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Dolinger nips Hughes in USMTS event at Dodge County


NickHolt

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DONLINGER NIPS HUGHES IN DODGE COUNTY SPEEDWAY NAIL-BITER

 

KASSON, Minn. (Sept. 6) – Mother Nature provided an absolutely picture perfect day Sunday at the Dodge County Speedway for the 8th Annual Kasson Klash presented by Greenway and stop #13 in the Hunt for the USMTS Casey's General Stores National Championship.

 

The 36 dirt modified road warriors in attendance for the final night of a six-race swing provided an absolutely incredible race to remember for the standing-room-only crowd.

 

After rousing driver introductions were complete, the competitors in the 26-car main event field performed their trademark four-wide salute to the fans while being serenaded by Lee Greenwood’s God Bless The USA.

 

Dereck Ramirez drew the pole for the 40-lap, $3,000-to-win main event with Tim Donlinger to his right, courtesy of Jason Hughes.

 

USMTS officials added a twist to the redraw procedure for the top-8 qualified drivers. Eight frisbees were place face-down on the front-stretch with the eighth-ranked driver in heat race passing points selecting one of the frisbees by standing in front of it, then the seventh qualifier and so on.

 

However, each consecutive driver had the option of selecting an unwanted frisbee or knocking one of the previous pickers off of his spot and taking that one.

 

Defending USMTS National Champion Tim Donlinger qualified seventh, and was the second driver to make his selection. Hughes went fourth and decided to elbow Donlinger off of his mark and take his frisbee.

 

As each driver revealed his starting position that was etched on the down-side of the frisbee, Hughes turned over #4 for the while Donlinger revealed the #2 frisbee.

 

Ramirez took off in search of his first career USMTS feature win and led the first six circuits with Donlinger challenging to his outside with every passing lap. Steve Wetzstein was third and Jason Hughes was running the high line in fourth with both drivers glued to the rear bumpers of the leaders.

 

Donlinger zoomed to the lead on lap 7 as Hughes took the third position. The leaders ran in formation until Hughes, still using the fast top side groove, stole second from Ramirez on lap 12.

 

Meanwhile, Ryan Gustin moved into position to challenge the lead pack while Bumper Jones and Jon Tesch advanced to sixth and seventh from the thirteenth and fourteenth starting spots, respectively.

 

Al Hejna brought out the first caution on lap 14 with a flat right front tire. Not long after the restart, a six-car pile-up in turn 4 slowed the pace and sent AFCO Pole Award winner Rodney Sanders to the rear of the field while Mike Steensma and Johnny Bone Jr. were done for the night.

 

When the green came back out, the racing up front was intense.

 

Donlinger led laps 7 through 31, but Hughes and Wetzstein were right there challenging Donlinger on both sides. Wetzstein was able to get a nose inside of Donlinger on a couple of occasions, but was not able to complete the pass.

 

Donlinger led until lap 32 when Hughes was scored the leader by the AMB Timing & Scoring system with nine one-thousandths of a second to spare.

 

Moments later, the race’s third yellow flag was displayed. The race resumed with Hughes leading laps 33, but Donlinger got the bottom of the track working again and regained the lead on lap 34.

 

Zack VanderBeek was on the move and now up to third using the middle of the racetrack, while Wetzstein raced to his inside in fourth with Gustin, Tesch, Jones, and now Kelly Shryock exchanging blows behind them.

 

Donlinger held the lead as they came out of turn four to get the white flag, but Hughes once again got a good run on the high side of the 3/8-mile clay oval and was scored the leader on lap 39.

 

The crowd was going nuts as Donlinger pulled Hughes out of turn two and got the lead back slightly. As the duo powered into turn three, Hughes gave one last-gasp effort and dove down low to keep Donlinger on the extreme low side of the track.

 

They drag raced to the finish line and this time Donlinger got there first by nine one-thousandths of a second over Hughes.

 

It was Donlinger’s second win of the ‘Hunt’ and his first triumph in a USMTS-sanctioned event at the Kasson speedplant.

 

Dodge County Speedway track champion Wetzstein finished in the third position with Shryock finishing fourth after starting eleventh, VanderBeek rounded out the top five, with the sixth through tenth paychecks going to Tesch, Jones, 23rd-starting Corey Dripps, Gustin and Saturday night’s winner, Tommy Myer.

 

Although still winless during the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Championship, Shryock's unmatched consistency keeps him atop the points standings with five events remaining in the title chase. His eight top-5 and eleventh top-10 finish in thirteen starts gives him a 81-point advantage (1219 to 1138) over Hughes as he seeks his unprecedented ninth USMTS crown.

 

Gustin is third with 1106 markers, followed by VanderBeek (1088), Sanders (1084), Donlinger (1037), Myer (1007), Ramirez (1005), Tesch (996) and Jason Krohn (899).

 

DANDY DEBUT FOR JUNGHANS ...

 

With a 13th-place finish in Sunday night's main event, 20-year-old Grant Junghans of Manhattan, Kan., clinched the 2009 DandyLand Farms Rookie of the Year title. The driver of the #2 Shop Quik Convenience Stores TRE Chassis first showed up at a USMTS Dirthead.com Southern Series event on May 1 at the Lake Country Speedway in Ardmore, Okla., but has been a regular fixture on the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour ever since.

 

The “Tall Cool One” has been a consistent performer throughout the 2009 season, and recorded the biggest win of his career on Aug. 11 when he won the opening event of the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Championship at the LA Raceway in La Monte, Mo.

 

The learning experience of racing against the best of the best in modified racing also helped Junghans (pronounced young-ins) capture a Big Dog Dakota Classic Tour finale against a 56-car field of IMCA Modifieds during a three-week “summer vacation” for the USMTS road warriors back in July.

 

Friend and traveling teammate Mike Hansen is second in the standings, but trails Junghans by 163 points (793 to 630). The maximum number of rookie points any driver could accumulate during the final five events is 125.

 

The DandyLand Farms Rookie of the Year Award will put $2,500 in Junghans's pocket, along with more in contingency awards from various USMTS sponsors. Second- and third-place finishers in the final standings will also get cash awards. Hansen has locked up the runner-up finish while Colt Mather is third with 386 points. Chase Junghans — the 16-year-old younger brother of Grant — is fourth with 339 points while racing veteran but USMTS rookie Ryan Dolan sits fifth with 313.

 

Previous top rookie award recipients include Brandon Kenny (2008), Scott Green (2007), Jay Poidinger (2006), Brad McEwan (2005), Zack VanderBeek (2004), Corey Dripps (2003), Justin Boney (2002), Jason Hughes (2001) and Kevin Peters (2000).

 

Located in Garner, Iowa, DandyLand Farms is a growing grain production partnership which operates and improves farm land to produce top quality corn and soybeans. To learn more about DandyLand Farms, check out www.dandylandfarms.com on the World Wide Web.

 

BRAINERD DOUBLEHEADER UP NEXT ...

 

The North Central Speedway in Brainerd, Minn., will host the mudslinging monsters of the United States Modified Touring Series for the first time ever on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 18-19.

 

"There has not been an open Modified race in this part of the state in a very long time," said North Central Speedway promoter Tim Boeder. "We are really looking forward to hosting many of the countries top touring Modified drivers in Brainerd."

 

The doubleheader at the North Central Speedway will serve as rounds 14-15 of the 18-race Hunt for the USMTS Casey's General Stores National Championship, and precedes the season-ending 11th Annual Featherlite Fall Jamboree the following weekend.

 

A $2,000 top prize is on the line for Friday's main event winner while Saturday's victor will pocket $3,000.

 

Located just a few miles south of Brainerd, the North Central Speedway is a 1/3-mile semi-banked oval situated at the center of a state-of-the-art facility boasting 31 fully enclosed and air-conditioned suites for full racing enjoyment.

 

For race fans who prefer a trace of soil in their beverages, there are bleachers and full concessions on both sides of the track with seating for over 6,000 fans.

 

For more information about the North Central Speedway, visit the track's website at www.racencs.net or call 218-839-9280. Race day information is available by calling the track hotline at 218-829-1545.

 

Tommy Myer and his Snickers-sponsored modified will be at the Casey's General Store located at 500 W. Broadway in Little Falls from 12:00 to 2:00 on Friday. Zack VanderBeek and his Doritos-sponsored machine will be at the Casey's General Store located at 1205 Haven Rd. in Little Falls from 12:00 to 2:00 on Saturday. Fans can pick up $2-off discount coupons at Casey's General Stores locations in Little Falls, Milaca and Wadena. To learn more about Casey's General Stores, or to find the location nearest you, check out www.caseys.com online.

 

The Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Championship will wrap up back at the Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., with the 11th Annual Featherlite Fall Jamboree on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 24-26, where the 2009 USMTS National Champion will be crowned.

 

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

Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Championship - Event #13 of 18

8th Annual Kasson Klash presented by Greenway

Dodge County Speedway, Kasson, Minn.

Sunday, September 6, 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 (3)

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

3. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (7)

4. 8 - Colt Mather -- Webster, IA (2)

5. 12b - Johnny Bone Jr. -- Pea Ridge, AR (4)

6. 12h - Mike Hansen -- Alton, IA (1)

7. 57 - James King -- Hastings, MN (8)

8. 10 - Mike Steensma -- Luverne, MN (6) DNF

 

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

1. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Westville, OK (1)

2. 90 - Steve Wetzstein -- West Concord, MN (4)

3. 7k - Jason Krohn -- Slayton, MN (2)

4. 96t - R.C. Whitwell -- Tucson, AZ (5)

5. 49 - Bob Timm -- Rollingstone, MN (7)

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

7. 1r - Ryan York -- Racine, MN (3)

 

BRODIX HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):

1. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (1)

2. 99 - Josh Angst -- Winona, MN (7)

3. 4a - Joel Alberts -- Mantorville, MN (4)

4. 2 - Grant Junghans -- Manhattan, KS (6)

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

6. 21x - Joe Wernecke -- Dodge Center, MN (3) DNF

7. 42 - Tom Paulson -- Kasson, MN (2) DNF

 

AWESOME RACEWEAR HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):

1. 20 - Rodney Sanders -- Happy, TX (7)

2. 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (3)

3. 45 - Todd Scharkey -- Kasson, MN (2)

4. 111 - Bumper Jones -- Mesilla Park, NM (6)

5. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (4)

6. 23 - Darwin Karau -- Kasson, MN (1)

7. 99s - Bobby Swanson -- Kasson, MN (5) DNF

 

INTERCOMP HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):

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

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

3. 20r - Bryan Rowland -- Woodward, OK (6)

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

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

6. 19 - Mike Sorensen -- Rochester, MN (2)

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

 

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

1. 111 - Bumper Jones -- Mesilla Park, NM (3)

2. 65 - Tommy Myer -- Blooming Prairie, MN (7)

3. 4a - Joel Alberts -- Mantorville, MN (1)

4. 8 - Colt Mather -- Webster, IA (4)

5. 49 - Bob Timm -- Rollingstone, MN (5)

6. 31 - Corey Dripps -- Waterloo, IA (12)

7. 45 - Todd Scharkey -- Kasson, MN (2)

8. 72 - Doug Hillson -- Blooming Prairie, MN (6)

9. 42 - Tom Paulson -- Kasson, MN (11)

10. 51 - Eddie Martin -- Stilwell, OK (8)

11. 23 - Darwin Karau -- Kasson, MN (9)

12. 57 - James King -- Hastings, MN (10)

 

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

1. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (6)

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

3. 96t - R.C. Whitwell -- Tucson, AZ (3)

4. 12b - Johnny Bone Jr. -- Pea Ridge, AR (5)

5. 7k - Jason Krohn -- Slayton, MN (1)

6. 12h - Mike Hansen -- Alton, IA (7)

7. 21x - Joe Wernecke -- Dodge Center, MN (8)

8. 19 - Mike Sorensen -- Rochester, MN (9)

9. 10 - Mike Steensma -- Luverne, MN (12)

10. 1r - Ryan York -- Racine, MN (10)

11. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (4) DNF

12. 99s - Bobby Swanson -- Kasson, MN (11) DNS

 

SUNOCO “A” MAIN (40 laps):

1. 3d - Tim Donlinger -- Rochester, MN (2)

2. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Westville, OK (4)

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

4. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (11)

5. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (9)

6. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (14)

7. 111 - Bumper Jones -- Mesilla Park, NM (13)

8. 31 - Corey Dripps -- Waterloo, IA (23)

9. 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (10)

10. 65 - Tommy Myer -- Blooming Prairie, MN (15)

11. 20 - Rodney Sanders -- Happy, TX (8)

12. 4a - Joel Alberts -- Mantorville, MN (17)

13. 2 - Grant Junghans -- Manhattan, KS (16)

14. 99 - Josh Angst -- Winona, MN (7)

15. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (6)

16. 96t - R.C. Whitwell -- Tucson, AZ (18)

17. 8 - Colt Mather -- Webster, IA (19)

18. 72 - Doug Hillson -- Blooming Prairie, MN (25)

19. 4r - Dereck Ramirez -- Woodward, OK (1)

20. 23 - Darwin Karau -- Kasson, MN (26)

21. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (5)

22. 20r - Bryan Rowland -- Woodward, OK (12) DNF

23. 49 - Bob Timm -- Rollingstone, MN (21) DNF

24. 12b - Johnny Bone Jr. -- Pea Ridge, AR (20) DNF

25. 10 - Mike Steensma -- Luverne, MN (24) DNF

26. 7k - Jason Krohn -- Slayton, MN (22) DNF

 

Lap Leaders: Ramirez 1-6, Donlinger 7-31, Hughes 32-33, Donlinger 34-38, Hughes 39, Donlinger 40.

Total Laps Led: Donlinger 31, Ramirez 6, Hughes 3.

AFCO Pole Winner: Sanders.

Provisional Starters: Dripps, Steensma, Hillson (track), Karau (track).

PBM Performance Products Hard Charger: Tesch (started 14th, finished 6th).

Next Race: Friday-Saturday, Sept. 18-19, North Central Speedway, Brainerd, Minn.

Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Championship Points: Shryock 1219, Hughes 1138, Gustin 1106, VanderBeek 1088, Sanders 1084, Donlinger 1037, Myer 1007, Ramirez 1005, Tesch 996, Krohn 899.

DandyLand Farms Rookie of the Year Points: G. Junghans 793, Hansen 630, Mather 386, Chase Junghans 339, Ryan Dolan 313.

COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Sput’s 455, Mullins 317, JR 229, Pro Power 210, ASI 192.

Chassis Builders Championship Points: Skyrocket 447, Ramirez 374, Hughes 348, GRT 270, Harris 225.

 

Contingency Awards:

AFCO Racing Products – Sanders.

American Racer – Tesch.

Isky Racing Cams – Green.

KSE Racing Products – Hughes.

PBM Performance Products – Tesch.

Marsh Racing Wheels – Krohn.

Nitroquest – Wetzstein.

Out-Pace Racing Products – Sanders.

Quarter Master – Donlinger, Dripps.

QuickTime Performance Parts – Jones.

Real Racing Wheels – Dripps, Hansen.

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