8/23/2016
Salina Highbanks Speedway
Highbanks hardware to Hughes
PRYOR CREEK, Okla.—Less than an hour from home, Jason Hughes found his way back to Widow Wax Victory Lane Saturday after an exciting main event at the Salina Highbanks Speedway.
Still, the road to his 145th career USMTS win was less than easy for the current points leader in the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup powered by S&S Fishing & Rental.
Polesitter Dereck Ramirez led the opening circuit with Hughes trailing, but veteran Terry Beckham Jr. shot by both of them on the outside to lead the second lap and then began to pull away.
Beckham was in charge for the next 18 laps but Hughes was able to reel the leader in and grabbed the spot to lead lap 21.
Beckham kept the heat on, along with Zack VanderBeek and then Cade Dillard, but despite the pressure and three yellow flags in the last 12 laps Hughes cruised to his fifth career win at the track—including both events this year.
Dillard snuck into the runner-up spot to minimize the damage in the points battle, and Terry Phillips made a late-race charge to get third. Jesse Sobbing and VanderBeek rounded out the top five.
Rodney Sanders, Chris Henigan, Beckham, Daniel Hilsabeck and Austin Siebert completed the top 10 in a fantastic race that produced multiple ever-changing racing grooves.
Earlier in the night, things got hairy with three roll-overs. Kenny Gaddis got on his lid during hot laps while Kevin Guinn and Mike Cook were both in the wrong place at the wrong time and tipped over during their heat races. None of the drivers were injured.
A whopping 64 cars and drivers were on hand.
The USMTS returns to the popular 81 Speedway in Park City, Kan., on Sunday.
In the seven previous trips to C. Ray Hall’s facility, Jeremy Payne and Rodney Sanders each have two wins while Cade Dillard got his first here a little more than two months ago on June 9. Stormy Scott won the 2014 ‘Hunt’ race here and current points leader Jason Hughes captured the inaugural event in 2008.
The NCRA Mod Lites will join the traveling USMTS titans with gates opening at 5 p.m. and race time at 7. Fans can find $2 discount coupons at Bumper To Bumper Auto Parts in El Dorado and Newton, Garnett Auto locations in Wichita and Derby, plus Stephens Auto Parts in Hutchinson.
Joe Duvall and his AMP Energy-sponsored USMTS Modified will be on hand for a meet ‘n’ greet with fans from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Casey’s located at 3520 N. Woodlawn Blvd. in Wichita.
The 81 Speedway is located north of Wichita on I-135 to exit 16, then 0.7 miles west on 77th St. in Park City. For more race and ticket information contact the 81 Speedway office (316) 755-1781 or check out their website at www.race81speedway.com.
To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usmts, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/usmts and Instagram at www.instagram.com/usmts or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/usmtstv.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
OFFICIAL RESULTS
United States Modified Touring Series
The Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup powered by S&S Fishing & Rental – Event #7 of 17
Salina Highbanks Speedway, Pryor Creek, Okla.
Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016
Showing finishing position, starting position in parentheses, car number, driver, hometown, chassis/engine builder, laps completed and money won.
MSD HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):
- (4) 22d Daniel Hilsabeck, Adel, Iowa.
- (8) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
- (3) 20rt Ricky Thornton Jr. (R), Chandler, Ariz.
- (7) 19r Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa.
- (5) 16 Austin Siebert, Grandview, Mo.
- (6) 21 Jacob Bleess (R), Chatfield, Minn.
- (9) 75 Tad Davis, Mount Hope, Kan.
- (2) 91 Joe Duvall, Claremore, Okla.
- (10) 1st Anthony Reeves, Mulberry, Ark.
- (1) 5 Daniel Tarkington (R), Checotah, Okla.
FAST SHAFTS HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
- (2) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas.
- (7) 34n C.A. Nix, Lawton, Okla.
- (9) 21t Lance Town, Wellsville, Kan.
- (3) 26 Brian Williams, Fayetteville, Ark.
- (5) 23j Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, N.M.
- (8) 4 Cody Bauman (R), Eureka, Ill.
- (4) 9 Kevin Rutherford, Flower Mound, Texas.
- (1) 186 Jeremy Payne, Springfield, Mo.
- (6) 7c Mike Cook, Conway, Ark.
EDELBROCK HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
- (1) 1sx Travis Saurer, Elizabeth, Minn.
- (4) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
- (6) 2s Stormy Scott, Arroyo Hondo, N.M.
- (3) 52 Chad Davis, Tulsa, Okla.
- (8) 12b Johnny Bone Jr., Pea Ridge, Ark.
- (7) 7 Sean Gaddis (R), Diana, Texas.
- (9) 23 Adam Kates (R), Tonganoxie, Kan.
- (2) 123 Logan Robertson (R), Shamrock, Texas.
- (5) 35g Barry Gifford (R), Ponca City, Okla.
ALPINESTARS HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
- (2) 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla.
- (4) 97 Cade Dillard, Robeline, La.
- (1) 37 Mike Jergens (R), Plover, Iowa.
- (7) 07 Cory Crapser, Chippewa Falls, Wis.
- (5) 99 Jesse Sobbing, Malvern, Iowa.
- (8) 13 Jonathon Beyer, Inola, Okla.
- (9) 19 J.C. Mattingly, Springdale, Ark.
- (6) 19x Jirad Blankenship, Mountainburg, Ark.
- (3) 27L Trevor Latham (R), Rogers, Ark.
DEATHERAGE OPTICIANS HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):
- (2) 118 Terry Beckham II, Webb City, Mo.
- (1) 88 Chad Wheeler, Muskogee, Okla.
- (4) 31j Jeremy Rasmussen, Rogers, Ark.
- (3) 81 Mike Densberger (R), Lincoln, Neb.
- (8) 16 Chris Henigan, Marshall, Texas.
- (7) 6 Brock Bauman (R), Eureka, Ill.
- (6) 4r Jared Russell (R), Muskogee, Okla.
- (5) 7r Ryan Restad, West Fargo, N.D.
- (9) 5c Cody Couch, Chouteau, Okla.
RACERWEBSITE.COM HEAT RACE #6 (8 laps):
- (1) 4w Tyler Wolff (R), Fayetteville, Ark.
- (6) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa.
- (2) 30 Justin Rexwinkle, South Coffeyville, Okla.
- (8) 02 Tommy Weder Jr., Woodward, Okla.
- (4) 5a Josh Beckham, Choudrant, La.
- (5) 34 Mickey Lassiter (R), Piedmont, Okla.
- (7) 99 Jett Big Eagle (R), Manor, Sask., Canada.
- (3) 11n Gene Nicholas, Lowell, Ark.
- (9) 2g Kenny Gaddis, Diana, Texas.
REALTRUCK.COM HEAT RACE #7 (8 laps):
- (1) 7h Brett Hansen, Fort Gibson, Okla.
- (2) 10 Marc Hurd, Wichita, Kan.
- (4) 91 Scott Drake, Joplin, Mo.
- (8) 85 Thomas Tillison Jr., Wellston, Okla.
- (3) 5 Justin Shoemaker, Inola, Okla.
- (6) 1 Mike Wroblewski, Muskogee, Okla.
- (7) 87 Lee Heiligenthal, Claremore, Okla.
- (9) 88 Kevin Guinn, Fayetteville, Ark.
- (5) 00 Masen Big Eagle, Manor, Sask., Canada.
REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 4 advance):
- (1) 97 Cade Dillard, Robeline, La.
- (3) 31j Jeremy Rasmussen, Rogers, Ark.
- (7) 16 Austin Siebert, Grandview, Mo.
- (2) 10 Marc Hurd, Wichita, Kan.
- (4) 07 Cory Crapser, Chippewa Falls, Wis., MBCustom/Tim’s, 32, $90.
- (10) 21 Jacob Bleess (R), Chatfield, Minn., MBCustom/BK, 32, $90.
- (11) 75 Tad Davis, Mount Hope, Kan., GRT/Mullins, 32, $90.
- (9) 13 Jonathon Beyer, Inola, Okla., Mack/Shinook, 32, $75.
- (5) 30 Justin Rexwinkle, South Coffeyville, Okla., JRC/Outlaw, 32, $75.
- (8) 5a Josh Beckham, Choudrant, La., GRT/Sput’s, 32, $75.
- (18) 5 Daniel Tarkington (R), Checotah, Okla., Hughes/BMS, 32, $90.
- (12) 9 Kevin Rutherford, Flower Mound, Texas., Shaw/Wes, 32, $90.
- (13) 87 Lee Heiligenthal, Claremore, Okla., Skyrocket/Heiligenthal, 32, $75.
- (15) 7r Ryan Restad, West Fargo, N.D., Shaw/, 32, $75.
- (6) 26 Brian Williams, Fayetteville, Ark., Hughes/Mullins, 32, $75.
- (14) 186 Jeremy Payne, Springfield, Mo., GRT/Durham, 32, $90.
- (16) 7c Mike Cook, Conway, Ark., GRT/Hatfield, 32, $75.
- (17) 5c Cody Couch, Chouteau, Okla., Twister/Couch, 32, $75.
REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 4 advance):
- (7) 23j Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, N.M.
- (1) 2s Stormy Scott, Arroyo Hondo, N.M.
- (4) 20rt Ricky Thornton Jr. (R), Chandler, Ariz.
- (2) 02 Tommy Weder Jr., Woodward, Okla.
- (6) 52 Chad Davis, Tulsa, Okla., RaceCraft/BMS, 32, $75.
- (5) 12b Johnny Bone Jr., Pea Ridge, Ark., IROC/Yeoman, 32, $75.
- (3) 91 Scott Drake, Joplin, Mo., MBCustom/GMPP, 32, $90.
- (12) 4r Jared Russell (R), Muskogee, Okla., Hughes/Thomas, 32, $90.
- (10) 34 Mickey Lassiter (R), Piedmont, Okla., Hughes/Sput’s, 32, $90.
- (11) 23 Adam Kates (R), Tonganoxie, Kan., LG2/Speedway, 32, $90.
- (14) 123 Logan Robertson (R), Shamrock, Texas., Hughes/PPE, 32, $90.
- (8) 5 Justin Shoemaker, Inola, Okla., GRT/BMS, 32, $75.
- (16) 35g Barry Gifford (R), Ponca City, Okla., Shaw/Yeoman, 32, $90.
- (15) 11n Gene Nicholas, Lowell, Ark., Hughes/Kelly, 32, $75.
- (9) 7 Sean Gaddis (R), Diana, Texas., MBCustom/Brown, 32, $90.
- (13) 88 Kevin Guinn, Fayetteville, Ark., Hughes/Yeoman, 32, $75.
- (17) 2g Kenny Gaddis, Diana, Texas., MBCustom/PTS, 32, $90.
REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #3 (15 laps, top 4 advance):
- (2) 85 Thomas Tillison Jr., Wellston, Okla.
- (7) 99 Jesse Sobbing, Malvern, Iowa.
- (5) 16 Chris Henigan, Marshall, Texas.
- (1) 88 Chad Wheeler, Muskogee, Okla.
- (16) 27L Trevor Latham (R), Rogers, Ark., Hughes/BCD, 32, $90.
- (13) 91 Joe Duvall, Claremore, Okla.
- (12) 99 Jett Big Eagle (R), Manor, Sask., Canada., MBCustom/ProPower, 32, $90.
- (8) 4 Cody Bauman (R), Eureka, Ill., GRT/Mullins, 32, $400.
- (6) 81 Mike Densberger (R), Lincoln, Neb., Jet/Speedway, 32, $90.
- (10) 1 Mike Wroblewski, Muskogee, Okla., DirtWorks/GNME, 32, $75.
- (15) 1st Anthony Reeves, Mulberry, Ark., TRE/, 32, $75.
- (11) 19 J.C. Mattingly, Springdale, Ark., Hughes/Yeoman, 32, $75.
- (14) 19x Jirad Blankenship, Mountainburg, Ark., Shaw/JRM, 32, $75.
- (4) 37 Mike Jergens (R), Plover, Iowa.
- (9) 6 Brock Bauman (R), Eureka, Ill., GRT/Mullins, 32, $90.
- (3) 19r Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa., Hughes/Mullins, 32, $90.
- (17) 00 Masen Big Eagle, Manor, Sask., Canada., GRT/Tim’s, 32, $90.
CASEY'S GENERAL STORES "A" MAIN (32 laps):
- (3) 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 32, $3000.
- (13) 97 Cade Dillard, Robeline, La., MBCustom/ASI, 32, $1700.
- (12) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo., GRT/Durham, 32, $1200.
- (18) 99 Jesse Sobbing, Malvern, Iowa, Harris/GMPP, 32, $1000.
- (8) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa, LG2/Sput’s, 32, $900.
- (6) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas, MBCustom/Hatfield, 32, $800.
- (21) 16 Chris Henigan, Marshall, Texas, MBCustom/Sput’s, 32, $600.
- (2) 118 Terry Beckham II, Webb City, Mo., TRE/Hatfield, 32, $550.
- (7) 22d Daniel Hilsabeck, Adel, Iowa, Hilsabeck/Mullins, 32, $600.
- (19) 16 Austin Siebert, Grandview, Mo., MBCustom/Mullins, 32, $550.
- (1) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla., LG2/Cornett, 32, $500.
- (24) 88 Chad Wheeler, Muskogee, Okla., GRT/Durham, 32, $450.
- (11) 7h Brett Hansen, Fort Gibson, Okla., Hughes/BMS, 32, $350.
- (14) 23j Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, N.M., Lethal/Durham, 32, $400.
- (25) 91 Joe Duvall, Claremore, Okla., MBCustom/BMS, 32, $400.
- (23) 02 Tommy Weder Jr., Woodward, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 32, $275.
- (4) 21t Lance Town, Wellsville, Kan., Phoenix/Driskell, 32, $325.
- (9) 1sx Travis Saurer, Elizabeth, Minn., GRT/Sput’s, 32, $250.
- (22) 10 Marc Hurd, Wichita, Kan., GRT/Briley, 32, $300.
- (16) 31j Jeremy Rasmussen, Rogers, Ark., MBCustom/Donrich, 32, $250.
- (20) 20rt Ricky Thornton Jr. (R), Harcourt, Iowa, MBCustom/Dakota, 30, $300.
- (5) 34n C.A. Nix, Lawton, Okla., Hughes/Sput’s, 24, $250.
- (15) 85 Thomas Tillison Jr., Wellston, Okla., Hughes/Geddes, 22, $250.
- (17) 2s Stormy Scott, Arroyo Hondo, N.M., Lethal/Mullins, 22, $400.
- (10) 4w Tyler Wolff (R), Fayetteville, Ark., MBCustom/Hatfield, 19, $300.
- (26) 37 Mike Jergens (R), Plover, Iowa, Harris/KSE, 17, $300.
(R) = Rookie of the Year contender.
Lap Leaders: Ramirez 1, T. Beckham 2-20, Hughes 21-32.
Total Laps Led: T. Beckham 19, Hughes 12, Ramirez 1.
Margin of Victory: 0.606 second.
Time of Race: 17 minutes, 32.530 seconds (3 cautions).
Provisional Starters: Duvall, Jergens.
KSE Racing Products Hard Charger: Sobbing (started 18th, finished 4th).
Entries: 64.
Next Race: Sunday, Aug. 21, 81 Speedway, Park City, Kan.
USMTS Casey’s Cup Points: Hughes 1224, Dillard 1211, Sanders 1152, Sobbing 1152, VanderBeek 1124, J. Scott 1048, Ramirez 1010, Duvall 1005, S. Scott 971, C. Bauman 964.
Grant Junghans Rookie of the Year Points: C. Bauman 1464, B. Bauman 1458, J. Big Eagle 1340, Jergens 1324, Wolff 1187.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Mullins 374, Durham 259, Sput’s 258, ASI 257, GMPP 237.
Manufacturers Championship Points: Hughes 379, MBCustoms 367, LG2 293, Harris 262, GRT 248.
Contingency Awards:
Allstar Performance – Beckham.
American Racer – Hughes.
Bell Helmets – Town.
Beyea Custom Headers – VanderBeek.
BSB Manufacturing – Thornton.
Day Motor Sports – Tillison, S. Scott.
Deatherage Opticians – Hughes.
Edelbrock – Saurer.
Eibach Springs – Wheeler.
Fast Shafts – Sanders.
FK Rod Ends – Duvall.
Forty9Designs.com – J. Scott, Hurd.
Fuel Safe – Sanders.
GRT Race Cars – Shoemaker.
Hooker Harness – Hansen.
Integra Shocks & Springs – Saurer.
Jerovetz Motorsports Shock Service – Weder.
Kevko Oil Pans & Components – Hilsabeck.
Keyser Manufacturing – Siebert.
KSE Racing Products – Sobbing.
Midwest Sheet Metal – Guinn.
MSD – Hilsabeck, Hughes.
Out-Pace Racing Products – Weder.
PBM Performance Products – Phillips.
QA1 – Wolff.
Real Racing Wheels – all non-qualifiers.
Sybesma Graphics – Ramirez.
VP Racing Fuels – Hughes.
Wehrs Machine & Racing Products – Ramirez.
Wilwood Engineering – Henigan.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: Alpinestars, American Racer Racing Tires, Argo Manufacturing, Casey’s General Stores, Chix Gear Racewear, COMP Cams, CP-Carrillo, Day Motor Sports, Deatherage Opticians, Fast Shafts, Intercomp, Jerovetz Motorsports Shock Service, Kevko Oil Pans & Components, KSE Racing Products, Leaf Racewear & Safety Equipment, Malvern Trust & Savings Bank, MSD, RacerWebsite.com, RacinDirt.com, RealTruck.com, S&S Fishing & Rental, The Joie of Seating, VP Racing Fuels.
USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: AMP Energy Drink, Arizona Sport Shirts, ASi Racewear, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Duvall Electric, ElbowsUp.com, Erson Cams, I-29 Trailer Sales, Mesilla Valley Transportation, Oreo, Production Jars, Rivers Edge Scrap Management, Snickers, Sour Patch Kids, YouDirt.com.
USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, Allstar Performance, Bell Helmets, Beyea Custom Headers, BSB Manufacturing, Driven Racing Oil, Edelbrock, Eibach Springs, FK Rod Ends, Forty9 Designs, Fuel Safe Racing Cells, Genesis Racing Shocks, GRT Race Cars, Holley Performance Products, Hooker Custom Harness, Integra Shocks & Springs, Keyser Manufacturing, Midwest Sheet Metal, Out-Pace Racing Products, PBM Performance Products, QA1 Precision Products, Quarter Master, Real Racing Wheels, Sybesma Graphics, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Wilwood Engineering.
Article Credit: Jeff Nun, USMTS