The United States Modified Touring Series made it's inaugural appearance at the North Central Speedway in Brainerd, Minnesota last night (Friday, Sept 18). Twenty-nine modifieds were in attendance while support classes included the hornets, pure stocks, and short trackers.
The trip north would also be my first ever visit to the speedway. Upon arrival, the backside of the sweets looked impressive. While walking in through the ticket stand, the concession stand was off to the right while the restroom facilities were to the left. Beyond the restrooms was the USMTS souvenir trailer, so I made the trek over to talk with USMTS officials. Once again Todd Staley commented about me driving so far to attend one of his races. Always fun chatting with him and his family/staff.
As I made the turn to walk towards the grandstand, it was immediately apparent that the crowd almost sits on top of the track. The grandstands are quite steep, allowing you to see over the people sitting in front of you. The 3/8 mile track was surrounded by a concrete wall with the exception being an opening to the pits just before turn one. There was also an opening in turn two where the staging area sits.
Ten hornets would be up first for their fifteen lap feature. Jesse Tripp made the pull from Spooner, Wisconsin pay off as he scored the win ahead of Kevin Bradwell.
The pure stock feature saw Dave Johnson take home the win ahead of Mike Smude.
The short trackers feature saw some controversy at the finish. Late in the race Chad Funt appeared to be appeared to be on his way to collecting the win after Ben Godbee suffered a left rear flat tire. Funt would not give up and drive deep into turn three and made contact with Funt, resulting in both cars slowing down and allowing Shawn Fernkes to slip by on the low side to steal the win. Funt and Godbee followed Fernkes across the line, neither driver lifting for the other and coming to a stop on the front stretch.
Thirty-five laps would be the distance for the USMTS nightcap. Tim Donlinger and Grant Junghans led the field to the green flag with Junghans grabbing the slim lead. Donlinger would keep pace as he stayed on Junghans' left rear quarter panel for the first couple laps before taking the lead on lap seven. A caution flag would slow the action down, but the action quickly picked back up as Donlinger led a couple rows of two-wide racing. Tommy Myer would slip under Junghans for the runner up spot on lap twelve. Junghans would continue to slide further back as Ryan Gustin and Jason Hughes also made passes on the DandyLand Farms Rookie of the Year recipient.
A caution would fly on lap nineteen, but the focus would turn to Tim Donlinger on the restart. Exiting turn four on the restart, Donlinger appeared to spin the tires. Ryan Gustin took advantage of this as he motored to the outside to gain the lead, but six cars piled up in turn one behind them to bring out the caution once again. The field was stopped on the front stretch while clean up was being done, at which point Donlinger got out of his car and had his car pushed to the pit area. That handed the lead over to Tommy Myer.
Points leader Kelly Shryock continued his consistent streak as he climbed into the third slot on lap twenty. On the next lap Gustin used the high side to power into the lead past Myer before another caution with eleven laps remaining. Shryock would use the low line to get by Myer for the runner up spot while Jon Tesch used the high side to also make the pass on Myer. Shryock would take over the race lead with seven laps to go as Shryock ducked under Gustin. Myer would get back by Tesch for third and later sneak by Gustin for the runner up with three laps to go. Shryock extended his lead late as he picked up his first Hunt win and just his second win on the USMTS trail this season. Tommy Myer, Ryan Gustin, Jon Tesch, and Jason Hughes followed him across the line.
Shryock's win all but solidified his chances of winning the Hunt for the Championship this year. He now holds a commanding 107 point lead over Hughes with just four races remaining on the docket. Action continues tonight again at the North Central Speedway in Brainerd before the final three days are held at the Featherlite Fall Jamboree at the Deer Creek Speedway next weekend. Pre-entries have already eclipsed the 100 mark for that event that supports three complete nightly shows.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
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