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Strickler Joins USMTS Winners Circle in King of America VIII Opener

HUMBOLDT, Kan. (March 15)–The USMTS Hunt for the Casey’s Cup was back in action Thursday to kick off the King of America VIII Modified Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment at the Humboldt Speedway with 78 cars and drivers signed in for battle.

Polesitter Jason Krohn led the field to the green flag and paced the first of 40 laps, but North Carolina’s Kyle Strickler drove underneath the 2007 USMTS national champion to take control the second time around before the yellow flag waved for the first time with four laps in the books.

On the restart, Strickler pulled away from Krohn while Darron Fuqua pulled into third and began to challenge for the second spot.

With Strickler comfortably out front and lapped traffic approaching, 2012 King of America champ Stormy Scott came to a stop in turn two to bring out the race’s second caution flag.

Fuqua was able to sneak by Krohn back under green and applied pressure to the rear bumper of Strickler while Dereck Ramirez and R.C. Whitwell completed a five-car breakaway from the rest of the pack.

Kyle Strickler (8) fends off a challenge for the lead by Darron Fuqua during the 40-lap feature race.

Strickler continued to lead with Fuqua waiting for an opportunity to make a move. His chance came with four laps to go when the leaders reached the back of the field.

But Strickler quickly disposed of two lapped cars to pad his advantage, and then cruised the final lap to score his career-first USMTS feature win.

“The USMTS guys are so good, and this is one I’ve wanted for a long time,” a jubilant Strickler said in victory lane. “This ranks right up there with some of the biggest races we’ve won.

“I knew we had a really good race car. When they dropped the green flag, it was time to go. I just hope we can be there again Saturday for the big one.”

Strickler’s triumph was worth $2,500 while Fuqua matched his best USMTS finish with a runner-up paycheck. Krohn, Ramirez and Whitwell remained third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

Jason Strand, Ricky Thornton Jr., 2014 King of America winner Rodney Sanders, last year’s Thursday night winner Mitch Keeter and Terry Phillips rounded out the top ten.

The King of America VIII Modified Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment continues Friday and SaturdayOn Friday, each driver will compete in three heat races from three different starting positions.

Passing points will be combined for all three heats with the top 12 in overall points locked into Saturday’s “A” Main. The next dozen drivers will be locked into Saturday’s “B” Main, the next 12 into Saturday’s “C” Main and the remainder will run in Last Chance races on Saturday.

Saturday will feature an “alphabet soup” of features and last-chance races as drivers try to claw their way into a spot for the $10,000-to-win, $1,000-to-start finale.

New for this year will be a Non-Qualifiers Race for the top 30 drivers unable to transfer out of the qualifying features. All 30 drivers will redraw for starting position. This race will pay $1,000 to win and $1,000 for second. The top two finishers will have the option to keep the money or start the King of America main event which pays $1,000 to start. The Non-Qualifiers Race will pay a minimum $300 to start with a great payout all the way through.

The Iron Man Challenge featuring Out-Pace USRA B-Mods will run a complete show both nights, racing for $1,500 to win Friday and $1,000 to win Saturday. National points in the Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series will also be up for grabs.

Gates open at 5 p.m. with racing at 7:30 on FridaySaturday’s start times are one hour earlier with the first green flag waving at 6:30. Every lap of every race all three days will be broadcast live via pay-per-view at www.RacinDirt.com.

The Humboldt Speedway is a located 0.1 mile west of US 169 at the Humboldt Exit, then 0.5 mile south, then 0.9 mile east on Georgia Rd. For more information, call (620) 431-2470 or visit www.humboldtspeedway.com.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
United States Modified Touring Series
USMTS Hunt for the Casey’s Cup powered by Summit
King of America VIII Modified Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment – Day 1 of 3
Humboldt Speedway, Humboldt, Kan.
Thursday, March 15, 2018

Showing finishing position, starting position in parentheses, car number, driver, hometown, chassis/engine, laps completed and money won. The top 12 in heat race passing points advanced to the Casey’s General Stores “A” Main with the top 8 redrawing for the first 8 starting spots.

SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):
1. (2) 7k Jason Krohn, Slayton, Minn.
2. (1) 48 Brent Dutenhoffer (R), Watertown, S.D.
3. (4) 111jr Keith Tourville (R), Janesville, Minn.
4. (5) 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla.
5. (3) 55 Tyler Davis, Haysville, Kan.
6. (7) 227 Chase Domer, Nevada, Mo.
7. (8) 6x Zack Johnson, Kensington, Minn.
8. (9) 6s Casey Skyberg, Rapid City, S.D.
9. (6) 9 Kent Arment, Aberdeen, S.D.
10. (10) J17 Jake Gallardo, Las Cruces, N.M.

FAST SHAFTS HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. (1) E85 Jason Strand, Portland, N.D.
2. (4) 19 Dustin Sorensen (R), Rochester, Minn.
3. (5) 29 Tony Leiker, Gillette, Wyo.
4. (8) 40 Jessy Willard, Prescott, Kan.
5. (6) 16 Austin Siebert, Grandview, Mo.
6. (10) 91 Joe Duvall, Claremore, Okla.
7. (7) 8 Chase Junghans, Manhattan, Kan.
8. (2) 32 Jesse Young, Warner, S.D.
9. (3) 20 Trevor Anderson, Watertown, S.D.
10. (9) 2g Troy Girolamo, Williston, N.D.

EDELBROCK HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. (1) 15* Ryan Mikkelson, Jamestown, N.D.
2. (4) 111 Bumper Jones, Mesilla Park, N.M.
3. (5) 4m Bobby Malchus, Red Oak, Texas.
4. (7) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa.
5. (10) 97 Cade Dillard, Robeline, La.
6. (2) 292 Kyle Thompson (R), Joplin, Mo.
7. (9) 38c Jason Pursley, Hermitage, Mo.
8. (3) 8c Chris Clark, Jackson, Wyo.
9. (6) 71 Jessie Hoskins (R), Longdale, Okla.
10. (8) 21 Austin Bonner, Elk City, Okla.

AMERICAN RACER HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. (2) 7 Bryce Bjerken, Felton, Minn.
2. (7) 1tpo Tyler Peterson, Hickson, N.D.
3. (9) 87 Darron Fuqua, Mayetta, Kan.
4. (6) 4w Tyler Wolff, Fayetteville, Ark.
5. (3) 24m Manuel Williams II, Fouke, Ark.
6. (10) 10w Ward Imrie (R), Winnipeg, MB.
7. (1) 1m Curt Myers, Cameron, Wis.
8. (4) 71 Jim Body, Diamond, Mo.
9. (5) 24 Manuel Williams Sr., Fouke, Ark.
10. (8) 5k Kyle Prauner (R), Norfolk, Neb.

VP RACING FUELS HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):
1. (1) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
2. (4) 20rt Ricky Thornton Jr., Chandler, Ariz.
3. (8) 2s Stormy Scott, Las Cruces, N.M.
4. (2) 4b Cory Bruggeman (R), Stillwater, Minn.
5. (6) 21x Travis Saurer, Elizabeth, Minn.
6. (9) 0 Jake O’Neil (R), Tucson, Ariz.
7. (3) 9d8 Paden Phillips, Chanute, Kan.
8. (5) 95 Keith Foss, Winona, Minn.
9. (7) 75 Cody Skytland (R), Fargo, N.D.
DNS – 20t Bailey Rowland, Woodward, Okla.

SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT HEAT RACE #6 (8 laps):
1. (3) 8 Kyle Strickler (R), Mooresville, N.C.
2. (4) 69 Lucas Schott, Chatfield, Minn.
3. (2) 49jr Jake Timm, Winona, Minn.
4. (6) 1st Johnny Scott, Cameron, Mo.
5. (1) 26 Shawn Fletcher (R), Brainerd, Minn.
6. (8) 34 Mickey Lassiter, Piedmont, Okla.
7. (9) 23 Logan Robertson, Shamrock, Texas.
8. (7) 88 Randy Klein (R), Lisbon, N.D.
9. (5) 55 Brian Shaw, Brownsdale, Minn.
DNS – 4v Billy Vogel, West Fargo, N.D.

S&S FISHING & RENTAL HEAT RACE #7 (8 laps):
1. (1) 26 R.C. Whitwell, Tucson, Ariz.
2. (4) 1 Mitch Keeter, Webb City, Mo.
3. (5) 2x Brady Gerdes, Villard, Minn.
4. (2) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla.
5. (8) 21t Lance Town, Wellsville, Kan.
6. (6) 25 Scott Green, Derby, Kan.
7. (9) 98 Alex Stanford (R), Chowchilla, Calif.
8. (7) 25p Mike Petersilie, Hoisington, Kan.
9. (3) 99 Josh Angst, Winona, Minn.

JEROVETZ MOTORSPORTS RACING PARTS HEAT RACE #8 (8 laps):
1. (1) 05 Jake Hartung, Elmwood, Wis.
2. (5) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
3. (8) 20 Rodney Sanders, Worthington, Minn.
4. (9) 175 Ethan Dotson (R), Bakersfield, Calif.
5. (4) 30 Matt Leer (R), Bruce, Wis.
6. (7) 29h Joe Horgdal, Kasson, Minn.
7. (3) 22b Rick Beebe, Shawnee, Kan.
8. (2) 23 Adam Kates, Tonganoxie, Kan.
9. (6) 4s Craig Shaw, Dexter, Minn.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 3 advance):
1. (2) 69 Lucas Schott, Chatfield, Minn.
2. (1) 20 Rodney Sanders, Worthington, Minn.
3. (4) 111jr Keith Tourville (R), Janesville, Minn.
4. (5) 4w Tyler Wolff, Fayetteville, Ark., MBCustoms/Hatfield, $75.
5. (6) 4b Cory Bruggeman (R), Stillwater, Minn., MBCustoms/Tim’s, $90.
6. (7) 16 Austin Siebert, Grandview, Mo., MBCustoms/Durham, $75.
7. (9) 227 Chase Domer, Nevada, Mo., GRT/Schultz, $75.
8. (3) 29 Tony Leiker, Gillette, Wyo., MasterSbilt/Mullins, $75.
9. (10) 38c Jason Pursley, Hermitage, Mo., GRT/Midstate, $75.
10. (13) 95 Keith Foss, Winona, Minn., Longhorn/BK, $90.
11. (8) 24m Manuel Williams II, Fouke, Ark., Bandit/Kraft, $75.
12. (14) 9 Kent Arment, Aberdeen, S.D., Hughes/Mullins, $90.
13. (11) 8 Chase Junghans, Manhattan, Kan., Longhorn/Sput’s, $75.
14. (15) 75 Cody Skytland (R), Fargo, N.D., MastersBilt/Scott’s, $90.
15. (12) 6s Casey Skyberg, Rapid City, S.D., Shaw/Mullins, $75.
16. (16) J17 Jake Gallardo, Las Cruces, N.M., LG2/AOS, $90.
DNS – 20t Bailey Rowland, Woodward, Okla., BlackWidow/ProPower, $75.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 3 advance):
1. (2) 1 Mitch Keeter, Webb City, Mo.
2. (1) 19 Dustin Sorensen (R), Rochester, Minn.
3. (5) 1st Johnny Scott, Cameron, Mo.
4. (4) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa.
5. (16) 2g Troy Girolamo, Williston, N.D., GRT/ChevPerf, $90.
6. (17) 4v Billy Vogel, West Fargo, N.D., MBCustoms/Sput’s, $90.
7. (9) 29h Joe Horgdal, Kasson, Minn., Killer/Baier’s, $75.
8. (13) 88 Randy Klein (R), Lisbon, N.D., MBCustoms/Tim’s, $90.
9. (14) 20 Trevor Anderson, Watertown, S.D., Arrow/Victory, $90.
10. (7) 21x Travis Saurer, Elizabeth, Minn., MBCustoms/Dakota, $90.
11. (11) 1m Curt Myers, Cameron, Wis., Hughes/Sput’s, $90.
12. (12) 32 Jesse Young, Warner, S.D., MasterSbilt/Sturdy, $75.
13. (3) 4m Bobby Malchus, Red Oak, Texas, Rocket/Wells, $75.
14. (8) 26 Shawn Fletcher (R), Brainerd, Minn., SSR/Wagamon, $90.
15. (6) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla., BlackWidow/ProPower, $90.
16. (10) 23 Logan Robertson, Shamrock, Texas, MBCustoms/Knowles, $90.
17. (15) 55 Brian Shaw, Brownsdale, Minn., DirtDueler/Premier, $75.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #3 (15 laps, top 3 advance):
1. (2) 48 Brent Dutenhoffer (R), Watertown, S.D.
2. (1) 111 Bumper Jones, Mesilla Park, N.M.
3. (4) 49jr Jake Timm, Winona, Minn.
4. (5) 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, $90.
5. (7) 0 Jake O’Neil (R), Tucson, Ariz.
6. (6) 91 Joe Duvall, Claremore, Okla., MBCustoms/ChevPerf, $90.
7. (15) 99 Josh Angst, Winona, Minn., MBCustoms/Sput’s, $90.
8. (3) 2x Brady Gerdes, Villard, Minn., SSR/Sput’s, $90.
9. (10) 98 Alex Stanford (R), Chowchilla, Calif., PCD/Tim’s, $90.
10. (9) 292 Kyle Thompson (R), Joplin, Mo., Shaw/Karl, $90.
11. (16) 21 Austin Bonner, Elk City, Okla., MBCustoms/Karl, $75.
12. (8) 30 Matt Leer (R), Bruce, Wis., MBCustoms/Sput’s, $90.
13. (13) 25p Mike Petersilie, Hoisington, Kan., 1stClass/AEM, $90.
14. (12) 8c Chris Clark, Jackson, Wyo., GRT/Cornett, $90.
15. (14) 71 Jessie Hoskins (R), Longdale, Okla., Longhorn/Mullins, $90.
16. (11) 9d8 Paden Phillips, Chanute, Kan., BillsBuilt/Stewart, $75.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #4 (15 laps, top 3 advance):
1. (1) 20rt Ricky Thornton Jr., Chandler, Ariz.
2. (2) 175 Ethan Dotson (R), Bakersfield, Calif.
3. (4) 97 Cade Dillard, Robeline, La.
4. (3) 40 Jessy Willard, Prescott, Kan., MBCustoms/Sput’s, $75.
5. (6) 10w Ward Imrie (R), Winnipeg, MB., MBCustoms/Millar, $90.
6. (10) 6x Zack Johnson, Kensington, Minn., MBCustoms/Sturdy, $90.
7. (5) 21t Lance Town, Wellsville, Kan., MBCustoms/Driskell, $90.
8. (8) 34 Mickey Lassiter, Piedmont, Okla., Hughes/Sput’s, $90.
9. (7) 55 Tyler Davis, Haysville, Kan., Hughes/ChevPerf, $90.
10. (12) 71 Jim Body, Diamond, Mo., Shaw/Yeoman, $75.
11. (9) 25 Scott Green, Derby, Kan., Hughes/Mullins, $75.
12. (13) 23 Adam Kates, Tonganoxie, Kan., VanderBuilt/Speedway, $90.
13. (11) 22b Rick Beebe, Shawnee, Kan., GRT/Hatfield, $90.
14. (16) 5k Kyle Prauner (R), Norfolk, Neb., Razor/Sput’s, $90.
15. (15) 4s Craig Shaw, Dexter, Minn., Lethal/KSE, $75.
16. (14) 24 Manuel Williams Sr., Fouke, Ark., Bandit/Kraft, $75.

CASEY’S GENERAL STORES “A” MAIN (40 laps):
1. (3) 8 Kyle Strickler (R), Mooresville, N.C., Longhorn/VED, 40, $2500.
2. (4) 87 Darron Fuqua, Mayetta, Kan., MBCustoms/Driskell, 40, $1500.
3. (1) 7k Jason Krohn, Slayton, Minn., MBCustoms/Sput’s, 40, $1000.
4. (6) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla., Hughes/Cornett, 40, $700.
5. (10) 26 R.C. Whitwell, Tucson, Ariz., Shaw/ChevPerf, 40, $600.
6. (2) E85 Jason Strand, Portland, N.D., BlackWidow/Sower, 40, $400.
7. (16) 20rt Ricky Thornton Jr., Chandler, Ariz., Shaw/Mullins, 40, $450.
8. (17) 20 Rodney Sanders, Worthington, Minn., MBCustoms/Hatfield, 40, $400.
9. (14) 1 Mitch Keeter, Webb City, Mo., GRT/Yeoman, 40, $275.
10. (9) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo., GRT/Durham, 40, $350.
11. (24) 97 Cade Dillard, Robeline, La., MBCustoms/ChevPerf, 40, $325.
12. (20) 175 Ethan Dotson (R), Bakersfield, Calif., Victory/ChevPerf, 40, $300.
13. (5) 15* Ryan Mikkelson, Jamestown, N.D., Millenium/ChevPerf, 40, $200.
14. (18) 19 Dustin Sorensen (R), Rochester, Minn., MBCustoms/Action, 40, $250.
15. (23) 49jr Jake Timm, Winona, Minn., MBCustoms/Sput’s, 40, $250.
16. (26) 0 Jake O’Neil (R), Tucson, Ariz., LG2/Cornett, 40, $250.
17. (15) 48 Brent Dutenhoffer (R), Watertown, S.D., Hughes/Sput’s, 40, $250.
18. (19) 111 Bumper Jones, Mesilla Park, N.M., GRT/Sput’s, 39, $250.
19. (22) 1st Johnny Scott, Cameron, Mo., VanderBuilt/Durham, 39, $250.
20. (21) 111jr Keith Tourville (R), Janesville, Minn., Player/MAS, 28, $250.
21. (7) 7 Bryce Bjerken, Felton, Minn., T&E/ChevPerf, 27, $200.
22. (8) 1tpo Tyler Peterson, Hickson, N.D., BlackWidow/ProPower, 25, $250.
23. (25) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa, VanderBuilt/Sput’s, 18, $250.
24. (13) 69 Lucas Schott, Chatfield, Minn., MBCustoms/Hill, 13, $250.
25. (12) 2s Stormy Scott, Las Cruces, N.M., VanderBuilt/Mullins, 12, $250.
26. (11) 05 Jake Hartung, Elmwood, Wis., SSR/Scott’s, 9, $200.

(R) = Grant Junghans USMTS Rookie of the Year contender

Lap Leaders: Krohn 1, Strickler 2-40.
Total Laps Led: Strickler 39, Krohn 1.
Margin of Victory: 1.704 seconds.
Time of Race: 18 minutes, 25.507 seconds (2 cautions).
Provisional Starters: VanderBeek, O’Neil.
FK Rod Ends Hard Charger: Thornton (started 16th, finished 7th).
Entries: 78.
Next Race: Friday, March 16, Humboldt speedway, Humboldt, Kan.
USMTS Hunt for the Casey’s Cup Points: Dillard 257, Ramirez 244, Krohn 234, J. Scott 233, Schott 229, VanderBeek 223, O’Neil 220, Timm 209, S. Scott 205, Phillips 200.
Grant Junghans USMTS Rookie of the Year Points: Dotson 462, Carlos Ahumada Jr. 335, Zane Ferrell 324, Bo Day 288, Manuel Williams II 229.
USMTS Engine Builder of the Year Points: Durham 42, Knowles 42, Sput’s 39, ChevPerf 36, Cornett 27.
USMTS Manufacturers Championship Points: MBCustoms 55, VanderBuilt 50, Hughes 39, BlackWidow 33, GRT 31.

Contingency Awards:
American Racer – Keeter.
Beyea Custom Headers – Dutenhoffer.
BSB Manufacturing – Bjerken.
Champ Pans – Whitwell.
Deatherage Opticians – Dotson.
E3 Spark Plugs – Krohn.
Edelbrock – Mikkelson.
Fast Shafts – Strand.
FK Rod Ends – Thornton.
Forty9 Designs – Sorensen, J. Scott.
GRT Race Cars – Jones.
Hooker Harness – Mikkelson.
Integra Shocks & Springs – Jones.
Jerovetz Motorsports Racing Parts – Timm.
Keyser Manufacturing – Phillips.
KSE Racing Products – Keeter.
Maxima Racing Oils – Strickler.
Mesilla Valley Transportation – Strickler.
Out-Pace Racing Products – O’Neil.
QA1 – Dotson.
RacerWebsite.com – Robertson.
Real Racing Wheels – all non-qualifiers.
Simpson Performance Products – Krohn.
Swift Springs – Strickler, Fuqua.
Sybesma Graphics – Krohn.
Tire Demon – Dillard.
VP Racing Fuels – Strickler.
Wehrs Machine & Racing Products – Fuqua.
Wilwood Disc Brakes – Thornton.

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USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: Alpinestars, American Racer Racing Tires, Argo Manufacturing, Casey’s General Stores, Chevrolet Performance, CP-Carrillo, Deatherage Opticians, Eibach Springs, Fast Shafts, Intercomp, Jerovetz Motorsports Racing Parts, KSE Racing Products, Leaf Racewear & Safety Equipment, Malvern Bank, Mesilla Valley Transportation, MSD Performance, Nitroquest Media, Pace Performance, RacinDirt.com, S&S Fishing & Rental, Summit Racing Equipment, VP Racing Fuels.

USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: Arizona Sport Shirts, ASi Racewear, Boubin Tire & Automotive, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Duvall Electric, Eagle Moon Farm, ElbowsUp.com, Evolution Powersports, Oreo Cookies, PBM Performance Products, Production Jars, Rancho Milagro Racing, River’s Edge Scrap Management, Snickers, Spike Hardcore Energy, Top of the World Ranch, YouDirt.com.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: 905 Ink, AFCO Racing Products, Allstar Performance, Alpine Stars, Beyea Custom Headers, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, BSB Manufacturing, Champ Pans, Edelbrock, FK Rod Ends, Forty9 Designs, Genesis Racing Shocks, GRT Race Cars, Holley Performance Products, Hooker Harness, Integra Shocks & Springs, Keyser Manufacturing, Maxima Racing Oils, Mr. Gasket, Out-Pace Racing Products, QA1, RacerWebsite.com, Real Racing Wheels, RHRSwag.com, Simpson Performance Products, Swift Springs, Sybesma Graphics, Tire Demon, Wehrs Machine & Race Products, Wilwood Disc Brakes.

New Sharon Native Entered into ‘King of America VIII’

King of America VIII presented by Summit Racing Equipment
Humboldt Speedway, Humboldt, Kan.
ThursdaySaturday, March 15-17, 2018

Pre-entered drivers as of March 13, showing car number, driver’s name, hometown, primary sponsor, chassis builder and engine builder. Iowa riders are in bold.

USMTS Modifieds:
0 Jake O’Neil, Tucson, Ariz., Total Seal Piston Rings/LG2/Cornett.
1m Curt Myers, Cameron, Wis., H&E Ready Mix/GRT/Sput’s.
1st Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, N.M., Rancho Milagro/VanderBuilt/Durham.
2g Troy Girolamo, Williston, N.D., G-Style Transport/Rocket/Baxter.
2s Stormy Scott, Las Cruces, N.M., Rancho Milagro/VanderBuilt/Mullins.
2x Brady Gerdes, Villard, Minn., Villard Implement/SSR/Sput’s.
4b Cory Bruggeman, Stillwater, Minn., Bruggeman Builders/MBCustoms/Tim’s.
4m Bobby Malchus, Red Oak, Texas, Southwest General Contracting/Rocket/Wells.
4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla., Boom Test/Hughes/Cornett.
4v Billy Vogel, West Fargo, N.D., EZ Open Garage Door/MBCustoms/Sput’s.
4w Tyler Wolff, Fayetteville, Ark., ARMI Contractors/MBCustoms/Hatfield.
05 Jake Hartung, Elmwood, Wis., Genesis Racing Shocks/SSR/Scott’s.
5k Kyle Prauner, Norfolk, Neb., InsureMyForage.com/Razor/ChevPerf.
7k Jason Krohn, Slayton, Minn., Krohn Farms/MBCustoms/Sput’s.
8 Chris Clark, Jackson, Wyo., Carquest/GRT/Clark.
9 Jerad Fuller, Memphis, Mo., J&J Ag/GRT/Mullins.
9D8 Paden Phillips, Chanute, Kan., Phil’s Coins/BillsBuilt/KBS.
10w Ward Imrie, Winnipeg, Man., K4 Equipment/MBCustoms/Millar.
12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla., Red Tail Tackle/Hughes/Mullins.
15* Ryan Mikkelson, Jamestown, N.D., Red Headed Rebel Brew/Millenium/ChevPerf.
16 Austn Siebert, Grandview, Mo., Kenny’s Tile/MBCustoms/Mullins.
G17 Fito Gallardo, Las Cruces, N.M., Gallardo Construction/LG2/AOS.
J17 Jake Gallardo, Las Cruces, N.M., G3 Fitness/LG2/AOS.
19 Dustin Sorensen, Rochester, Minn., Action Engineering/MBCustoms/Action.
19r Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa, Tri Star Engines/Hughes/TriStar.
20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas, Wichita Tank Racing/MBCustoms/Hatfield.
21 Austin Bonner, Elk City, Okla., Patriot Roofing & Windows/MBCustoms/Karl.
21x Travis Saurer, Elizabeth, Minn., Red Headed Rebel Brew/MBCustoms/Dakota.
22b Rick Beebe, Shawnee, Kan., Rick Beebe Heating & Air Conditioning/LG2/Mullins.
24 Manuel Williams Sr., Fouke, Ark., Pro-1 Transmission/Bandit/Craft.
24m Manuel Williams II, Fouke, Ark., Charlie Williams Painting/Bandit/Craft.
29h Joe Horgdal, Kasson, Minn., Broadway Car Care/Killer/Baier’s.
32 Jesse Young, Warner, S.D., Young Farms/MasterSbilt/Sturdy.
33f Jardin Fuller, Memphis, Mo., Walker Motors/Hughes/Mullins.
33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa, Casey’s General Stores/VanderBuilt/Sput’s.
38c Jason Pursley, Hermitage, Mo., Tom Campbell Racing/GRT/Midstate.
20 Trevor Anderson, Watertown, S.D., Dirt Track Supply/Arrow/Victory.
20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla., Widow Wax/BlackWidow/ProPower.
20rt Ricky Thornton Jr., Chandler, Ariz., Certified Inspection Service/Jet/Mullins.
20t Bailey Rowland, Woodward, Okla., Widow Wax/BlackWidow/ProPower.
21t Lance Town, Louisburg, Kan., Town Oilfield Service/MBCustoms/Driskell.
23 Logan Robertson, Shamrock, Texas, Shannon Motorsports/MBCustoms/Knowles.
23 Adam Kates, Tonganoxie, Kan., Rivers Edge Scrap Management/VanderBuilt/Speedway.
25p Mike Petersilie, Hoisington, Kan., Team Xtreme/1stClass/Sput’s.
26 Shawn Fletcher, Brainerd, Minn., Fletcher Trucking/SSR/Wagamon.
34 Mickey Lassiter, Piedmont, Okla., Lassiter Concrete & Asphalt/Hughes/Sput’s.
49jr Jake Timm, Winona, Minn., Hurco/MBCustoms/Sput’s.
55 Tyler Davis, Haysville, Kan., Chem Wash/Hughes/ChevPerf.
69 Lucas Schott, Chatfield, Minn., Auto Pro Express/MBCustoms/Hill.
71 Jim Body, Diamond, Mo., Body’s Truck Repair/Shaw/Yeoman.
71 Jesse Hoskins, Longdale, Okla., Hoskins Construction/Longhorn/Mullins.
75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo., Andy’s Frozen Custard/GRT/Hatfield.
87 Darron Fuqua, Mayetta, Kan., Big Time Bail Bonds/MBCustoms/Driskell.
91 Joe Duvall, Claremore, Okla., Duvall Electric/MBCustoms/ChevPerf.
95 Keith Foss, Winona, Minn., Bob Brink Incorporated/Longhorn/Foss.
97 Cade Dillard, Robeline, La., S&S Fishing & Rental/MBCustoms/Knowles.
111 Bumper Jones, Mesilla Park, N.M., McDonald’s/GRT/Sput’s.
111jr Keith Tourville, Webster, Wis., Player Motorsports/Player/MAS.
174 Ethan Dotson, Bakersfield, Calif., Golden Empire Towing/MBCustoms/ChevPerf.

Out-Pace USRA B-Mods:
02 Cole Denner, New Hampton Iowa, Barnyard BBQ/Smoke/Shaw.
2 Gunnar Watkins, Menomonie Wis., Shelley Watkins RE/MAX Realty/SSR/Tim’s.
7+ Jared Timmerman, Norwalk Iowa, Accu Jet Sewer & Drain/CAM/Timmerman.
20RT Ricky Thornton Jr., Chandler Ariz., Tanner Racing/Jet/ChevPerf.
20T Mike Tanner, Smithville Mo., Tanner Racing/Jet/Yancy’s.
33s Ben Stockton, Kansas City Mo., Tanner Racing/DirtWorks/Yancy’s.
71III Jim Body III, Diamond Mo., Body’s Truck Repair/Hoffman/Yeoman.
36k Jayden Larson, Mankato, Minn., Larson Sod/Skyrocket/Sput’s.
292 Kyle Thompson, Joplin, Mo., National Repair Center/Shaw/Karl.

The King of America VIII Modified Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment happens ThursdayFriday and Saturday, March 15-17, when America’s Best of the Best dirt modified drivers invade the Humboldt Speedway in Humboldt, Kan., for a blockbuster event that will culminate with Saturday’s $10,000-to-win, $1,000-to-start championship race.

Six different drivers have claimed the throne in the first seven installments of the United States Modified Touring Series rown jewel event. Marshalltown, Iowa’s Ryan Gustin won in 2013 and became the first repeat winner in last year’s event. Zack VanderBeek of New Sharon, Iowa, captured the crown in 2016 after a thrilling late-race battle with 2014 race winner Rodney Sanders of Happy, Texas.

Four-time USMTS national champion Jason Hughes of Watts, Okla., was the 2015 champion, Stormy Scott of Las Cruces, N.M., topped the 2012 event and nine-time USMTS titlist Kelly Shryock of Fertile, Iowa, claimed the inaugural King of America crown in 2011.

Thursday will feature a $2,500-to-win national points race in the USMTS Hunt for the Casey’s Cup. On Friday, each driver will compete in three heat races from three different starting positions. Passing points will be combined for all three heats with the top 12 in overall points locked into Saturday’s “A” Main.

The next 12 drivers will be locked into Saturday’s “B” Main, the next 12 into Saturday’s “C” Main and the remainder will run in last-chance races on Saturday.

Saturday will feature an “alphabet soup” of features and last-chance races as drivers try to claw their way into a spot for the $10,000-to-win, $1,000-to-start finale.

New for this year will be a Non-Qualifiers Race for the top 30 drivers unable to transfer out of the qualifying features. All 30 drivers will redraw for starting position. This race will pay $1,000 to win and $1,000 for second. The top two finishers will have the option to keep the money or start the King of America main event which pays $1,000 to start. The Non-Qualifiers Race will pay a minimum $300 to start with a great payout all the way through.

USRA entry forms, rules, license applications and more can be found at www.usraracing.com/downloads.

Gates open at 5 p.m. with racing at 7:30 on Thursday and FridaySaturday’s start times are one hour earlier with the first green flag waving at 6:30. Every lap of every race all three days will be broadcast live via pay-per-view at www.RacinDirt.com.

The Humboldt Speedway is a located 0.1 mile west of US 169 at the Humboldt Exit, then 0.5 mile south, then 0.9 mile east on Georgia Rd. For more information, call (620) 431-2470 or visit www.humboldtspeedway.com

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 and Instagram at www.instagram.com/usmts or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/usmtstv. Keep up to speed with everything USMTS by joining our email list at www.usmts.com/subscribe.

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USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: Alpinestars, American Racer Racing Tires, Argo Manufacturing, Casey’s General Stores, Chevrolet Performance, CP-Carrillo, Deatherage Opticians, Eibach Springs, Fast Shafts, Intercomp, Jerovetz Motorsports Racing Parts, KSE Racing Products, Leaf Racewear & Safety Equipment, Malvern Bank, Mesilla Valley Transportation, MSD Performance, Nitroquest Media, Pace Performance, RacinDirt.com, S&S Fishing & Rental, Summit Racing Equipment, VP Racing Fuels.

USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: Arizona Sport Shirts, ASi Racewear, Boubin Tire & Automotive, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Duvall Electric, Eagle Moon Farm, ElbowsUp.com, Evolution Powersports, Oreo Cookies, PBM Performance Products, Production Jars, Rancho Milagro Racing, River’s Edge Scrap Management, Snickers, Spike Hardcore Energy, Top of the World Ranch, YouDirt.com.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: 905 Ink, AFCO Racing Products, Allstar Performance, Alpine Stars, Beyea Custom Headers, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, BSB Manufacturing, Champ Pans, Edelbrock, FK Rod Ends, Forty9 Designs, Genesis Racing Shocks, GRT Race Cars, Holley Performance Products, Hooker Harness, Integra Shocks & Springs, Keyser Manufacturing, Maxima Racing Oils, Mr. Gasket, Out-Pace Racing Products, QA1, RacerWebsite.com, Real Racing Wheels, RHRSwag.com, Simpson Performance Products, Swift Springs, Sybesma Graphics, Tire Demon, Wehrs Machine & Race Products, Wilwood Disc Brakes.

VanderBeek Collects Victory at Jackson Motor Speedway

BYRAM, Miss. (March 9)–The meanest modifieds on the planet converged on the Jackson Motor Speedway Friday for round 4 of the 9th Annual Summit USMTS Winter Speedweeks presented by MSD Performance and a dual event with the Summit USMTS Southern Series and USMTS Hunt for the Casey’s Cup national tour.

Sybesma Graphics Pole Award winner Stormy Scott of Las Cruces, N.M., grabbed the lead at the the start but Tennessee’s Lucas Lee used the high line around the 3/8-mile dirt oval to steal the top spot away on the fourth lap with 2016 USRA Modified national champion Lucas Schott, Arizona’s Jake O’Neil and four-time and defending USMTS national champion Jason Hughes following in their tire tracks.

The first half of the race was riddled with yellow flags. The fourth flew for Hughes on lap 10 , and he did not return to finish the last 40 laps. Two-time USMTS national champ Rodney Sanders slowed on lap 16 to bring out the fifth caution and did not return either.

Jason Krohn of Slayton, Minn., pulled to the infield on lap 20, leaving no former national champs in the field. The seventh caution waved on lap 22 for Scott who has yet to complete a main event.

Meanwhile, Lee continued to pound the cushion with Schott, VanderBeek and chasing the leader around the high side until the eighth caution waved with eight laps remaining.

Under yellow, 16th-starting and fourth-running Terry Phillips left the track with a flat tire and when the green flag returned VanderBeek powered in front of Schott to control second place.

Lee and VanderBeek separated themselves from the pack and finally reached lapped traffic with 10 laps to go with Cade Dillard entering the picture when a stray bumper in turn one forced the race’s final caution with eight laps remaining.

From there, VanderBeek shadowed Lee around the race track but Lee was able to hold back the challenges and appeared destined for his career-first USMTS win, but after taking the checkered flag first he was disqualified during post-race technical inspections for an engine setback violation.

Lee’s lost glory gave the victory to VanderBeek, along with the $3,000 winner’s share of the prize money.

“We were kind of just right there with Lucas Lee but he had a pretty good car,” VanderBeek said during his delayed victory speech. “Unfortunately, there’s rules and you’ve got to follow them and it sucks, but we all have to take that plunge if we have that happen to us.”

It was VanderBeek’s 43rd career USMTS triumph, jumping him one spot ahead of Tommy Myer to sixth on the all-time wins list and one behind Stormy Scott’s 44 wins.

Schott finished with a runner-up effort and Dillard climbed from 13th to third in the contest. Johnny Scott was fourth and Jake O’Neil rounded out the top five. Sixth through tenth, respectively, were Jake Timm, Paul Niznik, Dereck Ramirez, Ethan Dotson and Logan Robertson.

Dillard captured last year’s inaugural visit to the Whynot Motorsports Park in Meridian, Miss., where the series will return on Saturday, March 10, as the touring titans of the USMTS bring the boom to the “House of Hook” in Meridian with six racing divisions on tap.

NeSmith Crate Late Models, NeSmith Late Model Sportsmans, NeSmith Street Stocks, Factory Stocks and Hot Shots round out the program with pit gates opening at 1 p.m., grandstands open at 3, hot lap at 6 and racing at 6:30.

Adults are $20 to get in the grandstands, kids age 6-12 are $10. Pit passes are $35 for adults, $15 for kids ages 6-12. Children 5 and under get in for free on both sides of the fence.

The Whynot Motorsports Park is a semi-banked 3/10-mile dirt oval located at the intersection of JW Reynolds Rd. and Old Hwy. 19 Southeast (4773 JW Reynolds Rd., Meridian, MS 39301). For questions please call Phillip Hathcock at (205) 965-3070 or Rodney Wing at (601) 527-0084. The track’s website can be found at www.whynotmotorsportspark.com. You can also like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/whynotmotorsportspark, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Whynotracing1 and see them on Instagram at www.instagram.com/whynot_motorsports_park.

The action reaches a boiling point on Sunday, March 11, as the meanest machines in America make their maiden voyage to the legendary Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus for a wheel-to-wheel showdown at “The Mag” with four classes in action including 604 Crate Late Models, 602 Crate Late Models and Factory Stocks.

The pit gate opens at 1 p.m. and spectator gates open at 3. Hot laps start at 4:45 and the green flag waves at 5:15. Grandstand tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and military, $10 for juniors ages 11-16 and kids ages 10 and under are free.

The Magnolia Motor Speedway is a 3/8-mile dirt oval located near the intersection of US 82 and US 45 (take the Macon/Meridian exit off US 82). The track’s website is www.magnoliadirt.com.

For fans unable to attend the action in person this weekend, all three shows-including every lap of every division-will be broadcast live on www.RacinDirt.com.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944.


OFFICIAL RESULTS
United States Modified Touring Series
USMTS Hunt for the Casey’s Cup powered by S&S Fishing & Rental
Summit USMTS Southern Series powered by Production Jars
9th Annual Summit USMTS Winter Speedweeks presented by MSD Performance – Round 4 of 6
Jackson Motor Speedway, Byram, Miss.
Friday, March 9, 2018

Showing finishing position, starting position in parentheses, car number, driver, hometown, chassis/engine builder, laps completed and money won. The top 12 in heat race passing points advance to the Casey’s General Stores “A” Main with the top 8 redrawing for the first 8 starting spots.

SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):
1. (5) 2S Stormy Scott, Las Cruces, N.M.
2. (2) 4R Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
3. (4) 23 Logan Robertson, Shamrock, Texas.
4. (7) 7K Jason Krohn, Slayton, Minn.
5. (6) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
6. (8) 9 Ken Schrader, Concord, N.C.
7. (9) 20 Rodney Sanders, Worthington, Minn.
8. (3) 8 Bradley Rose, Magee, Miss.
9. (1) 12T Race Taylor, Utica, Miss.

FAST SHAFTS HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. (2) 33Z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa.
2. (1) 97 Cade Dillard, Robeline, La.
3. (7) 71 Philip Houston, Odessa, Texas.
4. (5) 65 Carlos Ahumada Jr. (R), Canutillo, Texas.
5. (4) 20R Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla.
6. (9) 20T Bailey Rowland, Woodward, Okla.
7. (6) 4V Billy Vogel, West Fargo, N.D.
8. (3) 112 Mike Jarrell, Ellsville, Miss.
9. (8) 71 Jessie Hoskins (R), Longdale, Okla.

EDELBROCK HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. (4) 0 Jake O’Neil (R), Tucson, Ariz.
2. (3) 42 Paul Niznik, Medford, Wis.
3. (6) 49JR Jake Timm, Winona, Minn.
4. (1) 21 Austin Bonner, Elk City, Okla.
5. (5) 11 Spencer Hughes, Meridian, Miss.
6. (2) 3 Toby Hodge, Pulaski, Miss.
7. (8) 24Z Zane Ferrell (R), Hermitage, Ark.
8. (7) 83 Blake Carrier, Amite, La.

SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. (2) 69 Lucas Schott, Chatfield, Minn.
2. (7) 1st Johnny Scott, Cameron, Mo.
3. (5) 174 Ethan Dotson (R), Bakersfield, Calif.
4. (3) 34 Ben Stephens, Sumrall, Miss.
5. (1) 37R Kyle Rutkoski, Eight Mile, Ala.
6. (8) CBR25 Justin McRee, Cottondale, Ala.
7. (4) 9 Bryan Powell, Magee, Miss.
8. (6) 5A Timothy Culp, Prattsville, Ark.

VP RACING FUELS HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):
1. (1) 12 Lucas Lee, Paris, Tenn.
2. (3) 91 Joe Duvall, Claremore, Okla.
3. (4) 1M Curt Myers, Cameron, Wis.
4. (8) 23 Adam Kates, Tonganoxie, Kan.
5. (6) 211 Chase Hatton, DeBerry, Texas.
6. (2) 8C Chris Clark, Jackson, Wyo.
7. (5) 12 Jason Ingalls, Longview, Texas.
8. (7) 51 R.J. Otto, Statesville, N.C.

SWIFT SPRINGS HEAT RACE #6 (8 laps):
1. (4) 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla.
2. (2) 10W Hunter Wilbanks, Lakeland, Tenn.
3. (3) 14R Riley Brown, Hattiesburg, Miss.
4. (8) 4B Cory Bruggeman (R), Stillwater, Minn.
5. (6) 4 Bo Day (R), Greenville, Texas.
6. (1) 19 Brooks Strength, Raymond, Miss.
7. (5) 7 Bryan Foy (R), Lacombe, La.
8. (7) 23C Charles Sibley, Livingston, La.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (12 laps, top 4 advance):
1. (1) 97 Cade Dillard, Robeline, La.
2. (5) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
3. (9) 20 Rodney Sanders, Worthington, Minn.
4. (4) 65 Carlos Ahumada Jr. (R), Canutillo, Texas.
5. (8) 3 Toby Hodge, Pulaski, Miss.
6. (10) 8 Bradley Rose, Magee, Miss., Shaw/Wall2Wall, $75.
7. (11) 5A Timothy Culp, Prattsville, Ark., GRT/Sput’s, $75.
8. (12) 12T Race Taylor, Utica, Miss., Shaw/Barker, $75.
9. (3) 1M Curt Myers, Cameron, Wis., Hughes/Sput’s, $90.
10. (7) 37R Kyle Rutkoski, Eight Mile, Ala., Shaw/EMS, $75.
11. (2) 23 Adam Kates, Tonganoxie, Kan., VanderBuilt/Speedway, $90.
12. (6) 20T Bailey Rowland, Woodward, Okla., BlackWidow/ProPower, $75.
DNS – 9 Bryan Powell, Magee, Miss., Hughes/Mullins, $75.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (12 laps, top 4 advance):
1. (3) 7K Jason Krohn, Slayton, Minn.
2. (2) 4B Cory Bruggeman (R), Stillwater, Minn.
3. (6) 20R Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla.
4. (1) 10W Hunter Wilbanks, Lakeland, Tenn.
5. (4) 21 Austin Bonner, Elk City, Okla.
6. (5) 211 Chase Hatton, DeBerry, Texas., IRP/F1, $75.
7. (7) 8C Chris Clark, Jackson, Wyo., GRT/Clark, $90.
8. (9) 112 Mike Jarrell, Ellsville, Miss., Harris/Jarrell, $75.
9. (10) 51 R.J. Otto, Statesville, N.C., Lethal/Jackson, $75.
10. (8) 24Z Zane Ferrell (R), Hermitage, Ark.
DNS – 9 Ken Schrader, Concord, N.C., Lethal/Mullins, $90.
DNS – 12 Jason Ingalls, Longview, Texas, IRP/PTS, $90.
DNS – 71 Jessie Hoskins (R), Longdale, Okla., Longhorn/Mullins, $90.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #3 (12 laps, top 4 advance):
1. (1) 174 Ethan Dotson (R), Bakersfield, Calif.
2. (3) 14R Riley Brown, Hattiesburg, Miss.
3. (8) 4V Billy Vogel, West Fargo, N.D.
4. (2) 23 Logan Robertson, Shamrock, Texas.
5. (4) 34 Ben Stephens, Sumrall, Miss., Elite/Mullins, $75.
6. (5) 4 Bo Day (R), Greenville, Texas.
7. (6) 11 Spencer Hughes, Meridian, Miss., GRT/Brown, $75.
8. (11) 23C Charles Sibley, Livingston, La., GRT/Wall2Wall, $75.
9. (10) 83 Blake Carrier, Amite, La., Pierce/Carrier, $75.
10. (9) 7 Bryan Foy (R), Lacombe, La., Lethal/Mullins, $90.
11. (7) 19 Brooks Strength, Raymond, Miss., Hughes/Mullins, $75.
DNS – CBR25 Justin McRee, Cottondale, Ala., Hughes/MRE, $75.

SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT “A” MAIN (40 laps):
1. (5) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa, VanderBuilt/Sput’s, 40, $3000.
2. (6) 69 Lucas Schott, Chatfield, Minn., MBCustoms/Hill, 40, $1600.
3. (13) 97 Cade Dillard, Robeline, La., MBCustoms/Knowles, 40, $1300.
4. (8) 1st Johnny Scott, Cameron, Mo., VanderBuilt/Durham, 40, $1100.
5. (4) 0 Jake O’Neil (R), Tucson, Ariz., LG2/Cornett, 40, $700.
6. (11) 49jr Jake Timm, Winona, Minn., MBCustoms/Sput’s, 40, $600.
7. (9) 42 Paul Niznik, Medford, Wis., Rocket/Niznik, 40, $500.
8. (12) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla., Hughes/Cornett, 40, $450.
9. (15) 174 Ethan Dotson (R), Bakersfield, Calif., MBCustoms/ChevPerf, 40, $625.
10. (24) 23 Logan Robertson, Shamrock, Texas, MBCustoms/Knowles, 40, $600.
11. (20) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla., BlackWidow/ProPower, 40, $575.
12. (21) 4v Billy Vogel, West Fargo, N.D., MBCustoms/Sput’s, 40, $350.
13. (18) 14R Riley Brown, Hattiesburg, Miss., /, 40, $250.
14. (10) 91 Joe Duvall, Claremore, Okla., MBCustoms/ChevPerf, 40, $500.
15. (26) 21 Austin Bonner, Elk City, Okla., MBCustoms/Karl, 40, $275.
16. (17) 4B Cory Bruggeman (R), Stillwater, Minn., MBCustoms/Tim’s, 40, $275.
17. (16) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo., GRT/Durham, 40, $275.
18. (25) 24z Zane Ferrell (R), Hermitage, Ark., MBCustoms/ASI, 39, $475.
19. (22) 65 Carlos Ahumada Jr. (R), Canutillo, Texas, GRT/BMS, 37, $275.
20. (28) 3 Toby Hodge, Pulaski, Miss., GRT/Brown, 28, $225.
21. (1) 2s Stormy Scott, Las Cruces, N.M., VanderBuilt/Mullins, 21, $275.
22. (14) 7K Jason Krohn, Slayton, Minn., MBCustoms/Sput’s, 18, $275.
23. (23) 10W Hunter Wilbanks, Lakeland, Tenn., Brucebilt/Mullins, 16, $225.
24. (27) 4 Bo Day (R), Greenville, Texas, MBCustoms/Mullins, 16, $275.
25. (19) 20 Rodney Sanders, Worthington, Minn., MBCustoms/Hatfield, 16, $475.
26. (7) 71 Philip Houston, Odessa, Texas, MBCustoms/KPE, 15, $275.
27. (3) 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 12, $275.
DQ – (2) 12 Lucas Lee, Paris, Tenn., Brucebilt/KMF, 40, $225.

(R) = Grant Junghans USMTS Rookie of the Year contender

Lap Leaders: S. Scott 1-3, Lee 4-40.
Total Laps Led: Lee 37, S. Scott 3.
Margin of Victory: 1.101 seconds.
Time of Race: 36 minutes, 40.548 seconds (9 cautions).
Provisional Starters: Ferrell, Bonner, Day, Hodge (track).
Eibach Spring Forward Award: Vogel (advanced 14 positions).
FK Rod Ends Hard Charger: Robertson (started 24th, finished 10th).
Entries: 50.
Next Race: Saturday, March 10, Whynot Motorsports Park, Meridian, Miss.
USMTS Hunt for the Casey’s Cup Points: .
Summit USMTS Southern Series Points: .
Grant Junghans USMTS Rookie of the Year Points: 
.
USMTS Engine Builder of the Year Points: .
USMTS Manufacturers Championship Points: .

Contingency Awards:
American Racer – Sanders.
Beyea Custom Headers – Phillips.
BSB Manufacturing – S. Scott.
Champ Pans – O’Neil.
Deatherage Opticians – Vogel.
E3 Spark Plugs – Dillard.
Edelbrock – O’Neil.
Eibach – Vogel.
Fast Shafts – VanderBeek.
FK Rod Ends – Robertson.
Forty9 Designs – Duvall, Ahumada.
GRT Race Cars – Clark.
Hooker Harness – Brown.
Integra Shocks & Springs – Ferrell.
Jerovetz Motorsports Racing Parts – Bonner.
Keyser Manufacturing – Robertson.
KSE Racing Products – Dotson.
Maxima Racing Oils – VanderBeek.
Mesilla Valley Transportation – Clark.
Out-Pace Racing Products – Bruggeman.
QA1 – VanderBeek.
RacerWebsite.com – Sanders.
Real Racing Wheels – all non-qualifiers.
Simpson Performance Products – S. Scott.
Swift Springs – VanderBeek, Brown.
Sybesma Graphics – S. Scott.
Tire Demon – Rowland.
VP Racing Fuels – VanderBeek.
Wehrs Machine & Racing Products – VanderBeek.
Wilwood Disc Brakes – Niznik.

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USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: Alpinestars, American Racer Racing Tires, Argo Manufacturing, Casey’s General Stores, Chevrolet Performance, CP-Carrillo, Deatherage Opticians, Eibach Springs, Fast Shafts, Intercomp, Jerovetz Motorsports Racing Parts, KSE Racing Products, Leaf Racewear & Safety Equipment, Malvern Bank, Mesilla Valley Transportation, MSD Performance, Nitroquest Media, Pace Performance, RacinDirt.com, S&S Fishing & Rental, Summit Racing Equipment, VP Racing Fuels.

USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: Arizona Sport Shirts, ASi Racewear, Boubin Tire & Automotive, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Duvall Electric, Eagle Moon Farm, ElbowsUp.com, Evolution Powersports, Oreo Cookies, PBM Performance Products, Production Jars, Rancho Milagro Racing, River’s Edge Scrap Management, Snickers, Spike Hardcore Energy, Top of the World Ranch, YouDirt.com.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: 905 Ink, AFCO Racing Products, Allstar Performance, Alpine Stars, Beyea Custom Headers, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, BSB Manufacturing, Edelbrock, FK Rod Ends, Forty9 Designs, Genesis Racing Shocks, GRT Race Cars, Holley Performance Products, Hooker Harness, Integra Shocks & Springs, Keyser Manufacturing, Maxima Racing Oils, Mr. Gasket, Out-Pace Racing Products, QA1, RacerWebsite.com, Real Racing Wheels, RHRSwag.com, Simpson Performance Products, Swift Springs, Sybesma Graphics, Tire Demon, Wehrs Machine & Race Products, Wilwood Disc Brakes.

-Photo and news release submitted.

Stormy Scott soars to USMTS win at Whynot

Stormy Scott turned his season around in a big way with a thrilling victory in the fifth round of the 9th Annual Summit USMTS Winter Speedweeks presented by MSD Performance Saturday night at the Whynot Motorsports Park in Meridian, MS.

After failing to even make it to the finish line in all four of the previous main events in this 2018 campaign, the 2-year-old from Las Cruces, N.M., put it all together at the ‘House of Hook’ after a spirited tussle with Cade Dillard in the caution-free 40-lapper.

Jason Krohn stepped up to the plate from his front row start and led most of the first half of the race with Dillard breathing down his neck and Scott lingering in third. With 15 laps down, Scott went by Dillard and then powered underneath Krohn for the lead as they came to the flagstand to complete lap 18.

Forced to navigate lapped traffic the rest of the way, Scott and Dillard sped away from the field with Scott showing the way on the bottom and Dillard on the gas around the high side.

With 13 laps to go, Dillard shot by Scott down the back-stretch and led for the first time this season with 28 orbits in the books.

Scott remained faithful to the short way around the smooth 3/8-mile of red clay and reeled Dillard back in, eventually taking the lead for good with just six laps left as he won going away for his 45th career USMTS triumph and a $3,000 payday.

Dillard was a solid second while the younger of the Scott twins-Johnny-clawed his way to third after starting 13th. Thirty minutes earlier, he came from last in his Real Racing Wheels “B” Main to win that and get a spot in the main event.

Krohn held off Lucas Schott for fourth with Dereck Ramirez, Lucas Lee, Jake O’Neil, Toby Hodge and Friday night’s winner, Zack VanderBeek, rounding out the top 10.

After five events in the Summit USMTS Southern Series powered by Production Jars, Johnny Scott remains the points leader by two markers over Dillard (466 to 464), followed by Ethan Dotson (394), Rodney Sanders (366), Dereck Ramirez (360), Joe Duvall (359), Bryan Rowland (341), Carlos Ahumada Jr. (335), Logan Robertson (334) and Zane Ferrell (324).

After two events in the USMTS Hunt for the Casey’s Cup powered by S&S Fishing & Rental, Dillard is on top with 187 points followed by Schott (179), Johnny Scott (178), VanderBeek (172), O’Neil (160), Ramirez (157), Stormy Scott (155), Jake Timm (147), Krohn (142) and Robertson (130).

Sunday’s event at the Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, Miss., has been rained out, so the next event on deck is the King of America VIII presented by Summit Racing Equipment on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 15-17, at the Humboldt Speedway in Humboldt, Kan.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944.

-Photo and news release submitted by the United States Modified Touring Series, Inc.

Dotson Drives to First USMTS Win at Kennedale

KENNEDALE, Texas – After losing two of the weekend’s three events, the Summit USMTS Southern Series powered by Production Jars invaded the Kennedale Speedway Park on Friday. This was the third round of the Summit USMTS Winter Speedweeks, and the wet Texas week finished off with a fantastic finish for the history books. To see a full listing of official results, see the bottom of this article.

After scoring the most heat race passing points, Clyde Dunn Jr. redrew the pole position for the start of the 40-lap Summit Racing Equipment “A” Main but after catching a rut in the first turn a flat tire sent him to the pits along with two others as caution waved off the initial start.

Grant Junghans USMTS Rookie of the Year contender Ethan Dotson of Bakersfield, Calif., set the pace for the restart and pulled out to a sizeable lead with two-time USMTS national champ Rodney Sanders in tow.

Lapped traffic came into play with eight laps in the books, and Sanders used it to his advantage to squeeze underneath Dotson and grab the lead while Jack Sartain, Kevin Rutherford and 17th-starting Cade Dillard filling the rest of the first five spots.

Sanders stretched his lead over the next ten laps and began to put drivers running among the top ten a lap down.

Meanwhile, Dunn had worked his way back up to eighth after restarting the race at the rear of the pack but suffered a second flat tire and exited the rough-and-tumble battle.

With 20 down, officials cut the distance to 35 laps due to the rough conditions, but Dotson was reeling in Sanders and pulled even as the pair streaked beneath the white flag.

Sanders went low entering the final corner while Dotson scraped the mud off the outside concrete wall. Sanders slid up as he exited turn four as Dotson crossed over underneath.

Coming to the checkered flag, it looked as if a photo-finish was inevitable but Sanders suddenly slowed-a victim of a broken transmission-as Dotson scooted underneath and crossed the finish line first to score his first USMTS victory.

“No way I ever thought we could get a win this early on, this is awesome,” Dotson told USMTS announcer Chris Stepan in victory lane after just his third career USMTS start. “I wish my family could be here for his. Dad, we did it.”

Dotson, who turned 19 in January, is travelling with Joe Duvall and crew chief Scott Drake this season, Both drivers are utilizing a Chevrolet Performance CT-525 crate engine.

“I can’t thank Joe and Scott enough for giving me this opportunity and their priceless feedback,” he added. “When Rodney got by me I just wanted to stay with him. I saw him slow there at the end and I crossed him over and was just able to get by.

“This is just awesome.”

With the race shortened to 35 laps, Sanders was able to get the runner-up paycheck with Dillard charging to the third spot. Another rookie, Zane Ferrell, finished fourth and Johnny Scott passed 15 cars en route to a fifth-place finish.

Rutherford, Austin Bonner, Mitchell, Bryan Rowland and Bobby Malchus rounded out the top ten.

The 9th Annual Summit USMTS Winter Speedweeks continues this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 9-11, when the USMTS invades three of the fastest dirt tracks in Mississippi for a two-fer featuring the Summit USMTS Southern Series and USMTS Hunt for the Casey’s Cup.

The titanic tripleheader gets started Friday at the historic Jackson Motor Speedway in Byram, Mississippi with gates opening at 5:30 PM and racing at 7:30 PM with Crate Late Models, Sportmans and Factory Stocks also on the bill.

Then on Saturday the touring titans of the USMTS bring the boom to the “House of Hook” at the Whynot Motorsports Park in Meridian, Mississippi with racing at 6:30 PM and six big divisions of racing.

The action reaches a boiling point on Sunday as the meanest machines in America make their maiden voyage to the legendary Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, Mississippi for a wheel-to-wheel showdown at “The Mag” with four classes in action and the green flag waving at 5:15 PM.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
United States Modified Touring Series
Summit USMTS Southern Series powered by Production Jars
9th Annual Summit USMTS Winter Speedweeks presented by MSD Performance – Round 3 of 6
Kennedale Speedway Park, Kennedale, Texas
Friday, March 2, 2018

Showing finishing position, starting position in parentheses, car number, driver, hometown, chassis/engine builder, laps completed and money won.

SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):
1. (2) 20 Rodney Sanders, Worthington, Minn.
2. (3) 21 Austin Bonner, Elk City, Okla.
3. (5) 65 Carlos Ahumada Jr. (R), Canutillo, Texas.
4. (6) 14t Triston Dycus, Waxahachie, Texas.
5. (8) 4m Bobby Malchus, Red Oak, Texas.
6. (7) 97 Cade Dillard, Robeline, La.
7. (1) 56 Troy Taylor, Midlothian, Texas.
8. (4) 19 Robert McKinney, Alvarado, Texas.
9. (9) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.

FAST SHAFTS HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. (7) 88xxx Clyde Dunn Jr., Rockwall, Texas.
2. (2) 24z Zane Ferrell (R), Hermitage, Ark.
3. (4) 2s Stormy Scott, Las Cruces, N.M.
4. (1) 60 William Gould, Calera, Okla.
5. (3) 91 Joe Duvall, Claremore, Okla.
6. (8) 52 John Gober, Poolville, Texas.
7. (9) 88r A.J. Vasquez (R), Garden City, Mich.
8. (6) 4 Bo Day (R), Greenville, Texas.
9. (5) 23 Adam Kates, Tonganoxie, Kan.

EDELBROCK HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. (5) 47 Jack Sartain, Terrelll, Texas.
2. (1) 4v Billy Vogel, West Fargo, N.D.
3. (6) 71 Chad Melton, Mineral Wells, Texas.
4. (3) 130 Chase Allen, Midlothian, Texas.
5. (7) 24M Manuel Williams II (R), Fouke, Ark.
6. (8) 151 Tommy Williams, Mansfield, Texas.
7. (2) 24 Manuel Williams Sr. (R), Fouke, Ark.
8. (4) A1 Phil Dixon, Crosby, Texas.
9. (9) 33f Jardin Fuller (R), Memphis, Mo.

VP RACING FUELS HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. (1) 174 Ethan Dotson (R), Bakersfield, Calif.
2. (2) 9 Kevin Rutherford, Flower Mound, Texas.
3. (3) 23 Logan Robertson, Shamrock, Texas.
4. (4) 20R Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla.
5. (5) 5 Jon Mitchell, Texarkana, Texas.
6. (7) 75 Patrick Daniel, Wills Point, Texas.
7. (8) 1st Johnny Scott, Cameron, Mo.
8. (6) 57 Mark Shipman, Grandview, Texas.
9. (9) 20t Bailey Rowland, Woodward, Okla.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (12 laps, top 5 advance):
1. (1) 14t Triston Dycus, Waxahachie, Texas.
2. (2) 60 William Gould, Calera, Okla.
3. (6) 97 Cade Dillard, Robeline, La.
4. (3) 20R Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla.
5. (4) 91 Joe Duvall, Claremore, Okla.
6. (5) 52 John Gober, Poolville, Texas, CAM/ChevPerf, $75.
7. (10) A1 Phil Dixon, Crosby, Texas, Elite/CB, $90.
8. (8) 56 Troy Taylor, Midlothian, Texas, TNT/Wells, $90.
9. (9) 19 Robert McKinney, Alvarado, Texas, CAM/Uniflex, $75.
10. (7) 88r A.J. Vasquez (R), Garden City, Mich., Hughes/Farris, $90.
11. (11) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla., Hughes/Cornett, $0.
12. (12) 33f Jardin Fuller (R), Memphis, Mo., Hughes/Mullins, $0.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (12 laps, top 5 advance):
1. (2) 130 Chase Allen, Midlothian, Texas.
2. (4) 5 Jon Mitchell, Texarkana, Texas.
3. (3) 24M Manuel Williams II (R), Fouke, Ark.
4. (7) 1st Johnny Scott, Cameron, Mo.
5. (5) 151 Tommy Williams, Mansfield, Texas.
6. (12) 20t Bailey Rowland, Woodward, Okla., BlackWidow/ProPower, $75.
7. (11) 23 Adam Kates, Tonganoxie, Kan., VanderBuilt/Speedway, $90.
8. (10) 57 Mark Shipman, Grandview, Texas, GRT/ChevPerf, $75.
9. (6) 75 Patrick Daniel, Wills Point, Texas, LG2/Wells, $75.
10. (9) 4 Bo Day (R), Greenville, Texas.
11. (1) 4m Bobby Malchus, Red Oak, Texas.
12. (8) 24 Manuel Williams Sr. (R), Fouke, Ark., Bandit/Kraft, $90.

SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT “A” MAIN (35 laps):
1. (2) 174 Ethan Dotson (R), Bakersfield, Calif., MBCustoms/ChevPerf, $3000.
2. (4) 20 Rodney Sanders, Worthington, Minn., MBCustoms/Hatfield, $1700.
3. (17) 97 Cade Dillard, Robeline, La., MBCustoms/Knowles, $1200.
4. (5) 24z Zane Ferrell (R), Hermitage, Ark., MBCustoms/ASI, $1000.
5. (20) 1st Johnny Scott, Cameron, Mo., VanderBuilt/Durham, $800.
6. (9) 9 Kevin Rutherford, Flower Mound, Texas, MBCustoms/ASI, $700.
7. (6) 21 Austin Bonner, Elk City, Okla., MBCustoms/Karl, $600.
8. (16) 5 Jon Mitchell, Texarkana, Texas, MBCustoms/Sput’s, $500.
9. (19) 20R Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla., BlackWidow/ProPower, $450.
10. (23) 4m Bobby Malchus, Red Oak, Texas, Rocket/Wells, $400.
11. (7) 47 Jack Sartain, Terrelll, Texas, BillsBuilt/3D, $325.
12. (1) 88xxx Clyde Dunn Jr., Rockwall, Texas, MBCustoms/Mullins, $350.
13. (10) 65 Carlos Ahumada Jr. (R), Canutillo, Texas, GRT/BMS, $325.
14. (21) 91 Joe Duvall, Claremore, Okla., MBCustoms/ChevPerf, $300.
15. (8) 71 Chad Melton, Mineral Wells, Texas, Harris/ChevPerf, $250.
16. (24) 4 Bo Day (R), Greenville, Texas, MBCustoms/Mullins, $300.
17. (13) 14t Triston Dycus, Waxahachie, Texas, GRT/Wells, $250.
18. (3) 4v Billy Vogel, West Fargo, N.D., MBCustoms/Durham, $300.
19. (12) 23 Logan Robertson, Shamrock, Texas, MBCustoms/Knowles, $300.
20. (22) 151 Tommy Williams, Mansfield, Texas, Hughes/Herring, $250.
21. (18) 24M Manuel Williams II (R), Fouke, Ark., Bandit/Kraft, $300.
22. (11) 2s Stormy Scott, Las Cruces, N.M., VanderBuilt/Mullins, $300.
23. (15) 60 William Gould, Calera, Okla., GRC/BMS, $250.
24. (14) 130 Chase Allen, Midlothian, Texas, CAM/ChevPerf, $250.

(R) = Grant Junghans USMTS Rookie of the Year contender

Lap Leaders: Dotson 1-8, Sanders 9-34, Dotson 35.
Total Laps Led: Sanders 26, Dotson 9.
Margin of Victory: 0.781 second.
Time of Race: 17 minutes, 27.451 seconds (2 cautions).
Provisional Starters: Malchus, Day.
Eibach Spring Forward Award: J. Scott (advanced 19 positions).
FK Rod Ends Hard Charger: J. Scott (started 20th, finished 5th).
Entries: 36.
Next Race: Friday, March 9, Jackson Motor Speedway, Byram, Miss.
Summit USMTS Southern Series Points: J. Scott 288, Dillard 277, Dotson 268, Sanders 248, Duvall 235, Mitchell 235, Ferrell 223, Ahumada 218, Bryan Rowland 216, Robertson 204.
Grant Junghans USMTS Rookie of the Year Points: Dotson 268, Ferrell 223, Ahumada 218, Day 188, M. Williams II 184.
USMTS Engine Builder of the Year Points: Durham 26, Knowles 25, ChevPerf 25, Hatfield 17, Sput’s 14.
USMTS Manufacturers Championship Points: VanderBuilt 29, MBCustoms 28, GRT 18, BlackWidow 18, Hughes 17.

Contingency Awards:
American Racer – Sartain.
Beyea Custom Headers – Dycus.
BSB Manufacturing – M. Williams II.
Deatherage Opticians – Dunn.
E3 Spark Plugs – Dillard.
Edelbrock – Sartain.
Eibach – J. Scott.
Fast Shafts – Dunn.
FK Rod Ends – J. Scott.
Forty9 Designs – Duvall, Robertson.
GRT Race Cars – Dycus.
Hooker Harness – Ahumada.
Integra Shocks & Springs – Vogel.
Jerovetz Motorsports Racing Parts – Melton.
Keyser Manufacturing – Malchus.
KSE Racing Products – Bryan Rowland.
Maxima Racing Oils – Dotson.
Mesilla Valley Transportation – Vogel.
Out-Pace Racing Products – Day.
QA1 – Dunn.
RacerWebsite.com – Vasquez.
Real Racing Wheels – all non-qualifiers.
Simpson Performance Products – Sanders.
Swift Springs – Dotson, Sartain.
Sybesma Graphics – Dunn.
Tire Demon – Sartain.
VP Racing Fuels – Dotson.
Wehrs Machine & Racing Products – Dotson.
Wilwood Disc Brakes – Bonner.

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USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: Alpinestars, American Racer Racing Tires, Argo Manufacturing, Casey’s General Stores, Chevrolet Performance, CP-Carrillo, Deatherage Opticians, Eibach Springs, Fast Shafts, Intercomp, Jerovetz Motorsports Racing Parts, KSE Racing Products, Leaf Racewear & Safety Equipment, Malvern Bank, Mesilla Valley Transportation, MSD Performance, Nitroquest Media, Pace Performance, RacinDirt.com, S&S Fishing & Rental, Summit Racing Equipment, VP Racing Fuels.

USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: Arizona Sport Shirts, ASi Racewear, Boubin Tire & Automotive, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Duvall Electric, Eagle Moon Farm, ElbowsUp.com, Evolution Powersports, Oreo Cookies, PBM Performance Products, Production Jars, Rancho Milagro Racing, River’s Edge Scrap Management, Snickers, Spike Hardcore Energy, Top of the World Ranch, YouDirt.com.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: 905 Ink, AFCO Racing Products, Allstar Performance, Alpine Stars, Beyea Custom Headers, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, BSB Manufacturing, Edelbrock, FK Rod Ends, Forty9 Designs, Genesis Racing Shocks, GRT Race Cars, Holley Performance Products, Hooker Harness, Integra Shocks & Springs, Keyser Manufacturing, Maxima Racing Oils, Mr. Gasket, Out-Pace Racing Products, QA1, RacerWebsite.com, Real Racing Wheels, RHRSwag.com, Simpson Performance Products, Swift Springs, Sybesma Graphics, Tire Demon, Wehrs Machine & Race Products, Wilwood Disc Brakes.

Grant Junghans: The Best Race Ever Run

MANHATTAN, Kan. (March 14) — Every once in a while we are blessed with the presence of an individual who, through selfless acts of courage, inspire us to do remarkable things we never thought possible.

It’s rarely on purpose. Instead, these people don’t necessarily inspire through the words they say but rather by the super-human strength they show in bearing a cross most of us could never fathom carrying.

Grant Junghans was one of those people.

This past Saturday night while many of us were watching or competing in the sport we cherish, and celebrating the end of dirt track racing’s annual hibernation, Grant raced beneath the final checkered flag that all of us will someday take.

As evidence of his impact on the racing community and those with whom he crossed paths, news of his passing quickly circulated through social media, and by morning enough tears had fallen to soak every dirt track on the planet.

And while we mourn the loss of a great friend, great competitor and great teacher, we can rejoice in the lessons he taught us. Never give up and cherish every moment of your existence. We owe him that much.

It’s safe to say that no better race has ever been run than the 27-lapper Grant Junghans just completed.

All of us at the USMTS-employees, officials, competitors, sponsors and fans-will miss you, Grant. Our deepest sympathies are with Grant’s family and close friends. To his parents, thank you for bringing him into this world and sharing him with us.

Information regarding memorials, funeral arrangements and more will be announced in due time. Meanwhile, you can learn more about Grant on his website at www.grantjunghans.com or his Facebook page atwww.facebook.com/grantjunghans2.

Junghans won’t let cancer keep him down
by Jason Feldman, Rochester Post-Bulletin, July 25, 2014

It’s difficult to know who or what is in the tougher position: Grant Junghans or the cancer that still lives in his body.

As hard as that cancer has tried to take down the 25-year-old from Manhattan, Kan., he has fought back at it even harder. And after all he has been through over the past four-and-a-half years, the safe money should be bet on Junghans to win the battle.

He’s feeling at his best these days when he’s back behind the wheel of his No. 2 Shop Quik Modified. That’s where he can focus all of his energy on what he loves most.

Junghans is one of approximately 90 drivers participating in the 4th Annual World Modified Dirt Track Championship at Deer Creek Speedway this week.

“I’m just happy to be up here to race,” he said during Wednesday night’s practice session. “A realistic goal this week would be to make the show. I’d love to do that, especially since I’ve been struggling a little this season and I’ve had hard times here; I’ve never really run all that well here.”

Junghans raced frequently at Deer Creek as a teenager and into his early 20s, often with the United States Modified Touring Series.

In recent years, Junghans’ trips to the Rochester area haven’t been for fun; they’ve been for survival.

He was first diagnosed with cancer in February of 2010 when he felt a small knot in his shoulder, about the size of a pea. He had surgery at a hospital near his home in Kansas to remove the lump, but his doctors there immediately ordered him to see a specialist.

Junghans came to the Mayo Clinic, where doctors put him on chemotherapy for most of the spring and summer of 2010. In December of that year, he returned to Mayo for a routine checkup only to learn the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes and into his chest, requiring another surgery.

The cancer has never completely left his body.

It came back with a fury a year ago.

“Last July I had another surgery up here,” Junghans said. “There were two spots on my brain that they had cut me open and pull out. It wasn’t healing right, so they had to do it again in December. After that, I didn’t feel up to doing much of anything for a while. I just sat around the house and didn’t move.”

In late January, Junghans finally felt up to hitting the road, not to race, but to watch his younger brother, Chase, race in Arizona. Chase, 21, is in his rookie season with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series. He finished 11th in the Gopher 50 at Deer Creek on July 13.

“He’s living his dream and I’m really happy for him,” Grant said.

In a way, Grant is back to living his dream. He’s not racing full-time – “there are some other (cancer) spots here and there on my body that the doctors are keeping an eye on,” he said – but enough to keep his spirits up.

“I’ve been feeling pretty good this summer. They’ve got me pretty well cleared up,” said Junghans, whose next scheduled checkup at the Mayo Clinic is in August, then he’ll return to Deer Creek in September for the Featherlite Fall Jamboree. “I’m out here having fun and that’s all that matters.”

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 and Instagram at www.instagram.com/usmts or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/usmtstv.

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