Ramey Leads ASCS Sooner Sweep At Devil’s Bowl

The Texas Demolition Derby Series visits Devil's Bowl  Saturday night, July 19. Also racing that night will be Super Sprints, Championship Sprints, USA Modifieds, Late Models and Street Stocks. 

 

 

 

 

Mesquite, TX (July 12) – 

Kevin Ramey mastered a drying track to top Saturday night’s ASCS Outlaw Sprint Car Sooner Region vs Gulf South Region Shootout at Devil’s Bowl Speedway. Ronnie Carty captured the USA modified feature. Chuck Beusch led every laps of the late model main. Michael Murphy topped the street stocks.

The ASCS Outlaw Sprint Cars lined by region for four heat races. Bob Ewell took off at the start of the first Sooner Region heat and charged to the finish, leading every lap in his Foam Enterprises Nr. 85. Greg Rilat also came from the outside of the front row to lead the opening Gulf South Region heat from start to finish in the TSR Motorsports Truck & Trailer Sales / MSD / F&J Construction Nr. 35.

Kevin Ramey pulled away to easily win the ASCS Outlaw Sprint feature Saturday night at Devil's Bowl. Dennis Crow from the ASCS Sooner Region (l), Keith Johnson from the ASCS Gulf South Region and Kevin's daughter Mackenzie join him in victory lane. 

The third heat took a couple attempt to get started with drivers at the back trying to win the race before they got to turn one. Jason Martin in the Dan’s Body Shop / Gibson Racing Engines / Simpson Nr. 36 led the heat from start to finish when the race finally got started. Chris Sweeney in the Humble Paint & body / Custom Automotive Machine / Sharp Racing Nr. 93 led the fourth heat from start to finish.

The top four cars in passing points from each region earned starting stops in the A main. All the other cars had to run a qualifier race or a last chance race to make the feature. Matt Clevenger won the first qualifier in his JTM Materials / JRJ Paving / Napa Nr. 31X after starting third. He took second after some wheel banging on the first lap with pole sitter Tina Creswell in the Eagle Jet International / Race Against Drugs / Simpson Race Products Nr. 02. On the ninth lap Clevenger got past Kelly Angelette in the Big Tex Trailers / Southern Trailer Works / Turbo Pump Service Nr. 19 to lead the qualifier. The win earned Clevenger the inside starting spot on the fifth row for the 25-lap feature.

Kevin Ramey in the Harvill Industries Nr. 7M led the second qualifier from start to finish, pulling away each lap. Brian Harvill in the Harvill Industries / Smiley’s / Graphic Wonders Nr. 31B was second after Larry Long in the Town East Ford / Speed Specialties Nr. 28L dropped out with mechanical problems. Foster Landon in the Turnpike Van & Truck Parts / The Nut House / BPG - Business Planning Group Nr. 11F won the last chance race.

Bob Ewell took second in the ASCS feature at Devil's Bowl Saturday night.

Bob Ewell pulled ahead of Greg Rilat on the start but as the first lap was being completed Rilat got sideways in turn one and collected Stephanie Chappell in the Maxim Chassis / Weld Wheels / AFCO Shocks Nr. 05. The field lined up for a complete restart and again Ewell pulled ahead. This time Chris Sweeny spun sideways in turn three. Matt Clevenger could not avoid him and both cars were knocked out of the race.

With half the cars in the front seven rows sent to the back or knocked out due to involvement in crashes, the field was lined up again and Jason Martin moved to the outside of the front row. Derek Drown in the Tripp’s Harley Davidson / Accent Auto Body / C&S Machine Nr. 26 and Sam Hafertpe, Jr. In the G-H Plumbing Nr. 15 were now the second row and Kelly Angelette and Kevin Ramey were on the third row.

Third in the ASCS feature was Jason Martin.

This time the green flag dropped Mason went high and pulled past Ewell going into the first turn. Ramey quickly settled into third by passing Drown on third lap. George White rounded out the top five when leader Martin started lapping slower cars on the sixth lap. Though the track dried quickly in the middle, there was still traction available on the very top and bottom. Martin was able to weave past the cars at the back of the pack a bit faster than Ewell. Ramey caught Ewell in the heavy traffic and trapped Ewell behind a slower car to take the runner-up spot on the 11th trip around the half-mile oval.

Martin had a huge lead, almost half the length of the front straight, but lapping cars slowed him down. Ramey was able to put his car anywhere on the track he wanted. By the 16th lap he was bumper to bumper with Martin and went low in turn three on the 17th circuit to take the lead. Martin ran side by side with Ramey for a lap, but a slower car forced him to concede the position.

Ramey had mastered the art of lapping slower cars on a dry track at Devil’s Bowl with his run of three straight championships in the late 1990's. He quickly put five lapped cars between himself and Martin. The final caution of the race flew on the 20th lap. The lapped cars between Ramey and Martin ensured Ramey was unchallenged on the run to the checkered flag. Martin had Ewell on his back bumper when the green flag dropped. In the first turn after the green flag flew Ewell was able to go around Martin and take second. Martin could not recover the position and had to settle for third at the finish line. Danny Jennings in the Bishop Racing Components / Goodyear Tires / Lucas Oil Nr. 61J took fourth from Brian Harvill just after the lap 21 restart. George White jumped the restart and was penalized four positions for passing two cars before reaching the cone on the front straight, dropping him to ninth in the final results..

Chuck Beusch led every lap of the late model main at Devil's Bowl Saturday night for his first feature win this season.

Chuck Beusch knows his way around the Devil’s Bowl oval, racing late models and modifieds for most of the past 20 years. He started the Family Chiropractic 1st Care / Judy’s Café Nr. 13 on the outside of the front row when the green flag waved on the 15-lap late model main. The cars ran three wide through the opening turns but Beusch pulled ahead to take the lead and never looked back. Britt Ables in the Ables Auto / Troy’s Cars Nr. 51 and Sloppy Hogg in the Nr. ZZ battled for second place while Beusch built a five car length lead. Jimmy Goodwin put the TFA Automatic Sprinklers Nr. 12 into third place ahead of Hogg on the fourth lap. Darren Ellis in the Blueprint Service of Plano Nr. 23 took fourth a lap later. Beusch was six car lengths ahead of Ables on the eighth lap when Goodwin took second place. Moments later Hogg and Cheyney Hopkins got together on the front straight, spinning Hopkins completely around. Ables got a run on the restart and reclaimed second place. Goodwin raced side by side with Ronnie Long in the Town East Ford Nr. 28 but on the outside, Goodwin fell back as Long found the traction he needed to take third. Beusch charged ahead to take the checkered flag by three car lengths over Ables. Long was third with Ellis taking fourth and Goodwin fifth. Hogg and Goodwin won the late model heats. Ables won the trophy dash running away.

Ronnie Carty (in red shirt) with his crew and mud scraper celebrate his second USA Modified feature win this year at Devil's Bowl.

Johnny Dunn, Jr. in the Nr. 99 grabbed the lead of the USA modified feature on the start, but the caution flew before the first lap was complete when Chris Locke spun on the front straight. Locke’s Broadband Specialists / US Broadband Fleet Service Nr. 15 got out of shape entering the front straight and the bunch of cars behind him could not avoid a crash. In the restart Charles Lasater got the Acelco Services nr. 17 out front and set the early pace. Ronnie Carty in the Southwest Engines / Hanson and Sons Chassis Shop Nr. 71 quickly moved from the third row to second by the time the caution flew again for Richard McGibboney’s spin in turn one in the Baber’s Garage / Red’s Meat Company Nr. 19. Randy Kirkland in the Reliable Plumbing / American Locksmith Nr. 77 could not avoid McGibboney’s car and the crash damage put McGibboney on the trailer.

Carty had tried the very low line in turn four right against the infield wall a couple times. After the restart, he used that move to pull past Lasater and take the lead. Another caution bunched the field a lap later but Carty was able to pull away as the race resumed. Right behind him Clyde Dunn, Jr. in the Dunn Motorsports / Master Auto Body of Mesquite Nr. 88, Rick McCommas in the Jimmy Allard Racing Engines / B&H Painting Nr. 39 and Rowdy Starnes in the Starnes Trucking / Cain’s Racing Engines Nr. 50X quickly moved up to battle for second. Dunn and Starnes traded the position a couple times with Carty just a couple car lengths ahead. Starnes established himself in second by the 11th lap and was soon pulling alongside Carty. The driver of the 71 stayed in his line and did not give Starnes an opportunity to pass. On the 13th lap, Carty slipped sideways in turns one and two, and again in the middle of three and four. Starnes was right on his rear bumper in turn three and had to check up to avoid a crash. That left the bottom of the track open for Dunn and McCommas to take second and third. Dunn tried to challenge Carty as he took the checkered flag but had to settle for second place for the second straight week. McCommas was third with Starnes fourth and Tom Lorenz in the Smiley’s Racing / Hoosier Tire Southwest Nr. 84 was fifth. It was Carty’s second USA modified feature win this year at Devil’s Bowl. Kirkland topped the first modified heat race. Lasater won the second heat in a close race with McCommas. Starnes avoided Dink McCullough’s spin on the next to last lap to take the lead and win the third heat race. David Gailley won the B main in his Stanley Commission Company / Rector Equipment Company Nr. 50D. Dunn earned the Timber Wolf Racing Hard Charger Award for the second straight week, starting 11th and passing 9 cars to finish second.

Michael Murphy celebrates his fifth feature win at Devil's Bowl this year with his wife Angie, brother Patrick and Granny.

Michael Murphy in the Pinnacle Funding Home Loans / Valvoline Nr. 21 claimed the street stock feature by staying out of trouble and avoiding trouble from other cars. Starting on the outside of the fifth row, Murphy avoided the contact on the second lap which sent Walter Dorsett in the Nikon Dallas / Home Care Supply Nr. 31 spinning into the turn two tire. Dorsett was out for three laps changing a flat tire. Murphy gained almost 200 points on Dorsett in their battle for the championship. Danny Florence in the Starnes Trucking Nr. 51 took the lead from the start, but Mike Meeks in the Meeks Paint & Body Nr. 37 quickly came through to set the pace on the second lap. He stayed out front until the fifth circuit when Michael Grubbs in the Fullen’s Crankshaft Service / Grubbs Motorsports Nr. 00X pulled past him on the back straight. Murphy was up to second and four laps later Murphy got alongside Grubbs in turn two. Murphy was able to make the pass and went on to win his fifth feature this year. Grubbs had a fast run to finish second, followed by Frank Shafer in the Automotive Machine Shop / Flat Broke Racing Nr. 84 and Meeks. Mike Walls rounded out the top five in his White Star Trailers / Garcia Lawn Care Nr. 38. Murphy topped the first street stock heat race and Jason Trevathan in the Nr. 3X led the second heat from start to finish.

Next Saturday, July 19, the Texas Demo Derby Series visits Devil’s Bowl Speedway. Along with the demo derby, the Super Sprints, Championship Sprints, USA Modifieds, Late Models and Street Stocks will be racing. In two weeks, July 26, Devil’s Bowl will have its Second Annual Christmas in July. Children ages 15 and under will be admitted to the grandstands free with the donation of a new, unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots campaign.

Story by Reggie Fields. Photos by Linda Fields

Devil’s Bowl Speedway – Race Results – Sat, July 12, 2003

  ASCS OUTLAW SPRINT CARS - First Heat Race: 1. #85, Bob Ewell, Forney; 2. #05, Stephanie Chappell, Talala, Okla.; 3. #7M, Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth; 4. #52, Roy Larkin, Tulsa, Okla.; 5. #61J, Danny Jennings, Norman, Okla.; 6. #36X, Larry Neighbors, Oklahoma City, Okla.; 7. #11F, Foster Landon, Collinsville, Okla.; 8. #18, Tony Bruce, Jr., Liberal, Kan.

Second Heat Race: 1. #35, Greg Rilat, Texas City; 2. #11, Cody Pearson, Sulphur, La.; 3. #15, Sam Hafertepe, Jr., Sunnyvale; 4. #28L, Larry Long, Dallas; 5. #28, David Forbis, Bossier City, La.; 6. #31, Brandon Berryman, Missouri City; 7. #10, Larry Hartwell, Pasadena; 8. #02Y, Harry Yarrington, Bryan

Third Heat Race: 1. #36, Jason Martin, Liberal, Kan.; #26, 2. Derek Drown, Amarillo; 3. #31X, Matt Clevenger, Flower Mound; 4. #31B, Brian Harvill, Irving; 5. #45, Robert Sellers, Mustang, Okla.; 6. #62, James Shoun, Oklahoma City, Okla.; 7. #74E, Claud Estes, Godley; 8. #39, George White, Fort Worth

Fourth Heat Race: 1. #93, Chris Sweeney, Huffman; 2. #02, Tina Creswell, New Braunfels; 3. #19, Kelly Angelette, Thibodaux, La.; 4. #17, Rick Cordray, Houston; 5.#88, Scottie McDonald, Porter; 6. #15K, Brad Stokes, Baton Rouge, La; 7. #84C, Stephen Chevallier, Downsville, La.

First Qualifier Race: 1. #31X, Matt Clevenger, Flower Mound; 2. #36, Jason Martin, Liberal, Kan.; 3. #19, Kelly Angelette, Thibodaux, La.; 4. #39, George White, Fort Worth; 5. #52, Roy Larkin, Tulsa, Okla.; 6. #61J, Danny Jennings, Norman, Okla.; 7. #11F, Foster Landon, Collinsville, Okla.; 8. #31, Brandon Berryman, Missouri City; 9. #74E, Claud Estes, Godley; 10. #18, Tony Bruce, Jr., Liberal, Kan.; 11. #62, James Shoun, Oklahoma City, Okla.; 12. #02, Tina Creswell, New Braunfels

Second Qualifier Race: 1. #7M, Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth; 2. #31B, Brian Harvill, Irving; 3. #17, Rick Cordray, Houston; 4. #88, Scottie McDonald, Porter; 5. Brad Stokes, Baton Rouge, La., 6. #94C, Stephen Chevallier, Downsville, La.; 7. #28, David Forbis, Bossier City, La.; 8. #10, Larry Hartwell, Pasadena; 9. #02Y, Harry Yarrington, Bryan; 10. #28L, Larry Long, Dallas; 11. #45, Robert Sellers, Mustang, Okla.

B Main: 1. #111F, Foster Landon, Collinsville, Okla.; 2. #31, Brandon Berryman, Missouri City; 3. #74E, Claud Estes, Godley; 4. #18, Tony Bruce, Jr., Liberal, Kan.; 5. #02, Tina Creswell, New Braunfels; 6. #62, James Shoun, Oklahoma City, Okla.; 7. #10, Larry Hartwell, Pasadena; 8. #02Y, Harry Yarrington, Bryan; 9. #28, David Forbis, Bossier City, La.; DNS - #28L, Larry Long, Dallas; DNS - #45, Robert Sellers, Mustang, Okla.

A FEATURE: 1. #7M, Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth; 2. #85, Bob Ewell, Forney; 3. #36, Jason Martin, Liberal, Kan.; 4. #61J, Danny Jennings, Norman, Okla.; 5. #31B, Brian Harvill, Irving; 6. #26, Derek Drown, Amarillo; 7. #11F, Foster Landon, Collinsville, Okla.; 8. #19, Kelly Angelette, Thibodaux, La.; 9. #39, George White, Fort Worth; 10. #74E, Claud Estes, Godley; 11. #18, Tony Bruce, Jr., Liberal, Kan.; 12. #94C, Stephen Chevallier, Downsville, La.; 13. #15K, Brad Stokes, Baton Rouge, La.; 14. #31, Brandon Berryman, Missouri City; 15. #88, Scottie McDonald, Porter; 16. #35, Greg Rilat, Texas City; 17. #05, Stephanie Chappell, Talala, Okla.; 18. #15, Sam Hafertepe, Jr., Sunnyvale; 19. #17, Rick Cordray, Houston; 20. #36X, Larry Neighbors, Oklahoma City, Okla.; 21. #31X, Matt Clevenger, Flower Mound; 22. #93, Chris Sweeney, Huffman; 23. #11,. Cody Pearson, Sulphur, La.; 24. #52, Roy Larkin, Tulsa, Okla.

USA MODIFIEDS - First Heat Race: 1. #77, Randy Kirkland, Mesquite; 2. #99, Johnny Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 3. #88, Clyde Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 4. #17X, Aaron Morey, Dallas; 5. #15, Chris Locke, Mesquite; 6. #12C, Chuck Hooks, Mesquite; 7. #6P, Jerry Cowart, Mesquite; 8. #5, Billy Fronterhouse, Wylie

Second Heat Race: 1. #17, Charles Lasater, Garland; 2. #39, Rick McCommas, Balch Springs; 3. #71, Ronnie Carty, DeSoto; 4. #84, Tom Lorenz, Balch Springs; 5. #1X, Richard Miller, Terrell; 6. #16, Clarence Greer, Mesquite; 7. #90, Johnny Hitt, Kaufman; 8. #58, Rodney Stanford, McKinney

Third Heat Race: 1. #50X, Rowdy Starnes, McKinney; 2. #50, Steve Sickels, Rowlett; 3. #19, Richard McGibboney, Dallas; 4. #64X, Matt Weston, Grand Prairie; 5. #81, David Flanagan, Terrell; 6. #50D, David Gailley, Mesquite; 7. #00, Dink McCullough, Balch Springs; 8. #18, Frank Rose, Mesquite

B Main: 1. #50D, David Gailley, Mesquite; 2. #58, Rodney Stanford, McKinney; 3. #6P, Jerry Cowart, Mesquite; 4. #90, Johnny Hitt, Kaufman; 5. #5, Billy Fronterhouse, Wylie; 6. #16, Clarence Greer, Mesquite; 7. #12C, Chuck Hooks, Mesquite; DNS - #18, Frank Rose, Mesquite

A FEATURE: 1. #71, Ronnie Carty, DeSoto; 2. #88, Clyde Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 3. #39, Rick McCommas, Balch Springs; 4. #50X, Rowdy Starnes, McKinney; 5. #84, Tom Lorenz, Balch Springs; 6. #50, Steve Sickels, Rowlett; 7. #17X, Aaron Morey, Dallas; 8. #77, Randy Kirkland, Mesquite; 9. #50D, David Gailley, Mesquite; 10. #6P, Jerry Cowart, Mesquite; 11. #5, Billy Fronterhouse, Wylie; 12. #64X, Matt Weston, Grand Prairie; 13. #17, Charles Lasater, Garland; 14. #81, David Flanagan, Terrell; 15. #99, Johnny Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 16. #90, Johnny Hitt, Kaufman; 17. #58, Rodney Stanford, McKinney; 18. #1X, Richard Miller, Terrell; 19. #19, Richard McGibboney, Dallas; 20. #15, Chris Locke, Mesquite

LATE MODELS - First Heat Race: 1. #ZZ, Sloppy Hogg, Arlington; 2. #51, Britt Ables, Wylie; 3. #13, Chuck Beusch, Red Oak; 4. #23, Darren Ellis, Quinlan; 5. #28, Ronnie Long, Dallas; 6. #55, Ron Lane, Bedford; 7. #84, Tom Lorenz, Balch Springs

Second Heat Race: 1. #12, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland; 2. #47, Woody Weaver, Tyler; 3. #1, Cheyney Hopkins, Combine; 4. #9D, Jerry Horn, Athens; 5. #3, Steve Trevathan, Forney; DNS - #19, Jeff McGibboney, Dallas; DNS - #22, Larry Dean, Fruitvale

Trophy Dash: 1. #51, Britt Ables, Wylie; 2. #13, Chuck Beusch, Red Oak; 3. #ZZ, Sloppy Hogg, Arlington; 4. #12, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland; 5. #47, Woody Weaver, Tyler; DNS - #1, Cheyney Hopkins, Combine

A FEATURE: 1. #13, Chuck Beusch, Red Oak; 2. #51, Britt Ables, Wylie; 3. #28, Ronnie Long, Dallas; 4. #23, Darren Ellis, Quinlan; 5. #12, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland; 6. #ZZ, Sloppy Hogg, Arlington; 7. #84, Tom Lorenz, Balch Springs; 8. #47, Woody Weaver, Tyler; 9. #3, Steve Trevathan, Forney; 10. #1, Cheyney Hopkins, Combine; 11. #55, Ron Lane, Bedford; 12. #9D, Jerry Horn, Athens; DNS - #19, Jeff McGibboney, Dallas; DNS - #22, Larry Dean, Fruitvale

STREET STOCKS - First Heat Race: 1. #21, Michael Murphy, Ferris; 2. #84, Frank Shafer, Balch Springs; 3. #38, Mike Walls, Flower Mound; 4. #8, Mark Ross, Royse City; 5. #47, Danny d'Happart, Wylie; 6. #42, Gayla Jones, Mesquite, DNS - #9, Arin Lawrence, Carrollton

Second Heat Race: 1. #3X, Jason Trevathan, Denton; 2. #31, Walter Dorsett, Royse City; 3. #37, Mike Meeks, Jr., Mesquite; 4. #00X, Michael Grubbs, Sachse; 5. #51X, Danny Florence, McKinney; 6. #92, Stephen Swanson, Mesquite; 7. #66, Keith Ross, Mesquite

A FEATURE: 1. #21, Michael Murphy, Ferris; 2. #00X, Michael Grubbs, Sachse; 3. #84, Frank Shafer, Balch Springs; 4. #37, Mike Meeks, Jr., Mesquite; 5. #38, Mike Walls, Flower Mound; 6. #3X, Jason Trevathan, Denton; 7. #51X, Danny Florence, McKinney; 8. #8, Mark Ross, Royse City; 9. #31, Walter Dorsett, Royse City; 10. #42, Gayla Jones, Mesquite; 11. #92, Stephen Swanson, Mesquite; 12. #9, Arin Lawrence, Carrollton; 13. #47, Danny d'Happart, Wylie; DNS - #66, Keith Ross, Mesquite, TX


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Devil's Bowl longtime pit steward Melvin Jones is recovering nicely from his heart transplant operation last week. He still has long way to go, but appreciates all the prayers and thoughts for his well being from the racers and fans.

 

Late Model drivers deserve a round of applause - for the first time this year in any class - all the cars that stated the feature were running at the finish, all on the lead lap.

 

A scary moment at the start of the third ASCS heat when the Havill Industries / Smiley's Race Car Products / Graphic Wonders Nr. 31B of Brian Harvill and the Pennzoil / Wells Racing Engines / Decals by Missy Nr. 74E of Claude Estes banged wheels on the front straight. Estes and George White in the Commercial Music / Smoke Pit BBQ / Tom's Vending Nr. 39 spun to a stop at the end of the front straight wall. Both cars were repaired in time for the qualifier races. The cars were all fighting to get to the high line for the entry into turn one.

 

On the next start attempt James Shoun tried to take the Nr. 62 around Robert Sellers in the Lighting Wings / Pro Lube Nr. 45 in turn four as the green flew. Shoun spun into the wall and Sellers ended up in the pits with a flat tire.

 

At the start of the second modified heat Charles Lasater and Rick McCommas made great moves to get past much of the field and get to the front. Lasater has really stepped up his racing recently and the move in turn three led to his heat race victory.

 

Frank Rose was doing a good job leading the third USA modified heat in his Competition Machine of Plano / Sherrell Heating and AC Nr. 18 until problems put him out of the race and out for the evening. Rowdy Starnes won the heat when Dink McCullough got sideways in turn three. Steve Sickels could not avoid tagging McCullough’s rapidly slowing car. Starnes dove to the bottom of the track and slipped past to take the lead.

 

Bob Ewell made the call in the coin toss to decide the starting position for the ASCS sprints for the feature. Ewell called tails and the coin came up heads. Travis Rilat chose to start on the outside.

 

Billy Fronterhouse is another modified driver who is visibly improving each week. Though he tagged the turn two infield tire very hard in his heat, he came back to run fifth in the B main and earn the final starting spot in the modified feature. After starting 20th he finished 11th in the A main in his Speed Specialties / Dunn Motorsports Nr. 5.

 

I always remember when my father said he first felt old - when George Blanda, the only player in the NFL older than Dad retired. Luckily for me some of the drivers at Devil's Bowl have a few years on me and can still run with the best and win - Chuck Beusch and Bob Ewell to name a couple.

Of course there are also a few drivers who are younger than my oldest grandchild. I remember Richard Miller was barely out of diapers when I first met him. and he's not the youngest driver out there.