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Umscheid Race Services Live, Interactive Updates from Houston Motorsports Park, 8/20/2011

My flight doesn’t arrive in San Antonio until 4:10 p.m. and it’s a good three-hour and 45-minutes drive to HMP once I get to the house to pick up the car, but I plan to make the trip and bring you the feature events from Houston Motorsports Park thanks to Umscheid Race Services.

If I’m a bit late, well, please forgive me, but I’ll do my best to get there. Let’s hope my flights are not delayed.

{Well, my flight was delayed and I couldn’t get to HMP in time to bring you the updates. I’m very sorry for the letdown, but it couldn’t be avoided. — Nick}

Robby Minten grabs first ever IMCA Sportmod win at I-37 Raceway, 6/18/11

Young Robby Minten(La Coste) ran the race of his life to snag his first ever IMCA Southern Sportmod victory. Minten, who had been snake bitten all season, took the point on lap 1 and never gave it up. Minten was pressured early by Anthony Gordon, then veteran Brian Rye on restarts. With the help of Uncle Ray (Doyon) and Brandon Blaylock, Minten finally hit the set up, held the fast line and scored his inaugural feature win.

As the 20-car, 20-lap IMCA Southern Sportmod feature roared to green, Minten led into turn 1 trailed by Gordon, Pat Lyon and Rye along side Michael Hernandez. Behind them it was three wide for sixth with multi-time winner an track champ, Johnny Torres making contact in the fight and losing spots. Torres rebounded to take fifth from Hernandez on lap 3, then fourth from Lyon on lap 4.

Up front Minten had crept away from Gordon who now had Rye along side taking second on lap 4. Moe VanKirk and Chuck Perry got by Lyon on lap 5 for sixth and seventh. Rye and Gordon made contact scrapping for second, with Torres sneaking past, and Hernandez with big run up top getting by all three. Randy Yount brought out a yellow on lap 9 when he got turned around..

As the race resumed and came to halfway it was Minten Rye, Hernandez, Torres and Gordon in the top five. Perry made a mid-race charge getting by Gordon on lap 10, then Torres for fourth on lap 11. Two laps later Perry grabbed third from Hernandez, while Lyon, Michael Walker and Greg Rohmer were three wide for seventh.

With two to go, Minten had a 4-car length edge on Rye and Perry, but Gordon spun in turn 2 to bring out a yellow and set up a green, white, checker finish. The young Minten held his composure on green and inched out by two car lengths, with Hernandez, Torres and VanKirk three abreast for fourth. Rye and Perry battled side by side on the final lap as Minten took the checkers in the 3D Landscaping, Boehle Signs & Graphics, Shepherds Racing Engine powered, Empire(Jim Mikulencak) Chassis.

“We tried a new set up,” exclaimed Minten. “It was something totally different and the car just hooked up on the top. It was a rocket. I was nervous when Anthony(Gordon) brought out that caution with two to go. I knew Johnny(Torres) was somewhere behind me and just knew I’d get passed by him or one of the Rye’s. I just stayed focused and tried to it my marks.”

“Brandon Blaylock helped me a lot with this set up, and my Uncle Ray(Doyon) is always there. We tried a whole new thing, and it worked. Before this race I was ready to throw in the towel. I was frustrated. It seemed everywhere I’d go, we’d wreck, spin out or do stupid stuff. Finally we got it all together.”

IMCA Southern Sportmods
4 Robby Minten, 115 Chuck Perry, 184 Brian Rye, 99x Michael Hernandez, 34 Michael Walker, 66 Johnny Torres, 58 Moe VanKirk, 51 Greg Rohmer, 9 Ray Doyon III, 60 Pat Lyon, 10D Don Painter, 57F Rowdy Flanagan, 22 Randy Bennett, 18 Larry Jernigan, 84k Patrick Kelly, 66y Randy Yount, 118 Anthony Gordon, 15 JC Pilcher, 10 Travis Penny, 92 Jason Stanley

IMCA SSM Heats
Heat 1
92 Jason Stanley, 118 Anthony Gordon, 9 Ray Doyon III, 58 Moe VanKirk, 66y Randy Yount, 34 Michael Walker, 10 Travis Penny
Heat 2
66 Johnny Torres, 99x Michael Hernandez, 4 Robby Minten, 115 Chuck Perry, 84k Patrick Kelly, 51 Greg Rohmer
Heat 3
18 Larry Jernigan, 184 Brian Rye, 60 Pat Lyon, 10D Don Painter, 22 Randy Bennett, 57F Rowdy Flanagan, 15 JC Pilcher

The racing action at Pleasanton’s I-37 Raceway at Newsome Motor Park was as hot as the weather, with several drivers possibly trying to make for missing the full moon during the off week. The track did as good of a job as possible to get a good racing surface despite week-long 100+ degree temperatures, and strong winds on race day, dust was kept to a minimum.

There were no return winners from the previous race night so any streaks went by the wayside. Several drivers returned to the Winners Circle or won in a different class, plus the IMCA Southern Sportmods had a first time winner and the Front Runners saw a win almost by default.

Dinsmore Gets First Win for new Daughter

After several weeks of disappointment and sorting out damage, Kerrville’s Greg Dinsmore refound his early season mojo and picked up the first for new baby daughter, Mackenzie. Dinsmore had to come from the back of the 15-car field after a flat on the initial start sent him to the tail after repairs. He then methodically picked off cars and got by early leader Joe Spillman. Once clear Dinsmore held off all challengers on restarts to grab his seventh win of the season.

The 20-lap IMCA Modified main saw the front row of Spillman and Tracy Fink stay wheel to wheel on lap 1 with Spillman leading by a bumper on lap 1. Fink fell in line second with Matt Fox, Robert Liese jr. and Dennis Taylor in tow. Billy Meyer and Allen Williams tangled on lap 1 in turn 2 for an early caution. On the restart Taylor and Darin Leonard got by Liese for fourth and fifth.

Dinsmore quickly made his way up to challenge Leonard for fifth when Fox spun and collected Liese, Mike McCarthy and Leonard who stopped to avoid contact. Once back to green, Dinsmore sailed around Leonard and Taylor for third, then got under Fink for second on lap 3. Spillman and Dinsmore were side by side for the lead on lap 4, with Dinsmore taking the spot on lap 5.

Fink drifted too high in turn 1 and got freight-trained by Taylor, Leonard and Bill Pittaway. Caution waved on lap 6 for Marlin Samford stopped in turn 2. Dinsmore got a good launch on green, while second through fifth ran nose to tail. Jason Borlace and Fink, who blew a motor, got tangled on lap 8 in turn 4 for a yellow.

Back under green, Dinsmore eased away, but Fox spun in turn 1 with Borlace, Meyer and Samford spinning to avoid Fox. On the restart Fox spun again, ending his night. Finally back to green, Taylor got by Spillman for second as the crossed flags were shown with Dinsmore, Taylor, Spillman, Leonard and Jamie Campbell in the top five.

Leonard got past Spillman on lap 10, followed by Campbell. Taylor was trying Dinsmore for the lead, but spun himself from second on lap 13 in turn 4 to bring out a yellow. Dinsmore got away clean on the restart leaving Leonard and Campbell battling for second. Williams ended his night when he slapped the front stretch wall on lap 16 and shed numerous body panels.

When green waved again, Pittaway was putting the heat on Spillman for third, as Dinsmore eased away from Leonard. Spillman was able to hold off the defending champ, Pittaway. Out front it was Dinsmore inching farther ahead of Leonard going on to take the checkers in the racetechinfo.com, Sundowner RV, Ryan Bard Safety Foundation, JBHotshots, Good Ol’ Days Garage, Cen-Tex Motorsports, Harris Chassis.

“I finally got the car back(to where it was),” said Dinsmore. “It felt good. It had a little push in it, but it was really fast. When I installed the new birdcages, I had the ‘clocking’ off. I called Bob(Harris) after the heats and he suggested some changes that were right on.”

“I cut a tire on the first start. So we got it changed and I had to restart all the way at the back. I got caught in the melee and bent the rim over into the tire. Thankfully the car was super drivable and super fast.”

“I was able to find the fast line first. Usually once you do others will follow you so it’s important to get there first and get out front. If you don’t you have to try to find a way to get around someone running it. It’s better just to get it done and get it over with.”

“There towards the end the track started going away and the fuel load burnt off so the rear percentage was going away and I tried a different line. If I didn’t push it as hard it would push. There’s still a couple things to work on.”

“It was the first win with the new baby. It’s awesome. The baby just trucks right along and isn’t bothered by the noise. It’s amazing. Candace had her at the motel until it cooled off, but was here in time for the our feature win. That was pretty cool.”

IMCA Modifieds
8g Greg Dinsmore, 26 Darin Leonard, 29 Jamie Campbell, 44 Joe Spillman, 37 Bill Pittaway, 21 Jason Borlace, 67 Robert Liese jr., 38 Dennis Taylor, 99 Billy Meyer, 07 Allen Williams, 31 Marlin Samford, 53x Matt Fox, 24 Tracy Fink, 10 Ellis Tracy, 20 Mike McCarthy

IMCA Modified heats
Heat 1
38 Dennis Taylor, 37 Bill Pittaway, 99 Billy Meyer, 53x Matt Fox, 21 Jason Borlace—DNTG
Heat 2
24 Tracy Fink, 20 Mike McCarthy, 8g Greg Dinsmore, 26 Darin Leonard, 31Marlin Samford
Heat 3
44 Joe Spillman, 29 Jamie Campbell, 07 Allen Williams, 67 Robert Liese jr., 10 Ellis Tracy

Dancer Out Does Limited Late Model Field

It’s usually not easy to jump into an unfamiliar car and find a win, but AJ Dancer(Red Rock) showed that Greg Dinsmore wasn’t the only driver capable of the feat. Dancer climbed in the Walt Clark owned car, got by early leader Andrew Hesler past halfway and motored on to the victory.

The Limited Late Model feature got off to a rocky start, a sign of things to come. Leland Waddell led the way off turn 2 on the initial start, but got bumped by Hesler sending him around in turn 4. On the second start Waddell led in to turn 1, Shane Moore tried to crossover in turn 4, but spun and continued. Waddell’s time out front ended on lap 1 when spun in turn 2 scattering the field for an early caution.

Hesler led on the restart followed by Robert Danielson, Matt Hodge and multi-time winner Trey Votion. Votion had just gotten by Danielson for third when Chris Jones spun for lap 2 yellow. Once back to green, Dancer got around Harlin Covert and Danielson for fourth. Moore looped it in turn 2 for a lap 5 caution. It wasn’t long after green waved that Hodge, apparently spotting the turn 2 troll, got hung on an infield tire for yellow on lap 6.

Finally under green, the top three, Hesler, Votion and Dancer, eased away from
Covert and Gary Hunter. Dancer used the top to go past Votion on lap 7 for second and quickly got along side Hesler for the lead. Dancer got the nose out front only to have a caution for a spin by Jones erase the pass. Hesler and Dancer edged away while Covert and Votion ran door to door for third.

Covert secured the spot on lap 11, while Dancer again tried the high groove for the lead. Dancer was able to complete the pass on Hesler to lead on lap 13. Hunter spun on lap 15 after contact from Richard Bartosh, who was sent to the back. On the restart Covert was looking low on Hesler for second.

Moore spun in turn 4 was trying to roll start his car in front of the leaders, Covert slowed to avoid contact with Votion and Hunter getting by. Yellow for Moore’s stalled car in turn 4 gave Covert the spots back. Dancer got a good jump on the restart while Hesler, Covert and Votion battled for second. At the checkers it was Dancer in the Eagle Racing, VISA/Mastercard, Parks Engine Service, Shaw Chassis with a Camaro clip taking the win, while Hunter nipped Votion at the line.

“Walt must build a good car,” replied Dancer. “I really didn’t do a whole lot. I think Walt put this car together with pieces of everything. There may even be a Volkswagen Bug under there. I used the top because everyone else was running the bottom. I guess I’m not as smart as them. Up top it’s closer to the edge.”

“I think the secret of my success, is not thinking. I really don’t think about anything, if I do I’ll just mess it up. Trey(Votion) and Drew(Hesler) were as fast as us, but they just didn’t find the upper groove.”

“With myself and TJ working on it and AJ driving it, it’s a winning combination,” added car owner Clark.

Limited Late Models
32 AJ Dancer, 60 Harlin Covert, 1 Andrew Hesler, 14 Gary Hunter, 99 Trey Votion, 28 Leland Waddell, Richard Bartosh, 49 Robert Danielson, 18 Shane Moore, 58 Matt Hodge

Limited Late Model heat winners; 49 Robert Danielson, 7 Richard Bartosh

Casey Captures Street Stock Honors
San Antonio’s Tommy Casey found his way back to the Winners Circle after several years. Casey grabbed the point on green, then went wire to wire in the 15-lap feature that went without a caution. At the checkers Casey held a half straightaway margin over defending track champ Wade Jones.

As green waved on the Street Stock feature Casey led the pack into turn 1 with AJ Wernette and Mike Lyon side by side for second while Aaron Leddy was door to door with Jones for fourth. As Casey led back to the line on lap 1 AJ Wernette, Lyon and Leddy were almost three wide for second. As that battle sorted out, AJ Dancer got by both Leddy and AJ Wernette for third.

Stephan Danielson, Jones and Leddy went three abreast for fourth on lap 3. Danielson got the spot and was looking low on Dancer for third. Dancer held Danielson off and began pressuring Lyon for second. With Dancer trying under Lyon, Danielson tried even lower, but ended up doing a 360 to avoid contact losing several spots.

Jones, running the middle, then began to pick off cars on his way to the front. Jones got by Dancer on lap 9 then Lyon for second on lap 10, but found himself trailing Casey who had built a good margin. Dancer took third from Lyon in the final laps. Back up front it was Casey, in the Clays Auto Parts & Machine Shop, Richard & Bea Villanueva, Odie Automotive/Garfield Shanklin, Camaro grabbing the checkers comfortably ahead of Jones.

“We’re finally starting to get a handle on the car,” commented Casey. “The guys here are helping us out a lot. Between the other racers, like the Wernette group and AJ Dancer, and reading some books we’re finally getting it to hook up on the dry slick. We’ve really been bad on the slick tracks.”

“I don’t care what anyone says there’s not enough time on these short tracks to try to look back for who’s coming. Chris Swenson always tell me to adjust the brake bias while I’m driving, but I’ll wait until under caution. I’ve got enough to do with the steering wheel in my hands.”

“We’ve done some adjusting on the springs, wheel offset and weight jacks to get the car better. Just searching to find the best combination for this track. Clay(Kotara) and Roger have got us a good engine package.”

“It’s been two or three years since I’ve won, and it was on Father’s Day Weekend too. Maybe I should just race on that weekend every year.”

Street Stocks
15 Tommy Casey, 41 Wade Jones, 52 AJ Dancer, 40 Mike Lyon, 149 Stephan Danielson, 37 AJ Wernette, 37w Wayne Wernette, 44 Joe Spillman, 93 Aaron Leddy

Street Stock heat winners; 41 Wade Jones, 15 Tommy Casey

The Pure stock 20-lapper saw a return face to the Winers Circle, although the car is very familiar with the place. Adam Torres(San Antonio), driving the former championship car of Marc Roy, jumped out front early and never looked back going flag to flag for the win. It was the first win in several years for Torres in the 24/7 Towing, Tator Plumbing, Chevy.

Torres got a good jump from the pole, while Tim Watson and Karoline Campbell were side by side trailed by Eric Watson and Brandy Ramzinski. T. Watson secured the second spot, while Jarrett Payton got by E. Watson for fifth. Payton and Ramzinski both got past Campbell, with Frank Okruhlik charging up behind them. Okruhlik’s wedding night came to an end when he lost an axle on lap 5(Honeymoon for the newlyweds stated early)

On the restart, Payton battled with T. Watson for second but lost a right front tire and stopped in the front stretch. Torres got a big advantage on the restart while Cody Leonard got along side Ramzinski for fourth. After picking off the spot, Leonard got around Campbell for third on lap 10. Up front Torres had built a full straightaway lead.

Leonard took second from T. Watson on lap 14, but found himself well behind Torres who easily cutting through traffic. Leonard tried to cut into Torres’ lead but to no avail as the laps wound down. Janel Hilla worked her way past Campbell for fourth in the final laps, but it was Torres crossing under the checkers with the convincing victory.

Pure Stocks
24 Adam Torres, 26c Cody Leonard, 1 Tim Watson, 7x Janel Hilla, 10c Karoline Campbell, 89 Ryan Doyon, 581 Hunter Flanagan, 95 Jerry Jones, 15 William Cavender, 44 James Watson, 14 Trey Heald, 88 Brandy Ramzinski, 66r Rick Snyder, F5 Kevin Vasbinder, 9s Jarrett Payton, 43 Eric Watson, 99 Frank Okruhlik, 94 Tator Mason—DNS, 117 Devin Adler—DNS

Pure Stock heat winners; 99 Frank Okruhlik, 88 Brandy Ramzinski, 24 Adam Torres

In the Front Runner feature, Somerset’s Hailee Marcx was just as surprised as anyone when she found herself in the Winners Circle at the races completion. Marcx was one of only two cars left running as the race was called by the 10-run mercy rule. Marcx was in the right place after two groups, battling for the lead, found themselves in a heap and received the black flag.

The race started off innocent enough with track promoter Jim Knudtson leading into turn 1. Knudtson slowed while Jimmy Carroll sailed by off turn 2 to lead lap 1 followed by Roy Easler jr., Landon Sowder and Marcx. Knudtson was black flagged by his son and race director for going too slow(Happy Fathers Day !). Anthony Maciel got by Marcx for fourth, with Charles Earnhardt III following to fifth.

Easler, using the top, got by Carroll to lead lap 4 then got hung in slower traffic. Carroll was able to sneak by of turn 2, but Easler got back to the lead before lap 5. Maciel and Ch. Earnhardt got together in turn 4 for a lap 6 caution. On the ensuing restart, Easler held the lead but was pressured by Carroll and Cody Earnhardt. Co.

Co. Earnhardt and Carroll traded some paint with Carroll getting into the back of Easler. As Easler began going around he was finished off by Co. Earnhardt who had nowhere to go. All three received the black flag much to the crowds disapproval. This put Ch. Earnhardt back out front after making repairs from his earlier incident.

Ch. Earnhardt and Sowder pulled away on green to settle it among themselves. While fighting for the lead in the final laps contact sent both sailing out the pit exit leaving only Marcx and Cindy Snider, who was down a couple laps, on the track. Officials decided to black flag Ch. Earnhardt and Sowder, then declared Marcx, in the Howies Lawn & Landscaping, Alamo Homes, Bettis Storage, 6-Pack Racing Grand Am the winner.

“It was pretty weird,” said Marcx. “I was just out there racing and the next thing I know I’m in Victory Lane. I saw those guys battling ahead of me. That last wreck scared me when they went off the track as fast as they did. I didn’t know what to think.”

“It’s awesome getting the win no matter how it happens. We’re doing good in the points, second behind the 67(Jimmy Carroll) and we’re going to pick up some points on him tonight.”

Front Runners
113 Hailee Marcx, 33 Charles Earnhardt III, 08 Landon Sowder, 66r Cindy Snider, 12 Roy Easler jr., 33c Cody Earnhardt, 67 Jimmy Carroll, 3 Anthony Maciel, 98 Hayden Anderson, 27 Jim Knudtson, 98E Will Holden, 17 Kirsten Blevins

Front Runner heat winners; 12 Roy Easler jr., 67 Jimmy Carroll

By J.M. Hallas
JBHotshots Photos

Video of the entire NASCAR Fiesta Modified feature at Houston Motorsports Park, 5/28/2011

Duke O’Connor (Texas High Def) taped the “Fiesta Mart 50″ featuring the NASCAR Fiesta Modifieds last Saturday evening at Houston Motorsports Park.

This race offered a $3,000.00 “Bounty Bonus” to anyone who could beat a 16 year-old NASCAR Fiesta Modified driver named Zak Hausler “fair and square.” Pay particular attention to the restarts towards the end of the event where challenger Michael Umscheid starts on the outside after Hausler, known around here as the “Zak Attack,” selected the inside lane at the lane selection cone.

Just so you’ll know who’s who, here’s the lineup at the start of the 50-lap event. Enjoy!

1. 91 Zak Hausler
2. 33 Jason Morman
3. 15 Michael Umscheid
4. 39 Mark Chrudimsky
5. 13 Ian Webster
6. 82 David Webster
7. 30 Jake Kruger
8. 2 Heath Stewart
9. 6 Jason Boyd
10. 8 Jim Nides
11. 88 Larry Hughes
12. 1 Art Kunzeman
13. 44 Bubba Naumann

Texas High Def video of the NASCAR Fiesta Modified heat race at Houston Motorsports Park on Saturday, May 28, 2011

Here is the video of the NASCAR Fiesta Modified heat race at Houston Motorsports Park on Saturday, May 28, 2011, shot by Texas High Def’s Duke O’Connor.

Since a “Star” was drawn before the feature, there was no invert for the feature, so how they finish in the heat will be how they start the “Fiesta Mart 50″ later in the evening.

This was the line-up for the heat race so you can match their car numbers to what you’re seeing on the screen.

1. 33 Jason Morman
2. 6 Jason Boyd
3. 91 Zak Hausler
4. 13 Ian Webster
5. 15 Michael Umscheid
6. 44 Bubba Naumann
7. 2 Heath Stewart
8. 82 David Webster
9. 39 Mark Chrudimsky
10. 30 Jake Kruger
11. 8 Jim Nides
12. 88 Larry Hughes
13. 1 Art Kunzeman

Great video as usual, Duke!

Umscheid Race Services Live, Interative Updates from Houston Motorsports Park, 5/14/2011

Thanks to one of the finest race shops in Texas - Umscheid Race Services - Lone Star Speedzone will be bringing you live, interactive updates from Houston Motorsports Park Saturday evening, May 14, 2011.

The big story, of course, is the $2,000.00 bounty placed on the #91 NASCAR Fiesta Modified driven by rookie Zak Hausler. If you can’t make it to HMP for this one we’ll do our best to bring you lap-by-lap coverage of all the racing action in addition to the NASCAR Fiesta Modified “Fiesta Mart 50″ featured event.

I do invite comments and questions during the evening, but please keep in mind that there will be a delay before your post shows up since I have to approve each comment/question and sometimes I get pretty busy trying to keep up with all the racing action.

To get started, click the icon below.

Ryan Gustin goes home with USMTS hardware at Heart O’ Texas Speedway

After rain wiped out plans for the inaugural USMTS event at the Heart O’ Texas Speedway each of the last two seasons, the third time was the charm as Mother Nature delivered a picture-perfect day for racing Thursday.

Forty-three of the nation’s fastest and most furious Modified drivers descended on Gene Adamcik’s quarter-mile clay oval near Waco, Texas, and delivered an exciting night of racing for the throng of fans who had waited patiently for three years.

The event was first rained-out on May 3, 2009, and at that time Ryan Gustin was just 18 years old and had just won his first and only USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour powered by Swan Energy a few months earlier.

Gustin found his way back to victory lane again Thursday night, but this time for his sixth win of the season and 30th USMTS triumph in his young career.

After five heat races that clicked off without a single caution flag, Sean Jones was the AFCO Pole Award winner by earning the most passing points and then redrew the pole position for the start of the 40-lap WIX Filters “A” Main.

Jones jumped out to a four-car-length bulge in just one lap and paced the field of 26 starters through the first seven laps. Meanwhile, Rodney Sanders worked his way into second before Gustin grabbed the second spot away just before the race’s first caution.

On the restart, Jones again maintained the top spot with Gustin and Sanders giving chase, but after just one more lap Jones’ crate-powered machine veered off the track in turn 1 and came to a halt atop the embankment in turn 2, bringing out the second yellow flag.

With Jones dropping from first to last for the next restart, Gustin was in control but Sanders, 21, kept the 20-year-old Gustin within striking distance. The leaders encountered lapped traffic on lap 27 and Sanders closed in on Gustin.

With 10 laps to go, Gustin went to the high side while Sanders dove to the bottom as the two attempted to split the lapped car of Rory Jordan. As they exited turn 4, Gustin completed the pass but Jordan and Sanders made contact which sent Sanders head-on into an inside tire barrier.

The incident brought out the final caution of the race with Jimmy Ray, 13th-starting Jason Hughes and 19th-starting Johnny Scott sitting second, third and fourth behind Gustin for the restart.

Despite owning nine wins in the sixteen previous feature races so far this season, Hughes and Scott were unable to mount a challenge for the lead. However, Ray pressured Gustin in every turn for the remainder of the contest but had to settle for the runner-up paycheck at the finish line.

Hughes and Scott held on for third and fourth, respectively, while Shane Hebert climbed all the way to fifth after starting 25th and earned the Mesilla Valley Transportation Hard Charger Award.

Brad Doherty finished sixth, Jason Grimes grabbed the seventh spot, Keith Green was eighth, Jones rebounded to finish ninth and Heart O’ Texas Speedway track points leader Chase Jupe rounded out the top-10.

The win, worth $2,000, moved Gustin into the points lead in the Day Motor Sports Southwest Region after four completed events. Scott is second, followed by Hughes, Sanders, Kelly Shryock, Bobby Malchus, Hebert, Bryan Rowland, Ray and Dereck Ramirez.

Shryock struggled in the USMTS main event, but still took home a trophy as he drove Shannon “Slider” Young’s SLY1 to victory in the 20-lap HotMod feature race.

Action moves to the Cowtown Speedway in Kennedale, Texas on Friday night for another $2,000-to-win contest. Hughes finished fourth in the last USMTS event at “The Fastest Little Dirt Track in Texas” in 2008 while three Cowtown locals – George White, Bryan Sugg and Glenn Leuschner – successfully defended their home turf and claimed the top three spots.

Pit gates will open at 4 p.m., grandstands open at 5, hot laps are at 6:30 and the green flag waves at 7 p.m. Also on the racing card will be Limited Mods and Bombers/Hobby Stocks.

The Cowtown Speedway is a quarter-mile high-banked clay oval located off of I-20 at exit 442-A, then 1.7 miles southeast on Mansfield Hwy., then 1.4 miles southwest on New Hope Rd. For day-of-race information, call 817-478-9952 or check out www.cowtownspeedway.com on the World Wide Web.

On Saturday night, May 7, the scene will be Virgil Page’s Lake Country Speedway in Ardmore, Okla., with racing slated for 8 p.m. The Lake Country Speedway is a 3/8-mile semi-banked clay oval located just off of I-35 at exit 29, then 0.7 mile east on US 70, then 1.8 miles south on US 77. For race day information, call 580-220-7565 or visit www.lakecountryspeedwayok.com online.

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 Event
Heart O’ Texas Speedway, Elm Mott, Texas
Thursday, May 5, 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) 2 Kenny Gaddis, Hallsville, Texas.
2. (3) 303 Chase Jupe, Waco, Texas.
3. (4) 707 P.J. Egbert ®, Copperas Cove, Texas.
4. (6) 2 Paul White, Temple, Texas.
5. (1) 71h Philip Houston ®, Odessa, Texas.
6. (8) 1st Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, N.M.
7. (5) 156 Steve Pugh ®, Anderson, Texas.
8. (7) 78 Trevor Egbert ®, Salado, Texas.
9. (9) 14t Tristan Dycus, Midlothian, Texas.

NEW VISION GRAPHICS HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. (3) 41m Steve McMackin, Greenville, Texas.
2. (1) 410 Brad Doherty ®, Ennis, Texas.
3. (2) 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla.
4. (7) 18s Cody Smith, Kaufman, Texas.
5. (4) 87 John Webb ®, Pauls Valley, Okla.
6. (6) 11 Wesley Hamilton ®, Killeen, Texas.
7. (5) 87 Justin McCoy ®, Ovilla, Texas.
8. (9) 88xxx Clyde Dunn Jr. ®, Sunnyville, Texas.
9. (8) 60 William Gould, Calera, Okla.

EIBACH SPRINGS HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. (6) 24 Sean Jones, Mansfield, Texas.
2. (2) 99 Jason Grimes ®, Jamestown, N.D.
3. (1) 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla.
4. (4) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
5. (3) 7x Rory Jordan, Victoria, Texas.
6. (8) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa.
7. (5) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla.
8. (7) 88xx Bobby Malchus, Red Oak, Texas.

PBM PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. (2) 5g Keith Green, Waco, Texas.
2. (4) 9 Jimmy Ray ®, Las Cruces, N.M.
3. (3) 76 Jesse Manning ®, Brazoria, Texas.
4. (7) 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La.
5. (1) 76 Jeff Rowland ®, Pauls Valley, Okla.
6. (6) 82 Brandon Houk ®, Venus, Texas.
7. (5) 94 Nick Hardcastle, Corpus Christi, Texas.
8. (8) 51 Tracy Denby Jr., Vidor, Texas.

HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):
1. (2) 19r Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa.
2. (4) 717 George Egbert IV ®, Salado, Texas.
3. (8) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas.
4. (3) 30 Chase Allen, Midlothian, Texas.
5. (1) 12g Jeremy Green ®, Enid, Okla.
6. (7) 8 Steve Miller, Georgetown, Texas.
7. (6) 45t Eric Tomlinson ®, Robinson, Texas.
8. (5) 12 Scooter Bates, Killeen, Texas.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 7 advance):1. (2) 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla.
2. (1) 18s Cody Smith, Kaufman, Texas.
3. (4) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
4. (3) 76 Jesse Manning ®, Brazoria, Texas.
5. (6) 7x Rory Jordan, Victoria, Texas.
6. (8) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa.
7. (13) 78 Trevor Egbert ®, Salado, Texas.
8. (5) 71h Philip Houston ®, Odessa, Texas, SRP/JR, $80.
9. (14) 51 Tracy Denby Jr., Vidor, Texas, Skyrocket/Harris, $80.
10. (12) 45t Eric Tomlinson ®, Robinson, Texas, Hughes/Outlaw, $80.
11. (10) 156 Steve Pugh ®, Anderson, Texas, Skyrocket/ProPower, $80.
12. (9) 11 Wesley Hamilton ®, Killeen, Texas, Pierce/Centex, $80.
13. (15) 14t Tristan Dycus, Midlothian, Texas, Kraft/Wells, $80.
14. (11) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla., Hughes/ProPower, $80.
15. (7) 12g Jeremy Green ®, Enid, Okla., Ramirez/Janes, $80.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 7 advance):1. (2) 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla.
2. (4) 30 Chase Allen, Midlothian, Texas.
3. (5) 87 John Webb, Pauls Valley, Okla.
4. (7) 1st Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, N.M.
5. (3) 2 Paul White, Temple, Texas.
6. (13) 88xx Bobby Malchus, Red Oak, Texas.
7. (1) 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La.
8. (11) 94 Nick Hardcastle, Corpus Christi, Texas, Skyrocket/Hardcastle, $60.
9. (6) 76 Jeff Rowland ®, Pauls Valley, Okla., Hughes/Boyd’s, $80.
10. (9) 82 Brandon Houk ®, Venus, Texas, Harris/Lenmar, $80.
11. (10) 87 Justin McCoy ®, Ovilla, Texas, Skyrocket/KSP, $80.
12. (15) 60 William Gould, Calera, Okla., Shaw/BMS, $60.
13. (8) 8 Steve Miller, Georgetown, Texas, Hughes/Cantrell, $80.
14. (12) 88xxx Clyde Dunn Jr., Sunnyville, Texas.
15. (14) 12 Scooter Bates, Killeen, Texas, Pierce/Brooks, $60.

WIX FILTERS “A” MAIN (40 laps):
1. (5) 19r Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa, Hughes/Mullins, 40, $2000.
2. (7) 9 Jimmy Ray ®, Las Cruces, N.M., AOS/GMPP, 40, $1500.
3. (13) 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 40, $1000.
4. (19) 1st Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, N.M., Hughes/ASI, 40, $800.
5. (25) 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La., Hughes/ASI, 40, $800.
6. (9) 410 Brad Doherty ®, Ennis, Texas, GRT/Craft, 40, $600.
7. (10) 99 Jason Grimes ®, Jamestown, N.D., Hughes/Dakota, 40, $550.
8. (2) 5g Keith Green, Waco, Texas, Hughes/, 40, $300.
9. (1) 24 Sean Jones, Mansfield, Texas, PCR/GMPP, 40, $450.
10. (8) 303 Chase Jupe, Waco, Texas, Hughes/Centex, 40, $250.
11. (23) 88xx Bobby Malchus, Red Oak, Texas, Hughes/Wells, 40, $400.
12. (16) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla., Ramirez/ProPower, 40, $375.
13. (17) 87 John Webb ®, Pauls Valley, Okla., Hughes/Shoulders, 40, $350.
14. (22) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa, Skyrocket/ProPower, 40, $400.
15. (6) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas, Hughes/Geddes, 40, $400.
16. (24) 78 Trevor Egbert ®, Salado, Texas, Hughes/Centex, 40, $300.
17. (20) 7x Rory Jordan, Victoria, Texas, Hughes/Mullins, 40, $250.
18. (18) 76 Jesse Manning ®, Brazoria, Texas, Evolution/Hall, 40, $300.
19. (11) 707 P.J. Egbert ®, Copperas Cove, Texas, Hughes/Lingo, 18, radiator, $300.
20. (12) 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 18, A-frame, $300.
21. (14) 18s Cody Smith, Kaufman, Texas, Hughes/Chase, 17, crash, $300.
22. (26) 88xxx Clyde Dunn Jr. ®, Sunnyville, Texas, Hughes/Mullins, 17, crash, $300.
23. (21) 2 Paul White, Temple, Texas, Hughes/Centex, 17, suspension, $300.
24. (3) 717 George Egbert IV ®, Salado, Texas, DirtWorks/Centex, 14, radiator, $300.
25. (4) 2 Kenny Gaddis, Hallsville, Texas, Hughes/Gaddis, 13, suspension, $300.
26. (15) 30 Chase Allen, Midlothian, Texas, CAM/Allard, 6, steering, $300.
27. (27) 41m Steve McMackin, Greenville, Texas, DirtWorks/Cotton, did not start, 0, $100.

® = Rookie of the Year contender.

Integra Lap Leaders: Jones 1-8, Gustin 9-40.
Total Laps Led: Gustin 32, Jones 8.
Margin of Victory: 1.017 seconds.
AFCO Pole Winner: Jones.
Mesilla Valley Transportation Hard Charger: Hebert (started 25th, finished 5th).
Provisional Starter: Dunn.
Next Race: Friday, May 6, Cowtown Speedway, Kennedale, Texas.
Day Motor Sports Southwest Region Points: Gustin 364, Scott 353, Hughes 351, Sanders 309, Shryock 305, Malchus 302, Hebert 273, B. Rowland 255, Ray 247, Ramirez 233.
Rookie of the Year Points: Dunn 727, Ray 707, P. Egbert 661, J. Rowland 638, Webb 591.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Mullins 159, ProPower 117, ASI 114, Sput’s 76, Geddes 69.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: Hughes 167, Skyrocket 128, GRT 101, Ramirez 68, TRE 67.

Contingency Awards:American Racer – Shryock.
CPD Racing Tools – not awarded.
Eibach Springs – Jones.
Forty9Designs.com – Scott, Jones.
Hooker Harness – Ramirez.
Integra Racing Shocks & Springs – Gustin.
ISKY Racing Cams – Gaddis.
KSE Racing Products – not awarded.
Marsh Racing Wheels – Allen.
New Vision Graphics – not awarded.
Nitroquest – J. Green, Dunn.
Mesilla Valley Transportation – Hebert.
PBM Performance Products – not awarded.
Real Racing Wheels – Houston, J. Rowland.
Ruter Farms – not awarded.
WIX Filters – Gustin.

by Jeff Nunn, USMTS PR

Greg Dinsmore’s dominance at I-37 Raceway at Newsome Motor Park continues

After a week off for two-wheeled action of the VDTRA, Pleasanton’s I-37 Raceway resumed stock car racing on the 1/4 mile, semi-banked dirt track. Racing action included the IMCA Modifieds and Southern Sportmods, Limited Late Models, Street and Pure Stocks plus the Front Runners.

On-track action saw three drivers (Greg Dinsmore, Johnny Torres and Wade Jones) continue their winning ways, while two new drivers found their way to the Winners Circle and one put a new out front.

The night included a kids bicycle giveaway headed by IMCA Southern Sportmod driver Moe VanKirk, and sponsored by Mike and Kristi Brown at B&B Ranch(Comfort, Tx.) and I-37 Raceway.

Dinsmore Dominance Continues

After some tough luck on the off weekend and parts delays, Kerrville’s Greg Dinsmore pieced his racecar back together and made all the hard work pay off with another I-37 Raceway win. On a second start Dinsmore made a bold move splitting the top two cars to grab the lead. Once out front Dinsmore would ease away from the pack, holding off Robert Liese jr. on restarts. Bill Pittaway, Jamie Campbell and Billy Meyer, picking up his first top-five finish, followed.

On the initial start Meyer jumped out front from the pole with it three wide, two deep behind him. Gilbert Amezquita blew up, scattering parts and fluid, causing a stack up that sent Jon Holmstrom over the turn 3 hill. On the second start Meyer and Liese stayed side by side until coming off turn 4 Dinsmore squirted between them to the lead. Campbell moved in to challenge Liese for second until he went around in turn 4 for a lap 5 yellow.

Dinsmore got away on green while Pittaway took a peek under Dennis Taylor for third. Campbell made a quick comeback taking fifth from Bob Leinweber on lap 8. Leinweber had more problems going off turn 4 for a caution on lap 9. Back to green, Dinsmore got a big lead on Liese as Taylor and Pittaway continued their fight for third. At halfway it was Dinsmore, Liese, Taylor, Pittaway and Campbell.

Pittaway finally got past Taylor coming off turn 4, but Taylor regained the spot going through turns 1-2. As those continued to slug it out, Taylor did a 360 in turn 4 falling to the back. Leinweber went around for his second solo yellow, ending his night. Liese tried to hang on to Dinsmore on the restart, but Dinsmore was able to edge away in the racetechinfo.com, Sundowner RV, Ryan Bard Safety Foundation, JBHotshots, Good Ol’ Days Garage, Wells Designs, Cen-Tex Motorsports, Harris Chassis for his fifth win of the season.

“Going through that little hole on the start was real ugly,” said Dinsmore. “I felt like a pimple being squeezed. It could have been really bad. It was as ugly as it gets. That first start was hard to get a grip on things with all the smoke and fluid. Stuff happens so fast. From there the car was fast, but the brakes were acting funky.”

“We lost a bolt in the right front caliper and the car would go into the corner and jerk to the right. I couldn’t figure out what was going on. In (turns) one and two the car was really flying and in (turns) three and four I’d really have to slow the car down. It would turn to the right and I’d have to gas it to get it going back to the left. Once it got up and going it was really fast.”

“The track was just done coming off turn 4, but there was more moisture at the other end and a little going into three where the car would bite and throw the front end down. Cen-Tex has got me a good piece and it’s running good.”

“I’ve tried running for points before and with Candace ready to have the baby I really can’t. I just try to run year to year. As soon as you try to chase points, something happens. You can’t plan to run for points unless you have a lot of money behind you.”

IMCA Modifieds
8g Greg Dinsmore, 67 Robert Liese, Jr, 37 Bill Pittaway, 29 Jamie Campbell, 99 Billy Meyer, 38 Dennis Taylor, 12 Bob Leinweber, 67j Jon Holmstrom, 13 Gilbert Amezquita, 24 Tracy Fink–DNS

IMCA Modified heat
Heat 1, 29 Jamie Campbell, 8g Greg Dinsmore, 67j Jon Holmstrom, 13 Gilbert Amezquita, 24 Tracy Fink–DNTG

Heat 2, 38 Dennis Taylor, 67 Robert Liese jr. 99 Billy Meyer, 37 Bill Pittaway, 12 Bob Leinweber

Torres Tops Again in Sportmod Scramble

Johnny Torres(San Antonio) had his work cut for him in the 14-car, 20-lap IMCA Southern Sportmod feature. It took Torres several laps to make his way to top five and finally run down leader, Ray Doyon III. Torres and Doyon scrapped it out until Torres got the spot with five to go. As the race wound own Torres eased away for another win.

Robby Minten, from the pole, jumped out front as green waved, with Pat Lyon and Michael Hernandez side by side for second. As they shook out Minten led over Hernandez, Randy Yount, Lyon and Doyon. Doyon moved past Lyon for fourth, while Yount got second from Hernandez. Doyon and Moe VanKirk put Hernandez back spots taking third and forth on lap 3.

VanKirk shot by Doyon and made contact with Yount sending himself spinning off the back stretch to the infield. On the restart Larry Jernigan slowed with a flat causing some mid-pack scrambling. Doyon got by Yount for second on lap 4 and was challenging his nephew, Minten for the lead. Doyon got the point on lap 6, but Minten tried to come back only to give up second to Yount.

Yount closed in on Doyon for the lead and took a look low on lap 8 only to see caution wave for a big puddle of liquid on the back stretch. Doyon got a good restart, while Torres got by Hernandez fourth. Torres then picked off Minten for third. At the crossed flags it was Doyon, Yount, Torres, Minten and Hernandez in the top five.

As Yount tried to challenge Doyon again for the lead Torres found an opening to sneak by for second. Behind the lead trio, Anthony Gordon was able to get by Hernandez for fifth, then Minten for fourth, as VanKirk worked his way back to sixth. Up front the battle for the lead was beginning to take shape between Doyon and Torres.

Torres ducked inside Doyon on lap 13 with the two side by side for the lead on lap 14, with VanKirk getting fourth fifth from Minten. Torres got the pass to take the point on lap 15. As Torres was able inch away from Doyon, VanKirk got fourth from Gordon. Torres in the 24/7 Towing, Tator Plumbing, Screen Pro Graphics, Spreen Racing Engines, Driveline Chassis increased his lead on his way to the checkers.

“The car is still working real good,” exclaimed Torres. “We haven’t had to change a thing and hopefully we’ll keep on winning. I got stuck behind some traffic tonight and that slowed me up. I tried to be patient, but patience wasn’t working out. So I put the hammer down and it went good. The track had a little more moisture than usual and that made it a little harder to pass.”

“It had more moisture in (turns 1-2) than it did in (turns 3-4). Some guys were either tight in one corner or loose in the other. Cars were running all over the place so you had to look out and play dodge ‘em”

“My dad wants to run for points here, he like those championships for some reason. I really want to go run in Waco with the USMTS on Thursday night, so we’ll see how that works out.”

IMCA Southern Sportmods
66 Johnny Torres, 9 Ray Doyon III, 66y Randy Yount, 58 Moe VanKirk, 118 Anthony Gordon, 4 Robby Minten, 51 Greg Rohmer, 99x Michael Hernandez, 22 Randy Bennett, 11 Tom Grothues, 57 Jason Kelly, 60 Pat Lyon 11c Chris McLendon, 18 Larry Jernigan

IMCA Southern Sportmod heats
Heat 1; 22 Randy Bennett, 58 Moe VanKirk, 60 Pat Lyon, 51 Greg Rohmer, 4 Robby Minten, 118 Anthony Gordon 18 Larry Jernigan

Heat 2; 9 Ray Doyon III, 66 Johnny Torres, 66y Randy Yount, 99x Michael Hernandez, 11c Chris McLendon 11 Tom Grothues, 57 Jason Kelly

Votion Victorious in Limited Late Models

Returning after a three year hiatus, Trey Votion found his way to the Winners Circle in the 20-lap Limited Late Model feature. Votion got the point on lap 5 when early Matthew Hodge spun. Votion was chased in the last portion of the race by defending track champ, Richard Bartosh who quietly worked his way up throughout the race.

The front row of Hodge and Shane Moore stayed side by side to turn 3 when Hodge got the advantage with Moore, Votion and Robert Danielson falling in line. Dustin Tillman brought out a yellow on lap 2 when he spun in turn 4. On the restart Votion used the high side to get by Moore for second when AJ Wernette spun. On the restart Wernette, substituting in an unfamiliar car, went around again in turn 2.

Hodge and Votion broke away on green with Votion still trying the high groove. The pressure may have taken its toll as Hodge spun in turn 4 scattering the field and Votion getting the lead. Hodge kept it fired up, fell to the back, but then looped it again on lap 6 for a caution. Votion broke away on green while Craig Crawley and Gary Hunter battled for fifth.

As Votion started edging away, Danielson was trying inside Bartosh for third. Chris Jones spun on lap 9 for a quick caution. Once back to green Moore spun himself from second on lap 10 to slow the action again. Finally back under green, Hodge worked his way back to the top five getting the spot from Crawley. Hodge then began to put the heat on Hunter for fourth.

Hunter held off Hodge and was able to get past Danielson for third on lap 13. Hodge tried to follow eventually getting the spot a lap later. Up front Votion was holding a slight margin over Bartosh and was out front by 10-car lengths as the white flag waved. Votion, in the Northside Ford, Kelly Chassis, parlayed that lead into the victory.

“The car was real good in (turns) 1-2,” stated Votion. “In (turns) 3-4 it was a little tricky. It was real dry slick. I’d have to shut it almost completely down to get through. It was all good. I’ve finally got the car hooked up and we got it to first. We’re having fun with everyone out here. It’s been good so far.”

“I’ve been out of racing for three years. We broke an axle in 2007 and ended up totaling that car in the resulting crash. My brother and crew chief (Patrick Kelly) decided he wanted to sell this and I took him up on the offer. It’s been pretty good since. He, his dad (Pat) and I do the motor work. Keep it all in the family”

“I’d like to have Greg (Dinsmore) running with us again. I like running against him. We had a good run our first night out and I was happy to run second to him. I always try to keep my car in the right place and go as fast as I can.”

Limited Late Models
99 Trey Votion, 7 Richard Bartosh, 14 Gary Hunter, 58 Matthew Hodge, 49 Robert Danielson, 6 Craig Crawley, 18 Shane Moore, 69 Chris Jones, 08 AJ Wernette, 94 Dustin Tillman, 1x Andrew Hesler—DNS

Limited Late Model heat winners; 08 AJ Wernette, 18 Shane Moore

Jones Tames Lyon in Street Stock Shootout

Coming back after a hard crash several weeks ago, Wade Jones returned to his winning ways, but it wasn’t easy. Jones and Mike Lyon put on one heck of a show as they battled for the lead swapping the spot several times until Jones finally gained control. Once clear Jones was able to pull away the final circuits for the win in the Opiela Mechanical, Horelka Racing, Mission Auto Parts, SABFI, Mobil 1, Jeff’s Auto Rebuilders, Camaro.

Lyon was first into turn 1 at the start of the 20-lap Street Stock feature, but a multi-car tangle sent AJ Wernette over the hill in turn 3. Once again Lyon got the jump on the field with Jones, Dennis Hilla and AJ Dancer in pursuit. Jones began pressuring Lyon on lap 3 while Dancer challenged Hilla for third. Jones got inside Lyon on lap 5 and led back to the line on lap 6. Stephan Danielson, debuting a new ride, got past Dancer for fourth.

Jones and Lyon stayed side by side for the lead with Lyon getting the advantage back on lap 7. Jones tried the bottom again getting the nose under Lyon on lap 10. The two were door to door again on lap 11 with Jones eking out the lead on lap 12. Jones finally secured the spot on lap 13 and began inching away. Jones then motored away to a half straightaway lead at the checkers.

“It was fun, I had to work for that one,” replied Jones. “The car was hooked up and the track was just right. We put a softer spring in the right rear and it felt a little better. Tonight I was pretty much wide open. Two weeks ago I was still a little tentative after that crash.”

“I love all the competition this year with some of the new guys and others stepping up their game. I think it’s great. I’m going to finish this year out in Street Stock. We may try to have a Late Model out late in the year.”

Street Stocks
41 Wade Jones, 40 Mike Lyon, 2x Dennis Hilla, 149 Stephan Danielson, 52 AJ Dancer, 93 Aaron Leddy, 15 Tommy Casey, 37w Wayne Wernette, 53 Ben Blanford, 7 Danny Schroat, 37 AJ Wernette

Street Stock heat winners; 40 Mike Lyon, 52 AJ Dancer

Payton Powers to First Pure Stock Payday

Since moving up from the Front Runner class, Jarrett Payton has been somewhat snake-bit in the Pure Stock class. Payton has found himself up front only to have mechanical woes end his night. Tonight no parts failed or broke. On top of that Payton had to hold off charges from Brandy Ramzinski, his sister, who gave him a couple looks low and sibling love taps in the final laps before taking the checkers.

As green waved on the 16-car, 20-lap event Carolyn Campbell beat the pack into turn 1 with Talon Minten, Payton and Tim Watson three wide behind her. That battle sorted out with Payton getting second. Ramzinski moved along side Minten for fourth while T. Watson got sideways and ended up going out the pit entrance. Campbell gave away the top spot when she spun on lap 2 stacking up the field. Perennial front runner, Justin Henley was forced to pit with damage.

This gave Payton the lead for the restart with Ramzinski, Eric Watson, Janel Hilla and Minten lined up on his bumper. When green waved again the lead duo took off, while Frank Okruhlik got past Minten for fifth. Hilla then picked off third from E. Watson on lap 6 followed by Okruhlik to fourth on lap 7. Coming to halfway Payton and Ramzinski held a good advantage over Hilla and Okruhlik, with E. Watson losing ground to the leaders.

With five to go the leaders ran up on traffic with Ramzinski closing to Payton’s rear bumper. Okruhlik used traffic to get past Hilla, but Hilla fought back as yellow waved for a spin by William Saunders. Okruhlik pitted trailing smoke under caution. On the restart Ramzinski got under Payton for the lead, but Richard Snyder stopped in turn 2 to bring the yellow quickly back out.

Once green flew again Ramzinski kept the heat little brother, Payton, for the lead. Ramzinski would show him the nose, but Payton would pull off the corner. Ramzinski got inside with two to go, but Payton held her off again. On the final lap Ramzinski gave it her best shot with a little sisterly love tap, but Payton held on in the Roosevelt U-Pull-It, Bettis Storage, Spa Pro, A Five Graphics, Jerry & Tammy Jones, E&E Engines, Chevy to take the victory.

“It’s been a lot of hard on this car,” commented Payton. “We’ve spent months and months working on it. We missed the first couple races and then nothing ever went right. Tonight it was a good night and nothing broke. It’s awesome to get my first Pure Stock win. Even last year it was bad luck one race after the other. Things have picked up this year and hopefully it’s the beginning of some more wins.”

“I saw Brandy(Ramzinski) stick the nose up under me and I knew she was there. During that caution I figured if she was going to run low that I had to run low too. Even though she’s my big sister, I’m not to run her any easier than anyone else.”

Pure Stocks
9s Jarrett Payton, 8 Brandy Ramzinski, 7x Janel Hilla, 43 Eric Watson, 71 Mike Harrison, 15 William Cavender, 98 William Saunders, 22 Patricia Lucas, 66r Rick Snyder, 89 Talon Minten, 99 Frank Okruhlik, 95 Jerry Jones, 10c Carolyn Campbell, 96 Justin Henley, 44 James Watson, 1x Tim Watson

Pure Stock heat winners; 7x Janel Hilla, 96 Justin Henley, 99 Frank Okruhlik

Earnhardt Edges Away to Grab Front Runner Flag

After swapping seat time with brother Charlie in a different car last year, Cody Earnhardt put his new ride in the Winners Circle. Earnhardt lead the 15-lap feature, that was halted by a mid-race red, flag to flag in the Earnhardt & Sons Automotive, Big Lou’s Pizza, Rushmore Plumbing, Mazda.

Kathy Wells lead through turns 1-2, but it was Earnhardt getting by in turns 3-4 to grab the lead trailed by Wells, Nick Hencey and Jimmy Carroll. Carroll and Hencey both got by Wells on lap 3 for second and third, respectively. As Earnhardt began to pull away, Landon Sowder and Wells began a rough fight for fourth.

That duo traded some paint on lap 7 with Sowder getting the spot. Wells came back giving Sowder a pop getting them both out of shape allowing Hailee Marcx the opening to get by both. That scrap concluded when the two crashed off turn 2 sending Wells, and her passenger, over several times before reaching the tree line. Both driver and passenger were checked out by emergency crews.

When the race finally went back to green it was Earnhardt quickly pulling away from Carroll. Marcx, recovering from an early spin and go, moved in to challenge Hencey getting third on lap 10. Up front Earnhardt had it on cruise control as he marched away from Carroll for the checkers.

“Patience is the key,” said the young Earnhardt. “Sometimes you just let everyone beat each other up and move up. It’s just a lot of picking your line and sticking with it. Our other car is fast too.”

“I just kind of took it easy and cruised when I got out to that lead. I was watching my dad. He signals me how far ahead I am, when to take it easy, when someone is closing. He helps me out a lot.”

Front Runners
33c Cody Earnhardt, 67 Jimmy Carroll, 113 Hailee Marcx, 911 Nick Hencey, 66r Cindy Snyder, 17 Kurstin Blevins, 3 Jessica Mares, 34 Kathy Wells, 08 Landon Sowder

Front Runner heat winners; 911 Nick Hencey, 33c Cody Earnhardt

by J M Hallas
Photos by Jamie Brabson

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

Jason Hughes swamps USMTS field at Gator Motorplex

Defending USMTS National Champion Jason Hughes claimed his second victory of the season Saturday night as the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour powered by Swan Energy invaded the Gator Motorplex in Willis, Texas.

Keith Foss of Winona, Minn., earned the AFCO Pole Award after heat race qualifying and redrew the pole position for the 40-lap “A” Main.

The Rookie of the Year contender jumped out to lead the first 14 laps before Hughes was able to power by and take over the lead.

From there, Hughes hung on through four cautions that kept the field close, and led last year’s Texas Shootout winner, Howard Willis of Dayton, to the checkered flag with Foss scoring his second third-place finish in as many nights.

John O Whittington finished fourth, Tommy Weder Jr. was fifth, Johnny Scott came from fourteenth to sixth, Cody Smith snagged the seventh spot, Rick Beebe grabbed eighth, Jimmy Ray wound up ninth and nine-time USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock secured the tenth-place paycheck with a last-lap pass for position.

Along with Hughes, Whittington and Shryock were also winners at the Gator Motorplex in 2009 when three separate events were held at the quarter-mile dirt oval.

Four cautions during three laps plagued the middle portion of the feature race, with the worst being for a crash on lap 21 that sidelined six competitors including points leader Ryan Gustin, who dropped to second behind Hughes in the standings.

For the second time this season, Clyde Dunn Jr. was the most prolific passer in the main event and earned the Mesilla Valley Transportation Hard Charger Award. The 27-year-old from Sunnyville, Texas, finished 14th after starting 26th on the grid.

Sunday will find the mud-slinging USMTS Modifieds back at the Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown, Texas, for the fog-postponed third and final day of the inaugural Texas Spring Nationals. Ryan Gustin and John O Whittington each picked up wins back in February to kick off the 2011 racing season with 80 entries in the pit area.

In addition to the USMTS Modifieds racing for $3,000 to win, Limited Modifieds will also be competing for a top prize of $1,000. Pits open at 3 p.m., grandstands gates open at 4 and racing kicks off at 6:30 p.m.

The Royal Purple Raceway is located just east of Houston on I-10 to exit 799, then 2.5 miles south on SH 99 (Grand Parkway), then 0.3 mile west on FM 565. For more information, call the track office at 281-383-7223 or visit www.royalpurpleraceway.com online.

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.

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS
USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour powered by Swan Energy
5th Annual Texas Shootout – Round 2 of 2
Gator Motorplex, Willis, Texas.
Saturday, March 19, 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. (1) 02 Tommy Weder Jr., Woodward, Okla.
2. (5) 56 David Horner, Houston, Texas.
3. (7) 156 Steve Pugh ®, Anderson, Texas.
4. (8) A1 Phil Dixon, Crosby, Texas.
5. (4) 715 Jeff Hoegh ®, New Caney, Texas.
6. (2) 21 Troy Seidl ®, Magnolia, Texas.
7. (9) 12c Corey Babbitt, Channelview, Texas.
8. (6) 1 T.J. Herndon ®, Atwood, Tenn.
9. (3) 30 Chase Allen, Midlothian, Texas.

NEW VISION GRAPHICS HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. (1) 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla.
2. (3) 9 Jimmy Ray ®, Las Cruces, N.M.
3. (2) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
4. (5) 69 Lucas Schott ®, Chatfield, Minn.
5. (7) 15 Jared Webb ®, McKinney, Texas.
6. (8) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas.
7. (9) 88xxx Clyde Dunn Jr. ®, Sunnyville, Texas.
8. (4) 955 Robert Metz Jr. ®, Lumberton, Texas.
9. (6) 707 P.J. Egbert ®, Copperas Cove, Texas.

EIBACH SPRINGS HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. (4) 95 Keith Foss ®, Winona, Minn.
2. (1) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla.
3. (2) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa.
4. (5) 51 Tracy Denby Jr., Vidor, Texas.
5. (7) 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla.
6. (3) 76 Jesse Manning ®, Brazoria, Texas.
7. (6) 87 John Webb ®, Pauls Valley, Okla.
8. (8) 6* Dillon Pike, Waxahachie, Texas.
9. (9) 76 Jeff Rowland ®, Pauls Valley, Okla.

PBM PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. (2) 89 Steven Whiteaker Jr., Corpus Christi, Texas.
2. (4) 22b Rick Beebe, Shawnee, Kan.
3. (3) 1st Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, N.M.
4. (1) 71h Philip Houston ®, Odessa, Texas.
5. (6) 19r Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa.
6. (5) 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La.
7. (7) 7x Rory Jordan, Victoria, Texas.
8. (8) 129 Bryan Vollmer, Tomball, Texas.
9. (9) 07 Bob Lane, Waco, Texas.

HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):
1. (1) 23 Howard Willis, Dayton, Texas.
2. (5) 5w John O Whittington, Vidor, Texas.
3. (7) 18s Cody Smith, Kaufman, Texas.
4. (6) 51 Jeff Wood, Willis, Texas.
5. (3) 34 Ben Stephens ®, Hattiesburg, Miss.
6. (2) 87 Justin McCoy ®, Ovilla, Texas.
7. (4) 10 Aaron Jorden ®, Benton, La.
8. (8) 88xx Bobby Malchus, Red Oak, Texas.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 7 advance):
1. (4) 51 Tracy Denby Jr., Vidor, Texas.
2. (2) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa.
3. (6) 19r Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa.
4. (9) 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La.
5. (3) 51 Jeff Wood, Willis, Texas.
6. (5) 15 Jared Webb ®, McKinney, Texas.
7. (1) A1 Phil Dixon, Crosby, Texas.
8. (12) 10 Aaron Jorden ®, Benton, La., Hughes/PTS, $80.
9. (10) 12c Corey Babbitt, Channelview, Texas, TRE/CAM, $80.
10. (7) 34 Ben Stephens ®, Hattiesburg, Miss., Hughes/Mullins, $80.
11. (13) 955 Robert Metz Jr. ®, Lumberton, Texas, Pierce/CB, $80.
12. (8) 21 Troy Seidl ®, Magnolia, Texas, Skyrocket/Hovis, $80.
13. (16) 76 Jeff Rowland ®, Pauls Valley, Okla., Hughes/Boyd’s, $80.
14. (14) 129 Bryan Vollmer, Tomball, Texas, Shaw/CHB, $60.
15. (11) 87 John Webb ®, Pauls Valley, Okla., Hughes/Shoulders, $80.
16. (15) 30 Chase Allen, Midlothian, Texas.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 7 advance):
1. (2) 1st Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, N.M.
2. (7) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas.
3. (3) 69 Lucas Schott ®, Chatfield, Minn.
4. (1) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
5. (5) 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla.
6. (6) 715 Jeff Hoegh ®, New Caney, Texas.
7. (10) 88xxx Clyde Dunn Jr. ®, Sunnyville, Texas.
8. (15) 707 P.J. Egbert ®, Copperas Cove, Texas, Hughes/Lingo, $80.
9. (9) 87 Justin McCoy ®, Ovilla, Texas, Skyrocket/KSP, $80.
10. (8) 76 Jesse Manning ®, Brazoria, Texas, Evolution/Hall, $80.
11. (12) 1 T.J. Herndon ®, Atwood, Tenn., GRT/KMF, $80.
12. (11) 7x Rory Jordan, Victoria, Texas, Hughes/Mullins, $80.
13. (13) 6* Dillon Pike, Waxahachie, Texas, Trick1/Allard, $60.
14. (14) 88xx Bobby Malchus, Red Oak, Texas, Hughes/Wells, $80.
15. (4) 71h Philip Houston ®, Odessa, Texas, SRP/JR, $80.
16. (16) 07 Bob Lane, Waco, Texas, /, $60.

“A” MAIN (40 laps):
1. (4) 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 40, $2000.
2. (2) 23 Howard Willis, Dayton, Texas, Evolution/CB, 40, $1500.
3. (1) 95 Keith Foss ®, Winona, Minn., DirtDueler/Brink, 40, $1100.
4. (6) 5w John O Whittington, Vidor, Texas, Pierce/CB, 40, $800.
5. (5) 02 Tommy Weder Jr., Woodward, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 40, $700.
6. (14) 1st Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, N.M., Hughes/ASI, 40, $600.
7. (10) 18s Cody Smith, Kaufman, Texas, Hughes/Chase, 40, $550.
8. (7) 22b Rick Beebe, Shawnee, Kan., Hughes/Mullins, 40, $500.
9. (11) 9 Jimmy Ray ®, Las Cruces, N.M., AOS/AOS, 40, $450.
10. (15) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa, Skyrocket/ProPower, 40, $425.
11. (9) 156 Steve Pugh ®, Anderson, Texas, Skyrocket/105, 40, $400.
12. (19) 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La., Hughes/ASI, 40, $375.
13. (8) 56 David Horner, Houston, Texas, Skyrocket/Sput’s, 40, $350.
14. (26) 88xxx Clyde Dunn Jr. ®, Sunnyville, Texas, Hughes/Mullins, 40, $500.
15. (21) 51 Jeff Wood, Willis, Texas, Skyrocket/WestSide, 40, $200.
16. (25) A1 Phil Dixon, Crosby, Texas, Fast1/Jackson, 39, $300.
17. (13) 51 Tracy Denby Jr., Vidor, Texas, Skyrocket/Harris, 21, mechanical, $300.
18. (22) 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 21, mechanical, $400.
19. (17) 19r Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa, Hughes/Mullins, 21, crash, $400.
20. (16) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas, Hughes/Geddes, 21, crash, $400.
21. (20) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla., Ramirez/ProPower, 21, mechanical, $300.
22. (23) 15 Jared Webb ®, McKinney, Texas, DirtWorks/Warner, 21, crash, $300.
23. (12) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla., Hughes/ProPower, 21, crash, $300.
24. (3) 89 Steven Whiteaker Jr., Corpus Christi, Texas, Hughes/Mullins, 21, mechanical, $300.
25. (18) 69 Lucas Schott ®, Chatfield, Minn., Hughes/Action, 20, driveshaft, $300.
26. (27) 30 Chase Allen, Midlothian, Texas, CAM/Allard, 20, driveshaft, $400.
27. (24) 715 Jeff Hoegh, New Caney, Texas, Skyrocket/Graham, 40, $200.

® = Rookie of the Year contender.

Integra Lap Leaders: Foss 1-14, Hughes 15-40.
Total Laps Led: Hughes 26, Foss 14.
Margin of Victory: 1.275 seconds.
AFCO Pole Winner: Foss.
Mesilla Valley Transportation Hard Charger: Dunn (started 26th, finished 14th).
Ruter Farms Long Tow Award: Foss (1,189 miles).
Provisional Starter: Allen.
Next Race: Sunday, March 20, Royal Purple Raceway, Baytown, Texas.
Southeast Region Points: Hughes 360, Gustin 342, Whittington 327, Shryock 313, Foss 278, Smith 271, Dunn 268, Willis 266, Hebert 266, Weder 261.
Rookie of the Year Points: Foss 277, J. Rowland 270, Herndon 233, Ray 232, Schott 231.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Mullins 55, ProPower 40, Sput’s 32, CB 28, ASI 28.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: Hughes 58, Skyrocket 45, GRT 30, Pierce 26, Evolution 26.

Contingency Awards:
American Racer – Dunn.
Eibach Springs – Foss.
Forty9Designs.com – Whittington, Ray.
Hooker Harness – Hebert.
Integra Racing Shocks & Springs – Hughes.
ISKY Racing Cams – Weder.
KSE Racing Products – Horner.
Marsh Racing Wheels – Allen.
New Vision Graphics – Hughes.
Nitroquest – Allen, Houston.
Mesilla Valley Transportation – Dunn.
PBM Performance Products – Whiteaker.
Real Racing Wheels – Jorden, Egbert.
Ruter Farms – Foss.

USMTS Photos
Story by USMTS Media Relations

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

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