Shryock, Gieber take Friday’s Port-a-Cool Texas World Dirt Track Qualifiers

March 3, 2012

Drivers from eleven states and one Canadian province signed in for Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Tracks annual Texas World Dirt Track Championships, presented by Port-a-Cool. Over 150 Modifieds and Limited Modifieds did battle on the 4/10 mile, semi-banked, dirt oval just north of Ft. Worth with drivers looking to pick up one of eight qualifying spots in each of the night’s qualifying features.

Heat races would take the top 16 in passing points directly to each classes A-qualifier, with C and B-qualifiers filling the remaining spots for each of the 15-lap events.

Tomorrow night the SUPR Late Models add to the prestigious event with a full program on the slate for them. The Modifieds and Limited Modifieds have Last Chance qualifiers on tap, with a pole dash for the eight drivers already set for Saturday nights championships.

Saturday preview; Multi-time USMTS National Champion, Kelly Shryock, looks to be the first Iowa driver to win against a stout Modified field. Dennie Gieber(Jacksonville) hopes to join a rare list by taking a second class Championship in the Limited Modified feature. Gieber, who won a Modified event back in 2003, would join Troy Taylor as a two-class champion.

With a good run in the SUPR events on Saturday, Corpus Christi’s Steve Whiteaker tries to be the first driver to ever make the show in all three classes. Whiteaker, who scored a Modified victory in the fall of 2010, could become another two or possibly three class winner.

Shryock Strikes in Modified Qualifier

Kelly Shryock(Fertile, Ia.) showed the 24-car car Modified field nothing but his rear bumper going wire to wire in the 15-lap A-qualifier. Shryock, who earned the pole with the most passing points, beat Tyler Townsend into turn 1 and that was all he needed. Bobby Malchus, who won in 2010, tried his best to chase Shryock, but to no avail as Shryock eased away at the finish.

Shane Hebert saw his night end early after he had issues before the green flag ever flew. When green did fly, Shryock blasted off like a ‘skyrocket’ with Malchus and Tristan Dycus getting by Townsend for second and third. Townsend and Dycus hooked bumpers shaking up the top five as Chris Henigan, Chris Brown and Corey Babbitt moved into the top five.

Shryock and Malchus began to put some distance on the field when the races only caution waved for a spin in turn 4 by Townsend. The restart was about as close as Malchus ever got to Shryock as he got a good jump, while his sister car, driven by Brown, tried the high side of Henigan for third. Steve Whiteaker jr. made a charge from his mid-pack start, getting by Zack Van Der Beek for seventh.

At halfway it was still Shryock, holding the advantage at the point, Malchus, Henigan, Brown and Babbitt, while Whiteaker and Van Der Beek continued to slug it out. Shryock inched away throughout the final laps, as the field separated out among the transfer spots. At the checkers it was Shryock, in the Lone Stare Hydro Maintenance, Houston Specialties Products, VP Racing Fuels, CJ’s Auto Sales, Lake Mills Motorsports, Pro Power Engines, Skyrocket Chassis, easily taking the victory.

Modifieds A-Qualifier(Top 8 locked in for Sat. A-main)
3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Ia.
4m Bobby Malchus, Red Oak
16 Chris Henigan, Marshall
3b Chris Brown, Cleveland
12 Corey Babbitt, Channelview
2j John Anderson, Omaha, Nebr.
89 Steve Whiteaker jr., Corpus Christi
33z Zack Van Der Beek, New Sharon, Ia.
5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla.
14t Tristan Dycus, Alvarado
52 Mitch Keeton, Webb City, Mo.
2x Grant Junghans, Manhattan, Kan.
10 Kyle Schmidt, Farmington, Ark.
56 Troy Taylor, Ft. Worth
24 Sean Jones, Mansfield
5w John Whittington, Vidor
81 Danny Caldwell, Princeton
J41 Monte Bolton, Lubbock
1 Colby Smith, Greenville
99 Bryan Sugg, Grand Prairie
11x Wesley Veal, Centuria, Wisc.
12t Tyler Townsend, Longview
75d Patrick Daniel, Wills Point
9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La.

Modified C-qualifier 1(Top 4 to B-qualifier)
5w John Whittington
12 Jeremy Green
112 Darian Hendrix
21 Dustin Billingsley
88 Shawn Gammage
27x Allen Juelch
32 Doug Byrns
77 Shawn Greenlee
8x Mark Hoover
42w Wayne Poteet
321 Matt Martin
68 Brandon Watson
77a Aaron Benedict
D11 David Hennan

Modified C-qualifier 2
8t Dustin Hyde
85 Thomas Tillison jr
010 Jeremy Willis
15b Thomas Blackwell
44 Delaney Erickson
19t Tony Osborn
66 Greg Burt
C22 Rob Litton
53x Eric Layton
3c Sam Cox
410 Brad Doherty
27 Kelly Lockey
11 Keith Lawson

Modified B-qualifier 1(Top 4 to A-qualifier)
11x Wesley Veal
24 Sean Jones
5w John Whittington
81 Danny Caldwell
16x Kyle Pleasant
60 William Gould
22x Ralo Pilkington
127 Glen Hibbard
4 Shannon Scott
66x Mike Dillard
107 Shad Badder
86j Travis Johnson
112 Darian Hendrix
2x Lyle Sheppard
18j Justin Johnson
82x Jamie Williams
21c Chris Cole
10x Jeremy Ishmael
12g Jeremy Green
14x Josh Landers
1* Jason Troutman
19b BJ Baze
8 Chase Allen
21 Dustin Billingsley

Modified B-qualifier 2
10 Kyle Schmidt
41 Monte Bolton
52 Mitch Keeton
99 Bryan Sugg
88xxx Clyde Dunn jr
8t Dustin Hyde
5m Joe Mayhew
98 John Allen
01 Kirby Stiens
45t Eric Tomlinson
23 Matt Gilbertson
15b Thomas Blackwell
85t Andy Thomas
L1 Larry Clevenger
02 Gary Coprbin
121 Scooter Bates
25d Donnie Shipp
7 Kelly Gorham
7p Greg Penney
18 Chase Junghans
17m Robert Baker
25 Richard Miller
010 Jertemy Willis
85 Thomas Tillison jr

Modified heats(Top 16 in passing points to A-qualifier)
Heat 1
56 Troy Taylor
60 William Gould
25 Richard Miller
24 Sean Jones
18 Chase Junghans
66x Mike Dillard
22x Ralo Pilkington
12g Jeremy Green
17m Robert Baker
112 Darian Hendrix
77 Shawn Greenlee

Heat 2
4 Bobby Malchus
3 Kelly Shryock
127 Glen Hibbard
10 Kyle Schmidt
88xxx Clyde Dunn
7p Greg Penny
2x Lyle Sheppard
44 Delaney Erickson
010 Jeremy Willis
85 Thomas Tillison jr
11 Keith Lawson

Heat 3
16 Chris Henigan
2j John Anderson
89 Steve Whiteaker jr
98 John Allen
107 Shad Badder
10x Jeremy Ishmael
7 Kelly Gorham
8x Mark Hoover
88 Shawn Gammage
77a Aaron Benedict
D11 David Hennan

Heat 4
14t Tristan Dycus
75d Patrick Daniel
99 Bryan Sugg
121 Scooter Bates
19b BJ Baze
8 Chase Allen
23 Matt Gilbertson
8t Dustin Hyde
C22 Rob Litton
410 Brad Doherty

Heat 5
33 Zack Van Der Beek
1 Colby Smith
86j Travis Johnson
14x Josh Landers
L1 Larry Clevenger
85t Anthony Thomas
82x Jamie Williams
21 Dustin Billingsley
321 Matt Martin
68 Brandon Watson

Heat 6
2x Grant Junghans
12 Corey Babbitt
5t Randy Timms
01 Kirby Siens
52 Mitch Keeton
45t Eric Timlinson
25d Donny Shipp
66 Greg Burt
53x Eric Layton
15b Thomas Blackwell

Heat 7
3c Chris Brown
5m Joe Mayhew
11x Wesley Veal
1* Jason Troutman
81 Danny Caldwell
O2 Gary Corbin
27x Allen Juelch
19t Tony Osborn
32 Doug Byrns
42w Wayne Poteet

Heat 8
9 Shane Hebert
12t Tyler Townsend
J41 Monte Bolton
16x Kyle Pleasant
4 Shannon Scott
18j Dustin Johnson
21c Chris Cole
5w John Whittington
3c Sam Cox
27 Kelly Lockey

Gieber Grabs Limited Modified Honors

After the initial start was aborted, Dennie Gieber hustled his way out front at the start of the 24-car Limited Modified A-qualifier. Steve Whiteaker jr. didn’t make it as easy on Gieber as the two past Modified winners battled up front. Whiteaker kept the pressure on Gieber during a large portion of the 15-lap event, who then held on after a late restart for top honors.

Gieber got the jump on the field as the race began, but a spin by RJ Stroman quickly brought the yellow out. Again Gieber led the way on the next start trailed by Whiteaker, Jason Troutman and John Whittington. Matt Mueller and Doug Easterling moved in on Whittington going three wide for the spot on lap 3. Randy Timms closed in to join that battle on lap 4.

Mueller got around Troutman for third leaving him side by side with Whittington and Derick Grigsby on their tail. Rowdy Day went around on lap 8, almost taking Gieber out of the lead, and brought out the yellow. The top four eased ahead back under green, while Troutman, Easterling, Grigsby, Timms and Robert Elliot battled for a transfer spot.

Whiteaker was just beginning to challenge Gieber on the high side when Darrell McGee broke and stopped on track for a caution. Gieber got a good jump on Whiteaker when green waved again, while Timms used the high side to get past Easterling. Shane Hebert ran down the battle for the eighth and final spot with two laps to go.

That run by Hebert came to an end as the field was coming to the white when Hebert broke and rolled to a stop on the front stretch. SUPR flagman David Corbello showed the field the white and green for one final dash to the finish. As Gieber took off, Whittington went past Mueller and was trying Whiteaker. At the checkers it was Gieber driving the Dewayne and Kandi Wilkerson owned, AMS Engines, Wicked Chassis, taking the win.

Limited Modified A-Qualifier(Top 8 locked in for Sat. A-main)
15w Dennie Gieber, Jacksonville
89 Steve Whiteaker jr., Corpus Christi
511 John Whittington, Vidor
38 Matt Mueller, Stamford
1* Jason Troutman, Sunnyville
5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla.
88 Doug Easterling, Abilene
21 Robert Elliot, Clinton, Okla.
69 Derick Grigsby, Marshall
124 Jake Upchurch, N. Richland Hills
86j Travis Johnson, Enid, Okla.
28x Jason Ingalls, Hallsville
K6 Joe Adams, Enid, Okla.
88x RJ Stroman, New Boston
21b Gene Bryce, Altus, Okla.
77x Garrett Gregory, Tomball
85d Greg Deterding, Pond Creek, Okla.
23m Jimmy Day, Greenville
1 Tim Linares, Altus, Okla.
9h Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La.
2 Rowdy Day, Greenville
33d Darrell McGee, Conroe
76 Anthony McCollom. Denton
2w Paul White, Temple

Limited Modified C-qualifier 1(Top 8 to B-qualifier)
56 Troy Taylor
26 Dean Abbey
53 Edward Oakes
V8 Robert Vetter
8b Jason Bolden
56 Darin Busch
39 Dusty Lout
77b Bryan Bolden
23g Glen Gordy
105 Jay McClanahan
25 Roy Petty
325 Mike Martin
45 Robert Taylor
14 Gary Cox
22w Johnny Walton

Limited Modified B-qualifier 1(Top 4 to A-qualifier)
9h Shane Hebert
21b Gene Bryce
23m Jimmy Day
28x Jason Ingalls
99 Gary Fritchen
53 Edward Oakes
55d Andy Deterding
D25 David Tanner
86 Jessie Buntin
8b Jason Bolden
39 Dusty Lout
22 Dakota Moore
147 Landon Haddox
10 Dustin Robinson
39x Jimmy Staats
81b Cody Simpson
81b Cody Simpson
114 Ryan Bohnstedt
99x Kristi Byrd
14x Barry Hornbeck
71 Scott Fincher
22t Darrell Thompson
56 Troy Taylor
15 Craig Ridgeway
116 Tim Mooman

Limited Modified B-qualifier 2
124 Jake Upchurch
86j Travis Johnson
88x RJ Stroman
85 Greg Deterding
47x Gary Stuckey
77b Bryan Bolden
7m Dammy Morris
4 Bo Day
08 Sean Glennon
48 Randy Bohnstedt
06 Tommy Bohnstedt
221 Keith Burnett
34s John South
11 Jeff Allgayer
91 Craig Oakes
6s Kyle Slader
V8 Robert Vetter
8 Chase Allen
62 Joe Bohnstedt
62m Tim McDonald
26 Dean Abbey
74 Kevin Snow
99d David Allen
56 Darin Busch

Limited Modified heats(Top 16 in passing points to A-qualifier
Heat 1
511 John Whittington
1* Jason Troutman
86j Travis Johnson
55d Andy Deterding
62m Tim McDonald
22 Dakota Moore
7m Danny Morris
39 Dusty Lout
105 Jay McClanahan

Heat 2
K6 Joe Adams
1 Tim Linares
99 Gary Fritchen
22t Darrell Thompson
114 Ryan Bohnstedt
34s John South
81b Cody Simpson
56x Troy Taylor
14 Gary Cox

Heat 3
5t Randy Timms
91 Craig Oakes
124 Jake Upchurch
39x Jimmy Staats
8 Chase Allen
48 Randy Bohnstedt
28x Jason Ingalls
8b Jason Bolden
25 Roy Petty

Heat 4
15w Dennie Gieber
77x Garrett Gregory
33d Darrell McGee
6s Kyle Slader
D25 David Tanner
14x Barry Hornbeck
88j RJ Stroman
26 Dean Abbey
V8 Robert Vetter

Heat 5
38 Matt Mueller
2 Rowdy Day
76 Anthony McCollom
86 Jessie Buntin
221 Keith Burnett
47x Gary Stuckey
147 Landon Maddox
32s Mike Martin
45 Robert Taylor

Heat 6
69 Derick Grigsby
88 Doug Easterling
2w Paul White
62 Joe Bohnstedt
4 Bo Day
116 Tim Mooman
08 Sean Glennon
22w Johnny Walton
77b Bryan Bolden

Heat 7
21 Robert Elliot
23m Jimmy Day
21b Gene Bryce
15 Craig Ridgeway
74 Kevin Snow
71 Scott Fincher
99x Kristi Byrd
23g Glen Gordy
53 Edward Oakes

Heat 8
89 Steve Whiteaker jr
9 Shane Hebert
85 Greg Deterding
11 Jell Allgayer
10 Dustin Robinson
99d David Allen
06 Tommy Bohnstedt
56 Darin Busch

by J M Hallas

Kelly Shryock tops USMTS “Halloween Havoc” at Gator Motorplex

October 26, 2009

The USMTS Dirthead.com Southern Series completed their TrackTek Racing Fuels Halloween Havoc doubleheader at the Gator Motorplex Saturday, and for the second straight night Kelly Shryock walked up and drew the pole position for the start of the main event.

But unlike Friday where he slipped back to a fifth-place finish by the end of the race, the nine-time USMTS National Champion stayed right where he started on Saturday and captured his first USMTS Dirthead.com Southern Series checkered flag in 34 races. His last win came on Dec. 1, 2007, where he clinched the USMTS Dirthead.com Southern Series title that season.

Midway through Saturday’s 40-lap Sunoco “A” Main, Shryock encountered lapped traffic on the quarter-mile, high-banked, clay oval. As he went to the outside of a lapped car, Morgan Bagley took the inside and appeared to have a shot at overtaking the leader. The backmarker, however, made a dash to the infield and forced Bagley down with him. By the time Bagley got all four wheels back on the racing surface, he had dropped to fifth while Jon Tesch assumed the runner-up position.

Tesch was able to close in on Shryock during the final laps of the event, but was unable to challenge for the top spot.

The win was worth $3,000 to the Fertile, Iowa, veteran, while Bagley recovered to place third behind Tesch.

Jason Hughes had to come through a Real Racing Wheels “B” Main to make the feature race, and picked up ten spots en route to a fourth-place finish. Rodney Sanders was fifth, Scott Green grabbed sixth for the second night in a row, Joshua Majek took seventh, William Gould raced from 18th to eighth, Bryan Rowland finished ninth and Garrett Durrett rounded out the top-10. Majek pocketed the KSE Racing Products Hard Charger Award by racing to seventh from 20th on the 26-car starting grid.

With two events in the books and six to go in the Hunt for the USMTS Dirthead.com Southern Series Championship presented by Dirt Modified Magazine, Shryock clings to a scant 11-point lead over Hughes (234 to 223) in the 2009 title chase standings. Tesch is close behind with 215 points, followed by Sanders (195), Bagley (180), Chris Henigan (177), Green (167), Bumper Jones (165), Rowland (164) and Friday night’s winner John O Whittington (161).

UP NEXT …
The weekend of Nov. 19-21 will find the mud-slinging Modifieds of the USMTS Dirthead.com Southern Series returning to the Battleground Speedway in Highlands, Texas, for a big tripleheader paying $1,000 to win on Thursday, $2,000 on Friday and $3,000 on Saturday.

Chris Brown of nearby Cleveland held off Rodney Sanders and found his way to the winner’s circle when the series made their debut at the 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval on May 8.

2009 Battleground Speedway track champion Phil Dixon joins Frank Kitchenhoff Jr., David Horner, Danny Barringer, Pete Sagmiller, Corey Babbitt, Phillip French, Tracy Denby Sr., Danny Ducote, Howard Willis and several other of the weekly warriors expected to contend for the winner’s trophy each night.
The pit gates will be open all day beginning on Wednesday, Nov. 18, for teams arriving early. Pit gates will officially open at 4:00 each night, with grandstands opening at 5:00, hot laps at 6:00 and racing to follow.

USRA Southern Limited Modifieds will also compete all three nights. Hobby Stocks will join the program on Friday night. Saturday night’s show will feature Pure Stocks in action.

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.

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.

OFFICIAL RESULTS –Hunt for the USMTS Dirthead.com Southern Series Championship presented by Dirt Modified Magazine TrackTek Racing Fuels Halloween Havoc - Night 2 of 2
Gator Motorplex, Willis, Texas - Saturday, October 24, 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. 25 - Scott Green — Derby, KS (1)
2. 5 - Steve Holzkamper — Gentry, AR (6)
3. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (2)
4. 16 - Chris Henigan — Marshall, TX (9)
5. 97j - Jeff Hoegh — New Caney, TX (3)
6. 12h - Jeff Huckaby — Texarkana, TX (5)
7. 71 - Tracy Denby Sr. — Vidor, TX (8)
8. 68 - Danny Barringer — Lufkin, TX (7)
9. E - Howard Willis — Dayton, TX (4) DNF

NEW VISION GRAPHICS HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. 58 - Garrett Durrett — Simsboro, LA (2)
2. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (6)
3. 18 - Jack Sullivan — Greenbrier, AR (4)
4. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (5)
5. 5w - John O Whittington — Vidor, TX (9)
6. 111 - Bumper Jones — Mesilla Park, NM (3)
7. 10 - Kyle Schmidt — Farmington, AR (8)
8. 148 - Russell Moore — Conroe, TX (7)
9. 18c - Cody Smith — Kaufman, TX (1) DNF

BUTLERBUILT HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (1)
2. 57 - Jason Armstrong — Marshall, TX (2)
3. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (4)
4. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (3)
5. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX (7)
6. 02x - B.J. Robinson — Shreveport, LA (8)
7. 51 - Tracy Denby Jr. — Vidor, TX (5)
8. 56 - David Horner — Houston, TX (6)
9. 4d - Tim Donlinger — Rochester, MN (9) DNS

AWESOME RACEWEAR HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. 12c - Corey Babbitt — Channelview, TX (3)
2. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (5)
3. 5a - Wes Armstrong — Marshall, TX (6)
4. 55 - Kyle Anderson — Tomball, TX (2)
5. 52 - Chad Davis — Tulsa, OK (7)
6. A1 - Phil Dixon — Crosby, TX (1)DNF
7. 82 - Joshua Majek — Corpus Christi, TX (8) DNF
8. 21 - David Winslett — Bossier City, LA (9) DNF
9. 8j - Dustin Hyde — Texarkana, TX (4) DNF

INTERCOMP HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):
1. 14 - Jon Tesch — Watertown, SD (2)
2. 51w - Jeff Wood — Willis, TX (1)
3. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (3)
4. 07 - Keith Wright — Conroe, TX (6)
5. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (5)
6. L1 - Larry Clevenger — Greenwood, LA (7)
7. 129 - Bryan Vollmer — Tomball, TX (9)
8. 05 - Michael Robertson — Minden, LA (4) DNF
9. 2w - Paul White — Temple, TX (8) DNF

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (4)
2. 18 - Jack Sullivan — Greenbrier, AR (1)
3. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (2)
4. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (7)
5. 111 - Bumper Jones — Mesilla Park, NM (9)
6. 52 - Chad Davis — Tulsa, OK (6)
7. E - Howard Willis — Dayton, TX (15)
8. 4d - Tim Donlinger — Rochester, MN (16)
9. 56 - David Horner — Houston, TX (14)
10. 2w - Paul White — Temple, TX (17)
11. 10 - Kyle Schmidt — Farmington, AR (11)
12. 129 - Bryan Vollmer — Tomball, TX (10)
13. 55 - Kyle Anderson — Tomball, TX (5) DNF
14. 07 - Keith Wright — Conroe, TX (3) DNF
15. 51 - Tracy Denby Jr. — Vidor, TX (12) DNF
16. L1 - Larry Clevenger — Greenwood, LA (8) DNF
17. 68 - Danny Barringer — Lufkin, TX (13) DNF

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (1)
2. 5w - John O Whittington — Vidor, TX (3)
3. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (4)
4. 82 - Joshua Majek — Corpus Christi, TX (11)
5. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX (5)
6. 02x - B.J. Robinson — Shreveport, LA (7)
7. 71 - Tracy Denby Sr. — Vidor, TX (10)
8. 97j - Jeff Hoegh — New Caney, TX (6)
9. 12h - Jeff Huckaby — Texarkana, TX (8)
10. 18 - Cody Smith — Kaufman, TX (15)
11. 21 - David Winslett — Bossier City, LA (12)
12. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (2) DNF
13. 05 - Michael Robertson — Minden, LA (14) DNF
14. 148 - Russell Moore — Conroe, TX (13) DNF
15. A1 - Phil Dixon — Crosby, TX (9) DNF
16. 8j - Dustin Hyde — Texarkana, TX (16) DNS

SUNOCO “A” MAIN (40 laps):
1. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (1)
2. 14 - Jon Tesch — Watertown, SD (8)
3. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (4)
4. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (14)
5. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (13)
6. 25 - Scott Green — Derby, KS (3)
7. 82 - Joshua Majek — Corpus Christi, TX (20)
8. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (18)
9. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (5)
10. 58 - Garrett Durrett — Simsboro, LA (7)
11. E - Howard Willis — Dayton, TX (26)
12. 5 - Steve Holzkamper — Gentry, AR (6)
13. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (17)
14. 16 - Chris Henigan — Marshall, TX (12)
15. 5a - Wes Armstrong — Marshall, TX (9)
16. 02x - B.J. Robinson — Shreveport, LA (24)
17. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (19)
18. 111 - Bumper Jones — Mesilla Park, NM (21)
19. 18 - Jack Sullivan — Greenbrier, AR (15)
20. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX (22)
21. 12c - Corey Babbitt — Channelview, TX (2) DNF
22. 51w - Jeff Wood — Willis, TX (11) DNF
23. 5w - John O Whittington — Vidor, TX (16) DNF
24. 18 - Cody Smith — Kaufman, TX (23) DNF
25. 129 - Bryan Vollmer — Tomball, TX (25) DNF
26. 57 - Jason Armstrong — Marshall, TX (10) DNF
Sunoco Lap Leader: Shryock 1-40.
Total Laps Led: Shryock 40.
AFCO Pole Winner: Babbitt.
Provisional Starters: Smith, Robinson, Vollmer (track), Willis (track).
KSE Racing Products Hard Charger: Majek (started 20th, finished 7th).
Next Race: Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 19-21, Battleground Speedway, Highlands, Texas.
Points Standings: Shryock 234, Hughes 223, Tesch 215, Sanders 195, Bagley 180, Henigan 177, Green 167, Jones 165, Rowland 164, Whittington 161.
Dustin Duncan Memorial “Just Say Yes” Rookie of the Year Points: W. Armstrong 293, J. Armstrong 274, Henigan 262, Durrett 257, Davis 243.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Mullins 155, ASI 137, Sput’s 123, Rowland 88, BMS 73.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: Hughes 171, Skyrocket 162, Ramirez 138, TRE 127, GRT 124.
Contingency Awards:
AFCO Racing Products – Babbitt.
American Racer – Vollmer.
ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems – Hughes.
Isky Racing Cams – Green.
KSE Racing Products – Majek.
Marsh Racing Wheels – J. Armstrong.
Nitroquest – Bagley.
Quarter Master – Shryock, Gould.
QuickTime Performance Parts – Majek.
Real Racing Wheels – Davis, Robinson.

by Jeff Nun

Johnny Bone, Jr, goes wire-to-wire in Louisiana in fourth leg of USMTS Southern Speedweek

June 14, 2009

The USMTS Southern Series invaded the Fast Trax Speedway in Chatham, La., Friday night for the fourth of six rounds of racing action comprising the 3rd Annual USMTS Southern Speedweek.

For the second straight year, Johnny Bone Jr. of Pea Ridge, Ark., drew the pole position for the 35-lap Sunoco “A” Main, and for the second straight year led every lap en route to a $2,000 payday at the 3/8-mile semi-banked dirt oval.

Johnny Bone

Johnny Bone

“It’s scary when you’re up front and you have to guess where to put the car,” Bone said in victory lane. “The car was good and the track was in pretty good shape — there were plenty of lines to run and I could hear somebody behind me.”

Johnny Bone, Jr, went wire-to-wire to pick up a big USMTS win in Louisiana

Johnny Bone, Jr, went wire-to-wire to pick up a big USMTS win in Louisiana

That somebody was Chris Henigan of Marshall, Texas, who hounded Bone the entire distance but had to settle for his second runner-up finish in three nights.

A restart with four laps to go set up a shoot-out to the finish line with Rodney Sanders nipping eight-time USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock at the stripe. Two-time Speedweek winner and current USMTS Southern Series points leader Jason Hughes came from the 12th starting spot to finish fifth.

Bryan Rowland raced from 15th on the 26-car starting grid to grab sixth and earned the KSE Racing Products Hard Charger Award. AFCO Pole Award winner B.J. Robinson finished seventh, Chad Wheeler was eighth, Randy Timms hung on for a ninth-place finish and Scott Green rounded out the top-10 finishers.

While Hughes maintained his points lead in the East Region with 739 markers, while Bone jumped ahead of Shryock with one point to spare (728 to 727). Sanders is fourth (713), followed by Steven Whiteaker Jr. (664), Henigan (657), Steve Holzkamper (643), Jack Sullivan (639) and Morgan Bagley (610), with Dereck Ramirez and Robinson tied for the tenth position with 601 points each.

The Fast Shafts Challenge bonus money remained safe after Friday’s show and is now worth $500 on Saturday night at the Drew County Speedway if that driver is utilizing a nine-inch Ford rearend. If the award is not won Saturday, the bounty will climb to $600 For Sunday’s finale at the Boothill Speedway.

SATURDAY, JUNE 13 … DREW COUNTY SPEEDWAY, MONTICELLO, ARK.

The Drew County Speedway (formerly called Monticello Speedway) in Monticello, Ark., plays host to Round 5 of the USMTS Southern Speedweek presented by Commercial Bank on Saturday, June 13.

En route to winning the 2008 USMTS Southern Series crown, Jason Hughes took the win last year at Monticello, followed closely by Kelly Shryock, Johnny Bone Jr., Timothy Culp and Scott Green.

Track points leader Seth Reed is expected to be on hand to defend his home turf along with Grant Box, Richard Anders, Matt Stacy, Jody Davidson, Johnathon Crib, Kevin Ferrell, Terry Maloney, Casey Findley, Manuel Williams II and more.

The pits and tailgate suites open at 4:30, grandstands open at 5:30, hot laps and playground start at 6:00 and the show starts at 7:00. USRA Southern Limited Modifieds will be racing for $500 to win, with Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Mini-Stocks also on the racing card.

The Drew County Speedway is a 1/4-mile semi-banked dirt oval located 7.2 miles south of US 278 on US 425 (WSR). For more info, call 870-367-RACE or see www.drewcountyspeedway.net on the Web.

The six-race, six-track, three-state USMTS Southern Speedweek wraps up on Sunday at the Boothill Speedway in Greenwood, La., where the East Region Champion will emerge along with the first batch of drivers qualified for The Hunt for the USMTS Southern Series Championship.

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 (East Region)
3rd Annual USMTS Southern Speedweek - Event #4 of 6
Fast Trax Speedway, Chatham, La.
Friday, June 12, 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. 25 - Dougie Murphrey — Tullos, LA (1)
2. 25 - Scott Green — Derby, KS (2)
3. 05 - Michael Robertson — Minden, LA (4)
4. 88 - Chad Wheeler — Muskogee, OK (3)
5. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (6)
6. 12t - Tyler Townsend — Longview, TX (5)
7. 47 - Randy Thompson — Farmerville, LA (10)
8. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (7)
9. 94 - Patrick Linn — Little Rock, AR (8)
10. 2 - Jerry Standifer — Howe, OK (9) DNF

NEW VISION GRAPHICS HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. 02x - B.J. Robinson — Shreveport, LA (8)
2. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (1)
3. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (9)
4. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (6)
5. 5 - Steve Holzkamper — Gentry, AR (5)
6. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (3)
7. 1st - Johnny Scott — Las Cruces, NM (10)
8. D6 - Chris Huckabay — Monroe, LA (7) DNF
9. 21 - David Winslett — Bossier City, LA (4) DNF
10. K2 - Chris Keiffer — West Monroe, LA (2) DNF

BRODIX HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. 6x - Kyle Pleasant — Natchitoches, LA (3)
2. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX
3. 4m - Bobby Malchus — Red Oak, TX (4)
4. 10k - Kyle Schmidt — Farmington, AR (1)
5. JP5 - Lee Patton — Quitman, LA (7)
6. X - Bud Mullins — West Monroe, LA (6)
7. 94c - Stephen Chevalier — Downsville, LA (8)
8. 66 - Mike Paillou — Pass Christian, MS (9)
9. C3 - Nicholas Brown — Hodge, LA (5)

AWESOME RACEWEAR HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. 18 - Jack Sullivan — Greenbrier, AR (2)
2. 16 - Chris Henigan — Marshall, TX (4)
3. 05x - Garrett Durrett — Simsboro, LA (1)
4. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (8)
5. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (5)
6. 7x - Chris Dawson — Post, TX (7)
7. 52 - Chad Davis — Tulsa, OK (6)
8. 58 - Nathan Bichsel — Amarillo, TX (9)
9. 1x - Jason Cowan — Chester, TX (3) -1 Lap

INTERCOMP HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):
1. 12b - Johnny Bone Jr. — Pea Ridge, AR (1)
2. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (3)
3. 19 - Jamie Burford — Keatchie, LA (2)
4. 8j - Dustin Hyde — Texarkana, TX (5)
5. C8 - Timothy Culp — West Monroe, LA (8)
6. 57 - Jason Armstrong — Marshall, TX (4)
7. 5a - Wes Armstrong — Marshall, TX (7)
8. 12c - Corey Babbitt — Channelview, TX (9)
9. 12h - Jeff Huckaby — Texarkana, TX (6)

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 05 - Michael Robertson — Minden, LA (1)
2. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (3)
3. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (6)
4. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (7)
5. 12t - Tyler Townsend — Longview, TX (9)
6. 5a - Wes Armstrong — Marshall, TX (12)
7. X - Bud Mullins — West Monroe, LA (10)
8. 94c - Stephen Chevalier — Downsville, LA (11)
9. 94 - Patrick Linn — Little Rock, AR (15)
10. 10k - Kyle Schmidt — Farmington, AR (5)
11. 58 - Nathan Bichsel — Amarillo, TX (13)
12. C8 - Timothy Culp — West Monroe, LA (4)
13. C3 - Nicholas Brown — Hodge, LA (16) DNF
14. 05x - Garrett Durrett — Simsboro, LA (2) DNF
15. 12h - Jeff Huckaby — Texarkana, TX (17) DNF
16. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (14) DNF
17. 47 - Randy Thompson — Farmerville, LA (8) DNF
18. K2 - Chris Keiffer — West Monroe, LA (18) DNF

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 4m - Bobby Malchus — Red Oak, TX (1)
2. 88 - Chad Wheeler — Muskogee, OK (4)
3. 7x - Chris Dawson — Post, TX (7)
4. 19 - Jamie Burford — Keatchie, LA (2)
5. 1st - Johnny Scott — Las Cruces, NM (8)
6. JP5 - Lee Patton — Quitman, LA (5)
7. 57 - Jason Armstrong — Marshall, TX (10)
8. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (9)
9. 52 - Chad Davis — Tulsa, OK (11)
10. 66 - Mike Paillou — Pass Christian, MS (12)
11. D6 - Chris Huckabay — Monroe, LA (14)
12. 8j - Dustin Hyde — Texarkana, TX (3)
13. 1x - Jason Cowan — Chester, TX (16) DNF
14. 21 - David Winslett — Bossier City, LA (15) DNF
15. 2 - Jerry Standifer — Howe, OK (17) DNF
16. 12c - Corey Babbitt — Channelview, TX (13) DNF
17. 5 - Steve Holzkamper — Gentry, AR (6) DNS

SUNOCO “A” MAIN (35 laps):
1. 12b - Johnny Bone Jr. — Pea Ridge, AR (1)
2. 16 - Chris Henigan — Marshall, TX (3)
3. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (10)
4. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (5)
5. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (12)
6. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (15)
7. 02x - B.J. Robinson — Shreveport, LA (6)
8. 88 - Chad Wheeler — Muskogee, OK (16)
9. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (2)
10. 25 - Scott Green — Derby, KS (9)
11. 05 - Michael Robertson — Minden, LA (13)
12. JP5 - Lee Patton — Quitman, LA (25)
13. 25 - Dougie Murphrey — Tullos, LA (7)
14. 7x - Chris Dawson — Post, TX (18)
15. 6x - Kyle Pleasant — Natchitoches, LA (4)
16. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX (11)
17. 19 - Jamie Burford — Keatchie, LA (20)
18. 05x - Garrett Durrett — Simsboro, LA (23)
19. 1st - Johnny Scott — Las Cruces, NM (22)
20. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (19)
21. 12t - Tyler Townsend — Longview, TX (21) DNF
22. 4m - Bobby Malchus — Red Oak, TX (14) DNF
23. X - Bud Mullins — West Monroe, LA (26) DNF
24. 57 - Jason Armstrong — Marshall, TX (24) DNF
25. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (17) DNF
26. 18 - Jack Sullivan — Greenbrier, AR (8) DNF

Lap Leader: Bone 1-35.
Total Laps Led: Bone 35.
AFCO Pole Winner: Robinson.
Provisional Starters: Durrett, J. Armstrong, Patton (track), Mullins (track).
KSE Racing Products Hard Charger: Rowland (started 15th, finished 6th).
Next Race: Saturday, June 13, Drew County Speedway, Monticello, Ark. (East Region).
East Region Points: Hughes 739, Bone 728, Shryock 727, Sanders 713, Whiteaker 664, Henigan 657, Holzkamper 643, Sullivan 639, Bagley 610, Ramirez 601, Robinson 601.
Dustin Duncan Memorial “Just Say Yes” Rookie of the Year Points: W. Armstrong 237, J. Armstrong 233, Davis 203, Schmidt 201, Kevin Sustaire 180.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Mullins 120, a.s.i. 113, Sput’s 87, Young’s 69, BMS 59.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: Hughes 140, Skyrocket 129, TRE 105, Ramirez 105, GRT 102.

Contingency Awards:
AFCO Racing Products – Robinson.
American Racer – Bagley.
Fast Shafts – not awarded.
Isky Racing Cams – Robinson.
KSE Racing Products – Rowland.
Marsh Racing Wheels – Sullivan.
Nitroquest – Sanders.
Quarter Master – Bone, Wheeler.
QuickTime Performance Parts – Robinson.
Real Racing Wheels – W. Armstrong, Patton.

Corpus Christi’s Steven Whiteaker, Jr, triumphs in wild USMTS Southern Series tilt in Arkansas

June 11, 2009

Steven Whiteaker Jr. of Corpus Christi, Texas, combined skill, luck and timing Wednesday night to score his career-first USMTS Southern Series main event win at the I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, Ark.

Steve Whiteaker celebrates his first USMTS win

Steve Whiteaker celebrates his first USMTS win

Starting deep in the field in the 17th spot, the 21-year-old Whiteaker made it known early on that he wanted to stand out from the crowd. While most of the Modifieds on the track were running a low or middle line on the multi-grooved quarter-mile, Whiteaker chose to chew away at the top side of the racing surface.

Stever Whiteaker, Jr won his first USMTS feature last night at I-30 Speedway

Stever Whiteaker, Jr won his first USMTS feature last night at I-30 Speedway

The strategy paid off as Whiteaker had no cars to contend with in front of him — only those cars to his left as he passed them.

Jared Landers drew the pole position for the 40-lap Sunoco “A” Main, and threatened to turn the show into a yawner up front as he stretched out his lead to nearly a full straight-away a few laps into the race, then again after a couple of restarts during the middle stages of the contest.

With eight laps to go, Whiteaker began battling with AFCO Pole Award winner Steve Holzkamper for what looked like a certain runner-up finish for one of the two as Landers had checked out. But two laps later, USMTS Southern Series East Region points leader Jack Sullivan came to a stop on the track to bring out the caution flag and tighten up the pack.

As the green flag waved for the final six-lap shootout, Landers led the field into the first turn. Holzkamper closed in on his bumper while Whiteaker flashed by on the outside as they raced down the back-stretch.

With a right rear tire going flat, Landers slowed coming out of the fourth turn. Unable to get off the track, the oncoming pack scattered while several cars made contact with Landers coming to rest at the entrance of turn 1 and nearly tipping over on his side.

Holzkamper, who came into the night’s event ranked second in the East Region points standings, was part of the crash that sent both he and Landers to the pits and left Whiteaker on the point for the race’s final restart.

With Chris Henigan using the low line, Whiteaker stayed true to the top side of the racing surface and held off the fellow Texan to collect the $2,000 top prize and his first USMTS Southern Series checkered flag.

Another Lone Star State ace, Morgan Bagley, finished third with Garrett Durrett coming home fourth.

Earlier in the program, Kelly Shryock finished third in the third and final Real Racing Wheels “B” Main to earn the final transfer spot in the main event. Finishing fourth in the same race was Tuesday’s feature winner at the Tri-State Speedway, Jason Hughes, who had to use a provisional to join the feature race starting line-up.

Despite starting 22nd, Shryock clawed his way to a fifth-place finish in the main event and passed one more competitor than Whiteaker to earn the KSE Racing Products Hard Charger Award. Dustin Hyde was sixth, Johnny Bone Jr. grabbed seventh, Mike Bowers was eighth and Hughes raced from 23rd on grid to finish ninth.

Mike Sellers used a track provisional to get the 26th and final starting spot and raced to a tenth-place finish.

The East Region points got shaken up with Sullivan and Holzkamper both recording a DNF in the main event. Bone now leads the rankings by just six points (565 to 559) over Sullivan and Whiteaker, who are tied for second. Hughes is fourth with 546 points, followed by Shryock (544), Holzkamper (534), Rodney Sanders (518), Bagley (515), Henigan (486) and Dereck Ramirez (469).

Fifty-two drivers representing eight different States signed in to do battle Wednesday night in the second of six straight nights comprising the 3rd Annual USMTS Southern Speedweek.

The Fast Shafts Challenge bonus money carries over to Thursday night’s event at the Ark-La-Tex Speedway in Vivian, La., and will now be worth $300 if the winning driver is utilizing a nine-inch Ford rearend. If the award is not won, Thursday’s prize will grow to $300 and so on, with a possible $600 bonus at Sunday’s USMTS Southern Speedweek finale. To learn more about Fast Shafts, call toll-free 800-622-6617 or visit www.fastshafts.com online.

Landers came up just six laps short of collecting the Fast Shafts Challenge money, and is expected to try again Thursday night.

Wednesday’s was again on WatchModsLive.com, which broadcasted live real-time video footage from the event. All remaining USMTS Southern Series events will also be broadcast live on the World Wide Web. To learn more or to sign-up to watch all the action from the comfort of your own living room, check out www.WatchModsLive.com on the World Wide Web.

THURSDAY, JUNE 11 … ARK-LA-TEX SPEEDWAY, VIVIAN, LA.

Tomorrow (Thursday, June 11) will find the tireless touring titans at Gene Boyter’s Ark-La-Tex Speedway in Vivian, La. In the first-ever USMTS Southern Series show here last year, first-time USMTS competitor Duke Whiseant of Texarkana, Ark., took home the hardware over Johnny Bone Jr., Jason Hughes, Tommy Weder Jr. and Steve Holzkamper.

Local aces Odie Green, Justin Sprayberry, Mike Washburn, Dick Haynes, Dwayne Brown, Greg Garrett, Lee Patton, Tippy Bickham, Jason Ingalls, Michael Robertson and others are expected to make a statement in protecting their home turf against the invading USMTS forces.

Pit gates open at 4:00, grandstand gates swing open at 5:00, hot laps take to the track at 7:00 and the racing action kicks off at 7:30. Factory Stocks will also be racing for $300 to win, along with the USRA Southern Limited Modifieds going for $500 to win.

Beginning at the Ark-La-Tex Speedway event, the final four events will all feature the USRA Southern Limited Modifieds racing for $500 to win each night.

The Ark-La-Tex Speedway a 1/4-mile semi-banked dirt oval located 0.6 mile south of SR 2 on SR 1, then 0.7 mile west on Airport Rd., then 2.2 miles south on Boyter Lane Rd. (ESR). For race day information, call the track hotline at 318-375-3470 or click your way to www.arklatexspeedway.net on the World Wide Web.

Fast Trax Speedway in Chatham, La., is the site of event #4 on the USMTS Southern Speedweek schedule on Friday night, the Drew County Speedway in Monticello, Ark., plays host to round 5 on Saturday and the six-race swing wraps up on Sunday at the Boothill Speedway in Greenwood, La.

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 (East Region)
Southern Speedweek - Event #2 of 6
I-30 Speedway, Little Rock, Ark.
Wednesday, June 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. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (2)
2. 05 - Michael Robertson — Minden, LA (3)
3. 16 - Chris Henigan — Marshall, TX (8)
4. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (7)
5. 60b - Mike Bowers — North Little Rock, AR (9)
6. 10k - Kyle Schmidt — Farmington, AR (4)
7. 15w - Lee Walchli — Lavaca, AR (5)
8. 5j - John Schwab — Liberal, KS (6)
9. 7s - Steven Schaberg — Glenwood, AR (1) DNF

BRODIX HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. 8j - Dustin Hyde — Texarkana, TX (1)
2. 777 - Jared Landers — Benton, AR (4)
3. 02x - B.J. Robinson — Shreveport, LA (2)
4. 57 - Jason Armstrong — Marshall, TX (3)
5. F1 - Randy Weaver — Little Rock, AR (5)
6. 12t - Tyler Townsend — Longview, TX (8)
7. 26s - Jon Stinson — Walls, MS (7)
8. 26 - Patrick Linn — Little Rock, AR (9)
9. 11s - Mike Sellers — Little Rock, AR (6) DNF

AWESOME RACEWEAR HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. 5 - Steve Holzkamper — Gentry, AR (4)
2. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (2)
3. 12h - Jeff Huckaby — Texarkana, TX (5)
4. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (8)
5. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (7)
6. 601 - Curtis Cook — Conway, AR (9)
7. 25 - Scott Green — Derby, KS (3)DNF
8. XXX - Rick Hearnsberger — Arkadelphia, AR (1) DNF
9. 1 - Chris Patton — Ruston, LA (6) DNF

INTERCOMP HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (2)
2. 4m - Bobby Malchus — Red Oak, TX (4)
3. 05x - Garrett Durrett — Simsboro, LA (6)
4. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX
5. 42 - James Longpine — Drummond, OK (1)
6. 7x - Chris Dawson — Post, TX (3)
7. 401k - Travis Broach — Mapleville, AR (7)
8. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (8)DNF

AMERICAN RACER HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):
1. 18 - Jack Sullivan — Greenbrier, AR (3)
2. 12b - Johnny Bone Jr. — Pea Ridge, AR (1)
3. 52 - Chad Davis — Tulsa, OK (5)
4. 36 - Kenny Wallace — Concord, NC (7)
5. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (6)
6. 458 - Sammy Chamberlain — Cabot, AR (4)
7. 71 - Robert Baker — Benton, AR (8) DNF
8. 1st - Johnny Scott — Las Cruces, NM (2) DQ (finished first, did not go to scales)

KEVKO OIL PANS & COMPONENTS HEAT RACE #6 (8 laps):
1. 2 - Tyler Stevens — Searcy, AR (1)
2. 5a - Wes Armstrong — Marshall, TX (4)
3. 21 - David Winslett — Bossier City, LA (7)
4. 15 - Grant Box — White Hall, AR (3)
5. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (5) DNF
6. 2 - Jerry Standifer — Howe, OK (2) DNF
7. 17f - Casey Findley — Bryant, AR (6) DNF
8. 6 - Wayne Patton — Ruston, LA (8) DNF

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (12 laps, top 3 advance):
1. 36 - Kenny Wallace — Concord, NC (3)
2. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX (4)
3. 52 - Chad Davis — Tulsa, OK (2)
4. 12t - Tyler Townsend — Longview, TX (7)
5. 1st - Johnny Scott — Las Cruces, NM (12)
6. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (1)
7. 11s - Mike Sellers — Little Rock, AR (13)
8. 5j - John Schwab — Liberal, KS (11)
9. 15w - Lee Walchli — Lavaca, AR (9) DNF
10. 458 - Sammy Chamberlain — Cabot, AR (8) DNF
11. 401k - Travis Broach — Mapleville, AR (10) DNF
12. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (5) DNF
13. F1 - Randy Weaver — Little Rock, AR (6) DNF

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (12 laps, top 3 advance):
1. 12b - Johnny Bone Jr. — Pea Ridge, AR (1)
2. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (5)
3. 02x - B.J. Robinson — Shreveport, LA (3)
4. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (2)
5. 10k - Kyle Schmidt — Farmington, AR (7)
6. 42 - James Longpine — Drummond, OK (6)
7. 26s - Jon Stinson — Walls, MS (9)
8. 2 - Jerry Standifer — Howe, OK (8)
9. XXX - Rick Hearnsberger — Arkadelphia, AR (11) DNF
10. 57 - Jason Armstrong — Marshall, TX (4) DNF
11. 17f - Casey Findley — Bryant, AR (10) DNF
12. 6 - Wayne Patton — Ruston, LA (12) DNF
13. 1 - Chris Patton — Ruston, LA (13) DNF

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #3 (15 laps, top 3 advance):
1. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (2)
2. 60b - Mike Bowers — North Little Rock, AR (3)
3. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (6)
4. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (11)
5. 601 - Curtis Cook — Conway, AR (5)
6. 7x - Chris Dawson — Post, TX (7)
7. 25 - Scott Green — Derby, KS (9)
8. 26 - Patrick Linn — Little Rock, AR (10)
9. 12h - Jeff Huckaby — Texarkana, TX (1)
10. 15 - Grant Box — White Hall, AR (4) DNF
11. 7s - Steven Schaberg — Glenwood, AR (12) DNF
12. 71 - Robert Baker — Benton, AR (8) DNS

SUNOCO “A” MAIN (40 Laps):
1. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX (17)
2. 16 - Chris Henigan — Marshall, TX (2)
3. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (4)
4. 05x - Garrett Durrett — Simsboro, LA (13)
5. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (22)
6. 8j - Dustin Hyde — Texarkana, TX (7)
7. 12b - Johnny Bone Jr. — Pea Ridge, AR (15)
8. 60b - Mike Bowers — North Little Rock, AR (19)
9. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (23)
10. 11s - Mike Sellers — Little Rock, AR (26)
11. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (24)
12. 36 - Kenny Wallace — Concord, NC (14)
13. 02x - B.J. Robinson — Shreveport, LA (21)
14. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (16)
15. 21 - David Winslett — Bossier City, LA (11)
16. 05 - Michael Robertson — Minden, LA (12)
17. 4m - Bobby Malchus — Red Oak, TX (9)
18. 52 - Chad Davis — Tulsa, OK (20)
19. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (6)
20. 5a - Wes Armstrong — Marshall, TX (10) DNF
21. 777 - Jared Landers — Benton, AR (1) DNF
22. 5 - Steve Holzkamper — Gentry, AR (3) DNF
23. F1 - Randy Weaver — Little Rock, AR (25) DNF
24. 18 - Jack Sullivan — Greenbrier, AR (8) DNF
25. 2 - Tyler Stevens — Searcy, AR (5) DNF
26. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (18) DNF

Lap Leaders: Landers 1-34, Whiteaker 35-40.
Total Laps Led: Landers 34, Whiteaker 6.
AFCO Pole Winner: Holzkamper.
Provisional Starters: Hughes, Gould, Sellers (track), Weaver (track).
KSE Racing Products Hard Charger: Shryock (started 22nd, finished 5th).
Next Race: Thursday, June 11, Ark-La-Tex Speedway, Vivian, La. (East Region).
East Region Points: Bone 565, Sullivan 559, Whiteaker 559, Hughes 546, Shryock 544, Holzkamper 534, Sanders 518, Bagley 515, Henigan 486, Ramirez 469.
Dustin Duncan Memorial “Just Say Yes” Rookie of the Year Points: W. Armstrong 217, J. Armstrong 199, Schmidt 181, Kevin Sustaire 180, Davis 174.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Mullins 104, a.s.i. 96, Sput’s 72, Young’s 68, Rowland 56.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: Hughes 123, Skyrocket 112, Ramirez 94, TRE 92, GRT 81.

Contingency Awards:AFCO Racing Products – Holzkamper.
American Racer – Hughes.
Fast Shafts – not awarded.
Isky Racing Cams – Sanders.
KSE Racing Products – Shryock.
Marsh Racing Wheels – Hebert.
Nitroquest – Bagley.
Quarter Master – Whiteaker, Bowers.
QuickTime Performance Parts – Bone.
Real Racing Wheels – Timms, Longpine, Dawson.

Jason Hughes cruises to checkers in USMTS ‘Southern Speedweek’ lidlifter

June 10, 2009

For the seventh time this season, Jason Hughes of Westville, Okla., found himself in victory lane in a USMTS Southern Series event — this time in the USMTS Southern Speedweek opener presented by Schoenfeld Headers on Tuesday night at the Tri-State Speedway in Pocola, Okla.

Jason Hughes found himself in the USMTS Southern Speedweek victory lane

Jason Hughes found himself in the USMTS Southern Speedweek victory lane

Hughes has been at the top of his game every race night in 2009, and at the top of the rankings in most categories as well.

Hughes has it all together this season driving his Hughes Racing Chassis USMTS Modified

Hughes has it all together this season driving his Hughes Racing Chassis USMTS Modified

Tuesday night at the 3/8-mile high-banked dirt oval located just a few feet from the Arkansas-Oklahoma border, Hughes was dominant from the time the mud started flying until the dust had settled following a wire-to-wire win in the 30-lap Sunoco “A” Main.

After claiming his fourth AFCO Pole Award of the season, Hughes drew the outside front row starting spot for the main event for the third time this year and won from the spot for the third time.

Johnny Bone Jr. closed the gap on Hughes in the final laps of Tuesday’s nightcap, but had to settle for the runner-up paycheck ahead of polesitter William Gould.

Garrett Durrett finished fourth and USMTS Southern Series East Region points leader Jack Sullivan rounded out the top-5. Sixth through tenth, respectively, went to Chris Henigan, Rodney Sanders, Johnny Scott, Shane Hebert and Kelly Shryock.

The KSE Racing Products Hard Charger Award went to Steve Holzkamper, who started 17th and finished 11th in the feature race.

Sullivan’s solid top-5 keeps him atop the East Region standings with a 27-point cushion over Holzkamper (509 to 482). Bone is third with 479 points, followed by Hughes (472), Sanders (463), Shryock (443), Steven Whiteaker Jr. (442), Morgan Bagley (423), Dereck Ramirez (403) and Henigan (391).

Fifty-four drivers representing eight different States signed in to do battle Tuesday night in the first of six straight nights comprising the 3rd Annual USMTS Southern Speedweek.

Tuesday’s show was also the debut of WatchModsLive.com, which broadcasted nearly six hours of live real-time video footage from the event. All remaining USMTS Southern Series events will also be broadcast live on the World Wide Web. To learn more or to sign-up to watch all the action from the comfort of your own living room, check out www.WatchModsLive.com on the World Wide Web.

The Fast Shafts Challenge bonus money carries over to Wednesday night’e event at the I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, Ark., and will now be worth $200 if the winning driver is utilizing a nine-inch Ford rearend. If the award is not won, Thursday’s prize will grow to $300 and so on, with a possible $600 bonus at Sunday’s USMTS Southern Spedweek finale. To learn more about Fast Shafts, call toll-free 800-622-6617 or visit www.fastshafts.com online.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10 … I-30 SPEEDWAY, LITTLE ROCK, ARK.

On Wednesday, June 10, the stars and cars of the USMTS Southern Series invade the action-packed I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, Ark., for the second affair of the week. Johnny Bone Jr. pocketed the $5,000 top prize back in March during the 10th Annual Topless Modified Nationals at the Clay family’s famous facility, and the Pea Ridge, Ark., resident looks to add another $2,000 to his take home pay from the quick quarter-mile bullring this season.

Jack Sullivan captured last year’s USMTS Southern Speedweek event at his home track as he hopes to continue his momentum toward the USMTS Southern Series title on familiar ground.

Local aces such as Jeremy Kuykendall, David Baser, Mike Sellers, Randy Weaver, Robert Baker, Scooter Scruggs, Jayson Hefley, Chad Mallett, Emmett Lawson, Chris Carter and others to cheer on to take home the top prize.

Race fans will get an added bonus and drivers get an added challenge as NASCAR fan favorite and television personality Kenny Wallace. “The Hermanator” will join the action on the track and will also be available to sign autographs for the fans at the I-30 Speedway.

Pit gates open at 4:00, grandstands open at 5:00, hot laps are at 7:00 and the mud starts flying at 7:30. Joining the racing card Wednesday night will be local Super Stocks and Mini-Sprints.

The I-30 Speedway is a 1/4-mile high-banked clay oval located 7.0 miles southwest of Little Rock on I-30 to Exit 126 (County Line Rd.), then south to frontage road, then
east (SSR). For day-of-race information, call 501-455-4567 or check out the track’s website at www.i-30speedway.com.

Thursday, June 11, will find the tireless touring titans at the Ark-La-Tex Speedway in Vivian, La. Fast Trax Speedway in Chatham, La., is the site of event #4 on the USMTS Southern Speedweek schedule Friday. The Drew County Speedway in Monticello, Ark., plays host to round 5 on Saturday, with the six-race swing wrapping up on Sunday, June 14, at the Boothill Speedway in Greenwood, La.

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.

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS
USMTS Southern Series (East Region)
Southern Speedweek presented by Schoenfeld Headers - Event #1 of 6
Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Showing finishing position, car number, driver, hometown and starting position in parentheses. The top 13 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 (10 laps):
1. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (4)
2. 10k - Kyle Schmidt — Farmington, AR (2)
3. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (5)
4. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (8)
5. 02x - B.J. Robinson — Shreveport, LA (6)
6. 7x - Chris Dawson — Post, TX (9)
7. 15w - Lee Walchli — Lavaca, AR (3)
8. 12h - Jeff Huckaby — Texarkana, TX (7)
9. 74 - Robert Janes — Siloam Springs, AR (1) DNF

BRODIX HEAT RACE #2 (10 laps):
1. 12b - Johnny Bone Jr. — Pea Ridge, AR (1)
2. 05 - Michael Robertson — Minden, LA (2)
3. F9 - Eric Beshoner — Pocola, OK (6)
4. 8j - Dustin Hyde — Texarkana, TX (4)
5. 21b - Larry Campbell — Van Buren, AR (9)
6. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX
7. 25 - Scott Green — Derby, KS (5)
8. 31 - Ray Peacock — Alma, AR (7)
9. B29 - Tammy Mitchell — Pea Ridge, AR (3)

AWESOME RACEWEAR HEAT RACE #3 (10 laps):
1. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (1)
2. 5 - Steve Holzkamper — Gentry, AR (2)
3. 1b - Brandon Wilson — Fort Smith, AR (3)
4. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (4)
5. 88 - Chad Wheeler — Muskogee, OK (7)
6. 117 - Jason Teague — Tahlequah, OK (5)
7. 12t - Tyler Townsend — Longview, TX (8)
8. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (6)
9. 21f - Kyle Sweeney — Purcell, OK (9)

INTERCOMP HEAT RACE #4 (10 laps):
1. 05x - Garrett Durrett — Simsboro, LA (4)
2. 18 - Jack Sullivan — Greenbrier, AR (3)
3. 21 - Jarrod Havens — Muskogee, OK (6)
4. 5a - Wes Armstrong — Marshall, TX (7)
5. 19 - Jamie Burford — Keatchie, LA (8)
6. 4r - Jared Russell — Muskogee, OK (2) DNF
7. 21 - David Winslett — Bossier City, LA (5) DNF
8. 7$ - Tim Weaver — Westville, OK (1) DNF

AMERICAN RACER HEAT RACE #5 (10 laps):
1. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (2)
2. 16 - Chris Henigan — Marshall, TX (6)
3. 4 - Ronnie Barbee — Siloam Springs, AR (3)
4. 89x - Tate Cole — Muskogee, OK (8)
5. 24b - Larry Bratti — Springdale, AR (4)
6. 91 - Joe Duvall — Chelsea, OK (7)
7. 22h - J.P. Hassett — Fort Smith, AR (1)
8. 2 - Jerry Standifer — Howe, OK (5) DNF

KEVKO OIL PANS & COMPONENTS HEAT RACE #6 (10 laps):
1. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (1)
2. 1st - Johnny Scott — Las Cruces, NM (3)
3. 24t - Glenn Bratti — Springdale, AR (5)
4. 36 - Kenny Wallace — Concord, NC (7)
5. 4m - Bobby Malchus — Red Oak, TX (8)
6. 5j - John Schwab — Liberal, KS (2)
7. 52 - Chad Davis — Tulsa, OK (4)
8. 42 - James Longpine — Drummond, OK (6)
9. 57 - Jason Armstrong — Marshall, TX (9) DNS

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (12 laps, top 3 advance):
1. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (2)
2. 5 - Steve Holzkamper — Gentry, AR (1)
3. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX (7)
4. 36 - Kenny Wallace — Concord, NC (3)
5. 21b - Larry Campbell — Van Buren, AR (4)
6. 8j - Dustin Hyde — Texarkana, TX (5)
7. 02x - B.J. Robinson — Shreveport, LA (6)
8. 2 - Jerry Standifer — Howe, OK (12)
9. 22h - J.P. Hassett — Fort Smith, AR (10)
10. B29 - Tammy Mitchell — Pea Ridge, AR (13)
11. 31 - Ray Peacock — Alma, AR (11)
12. 15w - Lee Walchli — Lavaca, AR (9)
13. 4r - Jared Russell — Muskogee, OK (8) DNS

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (12 laps, top 3 advance):
1. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (1)
2. 89x - Tate Cole — Muskogee, OK (2)
3. 7x - Chris Dawson — Post, TX (6)
4. 91 - Joe Duvall — Chelsea, OK (7)
5. 19 - Jamie Burford — Keatchie, LA (4)
6. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (11)
7. 25 - Scott Green — Derby, KS (9)
8. 42 - James Longpine — Drummond, OK (12)
9. 1b - Brandon Wilson — Fort Smith, AR (3)
10. 52 - Chad Davis — Tulsa, OK (10)
11. 5j - John Schwab — Liberal, KS (8)
12. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (5) DNF
13. 21f - Kyle Sweeney — Purcell, OK (13) DNF

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #3 (12 laps, top 3 advance):
1. 24t - Glenn Bratti — Springdale, AR (1)
2. 4m - Bobby Malchus — Red Oak, TX (4)
3. 88 - Chad Wheeler — Muskogee, OK (5)
4. 5a - Wes Armstrong — Marshall, TX (2)
5. 117 - Jason Teague — Tahlequah, OK (7)
6. 12h - Jeff Huckaby — Texarkana, TX (10)
7. 24b - Larry Bratti — Springdale, AR (6)
8. 21 - David Winslett — Bossier City, LA (9)
9. 12t - Tyler Townsend — Longview, TX (8)
10. 74 - Robert Janes — Siloam Springs, AR (12)
11. 7$ - Tim Weaver — Westville, OK (11)
12. 4 - Ronnie Barbee — Siloam Springs, AR (3) DNS
13. 57 - Jason Armstrong — Marshall, TX (13) DNS

SUNOCO “A” MAIN (30 laps):
1. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (2)
2. 12b - Johnny Bone Jr. — Pea Ridge, AR (3)
3. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (1)
4. 05x - Garrett Durrett — Simsboro, LA (6)
5. 18 - Jack Sullivan — Greenbrier, AR (7)
6. 16 - Chris Henigan — Marshall, TX (4)
7. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (8)
8. 1st - Johnny Scott — Las Cruces, NM (9)
9. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (5)
10. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (15)
11. 5 - Steve Holzkamper — Gentry, AR (17)
12. 89x - Tate Cole — Muskogee, OK (18)
13. 24t - Glenn Bratti — Springdale, AR (16)
14. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX (20)
15. 05 - Michael Robertson — Minden, LA (13)
16. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (23)
17. 88 - Chad Wheeler — Muskogee, OK (22)
18. 36 - Kenny Wallace — Concord, NC (27)
19. 02x - B.J. Robinson — Shreveport, LA (24)
20. 10k - Kyle Schmidt — Farmington, AR (12)
21. 22h - J.P. Hassett — Fort Smith, AR (26)
22. F9 - Eric Beshoner — Pocola, OK (10) -1 Lap
23. 1b - Brandon Wilson — Fort Smith, AR (25) -1 Lap
24. 4m - Bobby Malchus — Red Oak, TX (19) DNF
25. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (14) DNF
26. 7x - Chris Dawson — Post, TX (21) DNF
27. 21 - Jarrod Havens — Muskogee, OK (11) DNF

Lap Leader: Hughes 1-30.
Total Laps Led: Hughes 30.
AFCO Pole Winner: Hughes.
Provisional Starters: Bagley, Robinson, Wilson (track), Hassett (track), Wallace (promoter).
KSE Racing Products Hard Charger: Holzkamper (started 17th, finished 11th).
Next Race: Wednesday, June 10, I-30 Speedway, Little Rock, Ark. (East Region).
East Region Points: Sullivan 509, Holzkamper 482, Bone 479, Hughes 472, Sanders 463, Shryock 443, Whiteaker 442, Bagley 423, Ramirez 403, Henigan 391.
Dustin Duncan Memorial “Just Say Yes” Rookie of the Year Points: W. Armstrong 204, J. Armstrong 189, Kevin Sustaire 180, Schmidt 171, Davis 159.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Mullins 102, a.s.i. 95, Sput’s 66, Young’s 58, BMS 51.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: Hughes 113, Skyrocket 106, Ramirez 87, TRE 83, GRT 76.

Contingency Awards:
AFCO Racing Products – Hughes.
American Racer – Hyde.
Fast Shafts – not awarded.
Isky Racing Cams – Hughes.
KSE Racing Products – Holzkamper.
Marsh Racing Wheels – Havens.
Nitroquest – Gould.
Quarter Master – Hughes, Scott.
QuickTime Performance Parts – Sanders.
Real Racing Wheels – Hyde, Timms, Huckaby.

by Jeff Nun

USMTS Southern Series kicks back into high gear for 3rd Annual “Southern Speedweek”

June 9, 2009

The USMTS Southern Series kicks back into high gear for the 3rd Annual USMTS Southern Speedweek, June 9-14.

With six straight nights at six different tracks and nearly $100,000 in prize money up for grabs, the Best of the Best in dirt Modified racing are expected from both the south and the north.

All six events will pay $2,000 to win and a minimum $250 to start, with the USMTS Southern Series East Region champion being crowned at the end of the swing.

Jack Sullivan of Greenbrier, Ark., leads the charge as the points leader in the East Region as he looks to solidify himself in the standings going into The Hunt for the USMTS Southern Series Championship.

Jack Sullivan

Jack Sullivan

Other drivers expected to challenge for the checkered flag and the title include Steve Holzkamper, Rodney Sanders, Johnny Bone Jr., Steven Whiteaker Jr., Jason Hughes, Kelly Shryock, Morgan Bagley, Dereck Ramirez, B.J. Robinson, Michael Robertson, Jason Armstrong, Patrick Linn, Scott Green, Chris Henigan, Bryan Rowland, Wes Armstrong, William Gould, Dustin Hyde, Chad Davis, Shane Hebert, Garrett Durrett, Bobby Malchus, Kyle Schmidt, Jamie Burford, Tyler Townsend, Brandon Davis, Jeff Huckaby, Mike Dillard, Timothy Culp, Larry Clevenger, Chris Shown, Brett Frazier, T.J. Herndon, David Mitchell, Kevin Sustaire, John Schwab and many others.

Jack Sullivan currently sits atop the USMTS East standings

Jack Sullivan currently sits atop theUSMTS Southern Series East Region standings

Corpus Christi's Steve Whiteaker is fourth in the USMTS Southern Series West Region standings

Corpus Christi's Steve Whiteaker is fourth in the USMTS Southern Series West Region standings

Specializing in drive shafts and rear ends for short track racing, Fast Shafts will be offering some extra incentive for drivers using traditional nine-inch Ford rearends. At each Speedweek event, Fast Shafts will award an additional $100 to the main event winner if that driver is utilizing a nine-inch Ford rearend. If the award is not won the first day, the bounty will climb to $200 for the next event and so on with a possible $600 bonus at the June 14 finale. To learn more about Fast Shafts, call toll-free 800-622-6617 or visit www.fastshafts.com online.

Race fans will get an added bonus and drivers get an added challenge as NASCAR fan favorite and television personality Kenny Wallace. “The Hermanator” will join the action during the first two nights of Speedweek at the Tri-State Speedway in Pocola, Okla., on Tuesday and the I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, Ark., on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the USMTS Southern Speedweek road trip takes the teams and travelers to the Ark-La-Tex Speedway in Vivian, La., then on to the Fast Trax Speedway in Chatham, La., on Friday. Saturday finds the throttle-mashing speed merchants in Monticello, Ark., at the Drew County Speedway before wrapping up the week-long event at the Boothill Speedway in Greenwood, La., on Sunday.

TUESDAY, JUNE 9 … TRI-STATE SPEEDWAY, POCOLA, OKLA.

The action gets underway on Tuesday, June 9, with a return trip to Todd Martin’s Tri-State Speedway in Pocola, Okla. Last year’s inaugural event saw Eddie Martin (no relation to the track’s promoter) of Stilwell, Okla., hold off eight-time USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock and defending USMTS Southern Series Champion Jason Hughes for the win.

By virtue of being the track’s weekly Modified points leader, Darwin Hale is guaranteed one of the two track provisionals for Tuesday Sunoco “A” Main, and is expected to challenge for the win, along with fellow Tri-State regulars Bill Dillard, Brandon Wilson, Randy Henson, J.P. Hassett, Eric Beshoner, Glenn Bratti, Lonnie Robins, Lee Walchli, Brent Holman and others.

Pit gates will open at 4:00, grandstand gates open at 5:00, hot laps begin at 7:00 and the first heat race takes the green flag at 7:30. Also on the racing card will be Mini-Stocks, Front-Wheel-Drives and Roadrunners.

The USMTS Southern Speedweek opener is presented by Schoenfeld Headers.

The Tri-State Speedway is a 3/8-mile high-banked dirt oval located 1.6 miles west of the Arkansas-Oklahoma State line on US 271, then 0.3 mile north. For race day information, call 918-436-2914 or visit www.tri-statespeedway.com online.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10 … I-30 SPEEDWAY, LITTLE ROCK, ARK.

On Wednesday, June 10, the stars and cars of the USMTS Southern Series invade the action-packed I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, Ark., for the second affair of the week. Johnny Bone Jr. pocketed the $5,000 top prize back in March during the 10th Annual Topless Modified Nationals at the Clay family’s famous facility, and the Pea Ridge, Ark., resident looks to add another $2,000 to his take home pay from the quick quarter-mile bullring this season.

Jack Sullivan captured last year’s USMTS Southern Speedweek event at his home track as he hopes to continue his momentum toward the USMTS Southern Series title on familiar ground.

Race fans will have local aces such as Jeremy Kuykendall, David Baser, Mike Sellers, Randy Weaver, Robert Baker, Scooter Scruggs, Jayson Hefley, Chad Mallett, Emmett Lawson, Chris Carter and others to cheer on to take home the top prize.

Pit gates open at 4:00, grandstands open at 5:00, hot laps are at 7:00 and the mud starts flying at 7:30. Joining the racing card Wednesday night will be local Super Stocks and Mini-Sprints.

The I-30 Speedway is a 1/4-mile high-banked clay oval located 7.0 miles southwest of Little Rock on I-30 to Exit 126 (County Line Rd.), then south to frontage road, then
east (SSR). For day-of-race information, call 501-455-4567 or check out the track’s website at www.i-30speedway.com.

THURSDAY, JUNE 11 … ARK-LA-TEX SPEEDWAY, VIVIAN, LA.

Thursday, June 11, will find the tireless touring titans at Gene Boyter’s Ark-La-Tex Speedway in Vivian, La. In the first-ever USMTS Southern Series show here last year, first-time USMTS competitor Duke Whiseant of Texarkana, Ark., took home the hardware over Johnny Bone Jr., Jason Hughes, Tommy Weder Jr. and Steve Holzkamper.

Local aces Odie Green, Justin Sprayberry, Mike Washburn, Dick Haynes, Dwayne Brown, Greg Garrett, Lee Patton, Tippy Bickham, Jason Ingalls, Michael Robertson and others are expected to make a statement in protecting their home turf against the invading USMTS forces.

Pit gates open at 4:00, grandstand gates swing open at 5:00, hot laps take to the track at 7:00 and the racing action kicks off at 7:30. Factory Stocks will also be racing for $300 to win, along with the USRA Southern Limited Modifieds going for $500 to win.

Beginning at the Ark-La-Tex Speedway event, the final four events will all feature the USRA Southern Limited Modifieds racing for $500 to win each night.

The Ark-La-Tex Speedway a 1/4-mile semi-banked dirt oval located 0.6 mile south of SR 2 on SR 1, then 0.7 mile west on Airport Rd., then 2.2 miles south on Boyter Lane Rd. (ESR). For race day information, call the track hotline at 318-375-3470 or click your way to www.arklatexspeedway.net on the World Wide Web.

FRIDAY, JUNE 12 … FAST TRAX SPEEDWAY, CHATHAM, LA.

Bill and Sandra Bagwell’s Fast Trax Speedway in Chatham, La., is the site of event #4 on the USMTS Southern Speedweek schedule. Johnny Bone Jr. captured the Speedweek win last year at the Fast Trax Speedway, with Jason Hughes, Tommy Weder Jr., Kelly Shryock and Elias Anderson finishing second through fifth.

The wide straight-aways and corners are popular for producing two- and three-wide racing, which makes this a very competitive short track.

Among the favorites from the local racers to challenge for the checkers are points leader Dougie Murphrey, Randy Thompson, Kyle Pleasant, Lee Patton, Bud Mullins, Kent Hollingsworth, Jody Davidson, Sammy Knighten, Chase Del Rio, Richard Roberts and others.

Pit gates open at 4:00, grandstand gates swing open at 5:00, hot laps take to the track at 6:30 and the racing action kicks off at 7:00. USRA Southern Limited Modifieds will also be on the racing card going for $500 to win.

The Fast Trax Speedway is a 3/8-mile semi-banked dirt oval located 4.0 miles southeast of SR 34 on SR 4 (NSR). For more information, call 318-249-2443 or visit www.fasttraxspeedway.net online.

SATURDAY, JUNE 13 … DREW COUNTY SPEEDWAY, MONTICELLO, ARK.

The Drew County Speedway (formerly called Monticello Speedway) in Monticello, Ark., plays host to round 5 of the USMTS Southern Speedweek steamroller on Saturday, June 13, with the event presented by Commercial Bank.

En route to winning the 2008 USMTS Southern Series crown, Westville, Okla.’s Jason Hughes took the win last year at Monticello, followed closely by Kelly Shryock, Johnny Bone Jr., Timothy Culp and Scott Green.

Track points leader Seth Reed is expected to be on hand to defend his home turf along with Grant Box, Richard Anders, Matt Stacy, Jody Davidson, Johnathon Crib, Kevin Ferrell, Terry Maloney, Casey Findley, Manuel Williams II and more.

The pits and tailgate suites open at 4:30, grandstands open at 5:30, hot laps and playground start at 6:00 and the show starts at 7:00. USRA Southern Limited Modifieds will also join the program, along with Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Mini-Stocks.

The Drew County Speedway is a 1/4-mile semi-banked dirt oval located 7.2 miles south of US 278 on US 425 (WSR). For more info, call 870-367-RACE or see www.drewcountyspeedway.net on the Web.

SUNDAY, JUNE 14 … BOOTHILL SPEEDWAY, GREENWOOD, LA.

The six-race USMTS Southern Speedweek wraps up on Sunday, June 14, at the Boothill Speedway in Greenwood, La., and will also see the emergence of the 2009 USMTS Southern Series East Region champion, as well as the first batch of drivers qualified for this year’s Hunt for the USMTS Southern Series Championship later this year.

Billy Robinson, Randy Paine Jr., Michael Knighton, Tony Lindsey, Mike Washburn, Ronnie McAteer, Dustin Randol, Josh Worn, Derrick Grigsby and Michael Easley are just a few of the local Boothill Speedway heavy-hitters expected to contend for a spot in the Sunoco “A” Main and the $2,000 top prize.

Pits open at 4:00, grandstands open at 5:00, hot laps begin at 6:00 and the first heat race is slated to hit the track at 6:30. USRA Southern Limited Modifieds will again be racing for $500, with Factory Stocks also joining the action-packed festivities.

The Boothill Speedway is a 3/8-mile semi-banked clay oval located west of Shreveport on I-20 to the Carthage-Morningsport Exit #3, then 0.2 mile north, then east on McGee Rd. For more information, call 318-938-5373 or check out www.boothillspeedway.net online.

USMTS SOUTHERN SPEEDWEEK FAST FACTS

RULES: All USMTS rules apply. 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.

PROCEDURES: Draw for heat race starting spot ends 15 minutes before hot laps begin. Qualifying will be done by heat race passing points and Real Racing Wheels “B” Mains. On nights when there are 40 or fewer cars entered, 20 will qualify through the heat races and Real Racing Wheels “B” Mains with two USMTS provisionals and two provisionals from the track’s current Modified division points added to create a 24-car Sunoco “A” Main starting field. On nights when 41 or more cars check in, 22 qualifiers will be joined by two USMTS provisionals and two track provisionals to make up a 26-car starting field.

TOP DOG BONUS: Drivers ranked among the top-10 in East 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.

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

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 not already pre-entered may call USMTS headquarters at 515-832-7944 to secure the early entry rate.

USMTS SOUTHERN SERIES - EAST REGION POINTS STANDINGS:
1. 18 Jack Sullivan, Greenbrier, Ark. … 423
2. 5 Steve Holzkamper, Gentry, Ark. … 406
3. 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas … 384
4. 12 Johnny Bone Jr., Pea Ridge, Ark. … 383
5. 89 Steven Whiteaker Jr., Corpus Christi, Texas … 372
6. 12 Jason Hughes, Westville, Okla. … 368
7. 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa … 366
8. 5r Morgan Bagley, Longview, Texas … 363
9. 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla. … 353
10. 02x B.J. Robinson, Shreveport, La. … 332
11. 05 Michael Robertson, Minden, La. … 327
12. 57 Jason Armstrong, Marshall, Texas … 320
13. 26 Patrick Linn, Little Rock, Ark. … 316
14. 25 Scott Green, Derby, Kan. … 311
15. 16 Chris Henigan, Marshall, Texas … 310
16. 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla. … 304
17. 5a Wes Armstrong, Marshall, Texas … 303
18. 60 William Gould, Calera, Okla. … 292
19. 8j Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, Texas … 281
20. 52 Chad Davis, Tulsa, Okla. … 278
21. 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La. … 268
22. 05 Garrett Durrett, Simsboro, La. … 265
23. 4m Bobby Malchus, Red Oak, Texas … 260
24. 10 Kyle Schmidt, Farmington, Ark. … 238
25. 19 Jamie Burford, Keatchie, La. … 234
26. 12t Tyler Townsend, Longview, Texas … 231
27. 23 Brandon Davis, Castle Rock, Colo. … 225
27. 12h Jeff Huckaby, Texarkana, Texas … 225
29. 66x Mike Dillard, Allen, Texas … 212
30. C8 Timothy Culp, W. Monroe, La. … 205
31. L1 Larry Clevenger, Greenwood, La. … 180
32. 94 Chris Shown, Hooks, Texas … 164
33. 1 Brett Frazier, Haughton, La. … 156
34. 1t T.J. Herndon, Atwood, Tenn. … 135
34. 13 David Mitchell, Ashdown, Ark. … 135
34. 71k Kevin Sustaire, Emery, Texas … 135
34. 5j John Schwab, Liberal, Kan. … 135
38. 88 Chad Wheeler, Muskogee, Okla. … 127
39. 60b Mike Bowers, N. Little Rock, Ark. … 119
40. 12j Jason Ingalls, Hallsville, Texas … 105
41. 14 Jon Tesch, Watertown, S.D. … 103
42. 99 Derick Grigsby, Marshall, Texas … 97
43. 89 Tate Cole, Muskogee, Okla. … 90
43. 14t Tristan Dycus, Midlothian, Texas … 90
43. 38 Jeremy Ross, Locust Grove, Okla. … 90
43. 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla. … 90
43. 15w Lee Walchli, Lavaca, Ark. … 90
43. 71 Tracy Denby Sr., Vidor, Texas … 90
43. 7g Mark Smith, Lufkin, Texas … 90
43. 22 Tracy Denby Jr., Vidor, Texas … 90
51. 76 Troy Taylor Jr., Dallas, Texas … 45
51. E Howard Willis, Dayton, Texas … 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 (winner: Bryan Rowland) [W]
Fri May 8 … Battleground Speedway, Highlands, TX (winner: Chris Brown) [W]
Sat May 9 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX (winner: Jason Hughes) [W]
Sun May 10 … Gator Motorplex, Willis, TX (winner: Jason Hughes) [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) [H]
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] = The Hunt for the USMTS Southern Series Championship

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.

by Jeff Nun
Whiteaker photo by Alton Cotton