel White, Balch Springs; 4. #49, George Parrish, Terrell; 5. #00X, Michael Grubbs, Sachse; 6. #47, Danny d'Happart, Wylie; 7. #42, Gayla Jones, Mesquite; 8. #24, Raymond Parker, McKinney

Heat 2: 1. #8, Mark Ross, Royse City; 2. #31, Walter Dorsett, Royse City; 3. #9, Arin Lawrence, Carrollton; 4. #17, Travis Pace, Mesquite; 5. #12, Johnny Philpot, Sunnyvale; 6. #30, Shayne Gatlin, Mesquite; 7. #3, Justin Trevathan, Denton; 8. #57, Don Tyner, Forney

A FEATURE: 1. Michael Murphy, Ferris; 2. Walter Dorsett, Royse City; 3. Trandel White, Balch Springs; 4. Michael Grubbs, Sachse; 5. Gayla Jones, Mesquite; 6. Mark Ross, Royse City; 7. Travis Pace, Mesquite; 8. Arin Lawrence, Carrollton; 9. Johnny Philpot, Sunnyvale; 10. Shayne Gatlin, Mesquite; 11. Mike Walls, Flower Mound; 12. Justin Trevathan, Denton; 13. Danny d'Happart, Wylie; 14. George Parrish, Terrell; DNS - #24, Raymond Parker, McKinney; DNS - #57, Don Tyner, Forney

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For most of the feature races, lightening around the area gave a sense of urgency to the proceedings. The entire pit area was cleared of cars less than 30 minutes after the final checkered flag fell. Certainly a Devil's Bowl record.

Russell Shoulders finally got a permanent number painted on his car, by his 8 year old granddaughter.

Saturday night was hard on engines, especially for cars making their first appearance at Devil's Bowl.

Andy Shouse ended the sprint car feature with flames and parts coming from his engine. Sam Hafertepe, Jr. lost his engine in a spectacular ball of fire while leading the second super sprint heat race.

Travis Pace also had major engine problems on his first night back after rebuilding his engine when it expired on the second night of the season.

Michelle Decker, the Championship Sprint points leader at State Fair Speedway in Oklahoma City, was a spectator in the pits Saturday night. However, she did get a chance to hot lap Jimmy's Goodwin's Nr. 3 Championship Sprint.

When Chuck Beusch had problems while leading the second late model heat race, Darren Ellis could not miss his slowing car. Darren clipped the tire in turn four entering the front straight and spun. The next three cars in line missed Ellis' car, but Steve Trevathan hit him head on. Trevathan was able to start the feature, but Ellis was done.

Last week Mike Ambern drove the newly purchased Nr. 94, this week Woody Weaver was in the car. He said if it ran well, he'd paint his regular Nr. 47 on the car. Woody led every lap of the late model main, so will it be bad luck to change the number??

Duane Baker's flip on the second attempt to start the sprint feature was the first time this year a sprint car has gotten upside down at Devil's Bowl. And it was a big end over end flip.

Jeff Day's engine woes continued, with problems again while leading his super sprint heat race.

The front bumper got a work out in the late model, street stock and modified features. Drivers were getting very aggressive in booting cars out of the way rather than trying to pass cleanly.

After last week's feature, Michael Murphy trailed Walter Dorsett by just a few points in the street standings. After edging Dorsett in the feature, Murphy took the points lead by 20 points over Dorsett.

Rick McCommas jumped from fourth to second in the USA modified points with his feature win.