Last weekend marked the end of the 2010 season for the United States Modified Touring Series. A total of sixty-eight races (52 National Tour, 12 Southern Series) were held from mid-February through mid-November. I believe a total of 19 different winners graced Victory Lane this year, including National Rookie of the Year Johnny Scott picking up his first career USMTS win. While on the topic of wins, Ryan Gustin dominated that category this year as the youngster from Marshalltown, Iowa, racked up a season-high 17 victories. Gustin found immediate success shortly after making the decision to join Ed Gressel and his race team as he won in his second start back in March at McCool Junction, Nebraska. From that time forward it seemed that wherever the 19R car showed up, he was going to be a contender.
While Gustin dominated the win category, the most consistent driver was Jason Hughes. The Oklahoma chassis builder put together a fantastic season that culminated in achieving the ultimate prize, the USMTS National Championship. Hughes' strategy paid off as he concentrated on just two regions during the "regular season" as he focused on running well during "The Hunt". During "The Hunt", Hughes stepped up his game and hit the ball out of the ballpark. He only finished outside the top five twice during the last eighteen races on his way to becoming the National Champion. One of the biggest wins of his season was capturing the $10,000 to win finale of the Fall Jamboree held at the Deer Creek Speedway near Spring Valley, Minnesota. It was Hughes' second consecutive Fall Jamboree title, becoming the first person to repeat in the event's history.
Hughes also found success outside of the USMTS tour. He picked up a cool $16,000 payday out in Las Cruces, New Mexico back in March at the Chub Daniels Memorial race. He also sat behind the wheel of a couple different late model rides throughout the season, picking up a couple top five finishes.
With Hughes only running a partial schedule, I heard some people mumbling about how Gustin couldn't win when Hughes was in the field. Upon further research, I found that to be far from the truth. Hughes and Gustin raced 39 times against each other on the USMTS circuit, and both of them picked up seven wins apiece. Hughes did hold the advantage in top five's and top ten's, however.
But Hughes and Gustin weren't the only players in the game this year. Tommy Myer finished in a solid third place in the championship standings. The veteran from Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, posted five wins throughout the 2010 campaign. He had a streak of eight top ten's during "The Hunt" to solidify his place in the standings.
Zack VanderBeek put together another steady season behind the wheel of his 33z machine. Despite winning just two races on the National Tour, VanderBeek maintained a consistency during the early part of "The Hunt" to finish fourth in the final standings. VanderBeek ended the season on a high note as he picked up two wins and a second place finish at the newly re-named Royal Purple Raceway, formerly known as Houston Raceway Park, in Baytown, Texas.
Rounding out the top five in points was Kelly Shryock. While Shryock and his followers probably considered his season sub par, I'm sure many of his colleagues would gladly switch places with the nine-time champion. Shryock picked up four wins on the season, including a "home court" victory in Algona in early August.
I've compiled a "stats" sheet for all the "regulars" on the USMTS tour during the 2010 season. Check out the link on my personal website, http://tapfanstours.freehosting.net and click on "Drivers' Stats".
I am also working on completing stats for the top five drivers in the National Points standings for IMCA, USRA, and Wissota. I am almost finished with USRA and Wissota, so look for a blog for each of those in the near future. The IMCA stats will take a little bit as it's been a bit more of a challenge finding results for some of those drivers.
I plan to attend my final race of the season tomorrow (Saturday) at the Turkey Classic event held at the Springfield Raceway in Springfield, Missouri. A couple of friends and I plan to wake up early and make the lengthy trek south. Over a hundred and fifty cars were on hand for last year's show, thanks in large part to unseasonably mild temperatures. While the mercury won't be as high on the thermometer this year, I'm hopeful the racing action will be just as hotly contested as last year. For more information on this race, check out http://springfieldraceway.com.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
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