Ruffin Tops Modifeds at Devil's Bowl

Mesquite, TX (Aug 7) - Bobby Ruffin ran away with the USA modified feature Saturday night at Devil’s Bowl Speedway, with the former track champion claiming his first win this year. Ronnie Long easily mastered a tricky track to top the late models. Walter Dorsett and Jimmy Goodwin claimed the street stock and championship sprint feature wins.

Low humidity and drying winds contributed to create a track which dried and glazed over quickly in the turns during Saturday night’s feature races. The slippery track with no moisture resulted in many cars not setup for the conditions, and drivers having trouble keeping their cars on line. The result as a demolition derby in several classes. Even if the drivers survived the rough race, their troubles were not over. A total of six cars were light at the scales after their features and one car was disqualified for refusing to submit to an inspection of the engine.

Bobby Ruffin came from outside the second row to take the lead on the opening lap of the USA modified feature. Front row starters Gary Harris and Chad Ewell bumped coming out of turn two on the first circuit, leaving the outside open for Ruffin in his Westway Ford/ Smiley’s Racing Nr. 121. The battle for second was close and exciting on the tricky track. But Ruffin was out front and long gone. He pulled away lap after lap and was almost a full half lap ahead of the race for second when he started lapping slower cars on the tenth lap.

Rick McCommas repaired his Nr. 39 Jimmy Allard Racing Engines/ B&H Painting modified after losing a drive shaft in his heat, starting the feature outside the fifth row. He worked his car through the field to soon battle the Nr. 19R Longhorn Urethane/ Foam Enterprises of Chad Ewell and Rick Preddy in the Frontier Truck Lines/ Winners Choice Trophies Nr. V8 for the runner-up spot.

As McCommas fought to get past the other cars, Ruffin pulled farther and farther away. On the eighth lap, McCommas finally got clean, only to have Clyde Dunn, Jr. in the Crandall Cotton Gin Restaurant / Young Chevrolet Nr. 88 right behind him. Dunn’s car had also been badly damaged when a heat race crash almost ripped the front end off the car.

McCommas could not run a clean line as he had to contend with Dunn’s challenge, but got a break when the yellow flag waved for the second time on the tenth lap.

With Ruffin’s lead erased and the top contenders right behind, the green flag waved again, But three laps later the yellow flew again. Ruffin had been able to quickly leave the other cars behind as Dunn, McCommas and Johnny Dunn, Jr. in the Speed Specialties/ Martinez Restaurant Nr. 99 all battled for the second spot. Another yellow followed on the restart.

With just two laps left in the race, Ruffin had no trouble pulling away to take the victory. Clyde Dunn claimed second with Johnny Dunn third. McCommas fell to fourth in the final charge to the checkered flag. Richard McGibboney took the fifth spot in the Red’s Meat Company / Baber’s Garage Nr. 19.

Ruffin ran away with the first heat race for seven and three quarter laps - which allowed him to coast across the finish line a couple car lengths ahead of Chad Ewell. The race for third was exciting with McGibboney and Billy Fronterhouse in the Speed Specialties Racing Engines Nr. 5 trading the position a couple times each lap until Fronterhouse and Randy Kirkland in the Reliable Plumbing/ American Locksmith Nr. 77 got past McGibboney with two laps to go in the heat race.

McCommas got to the front of the second heat quickly and was running good until breaking and losing the drive shaft as the white flag came out. After the fourth caution of the race, Steve Sickels in the Crandall Cotton Gin Restaurant / Premier Auto Service Nr. 50 claimed the heat race win.

The street stock feature was a demolition derby from the start. Jason Trevathan in the Forney Auto Tech/ Anson Powder Coating Nr. 3 and Brad Wesp in the Pro Collision of Mesquite / Matco Tools Nr. 19 got together in turn three on the opening lap, while Danny Zimmerman spun off the top of four, backing into the front straight wall in the Nr. 11. On the next attempt to start the race, Jack Couch lost a wheel on his Nr. 5.

The worst was yet to come. On the third start attempt polesitter Michael Clugston, Jr. spun the RTB Motorsports NR. 00 in turn two. Trandell White in the Verna May/ Garcia’s Lawn Care Nr. 10 got clipped by Clugston’s spinning car, knocking off a wheel and pulling the entire rear end out from under the car. David Gailley in the Nr. 24X was also unable to avoid Clugston’s car.

With six crippled cars already in the pits, the field took the green flag for the fourth time. Michael Murphy took the lead in the Valvoline Nr. 21 running low through turn two, while Walter Dorsett in the Nikon Dallas/ R&D Racing Nr. 31 split the two front row cars. Mark Ross spun his Ross Racing/ Tommy G’s Welding Nr. 8 as the lap was completed for the fifth caution. A lap later after the restart, Brandon Shupak in the Nr. 7C spun in turn two for the sixth caution.

Amazingly six laps ran under the green flag, with some cars struggling to hold their lines through the corners. Murphy continued to set the pace, but Dorsett was right on his rear bumper, even tapping a couple times. Dorsett moved up the track on the eighth lap and pulled inches of Murphy on the front straight, only to have the yellow fly for the seventh caution of the race.

Dorsett could never find a line to get past Murphy in the final five laps, and had to settle for second at the checkered flag as Murphy ran low and held the advantage to take the checkered flag by two car lengths. Wesp recovered from his early spin to run third, two car lengths behind Dorsett. Gayla Jones in the Imperial Electric/ Walls Racing Nr. 42 and Derek Eckles in the Nr. 15 had a great battle for fourth.

Once the checkered flag fell the scales took out several cars, with Murphy, Jones and Eckles cars all under the minimum weight.

When the 32 minute long, 12-lap race was finally scored, Dorsett had the feature win, with Wesp taking second. Ross ended up with third, Pat Walls took fourth in his Walls Racing / Sue Walls CPA Nr. 39 and George Parrish in the Jeanie’s Used Auto Parts/ Parrish Racing Nr. 49 fifth.

The first street stock heat great side by side battle between Murphy and Wesp - with Murphy winning by a fender. Dorsett topped the second heat race.

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Just after the green flag fell on the championships sprint feature, Martin Edwards spun the White Properties/ Allard Racing Nr. 45 in turn one. Luckily every one missed his stopped car and they all rejoined the field for a second attempt to get the race started.

Russell Shoulders led the field in the Nr. 21 through the first two turns, but Dale Wester in the T N T Truck Parts/ Allard Racing Engines Nr. 12 got a run on the back straight to pull ahead. But running through turn four, Wester’s sprinter slid up, opening the door down low for Bobby Ruffin in the Nr. 6X to take the lead as the first lap was completed. The Nr. 120 Enduro Powder Coating/ Gary’s Machine Shop sprinter of Preston Grosvenor spun in turn one moments later to bring out the second caution.

Ruffin pulled away under the green flag as Jimmy Goodwin in the Nr. 3X and Wester battled for second. Grosvenor brought out the third caution after five laps with another spin turn two.

The track was glazing over with the low humidity and all the wind from the wings, making it hard for drivers to run their preferred line.

A lap after the restart, Goodwin got past Wester for second, but was 20 car lengths behind Ruffin as the race passed the halfway mark. The fourth yellow waved when Troy Bontrager in the Grice Machine/ Fitness Club of Murphy Nr. 10T went around in the tricky turn two after seven laps.

Ruffin and Goodwin took off when the green waved again, the best battle on the track was for fourth as Gary Grosvenor in the Enduro Powder Coating/ Johnson Heads Nr. 20X, Edwards and Jeff Dodd in the Stacy’s Painting and Drywall/J.P.’s Quick Stop Nr. 25 diced for position. Grosvenor and Edwards were content to run the rim of the track, while Dodd kept trying to slid in front of the pair. Ruffin had no trouble lapping a couple slower cars as he set the pace to the checkered flag, with Goodwin ten car lengths back. Wester crossed the finish line third, with Grosvenor and Edwards fourth and fifth. Ruffin and Edwards were light at the scale moving Goodwin up to take the feature win, with Wester second. Grosvenor was disqualified after the race for refusing to allow his car to be checked by track officials. Dodd ended up with third, Shannon Thornton in the D&P Machine/ Don’s Garage Nr. 92 fourth and Kim Wilke taking fifth in the Nr. 38.

Gary Grosvenor pulled past Shoulders in the final turn to win the first championship sprint heat race after a great battle for most of the race. Grosvenor’s disqualification in the feature gave Shoulders the heat race win. Ruffin chased down Wester to take the lead and win the second heat race.

Watching the championship sprint feature and the drying track, several of the late models changed tires at the last minute. It helped a few and caused problems for others.

Britt Ables set the pace for the first couple laps in his Ables Auto/ Troy’s Cars Nr. 51 until the yellow flew for a spin by Gary Lowe in the CBX Frame Repair Nr. 31. As the green flag waved again, Ables led the field for two laps before Ronnie Long in the Town East Ford Nr. 28 moved to the top of the track passed Ables. The rest of the race was caution free, and Long rode the rim around the track lap after lap, building his lead by a couple car lengths each lap. Ables ran smooth and strong to finish second, but a quarter lap behind the fast car of Long. Sloppy Hogg crossed the finish line third in the Nr. ZZ, but was light at the scales, moving Jimmy Goodwin up to finish third after starting on the back in the Gatlin Motors/ Gatlin 6 Cattle Farm Nr. 57. Cheyney Hopkins spun completely around in turn one on the last lap in his Stan Hopkins Company/ Starr Graphics Designs Nr. 1, but only lost one spot to finish fourth. Chuck Beusch came in fifth in the Family Chiropractic First Care/ Judy’s Café Nr. 13.

First late model heat race, Beusch got out front early. Long and Hopkins caught him from the back, with the top three under a blanket as white flag flew. Long made a deep charge in turn three on the last lap, but Beusch held the lead to win the heat. Bob Ewell in the Longhorn Urethane/ Foam Enterprises Nr. 85 battled the entire race before getting past J.D. Wilson in the Nr. V8 on the final lap to win the second heat race. Beusch won the trophy dash and collect the Hoosier $100 Night bonus Benjamin Franklin.

Story & photos by Reggie and  Linda Fields

Devil’s Bowl Speedway – Race Results – Sat, Aug 7, 2004

CHAMPIONSHIP SPRINTS - Heat 1: 1. #21, Russell Shoulders, Forney; 2. #3X, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland; 3. #10T, Troy Bontrager, Wylie; 4. #45, Martin Edwards, Mesquite; 5. #6, Randy Bryant, Mesquite; Disqualified #21, Gary Grosvenor, Mesquite

Heat 2: 1. #6X, Bobby Ruffin, Crandall; 2. #12, Dale Wester, Ovilla; 3. #120, Preston Grosvenor, Mesquite; 4. #25, Jeff Dodd, Wichita Falls; 5. #38, Kim Wilke, Carrollton; 6. #92, Shannon Thornton, Wylie; 7. #36, Rick Preddy, Aubrey

A FEATURE: 1. #3X, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland; 2. #12, Dale Wester, Ovilla; 3. #25, Jeff Dodd, Wichita Falls; 4. #92, Shannon Thornton, Wylie; 5. #38, Kim Wilke, Carrollton; 6. #6, Randy Bryant, Mesquite; 7. #10T, Troy Bontrager, Wylie; 8. #120, Preston Grosvenor, Mesquite; 9. #21, Russell Shoulders, Forney; 10. #36, Rick Preddy, Aubrey; 11. #6X, Bobby Ruffin, Crandall; 12. #45, Martin Edwards, Mesquite; Disqualified #20X, Gary Grosvenor, Mesquite

USA MODIFIEDS - Heat 1: 1. #121, Bobby Ruffin, Crandall; 2. #19R, Chad Ewell, Forney; 3. #5, Billy Fronterhouse, Wylie; 4. #77, Randy Kirkland, Mesquite; 5. #19, Richard McGibboney, Dallas; 6. #3Z, Jason Christopher, Terrell; 7. #9, Arin Lawrence, Carrollton; 8. #1X, Richard Miller, Terrell; 9. #88, Clyde Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale

Heat 2: 1. #50, Steve Sickels, Rowlett; 2. #17, Charles Lasater, Garland; 3. #99, Johnny Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 4. #V8, Rick Preddy, Aubrey; 5. #20X, Gary Harris, Mesquite; 6. #35, Ed Weatherby, Dallas; 7. #52, Joseph Kasper, Ferris; 8. #39, Rick McCommas, Balch Springs; 9. #98, Troy Cave, Arlington

A FEATURE: 1. #121, Bobby Ruffin, Crandall; 2. #88, Clyde Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 3. #99, Johnny Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 4. #39, Rick McCommas, Balch Springs; 5. #19, Richard McGibboney, Dallas; 6. #77, Randy Kirkland, Mesquite; 7. #50, Steve Sickels, Rowlett; 8. #20X, Gary Harris, Mesquite; 9. #19R, Chad Ewell, Forney; 10. #52, Joseph Kasper, Ferris; 11. #35, Ed Weatherby, Dallas; 12. #5, Billy Fronterhouse, Wylie; 13. #3Z, Jason Christopher, Terrell; 14. #1X, Richard Miller, Terrell; 15. #17, Charles Lasater, Garland; 16. #V8, Rick Preddy, Aubrey; Did not start - #9, Arin Lawrence, Carrollton; #98, Troy Cave, Arlington

LATE MODELS - Heat 1: 1. #13, Chuck Beusch, Red Oak; 2. #28, Ronnie Long, Dallas; 3. #1, Cheyney Hopkins, Combine; 4. #19, Jeff McGibboney, Dallas; 5. #00X, Michael Grubbs, Sachse; 6. #66M, Richard Mills, Cut'N'Shoot; 7. #55, Jimmy Quick, Jr., Terrell

Heat 2: 1. #85, Bob Ewell, Forney; 2. #V8, J.D. Wilson, Kaufman; 3. #51, Britt Ables, Wylie; 4. #8, Skip O'Neal, Midlothian; 5. #ZZ, Sloppy Hogg, Arlington; 6. #57, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland; 7. #31, Gary Lowe, Red Oak

Trophy Dash: 1. #13, Chuck Beusch, Red Oak; 2. #85, Bob Ewell, Forney; 3. #V8, J.D. Wilson, Kaufman; 4. #1, Cheyney Hopkins, Combine; 5. #51, Britt Ables, Wylie; 6. #28, Ronnie Long, Dallas

A FEATURE: 1. #28, Ronnie Long, Dallas; 2. #51, Britt Ables, Wylie; 3. #57, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland; 4. #1, Cheyney Hopkins, Combine; 5. #13, Chuck Beusch, Red Oak; 6. #00X, Michael Grubbs, Sachse; 7. #66M, Richard Mills, Cut'N'Shoot; 8. #8, Skip O'Neal, Midlothian; 9. #19, Jeff McGibboney, Dallas; 10. #31, Gary Lowe, Red Oak; 11. #55, Jimmy Quick, Jr., Terrell; 12. #V8, J.D. Wilson, Kaufman; 13. #85, Bob Ewell, Forney; 14. #ZZ, Sloppy Hogg, Arlington

STREET STOCKS - Heat 1: 1. #21, Michael Murphy, Ferris; 2. #19, Brad Wesp, Dallas; 3. #24X, David Gailley, Mesquite; 4. #49, George Parrish, Terrell; 5. #39, Pat Walls, Frisco; 6. #1, Flash Fifield, Mesquite; 7. #42, Gayla Jones, Dallas; 8. #7C, Brandon Shupak, Crandall; 9. #47, Danny d'Happart, Wylie; 10. #10, Trandel White, Balch Springs

Heat 2: 1. #31, Walter Dorsett, Royse City; 2. #11, Danny Zimmerman, Mesquite; 3. #3, Jason Trevathan, Mesquite; 4. #12, Johnny Philpot, Sunnyvale; 5. #00, Michael Clugston, Jr., Royse City; 6. #15, Derek Eckles, Mesquite; 7. #8, Mark Ross, Royse City; 8. #5, Jack Couch, Garland; 9. #26, Brandon Leopolos, Seagoville; 10. #14, Steve Trevathan, Post Oak Bend

A FEATURE:  1. #31, Walter Dorsett, Royse City; 2. #19, Brad Wesp, Dallas; 3. #8, Mark Ross, Royse City; 4. #39, Pat Walls, Frisco; 5. #49, George Parrish, Terrell; 6. #1, Flash Fifield, Mesquite; 7. #14, Steve Trevathan, Post Oak Bend; 8. #26, Brandon Leopolos, Seagoville; 9. #7C, Brandon Shupak, Crandall; 10. #00, Michael Clugston, Jr., Royse City; 11. #11, Danny Zimmerman, Mesquite; 12. #3, Jason Trevathan, Mesquite; 13. #24, David Gailley, Mesquite; 14. #10, Trandel White, Balch Springs; 15. #47, Danny d'Happart, Wylie; 16. #5, Jack Couch, Garland; 17. #21, Michael Murphy, Ferris; 18. #42, Gayla Jones, Dallas; 19. #15, Derek Eckles, Mesquite; Did not start - #12, Johnny Philpot, Sunnyvale

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Next weekend, August 14, will be the Super Sprints, USA Modifieds, Late Models and Street Stocks racing at Devil's Bowl . Gates open at 5:30, Races at 8