HUMBOLDT, Kan. — 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.

Polesitter Eddie Martin of Stilwell, Okla., grabbed the lead at the drop of the green flag and proceeded to pace the first 30 orbits of the 40-lap Holley “A” Main. On lap 30, however, fellow Sooner State ace Jason Hughes of Colcord, Okla., slipped by Martin to gain the top spot with nine laps to go. With the leaders in heavy lapped traffic on the quarter-mile oval, a caution flag slowed the action and bunched the field up for a two-wide restart and sprint to the checkers.

Tommy Weder Jr., Justin Boney, Justin “Whitey” Folk, Al Hejna and Greg Skaggs rounded out the top-10 finishers. Skaggs, who used a provisional after failing to qualify for the main event, passed 13 cars en route to his 10th-place finish and earned the Olympic Fire Protection Hard Charger honors.

Leading on lap 15 and using Marsh Racing Wheels, Martin became the first driver in 16 races to capture the Marsh Racing Wheels Halfway Leader Award, which was worth $800 from MRW.

With the Southern Region schedule complete and also leading the USMTS Southern Series points, Shryock sewed up his third regional title of 2007 and claimed his seat atop the standings for ‘The Hunt’ for the O’Reilly USMTS National Championship with a perfect score of 60 base points. He also claimed the top spot in the final Home Pride Passing Point for the Southern Region. Shryock finished the Southern Region with 891 points to Hejna's runner-up tally of 761. The remaining final top-10 were Skaggs (749), Johnny Bone Jr. (703), Hughes (667), Zack VanderBeek (644), Holzkamper (621), Weder (618), Scott Green (591) and Jeremy Rasmussen (512).

The O’Reilly USMTS is back in action tomorrow (Wednesday, Aug. 8) at the Beatrice Speedway in Beatrice, Neb., for another $2,000-to-win clash. The event at the Gage County Fairgrounds 3/8-mile oval will be the 10th and final race in the tough Western Region, and will qualify the last batch of drivers into ‘The Hunt’ for the O’Reilly USMTS National Championship. Kelly Shryock, Al Hejna, Zack VanderBeek, Jon Tesch, Jason Krohn, Jason Hughes, Scott Green, Jason Friesen, Tommy Weder Jr., Brent Bohmont, Corey Dripps, Jake Neal, Tommy Myer, Mike Spaulding, Brad McEwan, Dean Mahlstedt, Jeremy Rasmussen, Steve Holzkamper, Greg Skaggs and Donovan Lodge are just a few of the marquee names trying to find their way to the winners circle. Beatrice Speedway, however, boasts some of the nation's toughest weekly competition, and the O’Reilly USMTS stars can expect an uphill battle against the likes of local stars like Greg Metz, Johnny “The Jet” Saathoff, Dan Nelson, Dave Trauernicht, Clint Homan and Jordan Grabouski. Gates open at 5 p.m. and racing starts at 7:30. The Beatrice Speedway is located 1.7 miles west of US 77, then 0.3 miles south on Logan.

‘The Hunt’ for the O’Reilly USMTS National Championship begins on Thursday, Aug. 9, at the Thunderhill Speedway in Mayetta, Kan. — the first of 16 events that will crown the ninth O’Reilly USMTS National Champion and close the curtain on the most exciting season ever for America's Premier Modified Touring Series.

Thu Aug 9 … Thunderhill Speedway, Mayetta, KS ($2,000 to win)
Fri Aug 10 … Bolivar Speedway USA, Bolivar, MO ($2,000 to win)
Sat Aug 11 … Lebanon I-44 Speedway, Lebanon, MO ($2,000 to win)
Sun Aug 12 … Monett Speedway, Monett, MO ($2,000 to win)
Tue Aug 14 … Farley Speedway, Farley, IA ($2,000 to win)
Wed Aug 15 … Echo Valley Speedway, West Union, IA ($2,000 to win)
Thu Aug 16 … Steele County Fairgrounds, Owatonna, MN ($2,000 to win)
Fri Aug 17 … Cresco Speedway, Cresco, IA ($2,000 to win)
Thu Aug 30 … Highway 3 Raceway, Allison, IA ($2,000 to win)
Fri Aug 31 … Chateau Raceway, Lansing, MN ($2,000 to win)
Sat Sep 1 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN ($2,000 to win)
Sun Sep 2 … Kasson Speedway, Kasson, MN ($2,000 to win)
Mon Sep 3 … Steele County Fairgrounds, Owatonna, MN ($2,000 to win)
Thu Sep 6 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN ($2,000 to win)
Fri Sep 7 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN ($4,000 to win)
Sat Sep 8 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN ($6,000 to win)

Along with drivers qualified from the USMTS Southern Series, there are currently 25 drivers from 10 different States in ‘The Hunt’ for the O’Reilly USMTS National Championship:

1. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA … 60
2. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA … 46
3. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Colcord, OK … 45
4. 02 - Tommy Weder Jr. -- Woodward, OK … 35
5. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA … 30
6. 27 - Greg Skaggs -- Bixby, OK … 26
7. 49x - Jay Poidinger -- Somerset, WI … 17
8. 5t - Randy Timms -- Woodward, OK … 14
8. 5 - Steve Holzkamper -- Gentry, AR … 14
10. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS … 13
11. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD … 12
11. 12B - Johnny Bone Jr. -- Pea Ridge, AR … 12
13. 32 - Donovan Lodge -- Moline, IL … 10
14. 20 - Rodney Sanders -- Happy, TX … 8
15. 19 - Jamie Burford -- Keatchie, LA … 7
16. 65 - Tommy Myer -- Blooming Prairie, MN … 6
16. 21m - Dean Mahlstedt -- Clear Lake, IA … 6
16. 31j - Jeremy Rasmussen -- Bentonville, AR 6
19. 11 - Brandon Morton -- Coweta, OK 5
19. 4x - Bobby Malchus -- Red Oak, TX 5
19. 54 - Dena Wilson -- Coweta, OK 5
19. 58 - Scott Vesely -- Mosinee, WI 5
23. 31 - Corey Dripps -- Waterloo, IA 3
23. 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA 3
25. 19g - Richie Gustin Jr. -- Gilman, IA 2

Qualifying at all events will be done via Home Pride Passing Points in the Heat Races and Real Racing Wheels “B” Mains. Draw for Heat Race starting spots ends at 7 p.m. for all drivers. No license is required to race with the USMTS. However, license benefits include provisionals, points funds and contingencies, plus bonus payouts in the Holley “A” Main and for tow. American Race Tires is the Official Tire of the USMTS, and the American Racer KK704 or G60 tire is recommended. The Hoosier G60 tire is also allowed, but no points or contingencies will be awarded.

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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OFFICIAL RESULTS
O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series
National Event - Southern Region
Humboldt Speedway, Humboldt, Kan.
Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007

Showing finishing position, car number, driver, hometown and starting position in parentheses. The top 12 drivers in Home Pride Passing Points accumulated in the Heats are locked into the Holley “A” Main, with the top 8 re-drawing for starting positions 1-8.

ISKY RACING CAMS HEAT #1 (10 laps):
1. 02 - Tommy Weder Jr. -- Woodward, OK (2)
2. 98 - John Allen -- Chanute, KS (4)
3. 4g - Gary Clark -- Walker, MO (1)
4. 99 - Randy Zimmerman -- Fort Scott, KS (6)
5. 27 - Greg Skaggs -- Bixby, OK (5)
6. 1x - Colby Artherton -- Bartlesville, OK (3)
7. 17s - Mike Spaulding -- Bemidji, MN (7)

HEAT #2 (10 laps):
1. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Colcord, OK (2)
2. 1j - Justin Boots -- Welda, KS (1)
3. 12B - Johnny Bone Jr. -- Pea Ridge, AR (3)
4. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (6)
5. 17 - Lucas Conley -- Spring Hill, KS (4)
6. 9d - Scott Daniels -- Humboldt, KS (5)
7. 5c - Don Crnkovich -- Lenexa, KS (7) DNF

HEAT #3 (10 laps):
1. 51 - Eddie Martin -- Stilwell, OK (2)
2. 63 - Ryan Whitworth -- Humboldt, KS (1)
3. 70 - Justin Becker -- Holton, KS (4)
4. 7jr - Jess Folk Jr. -- Iola, KS (6)
5. 222 - Dustin Boney -- Tonganoxie, KS (3)
6. 49x - Jay Poidinger -- Somerset, WI (5)
7. 07B - Steve Becker -- Elsmore, KS (7)

HEAT #4 (10 laps):
1. m21 - Steven Martin -- Ozark, MO (2)
2. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (1)
3. 18 - Justin Boney -- Leavenworth, KS (7)
4. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (5)
5. 31j - Jeremy Rasmussen -- Bentonville, AR (4)
6. 33 - Brent Bollinger -- Fort Scott, KS (6)
7. 85d - Mark Dotson -- Cameron, MO (3) DNF

HEAT #5 (10 laps):
1. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (4)
2. 5 - Steve Holzkamper -- Gentry, AR (2)
3. 11 - Casey Jesseph -- Chanute, KS (1)
4. 6 - Justin Folk -- Iola, KS (7)
5. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (5)
6. 42 - Gene Claxton -- Kansas City, KS (6)
7. 95 - Rodney Sigg -- Iola, KS (3)

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (12 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 12B - Johnny Bone Jr. -- Pea Ridge, AR (2)
2. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (7)
3. 6 - Justin Folk -- Iola, KS (1)
4. 7jr - Jess Folk Jr. -- Iola, KS (4)
5. 99 - Randy Zimmerman -- Fort Scott, KS (3)
6. 27 - Greg Skaggs -- Bixby, OK (5)
7. 17s - Mike Spaulding -- Bemidji, MN (10)
8. 222 - Dustin Boney -- Tonganoxie, KS (6)
9. 95 - Rodney Sigg -- Iola, KS (12)
10. 07B - Steve Becker -- Elsmore, KS (11)
11. 9d - Scott Daniels -- Humboldt, KS (8)
12. 33 - Brent Bollinger -- Fort Scott, KS (9) DNF

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (12 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (4)
2. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (3)
3. 4g - Gary Clark -- Walker, MO (1)
4. 17 - Lucas Conley -- Spring Hill, KS (5)
5. 42 - Gene Claxton -- Kansas City, KS (9)
6. 11 - Casey Jesseph -- Chanute, KS (2)
7. 31j - Jeremy Rasmussen -- Bentonville, AR (6)
8. 49x - Jay Poidinger -- Somerset, WI (8)
9. 1x - Colby Artherton -- Bartlesville, OK (7)
10. 85d - Mark Dotson -- Cameron, MO (11) DNF
11. 5c - Don Crnkovich -- Lenexa, KS (10) DNF

HOLLEY “A” MAIN (40 laps):
1. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (5)
2. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Colcord, OK (7)
3. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (15)
4. 51 - Eddie Martin -- Stilwell, OK (1)
5. 5 - Steve Holzkamper -- Gentry, AR (11)
6. 02 - Tommy Weder Jr. -- Woodward, OK (3)
7. 18 - Justin Boney -- Leavenworth, KS (2)
8. 6 - Justin Folk -- Iola, KS (17)
9. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (16)
10. 27 - Greg Skaggs -- Bixby, OK (23)
11. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (14)
12. 4g - Gary Clark -- Walker, MO (18)
13. 63 - Ryan Whitworth -- Humboldt, KS (9)
14. 1j - Justin Boots -- Welda, KS (8)
15. 99 - Randy Zimmerman -- Fort Scott, KS (21)
16. 70 - Justin Becker -- Holton, KS (12)
17. 98 - John Allen -- Chanute, KS (4) DNF
18. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (10) DNF
19. m21 - Steven Martin -- Ozark, MO (6) DNF
20. 17 - Lucas Conley -- Spring Hill, KS (20) DNF
21. 12B - Johnny Bone Jr. -- Pea Ridge, AR (13) DNF
22. 7jr - Jess Folk Jr. -- Iola, KS (19) DNF
23. 17s - Mike Spaulding -- Bemidji, MN (24) DNF
24. 42 - Gene Claxton -- Kansas City, KS (22) DNF

AMSOIL Lap Leaders: E. Martin 1-30, Hughes 31-37, Shryock 38-40.
Total Laps Led: E. Martin 30, Hughes 7, Shryock 3.
AFCO Pole Award: Shryock.
Provisional Starters: Skaggs (regional), Spaulding (national).
Olympic Fire Protection Hard Charger: Skaggs (started 23rd, finished 10th).
Next Race: Wednesday, Aug. 8, Beatrice Speedway, Beatrice, Neb. (Western Region).
O’Reilly National Points: Shryock 3749, VanderBeek 3048, Hughes 3039, Hejna 2939, Weder 2553, Tesch 2020, Poidinger 1978, Green 1952, Corey Dripps 1803, Jason Krohn 1748.
Final Southern Region Points: Shryock 891, Hejna 761, Skaggs 749, Bone 703, Hughes 667, VanderBeek 644, Holzkamper 621, Weder 618, Green 591, Rasmussen 512.
National Home Pride Passing Points: Shryock 153, Hughes 120, VanderBeek 115½, Hejna 115½, Green 78.
Final Southern Region Home Pride Passing Points: Shryock 28½, Hughes 25½, VanderBeek 24, Skaggs 21, Hejna 19½.
Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar Rookie of the Year Points: Green 660, Ryan Gustin 299, Donovan Lodge 257, Cale Sponsler 235, Richie Gustin Jr. 225.
Builders Championship Points: Skyrocket 372, Hughes 299, Harris 213, GRT 167, Bullet 137.

Contingency Awards:
Belleville Motorsports – not awarded.
Boyer’s Engine Development – Shryock.
GRT Race Cars – not awarded.
Hawk Performance – not awarded.
Isky Racing Cams – Weder.
Kevko Oil Pans & Components – Holzkamper.
KSE Racing Products – Hughes, E. Martin.
Marsh Racing Wheels – E. Martin ($800).
Nitroquest Web Solutions - Tesch.
Quarter Master – Shryock, Hejna.
QuickTime Performance Parts – J. Boney.
Real Racing Wheels – Bone, VanderBeek.

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USMTS TITLE SPONSOR: O’Reilly Auto Parts.

USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Race Tires, AMSOIL, Arizona Sport Shirts, BRODIX, Fast Company Performance, Holley Performance Products, Home Pride Companies, Intercomp, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, Marsh Racing Wheels, Nitroquest Web Solutions, Olympic Fire Protection, Real Racing Wheels, Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar, Yeager Machine.

USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: Boom Drilling, Borco LP, Day Motor Sports, Gressell Oil Field Services, Hughes Racing Chassis, KraftKar Race Cars, McVicker Oil Fields, Rinehart Trucking.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, Belleville Motorsports, Bilstein Shocks, Boyer’s Engine Development, Dynatech Racing Exhaust, GRT Race Cars, Hawk Performance, Hyperco, Isky Racing Cams, KSE Racing Products, Quarter Master, QuickTime Performance Race Parts, Racer’s Choice (RCI).