From Bryan Hulbert
Tulsa, OK — (March 21, 2016) — The season opening Texas swing for the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by the MAVTV Motorsports Network continues with two brand new facilities to the National Tour with the Cotton Bowl Speedway in Paige, Texas set for action Friday, March 25 followed by the Bronco Raceway Park in Cleveland, Texas on Saturday, March 26.
Paired with the Griffith Truck and Equipment ASCS presented by Southern Trailer Works, the weekend will serve as the 2016 season opener for the south Texas based region. Kevin Ramey is the series defending champion.
Looking at the Cotton Bowl Speedway, the Paige, Texas oval as seen ASCS Gulf South Regional action since 2013 with Brandon Berryman taking the first regional victory on July 4, 2013. In all, three nights have been contested with the Gulf South Region at the Cotton Bowl Speedway with Johnny Herrera (5/23/2014) and Seth Bergman (8/22/2015) also notching wins at the three-eighths mile oval.
Formerly known as 105 Speedway, the Bronco Raceway Park will see the return for the Gulf South Region for the first time to the quarter-mile since 2010. First appearing in 2007, Scottie McDonald grabbed the win in the series debut on July 28. In all, the Gulf South Region has seen eight nights in Cleveland, Texas.
Taking in two of the three scheduled nights this past weekend at the Heart O’ Texas Speedway and Devil’s Bowl Speedway, series veterans Johnny Herrera and Wayne Johnson posted their first wins of the 2016 season with Herrera topping the Heart O’ Texas, and Johnson the Devil’s Bowl. The pair are separated by three points in driver standings going into this weekend’s double-header.
With a pair of top-fives to start off the season, Matt Covington holds third only 15 points removed from the lead with Logan Forler fourth and Blake Hahn fifth in tour standings. ASCS Gulf South Regular, Tommy Bryant, currently holds sixth with Sam Hafertepe, Jr. rebounding in a big way after mechanical problems at the Heart O’ Texas Speedway. Placing third at the Devil’s Bowl, the Texas native jumped from 15th in points to seventh.
Seth Bergman was another driver who had to play catchup at the Devil’s Bowl after contact with Josh Baughman at Waco sent the No. 23 flipping. Seth’s runner up in Mesquite moved him from 22nd to eighth.
Ninth is currently held by Brad Loyet who posted a pair of top-ten runs this past weekend with Kyle Bellm currently rounding out the top-ten. Looking for a rebound this weekend, 2015 Lucas Oil ASCS Champion, Aaron Reutzel, is currently 14th with Josh Baughman and Steven Russell 17th and 18th going into the weekend.
Friday, March 25 at the Cotton Bowl Speedway will get underway at 8:00 P.M. (CT). Tickets are $20 for adults with kids 11-15 admitted for only $10. Kids 10 years and younger get into the grandstands for free. For more information, log onto http://www.cottonbowlspeedway.com.
Saturday, March 26 at the Bronco Raceway Park will see action starting at 7:00 P.M. (CT). For more information on the Bronco Raceway Park, log onto http://www.broncoracewaypark.com.
For continued updates, and to see the full lineup of events for American Sprint Car Series, from the National Tour to the Regional Tours, log onto http://www.ascsracing.com.