JEFFERSON, S.D. – With less than three weeks until The Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Championship begins on Aug. 12, the clock is ticking and the Countdown to The Hunt heats up this week with six of the final ten events before the quest for the 2010 crown begins.
The “modFURY.com Chaos in the Dakotas” kicks off on Tuesday, July 27, at the Park Jefferson Speedway in Jefferson, S.D., and wraps up on Saturday, July 31, with a return to the Jamestown Speedway in Jamestown, N.D.
Then on Sunday, Aug. 1, the series returns to the Nobles County Speedway in Worthington, Minn., for the sixth straight $2,000-to-win blockbuster event of the week.
Ryan Gustin, Jon Tesch, Zack VanderBeek, Mike Steensma, Dereck Ramirez, Mike Hansen, Don Gerritsen Jr., Jason Krohn, Chase Junghans, Kelly Shryock, Tommy Myer, Jim Mathieson, Grant Junghans, Josh Reisch, Ryan Engels, Steve Holzkamper, Scott Green, Chris Prussman, Scott Ward, Bumper Jones, Ryan Canon, Brandon Davis, Andrew Gordon, Jason Grimes and Jason Voigt are just a few of the names expected to compete throughout the swing.
All six shows will reward points in the Dart Great Plains Region presented by Allstar Performance. Gustin leads the standings by just 18 points (209 to 191) over Tesch. VanderBeek is third with 182 markers, followed by Steensma (168), Ramirez (159), Hansen (145), Gerritsen (126), Krohn (118), Chase Junghans (108) and Shryock (107).
TUESDAY, JULY 27 – PARK JEFFERSON SPEEDWAY
In addition to the cream-of-the-crop USMTS Modifieds, the 6th Annual All-Star Challenge historically attracts some local heavy-hitters. Former track champion Jay Noteboom garnered his career-first USMTS victory at Park Jefferson in 2005. Since then, Kelly Shryock, Jason Krohn, Jason Hughes and Jon Tesch have also won here.
Tesch is the defending champion, winning the event on his 33rd birthday on June 16, 2009.
Local drivers Bobby Moore, Matt Bonine, Jimmy Cole, Harvey Vande Weerd, Jason Schneiders, Rich Hesse, Dave Mulder, Greg Peck, Chris Mills and others are on the hot list of possible 2010 winners.
NASCAR veteran racers Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace will both be in attendance to meet and greet fans, sign autographs and strap on their helmets to battle with the Best of the Best in dirt Modified racing.
Gates open at 5 p.m., hot laps are slated for 7 and the first heat race gets the green flag at 7:30. Also on the racing card will be 360 Modifieds and Hornets.
Race fans can pick up coupons good for $2 off adult admission at any Casey’s General Stores location in Sioux City and Elk Point. For more information or to find the location nearest you, check out www.caseys.com online.
The Park Jefferson Speedway is a 4/10-mile semi-banked clay oval located off of I-29 at Exit 4, then 2 blocks east to SR 105, then 1.8 miles north. For more information, call 712-274-6324 or 605-966-5517 on race day or visit www.parkjeffersonspeedway.com online.
The Comfort Inn in North Sioux City, S.D., has been named the ‘Official Host Hotel’ for the 6th Annual All-Star Challenge. Located just five minutes from the racetrack, the Comfort Inn in North Sioux City is just minutes from all Sioux City shopping, dining, events and attractions. For more information or to book your reservation, call 605-232-3366 or visit www.comfortinn.com.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 28 – RED RIVER VALLEY SPEEDWAY
The USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour makes it’s first-ever visit to the Red River Valley Speedway in W. Fargo, N.D., on Wednesday, July 28, for another $2,000-to-win clash.
Local aces such as Blake Jegtvig, Mike Greseth, Mike Stearns, Jason Strand, Jerry Lamb, Jon Bachmeier, John Corell, Corky Thomas, Shayne Laske and Jason Thoennes are expected to take on the USMTS Modifieds in defense of their home turf.
Both Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace will also be on hand for their second straight night of racing action with the USMTS Modifieds.
Gates open at 5 p.m., hot laps are slated for 7 and the first heat race gets the green flag at 7:30. Also on the racing card will be Super Stocks and Street Stocks.
Race fans can pick up coupons good for $2 off adult admission at Casey’s General Stores locations in Dilworth, Minn., and Moorhead, Minn. For more information or to find the location nearest you, check out www.caseys.com online.
The Red River Valley Speedway is a newly-configured 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval located off of I-94 at Exit 343, then 0.7 mile east on US 10 (at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds). For more information, call 701-238-9701 or 701-282-2200 on race day. The track’s website is at www.redrivervalleyspeedway.com.
THURSDAY, JULY 29 – CASINO SPEEDWAY
Thursday, July 29, will find the mud-slinging USMTS Modified masters at the Casino Speedway in Watertown, S.D., for the 6th Annual Team Electronics Summer Slam.
The fan-friendly facility is in its 57th year of racing on the shores of beautiful Lake Kampeska.
Jon Tesch is a two-time USMTS feature winner at his home track where he was a three-time track champion (1998, 2000, 2001). Tesch captured the main event in 2006 but spun out on the first lap of the 2007 race while another Watertown racer, Scott Ward, won the feature. Tesch bounced back to win in 2008 and Al Hejna won the event last year. Tommy Myer won the inaugural event at the Casino Speedway on June 16, 2005.
Weekly talent doesn’t get any tougher than what you’ll find at the Casino Speedway. Local favorites expected to compete for the $2,000 top prize include Kent Arment, Scott Ward, Todd Stark, Ryan Engels, Scott Hansen, Joel Waba, Jordan Foster, Reed Storley, Curt Kranz, Arne Anderson and more.
Grandstands open up at 4 p.m., hot laps are set for 6:30 with racing action at 7. WISSOTA Street Stocks will also be in action and NASCAR’s Kenny Wallace will be making his third appearance of the week at the Watertown speedplant.
Race fans can pick up $2-off discount coupons on race day at all three Casey's General Stores locations in Watertown. For more information or to find the location nearest you, check out www.caseys.com online.
The Country Inn & Suites and Quality Inn & Suites in Watertown, S.D., are the Official Host Hotels for the 6th Annual Team Electronics Summer Slam. Located just ten minutes from the racetrack, both hotels are just minutes from all Watertown shopping, dining, events and attractions. Call the Country Inn & Suites at 605-886-8900 or Quality Inn & Suites at 605-886-3010 today and ask for the “USMTS Special” available for race fans.
The Casino Speedway is a 3/8-mile semi-banked clay oval located 4 miles northwest of US 212 on SR 20, then 0.7 mile south on Stokes-Thomas Lake Rd. (next to the city park). For more information call 605-881-1781 or the track hotline on race day at 605-882-2855. The track's Official Website can be found at www.casinospeedway.com.
FRIDAY, JULY 30 – BROWN COUNTY SPEEDWAY
The Brown County Speedway will be the second time in three nights that the USMTS ventures into unchartered territory as they make their debut at the Aberdeen, S.D., facility on Friday, July 30.
Mike Stearns is the track’s points leader and heads the list of local favorites to conquer Friday’s $2,000-to-win WIX Filters “A” Main. Other track regulars such as Todd Stark, Duane Zabel, Jason Grimes, Scott Bender, Kent Arment, Tracy Voightman, Corey Seckerson, Robert Schmitt and Jordan Foster are also on the expected entry list.
Grandstand gates will open at 5:30 p.m., hot laps start at 7 and the first heat race is scheduled to hit the track at 7:30. Midwest Mods and Pure Stocks will also be in action.
Race fans can pick up $2-off discount coupons on race day at the Casey's General Store location in Aberdeen. For more information or to find the location nearest you, check out www.caseys.com online.
The Brown County Speedway is a 1/3-mile high-banked clay oval located on the east edge of Aberdeen on US 12, then 1.9 miles north on CR 19 (at the Brown County Fairgrounds). For more information, call 605-725-8887 or check them out at www.bcspeedway.com on the World Wide Web.
SATURDAY, JULY 31 – JAMESTOWN SPEEDWAY
On Saturday, July 31, the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour makes its fourth stop at the Jamestown Speedway in Jamestown, N.D., but this will be the first trek to Don Gumke’s popular bullring since the 2005 season.
Nine-time and defending USMTS National Champion captured the first two events at Jamestown in 2003 and 2004, while Jason Hughes was the winner in 2005.
Grandstands open at 5 p.m., hot laps are at 6:30 and the green flag unfurls at 7 p.m. Bombers, Road Hogs and WISSOTA Midwest Mods will also be on the racing card for the fourth annual event presented by 103.1 The Raven.
For the kids, each night at the Jamestown Speedway there is the County Market candy toss with junior trophy presenters. As if that wasn’t enough, Ken Schrader will be in attendance for his third stint in five days with the USMTS Modifieds.
John Corell, Jason Grimes, Blake Jegtvig, Jerry Lamb, Corey Seckerson, Bob Sagen, Mark Trautner, Randy Tarno, John Nord and Dustin Strand are just a few of the local drivers that race fans can expect to see defending their home turf.
The Jamestown Speedway is a 1/4-mile high-banked dirt oval located 4.5 miles north of I-94 (exit 258) on US 281, then 0.8 mile east on 27th St., then south (at the Stutsman County Fairgrounds). For more information, call 605-8320-7749 or visit www.jamestownspeedway.com online. Race day info is available by calling 701-251-2897.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 1 – NOBLES COUNTY SPEEDWAY
Although the journey through the Dakotas is over, the chaos is just beginning as the tireless USMTS touring titans invade the Nobles County Speedway in Worthington, Minn., on Sunday, Aug. 1.
Kelly Shryock won the inaugural event at Worthington in 2007 while Jon Tesch snared the checkered flag in 2009. The 2008 edition was twice rained-out.
The track's tough USRA RHS Modified drivers Don Gerritsen Jr., Ron Luitjens, Mike Steensma, Justin Anderson, Josh Klay, Jim Larson, Aaron Betz, Mike Hansen, Dwaine Hanson and Jason Briese are a few of the names expected to be on hand.
Speaking of tough, the night’s racing action will also feature the hard-as-nails Dart Iron Man Challenge for USRA Stock Cars as they battle for a $2,000 top prize of their own. Many of the hottest Stock Car drivers will be on hand for this huge event at the Nobles County Speedway.
Also on the racing card will be USRA Karl Performance Parts B-Mods and USRA Hobby Stocks racing for track and national points in the American Racer USRA Weekly Racing Series, plus Outlaw Mini-Sprints.
Gates open at 4 p.m., hot laps are scheduled for 5:30 and the first heat race takes to the track at 6 p.m.
Race fans can pick up $2-off coupons for Sunday's event at both Casey's General Stores locations in Worthington. Check out www.caseys.com for more information or to find the location nearest you.
The Nobles County Speedway is a 1/4-mile semi-banked clay oval located off of I-90 at Exit 43, then 0.4 mile south on SR 59, then 0.4 mile west on Oxford St., then 0.2 mile north on McMullan (Pioneer Village). For more information, call the track hotline at (507) 360-3825 or check out www.noblescountyspeedway.net online.
DART GREAT PLAINS REGION PRESENTED BY ALLSTAR PERFORMANCE
POINTS STANDINGS AS OF JULY 26, 2010
1. 19r Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA ... 209 (2 wins)
2. 14 Jon Tesch, Watertown, SD ... 191
3. 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, IA ... 182
4. 10 Mike Steensma, Luverne, MN ... 168
5. 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, OK ... 159
6. 12h Mike Hansen, Alton, IA ... 145
7. 27 Don Gerritsen Jr., Rock Rapids, IA ... 126
8. 7k Jason Krohn, Slayton, MN ... 118
9. 18 Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS ... 108
10. 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, IA ... 107
11. 65 Tommy Myer, Blooming Prairie, MN ... 100
12. M80 Jim Mathieson, Sioux City, IA ... 97
13. 2 Grant Junghans, Manhattan, KS ... 95
14. 98 Josh Reisch, Luverne, MN ... 91
15. 13 Ryan Engels, Arlington, SD ... 90
16. 5 Steve Holzkamper, Gentry, AR ... 80
17. 25 Scott Green, Derby, KS ... 74
18. 11c Chris Prussman, Brookings, SD ... 68
19. 37 Scott Ward, Watertown, SD ... 65
20. 111 Bumper Jones, Mesilla Park, NM ... 55
21. 47 Ryan Canon, Clearwater, MN ... 45
21. 23 Brandon Davis, Castle Rock, CO ... 45
21. 21 Andrew Gordon, Murdock, MN ... 45
21. 99 Jason Grimes, Jamestown, ND ... 45
21. 31 Jason Voigt, St. Cloud, MN ... 45
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