BAYTOWN, Texas — Paul White of Temple, Texas, scored his career-first USMTS win Thursday as he captured the main event on opening night for the inaugural USMTS Southern Series Texas Winter Nationals at the Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas.

White was impressive from the get-go, winning the sixth and final heat race by coming from sixth to first in the eight-lapper to earn a spot in the redraw for the 25-lap feature race. After starting third in the feature, White need just six laps to overtake polesitter Chris Henigan and went on to take the win.

The former USAC Silver Crown Series titleist pocketed $1,000 for his efforts in his No. 2w KraftKar Modified. This was the 20th event this season for the USMTS Southern Series and the ninth in the State of Texas. Of those nine, eight different drivers have won in the Lone Star State.

Eight-time O'Reilly USMTS National Champ and current USMTS Southern Series points leader Kelly Shryock of Fertile, Iowa, was impressive in coming from 10th on the starting grid to finish second behind White and pad his points lead going into the final two nights of the Texas Winter Nationals.

Steve Holzkamper of Gentry, Ark., was the most prolific passer, however, racing from 19th to 3rd in the main event while  Clyde Dunn Jr. of Sunnyville, Texas, followed suit, coming from 20th to finish 4th. Chris Brown of Cleveland, Texas, rounded out the top-5 finishers. Greg Skaggs, Randy Timms, Bobby Malchus, Henigan and Alan Mondus completed the top-10 — the only remaining drivers to finish the race on a very rough racetrack.

Heading into Friday's show, Shryock holds a big lead in the points (1814 to 1677) over Randy Timms, and can clinch the title by finishing within two positions of Timms Friday night. Jason Hughes sits third in the standing with 1598 points, with Holzkamper just one point back (1597) in fourth after leaping two spots in the standings. Skaggs is close behind in fifth with 1588 points, followed by Tommy Weder Jr. (1587), Scott Green (1308), Zack VanderBeek (1101), Rodney Sanders (1098) and Steven Whiteaker Jr. (1052).

In supporting action Thursday, Paul White's brother, Keith, captured the Limited Mod main event to pocket the $500 top prize. David Cobb, Phil Dixon, Ray Allen Kulhanek and Shane Hebert rounded out the top-5 finishers.

The Texas Winter Nationals continue on Friday and Saturday. On Friday, gates open at 5 p.m. with hot laps at 7 and racing at 7:30. The USMTS Southern Series main event will pay $2,000 to win and $200 to start. Limited Mods will also be running for $700 to win and $50 to start.

Friday is Childhelp Night, and race fans can help play a direct role in the treatment and prevention of child abuse by simply attending the races. For every ticket sold in the grandstands on Friday, a donation of $1 will go to Childhelp to help carry out their mission of meeting the physical, emotional, educational and spiritual needs of abused and neglected children. To make a donation to help abused children, contact Childhelp at (480) 922-8212 or visit them online at www.childhelp.org.

On Saturday, gates open at 4 p.m. with hot laps at 6 and racing at 6:30. The USMTS Southern Series main event will pay $3,000 to win and $250 to start. Limited Mods will also be running for $1,000 to win and $60 to start.

Houston Raceway Park is a state-of-the-art 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval located east of Houston on I-10 to Exit 798, then 3.0 miles south on SR 146, then 0.8 mile southeast on FM 1405, then 1.5 miles northeast on FM 565 in Baytown, Texas. For more information, call the track office at (281) 383-RACE or visit www.houstonraceway.com online.

All USMTS rules will apply. American Racer is the Official Tire of the USMTS, and any driver seeking to receive USMTS Southern Series points and/or contingency awards must use the American Racer KK-704 racing tire. The Hoosier G60 tire will also be allowed for this race, but must be mounted on all four wheels with no grooving allowed.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, call the headquarters at (515) 832-7944 or visit www.usmts.com online.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
USMTS Southern Series
Inaugural Texas Winter Nationals - Night 1 of 3
Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, Texas
Thursday, Nov. 29, 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 “A” Main, with the top 8 re-drawing for starting positions 1-8.

ISKY RACING CAMS HEAT #1 (8 laps):
1. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Westville, OK (1)
2. 55m - Alan Mondus -- Lakeville, MN (3)
3. 21 - Chris Brown -- Cleveland, TX (9)
4. B52 - Brian Boram -- Orange, TX (4)
5. 156 - Steve Pugh -- Willis, TX (7)
6. 7 - Robert Corbello -- Beaumont, TX (2)
7. 121 - Dan Sikes -- Crosby, TX (8)
8. 16 - Jeff Johnson -- Joplin, MO (5)
9. 20 - Rodney Sanders -- Happy, TX (6) DNF
10. 2wx - Earl Whatley -- Manvel, TX (10) DNS

HEAT #2 (8 laps):
1. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (2)
2. 5r - Bobby Malchus -- Red Oak, TX (4)
3. 27 - Greg Skaggs -- Bixby, OK (6)
4. 5t - Randy Timms -- Wheatland, OK (5)
5. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. -- Corpus Christi, TX (9)
6. 5 - Steve Holzkamper -- Gentry, AR (7)
7. 51 - Jeff Wood -- Willis, TX (1)
8. 39 - John Armstrong -- Bellaire, TX (10)
9. 4 - Tom Hamdka -- Dickson, TX (8)
10. 2 - Andy McClelland -- Beaumont, TX (3)

HEAT #3 (8 laps):
1. 02 - Tommy Weder Jr. -- Woodward, OK (5)
2. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (6)
3. 99 - Derick Grigsby -- Marshall, TX (4)
4. 9x - Dustin Hyde -- Texarkana, TX (3)
5. 4r - Derek Ramirez -- Woodward, OK (8)
6. 10 - Kenny Battarbee -- Houston, TX (2)
7. 4$ - Kalif Selier -- Katy, TX (1)
8. 17 - Brad Lasater -- Garland, TX (9)
9. 9 - Brent Nicholas -- Baytown, TX (7) DNF
10. 15p - John Parker -- Many, LA (10) DNF

HEAT #4 (8 laps):
1. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (1)
2. 83 - Willy Kraft -- Woodwood, OK (8)
3. 1w - Howard Willis -- Dayton, TX (5)
4. 129 - Bryan Vollmer -- Tomball, TX (6)
5. 721 - Doug Cameron -- San Antoino, TX (10)
6. 96 - Foster Ellison -- Richwood, TX (4)
7. A1 - Phil Dixon -- Crosby, TX (9) DNF
8. 88xxx - Clyde Dunn Jr. -- Sunnyville, TX (3) DNF
9. 561 - David Horner -- Houston, TX (2) DNF
10. 5w - John O. Whittington -- Vidor, TX (7) DNF

HEAT #5 (8 laps):
1. 16 - Chris Henigan -- Marshall, TX (8)
2. 16x - Frank Fruia -- Wallis, TX (3)
3. 11 - Mark Smith -- Lufkin, TX (5)
4. 9h - Shane Herbert -- Scott, LA (9)
5. 7jr - Chad Ewell -- Forney, TX (1)
6. 15 - Kevin Battarbee -- Housto, TX (6)
7. 3j - Kevin Dupont -- Carencro, LA (2)
8. 127 - Edward Wickham -- Baytown, TX (7)
9. 76x - Jesse Manning -- Brazoria, TX (4)

HEAT #6 (8 laps):
1. 2w - Paul White -- Temple, TX (6)
2. 18 - Pete Sagmiller -- Spring, TX (1)
3. 21b - Brandon Kenny -- East Woodward, OK (9)
4. 19b - Jamie Burford -- Keatchie, LA (8)
5. 7x - Corey Babbitt -- Channelview, TX (5)
6. 8 - Steve Miller -- Georgetown, TX (4)
7. 3g - Glen Grant -- Houston, TX (7)
8. 211 - Chad Fitzgerald -- Baytown, TX (2)
9. 128 - Rocky Willis -- Beaumont, TX (3)

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 18 - Pete Sagmiller -- Spring, TX (2)
2. 19b - Jamie Burford -- Keatchie, LA (4)
3. 4r - Derek Ramirez -- Woodward, OK (7)
4. 5 - Steve Holzkamper -- Gentry, AR (10)
5. 39 - John Armstrong -- Bellaire, TX (16)
6. 1w - Howard Willis -- Dayton, TX (3)
7. 9 - Brent Nicholas -- Baytown, TX (20)
8. 3j - Kevin Dupont -- Carencro, LA (15)
9. 15 - Kevin Battarbee -- Housto, TX (12)
10. 51 - Jeff Wood -- Willis, TX (14) DNF
11. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. -- Corpus Christi, TX (6) DNF
12. 127 - Edward Wickham -- Baytown, TX (18) DNF
13. 16 - Jeff Johnson -- Joplin, MO (17) DNF
14. a1 - Phil Dixon -- Crosby, TX (13) DNF
15. 76x - Jesse Manning -- Brazoria, TX (21) DNF
16. 9x - Dustin Hyde -- Texarkana, TX (8) DNF
17. 7jr - Chad Ewell -- Forney, TX (9) DNF
18. 15p - John Parker -- Many, LA (23) DNF
19. 16x - Frank Fruia -- Wallis, TX (1) DNS
20. 721 - Doug Cameron -- San Antoino, TX (5) DNS
21. 10 - Kenny Battarbee -- Houston, TX (11) DNS
22. 20 - Rodney Sanders -- Happy, TX (19) DNS
23. 2wx - Earl Whatley -- Manvel, TX (22) DNS

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 5t - Randy Timms -- Wheatland, OK (6)
2. 27 - Greg Skaggs -- Bixby, OK (1)
3. 5W - John Whittington -- Vidor, TX (23)
4. 88xxx - Clyde Dunn Jr. -- Sunnyville, TX (17)
5. 156 - Steve Pugh -- Willis, TX (8)
6. 561 - David Horner -- Houston, TX (20)
7. B52 - Brian Boram -- Orange, TX (7)
8. 99 - Derick Grigsby -- Marshall, TX (4)
9. 3g - Glen Grant -- Houston, TX (15)
10. 7 - Robert Corbello -- Beaumont, TX (10)
11. 129 - Bryan Vollmer -- Tomball, TX (5)
12. 211 - Chad Fitzgerald -- Baytown, TX (18)
13. 96 - Foster Ellison -- Richwood, TX (11)
14. 4$ - Kalif Selier -- Katy, TX (14)
15. 2 - Andy McClelland -- Beaumont, TX (22)
16. 11 - Mark Smith -- Lufkin, TX (3) DNF
17. 121 - Dan Sikes -- Crosby, TX (13) DNF
18. 128 - Rocky Willis -- Beaumont, TX (21) DNF
19. 17 - Brad Lasater -- Garland, TX (16) DNF
20. 8 - Steve Miller -- Georgetown, TX (12) DNF
21. 4 - Tom Hamdka -- Dickson, TX (19) DNF
22. 7x - Corey Babbitt -- Channelview, TX (9) DNF
23. 9h - Shane Herbert -- Scott, LA (2) DNF

“A” MAIN (25 laps):
1. 2w - Paul White -- Temple, TX (3)
2. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (10)
3. 5 - Steve Holzkamper -- Gentry, AR (19)
4. 88xxx - Clyde Dunn Jr. -- Sunnyville, TX (20)
5. 21 - Chris Brown -- Cleveland, TX (5)
6. 27 - Greg Skaggs -- Bixby, OK (16)
7. 5t - Randy Timms -- Wheatland, OK (14)
8. 5r - Bobby Malchus -- Red Oak, TX (11)
9. 16 - Chris Henigan -- Marshall, TX (1)
10. 55m - Alan Mondus -- Lakeville, MN (12)
11. 19b - Jamie Burford -- Keatchie, LA (15) DNF
12. 4r - Derek Ramirez -- Woodward, OK (17) DNF
13. 39 - John Armstrong -- Bellaire, TX (21) DNF
14. 21b - Brandon Kenny -- East Woodward, OK (2) DNF
15. 18 - Pete Sagmiller -- Spring, TX (13) DNF
16. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (7) DNF
17. 83 - Willy Kraft -- Woodwood, OK (8) DNF
18. 156 - Steve Pugh -- Willis, TX (22) DNF
19. 02 - Tommy Weder Jr. -- Woodward, OK (6) DNF
20. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Westville, OK (9) DNF
21. 5w - John O. Whittington -- Vidor, TX (18) DNF
22. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (4) DNF
23. 1w - Howard Willis -- Dayton, TX (24) DNF
24. 561 - David Horner -- Houston, TX (23) DNS

Lap Leaders: Henigan 1-6, White 7-25.
Total Laps Led: White 19, Henigan 6.
Pole Award: Henigan.
Provisional Starters: Horner, Willis.
Olympic Fire Protection Hard Charger: Holzkamper (started 19th, finished 3rd).
Next USMTS Southern Series Event: Friday, Nov. 30, Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, Texas.
USMTS Southern Series Points: Shryock 1814, Timms 1677, Hughes 1598, Holzkamper 1597, Skaggs 1588, Weder 1587, Green 1308, VanderBeek 1101, Sanders 1098, Whiteaker 1052.
USMTS Southern Series Home Pride Passing Points: Weder 85½, Shryock 78, Skaggs 73½, Hughes 67½, Timms 63.

Contingency Awards:
GRT Race Cars – not awarded.
Hawk Performance – Malchus.
Isky Racing Cams – Hughes.
Kevko Oil Pans & Components – Brown.
KSE Racing Products – Shryock.
Marsh Racing Wheels – not awarded.
Nitroquest Web Solutions - Holzkamper.
Quarter Master – White, Henigan.
QuickTime Performance Parts – Timms.
Real Racing Wheels – Timms.

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USMTS SOUTHERN SERIES OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Race Tires, Arizona Sport Shirts, Fast Company Performance, Holley Performance Products, Home Pride Companies, Intercomp, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, Marsh Racing Wheels, Nitroquest Web Solutions, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Olympic Fire Protection, Real Racing Wheels.

USMTS SOUTHERN SERIES 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 SOUTHERN SERIES 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).