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Lone Star Speedzone Video Cast - Part Two, I-37 Sport Mods

In this Lone Star Speedzone Video Cast, Nick Holt will talk to a few more IMCA Sport Mod drivers at I-37 Raceway in Pleasanton. Nick talked to a brother racing dou, a 62-year-old rookie, and of course the winner of the race.

Lone Star Speedzone Video Cast - 5/11/09

In the first of a two-part Lone Star Speedzone Video Cast, we’ll take a look at the IMCA Sport Mods at I-37 Raceway down in Pleasanton. Nick Holt did pre and post-race interviews with the top drivers in this premier class.

Jason Hughes wins 4th leg of USMTS Texas Shootout at Gator Motorplex

Jason Hughes is the hottest Modified driver in America right now. After a wire-to-wire win Saturday night at the Houston Raceway Park, Hughes made it back-to-back victories Sunday night at the Gator Motorplex in Willis, Texas.

Last year’s Dustin Duncan Memorial “Just Say Yes” Rookie of the Year John O Whittington used his front row starting spot to gain the early advantage in the 40-lap Sunoco “A” Main, but a pair of mid-race cautions kept the field close.

Hughes, who started fourth, used the outside groove to get by Whittington and lead lap 26, then paced the remaining 14 laps en route to his fifth USMTS Southern Series triumph in the West Region.

The Mother’s Day win was worth $3,500 to the 34-year-old chassis builder from Westville, Okla., including a $500 bonus for topping the four-day points total in the 3rd Annual Rinehart Texas Shootout.

Whittington matched his career best with the USMTS Southern Series with his runner-up finish, and also wound up third in the Rinehart Texas Shootout points. Steven Whiteaker Jr. claimed the third spot, followed by Alan Sharpensteen and Morgan Bagley.

Eight-time USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock led the next five finishers, with William Gould grabbing seventh, KSE Racing Products Hard Charger Howard Willis eighth, Eddie Martin ninth and Bryan Rowland rounding out the top-10 at the flagstand.

Rowland, who won Thursday’s contest at the Golden Triangle Raceway Park, took home second-place money in the Rinehart Texas Shootout.

The USMTS Southern Series West Region points shows Hughes way out front with 718 points and a virtual lock on the regional points title. Officials are still working to reschedule rained-out events at the Cowtown Speedway and Heart O’ Texas Speedway, which would bring the total number of West Region races to nine. Nonetheless, Hughes is mathematically out of reach if he simply shows up at both shows.

Shryock jumped up to second in the standings ahead of Rodney Sanders, who was running in the top-5 Sunday night but suffered a flat tire with four laps to go. Whiteaker is fourth, followed by Rowland, Jon Tesch, Shane Hebert, Bagley, Bumper Jones and Martin.

The USMTS Southern Series drivers get a month off before returning to action for Southern Speedweek, June 9-10:

Tue Jun 9 … Tri-State Speedway, Pocola, OK ($2,000 to win)
Wed Jun 10 … I-30 Speedway, Little Rock, AR ($2,000 to win)
Thu Jun 11 … Ark-La-Tex Speedway, Vivian, LA ($2,000 to win)
Fri Jun 12 … Fast Trax Speedway, Chatham, LA ($2,000 to win)
Sat Jun 13 … Drew County Speedway, Monticello, AR ($2,000 to win)
Sun Jun 14 … Boothill Speedway, Greenwood, LA ($2,000 to win)

The six-race swing will wrap up the East Region points battle and set up the drivers eligible for the USMTS Southern Series Championship Hunt, which will be comprised of 11 events at four racetracks in the Lone Star State. The kickoff for the title chase will begin with a tripleheader at the Battleground Speedway in Highland, Texas, Oct. 1-3, and will wrap up with the 3rd Annual Texas Winter Nationals, Dec. 3-5, at the Houston Raceway Park.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, call the headquarters at (515) 832-7944 or visit www.usmts.com online for the latest news and information from the USMTS.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
USMTS Southern Series (West Region)
3rd Annual Rinehart Texas Shootout - Event #4 of 4
Gator Motorplex, Willis, Texas
Sunday, May 10, 2009

Showing finishing position, car number, driver, hometown and starting position in parentheses. The top 12 drivers in passing points accumulated in the heat races are locked into the Sunoco “A” Main, with the top 8 re-drawing for starting positions 1-8.

ISKY RACING CAMS HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):
1. 5w - John O Whittington — Vidor, TX (3)
2. 10j - Jeremy Ishmael — Tyler, TX (1)
3. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (5)
4. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (4)
5. 51 - Tracy Denby Jr. — Vidor, TX (6)
6. 57 - Jason Armstrong — Marshall, TX (7)
7. 7g - Mark Smith — Lufkin, TX (8)
8. 5g - Keith Green — Waco, TX (2) DQ - finished 2nd, did not go to scales
9. 18 - Cody Smith — Kaufman, TX (9) DNS

HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. 18t - Tim Clonch — Quinlan, TX (6)
2. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (7)
3. 88xxx - Clyde Dunn Jr. — Sunnyville, TX (2)
4. 71 - Tracy Denby Sr. — Vidor, TX (5)
5. 97j - Jeff Hoegh — New Caney, TX (8)
6. 68 - Danny Barringer — Lufkin, TX (1)
7. 07 - Keith Wright — Conroe, TX (4) DNF
8. 32 - Doug Byrns — Willis, TX (3) DNF

HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. 75 - Alan Sharpensteen — Amarillo, TX (2)
2. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX (4)
3. 4m - Bobby Malchus — Red Oak, TX (3)
4. E - Howard Willis — Dayton, TX (7)
5. 71k - Kevin Sustaire — Emery, TX (5)
6. 88b - Brian Boram — Orange, TX (1)
7. 111 - Bumper Jones — Mesilla Park, NM (6)
8. 10 - Kyle Schmidt — Farmington, AR (8)

HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (2)
2. 12c - Corey Babbitt — Channelview, TX (4)
3. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (6)
4. 51w - Jeff Wood — Willis, TX (3)
5. 14 - Jon Tesch — Watertown, SD (5)
6. 5a - Wes Armstrong — Marshall, TX (7)
7. 121 - Kevin Sturgess — Tomball, TX (1)
8. 44 - Marcus Berndt — Katy, TX (8)

HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):
1. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (1)
2. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (2)
3. 51 - Eddie Martin — Stilwell, OK (4)
4. 2w - Paul White — Temple, TX (3)
5. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (5)
6. 8 - Steve Miller — Georgetown, TX (6)
7. 52 - Chad Davis — Tulsa, OK (8)
8. 129 - Bryan Vollmer — Tomball, TX (7) DNF

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 51 - Eddie Martin — Stilwell, OK (1)
2. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (4)
3. 88xxx - Clyde Dunn Jr. — Sunnyville, TX (2)
4. 2w - Paul White — Temple, TX (5)
5. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (7)
6. 71 - Tracy Denby Sr. — Vidor, TX (3)
7. 5a - Wes Armstrong — Marshall, TX (8)
8. 07 - Keith Wright — Conroe, TX (11)
9. 71k - Kevin Sustaire — Emery, TX (6)
10. 18 - Cody Smith — Kaufman, TX (15)
11. 121 - Kevin Sturgess — Tomball, TX (12)
12. 7g - Mark Smith — Lufkin, TX (10)
13. 88b - Brian Boram — Orange, TX (9)
14. 44 - Marcus Berndt — Katy, TX (14) DNF
15. 32 - Doug Byrns — Willis, TX (13) DNF

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 4m - Bobby Malchus — Red Oak, TX (2)
2. E - Howard Willis — Dayton, TX (1)
3. 51w - Jeff Wood — Willis, TX (4)
4. 14 - Jon Tesch — Watertown, SD (6)
5. 97j - Jeff Hoegh — New Caney, TX (3)
6. 51 - Tracy Denby Jr. — Vidor, TX (5)
7. 57 - Jason Armstrong — Marshall, TX (7)
8. 52 - Chad Davis — Tulsa, OK (10)
9. 10 - Kyle Schmidt — Farmington, AR (13)
10. 111 - Bumper Jones — Mesilla Park, NM (11)
11. 5g - Keith Green — Waco, TX (12)
12. 129 - Bryan Vollmer — Tomball, TX (14)
13. 68 - Danny Barringer — Lufkin, TX (8)
14. 8 - Steve Miller — Georgetown, TX (9) DNF

SUNOCO “A” MAIN (40 laps):
1. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (4)
2. 5w - John O Whittington — Vidor, TX (1)
3. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX (3)
4. 75 - Alan Sharpensteen — Amarillo, TX (6)
5. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (8)
6. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (9)
7. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (12)
8. E - Howard Willis — Dayton, TX (16)
9. 51 - Eddie Martin — Stilwell, OK (13)
10. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (2)
11. 2w - Paul White — Temple, TX (19)
12. 111 - Bumper Jones — Mesilla Park, NM (23)
13. 14 - Jon Tesch — Watertown, SD (20)
14. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (21)
15. 71k - Kevin Sustaire — Emery, TX (24)
16. 51w - Jeff Wood — Willis, TX (18)
17. 4m - Bobby Malchus — Red Oak, TX (14)
18. 12c - Corey Babbitt — Channelview, TX (7)
19. 18t - Tim Clonch — Quinlan, TX (5)
20. 97j - Jeff Hoegh — New Caney, TX (22)
21. 07 - Keith Wright — Conroe, TX (27)
22. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (15)
23. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (11)
24. 88xxx - Clyde Dunn Jr. — Sunnyville, TX (17)
25. 10j - Jeremy Ishmael — Tyler, TX (10) DNF
26. 121 - Kevin Sturgess — Tomball, TX (25) DNF
27. 129 - Bryan Vollmer — Tomball, TX (26) DNF

Lap Leaders: Whittington 1-25, Hughes 26-40.
Total Laps Led: Whittington 25, Hughes 15.
AFCO Pole Winner: Clonch.
Provisional Starters: Jones, Sustaire, Sturgess (track), Vollmer (track), Wright (track).
KSE Racing Products Hard Charger: Willis (started 16th, finished 8th).
Next Race: Tuesday, June 9, Tri-State Speedway, Pocola, Okla. (East Region).
West Region Points: Hughes 718, Shryock 585, Sanders 568, Whiteaker 560, Rowland 549, Tesch 509, Hebert 492, Bagley 480, Jones 465, Martin 465.
Rinehart Texas Shootout Points (final): Hughes 406, Rowland 350, Whittington 349.
Dustin Duncan Memorial “Just Say Yes” Rookie of the Year Points: W. Armstrong 194, Sustaire 180, J. Armstrong 179, Schmidt 158, Davis 149.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Mullins 92, ASI 90, Young’s 57, Sput’s 54, Rowland 47.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: Hughes 103, Skyrocket 101, Ramirez 80, TRE 74, GRT 70.

Contingency Awards:
AFCO Racing Products – Clonch.
American Racer – Hebert.
Isky Racing Cams – Whittington.
KSE Racing Products – Willis.
Marsh Racing Wheels – Vollmer.
Nitroquest – Whiteaker.
Quarter Master – Hughes, Willis.
QuickTime Performance Parts – Gould.
Real Racing Wheels – Denby Sr., Denby Jr.

Gary Wright right in ASCS Red River Shootout at Devil’s Bowl Speedway

Just when it looked as though Nebraska’s Jack Dover was going to pull off a spectacular win in Round Two of the ASCS Red River Shootout at Devil’s Bowl Speedway, Lady Luck intervened and gave a friendly nod to Gary Wright.

And, taking full advantage, “The Texan” came away with Saturday night’s $2,000 ASCS Lone Star Region vs. American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region 25-lap triumph atop the famed ½-mile clay oval.

While Wright found himself standing in a familiar place at night’s end, the Devil’s Bowl Speedway victory lane, the hard-earned win came after surviving the best efforts of a pair of salty 19-year-olds in the form of Brady Bacon and Jack Dover.

After Wright and Bacon diced for the point most of the way, Dover surged from third into the lead with a daring move in turns three and four on the 22nd lap only to have his engine sour one circuit later.

Wright, the four-time Lucas Oil ASCS National champion, then paced the final two rounds to collect his third ASCS Regional triumph of the season aboard Scott Brown’s ASI-powered Lubbock Wrecker Service/Richwood Construction No. 9x Maxim.

“I’m not sure what happened to Dover, but we got a little lucky on that one,” Wright commented in victory lane.

Taking command on the 13th round, Wright finally found a hint of breathing room after the caution flew for Matt Covington’s turn two spin with 15 laps in the books.

But, when Wright hit lapped traffic again with a handful of laps to go, Bacon and Dover quickly closed the gap to renew the battle that had been brewing at the midway point.

“That lapped car was killing me, I had to lock it up a couple of times just to keep from wrecking,” Wright explained.

It was all the opportunity that Dover needed, blitzing past both Bacon and Wright in one fell swoop for the lead at the completion of the 22nd lap. A lap later, one last caution flew when Sean McClelland slid off the top of turn four.

And, before action could resume, Dover pulled his mount pitside with terminal engine problems. “I felt it flatten out right before that caution, we wouldn’t have even made those last two laps,” the 2008 ASCS Midwest Region champion commented.

Under that same caution, Bacon’s strong run came to an early end as well when he retired to the pit area with a depleted fuel cell and a cut right rear tire. After starting on the front row to the outside of pole starter Wright, Bacon had officially held the lead on eleven of the hotly contested opening dozen circuits.

Wright, who had led lap seven and then laps 13-21, set sail on the final two-lap dash to the line and took the checkered flag in front of Danny Wood, who finished second to Wright’s son-in-law Nick Smith one night earlier in the opening leg of the ASCS Red River Shootout at State Fair Speedway.

Travis Rilat claimed the show position, while Kevin Ramey maintained his ASCS Lone Star points lead by advancing from the sixth row to finish fourth.

Originally slated to start tenth, Joe Wood, Jr., took advantage of a pair of opening lap cautions to rejoin the field and charged from 22nd to round out the top five.

Jason Johnson was in the thick of a five-car scramble for the lead at the midway point that also included Bacon, Wright, Dover and Wood when he locked it up and spun in turn two. The reigning Lucas Oil ASCS National champion restarted at the tail of the field and rallied to finish sixth.

Donnie Ray Crawford posted a seventh-place run, while Eric Baldaccini rebounded from a pair of early issues to claim eighth. Arizona’s Ben Gregg raced from 20th to ninth, with New Mexico’s Colt Treharn completing the top ten.

Claud Estes, Dale Wester, Crawford, Wood and Wright topped heat race action for the 44-car field, with J.P. Bailey and Matt Covington winning the twin “B” Mains.

After going for a wild ride down the frontstretch as the green flag flew upon the night’s third heat race, Brian Parker emerged relatively unscathed.

ASCS Red River Shootout Round Two
American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region vs. ASCS Lone Star Region
Results from Devil’s Bowl Speedway:

Heat One (8 Laps): 1. 74e-Claud Estes, 2. 26-Dalton Steed, 3. 87x-Billy Melton, 4. 29-Travis Rilat, 5. 45x-Martin Edwards, 6. 17w-Brad Welborn, 7. 24-David Gailley, 8. 22J-John Gaston, 9. 69h-Larry Howery.

Heat Two (8 Laps): 1. 12w-Dale Wester, 2. 7m-Kevin Ramey, 3. 1-Sean McClelland, 4. 03-Joe Wood, Jr., 5. 31m-Matt Clevenger, 6. 5m-Glenn Martin, 7. 04-Brad Graham, 8. 88r-Andy Rea, 9. 25-Robert Sellers.

Heat Three (8 Laps): 1. 55-Donnie Ray Crawford, 2. 53-Jack Dover, 3. 77-Colt Treharn, 4. 22b-Ben Gregg, 5. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 6. 14-Michael Lang, 7. 72-Sherman Davis, 8. 76-John Ricketts, 9. 9-Brian Parker.

Heat Four (8 Laps): 1. 94-Danny Wood, 2. 41-Jason Johnson, 3. 45-J.P. Bailey, 4. 14k-Kyle Bellm, 5. 1r-Scott Reneau, 6. 95-Matt Covington, 7. 10-George White, 8. 11m-Brandon Moseley. DNS: 8-Shane Pace.

Heat Five (8 Laps): 1. 9x-Gary Wright, 2. 99-Brady Bacon, 3. 45k-Kolt Walker, 4. 93-Dustin Morgan, 5. 14e-Justin Spoerl, 6. 13-Kathryne Minter, 7. 11-Justin Melton, 8. 87-Brian McClelland.

First “B” Feature (12 Laps): 1. 45-J.P. Bailey, 2. 14k-Kyle Bellm, 3. 72-Sherman Davis, 4. 11-Justin Melton, 5. 22J-John Gaston, 6. 69h-Larry Howery, 7. 11m-Brandon Moseley, 8. 10-George White, 9. 14-Michael Lang, 10. 1r-Scott Reneau, 11. 04-Brad Graham, 12. 93-Dustin Morgan, 13. 31m-Matt Clevenger. DNS: 9-Brian Parker.

Second “B” Feature (12 Laps): 1. 95-Matt Covington, 2. 22b-Ben Gregg, 3. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 4. 17w-Brad Welborn, 5. 14e-Justin Spoerl, 6. 5m-Glenn Martin, 7. 76-John Ricketts, 8. 25-Robert Sellers, 9. 87-Brian McClelland, 10. 24-David Gailley, 11. 13-Kathryne Minter, 12. 88r-Andy Rea, 13. 45x-Martin Edwards. DNS: 8-Shane Pace.

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 9x-Gary Wright, 2. 94-Danny Wood, 3. 29-Travis Rilat, 4. 7m-Kevin Ramey, 5. 03-Joe Wood, Jr., 6. 41-Jason Johnson, 7. 55-Donnie Ray Crawford, 8. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 9. 22b-Ben Gregg, 10. 77-Colt Treharn, 11. 95-Matt Covington, 12. 74e-Claud Estes, 13. 12w-Dale Wester, 14. 99-Brady Bacon, 15. 53-Jack Dover, 16. 1-Sean McClelland, 17. 14k-Kyle Bellm, 18. 45k-Kolt Walker, 19. 45-J.P. Bailey, 20. 87x-Billy Melton, 21. 26-Dalton Steed, 22. 72-Sherman Davis.

ASCS Lone Star Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Kevin Ramey 590, 2. Brad Welborn 522, 3. Brian McClelland 514, 4. Matt Clevenger 506, 5. J.P. Bailey 500, 6. Kolt Walker 488, 7. Justin Melton 486, 8. Eric Baldaccini 473, 9. Claud Estes 465, 10. Michael Lang 443.

American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Danny Wood 446, 2. Joe Wood, Jr. 418, 3. Sean McClelland 410, 4. Matt Covington 400, 5. Brady Bacon 394, 6. Dustin Morgan 390, 7. J.P. Bailey 380, 8. Sherman Davis 374, 9. Robert Sellers 366, 10. Kyle Bellm 332.

By Lonnie Wheatley
Photos courtesy of ASCS

Jason Hughes best at Houston Raceway Park in 3rd round of USMTS “Texas Shootout”

What was billed as the ’Showdown in Baytown’ turned into a beat down Saturday night at Jason Hughes spanked the field to capture the checkered flags at the Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas, during the third night of the 3rd Annual Rinehart Texas Shootout.

The defending USMTS Southern Series champion is always a threat to win when he pulls through the gate at any event. But when he dominates his heat race then draws the pole position for the main event, your odds betting against him are about the same as winning Saturday night’s $109 million Powerball jackpot (which, by the way, nobody won).

The green flag waved over a 26-car field Saturday night to kick off the 35-lap Sunoco “A” Main, and that was the only flag displayed until the white flag flew 34 laps later. By the time Hughes crossed the finish line at the end of the caution-free event, he was long gone from his closest competitor and had lapped 12 of the 23 finishers.

The win, worth $3,000, was the fifth of the season for Hughes and his fourth in six starts in the West Region of the USMTS Southern Series. It was also the second win of his career at the 3/8-mile clay oval as he became the first USMTS driver to record multiple wins at the facility.

Bryan Rowland survived to take home the runner-up paycheck ahead of AFCO Pole Award winner Jon Tesch, who turned his luck around this week with a third-place finish. Howard Willis was fourth and Dereck Ramirez grabbed the fifth spot.

Sixth through tenth, respectively, were Rodney Sanders, Bobby Malchus, Steven Whiteaker Jr., Shane Hebert and Kelly Shryock, who started 22nd after claiming the fifth and final transfer spot in the second Real Racing Wheels “B” Main. Between the two races, Shryock passed 21 cars in 50 laps and earned the KSE Racing Products Hard Charger Award.

Hebert also captured the 20-lap USRA Southern Limited Modified main event prior to the feature race for the USMTS Modifieds.

The USMTS Southern Series West Region points belongs to Hughes as he holds a 97-point advantage over Sanders (614 to 517). Shryock is third with 501 points, followed by Rowland (477), Whiteaker (469), Hebert (440), Tesch (436), Bumper Jones (397), Morgan Bagley (393) and Eddie Martin (387).

The four-night, four-track Rinehart Texas Shootout points has Hughes leading with 302 points, followed by Sanders (280), Rowland (278), Shryock (255), and John O Whittington (251). An extra $500 awaits the top points earner over the course of the four-race swing, with $300 going to second and $200 for third.

SUNDAY, MAY 10 - GATOR MOTORPLEX

The four-race weekend wraps up tomorrow (Sunday, May 10) at the Gator Motorplex in Willis – a do-over for the rained-out show on April 18. Gates will open early at 12 noon, with hot laps slated for 3:30 and the first green flag flying 4:00. Also competing will be USRA Southern Limited Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Pure Stocks.

Past USMTS Southern Series winners at the Gator Motorplex include Greg Skaggs (2007) and Steve Holzkamper (2008). Local favorites than fans can expect to see defending their home turf are Kevin Sturgess, Bryan Vollmer, Doug Byrns, Keith Wright, Monty Locke, Alan Drewry, Steve Pugh, Derek Knowles, Kalif Sellier, Jeff Wood and others.

The Gator Motorplex is a 1/4-mile high-banked clay oval located off I-45 to Shepherd Hill (Exit 98), then east, then 1.4 miles south on SR 75. The track’s official website is online at www.gatormotorplex.net.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, call the headquarters at (515) 832-7944 or visit www.usmts.com online for the latest news and information from the USMTS.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
USMTS Southern Series (West Region)
Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, Texas
3rd Annual Rinehart Texas Shootout - Event #3 of 4
Saturday, May 9, 2009

Showing finishing position, car number, driver, hometown and starting position in parentheses. The top 12 drivers in passing points accumulated in the heat races are locked into the Sunoco “A” Main, with the top 8 re-drawing for starting positions 1-8.

ISKY RACING CAMS HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):
1. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (1)
2. 71k - Kevin Sustaire — Emery, TX (2)
3. 51 - Eddie Martin — Stilwell, OK (6)
4. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (5)
5. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX
6. 5w - John O Whittington — Vidor, TX (4)
7. 18t - Tim Clonch — Quinlan, TX (7)
8. 115 - Brian Stipe — Baytown, TX (8)
9. 5a - Wes Armstrong — Marshall, TX (3)
10. 23b - Brandon Davis — Castle Rock, CO (9)

HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. 51 - Tracy Denby Jr. — Vidor, TX (1)
2. 4m - Bobby Malchus — Red Oak, TX (3)
3. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (2)
4. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (7)
5. 10k - Kenny Battarbee — Houston, TX (4)
6. 57 - Jason Armstrong — Marshall, TX (5)
7. 91 - Robert Metz Jr. — Lumberton, TX (9)
8. 18 - Cody Smith — Kaufman, TX (10)
9. 05x - Garrett Durrett — Simsboro, LA (6) DNF
10. 129 - Bryan Vollmer — Tomball, TX (8) DNF

HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. 14 - Jon Tesch — Watertown, SD (4)
2. E - Howard Willis — Dayton, TX (5)
3. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (8)
4. A1 - Phil Dixon — Crosby, TX (7)
5. 75 - Alan Sharpensteen — Amarillo, TX (9)
6. 97j - Jeff Hoegh — New Caney, TX (1)
7. 121 - Kevin Sturgess — Tomball, TX (2)
8. 68 - Danny Barringer — Lufkin, TX (6)
9. 7g - Mark Smith — Lufkin, TX (3) DNF
10. 56 - David Horner — Houston, TX (10) DNS

HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. 85d - Mark Dotson — Cameron, MO (2)
2. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (4)
3. 14t - Tristan Dycus — Midlothian, TX (3)
4. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (6)
5. 71 - Tracy Denby Sr. — Vidor, TX (7)
6. 10 - Kyle Schmidt — Farmington, AR (9)
7. 9n - Brent Nicholas — Baytown, TX (5)
8. 51w - Jeff Wood — Willis, TX (8)
9. 07 - Keith Wright — Conroe, TX (1)
10. 10j - Jeremy Ishmael — Tyler, TX (10)

HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):
1. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (4)
2. 111 - Bumper Jones — Mesilla Park, NM (1)
3. 88xxx - Clyde Dunn Jr. — Sunnyville, TX (6)
4. 12c - Corey Babbitt — Channelview, TX (8)
5. 52 - Chad Davis — Tulsa, OK (7)
6. 9 - Doug Begnaud — Cypress, TX (5)
7. 88b - Brian Boram — Orange, TX (2)
8. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (3) DNF
9. 00 - Darrel Dawson — Midlothian, TX (9) DNF

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (2)
2. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX (4)
3. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (3)
4. 5w - John O Whittington — Vidor, TX (8)
5. 10 - Kyle Schmidt — Farmington, AR (7)
6. 111 - Bumper Jones — Mesilla Park, NM (1)
7. 75 - Alan Sharpensteen — Amarillo, TX (5)
8. 5a - Wes Armstrong — Marshall, TX (15)
9. 115 - Brian Stipe — Baytown, TX (13)
10. 71 - Tracy Denby Sr. — Vidor, TX (6)
11. 88b - Brian Boram — Orange, TX (12)
12. 91 - Robert Metz Jr. — Lumberton, TX (10)
13. 121 - Kevin Sturgess — Tomball, TX (11)
14. 51w - Jeff Wood — Willis, TX (14)
15. 97j - Jeff Hoegh — New Caney, TX (9)
16. 7g - Mark Smith — Lufkin, TX (16) DNF
17. 129 - Bryan Vollmer — Tomball, TX (18) DNF
18. 00 - Darrel Dawson — Midlothian, TX (17) DNS
19. 10j - Jeremy Ishmael — Tyler, TX (19) DNS

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (5)
2. 12c - Corey Babbitt — Channelview, TX (1)
3. A1 - Phil Dixon — Crosby, TX (2)
4. 10k - Kenny Battarbee — Houston, TX (7)
5. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (14)
6. 18t - Tim Clonch — Quinlan, TX (10)
7. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (4)
8. 14t - Tristan Dycus — Midlothian, TX (3)
9. 9 - Doug Begnaud — Cypress, TX (9)
10. 52 - Chad Davis — Tulsa, OK (6)
11. 57 - Jason Armstrong — Marshall, TX (8)
12. 9n - Brent Nicholas — Baytown, TX (11)
13. 07 - Keith Wright — Conroe, TX (16)
14. 23b - Brandon Davis — Castle Rock, CO (17) DNF
15. 68 - Danny Barringer — Lufkin, TX (13) DNF
16. 18 - Cody Smith — Kaufman, TX (12) DNS
17. 05x - Garrett Durrett — Simsboro, LA (15) DNS
18. 56 - David Horner — Houston, TX (18) DNS

SUNOCO “A” MAIN (35 laps):
1. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (1)
2. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (3)
3. 14 - Jon Tesch — Watertown, SD (4)
4. E - Howard Willis — Dayton, TX (8)
5. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (7)
6. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (2)
7. 4m - Bobby Malchus — Red Oak, TX (9)
8. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX (15)
9. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (13)
10. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (22)
11. 12c - Corey Babbitt — Channelview, TX (16)
12. 88xxx - Clyde Dunn Jr. — Sunnyville, TX (11) -1 Lap
13. 5w - John O Whittington — Vidor, TX (19) -1 Lap
14. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (17) -1 Lap
15. 85d - Mark Dotson — Cameron, MO (6) -1 Lap
16. 71k - Kevin Sustaire — Emery, TX (12) -1 Lap
17. 51 - Tracy Denby Jr. — Vidor, TX (5) -1 Lap
18. 5a - Wes Armstrong — Marshall, TX (24) -1 Lap
19. 111 - Bumper Jones — Mesilla Park, NM (23) -1 Lap
20. 10k - Kenny Battarbee — Houston, TX (20) -1 Lap
21. 51 - Eddie Martin — Stilwell, OK (10) -1 Lap
22. 10 - Kyle Schmidt — Farmington, AR (21) -1 Lap
23. A1 - Phil Dixon — Crosby, TX (18) -1 Lap
24. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (14) DNF
25. 9n - Brent Nicholas — Baytown, TX (26) DNF
26. 9 - Doug Begnaud — Cypress, TX (25) DNF

Lap Leaders: Hughes 1-35.
Total Laps Led: Hughes 35.
AFCO Pole Winner: Tesch.
Provisional Starters: Jones, W. Armstrong, Begnaud (track), Nicholas (track).
KSE Racing Products Hard Charger: Shryock (started 22nd, finished 10th).
Next Race: Sunday, May 10, Gator Motorplex, Willis, Texas (West Region).
West Region Points: Hughes 614, Sanders 517, Shryock 501, Rowland 477, Whiteaker 469, Hebert 440, Tesch 436, Jones 397, Bagley 393, Martin 387.
Rinehart Texas Shootout Points: Hughes 302, Sanders 280, Rowland 278, Shryock 255, Whittington 251.
Dustin Duncan Memorial “Just Say Yes” Rookie of the Year Points: W. Armstrong 184, J. Armstrong 169, Sustaire 157, Schmidt 148, C. Davis 139.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: ASI 85, Mullins 82, Sput’s 53, Young’s 49, Rowland 41.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: Hughes 93, Skyrocket 92, Ramirez 76, TRE 71, GRT 70.

Contingency Awards:
AFCO Racing Products – Tesch.
American Racer – Whittington.
Isky Racing Cams – Hughes.
KSE Racing Products – Shryock.
Marsh Racing Wheels – Begnaud.
Nitroquest – Tesch.
Quarter Master – Hughes, Whiteaker.
QuickTime Performance Parts – Malchus.
Real Racing Wheels – Jones, Clonch.

Round 2 of USMTS Modified “Texas Shootout” has Chris Brown best at Battleground

In each of the last two seasons, Chris Brown has raced to victory when the USMTS Southern Series competes at his home track in Cleveland, Texas. But last month, the annual stop was rained out, so Brown had to find another town to cash in at.

Just 46 miles down the road, 49 Modified pilots invaded the Battleground Speedway in Highlands, Texas, Friday night for Round 2 of the 3rd Annual Rinehart Trucking Texas Shootout, and once again the 30-year-old Brown found his way to the winner’s circle as he captured the 35-lap main event at the 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval.

After starting fifth on the 26-car grid, Brown worked his way to the front of the field, then slipped by race-long leader Rodney Sanders just past the halfway point. Sanders kept Brown in his cross-hairs over the final 17 laps, but had to settle for the runner-up paycheck for the second time in as many nights while Brown took home the $2,000 winner’s share of the prize money.

Defending USMTS Southern Series champion and current points leader Jason Hughes made the most of his Real Racing Wheels “B” Main triumph by racing from 14th to third and earning the KSE Racing Products Hard Charger Award.

John O Whittington scored his third top-10 in three races with a fourth-place finish, while Bumper Jones grabbed the fifth spot for the second straight night. Sixth through tenth were Eddie Martin, Steven Whiteaker Jr., Shane Hebert, Kelly Shryock and Bryan Rowland, who captured Thursday’s Sunoco “A” Main at the Golden Triangle Raceway Park in Beaumont, Texas.

Hughes remains the front-runner in the USMTS Southern Series West Region standings after Friday’s event at Battleground with a 75-point bulge over Sanders (511 to 436). Shryock is third with 417 points, followed by Whiteaker (386), Rowland (381), Martin (370), Hebert (362), Jon Tesch (344), Jones (342) and Morgan Bagley (326).

The 3rd Annual Rinehart Trucking Texas Shootout features four events over four straight nights at four distinct Texas dirt tracks. Despite back-to-back bridesmaid runs by Sanders, Hughes earned enough passing points to pull even with the 19-year-old young gun in the ‘Shootout’ standings. Both drivers have 199 points with two down and two to go, Brown is third with 187 points and Rowland is tied with Jones for fourth with 182 apiece.

More than $60,000 in purse money is up for grabs during the 3rd Annual Rinehart Trucking Texas Shootout, including a $2,000 top prize at each of the four events and a points fund provided by Rinehart Trucking which will pay $500 to the top points earner, $300 for second and $200 for third over the course of the four-race swing.

SATURDAY, MAY 9 - HOUSTON RACEWAY PARK

Tomorrow (Saturday, May 9), the Houston Raceway Park in Baytown is on the invasion menu for race #3 of 4 in the 3rd Annual Rinehart Trucking Texas Shootout. With seven shows since 2007, more USMTS Southern Series events have been held at HRP than any other facility – and, weather permitting, the total will increase to 11 with the conclusion of the 3rd Annual Texas Winter Nationals, Dec. 3-5.

The nine-year-old facility has a main grandstand seating capacity of 7,500 which includes fourteen VIP luxury suites and boasts a state-of-the-art Musco Lighting system for TV productions.

Paul White won the first-ever USMTS Southern Series event at Houston Raceway Park. Since then, trips to victory lane have also been made by Alan Mondus, Kelly Shryock, Jason Hughes, Tommy Weder Jr., Johnny Bone Jr. and Zack VanderBeek. Local aces expected to compete include David Smith, Corey Neil, Kevin Battarbee, Joe Mayhew, Kenny Battarbee, Ed Wickham, Brent Nicholas, Brian Spindleman, Brian Sellier and others.

Pit gates will open at 4:00 on Saturday with grandstands opening at 6:00. Hot laps are at 6:30 and racing begins at 7:00. USRA Southern Limited Modifieds will round out the night’s racing card.

The Houston Raceway Park is a state-of-the-art 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval located east of Houston on I-10 to Exit 798, then 3.0 miles south on SR 146, then 0.9 miles southeast on FM 1405, then 1.5 miles northeast on FM 565. For more information, call the track office at 281-383-RACE or visit www.houstonraceway.com online.

SUNDAY, MAY 10 - GATOR MOTORPLEX

The four-race weekend wraps up at the Gator Motorplex in Willis on Sunday, May 10, to make-up the rained-out show on April 18. Gates will open early at 12 noon, with hot laps slated for 3:30 and the first green flag flying 4:00. Also competing will be USRA Southern Limited Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Pure Stocks.

Fans can meet the drivers prior to hot laps and a free meal from Hickory Hut Concessions are part of the special Mothers Day prizes that will be distributed at the races. Mother’s Day prize sponsors include Speed Tan, Gene’s Hickory Hut, Performance Tinters, SDR Photography, Checkerflag Diner, Waffle House, Starbucks, Sonic, Subway and more.

Past USMTS Southern Series winners at the Gator Motorplex include Greg Skaggs (2007) and Steve Holzkamper (2008). Local favorites than fans can expect to see defending their home turf are Kevin Sturgess, Bryan Vollmer, Doug Byrns, Keith Wright, Monty Locke, Alan Drewry, Steve Pugh, Derek Knowles, Kalif Sellier, Jeff Wood and others.

The Gator Motorplex is a 1/4-mile high-banked clay oval located off I-45 to Shepherd Hill (Exit 98), then east, then 1.4 miles south on SR 75. The track’s official website is online at www.gatormotorplex.net.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, call the headquarters at (515) 832-7944 or visit www.usmts.com online for the latest news and information from the USMTS.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
USMTS Southern Series (West Region)
Battleground Speedway, Highlands, Texas
3rd Annual Rinehart Trucking Texas Shootout - Event #2 of 4
Friday, May 8, 2009

Showing finishing position, car number, driver, hometown and starting position in parentheses. The top 12 drivers in passing points accumulated in the heat races are locked into the Sunoco “A” Main, with the top 8 re-drawing for starting positions 1-8.

ISKY RACING CAMS HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):
1. 21 - Chris Brown — Cleveland, TX (1)
2. 51w - Jeff Wood — Willis, TX (4)
3. 8 - Steve Miller — Georgetown, TX (5)
4. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (8)
5. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (6)
6. 10 - Kyle Schmidt — Farmington, AR (9)
7. 56 - David Horner — Houston, TX (2)
8. 23b - Brandon Davis — Castle Rock, CO (7)
9. 18 - Cody Smith — Kaufman, TX (3) DNF
10. 9 - Doug Begnaud — Cypress, TX (10) DNS

HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX (3)
2. 12c - Corey Babbitt — Channelview, TX (2)
3. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (4)
4. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (5)
5. 111 - Bumper Jones — Mesilla Park, NM (9)
6. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (6)
7. 18t - Tim Clonch — Quinlan, TX (7)
8. L1 - Larry Clevenger — Greenwood, LA (1) DNF
9. 85d - Mark Dotson — Cameron, MO (10) DNF
10. 71k - Kevin Sustaire — Emery, TX (8) DNF

HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. E - Howard Willis — Dayton, TX (1)
2. 14 - Jon Tesch — Watertown, SD (6)
3. 88xxx - Clyde Dunn Jr. — Sunnyville, TX (7)
4. 5w - John O Whittington — Vidor, TX (9)
5. 4m - Bobby Malchus — Red Oak, TX (10)
6. 88b - Brian Boram — Orange, TX (2)
7. 5m - Joe Mayhew — Highlands, TX (5)
8. 71 - Tracy Denby Sr. — Vidor, TX (4)
9. 05x - Garrett Durrett — Simsboro, LA (8) DNF
10. 68 - Danny Barringer — Lufkin, TX (3) DNF

HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (1)
2. 5a - Wes Armstrong — Marshall, TX (4)
3. 2w - Paul White — Temple, TX (3)
4. 57 - Jason Armstrong — Marshall, TX (2)
5. A1 - Phil Dixon — Crosby, TX (5)
6. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (8)
7. 51 - Eddie Martin — Stilwell, OK (9)
8. 129 - Bryan Vollmer — Tomball, TX (7)
9. 7g - Mark Smith — Lufkin, TX (6)
10. 96 - Donald Mick — Dayton, TX (10) DNS

HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):
1. 75 - Alan Sharpensteen — Amarillo, TX (1)
2. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (9)
3. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (5)
4. 51 - Tracy Denby Jr. — Vidor, TX (3)
5. 52 - Chad Davis — Tulsa, OK (7)
6. 15g - Bubba Gates — Santa Fe, TX (2)
7. 10k - Kenny Battarbee — Houston, TX (6)
8. 91 - Robert Metz Jr. — Lumberton, TX (8)
9. 29 - Mike Walling — Baytown, TX (4)

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 111 - Bumper Jones — Mesilla Park, NM (4)
2. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (2)
3. 85d - Mark Dotson — Cameron, MO (15)
4. 2w - Paul White — Temple, TX (3)
5. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (8)
6. 51 - Eddie Martin — Stilwell, OK (10)
7. 18t - Tim Clonch — Quinlan, TX (11)
8. 52 - Chad Davis — Tulsa, OK (6)
9. 88b - Brian Boram — Orange, TX (9)
10. 71k - Kevin Sustaire — Emery, TX (18)
11. 10k - Kenny Battarbee — Houston, TX (12)
12. 129 - Bryan Vollmer — Tomball, TX (14)
13. 29 - Mike Walling — Baytown, TX (17)
14. 10 - Kyle Schmidt — Farmington, AR (7)
15. 57 - Jason Armstrong — Marshall, TX (5)
16. 8 - Steve Miller — Georgetown, TX (1)
17. L1 - Larry Clevenger — Greenwood, LA (13)
18. 05x - Garrett Durrett — Simsboro, LA (16)
19. 96 - Donald Mick — Dayton, TX (19)

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (4)
2. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (2)
3. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (1)
4. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (6)
5. 4m - Bobby Malchus — Red Oak, TX (3)
6. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (8)
7. 56 - David Horner — Houston, TX (10)
8. 51 - Tracy Denby Jr. — Vidor, TX (5)
9. 71 - Tracy Denby Sr. — Vidor, TX (13)
10. 18 - Cody Smith — Kaufman, TX (15)
11. 5m - Joe Mayhew — Highlands, TX (11)
12. 91 - Robert Metz Jr. — Lumberton, TX (14)
13. 15g - Bubba Gates — Santa Fe, TX (9)
14. 23b - Brandon Davis — Castle Rock, CO (12)
15. 68 - Danny Barringer — Lufkin, TX (18)
16. A1 - Phil Dixon — Crosby, TX (7)
17. 7g - Mark Smith — Lufkin, TX (16)
18. 9 - Doug Begnaud — Cypress, TX (17)

SUNOCO “A” MAIN (35 laps):
1. 21 - Chris Brown — Cleveland, TX (5)
2. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (2)
3. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (14)
4. 5w - John O Whittington — Vidor, TX (12)
5. 111 - Bumper Jones — Mesilla Park, NM (13)
6. 51 - Eddie Martin — Stilwell, OK (23)
7. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX (6)
8. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (7)
9. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (16)
10. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (15)
11. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (21)
12. E - Howard Willis — Dayton, TX (4)
13. A1 - Phil Dixon — Crosby, TX (25)
14. 14 - Jon Tesch — Watertown, SD (8)
15. 75 - Alan Sharpensteen — Amarillo, TX (1)
16. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (20)
17. 88xxx - Clyde Dunn Jr. — Sunnyville, TX (10)
18. 4m - Bobby Malchus — Red Oak, TX (22)
19. 15g - Bubba Gates — Santa Fe, TX (26)
20. 51w - Jeff Wood — Willis, TX (3)
21. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (18)
22. 85d - Mark Dotson — Cameron, MO (17)
23. 2w - Paul White — Temple, TX (19) DNF
24. 5a - Wes Armstrong — Marshall, TX (9) DNF
25. 12c - Corey Babbitt — Channelview, TX (11) DNF
26. 71k - Kevin Sustaire — Emery, TX (24) DNF

Lap Leaders: Sanders 1-18, Brown 19-35.
Total Laps Led: Sanders 18, Brown 17.
AFCO Pole Winner: Sanders.
Provisional Starters: Martin, Sustaire, Dixon (track), Gates (track).
KSE Racing Products Hard Charger: Hughes (started 14th, finished 3rd).
Next Race: Saturday, May 9, Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, Texas (West Region).
West Region Points: Hughes 511, Sanders 436, Shryock 417, Whiteaker 386, Rowland 381, Martin 370, Hebert 362, Tesch 344, Jones 342, Bagley 326.
Rinehart Trucking Texas Shootout Points: Hughes 199, Sanders 199, Brown 187, Rowland 182, Jones 182.
Dustin Duncan Memorial “Just Say Yes” Rookie of the Year Points: W. Armstrong 163, J. Armstrong 159, Sustaire 132, Schmidt 131, C. Davis 129.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: A.S.I. 76, Mullins 72, Sput’s 45, Young’s 44, BMS 38.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: Hughes 83, Skyrocket 83, GRT 68, Ramirez 68, TRE 66.

Contingency Awards:
AFCO Racing Products – Sanders.
American Racer – Martin.
Isky Racing Cams – Brown.
KSE Racing Products – Hughes.
Marsh Racing Wheels – Sustaire.
Nitroquest – Hughes.
Quarter Master – Brown, Hebert.
QuickTime Performance Parts – Whiteaker.
Real Racing Wheels – Martin, Ramirez.

By USMTS PR
Winner Circle Photo by Carey Akin, Manvel Motorsports
Action photo courtesy of USMTS

Bryan Rowland triumphs in a tale of two teams in USMTS battle at Golden Triangle

Jon Tesch was well on his way to a runaway win Thursday night at the Golden Triangle Raceway Park, but a mid-race caution set up a tag-team royal rumble that saw two teammates tangle while two other teammates triumphed.

Forty-one USMTS Southern Series combatants suited up for the opening event of the 3rd Annual Rinehart Trucking Texas Shootout, which features four events over four straight nights at four distinct dirt tracks in the Lone Star State.

Tesch drew the pole position for the start of the 40-lap Sunoco “A” Main with teammate Dereck Ramirez drawing the second spot to create a Ramirez Race Cars front row.

At the drop of the green flag, Ramirez was unable to wrestle the lead away from Tesch, who added to his advantage with each passing lap. Halfway through the race, Tesch’s lead was more than a straight-away over Ramirez who his hands full with USMTS Southern Series points leader Jason Hughes.

The event’s first caution waved on lap 22, however, which bunched the field for a double-file restart. Tesch led the field to the green again with Ramirez beating Hughes in the drag race to the first turn.

Ramirez closed the gap between himself and Tesch as they entered the third turn nose to tail. A bump in the road forced Tesch to momentarily back off of the gas pedal which earned him a bump from behind by Ramirez. The tag from his teammate was enough to send Tesch into a spin while Ramirez scooted past while Hughes swerved to avoid the melee.

Hughes slipped back to third as teammates Bryan Rowland and Rodney Sanders assumed the top two spots. With Tesch stopping at the edge of the infield, the caution waved again and Ramirez was forced to join Tesch at the rear of the field for the restart.

While Hughes was looking to claim his fourth straight main event victory in the West Region of the USMTS Southern Series, Rowland and Sanders were both seeking their first under the USMTS banner.

Rowland, 29, and Sanders, 19, were both contenders for last year’s top rookie honors in the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour while the elder pilot was also a candidate for the Dustin Duncan Memorial “Just Say Yes” Rookie of the Year Award in the USMTS Southern Series. Rowland and Sanders finished third and fifth, respectively in the National Tour battle while Rowland wound up seventh in the Southern Series rookie rankings.

Thursday night, however, the pair was fast and flawless over the final 18 circuits as they finished first and second. Rowland’s career-first win was worth $2,000 to the Woodward, Okla., native while Sanders recorded a career-best runner-up finish in his matching #20 Skyrocket Chassis.

Hughes – the defending USMTS Southern Series champion – followed in third and 2007 USMTS Southern Series titleist Kelly Shryock came home fourth ahead of New Mexico’s Bumper Jones.

Sixth through tenth at the finish line were Steven Whiteaker Jr., Eddie Martin, last year’s Dustin Duncan Memorial “Just Say Yes” Rookie of the Year John O Whittington, Chris Brown and KSE Racing Products Hard Charger Award winner Morgan Bagley, who was third in last year’s rookie race.

Tesch could only climb back to 11th while Ramirez, who was the runner-up in both Rookie of the Year contests last season, wound up 14th in Thursday’s nightcap.

Hughes still sits solidly atop the West Region standings with 409 points. Sanders moved up to second, just two points ahead of Shryock (338 to 336). Whiteaker is fourth with 308 markers, followed by Rowland (304), Martin (289), Shane Hebert (286), Tesch (280), Randy Timms (256), Jones (250).

NIGHT 2 OF 3 …

Friday, May 8, will find the mud-slinging Modifieds of the USMTS Southern Series making their debut at the rejuvenated Battleground Speedway in Highlands, Texas, for Round 2 of the 3rd Annual Rinehart Trucking Texas Shootout.

Pit gates will open at 3:00 for the inaugural event, with grandstand gates swinging open at 5:00. Hot laps are slated for 6:00 and the first heat race is scheduled to take to the track at 7:00. USRA Southern Limited Modifieds will also join the racing program Friday night.

The Battleground Speedway is a 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval located east of Houston on I-10 to Highland Exit 787, then 4.0 miles north on FM 2100 (Crosby Lynchburg Rd.). For more information, call 832-421-RACE or check out www.battlegroundspeedway.net online.

On Saturday, May 9, the Houston Raceway Park in Baytown is on the invasion menu and the four-race weekend wraps up at the Gator Motorplex in Willis on Sunday, May 10.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, call the headquarters at (515) 832-7944 or visit www.usmts.com online for the latest news and information from the USMTS.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
USMTS Southern Series (West Region)
Golden Triangle Raceway Park, Beaumont, Texas
3rd Annual Rinehart Trucking Texas Shootout - Event #1 of 4
Thursday, May 7, 2009

Showing finishing position, car number, driver, hometown and starting position in parentheses. The top 12 drivers in passing points accumulated in the heat races are locked into the Sunoco “A” Main, with the top 8 re-drawing for starting positions 1-8.

ISKY RACING CAMS HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):
1. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (2)
2. E - Howard Willis — Dayton, TX (1)
3. 111 - Bumper Jones — Mesilla Park, NM (5)
4. 5w - John O Whittington — Vidor, TX (3)
5. 5a - Wes Armstrong — Marshall, TX (9)
6. 2w - Paul White — Temple, TX (7)
7. C3 - Chad Comer — Warren, TX (6)
8. 91 - Robert Metz Jr. — Lumberton, TX (8)
9. 25 - Corey Neil — Beaumont, TX (4)

HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (5)
2. 14 - Jon Tesch — Watertown, SD (8)
3. 51w - Jeff Wood — Willis, TX (1)
4. 52 - Chad Davis — Tulsa, OK (7)
5. 71 - Tracy Denby Sr. — Vidor, TX (3)
6. 97j - Jeff Hoegh — New Caney, TX (6)
7. 29 - Mike Walling — Baytown, TX (4)
8. 68 - Danny Barringer — Lufkin, TX (2)

HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX (4)
2. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (3)
3. 12c - Corey Babbitt — Channelview, TX (5)
4. 21 - Chris Brown — Cleveland, TX (7)
5. 9 - Doug Begnaud — Cypress, TX (6) DNF
6. 88b - Brian Boram — Orange, TX (1) DNF
7. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (2) DNF
8. 18 - Cody Smith — Kaufman, TX (8) DNS

HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (2)
2. 71k - Kevin Sustaire — Emery, TX (4)
3. 51 - Eddie Martin — Stilwell, OK (5)
4. 10 - Kyle Schmidt — Farmington, AR (1)
5. 57 - Jason Armstrong — Marshall, TX (7)
6. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (8)
7. 4m - Bobby Malchus — Red Oak, TX (6)
8. 51 - Tracy Denby Jr. — Vidor, TX (3)

HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):
1. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (3)
2. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (5)
3. 75 - Alan Sharpensteen — Amarillo, TX (1)
4. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (6)
5. L1 - Larry Clevenger — Greenwood, LA (7)
6. 7g - Mark Smith — Lufkin, TX (8)
7. 89n - John Neff — Lumberton, TX (4)
8. 8 - Steve Miller — Georgetown, TX (2)

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 5a - Wes Armstrong — Marshall, TX (4)
2. 51 - Eddie Martin — Stilwell, OK (1)
3. 21 - Chris Brown — Cleveland, TX (2)
4. 25 - Corey Neil — Beaumont, TX (15)
5. C3 - Chad Comer — Warren, TX (10)
6. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (11)
7. 51 - Tracy Denby Jr. — Vidor, TX (14)
8. 75 - Alan Sharpensteen — Amarillo, TX (3)
9. 71 - Tracy Denby Sr. — Vidor, TX (7)
10. 89n - John Neff — Lumberton, TX (12)
11. 68 - Danny Barringer — Lufkin, TX (13)
12. 7g - Mark Smith — Lufkin, TX (8)
13. L1 - Larry Clevenger — Greenwood, LA (6) DNF
14. 10 - Kyle Schmidt — Farmington, AR (5) DNF
15. 97j - Jeff Hoegh — New Caney, TX (9) DNF

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (3)
2. 5w - John O Whittington — Vidor, TX (4)
3. 52 - Chad Davis — Tulsa, OK (1)
4. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (7)
5. 57 - Jason Armstrong — Marshall, TX (5)
6. 88b - Brian Boram — Orange, TX (9)
7. 4m - Bobby Malchus — Red Oak, TX (11)
8. 2w - Paul White — Temple, TX (8)
9. 51w - Jeff Wood — Willis, TX (2)
10. 8 - Steve Miller — Georgetown, TX (14)
11. 29 - Mike Walling — Baytown, TX (10) DNF
12. 9 - Doug Begnaud — Cypress, TX (6) DNF
13. 91 - Robert Metz Jr. — Lumberton, TX (12) DNF
14. 18 - Cody Smith — Kaufman, TX (13) DNS

SUNOCO “A” MAIN (40 laps):
1. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (5)
2. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (8)
3. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (9)
4. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (7)
5. 111 - Bumper Jones — Mesilla Park, NM (11)
6. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX (6)
7. 51 - Eddie Martin — Stilwell, OK (15)
8. 5w - John O Whittington — Vidor, TX (16)
9. 21 - Chris Brown — Cleveland, TX (17)
10. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (20)
11. 14 - Jon Tesch — Watertown, SD (1)
12. 52 - Chad Davis — Tulsa, OK (18)
13. 71k - Kevin Sustaire — Emery, TX (4)
14. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (3)
15. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (2)
16. 4m - Bobby Malchus — Red Oak, TX (23)
17. 10 - Kyle Schmidt — Farmington, AR (24)
18. C3 - Chad Comer — Warren, TX (21)
19. 71 - Tracy Denby Sr. — Vidor, TX (25)
20. 12c - Corey Babbitt — Channelview, TX (12)
21. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (14)
22. 91 - Robert Metz Jr. — Lumberton, TX (26) DNF
23. 25 - Corey Neil — Beaumont, TX (19) DNF
24. E - Howard Willis — Dayton, TX (10) DNF
25. 57 - Jason Armstrong — Marshall, TX (22) DNF
26. 5a - Wes Armstrong — Marshall, TX (13) DNF

Lap Leaders: Tesch 1-22, Rowland 23-40.
Total Laps Led: Tesch 22, Rowland 18.AFCO Pole Award: Rowland.Provisional Starters: Malchus, Schmidt, Denby Sr. (track), Metz (track).
KSE Racing Products Hard Charger: Bagley (started 20th, finished 10th).
Next Race: Friday, May 8, Battleground Speedway, Highlands, Texas (West Region).
West Region Points: Hughes 409, Sanders 338, Shryock 336, Whiteaker 308, Rowland 304, Martin 289, Hebert 286, Tesch 280, Timms 256, Jones 250.
Dustin Duncan Memorial “Just Say Yes” Rookie of the Year Points: J. Armstrong 149, W. Armstrong 142, Schmidt 121, Davis 119, Sustaire 113.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: A.S.I. 67, Mullins 64, Sput’s 44, Young’s 39, BMS 38.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: Hughes 74, Skyrocket 73, TRE 65, GRT 65, Ramirez 64.

Contingency Awards:
AFCO Racing Products – Rowland.
American Racer – Walling.
Isky Racing Cams – Shryock.
KSE Racing Products – Bagley.
Marsh Racing Wheels – W. Armstrong.
Nitroquest – Hughes.
Quarter Master – Rowland, Whittington.
QuickTime Performance Parts – Martin.
Real Racing Wheels – Gould, Boram.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

USMTS TITLE SPONSOR: Casey’s General Stores.

USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Racer Racing Tires, Awesome Racewear, AwesomeRaceSuits.com, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, COMP Cams, Intensitee Custom Racewear, Intercomp, Karl Chevrolet, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, Nitroquest, PBM Performance Products, Sunoco Race Fuels.

USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: ASi Racewear, Bear Tire, Big Dog Chassis & Fabrication, DandyLand Farms, Day Motor Sports, Diamond Oil Company, Gressel Oil Field Service, Just Say Yes, Ramirez Race Cars, Lone Star Super Gas, Olympic Fire Protection, Ruter Farms, Yeager Machine.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Dynatech Racing Exhaust, Hyperco, ISKY Racing Cams, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, Out-Pace Racing Products, Quarter Master, QuickTime Performance Race Parts, Real Racing Wheels, US Brake.

USMTS Modifieds set for four-night Texas Shootout, May 7-10

Four events in the Lone Star State are up next for the USMTS Southern Series with a possible $8,500 to win as drivers look to make their move in the West Region points standings during the 3rd Annual Rinehart Trucking Texas Shootout.

More than $60,000 in purse money will be up for grabs during the 3rd Annual Rinehart Trucking Texas Shootout, including a $2,000 top prize at each of the four events and a points fund provided by Rinehart Trucking which will pay $500 to the top points earner, $300 for second and $200 for third over the course of the four-race swing.

With three West Region races in the books so far this season, defending USMTS Southern Series champion Jason Hughes of Westville, Okla., is three-for-three and leads the top-notch touring titans into Texas as the current points leader over 2007 USMTS Southern Series titleist and eight-time USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock of Fertile, Iowa. Texan Rodney Sanders of Happy is third in the rankings, followed by Steven Whiteaker Jr. of Corpus Christi. Shane Hebert of Lafayette, La., is fifth; Johnny Bone Jr. of Pea Ridge, Ark., is sixth; and Jon Tesch of Watertown, S.D., sits seventh. Three Sooner State speedsters round out the top 10: Eddie Martin of Stilwell, Randy Timms of Wheatland and Woodward’s Bryan Rowland.

Other USMTS Southern Series drivers expected to make some noise this weekend include Kevin Sustaire, Wes Armstrong, Dereck Ramirez, Bobby Malchus, Jason Armstrong, Morgan Bagley, Bumper Jones, Kyle Schmidt, William Gould, Chase Allen, Shawn Brassfield, Chad Davis, Alan Sharpensteen, Cody Smith, Steve Holzkamper, Chad Wheeler, Scott Green, Kip Hughes, Jeremy Morris, Larry Clevenger, Tate Cole, Mike Dillard, Dustin Hyde, Pat McVicker, Melvin Pilcher, Jeremy Ross, Timothy Culp, John O Whittington, Tim Clonch, Troy Taylor Jr., Jack Sullivan, Tristan Dycus, Jerry Standifer, Tyler Townsend, Nathan Bichsel, Allen Chickering, Brandon Davis, Ron Gould Jr. and Grant Junghans.

THURSDAY, MAY 7 - GOLDEN TRIANGLE RACEWAY PARK

On Thursday, May 7, the quadrupleheader kicks off at the Golden Triangle Raceway Park in Beaumont for a re-scheduled date that was rained-out on April 17.

Howard Willis of Vidor, Texas, sat on the pole and never relinquished the lead as he captured the season-opening USMTS Southern Series main event last year. Four events were held at the track (then called Motorama Speedway) in 2007 with Kelly Shryock, Steve Holzkamper, Tommy Weder Jr. and Jason Hughes sharing the honors.

Among the regulars expected to defend their home turf are Corey Neil, Darryl Seals, Corey Babbitt, Robert Metz, Johnny Brown, John Baker, Mike Walling, Brian Boram, Mike Girardo and John Neff Jr.

Pit and grandstand gates will open at 5:00 with hot laps at 7:00 and racing at 7:45. Also on the racing card will be USRA Southern Limited Modifieds ( and Hobby Stocks.

The Golden Triangle Raceway Park is a 1/4-mile high-banked clay oval located 9.5 miles west of I-10 on US 90 (SSR). For race day information, call the track hotline at 409-752-7200 or 409-781-2801 or visit www.motoramaspeedway.com on the World Wide Web.

FRIDAY, MAY 8 - BATTLEGROUND SPEEDWAY

Friday, May 8, will find the mud-slinging Modifieds of the USMTS Southern Series making their debut at the rejuvenated Battleground Speedway in Highlands. The 3/8-mile oval opened on March 31, 1984, and operated through 2001 before closing. It re-opened briefly from 2004-06 under the name Highland Motor Speedway, changing the name back to Battleground Speedway just before closing again.

“My goal is to make Battleground Speedway the premier facility for dirt track racing in Southeast Texas,” said Mike Walling, who purchased the complex in September 2008.

With a successful World of Outlaws Late Model Series event already under their belt in 2009, the facility boasts a 4,000-seat grandstand topped by a new press box. The former press box was blown off the stands and landed in the nearby woods when Hurricane Ike rocked the area last September – just four days after Walling assumed ownership of the track.

Phil Dixon, Bubba Gates, Tommy Stanley, Danny Barringer, Paul White, Corey Neil, Benny Perry, Corey Babbitt, Frank Kitchenhoff and Pete Sagmiller are just a few of the weekly warriors expected to contend for the winner’s trophy Friday night.

Pit gates will open at 3:00 for the inaugural event, with grandstand gates swinging open at 5:00. Hot laps are slated for 6:00 and the first heat race is scheduled to take to the track at 7:00. USRA Southern Limited Modifieds will also join the racing program Friday night.

The Battleground Speedway is a 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval located east of Houston on I-10 to Highland Exit 787, then 4.0 miles north on FM 2100 (Crosby Lynchburg Rd.). For more information, call 832-421-RACE or check out www.battlegroundspeedway.net online.

SATURDAY, MAY 9 - HOUSTON RACEWAY PARK

On Saturday, May 9, the Houston Raceway Park in Baytown is on the invasion menu with the 2nd Annual Showdown at Baytown. With seven shows since 2007, more USMTS Southern Series events have been held at HRP than any other facility – and, weather permitting, the total will increase to 11 with the conclusion of the 3rd Annual Texas Winter Nationals, Dec. 3-5.

The nine-year-old facility has a main grandstand seating capacity of 7,500 which includes fourteen VIP luxury suites and boasts a state-of-the-art Musco Lighting system for TV productions.

Paul White won the first-ever USMTS Southern Series event at Houston Raceway Park. Since then, trips to victory lane have also been made by Alan Mondus, Kelly Shryock, Jason Hughes, Tommy Weder Jr., Johnny Bone Jr. and Zack VanderBeek.

Local aces expected to compete include David Smith, Chris Brown, Corey Neil, Kevin Batterbee, Joe Mayhew, Kenny Batterbee, Ed Wickham, Brent Nicholas, Brian Spindleman, Brian Sellier and others.

Pit gates will open at 4:00 on Saturday with grandstands opening at 6:00. Hot laps are at 6:30 and racing begins at 7:00. USRA Southern Limited Modifieds will round out the night’s racing card.

The Houston Raceway Park is a state-of-the-art 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval located east of Houston on I-10 to Exit 798, then 3.0 miles south on SR 146, then 0.9 miles southeast on FM 1405, then 1.5 miles northeast on FM 565. For more information, call the track office at 281-383-RACE or visit www.houstonraceway.com online.

SUNDAY, MAY 10 - GATOR MOTORPLEX

The four-race weekend wraps up at the Gator Motorplex in Willis on Sunday, May 10, to make-up the rained-out show on April 18. Gates will open early at 12 noon, with hot laps slated for 3:30 and the first green flag flying 4:00. Also competing will be USRA Southern Limited Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Pure Stocks.

Fans can meet the drivers prior to hot laps and a free meal from Hickory Hut Concessions are part of the special Mothers Day prizes that will be distributed at the races. Mother’s Day prize sponsors include Speed Tan, Gene’s Hickory Hut, Performance Tinters, SDR Photography, Checkerflag Diner, Waffle House, Starbucks, Sonic, Subway and more.

Past USMTS Southern Series winners at the Gator Motorplex include Greg Skaggs (2007) and Steve Holzkamper (2008).

Local favorites than fans can expect to see defending their home turf are Kevin Sturgess, Bryan Vollmer, Doug Byrns, Keith Wright, Monty Locke, Alan Drewry, Steve Pugh, Derek Knowles, Kalif Sellier, Jeff Wood and others.

The Gator Motorplex is a 1/4-mile high-banked clay oval located off I-45 to Shepherd Hill (Exit 98), then east, then 1.4 miles south on SR 75. The track’s official website is online at www.gatormotorplex.net.

RULES & PROCEDURES: All USMTS rules apply. Qualifying will be done by heat race passing points and Real Racing Wheels “B” Mains. Draw for heat race starting spot ends 15 minutes before hot laps begin. The American Racer KK704 is the Official Tire of the USMTS; however drivers may use the Hoosier G60 but will not earn points or be eligible for points funds. Roll bar padding and a window net are required. If utilizing a flat tappet or BRODIX aluminum spec head engine, the minimum weight of the racecar must be 2,400 lbs. If utilizing steel or aluminum heads with a 23-degree valve angle, the minimum weight must be 2,450 lbs. If utilizing raised runner heads or heads with less than a 23-degree valve angle, the minimum weight must be 2,500 lbs. Racecars with aluminum heads other than the approved BRODIX aluminum spec heads must have 25 lbs. in front of mid-plate.

PROVISIONALS: Four provisional starters shall be added to the rear of the Sunoco “A” Main each night - two from USMTS points and two from track points.

TOP DOG BONUS: Drivers ranked among the top-10 in West Region points are guaranteed a minimum of $300. Drivers ranked 11th through 15th earn a minimum of $200. Driver must have perfect attendance in the USMTS Southern Series West Region to be eligible.

LICENSES: There is no requirement to purchase a USMTS license to compete in any USMTS event. However, benefits enjoyed by licensed drivers includes higher event purses and bonus payouts, increased tow money, discounted entry fees, contingency awards, points funds, provisional starting spots, increased media recognition, a personalized driver profile page at www.usmts.com and more. The cost of a USMTS Southern Series license is $200.

ENTRY FEES: Pre-entry is $90 for non-licensed drivers or $80 for drivers with a USMTS license. Late entry for all drivers is $100. Drivers may call USMTS headquarters at (515) 832-7944 on Tuesday, May 5, to secure the early entry rate.

PAYOFF: Licensed - 1. $2000, 2. $1500, 3. $1000, 4. $800, 5. $700, 6. $600, 7. $500, 8. $450, 9. $400, 10. $350, 11. $320, 12. $300, 13. $275, 14-26. $250, Tow $80; Non-Licensed - 1. $2000, 2. $1200, 3. $800, 4. $600, 5. $500, 6. $400, 7. $350 , 8. $300, 9. $250, 10. $230, 11. $210, 12-26. $200, Tow $60.

USMTS SOUTHERN SERIES - WEST REGION POINTS STANDINGS:
1. 12 - Jason Hughes, Westville, Okla. … 312
2. 3 - Kelly Shryock, Fertile, IA, . 246
3. 20 - Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas … 237
4. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr., Corpus Christi, Texas … 227
5. 9 - Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La. … 222
6. 12 - Johnny Bone Jr., Pea Ridge, Ark. … 216
7. 14 - Jon Tesch, Watertown, S.D. … 210
8. 51 - Eddie Martin, Stilwell, Okla. … 203
8. 5t - Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla. … 203
10. 20r - Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla. … 199
11. 71k - Kevin Sustaire, Emery, Texas … 181
12. 5a - Wes Armstrong, Marshall, Texas … 179
13. 4r - Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla. … 177
14. 4m - Bobby Malchus, Red Oak, Texas … 167
14. 57 - Jason Armstrong, Marshall, Texas … 167
16. 5r - Morgan Bagley, Longview, Texas … 164
17. 111 - Bumper Jones, Mesilla Park, N.M. … 160
17. 10 - Kyle Schmidt, Farmington, Ark. … 160
19. 60 - William Gould, Calera, Okla. … 145
19. 30 - Chase Allen, Midlothian, Texas … 145
21. 91b - Shawn Brassfield, Ada, Okla. … 135
21. 52 - Chad Davis Tulsa, Okla., … 135
21. 75 - Alan Sharpensteen, Amarillo, Texas … 135
21. 18 - Cody Smith, Kaufman, Texas … 135
25. 5 - Steve Holzkamper, Gentry, Ark. … 130
26. 88 - Chad Wheeler, Muskogee, Okla. … 129
27. 25 - Scott Green, Derby, Kan. … 120
28. GO - Kip Hughes, Enid, Okla. … 102
29. 9j - Jeremy Morris, Lowell, Ark. … 95
30. L1 - Larry Clevenger, Greenwood, La. … 90
30. 89 - Tate Cole, Muskogee, Okla. … 90
30. 66x - Mike Dillard, Allen, Texas … 90
30. 8j - Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, Texas … 90
30. 6 - Pat McVicker, Woodward, Okla. … 90
30. 47 - Melvin Pilcher, Springdale, Ark. … 90
30. 38 - Jeremy Ross, Locust Grove, Okla. … 90
30. C8 - Timothy Culp, West Monroe, La. … 90
38. 5w - John O Whittington, Vidor, Texas … 85
39. 18 - Tim Clonch, Quinlan, Texas … 77
40. 76 - Troy Taylor Jr., Dallas, Texas … 67
41. 18 - Jack Sullivan, Greenbrier, Ark. … 64
42. 14 - Tristan Dycus, Midlothian, Texas … 54
43. 2 - Jerry Standifer, Howe, Okla. … 45
43. 12 - Tyler Townsend, Longview, Texas … 45
43. 58 - Nathan Bichsel, Amarillo, Texas … 45
43. 26 - Allen Chickering, Okarche, Okla. … 45
43. 23b - Brandon Davis, Castle Rock, Colo. … 45
43. 05 - Ron Gould Jr., McLoud, Okla. … 45
43. 2 - Grant Junghans, Manhattan, Kan. … 45

USMTS SOUTHERN SERIES - 2009 SCHEDULE:
Fri Mar 20 … I-30 Speedway, Little Rock, AR (winner: Michael Robertson) [E]
Sat Mar 21 … I-30 Speedway, Little Rock, AR (winner: Johnny Bone Jr.) [E]
Fri Apr 3 … West Siloam Speedway, West Siloam Springs, OK (winner: Jason Hughes) [W]
Sat Apr 4 … West Siloam Speedway, West Siloam Springs, OK (winner: Jason Hughes) [W]
Fri Apr 24 … Texarkana 67 Speedway, Texarkana, AR (winner: Jason Hughes) [E]
Sat Apr 25 … Champion Park Speedway, Haughton, LA (winner: Johnny Bone Jr.) [E]
Sun Apr 26 … Boothill Speedway, Greenwood, LA (winner: Jack Sullivan) [E]
Fri May 1 … Lake Country Speedway, Ardmore, OK (winner: Jason Hughes) [W]
Thu May 7 … Golden Triangle Raceway Park, Beaumont, TX ($2,000 to win) [W]
Fri May 8 … Battleground Speedway, Highlands, TX ($2,000 to win) [W]
Sat May 9 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($2,000 to win) [W]
Sun May 10 … Gator Motorplex, Willis, TX ($2,000 to win) [W]
Tue Jun 9 … Tri-State Speedway, Pocola, OK ($2,000 to win) [E]
Wed Jun 10 … I-30 Speedway, Little Rock, AR ($2,000 to win) [E]
Thu Jun 11 … Ark-La-Tex Speedway, Vivian, LA ($2,000 to win) [E]
Fri Jun 12 … Fast Trax Speedway, Chatham, LA ($2,000 to win) [E]
Sat Jun 13 … Drew County Speedway, Monticello, AR ($2,000 to win) [E]
Sun Jun 14 … Boothill Speedway, Greenwood, LA ($2,000 to win) [E]
Thu Oct 1 … Battleground Speedway, Highlands, TX ($1,000 to win)
Fri Oct 2 … Battleground Speedway, Highlands, TX ($2,000 to win) [H]
Sat Oct 3 … Battleground Speedway, Highlands, TX ($3,000 to win) [H]
Fri Oct 23 … Gator Motorplex, Willis, TX ($2,000 to win) [H]
Sat Oct 24 … Gator Motorplex, Willis, TX ($3,000 to win) [H]
Fri Nov 27 … Texana Raceway Park, Edna, TX ($1,000 to win) [H]
Sat Nov 28 … Texana Raceway Park, Edna, TX ($2,000 to win) [H]
Sun Nov 29 … Texana Raceway Park, Edna, TX ($3,000 to win) [H]
Thu Dec 3 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($2,000 to win) [H]
Fri Dec 4 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($3,000 to win) [H]
Sat Dec 5 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($4,000 to win) [H]

[E] = East Region
[W] = West Region
[H] = Championship Hunt

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, call the headquarters at (515) 832-7944 or visit www.usmts.com online for the latest news and information from the USMTS.

USMTS Press Release

The “Young Guns” of the TSRS Late Model Series took the “Old Timers” to school at Houston Motorsports Park

The ‘young guns” of the Texas Super Racing Series (TSRS) took the “old timers” to school last Saturday at Houston Motorsports Park during the running of the TSRS Late Model “Insty Print 75.” It was fifteen year-old Jake Kruger who ended up in victory circle while the best the veterans could manage was a fifth place finish.

Nineteen year-old Kyle Sirizzotti, fourteen year-old Dillon Spreen and sixteen year-old Kendall Bumbera filled the top four spots behind Kruger in the finishing order.

And it wasn’t because there weren’t any quality “old school” Late Model drivers at the at the well-maintained 3/8-mile oval that night.

Chris Schild - who currently sits at the top of the “most TSRS Late Model wins” column along with Tommy Gural - lined up on the front row next to seventeen year-old Levi Krauss, who set fast time during time trials. And multi-race winner Robert Barker started in row two next to another rookie, fourteen year-old Dillon Spreen. And Bobby Teer, Jr, Cary Stapp, Robert Walton, Todd Farris and Mike Williams – all top-notch racers with years of racing experience - haven’t sat through a fourth-period study hall in quite a while.

Schild grabbed the early lead when Krauss drifted high in the first turn after solid contact with another competitor. Krauss was freight trained by a good portion of the 15 car field as he struggled to re-gain contol. Barker took over second with Kruger assuming the third spot.

Schild soon had his mirror full of Barker’s borrowed race car and the pair battled for the lead for a dozen laps. Meanwhile, Spreen had moved up through the field to challenge for fourth, then third as the field sorted itself out.

The race was only a few laps old when - for no apparent reason - Schild spun. The caution flag flew as the track personnel checked for possible fluid on the track surface as Barker wheeled what appeared to be a broken race car into the pits, his night over early.

Despite the spin, TSRS officials reinstated Schild as the race leader as Spreen, Kruger, Teer Jr., and Sirizzotti lined up behind him for the restart.

Over the next several laps Spreen took a few good looks under Schild, but the leader was able to handle the repeated challenges even though Spreen may have had the faster car at that point.

On the 32nd lap, Spreen and Schild made contact with Schild spinning to a stop to bring out the caution flag once again. Race officials ruled that Spreen was at fault for the contact and Schild resumed the race from the front while Spreen was sent to the rear.

A few laps laterTeer, Jr, running in third behind Kruger at the time, lost control in turn four , drifted up out of the groove and held on. Teer was able to regain control after Cody Smith scooted by to take over that spot.

A lap later both Kruger and Smith were able to work their way past Schild, who seemed to be experiencing growing problems with the handling. But as Krauss tried to get by, he and Schild made solid contact and the pair ended up in a wad on the back straight. Krauss was able to return, but without some of his bodywork.

The race was restarted on lap 51 with Kruger, Smith, Schild – reinstated to his third place spot after it was determined that Krauss was at fault for the accident - Mike Williams and Teer, Jr, the new top five.

With 20 to go, Kruger and Smith began to separate themselves from the pack as Sirizzotti and Teer Jr battled for third and fourth a short distance back. A few laps later Schild spins again to bring out the yellow flag.

The lap 65 restart has Kruger, Smith, Sirizzotti, Teer, Spreen and Kendall Bumbera at the front. But a lap later Smith and Kruger tangle in turn two to bring out yet another caution flag. Smith was deemed at fault in this one and was sent to the rear with Kruger retaining his first place position.

This restart had Kruger, Sirizzotti, Teer, Spreen and Bumbera the top five combatants.

Sirizzotti was soon hot on Kruger’s heels with Teer and Spreen right there to form a tight four-car pack. But with two laps remaining, Teer spun solo in turn three to bring out the final caution period of the night.

Kruger, Sirizzotti, Spreen, Bumbera, and Cary Stapp were now facing a two-lap shootout for the win.

Sirizzotti gave it all he had, first looking low, then high, then low again, but Kruger retained his composure and held off the determined Sirizzotti for the win. Spreen, Bumbera and Stapp finished in that order.

“I want to thank Kyle (Sirizzotti) for running me clean those last few laps,” Kruger said after the race. “We wanted to run a clean, steady race and we did. It feels good to win.”

Official results:

Finishing position, Car number, Name, Hometown, Laps completed, Starting position, Qualifying time, Points awarded, Notes

1 14 Jake Kruger Bastrop, TX 75 5 15.084 180
2 93 Kyle Sirizzotti Helotes, TX 75 6 15.138 170
3 81 Dillon Spreen Boerne, TX 75 4 15.072 165
4 72 Kendall Bumbera Sealy, TX 75 10 15.509 165 Hard Charger Bonus Points (5)
5 99 Cary Stapp San Marcos, TX 75 11 15.471 160 Hard Charger Bonus Points (5)
6 49 Robert Walton Bastrop, TX 75 13 15.921 0 Broke Impound - Scratch Start Non TSRS member - No Points
7 33 Mike Williams Hockley, TX 75 9 15.442 150
8 05 Cody Smith La Vernia, TX 75 7 15.192 146
9 2 Bobby Teer, Jr. Comfort, TX 75 8 15.262 142
10 4 Levi Krauss Schertz, TX 75 2 14.952 143 Fast Qualifier Bonus Points (5)
11 7 Chris Schild Leander, TX 74 1 15.123 134
12 96 Todd Farris College Station, TX 56 12 DNQ 130
13 1 Robert Barker Boerne, TX 12 3 14.992 127
14 56 Todd McLemore Austin, TX 0 DNS DNQ 5 Broke in Friday practice

By Nick Holt
Photos by Jeff Garvin

Denny Burton best in HMP’s NASCAR Cricket Modified “Cricket 40” event

Fifteen of the fastest asphalt Modifieds in the South lined up at Houston Motorsports Park Saturday night for the NASCAR Modified “Cricket 40” and veteran racer Denny Burton proved that he still has what it takes and took home the trophy, the prize money and the bragging rights after running a smart, clean race.

Ironically, Burton’s night almost ended before it began as the low-slung, fire-breathing Modifieds took their wide-open “hot laps” at the well-maintained 3/8-mile HMP oval immediately before the race. Pole-sitter Brent Seeley suddenly slowed on the back straight without warning and Burton slammed into the rear of Seeley’s ride and ended up sideways in the infield. In spite of the hard contact both cars and their drivers were OK and they took their positions at the front of the field for the green flag.

Immediately after the start, Seeley made contact with another car and slid up the track a bit and Burton scooted by to take the lead and took Chrudimsky and Chris Davidson with him before Seeley could recover and settle into fourth place.

Although he had a car capable of contending for the win, Davidson’s night would end prematurely after smoke began to pour from the rear of his car from the second lap on. Davidson pulled into the smoking car into the pits with 25 laps remaining.

After that, it was just a matter of how long Burton would be able to hold off the always-aggressive Chrudimsky as the rest of the field seemed to have nothing for the two leaders.

The race for the lead at wasn’t the only race to watch, however, as the battle for third between Tuffy Hudson and Seeley was shaping up to become a barnburner by mid-race. And it was just that for a few laps, but eventually Seeley was able to open up and maintain a two car length lead on the Corpus Christi hotshoe for the remainder of the race.

Chrudimsky, meanwhile, gave Burton fits for most of the race, but the anticipated showdown at the finish never materialized when Chrudimsky got caught in lapped traffic with a couple laps remaining allowing Burton to take the checkered with room to spare.

Seeley, Hudson and steady Ian Webster rounded out the top five.

Unofficial results:

1. 007 Denny Burton
2. 39 Mark Chrudimsky
3. 5 Brent Seeley
4. 7 Tuffy Hudson
5. 9 Ian Webster
6. 2 Bobby Hillin, Jr.
7. 04 Brad Hudak
8. 42 Justin Long
9. 1 Carl Smith
10. 33 Jason Morman
11. 8 Jim Nides
12. 28 Hannah Baker
13. 82 Pat Kinsey
14. 11 Kalie Sellier
15. 41 Chris Davidson

by Nick Holt
Photos by Chris David

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