5/26/2019
Sorensen dusts USMTS drivers at Deer Creek
SPRING VALLEY, Minn. --On the anniversary of his first USMTS triumph, Dustin Sorensen of nearby Rochester, Minn., doubled his career win total Saturday with another wire-to-wire victory at the Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn.
It was Saturday night of Memorial Day Weekend last year when Sorensen led all 40 laps of the main event to become the youngest ever to stand in USMTS victory lane, breaking the record held by two-time USMTS National Champion Ryan Gustin since 2008.
Now 18 years, 6 months and 24 days old, Sorensen has a second $3,000 check from the USMTS and a second champion's trophy from the Crenlo Southern Minnesota Spring Challenge presented by Real Racing Wheels.
And just like last year, Sorensen found himself on the front row for the start of the 40-lap feature, but this time from the Sybesma Graphics Pole Position.
Grant Junghans USMTS Rookie of the Year points leader Hunter Marriott of Brookfield, Mo., garnered his first win with the series earlier this year, and nearly had his second of the season but was unable to find a way around Sorensen despite chasing him the entire distance.
Gustin, who has collected seven checkered flags at Deer Creek, found himself starting 13th but worked the top side of the high-banked 3/8-mile clay oval to garner a third-place finish and assume the points lead in the Spike Hardcore Energy USMTS Northern Lights Series.
Brandon Davis followed 'The Reaper' to the finish line while 14th-starting Zack VanderBeek maneuvered his way into the top five by the end of the race.
Current Casey's General Stores USMTS National Championship points leader Rodney Sanders secured the sixth spot, Adam Hensel was seventh, Jake O'Neil earned an eighth-place finish, Lucas Schott nabbed ninth and two-time USRA Modified National Champion Jason Cummins completed the top ten.
Saturday night's victory was worth $3,000 to Sorensen whose father, Mike Sorensen, has five career USMTS wins to his credit as well and is one of the winningest drivers in the history of the Deer Creek Speedway.
Nordic Nationals Next: The Memorial Day Weekend tripleheader wraps up with the 12th Annual American Racer Nordic Nationals at the Upper Iowa Speedway in Decorah, Iowa, on Sunday. The Arnold Motor Supply Iron Man Challenge featuring American Racer USRA Stock Cars and Out-Pace USRA B-Mods will join the USMTS Modifieds for a second straight night, with the Cook Racing Supplies USRA Hobby Stocks rounding out Sunday's card.
VanderBeek collected his first of three USMTS wins at the Upper Iowa Speedway during his rookie campaign in 2005. Gustin, Hughes, Tesch, Al Hejna and Johnny Scott are two-time winners here.
The pit gate opens at 2 p.m., grandstands open at 3, hot laps start at 6 and the first heat race hits the track at 6:30. General admission is $20 while seniors (65+) and juniors (ages 12-16) get in for just $5. Kids ages 11 and under are free. Pit passes are $35.
The Upper Iowa Speedway is a semi-banked 1/4-mile dirt oval located 1.8 miles east of US 52 on SR 9, then 1.0 mile northwest on Montgomery St., then northeast on E. Main St. at the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds in Decorah, Iowa (900 E Main St, Decorah, IA 52101). For more information, call (563) 382-0711 or visit upperiowaspeedway.com online.
To connect with the United States Modified Touring Series, visit USMTS.com (http://usmts.com/) or call (515) 832-7944. You can also like the USMTS on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/usmts/), visit us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/usmts/), follow us on Twitter (https://twitter.com/usmts/), connect with us on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/usmts) and watch us on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/usmtstv). Keep up to speed, finish first and subscribe to USMTS e-News (http://usmts.com/subscribe).
Article Credit: Jeff Nunn
