Junghans inherits USMTS "Hunt" win at La Monte

[NickHolt]

JUNGHANS INHERITS ’HUNT’ VICTORY AT LA MONTE; PAYNE DISQUALIFIED IN POST-RACE TECH

 

LA MONTE, Mo. (Aug. 11) – Grant Junghans was pretty happy Tuesday night after scoring a career-best runner-up finish at the LA Raceway for the opening event of the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Championship.

 

The night got even better for the 20-year-old from Manhattan, Kan., about a half-hour later when he learned that the winner's trophy and accompanying $3,000 top prize was his.

 

From the outside of the front row, Jeremy Payne jumped out to a big lead in the Sunoco "A" Main and proceeded to lead the entire 40-lap distance in the caution-free contest.

 

However, Payne was disqualified when USMTS officials discovered the use of an unapproved tire-softening compound during post-race technical inspections. The disqualification dropped Payne to the last-place finishing position and moved the rest of the field up one spot in the final rundown.

 

While Payne ran away and hid from the field, the battles behind him were plenty with several drivers making big moves through the field as the track surface provided several ever-changing racing grooves from start to finish.

 

USMTS Southern Series regular Morgan Bagley earned the AFCO Pole Award for the best passing performance during the seven heat races staged for the night's 64 entries. Bagley ran in the second position for the first 12 laps while Ron Ver Beek, Colt Mather and Dereck Ramirez grappled behind him.

 

Ver Beek snagged the second spot from Bagley on lap 13 while Rodney Sanders, who won the June 26 event at the track, slipped by both Mather and Bagley a few laps later to settle into fourth behind Ramirez.

 

By the halfway point of the race, Junghans joined the four-car battle for second place using the high side of the racetrack and secured the runner-up spot with 12 laps to go. The DandyLand Farms Rookie of the Year points leader maintained the position to the checkered flag, and eventual win after Payne's disqualification.

 

Sanders wound up second while eight-time USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock came from the 17th starting spot to finish third ahead of Ramirez.

 

Terry Philiips made a last-lap pass in the final Real Racng Wheels "B" Main to earn a berth in the main event, then earned his second PBM Performance Products Hard Charger Award of the season with an impressive drive to fifth from 22nd on the starting grid.

 

Sixth went to Ver Beek, 2007 USMTS National Champion Jason Krohn finished seventh, eighth went to Steve Wetzstein, Bagley wound up ninth and defending USMTS National Champion Tim Donlinger rounded out the top-10 finishers.

 

Shryock's run helped him pad his points lead in the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Championship, and now holds a 41-point lead (181 to 140) over Jon Tesch, who came up short in his bid to record a fourth straight win in 'Hunt' openers. Sanders sits third with 138 markers, followed by Ramirez (138), Junghans (128), Zack VanderBeek (125), Al Hejna (111) and Tommy Myer (108), with Krohn and Donlinger tied for 10th with 92.

 

The 'Hunt' continues tomorrow (Wednesday, Aug. 12) at the Monett Speedway in Monett, Mo., for the second race in the 18-race title chase and second of five straight shows this week.

 

Gates open at 5:00, hot laps begin at 7:00 and the racing action kicks off at 7:30. The Monett Speedway is located just south of US 60 on Chapel Dr. For more information, visit www.monettspeedway.com.

 

Race fans can pick up $2-off coupons on Wednesday at Casey's General Stores locations in Monett and Pierce City. Race fans can meet USMTS driver Tommy Myer and see his new Snickers-sponsored Modified at the Casey's General Store located at 1601 E. Cleveland Ave. In Monett from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Check out www.caseys.com for more information or to find the location nearest you.

 

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

 

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OFFICIAL RESULTS

USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour

Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Championship - Event #1 of 18

LA Raceway, La Monte, Mo.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

 

Showing finishing position, car number, driver, hometown and starting position in parentheses. The top 13 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. 5r - Morgan Bagley -- Longview, TX (2)

2. 4r - Dereck Ramirez -- Woodward, OK (5)

3. 12h - Mike Hansen -- Alton, IA (8)

4. 20 - Jason Thompson -- Concordia, MO (9)

5. 16 - Austin Siebert -- Grandview, MO (4)

6. 75 - Alan Sharpensteen -- Amarillo, TX (7)

7. C3 - Chad Staus -- Otterville, MO (3)

8. 35 - Tyler Dowell -- Boonville, MO (1)

9. 9j - Austin Jones -- Ashland, MO (6) DNF

10. 99t - Eric Turner -- Hermitage, MO (1) DQ

 

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

1. 18 - Justin Boney -- Leavenworth, KS (2)

2. 96 - Chad Lyle -- Oak Grove, MO (1)

3. 51 - Tim Setzer -- Archie, MO (4)

4. 5c - Don Crnkovich -- Lenexa, KS (6)

5. 5t - Randy Timms -- Wheatland, OK (7)

6. 6 - Donnie Powers -- Henderson, TX (3)

7. 5b - Buddy Thompson -- Oak Grove, MO (5) DNF

8. 14 - Shawn Nations -- Macks Creek, MO (8) DNF

9. 72 - Mike Lineberry -- Fremont, NE (9) DNS

 

BRODIX HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):

1. 2 - Grant Junghans -- Manhattan, KS (1)

2. 66 - Dan Bohr -- Decorah, IA (3)

3. 7k - Jason Krohn -- Slayton, MN (5)

4. 25 - Scotty Roberts -- Columbia, MO (2)

5. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (7)

6. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (9)

7. 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (6)

8. 71 - Kevin Blackburn -- Fulton, MO (4)

9. 12v - Nathan Vaughn -- Lincoln, MO (8)

 

AWESOME RACEWEAR HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):

1. 4r - Ron Ver Beek -- Oskaloosa, IA (2)

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

3. 18 - Chase Junghans -- Manhattan, KS (1)

4. 66t - Tyler Schmidt -- Easton, KS (4)

5. 22 - Dustin Boney -- Tonganoxie, KS (9)

6. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Westville, OK (7)

7. 88 - Chad Wheeler -- Muskogee, OK (6)

8. 00 - Jim Moody -- Odessa, MO (8)

9. 09 - Josh Stephens -- Independence, MO (5)

 

INTERCOMP HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):

1. 8 - Colt Mather -- Webster, IA (1)

2. 36 - Kenny Wallace -- Concord, NC (3)

3. 68 - Dean Wille -- Warrensburg, MO (2)

4. 31 - Corey Dripps -- Waterloo, IA (9)

5. 42 - Daulton Greven -- Bolivar, MO (4)

6. 22 - Luke Feeback -- Harrisonville, MO (8)

7. 90 - Terry Schultz -- Sedalia, MO (7)

8. 9L - Joey Lile -- Higginsville, MO (5)

9. K15 - Jason Bodenhamer -- Centerview, MO (6)

 

AMERICAN RACER HEAT RACE #6 (8 laps):

1. 74 - Jeremy Payne -- Springfield, MO (1)

2. 22s - Chad Kinder -- Newton, IL (4)

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

4. 51 - Eddie Martin -- Stilwell, OK (6)

5. 10 - Mike Steensma -- Luverne, MN (8)

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

7. 75 - Terry Phillips -- Springfield, MO (9)

8. 89 - Tate Cole -- Muskogee, OK (5)

9. 112 - Justin Moon -- Sedalia, MO (2)

 

KEVKO OIL PANS & COMPONENTS HEAT RACE #7 (8 laps):

1. 20 - Rodney Sanders -- Happy, TX (1)

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

3. 3d - Tim Donlinger -- Rochester, MN (6)

4. 20r - Bryan Rowland -- Woodward, OK (7)

5. 88d - Matt Dotson -- Sturgeon, MO (2)

6. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (9)

7. 13 - Aaron Poe -- Warrensburg, MO (4)

8. 5k - Ralph King -- Marshall, MO (5) -1 Lap

9. 98 - John Allen -- Chanute, KS (8) DNF

 

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

1. 20 - Jason Thompson -- Concordia, MO (2)

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

3. 65 - Tommy Myer -- Blooming Prairie, MN (10)

4. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (7)

5. 51 - Tim Setzer -- Archie, MO (3)

6. 68 - Dean Wille -- Warrensburg, MO (4)

7. 25 - Scotty Roberts -- Columbia, MO (6)

8. 51 - Eddie Martin -- Stilwell, OK (5)

9. 88 - Chad Wheeler -- Muskogee, OK (12)

10. 00 - Jim Moody -- Odessa, MO (14)

11. 16 - Austin Siebert -- Grandview, MO (8)

12. 22 - Luke Feeback -- Harrisonville, MO (9)

13. C3 - Chad Staus -- Otterville, MO (11)

14. 12v - Nathan Vaughn -- Lincoln, MO (16)

15. 35 - Tyler Dowell -- Boonville, MO (13)

16. 112 - Justin Moon -- Sedalia, MO (17)

17. 5k - Ralph King -- Marshall, MO (15)

 

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

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

2. 31 - Corey Dripps -- Waterloo, IA (2)

3. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (4)

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

5. 20r - Bryan Rowland -- Woodward, OK (3)

6. 22 - Dustin Boney -- Tonganoxie, KS (5)

7. 66t - Tyler Schmidt -- Easton, KS (6)

8. 90 - Terry Schultz -- Sedalia, MO (12)

9. 75 - Alan Sharpensteen -- Amarillo, TX (9)

10. 14 - Shawn Nations -- Macks Creek, MO (13)

11. 6 - Donnie Powers -- Henderson, TX (10)

12. 5b - Buddy Thompson -- Oak Grove, MO (11)

13. 9j - Austin Jones -- Ashland, MO (15)

14. 9L - Joey Lile -- Higginsville, MO (14)

15. 42 - Daulton Greven -- Bolivar, MO (8)

16. 09 - Josh Stephens -- Independence, MO (16)

17. 98 - John Allen -- Chanute, KS (17) DNS

 

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

1. 7k - Jason Krohn -- Slayton, MN (2)

2. 5t - Randy Timms -- Wheatland, OK (6)

3. 75 - Terry Phillips -- Springfield, MO (10)

4. 18 - Chase Junghans -- Manhattan, KS (3)

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

6. 10 - Mike Steensma -- Luverne, MN (5)

7. 89 - Tate Cole -- Muskogee, OK (14)

8. 99t - Eric Turner -- Hermitage, MO (16)

9. 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (11)

10. 13 - Aaron Poe -- Warrensburg, MO (12)

11. 88d - Matt Dotson -- Sturgeon, MO (8)

12. 5c - Don Crnkovich -- Lenexa, KS (4)

13. K15 - Jason Bodenhamer -- Centerview, MO (15)

14. 71 - Kevin Blackburn -- Fulton, MO (13)

15. 96 - Chad Lyle -- Oak Grove, MO (1) DNF

16. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Westville, OK (9) DNF

17. 72 - Mike Lineberry -- Fremont, NE (17) DNS

 

SUNOCO “A” MAIN (40 laps):

1. 2 - Grant Junghans -- Manhattan, KS (7)

2. 20 - Rodney Sanders -- Happy, TX (8)

3. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (17)

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

5. 75 - Terry Phillips -- Springfield, MO (22)

6. 4r - Ron Ver Beek -- Oskaloosa, IA (1)

7. 7k - Jason Krohn -- Slayton, MN (16)

8. 90 - Steve Wetzstein -- West Concord, MN (12)

9. 5r - Morgan Bagley -- Longview, TX (4)

10. 3d - Tim Donlinger -- Rochester, MN (15)

11. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (23)

12. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (24)

13. 65 - Tommy Myer -- Blooming Prairie, MN (20)

14. 20 - Jason Thompson -- Concordia, MO (14)

15. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (21)

16. 22s - Chad Kinder -- Newton, IL (10)

17. 12h - Mike Hansen -- Alton, IA (9)

18. 31 - Corey Dripps -- Waterloo, IA (18)

19. 5t - Randy Timms -- Wheatland, OK (19)

20. 36 - Kenny Wallace -- Concord, NC (13)

21. 66 - Dan Bohr -- Decorah, IA (11)

22. 8 - Colt Mather -- Webster, IA (3) DNF

23. 18 - Justin Boney -- Leavenworth, KS (6) DNF

24. 90 - Terry Schultz -- Sedalia, MO (26) DNF

25. 22 - Luke Feeback -- Harrisonville, MO (25) DNF

26. 74 - Jeremy Payne -- Springfield, MO (2) DQ

 

Lap Leaders: Payne 1-40.

Total Laps Led: Payne 40.

AFCO Pole Winner: Bagley.

Provisional Starters: VanderBeek, Hejna, Feeback (track), Schultz (track).

PBM Performance Products Hard Charger: Phillips (started 22nd, finished 5th).

Next Race: Wednesday, Aug. 12, Monett Speedway, Monett, Mo. (Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Championship).

USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour Points: Shryock 181, Tesch 140, Sanders 138, Ramirez 138, Junghans 128, VanderBeek 125, Hejna 111, Myer 108, Krohn 92, Donlinger 92.

DandyLand Farms Rookie of the Year Points: G. Junghans 605, Hansen 462, C. Junghans 288, Ryan Dolan 232, Mike Albertsen 212.

COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Sput’s 348, Mullins 217, JR 179, ASI 164, Pro Power 129.

Chassis Builders Championship Points: Skyrocket 335, Ramirez 295, Hughes 247, GRT 194, Harris 174.

 

Contingency Awards:

AFCO Racing Products – Bagley.

American Racer – Phillips.

Isky Racing Cams – Bagley.

KSE Racing Products – Sanders.

PBM Performance Products – Phillips.

Marsh Racing Wheels – Feeback.

Nitroquest – Shryock.

Out-Pace Racing Products – VanderBeek.

Quarter Master – G. Junghans, Wetzstein.

QuickTime Performance Parts – Krohn.

Real Racing Wheels – Wille, D. Boney, Steensma.