Road to USMTS national championship winds through Southern Minnesota, Northern Iowa over Labor Day Weekend

FAIRMONT, Minn. (Aug. 30) -- Just five races remain to determine the 2016 USMTS national champion, and four of those happen this Labor Day Weekend, Thursday-Sunday, Sept. 1-4.

The Hunt for the USMTS Casey's Cup powered by S&S Fishing & Rental resumes Thursday at the Fairmont Raceway in Fairmont, Minn., with a power-packed tripleheader that also brings the Iron Man Series featuring Holley USRA Stock Cars and Out-Pace USRA B-Mods to the 50-year-old Martin County Fairgrounds half-mile of dirt.

Past winners at Fairmont include Mark Noble, Kelly Shryock, Ryan Gustin, Jason Hughes, Ryan Gustin, Ryan Ruter, Johnny Scott, Rodney Sanders and, most recently, Jason Krohn.

Gates open at 5 p.m. for the 9th Annual KEVKO Summer Spectacular presented by State Bank of Fairmont and Bill & Sandy Johnson with hot laps at 7 and racing at 7:30. Adult tickets are $20, kids ages 11-16 are $10 and children 10 and under get in for free. Pit passes are $35. Race fans can find commemorative coupons good for $2 off adult tickets at Casey's General Stores locations in Fairmont, Sherburn, Trimont, Truman, Welcome and Winnebago, as well as Armstrong, Iowa.

Cody Bauman and his Sour Patch Kids USMTS Modified will be on hand for a meet 'n' greet with fans at the Casey's General Store located at 202 E. Blue Earth in Fairmont (about 2 miles from the track) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday. To find the Casey's General Store nearest you, visit www.caseys.com.

The Fairmont Raceway is a high-banked half-mile dirt oval located at 1300 N Bixby Rd, Fairmont, MN 56031. Drive 1.0 mile south of I-90 (exit 99) on CR 39 (at the Martin County Fairgrounds). For more information, call (507) 382-4531 or visit www.fairmontraceway.com online.


Cody Bauman (6) and Brock Bauman (4) will be looking to taste victory for the first time this weekend.

Friday, Sept. 2, finds the USMTS touring titans at the Chateau Raceway in Lansing, Minn., with Out-Pace USRA B-Mods, Midwest Mods and Street Stocks completing the four-division card.

Earlier this summer, Lucas Schott picked up his second career USMTS victory when leader Zack VanderBeek blew a right rear tire with two laps to go.

Former track champion Brandon Davis is a three-time winner in USMTS competition here while Jason Hughes, Tommy Myer and Jon Tesch have each won twice. Other past winners include Kelly Shryock, Ryan Gustin, Rodney Sanders, Joey Jensen, Mike Sorensen, Jason Krohn, Tim Donlinger, Doug Hillson and Mike Chasteen, who captured the first event here on June 28, 2001.

Gates open at 5 p.m. and hot laps begin at 6:30 with racing to follow. General admission spectator tickets are $18 and kids ages 12 and under get in for free. Pit passes are $35. Race fans can find commemorative coupons good for $2 off adult tickets at Casey's General Stores locations in Austin and Blooming Prairie.

Mike Jergens and his Snickers USMTS Modified will be on hand for a meet 'n' greet with fans at the Casey's General Store located at 1702 12th St. SW in Austin (about 8 miles from the track) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday. To find the Casey's General Store nearest you, visit www.caseys.com.

The Chateau Raceway is located 5.0 miles north of Austin on US 218 to the Lansing Exit, then 1.3 miles east on CR 2, then 0.4 mile south on CR 25, then 0.3 mile east. For more information, call (507) 272-8906 or (507) 440-3680 and visit www.chateauraceway.net online.

On Saturday, Sept. 3, the Hunt for the USMTS Casey's Cup invades the Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., for the 11th Annual Barclay Landscaping Labor Day Dual.

This will be the 93rd feature race held at the popular high-banked 3/8-mile clay oval since Kelly Shryock won the first-ever race on May 25, 2002, this is the series' first visit of the 2016 campaign.

Defending USMTS national champion Jason Hughes swept last year's Featherlite Fall Jamboree and has won four of last five contests with a series-best 14 career victories at 'The Creek.' Rain won the last attempt to race here in July.

Kelly Shryock is second on the all-time list with 10 wins here while Rodney Sanders has collected seven checkered flags. Tim Donlinger and Terry Phillips have five wins each; Ryan Gustin, Jason Cummins and Brad Waits have four apiece; and Zack VanderBeek, Joey Jensen and Brandon Davis have each won three times.

Two-time winners include Corey Dripps, Jason Krohn, Ryan Ruter and Stormy Scott. Drivers who have visited Widow Wax Victory Lane at the Deer Creek Speedway once include Mark Noble, Steve Wetzstein, Darin Walker, Tony Fraise, Dan Daniels, Chad Kinder, Mark Burgtorf, Brad McEwan, Randy Timms, Dean Mahlstedt, Tommy Myer, Mike Sorensen, Mike Spaulding, Dan Chapman, Les Duellman, Mike Hejna, Steve Arpin, Jon Tesch, Jordan Grabouski, Jeremy Payne, Craig Thatcher and Lucas Schott.

Gates open at 3:30 p.m. for Saturday's blockbuster with hot laps at 5:30 racing at 6. The Iron Man Series featuring Holley USRA Stock Cars and Out-Pace USRA B-Mods will also be on the card, along with Wissota Street Stocks and Midwest Mods.

General admission spectator tickets are $20 and kids ages 12 and under get in for $5. Pit passes are $35. Race fans can find commemorative coupons good for $2 off adult tickets at Casey's General Stores locations in Lime Springs, Preston, Rochester and Stewartville.

Brock Bauman and his Sour Patch Kids USMTS Modified will be on hand for a meet 'n' greet with fans at the Casey's General Store located at 605 S. Main St. in Stewartville (about 9 miles from the track) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. To find the Casey's General Store nearest you, visit www.caseys.com.

The Deer Creek Speedway is located of off I-90 at exit 209, then 11.3 miles south on US 63 (0.7 mile north of SR 16). For more information, call toll-free 877-327-7223 and check out www.deercreekspeedway.com online.


Jason Hughes is the points leader and looking to repeat as the USMTS national champion.

The four-night Labor Day Weekend swing wraps up on Sunday, Sept. 4, at the Mighty Howard County Fairgrounds in Cresco, Iowa, for the 13th Annual USMTS Cresco and the next-to-last event in the Hunt for the USMTS Casey's Cup powered by S&S Fishing & Rental.

This will be the 21st time the USMTS has churned the Cresco Speedway clay. Mike Spaulding won the first-ever race here in 2002 and Rodney Sanders was the most recent winner during last year's Hunt for the Casey's Cup. In between, the checkered flag has waved for Kelly Shryock nine times and twice for Jason Krohn and Al Hejna. One-time winners include Alan Mondus, Zack VanderBeek, Corey Dripps and Jason Hughes.

The Iron Man Series featuring Holley USRA Stock Cars and Out-Pace USRA B-Mods will once again be a part of the program, along with USRA Hobby Stocks. Hot laps begin at 6 p.m. with racing at 6:30.

Tickets are $17 for adults 18 years old and up, $10 for youth ages 13-17 and admission is free for children 12 years of age and under. Pit passes are $30 per person. Fans can get coupons good for $2 off adult general admission at Casey's General Stores locations in Cresco, Decorah, Lime Springs, New Hampton, Ossian and Waukon.

Joe Duvall and his AMP Energy USMTS Modified will be on hand for a meet 'n' greet with fans at the Casey's General Store located at 601 2nd Ave. SW in Cresco (just a few blocks from the track) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. To find the Casey's General Store nearest you, visit www.caseys.com.

The Cresco Speedway is located 2 blocks north of SR 9 on SW 7th. Race day info is available by calling (563) 547-3400 or at www.mhcfair.com.

Jason Hughes won three regional titles this season and has led the points through all but one night during the Hunt for the Casey's Cup, but a tight race exists among the top four drivers.

HUNT FOR THE USMTS CASEY'S CUP POWERED BY S&S FISHING & RENTAL
Points standings through Aug. 30, 2016
1. 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla. ... 1661 (2 wins)
2. 97 Cade Dillard, Robeline, La. ... 1629 (4 wins)
3. 99 Jesse Sobbing, Malvern, Iowa ... 1598
4. 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas ... 1591 (2 wins)
5. 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa ... 1541 (2 wins)
6. 1st Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, N.M. ... 1433
7. 91 Joe Duvall, Claremore, Okla. ... 1357
8. 2s Stormy Scott, Arroyo Hondo, N.M. ... 1317
9. 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla. ... 1308
10. 6 Brock Bauman (R), Eureka, Ill. ... 1267
11. 37 Mike Jergens (R), Plover, Iowa ... 1251
12. 4 Cody Bauman (R), Eureka, Ill. ... 1236
13. 81 Mike Densberger (R), Lincoln, Neb. ... 1227
14. 22d Daniel Hilsabeck, Adel, Iowa ... 1218
15. 00 Masen Big Eagle, Manor, Sask., Canada ... 1168
16. 99 Jett Big Eagle (R), Manor, Sask., Canada ... 1157
17. 12d Scott Drake, Joplin, Mo. ... 1104
18. 21t Lance Town, Louisburg, Kan. ... 994
19. 19r Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa ... 907 (1 win)
20. 21 Jacob Bleess (R), Chatfield, Iowa ... 820
Other winner:
75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo. (1 win)

When the checkered flag drops on opening night of the Featherlite Fall Jamboree on Thursday, Sept. 22, at the Deer Creek Speedway, the USMTS will crown it's 18th national champion.

2016 Hunt for the Casey's Cup Schedule:
Thursday, Aug. 4, Valley Speedway, Grain Valley, Mo. (winner: Rodney Sanders)
Friday, Aug. 5, Humboldt Speedway, Humboldt, Kan. (winner: Terry Phillips)
Saturday, Aug. 6, Lucas Oil Speedway, Wheatland, Mo. (winner: Zack VanderBeek)
Sunday, Aug. 7, Monett Speedway, Monett, Mo. (rained out)
Wednesday, Aug. 10, Amsoil Speedway, Superior, Wis. (rained out)
Thursday, Aug. 11, Red Cedar Speedway, Menomonie, Wis. (rained out)
Friday, Aug. 12, Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, Wis. (rained out)
Saturday, Aug. 13, Ogilvie Raceway, Ogilvie, Minn. (winner: Jason Hughes)
Sunday, Aug. 14, Mason City Motor Speedway, Mason City, Iowa (winner: Cade Dillard)
Thursday, Aug. 18, Adams County Speedway, Corning, Iowa (winner: Cade Dillard)
Friday, Aug. 19 - Lakeside Speedway, Kansas City, Kan. (rained out)
Saturday, Aug. 20, Salina Highbanks Speedway, Pryor Creek, Okla. (winner: Jason Hughes)
Sunday, Aug. 21, 81 Speedway, Park City, Kan. (winner: Ryan Gustin)
Thursday, Aug. 25, Hamilton County Speedway, Webster City, Iowa (winner: Cade Dillard)
Friday, Aug. 26, Rapid Speedway, Rock Rapids, Iowa (winner: Cade Dillard)
Saturday, Aug. 27, Park Jefferson Speedway - Jefferson, S.D. (winner: Rodney Sanders)
Sunday, Aug. 28, Casino Speedway, Watertown, S.D. (winner: Zack VanderBeek)
Thursday, Sept. 1, Fairmont Raceway, Fairmont, Minn. ($3,000 to win)
Friday, Sept. 2, Chateau Raceway, Lansing, Minn. ($3,000 to win)
Saturday, Sept. 3, Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, Minn. ($3,000 to win)
Sunday, Sept. 4, Cresco Speedway, Cresco, Iowa ($3,000 to win)
Thursday, Sept. 22, Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, Minn. ($5,000 to win)

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.

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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.

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Contact Info:
Jeff Nun
Communications Director
United States Modified Touring Series, Inc. (USMTS)
1715 W. 2nd St., P.O. Box 905
Webster City, IA 50595
Tel: 515-297-3835
Email: jeff@usmts.com
Web: www.usmts.com