SAVANNAH, Ga. -- With the 2006 season for the O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series on the horizon, many of the top O’Reilly USMTS "young guns" hit the road this past weekend in search of glory.

The Coca-Cola Young Guns Shoot-Out at Oglethorpe Speedway Park was larger than ever expected. Two hundred and twenty competitors in five classes jammed into the infield. After the flood gates opened, O'Reilly USMTS driver Jeremy Payne of Cave City, Ark., was on top as the 2006 Coca-Cola Young Guns National Champion.

Curfew caused the most disappointing part of the night. The Coca-Cola Young Guns Modified feature was red-flagged after a huge wreck left the front stretch covered in debris. During the red flag clean-up, city officials pulled the plug on the 55-year-old facility enforcing the noise ordinance on the speedway at 12:17 a.m.

This gave the victory to Payne who was able to hold back Canada's Steve Arpin for the short time needed. Clayton Miller, Alan Mondus and defending champion Zack VanderBeek rounded out the first five, giving four of the top-5 spots to O'Reilly USMTS competitors.

Another O'Reilly USMTS rising star, Julie McDermid, finished sixth followed by Kellen Chadwick, Eddie Moser, David Hess and Derrick Ramirez.

Despite the shortened race, team representatives were very impressed with Arpin throughout the day and saw a possible diamond in the rough with McDermid. The young lady from Wisconsin put on a show in the support class main event prior to the Young Guns race. She had the fans on their feet while picking up an early night heat race win.

"She can drive the wheels off a race car," said Coca-Cola's Keith Blackwell. "I was impressed with her effort. I know others were as well."

"I scheduled too much racing," said track promoter Ted Austad. "The interest in the event was more than we expected and it ended up being too much on the schedule. There will be adjustments made on the schedule of this event in the future."

Drivers did have the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of 16 of the 20 professional team representatives on Saturday afternoon and evening. They were impressed by the talent and professionalism of many of the competitors and teams.

"There was a few instances of emotion getting the best of the driver," said a scout wishing to remain anonymous. "It was big weekend for them. Of course, it is a big weekend every weekend in our arena."

Plans are already being made for the 3rd Annual Coca-Cola Young Guns Shoot-Out. Announcements about a new format and dates will be released soon by Oglethorpe Speedway Park.

Official Results from Saturday, February 4, 2006

Coca-Cola Young Guns Modifieds Feature: 1-Jeremy Payne, Cave City, AR 2-Steve Arpin, Fort Frances, ONT 3-Clayton Miller, Elkton, KY 4-Alan Mondus, Lakeville, MN 5-Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, IA 6-Julie McDermid, Oconto Falls, WI 7-Kellen Chadwick, Okley, CA 8-Eddie Moser, Cave Springs, AR 9-David Hess, Waterford, PA 10-Derrick Ramirez, Woodward, OK 11-Porter Smith, Aztec, NM 12-Rodney Sanders, Happy, TX 13-Tommy Weder Jr., Woodward, OK 14-Craig Shuffield, Fayetteville, NC 15-Jeff Bland Jr., Bloomington, IN 16-Brandt Barksdale, Jonesboro, AR 17-Brandon Kenny, Woodward, OK 18-Jordan Whitehead, Andover, KS 19-Casey McClaskey, Ponca City, OK 20-Phillip Hill, Greenville, KY 21-Nick Neville, Mackinaw, IL 22-Jeremy Shaw, Milport, AL 23-Terry Hudson, Peoria, IL 24-Schuyler Nahre, Indianapolis, IN 25-Jonathan Russell, Jonesboro, AR 26-Justin Cooper, Prescott, IA 27-Brock Burton, Columbus, IN 28-Chase Cooper, Gulfport, MS 29-Brady Short, Bedford, IN 30-Dan O'Connor, Dunlap, IL

The 2005 O’Reilly USMTS season will kick off at the Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb., on Friday and Saturday, March 11-12. For more information, contact the USMTS offices at 515-832-7944, or visit www.USMTS.com online.

To learn more about the O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series, call the headquarters office at (515) 832-7944 or visit www.USMTS.com online.

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USMTS TITLE SPONSOR: O’Reilly Auto Parts.

USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Race Tires, Holley Performance Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, R.A. Benson Motorsports, Real Racing Wheels, Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar, UNIJIG Chassis Fabrication Equipment.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: Belleville Motorsports, Bert Transmission, Boyer’s Engine Development, Edelbrock, Fast Shafts, GRT Race Cars, Hyperco, Isky Racing Cams, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, KSE Racing Products, Larson Racing Specialists, Quarter Master, QuickTime Performance Race Parts, RaceQuest, T.A.R. Race Car Bodies, US Brake.