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Jason Hughes sails to USMTS Modified win at Houston Raceway Park

Jason Hughes was in a class by himself in 2009, winning ten main events en route to claiming his second straight USMTS Southern Series crown.

After three days of racing at the Houston Raceway Park, it looks like Hughes will be the man to beat again in 2010.

As the weekend wore on and the stakes got higher and higher, the 35-year-old chassis builder from Westville, Okla., got better and better. He scored a fifth-place finish on Thursday, came home second on Friday, and then wrapped up the 3rd Annual Texas Winter Nationals presented by Ed Rinehart for County Commissioner with an impressive $5,000 victory on Saturday night.

“That’ll help pay some of the bills,” Hughes said in victory lane. “We kept fighting, my crew has been working hard all weekend and the car kept getting better. This is how we wanted to start the season.

“This is by far the biggest crowd we’ve seen since we’ve started running here, and it’s nice to get the win in front of all these people.”

Prior to the drop of the green flag, Hughes had his work cut out for him as he sat tenth on the 26-car starting grid. On Thursday he started and finished fifth, then could only manage to climb one spot from third to second on Friday night.

Bumper Jones used his pole position to jump out to the early lead in Saturday’s “A” Main while drivers shuffled positions behind him.

Friday’s winner Jeremy Payne rocketed past three cars down the back-stretch two laps later to grab the runner-up spot while Hughes followed suit and quickly moved to fourth behind eighth-starting Steven Whiteaker Jr.

Jones, Payne and Whiteaker raced bumper to bumper for the next nine laps while Hughes trailed by four car-lengths. Racing side by side out of the fourth turn on lap 11, Whiteaker and Payne made contact with Payne holding on to the second spot.

One lap later, the race’s first yellow flag waved as Whiteaker came to a halt on the front-stretch with a flat tire.

After leaving the pit area with fresh rubber, Whiteaker tagged the rear of the field while Hughes inherited the third spot. Payne elected to start on the inside, leaving Hughes to his right for the double-file restart.

At the drop of the green flag, Hughes dove hard into the first turn and powered around Jones in turn two. Payne shadowed Hughes down the back-stretch and wrestled second place away from Jones in the next corner.

Within five laps, Hughes had extended his advantage to nearly a full straight-away over Payne and his teammate Terry Phillips. Phillips, however, nearly spun on lap 19 and gave up the position to Mike Hansen while Jones remained close behind in fifth.

Despite heavy lapped traffic throughout the second-half of the 40-lapper, Hughes remained flawless as he sailed to his 21st career USMTS Southern Series victory and 81st overall under the USMTS banner.

Payne, Hansen and Phillips held on for second, third and fourth, respectively, while John O Whittington nipped Jones for the fifth-place paycheck.

Morgan Bagley snagged seventh, Rodney Sanders earned an eight-place finish, Chris Henigan nabbed ninth and defending Texas Winter Nationals champion Zack VanderBeek raced from eighteenth to finish tenth.

The win also propelled Hughes into the points lead on the strength of his nine passing points and three lap leader bonus points in the main event. Phillips sits six points behind Hughes (292 to 286) in second with Payne just one more point back in third. Whittington is fourth with 276 markers, followed by Jones (259), Bagley (257), Kelly Shryock (227), Dereck Ramirez (201), Shane Hebert (191) and Steve Holzkamper (191).

Lee Patton leads the current crop of rookie contenders, followed by Tristan Dycus, Darrel Dawson, Shane Killingsworth and nine other drivers tied for fifth.

Up next for the USMTS Southern Series is a tripleheader in the Sooner State. The series makes its debut at the Creek County Speedway in Kellyville, Okla., on Thursday, March 18, then moves on to the Outlaw Motor Speedway near Muskogee on Friday, March 19. The weekend winds up at the West Siloam Speedway in West Siloam Springs on Saturday, March 20. All three events are expected to attract a powerful field of entries as points will be awarded for both the USMTS Southern Series and USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also follow the USMTS on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
USMTS Southern Series
3rd Annual Texas Winter Nationals presented by Ed Rinehart for County Commissioner – Event #3 of 3
Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, Texas
Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010

Showing finishing position, starting position in parentheses, car number, driver, hometown, chassis/engine builder, laps completed, reason out (if any) and money won. The top 14 drivers in passing points accumulated in the heat races are locked into the “A” Main, with the top 8 re-drawing for starting positions 1-8.

ISKY RACING CAMS HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):
1. (2) 5r Morgan Bagley, Longview, Texas.
2. (4) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla.
3. (5) 51 Tracy Denby Jr., Vidor, Texas.
4. (1) 15 Kevin Battarbee (R), Houston, Texas.
5. (10) E Howard Willis, Dayton, Texas.
6. (9) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa.
7. (7) 5 Jon Mitchell, Texarkana, Texas.
8. (6) 9 Shane Killingsworth (R), Dallas, Texas.
9. (11) 7x Rory Jordan (R), Victoria, Texas.
10. (12) 51 Jeff Wood, Willis, Texas.
11. (8) 17 Brad Lasater, Garland, Texas.
12. (3) 8 Steve Miller, Georgetown, Texas.

HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. (2) 85d Mark Dotson, Cameron, Mo.
2. (10) 89 Steven Whiteaker Jr., Corpus Christi, Texas.
3. (4) 15h Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyville, Texas.
4. (1) 58 Nathan Bichsel (R), Amarillo, Texas.
5. (7) 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La.
6. (11) 10 Kenny Battarbee (R), Houston, Texas.
7. (12) 21 Johnny Fennewald, Appleton City, Mo.
8. (8) 12c Corey Babbitt, Channelview, Texas.
9. (3) 18L Michael Long, Quincy, Ill.
10. (9) R5 Hunter Rasdon (R), Jonesboro, Ark.
11. (6) 10 Kyle Schmidt, Farmington, Ark.
12. (5) 23 Brandon Davis (R), Castle Rock, Colo.

HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. (2) 5w John O Whittington, Vidor, Texas.
2. (7) 25 Scott Green, Derby, Kan.
3. (11) 16 Chris Henigan, Marshall, Texas.
4. (8) 34 Ben Stephens (R), Hattiesburg, Miss.
5. (9) 8g Greg Dinsmore, Kerrville, Texas.
6. (5) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa.
7. (10) 14t Tristan Dycus (R), Midlothian, Texas.
8. (4) 8j Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, Texas.
9. (1) 87 John Webb, Pauls Valley, Okla.
10. (12) 20 Troy Seidl (R), Magnolia, Texas.
11. (3) 69 Randy Heston (R), Stinnett, Texas.
12. (6) 17x Cade Dillard, Robeline, La.

EIBACH SPRINGS HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. (3) 111 Bumper Jones, Mesilla Park, N.M.
2. (2) JP5 Lee Patton (R), Ruston, La.
3. (1) 410 Brad Doherty (R), Ennis, Texas.
4. (9) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
5. (7) 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla.
6. (10) 190 Shawn Stephenson (R), Howe, Texas.
7. (11) 44 Darrell Nelson, Hermantown, Minn.
8. (4) 56 David Horner, Houston, Texas.
9. (12) 2 Jerry Standifer (R), Howe, Okla.
10. (8) 55 Kyle Anderson (R), Tomball, Texas.
11. (5) 25 John Allen, Chanute, Kan.
12. (6) 2 Grant Junghans, Manhattan, Kan.

HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):
1. (3) 12h Mike Hansen, Alton, Iowa.
2. (11) 74 Jeremy Payne, Springfield, Mo.
3. (2) 30 Chase Allen, Midlothian, Texas.
4. (10) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas.
5. (1) 99 Derick Grigsby, Marshall, Texas.
6. (6) 98 Darryl Seals, Vidor, Texas.
7. (4) 56 Steve Pugh, Anderson, Texas.
8. (7) 9 Brent Nicholas (R), Baytown, Texas.
9. (5) 5a Wes Armstrong, Marshall, Texas.
10. (9) 96 Foster Ellison III, Richwood, Texas.
11. (8) 76 Jesse Manning, Brazoria, Texas.

HEAT RACE #6 (8 laps):
1. (2) 12 Jason Hughes, Westville, Okla.
2. (3) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
3. (5) 74 Mark Noble, Blooming Prairie, Minn.
4. (1) 00 Darrel Dawson (R), Midlothian, Texas.
5. (10) 5 Steve Holzkamper, Gentry, Ark.
6. (11) 20 Tommy Weder Jr., Woodward, Okla.
7. (8) 18s Cody Smith, Kaufman, Texas.
8. (7) 64 Jay Sale (R), Edmond, Okla.
9. (4) 68 Danny Barringer, Lufkin, Texas.
10. (9) 186 Jeremy Gossett (R), Amarillo, Texas.
11. (6) 7g Mark Smith, Lufkin, Texas.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 4 advance):
1. (1) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
2. (7) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa.
3. (8) 21 Johnny Fennewald, Appleton City, Mo.
4. (11) 12c Corey Babbitt, Channelview, Texas.
5. (15) R5 Hunter Rasdon (R), Jonesboro, Ark., $120.
6. (5) 00 Darrel Dawson (R), Midlothian, Texas, $120.
7. (3) 30 Chase Allen, Midlothian, Texas, $120.
8. (16) 186 Jeremy Gossett (R), Amarillo, Texas, $120.
9. (9) 98 Darryl Seals, Vidor, Texas, $100.
10. (19) 17x Cade Dillard, Robeline, La., $100.
11. (14) 68 Danny Barringer, Lufkin, Texas, $120.
12. (17) 69 Randy Heston (R), Stinnett, Texas, $120.
13. (6) 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La., $120.
14. (4) 8g Greg Dinsmore, Kerrville, Texas, $100.
15. (2) 34 Ben Stephens (R), Hattiesburg, Miss., $120.
16. (10) 56 Steve Pugh, Anderson, Texas, $120.
17. (12) 9 Brent Nicholas (R), Baytown, Texas, $120.
18. (13) 18L Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., $120.
19. (18) 7g Mark Smith, Lufkin, Texas, $120.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 4 advance):
1. (6) 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla.
2. (2) 15h Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyville, Texas.
3. (1) 51 Tracy Denby Jr., Vidor, Texas.
4. (3) E Howard Willis, Dayton, Texas.
5. (5) 10 Kenny Battarbee (R), Houston, Texas, $120.
6. (9) 18s Cody Smith, Kaufman, Texas, $120.
7. (4) 15 Kevin Battarbee (R), Houston, Texas, $120.
8. (17) 25 John Allen, Chanute, Kan., $120.
9. (8) 14t Tristan Dycus (R), Midlothian, Texas, $120.
10. (15) 55 Kyle Anderson (R), Tomball, Texas, $120.
11. (19) 2 Grant Junghans, Manhattan, Kan., $120.
12. (14) 51 Jeff Wood, Willis, Texas, $120.
13. (10) 2 Jerry Standifer (R), Howe, Okla., $120.
14. (12) 64 Jay Sale (R), Edmond, Okla., $120.
15. (18) 8 Steve Miller, Georgetown, Texas, $120.
16. (13) 87 John Webb, Pauls Valley, Okla., $100.
17. (16) 17 Brad Lasater, Garland, Texas, $120.
18. (7) 99 Derick Grigsby, Marshall, Texas, $120.
19. (11) 8j Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, Texas, $120.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #3 (15 laps, top 4 advance):
1. (1) 74 Mark Noble, Blooming Prairie, Minn.
2. (3) 5 Steve Holzkamper, Gentry, Ark.
3. (8) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa.
4. (2) 410 Brad Doherty (R), Ennis, Texas.
5. (7) 44 Darrell Nelson, Hermantown, Minn., $120.
6. (6) 190 Shawn Stephenson (R), Howe, Texas, $120.
7. (16) 10 Kyle Schmidt, Farmington, Ark., $120.
8. (13) 5a Wes Armstrong, Marshall, Texas, $120.
9. (5) 20 Tommy Weder Jr., Woodward, Okla., $120.
10. (12) 7x Rory Jordan (R), Victoria, Texas, $120.
11. (9) 5 Jon Mitchell, Texarkana, Texas, $120.
12. (14) 20 Troy Seidl (R), Magnolia, Texas, $120.
13. (18) 23 Brandon Davis (R), Castle Rock, Colo., $120.
14. (10) 9 Shane Killingsworth (R), Dallas, Texas, $120.
15. (11) 56 David Horner, Houston, Texas, $120.
16. (15) 96 Foster Ellison III, Richwood, Texas, $100.
17. (4) 58 Nathan Bichsel (R), Amarillo, Texas, $120.
18. (17) 76 Jesse Manning, Brazoria, Texas, $100.

“A” MAIN (40 laps):
1. (10) 12 Jason Hughes, Westville, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 40, $5,000.
2. (6) 74 Jeremy Payne, Springfield, Mo., GRT/Hatfield, 40, $3,000.
3. (4) 12h Mike Hansen, Alton, Iowa, GRT/PerfOnly, 40, $2,000.
4. (12) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo., GRT/Hatfield, 40, $1,500.
5. (9) 5w John O Whittington, Vidor, Texas, Pierce/CB, 40, $1,000.
6. (1) 111 Bumper Jones, Mesilla Park, N.M., TRE/ASI, 40, $800.
7. (3) 5r Morgan Bagley, Longview, Texas, Shaw/Rowland, 40, $700.
8. (13) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas, Hughes/Sanders, 40, $600.
9. (2) 16 Chris Henigan, Marshall, Texas, Kraft/PTS, 40, $500.
10. (18) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa, Skyrocket/Sput’s, 40, $450.
11. (16) 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 40, $400.
12. (5) 25 Scott Green, Derby, Kan., Hughes/Mullins, 40, $350.
13. (20) 5 Steve Holzkamper, Gentry, Ark., TRE/Shinook, 40, $350.
14. (17) 74 Mark Noble, Blooming Prairie, Minn., Kraft/Craft, 40, $350.
15. (19) 15h Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyville, Texas, Kraft/Wells, 39, $300.
16. (11) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla., Skyrocket/ASI, 39, $350.
17. (25) E Howard Willis, Dayton, Texas, Evolution/Fox, 39, $350.
18. (24) 12c Corey Babbitt, Channelview, Texas, TRE/CAM, 39, $300.
19. (14) JP5 Lee Patton (R), Ruston, La., Harris/PTS, 39, $350.
20. (22) 51 Tracy Denby Jr., Vidor, Texas, DirtWorks/Harris, 39, $350.
21. (26) 410 Brad Doherty (R), Ennis, Texas, GRT/Ewell, 39, $350.
22. (23) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa, Skyrocket/Sput’s, 32, flat tire, $350.
23. (7) 85d Mark Dotson, Cameron, Mo., GRT/Hatfield, 28, throttle spring, $350.
24. (15) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla., Ramirez/Sput’s, mechanical, 27, $350.
25. (8) 89 Steven Whiteaker Jr., Corpus Christi, Texas, Hughes/Rowland, flat tire, 15, $350.
26. (21) 21 Johnny Fennewald, Appleton City, Mo., GRT/Hatfield, 10, transmission, $350.

Lap Leaders: Jones 1-12, Hughes 13-40.
Total Laps Led: Hughes 28, Jones 12.
AFCO Pole Winner: Whiteaker.
PBM Performance Products Hard Charger: Hughes (started 10th, finished 1st).
Next Race: Thursday, March 18, Creek County Speedway, Kellyville, Okla.
Points Standings: Hughes 292, Phillips 286, Payne 285, Whittington 276, Jones 259, Bagley 257, Shryock 227, Ramirez 201, Hebert 191, Holzkamper 191.
Rookie of the Year Points: Patton 175, Dycus 149, Dawson 141, Killingsworth 140, Stephenson 135, Battarbee 135, Sale 135, Gossett 135, Stephens 135, Jordan 135, Seidl 135, Standifer 135, Bischel 135, Battarbee 135, Anderson 135, Nicholas 135, Heston 135, Davis 135.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Hatfield 28, Mullins 25, CB 20, Rowland 19, PerfOnly 17.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: GRT 28, Hughes 25, Shaw 21, Pierce 21, Skyrocket 19.

Contingency Awards:
Ai-Racing – Phillips.
American Racer – not awarded.
Eibach Springs – Jones.
Isky Racing Cams – Bagley.
KSE Racing Products – Payne.
Marsh Racing Wheels – Fennewald.
Out-Pace Racing Products – Timms.
PBM Performance Products – Hughes.
Quarter Master – Hughes, Sanders.
QuickTime – Bagley.
Real Racing Wheels – Dawson, C. Smith, Stephenson.

By Jeff Nun, USMTS
Photo compliments of USMTS

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.

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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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SUNDAY, MAY 10 - GATOR MOTORPLEX

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SATURDAY, MAY 9 - HOUSTON RACEWAY PARK

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

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

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

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

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

SUNDAY, MAY 10 - GATOR MOTORPLEX

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Temple’s Paul White continues his win streak with “double” at Texana Raceway Park

Temple’s Paul White bagged another double Saturday night at Texana Raceway Park in Edna, Texas. White won both the Limited Modified and the Outlaw Modified features before a good opening-night crowd after scoring four victories the previous weekend – two at Battleground Speedway on Friday and two at Houston Raceway Park on Saturday.

The evening’s racing program was designated the “Aaron Hudgeons Benefit” with many drivers and fans making donations to help defray the medical expenses that popular stock car driver Hudgeons is facing as he battles cancer. Hudgeons is a favorite with both fans and competitors alike at the 3/8-mile track where he has a well-earned reputation as someone always willing to pitch in should anyone need a helping hand. By the end of the night more than $5,000 had been collected.

The first of White’s twin wins came in the 20-lap Limited Modified feature where he led a very competitive 24-car field from wire to wire.

By the halfway point, White had a big lead over JJ Jennings and Jeff Mueller, who were waging their own personal war for second some distance behind. With five laps to go, Mueller took advantage of slower cars to power past Jennings to take second place for good, but was unable to make up any ground on White as the laps wound down.

Limited Modified Results

1. 216 Paul White
2. 43 Jeff Mueller
3. 26g J J Jennings
4. 90x Dustin Butcher
5. 175 Mickey Helms
6. 66 Hunt Harrison
7. 90 Barry Moody
8. 33 Jason Zarbock
9. 00x Dustin Brandl
10. 10D Don Painter
11. 47 James Myers
12. 88 Mark McGahey
13. 37 Bill Pittaway
14. 46 Randy Bridges
15. 888 Aaron Lunsford
16. 36 Cody Hilderbrandt
17. 69 Aaron Hudgeons
18. 42 Ricky Konvicka
19. 63 Shane Hoefling
20. 78 Brad Ball
21. 89 Doug Livingston

White did not have it so easy in the 20-lap Outlaw Modified feature even though he once again started on the pole.
During the first half of the race Houston ace Howard Willis hounded White and almost made it by using the outside line while White ran towards the bottom with both grooves seeming to work equally well. Eventually the lower groove came in better – or perhaps the outside groove went away – and White was able to put a car length on Willis after they had run side-by side for several laps.

At the start of the race, Kerrville’s Greg Dinsmore looked like he was going to be a major factor, but after only one lap pulled into the infield with no power.

By mid-race Corpus Christi driver Steve Whiteaker, Jr, had worked his way through the field and was on White’s rear bumper following the same low line as the leader while Willis continued to work the high side.

Meanwhile, Lawrence Mikulencak and Nick Hardcastle had moved through the field and entertained the crowd with a spirited battle not all that far back from the leaders. At one point Mikulencak took a short, unplanned trip through the infield, losing a couple of positions in the process.

As Willis faded a bit, Whiteaker took over the task of trying to find a way around the steady, smooth White.

After a lap-16 caution, Whiteaker was able to get beside White briefly, but wasn’t able to make it happen and White took his second checkered flag of the evening a couple of car lengths in front of Whiteaker. Willis finished third with Danny Brown and Nick Hardcastle rounding out the top five.

Outlaw Modified results

1. 2W Paul White
2. 88 Steve Whiteaker, Jr.
3. E Howard Willis
4. 55 Danny Brown
5. 94 Nick Hardcastle
6. 20 Mike McCarty
7. 51 Benny Perry
8. 26 Darin Leonard
9. 82 Josh Majek
10. 371 Ben Ketteman
11. 122 Perry Johnson
12. 87 Lawrence Mikulencak
13. 66 Johnn Torres
14. 37 Bill Pittaway
15. 76 Jesse Manning
16. 155 Vince Kacir
17. 44 Markus Berndt
18. 8g Greg Dinsmore

In other action, Hot Stock Truck driver Justin Bloom held off second place finisher Lary Paris while Bloom’s father, Russell Bloom finished third.

Hot Stock Truck results

1. 84 Justin Bloom
2. 8 Lary Paris
3. 55 Russell Bloom
4. 13 Gregory Turner
5. 15 Gordon Boehm
6. 39 Nathan Kildair
7. 43 Bob Ort
8. 24 John Lieta—DNS

In the 20-lap Bomber main, Chris Shafer got out first and was never seriously challenged beating runner-up Brian King by several car-lengths. Monty Chamberlain rounded out the top three.

Bomber results

1. 77 Chris Shafer
2. 31 Brian King
3. 55 Monty Chamberlain
4. 36 Randy Kacir
5. 26 David McBride
6. 12 Janet Perks
7. 76 Gary Wright
8. 81 Aaron Ivory
9. 71 Nic Priem
10. 1 Nick Moore
11. 58 James Hoss
12. 63 Chase Sanchez

In the action-packed 12-lap Junior Mini Stock race, Jason Bloom avoided several on-track incidents to take the win over Lauren Chamberlain and Zach Tesch.

Junior Mini Stock results

1. 49 Jason Bloom
2. 55 Lauren Chamberlain
3. 72 Zack Tesch
4. 12 Ashley Perks
5. 03 Justin Sickle
6. 22 Patricia Lucas
7. 14k Stanley Kraly
8. 7 Hunter Lisano
9. 14 Roger Churan

Willie Veach took the win in the entertaining Dwarf Car feature over Andrew Cline, Buck McFarlin, Frank Fruia and Dave Tedford. Twenty-four of the motorcycle-engine powered coupes took the green flag and treated the the opening night crowd to some close, exciting racing in spite of several caution periods for spins.

Texana Classic Dwarf Cars
1. 41 Willy Veach
2. 19 Andrew Cline
3. 65 Buck McFarlin
4. 3x Frank Fruia
5. 25t Dave Tedford
6. 01s Joseph Snow
7. 24 Victor Vargas
8. 13 Mike Christians
9. 54 Gary Hansen
10. 30 Ronny Fikes
11. 36 Greg Sexton
12. 1 Brad Wright
13. 2ez Easy Casey
14. 82 Brandon Dorsey
15. 7 Steven Gilbert
16. 55 Bryan Heady
17. 97 Brian Breaux
18. 99 Brice Baros
19. 4 Karl Veach
20. 15 Gary Faris
21. 21 John Armstrong
22. 8 Donnie Hunt
23. 79 Douglas Schmidt
24. 12 Robert Smith

Staff Report

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