BEAUMONT, Texas — Howard Willis of Vidor, Texas, sat on the pole and never relinquished the lead Friday night as he paced all 30 laps of the O’Reilly USMTS Southern Series season-opening main event at the Golden Triangle Raceway Park in Beaumont, Texas.

A stout field of 61 top-flight Modified drivers and their machines were on hand for the first night of the 2nd Annual Rinehart Trucking Texas Shootout, which continues tomorrow (Saturday, April 19) at the Gator Motorplex in Willis, Texas.

With just 13 drivers making the main event cut from the heat races, action was the attraction as drivers chased a challenging track that saw a soggy low groove due to early-morning showers and a worked-in high line around the quarter-mile speedplant. After starting 10th in Isky Racing Cams Heat #1, Dustin Hyde of Texarkana, Texas, stormed to a second-place finish and held on to earn the AFCO Pole Award among the 61 entries.

Hyde started the 30-lap Holley “A” Main third while Willis snagged the pole position during the redraw among the top-8 in passing points after the six star-studded heat races. That was as close as anybody would get to Willis, who pocketed $2,000 for his career-first USMTS victory.

The only challenge to Willis’ lead came from Jason Hughes, who gave the crowd their money’s worth in the main event. Working his way through the pack from his 13th starting position, Hughes was among the leaders on lap 13 when contact from another car sent Hughes spinning. The Westville, Okla., veteran restarted the race at the tail of the field in 21st spot but he didn't stay there long.

With most of the field settling in on the low side of the racing surface, Hughes decided to use the extreme high side of the track and that's when the fireworks began.

The race's second caution flag flew with five laps to go, and Hughes found himself in fifth place after knocking off 16 cars in 12 laps. On the restart, Hughes rocketed around the outside of the pack and crossed under the flagstand in second place after just one lap. Hughes put the pressure on Willis during the last four circuits, but despite his crowd-pleasing charge to the front, had to settle for the runner-up finish as Willis answered every time Hughes made a move.

David Mitchell of Ashdown, Ark., brought home a third-place finish while Hyde captured a fourth-place paycheck and the initial lead in the Dustin Duncan Memorial “Just Say Yes” Rookie of the Year points. Morgan Bagley of Longview, Texas, finished fifth, followed by 16th-starting Kyle Pleasant, 23rd-starting Randy Timms, Wes Armstrong, Tracy Denby and Phil Dixon.

While Willis celebrated the win and the biggest payday of the night, Hughes secured the top spot in the points standings over Willis (108 to 100) after his prolific passing seminar in the main event. Mitchell (93), Pleasant (91), Hyde (87), Bagley (87), Timms (78), Armstrong (76), Denby (74) and Dixon (74) hold the third- through tenth-place spots in the rankings after the first of 25 O’Reilly USMTS Southern Series events on the 2008 calendar.

Another action-packed high-banked quarter-mile clay oval will be the scene on Saturday as the O’Reilly USMTS Southern Series treks to the Gator Motorplex in Willis, Texas, for the second night of the 2nd Annual Rinehart Trucking Texas Shootout.

The Gator Motorplex is located off of I-45 to Shepherd Hill (Exit 98), then east, then 1.4 miles south on SR 75 in Willis. More information is available by calling 936-588-6127 or online at www.gatormotorplex.net.

Limited Modifieds ($1,000 to win), Hobby Stocks and Pure Stocks will round out the classes for Saturday's show.

Pit gates open at 4 p.m., grandstands open at 5, hot laps are at 6:30 and the first green flag waves at 7 p.m. both nights.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, call the headquarters at (515) 832-7944 or visit www.usmts.com online for the latest news and information from the USMTS — America's Hottest Ticket on Dirt.

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United States Modified Touring Series
O’Reilly USMTS Southern Series
2nd Annual Rinehart Trucking Texas Shootout - Night 1 of 2
Golden Triangle Raceway Park, Beaumont, Texas
Friday, April 18, 2008

Showing finishing position, car number, driver, hometown and starting position in parentheses. The top 13 drivers in 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.

ISKY RACING CAMS HEAT RACE #1 (10 laps):
1. 18 - Cody Smith -- Kaufman, TX (2)
2. 8j - Dustin Hyde -- Texarkana, TX (10)
3. 38 - Adam Epperson -- Onalaska, TX (8)
4. 98 - Darryl Seals -- Vidor, TX (3)
5. 51 - Benny Perry -- Liberty, TX (7)
6. 99 - Derick Grigsby -- Marshall, TX (6)
7. 20r - Bryan Rowland -- Woodward, OK (5)
8. 21b - Brandon Kenny -- East Woodward, OK (1) DNF
9. 561 - David Horner -- Houston, TX (9) DNF
10. 2w - Paul White -- Temple, TX (4) DNF

NEW VISION GRAPHICS HEAT RACE #2 (10 laps):
1. 5 - Steve Holzkamper -- Gentry, AR (3)
2. 6x - Kyle Pleasant -- Robeline, LA (4)
3. 91 - Robert Metz Jr. -- Lumberton, TX (2)
4. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (5)
5. C8 - Timothy Culp -- West Monroe, LA (10)
6. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (7)
7. 5t - Randy Timms -- Wheatland, OK (8)
8. 89 - Steven Whiteaker -- Corpus Christi, TX (9)
9. 4r - Dereck Ramirez -- Woodward, OK (6)
10. 68 - Danny Barringer -- Lufkin, TX (1)

HEAT RACE #3 (10 laps):
1. 22 - Tracy Denby -- Vidor, TX (5)
2. 02 - B.J. Robinson -- Shreveport, LA (6)
3. 78 - Ty Russell -- Montgomery, TX (8)
4. 38r - Jeremy Ross -- Locust Grove, OK (9)
5. 51 - Jeff Wood -- Willis, TX (7)
6. 88b - Brian Boram -- Orange, TX (4)
7. 12h - Jeff Huckaby -- Texarkana, TX (10)
8. 9 - Shane Hebert -- Lafayette, LA (2) DNF
9. 39 - John Armstrong -- Bellaire, TX (1) DNF
10. 20 - Rodney Sanders -- Happy, TX (3) DNF

HEAT RACE #4 (10 laps):
1. 13 - David Mitchell -- Ashdown, AR (4)
2. 156 - Steve Pugh -- Willis, TX (7)
3. 703 - David Smith -- Copperas Cove, TX (1)
4. L1 - Larry Clevenger -- Greenwood, LA (3)
5. 05 - Michael Robertson -- Minden, LA (2)
6. 02 - Tommy Weder Jr. -- Woodward, OK (10)
7. 1st - Johnny Scott -- Las Cruces, NM (8)
8. 95 - Kevin Pratt -- Houston, TX (6)
9. 955 - Craig Rayon -- Vidor, TX (9)
10. 7x - Chris Dawson -- Post, TX (5) DNF

HEAT RACE #5 (10 laps):
1. 17 - Morgan Bagley -- Longview, TX (3)
2. A1 - Phil Dixon -- Crosby, TX (5)
3. 97j - Jeff Hoegh -- New Caney, TX (9)
4. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Westville, OK (7) DNF
5. 19 - Jamie Burford -- Keatchie, LA (2) DNF
6. 5r - Bobby Malchus -- Red Oak, TX (8) DNF
7. 01 - Billy Robinson -- Blanchard, LA (6) DNF
8. 15p - John Parker -- Many, LA (1) DNF
9. 5w - John Whittington -- Vidor, TX (4) DNF
10. 148 - Russell Moore -- Conroe, TX (10) DNF

HEAT RACE #6 (10 laps):
1. 1w - Howard Willis -- Dayton, TX (6)
2. 5a - Wes Armstrong -- Marshall, TX (7)
3. 2 - Andy McClelland -- Beaumont, TX (8)
4. 128 - Rocky Willis -- Beaumont, TX (2)
5. 31 - Elias Anderson -- Austin, TX (3)
6. 71 - Jonathan Johnson -- Houston, TX (10)
7. 17 - John Baker -- Silsbee, TX (4) DNF
8. 12x - Corey Babbitt -- Channelview, TX (1) DNF
9. 8 - Steve Miller -- Georgetown, TX (9) DNF
10. 76 - Jesse Manning -- Brazoria, TX (11) DNF
11. 7g - Mark Smith -- Lufkin, TX (5) DNF

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 3 advance):
1. 703 - David Smith -- Copperas Cove, TX (3)
2. 5w - John Whittington -- Vidor, TX (14)
3. 38r - Jeremy Ross -- Locust Grove, OK (2)
4. 5t - Randy Timms -- Wheatland, OK (9)
5. 31 - Elias Anderson -- Austin, TX (7)
6. 4r - Dereck Ramirez -- Woodward, OK (13)
7. 21b - Brandon Kenny -- East Woodward, OK (11)
8. 71 - Jonathan Johnson -- Houston, TX (6)
9. 2w - Paul White -- Temple, TX (15)
10. 51 - Benny Perry -- Liberty, TX (5) DNF
11. 01 - Billy Robinson -- Blanchard, LA (10) DNF
12. 78 - Ty Russell -- Montgomery, TX (1) DNF
13. 12h - Jeff Huckaby -- Texarkana, TX (8) DNF
14. 98 - Darryl Seals -- Vidor, TX (4) DNF
15. 15p - John Parker -- Many, LA (12) DNF
16. 7x - Chris Dawson -- Post, TX (16) DNS

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 3 advance):
1. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Westville, OK (2)
2. 9 - Shane Hebert -- Lafayette, LA (11)
3. 8 - Steve Miller -- Georgetown, TX (14)
4. 05 - Michael Robertson -- Minden, LA (6)
5. C8 - Timothy Culp -- West Monroe, LA (3)
6. L1 - Larry Clevenger -- Greenwood, LA (4)
7. 12x - Corey Babbitt -- Channelview, TX (12)
8. 2 - Andy McClelland -- Beaumont, TX (1)
9. 99 - Derick Grigsby -- Marshall, TX (8) DNF
10. 5r - Bobby Malchus -- Red Oak, TX (7) DNF
11. 51 - Jeff Wood -- Willis, TX (5) DNF
12. 1st - Johnny Scott -- Las Cruces, NM (9) DNF
13. 68 - Danny Barringer -- Lufkin, TX (15) DNF
14. 17 - John Baker -- Silsbee, TX (10) DNF
15. 39 - John Armstrong -- Bellaire, TX (13) DNS
16. 148 - Russell Moore -- Conroe, TX (16) DNS

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #3 (15 laps, top 3 advance):
1. 6x - Kyle Pleasant -- Robeline, LA (1)
2. 561 - David Horner -- Houston, TX (12)
3. 20r - Bryan Rowland -- Woodward, OK (9)
4. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (3)
5. 89 - Steven Whiteaker -- Corpus Christi, TX (10) DNF
6. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (7) DNF
7. 20 - Rodney Sanders -- Happy, TX (15) DNF
8. 95 - Kevin Pratt -- Houston, TX (11) DNF
9. 88b - Brian Boram -- Orange, TX (8) DNF
10. 7g - Mark Smith -- Lufkin, TX (16) DNF
11. 02 - Tommy Weder Jr. -- Woodward, OK (5) DNF
12. 91 - Robert Metz Jr. -- Lumberton, TX (2) DNF
13. 955 - Craig Rayon -- Vidor, TX (13) DNF
14. 128 - Rocky Willis -- Beaumont, TX (4) DNF
15. 19 - Jamie Burford -- Keatchie, LA (6) DNF
16. 76 - Jesse Manning -- Brazoria, TX (14) DNF

HOLLEY “A” MAIN (30 laps):
1. 1w - Howard Willis -- Dayton, TX (1)
2. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Westville, OK (15)
3. 13 - David Mitchell -- Ashdown, AR (5)
4. 8j - Dustin Hyde -- Texarkana, TX (3)
5. 17 - Morgan Bagley -- Longview, TX (8)
6. 6x - Kyle Pleasant -- Robeline, LA (16)
7. 5t - Randy Timms -- Wheatland, OK (23)
8. 5a - Wes Armstrong -- Marshall, TX (7)
9. 22 - Tracy Denby -- Vidor, TX (8)
10. A1 - Phil Dixon -- Crosby, TX (12)
11. 02 - B.J. Robinson -- Shreveport, LA (9)
12. 703 - David Smith -- Copperas Cove, TX (14)
13. 5w - John Whittington -- Vidor, TX (17)
14. 18 - Cody Smith -- Kaufman, TX (10)
15. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (24)
16. 38 - Adam Epperson -- Onalaska, TX (13)
17. 9 - Shane Hebert -- Lafayette, LA (18)
18. 561 - David Horner -- Houston, TX (19)
19. 97j - Jeff Hoegh -- New Caney, TX (11)
20. 20r - Bryan Rowland -- Woodward, OK (22)
21. 38r - Jeremy Ross -- Locust Grove, OK (20)
22. 8 - Steve Miller -- Georgetown, TX (21) DNF
23. 156 - Steve Pugh -- Willis, TX (2) DNF
24. 5 - Steve Holzkamper -- Gentry, AR (4) DNS

Lap Leaders: Willis 1-30.
Total Laps Led: Willis 30.
AFCO Pole Award: Hyde.
Provisional Starters: Timms, Green.
KSE Racing Products Hard Charger Award: Hughes (started 15th, finished 2nd).
Next Race: Saturday, April 19, Gator Motorplex, Willis, Texas.
O’Reilly USMTS Southern Series Points: Hughes 108, Willis 100, Mitchell 93, Pleasant 91, Hyde 87, Bagley 87, Timms 78, W. Armstrong 76, Denby 74, Dixon 74.
Dustin Duncan Memorial “Just Say Yes” Rookie of the Year Points: Hyde 25, Bagley 23, Pleasant 21, W. Armstrong 19, Denby 17.

Contingency Awards:
American Racer/Day Motor Sports - Wood.
Belleville Motorsports – not awarded.
BSB Manufacturing - Dixon.
Hawk Performance - Willis, Denby.
Isky Racing Cams – C. Smith.
Marsh Racing Wheels – Holzkamper.
New Vision Graphics - Holzkamper.
Nitroquest Web Solutions - Mitchell.
Quarter Master – Willis, W. Armstrong.
QuickTime Performance Parts – Timms.
Real Racing Wheels – D. Smith, Hughes, Pleasant.

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TITLE SPONSOR: O’Reilly Auto Parts.

PRESENTING SPONSOR: Casey’s General Stores.

OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Race Tires, Arizona Sport Shirts, Awesome Race Suits, Bear Tire Company, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, Childhelp, Gressel Racing, Houston Specialty Products Co., KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, New Vision Graphics, Nitroquest Web Solutions, Q.E.M., Inc., TrackTek Racing Fuel, Western Flyer Xpress.

PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: Boom Drilling, Day Motor Sports, Kraft/Ramirez Race Cars, Olympic Fire Protection, Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar, Ruter Farms, Yeager Machine.

CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, Belleville Motorsports, Bert Transmission, BSB Manufacturing, COMP Cams, Duralite Racing Wheels, Dynatech Racing Exhaust, GRT Race Cars, Hawk Performance, Holley Performance Products, Hyperco, ISKY Racing Cams, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, Quarter Master, QuickTime Performance Race Parts, Real Racing Wheels, US Brake.