Dunn, Lorenz, Grosvenor and Trevathan Return to Victory Lane at Devil's Bowl

Mesquite, TX (June 12) - Four drivers made repeat trips to victory lane at Devil's Bowl Speedway Saturday night. Jason Trevathan claimed his third street stock win of the season. Clyde Dunn, Jr. took his second feature win in the USA modifieds, as did Tom Lorenz in the late models and Gary Grosvenor in the championship sprints.

Clyde Dunn, Jr. went all last season without a feature victory,  but finished third in points in his best overall season in his short racing career. Saturday night he took the Dunn Motorsports / Master Auto Body of Mesquite Nr. 88 from the fifth row to victory lane for the second time this year. He also took over the points lead in the USA Modified class at Devil's Bowl Speedway.

Troy Cave took the early lead from the outside of the front row in the Trick Chassis Nr. 98, holding off polesitter Jeff Welborn in the Baxter Motorsports / Kountry Kids Daycare Nr. 19J. The first caution of the race flew on the fourth lap when Billy Fronterhouse in the Speed Specialties Racing Engines Nr. 5 crashed with Rowdy Starnes in the Starnes Trucking / Cain's Engine Repair Nr. 50X in turn four. Starnes car had damage to the rear suspension and he was forced to pull out of the race.

Up front on the restart, Cave maintained his lead, but Dunn moved from sixth to second in the first corner, flying around the top of the turn as everyone else battled on the bottom of the track. The race for the top positions quickly became a three wide battle with Cave, Dunn and Rick McCommas in the Jimmy Allard Racing Engines Nr. 39 all trying to pull ahead.

Dunn claimed the top spot on the back straight on the seventh lap. McCommas soon moved into second position, and the two began to pull away. They were one car length apart on the 14th lap when McCommas' car slowed in a big cloud of smoke to bring out the caution.

On the restart, Dunn had to battle with his cousin Johnny Dunn, Jr. in the Smiley's Race Car Products / Speed Specialties Nr. 99 for the lead. Clyde ran a perfect line, missing a few slick spots on the track and had no trouble building a five car length advantage.

Steve Sickles in the Crandall Cotton Gin Restaurant / Premier Auto Service Nr. 50 tried to take second from Johnny Dunn, but ended up battling with Randy Kirkland in the Reliable Plumbing / American Locksmith Nr. 77 to hold the third position at the checkered flag. Richard McGibboney rounded out the top five in the Red's Meat Company / Baber's Garage Nr. 19. Johnny Dunn topped the trophy dash while Kirkland and McGobboney won the heat races.

Starting from the outside of the front row, Gary Grosvenor quickly pulled away to take the lead in the championship sprint feature. As Grosvenor pulled away on a fast track in the Enduro Powder Coating / Gary's Machine Shop Nr. 20X, Bobby Ruffin was battling with the Nr. 45 White Properties / Action Sportswear sprinter of Martin Edwards for the second position. Ruffin took the spot on the third lap, driving the Nr. 6X. But Ruffin was unable to catch Grosvenor as the race flew to the checkered flag without a caution. Defending champion Jimmy Goodwin put the Nr. 3X into third place at the halfway mark with Edwards finishing fourth. Rounding out the top five was Russell Shoulders in the Nr. 21. Ruffin topped the championship sprint heat race.

Taking his third street stock victory this season, Jason Trevathan had to chase down early leader Trandell White in the 'Barney' purple Nr. 10. On the opening lap, it was Derek Koonce in the B&P Wild Game Processing / Pierce Racing Engines Nr. 69 out front, with White's Verna May / Garcia's Lawn Care Nr. 10 right behind him.

White claimed the lead on the third lap while Koonce battled with Walter Dorsett in the Nikon Dallas / R&D Racing Nr. 31. White built a five car length advantage, only to see it erased by Michael Clugston's spin on the sixth lap in the RTB Motorsports Nr. 00.

When the race resumed, White and Dorsett raced side by side before Trevathan moved up in Anson Powder Coating / Pit Stop Pizza Nr. 3. White was able to build a small lead as Dorsett and Trevathan fought for position. But the yellow flag flew again on the eighth lap when Danny Zimmerman's Nr. 11 spun to a stop.

The caution cost White a change at victory as Trevathan was able to smoothly power around the top of turn four after the caution flew and take the lead. White's car was hesitating in turn four all night, and that also cost him the runner-up position when Dorsett got past in the final corner. Fourth behind White was the Pro Collision of Mesquite / Matco Tools Nr. 19 driven by Brad Wesp, and street stock points leader Mark Ross rounded out the top five in his Ross Racing / Tommy G's Welding Nr. 8. White and Wesp topped the heat races.

The caution flag also played a big role in deciding the late model feature. Ronnie Long started the Town East Ford Nr. 28 on the pole and pulled ahead of Woody Weaver in the Weaver Pharmacy / ABT Transmission Nr. 47 at the end of the first lap. The late model class continues to grow and provide close racing each week, this Saturday being no exception despite challenging track conditions.

Long was able to use the clear track to his advantage and build his lead by a car length almost every lap. Weaver held second for much of the early race, but the driver on a charge was Aaron Morey in the Smiley's Racing Nr. 24. His car was obviously setup a bit different from most of the field, and he was able to carry more speed through the corners as he moved up from starting on the fifth row. On the tenth trip around the half-mile clay oval, Morey pulled past Weaver diving into turn three to take over the second position.

Lorenz was also moving up in his Hooser Tire Southwest / Smiley's Nr. 84 almost even with Morey at times. He took third from Weaver on the 11th lap. Long was working past lapped traffic, which allowed Morey and Lorenz, along with the rest of the competitive field to close up within a couple car lengths.

But the caution flew on the 14th lap. That setup a restart with Long out front, Morey trapped on the low side of the track and Lorenz outside in the better racing line. When the green flag flew, Lorenz had no trouble flying around the outside to put the Nr. 84 into the lead. Long stayed close, but another caution flag on the 18th lap setup a green - white - checker dash to the finish.

Long was low, with Morey outside, and position was everything as Morey pulled into second place as the race resumed. Morey and Long tried to catch Lorenz, but had to settle for finishing behind Lorenz as the checkered flag fell. Cheyney Hopkins ran a smart, fast, smooth race to finish fourth in the Stan Hopkins Company / Starr Graphic Designs Nr. 1, with Jack Ambern, Jr. taking fifth in the Weaver Pharmacy / ABT Transmissions Nr. 2. In the heat races, it was Long and Skip O'Neal in the Urban Fire Protection / O'Neal Race Engines Nr. 8 taking the checkered flag.

Story & photos by Reggie and  Linda Fields

Devil’s Bowl Speedway – Race Results – Sat, June 12, 2004

CHAMPIONSHIP SPRINTS - Heat: 1. #6X, Bobby Ruffin, Crandall; 2. #20X, Gary Grosvenor, Mesquite; 3. #3X, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland; 4. #21, Russell Shoulders, Forney; 5. #45, Martin Edwards, Mesquite; 6. #12, Dale Wester, Ovilla; 7. #92, Shannon Thornton, Wylie; 8. #43, Justin Spoerl, Mesquite

A FEATURE:  1. #20X, Gary Grosvenor, Mesquite; 2. #3X, Jimmy Goodwin, Garland; 3. #6X, Bobby Ruffin, Crandall; 4. #45, Martin Edwards, Mesquite; 5. #21, Russell Shoulders, Forney; 6. #92, Shannon Thornton, Wylie; 7. #43, Justin Spoerl, Mesquite; Did not start - #12, Dale Wester, Ovilla 

USA MODIFIEDS - Heat 1: 1. #77, Randy Kirkland, Mesquite; 2. #88, Clyde Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 3. #19J, Jeff Welborn, Princeton; 4. #50, Steve Sickels, Rowlett; 5. #1X, Richard Miller, Terrell; 6. #17, Charles Lasater, Garland; 7. #20, Steve Roach, Mesquite; 8. #29, Tim Ables, Mesquite; 9. #52, Joseph Kasper, Ferris

Heat 2: 1. #19, Richard McGibboney, Dallas; 2. #50X, Rowdy Starnes, McKinney; 3. #99, Johnny Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 4. #5, Billy Fronterhouse, Wylie; 5. #98, Troy Cave, Arlington; 6. #39, Rick McCommas, Balch Springs; 7. #3Z, Jason Christopher, Terrell; 8. #V8, Rick Preddy, Aubrey

Trophy Dash: 1. #99, Johnny Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 2. #88, Clyde Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 3. #50X, Rowdy Starnes, McKinney; 4. #77, Randy Kirkland, Mesquite; Did not start - #19J, Jeff Welborn, Princeton; #19, Richard McGibboney, Dallas 

A FEATURE: 1. #88, Clyde Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 2. #99, Johnny Dunn, Jr., Sunnyvale; 3. #50, Steve Sickels, Rowlett; 4. #77, Randy Kirkland, Mesquite; 5. #19, Richard McGibboney, Dallas; 6. #98, Troy Cave, Arlington; 7. #V8, Rick Preddy, Aubrey; 8. #19J, Jeff Welborn, Princeton; 9. #3Z, Jason Christopher, Terrell; 10. #20, Steve Roach, Mesquite; 11. #17, Charles Lasater, Garland; 12. #39, Rick McCommas, Balch Springs; 13. #1X, Richard Miller, Terrell; 14. #50X, Rowdy Starnes, McKinney; 15. #5, Billy Fronterhouse, Wylie; 16. #29, Tim Ables, Mesquite; Did not start - #52, Joseph Kasper, Ferris

LATE MODELS - Heat 1: 1. #28, Ronnie Long, Dallas; 2. #20, Ronnie Welborn, Princeton; 3. #2, Jack Ambern,Jr., Arp; 4. #1, Cheyney Hopkins, Combine; 5. #84, Tom Lorenz, Balch Springs; 6. #55, Jimmy Quick, Jr., Terrell; 7. #75, Patrick Daniel, Wills Point; 8. #23, Darren Ellis, Quinlan

Heat 2: 1. #8, Skip O'Neal, Midlothian; 2. #47, Woody Weaver, Flint; 3. #14, Wayman McMillan, Gladewater; 4. #00X, Michael Grubbs, Sachse; 5. #24, Aaron Morey, Dallas; 6. #19, Jeff McGibboney, Dallas; 7. #ZZ, Sloppy Hogg, Arlington; 8. #51, Britt Ables, Wylie

A FEATURE: 1. #84, Tom Lorenz, Balch Springs; 2. #24, Aaron Morey, Dallas; 3. #28, Ronnie Long, Dallas; 4. #1, Cheyney Hopkins, Combine; 5. #2, Jack Ambern,Jr., Arp; 6. #8, Skip O'Neal, Midlothian; 7. #20, Ronnie Welborn, Princeton; 8. #14, Wayman McMillan, Gladewater; 9. #47, Woody Weaver, Flint; 10. #00X, Michael Grubbs, Sachse; 11. #55, Jimmy Quick, Jr., Terrell; 12. #19, Jeff McGibboney, Dallas; 13. #ZZ, Sloppy Hogg, Arlington; 14. #51, Britt Ables, Wylie; 15. #75, Patrick Daniel, Wills Point; 16. #23, Darren Ellis, Quinlan

STREET STOCKS - Heat 1: 1. #19, Brad Wesp, Dallas; 2. #8, Mark Ross, Royse City; 3. #28, Brian Shafer, Rowlett; 4. #49, George Parrish, Terrell; 5. #12, Johnny Philpot, Sunnyvale; 6. #11, Danny Zimmerman, Mesquite; 7. #26, Brandon Leopolos, Seagoville; 8. #38, Mike Walls, Flower Mound

Heat 2: 1. #10, Trandel White, Balch Springs; 2. #31, Walter Dorsett, Royse City; 3. #3, Jason Trevathan, Mesquite; 4. #69, Derek Koonce, Grand Saline; 5. #15, Derek Eckles, Mesquite; 6. #271, Richard Miller, Terrell; 7. #00, Michael Clugston, Jr., Royse City; Did not start - #21, Michael Murphy, Ferris

A FEATURE: 1. #3, Jason Trevathan, Mesquite; 2. #31, Walter Dorsett, Royse City; 3. #10, Trandel White, Balch Springs; 4. #19, Brad Wesp, Dallas; 5. #8, Mark Ross, Royse City; 6. #12, Johnny Philpot, Sunnyvale; 7. #271, Richard Miller, Terrell; 8. #49, George Parrish, Terrell; 9. #00, Michael Clugston, Jr., Royse City; 10. #69, Derek Eckles, Mesquite; 11. #11, Danny Zimmerman, Mesquite; 12. #69, Derek Koonce, Grand Saline; 13. #28, Brian Shafer, Rowlett; 14. #26, Brandon Leopolos, Seagoville; Did not start - #21, Michael Murphy, Ferris; #38, Mike Walls, Flower Mound 

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Next weekend, June 19, the ASCS Outlaw Sprint Cars visit Devil's Bowl for a Shoot-out between the top drivers in the ASCS Gulf South Region and the Sooner Region. Also racing will be the USA Modifieds, Late Models and Street Stocks.