Everybody stepped up their game Thursday as the O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series kicked off the The Hunt for the O’Reilly USMTS National Championship at the Thunderhill Speedway in Mayetta, Kan. Jon Tesch stepped it up more than anybody. …

The Hunt for the O’Reilly USMTS National Championship begins Thursday, Aug. 9, at the Thunderhill Speedway in Mayetta, Kan. — the first of 16 events in 32 days, culminating with the crowning of the 2007 O’Reilly USMTS National Champion at the 9th Annual Featherlite Fall Jamboree at the Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., Sept. 6-8. With an elite field of 27 drivers from 11 different States, this year's title battle promises to be the most thrilling and competitive ever. …

Jamie Burford of Keatchie, La., is one of 27 racers eligible for ‘The Hunt’ this year after his ninth-place showing to-date in the new USMTS Southern Series. …

Jason Hughes made the best of a timely caution flag, holding off arch rival Kelly Shryock over the final six laps to score his third O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series main event victory of the season Wednesday at the Beatrice Speedway in Beatrice, Neb. While Hughes pocketed $2,000 for his efforts, he also gained momentum going into The Hunt for the O’Reilly USMTS National Championship. …

Kelly Shryock of Fertile, Iowa, used a late-race caution to his advantage Tuesday to win the final event of the Southern Region for the O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series at the Humboldt (Kan.) Speedway. The eight-time defending O’Reilly USMTS National Champion pocketed $2,000 for his 15th National Event win of the season — his third win in nine Southern Region starts. …

With championship hopes and nine races in the next 10 days, there's just six words to describe this week's O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series agenda: big, huge, gigantic, massive, incredible and wow! …

Drivers competing in the ‘The Hunt’ for the O’Reilly USMTS National Championship were put on notice Saturday night … Jon Tesch has his new ride figured out. In just his fifth outing with a brand-spanking-new GRT Chassis, Tesch overpowered the field at the Pepsi Scotland County Speedway to win the Ed Sheckler Memorial at Memphis presented by Pepsi. …

Eight-time defending O’Reilly USMTS national champion Kelly Shryock of Fertile, Iowa, notched another victory Friday night, capturing the 35-lap Holley "A" Main at the Mountain Dew Bloomfield (Iowa) Speedway. The win, worth $2,000, was Shryock's 14th National Event win in 37 starts as he clinched the O’Reilly USMTS Central Region title. …

Jason Hughes of Colcord, Okla., scored a wire-to-wire victory Thursday as the O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series invaded the Knox County Fairgrounds in Knoxville, Ill., for the Ed Sheckler Memorial at Knoxville presented by The UPS Store. Another packed house was on hand for this annual event, with 38 high-powered O’Reilly USMTS Modifieds signing in to do battle. …

USMTS Southern Series July driver recaps brought to you by Childhelp USA (1-800-4-A-CHILD), Western Flyer Trucking and Larry Shaw Race Cars. …