DONLINGER TOPS O’REILLY USMTS LABOR DAY DUAL AT DEER CREEK

[rebelracewriter]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Saturday, September 1, 2007

 

DONLINGER TOPS O’REILLY USMTS LABOR DAY DUAL AT DEER CREEK

 

SPRING VALLEY, Minn. (Sept. 1) — With his victory at the Highway 3 Raceway in Allison, Iowa, on Thursday, Tim Donlinger snapped a winless dry spell with the O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series that lasted more than six years. He must have liked how it tasted because he only waited two days to capture his next.

 

Despite starting eighth on the 24-car grid, and against a field chock full of some of the toughest open-wheel modified pilots in the business, the veteran racer from nearby Rochester captured the 3rd Annual Labor Day Dual Saturday night as the O’Reilly USMTS visited the Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., with 58 cars signed in for battle.

 

Polesitter Bob Timm of Rolling Stone, Minn., led the field to the green flag for the start of the 40-lap Holley “A” Main, but it was Fertile, Iowa's Kelly Shryock getting the advantage on lap 1 from his outside front row starting spot. For the next 10 laps, Shryock held a three-car-length advantage while Timm and Dean Mahlstedt of Clear Lake, Iowa, exchanged blows racing for the runner-up spot while Donlinger and Jon Tesch of Watertown, S.D., wrestled for fourth.

 

After a caution on lap 14, Timm and Donlinger went head to head for second, while Tesch and USRA Casey's General Stores Weekly Racing Series national points leader Brad Waits of Zumbrota, Minn., raced for third. The rest of the field continued to race three- and four-wide through the corners as O’Reilly USMTS points leader Jason Krohn of Slayton, Minn., and 16th-starting Todd Scharkey of Kasson, Minn., moved up to challenge the top-5 runners.

 

Mahlstedt and Waits were still racing hard for fourth as Krohn took over sixth with 16 laps to go. With Shryock clinging to the lead while Donlinger and Timm raced for second, Waits took over fourth with 14 laps to go. Donlinger finally cleared Timm, and on the next lap moved under Shryock for the lead.

 

During the final 12 laps, Jason Hughes of Colcord, Okla., who started 23rd with a provisional, found the low side to get under Scharkey for the fifth spot. Donlinger held on strong up front and slowly pulled away from Shryock for the win. Shryock came home second. Waits finished third with Timm and Scharkey holding off Hughes for fourth and fifth.

 

Saturday's event served as a tune-up for next weekend's 9th Annual Featherlite Fall Jamboree, and nobody is hotter right now than Donlinger, who switched to a Skyrocket Chassis for the 2007 season. In the last five O’Reilly USMTS events, Donlinger has two wins and three runner-up finishes. And although he is not one of the drivers in The Hunt for the O’Reilly USMTS National Championship, he is certainly playing a role in it's outcome.

 

Krohn continues atop the points in The Hunt for the O’Reilly USMTS National Championship for the second straight event, but his lead is shaky at best. Krohn leads Hughes by just seven points (1035 to 1028) while Shryock has closed the gap over the last three races, sitting 29 points behind Krohn in third. The rest of the top-10 in the title chase are Tesch (933), Tommy Myer (896), Tommy Weder Jr. (871), Zack VanderBeek (858), Greg Skaggs (844), Steve Holzkamper (727) and Scott Green (712).

 

On Sunday, the Masters of Fast invade the Kasson (Minn.) Speedway for the 6th Annual Kasson Klash and the 12th race in The Hunt for the O’Reilly USMTS National Championship. A top prize of $2,000 is up for grabs, with all main event starters earning at least $250.

 

For more information, call the track at (507) 634-6400 or visit them online at www.kassonspeedway.net. The Kasson Speedway is a 1/3-mile semi-banked clay oval located 1.1 mile north of US 14 on SR 57 (at the Dodge County Fairgrounds).

 

No license is required to compete with the O’Reilly USMTS, but licensed drivers enjoy such benefits as pay scale bonuses, increased tow money, points fund eligibility and contingency awards. The superior American Racer KK-704 racing tire is the Official Tire of the O’Reilly USMTS, but top-flight drivers who simply want to chase the cash and the glory (no points) are welcome to utilize the Hoosier G60 tire.

 

To learn more about the O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series, call (515) 832-7944 or visit www.usmts.com online.

 

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OFFICIAL RESULTS

 

O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series

 

3rd Annual Labor Day Dual - The Hunt for the O’Reilly USMTS National Championship (Race 11 of 15)

Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, Minn.

 

Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007

 

 

 

Showing finishing position, car number, driver, hometown and starting position in parentheses. The top 13 drivers in Home Pride Passing Points accumulated in the Heats are locked into the Holley “A” Main, with the top 8 re-drawing for starting positions 1-8.

 

 

 

ISKY RACING CAMS HEAT #1 (10 laps):

 

1. 4r - Ron Ver Beek -- Oskaloosa, IA (1)

 

2. 24 - Brad Waits -- Zumbrota, MN (5)

 

3. 83 - Willy Kraft -- Lakefield, MN (2)

 

4. 35 - Jeff Schluetter -- New Hampton, IA (3)

 

5. 7k - Jason Krohn -- Slayton, MN (6)

 

6. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Colcord, OK (9)

 

7. 52w - Nate Wasmund -- Rochester, MN (10)

 

8. 88t - Terry Timmerman -- Stewartville, MN (4)

 

9. 90 - Steve Wetzstein -- West Concord, MN (8)

 

10. J28 - Craig Bentzin -- Austin, MN (7)

 

 

 

HEAT #2 (10 laps):

 

1. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (3)

 

2. 65 - Tommy Myer -- Blooming Prairie, MN (1)

 

3. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (10)

 

4. 27 - Greg Skaggs -- Bixby, OK (6)

 

5. 1k - Pat Graham -- Ames, IA (8)

 

6. 72 - Doug Hillson -- Blooming Prairie, MN (7)

 

7. 5 - Steve Holzkamper -- Gentry, AR (9)

 

8. 02 - Jacob Dahle -- Morristown, MN (4)

 

9. 93 - Bob Fisher -- Lyle, MN (5)

 

10. 58 - Scott Vesely -- Mosinee, WI (2) DNF

 

 

 

HEAT #3 (10 laps):

 

1. 49 - Bob Timm -- Rolling Stone, MN (2)

 

2. 1r - Ryan York -- Racine, MN (4)

 

3. 19 - Mike Sorensen -- Rochester, MN (6)

 

4. 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (10)

 

5. 14j - Jake Neal -- Omaha, NE (8)

 

6. 66 - Dan Bohr -- Decorah, IA (1)

 

7. 19g - Richie Gustin Jr. -- Gilman, IA (5)

 

8. 2 - Joey Schaefer -- Waterloo, IA (7)

 

9. 0 - Craig Scott -- Rosemount, MN (9)

 

10. 4r - Derek Ramirez -- Woodward, OK (3) DNF

 

 

 

HEAT #4 (10 laps):

 

1. 45 - Todd Scharkey -- Kasson, MN (2)

 

2. 02 - Tommy Weder Jr. -- Woodward, OK (4)

 

3. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (6)

 

4. 32 - Donovan Lodge -- Moline, IL (3)

 

5. 31 - Corey Dripps -- Waterloo, IA (8)

 

6. 71 - Jason Cummins -- New Richland, MN (1)

 

7. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (5)

 

8. 96x - Greg Jensen -- Albert Lea, MN (9)

 

9. 105 - Kevin Peters -- Monmouth, IL (7)

 

10. 19a - Adam Hensel -- Barron, WI (10)

 

 

 

HEAT #5 (10 laps):

 

1. 3d - Tim Donlinger -- Rochester, MN (3)

 

2. 98 - Josh Reisch -- Luverne, MN (6)

 

3. 2t - Tyler Rubin -- Grand Meadows, MN (1)

 

4. 68 - Tyler Clark -- Rochester, MN (5)

 

5. 0 - Les Duellman -- Winona, MN (4)

 

6. 49x - Jay Poidinger -- Somerset, WI (2)

 

7. 58 - Jeffrey Rollinger -- Winona, MN (8)

 

8. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (7) DNF

 

9. 6m - Ted Marrs -- Bethel, MN (9) DNF

 

 

 

HEAT #6 (10 laps):

 

1. 21m - Dean Mahlstedt -- Clear Lake, IA (3)

 

2. 55 - Alan Mondus -- Lakeville, MN (7)

 

3. 55 - Brian Shaw -- Brownsdale, MN (6)

 

4. 21x - Joe Wernecke -- Dodge Center, MN (5)

 

5. 19k - Marlin Kracht -- Luverne, MN (8)

 

6. 55w - Bob Bautch -- Winona, MN (1)

 

7. 00eh - Steve Arpin -- Rochester, MN (2) DNF

 

8. 4s - Craig Shaw -- Adams, MN (9) DNF

 

9. 39e - Greg Erickson -- Chatfield, MN (4) DNF

 

 

 

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 3 advance):

 

1. 19 - Mike Sorensen -- Rochester, MN (1)

 

2. 7k - Jason Krohn -- Slayton, MN (6)

 

3. 65 - Tommy Myer -- Blooming Prairie, MN (2)

 

4. 5h - Steve Holzkamper -- Gentry, AR (9)

 

5. 1k - Pat Graham -- Ames, IA (4)

 

6. 2 - Joey Schaefer -- Waterloo, IA (12)

 

7. 19k - Marlin Kracht -- Luverne, MN (5)

 

8. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (10)

 

9. 4s - Craig Shaw -- Adams, MN (11)

 

10. 71 - Jason Cummins -- New Richland, MN (8)

 

11. 27 - Greg Skaggs -- Bixby, OK (3)

 

12. 72 - Doug Hillson -- Blooming Prairie, MN (7)

 

13. 58 - Scott Vesely -- Mosinee, WI (15)

 

14. 93 - Bob Fisher -- Lyle, MN (13)

 

15. 6m - Ted Marrs -- Bethel, MN (14)

 

 

 

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 3 advance):

 

1. 83 - Willy Kraft -- Lakefield, MN (2)

 

2. 35 - Jeff Schluetter -- New Hampton, IA (5)

 

3. 00eh - Steve Arpin -- Rochester, MN (10)

 

4. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (1)

 

5. 68 - Tyler Clark -- Rochester, MN (3)

 

6. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (12)

 

7. 0 - Craig Scott -- Rosemount, MN (13)

 

8. 88t - Terry Timmerman -- Stewartville, MN (11)

 

9. 58x - Jeffrey Rollinger -- Winona, MN (9)

 

10. 49x - Jay Poidinger -- Somerset, WI (8)

 

11. 14j - Jake Neal -- Omaha, NE (4)

 

12. 52w - Nate Wasmund -- Rochester, MN (7)

 

13. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Colcord, OK (6)

 

14. 39e - Greg Erickson -- Chatfield, MN (14)

 

15. 4r - Derek Ramirez -- Woodward, OK (15)

 

 

 

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #3 (15 laps, top 3 advance):

 

1. 55 - Brian Shaw -- Brownsdale, MN (1)

 

2. 0 - Les Duellman -- Winona, MN (6)

 

3. 31 - Corey Dripps -- Waterloo, IA (4)

 

4. 66 - Dan Bohr -- Decorah, IA (7)

 

5. 32 - Donovan Lodge -- Moline, IL (5)

 

6. 2t - Tyler Rubin -- Grand Meadows, MN (2)

 

7. 90 - Steve Wetzstein -- West Concord, MN (12)

 

8. 19g - Richie Gustin Jr. -- Gilman, IA (9)

 

9. 21x - Joe Wernecke -- Dodge Center, MN (3)

 

10. 55w - Bob Bautch -- Winona, MN (8)

 

11. 96x - Greg Jensen -- Albert Lea, MN (10)

 

12. 19A - Adam Hensel -- Barron, WI (15)

 

13. J28 - Craig Bentzin -- Austin, MN (14)

 

14. 02 - Jacob Dahle -- Morristown, MN (11)

 

15. 105 - Kevin Peters -- Monmouth, IL (13)

 

 

 

HOLLEY “A” MAIN (40 laps):

 

1. 3d - Tim Donlinger -- Rochester, MN (8)

 

2. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (2)

 

3. 24 - Brad Waits -- Zumbrota, MN (9)

 

4. 49 - Bob Timm -- Rolling Stone, MN (1)

 

5. 45 - Todd Scharkey -- Kasson, MN (3)

 

6. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Colcord, OK (23)

 

7. 21m - Dean Mahlstedt -- Clear Lake, IA (4)

 

8. 7k - Jason Krohn -- Slayton, MN (17)

 

9. 55 - Alan Mondus -- Lakeville, MN (7)

 

10. 65 - Tommy Myer -- Blooming Prairie, MN (20)

 

11. 19 - Mike Sorensen -- Rochester, MN (14)

 

12. 31 - Corey Dripps -- Waterloo, IA (22)

 

13. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (5)

 

14. 02 - Tommy Weder Jr. -- Woodward, OK (12)

 

15. 35 - Jeff Schluetter -- New Hampton, IA (18)

 

16. 4r - Ron Ver Beek -- Oskaloosa, IA (10)

 

17. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (24)

 

18. 00eh - Steve Arpin -- Rochester, MN (21)

 

19. 83 - Willy Kraft -- Lakefield, MN (15) DNF

 

20. 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (13) DNF

 

21. 0 - Les Duellman -- Winona, MN (19) DNF

 

22. 98 - Josh Reisch -- Luverne, MN (6) DNF

 

23. 55 - Brian Shaw -- Brownsdale, MN (16) DNF

 

24. 1r - Ryan York -- Racine, MN (11) DNF

 

 

 

AMSOIL Lap Leaders: Shryock 1-28, Donlinger 29-40.

 

Total Laps Led: Shryock 28, Donlinger 12.

 

AFCO Pole Award: Mondus.

 

Provisional Starters: Hughes, VanderBeek.

 

Olympic Fire Protection Hard Charger: Hughes (started 23rd, finished 6th).

 

Next Race: Sunday, Sept. 2, Kasson (Minn.) Speedway.

 

O’Reilly USMTS National Championship Points: Krohn 1035, Hughes 1028, Shryock 1006, Tesch 933, Myer 896, Weder 871, VanderBeek 858, Skaggs 844, Holzkamper 727, Green 712.

 

Home Pride Passing Points: Shryock 208½, Hughes 148½, VanderBeek 136½, Al Hejna 120, Weder 109½.

 

Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar Rookie of the Year Points: Green 897, Lodge 455, Ryan Gustin 364, Richie Gustin Jr. 304, Vesely 270.

 

Builders Championship Points: Skyrocket 481, Hughes 401, GRT 245, Harris 242, BC 196.

 

 

 

Contingency Awards:

 

Belleville Motorsports – not awarded.

 

Boyer’s Engine Development – Donlinger.

 

GRT Race Cars – not awarded.

 

Hawk Performance – Krohn.

 

Isky Racing Cams – Ver Beek.

 

Kevko Oil Pans & Components – Tesch.

 

KSE Racing Products – Shryock, Timm.

 

Marsh Racing Wheels – not awarded.

 

Nitroquest Web Solutions - Waits.

 

Quarter Master – Donlinger, Mondus.

 

QuickTime Performance Parts – Mahlstedt.

 

Real Racing Wheels – Sorensen, Kraft, B. Shaw.

 

 

 

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