LANSING, Minn.-There was no shortage of drama Friday night as the Chateau Raceway hosted Round 11 of the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup powered by S&S Fishing & Rental.
Jason Hughes, who came into the event ranked second in the standings, bested Stormy Scott in a race-long battle at the front while points leader Rodney Sanders suffered a big blow to his advantage when his night ended with his race car on its roof.
Seeking his first victory at the 1/3-mile clay oval in Lansing, Minn., Scott won the drag race with polesitter Daniel Hilsabeck to lead the first lap of the 40-lap main event.
Hughes ran third for the first eight laps before finally getting around Hilsabeck as they completed the ninth circuit, and then set his sights on the leader while Hilsabeck battled for position with Ryan Gustin.
Meanwhile, Sanders, who started tenth but slid back to 17th when he was forced over the turn 2 embankment on the opening lap, found his way back into the top-10 by lap 13.
Sanders passed Johnny Scott for ninth as they completed lap 17, but as they entered the first turn Scott’s machine shot up the track and collided with Sanders’s #20 mount.
The result was Sanders sailing over the turn-2 embankment for a second time, but this time his tires dug in and his race car rolled over to bring out the red flag.
Although he was not injured in the incident, the damage was enough to sideline the two-time defending USMTS National Champion, leaving him with a 23rd-place finish and just his second DNF (did not finish) of the 2015 campaign.
After the restart, Hughes drove around the outside of Stormy Scott to take the lead for the first time on lap 20. Moments later, the red flag waved again-this time for a roll-over by Jake Timm on the front-stretch in a melee which also saw Cade Dillard’s Snickers-sponsored ride battered.
The second half of the race was clean and green, with Hughes withstanding several challenges from Stormy Scott to score his third victory of ‘The Hunt’ and pocket the $3,000 winner’s share of the prize money.
“I could see (Stormy) down there, and then when we were coming up on the lapped cars and had to move around them, then I found that and thought it was a better line,” said Hughes following his 128th career USMTS triumph. “Kind of stayed with it there a little bit until it felt like it slowed down so moved down to the bottom and stayed hooked up on the top over in (turns) three and four, so I thought we had a pretty good line going.
After surviving a couple of wet, fast and rough racetracks the previous two nights, Hughes voiced his approval of the track on Friday.
“I’ve never really had much of a notebook here,” he said smiling. “The track was probably the best I’ve ever seen this place. We could race the top and the bottom so hats off to them guys, they done a good job.”
Gustin put two nights of struggles behind him with a solid third-place finish while Hilsabeck fended off hard-charging Jason Cummins for the fourth spot.
Zack VanderBeek, Keith Foss, Steve Wetzstein, Joe Duvall and Jesse Glenz completed the top 10.
In the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup powered by S&S Fishing & Rental, Sanders continues atop the standings but his advantage over Hughes is now just three points (1046 to 1043), while Jesse Sobbing is close behind with 984 markers. Stormy Scott is fourth with 977 points, followed by VanderBeek (893), Dereck Ramirez (886), Johnny Scott (808), Brent Larson (760), Dillard (741) and Hilsabeck (734).
Saturday night will find the ground-pounding USMTS goliaths back at the Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., for the last time before the 17th Annual Featherlite Fall Jamboree on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 24-26.
The Holley Iron Man Series is back in action with the USRA B-Mods sharing the spotlight with Wissota Super Stocks, Midwest Mods and Street Stocks, plus Slingshots on the Button Buck Speedway.
The pits open at 2 p.m. and the spectator gates swing open at 4 p.m. Hot laps begin at 5:30 with the first green flag at 6 p.m.
Adults are $20 and kids ages 12 and under are $5. Pit passes are $30. Fans can get coupons good for $2 off adult general admission at Casey’s General Stores locations in Preston, Rochester, Stewartville and Lime Springs in Iowa.
Cory Crapser and his No. 07 Oreos/Sour Patch Kids machine will be greeting fans at 605 S. Main St. in Stewartville from 12-2 p.m. Listen to KWWK 96.5 FM to hear live broadcasts from Crapser’s appearance.
The Deer Creek Speedway is a 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval located 11.3 miles south of I-90 (exit 209) on US 63 (0.7 mile north of SR 16). For more info, call toll-free 877-327-7223 or (507) 346-2342 on race day or visit www.deercreekspeedway.com online.
The five-night swing wraps up on Sunday, Sept. 6, at the Cresco Speedway in Cresco, Iowa, with the Holley Iron Man Series featuring USRA Stock Cars and USRA B-Mods joining the USMTS Modifieds once again, plus USRA Hobby Stocks to round out the four-class card. Hot laps begin at 6 p.m. with racing to follow.
Tickets are $17 for adults 18 years old and up, $10 for youth ages 13-17 and admission is free for children 12 years of age and under. Pit passes are $30 per person. Fans can get coupons good for $2 off adult general admission at Casey’s General Stores locations in Cresco, Decorah, Lime Springs, Ossian, New Hampton and Waukon.
Cade Dillard and his No. 97 Snickers machine will be greeting fans at 601 2nd Ave. SW in Cresco from 12-2 p.m. Listen to KCZE 95.1 FM to hear live broadcasts from Dillard’s appearance.
The Cresco Speedway is located 2 blocks north of SR 9 on SW 7th. Race day info is available by calling (563) 547-3400 or at www.mhcfair.com.
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/usmts, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/usmts or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/usmtstv.
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OFFICIAL RESULTS
United States Modified Touring Series
The Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup powered by S&S Fishing & Rental – Round 11 of 14
Chateau Raceway, Lansing, Minn.
Friday, Sept. 4, 2015
Showing finishing position, starting position in parentheses, car number, driver, hometown, chassis/engine builder, laps completed and money won. The top 12 drivers in passing points accumulated in the heat races were locked into the “A” Main, with the top 8 re-drawing for starting positions 1-8.
MSD HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):
1. (2) 4a Joel Alberts, Mantorville, Minn.
2. (3) 91 Joe Duvall, Claremore, Okla.
3. (1) 7x Jesse Glenz (R), Cadott, Wis.
4. (4) V2 Joey Jensen, Harris, Minn.
5. (8) 90 Steve Wetzstein, West Concord, Minn.
6. (7) 60 Dan Ebert (R), Lake Shore, Minn.
7. (5) 44 Damon Haslip, Waseca, Minn.
8. (6) 07 Cory Crapser (R), Chippewa Falls, Wis.
9. (9) 86d Dagan Heim (R), Rosemount, Minn.
FAST SHAFTS HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. (1) 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla.
2. (4) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa.
3. (2) 2 Casey Arneson (R), Fargo, N.D.
4. (6) 49jr Jake Timm, Winona, Minn.
5. (8) 91 Craig Thatcher, Knapp, Wis.
6. (5) IOU1 Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, Minn.
7. (7) 2 Grant Junghans, Manhattan, Kan.
8. (3) 98 Kevin Stoa, Albert Lea, Minn.
EDELBROCK HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. (1) 2s Stormy Scott, Arroyo Hondo, N.M.
2. (3) 19r Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa.
3. (4) 89 Eric Pember, Pittsville, Wis.
4. (8) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas.
5. (6) 19 Dustin Sorensen (R), Rochester, Minn.
6. (2) 65 Tommy Myer, Blooming Prairie, Minn.
7. (7) 50iii Brandon Davis, Medford, Minn.
8. (5) 99 Jesse Sobbing (R), Malvern, Iowa.
PBM PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. (1) 22d Daniel Hilsabeck, Adel, Iowa.
2. (4) 95 Keith Foss, Winona, Minn.
3. (5) 1st Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, N.M.
4. (6) 71 Jason Cummins, New Richland, Minn.
5. (2) 97 Cade Dillard, Robeline, La.
6. (7) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
7. (8) 29h Joe Horgdal, Kasson, Minn.
8. (3) 23k Ben Kates (R), Tonganoxie, Kan.
REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (12 laps, top 5 advance):
1. (3) 91 Craig Thatcher, Knapp, Wis.
2. (2) 71 Jason Cummins, New Richland, Minn.
3. (6) IOU1 Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, Minn.
4. (10) 99 Jesse Sobbing (R), Malvern, Iowa.
5. (7) 29h Joe Horgdal, Kasson, Minn.
6. (9) 07 Cory Crapser (R), Chippewa Falls, Wis.
7. (1) 2 Casey Arneson (R), Fargo, N.D., GRT/Durham, $400.
8. (5) 60 Dan Ebert (R), Lake Shore, Minn., Impressive/Speedwerx, $90.
9. (4) 19 Dustin Sorensen (R), Rochester, Minn., GRT/Action, $90.
10. (11) 86d Dagan Heim (R), Rosemount, Minn., Shaw/Murgic, $90.
11. (8) 2 Grant Junghans, Manhattan, Kan., MBCustom/Sput’s, $90.
REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (12 laps, top 5 advance):
1. (2) 90 Steve Wetzstein, West Concord, Minn.
2. (1) 49jr Jake Timm, Winona, Minn.
3. (4) 97 Cade Dillard, Robeline, La.
4. (3) V2 Joey Jensen, Harris, Minn.
5. (8) 50iii Brandon Davis, Medford, Minn.
6. (5) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
7. (6) 65 Tommy Myer, Blooming Prairie, Minn., Ramirez/Sput’s, $90.
8. (7) 44 Damon Haslip, Waseca, Minn.
9. (9) 98 Kevin Stoa, Albert Lea, Minn., Harris/KSE, $75.
10. (10) 23k Ben Kates (R), Tonganoxie, Kan., GRT/Mullins, $90.
CASEY’S GENERAL STORES “A” MAIN (40 laps):
1. (4) 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 40, $3000.
2. (2) 2s Stormy Scott, Arroyo Hondo, N.M., MBR/Mullins, 40, $1700.
3. (6) 19r Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa, Hughes/Mullins, 40, $1200.
4. (1) 22d Daniel Hilsabeck, Adel, Iowa, Hilsabeck/Mullins, 40, $1000.
5. (15) 71 Jason Cummins, New Richland, Minn., Sidebiter/Sput’s, 40, $800.
6. (7) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa, LG2/Sput’s, 40, $800.
7. (3) 95 Keith Foss, Winona, Minn., Hughes/Grove, 40, $600.
8. (14) 90 Steve Wetzstein, West Concord, Minn., Skyrocket/Sput’s, 40, $650.
9. (5) 91 Joe Duvall, Claremore, Okla., MBCustom/Wornhor, 40, $600.
10. (12) 7x Jesse Glenz (R), Cadott, Wis., MBCustom/Tim’s, 40, $550.
11. (11) 89 Eric Pember, Pittsville, Wis., MBCustom/Mullins, 40, $400.
12. (13) 91 Craig Thatcher, Knapp, Wis., GRT/TriStar, 40, $450.
13. (23) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla., LG2/Cornett, 40, $425.
14. (19) 99 Jesse Sobbing (R), Malvern, Iowa, MBCustom/Sput’s, 40, $400.
15. (22) 50iii Brandon Davis, Medford, Minn., MBCustom/KSE, 40, $300.
16. (24) 07 Cory Crapser (R), Chippewa Falls, Wis., GRT/Tim’s, 40, $400.
17. (25) 44 Damon Haslip, Waseca, Minn., GRT/KSE, 39, $250.
18. (16) 49jr Jake Timm, Winona, Minn., LG2/BuckBuilt, 20, $250.
19. (18) 97 Cade Dillard, Robeline, La., Hughes/Geddes, 20, $400.
20. (17) IOU1 Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, Minn., Shaw/Mullins, 20, $400.
21. (21) 29h Joe Horgdal, Kasson, Minn., GRT/Action, 20, $250.
22. (8) 4a Joel Alberts, Mantorville, Minn., GRT/Action, 17, $250.
23. (10) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas, MBCustom/Geddes, 17, $400.
24. (9) 1st Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, N.M., MBCustom/Mullins, 17, $400.
25. (20) V2 Joey Jensen, Harris, Minn., SSR/Tim’s, 0, $200.
(R) = Rookie of the Year contender.
Lap Leaders: S. Scott 1-19, Hughes 20-40.
Total Laps Led: Hughes 21, S. Scott 19.
Margin of Victory: 1.297 seconds.
Provisional Starters: Ramirez, Crapser, Haslip (track).
Sybesma Graphics Pole Award: Alberts.
Hard Charger: Cummins (started 15th, finished 5th).
Entries: 33.
Next Race: Saturday, Sept. 5, Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, Minn.
Hunt for the Casey’s Cup Points: Sanders 1046, Hughes 1043, Sobbing 984, S. Scott 977, VanderBeek 893, Ramirez 886, J. Scott 808, Larson 760, Dillard 741, Hilsabeck 734.
Rookie of the Year Points: Sobbing 2111, Arneson 1755, Kates 1524, Crapser 1367, Ebert 1178.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Geddes 378, Mullins 345, Sput’s 342, Durham 228, Cornett 219.
Manufacturers Championship Points: MBCustom 422, LG2 367, GRT 358, Hughes 336, Hilsabeck 139.
Contingency Awards:
AERO Race Wheels – Jensen.
Allstar Performance – Wetzstein.
American Racer – Hilsabeck.
Beyea Custom Headers – Cummins.
BSB Manufacturing – Horgdal.
Chix Gear Racewear – Gustin.
Deatherage Opticians – Wetzstein.
Edelbrock – S. Scott.
Eibach Springs – Thatcher.
Fast Shafts – Hughes.
FK Rod Ends – Davis.
Forty9Designs.com – Sobbing, Dillard.
Fuel Safe – VanderBeek.
GRT Race Cars – Haslip.
Hooker Harness – Ramirez.
KEVKO Oil Pans & Components – Duvall.
Keyser Manufacturing – Glenz.
KSE Racing Products – Alberts.
Marsh Racing Wheels – J. Scott.
Midwest Sheet Metal – Sanders.
MSD Ignition – Alberts, Hughes.
PBM Performance Products – Hilsabeck, Hughes.
QA1 – Alberts.
R2C Performance Products – S. Scott.
Real Racing Wheels – all non-qualifiers.
Sybesma Graphics – Alberts.
Tilton Engineering – Hilsabeck.
VP Racing Fuels – Hughes.
Wehrs Machine & Racing Products – Pember.
Wilwood Disc Brakes – Foss.
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USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Racer Racing Tires, Casey’s General Stores, Chix Gear Racewear, COMP Cams, Day Motor Sports, Deatherage Opticians, Farm Boy BBQ Sauce, Fast Shafts, Intercomp, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, Malvern Trust & Savings Bank, MSD, Nitroquest Media Group, RACEceiver, RacinDirt.com, S&S Fishing & Rental, VP Racing Fuels.
USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: Arizona Sport Shirts, ASi Racewear, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, Double H Bands, Duvall Electric, ElbowsUp.com, Integra Racing Shocks & Springs, Mesilla Valley Transportation, Olympic Fire Protection, Rivers Edge Scrap Management, Schwab’s Tinker Shop, UMotors Motorsports & Marine, Velocita-USA.
USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AERO Race Wheels, AFCO Racing Products, Allstar Performance, Bell Racing Helmets, Beyea Custom Headers, BSB Manufacturing, CPD Racing Tools, Crane Cams, Driven Racing Oil, Edelbrock, Eibach Springs, FK Rod Ends, Forty9 Designs, Fuel Safe, Genesis Racing Shocks, GRT Race Cars, Holley Performance, Hooker Custom Harness, JRi Shocks, Keyser Manufacturing, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, Midwest Sheet Metal, PBM Performance Products, QA1 Precision Products, Quarter Master, R2C Performance, Real Racing Wheels, Simpson Performance Products, Sybesma Graphics, Tilton Engineering, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Wilwood Disc Brakes.
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Contact Info:
Jeff Nun