HUMBOLDT, Kan. — Jason Hughes ran down early leader Terry Phillips, lost the lead to Ryan Gustin and then fought back to regain the lead with two laps to go as he captured the 40-lap USMTS Casey’s Cup Series main event Friday night at the Humboldt Speedway in Humboldt, Kan.

Phillips, who came into the event as the points leader after winning the USMTS Casey’s Cup Series opener in Baytown, Texas, three weeks ago, snagged the lead from Hughes at the drop of the green flag and paced the field for the first half of the race before Hughes wrestled the lead away on lap 22.

Nine laps later, defending USMTS National Champion Ryan Gustin scooted past the 2010 titleist to gain the lead with ten laps remaining.

But Hughes has become known for his late-race heroics at ‘The Hummer’ and the 37-year-old chassis builder from Watts, Okla., came roaring back to challenge Gustin with three laps remaining.

With the white flag waving in front of them, Hughes made his move to the outside of ‘The Reaper’ and edged ahead at the line.

Hughes proceeded to pull away in the final trip around Ron and Rhenda Whitworth’s high-banked 1/3-mile clay oval to record his 11th career victory in 25 USMTS shows at Humboldt.

The $2,000 triumph was also the 106th win of his USMTS career.

Gustin, who climbed from 12th on the starting grid, had to settle for his third runner-up finish in four starts this season as he continues to search for his first win of the 2012 campaign.

Rodney Sanders brought home a third-place finish, followed by Stormy Scott, Zack VanderBeek, Johnny Scott, Terry Schultz, Chris Brown, Mike Sorensen and Steven Bowers Jr. completing the top 10.

Seventy-two USMTS Modifieds filled the pit area Friday night, along with 33 USRA B-Mods competing in the companion Iron Man Challenge event topped by Scott Drake.

Modified March Madness continues at Humboldt on Saturday, with gates opening at 3 p.m. and racing getting underway at 5:30.

In addition to the USMTS Modifieds, the Iron Man Challenge for USRA B-Mods will be back in action plus local Humboldt Speedway Pure Stocks.

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 (office) or 620-473-3694 (track) or visit www.humboldtspeedway.com online.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.comonline or call 515-832-7944. You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

OFFICIAL RESULTS
USMTS Casey’s Cup Series
7th Annual Spring Fling @ The Bullring
Humboldt Speedway, Humboldt, Kan.
Friday, March 16, 2012

Showing finishing position, starting position in parentheses, car number, driver, hometown, chassis/engine builder, laps completed, reason out (if any) and money won. The top 14 drivers in passing points accumulated in the heat races are locked into the “A” Main, with the top 8 re-drawing for starting positions 1-8.

HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):
1. (1) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas.
2. (2) 110 Brian Ruhlman, Clarklake, Mich.
3. (4) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa.
4. (5) 22B Rick Beebe, Shawnee, Kan.
5. (7) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
6. (3) 29D Brad Dierks (R), Clarence, Iowa.
7. (8) 112 Dairan Hendrix (R), Joplin, Mo.
8. (9) 26 Dan Fetters, Montour, Iowa.
9. (6) 7 Al Hejna, Clear Lake, Iowa.

HOOKER HARNESS HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. (3) 9D Scott Daniels, Humboldt, Kan.
2. (7) 77 Steven Bowers Jr., Topeka, Kan.
3. (1) 02 Tanner Mullens (R), Wichita, Kan.
4. (6) 87 Darron Fuqua, Topeka, Kan.
5. (9) 77 Mike Wedelstadt, New London, Wis.
6. (2) 51 Tim Thomas, West Fargo, N.D.
7. (4) 31 Corey Dripps, Waterloo, Iowa.
8. (5) 7K Jason Krohn, Slayton, Minn.
9. (8) 39 Luke Driskell (R), Stilwell, Kan.

EIBACH SPRINGS HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. (4) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
2. (3) 19R Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa.
3. (6) 555 Ryan Ruter, Kanawha, Iowa.
4. (1) 02 Jacob Dahle, Omaha, Neb.
5. (2) 73 Mickey Burrell, Fair Grove, Mo.
6. (7) 16 Austin Siebert, Grandview, Mo.
7. (5) 17 Garry Oskerson, Fairmont, Minn.
8. (8) 13 Ryan Engels (R), Arlington, S.D.
9. (9) 160M Michael Maggard (R), Republic, Mo.

PBM PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. (2) 19 Mike Sorensen, Rochester, Minn.
2. (1) 2s Stormy Scott (R), Las Cruces, N.M.
3. (6) 3B Chris Brown, Spring, Texas.
4. (4) 6 Justin Folk, Iola, Kan.
5. (5) 77 Cody Agler (R), Emporia, Kan.
6. (3) 44 Jared Rogers (R), Berryton, Kan.
7. (8) 96 Jim Johnson (R), Derby, Kan.
8. (7) 147 Brent Fielder (R), Abilene, Kan.
9. (5) 22 Nick Nevins (R), Lisbon, Iowa.

HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):
1. (1) 3d Tim Donlinger, Rochester, Minn.
2. (5) 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla.
3. (3) 25 Ron Keith (R), Shawnee, Kan.
4. (8) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa.
5. (6) 4 Shannon Scott (R), Henryetta, Okla.
6. (4) 23 Justin Rexwinkle, South Coffeyville, Okla.
7. (7) 23 Brandon Davis, Castle Rock, Colo.
8. (2) 63 Lucas Conley, Spring Hill, Kan.
9. (9) 11s Scotty Bough (R), Nevada, Mo.

HEAT RACE #6 (8 laps):
1. (1) 186 Jeremy Payne, Springfield, Mo.
2. (4) 6 Nick Herrick (R), West Concord, Minn.
3. (2) 33 Stephen Muilenburg, Sparta, Mo.
4. (5) 9D8 Paden Phillips, Chanute, Kan.
5. (3) 69 Lucas Schott, Chatfield, Minn.
6. (8) 85 Thomas Tillison Jr. (R), Wellston, Okla.
7. (6) 98 John Allen, Chanute, Kan.
8. (7) 111 Bumper Jones, Mesilla Park, N.M.
9. (9) 1st Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, N.M.

HEAT RACE #7 (8 laps):
1. (5) 90 Terry Schultz, Sedalia, Mo.
2. (2) 3D Dan Daniels, Humboldt, Kan.
3. (4) 107 Shad Badder (R), Oak Grove, Mo.
4. (6) 12B Johnny Bone Jr., Pea Ridge, Ark.
5. (9) 15R Jamie Ragland, Lebanon, Mo.
6. (8) 60 William Gould, Calera, Okla.
7. (7) 96 Doug Herrick (R), West Concord, Minn.
8. (3) 29s Robbie Simmons (R), Wichita, Kan.
9. (1) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla.

HEAT RACE #8 (8 laps):
1. (1) 91 Joe Duvall, Chelsea, Okla.
2. (2) 40 Jessy Willard (R), Pleasanton, Kan.
3. (4) 5J John Schwab, Liberal, Kan.
4. (6) 5* Casey Penn (R), Shreveport, La.
5. (8) 5C Johnny Fennewald, Appleton City, Mo.
6. (5) 22d Daniel Hilsabeck (R), Waukee, Iowa.
7. (7) 5 Buddy Thompson (R), Oak Grove, Mo.
8. (3) R21 Ryan Schaffer, Corning, Iowa.
9. (9) 3 Derrek Wilson (R), Chanute, Kan.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 4 advance):
1. (1) 110 Brian Ruhlman, Clark Lake, Mich.
2. (3) 107 Shad Badder (R), Oak Grove, Mo.
3. (8) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
4. (5) 12B Johnny Bone Jr., Pea Ridge, Ark.
5. (14) 98 John Allen, Chanute, Kan., Hughes/Mullins, $90.
6. (2) 40 Jessy Willard (R), Pleasanton, Kan., GRT/Willard, $75.
7. (6) 15R Jamie Ragland, Lebanon, Mo., Allen/Richmont, $90.
8. (15) 26 Dan Fetters, Montour, Iowa, Sidebiter/KSE, $90.
9. (10) 60 William Gould, Calera, Okla., Shaw/BMS, $90.
10. (18) 39 Luke Driskell (R), Stilwell, Kan., GRT/Driskell, $90.
11. (12) 22d Daniel Hilsabeck (R), Waukee, Iowa, GRT/Mullins, $90.
12. (11) 51 Tim Thomas, West Fargo, N.D., Hughes/G Force, $75.
13. (9) 77 Cody Agler (R), Emporia, Kan., Skyrocket/Stinnett, $90.
14. (13) 31 Corey Dripps, Waterloo, Iowa, BC/Mullins, $75.
15. (17) 29s Robbie Simmons (R), Wichita, Kan., ERC/Homegrown, $75.
16. (20) 3 Derrek Wilson (R), Chanute, Kan., /, $75.
17. (4) 25 Ron Keith (R), Shawnee, Kan., GRT/Mullins, $90.
18. (7) 5C Johnny Fennewald, Appleton City, Mo., GRT/Hatfield, $90.
19. (16) 147 Brent Fielder (R), Abilene, Kan., Mach1/, $75.
20. (19) 11s Scotty Bough (R), Nevada, Mo., DirtWorks/Tim’s, $75.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 4 advance):
1. (2) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa.
2. (1) 2s Stormy Scott (R), Las Cruces, N.M.
3. (4) 33 Stephen Muilenburg, Sparta, Mo.
4. (7) 02 Jacob Dahle, Omaha, Neb.
5. (6) 22B Rick Beebe, Shawnee, Kan.
6. (3) 5J John Schwab, Liberal, Kan., Ramirez/Cline, $90.
7. (15) 7K Jason Krohn, Slayton, Minn., Hughes/Sput’s, $90.
8. (9) 69 Lucas Schott, Chatfield, Minn., Hughes/Sput’s, $90.
9. (19) 1st Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, N.M.
10. (10) 16 Austin Siebert, Grandview, Mo., GRT/Mullins, $90.
11. (5) 5* Casey Penn (R), Shreveport, LA, Hughes/Geddes, $90.
12. (11) 44 Jared Rogers (R), Berryton, Kan., Venom/Miller, $75.
13. (14) 96 Doug Herrick (R), West Concord, Minn., Ramirez/Sput’s, $90.
14. (12) 112 Dairan Hendrix (R), Joplin, Mo., TRE/Yeoman, $75.
15. (13) 17 Garry Oskerson, Fairmont, Minn., /, $75.
16. (18) 160M Michael Maggard (R), Republic, Mo., /, $75.
17. (8) 4 Shannon Scott (R), Henryetta, Okla., Hughes/BMS, $90.
18. (16) 63 Lucas Conley, Spring Hill, Kan., Hughes/Conley, $90.
19. (17) R21 Ryan Schaffer, Corning, Iowa, IROC/Mullins, $90.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #3 (15 laps, top 4 advance):
1. (2) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa.
2. (4) 87 Darron Fuqua, Topeka, Kan.
3. (8) 73 Mickey Burrell, Fair Grove, Mo.
4. (1) 3D Dan Daniels, Humboldt, Kan.
5. (3) 02 Tanner Mullens (R), Wichita, Kan., Hughes/BMR, $90.
6. (6) 9D8 Paden Phillips, Chanute, Kan., BillsBuilt/Allen’s, $90.
7. (16) 111 Bumper Jones, Mesilla Park, N.M., SRP/Sput’s, $90.
8. (11) 23 Justin Rexwinkle, South Coffeyville, Okla., JRC/Kalvinator, $90.
9. (9) 85 Thomas Tillison Jr. (R), Wellston, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, $90.
10. (19) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla.
11. (12) 96 Jim Johnson (R), Derby, Kan., BillsBuilt/Homegrown, $90.
12. (14) 5 Buddy Thompson (R), Oak Grove, Mo., GRT/Homegrown, $75.
13. (13) 23 Brandon Davis, Castle Rock, Colo.
14. (18) 22 Nick Nevins (R), Lisbon, Iowa, Shaw/Sperry, $90.
15. (5) 77 Mike Wedelstadt, New London, Wis., Sidebiter/Yeoman, $90.
16. (15) 13 Ryan Engels (R), Arlington, S.D., TRE/Ryan, $90.
17. (7) 6 Justin Folk, Iola, Kan., Mach1/Folk, $75.
18. (10) 29D Brad Dierks (R), Clarence, Iowa, Shaw/Sperry, $90.
19. (17) 7 Al Hejna, Clear Lake, Iowa, BC/JRM, $90.

“A” MAIN (40 laps):
1. (1) 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, $2000.
2. (12) 19R Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa, Hughes/Mullins, $1500.
3. (4) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas, Hughes/Geddes, $1000.
4. (19) 2s Stormy Scott (R), Las Cruces, N.M., GRT/Yeoman, $1000.
5. (17) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa, Skyrocket/Sput’s, $800.
6. (27) 1st Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, N.M., Hughes/ProPower, $610.
7. (7) 90 Terry Schultz, Sedalia, Mo., GRT/Mullins, $650.
8. (14) 3B Chris Brown, Spring, Texas, Skyrocket/ProPower, $600.
9. (3) 19 Mike Sorensen, Rochester, Minn., Hughes/Action, $550.
10. (8) 77 Steven Bowers Jr., Topeka, Kan., SB/Homegrown, $400.
11. (29) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla., Hughes/ProPower, $240.
12. (2) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo., GRT/Hatfield, $425.
13. (28) 22B Rick Beebe, Shawnee, Kan., GRT/Mullins, $190.
14. (21) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla., Hughes/ProPower, $375.
15. (18) 107 Shad Badder (R), Oak Grove, Mo., GRT/Kuntz, $250.
16. (15) 110 Brian Ruhlman, Clark Lake, Mich., Rocket/, $250.
17. (26) 3D Dan Daniels, Humboldt, Kan., TRE/Mullins, $300.
18. (13) 555 Ryan Ruter, Kanawha, Iowa, Sidebiter/Sput’s, $300.
19. (20) 87 Darron Fuqua, Topeka, Kan., Venom/Driskell, $250.
20. (22) 33 Stephen Muilenburg, Sparta, Mo., TRE/, $300.
21. (25) 02 Jacob Dahle, Omaha, Neb., Hughes/Sput’s, $300.
22. (16) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa, Skyrocket/ProPower, $300.
23. (9) 186 Jeremy Payne, Springfield, Mo., GRT/Hatfield, $300.
24. (5) 3d Tim Donlinger, Rochester, Minn., Skyrocket/Sput’s, $250.
25. (6) 9D Scott Daniels, Humboldt, Kan., TRE/Jack’s, $300.
26. (10) 91 Joe Duvall, Chelsea, Okla., Hughes/BMS, $300.
27. (24) 12B Johnny Bone Jr., Pea Ridge, Ark., TRE/Homegrown, $300.
28. (23) 73 Mickey Burrell, Fair Grove, Mo., TRE/Ruble, $300.
29. (30) 23 Brandon Davis, Castle Rock, Colo., Hughes/Geddes, $90.
30. (11) 6 Nick Herrick (R), West Concord, Minn., Ramirez/Sput’s, $300.

(R) = Rookie of the Year contender.

Lap Leaders: Phillips 1-21, Hughes 22-30, Gustin 31-38, Hughes 39-40.
Total Laps Led: Phillips 21, Hughes 11, Gustin 8.
Margin of Victory: 0.225 second.
Mesilla Valley Transportation Hard Charger: S. Scott (started 19th, finished 4th).
Dominator Race Products Hard Luck: Hejna.
Provisional Starters: J. Scott, Beebe, Rowland, Davis.
Next Race: Saturday, March 17, Humboldt Speedway.
USMTS Casey’s Cup Series Points: Sanders 19, Hughes 18, S. Scott 16, Gustin 16, T. Phillips 14, J. Scott 11, Dotson 9, VanderBeek 7, Ramirez 6, Shryock 6, Beebe 6, Rowland 6.
Rookie of the Year Points: S. Scott 324, Keith 188, Jacob Gallardo 164, Rob Litton 144, Penn 143.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Mullins 35, Geddes 29, ProPower 28, Yeoman 25, Sput’s 22.
Tiger Rear Ends Manufacturers Championship Points: Hughes 39, GRT 36, Skyrocket 26, Pierce 24, TRE 22.

Contingency Awards:
AERO Race Wheels – N. Herrick.
American Racer – Hejna.
Dominator Race Products – Hejna.
Eibach Springs – T. Phillips.
Forty9Designs.com – S. Scott, Sorensen.
Hooker Harness – S. Daniels.
KSE Racing Products – Bowers.
Marsh Racing Wheels – Davis.
Nitroquest – Bough, Schaffer, Hejna.
Mesilla Valley Transportation – S. Scott.
PBM Performance Products – Sorensen.
Real Racing Wheels – Ruhlman, Shryock, VanderBeek.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

USMTS TITLE SPONSORS: Casey’s General Stores, Swan Energy.

USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Racer Racing Tires, Awesome Race Suits, Cheetos, Dominator Race Products, Intercomp, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, New Vision Graphics, Nitroquest, RACEceiver, SLAP Energy, Snickers.

USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: Arbor Masters, Arnold Motor Supply, ASi Racewear, Beebe Heating & Air Conditioning, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, Erson Cams, Farm Boy BBQ Sauce, Intensitee Custom Racewear, Mesilla Valley Transportation, O’Brien Enterprises, Olympic Fire Protection, Ramirez Race Cars, Road Runner Trucking, Ruter Farms, Sybesma Graphics, Yeager Machine.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AERO Race Wheels, AFCO Racing Products, COMP Cams, CPD Racing Tools, Eibach Springs, Fast Shafts, Forty9Designs.com, Genesis Shocks, Hooker Harness, Hypercoil Springs, Integra Racing Shocks & Springs, The Joie of Seating, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, Out-Pace Racing Products, PBM Performance Products, Quarter Master, Real Racing Wheels, Tiger Rear Ends, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products.