TULSA, Okla. (March 31, 2014) – The fourth installment of the Weekend Rewind returns to the Devil’s Bowl Speedway as the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV American Real along with the Smiley’s Racing Products Lone Star Region finished out the 41st annual Devil’s Bowl Spring Nationals.
The weekend marked the fourth point paying even to the 2014 season for the Lucas Oil ASCS presented by MAVTV American Real, and second for the Smiley’s Racing Products Lone Star Region, bringing the total number of ASCS sanctioned event so to 13 this season with eight different winners.
• Surprise Winner – Before Saturday night, Kansas native turned Texas resident, Patrick Stasa, had never won an ASCS Regional event. He can mark that off his list of things to do in 2014 and add to it a Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour win as well. Patrick is the 121st different winner since the National Tour began in 1993, and 138th since the inception of the ASCS National Championship in 1992. The Saturday start was Stasa’s ninth Protect the Harvest A-Feature start and also marks his first top five, and top ten run against the National Tour.
• What Engine Woes? – Sam Hafertepe, Jr. may not have had the finish he wanted, after having to spin to avoid destroying his car while running seventh in the A-Feature, but the start of the night was really the focus point as the Sunnyvale, Texas driver discovered a broken Rocker Arm in his Wells Racing Engine prior to Hot Laps. Making repairs before the third Heat Race was called for, Hafertepe finished second to John Carney II, but was one of two drivers to do a sub 14 second lap on Saturday night. A best average speed of 129.958mph put his time as 13.958 seconds.
• The Other 13 Second Lap – A rookie this season with the National Tour, Blake Hahn had his Bruce Griffith owned No. 17 rolling well – make that very well in his Heat Race – pulling off seven straight laps under the 13 second mark, and posting a fastest time of 13.797 seconds. His best average speed was 130.463mph. He won his Heat Race by 4.448 seconds.
• 27 Cars – Yes, the car count was reduced as drivers had several choices over the weekend to please their racing addiction. In all, the 27 drivers that made the trip got a track that slicked off in the A-Feature, allowed drivers to run top and bottom, and did not take rubber. A lower tire bill is always a win.
• Flaring Temper – The first Heat Race started with a bang. Actually, several bangs as Brandon Hahn’s No. 29 and Dale Wester’s No. 12 came together on the start, sending the No. 12 flipping end-over-end down the front straight. Hahn was out of his car in a hurry and looking for Wester before ASCS and track officials stepped in. Hahn’s on track actions towards officials has put the Tulsa driver on probation for the season. Seth Bergman was also collected but was able to continue after a quick trip to the work area. Thankfully, all drivers are okay.
• Those Engine Woes – Aaron Reutzel’s night was going great. Running third in the early laps of the A-Feature, the No. 87 suddenly slowed as the engine gave up on the second lap. Later in the feature, Brad Loyet also suffered an engine failure. Still early in the season, points can shift easily as Loyet dropped one from seventh to eighth. Interestingly, Reutzel actually gained a spot as Rico Abreu was shuffled out of the top ten, moving Aaron from twelfth to eleventh. Brandon Hanks was running just outside the top ten when his engine let go on Lap 23, just as the leaders were closing in on him.
• 4 for 4 – Christopher Bell is the only driver with four top five finishes in Lucas Oil ASCS National competition this season.
• Big Mover – Tony Bruce, Jr. added a second top five finish to his season this past Saturday and in doing so, shot The Oil Medics No. 18 from sixth in driver standings to second. There are only two points separating second through fourth with Jason Johnson and Matt Covington in tow.
• Double Duty: Speaking of Tony Bruce, Jr., the driver of the No. 18 was also the driver of the No. 71 over the weekend, competing with the Racesaver 305cid Sprint Cars presented by A.S.I. Racing Engines for Kurt Summers. He won his heat, and ended up eighth in the feature.
• Mr. Rilat – The 2003 Lucas Oil ASCS National Champion made his 350th Protect the Harvest A-Feature start over the weekend. He is currently fourth in total National Tour A-Feature starts. Gary Wright still holds that record at 478. Travis has 26 A-Feature wins to his credit along with 144 top-five, and 248 top-ten finishes.
On Deck: The Lucas Oil ASCS presented by MAVTV American Real takes the weekend off before heading to the I-30 Speedway for the Hammer Hill Showdown on Saturday, April 12. Gates open at 5:00 P.M. (CT) with races getting underway at 7:30 P.M. For updates and other information, log onto http://www.i-30speedway.com or call 501-455-4567.
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.