CRESCO, Iowa -- It was a wonderful night for racing as Kabrick Distributing of Mason City sponsored the United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) along with the nightly racing show at the Cresco Speedway in Cresco, IA Friday night.

The first feature race of the night was for the Hornet class. Murray Keatley made a huge jump on the first lap as he went from the 4th row to the front of the pack. The lead did not last long as Keatley developed mechanical problems with his machine down the back stretch and pulled into the infield. Justin Lewis took over the top spot and held that position until the caution flag flew with two laps remaining for debris on the track. Eric Kottschade pulled even with Lewis as the two battled over the final laps, but Lewis held on to pick up his first win of the year.

Carissa Wagner was looking for her second straight win in the Street Stock feature as she led the first 4 laps. She could not hold that position though as she got loose coming out of turn two allowing Brian Praska to lead the pack. A caution for debris with 3 laps remaining, promised a great finish. Mitch Hovden drove hard, even bouncing off the turn four wall, has the field went three wide down the front stretch. Hovden held on to take the victory.

Hobby Stocks were up next. Shay Curtain started outside front row and quickly jumped to the lead which he held for the first four laps until the field was red flagged when Jeff Larson hit the turn four wall and rolled his car. Larson was not hurt in the wreck and even drove his race car off the track after it was righted. On the restart, the hobby stockers were four wide down the front chute with Jeremy Moellers pulling even with Curtain. The two battled for the remaining laps. Coming out of turn four, heading for the finish line, Moellers and Curtain got into each other making them slow down enough to allow Kevin Donlan the opportunity to slip by and take the victory.

Point leader, Scott Huinker, took the early lead in the Midwest Modified feature race, as he led the first two circuits when the caution flew when Joe Wernecka pancaked the front stretch wall. Jerry Young made a great slide move on lap 5 to take over the top spot. Young would hold on for the win with Huinker finishing second. Terry Timmerman made a nice pass as he went from 5th to 3rd coming out of turn 4 on the final lap.

Tory Reicks led the first 5 laps of the Stock Car feature until he spun in coming out of turn two. Point leader, Tom Schmitt took over the top position on the restart. Lynn Panos pulled even with Schmitt on lap 8, only to have a tire go down, ruining his chances for the night. Racing was tight through out the pack as the #29 & #5 cars of Scott Bauer and Mike Bergan ran side by side for 4th. Schmitt held on picking up another victory.

Then came the event that the capacity crowd had been waiting for. The USMTS, 26 car, 35 lap, $2000.00 to win, main event. With some of the top names on the USMTS circuit in town, it promised to be a spectacular show. Kevin Pittman had to be one of the favorites to win the show after he drew the #1 starting spot. Pittman led the first 8 laps, hugging tight to the bottom of the raceway, when a red flag stopped racing action. Charlie McKenna, who had been running in the third spot, was trying to work his way off the track because of a flat tire. Shawn Ryan clipped the front of McKenna's machine sending him high in the air and Matt Sweeney then hit McKenna. All three drivers were OK, but their race cars suffered extensive damage and were done for the night. Pittman picked up where he left off as he led the pack once again. Al Hejna worked his way into second place on the restart. On lap 11, Tommy Meyer rode the high side of the raceway past Hejna. Pittman & Meyer then battled side by side for the next 16 laps with Pittman running the low side and having the advantage in the straight away while Meyer stayed on the high side and had the advantage in the corners. Meyer made his way around Pittman on lap 27 when the final yellow of the night flew on lap 30. While on the caution lap, Meyer experienced engine problem forcing him to the pits for the night, also forfeiting the lead back to Pittman. Pittman was looking for his first USMTS win and only had 5 laps remaining, but current USMTS national points leader, Kelly Shyrock was on his tail and had pulled even as the two accepted the white flag. Shyrock won the drag race off turn two and took the checkered flag while Pittman finished second.

Joann Kuennen of Ossian and Leann Cunningham of Waterville were the night Daytona qualifiers. Brandon Knox of Cresco took himself home a new bicycle. Regular racing night action continues next Friday night as Super C radio sponsors the nights racing action. See you there!