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Jason Johnson wins ASCS Gulf South Sprint Car feature at Golden Triangle Raceway Park

Jason Johnson picked off his eighth overall American Sprint Car Series feature win of the year by racing to victory lane in Friday night’s 25-lap ASCS Gulf South main event at Golden Triangle Raceway Park.

The current Lucas Oil Sprint Car National points leader took the lead away from Aaron Reutzel on the second round and then fought off nemesis Gary Wright to snare his third Gulf South score of the year aboard Marvin Pearson’s No. 11 entry.

Johnson and Wright flashed under the checkered flag in the top two positions, with Travis Rilat earning Hard Charger honors by racing from 16th to third.

After current ASCS Gulf South points leader Reutzel exited at the midway point, Tommy Bryant took a bite out of his advantage by snaring fourth, with Eric Baldaccini rounding out the top five.

Travis Elliott was sixth, with 16-year-old Klint Angelette posting his top run of the year by crossing the stripe in seventh. Past series champ Gary Watson was eighth, two-time and defending Gulf South king Brandon Berryman raced from 18th to ninth and Scottie McDonald completed the top ten.

Jimmy Brooks, Baldaccini, Reutzel and Watson topped heat race action for Friday night’s 28-car field, with Kent Lewis, Jr., winning the “B” Main.

ASCS Gulf South Results from Golden Triangle Raceway Park:

Heat One (8 Laps): 1. 51-Jimmy Brooks, 2. 15T-Travis Elliott, 3. 74-Brandon Corn, 4. 71-Channin Tankersley, 5. 35-Greg Rilat, 6. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 7. 87a-Andrew Marshala.

Heat Two (8 Laps): 1. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 2. 93-Chris Sweeney, 3. 9x-Gary Wright, 4. 2-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 5. 1b-Kent Lewis, Jr., 6. 29-Travis Rilat, 7. 12x-Logan Bledsoe.

Heat Three (8 Laps): 1. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 2. 11-Jason Johnson, 3. 88-Scottie McDonald, 4. 19-Klint Angelette, 5. 5-Chris Buhler, 6. 52-Roger Oakes. DNS: 30x-Bean Elliott.

Heat Four (8 Laps): 1. 3-Gary Watson, 2. 21T-Tommy Bryant, 3. 20-Terry Monroe, 4. 5m-Glenn Martin, 5. 2T-Todd Fayard, 6. 31-Brandon Berryman, 7. 79-Charlie McDonald.

“B” Feature (12 Laps): 1. 1b-Kent Lewis, Jr., 2. 29-Travis Rilat, 3. 35-Greg Rilat, 4. 31-Brandon Berryman, 5. 5m-Glenn Martin, 6. 2T-Todd Fayard, 7. 12x-Logan Bledsoe, 8. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 9. 79-Charlie McDonald, 10. 5-Chris Buhler, 11. 2-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 12. 52-Roger Oakes, 13. 87a-Andrew Marshala. DNS: 30x-Bean Elliott.

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 11-Jason Johnson, 2. 9x-Gary Wright, 3. 29-Travis Rilat, 4. 21T-Tommy Bryant, 5. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 6. 15T-Travis Elliott, 7. 19-Klint Angelette, 8. 3-Gary Watson, 9. 31-Brandon Berryman, 10. 88-Scottie McDonald, 11. 93-Chris Sweeney, 12. 51-Jimmy Brooks, 13. 5m-Glenn Martin, 14. 1b-Kent Lewis, Jr., 15. 35-Greg Rilat, 16. 20-Terry Monroe, 17. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 18. 71-Channin Tankersley, 19. 2T-Todd Fayard, 20. 74-Brandon Corn.

ASCS Gulf South Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Aaron Reutzel 2,898, 2. Tommy Bryant 2,862, 3. Channin Tankersley 2,746, 4. Scottie McDonald 2,706, 5. Kent Lewis, Jr. 2,656, 6. Brandon Berryman 2,633, 7. Greg Rilat 2,579, 8. Gary Watson 2,471, 9. Ray Allen Kulhanek 2,421, 10. Jimmy Brooks 2,399.

by Lonnie Wheatley

ASCS Gulf South Sprint Cars set for one last 2009 Golden Triangle-Houston Raceway Park double

Golden Triangle Raceway Park and Houston Raceway Park are both staples on the ASCS Gulf South Regional tour. This weekend, the Beaumont and Baytown clay ovals in southeast Texas are both set to host the series for the final time in 2009.

The series takes to Beaumont’s Golden Triangle Raceway Park on Friday night for a $2,000-to-win tilt, before moving on to Baytown’s Houston Raceway Park on Saturday night for a $3,000-to-win affair.

Leading the way into the weekend is 19-year-old Clute, TX, shoe Aaron Reutzel, who has posted 17 top-ten feature runs in 20 events aboard the Motor Mike-powered No. 87 Triple-X to amass a 62-point advantage over Conroe’s Tommy Bryant.

Reutzel, who picked off his first career series win in the last stop at Beaumont on July 17, has just three race nights after this weekend’s double separating him from the 2009 series title.

Poised to pounce on any Reutzel miscues is Bryant, who has collected three Gulf South wins this season including a May 16 triumph at Golden Triangle Raceway Park.

Eighteen-year-old Channin Tankersely of Highlands, TX, is 150 points off the lead pace in third, with New Caney’s Scottie McDonald and Willis’ Kent Lewis, Jr., rounding out the current top five.

Sixth through ninth in ASCS Gulf South points are two-time champion Brandon Berryman (Missouri City), series Iron Man Greg Rilat (Texas City) and past champions Ray Allen Kulhanek (Magnolia) and Gary Watson (Beaumont), with Jimmy Brooks (College Station) in tenth.

Friday’s card at Golden Triangle Raceway Park marks the series seventh scheduled stop of the season in Beaumont. Gary Wright has a pair of GTRP wins this year, with single triumphs posted by Bryant, Reutzel and Travis Rilat, with Mother Nature getting the nod in August.

Saturday marks the fourth Gulf South stop of the year at Houston Raceway Park, with Eric Baldaccini, Kulhanek and Kevin Ramey each scoring atop the Baytown clay.

Friday’s card at Golden Triangle Raceway Park is slated to get under way at 7:45 p.m., with Saturday’s action at Houston Raceway Park set to go green at 7:00 p.m.

Golden Triangle Raceway Park is located 9.5 miles west of I-10 on US 90 near Beaumont, TX. For more information, contact the track at 409-752-7200.

Houston Raceway Park is located east of Houston on I-10 to Exit 798, then three miles south on State Road 146, then 0.8 miles southeast on FM 1405, then 1.5 miles northeast on FM 565. For more information, contact the track at 281-383-7223.

The ASCS Gulf South Region is set for 27 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 Golden Triangle Raceway Park:
7/17/09 – Aaron Reutzel
6/19/09 – Travis Rilat
5/16/09 - Gary Wright
5/16/09 - Tommy Bryant (4/24 Makeup Feature)
3/6/09 - Gary Wright
8/15/08 - Channin Tankersley
7/18/08 - Gary Watson
5/9/08 - Channin Tankersley
2/29/08 - Jason Johnson
9/28/07 - Jason Johnson
6/22/07 - Michael Dupuy
5/18/07 - Brandon Berryman
4/6/07 - Jason Johnson
9/29/06 - Kevin Ramey
8/18/06 - Jason Johnson
6/23/06 - Gary Watson
8/19/05 - Ray Allen Kulhanek
6/17/05 - Ray Allen Kulhanek
4/15/05 - Travis Rilat
9/18/04 - Kelly Angelette
7/9/04 - Stephen Chevallier
* 9/28/02 - Michael Dupuy
* 9/27/02 - Tim Crawley
7/5/02 - Buddy Bodden
5/24/02 - Jason Johnson
* 4/5/02 - Zach Chappell

Past ASCS Gulf South Region Feature Winners at Houston Raceway Park:
7/18/09 – Kevin Ramey
6/20/09 – Ray Allen Kulhanek
5/16/09 - Eric Baldaccini
9/27/08 - Jason Johnson
6/21/08 - Michael Dupuy
5/10/08 - Brandon Berryman
3/1/08 - Jack Dover
9/29/07 - Brandon Berryman
8/18/07 - Travis Rilat
5/19/07 - Johnny Miller
9/30/06 - Ray Allen Kulhanek
8/19/06 - Brad Best
6/24/06 - Ray Allen Kulhanek
4/8/06 - Travis Rilat
8/20/05 - Lane Whittington
6/18/05 - Ray Allen Kulhanek
7/10/04 - Kevin Ramey

* - Indicates events held in conjunction with ASCS National Tour.

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

by Lonnie Wheatley

ASCS Gulf South ready for Golden Triangle Raceway Park and 105 Speedway this weekend

After three idle weekends, the American Sprint Car Series Gulf South Region fires back to action with a pair of events in southeast Texas this weekend.

On Friday night, the series takes to Beaumont’s 3/8-mile Golden Triangle Raceway Park for the sixth of seven scheduled events in 2009. Then, on Saturday night, it’s on to Cleveland’s 105 Speedway for the third time this season.

Leading the way into the weekend in his bid to become the series fifth different champion is 19-year-old Aaron Reutzel of Clute, TX, who picked off his first career ASCS Gulf South feature win in the series most recent stop at Golden Triangle Raceway Park on July 17.

Reutzel’s series record streak of 15 consecutive top-ten feature finishes was finally snapped in the series most recent event versus the Lone Star Region at Waco’s Heart O’ Texas Speedway on July 31.

Reutzel will start from scratch on a new streak with this weekend’s pair of events followed by next weekend’s double against the Lone Star Region at Crandall’s RPM Speedway and Mesquite’s Devil’s Bowl Speedway on September 4-5.

Reutzel carries an advantage of just 46 markers over Tommy Bryant into this weekend’s action, with Channin Tankersley, Scottie McDonald and Kent Lewis, Jr., rounding out the current top five.

Two-time and defending series champion Brandon Berryman enters the weekend ranked sixth, with the balance of the current top ten including Ray Allen Kulhanek, Greg Rilat, Gary Watson and Jimmy Brooks.

Friday’s card at Golden Triangle Raceway Park is slated to get under way at 7:45 p.m., with Saturday’s action at 105 Speedway set to go green at 8:00 p.m.

Golden Triangle Raceway Park is located 9.5 miles west of I-10 on US 90 near Beaumont, TX. For more information, contact the track at 409-752-7200.

Cleveland, Texas’ ¼-mile, semi-banked 105 Speedway clay oval is located six miles west of US 59 on SR 105, then 0.3 miles north on Fostoria. For more information, contact the track at 281-592-7223.

The ASCS Gulf South Region is set for 27 nights of racing action at ten 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 Golden Triangle Raceway Park:
7/17/09 – Aaron Reutzel
6/19/09 – Travis Rilat
5/16/09 - Gary Wright
5/16/09 - Tommy Bryant (4/24 Makeup Feature)
3/6/09 - Gary Wright
8/15/08 - Channin Tankersley
7/18/08 - Gary Watson
5/9/08 - Channin Tankersley
2/29/08 - Jason Johnson
9/28/07 - Jason Johnson
6/22/07 - Michael Dupuy
5/18/07 - Brandon Berryman
4/6/07 - Jason Johnson
9/29/06 - Kevin Ramey
8/18/06 - Jason Johnson
6/23/06 - Gary Watson
8/19/05 - Ray Allen Kulhanek
6/17/05 - Ray Allen Kulhanek
4/15/05 - Travis Rilat
9/18/04 - Kelly Angelette
7/9/04 - Stephen Chevallier
* 9/28/02 - Michael Dupuy
* 9/27/02 - Tim Crawley
7/5/02 - Buddy Bodden
5/24/02 - Jason Johnson
* 4/5/02 - Zach Chappell

Past ASCS Gulf South Region Feature Winners at 105 Speedway:
6/6/09 – Ray Allen Kulhanek
3/7/09 - Gary Wright
7/5/08 - Bryn Gohn
6/7/08 - Brandon Berryman
4/5/08 - Jason Johnson
9/2/07 - Jason Johnson
7/28/07 - Scottie McDonald

* - Indicates events held in conjunction with ASCS National Tour.

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

by Lonnie Wheatley

Aaron Reutzel reels off first ASCS Gulf South win at Golden Triangle Raceway Park

Aaron Reutzel, the 19-year-old from Clute, TX, has been doing his part to earn the ASCS Gulf South championship by tearing off a Gulf South record 13 consecutive top-ten feature finishes.

On Friday night, he made it 14 top-tens in a row with an exclamation point by capturing his first career American Sprint Car Series feature win in the 25-lap Gulf South main event at Golden Triangle Raceway Park.

Reutzel gunned into the lead from the pole position and fought off several challenge from Michael Dupuy to post the win aboard the Motor Mike-powered KCR Racing No. 87 Triple-X, extending his series points lead to 78 markers in the process.

Tommy Bryant, second to Reutzel in the points race, claimed runner-up honors, with Channin Tankersley, Greg Rilat and Gary Watson rounding out the top five.

Ray Allen Kulhanek picked up Hard Charger honors by racing from 13th to sixth, with Kent Lewis, Jr., Scottie McDonald, Travis Elliott and Travis Knighton completing the top ten.

Blake Roberts, Knighton, Lewis and Tankersley topped heat race action for the 28-car field, with Eric Baldaccini winning the “B” Main.

ASCS Gulf South Region Results from Golden Triangle Raceway Park:

Heat One (8 Laps): 1. 21-Blake Roberts, 2. 30-Scottie McDonald, 3. 35-Greg Rilat, 4. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 5. 5-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 6. 11m-Brandon Moseley, 7. 20-Terry Monroe.

Heat Two (8 Laps): 1. 61-Travis Knighton, 2. 00-Michael Dupuy, 3. 10-George White, 4. 69-Larry Howery, 5. 93-Brandon Berryman, 6. 19-Klint Angelette, 7. 30x-Bean Elliott.

Heat Three (8 Laps): 1. 1b-Kent Lewis, Jr., 2. 21T-Tommy Bryant, 3. 70-Anthony Reaves, 4. 16-Cody Adams, 5. 52-Roger Oakes, 6. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr. DNS: 12-Kent Lewis, Sr.

Heat Four (8 Laps): 1. 71-Channin Tankersley, 2. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 3. 3-Gary Watson, 4. 15T-Travis Elliott, 5. 40-Junior Jenkins, 6. 51-Jimmy Brooks. DNS: 23-Darryl Wills.

“B” Feature (12 Laps): 1. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 2. 40-Junior Jenkins, 3. 93-Brandon Berryman, 4. 20-Terry Monroe, 5. 30x-Bean Elliott, 6. 16-Cody Adams, 7. 19-Klint Angelette, 8. 11m-Brandon Moseley, 9. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 10. 52-Roger Oakes, 11. 69-Larry Howery, 12. 51-Jimmy Brooks. DNS: 12-Kent Lewis, Sr., 23-Darryl Wills.

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 2. 21T-Tommy Bryant, 3. 71-Channin Tankersley, 4. 35-Greg Rilat, 5. 3-Gary Watson, 6. 5-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 7. 1b-Kent Lewis, Jr., 8. 30-Scottie McDonald, 9. 15T-Travis Elliott, 10. 61-Travis Knighton, 11. 40-Junior Jenkins, 12. 30x-Bean Elliott, 13. 16-Cody Adams, 14. 00-Michael Dupuy, 15. 21-Blake Roberts, 16. 93-Brandon Berryman, 17. 10-George White, 18. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 19. 70-Anthony Reaves, 20. 20-Terry Monroe.

ASCS Gulf South Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Aaron Reutzel 2,098, 2. Tommy Bryant 2,020, 3. Ray Allen Kulhanek 2,001, 4. Channin Tankersley 1,974, 5. Scottie McDonald 1,894, 6. Brandon Berryman 1,873, 7. Kent Lewis, Jr. 1,860, 8. Greg Rilat 1,793, 9. Gary Watson 1,638, 10. Jimmy Brooks 1,669.

by Lonnie Wheatley

ASCS Gulf South Sprint Cars set for another Golden Triangle Raceway Park-Houston Raceway Park double

After an off weekend to regroup, the American Sprint Car Series Gulf South Region fires back to action with the third of four scheduled Golden Triangle Raceway Park – Houston Raceway Park weekend doubles this Friday and Saturday.

Friday’s stop at Beaumont’s Golden Triangle Raceway Park, the fifth of the year, offers up $2,000 to win, while Saturday’s third event of the year at Baytown’s Houston Raceway Park includes a $3,000 winner’s share.

Leading the way into the weekend is Clute, TX, teen Aaron Reutzel, who is riding a Gulf South record streak of 13 consecutive top-ten feature finishes. While looking for his first series win, Kulhanek has built up an advantage of 74 points over Conroe’s Tommy Bryant, who added his second win of the year in the series most recent outing at Texana Raceway Park on July 4.

Former series champion Ray Allen Kulhanek, who topped the series most recent outing at Houston Raceway Park on June 20, enters the weekend just eleven points behind Bryant in third, with 18-year-old Highlands shoe Channin Tankersley and New Caney’s Scottie McDonald rounding out the current top five in points.

The balance of the current top ten in points includes two-time and defending series champion Brandon Berryman (Missouri City), Kent Lewis, Jr. (Willis), Greg Rilat (Texas City), Jimmy Brooks (College Station) and Gary Watson (Beaumont).

With 14 ASCS Gulf South events in the books thus far in 2009, nine different drivers have reached victory lane.

Friday’s card at Golden Triangle Raceway Park is slated to get under way at 7:45 p.m., with Saturday’s action at Houston Raceway Park set to go green at 7:00 p.m.

Golden Triangle Raceway Park is located 9.5 miles west of I-10 on US 90 near Beaumont, TX. For more information, contact the track at 409-752-7200.

Houston Raceway Park is located east of Houston on I-10 to Exit 798, then three miles south on State Road 146, then 0.8 miles southeast on FM 1405, then 1.5 miles northeast on FM 565. For more information, contact the track at 281-383-7223.

The ASCS Gulf South Region is set for 27 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 Golden Triangle Raceway Park:
6/19/09 – Travis Rilat
5/16/09 - Gary Wright
5/16/09 - Tommy Bryant (4/24 Makeup Feature)
3/6/09 - Gary Wright
8/15/08 - Channin Tankersley
7/18/08 - Gary Watson
5/9/08 - Channin Tankersley
2/29/08 - Jason Johnson
9/28/07 - Jason Johnson
6/22/07 - Michael Dupuy
5/18/07 - Brandon Berryman
4/6/07 - Jason Johnson
9/29/06 - Kevin Ramey
8/18/06 - Jason Johnson
6/23/06 - Gary Watson
8/19/05 - Ray Allen Kulhanek
6/17/05 - Ray Allen Kulhanek
4/15/05 - Travis Rilat
9/18/04 - Kelly Angelette
7/9/04 - Stephen Chevallier
* 9/28/02 - Michael Dupuy
* 9/27/02 - Tim Crawley
7/5/02 - Buddy Bodden
5/24/02 - Jason Johnson
* 4/5/02 - Zach Chappell

Past ASCS Gulf South Region Feature Winners at Houston Raceway Park:
6/20/09 – Ray Allen Kulhanek
5/16/09 - Eric Baldaccini
9/27/08 - Jason Johnson
6/21/08 - Michael Dupuy
5/10/08 - Brandon Berryman
3/1/08 - Jack Dover
9/29/07 - Brandon Berryman
8/18/07 - Travis Rilat
5/19/07 - Johnny Miller
9/30/06 - Ray Allen Kulhanek
8/19/06 - Brad Best
6/24/06 - Ray Allen Kulhanek
4/8/06 - Travis Rilat
8/20/05 - Lane Whittington
6/18/05 - Ray Allen Kulhanek
7/10/04 - Kevin Ramey

* - Indicates events held in conjunction with ASCS National Tour.

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

by Lonnie Wheatley

ASCS Gult South ready for Golden Triangle Raceway Park / Houston Raceway Park weekend double

Aaron Reutzel has already matched an American Sprint Car Series Gulf South Region record. Now, he’ll try to establish a new mark with the series’ second of four Golden Triangle Raceway Park – Houston Raceway Park weekend doubles this Friday and Saturday.

Since a twelfth place finish in the season opener at Beaumont’s Golden Triangle Raceway Park, the 19-year-old from Clute, TX, has reeled off nine consecutive top-ten feature finishes to stretch out a 73-point edge over Ray Allen Kulhanek in the ASCS Gulf South championship points chase.

That run of nine top-tens in a row matches the marks previously established by Kelly Angelette, Greg Rilat and Brandon Berryman. Angelette posted his nine in a row over the final eight evnst of 2003 and then the 2004 season opener, Rilat ran off nine in a row in 2006 while Berryman’s run came last year in his charge to a second straight title.

None of those three were successfully able to make it ten in a row, however. Reutzel will have that chance on Friday night atop Beaumont’s Golden Triangle Raceway Park before moving on to the high-banked, ¼-mile Houston Raceway Park in Baytown on Saturday night.

While Reutzel’s lead at the one-third mark is a healthy one at 73 markers, only 19 points separate the four drivers ranked from second to fifth including Kulhanek (Magnolia, TX), Tommy Bryant (Conroe, TX), Berryman (Missouri City, TX) and Channin Tankersley (Highlands, TX).

The balance of the current top ten in Gulf South points includes Scottie McDonald (New Caney, TX), Jimmy Brooks (College Station, TX), Kent Lewis, Jr. (Willis, TX), Greg Rilat (Texas City, TX) and Gary Watson (Beaumont, TX).

Gary Wright has topped two of the three Gulf South features contested at Golden Triangle this year with Tommy Bryant also taking a Beaumont win. Eric Baldaccini snared his first career ASCS win in the series’ stop at Houston Raceway Park last month.

Friday’s card offers up $2,000 to win, with Saturday’s feature winner collecting $3,000.

Friday’s card at Golden Triangle Raceway Park is slated to get under way at 7:45 p.m., with Saturday’s action at Houston Raceway Park set to go green at 7:00 p.m.

Golden Triangle Raceway Park is located 9.5 miles west of I-10 on US 90 near Beaumont, TX. For more information, contact the track at 409-752-7200.

Houston Raceway Park is located east of Houston on I-10 to Exit 798, then three miles south on State Road 146, then 0.8 miles southeast on FM 1405, then 1.5 miles northeast on FM 565. For more information, contact the track at 281-383-7223.

The ASCS Gulf South Region is set for 27 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 Golden Triangle Raceway Park:
5/16/09 - Gary Wright
5/16/09 - Tommy Bryant (4/24 Makeup Feature)
3/6/09 - Gary Wright
8/15/08 - Channin Tankersley
7/18/08 - Gary Watson
5/9/08 - Channin Tankersley
2/29/08 - Jason Johnson
9/28/07 - Jason Johnson
6/22/07 - Michael Dupuy
5/18/07 - Brandon Berryman
4/6/07 - Jason Johnson
9/29/06 - Kevin Ramey
8/18/06 - Jason Johnson
6/23/06 - Gary Watson
8/19/05 - Ray Allen Kulhanek
6/17/05 - Ray Allen Kulhanek
4/15/05 - Travis Rilat
9/18/04 - Kelly Angelette
7/9/04 - Stephen Chevallier
* 9/28/02 - Michael Dupuy
* 9/27/02 - Tim Crawley
7/5/02 - Buddy Bodden
5/24/02 - Jason Johnson
* 4/5/02 - Zach Chappell

Past ASCS Gulf South Region Feature Winners at Houston Raceway Park:
5/16/09 - Eric Baldaccini
9/27/08 - Jason Johnson
6/21/08 - Michael Dupuy
5/10/08 - Brandon Berryman
3/1/08 - Jack Dover
9/29/07 - Brandon Berryman
8/18/07 - Travis Rilat
5/19/07 - Johnny Miller
9/30/06 - Ray Allen Kulhanek
8/19/06 - Brad Best
6/24/06 - Ray Allen Kulhanek
4/8/06 - Travis Rilat
8/20/05 - Lane Whittington
6/18/05 - Ray Allen Kulhanek
7/10/04 - Kevin Ramey

* - Indicates events held in conjunction with ASCS National Tour.

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

by Lonnie Wheatley

Tommy Bryant and Gary Wright split ASCS Gulf South honors at Golden Triangle Raceway Park on Friday

Gary Wright and Tommy Bryant both posted $2,000 triumphs on Friday night as the American Sprint Car Series Gulf South Region completed twin 25-lap features at Golden Triangle Raceway Park.

Wright picked off his third ASCS Gulf South win in as many 2009 tries by topping the regularly-scheduled 25-lapper, while Bryant bagged his second career series triumph in the makeup of the feature postponed by rain from April 24.

While Bryant took command midway through en route to victory lane in the nightcap feature event, Wright paced only the final three rounds after race-long leader Travis Rilat tangled with a lapped car and flipped as the lead battle boiled over.

Rilat gunned into the lead from the pole position in the night’s originally scheduled main event, weathering several early incidents with Jason Johnson, fellow front row starter Brandon Berryman, Paul McMahan and sixth-starter Wright in tow.

Rilat fought off a Jason Johnson bid for the lead on the seventh round and opened up an advantage of several car-lengths as McMahan and Wright worked past Berryman. Wright then blasted past McMahan for third on a lap ten restart and set his sights on the lead duo.

Vying for his first win of 2009, Rilat cruised out front until lapped traffic came into play on the 18th lap, with Johnson quickly moving in to challenge for the point. Rilat fought off Johnson’s advances, with Wright joining the fray by taking second from Johnson on the 22nd circuit.

With Wright nipping at his heels, Rilat pressed the issue with a lapped car in turns one and two on the 24th lap and flipped after contact. Wright narrowly missed out on the fracas, escaping with minor wing damage.

Out front on the restart for the first time all night, Wright raced to the checkered flag unabated over the final three laps aboard Scott Brown’s ASI-powered Lubbock Wrecker Service/Richwood Construction No. 9x Maxim.

“I had a little more stagger than those guys had, so I could chop down in the corners,” Wright explained afterward. “I think we would have got him (Rilat) anyway.”

Johnson settled for runner-up honors five car-lengths back, with McMahan taking the show position in his ASCS Gulf South debut. Tommy Bryant raced from 12th to fourth, while Brady Bacon rebounded from a lap three skirmish to round out the top five after Trey Robb failed to report to the scales.

After advancing eight positions for a top-five run in the first main event, ASCS Gulf South title contender Tommy Bryant found himself in the sixth row once again in the makeup feature, only to the inside this time. And it didn’t take him long to battle into contention, as he had cracked the top five just behind pole starter Terry Monroe, Brandon Corn, Berryman and Channin Tankersley after only a handful of circuits.

Bryant disposed of Tankersley and then moved to third when Corn lost power on the ninth round, precipitating the first of two cautions.

Bryant outdueled Berryman, Tankersley and a surging Ray Allen Kulhanek for second over the next couple of rounds and then charged by Monroe on the top side of turn two on the 12th round to take the lead for keeps.

“I have to thank David Miller and his wife, they give me the best stuff to race with and I’m just happy to be able to get this win for them,” Bryant commented after his second career ASCS Gulf South score aboard the B&M Jr./Hometech Construction No. 21T J&J.

Kulhanek claimed runner-up honors after also starting in the sixth row, while Tankersley bounced back from a turn two flip on the third lap of the earlier feature to snare the show position. “My crew was still putting oil in and tightening things up when the feature started rolling, they did a great job just to get me out there,” Tankersley explained.

Coupled with a sixth-place run in the early feature, Aaron Reutzel’s fourth-place showing in the nightcap kept him atop the ASCS Gulf South point charts, while two-time and reigning series champion Brandon Berryman rounded out the top five.

Forty cars were on hand for Friday’s action, with Berryman, Ryan Hall, Reutzel, Jimmy Brooks and Kulhanek topping heat race action. Eric Baldaccini and Bacon won the “B” Mains. Ty Johnson flipped in heat race competition, while Hall flipped on a lap four restart in the first “A” Main. There were no injuries.

Nineteen of the 20 cars slated for the makeup feature from April 24 were on hand, with 18 answering the bell for the finale. Bryant (4th and 1st), Kulhanek (7th and 2nd), Reutzel (6th and 4th) and Baldaccini (9th and 8th) each finished among the top ten in both feature events.

American Sprint Car Series Gulf South Region Results from Golden Triangle Raceway Park:

Heat One (8 Laps): 1. 31-Brandon Berryman, 2. 21T-Tommy Bryant, 3. 12-Trey Robb, 4. 85-Jerry Bell, 5. 17c-Greg Coleman, 6. 4x-Michael Miller, 7. 93-Chris Sweeney, 8. 20-Terry Monroe.

Heat Two (8 Laps): 1. 79-Ryan Hall, 2. 74-Brandon Corn, 3. 41-Jason Johnson, 4. 1b-Kent Lewis, Jr., 5. 15T-Travis Elliott, 6. 23-Darryl Wills, 7. 35-Greg Rilat, 8. 30-Scottie McDonald.

Heat Three (8 Laps): 1. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 2. 9x-Gary Wright, 3. 3d-Paul McMahan, 4. 13-Kathryne Minter, 5. 71-Channin Tankersley, 6. 22L-Kent Lewis, Sr., 7. 30x-Bean Elliott, 8. 21-Blake Roberts.

Heat Four (8 Laps): 1. 51-Jimmy Brooks, 2. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 3. 3-Gary Watson, 4. 99-Brady Bacon, 5. 80-James McNeil, 6. 67-Rodney Henderson, 7. 69-Larry Howery, 8. 10-Larry Hartwell.

Heat Five (8 Laps): 1. 5-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 2. 29-Travis Rilat, 3. 19-Klint Angelette, 4. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 5. 12s-Steve Hubbard, 6. d20-David Noker, 7. 52-Roger Oakes, 8. 49-Ty Johnson.

First “B” Feature (12 Laps): 1. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 2. 71-Channin Tankersley, 3. 3-Gary Watson, 4. 1b-Kent Lewis, Jr., 5. 30-Scottie McDonald, 6. 23-Darryl Wills, 7. 69-Larry Howery, 8. 13-Kathryne Minter, 9. 22L-Kent Lewis, Sr., 10. 21-Blake Roberts, 11. 17c-Greg Coleman, 12. 52-Roger Oakes. DNS: 30x-Bean Elliott.

Second “B” Feature (12 Laps): 1. 99-Brady Bacon, 2. 4x-Michael Miller, 3. 15T-Travis Elliott, 4. 49-Ty Johnson, 5. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 6. 93-Chris Sweeney, 7. 20-Terry Monroe, 8. d20-David Noker, 9. 12s-Steve Hubbard, 10. 10-Larry Hartwell, 11. 35-Greg Rilat, 12. 67-Rodney Henderson, 13. 80-James McNeil.

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 9x-Gary Wright, 2. 41-Jason Johnson, 3. 3d-Paul McMahan, 4. 21T-Tommy Bryant, 5. 99-Brady Bacon, 6. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 7. 5-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 8. 31-Brandon Berryman, 9. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 10. 74-Brandon Corn, 11. 4x-Michael Miller, 12. 51-Jimmy Brooks, 13. 19-Klint Angelette, 14. 29-Travis Rilat, 15. 3-Gary Watson, 16. 15T-Travis Elliott, 17. 85-Jerry Bell, 18. 79-Ryan Hall, 19. 71-Channin Tankersley, 20. 12-Trey Robb (Disqualified; failed to report to scales after finishing fifth).

Makeup “A” Feature Results (25 Laps – Postponed by Rain From April 24): 1. 21T-Tommy Bryant, 2. 5-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 3. 71-Channin Tankersley, 4. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 5. 31-Brandon Berryman, 6. 20-Terry Monroe, 7. 1b-Kent Lewis, Jr., 8. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 9. 93-Chris Sweeney, 10. 19-Klint Angelette, 11. 30-Scottie McDonald, 12. 35-Greg Rilat, 13. 51-Jimmy Brooks, 14. 13-Kathryne Minter, 15. 12s-Steve Hubbard, 16. 74-Brandon Corn, 17. 15T-Travis Elliott, 18. 3-Gary Watson, 19. 87x-Billy Melton (DNS), 20. 30x-Bean Elliott (DNS).

April 24 Heat Winners; 20-Terry Monroe, 31-Brandon Berryman, 87-Aaron Reutzel, 35-Greg Rilat.

April 24 “B” Main Results (12 Laps): 1. 93-Chris Sweeney, 2. 12s-Steve Hubbard, 3. 3-Gary Watson, 4. 19-Klint Angelette, 5. 13-Kathryne Minter, 6. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 7. d20-David Noker, 8. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 9. 11-Jason Johnson, 10. 10-Larry Hartwell. DNS: 17c-Greg Coleman, 23-Darryl Wills, 80-James McNeil.

ASCS Gulf South Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Aaron Reutzel 686, 2. Tommy Bryant 662, 3. Eric Baldaccini 658, 4. Jason Johnson 655, 5. Channin Tankersley 654, 6. Brandon Berryman 652, 7. Ray Allen Kulhanek 637, 8. Jimmy Brooks 620, 9. Brandon Corn 604, 10. Kent Lewis, Jr. 603.

by Lonnie Wheatley

Texan Aaron Reutzel, 19, leads ASCS Gulf South points going into GTRP and HRP events this weekend

A crucial weekend of competition looms for the American Sprint Car Series Gulf South Region with three feature events to be contested over two nights of racing action.

And, with 19-year-old Aaron Reutzel of Clute, TX, atop a tightly-bunched championship points chase, it’s a pair of familiar ovals the Gulf South forces will invade in the form of Golden Triangle Raceway Park and Houston Raceway Park.

On Friday night, twin features are on the docket at Beaumont’s Golden Triangle Raceway Park. The evening kicks off with the makeup of the feature event from April 24, when rain halted racing action just before the main event could hit the track. Terry Monroe and Brandon Corn will lead the way to the green flag from the front row in the makeup feature event.

After that main event, a full racing card of heats and features follows with the Sixth Annual John Bankston Memorial. Both features offer up $2,000 to win. While the makeup feature lineup is set, the balance of the night is open to all comers.

Then, on Saturday night, the series makes its first stop of the season at Baytown’s Houston Raceway Park for the $3,000 to win Seventh Annual Ronald Laney Memorial.

Reutzel, who celebrated his 19th birthday last Friday, is out to the early lead in ASCS Gulf South points on the strength of three consecutive top-ten feature runs including a third-place finish at the Gator Motorplex on March 28.

That lead is a slim one however, with just seven points between himself and Jason Johnson (who missed the April 24 feature cut after a “B” Main crash) and eight points between himself and 18-year-old gasser Channin Tankersley of Highlands, TX. Reutzel will start Friday night’s makeup feature from the fourth row outside, one row directly behind Tankersley.

New Caney’s Scottie McDonald and Willis’ Kent Lewis, Jr., are both right in the mix as well within 14 points of the leader, with other top title contenders including two-time and reigning series champion Brandon Berryman (Missouri City), Jimmy Brooks (College Station), Tommy Bryant (Conroe), Brandon Corn (Gause), Ray Allen Kulhanek (Magnolia), Chris Sweeney (Channelview) and Greg Rilat (Texas City) among others.

Tankersley doubled up with a pair of wins at Golden Triangle Raceway Park last year with Gary Watson and Jason Johnson also posting GTRP victories. Gary Wright topped the series season opener at GTRP in March.

The series featured four different winners at Houston Raceway Park in 2008 including Jack Dover, Brandon Berryman, Michael Dupuy and Jason Johnson.

Several Lucas Oil ASCS National invaders will likely join the ASCS Gulf South forces as well for the weekend.

Friday’s card at Golden Triangle Raceway Park is slated to get under way at 7:45 p.m., with Saturday’s action at Houston Raceway Park set to go green at 7:00 p.m.

Golden Triangle Raceway Park is located 9.5 miles west of I-10 on US 90 near Beaumont, TX. For more information, contact the track at 409-752-7200.

Houston Raceway Park is located east of Houston on I-10 to Exit 798, then three miles south on State Road 146, then 0.8 miles southeast on FM 1405, then 1.5 miles northeast on FM 565. For more information, contact the track at 281-383-7223.

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 Golden Triangle Raceway Park:
3/6/09 - Gary Wright
8/15/08 - Channin Tankersley
7/18/08 - Gary Watson
5/9/08 - Channin Tankersley
2/29/08 - Jason Johnson
9/28/07 - Jason Johnson
6/22/07 - Michael Dupuy
5/18/07 - Brandon Berryman
4/6/07 - Jason Johnson
9/29/06 - Kevin Ramey
8/18/06 - Jason Johnson
6/23/06 - Gary Watson
8/19/05 - Ray Allen Kulhanek
6/17/05 - Ray Allen Kulhanek
4/15/05 - Travis Rilat
9/18/04 - Kelly Angelette
7/9/04 - Stephen Chevallier
* 9/28/02 - Michael Dupuy
* 9/27/02 - Tim Crawley
7/5/02 - Buddy Bodden
5/24/02 - Jason Johnson
* 4/5/02 - Zach Chappell

Past ASCS Gulf South Region Feature Winners at Houston Raceway Park:
9/27/08 – Jason Johnson
6/21/08 - Michael Dupuy
5/10/08 - Brandon Berryman
3/1/08 - Jack Dover
9/29/07 - Brandon Berryman
8/18/07 - Travis Rilat
5/19/07 - Johnny Miller
9/30/06 - Ray Allen Kulhanek
8/19/06 - Brad Best
6/24/06 - Ray Allen Kulhanek
4/8/06 - Travis Rilat
8/20/05 - Lane Whittington
6/18/05 - Ray Allen Kulhanek
7/10/04 - Kevin Ramey

* - Indicates events held in conjunction with ASCS National Tour.

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

by Lonnie Wheatley

Photo by TWC Photos

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NIGHT 2 OF 3 …

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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USMTS TITLE SPONSOR: Casey’s General Stores.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THURSDAY, MAY 7 - GOLDEN TRIANGLE RACEWAY PARK

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

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

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

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

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

FRIDAY, MAY 8 - BATTLEGROUND SPEEDWAY

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

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

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

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

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

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

SATURDAY, MAY 9 - HOUSTON RACEWAY PARK

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

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

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

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

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

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

SUNDAY, MAY 10 - GATOR MOTORPLEX

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

USMTS Press Release

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