WHEATLAND, Mo. (Aug. 11) – Terry Phillips used his pole position to wire the field Saturday night at the Lucas Oil Speedway, leading the final 37 of 40 laps in the 3rd Annual Lucas Slick Mist Shootout main event in round 3 of the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup.

Phillips blew out to a big lead after early leader Ryan Ruter pulled to a stop at the top of turn 4 with a broken brake line. But Phillips’ road to victory was in jeopardy late in the race by the most unlikely of challengers – Ryan Gustin.

After failing to finish both his heat race and the first Real Racing Wheels “B” Main, Gustin had to use a provisional starting spot to begin his adventure from the inside of row 14. As the winningest USMTS driver the last three seasons, it’s not unusual to think Gustin would be a contender for the win … but from the 25th starting spot (he was supposed to start 27th but two drivers were unable to start)?

While Phillips had little difficulty at the front of the pack, a trio of cautions during the first half of the race kept the competition close with wall-to-wall action throughout the field. Richie Gustin, Jason Russell, Randy Timms and Stormy Scott all took their turns at holding down second place, but none of them posed a threat to the 46-year-old’s lead.

By the time the yellow flag waved for the third time at the midway point in the 40-lapper, Ryan Gustin had clawed his way into the top 10. ‘The Reaper’ was able to avoid trouble on a wild restart and, within two laps, jumped to sixth behind Phillips, Timms, Scott, Richie Gustin and Rodney Sanders.

While Phillips again pulled out to a huge lead, Ryan Gustin got by Sanders on lap 26 and then scooted by older brother Richie on lap 28 just before the race’s fourth caution reset the field with 11 laps to go.

As head had on all previous restarts, Phillips got a big jump and pulled out to a two-car-length lead entering the first turn. Timms followed Phillips around the high side of the 3/8-mile dirt oval, but slid over the cushion in turn 2 which allowed Scott and Ryan Gustin to move into second and third.

One lap later, Ryan Gustin bolted around the outside of Scott to take over second as thousands of Lucas Oil Speedway race fans came to their feet. As they completed lap 31, Gustin was right behind Phillips and then shot to the low side of the leader in turn 1 to make his presence known, but fell back in line as they streaked down the back-stretch.

He followed Phillips around the extreme high line for two more laps, but suddenly went too high in turn 3 and nearly had to stop to save his slide. His first bobble of the race cost him the position as Scott shot back into second with seven laps to go.

With four laps to go, Phillips was now on cruise control with nearly a straight-away lead over the battling Scott and Gustin when a fifth and final caution again brought the field back together to set up a possible three-lap shoot-out to the finish line.

But despite their gift of a final shot at glory, Scott and Gustin had nothing for Phillips at the end as the veteran from Springfield, Mo., pulled away for a $3,000 payday. It was the 14th USMTS triumph of his career, but first at the ‘Diamond of Dirt Tracks.’

While Stormy Scott and Ryan Gustin finished second and third, respectively, Sanders held on for the fourth spot ahead of 15th-starting Zack VanderBeek who got by Timms on the final lap. Richie Gustin, 19th-starting Jeremy Payne, Johnny Scott and Bryan Rowland rounded out the top 10.

Payne’s passing of 11 cars earned him the Mesilla Valley Transportation Hard Charger Award. Although Gustin disposed of 22 drivers, provisional starters are not eligible for the award.

‘HUNT’ CONTINUES SUNDAY AT MONETT

On Sunday, the USMTS Modifieds make their 14th appearance at Randy Mooneyham’s Monett Speedway in Monett, Mo., for the 7th Annual USMTS Summer Shootout.

With his win earlier this season on April 22, Terry Phillips leads all drivers with three career USMTS wins at the ‘Grand Ol’ Lady’ while Ryan Gustin and Jason Hughes both have two wins at the fast ‘n’ furious 3/8-mile red clay oval. Other former winners here include Kelly Shryock, Johnny Bone Jr., George White and Mark Noble.

In addition to the USMTS Modifieds, fans will see USRA B-Mods, Pure Stocks and Legends Cars in action too. Gates open at 5, hot laps begin at 7 and the first green flag will be unfurled at 7:30 p.m.

Race fans can pick up $2-off coupons on Sunday at both Casey’s General Stores locations in Monett. Casey’s Crew competitor Jeremy Payne and his #186 GRT Modified sponsored by SLAP Energy Drinks will be meeting and greeting fans from 12-2 p.m. at the 1601 E. Cleveland Ave. location in Monett.

The Monett Speedway is a 3/8-mile semi-banked red clay oval located just south of US 60 on Chapel Dr. For more information, visit www.monettspeedway.net.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ustmts and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/usmts.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
United States Modified Touring Series
USMTS Casey’s Cup Series – The Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup
3rd Annual Lucas Slick Mist Shootout
Lucas Oil Speedway, Wheatland, Mo.
Saturday, Aug. 11, 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.

BEYEA CUSTOM HEADERS HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):
1. (1) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
2. (3) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla.
3. (4) 12b Johnny Bone Jr., Pea Ridge, Ark.
4. (6) 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla.
5. (7) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
6. (2) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa.
7. (9) 186 Jeremy Payne, Springfield, Mo.
8. (8) 22d Daniel Hilsabeck (R), Waukee, Iowa.
9. (10) 15r Jamie Ragland, Lebanon, Mo.
10. (5) 98 Jeff Cutshaw, Cross Timbers, Mo.

HOOKER HARNESS HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. (1) 31 Corey Dripps, Waterloo, Iowa.
2. (8) 555 Ryan Ruter, Kanawha, Iowa.
3. (3) 44 Christy Georges (R), El Paso, Texas.
4. (5) 97 Cade Dillard (R), Robeline, La.
5. (4) 88d Matt Dotson, Clark, Mo.
6. (6) 99h Trevor Hunt (R), Liberty, Mo.
7. (2) 16 Austin Siebert, Grandview, Mo.
8. (9) 15 Richard Payne, Jefferson City, Mo.
9. (7) 7 Al Hejna, Clear Lake, Iowa.

EIBACH SPRINGS HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. (1) 0 Richie Gustin, Gilman, Iowa.
2. (3) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas.
3. (5) 98 John Allen, Chanute, Kan.
4. (6) 02 Tanner Mullens (R), Wichita, Kan.
5. (2) 38c Jason Pursley, Hermitage, Mo.
6. (8) 22b Rick Beebe, Shawnee, Kan.
7. (9) 22 Brad Buck (R), Paragould, Ark.
8. (4) 11n Gene Nicholas (R), Lowell, Ark.
9. (7) 19r Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa.

PBM PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. (2) 20s Stormy Scott (R), Las Cruces, N.M.
2. (5) 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla.
3. (9) 2j Jason Russell (R), Henley, Mo.
4. (8) 73 Mickey Burrell, Fair Grove, Mo.
5. (7) 1k Pat Graham, Ames, Iowa.
6. (4) M1 Rustin Miller (R), Houston, Mo.
7. (6) 12g Jeremy Green, Enid, Okla.
8. (1) 6 Chris Theodore (R), Coweta, Okla.
9. (3) 54 David Hendrix, Laquey, Mo.

RACINDIRT.COM HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):
1. (1) 71 Jason Cummins, New Richland, Minn.
2. (2) 1st Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, N.M.
3. (3) 20z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa.
4. (8) 03 Chase Jones (R), Eldorado Springs, Mo.
5. (9) 85 Thomas Tillison Jr. (R), Wellston, Okla.
6. (6) 26 Brian Williams, Fayetteville, Ark.
7. (4) 12v Nathan Vaughn (R), Lincoln, Mo.
8. (7) 11 Matt Martin (R), Enid, Okla.
9. (5) 90 Terry Schultz, Sedalia, Mo.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 6 advance):
1. (2) 20z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa.
2. (1) 12b Johnny Bone Jr., Pea Ridge, Ark.
3. (9) 186 Jeremy Payne, Springfield, Mo.
4. (4) 97 Cade Dillard (R), Robeline, La.
5. (7) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa.
6. (3) 02 Tanner Mullens (R), Wichita, Kan.
7. (5) 1k Pat Graham, Ames, Iowa, Victory/JRM, $75.
8. (16) 90 Terry Schultz, Sedalia, Mo.
9. (14) 15r Jamie Ragland, Lebanon, Mo., Allen/Richmont, $75.
10. (10) 16 Austin Siebert, Grandview, Mo., GRT/Mullins, $75.
11. (12) 22d Daniel Hilsabeck (R), Waukee, Iowa.
12. (11) 12v Nathan Vaughn (R), Lincoln, Mo., DirtWorks/JRM, $75.
13. (13) 6 Chris Theodore (R), Coweta, Okla., Boyd/STK, $90.
14. (6) 38c Jason Pursley, Hermitage, Mo.
15. (8) M1 Rustin Miller (R), Houston, Mo., Nullynski/Hood, $75.
16. (15) 19r Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 6 advance):
1. (4) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
2. (2) 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla.
3. (5) 88d Matt Dotson, Clark, Mo.
4. (1) 44 Christy Georges (R), El Paso, Texas.
5. (14) 7 Al Hejna, Clear Lake, Iowa.
6. (8) 26 Brian Williams, Fayetteville, Ark.
7. (6) 22b Rick Beebe, Shawnee, Kan.
8. (3) 85 Thomas Tillison Jr. (R), Wellston, Okla., Hughes/Geddes, $75.
9. (7) 99h Trevor Hunt (R), Liberty, Mo., Hughes/Hatfield, $90.
10. (10) 12g Jeremy Green, Enid, Okla., Ramirez/Janes, $75.
11. (16) 98 Jeff Cutshaw, Cross Timbers, Mo., Hoffman/Design, $75.
12. (9) 22 Brad Buck (R), Paragould, Ark., TRE/SCP, $75.
13. (12) 11n Gene Nicholas (R), Lowell, Ark., Lighting/Kelly, $75.
14. (11) 15 Richard Payne, Jefferson City, Mo., Allen/Kraft, $75.
15. (13) 11 Matt Martin (R), Enid, Okla., BillsBuilt/, $75.
16. (15) 54 David Hendrix (R), Laquey, Mo., Shaw/RCE, $75.

SWAN ENERGY “A” MAIN (40 laps):
1. (1) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo., GRT/Hatfield, 40, $3000.
2. (5) 20s Stormy Scott (R), Las Cruces, N.M., Hughes/ProPower, 40, $1700.
3. (25) 19r Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa, Hughes/Mullins, 40, $1200.
4. (10) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas, Hughes/Geddes, 40, $1000.
5. (15) 20z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa, Hughes/Sput’s, 40, $9000.
6. (3) 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla., Hughes/Geddes, 40, $800.
7. (4) 0 Richie Gustin, Gilman, Iowa, GRT/Yeoman, 40, $700.
8. (19) 186 Jeremy Payne, Springfield, Mo., GRT/RoushYates, 40, $750.
9. (11) 1st Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, N.M., Hughes/ProPower, 40, $600.
10. (9) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla., Hughes/ProPower, 40, $550.
11. (17) 12b Johnny Bone Jr., Pea Ridge, Ark., TRE/Homegrown, 40, $500.
12. (6) 2j Jason Russell (R), Henley, Mo., GRT/Creason, 40, $300.
13. (7) 71 Jason Cummins, New Richland, Minn., Skyrocket/Sput’s, 40, $400.
14. (20) 88d Matt Dotson, Clark, Mo., Hughes/BMS, 40, $375.
15. (18) 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 40, $400.
16. (8) 31 Corey Dripps, Waterloo, Iowa, BC/ProPower, 40, $325.
17. (24) 02 Tanner Mullens (R), Wichita, Kan., Hughes/BMR, 40, $300.
18. (23) 7 Al Hejna, Clear Lake, Iowa, BC/JRM, 40, $300.
19. (29) 90 Terry Schultz, Sedalia, Mo., GRT/Mullins, 40, $300.
20. (13) 73 Mickey Burrell, Fair Grove, Mo., TRE/Ruble, 40, $300.
21. (26) 22d Daniel Hilsabeck (R), Waukee, Iowa, GRT/Mullins, 40, $100.
22. (28) 16 Austin Siebert, Grandview, Mo., GRT/Mullins, 40, $100.
23. (27) 22b Rick Beebe, Shawnee, Kan., Hughes/Mullins, 40, $100.
24. (12) 98 John Allen, Chanute, Kan., Hughes/Mullins, 39, mechanical, $300.
25. (16) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla., Hughes/ProPower, 29, flat tire, $400.
26. (21) 97 Cade Dillard (R), Robeline, La., Impressive/Parker, 20, mechanical, $300.
27. (14) 03 Chase Jones (R), Eldorado Springs, Mo., Shaw/, 19, suspension, $250.
28. (22) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa, Skyrocket/ProPower, 17, engine, $300.
29. (30) 38c Jason Pursley, Hermitage, Mo., Allen/Midstate, 14, mechanical, $250.
30. (2) 555 Ryan Ruter, Kanawha, Iowa, Sidebiter/Sput’s, 5, brake line, $300.
DNS – 26 Brian Williams, Fayetteville, Ark., Hughes/Ora’s, 0, did not start, $200.
DNS – 44 Christy Georges (R), El Paso, Texas, GRT/Barnett, 0, did not start, $200.

(R) = Rookie of the Year contender.

Integra Lap Leaders: Ruter 1-3, Phillips 4-40.
Total Laps Led: Phillips 37, Ruter 3.
Margin of Victory: 1.394 seconds.
Provisional Starters: Ryan Gustin, Hilsabeck, Beebe, Siebert, Schultz (track), Pursley (track).
Mesilla Valley Transportation Hard Charger: VanderBeek (started 15th, finished 5th).
Next Race: Sunday, Aug. 12, Monett (Mo.) Speedway.
USMTS Casey’s Cup Series Points: Ryan Gustin 402, S. Scott 368, Sanders 365, J. Scott 338, Phillips 312, Hughes 312, Rowland 310, Timms 292, J. Payne 291, VanderBeek 285.
Rookie of the Year Points: S. Scott 2124, Hilsabeck 1452, Ron Keith 1219, Casey Penn 956, Tillison 834.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Mullins 395, Geddes 356, ProPower 333, Sput’s 303, RoushYates 232.
Tiger Rear Ends Manufacturers Championship Points: Hughes 465, GRT 416, Skyrocket 347, Sidebiter 177, BC 148.

Contingency Awards:
AERO Race Wheels – Ruter.
American Racer – Mullens.
Beyea Custom Headers – Phillips.
Dominator Race Products – Williams.
Eibach Springs – Richie Gustin.
Forty9Designs.com – Sanders, J. Scott.
Hooker Harness – Dripps.
Integra Racing Shocks & Springs – Phillips.
KEVKO Oil Pans & Components – J. Scott.
KSE Racing Products – Dripps.
Marsh Racing Wheels – Pursley.
Nitroquest – Ryan Gustin, Hendrix.
Mesilla Valley Transportation – VanderBeek.
PBM Performance Products – S. Scott.
R2C Performance Products – S. Scott.
Real Racing Wheels – VanderBeek, Ramirez.

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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, Dirthead.com, DirtKnights.com, Erson Cams, Farm Boy BBQ Sauce, Intensitee Custom Racewear, Mesilla Valley Transportation, O’Brien Enterprises, Olympic Fire Protection, Ramirez Motorsports, Road Runner Trucking, Ruter Farms, Sybesma Graphics, Yeager Machine.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AERO Race Wheels, AFCO Racing Products, Beyea Custom Headers, COMP Cams, CPD Racing Tools, Eibach Springs, Fast Shafts, Forty9Designs.com, Genesis Shocks, Hooker Harness, Integra Racing Shocks & Springs, Keyser Manufacturing, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, PBM Performance Products, Quarter Master, Real Racing Wheels, Tiger Rear Ends.