INDEPENDENCE, Iowa – The O’Reilly USMTS National Tour made a stop in Independence, Iowa, Monday for the inaugural event at the Independence Motor Speedway.

With the sun setting, the crowd looked upon the 3/8-mile dirt oval as the traditional four-wide “Salute to America” parade lap took place.

From the drop of the green flag, the O’Reilly USMTS Modifieds were flying for their 40-lap main event. With a couple early cautions, the pack stayed close and kept the top spot open for grabs.

Richie Gustin Jr. looked to be tough to beat from the start, but Zack VanderBeek worked his Cheetos/Casey's General Stores #33z Skyrocket for the lead from his third-place starting spot within the first five laps, but failed to claim the top spot as he had mechanical issues and had to pull into the pits.

Eight-time O’Reilly USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock worked his way to the front from his fourth starting position and Al Hejna worked from his ninth-place starting spot as both drivers inched closer to the lead.

The battle began between Hejna and Shryock within the first few laps of the race until Shryock was able to pass Hejna just outside the corner.

With Shryock taking over the lead, Hejna was right on him, however. Another caution caused the field to bunch up and giving Hejna another chance to get around Shryock.

Hejna charged hard toward the lead but Shryock was able to hold him off. With the laps winding down, Hejna stayed on Shryock’s tail and seemed to get closer with each lap.

With three laps remaining, Shryock started to pull away slightly from Hejna, causing Hejna to give chase to Shryock all the way to the checkered. With the white flag waving, Shryock now had Hejna on his rear bumper but Hejna just couldn’t get around Shryock before the checkered flag waved.

Shryock took the win, followed closely by Hejna. Central States Region points leader Jason Hughes, Tommy Weder Jr., and Gustin rounded out the top-5.

UP NEXT:

The rugged road warriors of the O’Reilly USMTS National Tour return to action tomorrow (Tuesday, June 24) at the Buena Vista Raceway in Alta, Iowa, for the inaugural USMTS event at the 3/8-mile semi-banked dirt oval.

In addition to the stars and cars of the O’Reilly USMTS National Tour, a pair of NASCAR legends will be back to compete with the Greatest Modified Drivers in the World. Both Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace will greet fans and sign autographs prior to the race, then strap on their helmets and take on the USMTS aces.

Both NASCAR drivers will also be at the Huset's Speedway in Brandon, S.D., the following night (Wednesday, June 25).

Race fans can pick up discount coupons good for $2 off adult admission at the Casey's General Store located at 303 E. Hwy. 7 in Alta. From 1-3 p.m. at the same Casey's location, fans will be able to meet USMTS standout Al Hejna.

Pit gates open at 5 p.m. and the grandstands open at 6. Hot laps are slated for 6:45 and the mud starts flying at 7:15 p.m.

Buena Vista Raceway is a 3/8-mile semi-banked dirt oval located 0.5 mile east of CR M31 on SR 7 (at the Buena Vista County Fairgrounds). For day-of-race information, call the track hotline at (712) 284-2561 or visit their website at www.buenavistaraceway.net.

Tuesday's race will be a Great Plains Region event and the second of six straight nights of racing through Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota:

Mon Jun 23 … Independence Motor Speedway, Independence, Iowa (winner: Kelly Shryock)
Tue Jun 24 … Buena Vista Raceway, Alta, Iowa
Wed Jun 25 … Huset’s Speedway, Brandon, S.D.
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)
Inaugural Event
Independence Motor Speedway, Independence, Iowa
Monday, June 23, 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. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (2)
2. 1r - Ryan York -- Racine, MN (1)
3. 4r - Dereck Ramirez -- Woodward, OK (6)
4. 27m - Mark Schulte -- Delhi, IA (5)
5. 70 - Jerry King -- Waterloo, IA (4)
6. 35 - Jeff Schluetter -- New Hampton, IA (8)
7. 70t - Todd Ihde -- Decorah, IA (3)
8. F7 - Patrick Flannagan -- Cedar Rapids, IA (7)

NEW VISION GRAPHICS HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (2)
2. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (6)
3. 02 - Tommy Weder Jr. -- Woodward, OK (5)
4. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (7)
5. 2 - Joey Schaefer -- Waterloo, IA (4)
6. 31 - Corey Dripps -- Waterloo, IA (1)
7. 26P - Kevin Pittman -- Waterloo, IA (3)
8. 66 - Dan Bohr -- Decorah, IA (8)

HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Westville, OK (2)
2. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (1)
3. 12j - Justin O'Brien -- Volga, IA (4)
4. 8 - Colt Mather -- Webster, IA (3)
5. 20r - Bryan Rowland -- Woodward, OK (5)
6. 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (8)
7. 32 - Donovan Lodge -- Moline, IL (6)
8. 4r - Ron Ver Beek -- Oskaloosa, IA (7)

HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. 21b - Brandon Kenny -- Woodward, OK (2)
2. 19 - Richie Gustin Jr. -- Gilman, IA (4)
3. 55 - Alan Mondus -- Lakeville, MN (3)
4. 41p - Keith Pittman -- Waterloo, IA (1)
5. 21L - Layne Meyer -- West Union, IA (5)
6. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (8)
7. 4 - Chad Lerch -- Arlington, IA (6)
8. 21m - Dean Mahlstedt -- Clear Lake, IA (7)

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (12 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 55 - Alan Mondus -- Lakeville, MN (1)
2. 20r - Bryan Rowland -- Woodward, OK (4)
3. 8 - Colt Mather -- Webster, IA (2)
4. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (6)
5. 4r - Ron Ver Beek -- Oskaloosa, IA (10)
6. 35 - Jeff Schluetter -- New Hampton, IA (5)
7. 32 - Donovan Lodge -- Moline, IL (8)
8. F7 - Patrick Flannagan -- Cedar Rapids, IA (9)
9. 70 - Jerry King -- Waterloo, IA (3)
10. 70t - Todd Ihde -- Decorah, IA (7)

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (12 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 27m - Mark Schulte -- Delhi, IA (1)
2. 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (5)
3. 21m - Dean Mahlstedt -- Clear Lake, IA (10)
4. 2 - Joey Schaefer -- Waterloo, IA (3)
5. 21L - Layne Meyer -- West Union, IA (4)
6. 4 - Chad Lerch -- Arlington, IA (8)
7. 31 - Corey Dripps -- Waterloo, IA (6)
8. 66 - Dan Bohr -- Decorah, IA (9)
9. 26P - Kevin Pittman -- Waterloo, IA (7)
10. 41p - Keith Pittman -- Waterloo, IA (2)

HOLLEY “A” MAIN (40 laps):
1. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (4)
2. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (9)
3. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Westville, OK (6)
4. 02 - Tommy Weder Jr. -- Woodward, OK (10)
5. 19 - Richie Gustin Jr. -- Gilman, IA (1)
6. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (5)
7. 55 - Alan Mondus -- Lakeville, MN (13)
8. 21L - Layne Meyer -- West Union, IA (22)
9. 4r - Dereck Ramirez -- Woodward, OK (8)
10. 20r - Bryan Rowland -- Woodward, OK (15)
11. 2 - Joey Schaefer -- Waterloo, IA (20)
12. 4r - Ron Ver Beek -- Oskaloosa, IA (21)
13. 32 - Donovan Lodge -- Moline, IL (23)
14. 27m - Mark Schulte -- Delhi, IA (14)
15. 8 - Colt Mather -- Webster, IA (17)
16. 21b - Brandon Kenny -- Woodward, OK (2)
17. 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (16)
18. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (19) DNF
19. 35 - Jeff Schluetter -- New Hampton, IA (24) DNF
20. 1r - Ryan York -- Racine, MN (7) DNF
21. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (12) DNF
22. 12j - Justin O'Brien -- Volga, IA (11) DNF
23. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (3) DNF
24. 21m - Dean Mahlstedt -- Clear Lake, IA (18) DQ

Lap Leaders: Gustin Jr. 1-6, Hejna 7-28, Shryock 29-40.
Total Laps Led: Hejna 22, Shryock 12, Gustin 6.
AFCO Pole Winner: Shryock.
Provisional Starters: Lodge, Schluetter.
Ruter Farms Long Tow: Weder (744.46 miles).
KSE Racing Products Hard Charger: Meyer (started 22nd, finished 8th).
Next Race: Tuesday, June 24, Buena Vista Raceway, Alta, Iowa (Great Plains Region).
Central States Region Points: Hughes 563, Shryock 560, Hejna 544, VanderBeek 510, Ramirez 472, Ryan Gustin 419, Ver Beek 416, Mondus 404, Lodge 399, Mather 370.
Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar Rookie of the Year Points: Kenny 459, Ramirez 439, Rowland 339, Gary Langworthy Jr. 161, Rodney Sanders 132.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Sput’s 202, Mullins 170, A.S.I. 150, Wanders 145, JR 131.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: Skyrocket 214, Hughes 184, Harris 141, Kraft 107, GRT 69.

Contingency Awards:
AFCO Racing Products – Shryock.
American Racer – Bohr.
Belleville Motorsports – not awarded.
BSB Manufacturing – Rowland.
Hawk Performance – Shryock, Ramirez.
Isky Racing Cams – Green.
KSE Racing Products – Meyer.
Marsh Racing Wheels – VanderBeek.
New Vision Graphics – VanderBeek.
Nitroquest Web Solutions - Hughes.
Quarter Master – Shryock.
QuickTime Performance Parts – Mondus.
Real Racing Wheels – Mondus.
Ruter Farms – Weder.
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.