SHRYOCK BACK ON TOP WITH VICTORY AT DODGE COUNTY SPEEDWAY By Jeff Nun
KASSON, Minn. Sep 03, 2008 - Thirty days after his last win, Kelly Shryock returned to the O'Reilly USMTS winner's circle Sunday night with a dominating performance at the Dodge County Speedway in Kasson, Minn. for the 7th Annual Kasson Klash.
It could not have come at a better time for the eight-time O'Reilly USMTS National Champion.
His series-leading 10th win of the year was worth $2,000, but it was his first in the Casey's General Stores Hunt for the O'Reilly USMTS National Championship and first since taking the checkers at the Bloomfield (Iowa) Speedway on Aug. 1. Besides ending a 15-race drought, Sunday's victory put Shryock back atop the points standings in 'The Hunt' with 10 races in the books and five to go.
Tommy Weder Jr. finished second in the 40-lapper, with Jay Ihrke coming home third. Tommy Myer raced from 14th on the 24-car starting grid to finish fourth and earned the KSE Racing Products Hard Charger Award. Jon Tesch bounced back from a couple of disappointing runs the previous two nights to round out the top-5 finishers at Kasson.
Sixth through 10th, respectively, were Scott Green, Tim Donlinger, Al Hejna, Brandon Kenny and Alan Mondus.
Donlinger came into Sunday's event leading Zack VanderBeek by just four points and Shryock by eight. With his fourth career win at the 1/3-mile oval, Shryock now leads Donlinger by eight (944 to 936) while VanderBeek's 11th-place finish kept dropped him to third with 915 markers.
Tesch is fourth in the rankings with 884 points, followed by Hejna (836), Dereck Ramirez (765), Weder (762), Kenny (717), Mondus (701) and Corey Dripps (678).
The rugged O'Reilly USMTS road warriors will be on hiatus for 13 days before returning to action on Saturday, Sept. 13 at the Marshalltown (Iowa) Speedway for the inaugural "Havoc on the Highbanks" event at Toby Kruse's historic 1/4-mile high-banked clay oval.
Gates will open at 4:30 p.m. with hot laps at 6:05 and the first heat race slated to take the track at 7 p.m.
A packed house is expected to be on hand for a full night of racing, which will also feature Stock Cars ($500 to win), SportMods ($300 to win), Hobby Stocks ($300 to win) and Dwarf Cars ($250 to win).
The Marshalltown Speedway is located 1.5 miles east of SR 14 on US 30 to Exit 186, then 2.0 miles north (at the Central Iowa Fairgrounds). For more information, call (515) 432-4703 or (641) 752-9676 on raceday or log on to www.marshalltownspeedway.com.
Race fans can pick up $2-off discount coupons at all four Casey's General Stores locations in Marshalltown. Mark Noble and his Miller Lite/Casey's #74 Modified will be on hand at the 1402 S. 12the Ave. location in Marshalltown from 12-2 p.m.
On Sunday, Sept. 14 the O'Reilly USMTS National Tour makes another first-time visit to the Fayette County Speedway in West Union, Iowa for another $2,000-to-win event.
Also on the racing card will be USRA Stocks Cars, USRA B-Mods and USRA Hobby Stocks racing for national points.
The 3/8-mile semi-banked clay oval is located 0.9 mile south of US 18 on SR 150, then 0.1 mile east on SR 56 (at the Fayette County Fairgrounds). For more information, call (515) 832-6000 or visit www.fayettecofair.com online.
Pits gates open at 4 p.m., hot laps are at 6 and the mud starts flying at 6:30.
Race fans can pick up $2-off discount coupons at Casey's General Stores locations in Fredericksburg, Ossian, Maynard and Sumner. Noble will once again be meeting and greeting fans at the Casey's General Store location at 200 W. Main in Ossian from 12-2 p.m.
To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, call the headquarters at (515) 832-7944 or visit www.usmts.com online for the latest news and information from the USMTS—America's Hottest Ticket on Dirt.
