From Inside Line Promotions
– HIGHLANDS, Texas (March 21) – It’s a bit of a love-hate relationship between Channin Tankersley and Devil’s Bowl Speedway.
The 20-year-old favors the ½-mile, high-banked track located in Mesquite, Texas – an approximate four-hour drive from Tankersley’s hometown of Highlands, Texas. However, he’s endured more bad luck at that track than any other.
“I’ve had so many good runs going there and just stupid stuff will happen that will take me out with five or 10 laps to go,” said Tankersley, who returns to Devil’s Bowl Speedway this weekend for the 38th annual Devil’s Bowl Spring Nationals featuring the ASCS National Tour.
Last season was the epitome of his tough luck. Tankersley, who has a streak of finishing in the top four of his heat races at Devil’s Bowl the past three years, won his heat and earned a front-row starting position for the feature. However, after seven laps of maintaining a top three, one of Tankersley’s mufflers broke – relegating him to a 21st-place finish.
“We were running great up until that point,” Tankersley said. “It was frustrating that a parts failure cost us a shot at a top five, but that’s part of racing.”
Tankersley’s best finish at the track remains 13th, which he picked up in 2008. Ironically, Tankersley was running sixth when his car lost power in the closing laps of that race.
Through the damaged engines, broken mufflers and various other incidents, Tankersley remains optimistic about his chances at Devil’s Bowl Speedway. And he is hoping for some redemption this year after bad luck sidelined him in his season opener two weeks ago.
“We broke a motor running in the top 10 in our first race, so hopefully that was the bad luck and we’ll sail through Devil’s Bowl this year,” Tankersley said.
For live updates of Tankersley and the 38th annual Devil’s Bowl Spring Nationals, visit www.insidelinepromotions.com/liveupdates throughout the weekend.
SEASON STATS –
1 race, 1 feature, 0 wins, 0 top fives, 0 top 10s, 0 top 15s, 1 top 20
UP NEXT –
Friday and Saturday at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas, for the 38th annual Devil’s Bowl Spring Nationals with the ASCS National Tour
FAVORITE NUMBER –
3: The position Tankersley was running in at last year’s one-day Devil’s Bowl Spring Nationals when his muffler broke on lap seven, forcing him to the pits with a 21st-place finish.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS –
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Tankersley71
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Miller’s Machine & Welding
Established in 1979, Miller’s Machine & Welding builds custom aluminum and stainless steel tanks, stands and structures for all sizes of boats, trucks and specialty automobiles. For more information, visit www.millersmachineandwelding.com.
“Miller’s Machine & Welding has helped me out on all my machining and fabricating,” Tankersley said. “As everyone knows, most of the stuff in racing has to be built to fit your suit and Miller’s Machine & Welding makes my life a lot easier. They do a great job and I know they can fix anything I tear up.”
Tankersley would like to thank his sponsors, including Griffith Truck & Equipment and Custom Vinyl Designs.