After an impromptu, yet highly successful first visit, the road warriors of the United States Modified Touring Series made their return to the 3/8 mile, semi-banked, dirt oval. Last season Shady Oaks Speedway picked up an USMTS race at the spur of the moment and was an instant hit with racers and fans.

With many of the northern area drivers and tracks suffering through snow, winds and wintry conditions, the weather was near picture perfect during the day in south Texas. Last year drivers from as far away as North Dakota made the trek south to compete for the three-day event, and this year was no different as the Arneson Racing brothers again made the trip.

The features last season saw local ace, Steve Whiteaker jr. score the win on the first night. Oklahoma's Derick Ramirez found himself in the right spot to take home the victory on night two after Johnny Scott broke a push rod in the final laps. Two-time USMTS National Champion Ryan Gustin grabbed the checkers on night three.

The Limited Modifieds saw JJ Jennings bookend the weekend with Thursday and Saturday wins, with Shane Hoefling taking the Friday night honors.

Thursday nights action included heats, B-mains and the 30-lap A-main for the USMTS cars plus heats and a 20-lap feature for Limited Modifieds.

Sanders Squeaks out USMTS Win - 2/11/2016

In a feature that had three past USMTS champs it came down to a battle between two of them for the win. Early in the 30-lap feature Steve Whiteaker jr led the way while Rodney Sanders and Jason Hughes hung out in the top five-six. After halfway both began moving forward. On a restart Whiteaker, Austin Arneson and Sanders went three wide for the lead. Sanders then picked his way past A. Arneson and then Whiteaker for the point on lap 24.

A late restart after Whiteaker got turned by A. Arneson rebunched the field. This gave Hughes a chance to put on a late charge at Sanders. Coming to the checkers Hughes made his run on Sanders off the high side coming to checkers. At the finish line it was Sanders by no more than a bumper eking out the victory.

The front row of the A-main couldn't be any father apart with Casey Arneson(Fargo, ND.) and Whiteaker jr.(Corpus Christi, Tx.) leading the pack. Twenty-five USMTS Modifieds took the green with C. Arneson diving into turn 1 first. C. Arneson slid too high in turn 2 giving Whiteaker an opening to get the spot. C. Arneson, A. Arneson, Ben Kates and Philip Houston sorted out in the top five. Sanders made an early move by Houston and Kates for fourth. Cade Dillard then got by Kates for fifth.

C. Arneson kept the pressure on Whiteaker looking high off turn 4 and low in turns 1-2. The top five were nearly nose to tail coming to halfway showing Whiteaker, C. Arneson, A. Arneson, Sanders and Dillard as the top five. As the lead quintet began to run up on traffic, the Arnesons and Sanders went three wide. Sanders got by A. Arneson on lap 16 then into second past C. Arneson on lap 17.

Just as Sanders began challenging Whiteaker for the lead, C. Arneson clipped and infield tire and went around for a lap 20 yellow. As green waved the lead trio went three abreast into turn 1, but a tangle between Sam Hafertepe jr. and Bobby Malchus brought the yellow right back out.

On the next restart it was Whiteaker getting a better jump while A. Arneson and Sanders stayed wheel to wheel and Hughes took fifth. Sanders wasted little time getting back to Whiteaker with the two side by side for the lead on lap 22. Sanders was able to gain the advantage on lap 23, with Dillard getting third from A. Arneson.

Dillard was then able to get past a slowly fading Whiteaker for second. As Whiteaker fell into the clutches of A. Arneson he got tagged and turned in turn 3. Both went to the tail. On the restart Sanders got a jump with Hughes and Dillard side by side.

Hughes quickly got by Dillard and was on Sanders as the white flag waved. Hughes made a charge coming off turn 4 on Sanders, but it was Sanders in the Swan Energy, Wichita Tank Racing, drivewfx.com, S&S Fishing & Rental, KimRad Transport, Geddis Race Engines, MB Custom Chassis by a slight margin getting the victory.

“The track was really good tonight,” said Sanders. “It was a little muddy last night for practice, but they got it figured out. It's a pretty tight track, but it races really well. I almost got beat there, but I held on and it was enough. This place is one-of-a-kind in its configuration. At some tracks we go to we try to compare notes from like tracks. We were in our little world here.”

“We did some stuff tonight that we don't usually do. I definitely think we could be better but it was good enough. Hopefully we can work on a little more for the rest of the weekend. I knew I was pretty good on the bottom and I was just trying to pick them off as they came. They started racing side by side and I didn't really have anywhere to go. I was thinking some of the good guys behind would be coming. I was trying to pace myself early, but this was only 30 laps and I had to force way in there.”

“It's not really a big deal for us to go three wide. We trust most everybody out there. I just didn't know if the guy on the outside knew we were both under him coming off the corner and leave enough room. It all worked out.”

“Jason(Hughes) and I have had a lot of battles over the years. He's a heck of a racer and we always race each other hard and clean. You can never count him out even though I knew he started a ways behind me. At the finish I looked over and thought I might be a little ahead but it was so close. The flagstand seems like it's a ways down the track and I wasn't sure where they scored us. I knew it was close. I saw that picture that Carey Akin got, it was maybe a half a bumper.””

“We're going to watch the track the rest of the weekend and make a few adjustments. We're not going to get too carried away, but I think we need to be a little better. It was a lot drier tonight than last night. I think we'll get more of that throughout the weekend.”

USMTS MODIFIEDS

A-main; 20 Rodney Sanders, 12h Jason Hughes, 97 Cade Dillard, 91 Joe Duvall, 23k Ben Kates, 4w Tyler Wolff, 71 Philip Houston, 33 Zack Vanderbeek, 6 Brock Bauman, 99 Jess Sobbing, 12d Scott Drake, 49 Chadd Howell, 49jr Jake Timm, 4m Bobby Malchus, 89c Steve Whiteaker jr., 4* Billy Vogel, 12 Cody Leonard, 21t Lance Town, 15h Sam Hafertepe jr., 10 Austin Arneson, 19r Ryan Gustin, 8 Steve Miller, 2 Casey Arneson, 303 Chase Jupe, 4 Cody Bauman

B-main #1 (Top 6 to A-main); 303 Chase Jupe, 33z Zack Vanderbeek, 49 Chadd Howell, 4 Billy Vogel, 12d Scott Drake, 21t Lance Town, 15h Sam Hafertepe jr, 35g Barry Gifford, 137 Bill Pittaway---DNS

B-main #2 (Top 6 to A-main); 91 Joe Duvall, 19r Ryan Gustin, 4w Tyler Wolff, 49jr Jake Timm, 4m Bobby Malchus, 8 Steve Miller, 38 Ronnie Gould III, 129 Jamie Campbell, 34 Mickey Lassiter---DNS

Heat #1; 97 Cade Dillard, 20 Rodney Sanders, 10 Austin Arneson, 12d Scott Drake, 19r Ryan Gustin, 15h Sam Hafertepe, 4 Billy Vogel, 21 Lance Town

Heat# 2; 2 Casey Arneson, 89c Steve Whiteaker jr., 12 Jason Hughes, 99 Jesse Sobbing, 4m Bobby Malchus, 49jr Jake Timm, 38 Ronnie Gould III, 4w Tyler Wolff

Heat #3; 23k Ben Kates, 6 Brock Bauman, 4 Cody Bauman, 91 Joe Duvall, 35g Barry Gifford , 49 Chadd Howell, 33z Zack Vanderbeek---DQ(chip)

Heat #4; 71 Philip Houston, 12 Cody Leonard, 137 Bill Pittaway, 303 Chase Jupe, 129 Jamie Campbell, 8 Steve Miller, 34 Mickey Lassiter---DNS

Whiteaker Wins Limited Modified Main

Steve Whiteaker jr. took home the hardware in the Limited Modified feature after fending off some tough competition. Shane Hoefling took the early lead in the 20-lapper but was run down by Whiteaker. The two swapped the lead nearing the midway point before Whiteaker secured the spot. Hoefling fell out during a mid race yellow. Whiteaker's cousin, Dustin Butcher, took up the chase the final half of the event, but it was Whiteaker holding him off for the win.

Hoefling got the top spot off turn 2 as the 20-car field took the green. Whiteaker, Johnny Torres, Butcher and JJ Jennings fell in line behind him. Hoefling and Whiteaker then broke away from Torres and Butcher who had a gap back to Jennings and Cody Leonard. Whiteaker turned up the pressure on Hoefling on lap 5.

Whiteaker was able to get the nose out front on lap 6, but Hoefling fought back to lead lap 7 as the two stayed side by side. Whiteaker finally got the advantage for good on lap 8. Eddy Ross went around on lap 9 for a caution that saw Hoefling pit from second. Whiteaker got a good jump on Butcher and Torres, but Dustin Robinson and Mickey Helms got tangled for another yellow.

Whiteaker again got a good start as the field quickly sorted out. Jennings and Leonard had a good battle going for fourth and were closing on Torres. Yellow waved on lap 18 for a spin by Robby Minten setting up a two lap shootout. Whiteaker got away clean on green in the Cottrell Racing, D&SS Construction, Braka Operating, Leita Farms, Pro-Tech, Real Racing Wheels, Nasty Cookers, WW Bodies, Swenson Racing Products, Durham powered, Hughes by 89 Motorsports Chassis to snag the win.

“The lapped traffic kind of played a key,” replied Whiteaker. “The car was good. I thought I was a little better but I was just waiting for the right time. Shane(Hoefling) is always quick when he gets out front. We have a little bit of stuff different on his car. I think I might have to detune it because he's been pretty fast. I didn't want to show him that I was there too early. I was banking that he'd be way out front, get comfortable and slow down and I could pass him with two to go. I guess he broke once I got by him.”

“Dustin and I race together quite a bit, and obviously he's my cousin. When I heard he was in second over the radio I was happy that we would end up finishing 1-2. He didn't race much last year, but picked a few wins late in the season. I like all my cars that have my logo doing well.”

“I raced here when I was younger in different cars, but only a few times over the past years. In the Sport Mod you just hold it to the floor, where the big Mod has more power. That car has always been good to me. It was good to see my cars out front.”

“In the Modified race I was getting slower by the lap, I didn't have anything for Rodney(Sanders) after he got by me. I was free on entry in turn 3 and had to slow up too much. I was skating it and was tight when I got back on the throttle. I was a little rusty, I felt the car was good, but my driving wasn't consistent. I felt like we could have had a top 3 or 4, but Arneson made a mistake, we all do. I've never had any issues with him so we'll talk about it tomorrow.”

LIMITED MODIFIEDS

A-main; 89c Steve Whiteaker jr., 90 Dustin Butcher, bd3 Johnny Torres, 26g JJ Jennings, 99 Craig Oakes, 12 Cody Leonard, 28j Justin Nabors, 174 Mickey Helms, 56 Broc Bowen, 37 Bill Pittaway, 10 Dustin Robinson, 3 Trice Hermes, 22 Randy Bennett, 5r Robby Minten, 63 Shane Hoefling, bd2 Eddy Ross, 18 Larry Jernigan, 37h Garrett Higgins, 11t Tom Grothues---dns, 3d Ray Doyon III---dns

Heat #1; bd3 Johnny Torres, 90 Dustin Butcher, bd2 Eddy Ross, 12 Cody Leonard, 28j Justin Nabors, 10 Dustin Robinson, 18 Larry Jernigan, 37h Garrett Higgins, 3 Trice Hermes, 3d Ray Doyon III---DNS

Heat #2; 63 Shane Hoefling, 89c Steve Whiteaker jr., 26g JJ Jennings, 99 Craig Oakes, 56 Broc Bowen, 5r Robby Minten, 174 Mickey Helms, 37 Bill Pittaway, 22 Randy Bennett, 11t Tom Grothues

Gustin Goes Green to Checkers - 2/12/2016

After a thrilling season opener for both USMTS and Shady Oaks Speedway Thursday night, could it get any more exciting?

Tonight's USMTS purse ramps up the competition with $3,000 on the line for the winner as they battle on the 3/8 mile, semi-banked, dirt oval just outside of town. Limited Modified payday jumps up to $500 to win and the Mod-Lites join Fridays action.

All classes continue with full programs including heats, B-mains and feature events.

Last nights racing action treated fans to two hotly contested feature races highlighted by a side by side finish in USMTS and lead swapping in Limited Modifieds, Friday, it was time to do it all over again.

Thursday saw two former USMTS champions, Rodney Sanders and Jason Hughes, run wheel to wheel to the checkers. Sanders edged out Hughes by about 6-8 inches to snag the USMTS payday.

USMTS competition is so tough that the drivers that finished 1-2 were relegated to running a B-main in tonights events.

Steve Whiteaker jr. took home the hardware in Limited Modifieds after swapping the lead with Shane Hoefling for a couple laps near the midway point.

Marshalltown, Iowas Ryan Gustin had to settle for a DNF in Thursday nights race, but tonight was a different story. Capitalizing on his front row starting spot, "The Reaper" went wire to wire in the 35-lap main event. Gustin was chased early by Joe Duvall the first third of the race.

Last years Rookie of the Year, Jesse Sobbing took up the challenge from there giving Gustin some good looks from time to time. Once they got into lapped traffic Gustin in the Gressel Racing, McCartney Welding Servive, Henryetta Ford, VP race Fuels, Mac Tools, LaJoie Seats, Midwest Sheet Metal, Eibach Springs, Integra Shocks, Fast Shafts, Schaeffer Oil, MSD, BSB, Wilwood, Larry Carburetors, Bayea, BMRS Lines, Mullins powered, Hughes Chassis was able to distance himself from the field.

As the 24-car field came to life Duvall was first into turn 1, but slid up in turn 2 giving Gustin the bottom. Gustin got the point coming off turn 2 with Duvall, Jake Timm, Cody Leonard and Sobbing in pursuit. The top ten sorted out by lap 3, with two and three wide battles in the pack. Ben Kates went around from that scramble to bring out yellow.

After another quick yellow, Duvall tried to dive under Gustin, to no avail, while Sobbing took fourth from Leonard. Philip Houston then got along side Leonard and snagged fifth a lap later. Up front Duvall was keeping the pressure on Gustin, but Gustin held steady.

Gustin had just began to inch away while Sobbing and Timm ran side by side for third. Timm would spin himself while trying to stay off Sobbing for a lap 10 caution. Sobbing got a good jump on the restart going past Duvall for second and looking low on Gustin, but with the momentum, Gustin held him off.

A freeway style stack saw several drivers hook bumpers, but all were able to continue even though a caution was called. Once back to green Sobbing and Cade Dillard tried get under Gustin, while Zack Vanderbeek and Duvall were side by side. That duo swapped fourth for several laps until Duvall got control of the spot.

Coming to the halfway point Sobbing again gave Gustin a good look low in turn 2 but couldn't get by. At halfway it was Gustin, Sobbing, Dillard, Duvall and Vanderbeek still holding the top five. With the battle up front calmed, Jason Hughes, Rodney Sanders, Leonard and Casey Arneson battled for sixth.

As Gustin ran up on traffic, Hughes made his way to sixth while Sanders got seventh from C. Arneson. Gustin used his experience to dice through slower cars better than Sobbing could and increased his margin as the white flag waved leaving Gustin unchallenged at the checkers.

"Starting up front was a lot of it," explained Gustin. "You have to have starting position when you race with these guys. There's a lot of good racers and fast race cars. Starting in the back of a heat may not be a bad thing though when you get enough passing points and good redraw to start on the front. It definitely helps."

"Unless you have someone trying to give you signals you never really know where you're at when you start up front. You aren't allowed to give signals in USMTS so you have to be on toes. You have to listen and watch and do your best to hold them off."

"I saw a couple guys trying to dive under me a few times. I just tried to pick up my pace and to get away from them so they couldn't try a slide job on me or something."

"We only made minor changes from last night. We have our deal that we do and stay within our box. It always seems to work pretty well. It's pretty close to what we won here with last year. There's a couple little things we've done different and learned throughout last year. Overall it's about the same racecar."

"This track, to me, isn't that much different than any other we race on. It's a dirt circle. They're not too different from each other. We enjoy coming down to this race track. They always seem to have a good surface on it. It's a good time."

"We're going to jump back and forth between the Modified and Late Model again. I don't think we'll do either one full time. We've got two Late Models and two Modifieds so wherever we want to go, that'd where we'll go."

USMTS MODIFIEDS

A-main; 19r Ryan Gustin(Marshalltown, Ia), 99 Jesse Sobbing(Malvern, Ia), 97 Cade Dillard(Robeline, La), 91 Joe Duvall(Claremore, Ok), 33 Zack Vanderbeek(New Sharon, Ia), 12 Jason Hughes(Wooward, Ok), 2 Casey Arneson(Fargo, ND), 12L Cody Leonard(Sinton, Tx), 71 Philip Houston(Odessa, Tx), 12d Scott Drake(Joplin, Mo), 89c Steve Whiteaker jr.(Corpus Christi, Tx), 4m Bobby Malchus(Red Oak, Tx), 21t Lance Town(Wellsville, Ks), 4* Billy Vogel(West Fargo, ND), 4w Tyler Wolff(Fayetteville, Ark), 6 Brock Bauman(Eureka, Ill), 49jr Jake Timm(Winona, Minn), 15h Sam Hafertepe(Rockwall, Tx), 77 Garrett Gregory(Tomball, Tx), 35 Barry Gifford(Ponca City, Ok), 20 Rodney Sanders(Happy, Tx), 68 Brandon Watson(Denison, Tx)

B-main #1 (Top 5 to A-main); 12 Jason Hughes, 20 Rodney Sanders, 68 Brandon Watson, 23k Ben Kates, 77 Garrett Gregory, 34L Mickey Lassiter, 34w Michael Walker, 129 Jamie Campbell, 4w Tyler Wolff, 38 Ronnie Gould III, 4 Cody Bauman

B-main #2 (Top 5 to A-main); 33 Zack Vanderbeek, 2 Casey Arneson, 35g Barry Gifford, 49 Chadd Howell, 4* Billy Vogel, 15h Sam Hafertepe jr, 16g Bubba Gates, 8 Steve Miller, 37 Bill Pittaway, 10 Austin Arneson, 303 Chase Jupe---dns

Heat #1; 12 Cody Leonard, 97 Cade Dillard, 4m Bobby Malchus, 6 Brock Bauman, 49 Chadd Howell, 35 Barry Gifford, 77 Garrett Gregory, 38 Ronnie Gould III, 129 Jamie Campbell

Heat #2; 71 Philip Houston, 49jr Jake Timm, 12d Scott Drake, 33 Zack Vanderbeek, 12h Jason Hughes, 4w Tyler Wolff, 15h Sam Hafertepe jr., 303 Chase Jupe, 137 Bill Pittaway

Heat #3; 89c Steve Whiteaker jr., 21t Lance Town, 19r Ryan Gustin, 68 Brandon Watson, 34 Michael Walker, 34L Mickey Lassiter, 23k Ben Kates, 4 Cody Bauman

Heat #4; 99 Jesse Sobbing, 91 Joe Duvall, 20 Rodney Sanders, 10 Austin Arneson, 2 Casey Arneson', 16g Bubba Gates, 4* Billy Vogel, 8 Steve Miller

Oakes Outsnookers Jennings for Limited Modified Win

San Antonios Craig Oakes used a restart to get by JJ Jennings near midway in the 20-lap Limited Modified feature. Jennings secured the spot after a side by side battle with Dustin Robinson.

A series of caution set up the lap 8 restart that saw Oakes get under Jennings as green waved. Once out front, Oakes in his Uranium Energy Corperation, McMahan Welding Service, Performance Racing Products, Express Chassis checked out for the victory

Twenty-three Limited Modified took the green with Jenning And Robinson staying side by side. Robinson got the nose out front to lead lap 1. Robinson and Jennings continued to run wheel to wheel until lap 4 when Jennings got the spot. Oakes was in line third with Johnny Torres and Shane Hoefling in tow.

Chuck Perry found himself nosed into the front stretch wall for a lap 6 caution. It took several tries to get going again due to spins in the pack by Dustin Butcher, Ryan Doyon and Hoefling getting rooted out of fifth by Garrett Higgins after getting one more lap in.

Finally racing resumed with Oakes sticking the nose along side Jennings coming to green. Oakes held the bottom and was able to grab the lead on lap 8 while Jennings and Robinson resumed their fight, now for second. Oakes started to ease away coming to the crossed flags with Jennings, Robinson, Torres and Jason Hughes, piloting Steve Whiteaker jr.s car.

From there Oakes was able to begin to stretch out his margin over Jennings, who finally broke free of Robinson. With five laps to go Oakes had motored away to nearly a half straightaway advantage and was easily able to complete the run to the checkers.

LIMITED MODIFIEDS

A-main; 99 Craig Oakes, 26g JJ Jennings, 10 Dustin Robinson, bd3 Johnny Torres, 89c Jason Hughes, 37h Garrett Higgins, 90 Dustin Butcher, 28j Justin Nabors, 56 Broc Bowen, bd2 Eddy Ross, 24r Robby Minten, 174 Mickey Helms, 161 Hector Aguirre, 5r Ryan Doyon, 18 Larry Jernigan, 12r Roly Rodriguez, 23 Michael Gay, 3 Trice Hermes, 11t Tom Grothues, 12 Cody Leonard, 63 Shane Hoefling, 14 Wade Moyer, 115 Chuck Perry, 137 Bill Pittaway---dns

Heat #1; 10 Dustin Robunson, 99 Craig Oakes, 37h Garrett Higgins, 89c Jason Hughes, 161 Hector Aguirre, 115 Chuck Perry, 24r Robby Minten, 11t Tom Grothues

Heat #2; 26g JJ Jennings, 63 Shane Hoefling, 90 Dustin Butcher, 174 Mickey Helms, 56 Broc Bowen, 37 Bill Pittaway, bd2 Eddy Ross, 12r Roly Rodriguez

Heat #3; bd3 Johnny Torres, 28j Justin Nabors, 12 Cody Leonard, 14 Wade Moyer, 3 Trice Hermes, 18 Larry Jernigan, 5r Ryan Doyon, 23 Michael Gay

Sexton Snags Mod-Lite Main

In a race that saw more spins than a Stevie Nix video Greg Sexton jr. was in the right spot at the right time to grab the win. Sexton and Geoffery Youngblood battled at the start for the top spot with Youngblood getting the point. The race was shortened due to time leaving a green, white, checker finish after multiple lap 6 cautions. On the restart, Youngblood had his car give up allowing Sexton to snag the lead and hold off Shane Clement the final lap for the victory.

MOD-LITES

A-main; 7 Greg Sexton jr, 2 Shane Clement, 39 JoeBob Veach, 8 Duane Williams, 22 Mike Christians, 24 Victor Vargas, 10 Aubrey Taylor, 6 Brad Wright, 66 Douglas Wright, 50 Gerald Book, 64 Larry Carwin, 50r Billy Rape, 37 Geoffrey Youngblood, 5-0 Eric Salles jr, 110 Joey Rodriguez, 13 Kelly Gutchs, 3 Rick Adcock, 3x Mitchell Clement

Heat #1; 7 Mike Sexton jr., 39 JoeBob Veach, 13 Kelly Gutchs, 22 Mike Christians, 66 Douglas Wright, 10 Aubrey Taylor, 5-0 Eric Salles jr, 50 Gerald Book, 64 Larry Carwin

Heat #2; 37 Jeffery Youngblood, 2 Shane Clement, 8 Duane Williams, 3 Rick Adcock, 3x Mitchell Clement, 24 Victor Vargas, 6 Brad Wright, 110 Joey Rodriguez, 50r Bill Rape

The final night of action featured a big $4,000 to win payday for the USMTS Modifieds, plus added money for the Limited Modifieds. If the first two nights was any indication it would turn out memorable for fans and racers.

The first two nights saw two former series champions, Rodney Sanders and Ryan Gustin take home checkers in USMTS Modifieds, while Steve Whiteaker jr. and Craig Oakes scored wins the Limited Modifieds and Greg Sexton jr. grabbed top honors in the Mod-Lites.

Saturday night the USMTS was hot and heavy up front between several of the favorites and somewhat of a Texas underdog that his night early in the main event. The Limited Modifieds had thier share of lead changes, but the Pure Stock slugged it out, at times, three wide for the lead.

All Classes ran qualifying through heats, B-mains setting the features for the final night of racing.

Hughes Hustles to Modified Main - 2/13/2016

After settling for a second place finish on Thursday night, by a mere six inches, Jason Hughes(Watts, Ok.) capitalized on the misfortune of Early leader Bobby Malchus to grab the Saturday payday.

Hughes, who started eighth and moved up to third, was in position to inherit the lead after Rodney Sanders broke a brake caliper and ran over Mulchus while battling for the lead. Hughes, the defending series champion, was able to hold off Friday nights winner Ryan Gustin and Cade Dillard for the win.

Twenty-four cars started the 40-lapper with Malchus and Joe Duvall leading the way. Duvall, on top, led into turn 1, but it was Malchus coming off the bottom of turn 2 grabbing the lead. Duvall trailed with Sanders and Zack Vanderbeek side by side and Hughes up to fifth.

Sanders was able to clear Vanderbeek with Gustin taking sixth from Austin Arneson. Sanders then ducked under Duvall for second, with Duvall spinning himself in turn 1. On the restart Malchus drifted high in turn 4 with Sanders sniffing the bottom.

Hughes then got third from Vanderbeek while Gustin took fifth from A. Arneson. A. Arneson would then spin in turn 3 leaving Lance Town and Brock Bauman scrambling to avoid contact. On the restart Gustin and Vanderbeek went wheel to wheel with Casey Arneson, Cade Dillard and Jesse Sobbing three wide for sixth.

Caution was quickly back out after Steve Whiteaker jr. and Michael Walker got tangled in turn 4. Back under green Sanders held off Hughes with Dillard and Vanderbeel battling for fifth. Billy Vogel brought out a yellow on lap 10 setting up the unfortunate restart.

The first try saw Hughes get a run from third on Malchus, but Sanders retook the spot the next corner. Sanders had a run on Malchus going into turn 3, couldn't get slowed up, and ran over Malchus sending him over the hill, nearly to the water tank. Brock Bauman, A. Arneson, Duvall and Vogel all got caught up in the melee.

With Hughes now on point, Gustin and Dillard battled side by side for second with Sobbing and Vanderbeek wheel to wheel for fourth. Town and Tyler Wollf got together on lap 13 to slow the pace again. As the top three sorted out, Sobbing and Vanderbeek were back at it for fourth and Scott Drake dueling with C. Arneson for sixth.

Ben Kates, Bauman and A. Arneson piled up in turn 4 for a lap 18 yellow. Back under green and coming to halfway it was Hughes beginning to creep away, Gustin, Dillard, Vanderbeek and Sobbing in the top five. Another multi-car tangle between Vogel, A. Arneson, Mickey Lassiter and Barry Gifford brought out a lap 25 yellow.

As green waved again, Vanderbeek and Sobbing were back at it for fourth. Behind them Drake and C. Arneson were swapping sixth nearly corner for corner while young gun Cody Leonard waited, looking for a mistake. As the white flag was shown, Hughes had 8-10 car lengths on Gustin that he carried to victory in the West Siloam Pawn, Murphrey Oil, Red Tail Tackle, Larrys Carburetors, Cates Recycling, Pig-n-Out, Rainbow Graphics, Mullins Race Engines, Hughes Racing Chassis.

"I finally got a racecar that would turn around the corners," replied Hughes. "The first couple nights we had a little trouble getting the car to turn. We got her freed up tonight and that made all the difference in the world."

"I can't count the number of changes we made this weekend. We had some different stuff on it, trying it. We finally took it off and went back to the basics. It's where we should have been starting, I guess."

"Thursday night we were better than we were Friday, but still weren't where we needed to be. I don't think I was as good as I should have been either."

"I saw Rodney(Sanders) get into the corner, hit the brakes and the car jerk over. They said he broke the caliper bracket. I've had that happen, when you get on the brakes as hard as you are here, I can see it happening."

"If Rodney had gotten by it would have been a lot of fun trying to get by him. I would have hoped we could reverse the order from Thursday. I saw the picture, it was about ten inches and we were on the short end of the stick."

"Wins don't get any easier, by any means. Everybody is getting tougher out there. You enjoy every one(win) just like you did the last one. So I'm already looking forward to another one."

USMTS MODIFIEDS

A-main; 12h Jason Hughes(Watts, Ok), 19r Ryan Gustin(Marshalltown, Ia), 97 Cade Dillard(Robeline, La), 33 Zack Vanderbeek(New Sharon, Ia), 99 Jesse Sobbing(Malvern, Ia), 2 Casey Arneson(Fargo, ND), 12d Scott Drake(Joplin, Mo), 12L Cody Leonard(Sinton, Tx), 91 Joe Duvall(Claremore, Ok), 89c Steve Whiteaker jr.(Corpus Christi, Tx), 303 Chase Jupe(Waco, Tx), 4w Tyler Wolff(Fayetteville, Ark), 49jr Jake Timm(Winona, Minn), 34 Mickey Lassiter(Piedmont, Ok), 4m Bobby Malchus(Red Oak, Tx), 21t Lance Town(Wellsville, Kan), 10 Austin Arneson(Fargo, ND), 34w Michael Walker(Alvarado, Tx), 23k Ben Kates(Tonganoxie, Kan), 4* Billy Vogel(West Fargo, ND), 35g Barry Gifford(Ponca City, Ok), 6 Brock Bauman(Eureka, Ill), 20 Rodney Sanders(Happy, Tx), 71 Philip Houston(Odessa, Tx)

B-main #1 (Top 5 to A-main); 99 Jesse Sobbing, 12l Cody Leonard, 12d Scott Drake, 4w Tyler Wolff, 6 Brock Bauman, 23k Ben Kayes, 89c Steve Whiteaker jr., 77 Garrett Gregory, 8 Steve Miller, 4 Cody Bauman, 129 Jamie Campbell

B-main #2 (Top 5 to A-main); 97 Cade Dillard, 49jr Jake Timm, 4* Billy Vogel, 34w Michael Walker, 34 Mickey Lassiter, 68 Brandon Watson, 38 Ronnie Gould III, 137 Bill Pittaway, 15l Chris Lewis, Chadd Howell

Heat #1; 19r Ryan Gustin, 4m Bobby Malchus, 35g Barry Gifford, 99 Jesse Sobbing, 4w Tyler Wolff , 49jr Jake Timm, 77 Garrett Gregory, 8 Steve Miller, 4 Cody Bauman

Heat #2; 2 Casey Arneson, 71 Philip Houston, 91 Joe Duvall, 34 Mickey Lassiter, 12L Cody Leonard, 34w Michael Walker, 38 Ronnie Gould III, 68 Brandon Watson

Heat #3; 20 Rodney Sanders, 10 Austin Arneson, 12 Jason Hughes, 6 Brock Bauman, 97 Cade Dillard, 12d Scott Drake, 129 Jamie Campbell, 89c Steve Whiteaker jr.

Heat #4; 33 Zack Vanderbeek, 303 Chase Jupe, 21t Lance Town, 49 Chadd Howell, 23k Ben Kates, 4* Billy Vogel, 137 Bill Pittaway, 15L Chris Lewis

Butcher Best of Limited Modified Bunch

Corpus Christi's Dustin Butcher used a bad night as learning tool Friday night and made it pay off in Saturday nights Limited Modified feature. Butcher lead early in the 20-lap A-main giving way to last nights winner Craig Oakes for a time in the middle stages.

After a mid-race caution, Butcher, who had fallen back to fourth, adjusted his line to something he found the previous night. He charged back to front and retook the top spot, then eased away in his Elhard Electric and Air Conditioning, WW Bodies, Churches Chicken, Extreme Race Engines, Hughes by 89 Motorsports Chassis, for the victory.

After a big melee on the initial start, Butcher was first off turn 1 for the lead as the 25-car field got the green. Behind him Oakes and Johnny Torres were side by side for second with Dustin Robinson and Shane Hoefling wheel to wheel for fourth. Another big pile up in turns 1-2 quickly brought the yellow back out.

Finally into some green flag racing, Hoefling grabbed fourth from Robinson while Garrett Higgins, Eddy Ross and Jimmy Byrd got by Stacey Tyler. Oakes got along Butcher on lap 5 with the two running side by side until Oakes eased the nose out front on lap 6. Torres then got along side Butcher for second, taking the spot.

Coming to the crossed flags it was Oakes, Torres, Butcher, Hoefling and Robinson as the top five pulled away. Gerald Henderson stalled on track to bring out a yellow on lap 12. On the restart Butcher tried a different line and caught Oakes back for the top spot.

Butcher regained the top spot on lap 13, with Robinson and Hoefling continuing to swap fourth. Once back on point, Butcher was able to ease away from Oakes to comfortable margin and carry that momentum to the finish.

“Sometimes a bad run is not a bad thing,” exclaimed Butcher. “It was a lot of fun, I got the opportunity to go outside and it worked out well for me. I switched my line, sometimes as the leader you're not sure where to run. You run where you think it's good. I started falling back. Once Craig, Johnny and Shane got by I ventured outside where I was working yesterday. It was still there I benefited from that.”

“We showed up with basically the same thing that we ran here last year. Steve jr./89 Motorsports came over and suggested we try a few things that we've been working on. We changes springs, shocks a whole bunch of stuff from Thursday to Friday. I was not liking it yesterday with a bad run, but we turned a negative into a positive on the run today.”

“As soon as I went to the top, I knew it was my race. The caution helped me get there faster, but I knew no one else was running up there. I knew how good my car was. Once I made it out there, it was just a matter of time.”

“Without a doubt every race we run down here is a big show. We run with Steve jr., Shane, JJ(Jennings), Craig, all these guys have won big shows. Every time we race locally, it's a big show”

“I really have to thank God foremost, and my car owner Jerry Elhard. I really couldn't do it without him. 89 Motorsports is the brains of the operation, they just help me look good.”

“You can't take much from here and translate it to Corpus(South Texas Speedway) for the big ten thousand to win show next month. It's two totally different tracks. If there's a positive, 90% of the races I've run have been in Corpus, I'm comfortable there, the car is good and I've got great support. I'm excited to see how we sit for that ten thousand.”

LIMITED MODIFIEDS

A-main; 90 Dustin Butcher, 99 Craig Oakes, bd3 Johnny Torres, 10 Dustin Robinson, 63 Shane Hoefling, 37h Garrett Higgins, 56 Broc Bowen, 28j Justin Nabors, bd2 Eddy Ross, 15 Jimmy Byrd, 12r Roly Rodriguez, 84 Stacey Tyler, 161 Hector Aguirre,23 Michael Gay, 5r Ryan Doyon, 37 Bill Pittaway, 21 Chris Florio, 3 Trice Hermes, 55 Gerald Henderson, 174 Mickey Helms, 12 Cody Leonard, 26g JJ Jennings, 115 Chuck Perry, 11t Tom Grothues, 89c Steve Whiteaker jr., 27 Darrel Chandler---dns, 18 Larry Jernigan---dns

Heat #1; 90 Dustin Butcher, 63 Shane Hoefling, 37h Garrett Higgins, 5r Ryan Doyon, 37 Bill Pittaway, 174 Mickey Helms, 28j Justin Nabors, 27 Darrel Chandler, 18 Larry Jernigan

Heat #2; 99 Craig Oakes, 10 Dustin Robinson, 12 Cody Leonard, 89c Steve Whiteaker jr., 15 Jimmy Byrd, 11t Tom Grothues, 21 Chris Florio, 3 Trice Hermes, 23 Michael Gay

Heat #3; bd3 Johnny Torres, 26g JJ Jennings, 84 Stacey Tyler, 115 Chuck Perry, bd2 Eddy Ross, 56 Broc Bowen, 161 Hector Aguirre, 55 Gerald Henderson, 12 Roly Rodriguez

Clement Captures Mod-Lite Cash

Former Sprint Car pilot, Shane Clement(Bonham) showed his versatility in a Mod-Lite going wire to wire for the win their 15-lap feature. S. Clement was chased early by Geoffrey Youngblood and JoeBob Veach before checking out the final half to secure the victory.

After a rough night Friday that saw perhaps early season jitters and the Mod-Lite feature cut short due to time. Tonight was a better story. As the field took the green S. Clement jumped out front trailed by Youngblood, Victor Vargas, Aubrey Taylor and last nights winner, Greg Sexton jr. Vargas had just gotten by Youngblood for second when Joey Rodriguez looped it in turn 4.

On the restart it was almost four wide coming to green with Veach making a run up to third. Gerald Book saw his night end early went he rolled his ride in turn 4. He was checked out and alright. This time it was only, HA only, three wide on the restart with S. Clement still holding the point.

Sexton made his way to fourth past Vargas, while Veach was grabbing second from Youngblood. By halfway S. Clement was checking out as they battled for second while his nephew, Mitchell Clement moved into the top five past Vargas. M. Clement picked off fourth from Sexton, with his uncle S. Clement was on cruise control going on to the checkers.

MOD-LITES

A-main; 2 Shane Clement, 37 Geoffrey Youngblood, 39 JoeBob Veach, 3x Mitchell Clement, 7 Greg Sexton jr., 24 Victor Vargas, 10 Aubrey Taylor, 6 Brad Wright, 5-0 Eric Salles jr., 66 Douglas Wright, 8 Duane Williams, 64 Larry Carwin, 110 Joey Rodriguez, 50 Gerald Book, 22 Mike Christians---dns, 50r Billy Rape---dns

Heat #1; 2 Shane Clement, 37 Geoffrey Youngblood, 7 Greg Sexton Jr., 39 JoeBob Veach, 3x Mitchell Clement, 66 Douglas Wright, 50 Gerald Book, 8 Duane Williams

Heat #2; 10 Aubrey Taylor, 24 Victor Vargas, 50r Billy Rape, 6 Brad Wright, 110 Joey Rodriguez, 5-0 Eric Salles jr, 64 Larry Carwin, 22 Mike Christians

Bresee Blows By Pure Stock Field.

Start near the back? No problem for Houston area driver Chase Bresee. After suffering issues while leading his heat race, Bresee fell out and was relegated to an eighth row starting spot in the 20-lap feature.

Bresee methodically picked his way to the front while Edward Oakes, Tony Marinelli and KC Jimerson took turns out front. Bresee caught the leader, Jimerson and took over with a handful of laps remaining. From there Bresee held on after a late restart in the Longs Tire, Gentry Transmission, Sombreros Restuarant, 3D Deisel Repair, Ace Auto Sales, HOT Chassis.

The start of the 20-car Pure Stock was a good indicator of the action that was coming. As the green waved Oakes, Marinelli and Hector Aguirre were almost three wide for the lead. When it finally shook out it was Oakes, Aguirre, Marinelli, Tony Blankenship and Logan Schunka in the top five. Marinelli got a good run on Aguirre for second and kept it going along side Oakes.

Marinelli grabbed the point on lap 2 as Oakes tried to stay along side. Behind them Blankenship, Aguirre and Jimerson were three abreast for third. Marinelli and Oakes were still door to door when yellow waved on lap 5. On the restart Marinelli got away leaving Oakes, Blankenship and Aguirre door to door to door for second. Aguirre claimed the spot while Jimerson took fourth from Blankenship.

Aguirre then was looking inside Marinelli for the lead with Jimerson and Oakes side by side for third. Aguirre got along side Marinelli at the point as Bresee made his way into the top five. Aguirre's top run ended on lap 8 when he broke and slowed backing up the pack, bringing out a caution. Once back to green Jimerson was pressuring Marinelli for the lead as Bresee picked up another spot to fourth.

Marinelli slipped high allowing Jimerson to grab the top spot on lap 11, but company was coming. Jimerson, Bresee and Oakes went three wide until Jimerson nearly spun causing others in pack to loop it behind the lead trio. As the battled up front continued, Bresee got second from Oakes on lap 14.

It wasn't long that Bresee got along side Jimerson and they were side by side for the lead on lap 15. Jimerson would finally spin battling with Bresee getting the point on lap 16. As Bresee broke away on the restart, Brice Baros, L. Schunka and Chase Sanchez were three wide fourth. Bresee inched away from Oakes the final few circuits to score the victory.

PURE STOCKS

A-main; 83 Chase Bresee, 33 Edward Oakes, 07 Logan Schunka, 63 Chase Sanchez, 32 Tony Blankenship, 13 Donald Schunka, 02 Shannon Maurer, 7b Mark Bunden, 7 Jesse Sandoval, 21 Eric Ramos, 99 Brice Baros, 11 KC Jimerson, 115 Hector Aguirre, 29 James Jennings, 73 John Ramirez, 22t Tony Marinelli, 441 Dakota Heinaman, 15 Jamie Dear, 38 Joshua Sewell, 9 Lysa Burton,(DQ), 58 Cheyloh Brodnax---dns, 119 Raymond Dibrell---dns

Heat #1; 33 Edward Oakes, 07 Logan Schunka, 9 Lysa Burton, 441 Dakota Heinaman, 58 Chetloh Flanagan, 15 Jamie Dear, 13 Donald Schunka, 7 Jesse Sandoval, 21 Eric Ramos, 02 Shannon Maurer

Heat #2; 22t Tony Manelli, 115 Hector Aguirre, 32 Tony Blankenship, 11 KC Jimerson, 63 Chase Sanchez, 29 James Jennings, 73 John Ramirez, 83 Chase Bresee, 7b Mark Bunden, 119 Raymond Dibrell

The USMTS road warriors travel a few hundred miles north to Waco's Heart O' Texas Speedway for another Thursday-Saturday(18th-20th) event on the ¼ mile, high banked, clay oval. For more info visit www.usmts.com.