DONLINGER GETS IT DONE AT LANSING, SCORES SECOND WIN OF ’THE HUNT’

[rebelracewriter]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 29, 2008

 

DONLINGER GETS IT DONE AT LANSING, SCORES SECOND WIN OF

’THE HUNT’

 

LANSING, Minn. (Aug. 29) – Even if their favorite driver

came up short, it would have been difficult for any person

sitting in the jam-packed Chateau Raceway grandstands

Friday night to leave the track without grinning from ear

to ear.

 

Eight-time O'Reilly USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock

drew the pole for the Holley "A" Main while current

Rookies Rockin' Sports Bar Rookie of the Year points

leader Brandon Kenny started made it a Skyrocket Chassis

front row for the start of the 40-lapper.

 

With Kenny chewing away at the high side and Shryock

hugging the bottom of the 1/3-mile clay oval, the pair ran

literally side by side for the first half of the race.

Kenny edged Shryock at the flagstand for the first 10 laps

before Shryock was finally credited with leading a lap on

the 11th circuit. Kenny regained the lead the next time

around and kept a bumper-length advantage over Shryock at

the stripe for the next eight laps.

 

A caution on lap 20 slowed the field with Kenny leading

the charge for the restart. This time, however, Shryock

got the advantage and took a car-length lead on lap 21

while Jon Tesch remained third with the best seat in the

house to watch the battle up front.

 

While Shryock clung to a slight advantage over Kenny, Tim

Donlinger was bringing his Skyrocket to the front. After

disposing of Tesch, Donlinger closed in on the leader with

six laps to go.

 

During the redraw prior to the start of the main event,

the last two drivers to draw were Donlinger and Shryock

with the number 1 and 8 the remaining numbers. Donlinger,

who had scored five runner-up finishes in his five weekly

starts this season at Chateau Raceway, was first to draw

and picked the 8, sending him to the outside of the fourth

row for the start and leaving the pole for Shryock.

 

Donlinger's tough draw got worse as he was forced up high

on the first lap and fell completely out of the top 10.

 

But with three laps to go, Donlinger was able to sneak his

nose underneath Shryock to lead lap 38. From there,

Donlinger was able to keep his Modified in front of

Shryock's to cruise to his fourth O'Reilly USMTS National

Tour victory of the season. The $2,000 triumph was his

second of the Casey's General Stores Hunt for the O'Reilly

USMTS National Championship as he became the first repeat

winner in the eight events staged so far.

 

Shryock had to settle for the runner-up paycheck while

Steve Wetzstein advanced to third in the late stages of

the race. Tesch finished fourth and Kenny slipped to fifth

at the checkered flag. Sixth through 10th, respectively,

went to Zack VanderBeek, Jacob Dahle, Todd Scharkey, Tommy

Weder Jr. and Ryan Gustin.

 

Although still winless in ’The Hunt’, Shryock's

second-place finish was good enough to move him into the

points lead—just one point ahead of Donlinger (743 to

742). VanderBeek slipped to third, but is a mere seven

points out of the lead with 736 markers. Tesch is fourth

with 723, followed by Al Hejna (701), Dereck Ramirez

(627), Weder (612), Corey Dripps (573), Kenny (573) and

Alan Mondus (571).

 

WHAT'S ON TAP?

 

SATURDAY, AUG. 30 – Saturday will find the Modified

Monsters at the Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley,

Minn., for the 5th Annual Labor Day Dual, and the final

tune-up race before the 10th Annual Featherlite Fall

Jamboree, Sept. 17-20. A huge field of cars is expected,

along with a jam-packed grandstand as the WDRL Late Model

Series will also make an appearance. Pit gates will open

at 2 p.m. and the grandstands will begin filling up at 3,

with hot laps slated for 5 and racing at 5:30.

 

The 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval is located off of I-90

at Exit 209, then 11.3 miles south on US 63 (0.7 mile

north of SR 16). Day-of-race info is available by calling

(507) 346-2342 or check out www.deercreekspeedway.com

online.

 

SUNDAY, AUG. 31 – The four-race weekend wraps up on

Sunday, Aug. 31 at the Dodge County Speedway in Kasson,

Minn. for the 7th Annual Kasson Klash—the 22nd USMTS event

staged at the 1/3-mile semi-banked clay oval. Gates open

at 3 p.m. and the mud starts flying at 5 p.m. Late Models,

Super Stocks, Midwest Mods and Street Stocks will also be

featured.

 

The Dodge County Speedway (formerly Kasson Speedway) is

located 1.1 miles north of US 14 on SR 57 (at the Dodge

County Fairgrounds). For more information, call Track:

(507) 634-4281 or check out www.dodgecountyspeedway.com.

 

Fans can pick up $2-off discount coupons all weekend long

at Casey's General Stores locations in Austin, Owatonna,

Rochester and Stewartville, Minn. On Saturday, Kelly

Shryock will be on hand to meet and greet fans at the

Casey's General Store located at 605 S. Main St. in

Stewartville from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on Sunday Shryock

fans can meet the man and his machine at the Casey's

General Store location at 4500 18th Ave. NW in Rochester

from 12-2 p.m.

 

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—America's Hottest Ticket on Dirt.

 

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

 

OFFICIAL RESULTS

United States Modified Touring Series

O’Reilly USMTS National Tour - Casey's General Stores Hunt

for the O'Reilly USMTS National Championship

3rd Annual Cedar River Races

Chateau Raceway, Lansing, Minn.

Friday, Aug. 29, 2008

 

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 Holley “A” Main, with the top 8 re-drawing for

starting positions 1-8.

 

ISKY RACING CAMS HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):

1. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (2)

2. 21x - Joe Wernecke -- Dodge Center, MN (1)

3. 02 - Jacob Dahle -- Morristown, MN (7)

4. 50 - Brad Bakken -- Garner, IA (3)

5. 72 - Doug Hillson -- Blooming Prairie, MN (5)

6. 32 - Donovan Lodge -- Moline, IL (4)

7. 96 - Greg Jensen -- Albert Lea, MN (8)

8. 98 - Josh Reisch -- Luverne, MN (6)

 

NEW VISION GRAPHICS HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):

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

2. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (5)

3. 19 - Richie Gustin Jr. -- Gilman, IA (7)

4. 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (6)

5. 55s - Brian Shaw -- Brownsdale, MN (4)

6. 49x - Jay Poidinger -- Somerset, WI (1)

7. 55 - Alan Mondus -- Lakeville, MN (3)

8. 75 - James Parker -- Dodge Center, MN (8)

 

Q.E.M., INC. HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):

1. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (2)

2. 90 - Steve Wetzstein -- West Concord, MN (3)

3. 0 - Les Duellman -- Winona, MN (4)

4. 4r - Ron Ver Beek -- Oskaloosa, IA (6)

5. 65 - Tommy Myer -- Blooming Prairie, MN (5)

6. 20jr - Dave Wytaske Jr. -- Austin, MN (7)

7. 2 - Joey Schaefer -- Waterloo, IA (1)

 

HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):

1. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (3)

2. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (4)

3. 4r - Dereck Ramirez -- Woodward, OK (5)

4. 21m - Dean Mahlstedt -- Clear Lake, IA (6)

5. 31 - Corey Dripps -- Waterloo, IA (1)

6. 20r - Bryan Rowland -- Woodward, OK (7)

7. 66 - Dan Bohr -- Decorah, IA (2)

 

HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):

1. 21b - Brandon Kenny -- Woodward, OK (2)

2. 3d - Tim Donlinger -- Rochester, MN (5)

3. 19 - Mike Sorensen -- Rochester, MN (1)

4. 02 - Tommy Weder Jr. -- Woodward, OK (3)

5. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (7)

6. 14j - Jake Neal -- Omaha, NE (4)

7. 4a - Joel Alberts -- Mantorville, MN (6)

 

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (12 laps, top 5 advance):

1. 19 - Mike Sorensen -- Rochester, MN (2)

2. 4r - Dereck Ramirez -- Woodward, OK (1)

3. 4r - Ron Ver Beek -- Oskaloosa, IA (3)

4. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (5)

5. 20r - Bryan Rowland -- Woodward, OK (8)

6. 31 - Corey Dripps -- Waterloo, IA (7)

7. 2 - Joey Schaefer -- Waterloo, IA (11)

8. 96 - Greg Jensen -- Albert Lea, MN (10)

9. 4a - Joel Alberts -- Mantorville, MN (12)

10. 49x - Jay Poidinger -- Somerset, WI (9)

11. 75 - James Parker -- Dodge Center, MN (13)

12. 50 - Brad Bakken -- Garner, IA (4)

13. 55s - Brian Shaw -- Brownsdale, MN (6)

 

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (12 laps, top 5 advance):

1. 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (2)

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

3. 14j - Jake Neal -- Omaha, NE (9)

4. 0 - Les Duellman -- Winona, MN (1)

5. 72 - Doug Hillson -- Blooming Prairie, MN (5)

6. 55 - Alan Mondus -- Lakeville, MN (10)

7. 65 - Tommy Myer -- Blooming Prairie, MN (6)

8. 98 - Josh Reisch -- Luverne, MN (12)

9. 66 - Dan Bohr -- Decorah, IA (11)

10. 20jr - Dave Wytaske Jr. -- Austin, MN (7)

11. 32 - Donovan Lodge -- Moline, IL (8)

12. 21m - Dean Mahlstedt -- Clear Lake, IA (3)

 

HOLLEY “A” MAIN (40 laps):

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

2. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (1)

3. 90 - Steve Wetzstein -- West Concord, MN (11)

4. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (4)

5. 21b - Brandon Kenny -- Woodward, OK (2)

6. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (3)

7. 02 - Jacob Dahle -- Morristown, MN (9)

8. 45 - Todd Scharkey -- Kasson, MN (7)

9. 02 - Tommy Weder Jr. -- Woodward, OK (15)

10. 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (13)

11. 4r - Dereck Ramirez -- Woodward, OK (14)

12. 31 - Corey Dripps -- Waterloo, IA (23)

13. 14j - Jake Neal -- Omaha, NE (17)

14. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (18)

15. 19 - Richie Gustin Jr. -- Gilman, IA (10)

16. 0 - Les Duellman -- Winona, MN (19)

17. 72 - Doug Hillson -- Blooming Prairie, MN (21)

18. 4r - Ron Ver Beek -- Oskaloosa, IA (16)

19. 20r - Bryan Rowland -- Woodward, OK (20)

20. 21x - Joe Wernecke -- Dodge Center, MN (12)

21. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (5) DNF

22. 55 - Alan Mondus -- Lakeville, MN (22) DNF

23. 65 - Tommy Myer -- Blooming Prairie, MN (24) DNF

24. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (6) DNF

 

Lap Leaders: Kenny 1-10, Shryock 11, Kenny 12-20, Shryock

21-37, Donlinger 38-40.

Total Laps Led: Kenny 19, Shryock 18, Donlinger 3.

AFCO Pole Winner: Noble.

Provisional Starters: Dripps, Mondus, Myer.

Ruter Farms Long Tow: Weder (767.63 miles).

KSE Racing Products Hard Charger: Wetzstein (started 11th,

finished 3rd).

Next Event: Saturday, Aug. 30, Deer Creek Speedway, Spring

Valley, Minn.

O'Reilly USMTS National Championship Points: Shryock 743,

Donlinger 742, VanderBeek 736, Tesch 723, Hejna 701,

Ramirez 627, Weder 612, Dripps 573, Kenny 573, Mondus 571.

Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar Rookie of the Year Points:

Kenny 1027, Ramirez 1009, Rowland 687, Rodney Sanders 193,

Colt Mather 191.

COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Sput’s 430,

Mullins 353, Wanders 334, A.S.I. 316, JR 272.

Chassis Builders Championship Points: Skyrocket 449,

Hughes 371, Kraft 309, Harris 282, Specialty 131.

 

Contingency Awards:

AFCO Racing Products – Noble.

American Racer – Mondus.

Belleville Motorsports – not awarded.

BSB Manufacturing – Ryan Gustin.

Hawk Performance – Donlinger, Weder.

Isky Racing Cams – VanderBeek.

KSE Racing Products – Wetzstein.

Marsh Racing Wheels – Noble.

New Vision Graphics – Tesch.

Nitroquest Web Solutions – Wetzstein.

Quarter Master – Donlinger.

QuickTime Performance Parts – Dahle.

Real Racing Wheels – Sorensen, Ryan Gustin.

Ruter Farms – Weder.

TrackTek Racing Fuel – not awarded.