Miller comes off a stellar 2003 campaign, in which he posted a winning percentage of .500 by winning 12 of 24 ASCS Rocky Mountain Region features aboard Mac White's Carbone-powered Two Dot Tech Maxim. Miller scored 19 top-ten finishes and finished out of the top-ten on only three occasions en route to winning the title by a healthy 193 point margin.

Friday night's stop at Black Hills Speedway marks the first of three events at the Rapid City dirt oval. The series returns on July 9 and September 11.

Miller has raced to victory lane in three of the last four ASCS Rocky Mountain Region events held at Black Hills Speedway, including two of three events in 2003. Only Corey Brink of Sturgis, SD, has been able to top Miller at Black Hills, making it to victory lane last June.

Miller will face plenty of tough competition this weekend, including 2003 Rocky Mountain Region runner-up Eric Miller, 2002 Rocky Mountain Region champion Mike Dreiling, 2003 series Rookie of the Year Jake Pierson, Jace Pennetta, Scott Milan and many more.

Friday night's action is slated to start at 7:30 p.m.

Black Hills Speedway is located three miles south of I-90 Exit 61, then 0.5 miles east on SR 44, then north. For more information, contact the track at 605-393-1552 or 605-393-1392.

The 2004 American Sprint Car Series Rocky Mountain Region slate consists of 24 events at 14 different tracks throughout Colorado, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, South Dakota and Wyoming. 123 drivers competed in at least one ASCS Rocky Mountain Region event in 2003.

More information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com .

Shouse inherited the lead on the 19th round when race-long leader Garry Lee Maier tagged an infield tire exiting turn two and spun to a stop along the backstretch with race-ending front-end damage. Ironically, Maier had picked up his first victory of the year just 24 hours earlier under similar circumstances at Enid Motor Speedway.

Shouse then held off the fast-closing duo of Derek Drown and Kevin Ramey over the final rounds to post the landmark victory aboard the Allen Competition Engines No. 27 Smiley's Race Products/Eskridge Auto Group Maxim.

"The track really started taking rubber and the car kept getting tighter and tighter," Shouse explained in victory lane. "It was pushing so hard we burned the right front tire off. Luckily, we were able to hang on. It's great to get this win."

While Shouse gridded the Mother's Day feature third, Maier led the field to the green flag after coming from sixth to make a last lap pass of Jason Martin to win the evening's second heat race. Maier outgunned fellow front row starter C.J. Johnson to snare the early lead, with Shouse quickly moving into second.

Several cautions slowed the early going, including turn two spins by Sean McClelland and Martin in the first four laps. Two laps later, moments after surrendering third to Danny Jennings, Johnson spun to a halt on the backstretch after contact with Steve King.

After two more brief stoppages for a turn two tangle involving Jake Martens and Chris Morgan on the tenth round and a J.D. Johnson spin with thirteen laps in the books, Maier set the pace with Shouse, Jennings, King and Drown in tow.

The complexion of the race would change dramatically six circuits later when Maier's apparent victory drive came to an early end after his turn two tango with an infield tire. On the ensuing restart, Jennings surrendered second position with a blown rear end.

With Maier and Jennings out of the race, Shouse quickly raced to nearly a half straightaway advantage over Drown, King, Ramey and Tony Bruce, Jr. However, Shouse's lead soon began to diminish when his mount developed a push in the final five rounds.

With two-time top-five ASCS Sooner Region points finisher Drown and defending Sooner Region champion Ramey nipping at his heels, Shouse took the checkered flag with a mere two car-length advantage over Drown, who edged Ramey for the runner-up slot.

After starting 14th, Bruce ducked underneath King in the final corner to snare fourth, while King held off current series point leader Martin at the line by inches to round out the top five. Martin recovered from his early spin to claim sixth, with Mike Woodruff in seventh. Rookie contender Preston Peebles II posted his first career ASCS top-ten feature finish by crossing the stripe in eighth, with Jon Freeman and Mike Peters advancing from 18th and 17th, respectively, to complete the top ten.

Jennings, Maier, McClelland and C.J. Johnson topped heat race action for the competitive 34-car field, with Peters winning the 12-lap B Main.

Photo: Oklahoma City's Andy Shouse posted his first career American Sprint Car Series feature victory by topping Sunday night's 25-lap American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region vs. O'Reilly NCRA 360 sprint car main event at Wichita's 81 Speedway.
Photo by Lonnie Wheatley

Results:

First Heat (8 Laps): 1. Danny Jennings, 2. Preston Peebles II, 3. Steve King, 4. Mike Woodruff, 5. Luke Cranston, 6. Chris Morgan, 7. Earnest Jennings, 8. Natalie Sather, 9. Abe Sherwood.

Second Heat (8 Laps): 1. Garry Lee Maier, 2. Jason Martin, 3. Shane Howard, 4. J.D. Johnson, 5. A.J. Selenke, 6. Mike Peters, 7. Kevin Hulse, 8. Allan Unruh, 9. Bill Cohee, Jr.

Third Heat (8 Laps): 1. Sean McClelland, 2. Derek Drown, 3. Kevin Ramey, 4. Jake Martens, 5. Jon Freeman, 6. Barry McCord, 7. Kerry McAlister, 8. David Wheeler.

Fourth Heat (8 Laps): 1. C.J. Johnson, 2. Andy Shouse, 3. Tony Bruce, Jr., 4. Foster Landon, 5. Jesse Hockett, 6. Stuart Snyder, 7. Dennis Park, 8. Rick England.

B Feature (12 Laps): 1. Mike Peters, 2. Jon Freeman, 3. Chris Morgan, 4. Dennis Park, 5. Jesse Hockett, 6. A.J. Selenke, 7. Kevin Hulse, 8. David Wheeler, 9. Earnest Jennings, 10. Barry McCord, 11. Stuart Snyder, 12. Kerry McAlister, 13. Luke Cranston, 14. Allan Unruh, 15. Abe Sherwood, 16. Natalie Sather, 17. Rick England. DNS: Bill Cohee, Jr.

A Feature (25 Laps): 1. Andy Shouse, 2. Derek Drown, 3. Kevin Ramey, 4. Tony Bruce, Jr., 5. Steve King, 6. Jason Martin, 7. Mike Woodruff, 8. Preston Peebles II, 9. Jon Freeman, 10. Mike Peters, 11. Foster Landon, 12. Shane Howard, 13. J.D. Johnson, 14. Danny Jennings, 15. Garry Lee Maier, 16. Chris Morgan, 17. Jake Martens, 18. C.J. Johnson, 19. Sean McClelland, 20. Dennis Park.

American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Jason Martin 716, 2. Andy Shouse 708, 3. Kevin Ramey 700, 4. Tony Bruce, Jr. 680, 5. Sean McClelland 672, 6. Danny Jennings 660, 7. Foster Landon 656, 8. Preston Peebles II 640, 9. Brian Harvill 498, 10. Barry McCord 461.

Photo: Andy Shouse at speed in Sunday's ASCS Sooner Region vs. NCRA event at Wichita's 81 Speedway.
Photo by Lonnie Wheatley

Starting the main event from the front row outside, Wood outdueled polesitter Maier on the opening round and paced the opening 22 circuits of the non-stop affair with Maier and current series point leader Jason Martin in tow.

As the leaders worked through lapped traffic in the closing laps, Wood clipped an infield tire exiting turn two and nearly lost control. Wood was able to gather the Harvill Industries No. 44 back in, but not before Maier and Martin charged by.

Maier held off fellow Kansas shoe Martin over the final two and a half laps to score the victory aboard the Salina-powered No. 11x Lubbock Wrecker Service Eagle. "We were a little fortunate to get that one, Danny was just a little too quick for us I think," commented the former American Sprint Car Series National Champion in victory lane. "Danny just barely clipped that tire and that opened the door. We've lost some like that before, so we'll take it."

While Maier posted his first victory of 2004, Martin extended his series point lead to 20 markers with his third podium finish in four Sooner Region events. A disappointed Wood settled for the show position, while Tony Bruce, Jr., who was reeling in the lead trio in the final rounds, claimed fourth. Foster Landon rounded out the top five.

Defending series champion Kevin Ramey crossed the stripe sixth after starting 12th, while Andy Shouse held on to second in points with a seventh place finish. Sean McClelland took the checkered flag in eighth, with Nick Smith and Derek Drown completing the top ten.

Maier, Wood and Bruce topped heat race action for the 27-car field, with Preston Peebles II racing past former series champion J.P. Bailey on the third round en route to his first career ASCS checkered flag in the 12-lap B Main.

American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region action continues Sunday night as the series takes on the NCRA 360 Sprint Car Series at 81 Speedway in Wichita, KS.

Results:

First Heat (8 Laps): 1. Garry Lee Maier, 2. Nick Smith, 3. Mike Peters, 4. Foster Landon, 5. Jimmy Taylor, 6. Brian Harvill, 7. Kevin Pickard, 8. Jeff Leep, 9. Earnest Jennings.

Second Heat (8 Laps): 1. Danny Wood, 2. Larry Neighbors, 3. Jason Martin, 4. Cody Branchcomb, 5. Gary Owens, 6. J.P. Bailey, 7. Joel Howard, 8. Natalie Sather, 9. Danny Jennings.

Third Heat (8 Laps): 1. Tony Bruce, Jr., 2. Andy Shouse, 3. Sean McClelland, 4. Kevin Ramey, 5. Steve King, 6. Derek Drown, 7. Preston Peebles II, 8. James Shoun, 9. Barry McCord.

B Feature (12 Laps): 1. Preston Peebles II, 2. J.P. Bailey, 3. Joel Howard, 4. Kevin Pickard, 5. Barry McCord, 6. Natalie Sather, 7. James Shoun, 8. Danny Jennings, 9. Jeff Leep, 10. Earnest Jennings. Disqualified: Jimmy Taylor (failed to report to scales after finishing third).

A Feature (25 Laps): 1. Garry Lee Maier, 2. Jason Martin, 3. Danny Wood, 4. Tony Bruce, Jr., 5. Foster Landon, 6. Kevin Ramey, 7. Andy Shouse, 8. Sean McClelland, 9. Nick Smith, 10. Derek Drown, 11. Cody Branchcomb, 12. Preston Peebles II, 13. Danny Jennings, 14. Brian Harvill, 15. Mike Peters, 16. J.P. Bailey, 17. Joel Howard, 18. Larry Neighbors, 19. Kevin Pickard, 20. Gary Owens, 21. Steve King.

American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Jason Martin 578, 2. Andy Shouse 558, 3. Kevin Ramey 556, 4. Sean McClelland 550, 5. Tony Bruce, Jr. 538, 6. Danny Jennings 534, 7. Foster Landon 526, 8. Preston Peebles II 504, 9. Brian Harvill 498, 10. J.P. Bailey 433.

Photo: Garry Lee Maier drove the Salina-powered No. 11x Lubbock Wrecker Service Eagle to victory lane in Saturday night's American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region feature at Enid Motor Speedway.
Photo by Lonnie Wheatley

After Saturday night's action atop Enid Motor Speedway's three-eighths mile oval, the Sooner Region shoes cross the border to Kansas to challenge the top guns of the NCRA 360 Sprint Car series on Sunday night in Wichita.

Martin, regularly making the long haul from southwestern Kansas, enters the pair of events located relatively close to his Liberal, KS, home perched atop the early-season point charts. Martin scored a third place finisher in the season opener at Caney Valley Speedway, then posted a runner-up showing at Tulsa Speedway.

Martin appeared to be in position to extend his point lead while battling for second in this past Saturday night's event at Lawton Speedway until being collected in an incident with just five laps to go. Martin recovered to salvage a 12th-place finish, good enough to enter this weekend with a slim eight point lead.

Nipping at Martin's heels in the championship points chase is Oklahoma City's Andy Shouse, who has notched top-ten finishes in all three events thus far. Also posting top-ten finishes in each of the first three events and in strong contention for title honors are defending series champion Kevin Ramey of Fort Worth, just 12 points out of the lead, and Tulsa's Sean McClelland, only 14 points off the pace.

2002 Sooner Region champion Danny Jennings of Norman, OK, used a fourth place finish in this past weekend's event at Lawton to vault to fifth in points, just 22 markers behind Martin.

Other top Sooner shoes expected for this weekend's action include Liberal's Tony Bruce, Jr., Texas guns Brian Harvill, Preston Peebles II, Rawdy Hull and Barry McCord, and Oklahoma drivers Foster Landon, Nick Smith, Travis Scott and 2001 series champion J.P. Bailey.

Also competing in both nights of action will be O'Reilly ASCS National Tour Brodix Rookie of the Year contender Natalie Sather of Fargo, ND.

Taking on the competitive Sooner Region drivers on Sunday night at Wichita will be NCRA's 360 series, which saw Michael Woodruff win the season opener this past weekend. Other top NCRA drivers expected for Sunday include Jake Martens, C.J. Johnson, Jon Blurton and defending series champion Steven King of Jetmore, KS.

Both nights of racing action are slated to get under way at 7:00 p.m.

Enid Motor Speedway is located 2.5 miles north of US 412 on US 81, then 0.6 miles east on West Oxford. For more information, contact the track at 580-233-9755.

81 Speedway is located north of Wichita on I-135 to exit 16, then 0.7 miles west on 77th Street. For more information, contact the track at 316-755-1781.

More information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com.

Lonnie Wheatley - LAWTON, Okla. (May 1, 2004) - Travis Rilat is getting on a roll. With O'Reilly American Sprint Car Series National Tour action rained out Saturday night, Rilat dropped in on the American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region at Lawton Speedway and posted a hard-fought 30-lap feature victory, in the process foiling Danny Wood's victory lane bid in his return to the cockpit.

Rilat's triumph completed a sweep of the weekend's ASCS racing action after winning the National Tour event at 67 Texarkana Speedway on Friday night, and marked his third consecutive victory in ASCS competition dating back to the April 17 Gulf South Region event in Chatham, LA.

Rilat needed little more than a lap in Saturday night's feature to blast from his sixth starting slot into the lead, withstood a furious mid-race challenge from Garry Lee Maier, then held off Wood in the closing rounds to score a two car-length victory as the checkered flag flew over the Motor Mike-powered F&J Construction/Haulmark Trailers No. 29 Maxim.

While current ASCS Sooner Region point leader Jason Martin led the field to the green flag, it was outside front row starter Nick Smith who took command at the outset when Martin bicycled his machine in the second turn. Rilat quickly disposed of second-row starters Wood and Claud Estes as well Martin to take second on the opening round, then used the cushion through turns one and two to charge past Smith for the lead on the second lap.

With Rilat leading the way in front of Smith, Martin, fifth-starter Maier and Wood, lapped traffic came into play after only five rounds on the fast quarter-mile red clay oval. Smith had closed in on Rilat's tail tank when the first caution appeared for Michael Brown's turn four spin on the ninth round.

Keeping pace with Rilat on the restart, Smith's hopes of repeating his Sooner Region triumph at Lawton Speedway last July were dashed five rounds later when his mount coasted to a halt with mechanical gremlins, handing second to Maier, who had slipped past Martin for position on the tenth round.

Maier blasted underneath Rilat entering turn one on the restart, with Rilat ducking back underneath exiting turn two. The pair battled wheel-to-wheel down the backstretch, with Maier edging into the lead as the duo completed the 14th lap.

Maier's lead was short-lived however, as Rilat would slide back in front in turn two on the 17th circuit. Rilat fought off Maier's counter attack in the next corner, with Maier beginning to lose positions one round later with a deflating right rear tire.

As Rilat battled through heavy lapped traffic, Wood raced past Maier for third on the 20th round then overtook Martin for second three laps later. With a pair of lapped cars separating Rilat from Wood, Wood was in desperate need of a caution to mount a challenge.

That caution appeared when Wood slid into Chuck Swenson's lapped machine in turn two on the 26th lap, sending Swenson tumbling and collecting third-running Martin in the melee. Swenson walked away uninjured, while Martin rejoined the field at the tail. Maier restarted at the rear of the field as well after his crew replaced the right rear tire during the brief stoppage.

Set for a five-lap dash to the stripe, Wood made quick work of a lapped car and set his sights on Rilat. Wood reeled Rilat in with two laps to go and made several bids for the lead to no avail, as Rilat held on to post a slim victory over Wood in his debut aboard the Harvill Industries No. 44.

ASCS National Tour shoe Cody Branchcomb claimed the show position in the Berryman Products machine after starting ninth, while Danny Jennings held off National Tour ace Zach Chappell for fourth. Larry Neighbors raced from 17th to claim sixth, with defending series champion Kevin Ramey utilizing a provisional starting position to charge from 23rd to seventh. Estes, Andy Shouse and 19th-starter Sean McClelland completed the top ten.

Smith, Estes, Maier, Rilat and Jennings topped heat race action for the 34-car field, with Neighbors charging past Brian Harvill on the eighth round en route to winning the 15-lap B Main.

Sam Hafertepe, Jr.'s night came to an early conclusion following a turn two flip in the third heat race. Hafertepe was uninjured.

Photo: Jason Martin, Nick Smith and Claud Estes lead the three wide salute to the fans prior to Saturday night's American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region feature at Lawton Speedway.
( Lonnie Wheatley Photo )

Results:

First Heat (10 Laps): 1. Nick Smith, 2. Danny Wood, 3. Brian Harvill, 4. Chuck Swenson, 5. Tony Bruce, Jr., 6. Barry McCord, 7. Earnest Jennings.

Second Heat (10 Laps): 1. Claud Estes, 2. Jason Martin, 3. Michael Brown, 4. Preston Peebles II, 5. Natalie Sather, 6. Kevin Ramey, 7. Jeff Leep.

Third Heat (10 Laps): 1. Garry Lee Maier, 2. Andy Shouse, 3. Cody Branchcomb, 4. Jeff Dodd, 5. Gary Owens, 6. James Shoun, 7. Sam Hafertepe, Jr.

Fourth Heat (10 Laps): 1. Travis Rilat, 2. Greg Rilat, 3. Foster Landon, 4. Sean McClelland, 5. James Fabian, 6. Derek Cottrell. Disqualified: Joe Wood, Jr. (failed to report directly to scales)

Fifth Heat (10 Laps): 1. Danny Jennings, 2. Zach Chappell, 3. Rawdy Hull, 4. Larry Neighbors, 5. J.P. Bailey, 6. Travis Scott.

B Feature (15 Laps): 1. Larry Neighbors, 2. Brian Harvill, 3. Sean McClelland, 4. Gary Owens, 5. Tony Bruce, Jr., 6. Preston Peebles II, 7. Barry McCord, 8. Natalie Sather, 9. James Shoun, 10. James Fabian, 11. Kevin Ramey, 12. J.P. Bailey, 13. Derek Cottrell, 14. Jeff Leep, 15. Joe Wood, Jr. DNS: Travis Scott, Earnest Jennings, Sam Hafertepe, Jr.

A Feature (30 Laps): 1. Travis Rilat, 2. Danny Wood, 3. Cody Branchcomb, 4. Danny Jennings, 5. Zach Chappell, 6. Larry Neighbors, 7. Kevin Ramey, 8. Claud Estes, 9. Andy Shouse, 10. Sean McClelland, 11. Garry Lee Maier, 12. Jason Martin, 13. Greg Rilat, 14. Preston Peebles II, 15. Brian Harvill, 16. Jeff Dodd, 17. Rawdy Hull, 18. Michael Brown, 19. Foster Landon, 20. Tony Bruce, Jr., 21. Chuck Swenson, 22. Gary Owens, 23. Nick Smith.

American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Jason Martin 428, 2. Andy Shouse 420, 3. Kevin Ramey 416, 4. Sean McClelland 414, 5. Danny Jennings 406, 6. Tony Bruce, Jr. 394, 7. Foster Landon 384, 8. Preston Peebles II 374, 9. Brian Harvill 372, 10. Rawdy Hull 317.

Lonnie Wheatley - TEXARKANA, Ark. (April 30, 2004) - Defending series champion Travis Rilat of Forney, TX, dazzled a packed house in Friday night's 30-lap feature at 67 Texarkana Speedway, racing to his first O'Reilly American Sprint Car Series National Tour presented by Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores and United Trailers feature triumph of the season in wire-to-wire fashion.

Current series point leader Gary Wright was poised to challenge Rilat for the lead in lapped traffic when a late caution appeared. Rilat checked out when action resumed however, racing to nearly a half straightway victory aboard the Motor Mike-powered No. 29 F&J Construction/Haulmark Trailers Maxim over the final rounds.

While Rilat gridded third, it was high school senior Cody Branchcomb who led the feature field to the initial green flag after racing from seventh to score a dramatic last corner pass to win the second of four heat races for the stout 33-car field. Front row outside starter Garry Lee Maier, who made a late pass of Wright to win the fourth heat, outgunned Branchcomb at the drop of the green, only to have the start negated when Branchcomb looped his machine in turn four. Branchcomb would restart at the tail.

Rilat assumed the pole position on the second attempt to start the race, which was quickly red-flagged when second row outside starter Jan Howard tagged the frontstretch wall and flipped wildly more than half the length of the straightaway, with Toby Brown and Chuck Swenson both being collected in the melee. While the mounts of Howard and Brown both suffered extensive damage, there were no injuries. Swenson rejoined the chase after quick repairs.

The third attempt to start the race proved to be the charm, with Rilat snaring the lead in the opening two corners, while Darren Stewart quickly overtook Maier for second. Setting the tone for the remainder of the race, Maier returned the favor by regaining second from Stewart on the fourth round.

Rilat set the pace in the early rounds with Maier, Stewart and Wright engaged in an enthralling battle for second just several car-lengths behind the leader. Wright battled past Stewart for third on the ninth round, then overtook Maier for second on the 13th circuit, moments before the caution flew for Zach Chappell, who spun in turn four after advancing to seventh from his 17th-starting slot.

Wright stayed within three car lengths of Rilat when action resumed, with Maier and Stewart swapping third position repeatedly. Wright had closed to Rilat's rear bumper as the leaders approached lapped traffic on the 20th round and was poised to challenge for the point when the caution flew with 22 laps in the books for Ray Allen Kulhanek's wild slide down the frontstretch.

The race's final stoppage, for top-ten runner Jimmy Taylor who suffered a broken steering linkage, set up a five-lap dash to the checkered flag. Rilat was up to the challenge, slipping away from Wright in the final rounds and scoring his tenth career ASCS National victory by nearly a half straightaway at the stripe.

Wright maintained a two-point advantage over Rilat in the points chase with his runner-up finish, while Stewart claimed the show position from Maier for keeps on the 26th round. Maier edged Brodix Rookie of the Year contender Sam Hafertepe, Jr., at the line for fourth. Hafertepe's career best fifth-place ASCS National Tour finish capped Hard Charger efforts after starting 15th.

Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores ASCS Gulf South Region contender Greg Rilat claimed sixth, while Chappell charged through the field again after his mid-race spin to snare seventh. A.G. Rains crossed the stripe in eighth, with Branchcomb battling back to salvage a ninth-place finish. Jerry Bell came from 16th to complete the top ten.

Travis Rilat, Branchcomb, Stewart and Maier topped heat race action, with Chappell taking the checkered flag in the 12-lap B Feature.

Photo: Chris Sweeney walks away from his battered machine after a wild
frontstretch tangle in Friday night's B Feature in O'Reilly ASCS
National Tour action at 67 Texarkana Speedway.
Photo by Lonnie Wheatley

The B Feature was interrupted after two rounds for a wild frontstretch tangle involving Chris Sweeney and Brandon Berryman. Both drivers were uninjured but done for the night.

Results:

First Heat (10 Laps): 1. Travis Rilat, 2. A.G. Rains, 3. Jan Howard, 4. Toby Brown, 5. Rod Craddock, 6. Brandon Berryman, 7. Todd Johnson, 8. Randy McKinney, 9. David Forbis.

Second Heat (10 Laps): 1. Cody Branchcomb, 2. Brandon Corn, 3. Jimmy Taylor, 4. Scottie McDonald, 5. Brad Stokes, 6. Larry Howery, 7. Ray Allen Kulhanek, 8. Greg Coleman.

Third Heat (10 Laps): 1. Darren Stewart, 2. Greg Rilat, 3. Rick Behr, 4. Chuck Swenson, 5. Stephen Chevallier, 6. Zach Chappell, 7. Richard Cordray, 8. Eric Payne.

Fourth Heat (10 Laps): 1. Garry Lee Maier, 2. Gary Wright, 3. Sam Hafertepe, Jr., 4. Jerry Bell, 5. Chris Sweeney, 6. Richard Holt, 7. Natalie Sather, 8. Terry Parrish.

B Feature (12 Laps): 1. Zach Chappell, 2. Stephen Chevallier, 3. Ray Allen Kulhanek, 4. Todd Johnson, 5. Brad Stokes, 6. Richard Holt, 7. Natalie Sather, 8. Randy McKinney, 9. Greg Coleman, 10. David Forbis, 11. Larry Howery, 12. Rod Craddock, 13. Chris Sweeney, 14. Brandon Berryman. DNS: Richard Cordray, Eric Payne, Terry Parrish.

A Feature (30 Laps): 1. Travis Rilat, 2. Gary Wright, 3. Darren Stewart, 4. Garry Lee Maier, 5. Sam Hafertepe, Jr., 6. Greg Rilat, 7. Zach Chappell, 8. A.G. Rains, 9. Cody Branchcomb, 10. Jerry Bell, 11. Scottie McDonald, 12. Todd Johnson, 13. Ray Allen Kulhanek, 14. Brandon Corn, 15. Stephen Chevallier, 16. Jimmy Taylor, 17. Rick Behr, 18. Chuck Swenson, 19. Jan Howard, 20. Toby Brown.

O'Reilly ASCS National Tour Points (Top Ten): 1. Gary Wright 296, 2. Travis Rilat 294, 3. Garry Lee Maier 280, 4. Darren Stewart 274, 5. Zach Chappell 272, 6. Sam Hafertepe, Jr. 262, 7. Cody Branchcomb 260, 8. A.G. Rains 254, 9. Jan Howard 246, 10. Toby Brown 234.

Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores ASCS Gulf South Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Todd Johnson 426, 2. Sam Hafertepe, Jr. 418, 3. (tie) Greg Rilat and Scottie McDonald 412, 5. (tie) Jerry Bell and Ray Allen Kulhanek 410, 7. Chris Sweeney 398, 8. Brad Stokes 390, 9. Brandon Berryman 376, 10. Brandon Corn 349.

Following this past weekend's rainouts in Memphis, Friday night's event atop 67 Texarkana Speedway's quarter-mile semi-banked clay oval will be the second outing of the year for the O'Reilly ASCS National Tour. The series then moves on to the newly reconfigured Champion Park Speedway in Haughton, LA, on Saturday night.

Joining forces with the O'Reilly ASCS National Tour for both nights of racing action will be the Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores ASCS Gulf South Regional stars.

Wright kicked off the 2004 season in familiar fashion, racing to a series-best 77th career ASCS feature win in the season opener at Tunica, MS, on March 27. Wright, a nine-time NCRA Outlaw sprint car champion, is pursuing his first ASCS crown in 2004 after falling just 12 points shy of the title last year.

Wright has enjoyed success at both 67 Texarkana Speedway and Champion Park in the past, with a three-race ASCS win streak at Texarkana interrupted when Shane Stewart posted his first career ASCS victory in last year's stop at 67 Speedway.

While Wright raced to victory lane in the most recent stop at Champion Park in August of 2003, Travis Rilat and Tim Crawley both found their way to Champion Park Speedway's winner's circle en route to ASCS National championships in 2003 and 2002, respectively.

Wright will face a number of formidable foes, including past ASCS champions Travis Rilat of Forney, TX, Zach Chappell of Talala, OK, and Garry Lee Maier of Cimarron, KS. Other 2004 title contenders expected to be on hand include Darren Stewart (Bixby, OK), Jan Howard (Byhalia, MS), Toby Brown (Carthage, MO), Cody Branchcomb (Sapulpa, OK) and Jimmy Taylor (Oklahoma City, OK). A strong crop of Brodix Rookie of the Year contenders will vie for victory honors as well, including Sam Hafertepe, Jr. (Sunnyvale, TX), A.G. Rains (West Memphis, AR), Chuck Swenson (Watertown, SD) and Natalie Sather (Fargo, ND).

Two-time and defending ASCS Gulf South Region champion Kelly Angelette of Thibodaux, LA, leads a strong contingent of Gulf South regulars into the weekend, including current Gulf South point leader Todd Johnson along with Greg Rilat, Brandon Berryman, Chris Sweeney, Ray Allen Kulhanek, Scottie McDonald and Jerry Bell among others.

The 2004 O'Reilly ASCS National Tour presented by Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores and United Trailers consists of nearly 40 nights of racing at 20 different tracks throughout Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.

Approximately 30 cars are expected for each night of racing action.

67 Texarkana Speedway is located off Arkansas I-30 Exit 7, then 2.6 miles northeast on US 67. For more information, contact the track at 870-773-0029 or 870-653-4572.

Champion Park Speedway is located east of Shreveport off I-20 exit No. 38, then north under the freeway to Frontage Road then east one-half mile. For more information, contact the track at 318-371-0077.

More information about the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com .

The series makes the first of three stops at Oklahoma City's three-eighths mile State Fair Speedway on Friday night, before moving on to Lawton Speedway on Saturday night for the first of three scheduled events atop the high-banked red clay quarter-mile oval.

Jennings reeled off three consecutive wins to lock up the 2002 Sooner Region championship, but victory lane in Sooner Region action has eluded him since. After a rough start to the 2003 season that included a pair of finishes outside the top ten, Jennings contended for several wins, posting top-ten finishes in the final eleven events of the season.

The Norman, OK, ace has fared slightly better in the opening two Sooner Region outings of 2004, finishing ninth and 13th in features at Caney, KS, and Tulsa, OK. As a result, Jennings is currently ranked seventh in series points, 34 points behind pacesetter Jason Martin of Liberal, KS.

With four State Fair Speedway track championships and three career ASCS Sooner Region feature victories at Lawton Speedway to his credit, Jennings should be among the leading contenders for victory honors on the competitive circuit each night this coming weekend.

Defending series champion, Kevin Ramey of Fort Worth, TX, will be seeking his first triumph of the season as well. Ramey claimed two of the three Sooner Region events contested at Lawton Speedway in 2003, and picked up an O'Reilly ASCS National Tour triumph in Oklahoma City in 2002.

Martin currently holds a 12-point edge over Oklahoma City's Andy Shouse entering the weekend. A mere eight points separate Shouse, Tulsa's Sean McClelland, Liberal, KS, shoe Tony Bruce, Jr., and Ramey in the early season point charts.

Other top contenders expected for this weekend's racing action include Brian Harvill, Foster Landon, Roy Larkin, Loyd Clevenger, Travis Scott, James Shoun and rookie contenders Preston Peebles II and Barry McCord.

Friday night's action at State Fair Speedway is slated to get under way at 7:00 p.m., with Saturday's card at Lawton Speedway going green at 8:00 p.m.

Oklahoma City's State Fair Speedway is located on the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds near the intersection of 10th and North May. For more information, contact the track at 405-948-6796 or 405-948-6752.

Lawton Speedway is located off I-44 Exit 36, then 2.5 miles west on Lee Boulevard, then 1.4 miles south on Sheridan Road. For additional information, contact the track at 580-355-6417.

More information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com .

Potential makeup dates for the two-night card are under consideration.

Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com

Shouse, in his first full season on the ASCS Sooner Region circuit aboard the Allen Competition Engines-powered Smiley's/Eskridge Auto Group #27 Maxim, effectively enters Saturday's event as the series point leader since Kansas shoe Jason Martin, who is just 12 points ahead, may not be in action this weekend.

With fifth and sixth place finishes in the first two events, Shouse leads a group of four drivers that are tightly bunched together in the points race, with only eight points separating Shouse, Tulsa's Sean McClelland, Tony Bruce, Jr., of Liberal, KS, and Fort Worth's Kevin Ramey.

"The nice thing is that we've already got one of the tracks out of the way that I hadn't run on before and we did alright there," Shouse commented. "We've got some tracks coming up that I've got a lot more laps on, so we feel pretty good about that. It's still so early in the year though, that it's too soon to get too caught up in the points thing."

The emergence of Shouse, along with McClelland and Bruce, enhances the possibility that the Sooner Region could crown a fourth different champion in as many years. Ramey, the defending series champion, is in the best position of the former champions to collect a second title after tenth and fifth place finishes in the opening two events.

Similar to last year's start, 2002 Sooner Region champion Danny Jennings of Norman, OK, has stumbled out of the gates with ninth and 13th place finishes in the first two events. Last year, Jennings finished out of the top-ten in the first two events before stringing together eleven consecutive top-ten runs en route to a runner-up points finish. With the addition of several new tracks, this year's American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region slate consists of 18 events.

Although 2001 champion J.P. Bailey has competed in the opening two events, he is not expected to run the full 2004 schedule.

While the championship points chase will become somewhat clearer after Saturday night's action atop the fast three-eighths mile clay oval, other top contenders expected to make their case for championship consideration include Foster Landon of Collinsville, who is just 30 points out of the lead in sixth, Tulsa's Roy Larkin, Oklahoma City's Loyd Clevenger, Texas shoe Brian Harvill, and Texas rookie contenders Preston Peebles II and Barry McCord. Peebles has already cracked the top ten in points through the first two events of his rookie campaign.

"The thing about the Sooner Region is that it is so tough," Shouse explains. "It seems like almost anybody can win on any night, there's that many good cars. Kevin (Ramey) and Danny (Jennings) are always tough to beat, although Danny's had a little rough luck getting started. It'll be tough every time out, that's one thing you can count on."

Oklahoma Sports Park is located ten miles northwest of Ada, OK, on SR 3-W. For more information, contact the track at 580-332-5535 or 580-332-5383.

More information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com

After earning Brodix ASCS National Rookie of the Year honors in 1999 and a fourth place finish in points a year later, Howard has been a part-time ASCS competitor over the past three years. Howard, who scored a pair of ASCS National victories at MMP in 2002, returns to full-time ASCS traveler status in 2004 as he chases the championship.

Howard's 2004 campaign got off to a rough start at the ASCS Gulf South Region opener on March 13 with a grinding frontstretch crash. "The whole car was junk. Engine, chassis, every piece on the car. Everything except the wing slider, it looked like it had just come out of the box, everything else was junked though," Howard says of the wild ride.

Howard wasted little time regrouping though, finishing seventh in the O'Reilly ASCS National Tour opener at Delta Bowl Speedway on March 27. After several weeks off, Howard and the rest of the ASCS championship contenders are ready to return to action this weekend.

Howard isn't the only Memphis-area shoe set to contend for this year's championship, as A.G. Rains of West Memphis, AR, is prepared to make his first full run at the championship. "That's the plan at this point," Rains commented at the ASCS opener. "As long as the money holds out, we're gonna be at all of them."

Howard and Rains are joined by a salty bunch of competitors, the combination of which could make for the most wide-open championship battle in series history.

Hooks, TX, ace Gary Wright kicked off the season with his 77th career ASCS triumph and will seek to add to that this weekend. Defending series champion Travis Rilat of Forney, TX, will be in action, as will other title contenders Zach Chappell (Talala, OK), Garry Lee Maier (Cimarron, KS), Toby Brown (Carthage, MO), Cody Branchcomb (Sapulpa, OK), Jimmy Taylor (Oklahoma City, OK), Sam Hafertepe, Jr. (Sunnyvale, TX), Chuck Swenson (Watertown, SD) and Natalie Sather (Fargo, ND).

The ASCS guns will face plenty of stiff competition, including three-time ASCS National champion Tim Crawley, who has scored four feature triumphs in weekly competition this year, and 2003 Brodix ASCS Rookie of the Year Darren Stewart, who finished fourth in 2003 ASCS National points.

Other top contenders expected to be on hand this weekend include Memphis veteran hotshoes Mike Ward and Eddie Gallagher, along with Dale and Josh Howard, Bryce Vowan, Raymond Stull, Marshall Skinner and 2003 National 360 Sprint Car Rookie of the Year Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.

Memphis Motorsports Park is located off Fite Road between Hwy 51 and Raleigh-Millington, north of the I-240 and Austin Peay Highway interchange. For more information, contact the track at 901-358-7223.

The 2004 O'Reilly ASCS National Tour presented by Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores and United Trailers currently consists of 39 nights of racing at 20 different tracks throughout Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.

Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com .

Rilat was outgunned by fellow front row starter Gary Wright at the drop of the green flag, but raced into the lead a lap later with Jerry Bell, Scottie McDonald and Greg Rilat chasing the lead duo.

As lapped traffic came into play, Rilat held a slight lead over Wright when the lapped machine of David Forbis spun in front of the leaders. Rilat narrowly missed the spinning machine, while Wright was collected and suffered race-ending front-end damage.

"I just barely missed that guy," said Rilat afterward. "I clipped him with the left front as he was spinning, but luckily it didn't break anything on my car. Gary wasn't as fortunate."

Several laps later, Sam Hafertepe, Jr., who topped the season opening ASCS Gulf South Region feature event several weeks ago, flipped out of the park while battling with Greg Rilat for fourth. Hafertepe escaped injury, while the elder Rilat rejoined the chase.

Travis Rilat fought off Bell over the final rounds, taking the checkered flag with a two car-length advantage, while Bell posted his best career ASCS finish by taking the runner-up slot. Todd Johnson claimed the show position to snare the series point lead, with rookie contender Ray Allen Kulhanek in fourth.

Chris Sweeney made a late pass of Brandon Berryman to claim fifth, putting the finishing touches on the evening's top passing performance after starting 15th. Berryman settled for sixth, with Brandon Corn, Greg Rilat, McDonald and Larry Howery completing the top ten.

Travis Rilat, Wright and McDonald topped heat race action for the 25-car field, with Sweeney topping the B Feature.

Results:

Heat Race Winners: Travis Rilat, Gary Wright, Scottie McDonald.

B Feature Winner: Chris Sweeney.

Non-Qualifiers: Kelly Angelette, Stephen Chevallier, Tony Krites, Rod Craddock, Jeff Day.

A Feature: 1. Travis Rilat, 2. Jerry Bell, 3. Todd Johnson, 4. Ray Allen Kulhanek, 5. Chris Sweeney, 6. Brandon Berryman, 7. Brandon Corn, 8. Greg Rilat, 9. Scottie McDonald, 10. Larry Howery, 11. Richard Holt, 12. Brad Stokes, 13. Richard Cordray, 14. Terry Parrish, 15. Rick Behr, 16. Wendell Magnon, 17. Sam Hafertepe, Jr., 18. Gary Wright, 19. David Forbis, 20. Greg Coleman.

Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores ASCS Gulf South Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Todd Johnson 286, 2. Chris Sweeney 280, 3. Ray Allen Kulhanek 272, 4. Scottie McDonald 270, 5. Sam Hafertepe, Jr., 268; 6. (tie) Jerry Bell and Greg Rilat 266, 8. (tie) Brandon Berryman and Brad Stokes 260, 10. Richard Cordray 252.

"Damn, I'm tired!" exclaimed Chappell, who competed in the companion two-barrel sprint car feature moments before his victory drive. "It's nice to get that first win of the year. It's also great to win my first one here at Tulsa Speedway, it's so close to home. Dad (David Chappell) has won a lot of races here, so I'm glad I've got one here too."

Photo: Zach Chappell topped Saturday night's 25-lap American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region feature at Tulsa Speedway aboard the Carbone-powered Champco Concrete Construction Maxim.

While Chappell gridded third in the evening's main event, it was Berryhill who led the field to the green flag after charging from seventh to win the fourth heat race. Berryhill outgunned fellow front row starter Roy Larkin to snare the early lead, with Chappell quickly racing into second.

After a lap two caution for J.P. Bailey's turn four spin, Berryhill led the way in front of Chappell, fifth-starter Jason Martin, fourth-starter Andy Shouse and Larkin. Chappell put the pressure on Berryhill on the restart and slipped underneath the leader exiting the fourth turn on the fourth lap to take a lead he would never relinquish.

Chappell's rapid pace aboard the Carbone-powered Champco Concrete Construction No. 50z Maxim was interrupted just once, when ASCS National Tour shoe Cody Branchcomb looped his machine in turn four.

When action resumed, Chappell raced away from the field over the final ten rounds, taking the checkered flag nearly a straightaway ahead of his pursuers.

Photo: Liberal, KS, hotshoe Jason Martin sits atop the American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region point charts after outdueling Aaron Berryhill for second in Saturday night's feature at Tulsa Speedway.

While Chappell was icing the victory, Berryhill and Martin engaged in a torrid battle for the runner-up slot over the race's final five rounds. After swapping the position several times, Martin assumed the series early-season point lead by edging Berryhill for second at the line.

Nick Smith raced from tenth to claim fourth at the stripe, with defending series champion Kevin Ramey, who started eleventh, slipping around Andy Shouse on the 24th lap to round out the top five.

Shouse claimed sixth, with Larkin, twelfth-starter Tony Bruce, Jr., 15th-starter Sean McClelland and Travis Scott completing the top ten.

Larkin, Chappell, Shouse and Berryhill topped heat race action for the 28-car field, with Danny Jennings overtaking Jamie Passmore on the eighth round en route to winning the 12-lap B Feature.

Results:

First Heat (8 Laps): 1. Roy Larkin, 2. Barry McCord, 3. Jason Martin, 4. Preston Peebles II, 5. Jerry Stone, 6. Jamie Passmore, 7. Earnest Jennings.

Second Heat (8 Laps): 1. Zach Chappell, 2. J.P. Bailey, 3. Cody Branchcomb, 4. Kevin Ramey, 5. Natalie Sather, 6. Danny Jennings, 7. Brian Harvill.

Third Heat (8 Laps): 1. Andy Shouse, 2. Gary Owens, 3. Travis Scott, 4. Sean McClelland, 5. Brett Thompson, 6. James Shoun. Disqualified: Foster Landon (failed to report directly to tech area).

Fourth Heat (8 Laps): 1. Aaron Berryhill, 2. Nick Smith, 3. Tony Bruce, Jr., 4. Rawdy Hull, 5. Kevin Brewer, 6. Chris Partin, 7. Loyd Clevenger.

B Feature (12 Laps): 1. Danny Jennings, 2. Jamie Passmore, 3. Brian Harvill, 4. Brett Thompson, 5. Foster Landon, 6. James Shoun, 7. Earnest Jennings, 8. Kevin Brewer, 9. Chris Partin, 10. Natalie Sather. DNS: Jerry Stone, Loyd Clevenger.

A Feature (25 Laps): 1. Zach Chappell, 2. Jason Martin, 3. Aaron Berryhill, 4. Nick Smith, 5. Kevin Ramey, 6. Andy Shouse, 7. Roy Larkin, 8. Tony Bruce, Jr., 9. Sean McClelland, 10. Travis Scott, 11. Gary Owens, 12. Foster Landon, 13. Danny Jennings, 14. Cody Branchcomb, 15. Preston Peebles II, 16. Brian Harvill, 17. Barry McCord, 18. Brett Thompson, 19. Rawdy Hull, 20. Jamie Passmore, 21. J.P. Bailey.

American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Jason Martin 294, 2. Andy Shouse 282, 3. Sean McClelland 278, 4. Tony Bruce, Jr. 276, 5. Kevin Ramey 274, 6. Foster Landon 264, 7. Danny Jennings 260, 8. Roy Larkin 256, 9. (tie) Brian Harvill and Preston Peebles II 244.

Rilat and Wright battled through more than 40 nights of racing in 2003 for the ASCS National title, with Rilat edging the Hooks, TX, veteran by just 12 points to claim the crown in the closest championship battle in series history.

With the O'Reilly ASCS National Tour idle this weekend, the Lone Star State hotshoes will cross paths once again, as each tries to top Fast Trax Speedway's Second Annual Spring Nationals. Wright's recent Fast Trax fortune has been good, notching a pair of Chatham victories in 2003, including one in Gulf South action and one in National Tour competition.

Wright recently claimed his 77th career ASCS National victory by winning the season opener at Delta Bowl Speedway in Tunica, MS, while Rilat notched his first feature triumph of the season this past weekend in weekly Kennedale, TX, action at Cowtown Speedway.

With Wright and Rilat set to battle once again, the top contenders for the Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores ASCS Gulf South Region championship should begin to emerge.

Two-time and defending series kingpin Kelly Angelette of Thibodaux, LA, has indicated intentions of missing one or two events in favor of National Tour action, which would open the door to a potential new series champion.

A number of top shoes are ready to unseat Angelette, including 2003 points runner-up Greg Rilat and 2002 points runner-up Todd Johnson. Other potential contenders who will be in action this Saturday night include Texas drivers Brandon Berryman, Chris Sweeney, Rick Behr, Jerry Bell, Richard Cordray, Scottie McDonald, Brad Stokes, Tina Creswell and Kent Lewis, Jr., as well as Louisiana shoes Stephen Chevallier, Tony Krites, Rick Forbis and Rick Holt.

Sunnyvale, TX, teen Sam Hafertepe, Jr., topped the season opening ASCS Gulf South event at Thunder Valley Speedway on March 13. Hafertepe will try to make it two in a row before returning to National Tour action, where he will pursue Rookie of the Year honors.

Racing action for the approximately 30-car field is slated to get under way at 8:00 p.m.

Fast Trax Speedway is located four miles east of Chatham, LA, on Highway 4, approximately 20 miles southwest of Monroe, LA. For additional information, contact the track at 318-249-2443.

The Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores ASCS Gulf South Region 2004 slate consists of 18 events at eleven different tracks throughout Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas.

More information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com .

The COMP Cams Newcomer of the Year award, presented at season's end to an ASCS newcomer with a promising future, will be worth $1,000 to the recipient. Oklahoma City?s Jimmy Taylor took to the ASCS trail for the first time in 2003 and won last year's COMP Cams Newcomer of the Year award, with other past winners including Darren Stewart (2002), Rick Behr (2001) and Foster Landon (2000).

In addition to sponsoring the COMP Cams Newcomer of the Year award, COMP Cams will award $100 at each O'Reilly ASCS main event during 2004 to the top finisher displaying the appropriate COMP Cams decals. An additional $50 will be awarded to the next two top finishing member drivers displaying COMP Cams Valve Springs and COMP Cams Rocker Arm decals as well.

Based in Memphis, TN, COMP Cams has provided the highest performance camshafts and valve train products for racing and street engines since 1977. From the initial concept of producing the highest performance racing and street cams, COMP Cams has evolved into the industry leader in performance cam and valve train technology.

The O'Reilly American Sprint Car Series National Tour presented by Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores and United Trailers kicked off its thirteenth season of racing action on March 27 at Delta Bowl Speedway in Tunica, MS, with Gary Wright collecting his 77th career ASCS victory.

Next up for the O'Reilly ASCS National Tour is Memphis Motorsports Park on April 23-24.

The 2004 O'Reilly ASCS National slate currently consists of 39 nights of racing at 20 different tracks throughout Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.

More information about the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com .

It will mark the first stop at Boothill Speedway for the O'Reilly ASCS National Tour since June 2, 2001, when Gary Wright topped Tim Crawley and Larry Neighbors to post the victory.

Wright recently opened the 2004 season on the ASCS National Tour by collecting his 77th career ASCS victory in the series' season opener at Delta Bowl Speedway in Tunica, MS.

With the addition of Boothill Speedway, the 2004 O'Reilly ASCS National slate now consists of 39 nights of racing at 20 different tracks throughout Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.

Including the Gulf South, Sooner and Rocky Mountain Regional tours, the ASCS is currently set to sanction 90 nights of racing at 49 different tracks throughout 14 different states during 2004.

Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com .

"That car was perfect," Johnson said regarding his Wells-powered Harvill Industries No. 44 Eagle. "I could run it anywhere I needed to go and it just worked great. I didn't really know if anyone was close to me or not, so we just kept picking off lapped cars one at a time."

Defending American Sprint Car Series Sooner Region champion Kevin Ramey led the field to the green flag after racing from seventh to win the evening's fourth heat race, with Missouri's Jesse Hockett alongside.

Ramey jumped into the lead in the early going, with Hockett challenging on the high side. Fourth-starter Johnson stalked the battling leaders for three rounds before joining the fray for the point. Johnson slipped underneath Hockett exiting turn two on the fifth round, then squeezed underneath Ramey exiting turn four to take command.

Johnson led the way in front of Hockett, ninth-starter Jason Martin and eleventh-starter Tony Bruce, Jr., as Ramey slipped back after suffering a damaged nose-wing in the battle for the lead. Johnson encountered lapped traffic on the ninth round, but held steady until the caution flew after 13 rounds for Loyd Clevenger's disabled mount in turn four.

With a pair of lapped cars separating Johnson from Hockett on the restart, Johnson quickly took off while Hockett wasted little time disposing of lapped traffic. Johnson gradually established nearly a straightaway advantage over Hockett until lapped traffic once again came into play on the 20th circuit.

With Johnson briefly mired behind a pair of lapped machines, Hockett closed to within five car length and was poised to challenge when Johnson began slicing through traffic masterfully. Johnson put on a driving clinic over the final rounds, taking the checkered flag on the bumper of seventh place finisher Billy Alley.

Hockett settled for a strong runner-up finish aboard the Wesmar-powered VKCC Motorsports Maxim, with Martin in the show position. Sean McClelland charged from 13th to take the checkered in fourth, with Andy Shouse holding off Bruce and Alley to round out the top five.

One lap down, Foster Landon claimed eighth, with 17th-starter Danny Jennings and Ramey completing the top ten.

Joel Howard, Johnson, Landon and Ramey topped heat race action for the 30-car field, with Jennings winning the 15-lap B Feature.

Rex Combs' night came to an early end after a first heat flip, while Derek Drown took a turn one tumble in the fourth heat after contact with Sam Hafertepe, Jr. Drown was able to make repairs and finished 14th after utilizing a provisional starting position for the main event.

Results:

First Heat (10 Laps): 1. Joel Howard, 2. Loyd Clevenger, 3. Andy Shouse, 4. Tony Bruce, Jr., 5. Roy Larkin, 6. Nigel Calvert, 7. Barry McCord, 8. Rex Combs.

Second Heat (10 Laps): 1. Wayne Johnson, 2. Jason Martin, 3. Kerry Grabill, 4. Preston Peebles II, 5. J.D. Johnson, 6. Natalie Sather, 7. Rawdy Hull, 8. Brett Thompson.

Third Heat (10 Laps): 1. Foster Landon, 2. Jesse Hockett, 3. Sean McClelland, 4. Danny Jennings, 5. Brian Harvill, 6. J.P. Bailey, 7. Jon Freeman.

Fourth Heat (10 Laps): 1. Kevin Ramey, 2. Toby Brown, 3. Luke Cranston, 4. Billy Alley, 5. Jeff Leep, 6. Derek Drown, 7. Sam Hafertepe, Jr.

B Feature (15 Laps): 1. Danny Jennings, 2. Brian Harvill, 3. J.P. Bailey, 4. Roy Larkin, 5. Derek Drown, 6. Jeff Leep, 7. Natalie Sather, 8. Jon Freeman, 9. Brett Thompson, 10. Rawdy Hull, 11. Sam Hafertepe, Jr., 12. Nigel Calvert. DNS: Barry McCord, Rex Combs.

A Feature (30 Laps): 1. Wayne Johnson, 2. Jesse Hockett, 3. Jason Martin, 4. Sean McClelland, 5. Andy Shouse, 6. Tony Bruce, Jr., 7. Billy Alley, 8. Foster Landon, 9. Danny Jennings, 10. Kevin Ramey, 11. Kerry Grabill, 12. Toby Brown, 13. Luke Cranston, 14. Derek Drown, 15. J.P. Bailey, 16. Brian Harvill, 17. Preston Peebles II, 18. Roy Larkin, 19. Loyd Clevenger, 20. J.D. Johnson, 21. Joel Howard.

American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Wayne Johnson 150, 2. Jesse Hockett 146, 3. Jason Martin 144, 4. Sean McClelland 142, 5. Andy Shouse 140, 6. Tony Bruce, Jr. 138, 7. Billy Alley 136, 8. Foster Landon 134, 9. Danny Jennings 132, 10. Kevin Ramey 130.