BRITT, Iowa -- For years, one of the races Al Hejna coveted the most eluded him.

But the Clear Lake driver finally broke through two years ago by claiming the Night of 1,000 Stars Modified feature at the Pritchard Family Auto Stores Hancock County Speedway.

He said winning one was hard enough, so he hardly expected a repeat last year.

Hejna, though, found himself in victory lane yet again giving him a chance at a three-peat on Thursday against some of the best Modified drivers in the nation.

"Even after last year, I didn't know if I could get another one," Hejna said. "I came in and drew the back of the heat but had a good run and got to the front. Then I drew No. 4 in the feature and then I thought I had a chance."

And next year he'll have a chance at his fourth-straight Night of 1,000 Stars victory.

Hejna passed Ryan Ruter of Kanawha with 16 laps remaining and never relinquished the lead as he pocketed the win and the $2,000 winning purse.

"This is one of the shows at the beginning of the season that we look forward to," he said. "It's not different than a USMTS show, they are all here. It's just as big as that."

The win capped off what would have been a forgettable week for Hejna.

On Tuesday night, he planned to race an O'Reilly USMTS show in Fort Dodge, but his hauler wouldn't run and missed the race.

"I'll travel nine hours to race, but I miss the one that's an hour and a half away," Hejna said.

Last night, he was running second in the O'Reilly USMTS stop at the Carriker Ford Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa when a he lost a tire.

So entering Thursday, things were looking bleak for the Clear Lake driver.

But a win in his heat race and good starting spot turned his fortunes around.

Once he caught Ruter, who went on to finish second, the race turned into a flashback for Hejna.

Two years ago as he chased his first Night of 1,000 Stars win, he followed leader Pat Graham for a number of laps before he saw Graham's tires smoke.

He went on to pass him on the ensuing corner and held on for the win.

On Thursday, it was the exact same scenario.

Hejna saw Ruter's tires smoke coming out of turn 2 and by the time they went past the starter's stand, Hejna had the lead.

"That was my cue to plant it," Hejna said. "It was the exact same pass."

Hejna will be in action again tonight for the Pritchard Family Auto Stores Hancock County Speedway's weekly show but could pocket another $1,000 for a win as promoter Todd Staley bumped up the pay for this week's race.

But no matter what he does tonight, Hejna will always remember the night he won his third consecutive Night of 1,000 Stars title.

"Absolutely, this is one of the biggest shows every year for us," he said.

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

USRA Casey's General Stores Championship Series

Harris Auto Racing Night of 1,000 Stars

Pritchard Family Auto Stores Hancock County Speedway, Britt, Iowa

Thursday, July 14, 2005

Showing finishing position, car number, driver, hometown and starting position in parentheses.

USRA B-MODIFIEDS

Heat #1:

1. 23 - Scott Manske -- Algona, IA (6)

2. 33 - Travis Lain -- Titonka, IA (9)

3. 8 - Corey Klouse -- Mason City, IA (4)

4. 40 - George Gilliland -- Lehigh, IA (10)

5. 65d - Dustin Brown -- Thornton, IA (8)

6. 1t - T.J. Stalker -- Mason City, IA (5) DNF

7. 3f - Jeramie Faber -- Britt, IA (1) DNF

8. 65 - Logan Brown -- Messervey, IA (3) DNF

9. 21 - Jesse Hoeft -- Forest City, IA (7) DNF

10. 46 - Mark Peterson -- Algona, IA (2) DNF

Heat #2:

1. 5 - Jake Simpson -- Algona, IA (1)

2. 19 - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (6)

3. 21l - Matt Lettow -- Roland, IA (2)

4. 81b - Scott Davis -- Odgen, IA (5)

5. 3 - Craig Klouse -- Mason City, IA (9)

6. 32 - Dan Feltus -- Allison, IA (7)

7. 9 - Thomas Buns -- Woden, IA (10)

8. 91 - Rob Arnold -- New Richland, MN (3) DNF

9. 25 - Doug Cook -- Whittlemore, IA (4) DNF

10. 12k - Kevin Knudson -- Clear Lake, IA (8) DNS

"A" Main:

1. 5 - Jake Simpson -- Algona, IA (2)

2. 3 - Craig Klouse -- Mason City, IA (1)

3. 19 - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (7)

4. 12k - Kevin Knudson -- Clear Lake, IA (20)

5. 1t - T.J. Stalker -- Mason City, IA (13)

6. 32 - Dan Feltus -- Allison, IA (11)

7. 21l - Matt Lettow -- Roland, IA (10)

8. 40 - George Gilliland -- Lehigh, IA (8)

9. 91 - Rob Arnold -- New Richland, MN (16)

10. 9 - Thomas Buns -- Woden, IA (12)

11. 3f - Jeramie Faber -- Britt, IA (14)

12. 33 - Travis Lain -- Titonka, IA (3) DNF

13. 8 - Corey Klouse -- Mason City, IA (5) DNF

14. 23 - Scott Manske -- Algona, IA (4) DNF

15. 46 - Mark Peterson -- Algona, IA (19) DNF

16. 65d - Dustin Brown -- Thornton, IA (9) DNF

17. 65 - Logan Brown -- Messervey, IA (15) DNF

18. 21 - Jesse Hoeft -- Forest City, IA (17) DNS

19. 25 - Doug Cook -- Whittlemore, IA (18) DNS

20. 81b - Scott Davis -- Odgen, IA (6) DNS

USRA HOBBY STOCKS

Heat:

1. 43 - Calvin Lange -- Humboldt, IA (2)

2. 50 - Jim Smith -- Belmond, IA (1)

3. 22 - John Madson -- Britt, IA (8)

4. 5 - Randy Hadacek -- Britt, IA (3)

5. 99$ - Dwight Harlan -- Fertile, IA (6)

6. 22s - Justin Servantez -- Mason City, IA (4)

7. 24r - Roger Haupt, jr. -- Clarion, IA (5)

8. 18 - Michael Trunkhill -- Titonka, IA (7) DNF

9. j96 - Robert Black -- Ventura, IA (9) DNF

"A" Main:

1. 22 - John Madson -- Britt, IA (6)

2. 50 - Jim Smith -- Belmond, IA (4)

3. 5 - Randy Hadacek -- Britt, IA (1)

4. 43 - Calvin Lange -- Humboldt, IA (3)

5. 24r - Roger Haupt, jr. -- Clarion, IA (7)

6. 99$ - Dwight Harlan -- Fertile, IA (2) DNF

7. 18 - Michael Trunkhill -- Titonka, IA (8) DNF

8. 22s - Justin Servantez -- Mason City, IA (5) DNF

9. j96 - Robert Black -- Ventura, IA (9) DNS

USRA STOCK CARS

Heat #1:

1. 29 - Scott Bauer -- Riceville, IA (5)

2. 44k - Kevin Opheim -- Mason City, IA (9)

3. 02 - Jeff Dolphin -- Forest City, IA (2)

4. 3b - Andy Bruggeman -- Garner, IA (3)

5. 14 - Chad Palmer -- Renwick, IA (1)

6. 80 - Scott Bloemke -- Belmond, IA (6)

7. 20t - Malcolm Teachout -- Granada, MN (4) DNF

8. 21p - Larry Portis -- North Springs, IA (7) DNF

9. 21 - Chris Frerichs -- Emmons, MN (8) DNF

Heat #2:

1. 42 - Jeff Nielsen -- Pocahontas, IA (2)

2. 77 - Kevin Hoeft -- Garner, IA (4)

3. 88 - Ryan Watnem -- Humboldt, IA (5)

4. 7iii - Ryan Hiscocks -- Britt, IA (1)

5. 51 - Jeff Vsetecka -- Charles City, IA (8)

6. 12 - Eric Flander -- What Cheer, IA (3)

7. 52 - John Pletcher -- Britt, IA (9)

8. 82k - Dave Kuykendall -- Mason City, IA (6)

9. k20 - Kevin Paca -- Britt, IA (7)

"A" Main:

1. 77 - Kevin Hoeft -- Garner, IA (1)

2. 29 - Scott Bauer -- Riceville, IA (4)

3. 88 - Ryan Watnem -- Humboldt, IA (3)

4. 02 - Jeff Dolphin -- Forest City, IA (5)

5. 12 - Eric Flander -- What Cheer, IA (12)

6. 42 - Jeff Nielsen -- Pocahontas, IA (8)

7. 51 - Jeff Vsetecka -- Charles City, IA (7)

8. 20t - Malcolm Teachout -- Granada, MN (16)

9. 80 - Scott Bloemke -- Belmond, IA (11)

10. 21p - Larry Portis -- North Springs, IA (17)

11. 3b - Andy Bruggeman -- Garner, IA (9)

12. 82k - Dave Kuykendall -- Mason City, IA (14)

13. 52 - John Pletcher -- Britt, IA (13)

14. 21 - Chris Frerichs -- Emmons, MN (18)

15. k20 - Kevin Paca -- Britt, IA (15) DNF

16. 7iii - Ryan Hiscocks -- Britt, IA (2) DNF

17. 14 - Chad Palmer -- Renwick, IA (10) DNF

18. 44k - Kevin Opheim -- Mason City, IA (6) DNF

USRA MODIFIEDS

Heat #1:

1. 61 - Bruce Hanford -- Davenport, IA (4)

2. 31 - Corey Dripps -- Waterloo, IA (2)

3. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (6)

4. 19 - Darin Duffy -- Hazleton, IA (7)

5. 4ord - Bob Sutherland -- Blairsburg, IA (5)

6. 35 - Albert Wytaske -- Lansing, MN (8)

7. 10 - Jeremy Mills -- Garner, IA (3)

8. 10h - Todd Hanson -- Clear Lake, IA (1) DNF

Heat #2:

1. 65 - Tommy Meyer -- Blooming Prairie, MN (4)

2. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (7)

3. 555 - Ryan Ruter -- Kanawha, IA (2)

4. 33z - Zack Vanderbeek -- New Sharon, IA (3)

5. 7N - Jay Noteboom -- Orange City, IA (8)

6. 3 - Jeff Feaster -- Dakota City, IA (6)

7. 55 - Alan Mondus -- Lakeville, MN (1)

8. 49x - Jay Poidinger -- Somerset, WI (5) DNF

Heat #3:

1. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (8)

2. 7k - Jason Krohn -- Slayton, MN (3)

3. 26 - Brad McEwan -- Storm Lake, IA (6)

4. 50 - Brad Bakken -- Garner, IA (5)

5. 69 - John Logue -- Boone, IA (1)

6. 10e - Stacey Mills -- webb, IA (2)

7. 45 - Ron Pope -- Mason City, IA (7) DNF

8. 12 - Mark Elliott -- Webster City, IA (4) DNF

Heat #4:

1. 3x - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (1)

2. 98 - Kevin Stoa -- Polk City, IA (2)

3. 7ii - Mike Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (5)

4. 8x - Scott Olson -- Ellsworth, IA (4)

5. 71 - Jason Cummins -- New Richland, MN (6)

6. 02 - Ed Green -- Algona, IA (3) DNF

7. 87 - Bob Weber -- Lone Rock, IA (7) DNF

"B" Main:

1. 45 - Ron Pope -- Mason City, IA (7)

2. 10h - Todd Hanson -- Clear Lake, IA (9)

3. 35 - Albert Wytaske -- Lansing, MN (1)

4. 12 - Mark Elliott -- Webster City, IA (11)

5. 10 - Jeremy Mills -- Garner, IA (5)

6. 49x - Jay Poidinger -- Somerset, WI (10)

7. 3 - Jeff Feaster -- Dakota City, IA (2)

8. 55 - Alan Mondus -- Lakeville, MN (6)

9. 10e - Stacey Mills -- webb, IA (3)

10. 02 - Ed Green -- Algona, IA (4)

11. 87 - Bob Weber -- Lone Rock, IA (8)

"A" Main:

1. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (4)

2. 555 - Ryan Ruter -- Kanawha, IA (3)

3. 65 - Tommy Meyer -- Blooming Prairie, MN (12)

4. 7k - Jason Krohn -- Slayton, MN (1)

5. 61 - Bruce Hanford -- Davenport, IA (7)

6. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (6)

7. 19 - Darin Duffy -- Hazleton, IA (13)

8. 3x - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (10)

9. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (11)

10. 31 - Corey Dripps -- Waterloo, IA (5)

11. 45 - Ron Pope -- Mason City, IA (21)

12. 50 - Brad Bakken -- Garner, IA (15)

13. 69 - John Logue -- Boone, IA (19)

14. 7ii - Mike Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (9)

15. 33z - Zack Vanderbeek -- New Sharon, IA (14)

16. 71 - Jason Cummins -- New Richland, MN (20)

17. 4ord - Bob Sutherland -- Blairsburg, IA (17)

18. 10h - Todd Hanson -- Clear Lake, IA (22)

19. 12 - Mark Elliott -- Webster City, IA (24)

20. 26 - Brad McEwan -- Storm Lake, IA (8) DNF

21. 35 - Albert Wytaske -- Lansing, MN (23) DNF

22. 10 - Jeremy Mills -- Garner, IA (25) DNF

23. 7N - Jay Noteboom -- Orange City, IA (18) DNF

24. 8x - Scott Olson -- Ellsworth, IA (16) DNF

25. 98 - Kevin Stoa -- Polk City, IA (2) DNF