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Kelly Shryock tops USMTS “Halloween Havoc” at Gator Motorplex

The USMTS Dirthead.com Southern Series completed their TrackTek Racing Fuels Halloween Havoc doubleheader at the Gator Motorplex Saturday, and for the second straight night Kelly Shryock walked up and drew the pole position for the start of the main event.

But unlike Friday where he slipped back to a fifth-place finish by the end of the race, the nine-time USMTS National Champion stayed right where he started on Saturday and captured his first USMTS Dirthead.com Southern Series checkered flag in 34 races. His last win came on Dec. 1, 2007, where he clinched the USMTS Dirthead.com Southern Series title that season.

Midway through Saturday’s 40-lap Sunoco “A” Main, Shryock encountered lapped traffic on the quarter-mile, high-banked, clay oval. As he went to the outside of a lapped car, Morgan Bagley took the inside and appeared to have a shot at overtaking the leader. The backmarker, however, made a dash to the infield and forced Bagley down with him. By the time Bagley got all four wheels back on the racing surface, he had dropped to fifth while Jon Tesch assumed the runner-up position.

Tesch was able to close in on Shryock during the final laps of the event, but was unable to challenge for the top spot.

The win was worth $3,000 to the Fertile, Iowa, veteran, while Bagley recovered to place third behind Tesch.

Jason Hughes had to come through a Real Racing Wheels “B” Main to make the feature race, and picked up ten spots en route to a fourth-place finish. Rodney Sanders was fifth, Scott Green grabbed sixth for the second night in a row, Joshua Majek took seventh, William Gould raced from 18th to eighth, Bryan Rowland finished ninth and Garrett Durrett rounded out the top-10. Majek pocketed the KSE Racing Products Hard Charger Award by racing to seventh from 20th on the 26-car starting grid.

With two events in the books and six to go in the Hunt for the USMTS Dirthead.com Southern Series Championship presented by Dirt Modified Magazine, Shryock clings to a scant 11-point lead over Hughes (234 to 223) in the 2009 title chase standings. Tesch is close behind with 215 points, followed by Sanders (195), Bagley (180), Chris Henigan (177), Green (167), Bumper Jones (165), Rowland (164) and Friday night’s winner John O Whittington (161).

UP NEXT …
The weekend of Nov. 19-21 will find the mud-slinging Modifieds of the USMTS Dirthead.com Southern Series returning to the Battleground Speedway in Highlands, Texas, for a big tripleheader paying $1,000 to win on Thursday, $2,000 on Friday and $3,000 on Saturday.

Chris Brown of nearby Cleveland held off Rodney Sanders and found his way to the winner’s circle when the series made their debut at the 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval on May 8.

2009 Battleground Speedway track champion Phil Dixon joins Frank Kitchenhoff Jr., David Horner, Danny Barringer, Pete Sagmiller, Corey Babbitt, Phillip French, Tracy Denby Sr., Danny Ducote, Howard Willis and several other of the weekly warriors expected to contend for the winner’s trophy each night.
The pit gates will be open all day beginning on Wednesday, Nov. 18, for teams arriving early. Pit gates will officially open at 4:00 each night, with grandstands opening at 5:00, hot laps at 6:00 and racing to follow.

USRA Southern Limited Modifieds will also compete all three nights. Hobby Stocks will join the program on Friday night. Saturday night’s show will feature Pure Stocks in action.

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

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS –Hunt for the USMTS Dirthead.com Southern Series Championship presented by Dirt Modified Magazine TrackTek Racing Fuels Halloween Havoc - Night 2 of 2
Gator Motorplex, Willis, Texas - Saturday, October 24, 2009

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

ISKY RACING CAMS HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):
1. 25 - Scott Green — Derby, KS (1)
2. 5 - Steve Holzkamper — Gentry, AR (6)
3. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (2)
4. 16 - Chris Henigan — Marshall, TX (9)
5. 97j - Jeff Hoegh — New Caney, TX (3)
6. 12h - Jeff Huckaby — Texarkana, TX (5)
7. 71 - Tracy Denby Sr. — Vidor, TX (8)
8. 68 - Danny Barringer — Lufkin, TX (7)
9. E - Howard Willis — Dayton, TX (4) DNF

NEW VISION GRAPHICS HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. 58 - Garrett Durrett — Simsboro, LA (2)
2. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (6)
3. 18 - Jack Sullivan — Greenbrier, AR (4)
4. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (5)
5. 5w - John O Whittington — Vidor, TX (9)
6. 111 - Bumper Jones — Mesilla Park, NM (3)
7. 10 - Kyle Schmidt — Farmington, AR (8)
8. 148 - Russell Moore — Conroe, TX (7)
9. 18c - Cody Smith — Kaufman, TX (1) DNF

BUTLERBUILT HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (1)
2. 57 - Jason Armstrong — Marshall, TX (2)
3. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (4)
4. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (3)
5. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX (7)
6. 02x - B.J. Robinson — Shreveport, LA (8)
7. 51 - Tracy Denby Jr. — Vidor, TX (5)
8. 56 - David Horner — Houston, TX (6)
9. 4d - Tim Donlinger — Rochester, MN (9) DNS

AWESOME RACEWEAR HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. 12c - Corey Babbitt — Channelview, TX (3)
2. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (5)
3. 5a - Wes Armstrong — Marshall, TX (6)
4. 55 - Kyle Anderson — Tomball, TX (2)
5. 52 - Chad Davis — Tulsa, OK (7)
6. A1 - Phil Dixon — Crosby, TX (1)DNF
7. 82 - Joshua Majek — Corpus Christi, TX (8) DNF
8. 21 - David Winslett — Bossier City, LA (9) DNF
9. 8j - Dustin Hyde — Texarkana, TX (4) DNF

INTERCOMP HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):
1. 14 - Jon Tesch — Watertown, SD (2)
2. 51w - Jeff Wood — Willis, TX (1)
3. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (3)
4. 07 - Keith Wright — Conroe, TX (6)
5. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (5)
6. L1 - Larry Clevenger — Greenwood, LA (7)
7. 129 - Bryan Vollmer — Tomball, TX (9)
8. 05 - Michael Robertson — Minden, LA (4) DNF
9. 2w - Paul White — Temple, TX (8) DNF

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (4)
2. 18 - Jack Sullivan — Greenbrier, AR (1)
3. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (2)
4. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (7)
5. 111 - Bumper Jones — Mesilla Park, NM (9)
6. 52 - Chad Davis — Tulsa, OK (6)
7. E - Howard Willis — Dayton, TX (15)
8. 4d - Tim Donlinger — Rochester, MN (16)
9. 56 - David Horner — Houston, TX (14)
10. 2w - Paul White — Temple, TX (17)
11. 10 - Kyle Schmidt — Farmington, AR (11)
12. 129 - Bryan Vollmer — Tomball, TX (10)
13. 55 - Kyle Anderson — Tomball, TX (5) DNF
14. 07 - Keith Wright — Conroe, TX (3) DNF
15. 51 - Tracy Denby Jr. — Vidor, TX (12) DNF
16. L1 - Larry Clevenger — Greenwood, LA (8) DNF
17. 68 - Danny Barringer — Lufkin, TX (13) DNF

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (1)
2. 5w - John O Whittington — Vidor, TX (3)
3. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (4)
4. 82 - Joshua Majek — Corpus Christi, TX (11)
5. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX (5)
6. 02x - B.J. Robinson — Shreveport, LA (7)
7. 71 - Tracy Denby Sr. — Vidor, TX (10)
8. 97j - Jeff Hoegh — New Caney, TX (6)
9. 12h - Jeff Huckaby — Texarkana, TX (8)
10. 18 - Cody Smith — Kaufman, TX (15)
11. 21 - David Winslett — Bossier City, LA (12)
12. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (2) DNF
13. 05 - Michael Robertson — Minden, LA (14) DNF
14. 148 - Russell Moore — Conroe, TX (13) DNF
15. A1 - Phil Dixon — Crosby, TX (9) DNF
16. 8j - Dustin Hyde — Texarkana, TX (16) DNS

SUNOCO “A” MAIN (40 laps):
1. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (1)
2. 14 - Jon Tesch — Watertown, SD (8)
3. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (4)
4. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (14)
5. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (13)
6. 25 - Scott Green — Derby, KS (3)
7. 82 - Joshua Majek — Corpus Christi, TX (20)
8. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (18)
9. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (5)
10. 58 - Garrett Durrett — Simsboro, LA (7)
11. E - Howard Willis — Dayton, TX (26)
12. 5 - Steve Holzkamper — Gentry, AR (6)
13. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (17)
14. 16 - Chris Henigan — Marshall, TX (12)
15. 5a - Wes Armstrong — Marshall, TX (9)
16. 02x - B.J. Robinson — Shreveport, LA (24)
17. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (19)
18. 111 - Bumper Jones — Mesilla Park, NM (21)
19. 18 - Jack Sullivan — Greenbrier, AR (15)
20. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX (22)
21. 12c - Corey Babbitt — Channelview, TX (2) DNF
22. 51w - Jeff Wood — Willis, TX (11) DNF
23. 5w - John O Whittington — Vidor, TX (16) DNF
24. 18 - Cody Smith — Kaufman, TX (23) DNF
25. 129 - Bryan Vollmer — Tomball, TX (25) DNF
26. 57 - Jason Armstrong — Marshall, TX (10) DNF
Sunoco Lap Leader: Shryock 1-40.
Total Laps Led: Shryock 40.
AFCO Pole Winner: Babbitt.
Provisional Starters: Smith, Robinson, Vollmer (track), Willis (track).
KSE Racing Products Hard Charger: Majek (started 20th, finished 7th).
Next Race: Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 19-21, Battleground Speedway, Highlands, Texas.
Points Standings: Shryock 234, Hughes 223, Tesch 215, Sanders 195, Bagley 180, Henigan 177, Green 167, Jones 165, Rowland 164, Whittington 161.
Dustin Duncan Memorial “Just Say Yes” Rookie of the Year Points: W. Armstrong 293, J. Armstrong 274, Henigan 262, Durrett 257, Davis 243.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Mullins 155, ASI 137, Sput’s 123, Rowland 88, BMS 73.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: Hughes 171, Skyrocket 162, Ramirez 138, TRE 127, GRT 124.
Contingency Awards:
AFCO Racing Products – Babbitt.
American Racer – Vollmer.
ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems – Hughes.
Isky Racing Cams – Green.
KSE Racing Products – Majek.
Marsh Racing Wheels – J. Armstrong.
Nitroquest – Bagley.
Quarter Master – Shryock, Gould.
QuickTime Performance Parts – Majek.
Real Racing Wheels – Davis, Robinson.

by Jeff Nun

Texan Rodney Sanders, 19, notches first USMTS National Tour Modified win

Rodney Sanders had been close before, but the 19-year-old from Happy, Texas, finally sealed he deal Friday night as he captured the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour event at the LA Raceway in La Monte, Mo.

After two seasons of racing under the USMTS banner in his family-owned Modified, Sanders teamed up with Bryan Rowland for an all-out assault on the 2009 campaign. Rowland got his career-first win earlier this season in a USMTS Southern Series event while Sanders recorded 13 top-five and 22 top-ten finishes this year before tasting victory for the first time Friday night.

Sanders drew the outside of the front row for the start of the 35-lap Sunoco “A” Main and raced wheel to wheel with polesitter Chad Wheeler for the first lap around the smooth 3/8-mile dirt oval, leading the first lap by a nose.

Nobody got any closer than that until the final lap of the caution-free contest.

While Sanders stretched his advantage to as much as a full straight-away during the first half of the race, Jason Hughes was working his way to the front of the pack from the seventh spot, grabbing second from Wheeler on lap 17.

Hughes shortened the distance between himself and Sanders with each passing lap, and finally moved up on the leader’s bumper with three laps to go.

With Sanders struggling to find a way around a lapped car running the same line on the darkening racing surface, Hughes took a peek to the inside on the final lap. Sanders, however, was able to out-race Hughes down the back-stretch and crossed the finish line with Hughes glued to his tail.

Despite turning the fastest lap times over the final 10 laps, the absence of a yellow flag left Zack VanderBeek without an opportunity to challenge the lead duo, but took home a third-place finish and the PBM Performance Products Hard Charger Award after starting 13th. VanderBeek earned his spot in the main event after winning the first Real Racing Wheels “B” Main from the 10th starting spot.

Wheeler hung on for a fourth-place paycheck while AFCO Pole Award winner Jason Krohn rounded out the top-5 finishers. Sixth through tenth, respectively, went to Dustin Boney, Johnny Bone Jr., Jim Moody, Dean Wille and Jason Thompson.

In contrast to the last three USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour races where a rough and tacky-fast racing surface contributed to less than half of the field finishing the feature races, the track surface at the LA Raceway Friday night was dry and smooth as all 26 main event starters finished the race.

Hughes continues to lead the Bear Tire Mo-Kan Region points standings, while Sanders jumped into the runner-up spot and trails Hughes by 30 points (913 to 883). VanderBeek is third with 862 markers, followed by Kelly Shryock (859), Boney (795), Bone (769), Dereck Ramirez (767), Rowland (743), Jon Tesch (717) and Scott Green (714).

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER …

On Saturday night, the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour makes their long-awaited return to the “Diamond of Dirt Tracks” as they return to the state-of-the-art Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo.

The 2nd running of the “Diamond of Dirt Tracks” Modified Nationals will see pit gates opening at 4:00 and grandstand gates opening at 5:00. Hot laps begin at 6:45 and the first heat race takes the green flag at 7:00. Also on the racing card will be the Show-Me Late Model Series.

Race fans can pick up $2-off coupons on Friday at the Casey’s General Stores locations in Lincoln, Stockton and Warsaw. Check out www.caseys.com for more information or to find the location nearest you.

The Lucas Oil Speedway is a 3/8-mile semi-banked clay oval located 0.2 mile south of US 54 on SR 83, then east. For more information, call the track hotline at 417-282-5984 or visit www.lucasoilspeedway.com online.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Sat., June 27 … Lucas Oil Speedway, Wheatland, Mo.
Thurs., July 23 … Fayette County Speedway, West Union, Iowa
Fri.-Sat., July 24-25 … Elko Speedway, Elko, Minn.
Mon., Aug. 3 … Mineral City Speedway, Fort Dodge, Iowa
Tues., Aug. 4 … Cresco Speedway, Cresco, Iowa

As they did on Friday night from the LA Raceway, WatchModsLive.com will be providing a live feed of the Lucas Oil Speedway show. The entire event will be broadcast live online and in real time. For more information, go to WatchModsLive.com.

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

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS
USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour (Bear Tire Mo-Kan Region)
3rd Annual Event
LA Raceway, La Monte, Mo.
Friday, June 26, 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. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (2)
2. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (3)
3. 22 - Dustin Boney — Tonganoxie, KS (7)
4. 65 - Tommy Myer — Blooming Prairie, MN (9)
5. 15 - Nathan Mayes — Springdale, AR (4)
6. 5c - Don Crnkovich — Lenexa, KS (6)
7. 33z - Zack VanderBeek — New Sharon, IA (8)
8. 112 - Justin Moon — Sedalia, MO (1)
9. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (5)

NEW VISION GRAPHICS HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. 89 - Tate Cole — Muskogee, OK (2)
2. 25 - Scott Green — Derby, KS (1)
3. 90 - Terry Schultz — Sedalia, MO (8)
4. 2 - Grant Junghans — Manhattan, KS (6)
5. 12 - Johnny Bone Jr. — Pea Ridge, AR (9)
6. 17 - Lucas Conley — Spring Hill, KS (3)
7. 20 - Jason Thompson — Concordia, MO (5)
8. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (4)
9. 96 - Chad Lyle — Lone Jack, MO (7)

BRODIX HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. 88 - Chad Wheeler — Muskogee, OK (2)
2. 18 - Chase Junghans — Manhattan, KS (3)
3. 68 - Dean Wille — Warrensburg, MO (7)
4. 11p - Curt Potter — Boonville, MO (6)
5. 42 - Daulton Greven — Bolivar, MO (8)
6. 12m - Christopher Moon — Sedalia, MO (5)
7. 12 - Nathan Vaughn — Lincoln, MO (4)
8. 9j - Darrell Jones — Ashland, MO (1)
9. 21m - Steven Martin — Ozark, MO (9) DNS

AWESOME RACEWEAR HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (1)
2. 00 - Jim Moody — Odessa, MO (5)
3. 14 - Shawn Nations — Macks Creek, MO (3)
4. 15 - Richard Payne — Jefferson City, MO (7)
5. 48 - Jimmy Dowell — Boonville, MO (2)
6. 25 - Scott Roberts — Columbia, MO (8)
7. 21 - Johnny Fennewald — Appleton City, MO (6) DNF
8. 22 - Luke Feeback — Harrisonville, MO (4) DNF
9. 10p - Jason Pursley — Hermitage, MO (9) DNS

INTERCOMP HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):
1. 7k - Jason Krohn — Slayton, MN (4)
2. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (5)
3. 66 - Darryl Turner — Columbia, MO (2)
4. 66t - Tyler Schmidt — Easton, KS (1)
5. 24d - Scott Allen — Urbana, MO (6)
6. 88d - Matt Dotson — Sturgeon, MO (7)
7. 14 - Jon Tesch — Watertown, SD (8) DNF
8. 8 - Wesley Summers — Wellington, MO (3) DNS

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 33z - Zack VanderBeek — New Sharon, IA (10)
2. 25 - Scott Green — Derby, KS (1)
3. 20 - Jason Thompson — Concordia, MO (11)
4. 15 - Richard Payne — Jefferson City, MO (2)
5. 66 - Darryl Turner — Columbia, MO (3)
6. 21m - Steven Martin — Ozark, MO (16)
7. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (13)
8. 11p - Curt Potter — Boonville, MO (4)
9. 17 - Lucas Conley — Spring Hill, KS (9)
10. 22 - Luke Feeback — Harrisonville, MO (14)
11. 48 - Jimmy Dowell — Boonville, MO (7)
12. 88d - Matt Dotson — Sturgeon, MO (8)
13. 24d - Scott Allen — Urbana, MO (6) DNF
14. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (15) DNF
15. 21 - Johnny Fennewald — Appleton City, MO (12) DNF
16. 42 - Daulton Greven — Bolivar, MO (5) DNF

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 12 - Johnny Bone Jr. — Pea Ridge, AR (4)
2. 2 - Grant Junghans — Manhattan, KS (3)
3. 65 - Tommy Myer — Blooming Prairie, MN (1)
4. 25 - Scotty Roberts — Columbia, MO (7)
5. 14 - Jon Tesch — Watertown, SD (10)
6. 15 - Nathan Mayes — Springdale, AR (6)
7. 5c - Don Crnkovich — Lenexa, KS (8)
8. 96 - Chad Lyle — Lone Jack, MO (15)
9. 14 - Shawn Nations — Macks Creek, MO (2)
10. 112 - Justin Moon — Sedalia, MO (12)
11. 12 - Nathan Vaughn — Lincoln, MO (11)
12. 12m - Christopher Moon — Sedalia, MO (9)
13. 66t - Tyler Schmidt — Easton, KS (5)
14. 8 - Wesley Summers — Wellington, MO (14)
15. 9j - Darrell Jones — Ashland, MO (13)
16. 10p - Jason Pursley — Hermitage, MO (16) DNS

SUNOCO “A” MAIN (35 laps):
1. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (2)
2. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (7)
3. 33z - Zack VanderBeek — New Sharon, IA (13)
4. 88 - Chad Wheeler — Muskogee, OK (1)
5. 7k - Jason Krohn — Slayton, MN (4)
6. 22 - Dustin Boney — Tonganoxie, KS (9)
7. 12 - Johnny Bone Jr. — Pea Ridge, AR (14)
8. 00 - Jim Moody — Odessa, MO (5)
9. 68 - Dean Wille — Warrensburg, MO (10)
10. 20 - Jason Thompson — Concordia, MO (17)
11. 90 - Terry Schultz — Sedalia, MO (8)
12. 89 - Tate Cole — Muskogee, OK (6)
13. 18 - Chase Junghans — Manhattan, KS (12)
14. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (3)
15. 14 - Jon Tesch — Watertown, SD (22)
16. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (11)
17. 65 - Tommy Myer — Blooming Prairie, MN (18)
18. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (23)
19. 2 - Grant Junghans — Manhattan, KS (16)
20. 15 - Richard Payne — Jefferson City, MO (19)
21. 21m - Steven Martin — Ozark, MO (24)
22. 25 - Scott Green — Derby, KS (15) -1 Lap
23. 48 - Jimmy Dowell — Boonville, MO (25) -1 Lap
24. 25 - Scotty Roberts — Columbia, MO (20) -1 Lap
25. 112 - Justin Moon — Sedalia, MO (26) -1 Lap
26. 66 - Darryl Turner — Columbia, MO (21) -1 Lap

Lap Leader: Sanders 1-35.
Total Laps Led: Sanders 35.
AFCO Pole Winner: Krohn.
Provisional Starters: Rowland, Martin, Dowell (track), J. Moon (track).
PBM Performance Products Hard Charger: VanderBeek (started 13th, finished 3rd).
Next Race: Saturday, June 27, Lucas Oil Speedway, Wheatland, Mo. (Bear Tire Mo-Kan Region).
Bear Tire Mo-Kan Region Points: Hughes 913, Sanders 883, VanderBeek 862, Shryock 859, Boney 795, Bone 769, Ramirez 767, Rowland 743, Tesch 717, Green 714.
DandyLand Farms Rookie of the Year Points: G. Junghans 371, Mike Hansen 322, Rich Lewerke 201, Mike Albertsen 193, Cole 149.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Sput’s 246, Mullins 192, ASI 149, JR 124, AEM 79.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: Skyrocket 233, Ramirez 218, Hughes 201, GRT 125, Harris 120.

Contingency Awards:
AFCO Racing Products – Krohn.
American Racer – Shryock.
Isky Racing Cams – Ramirez.
KSE Racing Products – Schultz.
PBM Performance Products – VanderBeek.
Marsh Racing Wheels – Turner.
Nitroquest – VanderBeek.
Out-Pace Racing Products – Schultz.
Quarter Master – Sanders, Moody.
QuickTime Performance Parts – Bone.
Real Racing Wheels – Martin, Mayes.
Ruter Farms – ?????.

by Jeff Nun

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.

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

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.

USMTS Southern Series kicks back into high gear for 3rd Annual “Southern Speedweek”

The USMTS Southern Series kicks back into high gear for the 3rd Annual USMTS Southern Speedweek, June 9-14.

With six straight nights at six different tracks and nearly $100,000 in prize money up for grabs, the Best of the Best in dirt Modified racing are expected from both the south and the north.

All six events will pay $2,000 to win and a minimum $250 to start, with the USMTS Southern Series East Region champion being crowned at the end of the swing.

Jack Sullivan of Greenbrier, Ark., leads the charge as the points leader in the East Region as he looks to solidify himself in the standings going into The Hunt for the USMTS Southern Series Championship.

Other drivers expected to challenge for the checkered flag and the title include Steve Holzkamper, Rodney Sanders, Johnny Bone Jr., Steven Whiteaker Jr., Jason Hughes, Kelly Shryock, Morgan Bagley, Dereck Ramirez, B.J. Robinson, Michael Robertson, Jason Armstrong, Patrick Linn, Scott Green, Chris Henigan, Bryan Rowland, Wes Armstrong, William Gould, Dustin Hyde, Chad Davis, Shane Hebert, Garrett Durrett, Bobby Malchus, Kyle Schmidt, Jamie Burford, Tyler Townsend, Brandon Davis, Jeff Huckaby, Mike Dillard, Timothy Culp, Larry Clevenger, Chris Shown, Brett Frazier, T.J. Herndon, David Mitchell, Kevin Sustaire, John Schwab and many others.

Specializing in drive shafts and rear ends for short track racing, Fast Shafts will be offering some extra incentive for drivers using traditional nine-inch Ford rearends. At each Speedweek event, Fast Shafts will award an additional $100 to the main event winner if that driver is utilizing a nine-inch Ford rearend. If the award is not won the first day, the bounty will climb to $200 for the next event and so on with a possible $600 bonus at the June 14 finale. To learn more about Fast Shafts, call toll-free 800-622-6617 or visit www.fastshafts.com online.

Race fans will get an added bonus and drivers get an added challenge as NASCAR fan favorite and television personality Kenny Wallace. “The Hermanator” will join the action during the first two nights of Speedweek at the Tri-State Speedway in Pocola, Okla., on Tuesday and the I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, Ark., on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the USMTS Southern Speedweek road trip takes the teams and travelers to the Ark-La-Tex Speedway in Vivian, La., then on to the Fast Trax Speedway in Chatham, La., on Friday. Saturday finds the throttle-mashing speed merchants in Monticello, Ark., at the Drew County Speedway before wrapping up the week-long event at the Boothill Speedway in Greenwood, La., on Sunday.

TUESDAY, JUNE 9 … TRI-STATE SPEEDWAY, POCOLA, OKLA.

The action gets underway on Tuesday, June 9, with a return trip to Todd Martin’s Tri-State Speedway in Pocola, Okla. Last year’s inaugural event saw Eddie Martin (no relation to the track’s promoter) of Stilwell, Okla., hold off eight-time USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock and defending USMTS Southern Series Champion Jason Hughes for the win.

By virtue of being the track’s weekly Modified points leader, Darwin Hale is guaranteed one of the two track provisionals for Tuesday Sunoco “A” Main, and is expected to challenge for the win, along with fellow Tri-State regulars Bill Dillard, Brandon Wilson, Randy Henson, J.P. Hassett, Eric Beshoner, Glenn Bratti, Lonnie Robins, Lee Walchli, Brent Holman and others.

Pit gates will open at 4:00, grandstand gates open at 5:00, hot laps begin at 7:00 and the first heat race takes the green flag at 7:30. Also on the racing card will be Mini-Stocks, Front-Wheel-Drives and Roadrunners.

The USMTS Southern Speedweek opener is presented by Schoenfeld Headers.

The Tri-State Speedway is a 3/8-mile high-banked dirt oval located 1.6 miles west of the Arkansas-Oklahoma State line on US 271, then 0.3 mile north. For race day information, call 918-436-2914 or visit www.tri-statespeedway.com online.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10 … I-30 SPEEDWAY, LITTLE ROCK, ARK.

On Wednesday, June 10, the stars and cars of the USMTS Southern Series invade the action-packed I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, Ark., for the second affair of the week. Johnny Bone Jr. pocketed the $5,000 top prize back in March during the 10th Annual Topless Modified Nationals at the Clay family’s famous facility, and the Pea Ridge, Ark., resident looks to add another $2,000 to his take home pay from the quick quarter-mile bullring this season.

Jack Sullivan captured last year’s USMTS Southern Speedweek event at his home track as he hopes to continue his momentum toward the USMTS Southern Series title on familiar ground.

Race fans will have local aces such as Jeremy Kuykendall, David Baser, Mike Sellers, Randy Weaver, Robert Baker, Scooter Scruggs, Jayson Hefley, Chad Mallett, Emmett Lawson, Chris Carter and others to cheer on to take home the top prize.

Pit gates open at 4:00, grandstands open at 5:00, hot laps are at 7:00 and the mud starts flying at 7:30. Joining the racing card Wednesday night will be local Super Stocks and Mini-Sprints.

The I-30 Speedway is a 1/4-mile high-banked clay oval located 7.0 miles southwest of Little Rock on I-30 to Exit 126 (County Line Rd.), then south to frontage road, then
east (SSR). For day-of-race information, call 501-455-4567 or check out the track’s website at www.i-30speedway.com.

THURSDAY, JUNE 11 … ARK-LA-TEX SPEEDWAY, VIVIAN, LA.

Thursday, June 11, will find the tireless touring titans at Gene Boyter’s Ark-La-Tex Speedway in Vivian, La. In the first-ever USMTS Southern Series show here last year, first-time USMTS competitor Duke Whiseant of Texarkana, Ark., took home the hardware over Johnny Bone Jr., Jason Hughes, Tommy Weder Jr. and Steve Holzkamper.

Local aces Odie Green, Justin Sprayberry, Mike Washburn, Dick Haynes, Dwayne Brown, Greg Garrett, Lee Patton, Tippy Bickham, Jason Ingalls, Michael Robertson and others are expected to make a statement in protecting their home turf against the invading USMTS forces.

Pit gates open at 4:00, grandstand gates swing open at 5:00, hot laps take to the track at 7:00 and the racing action kicks off at 7:30. Factory Stocks will also be racing for $300 to win, along with the USRA Southern Limited Modifieds going for $500 to win.

Beginning at the Ark-La-Tex Speedway event, the final four events will all feature the USRA Southern Limited Modifieds racing for $500 to win each night.

The Ark-La-Tex Speedway a 1/4-mile semi-banked dirt oval located 0.6 mile south of SR 2 on SR 1, then 0.7 mile west on Airport Rd., then 2.2 miles south on Boyter Lane Rd. (ESR). For race day information, call the track hotline at 318-375-3470 or click your way to www.arklatexspeedway.net on the World Wide Web.

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

Bill and Sandra Bagwell’s Fast Trax Speedway in Chatham, La., is the site of event #4 on the USMTS Southern Speedweek schedule. Johnny Bone Jr. captured the Speedweek win last year at the Fast Trax Speedway, with Jason Hughes, Tommy Weder Jr., Kelly Shryock and Elias Anderson finishing second through fifth.

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

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

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.

SATURDAY, JUNE 13 … DREW COUNTY SPEEDWAY, MONTICELLO, ARK.

The Drew County Speedway (formerly called Monticello Speedway) in Monticello, Ark., plays host to round 5 of the USMTS Southern Speedweek steamroller on Saturday, June 13, with the event presented by Commercial Bank.

En route to winning the 2008 USMTS Southern Series crown, Westville, Okla.’s Jason Hughes took the win last year at Monticello, followed closely by Kelly Shryock, Johnny Bone Jr., Timothy Culp and Scott Green.

Track points leader Seth Reed is expected to be on hand to defend his home turf along with Grant Box, Richard Anders, Matt Stacy, Jody Davidson, Johnathon Crib, Kevin Ferrell, Terry Maloney, Casey Findley, Manuel Williams II and more.

The pits and tailgate suites open at 4:30, grandstands open at 5:30, hot laps and playground start at 6:00 and the show starts at 7:00. USRA Southern Limited Modifieds will also join the program, along with Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Mini-Stocks.

The Drew County Speedway is a 1/4-mile semi-banked dirt oval located 7.2 miles south of US 278 on US 425 (WSR). For more info, call 870-367-RACE or see www.drewcountyspeedway.net on the Web.

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.

USMTS SOUTHERN SPEEDWEEK FAST FACTS

RULES: All USMTS rules apply. The American Racer KK704 is the Official Tire of the USMTS; however drivers may use the Hoosier G60 but will not earn points or be eligible for points funds. Roll bar padding and a window net are required. If utilizing a flat tappet or BRODIX aluminum spec head engine, the minimum weight of the racecar must be 2,400 lbs. If utilizing steel or aluminum heads with a 23-degree valve angle, the minimum weight must be 2,450 lbs. If utilizing raised runner heads or heads with less than a 23-degree valve angle, the minimum weight must be 2,500 lbs. Racecars with aluminum heads other than the approved BRODIX aluminum spec heads must have 25 lbs. in front of mid-plate.

PROCEDURES: Draw for heat race starting spot ends 15 minutes before hot laps begin. Qualifying will be done by heat race passing points and Real Racing Wheels “B” Mains. On nights when there are 40 or fewer cars entered, 20 will qualify through the heat races and Real Racing Wheels “B” Mains with two USMTS provisionals and two provisionals from the track’s current Modified division points added to create a 24-car Sunoco “A” Main starting field. On nights when 41 or more cars check in, 22 qualifiers will be joined by two USMTS provisionals and two track provisionals to make up a 26-car starting field.

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

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

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

ENTRY FEES: Pre-entry is $90 for non-licensed drivers or $80 for drivers with a USMTS license. Late entry for all drivers is $100. Drivers not already pre-entered may call USMTS headquarters at 515-832-7944 to secure the early entry rate.

USMTS SOUTHERN SERIES - EAST REGION POINTS STANDINGS:
1. 18 Jack Sullivan, Greenbrier, Ark. … 423
2. 5 Steve Holzkamper, Gentry, Ark. … 406
3. 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas … 384
4. 12 Johnny Bone Jr., Pea Ridge, Ark. … 383
5. 89 Steven Whiteaker Jr., Corpus Christi, Texas … 372
6. 12 Jason Hughes, Westville, Okla. … 368
7. 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa … 366
8. 5r Morgan Bagley, Longview, Texas … 363
9. 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla. … 353
10. 02x B.J. Robinson, Shreveport, La. … 332
11. 05 Michael Robertson, Minden, La. … 327
12. 57 Jason Armstrong, Marshall, Texas … 320
13. 26 Patrick Linn, Little Rock, Ark. … 316
14. 25 Scott Green, Derby, Kan. … 311
15. 16 Chris Henigan, Marshall, Texas … 310
16. 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla. … 304
17. 5a Wes Armstrong, Marshall, Texas … 303
18. 60 William Gould, Calera, Okla. … 292
19. 8j Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, Texas … 281
20. 52 Chad Davis, Tulsa, Okla. … 278
21. 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La. … 268
22. 05 Garrett Durrett, Simsboro, La. … 265
23. 4m Bobby Malchus, Red Oak, Texas … 260
24. 10 Kyle Schmidt, Farmington, Ark. … 238
25. 19 Jamie Burford, Keatchie, La. … 234
26. 12t Tyler Townsend, Longview, Texas … 231
27. 23 Brandon Davis, Castle Rock, Colo. … 225
27. 12h Jeff Huckaby, Texarkana, Texas … 225
29. 66x Mike Dillard, Allen, Texas … 212
30. C8 Timothy Culp, W. Monroe, La. … 205
31. L1 Larry Clevenger, Greenwood, La. … 180
32. 94 Chris Shown, Hooks, Texas … 164
33. 1 Brett Frazier, Haughton, La. … 156
34. 1t T.J. Herndon, Atwood, Tenn. … 135
34. 13 David Mitchell, Ashdown, Ark. … 135
34. 71k Kevin Sustaire, Emery, Texas … 135
34. 5j John Schwab, Liberal, Kan. … 135
38. 88 Chad Wheeler, Muskogee, Okla. … 127
39. 60b Mike Bowers, N. Little Rock, Ark. … 119
40. 12j Jason Ingalls, Hallsville, Texas … 105
41. 14 Jon Tesch, Watertown, S.D. … 103
42. 99 Derick Grigsby, Marshall, Texas … 97
43. 89 Tate Cole, Muskogee, Okla. … 90
43. 14t Tristan Dycus, Midlothian, Texas … 90
43. 38 Jeremy Ross, Locust Grove, Okla. … 90
43. 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla. … 90
43. 15w Lee Walchli, Lavaca, Ark. … 90
43. 71 Tracy Denby Sr., Vidor, Texas … 90
43. 7g Mark Smith, Lufkin, Texas … 90
43. 22 Tracy Denby Jr., Vidor, Texas … 90
51. 76 Troy Taylor Jr., Dallas, Texas … 45
51. E Howard Willis, Dayton, Texas … 45

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

[E] = East Region
[W] = West Region
[H] = The Hunt for the USMTS Southern Series Championship

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.

by Jeff Nun
Whiteaker photo by Alton Cotton

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