Hunt for the USMTS Casey's National Championship begins Aug 1

[rebelracewriter]

Class of 2014: The Hunt for the USMTS Casey's National Championship begins Aug. 1 in Batesville

WEBSTER CITY, Iowa-After 50 grueling nights of dirt track racing, the regular season concluded this past weekend at the World Modified Dirt Track Championship, and now the playoffs begin with the rugged road warriors of the United States Modified Touring Series embarking on their annual crusade in pursuit of the most lucrative title in all of dirt modified racing.

The Hunt for the USMTS Casey's National Championship powered by Swan Energy will begin on Friday, Aug. 1, at the Batesville Motor Speedway in Locust Grove, Ark. The following day, action moves to the Springfield Raceway in Springfield, Mo., before wrapping up the tripleheader opening weekend at the Monett Speedway in Monett, Mo., on Sunday, Aug. 3.

When the checkered flag drops on opening night of the Featherlite Fall Jamboree on Thursday, Sept. 18, at the Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., the tireless touring titans will have 20 more races under their belts and the USMTS will crown it's 16th national champion.

Thirty-five drivers have earned a chance at becoming the 2014 USMTS National Champion by virtue of finishing in the top 15 in points and/or having perfect attendance in one of four regions. Each of the 35 drivers qualified for 'The Hunt' have a legitimate shot to pocket the $20,000 prize that goes with being the champion of the dirt modified world.

Any driver can enter, compete and possibly win a USMTS event during 'The Hunt' but just one of 35 names will be embellished on the 2014 USMTS National Champion trophy.

With 11 wins and two regional championships to his credit this season, Stormy Scott comes into the Hunt for the USMTS Casey's National Championship atop the rankings for the second time in three years. Last year his twin brother, Johnny Scott, held the top spot coming into the championship chase but neither has yet to seal the deal.

Johnny Scott sits third this time around behind Daniel Hilsabeck, and one spot ahead of defending USMTS nation champion Rodney Sanders, who captured this year's Major League Bowhunter Central Region presented by Day Motor Sports and is arguably the hottest driver on the planet right now with six straight USMTS victories to date and 15 overall during the 2014 campaign including the $10,000-to-win King of America IV in March.

Kelly Shryock is fifth in the standings-just 13 points behind Stormy Scott-and is seeking his tenth USMTS national championship. Dereck Ramirez is sixth, Bryan Rowland is seventh and Farm Boy BBQ Sauce Northern Region champ Zack VanderBeek is eighth. Joe 'Big Daddy' Duvall and Rookie of the Year contender Jake Gallardo round out the top 10.

2014 HUNT FOR THE USMTS CASEY'S NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS:
1. 2s Stormy Scott, Las Cruces, N.M. ... 106
2. 22d Daniel Hilsabeck, Adel, Iowa ... 99
3. 1st Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, N.M. ... 96
4. 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas ... 95
5. 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa ... 93
6. 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla. ... 78
7. 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla. ... 67
8. 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa ... 59
9. 91 Joe Duvall, Chelsea, Okla. ... 48
10. J17 Jake Gallardo, Las Cruces, N.M. ... 47
11. 71 Philip Houston, Odessa, Texas ... 40
12. 22b Rick Beebe, Shawnee, Kan. ... 32
13. 95 Dylan Smith, Osceola, Neb. ... 28
14. V2 Joey Jensen, Harris, Minn. ... 26
15. 97 Cade Dillard, Robeline, La. ... 25
16. 88xxx Clyde Dunn Jr., Sunnyvale, Texas ... 24
17. 14w Clayton Wagamon, Blaine, Minn. ... 23
18. 10 Austin Arneson, Fargo, N.D. ... 21
19. 1k Pat Graham, Ames, Iowa ... 20
20. 2 Casey Arneson, Fargo, N.D. ... 19
20. 7x Chris Dawson, Lubbock, Texas ... 19
22. 78 Trevor Egbert, Salado, Texas ... 18
22. 4m Bobby Malchus, Red Oak, Texas ... 18
24. 5 Adam Penn, Shreveport, La. ... 17
25. 9 Jimmy Ray, Las Cruces, N.M. ... 16
25. 7d Austin Theiss, Hockley, Texas ... 16
27. 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo. ... 12
27. 16 Austin Siebert, Grandview, Mo. ... 12
29. 5 Shane Sprinkle, Andrews, Texas ... 10
30. 99h Trevor Hunt, Kearney, Mo. ... 9
31. 54 Jeremy Houle, Ham Lake, Minn. ... 8
31. 98 John Allen, Chanute, Kan. ... 8
33. IOU1 Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, Minn. ... 6
33. 21 Lance Town, Louisburg, Kan. ... 6
33. 87 Darron Fuqua, Topeka, Kan. ... 6

The 2014 Hunt for the USMTS Casey's National Championship powered by Swan Energy will award $20,000 to the champion, and any driver competing in all events is guaranteed a minimum of $1,000 from the year-end points fund. By virtue of winning two regional championships, Stormy Scott is eligible for a $20,000 bonus if he can become the 2014 USMTS National Champion which, including his two regional titles, would bring his season-long points fund earnings to more than $50,000.

While the drivers participating in 'The Hunt' will be grappling for their piece of more than $80,000 in year-end points fund cash and thousands in contingency awards, all entrants will lock horns on a nightly basis for at least $3,000 to win and more than $400,000 in prize money up for grabs during the 20-race campaign.

Proving that any driver who qualifies for 'The Hunt' is capable of winning the title, Jason Krohn captured the 2007 title after entering the first event with just seven points and ranked 18th in the standings. He became just the second driver to wear the USMTS crown, dethroning Kelly Shryock who had captured all eight previous titles.

Similarly, Tim Donlinger found himself outside of the top-10 after the first two races of the 2008 championship crusade. He won the third event, but was only seventh in the rankings with 11 races to go. He went on to upset Shryock for the 2008 title, sealing the deal with a thrilling victory on the final night of the Featherlite Fall Jamboree.

Despite winning just two races all season, Shryock went on to claim his ninth USMTS National Championship in 2009 by just 33 points, beating an 18-year-old up-and-comer named Ryan Gustin.

Jason Hughes finally secured his first USMTS National Championship in 2010 while Gustin settled for runner-up honors again, but 'The Reaper' roared back in 2011 to claim his first title, and then did it again in 2012 to join Shryock as the only other multi-time champion.

2014 HUNT FOR THE USMTS CASEY'S NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE:
Fri Aug 1 ... Batesville Motor Speedway, Locust Grove, Ark. ($3,000 to win)
Sat Aug 2 ... Springfield Raceway, Springfield, Mo. ($3,000 to win)
Sun Aug 3 ... Monett Speedway, Monett, Mo. ($3,000 to win)
Thu Aug 7 ... 81 Speedway, Park City, Kan. ($3,000 to win)
Fri Aug 8 ... Humboldt Speedway, Humboldt, Kan. ($3,000 to win)
Sat Aug 9 ... Lucas Oil Speedway, Wheatland, Mo. ($3,000 to win)
Sun Aug 10 ... West Siloam Speedway, Colcord, Okla. ($3,000 to win)
Wed Aug 13 ... Amsoil Speedway, Superior, Wis. ($3,000 to win)
Thu Aug 14 ... Red Cedar Speedway, Menomonie, Wis. ($3,000 to win)
Fri Aug 15 ... Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, Wis. ($3,000 to win)
Sat Aug 16 ... Ogilvie Raceway, Ogilvie, Minn. ($3,000 to win)
Fri Aug 22 ... Lakeside Speedway, Kansas City, Kan. ($3,000 to win)
Sat Aug 23 ... Salina Highbanks Speedway, Pryor Creek, Okla. ($3,000 to win)
Sun Aug 24 ... Outlaw Motorsports Park, Wainwright, Okla. ($3,000 to win)
Wed Aug 27 ... Marshalltown Speedway, Marshalltown, Iowa ($3,000 to win)
Thu Aug 28 ... Hamilton County Speedway, Webster City, Iowa ($3,000 to win)
Fri Aug 29 ... Chateau Raceway, Lansing, Minn. ($3,000 to win)
Sat Aug 30 ... Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, Minn. ($3,000 to win)
Sun Aug 31 ... Cresco Speedway, Cresco, Iowa ($3,000 to win)
Thu Sep 18 ... Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, Minn. ($5,000 to win)

HOW THEY GOT HERE: At each of the USMTS Casey's Cup Series regional events, drivers earned points toward the regional championship. The champion of each region received 20 points to begin 'The Hunt' with second-place getting 19 points and so on back to the 15th-place finisher who got 6 points. All drivers with perfect attendance in the region-regardless of where they finished-also received 10 points toward their base points for 'The Hunt.' From here on out, the traditional USMTS points system is used for each event in the Hunt for the USMTS Casey's National Championship.

USMTS POINTS SYSTEM: "A" Main Finish - 1. 100 points, 2. 95 points, 3. 91 points, 4. 87 points, 5. 84 points, 6. 81 points, 7. 78 points, 8. 76 points, 9. 74 points, 10. 72 points, 11. 70 points, 12. 68 points, 13. 66 points, 14. 64 points, 15. 62 points, 16. 60 points, 17. 58 points, 18. 56 points, 19. 55 points, 20. 54 points, 21. 53 points, 22. 52 points, 23. 51 points; all other "A" Main starters earn 50 points while non-qualifiers get 45 points each. In addition, each driver who leads at least one "A" Main lap earns 1 point and the driver leading the most "A" Main laps earns another 2 points.

CASEY'S CREW: John Allen, Daniel Hilsabeck and Kelly Shryock will represent Casey's General Stores and their affiliated brands during each race of 'The Hunt' in 2014.

All three members of the Casey's Crew will have unique graphics for their USMTS Modifieds, snazzy new branded driving suits, autograph cards and more. Plus, each driver will be making appearances at local Casey's General Stores locations at various events.

Allen will be driving the #98 GRT Chassis with sponsorship from Sour Patch Kids and Oreos. Hilsabeck will represent AMP Energy Drinks with his #22D Hughes Chassis and Shryock's familiar #3 Skyrocket Chassis will be carrying the Snickers logo and colors.

Be sure to stop by a Casey's General Store location before and after the races for all your supplies and needs, and remember to get your $2-off admission coupons available on race day at most events during 'The Hunt.' Check out www.caseys.com for more information or to find the location nearest you.

TOP DOG BONUS: Beginning with Friday's kick-off at the Batesville Motor Speedway, all drivers ranked among the top-10 points in are guaranteed a minimum of $400 in earnings at each event. Each driver must maintain perfect attendance during the campaign to remain eligible.

PROVISIONALS: All drivers in 'The Hunt' are guaranteed two provisionals for the first ten (10) races with one additional provisional added after the tenth event.

Celebrating its 16th season in 2014, the United States Modified Touring Series is the fastest-growing and most popular dirt modified series in the world. Attracting the most talented and professional drivers in North America, the fan-friendly format and exciting show creates an enthusiastic and loyal fan base, and the USMTS routinely competes in front of capacity crowds. When it comes to a touring series that features the Best of the Best in dirt modified racing, the USMTS has no equal.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usmts, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/usmts or check out our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/usmtstv.

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