In what has become a familiar sight to those following the United States Modified Touring Series, Ryan Gustin again graced victory lane at the big half-mile known as the Fairmont Raceway Monday night in Fairmont, Minnesota. After dominating performances in the previous three races, Gustin would have to earn the quadruple.
A packed house was on hand as both the USMTS modifieds and the Midwest 305 sprint cars were set for battle. Nineteen sprinters were on hand to take the green flag with Russel Wiese grabbing the top spot. Action quickly came to a screeching halt when Bob Hilldreth got sideways entering turn one and Tommy Barber t-boned him, sending Hilldreth into a whirlwind. Fortunately both drivers were okay despite wrecked race cars. When racing resumed Bruce Anderson was on the prowl as he advanced from fifth on the restart to third utilizing the low groove. Race leader Wiese would miscalculate turn two and wind up going off the corner to bring out the caution flag on lap three, handing the reigns over to Ryan Voss.
After starting fifteenth on the grid, Casey Fredrichsen found himself in eighth position on this restart. He used the same line as Bruce Anderson did on the previous restart to leapfrog into the top five before passing Steve Yarns for fourth. Up front Anderson ducked to the inside and pulled even with Voss, but was unable to complete the pass and ducked back into line. The top four cars would put plenty of distance on the rest of the field as they were a half-lap ahead of the fifth place machine. A caution with three laps remaining bunched the field back up, but only the fifth position changed hands as Ryan Voss held off Bruce Anderson for the win. Austin Johnson finished third, Casey Fredrichsen fourth, and Mike Blomstrom rounded out the top five.
1. 3D Ryan Voss
2. 11A Bruce Anderson
3. 81 Austin Johnson
4. 20 Casey Fredrichsen
5. 70 Mike Blomstrom
6. 4E Jeff Edgington
7. 10B Randy Reinhart
8. 1A Gordy Vogelaar
9. 11s Shadrach Sporaa
10. 34 Jake Nicoson
11. 33 Travis Lain
12. 87 Matt Hasara
13. 98 Steve Yarns
14. 50 Dan Jorgenson
It was then time for the thirty-lap USMTS modified feature. Jay Noteboom and Jason Krohn sat on the front row with Krohn wasting no time in taking the helm. After picking up the three previous USMTS features, Ryan Gustin would start twelfth on this night. That, however, wouldn't slow him down much as he quickly cut the field in half on his way to sixth in just two laps. The first of two cautions in the race came out on lap ten when Corey Dripps slowed after showing some smoke.
Gustin took advantage of the restart as he powered by Derek Ramirez for fourth before ducking low on Jason Cummins for third. Behind them Jon Tesch and Jay Noteboom were duking it out for the fifth position as most of the field were putting their American Racer tires up on the cushion. Tommy Weder Jr. was running solidly in second when he got his car sideways in turn three, allowing Gustin to sneak by on the low side. The pass would not count, however, as the caution waved before the lap could be scored.
With eight laps remaining Weder Jr. opted for the inside lane on the double-file restart, giving Gustin the outside. Gustin wasted no time as he made the pass on him for second before setting his sights on race leader Jason Krohn. As Gustin inched closer, he dove to the inside of the 2007 USMTS national champion and grabbed the lead with three laps to go. Gustin would stay out front as he picked up his fourth consecutive victory and eighth overall on the season. Jason Krohn settled for second, Jon Tesch finished third, Tommy Weder Jr was fourth, and Jason Cummins was fifth.
The Fairmont Raceway was a bad-fast track Monday night. Heat race lap times saw the sprint cars averaging 102 mph while the modifieds were no slouch at around 82 mph. Props go out to promoter Joe Ringsdorf for having a great, smooth racing surface throughout the night.
The USMTS series travels south to the Mineral City Speedway in Fort Dodge, Iowa on Tuesday night. Also on the card will be the Dart Iron Man Challenge series for USRA stock cars along with the hobby stocks. The USMTS will then head back north to the I-35 Speedway in Mason City on Wednesday where they will team up with the Midwest 305 sprints again.
And for those wondering - I'm finishing typing this up at 4AM and have to be to work at 7:30. But that won't stop me from attending the Fort Dodge show. Ha!
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
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