<B>BRITT, Iowa --</B> Dean Mahlstedt has been one of the hottest drivers on the O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series during the month of September, and his hot streak reached a boiling point Thursday night as the Garner pilot scored his career-first O’Reilly USMTS feature win on opening night at the inaugural American Racer Fall Festival at the Pritchard Family Auto Stores Hancock County Speedway in Britt, Iowa.

Mahlstedt, who is the current points leader in the AFCO Challenge -- a $3,000-to-win "mini-series" comprised of the final 10 points events for the O’Reilly USMTS, pocketed $1,000 for the victory with a last-lap pass of Al Hejna in the 25-lap main event.

Hejna took the lead at the drop of the green flag with polesitter Mahlstedt giving chase. With several three- and four-wide battles going on behind them, Mahlstedt wrestled the lead away from Hejna on lap 13 but surrendered the point back to Clear Lake driver two laps later.

With the white flag waving, Mahlstedt charged to the inside of Hejna to grab the top spot and go on to win the race to the checkered flag. Hejna's younger brother, Mike, also slipped by and took the runner-up spot at the finish.

Mark Elliott of Webster City scored a fourth-place paycheck while Colcord, Okla.'s Jason Hughes rounded out the top-5 finishers.

Long-tow pro George White of Ft. Worth, Texas, raced from the 21st starting spot to finish 10th, earning the Olympic Fire Protection Hard Charger honors.

In Thursday's Stock Car action, Tom Schmitt of Independence continued his winning ways as he won his second main event in a row at the 3/8-mile oval. In his last visit to the Britt speedplant on Aug. 12, Schmitt captured the USRA Stock Car Nationals victory and a $6,600 payoff.

Kevin Opheim of Mason City, Iowa, took Thursday's runner-up spot behind Schmitt, with Scott Bauer of Riceville, Rodney Necker of Sumner and Ryan Watnem of Humboldt completing the top-5 finishers. Jeff Nielsen of Pocahontas grabbed the sixth and final transfer spot for the inside row of Saturday's $3,000-to-win main event.

In Hobby Stock action, Donovan Smith of Lake City out-gunned Dan Haugland of Crystal Lake to take the checkers. Smith's brother, Dustin, finished third, followed by Calvin Lange of Humboldt and Britt's John Madson. Randy Hadacek of Britt grabbed the sixth and final transfer spot for the inside row of Saturday's $1,000-to-win main event.

Jake Simpson of Algona held off Marshalltown's Ryan Gustin for the win in the B-Modified main event. Following the race, however, Gustin was disqualified for an equipment infraction, moving up Matt Lettow of Roland into the second-place finish. Toby Boothroyd of Britt was credited with third, while Dustin Brown of Thornton finished fourth and Forest City's Jesse Hoeft got fifth. Jeramie Faber of Britt grabbed the sixth and final transfer spot for the inside row of Saturday's $1,000-to-win main event.

Friday night will feature another $1,000-to-win main event for the O’Reilly USMTS, with the top 4 points-earners from the first two nights garnering an automatic spot in the 12-car redraw for Saturday's $10,000-to-win American Racer Fall Festival finale.

Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks and B-Modifieds will be battling for the first six spots in the outside of row of their respective feature races on Saturday.

Friday will also feature 2450-lb. Modifieds racing for $500 to win (no entry fee) and $50 to start the main event. Rules for this class will be American Racer G60 tires, no spoilers, no roller cams, no aluminum heads and a minimum weight rule of 2,450 pounds.

Gates will open at 3:30 p.m. with the first race slated for 6:30. General admission grandstand tickets are $12 for adults, $3 for kids ages 6-12 and FREE for children 5 and under. Pit passes are $25.

The Hancock County Speedway is located 1.3 miles south of U.S. Hwy. 18 on James St. (turns into Main Ave. and Diagonal and 1st), then 0.5 mile east on 220th Ave., then 0.1 mile north on Jewel Ave., then east (at the Hancock County Fairgrounds).

For more information, contact the USMTS office by calling 515-832-7944 or email Race Director Todd Staley at todd@usmts.com. The O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series is online at www.USMTS.com. The Hancock County Speedway is online at www.HancockCoSpeedway.com.

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<B>OFFICIAL RESULTS

O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series

Inaugural American Racer Fall Festival - Night 1 of 3

Pritchard Family Auto Stores Hancock County Speedway, Britt, Iowa

Thursday, September 29, 2005</B>

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

The top 20 drivers in passing points accumulated in the heat races will be locked into the "A" main, with the top 12 re-drawing for their starting positions.

<B>B-MODIFIEDS</B>

Heat #1:

1. 21l - Matt Lettow -- Roland, IA (3)

2. 19 - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (1)

3. 63 - Josh Meyer -- Fairmont, MN (4)

4. 5 - Jake Simpson -- Algona, IA (7)

5. 9 - Thomas Buns -- Woden, IA (6)

6. 65D - Dustin Brown -- Thornton, IA (5) DNF

7. 48 - Ron Scally -- Waterloo, IA (2) DNS

Heat #2:

1. 33 - Travis Lain -- Titonka, IA (3)

2. 71 - Toby Boothroyd -- Britt, IA (5)

3. 21 - Jesse Hoeft -- Forest City, IA (6)

4. 13 - Reed Brumm (2)

5. 3f - Jeramie Faber -- Britt, IA (4)

6. 53 - Travis Woodbeck -- Eagle Grove, IA (7) DNF

7. 25 - Doug Cook -- Whittemore, IA (1) DNF

"A" Main:

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

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

3. 71 - Toby Boothroyd -- Britt, IA (6)

4. 65D - Dustin Brown -- Thornton, IA (11)

5. 21 - Jesse Hoeft -- Forest City, IA (9)

6. 3f - Jeramie Faber -- Britt, IA (10)

7. 25 - Doug Cook -- Whittemore, IA (13)

8. 33 - Travis Lain -- Titonka, IA (2)

9. 53 - Travis Woodbeck -- Eagle Grove, IA (12) DNF

10. 13 - Reed Brumm (8) DNF

11. 63 - Josh Meyer -- Fairmont, MN (4) -1 Lap

12. 9 - Thomas Buns -- Woden, IA (7) DNS

13. 48 - Ron Scally -- Waterloo, IA (14) DNS

14. 19 - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (5) DQ

<B>HOBBY STOCKS</B>

Heat #1:

1. 2h - Dan Haugland -- Crystal Lake, IA (3)

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

3. 00 - Andy Altenburg -- Truman, MN (7)

4. 22 - John Madson -- Britt, IA (2)

5. 69 - Scott Germundson -- Mason City, IA (5)

6. 51 - Stac Schroeder -- Clear Lake, IA (6) DNF

7. 24 - Chris Evenson -- Algona, IA (4) DNS

Heat #2:

1. 35 - Donovan Smith -- Lake City, IA (3)

2. 24s - Michael Schadendorf -- Algona, IA (4)

3. 85 - Dustin Smith -- Lake City, IA (5)

4. L5 - Gary Lalor -- Eagle Grove, IA (6)

5. 5 - Randy Hadacek -- Britt, IA (2)

6. 1r - Brad Ratcliff -- Webster City, IA (1)

"A" Main:

1. 35 - Donovan Smith -- Lake City, IA (2)

2. 2h - Dan Haugland -- Crystal Lake, IA (4)

3. 85 - Dustin Smith -- Lake City, IA (6)

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

5. 22 - John Madson -- Britt, IA (8)

6. 5 - Randy Hadacek -- Britt, IA (10)

7. L5 - Gary Lalor -- Eagle Grove, IA (5)

8. 24s - Michael Schadendorf -- Algona, IA (7)

9. 1r - Brad Ratcliff -- Webster City, IA (11)

10. 69 - Scott Germundson -- Mason City, IA (9)

11. 24 - Chris Evenson -- Algona, IA (13)

12. 00 - Andy Altenburg -- Truman, MN (1) DNF

13. 51 - Stac Schroeder -- Clear Lake, IA (12) DNF

<B>STOCK CARS</B>

Heat #1:

1. 18 - Tom Schmitt -- Independence, IA (6)

2. 29 - Matt Greiner -- Washington, IA (4)

3. 44K - Kevin Opheim -- Mason City, IA (1)

4. 3b - Andy Bruggeman -- Garner, IA (2)

5. 29 - Scott Bauer -- Riceville, IA (7)

6. t53 - Todd Foster -- Webster City, IA (5)

7. 30 - Kenneth Even -- Waterloo, IA (3)

8. 5x - Gary Lalor Jr. -- Eagle Grove, IA (8)

Heat #2:

1. 42 - Jeff Nielsen -- Pocahontas, IA (3)

2. 14 - Chad Palmer -- Renwick, IA (2)

3. 99 - Rodney Necker -- Sumner, IA (5)

4. 88 - Ryan Watnem -- Humboldt, IA (7)

5. 21p - Larry Portis -- North Springs, IA (1)

6. 18J - Tim Stupka -- Eagle Grove, IA (6)

7. 52 - John Pletcher -- Britt, IA (4) DNF

"A" Main:

1. 18 - Tom Schmitt -- Independence, IA (7)

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

3. 29 - Scott Bauer -- Riceville, IA (8)

4. 99 - Rodney Necker -- Sumner, IA (9)

5. 88 - Ryan Watnem -- Humboldt, IA (10)

6. 42 - Jeff Nielsen -- Pocahontas, IA (5)

7. 14 - Chad Palmer -- Renwick, IA (6)

8. 30 - Kenneth Even -- Waterloo, IA (13)

9. 21p - Larry Portis -- North Springs, IA (3)

10. 3b - Andy Bruggeman -- Garner, IA (4)

11. 5x - Gary Lalor Jr. -- Eagle Grove, IA (14)

12. t53 - Todd Foster -- Webster City, IA (11)

13. 52 - John Pletcher -- Britt, IA (15) DNF

14. 29 - Matt Greiner -- Washington, IA (1) DNF

15. 18J - Tim Stupka -- Eagle Grove, IA (12) DNF

<B>O’REILLY AUTO PARTS UNITED STATES MODIFIED TOURING SERIES</B>

Heat #1:

1. 12 - Mark Elliott -- Webster City, IA (2)

2. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Concold, OK (4)

3. 19 - Darin Duffy -- Hazleton, IA (1)

4. 555 - Ryan Ruter -- Kanawha, IA (6)

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

6. 55 - Brian Shaw -- Brownsville, MN (3)

7. 72 - Doug Hillson -- Blooming Prairie, MN (7)

8. 50 - Brad Bakken -- Garner, IA (8) DNF

Heat #2:

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

2. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (3)

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

4. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (4)

5. 83 - Willy Kraft -- Lake Field, MN (6)

6. 94 - Alex Webner -- Garner, IA (2)

7. 9g - Rick Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (7) DNF

Heat #3:

1. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (2)

2. 26 - Brad McEwan -- Storm Lake, IA (4)

3. 65 - Tommy Meyer -- Blooming Prairie, MN (7)

4. 12M - Jason Miller -- Osceola, WI (5)

5. 17 - Garry Oskerson -- Fairmont, MN (3)

6. 25 - Keith Schmidt (1)

7. 100 - George White -- Fort Worth, TX (6) DNF

Heat #4:

1. 21m - Dean Mahlstedt -- Garner, IA (3)

2. 31 - Corey Dripps -- Cedar Falls, IA (2)

3. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (5)

4. 17s - Mike Spaulding -- Bemdji, MN (7)

5. 12J - Justin O'Brein -- Volga, IA (1)

6. 10h - Todd Hanson -- Clear Lake, IA (6)

7. 10X - Mike Steensma -- Luverne, MN (4)

"B" Main #1:

1. 83 - Willy Kraft -- Lake Field, MN (3)

2. 19 - Darin Duffy -- Hazleton, IA (1)

3. 17 - Garry Oskerson -- Fairmont, MN (4)

4. 50 - Brad Bakken -- Garner, IA (9)

5. 100 - George White -- Fort Worth, TX (8)

6. 55 - Brian Shaw -- Brownsville, MN (5)

7. 25 - Keith Schmidt (6)

8. 12M - Jason Miller -- Osceola, WI (2)

9. 72 - Doug Hillson -- Blooming Prairie, MN (7) DNS

"B" Main #2:

1. 555 - Ryan Ruter -- Kanawha, IA (1)

2. 10 - Jeremy Mills -- Garner, IA (3)

3. 12J - Justin O'Brein -- Volga, IA (4)

4. 94 - Alex Webner -- Garner, IA (5)

5. 10X - Mike Steensma -- Luverne, MN (8)

6. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (2) DNF

7. 10h - Todd Hanson -- Clear Lake, IA (6) DNF

8. 9g - Rick Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (7) DNS

"A" Main:

1. 21m - Dean Mahlstedt -- Garner, IA (1)

2. 7ii - Mike Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (10)

3. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (2)

4. 12 - Mark Elliott -- Webster City, IA (3)

5. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Concold, OK (5)

6. 65 - Tommy Meyer -- Blooming Prairie, MN (6)

7. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (11)

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

9. 555 - Ryan Ruter -- Kanawha, IA (14)

10. 100 - George White -- Fort Worth, TX (21)

11. 83 - Willy Kraft -- Lake Field, MN (13)

12. 55 - Brian Shaw -- Brownsville, MN (23)

13. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (4)

14. 50 - Brad Bakken -- Garner, IA (19)

15. 17s - Mike Spaulding -- Bemdji, MN (12)

16. 10 - Jeremy Mills -- Garner, IA (16)

17. 17 - Garry Oskerson -- Fairmont, MN (17)

18. 31 - Corey Dripps -- Cedar Falls, IA (9) DNF

19. 19 - Darin Duffy -- Hazleton, IA (15) DNF

20. 12J - Justin O'Brein -- Volga, IA (18) DNF

21. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (7) DNF

22. 94 - Alex Webner -- Garner, IA (20) DNF

23. 10X - Mike Steensma -- Luverne, MN (22) DNF

24. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (24) DNS