OSKALOOSA, Iowa – It's official: Brad Pinkerton owns Osky.

After a dominating performance when the O'Reilly USMTS National Tour last visited the Southern Iowa Speedway back on May 21, Pinkerton found himself having to qualify for Wednesday night's main event through the second Real Racing Wheels "B" Main, where he finished second.

That put the 35-year-old from nearby New Sharon, Iowa, 16th on the 24-car starting grid for the Holley "A" Main, and the task of returning to victory lane for a second straight time became even more daunting when eight-time O'Reilly USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock drew the pole position for the 30-lapper.

After a brief caution for a three-car tangle in the first turn, Shryock jumped into the lead on the restart and fended off several challenges by Mark Noble during the first three laps before expanded his lead as the race wore on.

By lap 8, Shryock's lead was nearly a straight-away over Noble and nearly a full half-lap over Pinkerton, who was picking off positions by chewing away at the extreme high side of the Mahaska County Half-Mile Monster.

"Pinky" made it a three-way battle with Noble and Dean Mahlstedt for second on lap 14, and disposed of both veterans in turn 2 the next time around.

With 15 laps to go and Shryock in a different zip code, it appeared it would take another yellow flag for Pinkerton to have a shot at the leader. But five laps later, Pinkerton had closed the gap to 10 car-lengths as Shryock battled heavy lapped traffic while Pinkerton enjoyed the top groove all to himself.

With eight laps remaining and Shryock fighting a loose race car due to a damaged rear spoiler, Pinkerton creeped up onto Shryock's rear bumper and followed the leader to the flagstand before making his move in turn 1 and blasting into the top spot.

From there, it was all Pinkerton as he thrilled the jam-packed grandstands and completed a sweep of the 2008 O'Reilly USMTS National Tour events at Oskaloosa. The win, worth $2,000, was Pinkerton's third overall at the Southern Iowa Speedway—second only to Shryock's 11 career wins in 26 USMTS events at the historic half-mile oval.

Mahlstedt followed Pinkerton's lead, moved his mount to the high side of the racing surface and claimed the runner-up spot. Shryock slipped to fourth at the end, finishing behind defending O'Reilly USMTS National Champion Jason Krohn, who swept last year's pair of shows at the track.

Noble hung on for fifth, Zack VanderBeek came from 15th to place sixth, Jake Neal was seventh, Jon Tesch eighth, Dereck Ramirez ninth and Steve Kosiski rounded out the top-10.

Wednesday's event was the first of four straight in the Central States Region. Shryock continues atop the standings with 756 points, with VanderBeek trailing by 60 markers. Jason Hughes is third with 655, followed by Al Hejna (641), Ramirez (635), Ryan Gustin (575), Ron Ver Beek (560), Donovan Lodge (529), Alan Mondus (518) and Colt Mather (486).

UP NEXT:

Thursday will find the stars and cars of the O’Reilly USMTS National Tour at the Knox County Fairgrounds in Knoxville, Ill., for the ninth straight season. The 9th Annual UPS Store Illinois Challenge at the Knox County Fair has grown into a fan-favorite Central States Region tilt. The annual fair-time event has been a standing-room-only extravaganza since its inception thanks to dozens of sponsors, a supportive community and the hard work of former O’Reilly USMTS Marketing Director Ed Sheckler. For the second year, this year's main event will pay honor to the late great USMTS ambassador with the Ed Sheckler Memorial Race.

Pit gates will open at 4 p.m., hot laps begin at 7 and the first heat race is at 7:30. General admission adult grandstand tickets are just $15, kids ages 6-12 are $5 and children 5 & Under are FREE. Pit passes are $30. Race fans can pick up $2-off discount coupons at al three Casey's General Store locations in Abingdon, Elmwood, Galesburg, Knoxville and Wataga. Zack VanderBeek will be on hand to meet and greet fans at the Casey's store at 440 Henderson Rd. in Knoxville from 12-2 p.m.

The Knox County Fairgrounds features a half-mile slightly-banked clay oval located south of I-74 (Exit 51) on the north side of Knoxville. For raceday information, call the track hotline at (309) 289-4806.

Stock Cars and Outlaw Hobbys (both classes using Burlington/Donnellson rules) will round out the feature classes in action. Drivers in both divisions will be battling for a $400 top prize.

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)
2nd Annual NASCAR Challenge presented by MUSCO Lighting
Southern Iowa Speedway, Oskaloosa, Iowa
Wednesday, July 30, 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. 94 - Steven Blattler -- Oskaloosa, IA (2)
2. 9 - Ken Schrader -- Concord, NC (4)
3. 21m - Dean Mahlstedt -- Clear Lake, IA (6)
4. 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (5)
5. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (8)
6. 22 - Brandon Banks -- Washington, IA (3)
7. 7w - Mark Widmar -- Ottumwa, IA (9)
8. 49j - Jason Murray -- Hartford, IA (7) DNF
9. 55 - Alan Mondus -- Lakeville, MN (1) DNF

NEW VISION GRAPHICS HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (6)
2. 22k - Steve Kosiski -- Papillion, NE (2)
3. 8 - Colt Mather -- Webster, IA (3)
4. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (4)
5. 17p - Brad Pinkerton -- New Sharon, IA (9)
6. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (8)
7. 18L - Michael Long -- Quincy, IL (7)
8. 00 - David Ott -- Ankeny, IA (5)
9. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (1) DNF

Q.E.M., INC. HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. 7k - Jason Krohn -- Slayton, MN (1)
2. 14j - Jake Neal -- Omaha, NE (4)
3. 19 - Richie Gustin Jr. -- Gilman, IA (2)
4. 4rv - Ron Ver Beek -- Oskaloosa, IA (9)
5. 40 - Scott Dickey -- Packwood, IA (3)
6. 71 - David Holder -- Clarence, MO (8)
7. 70 - Jesse Dennis -- Prescott, IA (5)
8. 4 - Tony Dunker -- Quincy, IL (6)
9. 40x - Clayton Jensen -- Iowa City, IA (7) -1 Lap

HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (1)
2. 4r - Dereck Ramirez -- Woodward, OK (2)
3. 45 - Tony Fraise -- Donnellson, IA (4)
4. 47 - Josh Truman -- Indianola, IA (3)
5. 36 - Kenny Wallace -- Concord, NC (6)
6. 21b - Brandon Kenny -- Woodward, OK (8)
7. 32 - Donovan Lodge -- Moline, IL (7)
8. 93 - Cale Sponsler -- Grimes, IA (5)

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (10 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (2)
2. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (5)
3. 19 - Richie Gustin Jr. -- Gilman, IA (1)
4. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (3)
5. 21b - Brandon Kenny -- Woodward, OK (6)
6. 36 - Kenny Wallace -- Concord, NC (4)
7. 7w - Mark Widmar -- Ottumwa, IA (7)
8. 40x - Clayton Jensen -- Iowa City, IA (12) -1 Lap
9. 49j - Jason Murray -- Hartford, IA (9) DNF
10. 4 - Tony Dunker -- Quincy, IL (10) DNF
11. 70 - Jesse Dennis -- Prescott, IA (8) DNF
12. 55 - Alan Mondus -- Lakeville, MN (11) DNS

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (10 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (2)
2. 17p - Brad Pinkerton -- New Sharon, IA (1)
3. 40 - Scott Dickey -- Packwood, IA (4)
4. 18L - Michael Long -- Quincy, IL (7)
5. 47 - Josh Truman -- Indianola, IA (3)
6. 32 - Donovan Lodge -- Moline, IL (8)
7. 71 - David Holder -- Clarence, MO (5)
8. 22 - Brandon Banks -- Washington, IA (6)
9. 93 - Cale Sponsler -- Grimes, IA (10)
10. 00 - David Ott -- Ankeny, IA (9)-1Lap
11. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (11) DNF

HOLLEY “A” MAIN (30 laps):
1. 17p - Brad Pinkerton -- New Sharon, IA (16)
2. 21m - Dean Mahlstedt -- Clear Lake, IA (5)
3. 7k - Jason Krohn -- Slayton, MN (6)
4. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (1)
5. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (3)
6. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (15)
7. 14j - Jake Neal -- Omaha, NE (4)
8. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (14)
9. 4r - Dereck Ramirez -- Woodward, OK (9)
10. 22k - Steve Kosiski -- Papillion, NE (7)
11. 4rv - Ron Ver Beek -- Oskaloosa, IA (10)
12. 32 - Donovan Lodge -- Moline, IL (23)
13. 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (13)
14. 45 - Tony Fraise -- Donnellson, IA (11)
15. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (19)
16. 8 - Colt Mather -- Webster, IA (12)
17. 21b - Brandon Kenny -- Woodward, OK (21)
18. 94 - Steven Blattler -- Oskaloosa, IA (2) -1 Lap
19. 40 - Scott Dickey -- Packwood, IA (18) -1 Lap
20. 36 - Kenny Wallace -- Concord, NC (25) -1 Lap
21. 93 - Cale Sponsler -- Grimes, IA (24) -1 Lap
22. 18L - Michael Long -- Quincy, IL (20) DNF
23. 19 - Richie Gustin Jr. -- Gilman, IA (17) DNF
24. 9 - Ken Schrader -- Concord, NC (8) DNF
25. 47 - Josh Truman -- Indianola, IA (22) DNF

Lap Leaders: Shryock 1-23, Pinkerton 24-30.
Total Laps Led: Shryock 23, Pinkerton 7.
AFCO Pole Winner: Shryock.
Provisional Starters: Lodge, Sponsler, Wallace (track).
Ruter Farms Long Tow: Ramirez (630.98 miles).
KSE Racing Products Hard Charger: Pinkerton (started 16th, finished 1st).
Next Race: Thursday, July 31, Knox County Fairgrounds, Knoxville, Ill. (Central States Region).
Central States Region Points: Shryock 756, VanderBeek 696, Jason Hughes 655, Hejna 641, Ramirez 635, Ryan Gustin 575, Ver Beek 560, Lodge 529, Mondus 518, Mather 486.
Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar Rookie of the Year Points: Kenny 676, Ramirez 666, Bryan Rowland 425, Mather 172, Gary Langworthy Jr. 161.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Sput’s 295, Mullins 248, Wanders 226, A.S.I. 213, JR 198.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: Skyrocket 311, Hughes 254, Harris 199, Kraft 190, Specialty 94.

Contingency Awards:
AFCO Racing Products – Shryock.
American Racer – Ver Beek.
Belleville Motorsports – not awarded.
BSB Manufacturing – Kosiski.
Hawk Performance – Pinkerton, Ramirez.
Isky Racing Cams – Schrader.
KSE Racing Products – Pinkerton.
Marsh Racing Wheels – Truman.
New Vision Graphics – Shryock.
Nitroquest Web Solutions - Krohn.
Quarter Master – Pinkerton, Tesch.
QuickTime Performance Parts – Neal.
Real Racing Wheels – Ryan Gustin, Tesch.
Ruter Farms – Ramirez.
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, AwesomeRaceSuits.com, 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, Buzzard Racing Engines, 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.