Lonnie Wheatley, CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (September 22, 2007) – Taking quick advantage of Jason Johnson's misfortune, Brandon Berryman raced to victory lane in Saturday night's 25-lap American Sprint Car Series Gulf South Region feature at South Texas Speedway.

Cashing in on a $2,000 payday, Berryman's third series triumph of the year moved him into a tie for the points lead with Skip Wilson, who finished third behind Berryman and Chris Sweeney.

Polesitter Ray Allen Kulhanek gunned into the early lead and paced the opening four rounds before Johnson raced by in turn one to take command on the fifth lap.

 

But Johnson's bid for a 15^th overall ASCS feature win in 2007 was cut short when he suffered rear end woes on the 17^th round, handing the lead to Berryman.  Kulhanek chased Berryman before pulling to the infield with overheating problems just two laps short of the checkered flag.

 

Berryman posted the win aboard the Westside Performance-powered JDM Trucking No. 31 Triple-X in front of Sweeney and Wilson, with 16-year-old Kathryne Minter recording her best ASCS finish thus far by claming fourth.

 

Defending series champion Gary Watson rounded out the top five, with Tommy Bryant, Greg Rilat, Todd Evans, Kent Lewis, Sr., and Tommy Jones completing the top ten.

American Sprint Car Series Gulf South Region Results from South Texas Speedway:

Heat One:  1. 51-Jimmy Brooks, 2. 93-Chris Sweeney, 3. 41k-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 4. 31-Brandon Berryman, 5. 13m-Kathryne Minter, 6. 22L-Kent Lewis, Sr., 7. 11-Tommy Jones, 8. 8b-Bruce Crockett.

Heat Two:  1. 41-Jason Johnson, 2. 65-Skip Wilson, 3. 4J-Jamie Will, 4. 12m-Tommy Bryant, 5. 14e-Todd Evans, 6. 3-Gary Watson, 7. 35-Greg Rilat, 8. 23-Darryl Wills.

Pole Dash:  1. 41k-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 2. 51-Jimmy Brooks, 3. 41-Jason Johnson, 4. 4Jj-Jamie Will, 5. 65-Skip Wilson, 6. 93-Chris Sweeney.

"A" Feature (25 Laps):  1. 31-Brandon Berryman, 2. 93-Chris Sweeney, 3. 65-Skip Wilson, 4. 13m-Kathryne Minter, 5. 3-Gary Watson, 6. 12m-Tommy Bryant, 7. 35-Greg Rilat, 8. 14e-Todd Evans, 9. 22L-Kent Lewis, Sr., 10. 11-Tommy Jones, 11. 41k-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 12. 23-Darryl Wills, 13. 41-Jason Johnson, 14. 4J-jamie Will, 15. 8b-Bruce Crockett.  DNS: 51-Jimmy Brooks.

ASCS Gulf South Region Points (Top Ten):  1. (tie) Skip Wilson and Brandon Berryman 1,506, 3. Gary Watson 1,494, 4. Chris Sweeney 1,474, 5. Greg Rilat 1,440, 6. Tommy Bryant 1,432, 7. Ray Allen Kulhanek 1,412, 8. Jimmy Brooks 1,355, 9. Kathryne Minter 1,223, 10. Johnny Miller 1,086.