FORT DODGE, Iowa – After a two-year hiatus, the O’Reilly USMTS National Tour returned to the Mineral City Speedway in Fort Dodge, Iowa, for the 3rd Annual Fort Dodge Modified Nationals presented by Plain Motorsports. With a standing-room-only crowd on hand to witness a pair of NASCAR veterans take on the best of the best in Modified racing, the wait will almost certainly not be as long this time before the rugged road warriors return to the 1/2-mile semi-banked dirt oval.

Nobody is looking forward to the next race in Fort Dodge more than Zack VanderBeek.

After drawing the pole position for Tuesday night's 30-lap Holley “A” Main, VanderBeek withstood several challenges from Dean Mahlstedt in the early stages of the race, then powered away from eight-time O’Reilly USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock on a restart with four laps to go to claim his second checkered flag of the season.

The $2,000 win and subsequent face time with the cameras in victory lane made it even tastier for VanderBeek, who debuted his new Cheetos/Casey's General Stores #33z Skyrocket Modified the night before at the Iowa State Fair Speedway. The 23-year-old from New Sharon, Iowa, will carry sponsorship from Cheetos and Casey's General Stores in at least 10 O’Reilly USMTS National Tour events this season.

Mahlstedt started next to VanderBeek in the front row of the 26-car field, and grabbed the lead away from VanderBeek on lap 11. Two laps later, “The Z-Man” reclaimed the top spot, but couldn't hold his ground as Mahlstedt nosed ahead to leads laps 14 and 15.

With a surge on lap 16, VanderBeek again moved into the top spot and never looked back despite Mahlstedt, Shryock, Jason Krohn and Jason Hughes breathing down his neck. The race's only caution occurred on lap 26, and VanderBeek was able to power away from Shryock to take the win. Krohn, who earned his third AFCO Pole Award earlier in the evening, finished third, while Mahlstedt slipped to fourth in the last few laps.

After failing to finish and being scored last in Monday's feature, NASCAR veteran Ken Schrader rebounded nicely on Tuesday with a fifth-place finish ahead of Mark Noble, Hughes and fellow NASCAR ace Kenny Wallace.

Appearing in the first of 13 O’Reilly USMTS National Tour events on his schedule, Wallace earned the KSE Racing Products Hard Charger Award after starting 16th in the field and passing the most cars from start to finish.

Hejna, who started 23rd and used his second provisional starting spot in as many nights, made the most of it by passing 14 cars in the main event to finish ninth. Monday night, Hejna passed 16 cars in 25 laps to earn a seventh-place finish after starting 23rd. Unfortunately for Hejna, passing points are not awarded to provisional starters. That equates to a loss of 30 passing points over the last two races - ironically, the exact number by which he trails Hughes in the Central States Region points standings.

With the win, VanderBeek moved into second place behind Hughes in the Central States Region points, trailing by 10 markers (469 to 459). Shryock is third with 456 points, followed by Hejna (439), Dereck Ramirez (398), Ryan Gustin (361), Ron Ver Beek (339), Donovan Lodge (333), Alan Mondus (320) and Colt Mather (306).

UP NEXT:

The O’Reilly USMTS National Tour will be back in action again tomorrow (Wednesday, June 18) for the 4th Annual All-Star Challenge at the Park Jefferson Speedway in Jefferson, S.D., for a Great Plains Region event. Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace will again be among the competitors on hand.

Race fans can pick up $2-off coupons for the event at Casey's General Stores locations in North Sioux City and Elk Point. Zack VanderBeek will be on hand to meet and greet fans at the Casey's General Store location at 1313 River Drive in North Sioux City from 1-3 p.m. with his Cheetos/Casey's General Stores #33z Skyrocket Modified.

Gates open at 5 p.m. and the first green flag is scheduled to wave at 7:15. Also on the racing card will be B-Mods/SportMods ($300 to win) and Hornets ($150 to win).

Park Jefferson Speedway is a 1/2-mile slightly-banked clay oval located off of I-29 at Exit 4, then 0.2 mile east to SR 105, then 1.8 miles north (east side of SR 105). Race day information is available by calling the track hotline at (605) 966-5517 or go to www.parkjeffersonspeedway.com online.

Wednesday's event at the Park Jefferson Speedway will be the third of 12 events over 13 grueling days, with NASCAR veterans Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace appearing (and racing) in five of those races:

Mon Jun 16 - Iowa State Fair Speedway, Des Moines, Iowa (winner: Jason Hughes)
Tue Jun 17 … Mineral City Speedway, Fort Dodge, Iowa (winner: )
Wed Jun 18 … Park Jefferson Speedway, Jefferson, S.D. w/ Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace
Thu Jun 19 … Thunderhill Speedway, Mayetta, Kan.
Fri Jun 20 … U.S. 36 Raceway, Osborn, Mo.
Sat Jun 21 … Mid America Speedway, South Coffeyville, Okla.
Mon Jun 23 … Independence Motor Speedway, Independence, Iowa
Tue Jun 24 … Buena Vista Raceway, Alta, Iowa w/ Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace
Wed Jun 25 … Huset’s Speedway, Brandon, S.D. w/ Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace
Thu Jun 26 … Casino Speedway, Watertown, S.D.
Fri Jun 27 … Rapid Speedway, Rock Rapids, Iowa
Sat Jun 28 … Nobles County Speedway, Worthington, Minn.

Afterwards, the O’Reilly USMTS National Tour teams get a well-deserved Summer Break before returning to action on Tuesday, July 22, at the Adams County Speedway in Corning, Iowa, for the final stretch run to the Casey's General Stores Hunt for the USMTS National Championship.

The USMTS is celebrating its 10th Anniversary Season in 2008 with many special promotions to show thanks to the fans, drivers, team members, families and sponsors who have helped make the USMTS the premier dirt modified series in the nation.

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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OFFICIAL RESULTS
United States Modified Touring Series
O’Reilly USMTS National Tour (Central States Region)
3rd Annual Fort Dodge Modified Nationals
Mineral City Speedway, Fort Dodge, Iowa
Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Showing finishing position, car number, driver, hometown and starting position in parentheses. The top 12 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 (8 laps):
1. 9 - Ken Schrader -- Concord, NC (2)
2. 50 - Brad Bakken -- Garner, IA (1)
3. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Westville, OK (5)
4. 55 - Alan Mondus -- Lakeville, MN (4)
5. 4r - Dereck Ramirez -- Woodward, OK (6)
6. 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (8)
7. 1 - T.J. Stalker -- Mason City, IA (7)
8. 37 - Tyler Pemble -- Scranton, IA (3)
9. 31 - Corey Dripps -- Waterloo, IA (9) DNS

NEW VISION GRAPHICS HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. 7k - Jason Krohn -- Slayton, MN (5)
2. 555 - Ryan Ruter -- Kanawha, IA (1)
3. 35 - Jeff Schluetter -- New Hampton, IA (4)
4. 19 - Richie Gustin Jr. -- Gilman, IA (3)
5. 4r - Ron Ver Beek -- Oskaloosa, IA (7)
6. 93 - Cale Sponsler -- Grimes, IA (2)
7. 8 - Colt Mather -- Webster, IA (9)
8. 17 - Garry Oskerson -- Fairmont, MN (6)
9. 85 - Dave Doughty -- Fort Dodge, IA (8)

HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (1)
2. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (8)
3. 20r - Bryan Rowland -- Woodward, OK (3)
4. 1k - Pat Graham -- Ames, IA (4)
5. 15 - Dan DeMey -- Denison, IA (9)
6. 32 - Donovan Lodge -- Moline, IL (6)
7. Z3 - Mike Albertsen -- Audubon, IA (2)
8. 32 - Michael Bennett -- Des Moines, IA (5)
9. 13 - Aaron Poe -- Warrensburg, MO (7)

HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. 21m - Dean Mahlstedt -- Clear Lake, IA (4)
2. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (5)
3. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (7)
4. 36 - Kenny Wallace -- Concord, NC (3)
5. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (9)
6. 21b - Brandon Kenny -- Woodward, OK (2)
7. 1r - Craig Reetz -- Dunlap, IA (6)
8. 2 - Carey Umbarger -- Garner, IA (8)
9. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (1) DNF

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (12 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 55 - Alan Mondus -- Lakeville, MN (2)
2. 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (5)
3. 1k - Pat Graham -- Ames, IA (3)
4. 4r - Ron Ver Beek -- Oskaloosa, IA (4)
5. 32 - Donovan Lodge -- Moline, IL (6)
6. 31 - Corey Dripps -- Waterloo, IA (11)
7. 32 - Michael Bennett -- Des Moines, IA (10)
8. Z3 - Mike Albertsen -- Audubon, IA (8)
9. 37 - Tyler Pemble -- Scranton, IA (9)
10. 13 - Aaron Poe -- Warrensburg, MO (12)
11. 8 - Colt Mather -- Webster, IA (7) DNF
12. 15 - Dan DeMey -- Denison, IA (1) DNS

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (12 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (1)
2. 36 - Kenny Wallace -- Concord, NC (3)
3. 19 - Richie Gustin Jr. -- Gilman, IA (2)
4. 4r - Dereck Ramirez -- Woodward, OK (4)
5. 93 - Cale Sponsler -- Grimes, IA (5)
6. 21b - Brandon Kenny -- Woodward, OK (6)
7. 85 - Dave Doughty -- Fort Dodge, IA (11)
8. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (12)
9. 17 - Garry Oskerson -- Fairmont, MN (9)
10. 1r - Craig Reetz -- Dunlap, IA (8)
11. 1 - T.J. Stalker -- Mason City, IA (7) DNF
12. 2 - Carey Umbarger -- Garner, IA (10) DNF

HOLLEY “A” MAIN (30 laps):
1. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (1)
2. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (5)
3. 7k - Jason Krohn -- Slayton, MN (6)
4. 21m - Dean Mahlstedt -- Clear Lake, IA (2)
5. 9 - Ken Schrader -- Concord, NC (4)
6. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (3)
7. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Westville, OK (10)
8. 36 - Kenny Wallace -- Concord, NC (16)
9. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (23)
10. 555 - Ryan Ruter -- Kanawha, IA (9)
11. 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (15)
12. 19 - Richie Gustin Jr. -- Gilman, IA (18)
13. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (7)
14. 50 - Brad Bakken -- Garner, IA (8)
15. 32 - Donovan Lodge -- Moline, IL (21)
16. 4r - Ron Ver Beek -- Oskaloosa, IA (19)
17. 35 - Jeff Schluetter -- New Hampton, IA (11)
18. 4r - Dereck Ramirez -- Woodward, OK (20)
19. 93 - Cale Sponsler -- Grimes, IA (22)
20. 37 - Tyler Pemble -- Scranton, IA (26)
21. 20r - Bryan Rowland -- Woodward, OK (12) DNF
22. 85 - Dave Doughty -- Fort Dodge, IA (25) DNF
23. 8 - Colt Mather -- Webster, IA (24) DNF
24. 55 - Alan Mondus -- Lakeville, MN (13) DNF
25. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (14) DNF
26. 1k - Pat Graham -- Ames, IA (17) DNF

Lap Leaders: VanderBeek 1-10, Mahlstedt 11-12, VanderBeek 13, Mahlstedt 14-15, VanderBeek 16-30.
Total Laps Led: VanderBeek 26, Mahlstedt 4.
AFCO Pole Winner: Krohn.
Provisional Starters: Hejna, Mather, Doughty (track), Pemble (track).
Ruter Farms Long Tow: Rowland (689.55 miles).
KSE Racing Products Hard Charger: Wallace (started 16th, finished 8th).
Next Race: Wednesday, June 17, Park Jefferson Speedway, Jefferson, S.D. (Great Plains Region).
Central States Region Points: Hughes 469, VanderBeek 459, Shryock 456, Hejna 439, Ramirez 398, Ryan Gustin 361, Ver Beek 339, Lodge 333, Mondus 320, Mather 306.
Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar Rookie of the Year Points: Kenny 375, Ramirez 349, Rowland 251, Gary Langworthy Jr. 128, Mather 111.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Sput’s 164, Mullins 139, A.S.I. 127, Wanders 122, JR 111.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: Skyrocket 177, Hughes 151, Harris 123, Kraft 75, Side Biter 54.

Contingency Awards:
AFCO Racing Products – Krohn.
American Racer – Tesch.
Belleville Motorsports – not awarded.
BSB Manufacturing – Ruter.
Hawk Performance – VanderBeek, Hejna.
Isky Racing Cams – Schrader.
KSE Racing Products – Wallace.
Marsh Racing Wheels – Graham.
New Vision Graphics – Krohn.
Nitroquest Web Solutions - Krohn.
Quarter Master – VanderBeek, Wallace.
QuickTime Performance Parts – Hughes.
Real Racing Wheels – Mondus, Tesch.
Ruter Farms – Rowland.
TrackTek Racing Fuel – not awarded.

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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., Karl Chevrolet, 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.