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Down To It: Sam Hafertepe, Jr. Leads The Way Into Devil’s Bowl Winter Nationals

(Standing in Victory Lane at the 42nd Devil's Bowl Winter Nationals, Sam Hafertepe, Jr. looks to back it up this weekend with the Lucas Oil ASCS. ASCS / Pat Grant Photo.)

TULSA, Okla. (October 10, 2016) Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas is by far, of the most famous ovals in the world of Sprint Car racing and one of its biggest fans is Sam Hafertepe, Jr. Residing just down the road in Sunnyvale, Texas, Hafertepe turned some of his earliest laps in a Sprint Car at “The House that Lanny and Beverley Built”.

Welcoming the stars of the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by the MAVTV Motorsports Network for the 43rd running of the Devil’s Bowl Winter Nationals on Friday, October 14 and Saturday, October 15, the weekend double-header is rounds 35 and 36 on the 2016 chase to the championship, which award $60,000 to the winner.

Hafertepe, who picked up a win this past Saturday with the ASCS Red River Region at Timberline Speedway, is the driver currently in line to pick up that check.

On the subject of the track and the championship chase, Sam commented, “This place means so much to me, and we have a lot of fans here, so we’re coming in thinking about the sweep. I don’t even think about the points because it is one of my better tracks and it’s a place where we tend to excel over most. The way I look at it, if we were point’s racing and watching it that hard, we wouldn’t have the lead we have right now. The constant drive our teams has every night to win is what’s propelled us to keep on spreading the lead out,”

For Sam, the win would back up his triumph from one year ago, when the Texas native returned to Lucas Oil ASCS Victory Lane for the first time since breaking his arm on May 1, 2015 while racing in Oklahoma.

“Anybody that knows me knows that the Devil’s Bowl is my favorite track, and to win at a place like this; it’s always special to me. Whether it was coming back from the broken arm or not. But I will say that win really meant that much more because it showed that we were ready to get back out on the road and get back full time with the ASCS National Tour.”

While Hafertepe’s focus is on winning, the weekend will also be about paying respect to Lanny Edwards.

“People don’t realize what he’s [Lanny Edwards] has done for the sport. To have the first World of Outlaws event held at his facility, and to do what he’s done for Sprint Cars for so many years, there hasn’t been another track in the DFW area that’s consistently held Sprint Cars continuously year in, and year out,” explained Hafertepe. “No one stuck their neck out for Sprint Car racing as much as he did so coming in there this year, it’s definitely going to be different but we’ll all be racing for him and what he did for the sport.”

Leading the standings with the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by the MAVTV Motorsports Network, the season is down to the nitty-gritty. With six nights left to crown a champion, Hafertepe enters the weekend double header with a 245 point advantage over Johnny Herrera.

In regards to Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour triumphs at the Texas half-mile, Hafertepe and Herrera each enter the weekend with two as Herrera topped competition in 1996 and 2013. The pair are nearly equal in podium appearances, but the nod goes to Hafertepe with a half dozen to Johnny’s five.

Chasing the pair at the top is Wayne Johnson. Despite being out of the reach for the championship, Johnson’s record at the Devil’s bowl makes him a statistical favorite for the win with 22 National Tour podium finishes to go along with nine wins; including the 2016 Spring Nationals.

Blake Hahn holds forth in tour standings. With a best finish of second at the Devil’s Bowl in 2014, Hahn and Johnson have traded the show positions several times as Hahn currently trails the driver of the No. 2c by 96 markers. Rounding out the top five in Matt Covington. Another driver who holds the Devil’s Bowl high on his list of favorite stops, Covington has finished on the podium six times in the series last nine visits.

Vying for a spot inside the top-five, Logan Forler trails Covington by only five points. Both are still in search of their first National Tour win of 2016 while Matt looks to add another Devil’s Bowl win to his resume. Just off his first career win at the famed Eldora Speedway with the NRA Sprint Invaders this past weekend, seventh running Aaron Reutzel has a best finish of third at the Devil’s Bowl with the National Tour. Seth Bergman, who won in 2014, holds eighth with Josh Baughman and Kyle Bellm completing the top-ten. Bellm found Victory Lane in March, 2013.

In line to be races 85 and 86 for the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour at the Devil’s Bowl Speedway, Friday, October 14 and Saturday, October 15 open at 6:00 P.M. with races getting underway at 8:00 P.M. (CDT). The Devil’s Bowl Speedway is located at 1711 Lawson Rd, in Mesquite, Texas. For more information on the Devil’s Bowl Speedway, or to purchase tickets, call (972) 222-2421 or log onto http://www.devilsbowl.com.

For continued updates on the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by the MAVTV Motorsports Network, log onto http://www.ascsracing.com.

Lucas Oil ASCS Winners: Devil’s Bowl Speedway (Mesquite, Texas)

1. 6/21/94—Shane Carson (Speedweek); 2. 5/12/95—Alan Payne; 3. 7/23/95—Mike Ward (Speedweek); 4. 9/1/95—Mike Peters; 5. 9/2/95—Sammy Swindell; 6. 9/3/95—Sammy Swindell; 7. 6/18/96—Wayne Johnson (Speedweek); 8. 7/6/96—Terry Gray; 9. 11/1/96—Terry Gray; 10. 11/2/96—Johnny Herrera; 11. 4/5/97—Shane Carson; 12. 6/18/97—Wayne Johnson (Speedweek); 13. 10/31/97—Edd French; 14. 11/1/97—Mike Peters; 15. 6/19/98—Gary Wright (Speedweek); 16. 10/3/98—Gary Wright; 17. 10/4/98—Garry Lee Maier; 18. 7/8/99—Gary Wright; 19. 7/30/99—Garry Lee Maier (Speedweek); 20. 10/1/99—Gary Wright; 21. 10/2/99—Gary Wright; 22. 7/21/00—Gary Wright (Speedweek); 23. 10/6/00—Gary Wright; 24. 4/20/01—Larry Neighbors; 25. 7/20/01—Gary Wright (Speedweek); 26. 10/6/01—Gary Wright; 27. 4/19/02—Travis Rilat; 28. 6/7/02—Jason Johnson (Speedweek); 29. 10/4/02—Wayne Johnson; 30. 10/5/02—Gary Wright; 31. 4/18/03—Kevin Ramey; 32. 10/17/03—Tim Crawley; 33. 10/18/03—Gary Wright; 34. 10/23/04—Shane Stewart; 35. 3/18/05—Danny Jennings; 36. 3/19/05—Danny Jennings; 37. 6/9/05—Danny Jennings (Speedweek); 38. 10/21/05—Gary Wright; 39. 10/22/05—Gary Wright; 40. 6/24/06—Kevin Ramey (Spring Nat. Makeup 3/17/06); 41. 6/24/06—Kevin Ramey (Summer Nat.); 42. 7/13/06—Gary Wright (Speedweek); 43. 10/13/06—Jason Johnson; 44. 10/14/06—Travis Rilat; 45. 3/16/07—Wayne Johnson; 46. 3/17/07—Jake Peters; 47. 5/12/07—Gary Wright; 48. 7/19/07—Gary Wright (Speedweek); 49. 10/12/07—Jason Johnson; 50. 10/13/07—Jason Johnson; 51. 3/14/08—Tony Bruce, Jr.; 52. 3/15/08—Gary Wright; 53. 5/10/08—Jason Johnson; 54. 7/17/08—Gary Wright (Speedweek); 55. 10/17/08—Jason Johnson; 56. 10/18/08—Gary Wright; 57. 3/20/09—Shane Stewart; 58. 3/21/09—Jason Johnson; 59. 10/17/09—Gary Wright; 60. 10/18/09—Kevin Ramey; 61. 3/19/10—Sammy Swindell; 62. 10/15/10—Jason Johnson; 63. 10/16/10—Jack Dover; 64. 3/25/11—Jason Johnson; 65. 3/26/11—Sam Hafertepe, Jr.; 66. 10/21/11—Wayne Johnson; 67. 10/22/11—Danny Lasoski; 68. 3/24/12—Jason Johnson; 69. 6/15/12—Wayne Johnson (Speedweek); 70. 6/16/12—Brian Brown (Speedweek); 71. 10/19/12—Jeff Swindell (Winter Nat. Prelim); 72. 10/20/12—Jeff Swindell (Winter Nat. Finale); 73. 3/22/13—Kyle Bellm (Spring Nat.); 74. 6/15/13—Johnny Herrera (Speedweek); 75. 10/19/13—Brian Brown (Winter Nat.); 76. 3/21/14—Tony Bruce, Jr. (Spring Nat. Prelim); 77. 3/29/14—Patrick Stasa (3/22 Make up); 78. 6/14/14—Seth Bergman (Speedweek); 79. 10/17/14—Tony Bruce, Jr. (Winter Nat. Prelim); 80. 10/18/14—Matt Covington (Winter Nat. Finale); 81. 6/13/15 -- Wayne Johnson (Speedweek); 82. 10/16/15 -- Wayne Johnson; 83. 10/17/15 -- Sam Hafertepe, Jr.; 84. 3/19/16 - Wayne Johnson

Race Day Information:

When: Friday, October 14, 2016 and Saturday, October 15, 2016
Where: Devil’s Bowl Speedway – Mesquite, Texas
What: 43rd annual Devil’s Bowl Winter Nationals
Address: 1711 Lawson Rd. Mesquite, TX 75181
Phone: (972) 222-2421
Email: info@devilsbowl.com
Website: http://www.devilsbowl.com
Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/DevilsBowl/?fref=ts

2016 ASCS National Driver Standings (Top 10): 1. Sam Hafertepe, Jr. 4,308; 2. Johnny Herrera 4,058; 3. Wayne Johnson 3,901; 4. Blake Hahn 3,805; 5. Matt Covington 3,691; 6. Logan Forler 3,686; 7. Aaron Reutzel 3,489; 8. Seth Bergman 3,470; 9. Josh Baughman 2,784; 10. Kyle Bellm 2,616;

2016 ASCS National Winner(s): Sam Hafertepe, Jr. 7 (5/13 – Texas Motor Speedway; 6/12 – Rt. 66 Motor Speedway; 6/18 – Lucas Oil Speedway; 6/25 – Skagit Speedway; 7/1 – Grays Harbor Raceway; 7/2 – Grays Harbor Raceway; 8/20 – St. Francois County Raceway); Johnny Herrera 5 (3/17-Heart O’ Texas Speedway; 6/3-Hartford Speedway; 7/22 – Black Hills Speedway; 7/23 – Black Hills Speedway; 9/22 – Lucas Oil Speedway); Blake Hahn 3 (7/8 – Gallatin Speedway; 7/9 – Gallatin Speedway; 7/28 – Park Jefferson Speedway); Wayne Johnson 3 (3/19 - Devil’s Bowl Speedway; 9/23 – Lucas Oil Speedway; 9/24 – Lucas Oil Speedway) Brian Brown 2 (5/5 - Lakeside Speedway; 8/21 – Missouri State Fair Speedway); Brad Loyet 2 (6/15 – Lawton Speedway; 6/17 – Mo. State Fair Speedway); Bryan Clauson 2 (6/16 – Creek County Speedway; 7/31 - Badlands Motor Speedway); Aaron Reutzel 2 (5/14 – Texas Motor Speedway; 9/4 – Jackson Motorplex); Brandon Hanks 1 (3/25-Cotton Bowl Speedway); Josh Baughman 1 (3/26 – Bronco Raceway Park); Marc Duperron 1 (6/24 – Skagit Speedway); Jamie Ball 1 (8/4 - Knoxville Raceway); Jamie Veal 1 (8/5 - Knoxville Raceway); Sammy Swindell 1 (8/6 - Knoxville Raceway); Ian Madsen 1 (9/2 – Jackson Motorplex); Terry McCarl 1 (10/1 – I-80 Speedway);

ASCS National Drivers Online:

Josh Baughman: http://www.joshbaughman.com
Kyle Bellm: http://www.kylebellm.com
Seth Bergman: http://www.sethbergmanracing.com
Matt Covington: http://www.mattcovingtonracing.com
Sam Hafertepe, Jr.: http://www.sam15.com
Blake Hahn: http://www.blakehahnracing.com
Johnny Herrera: http://www.johnnyherreraracing.com
Wayne Johnson: https://www.facebook.com/WayneJohnsonRacing?fref=ts
Logan Forler: https://twitter.com/ForlerRacing
Brad Loyet: http://www.loyetmotorsports.com
Aaron Reutzel: http://www.aaronreutzelracing.com
Steven Russell: https://www.facebook.com/steven.russell.71066?fref=ts

ASCS Online:

American Sprint Car Series: http://www.ascsracing.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lucasoilascs
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lucasoilascs (@lucasoilascs)
Instagram: ASCSRACING
Audio Broadcast: http://www.racinboys.com
Live Scoring (Where Applicable): http://www.ascsracing.com/live and the Race Monitor App

ASCS Sponsors:

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 Motorsports Network 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 the MAVTV Motorsports Network include: Hoosier Racing Tire and Brodix. All Heat Races are brought to you by ButlerBuilt Professional Seating Systems. All B-Features are presented by BMRS.

Team Lucas Sponsors for the American Sprint Car Series consist of Protect the Harvest, Geico, E3 Spark Plugs, LucasOilRacing.tv, Carlyle Tools, and General Tire.

Communications for the American Sprint Car Series is provided by Racing Electronics. All events are broadcast online at http://www.racinboys.com.

Product and Contingency Sponsorship provided by: K&N Filters, KSE Racing Products, Fuel Safe, DMI Rear Ends, BMRS, SpeedMart, Competition Suspension, Engler Machine and Tool, FSR Radiator and Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Driverwebsites.com, Weld Wheels, Maxwell Industries, Simpson, Wesmar Racing Engines, Hinchman Indy Racewear, Rod End Supply, Smiley's Racing Products, Speedway Motors, and Hilborn Injection.

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