BATESVILLE, Ark. — Three drivers representing the youth movement in the United States Modified Touring Series will comprise the Casey’s Crew during this year’s Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup.
This year’s Casey’s Crew drivers are Trevor Hunt of Kearney, Mo.; Lucas Schott of Chatfield, Minn., and Steve Whiteaker Jr. of Corpus Christi, Texas.
During the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup, each will carry an associate sponsorship from Casey’s General Stores (www.caseys.com), and primary sponsorship from one of three popular brands available in every Casey’s General Store location.
Trevor Hunt burst onto the racing scene last year when the 2011 USAC Ford Focus West Coast Young Gun champion was in victory lane by his seventh USRA B-Mod race. At the age of 13, he went on to add ten more wins in 2012 and captured the Iron Man Challenge points title for the division.
With Hunt’s rapid success in the USRA B-Mods, the team elected to debut in full-blown USRA Modifieds last July at the Valley Speedway in Grain Valley, Mo., where they picked up a fourth-place finish. Hunt ran with the USRA and USMTS Modifieds throughout the summer and became the youngest driver to ever qualify for a USMTS feature race.
Running the entire USMTS schedule in 2013, Hunt has not secured a win yet but has secured the confidence and accolades from his fellow competitors. In 36 starts, the 14-year-old has recorded two top-5 finishes and six top-10s against the toughest modified in the universe.
During the Hunt for the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup, Hunt will be sponsored by Snickers—the Official Candy Bar of the USMTS. Snickers is the world’s biggest selling candy bar … simple as that. Crammed with peanuts, caramel and nougat then coated with milk chocolate, Snickers quickly became one of the planet’s favorite treats after its introduction in 1930. And it is still at the top, 75 years later. Pick up a Snickers today at Casey’s General Stores and visit them online at www.snickers.com to learn more.
Hunt drives the #99h GRT Chassis powered by Geddes Racing Engines. To learn more check out www.trevorhuntracing.com.
“Cool Hand Luke” started racing go-karts at the age of 7. Six years later, he began his rookie season and finished second to Johnny Scott while running a limited regional schedule. That same year, he also finished 16th in the USRA Modified national points.
The 2012 season was a coming-of-age year for Schott. He picked up eleven feature wins and netted the USRA Modified track championship at the Mississippi Thunder Speedway in Fountain City, Wis., and runner-up in points at the Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn.
Schott, who turned 17 last Friday during the World Modified Dirt Track Championship, has come close to winning his first USMTS main event on several occasions this year. He led most of the race at the Eagle Valley Speedway before Ryan Gustin got by late in the race, and then two weeks after winning the $5,000 Triple Crown event at the Cedar Lake Speedway, he led all but the last couple of laps there before Rodney Sanders eventually won with Schott claiming the runner-up spot for the second straight night.
During the Hunt for the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup, Schott will be sponsored by AMP Energy—the Official Energy Drink of the USMTS. AMP Energy is rethinking energy. AMP Energy’s full line-up of innovative products provide a kick of energy to match anything the day brings. So tell Monday morning to bring it on, Friday night to wait up for you, and everything in-between to be ready. You’re on your way. Get yourself some AMP Energy at Casey’s General Stores and visit them online at www.ampenergy.com to learn more.
Schott drives the #69 Hughes Chassis powered by Sput’s Racing Engines. To learn more check out www.lucasschottracing.com.
On June 10, 2009, Steve Whiteaker Jr. picked up his first USMTS victory with a thrilling win at the I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, Ark. Today, he’s still searching for that second win and has high hopes of doing just that when the USMTS returns to the Razorback State for the first time since then for the kick off to the 2013 Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup.
At 25 years of age, Whiteaker is the elder statesman of this year’s Casey’s Crew lineup. He finished tenth in the Allgayer, Inc. Southern Region presented by Day Motor Sports to punch his ticket for ‘The Hunt.’ During regional competition, he recorded one top-5 and five top-10 finishes in fifteen starts.
His “close but no cigar” moment during the 2013 campaign came at the Kennedale Speedway Park where he was leading comfortably when mechanical problems forced him out of the race.
Whiteaker will be sponsored by Cheetos—the Official Snack of the USMTS. Cheetos Snacks are the playfully mischievous cheesy crunch that add a little lighten-up moment to any day. Proof positive, you simply can’t eat a Cheetos Snack without smiling. The Cheetos brand strives to provide consumers with fun times every step of the way. Pick up some Cheetos today at Casey’s General Stores and check them out online at www.cheetos.com.
Whiteaker drives the #89 Hughes Chassis powered by Mullins Race Engines. To learn more check out www.stevewhiteakerjr.com.
ABOUT THE CASEY’S CREW: In what may be a first in motorsports, the partnership between the United States Modified Touring Series and Casey’s General Stores directly benefits competitors through sponsorship of their teams. Throughout the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup, fans can enjoy appearances by these drivers at local Casey’s General Stores locations, as well as related branded spin-off merchandise such as apparel, die-cast toys, autograph cards and more.
In addition to financial support from each sponsor, all three drivers will utilize a new custom driver suit courtesy of Karl Performance and each racecar will be colorful and professionally detailed with the latest racing wrap design.
Drivers in the Casey’s Crew are selected based on several criteria including, but not limited to, accomplishments both inside and outside of the cockpit, popularity among both fans and fellow competitors and the ability to represent themselves, the USMTS and Casey’s General Stores and their participating vendors in a positive manner.
Casey’s General Stores (NASDAQ: CASY), currently owns and operates more than 1,700 convenience stores throughout America’s heartland. Casey’s General Stores supply quality self-service gasoline, made-from-scratch pizza & donuts, sandwiches, hot & cold beverages, grocery items, and a whole lot more. Most Casey’s operate in towns with populations of less than 5,000, and it’s in these same communities where the majority of USMTS fans, drivers and their families reside.
Through the years, Casey’s success has been attributed to our clean stores, restrooms, and the friendly employees who pride themselves in customer service. Casey’s customers have come to know that inside each store they will find dedicated, helpful, and well-trained employees, exceptional prepared food items, and a clean environment in which to shop.
In 1985, Casey’s famous homemade pizza is introduced and it quickly becomes a favorite in towns all over the Midwest. Now Casey’s is the fifth largest pizza chain in the U.S., and people come from all over to experience Casey’s famous pizza. Today, there are over 15 million pizzas made each year, and Casey’s is the tenth largest convenience store chain.
Be sure to stop by a Casey’s General Store location before and after the races for all your supplies and needs. And don’t forget to pick up your $2-off general admission coupons which are available on race day at most events during ‘The Hunt.’
To learn more about Casey’s General Stores, or to find the location nearest you, visit them online at www.caseys.com.
THE HUNT FOR THE USMTS CASEY’S CUP:
Friday, Aug. 2 … Batesville Motor Speedway, Locust Grove, Ark.
Saturday, Aug. 3 … West Plains Motor Speedway, West Plains, Mo.
Sunday, Aug. 4 … Monett Speedway, Monett, Mo.
Thursday, Aug. 8 … I-35 Speedway, Winston, Mo.
Friday, Aug. 9 … Humboldt Speedway, Humboldt, Kan.
Saturday, Aug. 10 … Lucas Oil Speedway, Wheatland, Mo.
Sunday, Aug. 11 … I-80 Speedway, Greenwood, Neb.
Wednesday, Aug. 14 … Cedar Lake Speedway, New Richmond, Wis.
Thursday, Aug. 15 … Rice Lake Speedway, Rice Lake, Wis.
Friday, Aug. 16 … Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, Wis.
Saturday, Aug. 17 … Ogilvie Raceway, Ogilvie, Minn.
Sunday, Aug. 18 … Granite City Speedway, Sauk Rapids, Minn.
Thursday, Aug. 22 … Valley Speedway, Grain Valley, Mo.
Friday, Aug. 23 … Lakeside Speedway, Kansas City, Kan.
Saturday, Aug. 24 … Salina Highbanks Speedway, Pryor Creek, Okla.
Thursday, Aug. 29 … Cedar County Raceway, Tipton, Iowa
Friday, Aug. 30 … Chateau Raceway, Lansing, Minn.
Saturday, Aug. 31 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, Minn.
Sunday, Sept. 1 … Dodge County Speedway, Kasson, Minn.
Thursday, Sept. 19 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, Minn.
USMTS CASEY’S CUP POINTS STANDINGS:
1. 1st Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, N.M. … 99
2. 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa. … 97
3. 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla. … 94
4. 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa. … 89
5. 2s Stormy Scott, Las Cruces, N.M. … 84
6. 99h Trevor Hunt, Kearney, Mo. … 76
7. 01 Joey Galloway, Manor, Sask., Canada … 70
8. 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla. … 59
9. 85 Thomas Tillison Jr., Wellston, Okla. … 54
10. 00 Masen Big Eagle, Manor, Sask., Canada … 52
10. 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas. … 52
12. 186 Jeremy Payne, Springfield, Mo. … 35
13. V2 Joey Jensen, Forest Lake, Minn. … 34
14. 21 Chris Brown, Spring, Texas. … 33
15. 69 Lucas Schott, Chatfield, Minn. … 30
16. 88xxx Clyde Dunn Jr., Sunnyvale, Texas. … 28
17. 31 Corey Dripps, Waterloo, Iowa. … 26
17. 16 Austin Siebert, Grandview, Mo. … 26
17. 89 Steve Whiteaker Jr., Corpus Christi, Texas. … 26
20. 7 Ron Jones, Princeton, Minn. … 25
21. 22d Daniel Hilsabeck, Adel, Iowa. … 24
21. 71 Philip Houston, Odessa, Texas. … 24
23. 1k Pat Graham, Ames, Iowa. … 23
24. 36 Jeff Conner, Panora, Iowa. … 22
25. 19r Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa. … 14
26. 22b Rick Beebe, Shawnee, Kan. … 13
27. 5* Casey Penn, Shreveport, La. … 11
28. 91 Joe Duvall, Chelsea, Okla. … 10
While the drivers participating in ‘The Hunt’ will be grappling for their piece of more than $60,000 in year-end points fund cash and thousands in contingency awards, all entrants will lock horns on a nightly basis for at least $3,000 to win ($5,000 to win with the Big Dog Buy-In) and more than $400,000 in prize money up for grabs during the 20-race campaign.
More than $40,000 in points fund money has already been doled out to top points-getters in the three regional campaigns, with another $50,000 or more in points fund cash earmarked for drivers in the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup.
The champion will pocket at least $15,000. Any driver competing in all events during ‘The Hunt’ will earn a minimum of $1,000 at season’s end.
The 2013 Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup will wrap up on Thursday, Sept. 19, at the Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., on the first night of the 15th Annual Featherlite Fall Jamboree.
Proving that any driver who qualifies for ‘The Hunt’ is capable of winning the title, Jason Krohn captured the 2007 title after entering the first event with just seven points and ranked 18th in the standings. He became just the second driver to wear the USMTS crown, dethroning Kelly Shryock who had captured all eight previous titles.
Similarly, Tim Donlinger found himself outside of the top-10 after the first two races of the 2008 championship crusade. He won the third event, but was only seventh in the rankings with 11 races to go. He went on to upset Shryock for the 2008 title, sealing the deal with a thrilling victory on the final night of the Featherlite Fall Jamboree.
Despite winning just two races all season, Shryock went on to claim his ninth USMTS National Championship in 2009 by just 33 points, beating an 18-year-old up-and-comer named Ryan Gustin. Jason Hughes finally secured his first USMTS National Championship in 2010 while Gustin settled for runner-up honors again, but ‘The Reaper’ roared back in 2011 to claim his first title.
HOW THEY GOT HERE: At each of the USMTS Casey’s Cup Series regional events, drivers earned points toward the regional championship. The champion of each region received 25 points to begin ‘The Hunt’ with second-place getting 24 points and so on back to the 15th-place finisher who got 11 points. All drivers with perfect attendance in the region—regardless of where they finished—also received 10 points toward their base points for ‘The Hunt.’ From here on out, the traditional USMTS points system is used for each event in the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup.
TOP DOG BONUS: Beginning with Friday’s kick-off at the Batesville Motor Speedway, all drivers ranked among the top-10 points in are guaranteed a minimum of $400 in earnings at each event. Each driver must maintain perfect attendance during the campaign to remain eligible.
BIG DOG BUY-IN: This program give competitors the opportunity to take home an extra $2,000 at every USMTS points race. Each race during the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup Series pays a minimum of $3,000 to win, but for drivers who pay an additional $100 when they register the winner’s paycheck expands to $5,000. The bonus will be in effect whether just one driver takes part or every driver in the field joins the party.
To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online, like the USMTS on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usmts, follow the USMTS on Twitter at www.twitter.com/usmts or check out the USMTS YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/usmtstv.
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USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Racer Racing Tires, AMP Energy, Casey’s General Stores, Cheetos, COMP Cams, Day Motor Sports, Intercomp, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, New Vision Graphics, Nitroquest, RACEceiver, RacinDirt.com, Snickers.
USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: Allgayer Inc., Arbor Masters, ASi Racewear, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, Erson Cams, Farm Boy BBQ Sauce, 4s Motorsports, FVP, Integra Racing Shocks & Springs, Intensitee Custom Racewear, Lecolift, Mesilla Valley Transportation, Olympic Fire Protection, Ramirez Motorsports, Road Runner Trucking, Ruter Farms, Something Inked, United Cellular Services.
USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AERO Race Wheels, AFCO Racing Products, Bell Racing Helmets, Beyea Custom Headers, BSB Manufacturing, Champ Pans, CPD Racing Tools, Crane Cams, Dominator Race Products, Edelbrock, Eibach Springs, Fast Shafts, Five1Seven Designs, FK Rod Ends, Forty9 Designs, Fuel Safe, Genesis Racing Shocks, GRT Race Cars, Hooker Harness, JRi Shocks, Keyser Manufacturing, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, MSD Ignition, PBM Performance Products, Power Lift Racing Products, Quarter Master, Real Racing Wheels, Sybesma Graphics, Tiger Rear Ends, VP Racing Fuels.