Spoerl Makes First Trip to Victory Lane at Devil's Bowl

Mesquite, TX (July 3) - Justin Spoerl set the pace from start to finish to win his first super sprint feature at Devil's Bowl Speedway on Saturday night. Trandel White took his first feature win in the street stocks in almost two years. Rick McCommas put his recent bad luck behind him on his way to winning the USA modified feature. Tom Lorenz topped the late models in a close battle to the finish.

Justin Spoerl wasted no time when the green flag dropped on the super sprint 20-lap feature. Leading a field of 15 into the first turn, he dueled with Brandon Rogers before Spoerl pulled ahead in his Quest Nr. 6 on the back straight. Rogers tried to stay close in his Nr. 11B, but Spoerl was setup perfectly for the tricky track. After over nine inches of rain in the previous week, the track held up very well despite limited time to prepare the surface. There were some dry spots and drivers had to be careful about choosing their line through the turns.

While Spoerl and Rogers pulled away, the early battle of the race was for the third spot between Joe Wood, Jr. in the Nr. 03 and Matt Clevenger in the JTM Materials/ JRJ Paving Nr. 31. They were side by side and trading the position several times before Clevenger was able to pull away.

Spoerl caught lapped traffic on the seventh lap, and his experience on the Devil’s Bowl oval helped him quickly pass the slower car. Clevenger caught Rogers in lapped traffic near the halfway mark. Using the lapped car as a blocker, Clevenger quickly took the second position.

Behind the leaders, Johnny Miller in the Mack’s Auto Service Nr. 9 and Larry Neighbors in the H&H Enterprises Nr. 36 were moving through the field. Miller was running in the top five when problems forced him off the track late in the race.

Neighbors caught Rogers and claimed third on the 13^th lap, and he was able to get past Clevenger two laps later. But try as he might, Neighbors could only slightly close in on the leader Spoerl as the race approached the checkered flag. Spoerl quickly and smoothly moved past lapped cars, and seldom slipped in the corners when he had a clear track.

The victory was Justin’s first at Devil’s Bowl. Neighbors was second, followed by Clevenger, Wood and Rogers at the checkered flag. Johnny Miller ran away with the first super sprint heat race. Joe Wood, Jr. topped the second heat race in a tight battle.

Trandel White jumped out at the start and took the lead of the 12-lap street stock feature before the field got to turn one. White in the Verna May / Garcia’s Lawn Care Nr. 10, stayed ahead of Richard Miller for the opening lap with the yellow flag flying on the second trip around the track. White again quickly pulled away when the green flag flew. Behind him the cars were three wide in the battle for second.

Walter Dorsett edged ahead into second place in the Nikon Dallas/ R&D Racing Nr. 31, barely ahead of Terry Carter in the Nr. 35 and Brad Wesp in the Pro Collision of Mesquite Nr. 19. Miller in the Miller Racing / Jeanie’s Used Auto Parts Nr. 271 made the fight for position two and three wide at times.

With all the hard racing for second place, White pulled away to a comfortable half straightaway lead. As the race entered the final laps, Dorsett and Wesp were side by side for second, but not cutting into White’s lead. The yellow flag flew on the tenth lap, erasing the margin and putting the field together for the final two laps.

Jason Trevathan in the Forney Auto Tech / Anson Powder Coating Nr. 3 had moved into fourth position, and when the green flag fell, he grabbed third after racing side by side with Wesp for over a lap.

White had no trouble pulling away and taking the checkered flag, his first victory in almost two years. Dorsett ran strong to take second, with Trevathan and Wesp third and fourth. Michael Murphy got past Miller late in the race to finish fifth in the Valvoline Nr. 21.

It took two tries to get the first street stock heat race going, but Jason Trevathan quickly moved to the front to take the victory. The second heat race was won by Brad Wesp. Trandel White pulled away from a three wide battle for second to win the trophy dash.

Rick McCommas has gone through a run of bad luck recently. With blown motors in the last two outings, flat tires and damage in wrecks earlier in the season, McCommas when it would end. At the start of the evening, McCommas was thinking everything was ready on the Jimmy Allard Racing Engines / B&H Painting Nr. 39, but he was also checking everything twice.

When the green flag fell on the USA modified 20-lapper, it was Tracy Adams in the Nr. 4 pulling ahead in the first turn. Outside front row starter Jeff Welborn in the Baxter Motorsports / Kountry Kids Day Care Nr. 19J was not giving up. On the second trip around the half-mile clay oval, Welborn pulled past Adams to lead at the flag stand.

McCommas took advantage of the battle to run around the top of the track, quickly claiming third position. When Adams and Welborn fought on the third lap, McCommas found the traction he needed to slip around them and take the lead. Steve Sickels in the Crandall Cotton Gin / Premier Auto Service Nr. 50 also charged past the pair, taking the runner-up spot.

McCommas pulled away to build his lead, leaving Sickels to try and hold off Welborn. Richard Miller moved into fourth in the Jeanie’s Used Auto Parts / Rich Shipp Rebuilders Nr. 1X.

On the seventh circuit the first yellow of the race flew. McCommas had no trouble regaining his lead after the green flag came out. Sickels and Miller raced hard for second, with Johnny Dunn, Jr. in the Smiley’s Racing / Speed Specialties Nr. 99 and the Nr. 88 Smiley’s / Crandall Cotton Gin / Young Chevrolet modified of points leader Clyde Dunn, Jr. racing side by side right with the leaders.

On the 13^th lap, McCommas started lapping cars at the back of the field. He lost a few car lengths of his lead, but was never threatened as he worked past the slower cars. The two and three wide race for second resulted in a lot of contact as the four drivers tried to get past the slower cars.

The car of Clyde Dunn, Jr. was damaged in the battle and he was forced out of the race with a flat tire and possible suspension damage. Sickels used the lapped cars to break away from the battle and charge to finish second as the checkered flag fell. Johnny Dunn, Jr. Took third in the final laps, with Miller finishing fourth. Richard McGibboney showed his years of experience at Devil’s Bowl by avoiding all the carnage and bring the Baber’s Garage / Red’s Meat Company Nr. 19 home in fifth.

In the USA modified heat races, Randy Kirkland edged ahead to win the first heat in the Reliable Plumbing / American Locksmith Nr. 77. Steve Sickels topped the second race and Johnny Dunn, Jr. led the third heat under the checkered flag.

Nineteen late models took the green flag as that competitive field started their 20-lap feature. Ronnie Welborn charged from the outside of the front row to lead the opening lap in the Baxter Motorsports / Big G Auto Supply Nr. 20. Ronnie Long rode the Town East Ford Nr. 28 around the outside to take the second spot and began to chase Welborn. The first yellow flag flew on the third lap, for debris on the track.

On the restart, Long was able to take the lead as Tom Lorenz in the Smiley’s Racing Nr. 84 and Aaron Morey in the Smiley’s Racing Nr. 24 battled with Welborn for the second position. The three wide racing got close, but Lorenz came through and began to chase Long.

They raced tight and close until the halfway point of the race, when Lorenz slid under Long to take the lead. But Long was not going to give up the position. On the next lap, Long charged into the third turn and reclaimed the top spot. On the 14^th lap, Long pushed in turn one, and Lorenz grabbed the lead again. As they worked past lapped traffic, Lorenz was able to pull three car lengths ahead of Long by the time the checkered flag fell.

As the leaders moved through the lapped cars, Patrick Daniel in the Hi-Way Auto Parts / The Shop Nr. 75 worked past Morey and Welborn to take the third position, with them following in fourth and fifth.

Richard Mills came from the third row to win the first late model heat in the R Mills Drilling Consultant Nr. 66M, with Ronnie Long taking the second heat victory.

Story & photos by Reggie and  Linda Fields

Devil’s Bowl Speedway – Race Results – Sat, July 3, 2004

SUPER SPRINTS - Heat 1: 1. #9, Johnny Miller, Burleson; 2. #11B, Brandon Rogers, Wichita Falls; 3. #36, Larry Neighbors, Oklahoma City, Okla.; 4. #22, Dan Adkins, Amarillo; 5. #99, Kurt Summers, Mesquite; 6. #20X, Gary Grosvenor, Mesquite; 7. #8, Wayne McNally, Dallas, DNS - #24, David Gailley, Mesquite

Heat 2: 1. #03, Joe Wood,Jr., Oklahoma City, Okla.; 2. #28, Larry Long, Crandall; 3. #42, Loyd Clevenger, Oklahoma City, Okla.; 4. #31, Matt Clevenger, Flower Mound; 5. #6, Justin Spoerl, Mesquite; 6. #14E, Todd Evans, Georgetown; 7. #92, Shannon Thornton, Wylie

A FEATURE:  1. #6, Justin Spoerl, Mesquite; 2. #36, Larry Neighbors, Oklahoma City, Okla.; 3. #31, Matt Clevenger, Flower Mound; 4. #03, Joe Wood,Jr., Oklahoma City, Okla.; 5. #11B, Brandon Rogers, Wichita Falls; 6. #42, Loyd Clevenger, Oklahoma City, Okla.; 7. #22, Dan Adkins, Amarillo; 8. #24, David Gailley, Mesquite; 9. #28, Larry Long, Crandall; 10. #14E, Todd Evans, Georgetown; 11. #9, Johnny Miller, Burleson; 12. #99, Kurt Summers, Mesquite; 13. #20X, Gary Grosvenor, Mesquite; 14. #92, Shannon Thornton, Wylie; 15. #8, Wayne McNally, Dallas 

USA MODIFIEDS - Heat 1: 1. #77, Randy Kirkland, Mesquite; 2. #39, Rick McCommas, Balch Springs; 3. #4, Tracy Adams, Rowlett; 4. #19R, Chad Ewell, Forney; 5. #99C, Jeff Crane, Whitehouse; 6. #98, Troy Cave, Arlington; 7. #9, Arin Lawrence, Carrollton; 8. #121, Bobby Ruffin, Crandall; 9. #5, Billy Fronterhouse, Wylie

Heat 2: 1. #50, Steve Sickels, Rowlett; 2. #88, Clyde Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 3. #17, Charles Lasater, Garland; 4. #27, Jody Mayne, Grand Saline; 5. #19, Richard McGibboney, Dallas; 6. #V8, Rick Preddy, Aubrey; 7. #6, Jeff Jones, Mesquite

Heat 3: 1. #99, Johnny Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 2. #1X, Richard Miller, Terrell; 3. #19J, Jeff Welborn, Princeton; 4. #5C, Steve Crane, Whitehouse; 5. #7, Joe Hicks, Milam; 6. #7J, Punkie Jones, Crandall 

A FEATURE: 1. #39, Rick McCommas, Balch Springs; 2. #50, Steve Sickels, Rowlett; 3. #99, Johnny Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 4. #1X, Richard Miller, Terrell; 5. #19, Richard McGibboney, Dallas; 6. #77, Randy Kirkland, Mesquite; 7. #19J, Jeff Welborn, Princeton; 8. #27, Jody Mayne, Grand Saline; 9. #4, Tracy Adams, Rowlett; 10. #17, Charles Lasater, Garland; 11. #V8, Rick Preddy, Aubrey; 12. #6, Jeff Jones, Mesquite; 13. #99C, Jeff Crane, Whitehouse; 14. #7J, Punkie Jones, Crandall; 15. #88, Clyde Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 16. #121, Bobby Ruffin, Crandall; 17. #5C, Steve Crane, Whitehouse; 18. #19R, Chad Ewell, Forney; 19. #7, Joe Hicks, Milam; 20. #9, Arin Lawrence, Carrollton, - Did not start - #5, Billy Fronterhouse, Wylie

LATE MODELS - Heat 1: 1. #66M, Richard Mills, Cut'N'Shoot; 2. #84, Tom Lorenz, Balch Springs; 3. #14, Wayman McMillan, Gladewater; 4. #20, Ronnie Welborn, Princeton; 5. #8, Skip O'Neal, Midlothian; 6. #51, Britt Ables, Wylie; 7. #00X, Michael Grubbs, Sachse; 8. #V8, J.D. Wilson, Kaufman; 9. #47, Woody Weaver, Flint

Heat 2: 1. #28, Ronnie Long, Dallas; 2. #24, Aaron Morey, Dallas; 3. #2, Jack Ambern,Jr., Arp; 4. #55, Jimmy Quick, Jr., Terrell; 5. #75, Patrick Daniel, Wills Point; 6. #ZZ, Sloppy Hogg, Arlington; 7. #29, Mike Ambern, Longview; 8. #85, John Ewell, Forney; 9. #203, Tony Ruyle, Euless; 10. #31, Gary Lowe, Red Oak

A FEATURE: 1. #84, Tom Lorenz, Balch Springs; 2. #28, Ronnie Long, Dallas; 3. #75, Patrick Daniel, Wills Point; 4. #24, Aaron Morey, Dallas; 5. #20, Ronnie Welborn, Princeton; 6. #66M, Richard Mills, Cut'N'Shoot; 7. #85, John Ewell, Forney; 8. #29, Mike Ambern, Longview; 9. #55, Jimmy Quick, Jr., Terrell; 10. #00X, Michael Grubbs, Sachse; 11. #47, Woody Weaver, Flint; 12. #51, Britt Ables, Wylie; 13. #ZZ, Sloppy Hogg, Arlington; 14. #203, Tony Ruyle, Euless; 15. #V8, J.D. Wilson, Kaufman; 16. #31, Gary Lowe, Red Oak; 17. #2, Jack Ambern,Jr., Arp; 18. #14, Wayman McMillan, Gladewater; 19. #8, Skip O'Neal, Midlothian

STREET STOCKS - Heat 1: 1. #3, Jason Trevathan, Mesquite; 2. #10, Trandel White, Balch Springs; 3. #31, Walter Dorsett, Royse City; 4. #35, Terry Carter, Balch Springs; 5. #1, Flash Fifield, Mesquite; 6. #15, Derek Eckles, Mesquite; 7. #12, Johnny Philpot, Sunnyvale; 8. #00, Michael Clugston, Jr., Royse City; 9. #11, Danny Zimmerman, Mesquite

Heat 2: 1. #19, Brad Wesp, Dallas; 2. #271, Richard Miller, Terrell; 3. #21, Michael Murphy, Ferris; 4. #8, Mark Ross, Royse City; 5. #38, Mike Walls, Flower Mound; 6. #49, George Parrish, Terrell; 7. #26, Brandon Leopolos, Seagoville; 8. #7C, Brandon Shupak, Crandall

Trophy Dash: 1. #10, Trandel White, Balch Springs; 2. #31, Walter Dorsett, Royse City; 3. #21, Michael Murphy, Ferris; 4. #271, Richard Miller, Terrell; 5. #3, Jason Trevathan, Mesquite; 6. #19, Brad Wesp, Dallas

A FEATURE: 1. #10, Trandel White, Balch Springs; 2. #31, Walter Dorsett, Royse City; 3. #3, Jason Trevathan, Mesquite; 4. #19, Brad Wesp, Dallas; 5. #21, Michael Murphy, Ferris; 6. #271, Richard Miller, Terrell; 7. #8, Mark Ross, Royse City; 8. #15, Derek Eckles, Mesquite; 9. #00, Michael Clugston, Jr., Royse City; 10. #35, Terry Carter, Balch Springs; 11. #1, Flash Fifield, Mesquite; 12. #7C, Brandon Shupak, Crandall; 13. #11, Danny Zimmerman, Mesquite; 14. #26, Brandon Leopolos, Seagoville; 15. #12, Johnny Philpot, Sunnyvale; 16. #49, George Parrish, Terrell; Did not start - #38, Mike Walls, Flower Mound 

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Next weekend, July 10, the Championship Sprints, USA Modifieds, Late Models and Street Stocks will be racing at Devil' s Bowl. Gates open at 5:30, Races at 8

It was great to see Steve Crane race again at Devil's Bowl. Steve was the first modified champion at Devil's Bowl. Also making the trip over from East Texas were Jeff Crane, Jody Mayne - always a popular driver at Devil's Bowl and Joe Hicks in the modifieds.

The full Weaver racing team was on hand Saturday - with the late models of Wood Weaver, Jack Ambern, Jr and Mike Ambern all driving in the late model division.

Arin Lawrence made his first start in a USA modified. The former street stocker was getting used to the new car this week, but expect him to move up quickly in the next few weeks.

John Ewell took a turn behind the wheel of the Nr. 85 late model this week. He moved up to finish seventh after starting 19th. I believe that's the first time John has driven a late model at Devil's Bowl.

Punkie Jones hasn't been seen at Devil's Bowl much lately, but Saturday he and his son Jeff Jones brough their modifieds out for the evening.

Mark Ross struggled this week in the street stocks. His seventh place finish allowed Walter Dorsett to take over the street stock points lead - but only by 75 points.

Larry Long lost the motor in the Town East Ford Nr. 28 super sprint during Saturday's feature.

Gary Grosvenor and Shannon Thornton were two champ sprint drivers who came out Saturday with injected motors to race with the super sprints.

Larry Neighbors greatest challenge is still getting to the track on time. Making the trip down from Oklahoma City, hot laps were almost completed when the Nr. 36 team pulled through the gate. Arriving late forced Larry to start at the back of his heat and at the back of the qualified cars in the super sprint feature.