3/13/2017
ASCS
Sam Hafertepe, Jr. Focused On Lucas Oil ASCS National Title Defense As Tour Opens At The Devil's Bowl Speedway
(Image Credit: Malcolm White)
TULSA, Okla. (March 13, 2017) The 2017 season for the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series National Tour presented by the MAVTV Motorsports Network goes green this St. Patrick’s Day Weekend at the Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas with the 44th running of the Devil’s Bowl Spring Nationals.
A favorite destination for many on the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour presented by the MAVTV Motorsports Network, the Devil’s Bowl is the track of choice for defending series champion, Sam Hafertepe, Jr.
“Everybody knows Devil’s Bowl Speedway is my favorite place to race, and to start the season off at a place like that means a lot. I’m excited to get there and I always feel like we’re one of the cars to beat so to start the year out there makes me really confident about the season,” commented Hafertepe who has two Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour triumphs at the Devil’s Bowl Speedway.
Having to play a bit of catch up following the opening swing of 2016, that’s something that Sam looks to rectify in order to get racing for points out of the way.
“Our weak spot last year was the start of the year and even with a couple solid runs after that, we didn’t really get going until about June when the season really took off so what I’m focusing on this year is being up front from the get go and being in contention for wins right out of the gate. We just didn’t have that last year so I feel like if we can do that, then hopefully we can get a handle on the points now and just focus on running our races.”
No longer a young man, but not yet an old man, Sam Hafertepe, Jr. credits a lot of his success in 2016 to his maturity both on, and off the track saying, “I know that was probably the biggest key to our success is maturing as a driver. I’ve said for years that I have the talent and the ability, just mentally never focused hard enough and did the right things where last year, that was something I felt I did well and coming into this year I’ve been working on cutting down weight, getting in better shape, and just tidying up the loose ends we had last year.”
Returning as the driver of Keith Dobbs Motorsports, the Hwy. 79 Collision/J&J Chassis No. 15h is one of 15 drivers who have made the choice to be a part of the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour presented by the MAVTV Motorsports Network in 2017.
“To be honest, I think first and foremost people are starting to realize how good it is to race in the ASCS division. It’s attracted a lot of teams and we’ve got a lot of good drives. Just going down the list, you’ve got a good mix of talent and there’s no one on the list that doesn’t have a chance to run up front and be in contention.”
The 44th running of the Devil’s Bowl Spring Nationals takes place on Friday, March 17 and Saturday, March 18 with each night of racing getting underway at 8:00 P.M. By the numbers, this weekend stands to be the 87th and 88th nights of racing at the Devil’s Bowl with the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour since 1994. In the series last visit for the Winter Nationals on October 16 and 17, Johnny Herrera and John Carney II split the weekend.
The weekend also serves as the opener for the Griffith Truck and Equipment ASCS Gulf South Region which is co-sanctioning the two day affair. Channin Tankersley enters the year as the defending series champion.
For more information on the Devil’s Bowl Speedway, and to purchase tickets in advance, call (972) 222-2421 or log onto http://www.devilsbowl.com.
For continued updates on the American Sprint Car Series, from the National Tour to any of the seven Regional Tours that make up the ASCS Nation and its over 150 nights of racing in 2017, log onto http://www.ascsracing.com.
The Important Information:
Who: Lucas Oil ASCS Presented by the MAVTV Motorsports Network
What: 44th Devil’s Bowl Spring Nationals
Where: Devil’s Bowl Speedway – Mesquite, Texas
When: Friday, March 17 and Saturday, March 18
Track Contact Information:
Address: 1171 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
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 National Tour Drivers Online:
Kyle Bellm (Nixa, Mo.): http://www.kylebellm.com
Seth Bergman (Snohomish, Wash.): http://www.sethbergmanracing.com
Matt Covington (Glenpool, Okla.): http://www.mattcovingtonracing.com
Skylar Gee (Leduc, Ont. Can.): https://twitter.com/SkylarGee99
Jake Greider (Haysville, Kan.): https://twitter.com/JakeGreider2013
Sam Hafertepe, Jr. (Sunnyvale, Texas): http://www.sam15.com
Justin Henderson (Sioux Falls, S.D.): http://www.bdsmotorsportsllc.com
Alex Hill (Six Nations, Ont. Can.): https://twitter.com/alexhill77x
Blake Hahn (Sapulpa, Okla.): http://www.blakehahnracing.com
Johnny Herrera (Albuquerque, N.M.): http://www.johnnyherreraracing.com
Wayne Johnson (Oklahoma City, Okla.): https://www.facebook.com/WayneJohnsonRacing?fref=ts
Ray Allen Kulhanek (Danbury, Texas): http://www.rayallenkulhanek.com
Dustin Morgan (Owasso, Okla.): https://www.facebook.com/dustin.p.morgan?hc_ref=SEARCH
Aaron Reutzel (Clute, Texas): http://www.aaronreutzelracing.com
Harli White (Lindsay, Okla.): http://www.harliwhiteracing.net
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, CP Carrillo Pistons, EMI, 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, Zotto Mattress, Spray Nine, 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, BMRS, SpeedMart, Engler Machine and Tool, FSR Radiator and Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, MyRacePass.com, Weld Wheels, Maxwell Industries, Simpson, Wesmar Racing Engines, Hinchman Indy Racewear, Rod End Supply, Smiley's Racing Products, Speedway Motors, and Hilborn Injection.
Submitted By: Bryan Hulbert