’Hunt’ continues with Brainerd blockbuster
The debut doubleheader presented by Waste Management will serve as rounds 14-15 of the 18-race ’Hunt,’ and precedes the season-ending 11th Annual Featherlite Fall Jamboree the following weekend.
A $2,000 top prize is on the line for Friday's main event winner while Saturday's victor will pocket $3,000.
"There has not been an open Modified race in this part of the state in a very long time," said North Central Speedway promoter Tim Boeder. "We are really looking forward to hosting many of the countries top touring Modified drivers in Brainerd."
Located just a few miles south of Brainerd, the North Central Speedway is a 1/3-mile semi-banked oval situated at the center of a state-of-the-art facility boasting 31 fully enclosed and air-conditioned suites for full racing enjoyment.
For race fans who prefer a trace of soil in their beverages, there are bleachers and full concessions on both sides of the track with seating for over 6,000 fans.
Although still winless during the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Championship, the unmatched consistency of Fertile, Iowa's Kelly Shryock has him atop the points standings with five events remaining in the title chase. His eight top-5 and eleven top-10 finish in thirteen starts gives him an 81-point advantage (1219 to 1138) over Westville, Okla.'s Jason Hughes as he seeks his unprecedented ninth USMTS crown.
With three wins during the first thirteen events of the 'Hunt,' eighteen-year-old Ryan Gustin of Marshalltown, Iowa, is third in the rankings with 1106 markers, followed by Zack VanderBeek of New Sharon, Iowa (1088), Rodney Sanders of Happy, Texas (1084), defending USMTS National Champion Tim Donlinger of Rochester (1037), Blooming Prairie's Tommy Myer (1007), Dereck Ramirez of Woodward, Okla. (1005), Jon Tesch of Watertown, S.D. (996) and Jason Krohn of Slayton (899).
Other USMTS heavy-hitters expected for the inaugural event at the Brainerd bullring include Al Hejna, Corey Dripps, Dustin Boney, Bryan Rowland, DandyLand Farms Rookie of the Year Grant Junghans, Mike Steensma, Scott Green, Mike Hansen, Eddie Martin, Colt Mather, Steve Wetzstein, Alan Sharpensteen, Josh Reisch, Jay Poidinger and more.
In addition to the USMTS touring titans, three nights of racing are on tap as part of the Grassroots World Championships featuring Pure Stocks, Hornets and Short Trackers. Plus, “Wildman” Clay Gallagher will be performing one of his crazy stunts, such as his famous flaming box crash, a crash roll-over and car jumps.
Tommy Myer and his Snickers-sponsored modified will be at the Casey's General Store located at 500 W. Broadway in Little Falls from 12:00 to 2:00 on Friday. Zack VanderBeek and his Doritos-sponsored machine will be at the Casey's General Store located at 1205 Haven Rd. in Little Falls from 12:00 to 2:00 on Saturday. Fans can pick up $2-off discount coupons at Casey's General Stores locations in Little Falls, Milaca and Wadena. To learn more about Casey's General Stores, or to find the location nearest you, check out www.caseys.com online.
The Brainerd Lakes area is a popular tourist destination with plenty of fun and adventure for the whole family before and after the races. Check out www.explorebrainerdlakes.com for more information.
Pit gates will open at 4 p.m., grandstands open at 5, hot laps begin at 6:15 and the green flag waves to start the first heat race at 6:45 both days. An open practice for USMTS Modifieds will be held on Thursday night during the Grassroots World Championships.
The North Central Speedway is a semi-banked 1/3-mile clay oval located 5 miles south of Brainerd at the junction of US 371 and Bus 371. For more information, visit the track's website at www.racencs.com or call 218-839-9280. Race day information is available by calling the track hotline at 218-829-1545.
All USMTS rules apply. Tires allowed are the American Racer KK704 or IMCA-stamped Hoosier G60. The Hoosier H40 is also permitted for this event for licensed WISSOTA drivers only (no USMTS points).
The Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Championship will wrap up back at the Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., with the 11th Annual Featherlite Fall Jamboree on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 24-26, where the 2009 USMTS National Champion will be crowned.
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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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, New Vision Graphics, 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, Dirthead.com, Gressel Oil Field Service, Just Say Yes, Ramirez Race Cars, Lone Star Super Gas, Olympic Fire Protection, Ruter Farms, WatchModsLive.com, 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.