Ross Sweeps Street Stocks At Devil's Bowl

Mesquite, TX (April 17) – On his way to capturing his first career street stock feature, Mark Ross had a perfect night, winning his heat, the trophy dash and the street stock feature. Cheyney Hopkins led every lap of the late model main. Clyde Dunn, Jr. held off touch competition on his way to victory in the USA modifieds. Larry Neighbors came from the back, twice, to win the super sprint feature. Dale Wester topped the championship sprints. 

Mark Ross had a good run in the Speed Specialties / Tommy G's Welding Nr. 8 on his way to winning his heat race Saturday night. In the trophy dash he patiently tracked leader Mike Meeks, Jr. until the white flag lap. As Meeks opened the door on the inside, Ross squeezed past Meeks to take the lead and win the dash. In the street stock feature, he started on the third row, but quickly moved up to second behind early leader Flash Fifield in the Armadillo Collision Nr. 1. They raced close together throughout the remainder of the 12-lap feature.

Sometimes a racer has a good night, Saturday Ross had a perfect night. Suspension changes on his car gave him the ability to run anywhere he wanted on the half-mile oval. He took the lead from Fifield just past the halfway point and never looked back. Walter Dorsett put the Nikon Dallas / R&D Racing Nr. 31 into second in the final laps, but could only follow Ross across the finish line for the third time Saturday night. Fifield went high in turn three and four on the final lap, allowing Trandel White to bring the Verna May / Garcia's Lawn Care Nr. 10 in third, with Justin Trevathan in the Forney Auto Tech / Anson Powder Coating Nr. 3T fourth and Johnny Philpot in the J&S Direct Doors claiming fifth. Fifield crossed the finish line in seventh postion. Trevathan won the other street stock heat race.

Cheyney Hopkins set the pace in the late model feature, leading from start to finish in the caution free race. Starting the Stan Hopkins Company / Starr Graphic Designs Nr. 1 on the pole after winning his heat race, Hopkins held off a charge from Jeff McGibboney in the Red's Meat Company Nr. 19 to lead the first lap. The pair raced around the track just inches apart for several laps, just ahead of the three wide battle for third.

Sloppy Hogg emerged from the pack in his Nr. ZZ to hold third and was able to close on the lead duo late in the race. Hopkins and McGibboney worked lapped traffic and Hogg was able to make the pass for second. On the final lap, Hogg tried to take the top spot, but Hopkins never slipped up and claimed his first win this season. McGibboney was right behind in third, with Britt Ables, winner of the other late model heat, in the Able's Auto / Troy's Cars Nr. 51 taking fourth. Darren Ellis in the Blueprint Service of Plano Nr. 23 rounded out the top five. 

Clyde Dunn, Jr. had the best year of his short career last season, but failed to win a feature. Saturday night he put a bright start on the 2004 season with a strong victory in the USA modified feature. Steve Sickels in his Crandall Cotton Gin Restaurant / Premier Auto Service Nr. 50 took the lead as the green flag fell on the modified 15-lapper. Dunn followed Randy Kirkland in the Reliable Plumbing / American Locksmith Nr. 77 around the outside of the first turns to take third. Kirkland and Sickels were battling for the lead, but Dunn found a way past to take second and then the lead. When the caution flew after eight laps, Dunn had built a small lead, but Rowdy Starnes and Rick McCommas were in the next two positions.

Dunn knew he had to be perfect in the Dunn Motorsports / Master Auto Body of Mesquite Nr. 88 if he was to have any chance of winning. When the race resumed, he charged down the front straight toward the first turn. Starnes got the jump on McCommas for second and tried to close on Dunn. As the top flew around the track, neither Starnes nor McCommas could find a way past Dunn. Even when the leaders caught lapped traffic, Dunn was able to pick the fastest line and stay out front. He crossed the finish line about a car length ahead of McCommas, who had pulled his Jimmy Allard Racing Engines / B&H Painting Nr. 39 past Starnes in the Starnes Trucking / Cain's Engine Repair Nr. 50X in the final laps. Richard Miller moved through the pack after starting on the outside of the seventh row in the Jeanie's Used Auto Parts / Rick Shipp Rebuilders Nr. 1X to take fourth with Sickels claiming fifth. Kirkland, who dropped out just after mid-race, and Starnes won the heat races.

Larry Neighbors knew he was not going to have a good night. Delays in getting the engine in the H&H Enterprises Nr. 36, a hurried departure from the shop in Oklahoma City and three hours spent parked on the shoulder of I-35 waiting for a flat tire on the trailer to be changed all added to the frustration. When the team finally got to Devil's Bowl the late model heats were almost over. They barely had time to back the car out of the trailer and strap Larry in before the green flag dropped in the super sprint heat race. Matt Clevenger quickly took the lead of the heat, but Neighbors worked through the other sprinters to claim the lead and the heat race win handily.

By the time the super sprint feature rolled onto the track, the team had the car set just the way Larry wanted on the extremely fast track. Again Clevenger took the early lead in the JTM Materials / JRJ Paving Nr. 31. Neighbors was able to run around the other cars and claim the runner-up position as the first lap ended. Clevenger ran as hard as he could, but the tacky track gave the advantage to the following driver. Neighbors put his car into the lead about halfway through the race as the leaders tried to get past slower cars. Clevenger stayed with him for several laps, but could not find a way to get into position to retake the lead, having to settle for second at the checkered flag. Kurt Summers recovered from problems last week to claim third in the Soulman's Bar-B-Que / Johnny Suggs Chassis Nr. 99. Making a late charge to take fourth was Joe Woods, Jr., also out of Oklahoma City in his Nr. 03, with Brandon Rogers taking fifth in the Nr. 11B.

Dale Wester is another convert from modifieds to the championship sprints. This season he bought his own sprinter, and with help from the championship car owner last season, hit the track fast and competitive on the first night. Saturday he started 15-lap champ sprint feature on the outside of the front row. When the green flag dropped he charged around the top and into the lead before reaching the first turn. Wester steadily built his lead in the T-N-T Truck Parts / Jimmy Allard Racing Engines Nr. 12 until the caution flew on the fifth lap.

Polesitter Martin Edwards was running a strong second when the motor on the Bill White Nr. 45 let go, locking up the rear end and spilling fluid down the length of the front straight. The rookie driver kept the car under control as he slid to a stop atop turn one.

As the race lined up to resume, Jimmy Goodwin moved up to second. For the rest of the feature, Goodwin in the Nr. 6X tried to catch Wester, but the track was too fast and Dale too perfect to give Goodwin a chance to take the lead. Gary Grosvenor in the Enduro Powder Coating Nr. 20X was third at the finish, followed by Randy Bryant in the Nr. 6 and Richard Gosey in the Nr. 35. Wester also won the champ sprint heat race.

Story & photos by Reggie and  Linda Fields

Devil’s Bowl Speedway – Race Results – Sat, April 17, 2004

SUPER SPRINTS - Heat: 1. #36, Larry Neighbors, Oklahoma City, Okla.; 2. #11B, Brandon Rogers, Wichita Falls; 3. #31, Matt Clevenger, Flower Mound; 4. #99, Kurt Summers, Mesquite; 5. #03, Joe Wood,Jr., Oklahoma City, Okla.; 6. #6, Justin Spoerl, Mesquite; 7. #67, Ryan Beechler, Anna; 8. #14E, Todd Evans, Georgetown; Did not start - #8, Wayne McNally, Dallas

A FEATURE: 1. #36, Larry Neighbors, Oklahoma City, Okla.; #31, 2. Matt Clevenger, Flower Mound; 3. #99, Kurt Summers, Mesquite; 4. #03, Joe Wood,Jr., Oklahoma City, Okla.; 5. #11B, Brandon Rogers, Wichita Falls; 6. #6, Justin Spoerl, Mesquite; 7. #67, Ryan Beechler, Anna; 8. #14E, Todd Evans, Georgetown; 9. #8, Wayne McNally, Dallas

CHAMPIONSHIP SPRINTS - Heat: 1. #12, Dale Wester, Ovilla; 2. #45, Martin Edwards, Mesquite; 3. #6X, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland; 4. #10T, Troy Bontrager, Wylie; 5. #20X, Gary Grosvenor, Mesquite; 6. #96, Browde Keith Snider, Nichol Hills, Okla.; 7. #6, Randy Bryant, Mesquite; Did not start - #3X, David Gailley, Mesquite; #35, Richard Gosey, Oklahoma City, Okla.; #36, Mitchell Gosey, Oklahoma City, Okla.

A FEATURE: 1. #12, Dale Wester, Ovilla; 2. #6X, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland; 3. #10T, Troy Bontrager, Wylie; 4. #6, Randy Bryant, Mesquite; 5. #35, Richard Gosey, Oklahoma City, Okla.; 6. #20X, Gary Grosvenor, Mesquite; 7. #96, Browde Keith Snider, Nichol Hills, Okla.; 8. #45, Martin Edwards, Mesquite; 9. #36, Mitchell Gosey, Oklahoma City, Okla.; Did not start - #3X, David Gailley, Mesquite

USA MODIFIEDS - Heat 1: 1. #50X, Rowdy Starnes, McKinney; 2. #5, Billy Fronterhouse, Wylie; 3. #99, Johnny Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 4. #17, Charles Lasater, Garland; 5. #19J, Jeff Welborn, Princeton; 6. #V8, Rick Preddy, Aubrey; 7. #98, Troy Cave, Arlington; 8. #1X, Richard Miller, Terrell

Heat 2: 1. #77, Randy Kirkland, Mesquite; 2. #88, Clyde Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 3. #50, Steve Sickels, Rowlett; 4. #39, Rick McCommas, Balch Springs; 5. #3Z, Jason Christopher, Terrell; 6. #55, Dustin Woods, Forney; 7. #52, Joseph Kasper, Ferris

A FEATURE: 1. #88, Clyde Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 2. #39, Rick McCommas, Balch Springs; 3. #50X, Rowdy Starnes, McKinney; 4. #1X, Richard Miller, Terrell; 5. #50, Steve Sickels, Rowlett; 6. #5, Billy Fronterhouse, Wylie; 7. #17, Charles Lasater, Garland; 8. #98, Troy Cave, Arlington; 9. #3Z, Jason Christopher, Terrell; 10. #52, Joseph Kasper, Ferris; 11. #V8, Rick Preddy, Aubrey; 12. #55, Dustin Woods, Forney; 13. #99, Johnny Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 14. #77, Randy Kirkland, Mesquite; 15. #19J, Jeff Welborn, Princeton

LATE MODELS - Heat 1: 1. #1, Cheyney Hopkins, Combine; 2. #ZZ, Sloppy Hogg, Arlington; 3. #8, Skip O'Neal, Midlothian; 4. #00X, Michael Grubbs, Sachse; 5. #24, Aaron Morey, Dallas; 6. #47, Woody Weaver, Tyler; 7. #14, Wayman McMillan, Gladewater; 8. #V8, John Wilson, Kaufman; Did not start - #20, Ronnie Welborn, Princeton

Heat 2: 1. #51, Britt Ables, Wylie; 2. #23, Darren Ellis, Quinlan; 3. #19, Jeff McGibboney, Dallas; 4. #13, Chuck Beusch, Red Oak; 5. #55, Jimmy Quick, Jr., Terrell; 6. #75, Patrick Daniel, Mesquite; 7. #31, Gary Lowe, Red Oak; 8. #2, Jack Ambern,Jr., Arp

A FEATURE: 1. #1, Cheyney Hopkins, Combine; 2. #ZZ, Sloppy Hogg, Arlington; 3. #19, Jeff McGibboney, Dallas; 4. #51, Britt Ables, Wylie; 5. #23, Darren Ellis, Quinlan; 6. #14, Wayman McMillan, Gladewater; 7. #24, Aaron Morey, Dallas; 8. #20, Ronnie Welborn, Princeton; 9. #00X, Michael Grubbs, Sachse; 10. #2, Jack Ambern,Jr., Arp; 11. #47, Woody Weaver, Tyler; 12. #75, Patrick Daniel, Mesquite; 13. #55, Jimmy Quick, Jr., Terrell; 14. #V8, John Wilson, Kaufman; 15. #31, Gary Lowe, Red Oak; 16. #13, Chuck Beusch, Red Oak; 17. #8, Skip O'Neal, Midlothian

STREET STOCKS - Heat 1: 1. #8, Mark Ross, Royse City; 2. #12, Johnny Philpot, Sunnyvale; 3. #31, Walter Dorsett, Royse City; 4. #69, Derek Koonce, Grand Saline; 5. #1, Flash Fifield, Mesuite; 6. #15, Derek Eckles, Mesquite; 7. #199, Steve Patterson, Royce City; 8. #85, Damren Kuykendall, Forney

Heat 2:  1. #3T, Justin Trevathan, Denton; 2. #37, Mike Meeks, Jr., Mesquite; 3. #10, Trandel White, Balch Springs; 4. #39, Pat Walls, Frisco; 5. #49, George Parrish, Terrell; 6. #11, Danny Zimmerman, Mesquite; 7. #26, Brandon Leopolos, Seagoville

TROPHY DASH: 1. #8, Mark Ross, Royse City; 2. #3T, Justin Trevathan, Denton; 3. #37, Mike Meeks, Jr., Mesquite; 4. #12, Johnny Philpot, Sunnyvale; 5. #31, Walter Dorsett, Royse City; 6. #10, Trandel White, Balch Springs

A FEATURE: 1. #8, Mark Ross, Royse City; 2. #31, Walter Dorsett, Royse City; 3. #10, Trandel White, Balch Springs; 4. #3T, Justin Trevathan, Denton; 5. #12, Johnny Philpot, Sunnyvale; 6. #69, Derek Koonce, Grand Saline; 7. #1, Flash Fifield, Mesuite; 8. #39, Pat Walls, Frisco; 9. #11, Danny Zimmerman, Mesquite; 10. #49, George Parrish, Terrell; 11. #15, Derek Eckles, Mesquite; 12. #26, Brandon Leopolos, Seagoville; 13. #37, Mike Meeks, Jr., Mesquite; 14. #199, Steve Patterson, Royce City; Did not start - #85, Damren Kuykendall, Forney

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Next weekend, April 24, all five classes will be racing at Devil's Bowl - the Super Sprints, Championship Sprints, USA Modifieds, Late Models and Street Stocks.