Shryock gets redemption with USMTS victory at Outlaw Motor Speedway

WAINWRIGHT, Okla. -- Kelly Shryock got a shot at redemption Thursday night and wasted no time cashing in as he led wire to wire to win the 30-lap main event as the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour powered by Swan Energy invaded the Outlaw Motor Speedway for the second time in three weeks. On April 29, the nine-time USMTS National Champion bolted to the front at the drop of the green flag and led the first 27 laps of the feature, but with three laps to go Johnny Scott powered his way into the lead and went on to capture the win. Just like last time, Shryock started third in Thursday night’s 30-lap WIX Filters “A” Main and wrestled the lead away from front row starters Allen Chickering and Terry Phillips on the first lap. Before a lap could be completed, Chickering smacked the outside concrete wall which triggered a six-car pile-up that put four machines in the pits for the rest of the race. On the restart, Shryock again took command and set a torrid pace while several other drivers were charging their way into contention. The race’s fourth and final caution waved on lap 17 erased Shryock’s big advantage and left Jason Hughes and Ryan Gustin glued to his rear bumper for the restart with 13 laps to go. With 15 wins between the two of them in the first 19 events so far in 2011, it looked like Shryock might be a sitting duck. But this time, Shryock was too fast for anybody to handle and raced uncontested the rest of the way to record his second $2,000 win of the season and 166th victory of his USMTS career. Hughes hung on for the runner-up paycheck and also pocketed an additional $100 as the Mesilla Valley Transportation Hard Charger Award winner after starting 11th on the 25-car grid. Gustin came home third, Rodney Sanders was fourth and Phillips wound up fifth. Sixth through tenth, respectively, went to Scott, Randy Timms, Bryan Rowland, Jimmy Ray and Justin Rexwinkle. Jeremy Payne was the fourth driver to cross the finish line, but was later disqualified during post-race technical inspections because of an engine setback violation. The event slated for Friday, May 20, at the Brill’s Motor Speedway in Meeker, Okla., has been canceled dur to heavy rainfall in the area. Next up for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour powered by Swan Energy is a return to the Route 66 Motor Speedway in Amarillo, Texas, on Saturday, May 21, where the Day Motor Sports Southwest Region champion will be crowned and the next batch of drivers will be qualified for this year’s Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Championship powered by Swan Energy. The 17-year-old facility is a popular racing destination for drivers and fans in the Texas panhandle, with regular weekly shows often playing in front of standing-room only crowds. The racing surface at Bill Worthen’s speedplant is a generous 75 feet wide in the turns with 20 degrees of banking and 65 feet wide down the straight-aways with 5 degrees of banking. The facility has a seating for 4,000 race fans, plus handicapped parking, stadium lighting, full concessions and several luxurious V.I.P. booths. For the race teams, the pits have concrete pads available with lighting and water. Last year, Rodney Sanders of nearby Happy, Texas, emerged as the winner after a hard-fought battle with Bumper Jones. Jason Hughes and Ryan Gustin finished third and fourth in the inaugural event.