OSKALOOSA, Iowa – It took 27 races and 27 laps, but Jason Hughes finally conquered the Mahaska County Half-Mile Monster.

The high-powered Modifieds of the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour returned to familiar territory Tuesday night for the 8th Annual Spring Classic at the Southern Iowa Speedway — the 28th United States Modified Touring Series event held at the lightning-fast speedplant in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

A packed house was on hand for the show which also starred NASCAR veterans Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace, and the fans did not walk away disappointed as they witnessed 94 laps of door-to-door USMTS action that culminated in a doozy of a main event.

Making his first USMTS start of the season, polesitter Ryan Gustin of Marshalltown led the field to the green flag for the 30-lap Sunoco “A” Main, but outside front row starter Jon Tesch of Watertown, S.D., used the high side of the racetrack to lead the first lap.

Hughes grabbed the second spot one lap later, but Tesch was able to increase his advantage each lap until a caution flag on lap 7 slowed the pace and bunched he field for a double-file restart.

After a second brief caution one lap later for debris in turn 4, Tesch again took to the top of the racing surface as Hughes hugged the low line. The duo raced side by side for the next four laps before Tesch stretched his advantage to about four car-lengths by the halfway point of the race.

With eight laps to go, the leaders had their first test with lapped traffic, which Hughes used to again pull alongside Tesch in the turns. Hughes followed Tesch around the rim for the next two laps as they cleared a pair of low-running back markers, then moved back to the bottom on lap 26.

As they powered into the first turn on lap 27, Tesch got his machine too close to the fence, which ripped off part of his spoiler. The misstep opened the door for Hughes as he led the next time under the flagstand.

With the loss of downforce, Tesch was helpless as he watched Hughes pull away over the final three laps to take the win and the accompanying $2,000 paycheck.

For Hughes, it was his first-ever triumph at the Southern Iowa Speedway but his third USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour triumph of 2009. The Westville, Okla., chassis builder also has four series-leading USMTS Southern Series wins this season and now controls the top slot in the points standings for the USMTS Southern Series as well as two regions of the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour.

Brad Pinkerton of nearby New Sharon, Iowa, came into the event having swept both shows at Osky last year, but could climb no higher than fourth as he finished behind Gustin in Tuesday's nightcap with home track rival Zack VanderBeek taking the fifth spot.

Al Hejna, came from 14th on the 26-car starting grid to finish a strong sixth, followed by 13th-starting Dean Mahlstedt in seventh and defending USRA Modified track champion Colt Mather in eighth. Scott Drake was ninth and eight-time USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock rounded out the top-10 finishers.

YOU’D BETTER GET THERE EARLY ...

The long-awaited debut of America's Hottest Ticket on Dirt at the Marshalltown Speedway in Marshalltown, Iowa takes place tomorrow (Wednesday, May 20) at Toby Kruse's historic 1/4-mile high-banked clay oval at the Central Iowa Fairgrounds.

Both Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace will again be on hand to sign autographs for the Marshalltown fans before competing against the USMTS Modifieds.

Pit gates will open at 4:00 and the grandstand will open at 5:00. Hot laps will start at 6:15 and the first green flag of the night will get underway at 7:00.

Also racing will be Stock Cars, B-Mods and Hobby Stocks racing under IMCA or USRA rules. The event will award national points in the American Racer USRA Weekly Racing Series for all three classes.

Grandstand admission is $15 for adults, children 12 and under are $5. Pit admission is $25. Race fans can pick up $2-off discount coupons on Wednesday at all four Casey's General Stores locations in Marshalltown.

The Marshalltown Speedway is located 1.5 miles east of SR 14 on US 30 to Exit 186, then 2.0 miles north (a the Central Iowa Fairgrounds). For more information, call 641-752-9676 or check out www.marshalltownspeedway.com online.

Wednesday's race at Marshalltown will be the second stop in the Central States Region and the second of 16 contests on the calendar in the next 19 days:

Wed May 20 … Marshalltown Speedway, Marshalltown, IA (Central States Region)
Thu May 21 … Cresco Speedway, Cresco, IA (Yeager Machine Upper Midwest Region)
Fri May 22 … Chateau Raceway, Lansing, MN (Yeager Machine Upper Midwest Region)
Sat May 23 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN (Yeager Machine Upper Midwest Region)
Sun May 24 … Dodge County Speedway, Kasson, MN (Yeager Machine Upper Midwest Region)
Mon May 25 … Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, WI (Yeager Machine Upper Midwest Region)
Thu May 28 … LA Raceway, La Monte, MO (Bear Tire Mo-Kan Region)
Fri May 29 … Tri-City Speedway, Granite City, IL (Bear Tire Mo-Kan Region)
Sun May 30 … Lake Ozark Speedway, Eldon, MO (Bear Tire Mo-Kan Region)
Mon Jun 1 … Iowa State Fair Speedway, Des Moines, IA (Central States Region)
Tue Jun 2 … Hancock County Speedway, Britt, IA (Yeager Machine Upper Midwest Region)
Wed Jun 3 … Highway 3 Raceway, Allison, IA (Central States Region)
Thu Jun 4 … Buena Vista Raceway, Alta, IA (Great Plains Region)
Fri Jun 5 … Murray County Speedway, Slayton, MN (Great Plains Region)
Sat Jun 6 … Upper Iowa Speedway, Decorah, IA (Yeager Machine Upper Midwest Region)

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.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour (Central States Region)
8th Annual Spring Classic
Southern Iowa Speedway, Oskaloosa, Iowa
Tuesday, May 19, 2009

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 Sunoco “A” Main, with the top 8 re-drawing for starting positions 1-8.

ISKY RACING CAMS HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):
1. 7 - Ryan Dolan -- Lisbon, IA (3)
2. 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (5)
3. 20 - Rodney Sanders -- Happy, TX (7)
4. 12h - Mike Hansen -- Alton, IA (4)
5. 94 - Steven Blattler -- Oskaloosa, IA (8)
6. 11 - Ryan Peckham -- Corning, IA (6)
7. Z3 - Mike Albertsen -- Audubon, IA (1)
8. 42t - Tim Shields -- Kansas City, MO (9)
9. 90 - Steve Wetzstein -- West Concord, MN (2) DNF

HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. 8 - Colt Mather -- Webster, IA (2)
2. 61 - Noah Coppess -- Stanwood, IA (4)
3. 9 - Ken Schrader -- Concord, NC (3)
4. 65 - Tommy Myer -- Blooming Prairie, MN (6)
5. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (5)
6. 14j - Jake Neal -- Omaha, NE (7)
7. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (1) DNF
8. 36 - Kenny Wallace -- Concord, NC (8) DNF

HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. 17p - Brad Pinkerton -- New Sharon, IA (7)
2. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Westville, OK (8)
3. 2 - Grant Junghans -- Manhattan, KS (4)
4. 71 - David Holder -- Clarence, MO (1)
5. 555 - Ryan Ruter -- Kanawha, IA (2)
6. 47 - Josh Truman -- Indianola, IA (3)
7. 35 - Jeff Schluetter -- New Hampton, IA (6)
8. 19 - Richie Gustin Jr. -- Gilman, IA (5) DNF

HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. 12d - Scott Drake -- Webb City, MO (1)
2. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (7)
3. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (6)
4. 4r - Ron Ver Beek -- Oskaloosa, IA (4)
5. 22 - Brandon Banks -- Washington, IA (3)
6. 20f - John Fellman -- Blue Grass, IA (2)
7. 13 - Matt Waugh -- Des Moines, IA (5)
8. 55 - Bill Gibson -- Knoxville, IA (8)

HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):
1. 1k - Pat Graham -- Ames, IA (2)
2. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (3)
3. 4r - Dereck Ramirez -- Woodward, OK (1)
4. 21m - Dean Mahlstedt -- Clear Lake, IA (8)
5. 18 - Michael Long -- Quincy, IL (4)
6. 31 - Corey Dripps -- Waterloo, IA (5)
7. 26 - Dan Fetters -- Montour, IA (6)
8. 73 - Brad Moriarty -- Des Moines, IA (7)

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (12 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 21m - Dean Mahlstedt -- Clear Lake, IA (1)
2. 9 - Ken Schrader -- Concord, NC (2)
3. 65 - Tommy Myer -- Blooming Prairie, MN (3)
4. 4r - Ron Ver Beek -- Oskaloosa, IA (5)
5. 18 - Michael Long -- Quincy, IL (7)
6. 555 - Ryan Ruter -- Kanawha, IA (6)
7. 36 - Kenny Wallace -- Concord, NC (13)
8. 35 - Jeff Schluetter -- New Hampton, IA (11)
9. 26 - Dan Fetters -- Montour, IA (12)
9. 20f - John Fellman -- Blue Grass, IA (9)
11. 55 - Bill Gibson -- Knoxville, IA (14)
12. Z3 - Mike Albertsen -- Audubon, IA (10)
13. 90 - Steve Wetzstein -- West Concord, MN (15) DNF
14. 12h - Mike Hansen -- Alton, IA (4) DNF
15. 11 - Ryan Peckham -- Corning, IA (8) DNF

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (12 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (5)
2. 2 - Grant Junghans -- Manhattan, KS (1)
3. 47 - Josh Truman -- Indianola, IA (8)
4. 71 - David Holder -- Clarence, MO (4)
5. 31 - Corey Dripps -- Waterloo, IA (9)
6. 14j - Jake Neal -- Omaha, NE (7)
7. 4r - Dereck Ramirez -- Woodward, OK (2)
8. 94 - Steven Blattler -- Oskaloosa, IA (3)
9. 42t - Tim Shields -- Kansas City, MO (12)
10. 13 - Matt Waugh -- Des Moines, IA (11)
11. 19 - Richie Gustin Jr. -- Gilman, IA (13) DNF
12. 22 - Brandon Banks -- Washington, IA (6) DNF
13. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (10) DNF
14. 73 - Brad Moriarty -- Des Moines, IA (14) DNF

SUNOCO “A” MAIN (30 laps):
1. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Westville, OK (3)
2. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (2)
3. 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (1)
4. 17p - Brad Pinkerton -- New Sharon, IA (5)
5. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (12)
6. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (14)
7. 21m - Dean Mahlstedt -- Clear Lake, IA (13)
8. 8 - Colt Mather -- Webster, IA (4)
9. 12d - Scott Drake -- Webb City, MO (6)
10. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (11)
11. 65 - Tommy Myer -- Blooming Prairie, MN (17)
12. 18 - Michael Long -- Quincy, IL (21)
13. 9 - Ken Schrader -- Concord, NC (15)
14. 14j - Jake Neal -- Omaha, NE (24)
15. 31 - Corey Dripps -- Waterloo, IA (22)
16. 4r - Dereck Ramirez -- Woodward, OK (23)
17. 7 - Ryan Dolan -- Lisbon, IA (7)
18. 71 - David Holder -- Clarence, MO (20)
19. 47 - Josh Truman -- Indianola, IA (18) -1 Lap
20. 2 - Grant Junghans -- Manhattan, KS (16) -1 Lap
21. 1k - Pat Graham -- Ames, IA (8) -1 Lap
22. 61 - Noah Coppess -- Stanwood, IA (9) DNF
23. 4r - Ron Ver Beek -- Oskaloosa, IA (19) DNF
24. 19 - Richie Gustin Jr. -- Gilman, IA (25) DNF
25. 20 - Rodney Sanders -- Happy, TX (10) DNF
26. 22 - Brandon Banks -- Washington, IA (26) DNF

Lap Leaders: Tesch 1-26, Hughes 27-30.
Total Laps Led: Tesch 26, Hughes 4.
AFCO Pole Winner: Pinkerton.
Provisional Starters: Ramirez, Neal, Richie Gustin Jr. (track), Banks (track).
Ruter Farms Long Tow: Sanders (871.95 miles).
PBM Performance Products Hard Charger: Long (started 21st, finished 12th).
Next Race: Wednesday, May 20, Marshalltown Speedway, Marshalltown, Iowa (Central States Region).
Central States Region Points: Hughes 103, Tesch 98, Ryan Gustin 91, VanderBeek 91, Hejna 89, Mahlstedt 84, Long 77, Mather 76, Myer 76, Drake 74.
DandyLand Farms Rookie of the Year Points: Tate Cole 124, Shields 99, Junghans 77, Brian Bolin 75, Steven Martin 67.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Sput’s 72, Mullins 71, a.s.i. 59, Homegrown 39, AEM 37.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: Hughes 79, Skyrocket 72, Ramirez 66, TRE 55, GRT 53.

Contingency Awards:
AFCO Racing Products – Pinkerton.
American Racer – Ryan Gustin.
Isky Racing Cams – Dolan.
KSE Racing Products – Graham
PBM Performance Products – Long.
Marsh Racing Wheels – Banks.
Nitroquest – Ryan Gustin.
Out-Pace Racing Products – Myer.
Quarter Master – Hughes, Mather.
QuickTime Performance Parts – Mahlstedt.
Real Racing Wheels – Ruter, Neal.
Ruter Farms – Sanders.

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USMTS TITLE SPONSOR: Casey’s General Stores.

USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Racer Racing Tires, Awesome Racewear, AwesomeRaceSuits.com, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, COMP Cams, Intensitee Custom Racewear, Intercomp, Karl Chevrolet, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, Nitroquest, PBM Performance Products, Sunoco Race Fuels.

USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: ASi Racewear, Bear Tire, Big Dog Chassis & Fabrication, DandyLand Farms, Day Motor Sports, Diamond Oil Company, Gressel Oil Field Service, Just Say Yes, Ramirez Race Cars, Lone Star Super Gas, Olympic Fire Protection, Ruter Farms, Yeager Machine.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Dynatech Racing Exhaust, Hyperco, ISKY Racing Cams, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, Out-Pace Racing Products, Quarter Master, QuickTime Performance Race Parts, Real Racing Wheels, US Brake.