<B>MCOOL JUNCTION, Neb. --</B> After a bumpy track on Friday that challenged the physical and mechanical endurance of each team, the Junction Motor Speedway crew provided a smooth and dry "drivers track" on Saturday as the O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series put the wraps on the 3rd Annual Nebraska Spring Thaw at the McCool Junction, Neb., speedplant.

The smooth racing surface was a perfect fit for the smooth-driving Jon Tesch as he led wire-to-wire in Saturday's 30-lap "A" main. Tesch, who scored his last O’Reilly USMTS victory last June, withstood an early-race challenge from Dean Mahlstedt, then held off Mark Noble over the final few laps to pocket the $3,000 top prize.

At the drop of the green flag, polesitter Tesch and Mahlstedt, who started fourth, made a break from the field and began distancing themselves from the pack. The two ran nose to tail with Mahlstedt taking a look to the inside of Tesch on a number of occasions, but never able to seal the deal. By the time the race's first caution waved on lap 14, Tesch and Mahlstedt had nearly a half-lead on the third-place car Steve Arpin.

While the caution flag waved for debris on the racing surface, it proved disastrous for Mahlstedt. As the cars began lining up for the restart, Mahlstedt's Modified slowed and came to a stop in the turn. A failed ignition box spelled the end of the night for Mahlstedt.

A handful of cautions over the next 10 laps kept the field close to Tesch, but nobody had enough muscle on this night to make a move on the Watertown, S.D., ace. Mark Noble, who started 10th, had the best shot at Tesch, but had to settle for the runner-up check at the pay window.

For Noble, however, the weekend proved to be a huge leap in the right direction after a disappointing 2005 season. After finishing third on Friday, then second on Saturday, Noble assumed the O’Reilly USMTS national points lead heading into next weekend's doubleheader at the Thunderhill Speedway in Mayetta, Kan. Last season, the popular veteran from Blooming Prairie, Minn., recorded just three top-5 finishes in 30 starts.

Tesch sits second in the points battle, nine points behind Noble (205-196). Ryan Ruter is third with 188 markers, while seven-time and defending O’Reilly USMTS national champion Kelly Shryock is tied for fourth with Oklahoma's Randy Timms with 187 points each.

For the second straight night, Timms proved to be the most prolific passer in the "A" main as he earned the Olympic Fire Protection Hard Charger honors. On Friday, Timms passed 15 cars en route to a ninth-place finish. Saturday was even better as Timms passed 17 cars to finish sixth in the 30-lap main event.

Heat race wins went to Jeff Schluetter, Jim Horejsi, Arpin, Johnny Saathoff, Kevin Larkins, John Allen, Darrick Klima and Mahlstedt.

A three-way stranglehold exists at the top for the new UNIJIG Builders Championship. Skyrocket, Kraft and GRT are tied at the top with 17 points each, followed by BMS (14) and Shaw (12).

Up next for the O’Reilly USMTS will be the 4th Annual Kansas Spring Fling at the Thunderhill Speedway in Mayetta, Kan. Friday's show will pay $2,000 to win and Saturday's winner will take home $3,000. This will be the third and fourth events of the 74-race season, as well as the Western Region.

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

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<B>OFFICIAL RESULTS

O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series

3rd Annual Nebraska Spring Thaw - Night 2 of 2

Junction Motor Speedway, McCool Junction, Neb.

Saturday, March 11, 2006</B>

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

The top 13 drivers in Home Pride Passing Points accumulated in the heat races are locked into the Holley "A" Main, with the top 8 re-drawing for starting positions 1-8.

<B>ISKY RACING CAMS HEAT #1 (8 laps):</B>

1. 35 - Jeff Schluetter -- New Hampton, IA (3)

2. 94 - Dustin Huehl -- Salina, KS (1)

3. c40 - Mike Chasteen -- Creve Coeur, IL (4)

4. 65 - Tommy Myer -- Blooming Prairie, MN (8)

5. 3x - Mike Johnson -- Council Bluffs, IA (7)

6. 1cc - Clayton Christensen -- Spencer, IA (9)

7. 05h - John Haubold -- Kearney, NE (6) DNF

8. 20 - Dustin Boney -- Shawnee, KS (10) DNF

9. 14j - Jake Neal -- Omaha, NE (5) DNF

10. z62 - Danny McKeighan -- Carter Lake, IA (2) DNS

<B>HEAT #2 (8 laps):</B>

1. 21h - Jim Horejsi -- Echo, MN (3)

2. 26 - Brad McEwan -- Storm Lake, IA (5)

3. 4j - Jordy Nelson -- Marysville, KS (2)

4. 1k - Tim Karrick -- Bashor, KS (6)

5. 4 - Chevy Hadan -- Waterloo, NE (8)

6. 29 - Greg Metz -- Washington, KS (1)

7. 14x - Matt Bonine -- Onawa, IA (10)

8. 23L - Brett LaFollette -- Kansas City, KS (7)

9. 11L - Ricky Stangl -- Raytown, MO (4) DNF

10. 72 - Mike Lineberry -- Fontanelle, NE (9) DNS

<B>HEAT #3 (8 laps):</B>

1. 00eh - Steve Arpin -- Fort Frances, ON (6)

2. 555 - Ryan Ruter -- Forest City, IA (10)

3. 7n - Jay Noteboom -- Hinton, IA (7)

4. 21 - Wade Cross -- Philips, NE (2)

5. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (9)

6. 10 - Mike Steensma -- Luverne, MN (4)

7. 11 - Steve Burch -- Junction City, KS (3)

8. 10c - Justin Cooper -- Prescott, IA (5)

9. 49x - Jay Poidinger -- Somerset, WI (8)

10. 1 - Scott Mullen -- Seymour, WI (1) DNF

<B>HEAT #4 (8 laps):</B>

1. 96j - Johnny Saathoff -- Beatrice, NE (1)

2. 86jr - Dirk Kirk -- Sloan, IA (3)

3. 25 - Ricky Stephan -- South Sioux City, NE (4)

4. 02x - Delbert Smith -- Great Bend, KS (5)

5. 16 - Reese Coffee -- Hinton, IA (6)

6. X - Mike Wedelstadt -- Hortonville, WI (7)

7. 23 - Matt Gilbertson -- Montevideo, MN (8)

8. 75 - Jon Thompson -- Superior, NE (9)

9. 51j - Jerry Wilkinson -- York, NE (10)

10. 1x - Bill Flegg -- Omaha, NE (2)

<B>HEAT #5 (8 laps):</B>

1. 4x - Kevin Larkins -- Greenwood, NE (1)

2. 1f - Jason Friesen -- Sutton, NE (4)

3. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (9)

4. 02 - Tommy Weder -- Woodward, OK (3)

5. 17 - Jeremy Tibben -- Stanton, IA (5)

6. 51 - Chris Oertel -- Marshfield, WI (2)

7. 71 - David Holder -- Clarence, MO (8)

8. 12h - Mike Hansen -- Alta, IA (7)

9. 90 - Chuck Stanton -- New Hampton, IA (6)

10. 8 - Brian Dultmeier -- Silver Lake, KS (10)

<B>HEAT #6 (8 laps):</B>

1. 98a - John Allen -- Chanute, KS (2)

2. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (6)

3. 98 - Josh Reisch -- Luverne, MN (8)

4. 00 - Joshua Vinnedge -- Forreston, IL (5)

5. 19 - Marlin Kracht -- Luverne, MN (1)

6. 1* - Jason Thoennes -- Alexandria, MN (3)

7. 55x - Jim Cole -- Sioux City, IA (7)

8. 187 - Chris Heller -- Junction City, KS (9)

9. 83 - Zack Wood -- Wichita, KS (4)

<B>HEAT #7 (8 laps):</B>

1. 2k - Darrick Klima -- Belleville, KS (2)

2. 33g - Shannon Gilchrist -- Rosehill, KS (1)

3. 0 - Troy Girolamo -- Eleva, WI (6)

4. m80 - Jim Mathieson -- Sioux City, IA (3)

5. 37 - Scott Ward -- Watertown, SD (5)

6. 1r - Matt Richards -- Lincoln, NE (7)

7. 55 - Alan Mondus -- Lakeville, MN (9)

8. L5 - Aaron White -- Plainview, NE (8)

9. 5j - John Schwab -- Liberal, KS (4)

<B>HEAT #8 (8 laps):</B>

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

2. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (7)

3. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (6)

4. 5 - Randy Timms -- Wheatland, OK (9)

5. 2 - Grant Junghans -- Manhattan, KS (2)

6. 70 - Jesse Dennis -- Corning, IA (5)

7. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Colcord, OK (8) DNF

8. 33m - Dustin Daniels -- Zurich, KS (4) DNF

9. 34 - Jay Goosman -- Himton, IA (1) DNF

<B>REAL RACING WHEELS "B" MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 3 advance):</B>

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

2. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Colcord, OK (14)

3. 86jr - Dirk Kirk -- Sloan, IA (2)

4. 98 - Josh Reisch -- Luverne, MN (1)

5. 2 - Grant Junghans -- Manhattan, KS (10)

6. 55 - Alan Mondus -- Lakeville, MN (13)

7. 17 - Jeremy Tibben -- Stanton, IA (9)

8. 02x - Delbert Smith -- Great Bend, KS (6)

9. 55x - Jim Cole -- Sioux City, IA (15)

10. 12h - Mike Hansen -- Alta, IA (17)

11. 5j - John Schwab -- Liberal, KS (20)

12. 8 - Brian Dultmeier -- Silver Lake, KS (22)

13. 187 - Chris Heller -- Junction City, KS (16)

14. 51 - Chris Oertel -- Marshfield, WI (12)

15. 14x - Matt Bonine -- Onawa, IA (11)-1 Lap

16. 4j - Jordy Nelson -- Marysville, KS (5) DNF

17. 21 - Wade Cross -- Philips, NE (7) DNF

18. 3x - Mike Johnson -- Council Bluffs, IA (8) DNF

19. 94 - Dustin Huehl -- Salina, KS (3) DNF

20. 51j - Jerry Wilkinson -- York, NE (18) DNF

21. 49x - Jay Poidinger -- Somerset, WI (19) DNS

22. 72 - Mike Lineberry -- Fontanelle, NE (21) DNS

<B>REAL RACING WHEELS "B" MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 3 advance):</B>

1. 1f - Jason Friesen -- Sutton, NE (1)

2. 00 - Joshua Vinnedge -- Forreston, IL (6)

3. X - Mike Wedelstadt -- Hortonville, WI (10)

4. 33g - Shannon Gilchrist -- Rosehill, KS (3)

5. 23 - Matt Gilbertson -- Montevideo, MN (13)

6. 20 - Dustin Boney -- Shawnee, KS (15)

7. 02 - Tommy Weder -- Woodward, OK (7)

8. 1* - Jason Thoennes -- Alexandria, MN (12)

9. 16 - Reese Coffee -- Hinton, IA (8)

10. 29 - Greg Metz -- Washington, KS (11)

11. 1k - Tim Karrick -- Bashor, KS (5)

12. 1 - Scott Mullen -- Seymour, WI (21)

13. 90 - Chuck Stanton -- New Hampton, IA (19)

14. L5 - Aaron White -- Plainview, NE (17)

15. 19 - Marlin Kracht -- Luverne, MN (9) DNF

16. 0 - Troy Girolamo -- Eleva, WI (2) DNF

17. 23L - Brett LaFollette -- Kansas City, KS (16) DNF

18. c40 - Mike Chasteen -- Creve Coeur, IL (4) DNS

19. 05h - John Haubold -- Kearney, NE (14) DNS

20. 14j - Jake Neal -- Omaha, NE (18) DNS

21. 34 - Jay Goosman -- Himton, IA (20) DNS

<B>REAL RACING WHEELS "B" MAIN #3 (15 laps, top 3 advance):</B>

1. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (5)

2. 25 - Ricky Stephan -- South Sioux City, NE (4)

3. 4 - Chevy Hadan -- Waterloo, NE (6)

4. 5 - Randy Timms -- Wheatland, OK (3)

5. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (2)

6. 1r - Matt Richards -- Lincoln, NE (10)

7. 70 - Jesse Dennis -- Corning, IA (12)

8. 75 - Jon Thompson -- Superior, NE (15)

9. 71 - David Holder -- Clarence, MO (13)

10. 11 - Steve Burch -- Junction City, KS (14)

11. z62 - Danny McKeighan -- Carter Lake, IA (20)

12. m80 - Jim Mathieson -- Sioux City, IA (7)

13. 37 - Scott Ward -- Watertown, SD (9)

14. 1x - Bill Flegg -- Omaha, NE (21)

15. 11L - Ricky Stangl -- Raytown, MO (18)

16. 1cc - Clayton Christensen -- Spencer, IA (8)

17. 10c - Justin Cooper -- Prescott, IA (16) DNF

18. 83 - Zack Wood -- Wichita, KS (19) DNF

19. 10 - Mike Steensma -- Luverne, MN (11) DNF

20. 7n - Jay Noteboom -- Hinton, IA (1) DNF

21. 33m - Dustin Daniels -- Zurich, KS (17) DNS

<B>HOLLEY "A" MAIN (30 laps):</B>

1. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (1)

2. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (10)

3. 555 - Ryan Ruter -- Forest City, IA (8)

4. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (3)

5. 00eh - Steve Arpin -- Fort Frances, ON (6)

6. 5 - Randy Timms -- Wheatland, OK (23)

7. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Colcord, OK (17)

8. 4x - Kevin Larkins -- Greenwood, NE (13)

9. 98a - John Allen -- Chanute, KS (7)

10. 65 - Tommy Myer -- Blooming Prairie, MN (14)

11. 26 - Brad McEwan -- Storm Lake, IA (11)

12. 21h - Jim Horejsi -- Echo, MN (2)

13. 25 - Ricky Stephan -- South Sioux City, NE (19)

14. 4 - Chevy Hadan -- Waterloo, NE (22)

15. 1f - Jason Friesen -- Sutton, NE (15)

16. 00 - Joshua Vinnedge -- Forreston, IL (18)

17. X - Mike Wedelstadt -- Hortonville, WI (21)

18. 96j - Johnny Saathoff -- Beatrice, NE (12)

19. 35 - Jeff Schluetter -- New Hampton, IA (5) DNF

20. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (16) DNF

21. 86jr - Dirk Kirk -- Sloan, IA (20) DNF

22. 2k - Darrick Klima -- Belleville, KS (9) DNF

23. 21m - Dean Mahlstedt -- Clear Lake, IA (4) DNF

24. 1 - Scott Mullen -- Seymour, WI (24) DNF

<B>Lap Leader:</B> Tesch 1-30.

<B>Total Laps Led:</B> Tesch 30.

<B>Provisional Starters:</B> Timms, Mullen.

<B>Olympic Fire Protection Hard Charger:</B> Timms (started 23rd, finished 6th).

<B>Next Race:</B> March 17, Thunderhill Speedway, Mayetta, Kan.

<B>O’Reilly National Driver Points (top 10):</B> Noble 205, Tesch 196, Ruter 188, Shryock 187, Timms 187, Friesen 170, Arpin 164, McEwan 159, Hughes 140, Myer 139.

<B>Western Region Points (top 10):</B> Noble 205, Tesch 196, Ruter 188, Shryock 187, Timms 187, Friesen 170, Arpin 164, McEwan 159, Hughes 140, Myer 139.

<B>UNIJIG Builders Championship Points (top 5):</B> Skyrocket 17, Kraft 17, GRT 17, BMS 14, Shaw 12.

<B>Contingency Awards:</B>

Bassett Racing Wheel – Ruter.

Belleville Motorsports – Arpin, Myer, Friesen, Hejna.

Boyer’s Engine Development – Tesch.

Dynatech Racing Exhaust – Tesch, Noble.

Edelbrock – Tesch, Noble.

Fast Shafts – Arpin.

GRT Race Cars – Timms.

Isky Racing Cams – Schluetter.

KEVKO Oil Pans & Components – Shryock.

KSE Racing Products – Larkins.

Larson Racing Specialists – Stephan.

Marsh Racing Wheels – not awarded.

QuickTime Performance Parts – Hughes.

RaceQuest – Tesch, Reisch, Gilbertson, VanderBeek.

Real Racing Wheels – Myer, Friesen, Hejna.

T.A.R. Race Car Bodies – Myer.

UNIJIG – Ruter.

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<B>USMTS TITLE SPONSOR:</B> O’Reilly Auto Parts.

<B>USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS:</B> American Race Tires, Holley Performance Products, Home Pride Companies, Intercomp, Marsh Racing Wheels, Olympic Fire Protection, R.A. Benson Motorsports, Real Racing Wheels, Reich Concrete, Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar, SpeedNet Direct, UNIJIG, Yeager Machine.

<B>USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS:</B> AFCO Racing Products, Bassett Racing Wheel, Bell Racing, Belleville Motorsports, Bert Transmission, Boyer’s Engine Development, Dynatech Racing Exhaust, Edelbrock, Fast Shafts, GRT Race Cars, Hyperco, Intensitee Custom Clothing, 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.