This blog entry is going to be completley different then any other previous entries.
For those of you that were familiar with the Southern Iowa Speedway, or any races in the midwest for that matter, you may have run across a gentleman by the name of Gary Storey. Storey, a "Super Fan" of racing, lived in Oskaloosa when I met him some ten to fifteen years ago. Quite often I would travel to race tracks and he would be the first person I see in the parking lot when I drove in.
Gary unfortunately lost his battle with cancer late last Thursday night, September 23rd. Gary had lived in a house with his brother prior to moving into a hospice care facility in Oskaloosa. Gary grew up near Albia before moving to Knoxville and eventually Oskaloosa. Gary Storey was 59.
Gary was a diehard Super Fan. He spent many years traveling up and down the highways throughout the country, searching for another race to attend while dodging the weather. Story often times would sleep in the back of his pickup truck to save money. He had quite a setup under that topper, including an air mattress and covers. It was nothing for him to drive from one state to another in a matter of a day. Case in point, I recall an example where I saw Gary down in Bolivar, Missouri towards the end of the racing season. It was a Saturday night show. Gary invited me to stick around and split a hotel room in order to attend a race the next day in Mayetta, Kansas. I declined his offer, but I found out later that he did indeed make the trip the next day.
There are several memories similar to that in which I can share. But it doesn't provide the same meaning if you didn't know the man. Many would chuckle or laugh under their breath when they heard Gary laugh from a distance. His voice carried quite well, so one could hear his laugh from a good distance. Knowing that Gary was willing to drive just about anywhere, I would wonder to myself if he was going to be at the same show I was traveling to. More often then not, he was there.
I will admit that I didn't know much about Gary outside of the racing community. I do recall him saying that he used to work at Hy-Vee. Arthritis began to slow him down several years ago, but he wouldn't let that stop him completely.
Gary - I want you to know that I'm deeply saddened by your passing. You were a true diehard race fan, one who watched anything from sprint cars to four-cylinders. I'm sure you're in a better place now, and that the suffering has stopped. You will truly be missed, but never forgotten!
To view Gary's obituary, click here.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Nights 1 & 2 of USMTS Fall Jamboree
The United States Modified Touring Series has had its share of rainouts over the past couple of weeks. Shows originally scheduled in early September at Oskaloosa and Allison were rescheduled to the early part of this prior week, with Allison getting rained out once again on Tuesday. Then along comes the rain in southern Minnesota, putting a "wash" on the Wednesday night practice of the Fall Jamboree held at the Deer Creek Speedway near Spring Valley, Minnesota.
Not only did Wednesday night's rain force the cancellation of practice, but the resulting flood of Deer Creek that runs along the outskirts of the track property played havoc on the situation as well. The creek runs parallel to the pit area, forcing haulers and campers to evacuate to higher ground. Needless to say, Thursday night's races were also postponed.
Friday morning saw drying conditions as there was a strong breeze out of the northwest. Track crews worked hard to get the track in ideal shape as a practice session was held in the afternoon prior to the evenings races. With all the moisture, it was an unexpected surprise when dust was seen towards the end of practice.
As the opening ceremonies approached, it was noted that over 100 USMTS modifieds and nearly 40 Wissota midwest modifieds were checked in for action. Five heats and two b-mains narrowed the midwest modified field down to twenty-four starters. In USMTS action, eight heats races were run with the top twenty in passing points locking themselves in to the feature. Five b-mains would also be needed, taking the top two from each to set up a thirty-car field for their forty lap feature later on.
Brandon Davis would make a clean sweep in the Wissota midwest modified division as he picked up a heat race when and went on to capture the twenty-lap feature. The win was Davis' 41st win of the season. Greg Pfeifer Jr would finish second, Alan Mondus was third, Jerry Young fourth, and Mike Paulson rounded out the top five. Track announcer Todd Narveson also mentioned that Davis' incredible season also includes four track championships! Quite a remarkable season for a 19-year old driver.
The thirty-car, forty lap USMTS nightcap saw Darrin Walch and Jon Tesch on the front row with Walch getting the edge at the drop of the green flag. Tommy Myer, no stranger to victory lane at Deer Creek Speedway, started third and quickly worked under Tesch for the second position. He quickly focused his attention on Walch up front and seized the opportunity to duck low of him on lap three to secure the lead. Walch continue to backslide as Terry Phillips, Jon Tesch, Jeremy Payne, and Shane Hebert knocked him out of the top five. The first caution of the race came on lap nineteen that included Kelly Shryock and Mike Steensma tangling in turn one. On the ensuing restart Phillips used a slidejob in turn three to power by Myer for the race lead.
Action came to a screeching hault when the red flag came out for Corey Dripps. Dripps apparently got hung up on the fronstretch wall and made heavy contact with the opening to the pit area in turn one. Dripps would get out of the car under his own power and acknowledged the fans. Jon Tesch would work the outside groove as he made his way by Myer for the second position on the restart while points leader Jason Hughes made the pass on Ryan Gustin for the sixth spot. At the front of the field it was all Terry Phillips as he pocketed the winning payday and hardware. He was followed across the line by Jon Tesch, Tommy Myer, Jeremy Payne, and Jason Hughes. Hughes' strong run from seventeenth meant he pulled further ahead of Ryan Gustin in the point standings. The eighty-eight point margin would be extremely hard for the Marshalltown teenager to overcome with just two shows remaining.
I'd like to give a shout out to the track crew at the Deer Creek Speedway! With all the pictures that I saw of not only the track, but the grounds as well, I was extremely surprised that we were able to see races Friday night. The track was in excellent condition throughout the night and provided for three, four, and sometimes five-wide racing.
Now on to Saturday night. With Thursday's events rescheduled for Sunday, that meant that the originally scheduled "championship night" of the Fall Jamboree would still be held Saturday night. The big money would be on the line for drivers in both divisions, which both winner's share of the purse was increased by generous sponsors that stepped forward earlier in the day.
Although the sun came out for periods of time and the wind was not as strong, it seemed to be a bit colder then Friday night. Once again the same format would be used for qualifying for both classes. With the cold temperatures, I opted not to take my usual notes so I could keep my hands warm.
The Wissota midwest modified feature would be run green to checkered as they took to the track immediately following a track prep session. Brandon Davis would garner a second consecutive win on the weekend as he picked up the big money check. Dan Wheeler would come home second, Dustin Scott finished third, Jerry Young was fourth, and Wissota 100 winner Matt Leer completed the top five.
Before the USMTS feature took the green flag, a big screen tv in the infield displayed a trailer from the Dirt Knights television program that will be debuting in January on the Versus network. Following that clip, the drivers were introduced to the crowd with recorded video clips from earlier in the day. As the drivers organized for a photo, a big ball of fire went off behind the billboards. Hopefully somebody got a picture at the right time as it was a spectacular sight, not to mention a warm sensation. As the drivers buckled in and began their pace laps, fireworks on the backstretch went off.
Then it was time for business. Al Hejna, Rodney Sanders, and Bob Timm comprised the front row of the three-wide, eleven-row deep field of the best of the best. Sanders would get the advantage and lead the fourteen laps before relinquishing the lead to Ryan Gustin. Gustin, who had started twelfth, began to pull away from the field as he tried to cut in to Jason Hughe's insurmountable point lead. With Gustin looking strong and holding a straight away advantage, the caution flag came out on lap twenty-nine to bunch the field back up. Another quick caution followed, but when racing resumed Jason Hughes kept pace with Gustin and made his move on the outside of Gustin on lap thirty-two to take command of the race. While Gustin searched for a faster line behind, Hughes maintained his lead by running the cushion. When the smoke settled it would be Jason Hughes celebrating in victory lane. His efforts were rewarded with a $9,000 paycheck as sponsors stepped up and added money, but Hughes also garnered the "previous champion" bonus. Jon Tesch found the quick way around Gustin for second and third, respectively, with Shane Hebert and Zack VanderBeek rounding out the top five.
Hughes not only collected the hardware for the Fall Jamboree championship night, but his efforts all but clinched the 2010 National Championship for the Oklahoma driver. Hughes only needs to sign in and take the green flag in his heat race to become the fourth different national champion in USMTS history. To go along with these accolades, Hughes' own Hughes Chassis also won the Chassis Builders Championship.
Ryan Gustin should finish in the runner-up position in the national point standings. He holds a 59-point advantage over Tommy Myer. It would be the second consecutive season that Gustin has finished in that position as he finished behind Kelly Shryock last year.
The COMP Cams Engine Builders Championship is the only championship to be determined with Sunday's events. Mullins and Sputs are currently tied, so the engine that finishes ahead of the other will be crown victorious.
Sunday also marks the end of the 2010 National Tour for the USMTS. However, the USMTS still has 5 events on the calendar at this point in time as they have events in Texas. For more information, be sure to check out www.usmts.com.
I'd like to thank Todd and Janet Staley, along with their public relations director Jeff Nun, for their hospitality throughout the year. The entire USMTS staff were always willing to answers questions I may have had or taken the time to chat after the races.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
Not only did Wednesday night's rain force the cancellation of practice, but the resulting flood of Deer Creek that runs along the outskirts of the track property played havoc on the situation as well. The creek runs parallel to the pit area, forcing haulers and campers to evacuate to higher ground. Needless to say, Thursday night's races were also postponed.
Friday morning saw drying conditions as there was a strong breeze out of the northwest. Track crews worked hard to get the track in ideal shape as a practice session was held in the afternoon prior to the evenings races. With all the moisture, it was an unexpected surprise when dust was seen towards the end of practice.
As the opening ceremonies approached, it was noted that over 100 USMTS modifieds and nearly 40 Wissota midwest modifieds were checked in for action. Five heats and two b-mains narrowed the midwest modified field down to twenty-four starters. In USMTS action, eight heats races were run with the top twenty in passing points locking themselves in to the feature. Five b-mains would also be needed, taking the top two from each to set up a thirty-car field for their forty lap feature later on.
Brandon Davis would make a clean sweep in the Wissota midwest modified division as he picked up a heat race when and went on to capture the twenty-lap feature. The win was Davis' 41st win of the season. Greg Pfeifer Jr would finish second, Alan Mondus was third, Jerry Young fourth, and Mike Paulson rounded out the top five. Track announcer Todd Narveson also mentioned that Davis' incredible season also includes four track championships! Quite a remarkable season for a 19-year old driver.
The thirty-car, forty lap USMTS nightcap saw Darrin Walch and Jon Tesch on the front row with Walch getting the edge at the drop of the green flag. Tommy Myer, no stranger to victory lane at Deer Creek Speedway, started third and quickly worked under Tesch for the second position. He quickly focused his attention on Walch up front and seized the opportunity to duck low of him on lap three to secure the lead. Walch continue to backslide as Terry Phillips, Jon Tesch, Jeremy Payne, and Shane Hebert knocked him out of the top five. The first caution of the race came on lap nineteen that included Kelly Shryock and Mike Steensma tangling in turn one. On the ensuing restart Phillips used a slidejob in turn three to power by Myer for the race lead.
Action came to a screeching hault when the red flag came out for Corey Dripps. Dripps apparently got hung up on the fronstretch wall and made heavy contact with the opening to the pit area in turn one. Dripps would get out of the car under his own power and acknowledged the fans. Jon Tesch would work the outside groove as he made his way by Myer for the second position on the restart while points leader Jason Hughes made the pass on Ryan Gustin for the sixth spot. At the front of the field it was all Terry Phillips as he pocketed the winning payday and hardware. He was followed across the line by Jon Tesch, Tommy Myer, Jeremy Payne, and Jason Hughes. Hughes' strong run from seventeenth meant he pulled further ahead of Ryan Gustin in the point standings. The eighty-eight point margin would be extremely hard for the Marshalltown teenager to overcome with just two shows remaining.
I'd like to give a shout out to the track crew at the Deer Creek Speedway! With all the pictures that I saw of not only the track, but the grounds as well, I was extremely surprised that we were able to see races Friday night. The track was in excellent condition throughout the night and provided for three, four, and sometimes five-wide racing.
Now on to Saturday night. With Thursday's events rescheduled for Sunday, that meant that the originally scheduled "championship night" of the Fall Jamboree would still be held Saturday night. The big money would be on the line for drivers in both divisions, which both winner's share of the purse was increased by generous sponsors that stepped forward earlier in the day.
Although the sun came out for periods of time and the wind was not as strong, it seemed to be a bit colder then Friday night. Once again the same format would be used for qualifying for both classes. With the cold temperatures, I opted not to take my usual notes so I could keep my hands warm.
The Wissota midwest modified feature would be run green to checkered as they took to the track immediately following a track prep session. Brandon Davis would garner a second consecutive win on the weekend as he picked up the big money check. Dan Wheeler would come home second, Dustin Scott finished third, Jerry Young was fourth, and Wissota 100 winner Matt Leer completed the top five.
Before the USMTS feature took the green flag, a big screen tv in the infield displayed a trailer from the Dirt Knights television program that will be debuting in January on the Versus network. Following that clip, the drivers were introduced to the crowd with recorded video clips from earlier in the day. As the drivers organized for a photo, a big ball of fire went off behind the billboards. Hopefully somebody got a picture at the right time as it was a spectacular sight, not to mention a warm sensation. As the drivers buckled in and began their pace laps, fireworks on the backstretch went off.
Then it was time for business. Al Hejna, Rodney Sanders, and Bob Timm comprised the front row of the three-wide, eleven-row deep field of the best of the best. Sanders would get the advantage and lead the fourteen laps before relinquishing the lead to Ryan Gustin. Gustin, who had started twelfth, began to pull away from the field as he tried to cut in to Jason Hughe's insurmountable point lead. With Gustin looking strong and holding a straight away advantage, the caution flag came out on lap twenty-nine to bunch the field back up. Another quick caution followed, but when racing resumed Jason Hughes kept pace with Gustin and made his move on the outside of Gustin on lap thirty-two to take command of the race. While Gustin searched for a faster line behind, Hughes maintained his lead by running the cushion. When the smoke settled it would be Jason Hughes celebrating in victory lane. His efforts were rewarded with a $9,000 paycheck as sponsors stepped up and added money, but Hughes also garnered the "previous champion" bonus. Jon Tesch found the quick way around Gustin for second and third, respectively, with Shane Hebert and Zack VanderBeek rounding out the top five.
Hughes not only collected the hardware for the Fall Jamboree championship night, but his efforts all but clinched the 2010 National Championship for the Oklahoma driver. Hughes only needs to sign in and take the green flag in his heat race to become the fourth different national champion in USMTS history. To go along with these accolades, Hughes' own Hughes Chassis also won the Chassis Builders Championship.
Ryan Gustin should finish in the runner-up position in the national point standings. He holds a 59-point advantage over Tommy Myer. It would be the second consecutive season that Gustin has finished in that position as he finished behind Kelly Shryock last year.
The COMP Cams Engine Builders Championship is the only championship to be determined with Sunday's events. Mullins and Sputs are currently tied, so the engine that finishes ahead of the other will be crown victorious.
Sunday also marks the end of the 2010 National Tour for the USMTS. However, the USMTS still has 5 events on the calendar at this point in time as they have events in Texas. For more information, be sure to check out www.usmts.com.
I'd like to thank Todd and Janet Staley, along with their public relations director Jeff Nun, for their hospitality throughout the year. The entire USMTS staff were always willing to answers questions I may have had or taken the time to chat after the races.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Gustin Visits Oskaloosa Victory Lane Again
After Mother Nature forced officials from the United States Modified Touring Series to postpone the event at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa until Monday night (Sept 20), it appeared as though she may play a factor once again last night. However, track officials worked hard to get the track in racing condition to set up the first of five scheduled nights for the USMTS road warriors.
Plenty of rain over the course of the previous week provided for a choppy track, which was evident by the way the cars were bouncing through the corners. A few unlucky drivers ended their night on the back end of a tow truck after being in a wreck or rollover. Fortunately all drivers were okay.
Twenty-five USRA bmods were first to tame the monster half-mile oval. Outside front row starter Bill Gibson got the jump to hold down the top spot in the early running. Pole sitter Cayden Carter and row two starter Jason McDaniel engaged in a duel for the runner up position on lap three with Carter getting the advantage. Andrew Schroeder slowed down the front stretch on lap four to bring out the first caution flag, and when racing resumed Carter wasted no time in powering his machine to the top side and motoring by Gibson for the lead. With Carter securely out front, Gibson and McDaniel battled it out for the second spot late in the race. Gibson would snag the second finishing position ahead of McDaniel with Tony Johnson and AJ Johnson, but it was Cayden Carter picking up his eighteenth win of the season according to track announcer Tony Paris.
A field of eighteen USRA hobby stocks would be the next feature to take to the track. Outside front row starter Nathan Wood jumped out to the early lead in the #55 car owned by TJ Henderson. Dustin Griffiths ducked to the inside of Dale Porter for the runner up position before the top five spread themselves out in single file formation. Todd Reitzler and Kris Walker both worked their way by Porter to each advance a spot before Reitzler came to a stop in turn four with a flat tire with four laps remaining. On the restart, Dan Hovden made a great move to the inside to pass two cars to take over the runner up spot and set his sights on race leader Nathan Wood. The gap between first and second began to shrink as the laps clicked away, but Wood was able to hold off Hovden to take the win. Dan Hovden would finish a close second, Kris Walker was third, Bobby Greene fourth, and Todd Reitzler rebounded nicely for a fifth place finish.
Nineteen stock cars graced the pit area, but two drivers were unable to make the call for the Dart Iron Man Challenge feature event. Pole sitter Todd Inman would lead the first circuit, but Jason Minnehan would rocket off turn two and swing to the inside of Inman for the lead on lap two. Brad Pinkerton, piloting Nathan Wood's IMCA-rules stock car, quickly advanced into the third spot by lap three. Inman would regain the lead from Minnehan while Nathan Wood climbed to fourth. The two "Team Wood" cars would both dive to the inside of Minnehan and pick up a spot. Pinkerton would later peak to the inside of Inman for the lead prior to the red flag coming out when Shane Weller came to a stop in turn one. Chad Walter couldn't change his line fast enough and made heavy contact with Weller's machine, ripping the rear end out of Walter's car and sending him for a ride. Weller and Walter were both alright.
Following the restart Mike VanGenderen, Minnehan, and Inman raced three-wide coming out of turn four before contact was made a lap later. VanGenderen caught a rut wrong, causing his machine to push up and hit Minnehan's hotrod. Minnehan then collected Nathan Wood with Wood coming to a stop. The contact would end Minnehan's strong run while Wood tagged the tail of the field, along with VanGenderen who was penalized for questionable driving. VanGenderen and Wood both weaved their way back up through the field in fine fashion. Brad Pinkerton would take home the checkers with Nathan Wood in second, Mike VanGenderen in third, Mark Elliott fourth, and Greg Elliott fifth. The press release for the Dart Ironman Challenge series showed that Nathan Wood overtook VanGenderen for the point lead heading in to the final race of the series at the Highway 3 Raceway in Allison Tuesday night. Unfortunately Mother Nature had other ideas as that event was cancelled earlier today. So one could assume that Wood will be crowned the series champion.
It was then time for the heart-pounding cars of the USMTS to make their way to the track. Outside front row starter Colt Mather was seemingly shot out of a cannon as he took control from the drop of the green flag. Mike Spaulding was running second with sixth starter Ryan Gustin in third at the completion of the first lap. On the next lap Spaulding suddenly slowed in turn four, leaving Brad Pinkerton no place to go as the two tangled. Tim Donlinger would also get caught up in the mishap along with Ryan Schaffer suffering the worst luck as he would end up on his top after wheel-hopping a slower car ahead of him. During the extensive cleanup, officials decided to cut the distance down to twenty laps rather then the original thirty due to the dangerous track conditions.
When the green flag was displayed again, Ryan Gustin rocketed to the lead on the inside of Mather in turn two. Mather fought right back on the outside and regained the catbird seat on the next circuit. Mather opened up a ten-carlength advantage at one point before Gustin began to reel him back in as the laps clicked away. Gustin would use the slingshot move in turns three and four to once again take the top spot, but this time he would not relinquish it. Mather continued to run the cushion, but points leader Jason Hughes marched to the inside and made the pass for the second position. Rodney Sanders and Jon Tesch waged a good battle for the fourth spot before Tesch pulled off the backstretch and ended his night early. Gustin would go on to take the impressive win and shave a few points off Jason Hughes' points lead. Hughes would finish second, Colt Mather third, Rodney Sanders finished fourth, and Tommy Myer rounded out the top five.
The USMTS series was supposed to make their way to the Highway 3 Raceway Tuesday night, but inclement weather forced officials to cancel that show. So instead they will head north to the Deer Creek Speedway near Spring Valley, Minnesota Wednesday for a practice night before opening up the Fall Jamboree on Thursday. The Fall Jamboree marks the final weekend to determine this year's USMTS National Championship. For more information, check out www.usmts.com or www.deercreekspeedway.com.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
Plenty of rain over the course of the previous week provided for a choppy track, which was evident by the way the cars were bouncing through the corners. A few unlucky drivers ended their night on the back end of a tow truck after being in a wreck or rollover. Fortunately all drivers were okay.
Twenty-five USRA bmods were first to tame the monster half-mile oval. Outside front row starter Bill Gibson got the jump to hold down the top spot in the early running. Pole sitter Cayden Carter and row two starter Jason McDaniel engaged in a duel for the runner up position on lap three with Carter getting the advantage. Andrew Schroeder slowed down the front stretch on lap four to bring out the first caution flag, and when racing resumed Carter wasted no time in powering his machine to the top side and motoring by Gibson for the lead. With Carter securely out front, Gibson and McDaniel battled it out for the second spot late in the race. Gibson would snag the second finishing position ahead of McDaniel with Tony Johnson and AJ Johnson, but it was Cayden Carter picking up his eighteenth win of the season according to track announcer Tony Paris.
A field of eighteen USRA hobby stocks would be the next feature to take to the track. Outside front row starter Nathan Wood jumped out to the early lead in the #55 car owned by TJ Henderson. Dustin Griffiths ducked to the inside of Dale Porter for the runner up position before the top five spread themselves out in single file formation. Todd Reitzler and Kris Walker both worked their way by Porter to each advance a spot before Reitzler came to a stop in turn four with a flat tire with four laps remaining. On the restart, Dan Hovden made a great move to the inside to pass two cars to take over the runner up spot and set his sights on race leader Nathan Wood. The gap between first and second began to shrink as the laps clicked away, but Wood was able to hold off Hovden to take the win. Dan Hovden would finish a close second, Kris Walker was third, Bobby Greene fourth, and Todd Reitzler rebounded nicely for a fifth place finish.
Nineteen stock cars graced the pit area, but two drivers were unable to make the call for the Dart Iron Man Challenge feature event. Pole sitter Todd Inman would lead the first circuit, but Jason Minnehan would rocket off turn two and swing to the inside of Inman for the lead on lap two. Brad Pinkerton, piloting Nathan Wood's IMCA-rules stock car, quickly advanced into the third spot by lap three. Inman would regain the lead from Minnehan while Nathan Wood climbed to fourth. The two "Team Wood" cars would both dive to the inside of Minnehan and pick up a spot. Pinkerton would later peak to the inside of Inman for the lead prior to the red flag coming out when Shane Weller came to a stop in turn one. Chad Walter couldn't change his line fast enough and made heavy contact with Weller's machine, ripping the rear end out of Walter's car and sending him for a ride. Weller and Walter were both alright.
Following the restart Mike VanGenderen, Minnehan, and Inman raced three-wide coming out of turn four before contact was made a lap later. VanGenderen caught a rut wrong, causing his machine to push up and hit Minnehan's hotrod. Minnehan then collected Nathan Wood with Wood coming to a stop. The contact would end Minnehan's strong run while Wood tagged the tail of the field, along with VanGenderen who was penalized for questionable driving. VanGenderen and Wood both weaved their way back up through the field in fine fashion. Brad Pinkerton would take home the checkers with Nathan Wood in second, Mike VanGenderen in third, Mark Elliott fourth, and Greg Elliott fifth. The press release for the Dart Ironman Challenge series showed that Nathan Wood overtook VanGenderen for the point lead heading in to the final race of the series at the Highway 3 Raceway in Allison Tuesday night. Unfortunately Mother Nature had other ideas as that event was cancelled earlier today. So one could assume that Wood will be crowned the series champion.
It was then time for the heart-pounding cars of the USMTS to make their way to the track. Outside front row starter Colt Mather was seemingly shot out of a cannon as he took control from the drop of the green flag. Mike Spaulding was running second with sixth starter Ryan Gustin in third at the completion of the first lap. On the next lap Spaulding suddenly slowed in turn four, leaving Brad Pinkerton no place to go as the two tangled. Tim Donlinger would also get caught up in the mishap along with Ryan Schaffer suffering the worst luck as he would end up on his top after wheel-hopping a slower car ahead of him. During the extensive cleanup, officials decided to cut the distance down to twenty laps rather then the original thirty due to the dangerous track conditions.
When the green flag was displayed again, Ryan Gustin rocketed to the lead on the inside of Mather in turn two. Mather fought right back on the outside and regained the catbird seat on the next circuit. Mather opened up a ten-carlength advantage at one point before Gustin began to reel him back in as the laps clicked away. Gustin would use the slingshot move in turns three and four to once again take the top spot, but this time he would not relinquish it. Mather continued to run the cushion, but points leader Jason Hughes marched to the inside and made the pass for the second position. Rodney Sanders and Jon Tesch waged a good battle for the fourth spot before Tesch pulled off the backstretch and ended his night early. Gustin would go on to take the impressive win and shave a few points off Jason Hughes' points lead. Hughes would finish second, Colt Mather third, Rodney Sanders finished fourth, and Tommy Myer rounded out the top five.
The USMTS series was supposed to make their way to the Highway 3 Raceway Tuesday night, but inclement weather forced officials to cancel that show. So instead they will head north to the Deer Creek Speedway near Spring Valley, Minnesota Wednesday for a practice night before opening up the Fall Jamboree on Thursday. The Fall Jamboree marks the final weekend to determine this year's USMTS National Championship. For more information, check out www.usmts.com or www.deercreekspeedway.com.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
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