From Bryan Hulbert
Tulsa, OK — (March 18, 2013) — A look at the history of the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV American Real reveals on constant for the largest Sprint Car sanctioning body as the Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas has appeared on the National schedule 72 times since the series’ first visit in 1994.
After a break following season opening events in Arizona, the Lucas Oil ASCS presented by MAVTV American Real Returns to the famed Mesquite oval for the 40th running of the Spring National. The 2013 event will also carry the title of memorial as the Devil’s Bowl pays tribute to the late Matt Clevenger.
Shortened by rain in 2012, Jason Johnson secured his tenth overall win at the half-mile oval, just ten wins behind all time winner Gary Wright who made his last visit to the Devil’s Bowl in 2012 before hanging up his helmet at the conclusion of the season.
Despite a less than desirable start to his 2013 campaign, Johnson’s rebound has been nothing short of memorizing as the Roush/Yates powered No. 41 swept the opening rounds of the Cocopah Cup Challenge at the Cocopah Speedway in Somerton, Ariz. two weeks ago.
Currently second in the tour line-up, Johnson is poised to assume the points lead as Brian Brown pursues events on the west coast.
One thing drivers will notice upon their return to the Devil’s Bowl is a reshaped racetrack. More specifically, a redesign for the turn two area.
Speaking with Lanny Ross Edwards, son of Devil’s Bowl founder Lanny Edwards, the configuration focused mainly on turn two because it was hindering the drivers ability to manipulate the corner, “There were sliding off turn two, and getting to where it just wasn’t very racy off of turn two. If you weren’t on the bottom you just didn’t have a chance of passing nobody” commented Edwards on why the changes were made.
Asked to what degree the track was changed, Edwards replied, “I cut it down into the infield about 20 feet, put a little more bank into it, not much but it seems like it has more bank ‘cause the way I’ve cut it down into the infield. It made the track a lot shorter.”
Questioned about how well he believes the improvements will shape up, the reply was confident, “There’ll probably be two, three grooves, possibly four grooves coming off two now.
In regards to the other end of the track, Edwards indicated that some changes were made in turn four, but were minimal. Lanny Ross gave no indication as to whether or not any additional changes to the surface would be made prior to the Spring Nationals and Matt Clevenger Memorial.
This weekends events will be paired with the Smiley’s Racing Products Lone Star Region which opened their 2013 season on Saturday, March 16 at the Kennedale Speedway Park with Seth Bergman taking the opener victory in the P.P.M. No. 23.
Series:
Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV American Real
When:
March 22 & 23 – Devil’s Bowl Speedway – Mesquite, Texas
Both nights: Gates open at 6 P.M. with racing at 8 P.M.
Track Information: Devil’s Bowl Speedway
Address: 1711 Lawson Road Mesquite, Texas 75181
Phone #: 972-222-2421
Website: www.devilsbowl.com
Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV on the web:
All Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series national events are broadcast live on www.racinboys.com for anyone who is unable to attend the races live. Official results, points, and race notes are posted at www.ascsracing.com. The Lucas Oil ASCS presented by MAVTV can also be found on Facebook and Twitter @LucasOilASCS.
2013 “A” Feature Winners: Jason Johnson-2, Brian Brown-1, Roger Crockett-1,
Lucas Oil ASCS Driver Points (Top 10): 1. Brian Brown 536; 2. Jason Johnson 524; 3. Roger Crockett 499; 4. Lucas Wolfe 492; 5. Johnny Herrera 478; 6. Wayne Johnson 467; 7. Tony Bruce, Jr. 451; 8. Seth Bergman 446; Jeff Swindell 438; 10. Logan Forler 408
The 2013 season marks the twenty-second 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 and into Canada. Anchored by the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series, ASCS also consists of nine 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, Geico, Hawk Racing Products, E3 Spark Plugs, and General Tire.
Product and Contingency Sponsorship provided by: K&N Filters, PitstopUSA.com, Engler Machine and Tool, Roush Yates Racing Engines, FSR Radiator and Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Driverwebsites.com, Weld Wheels, Fuel Safe, Saldana Racing Products, SBI Fuel Bladders, Maxwell Industries, Print Place, Xtreme Accu-Tach, Simpson, LeJoie Seating, Ti 22 Performance, Wesmar Racing Engines, Hinchman Indy Racewear, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, DMI Rear Ends, 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.