Miller Takes First Modified Win At Devil’s Bowl

Mesquite, TX (May 15) - Richard Miller claimed his career first USA modified victory in a close battle at Devil’s Bowl Speedway Saturday night. Johnny Miller topped the super sprints for the first time this season. Aaron Morey led the late models to the checkered flag. Jason Trevathan topped the street stocks for the second straight week. 

Mark Johannesen pulled ahead in his Nr. 1 from the pole on the start of the USA modified 20-lap feature, but Troy Cave was out front in his Trick Chassis Nr. 98 as they ran through turn four. Behind them the cars were three and four wide and the crashes started. Rick McCommas in the Jimmy Allard Racing Engines / B&H Painting Nr. 39 got spun around and ended up with Tracy Adams’ Nr. 4 car resting on top of McCommas hood. Adams and McCommas were unable to restart, and Johnny Dunn, Jr. soon went into the pits with damage suffered in the contact prior to the crash. Adams was able to get his car repaired enough to return late in the race.

Rick Preddy in the Frontier Truck Lines / Winner’s Choice Trophies Nr. V8 took the lead when the green flag flew. Charles Lasater in the Acelco Services Nr. 17 and Steve Sickels in the Crandall Cotton Gin Restaurant / Premier Auto Service Nr. 50 moved into first and second position as the third lap was completed. The Speed Specialties Racing Engines Nr. 5 of Billy Fronterhouse spun moments later, collecting Richard Miller in the Jeanie’s Used Auto Parts / Rick Shipp Rebuilders Nr. 1X.

The fourth lap restart gave Lasater and Sickels a clear track as they pulled away. Randy Kirkland took third in his Reliable Plumbing / American Locksmith Nr. 77 as the next lap was completed. Another caution flag flew a lap later. Kirkland took the second spot on the restart. Sickels got turned around on the next lap, bringing out the next caution flag. Rowdy Starnes in the Starnes Trucking / Cain’s Engine Repair Nr. 50X and Bobby Ruffin in the Smiley’s/ Hoosier Tire Southwest Nr. 121, both running in the top five, had to pit to change tires and repair damage.

Kirkland was soon challenging Lasater, with Richard Miller recovering from his earlier spin in the battle for the lead. The race stayed under green for several laps with the three leaders pulling away from the race for fourth position. Miller was able to pick his line and run low through the first and second turns. Kirkland hit a slick spot in turn one on the tenth lap, letting Miller claim second.

A lap later Miller had a good run under Lasater in turn two, but Lasater came back to hold the lead at the line. The next lap Miller pulled ahead again in turn two. Lasater slipped off the top of the turn, letting Kirkland move up to second. A couple laps later Cave came to a stop in turn two to bring out another caution. When the green flag flew with seven laps to go, Miller had no trouble pulling out to a five car length lead. Running perfect laps, Miller maintained his lead to take the checkered flag for his first feature win. Kirkland slowed on the final lap with a flat tire, with Lasater tying his career best second, and Billy Fronterhouse finishing third - also his career best finish. Troy Cave was fourth with Kirkland limping home in fifth.

Miller went to the lead on the first lap of his heat on his way to victory. It was a three wide battle for the lead halfway through the second heat before Fronterhouse took the top spot and edged out Kirkland in a great final lap battle for the heat win. Sickels set the pace to win the third heat race.

Johnny Miller, driving the Mack’s Auto Service Nr. 9 owned by Jimmy Musick, jumped out to the early lead in the super sprint feature, with Matt Clevenger taking second in the JTM Materials / JRJ Paving Nr. 31. Kurt Summers in the Soulman’s Barbeque / Johnny Suggs Chassis Nr. 99 took the runner-up spot from Clevenger on the fourth lap and began to slowly narrow Miller’s lead. Miller had a 10 car length lead as he started to lap slower cars halfway through the 15-lap feature, but Summers was not able to close the gap any further as Miller ran perfectly through the turns. Clevenger held off a brief challenge from Larry Neighbors in the H&H Enterprises Nr. 36 to hold the third position until the final two laps.

Heavy traffic late in the race forced Miller to slow and he took the white flag with a two car length advantage, taking the win by the same margin. Third behind Summers was Neighbors, with Clevenger and Jeff Day in the Nr. 41 The Shop Diesel Service / TP Wings sprinter rounding out the top five.

Neighbors took the lead in turn two on the open lap on his way to winning the first super sprint heat. Joe Woods, Jr. in the Nr. 03 led the second super sprint heat from flag to flag.

When the green flag fell on the late model 20-lap feature, Ronnie Long in the Town East Ford Nr. 28 pulled ahead of Bob Ewell in the Longhorn Urethane / Foam Enterprises Nr. 85 to lead the opening lap, with Jack Amber, Jr. driving the Weaver Pharmacy / ABT Transmissions Nr. 2 right with them. But contact among other cars on the back straight sent a couple spinning and brought out the yellow flag. Patrick Daniel in the Hi-Way Auto Parts / The Shop Nr. 75 got sent into the air, and went to the pits. He was able to rejoin the race after repairs, but was a lap down.

Ewell made a run on Long on the restart, but it was Ambern with the perfect setup powering through the bottom of turn four to take second and then take the lead moments later. However Gary Lowe in the CBX Frame Repair Nr. 31 lost power coming out of turn two and collected four cars before the spinning stopped. Lowe and Jerry Horn’s Nr. 9D Horn’s Medical Supply / J&D Motorsports cars went off on the hook.

Long returned to the lead for the third restart. The leaders were three wide when Tom Lorenz in the Smiley’s Racing Nr. 84 tried to make it four wide. Lorenz made contact with Ewell, but luckly no one hit Ewell’s spinning car. The fourth attempt to get the third lap in the books, Aaron Morey in the Smiley’s Racing / Hoosier Tire Southwest Nr. 24 who powered around the outside to take the lead in the second turn. Ambern took second as the lap was completed. Lorenz claimed the third spot but Morey and Ambern were several car lengths ahead. Morey would slow and push high in turns three and four. Amber had the power to pull even, but never ahead.

They were starting to lap slower cars when Ronnie Welborn’s Nr. 20 exploded into a huge ball of flame with a blown engine coming out of turn four. He got the car stopped and the fire out quickly.

Ten laps were complete when the green flag came out again Morey pulled ahead with Ambern right behind. They again raced side by side through the turns lap after lap. Morey held his position and Ambern had to brake several times to avoid contact. Another caution flew on the 13^th lap and Lorenz got past Ambern on the restart. Morey stayed ahead and in the lead until Lorenz faded with a flat tire with two laps to go. Ambern came back to finish two car lengths behind Morey, with Skip O’Neal in the Urban Fire Protection / O’Neal Racing Engines Nr. 8 right behind him in third. Richard Mills in the R. Mills Directional Drilling / Majkszak Meat & Seafood Nr. 66M finishing fourth. Tony Ruyle took fifth in the CBX Racing / Gasco Welding Nr. 203. Daniel ran with the leaders for most of the race, but having missed a lap making repairs early in the race, he finished in sixth position.

Wayne McMillan topped the first heat in the P&W Sales / Manifold Systems Nr. 14, with Darren Ellis easily taking the checkered flag in the second heat in the Blueprint Service of Plano Nr. 23. Ambern claimed the lead of the third heat on the second lap on his way to victory. Ambern also topped the late model trophy dash.

Michael Murphy in his brand new Valvoline Nr. 21 took the lead as the green flag fell on the 12-lap street stock feature. Contact in the second turn sent Brad Wesp in the Pro Collision of Mesqutie Nr. 19 into the infield tire to bring out the first caution. Six cars were involved in a crash on the restart in turn one.

When the race finally got going Murphy set the early pace, with Derek Koonce in the B&P Wild Game Processing / Pierce Racing Engines Nr. 69 battling with Jason Trevathan in the Anso Powder Coating / Pit Stop Pizza Nr. 3 for the runner-up spot. After five laps were complete, Trevathan had caught up to Murphy’s rear bumper, and he took the lead when Murphy pushed high in turn two. But the caution flew second’s later, cancelling the pass.

Trevathan took the lead on the restart, but Murphy powered back through turns three and four to hold the top spot. The pair raced side by side with Murphy ahead by a few inches at the flag stand each lap. Trandel White in the Verna May / Garcia’s Lawn Care Nr. 10 was caught up in the lap two crash, but came back quickly to take third before the race was half finished.

White claimed second on the seventh lap restart and took the lead on the back straight a lap later. Trevathan moved up to second, with Murphy keeping the battle for the top spot three wide. After a ninth lap caution, Murphy pushed high on the restart, but a lap later White began to slow as the transmission started to fail, giving the lead to Trevathan who won his second straight street stock feature. Murphy came back to finish second, with Pat Walls claiming third in the Walls Racing / Sue Walls CPA Nr. 39. White hung on for fourth with Mike Ambern taking fifth in the ABT Transmission / Woody Weaver Pharmacy Nr. 29.

Trevathan took only two laps to come from last to lead the first heat, easily taking the win. Walter Dorsett in the Nikon Dallas / R&D Racing Nr. 31 also came from the last row to win the second street stock heat.

Story & photos by Reggie and  Linda Fields

Devil’s Bowl Speedway – Race Results – Sat, May 15, 2004

SUPER SPRINTS - Heat 1: 1. #36, Larry Neighbors, Oklahoma City, Okla.; 2. #9, Johnny Miller, Burleson; 3. #31, Matt Clevenger, Flower Mound; 4. #11B, Brandon Rogers, Wichita Falls; 5. #72, Charlie Brown, Greenville; 6. #8, Wayne McNally, Dallas

Heat 2: 1. #03, Joe Wood,Jr., Oklahoma City, Okla.; 2. #28, Larry Long, Cranall; 3. #41, Jeff Day, Greenville; 4. #6, Justin Spoerl, Mesquite; 5. #99, Kurt Summers, Mesquite; 6. #14E, Todd Evans, Georgetown

A FEATURE: 1. #9, Johnny Miller, Burleson; 2. #99, Kurt Summers, Mesquite; 3. #36, Larry Neighbors, Oklahoma City, Okla.; 4. #31, Matt Clevenger, Flower Mound; 5. #41, Jeff Day, Greenville; 6. #28, Larry Long, Cranall; 7. #03, Joe Wood,Jr., Oklahoma City, Okla.; 8. #72, Charlie Brown, Greenville; 9. #11B, Brandon Rogers, Wichita Falls; 10. #14E, Todd Evans, Georgetown; 11. #8, Wayne McNally, Dallas; 12. #6, Justin Spoerl, Mesquite

USA MODIFIEDS - Heat 1: 1. #1X, Richard Miller, Terrell; 2. #121, Bobby Ruffin, Crandall; 3. #39, Rick McCommas, Balch Springs; 4. #12, Dale Wester, Ovilla; 5. #1, Mark Johannesen, Mabank; 6. #19J, Jeff Welborn, Princeton; 7. #3Z, Jason Christopher, Terrell

Heat 2: 1. #5, Billy Fronterhouse, Wylie; 2. #77, Randy Kirkland, Mesquite; 3. #88, Clyde Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 4. #V8, Rick Preddy, Aubrey; 5. #41, Andy Hebert, Aledo; 6. #91, Joe Kasper, Ferris; 7. #4, Tracy Adams, Rowlett

Heat 3: 1. #50, Steve Sickels, Rowlett; 2. #17, Charles Lasater, Garland; 3. #50X, Rowdy Starnes, McKinney; 4. #98, Troy Cave, Arlington; 5. #99, Johnny Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 6. #52, Joseph Kasper, Ferris

A FEATURE: 1. #1X, Richard Miller, Terrell; 2. #17, Charles Lasater, Garland; 3. #5, Billy Fronterhouse, Wylie; 4. #98, Troy Cave, Arlington; 5. #77, Randy Kirkland, Mesquite; 6. #41, Andy Hebert, Aledo; 7. #88, Clyde Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 8. #4, Tracy Adams, Rowlett; 9. #19J, Jeff Welborn, Princeton; 10. #121, Bobby Ruffin, Crandall; 11. #50X, Rowdy Starnes, McKinney; 12. #50, Steve Sickels, Rowlett; 13. #V8, Rick Preddy, Aubrey; 14. #52, Joseph Kasper, Ferris; 15. #1, Mark Johannesen, Mabank; 16. #99, Johnny Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 17. #52, Joe Kasper, Ferris; 18. #39, Rick McCommas, Balch Springs; Did not start - #12, Dale Wester, Ovilla; #3Z, Jason Christopher, Terrell

LATE MODELS - Heat 1: 1. #14, Wayman McMillan, Gladewater; 2. #85, Bob Ewell, Forney; 3. #84, Tom Lorenz, Balch Springs; 4. #8, Skip O'Neal, Midlothian; 5. #00X, Michael Grubbs, Sachse; 6. #20, Ronnie Welborn, Princeton; 7. #18, David Hathcock, Paris; 8. #9D, Jerry Horn, Athens

Heat 2: 1. #23, Darren Ellis, Quinlan; 2. #ZZ, Sloppy Hogg, Arlington; 3. #24, Aaron Morey, Dallas; 4. #51, Britt Ables, Wylie; 5. #66M, Richard Mills, Cut'N'Shoot; 6. #13, Chuck Beusch, Red Oak; 7. #V8, J.D. Wilson, Kaufman; 8. #47, Woody Weaver, Flint

Heat 3: 1. #2, Jack Ambern,Jr., Arp; 2. #75, Patrick Daniel, Wills Point; 3. #1, Cheyney Hopkins, Combine; 4. #31, Gary Lowe, Red Oak; 5. #28, Ronnie Long, Dallas; 6. #55, Jimmy Quick, Jr., Terrell; 7. #203, Tony Ruyle, Euless

Trophy Dash: 1. #2, Jack Ambern,Jr., Arp; 2. #14, Wayman McMillan, Gladewater; 3. #75, Patrick Daniel, Wills Point; 4. #ZZ, Sloppy Hogg, Arlington; Did not start - #23, Darren Ellis, Quinlan; #85, Bob Ewell, Forney

A FEATURE: 1. #24, Aaron Morey, Dallas; 2. #2, Jack Ambern,Jr., Arp; 3. #8, Skip O'Neal, Midlothian; 4. #66M, Richard Mills, Cut'N'Shoot; 5. #203, Tony Ruyle, Euless; 6. #75, Patrick Daniel, Wills Point; 7. #84, Tom Lorenz, Balch Springs; 8. #55, Jimmy Quick, Jr., Terrell; 9. #ZZ, Sloppy Hogg, Arlington; 10. #V8, J.D. Wilson, Kaufman; 11. #85, Bob Ewell, Forney; 12. #00X, Michael Grubbs, Sachse; 13. #28, Ronnie Long, Dallas; 14. #1, Cheyney Hopkins, Combine; 15. #20, Ronnie Welborn, Princeton; 16. #23, Darren Ellis, Quinlan; 17. #14, Wayman McMillan, Gladewater; 18. #31, Gary Lowe, Red Oak; 19. #9D, Jerry Horn, Athens; 20. #47, Woody Weaver, Flint; 21. #13, Chuck Beusch, Red Oak; Did not start - #51, Britt Ables, Wylie; #18, David Hathcock, Paris

STREET STOCKS- Heat 1: 1. #3, Jason Trevathan, Mesquite; 2. #19, Brad Wesp, Dallas; 3. #8, Mark Ross, Royse City; 4. #12, Johnny Philpot, Sunnyvale; 5. #69, Derek Koonce, Grand Saline; 6. #29, Mike Ambern, Longview; 7. #49, George Parrish, Terrell; 8. #26, Brandon Leopolos, Seagoville; 9. #28, Brian Shafer, Rowlett

Heat 2: 1. #31, Walter Dorsett, Royse City; 2. #1, Flash Fifield, Mesquite; 3. #21, Michael Murphy, Ferris; 4. #11, Danny Zimmerman, Mesquite; 5. #10, Trandel White, Balch Springs; 6. #39, Pat Walls, Frisco; 7. #37. Mike Meeks, Jr., Mesquite; 8. #15, Mike Eckles, Mesquite; 9. #47, Danny d'Happart, Wylie

A FEATURE: 1. #3, Jason Trevathan, Mesquite; 2. #21, Michael Murphy, Ferris; 3. #39, Pat Walls, Frisco; 4. #10, Trandel White, Balch Springs; 5. #29, Mike Ambern, Longview; 6. #69, Derek Koonce, Grand Saline; 7. #19, Brad Wesp, Dallas; 8. #11, Danny Zimmerman, Mesquite; 9. #49, George Parrish, Terrell; 10. #15, Mike Eckles, Mesquite; 11. #12, Johnny Philpot, Sunnyvale; 12. #26, Brandon Leopolos, Seagoville; 13. #37, Mike Meeks, Jr., Mesquite; 14. #8, Mark Ross, Royse City; 15. #47, Danny d'Happart, Wylie; 16. #28, Brian Shafer, Rowlett; 17. #1, Flash Fifield, Mesquite; 18. #31, Walter Dorsett, Royse City

T

Next weekend, May 22, the Super Sprints, Championship Sprints, Late Models and Street Stocks will be racing at Devil's Bowl. It will be O'Reilly Free Admission Night for residents of Plano, Richardson, Coppell, Addison, Lewisville, Allen, McKinney, Flower Mound, Carrollton, Farmer's Branch, Frisco & The Colony.

Last week, Jack Ambern, Jr. and Patrick Daniel got together while battling for the lead in the late model feature. Daniel spun and Ambern received the black flag. Daniel came back to finish second. After the race the two talked, and each explained their position / view of the contact. While they disagree on some details, it was refreshing to see two racers be able to deal with a racing incident in a calm professional manner. These are two quality, mature racers, able to deal with some of the adversity which happens at a race track as adults. There are a lot of other drivers who could learn from these two gentlemen.

Another refreshing thing at Devil's Bowl this season is the attitude of the Street Stock drivers and owners. After last season several got together and worked out a new rules package with the promoter. One car which hit the track early this year, the Nr. 3, is clearly the dominate car. But the other street stock drivers and owners are working to close the gap and eliminating the advantage. Too often racers whine all week about a fast car. The street stocks at Devil's Bowl are working together to rebuild their class and make racing better and more affordable for everyone. It's a great class and a great group of drivers, owners and supporters.

Saturday night marked the return of the demo derby at Devil's Bowl. There didn't seem to be very much dumb driving, but there sure were a lot of crashes. Seemed to be a lot of people charging very hard on the starts, and mistakes created huge problems.

The USA modifieds and the late models ran 20-lap features for the second straight week. As the car count builds, expect the sprint features to go from 15 to 20 laps, and the street stock feature will be extended to 15 laps.

One of the biggest joys this year has been the resurgence in the late model class. For the second straight week, more than 20 late models took the green flag for the feature. The rules package implemented last year started the growth in the class, and is paying off this year.

Expect the super sprints and champ sprints to both build increasingly large fields as the year progresses.