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Kelly Shryock tops USMTS “Halloween Havoc” at Gator Motorplex

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

John O Whittington takes USMTS win at Gator Motorplex with a last-lap pass

The Hunt for the USMTS Dirthead.com Southern Series Championship presented by Dirt Modified Magazine kicked off Friday night at the Gator Motorplex with the TrackTek Racing Fuels Halloween Havoc - the first of eight events that will culminate with the crowning of the third USMTS Dirthead.com Southern Series champion.

Although the annual holiday is still a week away, race fans Friday night were already bagging a treat.

Nine-time USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock drew the pole position for the main event and jumped out to the early lead.

Shryock set a torrid pace around the quarter-mile high-banked clay oval before Jon Tesch wrestled the lead away on lap 8.

Tesch led the next 26 laps, however, there still 27 left.

On the final lap, John O Whittington made his move and snuck by Tesch to take the lead, then crossed beneath the checkers to score his first USMTS Dirthead.com Southern Series victory.

The win was worth $2,000 to the resident of nearby Vidor, Texas, in his 41st career start with America’s premier dirt modified tour.

Tesch had to settle for the runner-up paycheck while Bumper Jones finished third.

Chris Henigan earned the KSE Racing Products Hard Charger Award by finishing fourth after starting 15th on the 26-car Sunoco “A” Main grid.

Shryock slipped to a fifth-place finish by the end of the contest, but it was enough to move him into the points lead in the Hunt for the USMTS Dirthead.com Southern Series Championship presented by Dirt Modified Magazine.

Jason Hughes came into Friday’s event as the points leader, but the defending USMTS Dirthead.com Southern Series champ’s title defense got off to a rocky start.

After suffering a blown engine in his heat race, Hughes inserted a new powerplant and passed nine cars in the second Real Racing Wheels “B” Main but came up one spot short of qualifying for the main event and had to use a provisional starting spot for the feature race.

He made the most of it, muscling his way past 15 competitors to finish eighth, but earning no passing points as a provisional starter.

Scott Green finished sixth in the main event, AFCO Pole Award winner Cody Smith was seventh, Shane Hebert was ninth and Steve Holzkamper rounded out the top-10 finishers.

Shryock, the 2007 USMTS Dirthead.com Southern Series champion, leads Hughes by just 5 points with seven races remaining in the title chase, while Tesch, Henigan and Whittington jumped up to third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

Sixth through tenth are Jones, Rodney Sanders, Hebert, Steven Whiteaker Jr. and Bryan Rowland.

Several other points races are also heating up entering the final stretch.

Wes Armstrong continues to lead the Dustin Duncan Memorial “Just Say Yes” Rookie of the Year points standings over his brother, Jason, by nine points, but Henigan was able to close the gap with his stout run in Friday’s nightcap.

Chad Davis is fourth and Garrett Durrett is fifth with all five within striking distance of the top spot.

Whittington was the 2008 Dustin Duncan Memorial “Just Say Yes” Rookie of the Year Award winner.

The COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year points race has Mullins Race Engines up front with a nine-point advantage over A.S.I. Racing Engines, while the defending champ’s Hughes Racing Chassis maintains a slim lead over Shryock’s Skyrocket Chassis stable in the 2009 Chassis Builders Championship points.

TALKIN’ ’BOUT WILLIS …

The TrackTek Racing Fuels Halloween Havoc will continue on Saturday with the main event winner pocketing $3,000. Pit gates open at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, grandstands open at 11:00 with USMTS Modified hot laps at 6:45 and racing at 7:00.

Also competing will be USRA Southern Limited Modifieds, Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Pure Stocks. Support classes will begin their hot laps at 1:30 and complete their qualifying heats prior to action in the USMTS Modifieds.

For spectator comfort, bring your lawn chair or blanket to watch the races from the hill or the grandstands. Plus, during intermission kids can ride the Gator School Bus around the track for an unforgettable racing experience.

Drivers are reminded that mufflers are mandatory at the Gator Motorplex. Contact Day Motorsports by calling 800-543-6238 or online at www.daymotorsports.com. The Gator Motorplex also has a limited supply of auger inserts for sale at the track - call Randy at 936-856-9729 (office), 936-588-6127 (track) or 936-537-5265 (alternate) for more information and to check availability.

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 or call 936-588-6127 for more information.

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 1 of 2
Gator Motorplex, Willis, Texas
Friday, October 23, 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. 14 - Jon Tesch — Watertown, SD (1)
2. 05 - Michael Robertson — Minden, LA (3)
3. 71 - Tracy Denby Sr. — Vidor, TX (6)
4. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (8)
5. 51 - Tracy Denby Jr. — Vidor, TX (4)
6. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (7)
7. 4d - Tim Donlinger — Rochester, MN (9)
8. 32 - Doug Byrns — Willis, TX (2)
9. 12h - Jeff Huckaby — Texarkana, TX (5)
10. 51w - Jeff Wood — Willis, TX (10)

NEW VISION GRAPHICS HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. 21 - David Winslett — Bossier City, LA (4)
2. 18 - Cody Smith — Kaufman, TX (8)
3. 82 - Joshua Majek — Corpus Christi, TX (5)
4. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (6)
5. 148 - Russell Moore — Conroe, TX (2)
6. 55 - Kyle Anderson — Tomball, TX (7)
7. 129 - Bryan Vollmer — Tomball, TX (1)
8. 57 - Jason Armstrong — Marshall, TX (10)
9. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (3) DNF
10. 02x - B.J. Robinson — Shreveport, LA (10) DNS

BUTLERBUILT HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (2)
2. 5w - John O Whittington — Vidor, TX (7)
3. 07 - Keith Wright — Conroe, TX (1)
4. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (6)
5. 10 - Kyle Schmidt — Farmington, AR (3)
6. 12c - Corey Babbitt — Channelview, TX (4)
7. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (5)
8. 267 - Aaron Drewry — Magnolia, TX (8)
9. 52 - Chad Davis — Tulsa, OK (9)
10. 7 - Dwayne Acree — Montgomery, TX (10) DNS

AWESOME RACEWEAR HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. 25 - Scott Green — Derby, KS (4)
2. 5 - Steve Holzkamper — Gentry, AR (1)
3. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (2)
4. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX
5. 16 - Chris Henigan — Marshall, TX (7)
6. 2w - Paul White — Temple, TX (5)
7. 955 - Chad Comer — Warren, TX (8)
8. 68 - Danny Barringer — Lufkin, TX (3)
9. 8j - Dustin Hyde — Texarkana, TX (9) DNS

INTERCOMP HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):
1. 156 - Steve Pugh — Anderson, TX (1)
2. 111 - Bumper Jones — Mesilla Park, NM (4)
3. E - Howard Willis — Dayton, TX (3)
4. 58 - Garrett Durrett — Simsboro, LA (5)
5. L1 - Larry Clevenger — Greenwood, LA (2)
6. 56 - David Horner — Houston, TX (7)
7. 5a - Wes Armstrong — Marshall, TX (6)
8. 18 - Jack Sullivan — Greenbrier, AR (8) DNS
9. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (9) DNS

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (2)
2. 16 - Chris Henigan — Marshall, TX (5)
3. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (1)
4. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX (4)
5. 12c - Corey Babbitt — Channelview, TX (9)
6. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (17)
7. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (3)
8. 5a - Wes Armstrong — Marshall, TX (12)
9. 52 - Chad Davis — Tulsa, OK (16)
10. 02x - B.J. Robinson — Shreveport, LA (18)
11. 32 - Doug Burns — Willis, TX (13)
12. 129 - Bryan Vollmer — Tomball, TX (11)
13. 4d - Tim Donlinger — Rochester, MN (10)
14. 55 - Kyle Anderson — Tomball, TX (8)
15. 68 - Danny Barringer — Lufkin, TX (14)
16. L1 - Larry Clevenger — Greenwood, LA (7) DNF
17. 12h - Jeff Huckaby — Texarkana, TX (15) DNF
18. 148 - Russell Moore — Conroe, TX (6) DNS

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (3)
2. 58 - Garrett Durrett — Simsboro, LA (4)
3. E - Howard Willis — Dayton, TX (2)
4. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (7)
5. 56 - David Horner — Houston, TX (8)
6. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (15)
7. 10 - Kyle Schmidt — Farmington, AR (6)
8. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (11)
9. 57 - Jason Armstrong — Marshall, TX (12)
10. 18 - Jack Sullivan — Greenbrier, AR (14)
11. 2w - Paul White — Temple, TX (9)
12. 955 - Chad Comer — Warren, TX (10)
13. 267 - Aaron Drewry — Magnolia, TX (13)
14. 07 - Keith Wright — Conroe, TX (1) DNF
15. 51w - Jeff Wood — Willis, TX (17) DNF
16. 51 - Tracy Denby Jr. — Vidor, TX (5) DNF
17. 7 - Dwayne Acree — Montgomery, TX (18) DNS
18. 8j - Dustin Hyde — Texarkana, TX (16) DNS

SUNOCO “A” MAIN (35 laps):
1. 5w - John O Whittington — Vidor, TX (5)
2. 14 - Jon Tesch — Watertown, SD (3)
3. 111 - Bumper Jones — Mesilla Park, NM (6)
4. 16 - Chris Henigan — Marshall, TX (15)
5. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (1)
6. 25 - Scott Green — Derby, KS (2)
7. 18 - Cody Smith — Kaufman, TX (8)
8. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (23)
9. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (13)
10. 5 - Steve Holzkamper — Gentry, AR (11)
11. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (24)
12. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (17)
13. 82 - Joshua Majek — Corpus Christi, TX (12)
14. 12c - Corey Babbitt — Channelview, TX (21)
15. 156 - Steve Pugh — Anderson, TX (7)
16. 21 - David Winslett — Bossier City, LA (4)
17. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (20)
18. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (14)
19. 56 - David Horner — Houston, TX (22)
20. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX (19)
21. 58 - Garrett Durrett — Simsboro, LA (16)
22. 05 - Michael Robertson — Minden, LA (9) DNF
23. E - Howard Willis — Dayton, TX (18) DNF
24. 71 - Tracy Denby Sr. — Vidor, TX (10) DNF
25. 129 - Bryan Vollmer — Tomball, TX (25) DNF
26. 32 - Doug Byrns — Willis, TX (26) DNF

Sunoco Lap Leaders: Shryock 1-8, Tesch 9-34, Whittington 35.
Total Laps Led: Tesch 26, Shryock 8, Whittington 1.
AFCO Pole Winner: Smith.
Provisional Starters: Hughes, Bagley, Vollmer (track), Byrns (track).
KSE Racing Products Hard Charger: Henigan (started 15th, finished 4th).
Next Race: Saturday, Oct. 24, Gator Motorplex, Willis, Texas.
Points Standings: Shryock 131, Hughes 126, Tesch 114, Henigan 113, Whittington 110, Jones 106, Sanders 103, Hebert 97, Whiteaker 92, Rowland 90.
Dustin Duncan Memorial “Just Say Yes” Rookie of the Year Points: W. Armstrong 272, J. Armstrong 263, Henigan 239, Davis 233, Durrett 232.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Mullins 147, ASI 136, Sput’s 113, Rowland 79, BMS 66, PTS 66.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: Hughes 165, Skyrocket 156, Ramirez 129, TRE 123, GRT 121.

Contingency Awards:
AFCO Racing Products – Smith.
American Racer – Vollmer.
ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems – Wright.
Isky Racing Cams – Tesch.
KSE Racing Products – Henigan.
Marsh Racing Wheels – Byrns.
Nitroquest – Jones.
Quarter Master – Whittington, Hughes.
QuickTime Performance Parts – Smith.
Real Racing Wheels – Bagley, Hughes.

Halloween Havoc featuring the USMTS Modifieds is set for Gator Motorplex Friday and Saturday, Oct 23 and 24

The Annual Halloween Havoc is set to get under way tonight and Saturday at Gator Motorplex. Located in Willis, Texas.

With this event Gator Motorplex becomes the venue for the opening event of the Hunt for the USMTS Dirthead.com Southern Series Championship presented by Dirt Modified Magazine.

Friday will be the opening round of the ’Hunt’ with a $2,000 top prize up for grabs. Pit gates will open at 1 p.m., hot laps start at 3:30. On Saturday, the ante gets upped with a $3,000-to-win main event capping off the evening. Pit gates open at 10 a.m. on Saturday, with hot laps at 1:30 p.m.

Kelly Shryock captured his ninth USMTS National Championship recently, while rival Jason Hughes came up short in his bid for the crown and wound up third in the final standings.

The roles are reversed this time as Hughes leads the charge to the Gator Motorplex as the points leader in the Hunt for the USMTS Dirthead.com Southern Series Championship presented by Dirt Modified Magazine, while Shryock is now the pursuer and ranked second. After finishing third and fourth in both the East and West Region points, Rodney Sanders and Steven Whiteaker Jr. come into the ’Hunt’ ranked third and fourth, respectively, while Louisiana’s Shane Hebert sits fifth.

Past USMTS Dirthead.com Southern Series winners at the Gator Motorplex include Greg Skaggs (2007), Steve Holzkamper (2008) and Jason Hughes, who captured the main event earlier this season on May 10.

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.

Also competing will be USRA Southern Limited Modifieds, Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Pure Stocks.

Gator Motorplex is a quarter-mile high-banked clay oval featuring weekly Saturday night racing action with Modifieds, Street Stocks, Sprints, Limited Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, and  Pure Stocks. Fans are encouraged to bring their own lawn chair or blanket to watch the races from “The Hill” or from the grandstands. The track is 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 or call 936-588-6127 for more information.

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.

THE HUNT FOR THE USMTS DIRTHEAD.COM SOUTHERN SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY DIRT MODIFIED MAGAZINE

Points Standings:
1. 12 Jason Hughes, Westville, Okla. …  50
2. 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa … 46
3. 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas … 42
4. 89 Steven Whiteaker Jr., Corpus Christi, Texas … 38
5. 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La. … 19
6. 5r Morgan Bagley, Longview, Texas … 18
6. 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla. …  18
8. 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla. …  17
9. 16 Chris Henigan, Marshall, Texas … 15
9. 14 Jon Tesch, Watertown, S.D. … 15
11. 18 Jack Sullivan, Greenbrier, Ark. … 14
12. 12b Johnny Bone Jr., Pea Ridge, Ark. … 12
12. 111 Bumper Jones, Mesilla Park, N.M. … 12
12. 51 Eddie Martin, Stilwell, Okla. …  12
12. 02x B.J. Robinson, Shreveport, La. … 12
16. 05x Garrett Durrett, Simsboro, La. … 11
17. 57 Jason Armstrong, Marshall, Texas … 10
17. 5a Wes Armstrong, Marshall, Texas … 10
17. 52 Chad Davis, Tulsa, Okla. …  10
17. 60 William Gould, Calera, Okla. …  10
17. 4m Bobby Malchus, Red Oak, Texas … 10
17. 10 Kyle Schmidt, Farmington, Ark. … 10
23. 19 Jamie Burford, Keatchie, La. … 5
23. 25 Scott Green, Derby, Kan. … 5
23. 5 Steve Holzkamper, Gentry, Ark. … 5
23. 12h Jeff Huckaby, Texarkana, Texas … 5
23. 8j Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, Texas … 5
23. 05 Michael Robertson, Minden, La. … 5
23. 75 Alan Sharpensteen, Amarillo, Texas … 5
23. 18 Cody Smith, Kaufman, Texas … 5
23. 71k Kevin Sustaire, Emery, Texas … 5
23. 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla. …  5
23. 12t Tyler Townsend, Longview, Texas … 5
23. 5w John O Whittington, Vidor, Texas … 5

Schedule of Events:
Round 1 – Fri., Oct. 23 … Gator Motorplex, Willis, TX ($2,000 to win)
Round 2 – Sat., Oct. 24 … Gator Motorplex, Willis, TX ($3,000 to win)
Round 3 – Thurs., Nov. 19 … Battleground Speedway, Highlands, TX ($1,000 to win)
Round 4 – Fri., Nov. 20 … Battleground Speedway, Highlands, TX ($2,000 to win)
Round 5 – Sat., Nov. 21 … Battleground Speedway, Highlands, TX ($3,000 to win)
Round 6 – Thurs., Dec. 3 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($2,000 to win)
Round 7 – Fri., Dec. 4 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($3,000 to win)
Round 8 – Sat., Dec. 5 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($4,000 to win)

Schedule is tentative and subject to change.

by Jeff Nunn and from the Gator Motorplex website.

Skip Wilson holds off Aaron Reutzel in ASCS Gulf South action at Gator Motorplex

Skip Wilson added his second American Sprint Car Series feature win of the year by topping Saturday night’s 25-lap ASCS Gulf South Region main event at the Gator Motorplex.

Wilson, who won the inaugural ASCS Lone Star event in April, battled past Terry Monroe for the point on the eighth round en route to victory lane aboard J.B. Cook’s Speed Specialties-powered Brookhollow Rental Co. No. 65 Avenger.

Wilson held off a late bid from series points leader Aaron Reutzel to secure the win, with Tommy Bryant, Monroe and Kent Lewis, Jr., rounding out the top five.

Greg Rilat crossed the stripe sixth, with Scottie McDonald, Channin Tankersley, Ryan Hall and James McNeil completing the top ten.

Monroe, Lewis, Ray Allen Kulhanek and Bryant topped heat race action, with Hall and Tankersley winning the twin “B” Mains.

ASCS Gulf South Region Results from Gator Motorplex:

Heat One (8 Laps): 1. 20-Terry Monroe, 2. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 3. 80-James McNeil, 4. 45k-Kolt Walker, 5. 3-Gary Watson, 6. 21-Blake Roberts, 7. 30x-Bean Elliott, 8. d20-David Noker.

Heat Two (8 Laps): 1. 1b-Kent Lewis, Jr., 2. 65-Skip Wilson, 3. 5m-Glenn Martin, 4. 5s-Jack Spencer, 5. 93-Chris Sweeney, 6. 19-Joe McCarthy, 7. 02-Harry Yerrington, 8. 51-Jimmy Brooks.

Heat Three (8 Laps): 1. 5-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 2. 35-Greg Rilat, 3. 31-Brandon Berryman, 4. 71-Channin Tankersley, 5. 79-Ryan Hall, 6. 22L-Kent Lewis, Sr., 7. 49-Ty Johnson.

Heat Four (8 Laps): 1. 21T-Tommy Bryant, 2. 30-Scottie McDonald, 3. 1r-Scott Reneau, 4. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 5. 17c-Greg Coleman, 6. 74-Brandon Corn, 7. 69-Larry Howery.

First “B” Feature (12 Laps): 1. 79-Ryan Hall, 2. 17c-Greg Coleman, 3. 49-Ty Johnson, 4. 5s-Jack Spencer, 5. 22L-Kent Lewis, Sr., 6. 02-Harry Yerrington, 7. 74-Brandon Corn. DNS: 69-Larry Howery.

Second “B” Feature (12 Laps): 1. 71-Channin Tankersley, 2. 3-Gary Watson, 3. 30x-Bean Elliott, 4. 51-Jimmy Brooks, 5. 19-Klint Angelette, 6. d20-David Noker, 7. 21-Blake Roberts, 8. 93-Chris Sweeney.

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 65-Skip Wilson, 2. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 3. 21T-Tommy Bryant, 4. 20-Terry Monroe, 5. 1b-Kent Lewis, Jr., 6. 35-Greg Rilat, 7. 30-Scottie McDonald, 8. 71-Channin Tankersley, 9. 79-Ryan Hall, 10. 80-James McNeil, 11. 45k-Kolt Walker, 12. 30x-Bean Elliott, 13. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 14. 17c-Greg Coleman, 15. 5-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 16. 3-Gary Watson, 17. 5m-Glenn Martin, 18. 1r-Scott Reneau, 19. 31-Brandon Berryman, 20. 49-Ty Johnson.

ASCS Gulf South Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Aaron Reutzel 962, 2. Tommy Bryant 928, 3. Channin Tankersley 920, 4. Brandon Berryman 904, 5. Ray Allen Kulhanek 883, 6. Kent Lewis, Jr. 847, 7. Jimmy Brooks 809, 8. (tie) Scottie McDonald and Eric Baldaccini 808, 10. Jason Johnson 801.

by Lonnie Wheatley

ASCS Sprint Cars to visit Gator Motorplex and Lone Star Speedway this weekend

The American Sprint Car Series Gulf South Region continues action with another pair of events this weekend, including one familiar stop along with a first-time venue.

It’s familiar territory for the ASCS Gulf South contenders on Saturday night at the Gator Motorplex in Willis, TX. Then on Sunday night, it’s new territory in the form of Kilgore’s Lone Star Speedway.

Aaron Reutzel, the 19-year-old Micro grad from Clute, TX, leads a stout field of ASCS Gulf South title contenders into the weekend with the initial six events of the season in the books.

Reutzel holds a 24-point advantage over two-time and defending series champion Brandon Berryman of Missouri City, TX, who enters the weekend ranked fourth behind a pair of National contenders.

Eighteen-year-old Channin Tankersley of Highlands, TX, is another six points back, with Conroe’s Tommy Bryant just two more points back after collecting his second career ASCS Gulf South feature win this past weekend.

Other top Gulf South contenders expected for the weekend include 2005 champion Ray Allen Kulhanek (Magnolia), Jimmy Brooks (College Station), Kent Lewis, Jr. (Willis), Brandon Corn (Gause), Scottie McDonald (New Caney), 2006 champion Gary Watson (Beaumont), Chris Sweeney (Channelview) four-time series runner-up Greg Rilat (Texas City), James McNeil (Alvin), rookie teen contender Klint Angelette (Thibodaux, LA) and the brothers Elliott (Bean and Travis) of Alvin.

Both nights of action are slated to get under way at 7:00 p.m.

The high-banked, ¼-mile Gator Motorplex red clay oval is located in Willis, TX, off I-45 Exit 98 (Shepherd Hill exit), then east, then 1.4 miles south on SR 75. For more information, contact the track at 936-588-6127.

The high-banked, ½-mile Lone Star Speedway is located in Kilgore, TX, off I-20 Exit 583, then 0.5 mile north on SR 135, then one mile east on FM 1252, then 0.5 mile south. For more information, contact the track at 903-986-9731.

The ASCS Gulf South Region is set for 28 nights of racing action at eleven different tracks throughout Texas in 2009.

The American Sprint Car Series, in its 18th year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing events, brings the best of Sprint Car racing to nearly 100 different tracks throughout 25 states and Canada in 2009. Anchored by the Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series presented by K&N Filters, ASCS also consists of a dozen different Regions throughout the nation.

Past ASCS Gulf South Region Feature Winners at Gator Motorplex:
3/28/09 – Jason Johnson
7/19/08 – Tommy Bryant
5/24/08 – Chris Sweeney
9/16/06 – Brad Best
5/27/06 – Chris Sweeney
10/8/05 – Travis Rilat
4/16/05 – Scottie McDonald

Past ASCS Gulf South Region Feature Winners at Lone Star Speedway:
None – First Event

Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com.

by Lonnie Wheatley

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.

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

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.

USMTS Southern Series Tripleheader postponed due to weather concerns

Due to impending inclement weather, the USMTS Southern Series events scheduled for this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 17-19, have been postponed, officials announced Thursday.

Friday’s show at the Golden Triangle Raceway Park in Beaumont, Texas, will now be held on Thursday, May 7, while Saturday’s race at the Gator Motorplex in Willis, Texas, has been moved to Sunday, May 10.

These two shows will bookend a four-day, four-track swing that includes a trip to the Battleground Speedway in Highlands, Texas, on Friday, May 8, and the Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas, on Saturday, May 9.

Sunday’s event at the 105 Speedway in Cleveland, Texas, has not been rescheduled. Officials are reviewing possible venues to hold an event on Wednesday, May 6, which would make for a five-race swing to wrap up the West Region of the USMTS Southern Series.

Up next for the USMTS Southern Series will be an East Region tripleheader next weekend featuring a trio of $2,000-to-win contests.

On Friday, April 24, action will take place at the Texarkana 67 Speedway in Texarkana, Ark., as the USMTS banner flies there for the first time ever. Saturday, April 25, will find the tough-as-nails touring titans at the Champion Park Speedway in Haughton, La., before wrapping up the weekend on Sunday, April 26, at the Boothill Speedway in Greenwood, La.

by USMTS Staff

USMTS 3rd Annual ‘Texas Shootout’ set for three Texas dirt tracks this weekend

The Stars of the United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) Southern Series will be invading Texas this weekend for the third annual ‘Texas Shootout’ to be held at three different Texas dirt tracks.

On Friday the USMTS professionals will roll into Golden Triangle Raceway Park (GTRP) in Beaumont for the first leg of the much anticipated USMTS swing through the Lone Star state. Racing on the same Friday evening program with the touring modified stars will be the local GTRP Limited Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Jr. Mini Stocks.

Gator Motorplex in Willis, Texas, will be treated to the big show on Saturday evening. Joining the super-fast Modifieds at the super-fast Gator oval will be the local Limited Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Pure Stocks.

Climaxing the Texas Shootout, the whole USMTS show – proudly hailing itself as “The best Modified Show on Dirt”- moves to 105 Speedway in Cleveland, Texas, for a Sunday afternoon event. The local Limited Modifieds and Hobby Stocks are also on the program.

According to pre-race publicity, more than 50 USMTS Modifieds will be racing their way to the checkered flag at each of the three tracks, promising dirt track Modified fans one of the best shows of the year.

From more information about USMTS, visit http://www.usmts.com.

Staff Report
Photos courtesy USMTS

Gator Motorplex hosts the ASCS Gulf South sprint cars this Saturday

The American Sprint Car Series Gulf South Region resumes its eighth season of competition this Saturday night with the first of a pair of events at the Gator Motorplex in Willis, TX.

Saturday’s action atop the high-banked, red clay ¼-mile Gator Motorplex oval marks the third of 28 nights of scheduled competition for the ASCS Gulf South Region in 2009.

The series kicked off the season on the opening weekend of March with four-time Lucas Oil ASCS National champion Gary Wright dropping in to sweep the weekend. And with several invaders on hand during that opening weekend, Scottie McDonald of New Caney, TX, escaped the weekend as the top-ranked ASCS Gulf South championship contender.

McDonald, who won the series’ first feature event at Gator Motorplex in 2005, is just four markers ahead of Clute, TX, teen Aaron Reutzel and Willis racer Kent Lewis, Jr., with Highlands, TX, hotshoe Channin Tankersley and Montgomery, TX, shoe Tommy Bryant just eight points off McDonald’s pace.

Chris Sweeney topped last year’s first series stop at the Gator Motorplex, with Bryant capturing his first series win aboard David Miller’s B&M Jr. No 21T last July.

Two-time and defending series champion Brandon Berryman of Missouri City, TX, is just a dozen markers behind McDonald, while Texas City, TX, shoe Greg Rilat makes his 107th consecutive series start 73 points off the pace after a rough opening weekend.

Saturday night’s action at the Gator Motorplex is slated to go green at 7:00 p.m.

The high-banked, ¼-mile Gator Motorplex red clay oval is located in Willis, TX, off I-45 Exit 98 (Shepherd Hill exit), then east, then 1.4 miles south on SR 75. For more information, contact the track at 936-588-6127.

The ASCS Gulf South Region is set for 28 nights of racing action at eleven different tracks throughout Texas in 2009.

The American Sprint Car Series, in its 18th year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing events, brings the best of Sprint Car racing to nearly 100 different tracks throughout 25 states and Canada in 2009. Anchored by the Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series presented by K&N Filters, ASCS also consists of a dozen different Regions throughout the nation.

Past ASCS Gulf South Region Feature Winners at Gator Motorplex:

7/19/08 – Tommy Bryant
5/24/08 – Chris Sweeney
9/16/06 – Brad Best
5/27/06 – Chris Sweeney
10/8/05 – Travis Rilat
4/16/05 – Scottie McDonald

Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com.

by Lonnie Wheatley

Gator Motorplex enjoys action-packed opening night

The Lone Star Speedzone crew made the trip from San Marcos to Gator Motorplex in Wills, Texas, to catch the “opening night” racing action at the wonderfully-prepared, red clay, high-banked, quarter-mile “almost-oval” oval. I say “almost” because the entry to turns one and three are tighter than the exits to their corresponding turns, two and four, making for some interesting differences in driving styles as drivers searched for the quick way around.

Despite the threat of rain, a great opening night crowd was on hand, with the crowd about evenly divided between the concrete “grandstands” and the terraced hillside just outside turn 3-4. The clouds only turned dark enough to actually rain for a brief 15-minute period and the track was soon race ready thanks to some quick work by the two famous Gator school buses, one of which has six wheels on the rear axle.

Since this was my first race at Gator, I only knew a couple of drivers - Lone Star Speedzone’s very own Arthur Hermiz in the Hobby Stock class and David Lege, Jr (I actually know your dad, David…) in the Limited Modified division. So, if I have messed up someone’s name or have something else totally mixed up, please be nice.

Modifieds

The Modified feature had Kevin Sturgess and Jeff Wood on the front row, but the 20-lapper got off to a rocky start with lots of banging and bumping and a spin or two which brought out an immediate yellow flag.

The next start was much better with Sturgess getting out first, followed by Wood who went to the inside. Bryan Vollmer quickly moved into third as Wood worked the outside while Sturgess searched for grip down low.

Meanwhile, Steve Pugh moved into fourth behind Vollmer while Ricky Bain took over the fifth spot.

Not sure at what lap, but after a few laps of working on Sturgess, Wood pulled into the infield, done for the night. Pugh, who had gotten by Vollmer a bit earlier, then inherited the tough job of running down Sturgess.

Pugh’s job was made much easier, though, when the yellow flew at about mid race for a turn 3-4 spin by Russell Moore.

On the restart, Pugh seemed poised to make a move on Sturgess, but his engine went up in a cloud of blue smoke going down the front straight. It was pretty much a cakewalk for Sturgess after that.

Sturgess, who ran a smart, smooth race was followed to the line by Kaif Sellier, who took advantage of the fact that several in front of him had problems, Pugh and Belge.

Russell Moore and Bryan Vollmer won their heat races.

Modified results showing Finishing Position, Starting Position, Car Number, Name, Hometown

1 1 121 Kevin Sturgess Tomball , Tx
2 12 4$ Kalif Sellier Katy , Tx
3 6 156 Steve Pugh Willis , Tx
4 9 7 Mike Belge Willis , Tx
5 5 44 Marcus Berndt Katy , Tx
6 10 32 Doug Byrns Willis , Tx
7 3 148 Russell Moore Conroe , Tx
8 7 55 Roger Faulkner Conroe , Tx
9 13 167 Alan Drewry
10 8 07 Keith Wright Willis , Tx
11 4 129 Bryan Vollmer Tomball , Tx
12 2 51 Jeff Wood Willis , Tx
13 11 28 Ricky Bain College Station, Tx

Hobby Stocks

The Hobby Main featured a great duel between eventual winner Ronnie Williams and heat-race winner John Warner.

Ronnie Williams and Mark Gallagher started on the front row with Rodney Mears and John Gregory in row two. Williams got out first but Gallagher and Jessie Flowers tangled in 3-4 to bring out the caution flag before a lap was complete. That moved Mears up to the front row and Warner inherited a row two spot for the restart.

Warner moved past Flowers using the outside immediately after the restart and set his sights on and quickly caught Williams.

The front-running pair easily separated themselves from the rest of the field and made a bit of contact with each other occasionally as they diced for the lead. They had half a lap on the field at the halfway flags with Mears and Ricky Hudson heading the rest of the pack. But Hudson lost his spot after taking a quick trip through the infield.

With six left, Clayton Lorenz stopped his damaged car in turn four. This bunched up the field which had become so spread out that the leaders were about to start lapping the back markers.

The restart had Williams, Warner, Brandon Moore and Arthur Hermiz up front. Williams got a great jump and took off with Warner in hot pursuit, but debris in turn one only a lap later brought out another yellow.

Warner valiantly tried the inside for the last few laps, but Williams took the checkered flag with his rival glued to his rear bumper.

Jessie Flowers, John Warner and Rodney Mears were the heat winners.

Hobby Stock Results showing Finishing Position, Starting Position, Car Number, Name, Hometown

1 2 2 Ronnie Williams Conroe , Tx
2 6 20 John Warner Conroe , Tx
3 13 123 Brandon Moore
4 9 76 Daniel King
5 15 777 Arthur Hermiz Conroe , Tx
6 4 17 Ricky Hudson Montgomery , Tx
7 1 6M Mark Gallagher Bryan , Tx
8 11 41 Charles Viereck Willis , Tx
9 7 27VF John Gregory Montgomery , Tx
10 10 21R Ronnie Racer Shelby Conroe , Tx
11 3 77 Rodney Mears Tomball , Tx
12 14 21 Earl Schultz Spring , Tx
13 8 777L Clayton Lorenz Willis , Tx
14 12 67 E. Wade Johnson Willis , Tx
15 5 333 Jessie Flowers Conroe , Tx

Pure Stocks

Terry Parsley and Robb Slott started on the front row, but a multi-car free-for-all down the front straight as the green waved scattered cars everywhere. No real harm done except to heat winner Casey Garvin’s car which made all sorts of evil noises as he joined the rear of the field for the restart.

Slott won the drag race to turn one as the green waved, but had Parsley on his tail right away.

Parsley tried the inside line while Slott used the outside to his advantage for several laps in the early going as the pair opened up a big gap back to the pack.

It wasn’t long before the dueling duo was dealing (sorry… ) with lapped traffic. Parsley was able to peel off Slott using a lapped car to take over the lead at about halfway.

Meanwhile, back in the pack, there was lots of beating and banging as the leaders tried to work their way through. Parsley worked traffic to his advantage and for the next few laps opened up a several car-length lead.

As the laps wound down the Parsley was able to maintain his advantage over Slott, but someone spun (not sure who) and the caution flag waved to set up a green, white, checkered finish that was bound to produce some fireworks.

But it was not to be as Parsley was called into the infield by race officials for an unexplained reason and did not return to the track.

Slott was then easily held off Matthew Berry, who finished second.

Will Carter, Stetson Adams and Casey Garvin and won their respective heat races.

Pure Stock Results showing Finishing Position, Car Number, Name

1st 48ROB Rob Slott
2nd 02 Matthew Berry
3rd 89 Corey Hamilton
4th 818 Stetson Adams
5th 77 Garrett Gregory
6th 2 Preston Lawson
7th 29 Kasey Garvin
8th 57 Mike Hooper
9th 723 Ronnie Mekalip
10th 20N Syble Matthews
11th 179 Donald Cain Jr
12th 2R Ricky Kelley
13th 81 Dale Spencer
14th 89C Codey Hamilton
15th 3P Terry Parsley
16th 43 Bubba Matthews
17th 14 Derek Legg
18th 55 Tyler Moore

Street Stocks

Theresa Waller and Mike DeGroot started on the front row with DeGroot getting the point on the first lap. Mike Johnson and Barry McIllwain soon joined the front pair and the four of them took off.

At halfway the front four were still nose-to-tail with everyone running basically the same line - more or less in the middle - with no one searching low or looking for the berm up high.

After a brief caution for a minor spin, DeGroot got a good jump on Waller as the green flew as does McIllwain who challenged Waller for a lap or two. I’m not too sure what happened to Johnson who was running third earlier. Conner Lazenby made it a four-pack up front at the laps wound down.

This foursome ran close and clean for the rest of the race with DeGroot, Waller, McIllwain and Lazenby finishing in that order.

Johnson and DeGroot were the heat race winners.

Street Stock resutls showing Finishing Position, Car Number, Name

1st 21 Mike DeGroot
2nd 3 Theresa Waller
3rd 41 Barry McIllwain
4th 10 Connor Lazenby
5th 29 Jason Kibby
6th 20 Mike Johnson
7th 32 Chanc Towery
8th 2H Jeffrey Jackson
9th 43 David Jackson

Limited Mods

Twenty-two Limited Modifieds lined up for their 20-lap, $1,000 to win feature.

As you might imagine, it was a wild start, but they all made it through with Jeff Wood jumping out first and Johnny Holder in second.

Wood looked very strong in the early going with Holder not able to mount much of a challenge. Tommy Moore looked pretty strong in third, but a spin in the pack brings out the yellow with only a few laps in the books.

As they got back to racing, Holder and Moore made some serious contact but both were able to hold on as Dalton Faulkner moved into fourth.

After a caution for a spinner, Holder tried the very low side for a lap or two, but Wood made the center of the track work for him as the red clay got blacker and blacker.

Wood was never seriously challenged after Holder determined that the bottom wasn’t going to work and went wire-to-wire for a very convincing win.

Holder, Wood, Moore and (not too sure, but maybe) Brad Brumbly won their heats.

Limited Modified resutls showing Finishing Position, Car Number, Name

1st 40P Jeff Wood
2nd 4 Johnny Holder
3rd 148 Tommy Moore
4th 27 Dalton Faulkner
5th 71 Chase Bresee
6th 7 Brad Brumley
7th 5C Steve Clayton
8th 86 Justin Collins
9th 14 Roy Catlin
10th 24 James Gunter
11th 388 Steve Burrow
12th 9 David Lege Jr
13th 78 Andy Mahoney
14th 92 Tim Ferguson
15th 627 Mark Jackson
16th 17 Cody Dusty
17th 107 Todd Jouett
18th 18 Bobby Middleton
19th 87 Dennis Miley
20th R3W Rick Wolfe
21st 20 Eddie Holley
22nd 590 Jonathan Walker

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