#The Numbers:
47 Sprint Cars competed in the 2012 Winter Nationals, that number is bound to be close to if not surpassed. The most recent ASCS Sanctioned event was a regional event between the Gulf South and Lone Star Regions, that event drew 33 cars. The number of DGS Motorsports RaceSaver Sprint Cars should be an impressive number, with around 80 cars in the DFW Area. A host of out-of-towners going for the $2000 to win prize should bump that number up.
#The Champions:
Nine 2013 Champions will be in action between the 2 divisions of sprint car racing. Four local track champions will be in action, Robert Vetter of Wolfe City, Texas is fresh off capturing the RPM Speedway Track Championship. As well as Logan Payne lassoing the Devil’s Bowl Speedway Track Championship by 1 position over Raven Culp, in the final race of the regular season.
The two other local track champions battled it out on the National stage. John Ricketts and Jeb Sessums both from Burleson, Texas, waged a war for the 2013 IMCA National Sprint Car Championship. John Ricketts won the track championship at Mountain Creek Speedway and Jeb Sessums won the Kennedale Speedway Park track championship. All of it came down to the final race of the season at Kennedale Speedway Park, WITH A TIE! John Ricketts held the tie breaker though, retaining the most wins throughout the 2013 season and won the 2013 IMCA National Championship.
A host of Regional Champions will be on hand as well, 2013 ASCS Sooner and Lone Star Region Champion Matt Covington of Glenpool, Oklahoma, has doubled those crowns by eclipsing the same feat for 2 straight years now. Ray Allen Kulhanek also took the ASCS Gulf South Region Championship by just 13 points over Clute Texan Aaron Reutzel in 2013. Jack Dover took home the ASCS MidWest Regional Championship, Todd Johnson ended up with a 2013 Louisiana Bayou Sprint Car Championship (RaceSaver). In one of the biggest stories of the year; Harli White of Lindsay, Oklahoma took home the OCRS Championship at 18 years of age, becoming the first female to win a major sprint car championship.
Jason Johnson and Bryan Clauson both won a premier sprint car series championship in 2012; Jason Johnson with the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series and Bryan Clauson with the USAC National Sprint Car Title. Jason Johnson currently holds a 52-point advantage over Johnny Herrera in the Lucas Oil ASCS National Standings and Bryan Clauson holds a 13-point advantage over Dave Darland in the USAC National Sprint Car Series. In a very rare occurrence, we will get to see these to champions battle it out at the Historical Half Mile of the Devil’s Bowl Speedway in the 40th Annual Winter Nationals James McElreath Memorial.
#The Double Duty:
Martin Edwards, Harli White, John Carney, Michael Lang, Kevin Ramey and Blake Jenkins, is just the list we know of who is going to be doing Double Duty between the Lucas Oil ASCS and DGS Motorsports Race Saver Sprint Cars. With a $2000 to win payday for the winner of the DGS Motorsports RaceSaver Sprint Car feature event Saturday night. The temptation to run both divisions is definitely at a high level. Several drivers are currently looking for 305 rides like Christopher Bell, as well as some select individuals looking for a 360 ride, like 2013 IMCA National Sprint Car Champion John Ricketts.
#The Conclusion:
We will all have to wait and see, but when you put things together. It would not be a surprise to see over 100 Sprint Cars at the 40th Annual Winter Nationals James McElreath Memorial, on October 18th and 19th at the Devil’s Bowl Speedway.
#Event Details:
October 18th & 19th
Friday – Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series and Blaine’s Motor Supply USA Limited Modifieds.
Saturday - Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series, DGS Motorsports RaceSaver Sprint Cars and Blaine’s Motor Supply USA Limited Modifieds.
Gates Open – 4:00pm
Races Start – 8:00pm
#Tickets:
Adult Tickets - $25
Seniors 60+ - $10
Kids 12-15 - $10
Kids 6-11 - $2
Kids 5 . Under - FREE
Pit Passes - $30
Call (972) 222-2421 to book your tickets!
- Cathy Lorenz on Oct 17, 2013
- Article Date: 10/19/2013 by Chaz Thompson