Edwards Takes First Sprint Victory at Devil's Bowl

Mesquite, TX (July 10) - Martin Edwards claimed his first feature win in the Championship Sprint finale at Devil's Bowl Speedway Saturday night. Clyde Dunn, Jr. was victorious in a close battle with Rick McCommas in the USA Modified main. Walter Dorsett scored his second street stock win of the year. Tom Lorenz swept the late models.

Martin Edwards charged from the outside of the front row, grabbed the lead and never looked back as he drove the White Properties/ Allard Racing/ Action Sportswear Nr. 45 to victory. The young driver has learned some hard lessons in his rookie season and he showed what he's learned as he dealt with lapped traffic and a challenge from Bobby Ruffin late in the race.

The track was fast and Edwards car was setup almost perfectly, helping him pull away from Ruffin and the rest of the field soon after the green flag fell. Gary Grosvenor in the Enduro Powder Coating/ Gary's Machine Shop Nr. 20X battled with Jimmy Goodwin in the Nr. 3X for the third position while Ruffin in the Nr. 6X chased Edwards.

Near the halfway point of the race, Ruffin started to narrow Edwards' lead and a few laps later, Edwards was forced to slow slightly as he approached lapped traffic.

Ruffin and Edwards raced side by side trying to get past the slower car. It was Edwards finding the room on the bottom and pulling away to take his first feature win by four car lengths. Goodwin took the third place postion at the halfway mark of the race, but could not catch the leaders in the caution free race. Gary Grosvenor was fourth with Preston Grosvenor finishing fifth in his first outing at Devil's Bowl in the Enduro Powder Coating/ Gary's Machine Shop Nr. 120.

Edwards won the first heat and Ruffin topped the second heat race.

When the USA modifieds took the green flag, it was hard to tell if the fans were watching a demolition derby or a car race. Pole sitter Joseph Kasper got turned around in the Speed Pro Graphics / Custom Performance Automotive Nr. 52 in the first turn. On the next attempt to start the race, Chad Ewell in the Longhorn Urethane / Foam Enterprises Nr. 19R and Richard McGibboney in the Baber's Garage/ Outlaw Fabrication Nr. 19 got shoved into the barriers at the bottom and top of turn two respectively. But with the yellow lights flashing, many of the drivers continued racing. Most of the cars were still at full speed when they got to turn three and the resulting crash sent three more cars to the trailer.

Four cars out of the race, almost every other car limping around the track with damage, and not even a lap completed. Pretty much a poor amateur performance by everyone on the track.

When they were finally able to complete a lap under the green flag, Charles Lasater had the Acelco Services Nr. 17 out front - not bad for starting in the 17th position. Of course almost every car in front of him had been involved in one of the crashes. Still Charles was driving fast and smooth around the half-mile oval. He tried to hold the lead, but his car had also been damaged in the earlier crashes.

Rick McCommas took the lead on the third lap. Lasater slowed on the fourth lap in turn two and Johnny Dunn, Jr. in the Smiley's/ Speed Specialties Nr. 99 got together with him.

McCommas got a good start as the green flag waved again, pulling away in his Jimmy Allard Racing Engines / B&H Painting Nr. 39. A few car lengths behind him was Clyde Dunn, Jr. in the Smiley's/ Crandall Cotton Gin Restaurant/ Young Chevrolet Nr. 88 and Randy Kirkland in the Reliable Plumbing / American Locksmith Nr. 77.

McCommas and Dunn were able to pull ahead as the race finally ran several laps under green. On the eighth lap, Dunn took the lead in a fierce side by side battle. McCommas stayed with him, almost retaking the lead a couple time in the next few laps. But Dunn had his car hooked up and finally got a full car length ahead. McCommas tried high and low, but could not find the traction he needed to get past Dunn anywhere around the track. Passing a lapped car late in the race helped Dunn take the victory by six car lengths over McCommas.

Kirkland ran a solid smooth race to finish third, closing on the leaders in the final laps. Richard Miller in the Jeanie's Used Auto Parts/ Rick Shipp Rebuilders Nr. 1X was fourth with Johnny Dunn, Jr. taking the fifth position. 

Clyde Dunn, Jr., Richard Miller and Dale Wester in the Jimmy Allard Machine & Supply/ T-N-T Truck Parts Nr. 12 won the modified heat races.

The street stocks continued to set the example for close competitive racing Saturday night. The lead was traded among three drivers and they all finished up front without crashing into each other, or the rest of the field.

But the man out front for the opening lap was Terry Carter in the Nr. 35. Earlier he had run his best race of the season, leading his heat from start to finish.

When the green flag fell on the feature, Carter pulled away from the pole and set the pace. But on the fourth lap, he slowed and pulled out of the racing line on the back straight before heading to the pits.

Trandel White in the Verna May/ Garcia's Lawn Care Nr. 10 was right behind and grabbed the lead.

White was part of a close battle for position, and had to surrender the top spot to Michael Murphy a lap later. It's been a difficult year for Murphy, building a new car with almost no sponsorship help. Learning the setup and handling on the new style street stock has also been a challenge.

Saturday's feature was the first race where Murphy in the Valvoline Nr. 21, the defending street stock champion, has been competitive this year.

Also part of the fight for the lead was Walter Dorsett in the Nikon Dallas/ R&D Racing Nr. 31. After a lap side by side with White, Dorsett took the second spot. For the next couple laps, Dorsett and Murphy raced inches apart with White on their rear bumper.

Several times around the half-mile clay oval, and no crashes.

Dorsett took the lead on the eighth lap. On the tenth lap, Murphy and White had their best chance to retake the top spot as they approached a lapped car. But all three quickly moved past the slower car, with Dorsett holding his lead to the checkered flag. Murphy and White were almost glued together as they crossed the finish line. Murphy taking his best finish this year in second. Fourth behind White, and very close to the battle all race was Brad Wesp in the Pro Collision of Mesquite / Matco Tools Nr. 19. Mark Ross ran a solid race to finish fifth in the Ross Racing / Tommy G's Welding Nr. 8. Carter won the first heat and Murphy topped the second street stock heat.

With a field of 27 late models on hand for Hoosier $100 Night, there was plenty of action from the heats to the feature finish. Tom Lorenz topped the first heat, with Darren Ellis and Aaron Morey leading the other qualifiers. Richard Mills in the R. Mills Drilling Consultant Nr. 66M set the pace to win the B main.

Lorenz set himself up for a potential $100 bonus by winning the trophy dash. Hoosier Racing Tires added $100 for the winner on the nights the late models run a trophy dash, with a potential for another $100 if one driver can win the heat, trophy dash and the feature.

A draw for lineup put Chuck Beusch in the Family Chiropractic 1st Care/ Judy's Cafe Nr. 13 on the pole and Woody Weaver in the Weaver Pharmacy/ ABT Transmissions Nr. 47 outside. A crash on the first start slowed the field. On the second attempt, Beusch and Weaver raced side by side before Beusch took the lead coming to complete the first lap. Aaron Morey in the Smiley's Racing Nr. 24 took second place on the third lap and got past Beusch a lap later.

Ricky Ingalls in the Nr. 81 was right with Morey and moved into second position. They charged around the half-mile oval in a tight battle for the lead. Lorenz moved into third on the fifth circuit and caught the leaders a couple laps later. Despite a few cautions and restarts, Morey and Lorenz in his Smiley's Racing Nr. 84 stayed in the top two positions, though Ingalls was right with them.

Coming through the field were the top two cars from the B Main, Mills and Patrick Daniel in the Hi-Way Auto Parts/ The Shop Nr. 75. Daniel took the fourth spot on a restart after and 11th lap caution. Mills was up to sixth.

The yellow flag flew again on the 15th lap. Ingalls got past Lorenz on the back straight. Going through turn three they got together, with Ingalls crashing to the inside of the track and Lorenz continuing.

The restart lineup had Morey, Lorenz, Daniel, Mills and Jack Ambern, Jr. in the Weaver Pharmacy/ ABT Transmissions Nr. 2 in the top five spots.

Lorenz erased Morey's advantage a lap after the restart and took the lead with four laps left in the 20-lap feature. Daniel also got past Morey to take over second, but Mills dropped a valve in his engine, forcing him out of the race.

Lorenz slipped wide in turn two on the 18th lap, but otherwise was perfect and held a car length advantage to the checkered flag. Daniel and Morey followed, but with all the caution laps, they were under the minimum weight by a few pounds at the scales, relegating them to the last two finishing positions.

Ambern ran a solid quick race, and moved up to take second place points and money. Michael Grubbs in the Grubbs Motorsports/ Candle Art by KC Nr. 00X ran a great race, only his ninth late model feature. He ran with the leaders the entire race and his third place finish was his best in a late model.

Mike Ambern took the fourth position in his Weaver Pharmacy/ ABT Transmission Nr. 29 with Bob Ewell claiming fifth in a wounded Longhorn Urethane / Foam Enterprises Nr. 85.

Story & photos by Reggie and  Linda Fields

Devil’s Bowl Speedway – Race Results – Sat, July 10, 2004

CHAMPIONSHIP SPRINTS - Heat 1: 1. #45, Martin Edwards, Mesquite; 2. #20X, Gary Grosvenor, Mesquite; 3. #3X, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland; 4. #29, Johnny Suggs, Mesquite; 5. #6, Randy Bryant, Mesquite; 6. #21, Russell Shoulders, Forney

Heat 2: 1. #6X, Bobby Ruffin, Crandall; 2. #120, Preston Grosvenor, Mesquite; 3. #10T, Troy Bontrager, Wylie; 4. #12, Dale Wester, Ovilla; 5. #43, Justin Spoerl, Mesquite

A FEATURE: 1. #45, Martin Edwards, Mesquite; 2. #6X, Bobby Ruffin, Crandall; 3. #3X, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland; 4. #20X, Gary Grosvenor, Mesquite; 5. #10T, Troy Bontrager, Wylie; 6. #120, Preston Grosvenor, Mesquite; 7. #29, Johnny Suggs, Mesquite; Did not start -  #6, Randy Bryant, Mesquite; #21, Russell Shoulders, Forney;  Dale Wester, Ovilla; #43, Justin Spoerl, Mesquite

USA MODIFIEDS - Heat 1: 1. #12, Dale Wester, Ovilla; 2. #17, Charles Lasater, Garland; 3. #99, Johnny Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 4. #52, Joseph Kasper, Ferris; 5. #V8, Rick Preddy, Aubrey; 6. #3Z, Jason Christopher, Terrell; 7. #19, Richard McGibboney, Dallas

Heat 2: 1. #88, Clyde Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 2. #39, Rick McCommas, Balch Springs; 3. #99C, Jeff Crane, Whitehouse; 4. #98, Troy Cave, Arlington; 5. #50, Steve Sickels, Rowlett; 6. #20, Steve Roach, Mesquite; 7. #121, Bobby Ruffin, Crandall

Heat 3: 1. #1X, Richard Miller, Terrell; 2. #77, Randy Kirkland, Mesquite; 3. #19R, Chad Ewell, Forney; 4. #5, Billy Fronterhouse, Wylie; 5. #19J, Jeff Welborn, Princeton; 6. #47, Sam Kornegay, Longview; 7. #9, Arin Lawrence, Carrollton 

A FEATURE: 1. #88, Clyde Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 2. #39, Rick McCommas, Balch Springs; 3. #77, Randy Kirkland, Mesquite; 4. #1X, Richard Miller, Terrell; 5. #99, Johnny Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 6. #50, Steve Sickels, Rowlett; 7. #99C, Jeff Crane, Whitehouse; 8. #V8, Rick Preddy, Aubrey; 9. #5, Billy Fronterhouse, Wylie; 10. #20, Steve Roach, Mesquite; 11. #52, Joseph Kasper, Ferris; 12. #19R, Chad Ewell, Forney; 13. #3Z, Jason Christopher, Terrell; 14. #17, Charles Lasater, Garland; 15. #98, Troy Cave, Arlington; 16. #19J, Jeff Welborn, Princeton; 17. #12, Dale Wester, Ovilla; 18. #19, Richard McGibboney, Dallas; - Did not start - #121, Bobby Ruffin, Crandall; #9, Arin Lawrence, Carrollton; #47, Sam Kornegay, Longview

LATE MODELS - Heat 1: 1. #84, Tom Lorenz, Balch Springs; 2. #47, Woody Weaver, Flint; 3. #55, Jimmy Quick, Jr., Terrell; 4. #13, Chuck Beusch, Red Oak; 5. #29, Mike Ambern, Longview; 6. #20, Ronnie Welborn, Princeton; 7. #75, Patrick Daniel, Wills Point; 8. #85, Bob Ewell, Forney; Did not start - #316, Mike Rucker, Wichita Falls

Heat 2: 1. #23, Darren Ellis, Quinlan; 2. #2, Jack Ambern,Jr., Arp; 3. #51, Britt Ables, Wylie; 4. #14, Wayman McMillan, Gladewater; 5. #31, Gary Lowe, Red Oak; 6. #19, Jeff McGibboney, Dallas; 7. #V8, J.D. Wilson, Kaufman; 8. #203, Tony Ruyle, Euless; 9. #24W, Joe Wilhelm, Longview

Heat 3: 1. #24, Aaron Morey, Dallas; 2. #28, Ronnie Long, Dallas; 3. #9D, Jerry Horn, Athens; 4. #81, Ricky Ingalls, Longview; 5. #00X, Michael Grubbs, Sachse; 6. #66M, Richard Mills, Cut'N'Shoot; 7. #74, John Sliney, Keller; 8. #ZZ, Sloppy Hogg, Arlington; 9. #8, Skip O'Neal, Midlothian

Trophy Dash: 1. #84, Tom Lorenz, Balch Springs; 2. #28, Ronnie Long, Dallas; 3. #23, Darren Ellis, Quinlan; 4. #24, Aaron Morey, Dallas; 5. #2, Jack Ambern,Jr., Arp; 6. #47, Woody Weaver, Flint

B Main: 1. #66M, Richard Mills, Cut'N'Shoot; 2. #75, Patrick Daniel, Wills Point; 3. #8, Skip O'Neal, Midlothian; 4. #85, Bob Ewell, Forney; 5. #74, John Sliney, Keller; 6. #19, Jeff McGibboney, Dallas; 7. #ZZ, Sloppy Hogg, Arlington; 8. #203, Tony Ruyle, Euless; 9. #V8, J.D. Wilson, Kaufman

A FEATURE: 1. #84, Tom Lorenz, Balch Springs; 2. #2, Jack Ambern,Jr., Arp; 3. #00X, Michael Grubbs, Sachse; 4. #29, Mike Ambern, Longview; 5. #85, Bob Ewell, Forney; 6. #74, John Sliney, Keller; 7. #9D, Jerry Horn, Athens; 8. #66M, Richard Mills, Cut'N'Shoot; 9. #81, Ricky Ingalls, Longview; 10. #51, Britt Ables, Wylie; 11. #55, Jimmy Quick, Jr., Terrell; 12. #8, Skip O'Neal, Midlothian; 13. #28, Ronnie Long, Dallas; 14. #23, Darren Ellis, Quinlan; 15. #13, Chuck Beusch, Red Oak; 16. #47, Woody Weaver, Flint; 17. #14, Wayman McMillan, Gladewater; 18. #24W, Joe Wilhelm, Longview; 19. #31, Gary Lowe, Red Oak; 20. #75, Patrick Daniel, Wills Point; 21. #24, Aaron Morey, Dallas (#24 & #75 light at scales after race)

STREET STOCKS - Heat 1: 1. #35, Terry Carter, Balch Springs; 2. #19, Brad Wesp, Dallas; 3. #12, Johnny Philpot, Sunnyvale; 4. #10, Trandel White, Balch Springs; 5. #00, Michael Clugston, Jr., Royse City; 6. #271, Richard Miller, Terrell; 7. #15, Derek Eckles, Mesquite; 8. #66, Keith Ross, Mesquite; 9. #3, Jason Trevathan, Mesquite

Heat 2: 1. #21, Michael Murphy, Ferris; 2. #8, Mark Ross, Royse City; 3. #31, Walter Dorsett, Royse City; 4. #49, George Parrish, Terrell; 5. #217, Jason Christopher, Terrell; 6. #47, Danny d'Happart, Wylie; 7. #84, Frank Shafer, Balch Springs; 8. #26, Brandon Leopolos, Seagoville; 9. #11, Danny Zimmerman, Mesquite

A FEATURE: 1. #31, Walter Dorsett, Royse City; 2. #21, Michael Murphy, Ferris; 3. #10, Trandel White, Balch Springs; 4. #19, Brad Wesp, Dallas; 5. #8, Mark Ross, Royse City; 6. #15, Derek Eckles, Mesquite; 7. #47, Danny d'Happart, Wylie; 8. #49, George Parrish, Terrell; 9. #66, Keith Ross, Mesquite; 10. #84, Frank Shafer, Balch Springs; 11. #217, Jason Christopher, Terrell; 12. #271, Richard Miller, Terrell; 13. #00, Michael Clugston, Jr., Royse City; 14. #35, Terry Carter, Balch Springs; 15. #12, Johnny Philpot, Sunnyvale; Did not start - #26, Brandon Leopolos, Seagoville; #11, Danny Zimmerman, Mesquite; #3, Jason Trevathan, Mesquite

T

Next weekend, July 17, the Super  Sprints, USA Modifieds, Late Models and Street Stocks will be racing at Devil' s Bowl. Gates open at 5:30, Races at 8

Justin Sporel was transported to Baylor Dallas after a violent flip in the second championship sprint heat race. Despite intial indications, Justin had no broken bones or serious injuries to his legs. He was able to walk out of the emergency room later in the evening. He received some serious bumps and bruises, but a full recovery is expected quickly. Dale Wester's car slowed suddenly entering turn three with a mechanical problem. Justin was right behind him and could not avoid Dale's car. Justin went over the right rear tire and flipped high in the air a couple times.

Michael Murphy had his first good run in a feature this year, finishing second. Like most of the street stock field, Michael pays almost all the bills out of his own pocket. This year has been a struggle for him to field a new car on a very limited budget. Hopefully someone can help him make more races at Devil's Bowl.

Joseph Kasper came out this week with several new graphics on his car with help from Speed Pro Graphics/ Custom Auto Performance and R&B Racing. Unfortunately he got spun on the opening lap of the feature.

Troy Bontrager was back at Devil's Bowl Saturday night in the Nr. 10T Grice Machine/ Fitness Club of Murphy Nr. 10T. Troy took a hard flip down the front straight back in May.

Keith Ross made his first appearance at Devil's Bowl this season in his Mouse Tamer Desingz/ TRK Racing Nr. 66 street stock.

Johnny Philpot has earned the hard luck award. After some strong early runs this season, it seems like he is getting caught up in every wreck or suffering mechanical problems every time he gets on the track recently. Saturday night a flat tire put him in the pits early in the feature street stock feature.

It was wonderful to see so many late models on the track Saturday. It was unfortunate to see so many torn up by the end of the night.

Patrick Daniel reports that last week his late model was 150 pounds over the minimum weight. A little work on the car, and a lot more caution laps than they anticipated, and the car was 25 pounds under weight at the scales after the race. Disappointing, but an exceptional drive after running second in the B main.

Aaron Morey continues to be impressive in the Nr. 25 late model. Since he moved to the area at the start of last season, Aaron has been at the front in every car he has driven. Look for more great racing from Aaron in the future.

Several more drivers from east Texas made the trip to Devil's Bowl Saturday night, including Ricky Ingalls and Joe Wilhelm in the late models and Sam Kornegay in the Nr. 47 modified.

Mike Rucker continued to have problems in his Nr. 316 late model, suffering a problem in hot laps. The Wichita Falls driver has made two trips to Devil's Bowl, and been unable to race either time.

Johnny Suggs was shaking down the Nr. 29 champ sprint Saturday night. We've been told that Johnny Miller will drive the Terry Vance owned car for the rest of the season.