(Photo Credit: Just Dirt)
TULSA, Okla. (October 20, 2014) The Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV American Real paired with the Smiley's Racing Products Lone Star Region this past weekend for the 41st running of the Devil's Bowl Winter Nationals.
Two nights of racing saw nearly perfect weather at the Devil's Bowl Speedway with 47 drivers taking part in this year's event for races 79 and 80 for the series at the famed half-mile oval.
The Winners:
Friday, October 17, 2014
• Tony Bruce, Jr. (National / Lone Star) - For the thirteenth time in his career, Tony Bruce, Jr. stood in Victory Lane with the Lucas Oil ASCS presented by MAVTV American Real. Taking over the top spot on Lap 21, Bruce swept preliminary night events for the Spring and Winter Nationals in 2014 at the Devil's Bowl.
Saturday, October 18, 2014
• Matt Covington (National / Lone Star) - A long time dream for the Matt Covington, the T&L Foundry No. 95 finally found Victory Lane at the Devil's Bowl with the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour. The win is Covington's fourth with the National arm of the American Sprint Car Series.
News and Notes:
• Jason Johnson - A very scary situation turned out to be not as bad as once feared for Jason Johnson as the U-Joint shattered in the MVT No. 41 while leading Friday night at the Devil's Bowl. Causing his legs to go numb from the impact of the driveline, Johnson coasted safely from turn three to the entrance of turn one. Medics were able to extract Johnson and he was treated at the track. Thankfully, the Butlerbuilt scatter bag took the brunt of the impact, sparing Johnson what could have been severe leg trauma.
• Hard Hits - Several drivers took some hard licks over the weekend. Friday night saw J.J. Simmons hard into the wall. The hit ended his weekend. Saturday night, Blake Hahn slid high exiting the fourth turn, sending the No. 52 into the wall and to his side before coming to a rest.
• Engine Woes - The taste of victory can be quickly erased. For Kris Miller, that sweet taste turned bitter quickly after winning his Heat Race on Friday night. Just after the checkered flag, Miller's ASI built power plant expired. To make things worse, Miller's performance had him in the redraw.
• Brad Loyet - Speaking of engine woes, none hurt more than Brad Loyet's fiery display on Saturday night. Sitting second with a chance at the win, Loyet's engine exploded into a ball of fire on Lap 24. Brad escaped without injury, but the Missouri shoe saw his advantage over Jeff Swindell go from 77 markers to 36 in an instant.
• Double-up - It took 10 years for Dusty Zomer to return to the Devil's Bowl Speedway, and it was one of solid runs with a pair of runner-up finishes in the Buffalo Wild Wings No. 82.
• Finally Finishing - A fourth on Friday, followed by a third on Saturday was enough to put a smile on the face of Aaron Reutzel. Plagued by engine problems the last month, Reutzel gave praise to engine builder, Dennis Wells, for getting his program back together in time for the Winter Nationals.
• Hard Charger - Johnny Herrera found himself in B-Features both nights of the Winter Nationals with finishes landing shy of a transfer. Forced to take his final full point Provisionals of the season, Herrera didn't let them go to waste, advancing 15 positions on Friday night, and 16 positions on Saturday night. The only other driver to match Herrera was Sam Hafertepe, Jr. who passed 15 drivers on Friday night.
• Patrick Stasa - The former resident of Kingman, Kan. secured his first ASCS Championship this past weekend, topping the Smiley's Racing Products Lone Star Region. Stasa's season also included his first National Tour win with the Devil's Bowl Spring Nationals. Congratulations Patrick on a well deserved championship.
Coming up:
The one, the only, the Short Track Nationals is next for the drivers of the ASCS Nation. The 27th edition of the I-30 Speedway spectacular, races begin on Wednesday, October 22 with the 2nd annual Short Track Open. Qualifying begins on Thursday night. Tickets are still on sale by calling 501-455-4567 or get them at the gate. For more information, log onto http://www.i-30speedway.com. If you can't make it live, watch online at http://www.shorttracknationals.com.
For a complete listing of ASCS events in 2014, log onto http://www.ascsracing.com.
The 2014 season marks the twenty-third year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing for the American Sprint Car Series, which brings the best of Sprint Car racing to dozens of different tracks throughout the nation. Anchored by the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series, ASCS also consists of ten different Regions throughout the nation.
Lucas Oil Products is the title sponsor of the American Sprint Car Series. More information can be found on Lucas Oil Products at www.lucasoil.com. MAVTV is the presenting sponsor of the American Sprint Car Series. Log onto www.mavtv.com for information regarding availability and listings in your area.
Associate sponsors for the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV include: Hoosier Racing Tire and Brodix.
Team Lucas Sponsors for the American Sprint Car Series consist of Protect the Harvest, iON Camera, Smokey Mountain Moonshine, C&R Radiator, Hawk Performance Products, Geico, E3 Spark Plugs, and General Tire.
Product and Contingency Sponsorship provided by: K&N Filters, KSE Racing Products, SpeedMart, Competition Suspension, Engler Machine and Tool, FSR Radiator and Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Driverwebsites.com, Weld Wheels, Saldana Racing Products, Maxwell Industries, Print Place, Simpson, The Joie of Seating, Wesmar Racing Engines, Hinchman Indy Racewear, Rod End Supply, Smiley's Racing Products, Speedway Motors, and Hilborn Injection Systems.
Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com as well as Twitter (@LucasOilASCS) and Facebook. News and information can also be sent to you with the ASCS E-News by texting ASCS to 22828 with any mobile device.
- Bryan Hulbert on Oct 20, 2014
- Article Date: 10/20/2014