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NASCAR A-Line Modified wreck at Thunderhill Raceway, June 4, 2011

Duke O’Oconnor with Texas High Def captured this footage from the NASCAR A-Line Modified feature at Thunderhill Raceway on Saturday, June 4, 2011.

Again, this video speaks for itself.

Jason Hughes doubles up with USMTS win at Baytown

Jason Hughes captured his second straight USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour powered by Swan Energy main event Sunday night, and pocketed $3,000 for his efforts in the fog-postponed Texas Spring Nationals at the Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown, Texas.

Less than 24 hours removed from a victory at the nearby Gator Motorplex in Willis, Texas, the defending USMTS National Champion disposed of early leader Ryan Gustin on lap 14, and then raced to a ten-car-length victory in the 40-lap nightcap.

Gustin and John O Whittington each picked up wins back in February to kick off the 2011 racing season before the third event of the tripleheader was postponed until Sunday due to thick fog rolling over the racetrack.

The win tied Hughes and Gustin at three wins apiece with just seven races in the books in the early stages of the 2011 campaign.

Randy Timms finished second and earned the Mesilla Valley Transportation Hard Charger Award after coming al the way from 17th on the 27-car starting grid while Johnny Scott got by Gustin for third to give Hughes Chassis drives a sweep of the top four spots.

Southern New Mexico Speedway co-owner Jimmy Ray passed 13 cars en route to a fifth-place finish, and Shane Hebert followed up his $1,000 Limited Modified feature win earlier in the program with a sixth-place result in the USMTS “A” Main.

Whittington bounced back from an early-race skirmish with Kelly Shryock to finish seventh, Clyde Dunn Jr. went from 21st to eighth, Chase Allen nabbed the ninth spot and last year’s Texas Winter Nationals Champion Rodney Sanders rounded out the top-10.

With the incorporation of the USMTS Southern Series into the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour powered by Swan Energy for 2011, this year’s slate is divided into six regions where drivers can compete for lucrative regional points funds and earn a chance to compete for the USMTS National Championship crown.

Each of the six regions are worth up to $2,500 for the highest points earner while the 2011 USMTS National Champion will earn $20,000.

The 2011 campaign kicked off Feb. 17-19 at the Royal Purple Raceway for the first race in the newly-formed Southeast Region. Eleven events over four weekends are scheduled, and drivers ranked among the top-10 in points or with perfect attendance in the Southeast Region after March 26 will earn a spot in the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Championship powered by Swan Energy.

The series will return to Baytown in November for the Southeast Region finale after the completion of ‘The Hunt.’

Next weekend will find the USMTS Modifieds back in the Lone Star State for three more $2,000-to-win events that will culminate with the first batch of qualifiers for ‘The Hunt.’

On Thursday, March 26, the Rose Bowl Speedway in Winona, Texas, welcomes the open-wheel outlaws for the first time, and then on Friday the series returns to the Boothill Speedway in Greenwood, La., before wrapping up the weekend on Saturday in Kilgore, Texas, at the Lonestar Speedway.

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, Twitter and YouTube.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour powered by Swan Energy
Inaugural Texas Spring Nationals – Night 3 of 3
Royal Purple Raceway, Baytown, Texas
Sunday, March 20, 2011

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 12 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) 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla.
2. (8) 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La.
3. (5) 88xx Bobby Malchus, Red Oak, Texas.
4. (1) 76 Jesse Manning (R), Brazoria, Texas.
5. (7) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla.
6. (9) 156 Steve Pugh (R), Anderson, Texas.
7. (6) 10 Aaron Jorden (R), Benton, La.
8. (3) A1 Phil Dixon, Crosby, Texas.
9. (4) 87 John Webb (R), Pauls Valley, Okla.

NEW VISION GRAPHICS HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. (5) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa.
2. (1) 30 Chase Allen, Midlothian, Texas.
3. (2) 02 Tommy Weder Jr., Woodward, Okla.
4. (8) 707 P.J. Egbert (R), Copperas Cove, Texas.
5. (6) 18s Cody Smith, Kaufman, Texas.
6. (7) 88xxx Clyde Dunn Jr. (R), Sunnyville, Texas.
7. (4) 51 Jeff Wood, Willis, Texas.
8. (9) 22b Rick Beebe, Shawnee, Kan.
9. (3) 99 Landon Anderson (R), Richmond, Texas.

EIBACH SPRINGS HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. (4) 19r Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa.
2. (1) 69 Lucas Schott (R), Chatfield, Minn.
3. (5) 12c Corey Babbitt, Channelview, Texas.
4. (7) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas.
5. (3) 69b Tim Boudreaux, Cleveland, Texas.
6. (8) 9 Jimmy Ray (R), Las Cruces, N.M.
7. (2) 9n Brent Nicholas (R), Baytown, Texas.
8. (9) 16 Chris Henigan, Marshall, Texas.
9. (6) 7x Rory Jordan, Victoria, Texas.

PBM PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. (3) 1st Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, N.M.
2. (2) 23 Howard Willis, Dayton, Texas.
3. (7) 5w John O Whittington, Vidor, Texas.
4. (6) 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla.
5. (1) 56 David Horner, Houston, Texas.
6. (5) 87 Justin McCoy (R), Ovilla, Texas.
7. (8) 955 Robert Metz Jr. (R), Lumberton, Texas.
8. (9) 5m Joe Mayhew, Highlands, Texas.
9. (4) 71 Philip Houston (R), Odessa, Texas.

HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):
1. (4) 95 Keith Foss (R), Winona, Minn.
2. (6) 89 Steven Whiteaker Jr., Corpus Christi, Texas.
3. (2) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
4. (3) 1 T.J. Herndon (R), Atwood, Tenn.
5. (8) 76 Jeff Rowland (R), Pauls Valley, Okla.
6. (5) 21 Troy Seidl (R), Magnolia, Texas.
7. (1) 51 Tracy Denby Jr., Vidor, Texas.
8. (7) 15g Bubba Gates (R), Santa Fe, Texas.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 7 advance):
1. (2) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas.
2. (1) 12c Corey Babbitt, Channelview, Texas.
3. (3) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
4. (8) 9 Jimmy Ray (R), Las Cruces, N.M.
5. (6) 18s Cody Smith, Kaufman, Texas.
6. (13) 16 Chris Henigan, Marshall, Texas.
7. (11) 51 Jeff Wood, Willis, Texas.
8. (9) 87 Justin McCoy (R), Ovilla, Texas, Skyrocket/KSP, $90.
9. (5) 1 T.J. Herndon (R), Atwood, Tenn., GRT/KMF, $90.
10. (4) 76 Jeff Rowland (R), Pauls Valley, Okla., Hughes/Boyd’s, $90.
11. (7) 69b Tim Boudreaux, Cleveland, Texas, Skyrocket/, $75.
12. (10) 955 Robert Metz Jr. (R), Lumberton, Texas, Pierce/CB, $90.
13. (14) A1 Phil Dixon, Crosby, Texas, Fast1/Jackson, $90.
14. (16) 7x Rory Jordan, Victoria, Texas, Hughes/Mullins, $90.
15. (12) 51 Tracy Denby Jr., Vidor, Texas, Skyrocket/Harris, $90.
16. (15) 87 John Webb (R), Pauls Valley, Okla., Hughes/Shoulder’s, $90.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 7 advance):
1. (2) 02 Tommy Weder Jr., Woodward, Okla.
2. (1) 707 P.J. Egbert (R), Copperas Cove, Texas.
3. (3) 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla.
4. (12) 22b Rick Beebe, Shawnee, Kan.
5. (8) 88xxx Clyde Dunn Jr. (R), Sunnyville, Texas.
6. (7) 56 David Horner, Houston, Texas.
7. (11) 9n Brent Nicholas (R), Baytown, Texas.
8. (6) 156 Steve Pugh (R), Anderson, Texas, Skyrocket/ProPower, $90.
9. (13) 5m Joe Mayhew, Highlands, Texas, Skyrocket/Houston, $75.
10. (10) 10 Aaron Jorden (R), Benton, La., Hughes/PTS, $90.
11. (15) 99 Landon Anderson (R), Richmond, Texas, Skyrocket/Owens, $90.
12. (4) 76 Jesse Manning (R), Brazoria, Texas, Evolution/Hall, $90.
13. (9) 21 Troy Seidl (R), Magnolia, Texas, Skyrocket/Hovis, $90.
14. (5) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla.
15. (14) 15g Bubba Gates (R), Santa Fe, Texas, DustDevil/Harris, $80.
16. (16) 71 Philip Houston (R), Odessa, Texas, SRP/JR, $75.

“A” MAIN (40 laps):
1. (5) 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 40, $3000.
2. (17) 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 40, $2000.
3. (1) 1st Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, N.M., Hughes/ASI, 40, $1500.
4. (2) 19r Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa, Hughes/Mullins, 40, $800.
5. (18) 9 Jimmy Ray (R), Las Cruces, N.M., AOS/AOS, 40, $700.
6. (3) 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La., Hughes/ASI, 40, $600.
7. (4) 5w John O Whittington, Vidor, Texas, Pierce/CB, 40, $550.
8. (21) 88xxx Clyde Dunn Jr. (R), Sunnyville, Texas, Hughes/Mullins, 40, $500.
9. (8) 30 Chase Allen, Midlothian, Texas, CAM/Allard, 40, $450.
10. (12) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas, Hughes/Geddes, 40, $425.
11. (14) 12c Corey Babbitt, Channelview, Texas, TRE/CAM, 40, $400.
12. (19) 22b Rick Beebe, Shawnee, Kan., Hughes/Mullins, 40, $375.
13. (26) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla., Hughes/ProPower, 40, $165.
14. (10) 23 Howard Willis, Dayton, Texas, Evolution/CB, 40, $400.
15. (20) 18s Cody Smith, Kaufman, Texas, Hughes/Chase, 40, $400.
16. (15) 707 P.J. Egbert (R), Copperas Cove, Texas, Hughes/Lingo, 40, $300.
17. (16) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla., Ramirez/ProPower, 40, $300.
18. (9) 69 Lucas Schott (R), Chatfield, Minn., Hughes/Action, 40, $300.
19. (25) 9n Brent Nicholas (R), Baytown, Texas, Hughes/CB, 40, $300.
20. (7) 89 Steven Whiteaker Jr., Corpus Christi, Texas, Hughes/Mullins, 37, mechanical, $300.
21. (23) 56 David Horner, Houston, Texas, Skyrocket/Sput’s, 34, mechanical, $300.
22. (11) 88xx Bobby Malchus, Red Oak, Texas, Hughes/Wells, 28, mechanical, $300.
23. (24) 51 Jeff Wood, Willis, Texas, Skyrocket/WestSide, 28, mechanical, $300.
24. (13) 02 Tommy Weder Jr., Woodward, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 24, mechanical, $400.
25. (22) 16 Chris Henigan, Marshall, Texas, GRT/Mullins, 22, mechanical, $300.
26. (6) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa, Skyrocket/ProPower, 9, shock, $400.
DNS - 95 Keith Foss (R), Winona, Minn., DirtDueler/Brink, 0, engine, $400.

(R) = Rookie of the Year contender.

Integra Lap Leaders: Gustin 1-13, Hughes 14-40.
Total Laps Led: Hughes 27, Gustin 13.
Margin of Victory: 1.249 seconds.
AFCO Pole Winner: Shryock.
Mesilla Valley Transportation Hard Charger: Timms (started 17th, finished 2nd).
Ruter Farms Long Tow Award: Shryock (1,102 miles).
Provisional Starter: B. Rowland.
Next Race: Thursday, March 24, Rose Bowl Speedway, Winona, Texas.
Rookie of the Year Points: Foss 328, Ray 316, J. Rowland 315, Schott 287, Egbert 282.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Mullins 65, ProPower 43, ASI 37, CB 35, Sput’s 33.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: Hughes 68, Skyrocket 48, Pierce 34, GRT 32, Evolution 31.

Contingency Awards:American Racer – Ramirez.
Eibach Springs – Gustin.
Forty9Designs.com – Gustin, Allen.
Hooker Harness – Beebe.
Integra Racing Shocks & Springs – Hughes.
ISKY Racing Cams – Hughes.
KSE Racing Products – Foss.
Marsh Racing Wheels – Foss.
New Vision Graphics – Shryock.
Nitroquest – Webb, Houston.
Mesilla Valley Transportation – Timms.
PBM Performance Products – Scott.
Real Racing Wheels – McCoy, Pugh.
Ruter Farms – Shryock.

LIMITED MODIFIEDS

“A” Main (20 laps):
1. (10) 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La., $1000.
2. (9) 12m Howard Willis, Dayton, Texas, $600.
3. (17) 64 Thomas Downey, Houston, Texas, $400.
4. (7) 19 Randy Seals, Humble, Texas, $300.
5. (3) 78 Kamron Campbell, Breaux, La., $200.
6. (13) 30 Joel Couvillion, Alexandria, La., $175.
7. (4) 77 Garrett Gregory, Tomball, Texas, $150.
8. (2) 0 Shane Helton, Artesia, N.M., $125.
9. (16) 21 Paul White, Temple, Texas, $100.
10. (8) 78 Brad Ball, Highlands, Texas, $90.
11. (14) 800 Phillip Seals, Magnolia, Texas, $80.
12. (11) 29 Mike Walling, Crosby, Texas, $75.
13. (5) 147 G.W. Hessong, Edna, Texas, $75.
14. (20) 9 David Lege, Magnolia, Texas, $75.
15. (22) 14 David Jackson, Bacliff, Texas, $75.
16. (6) 10a John Matt, Crosby, Texas, $75.
17. (15) 36 Steve Hoppe, Houston, Texas, $75.
18. (21) 21 Josh Brock, Baytown, Texas, $75.
19. (18) B4 Tommy Jones, Houston, Texas, $75.
20. (12) 88 Troy Baugh, Alvin, Texas, $75.
21. (19) 531 Mike Martin, Magnolia, Texas, $75.
22. (1) 9b Danny Hebert, Duson, La., $75.

Story by USMTS PR

Hutto’s Mark Chrudimsky defends Snowball Derby Modified title with impressive win

Mark Chrudimsky made Texas proud last night by winning the most prestigious Asphalt Modified race of the year at Five Flags Speedway’s 43rd Annual Snowball Derby in Pensacola, Florida, for the second year in a row.

The popular Texas stock car ace, affectionately known as “Wild Man” to his many Texas fans, started the 50-lap feature at the Five Flags half-mile oval in the the 12th spot beside fellow Texan Tuffy Hudson.

Chrudimsky avoided numerous wrecks and pile ups, worked his way methodically to the front of the 32-car field and joined yet another Texan, Stephan McCurley, in a spirited battle for the lead late in the race.

With eight laps remaining Chrudimsky made a great pass under the two leaders, but fellow Texan Stephan McCurley was right there to challenge. However, two laps later McCurley tangled with another competitor while dicing for position and his night was over as his ride suffered too much damage in the mishap to continue.

After that it was clear sailing for Chrudimsky who won by several car lengths over Billy Melvin.

Hudson looked fast early on, but had something go awry in the rear suspension about mid-race, knocking him out for the night.

Jason Mormon, another Texan, had a decent run, finishing a strong ninth. Two more Texas drivers, John Schultz and Bradley Riethmeyer, had fast cars but both suffered mechanical woes and dropped out early.

“Texans are four out of five in the Modifieds at the Derby,” Lone Star Speedzone contributor Tom Taylor said. “Jason Boyd won in 2006, Tuffy Hudson in 2008, Mark Chrudimsky in 2009 and Mark again in 2010.”

Unofficial results:

1. Mark Chrudimsky
2. Billy Melvin
3. John Sappralcone
4. Korey Ruble
5. Todd Jackson
6. Gerald Wilkerson
7. Brandon Howell
8. Nathan Ingersoll
9. Jason Morman
10. Donnie Hamrac
11. Mike Maddox
12. Chris Cotto
13. Nathan Davis
14. Trevor Edwards
15. Todd Jones
16. Jeff Letson
17. Brandon Curren
18. Stephan McCurley
19. Tim Martin
20. Kevyn Terry
21. Kevin Peel
22. Scooter Grice
23. Bradley Riethmeyer
24. Augie Grill
25. Kevin Chase
26. John Schultz
27. Tuffy Hudson
28. Bubba Gale
29. James Patrick
30. Michael House
31. Don Livingston
32. A.J. Winstead

By Nick Holt, Lone Star Speedzone
Photos by Debbie Williams, Lone Star Speedzone

Texan Mark Chrudimsky brings the Snowball Derby Modified trophy home to Texas

Affectionately called “Wild Man” at his home track – Thunderhill Raceway in Kyle, Texas - Texan Mark Chrudimsky won the rain-shortened 36-lap Asphalt Modified feature at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida, Friday night. The event was part of the prestigious Snowball Derby held at the famed half-mile oval each December.

Chrudimsky is known to win in just about anything and just about anywhere – from school buses to Asphalt Modifieds and from Texas to Florida - and he proved it one more time on Friday.

Chrudimsky went three-wide after starting fourth on the grid to take over second place on the second lap and a lap later took over the lead form Brian Nester until the 15th circuit, when he backed off a bit to conserve his tires. But lap 30 saw the savvy Chrudimsky use a lapped car to position himself to scoot by Nester on the low side to retake the lead for good.

Other Texas who made the show after an arduous qualifying process include Jason Body (15th place), Jason Morman (18th place), John Schultz (27th place) and Tuffy Hudson (30th place).

Official results of the Modified Feature, Friday, December 4, 2009

Finish, Car number, Name, Laps completed, Fastest race lap

1. 39 Mark Chrudimsky, 36, 18.056
2. 83 Bubba Gale, 36, 18.134
3. 11 Brian Nester, 36, 17.902
4. 4 Mike Stacey, 36, 18.245
5. 66 Ryan Redmon, 36, 18.317
6. 88 John Sarppraicone, 36, 18.327
7. 10 Danny Bagwell, 36, 18.354
8. 131 Jeff Letson, 36, 18.185
9. 8 Donnie Hamrac, 36, 18.346
10. 33 Nathan Ingersoll, 36, 18.171
11. 121 Kyle Jones, 36, 18.279
12. 1M Tim Martin, 36, 18.318
13. 77 Jeremy Gerster II, 36, 18.387
14. 7G Scooter Grice, 36, 18.477
15. 9 Jason Boyd, 36, 18.554
16. 9 Gerald Wilkerson, 36, 18.414
17. 70 Jeremy Gerstner, 36, 18.438
18. 33 Jason Morman, 35, 18.379
19. 18 Kevin Peel, 35, 18.299
20. 86 Mavervick MacDonald, 35, 18.701
21. X Damon Breedlove, 35, 18.552
22. 67 Frankie Martin, 35, 18.738
23. 32 Randy Haney, 35, 18.876
24. 17 Chris Cotto, 31, 18.057
25. 55 Scott Barbaric, 29, 18.382
26. 71 Josh Goodwin, 26, 18.823
27. 14 John Schultz, 11, 18.434
28. 145 Billy Melvin, 11, 17.958
29. 99 A.J. Winstead ,10, 18.593
30. 7 Tuffy Hudson, 6, 18.463
31. 5 Jeff Ganus, 2, 18.738
32. 34 Randy Herrick 0

By Nick Holt, Lone Star Speedzone
Photo by Levi Krauss

Round five of USMTS Speedweek goes to Jared Landers; Corpus Christi’s Steve Whiteaker third

Jared Landers completed some unfinished business Saturday night as he won the USMTS Southern Series main event at the Drew County Speedway in Monticello, Ark., leading the final 32 of 35 laps for his second career USMTS Modified victory.

On Wednesday night, Landers was on his way to a convincing victory in Round 2 of Speedweek at the I-30 Speedway in Little Rock when a flat tire with five laps to go ended his night on the hook of a wrecker instead of victory lane.

Landers bounced back strong on Saturday with a decisive win in the Sunoco “A” Main over current USMTS Southern Series points leader Jason Hughes.

In addition to the $2,000 paycheck for the triumph, Landers also pocketed an additional $500 from Fast Shafts for his efforts. The Fast Shafts Challenge bonus money went unclaimed during the first four nights of Speedweek, but went home with Landers, who was utilizing a nine-inch Ford rearend in Saturday’s win.

Steven Whiteaker Jr., who was the beneficiary of Landers’ misfortune and went on to win Wednesday’s event, finished third behind Hughes, while Chris Dawson recorded his career-best USMTS Southern Series finish with a fourth-place effort.

Eight-time USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock claimed the fifth spot, followed by Dereck Ramirez, Rodney Sanders, Randy Timms, Johnny Bone Jr. and Bryan Rowland rounding out the top-10.

Ramirez garnered the KSE Racing Products Hard Charger after racing to a sixth-place finish from 17th on the 26-car starting grid.

With one race remaining in the East Region, Hughes holds a 20-point lead over Shryock (839 to 819) going into Sunday’s Speedweek curtain-closer. Bone is third with 804 markers, followed by Sanders (799), Whiteaker (760), Chris Henigan (711), Jack Sullivan (693), Ramirez (693), B.J. Robinson (661) and Morgan Bagley (655).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
USMTS Southern Series (East Region)
3rd Annual USMTS Southern Speedweek - Event #5 of 6
Drew County Speedway, Monticello, Ark.
Saturday, June 13, 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. 7x - Chris Dawson — Post, TX (1)
2. 66 - Mike Paillou — Pass Christian, MS (4)
3. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (2)
4. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (7)
5. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (10)
6. 16 - Chris Henigan — Marshall, TX (5)
7. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (3)
8. 51 - John Polasini — Leland, MS (9)
9. 88s - Seth Reed — Rison, AR (6)
10. 8 - Jodey Reep — El Dorado, AR (8)

NEW VISION GRAPHICS HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (7)
2. 4m - Bobby Malchus — Red Oak, TX (4)
3. 12b - Johnny Bone Jr. — Pea Ridge, AR (6)
4. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (3)
5. 8j - Dustin Hyde — Texarkana, TX (1)
6. 57 - Jason Armstrong — Marshall, TX (9)
7. X - Bud Mullins — West Monroe, LA (5)
8. 99 - Phillip James — Dewitt, AR (8)
9. 58 - Nathan Bichsel — Amarillo, TX (2)

BRODIX HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. 777 - Jared Landers — Benton, AR (5)
2. 60b - Mike Bowers — North Little Rock, AR (2)
3. 1st - Johnny Scott — Las Cruces, NM (4)
4. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (7)
5. 26 - Patrick Linn — Little Rock, AR (1)
6. 18a - Richard Anders — El Dorado, AR (6)
7. 88 - Chad Wheeler — Muskogee, OK (3)
8. JP5 - Lee Patton — Quitman, LA (8)
9. 12t - Tyler Townsend — Longview, TX (9)

AWESOME RACEWEAR HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX (9)
2. 12h - Jeff Huckaby — Texarkana, TX (4)
3. 52 - Chad Davis — Tulsa, OK (1)
4. 05 - Michael Robertson — Minden, LA (6)
5. 10k - Kyle Schmidt — Farmington, AR (5)
6. 05x - Garrett Durrett — Simsboro, LA (7)
7. 15 - Grant Box — White Hall, AR (2)
8. 5a - Wes Armstrong — Marshall, TX (8)
9. 44 - Rob Neal — Smackover, AR (3)

INTERCOMP HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):
1. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (1)
2. 18 - Jack Sullivan — Greenbrier, AR (5)
3. 25 - Scott Green — Derby, KS (8)
4. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (7)
5. 19 - Jamie Burford — Keatchie, LA (2)
6. 02x - B.J. Robinson — Shreveport, LA (9)
7. 94c - Stephen Chevalier — Downsville, LA (3)
8. 74 - Matt Stacy — Crossett, AR (4)
9. 2 - Jerry Standifer — Howe, OK (6)

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (2)
2. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (4)
3. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (3)
4. 02x - B.J. Robinson — Shreveport, LA (6)
5. 88 - Chad Wheeler — Muskogee, OK (11)
6. 16 - Chris Henigan — Marshall, TX (9)
7. 19 - Jamie Burford — Keatchie, LA (8)
8. 94c - Stephen Chevalier — Downsville, LA (12)
9. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (10)
10. 5a - Wes Armstrong — Marshall, TX (14)
11. 1st - Johnny Scott — Las Cruces, NM (1)
12. 88s - Seth Reed — Rison, AR (15)
13. 2 - Jerry Standifer — Howe, OK (17)
14. 26 - Patrick Linn — Little Rock, AR (7) DNF
15. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (5) DNF
16. 12t - Tyler Townsend — Longview, TX (16) DNS
17. 99 - Phillip James — Dewitt, AR (13) DNS

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (2)
2. 05 - Michael Robertson — Minden, LA (4)
3. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (1)
4. 8j - Dustin Hyde — Texarkana, TX (6)
5. 18a - Richard Anders — El Dorado, AR (9)
6. 52 - Chad Davis — Tulsa, OK (3)
7. JP5 - Lee Patton — Quitman, LA (13)
8. X - Bud Mullins — West Monroe, LA (10)
9. 44 - Rob Neal — Smackover, AR (16)
10. 10k - Kyle Schmidt — Farmington, AR (7)
11. 8 - Jodey Reep — El Dorado, AR (17)
12. 51 - John Polasini — Leland, MS (12) DNF
13. 74 - Matt Stacy — Crossett, AR (14) DNF
14. 05x - Garrett Durrett — Simsboro, LA (8) DNF
15. 57 - Jason Armstrong — Marshall, TX (5) DNF
16. 15 - Grant Box — White Hall, AR (11) DNF
17. 58 - Nathan Bichsel — Amarillo, TX (15) DNS

SUNOCO “A” MAIN (35 laps):
1. 777 - Jared Landers — Benton, AR (5)
2. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (7)
3. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX (8)
4. 7x - Chris Dawson — Post, TX (3)
5. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (13)
6. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (17)
7. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (15)
8. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (14)
9. 12b - Johnny Bone Jr. — Pea Ridge, AR (11)
10. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (6)
11. 8j - Dustin Hyde — Texarkana, TX (20)
12. 88 - Chad Wheeler — Muskogee, OK (21)
13. 25 - Scott Green — Derby, KS (4)
14. 05x - Garrett Durrett — Simsboro, LA (24)
15. 60b - Mike Bowers — North Little Rock, AR (12)
16. 18a - Richard Anders — El Dorado, AR (22)
17. 02x - B.J. Robinson — Shreveport, LA (19)
18. 12h - Jeff Huckaby — Texarkana, TX (10)
19. 66 - Mike Paillou — Pass Christian, MS (2)
20. 16 - Chris Henigan — Marshall, TX (23) DNF
21. 18 - Jack Sullivan — Greenbrier, AR (1) DNF
22. 15 - Grant Box — White Hall, AR (26) DNF
23. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (18) DNF
24. 4m - Bobby Malchus — Red Oak, TX (9) DNF
25. 05 - Michael Robertson — Minden, LA (16) DNF
26. 88s - Seth Reed — Rison, AR (25) DNF

Lap Leaders: Sullivan 1-3, Landers 4-35.
Total Laps Led: Landers 32, Sullivan 3.
AFCO Pole Winner: Whiteaker.
Provisional Starters: Henigan, Durrett, Reed (track), Box (track).
KSE Racing Products Hard Charger: Ramirez (started 17th, finished 6th).
Next Race: Sunday, June 14, Boothill Speedway, Greenwood, La. (East Region).
East Region Points: Hughes 839, Shryock 819, Bone 804, Sanders 799, Whiteaker 760, Henigan 711, Sullivan 693, Ramirez 693, Robinson 661, Bagley 655.
Dustin Duncan Memorial “Just Say Yes” Rookie of the Year Points: W. Armstrong 247, J. Armstrong 243, Davis 213, Schmidt 211, Henigan 191.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Mullins 130, a.s.i. 121, Sput’s 94, Young’s 78, Homegrown 63, BMS 63.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: Hughes 149, Skyrocket 137, Ramirez 112, TRE 111, GRT 107.

Contingency Awards:
AFCO Racing Products – Whiteaker.
American Racer – James.
Fast Shafts – Landers.
Isky Racing Cams – Dawson.
KSE Racing Products – Ramirez.
Marsh Racing Wheels – Reed.
Nitroquest – Whiteaker.
Quarter Master – Landers, Timms.
QuickTime Performance Parts – Sanders.
Real Racing Wheels – Henigan, Patton.

by Jeff Nunn
USMTS Photos

Jason Hughes emerges in USMTS Southern Speedweek thriller at Ark-La-Tex Speedway

Last year the USMTS Southern Series made it’s debut at the Ark-La-Tex Speedway in Vivian, La., with much fanfare coming into the event. High winds and a blazing hot sun contributed to a darkened dry racetrack early in the program that ended with a follow-the-leader freight train around the top of the track during the feature race.

Thursday night’ affair at Gene Boyter’s quarter-mile bullring couldn’t have been more different.

Rain the night before and throughout the early morning deluged the facility, but Boyter’s crew worked and shaped the clay continually up until race time. What resulted was a smooth surface with ever-changing multiple grooves that produced one of the most thrilling main events of the season.

Sixteen-year-old Texan Tyler Townsend earned the AFCO Pole Award by racing from sixth to first in the sixth and final heat race for the 51 entries, then redrew the pole position for the 40-lap Sunoco “A” Main on the third of six nights comprising the 3rd Annual Southern Speedweek.

16-year old Tyler Townsend from Longview sat on the pole and battled for the lead most of the race

Unfortunately for Townsend, joining him on the front row was defending USMTS Southern Series Champion Jason Hughes, who was seeking his eighth win of the season and second in three nights of Speedweek.

Undeterred, Townsend jumped out to lead the first lap with Hughes in pursuit. While Townsend hugged the inside lane, Hughes continued his charge around the high side of the racetrack as the two battled side by side for the first ten laps.

Fresh off a victory in the USRA Southern Limited Modified feature that preceded the USMTS Southern Series nightcap, Timothy Culp of nearby West Monroe moved in to challenge Townsend on lap 12 while Hughes faded back into a fight for third with Lee Patton.

On lap 15, Culp completed the pass around Townsend to take the lead and began to open up a four-car-length advantage over the next five laps. Townsend, however, began reeling Culp back in as the teenage duo came into lapped traffic while Patton disposed of Hughes, who now had his hands full with Rodney Sanders.

Culp made contact with a lapped car on lap 31, which sent the backmarker spinning to a stop in turn 2 to bring out the first of four late-race caution flags that kept the field tightly bunched for the remaining nine orbits.

On the restart, Culp again shot out to a big lead with Patton moving around Townsend for second while Hughes began gaining ground using the top groove. One lap later, Culp’s machine belched a cloud of smoke as engine failure dashed his hopes of winning his first USMTS Southern Series race.

With Patton now on the point, cautions for separate spins on laps 34 and 35 slowed the pace with Townsend challenging the leader on the low side while Hughes worked the outside groove. Hughes inched ahead of Patton to lead the 37th lap before the final yellow flag waved to set up a green-white-checkered finish.

Hughes, who looked to be out of the picture at the mid-point of the race, rode the rim over the final two laps to take the checkered flag and pocket the $2,000 top prize. Sanders followed Hughes around the high side and beat Patton by a nose to claim the runner-up paycheck. Kelly Shryock, who started 12th, took the fourth spot with about a foot of bumper to spare over Townsend.

Finishing sixth through tenth, respectively, were Scott Green, Randy Timms, Jason Armstrong, Chris Henigan and Dereck Ramirez.

The KSE Racing Products Hard Charger Award went to Bryan Rowland, who started 22nd and finished 12th.

With the win, Hughes took over the top spot in the East Region points standings for the USMTS Southern Series, and leads Shryock by just nine points (648 to 639). Johnny Bone Jr. dropped two spots to third with 625 points, while Sanders moved up two spots to fourth with 615 markers. Wednesday night’s winner Steven Whiteaker Jr. is fifth with 604, followed by Steve Holzkamper (598), Jack Sullivan (589), Morgan Bagley (565), Henigan (561) and Ramirez (547).

The family feud continues in the battle for the Dustin Duncan Memorial “Just Say Yes” Rookie of the Year Award. After failing to qualify for Thursday’s main event, Wes Armstrong now leads his younger brother, Jason, by just five points (227 to 222). Chad Davis is third with 193 points, followed by Kyle Schmidt (191) and Kevin Sustaire (180).

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

The Fast Trax Speedway in Chatham, La., is the site of event #4 on the USMTS Southern Speedweek schedule. Bone captured the Speedweek win last year with Hughes, Tommy Weder Jr., Shryock and Elias Anderson finishing second through fifth.

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

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

Pit gates open at 4:00, grandstand gates swing open at 5:00, hot laps take to the track at 6:30 and the racing action kicks off at 7:00.

USRA Southern Limited Modifieds will also be on the racing card going for $500 to win.

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

The Drew County Speedway in Monticello, Ark., plays host to round 5 of USMTS Southern Speedweek on Saturday, with the six-race swing wrapping up on Sunday at the Boothill Speedway in Greenwood, La.

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

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USMTS Southern Series (East Region)
3rd Annual USMTS Southern Speedweek - Event #3 of 6
Ark-La-Tex Speedway, Vivian, La.
Thursday, June 11, 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. JP5 - Lee Patton — Quitman, LA (3)
2. 5 - Steve Holzkamper — Gentry, AR (7)
3. 57 - Jason Armstrong — Marshall, TX (1)
4. 18 - Jack Sullivan — Greenbrier, AR (2)
5. 9 - Kyle Cummings — Sibley, LA (5)
6. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (6)
7. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (4)
8. 05 - Michael Robertson — Minden, LA (9)
9. 7x - Chris Dawson — Post, TX (8) DNF

NEW VISION GRAPHICS HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. C8 - Timothy Culp — West Monroe, LA (5)
2. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (1)
3. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (8)
4. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (7)
5. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (4)
6. 27 - Mike Washburn — Shreveport, LA (6)
7. 42 - James Longpine — Drummond, OK (2)
8. 7 - Brent Stewart — Haughton, LA (3)
9. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX (9) DNS

BRODIX HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (4)
2. 12b - Johnny Bone Jr. — Pea Ridge, AR (2)
3. 25 - Scott Green — Derby, KS (7)
4. 88 - Chad Wheeler — Muskogee, OK (5)
5. 52 - Chad Davis — Tulsa, OK (1)
6. 26 - Patrick Linn — Little Rock, AR (9)
7. 02x - B.J. Robinson — Shreveport, LA (6)
8. 33x - Brad Pannell — Broken Bow, OK (8)
9. 21 - David Winslett — Bossier City, LA (3) DNF

AWESOME RACEWEAR HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (1)
2. 12j - Jason Ingalls — Hallsville, TX (2)
3. 05x - Garrett Durrett — Simsboro, LA (5)
4. 8j - Dustin Hyde — Texarkana, TX (7)
5. 19 - Jamie Burford — Keatchie, LA (8)
6. 2 - Jerry Standifer — Howe, OK (4)
7. 88 - James Harper — Monroe, LA (3)
8. 12c - Corey Babbitt — Channelview, TX (6)

INTERCOMP HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):
1. 1st - Johnny Scott — Las Cruces, NM (5)
2. 16 - Chris Henigan — Marshall, TX (3)
3. 1 - Brett Frazier — Haughton, LA (4)
4. D6 - Chris Huckabay — Monroe, LA (7)
5. 12h - Jeff Huckaby — Texarkana, TX (1)
6. 66 - Mike Paillou — Pass Christian, MS (6)
7. L1 - Larry Clevenger — Greenwood, LA (2)
8. 1 - Chris Patton — Ruston, LA (8) DNS

AMERICAN RACER HEAT RACE #6 (8 laps):
1. 12t - Tyler Townsend — Longview, TX (6)
2. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (3)
3. 58 - Nathan Bichsel — Amarillo, TX (5)
4. 4m - Bobby Malchus — Red Oak, TX (1)
5. C81 - Cade Dillard — Robeline, LA (7)
6. 5a - Wes Armstrong — Marshall, TX (2)
7. 6 - Tippy Bickham — Shreveport, LA (4)
8. 10k - Kyle Schmidt — Farmington, AR (8)

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 12b - Johnny Bone Jr. — Pea Ridge, AR (1)
2. 05x - Garrett Durrett — Simsboro, LA (2)
3. 57 - Jason Armstrong — Marshall, TX (5)
4. 19 - Jamie Burford — Keatchie, LA (6)
5. 8j - Dustin Hyde — Texarkana, TX (4)
6. 05 - Michael Robertson — Minden, LA (16)
7. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (9)
8. 26 - Patrick Linn — Little Rock, AR (8)
9. 12h - Jeff Huckaby — Texarkana, TX (10)
10. 66 - Mike Paillou — Pass Christian, MS (12)
11. 27 - Mike Washburn — Shreveport, LA (11)
12. 7x - Chris Dawson — Post, TX (19)
13. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (13)
14. 21 - David Winslett — Bossier City, LA (20)
15. 02x - B.J. Robinson — Shreveport, LA (14)
16. 4m - Bobby Malchus — Red Oak, TX (7) DNF
17. 33x - Brad Pannell — Broken Bow, OK (17) DNF
18. L1 - Larry Clevenger — Greenwood, LA (15) DNF
19. 1 - Chris Patton — Ruston, LA (18) DNS
20. 1 - Brett Frazier — Haughton, LA (3) NS

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 12j - Jason Ingalls — Hallsville, TX (1)
2. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (3)
3. C81 - Cade Dillard — Robeline, LA (7)
4. 52 - Chad Davis — Tulsa, OK (9)
5. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (10)
6. 12c - Corey Babbitt — Channelview, TX (17)
7. 42 - James Longpine — Drummond, OK (13)
8. 88 - James Harper — Monroe, LA (14)
9. 7 - Brent Stewart — Haughton, LA (16)
10. 58 - Nathan Bichsel — Amarillo, TX (2) DNF
11. 10k - Kyle Schmidt — Farmington, AR (18) DNF
12. 6 - Tippy Bickham — Shreveport, LA (15) DNF
13. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX (19) DNF
14. 2 - Jerry Standifer — Howe, OK (11) DNF
15. 18 - Jack Sullivan — Greenbrier, AR (6) DNF
16. 9 - Kyle Cummings — Sibley, LA (8) DNF
17. 88 - Chad Wheeler — Muskogee, OK (5) DNF
18. D6 - Chris Huckabay — Monroe, LA (4) DNF
19. 5a - Wes Armstrong — Marshall, TX (12) DNF

SUNOCO “A” MAIN (40 laps):
1. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (2)
2. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (4)
3. JP5 - Lee Patton — Quitman, LA (6)
4. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (12)
5. 12t - Tyler Townsend — Longview, TX (1)
6. 25 - Scott Green — Derby, KS (9)
7. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (11)
8. 57 - Jason Armstrong — Marshall, TX (17)
9. 16 - Chris Henigan — Marshall, TX (10)
10. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (16)
11. 52 - Chad Davis — Tulsa, OK (20)
12. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (22)
13. 8j - Dustin Hyde — Texarkana, TX (21)
14. 5 - Steve Holzkamper — Gentry, AR (8)
15. 02x - B.J. Robinson — Shreveport, LA (26)
16. 12b - Johnny Bone Jr. — Pea Ridge, AR (13) DNF
17. 12j - Jason Ingalls — Hallsville, TX (14) DNF
18. 27 - Mike Washburn — Shreveport, LA (25) DNF
19. C8 - Timothy Culp — West Monroe, LA (7) DNF
20. 05x - Garrett Durrett — Simsboro, LA (15) DNF
21. C81 - Cade Dillard — Robeline, LA (18) DNF
22. 19 - Jamie Burford — Keatchie, LA (19) DNF
23. 1st - Johnny Scott — Las Cruces, NM (3) DNF
24. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (23) DNF
25. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (5) DNF
26. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (24) DNS

Lap Leaders: Townsend 1-5, Hughes 6, Townsend 7-14, Culp 15-33, L. Patton 34-36, Hughes 37-40.
Total Laps Led: Culp 19, Townsend 13, Hughes 5, L. Patton 3.
AFCO Pole Winner: Townsend.
Provisional Starters: Gould, Bagley, Washburn (track), Robinson (track).
KSE Racing Products Hard Charger: Rowland (started 22nd, finished 12th).
Next Race: Friday, June 12, Fast Trax Speedway, Chatham, La. (East Region).
East Region Points: Hughes 648, Shryock 639, Bone 625, Sanders 615, Whiteaker 604, Holzkamper 598, Sullivan 589, Bagley 565, Henigan 561, Ramirez 547.
Dustin Duncan Memorial “Just Say Yes” Rookie of the Year Points: W. Armstrong 227, J. Armstrong 222, Davis 193, Schmidt 191, Kevin Sustaire 180.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Mullins 114, a.s.i. 105, Sput’s 80, Young’s 68, Rowland 57.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: Hughes 133, Skyrocket 121, Ramirez 100, TRE 95, GRT 93.

Contingency Awards:AFCO Racing Products – Townsend.
American Racer – Bichsel.
Fast Shafts – not awarded.
Isky Racing Cams – L. Patton.
KSE Racing Products – Rowland.
Marsh Racing Wheels – Gould.
Nitroquest – L. Patton.
Quarter Master – Hughes, J. Armstrong.
QuickTime Performance Parts – Timms.
Real Racing Wheels – Robertson, Babbitt.

Keith White scores Sunday win at Heart O’ Texas after Friday’s H.O.T victory

The Sprint Series of Texas along with IMCA Modifieds, IMCA SportMods, and IMCA Hobby Stocks competed in the second leg of the Memorial Day Double Header at the Heart O’ Texas Speedway on Sunday night.

Shannon Dulock from Axtell took home the winner’s trophy in the IMCA hobby stock feature. Michael Guenat and Chris Cogburn, both from Robinson, finished in second and third.

Brandon Stewart from Academy won the IMCA SportMod feature with Kevin Green from Robinson in second and Robert Black from Hallsburg in third.

The IMCA modified feature winner was Keith White from Academy followed by Keith Green from Robinson and Chase Jupe from West. White also won the Friday night IMCA modified feature.

Cody Whitworth, Shane Clement, and Dustin Woods were the top three finishers in the wingless Sprint Series of Texas show.

Racing continues next Friday night at the Speedway with IMCA modifieds, IMCA SportMods, IMCA hobby stocks, street stocks, pure stocks, cruisers, junior mini stocks, and Texas twisters along with Texas Wing Modifieds. The Kids’ Silver Rush is also on tap. Check for more information at www.heartotexspeedway.com.

Complete Finish

IMCA Modified (05/24/2009)
Feature: 1. Keith White (Academy, TX); 2. Keith Green (Robinson, TX); 3. Chase Jupe (West, TX); 4. Benji Kirkpatrick (Elm Mott, TX); 5. Kenny Stone (Temple, TX); 6. Mike McCarthy (Round Rock, TX); 7. Scooter Bates (Killeen, TX); 8. Chris Elliott (Abilene, TX); 9. Pat McGuire (Belton, TX); 10. Steve Rutherford (Flower Mound, TX); 11. Cody Daniel (Waco, TX); 12. Mark McDaniel (Elm Mott, TX); 13. John Gober (Poolville, TX); 14. Brian Guay (Hewitt, TX); 15. Trevor Egbert (Salado, TX); 16. Robert McKinney (Alvarado, TX); 17. G.W. Egbert (Belton, TX); 18. J.P. Dowell (Killeen, TX).

IMCA SportMod (05/24-2009)
Feature: 1. Brandon Stewart (Academy, TX); 2. Kevin Green (Robinson, TX); 3. Robert Black (Hallsburg, TX); 4. Trevor Lane (Cleburne, TX); 5. Keith White (Academy, TX); 6. T.J. Green (Robinson, TX); 7. Sid Kiphen (Gatesville, TX); 8. David Ferguson (Mansfield, TX); 9. Mark McDaniel (Elm Mott, TX); 10. Keith Martin (Mansfield, TX); 11. Brandon McElroy (North Richland Hills, TX); 12. James Skinner (Burleson, TX); 13. Ricky Heckel (China Spring, TX); 14. Cory Tekell (Lorena, TX); 15. Michael Villanueva (Arlington, TX); 16. Joe O’ Bryan (Round Rock, TX); 17. Robert Garcia (Killeen, TX); 18. Aaron Browning (West, TX); 19. Chris Cogburn (Robinson, TX).

IMCA Hobby Stock (05/24/2009)
Feature: 1. Shannon Dulock (Axtell, TX); 2. Michael Guenat (Robinson, TX); 3. Chris Cogburn (Robinson, TX); 4. Billy Taylor (Gatesville, TX); 5. Charles Cosper (Belton, TX); 6. Charlie Norris (Hillsboro, TX); 7. Andy Roller (Waco, TX); 8. Joe Williams (Waco, TX); 9. Ray Kemp Jr. (Riesel, TX); 10. Melvin Burrows (Gatesville, TX); 11. Kyle Davis (Robinson, TX); 12. Jeremy Hendrix (Robinson, TX); 13. Garret Rawls (China Spring, TX); 14. Jeff Sexton (West, TX); 15. Shawn Woods (Clyde, TX); 16. Chris Grusendorf (Moody, TX); 17. Allen Montgomery (Fort Worth, TX); 18. Jason Gallimore (Robinson, TX).

Sprint Series of Texas (05/24/2009)
B-Feature: (Top four transferred to A) 5. Carl Lamb; 6. James Reed; 7. 10; 8. Stace Haviland; 9. Ed Keaton; 10. Walter Lane; 11. Craig Woods; 12. Billy Harris; 13. Montana Hayashi.
Feature: 1.Cody Whitworth; 2. Shane Clement; 3. Dustin Woods; 4. Shane Carson; 5. Jerry Hammock; 6. Ron Beechler; 7. Marty Stanford; 8. Corey Minor; 9. Kerry Rush; 10. Josh Majors; 11. Mike Herring; 12. Ray Welnack; 13. David Garland; 14. Jon Freeman; 15. Ryan Beechler; 16. Jason Howell; 17. Gary Kelley; 18. Steve Land; 19. Johnny Suggs; 20. Danny Merrell.

by Mary Adamcik

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.

Boyd Raceway hosts All Star Invitational Qualifier - Round 2 - this Friday

Friday night, April 3rd, Boyd Raceway will host the second $1,000 to Win Fast Shafts All Star Invitational Qualifier Race of the five they have scheduled for this season. Once again, IMCA Modified drivers who want to try and qualify for the chance to get voted into the Fast Shafts All Star Invitational Race coming up later this year during the IMCA Super Nationals at Boone will converge on the Bullring to give it their best shot! You can rest assured; the racing action will be hot!

Chris Bragg, a local driver from Springtown, added his name to the ballot with his win back on March 6th in a race that was a real barn burner. The action was hot from the drop of the green flag as the thundering horde swept thru the first set of turns and headed off down the backstretch. They were 5 wide coming into turn 3 and, well, that just didn’t work. Rick McDaniel got clipped in the melee and turned broadside of the roaring tide that swept him right into the middle of turn 3 before they got shut down!

Several tough contenders were taken out in that first lap mishap including Monte Bolton, Chris Simmel, Randy Martin and Charlie Harmon. I look for most of those guys to be back with their race face on and their minds made up to get the win they wanted back then!

But take a look at the drivers that finished in the top ten; Guys like Jeff Emerson, (who’s been HOT this season already in his Emerson Chassis!), Gabe Tucker, (he led the first part of this race in his new Hughes!), Rick McDaniel, (even after being pushed broadside down the backstretch in his Allen Chassis!), Chris Elliott, (the young phenom from Eastland in a new Jeff Taylor Modified!), Varian Sisson, (the cagey ole veteran), Michael Moore, (another fast Allen Chassis!), Darryl Campbell, ( WOW! And he did it in his Destroyer 2 link!), William Gould, (top local finisher at TMS earlier this year!), and Dillon Smith, (this boy has got his “groove on” this year!).

All I can say is you won’t want to miss the action at Boyd Raceway this Friday night as these talented drivers converge on the Bullring to take a shot at winning this race! Will you be there to see it for yourself? Or, will you be wishing you would have been!
www.boydraceway.net

by Neal Palmer

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