Scott finds sweet spot at Salina, stops Sunflower Showdown sweep by Sanders


SALINA, Kan. (June 9)--After back-to-back runner-up efforts behind back-to-back USMTS victories for Rodney Sanders the previous two nights, Johnny Scott ended the Sunflower State Showdown atop the first-place block on the podium Saturday with a $3,000 triumph at the Salina Speedway.

Starting in the second row behind polesitter Zack VanderBeek, Scott tucked in behind Dereck Ramirez and rode in third for the first 11 laps before taking the spot away and moving in on VanderBeek.

Two laps later, Scott made short work of the leader and was the leader at the completion of lap 14. He never relinquished the top spot over the final 26 orbits of the Salina, Kan., clay oval and, despite a late-race caution that bunched the field, cruised to his fifth USMTS win of the season and 35th of his career.

It also added some cushion to his points lead in the USMTS Hunt for the Casey's Cup powered by Summit, which he grabbed from Jake O'Neil after Thursday's show at the 81 Speedway. This year's USMTS national champion will earn a record $50,000 at season's end.



Behind Scott, Wichita's Tanner Mullens recorded his career-best United States Modified Touring Series main event finish with a second-place effort while Ramirez, O'Neil, Sanders and VanderBeek filled the next four spots at the checkered flag.

Lucas Schott came from 17th to finish seventh while Terry Phillips finished eighth after rolling off 19th on the grid-good enough to snag both the FK Rod Ends Hard Charger Award and Eibach Spring Forward honors. Cade Dillard and Adam Kates completed the top 10.

Next weekend, the time has finally arrived for the Modified Masters and the second crown jewel event of the USMTS campaign. The event takes place Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 14-16, at the Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis., and will pay a whopping $40,000 to the main event winner on Saturday. Ryan Gustin is the defending Masters champion. Check out www.cedarlakespeedway.com for more details.

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. Keep up to speed with everything USMTS by joining our email list at www.usmts.com/subscribe.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

OFFICIAL RESULTS
United States Modified Touring Series
Summit USMTS Southern Series powered by Production Jars
USMTS Hunt for the Casey's Cup powered by Summit
Sunflower State Showdown - Round 3 of 3
Salina Speedway, Salina, Kan.
Saturday, June 9, 2018

Showing finishing position, starting position in parentheses, car number, driver, hometown, chassis/engine builder, laps completed and money won. The top 12 in heat race passing points advance to the Casey's General Stores "A" Main with the top 8 redrawing for the first 8 starting spots.

SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):
1. (3) 97 Cade Dillard, Robeline, La.
2. (9) 1st Johnny Scott, Cameron, Mo.
3. (8) 2s Stormy Scott, Las Cruces, N.M.
4. (5) 3j Jake Nightingale, Hutchinson, Kan.
5. (4) 5k Kyle Prauner (R), Norfolk, Neb.
6. (2) 52c Alex Cammon, Wichita, Kan.
7. (7) 25c Johnny Cammon, Wichita, Kan.
8. (6) 1m Cody Gearhart (R), Turpin, Okla.
9. (1) 54 Tim Clark, Great Bend, Kan.

FAST SHAFTS HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. (2) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa.
2. (3) 0 Jake O'Neil (R), Tucson, Ariz.
3. (1) 91 Joe Duvall, Claremore, Okla.
4. (8) 02 Tanner Mullens, Wichita, Kan.
5. (7) 65 Tyler Davis, Haysville, Kan.
6. (4) 747 Corey Burch, Junction City, Kan.
7. (6) 53gt Tyler Sutton, Beloit, Kan.
8. (5) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
DNS - 23 Logan Robertson, Shamrock, Texas.

EDELBROCK HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. (4) 24 Corey Lagroon, Salina, Kan.
2. (6) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
3. (1) 23 Adam Kates, Tonganoxie, Kan.
4. (2) 20 Rodney Sanders, Worthington, Minn.
5. (3) 19r Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa.
6. (5) 69 Lucas Schott, Chatfield, Minn.
7. (8) 8c Chris Clark, Jackson, Wyo.
8. (7) 20rt Ricky Thornton Jr., Chandler, Ariz.

REAL RACING WHEELS "B" MAIN (8 laps, all advance):
1. (2) 69 Lucas Schott, Chatfield, Minn.
2. (1) 747 Corey Burch, Junction City, Kan.
3. (7) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
4. (4) 25c Johnny Cammon, Wichita, Kan.
5. (6) 1m Cody Gearhart (R), Turpin, Okla.
6. (3) 8c Chris Clark, Jackson, Wyo.
7. (5) 53gt Tyler Sutton, Beloit, Kan.
8. (8) 54 Tim Clark, Great Bend, Kan.
DNS - 20rt Ricky Thornton Jr., Chandler, Ariz.
DNS - 23 Logan Robertson, Shamrock, Texas.

CASEY'S GENERAL STORES "A" MAIN (40 laps):
1. (3) 1st Johnny Scott, Cameron, Mo., VanderBuilt/Durham, 40, $3000.
2. (6) 02 Tanner Mullens, Wichita, Kan., Hughes/Mullins, 40, $1500.
3. (2) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla., Hughes/Cornett, 40, $1625.
4. (8) 0 Jake O'Neil (R), Tucson, Ariz., LG2/Cornett, 40, $1400.
5. (12) 20 Rodney Sanders, Worthington, Minn., MBCustoms/Hatfield, 40, $1195.
6. (1) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa, VanderBuilt/Sput's, 40, $700.
7. (17) 69 Lucas Schott, Chatfield, Minn., MBCustoms/Hill, 40, $985.
8. (19) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo., GRT/Durham, 40, $880.
9. (7) 97 Cade Dillard, Robeline, La., MBCustoms/Knowles, 40, $450.
10. (10) 23 Adam Kates, Tonganoxie, Kan., VanderBuilt/Speedway, 40, $475.
11. (13) 65 Tyler Davis, Haysville, Kan., Hughes/Hatfield, 40, $375.
12. (5) 2s Stormy Scott, Las Cruces, N.M., VanderBuilt/Mullins, 40, $725.
13. (20) 25c Johnny Cammon, Wichita, Kan., GRT/Mullins, 40, $275.
14. (11) 3J Jake Nightingale, Hutchinson, Kan., Mullens/Mullins, 39, $250.
15. (22) 8c Chris Clark, Jackson, Wyo., GRT/Cornett, 39, $300.
16. (14) 5k Kyle Prauner (R), Norfolk, Neb., Razor/ChevPerf, 37, $300.
17. (9) 91 Joe Duvall, Claremore, Okla., MBCustoms/ChevPerf, 33, $675.
18. (15) 19r Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa, Hughes/TriStar, 32, $300.
19. (16) 52c Alex Cammon, Wichita, Kan., Custom/Cammon, 32, $250.
20. (23) 53gt Tyler Sutton, Beloit, Kan., BillsBuilt/PerfAuto, 23, $250.
21. (21) 1m Cody Gearhart (R), Turpin, Okla., LG2/ChevPerf, 15, $300.
22. (24) 54 Tim Clark, Great Bend, Kan., BMS/Clark, 11, $250.
23. (18) 747 Corey Burch, Junction City, Kan., GRT/ChevPerf, 9, $250.
24. (4) 24 Corey Lagroon, Salina, Kan., BillsBuilt/AEM, 8, $250.
DNS - 20rt Ricky Thornton Jr., Chandler, Ariz., Jet/Mullins, 0, $90.
DNS - 23 Logan Robertson, Shamrock, Texas, MBCustoms/Knowles, 0, $0.

(R) = Grant Junghans USMTS Rookie of the Year contender

Lap Leaders: VanderBeek 1-13, J. Scott 14-40.
Total Laps Led: J. Scott 27, VanderBeek 13.
Margin of Victory: 2.318 seconds.
Time of Race: 22 minutes, 34.861 seconds ( cautions).
Provisional Starters: none.
Eibach Spring Forward Award: Phillips (advanced 12 positions).
FK Rod Ends Hard Charger: Phillips (started 19th, finished 8th).
Entries: 26.
Next Race: Thursday-Saturday, June 14-16, Cedar Lake Speedway, New Richmond, Wis.
USMTS Hunt for the Casey's Cup Points: J. Scott 1562, O'Neil 1525, Sanders 1484, VanderBeek 1449, Ramirez 1425, Schott 1421, S. Scott 1417, Phillips 1361, Duvall 1104, Robertson 1032.
Grant Junghans USMTS Rookie of the Year Points: O'Neil 1525, Carlos Ahumada Jr. 760, Zane Ferrell 692, Billy Vogel 610, Lance Mari 529.
USMTS Engine Builder of the Year Points: Durham 168, Sput's 141, Cornett 136, Hatfield 126, Mullins 123.
USMTS Manufacturers Championship Points: VanderBuilt 188, MBCustoms 184, Hughes 138, GRT 134, LG2 132.


It's Modified Masters week at Cedar Lake Speedway!


NEW RICHMOND, Wis. (June 11)--The undisputed best of the best in the world of dirt modified racing will converge on the Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis., this week for the 2nd Annual Modified Masters with $40,00 on the line for the driver who reaches the checkered flag first.

Similar to last year's rain-hampered event, the Masters is the largest event purse on the United States Modified Touring Series schedule. While the 2017 edition carried a $50,00 top prize, this year's overall purse for the crown jewel event is fatter from top to bottom.

Set for June 14-16, the show kicks off on Thursday with a $2,500-to-win points race in the USMTS Hunt for the Casey's Cup powered by Summit.

Friday will see each driver compete in two 12-lap heat races with starting positions and drivers mixed. Last Chance Qualifiers and main events take place Saturday, culminating with the $40,000-to-win, $2,000-to-start, 70-lap championship finale.

Points will be combined for the two heat races on Friday with the top 12 locked into Saturday's "A" Main. The next 12 in points (13th-24th) will be locked into Saturday's "B" Main, the next 12 into the "C" Main and the remainder will run in Last Chance Qualifiers on Saturday.

Drivers not advancing out of the "B" Main are guaranteed a minimum of $500 to start. Drivers not advancing out of the "C" Main will get no less than $350 with a minimum of $200 for all non-transfers in the Last Chance Qualifiers.

USRA Late Models will also run a complete show of heat races and main events on Friday and Saturday.

SATURDAY'S PAYOUT

USMTS/USRA Modified "A" Main: 1. $40,000, 2. $20,000, 3. $10,000, 4. $6000, 5. $5000, 6. $4000, 7. $3500, 8. $3250, 9. $3000, 10. $2800, 11. $2650, 12. $2500, 13. $2400, 14. $2300, 15. $2200, 16. $2100, 17. $2075, 18. $2050, 19. $2040, 20. $2030, 21. $2025, 22. $2020, 23. $2015, 24. $2010, 25. $2005, 26. $2000.

"B" Main: 1-12 transfer, 13. $1000, 14. $750, 15. $650, 16. $600, 17-26. $500.

"C" Main: 1-14 transfer, 15. $450, 16. $400, 17. $375, 18-26. $350.

Last Chance Qualifiers: 1-6 transfer, 7. $325, 8. $300, 9. $275, 10. $250, 11. $225, 12-20. $200.

USRA Late Model "A" Main: 1. $500, 2. $350, 3. $325, 4. $250, 5. $175, 6. $150, 7. $150, 8. $150, 9-19. $125, 10. $125, 11. $125, 12. $125, 13. $125, 14. $125, 15. $125, 16. $125, 17. $125, 18. $125, 19. $125, $100 minimum to start.

DRIVER ENTRIES

As of Sunday, June 10, the following drivers are on the Modified Masters entry list: Josh Angst, Austin Arneson, Casey Arneson, Chet Atkinson, Adam Ayotte, Cory Bruggeman, Dave Cain, Chris Clark, Cory Crapser, Cory Crapser, Andy Davey, A.J. Diemel, Cade Dillard, John Doelle, Brent Dutenhoffer, Joe Duvall, Keith Foss, Brady Gerdes, Troy Girolamo, Jason Gross, Owen Grube, Ryan Gustin, Jake Hartung, Adam Hensel, Adam Hensel, Jessie Hoskins, Philip Houston, Jason Hughes, Joey Jensen, Bumper Jones, Adam Kates, Randy Klein, Jason Krohn, Trevor Latham, Matt Leer, Tony Leiker, Rich Lofthus, Cory Mahder, Bobby Malchus, Lance Mari, Jimmy Mars, Mike Mashl, Jake Miller, Curt Myers, Darrell Nelson, Gene Nicholas, Paul Niznik, Chris Oertel, Jake O'Neil, Terry Phillips, Dereck Ramirez, Logan Robertson, A.J. Roschen, Rodney Sanders, Tony Schill, Lucas Schott, Johnny Scott, Stormy Scott, Marcus Simonson, Dustin Sorensen, Grant Southworth, Alex Stanford, Ricky Thornton Jr., Jake Timm, Keith Tourville, Jason VandeKamp, Zach VanderBeek, Billy Vogel, Clayton Wagamon, Brad Waits, R.C. Whitwell and Tyler Wolff.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Thursday:
2:00 p.m. Pit gate opens.
5:00 p.m. Spectator gates open.
6:30 p.m. Hot laps.
7:00 p.m. Racing.
Full program of USMTS Modifieds paying $3,000 to win.
Party in the arena following the races.

Friday:
8:30-11:00 a.m. Breakfast served.
2:00 p.m. Pit gate opens.
5:00 p.m. Spectator gates open.
6:30 p.m. Hot laps.
7:00 p.m. Dual qualifying heat races and Pole Dash for USMTS Modifieds plus complete program for USRA Late Models.
Party in the arena with a live band following the races.

Saturday:
8:30 a.m. Breakfast served in west restaurant.
12:00 p.m. Apple River tubing.
2:00 p.m. Pit gate opens.
4:00 p.m. Spectator gates open.
6:30 p.m. Hot laps.
7:00 p.m. Last-Chance Qualifiers, "C" Main, "B" Main and 70-lap, $40,000-to-win "A" Main for USMTS Modifieds plus complete program for USRA Late Models.

TICKET INFORMATION

Thursday: Adults $25, Students (6-16) $12, Kids (5 & Under) FREE, Pits $35.
Friday: Adults $30, Students (6-16) $15, Kids (5 & Under) FREE, Pits $35.
Saturday: Adults $35, Students (6-16) $17, Kids (5 & Under) FREE, Pits $45.

Reduced two- and three-day advanced tickets available by calling (612) 363-0479 if ordered at least two (2) days before the event.

LIVE BROADCAST ON RACINDIRT

If you are unable to attend, RacinDirt will have the entire production live on www.racindirt.com. This will be an explosive broadcast with a multi-camera production, a dedicated host, pre- and post-race interviews, FK Rod Ends Instant Replay, in-car audio and other video elements mixed in as time allows. Visit www.racindirt.com to order your pay-per-view package today.

THINGS TO DO BEFORE/AFTER THE RACES

Apple River Tubing: If you haven't tried what has made the Apple River famous you are missing out. Tubing down the river is an experience in itself but add nearly another thousand people and you have a party. For a small fee we provide to and from Float-Rite Park and a inner tube to enjoy the day under the sun. We will have you back to the track way before hot laps start.

Driver Autograph, Meet & Greet: Before the races come to souvenir alley and purchase an event T-shirt, your favorite driver's shirt or a die-cast and get the driver to sign it as the top drivers will be there to answer your questions, snap a couple pictures and sign your souvenirs.

Party in the Pits: Rub elbows with your favorite drivers, buy them a beer and enjoy the music in the Cedar Lake Speedway Arena both Thursday and Friday night after the races.

RULES

USMTS/USRA rules apply with the following variances: Tire permitted is American Racer KK-704 racing tire (no grooving or siping on right rear tire). Chip rule is 8,000 RPM. Five-inch spoiler permitted for all cars. Rest of USMTS/USRA spoiler rules will be in effect. All USMTS/USRA shock, spring and body rules will apply. Weight for USMTS/USRA spec engine, USMTS/USRA, Wissota and IMCA-type flat tappet steel-headed motors and Chevrolet Performance 525 crate engine (standard USMTS rules will apply) will all be 2,450 lbs. Weight for Chevrolet Performance 604 crate engine, USMTS/USRA or Wissota concept engine will be 2,400 lbs. All other engines with 23-degree heads must be 2,500 lbs. Any engine utilizing heads less than 23 degrees will be 2,550 lbs. If utilizing aluminum heads for either option, must add 25 lbs. in front of motor plate.

All cars are welcome to run this race. For rules questions, email tech@usmts.com. Draw for heat race starting spot on Friday ends 15 minutes before hot laps. RACEceivers and AMB transponders are mandatory and available for rent or purchase at USMTS trailer. See complete USMTS rules at www.usmts.com or USRA rules at www.usraracing.com.

QUALIFYING PROCEDURES

Each driver will run two heat races on Friday. Starting positions and drivers will be mixed. Each heat race will feature 12 or more starters for 12 laps, giving drivers the chance to advance as much as possible. USMTS passing points will be combined for the two heat races with the top 12 drivers in overall points locked into Saturday's "A" Main. The next 12 in points (13th-24th) will be locked into Saturday's "B" Main, the next 12 drivers (25th-36th) will be locked into Saturday's "C" Main and the remainder will run in "Last Chance" races on Saturday. Promoter reserves the right to adjust qualifying procedures due to unforeseen circumstances or weather conditions.

RAIN POLICY

If Thursday USMTS Hunt for the Casey's Cup event rains out, Thursday's event is cancelled and refunds will be issued. If Friday rains out, we will run it at 1 p.m. on Saturday followed by the regular Saturday show at 6 p.m. with the "B" Main and "C" Main purse remaining exactly the same while the "A" Main finishing positions will be 80% of the published amounts. If Saturday rains out, we will run on Sunday with the "B" Main and "C" Main purse remaining exactly the same while the "A" Main finishing positions will be 80% of the published amounts. If both Friday and Saturday rain out, we will either issue refunds or reschedule the event for late September.

The Cedar Lake Speedway is a high-banked 3/8-mile clay oval located 1.0 mile east of SR 35 on SR 64, then 4.2 miles north on CR C to CR CC, then left 1.8 miles. For more information, call (612) 363-0479 or (715) 248-7119 or check out www.cedarlakespeedway.com online.

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. Keep up to speed with everything USMTS by joining our email list at www.usmts.com/subscribe.

USMTS entry list as of June 10 for the Modified Masters at the Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis., Thursday-Saturday, June 14-16, 2018:

1. 99 Josh Angst, Winona, Minn.
2. 10 Austin Arneson, Fargo, N.D.
3. 2 Casey Arneson, Fargo, N.D.
4. 3c Chet Atkinson, Hugo, Minn.
5. 04jr Adam Ayotte, St. Paul, Minn.
6. 4b Cory Bruggeman, Mahtomedi, Minn.
7. 8c Chris Clark, Jackson Hole, Wyo.
8. 91 Andy Davey, Hibbing, Minn.
9. 89 A.J. Diemel, Elk Mound, Wis.
10. 97 Cade Dillard, Robeline, La.
11. 94 John Doelle, Arcadia, Wis.
12. 48 Brent Dutenhoffer, Watertown, S.D.
13. 91 Joe Duvall, Justice, Okla.
14. 2g Troy Girolamo, Williston, N.D.
15. 12 Jason Gross, Osceola, Wis.
16. 19r Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa
17. 05 Jake Hartung, Elmwood, Wis.
18. 71 Jessie Hoskins, Longdale, Okla.
19. 12 Jason Hughes, Salina, Okla.
20. V2 Joey Jensen, Harris, Minn.
21. 23 Adam Kates, Tonganoxie, Kan.
22. 88xxx Randy Klein, Lisbon, N.D.
23. 27L Trevor Latham, Rogers, Ark.
24. 30 Matt Leer, Bruce, Wis.
25. 11x Rich Lofthus, Bloomer, Wis.
26. 55 Cory Mahder, Eau Claire, Wis.
27. 19sb Lance Mari, El Centro, Calif.
28. 28 Jimmy Mars, Elk Mound, Wis.
29. 1m Curt Myers, Cameron, Wis.
30. 44 Darrell Nelson, Hermantown, Minn.
31. 42 Paul Niznik, Medford, Wis.
32. 51 Chris Oertel, Marshfield, Wis.
33. 0 Jake O'Neil, Tucson, Ariz.
34. 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
35. 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
36. 23 Logan Robertson, Shamrock, Texas
37. 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas
38. 8s Tony Schill, Oakdale, Minn.
39. 69 Lucas Schott, Chatfield, Minn.
40. 1st Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, N.M.
41. 2s Stormy Scott, Las Cruces, N.M.
42. 19 Dustin Sorensen, Rochester, Minn.
43. 35 Grant Southworth, Bloomer, Wis.
44. 98 Alex Stanford, Chowchilla, Calif.
45. 20rt Ricky Thornton Jr., Chandler, Ariz.
46. 49 Jake Timm, Winona, Minn.
47. 111jr Keith Tourville, Webster, Wis.
48. 16 Jason VandeKamp, Scandia, Minn.
49. 33z Zach VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa
50. 14w Clayton Wagamon, Ramsey, Minn.
51. 71t R.C. Whitwell, Saurita, Ariz.
52. 2c Dave Cain, Corcoran, Minn.
53. 07 Cory Crapser, Chippewa Falls, Wis.
54. 95 Keith Foss, Winona, Minn.
55. 2x Brady Gerdes, Villard, Minn.
56. 00 Owen Grube, Cambridge, Minn.
57. 44h Adam Hensel, Baldwin, Wis.
58. 71 Philip Houston, Odessa, Texas
59. 111 Bumper Jones, Mesilla Park, N.M.
60. 7k Jason Krohn, Slayton, Minn.
61. 29 Tony Leiker, Gillette, Wyo.
62. 4m Bobby Malchus, Red Oak, Texas
63. 05 Mike Mashl, DePere, Wis.
64. 65 Jake Miller, Somerset, Wis.
65. 11n Gene Nicholas, Lowell, Ark.
66. 4v Billy Vogel, West Fargo, N.D.
67. 24 Brad Waits, Rochester, Minn.
68. 4w Tyler Wolff, Fayetteville, Ark.
69. 07 Cory Crapser, Chippewa Falls, Wis.
70. 48 Marcus Simonson, Milltown, Wis.
71. 44 Adam Hensel, Baldwin, Wis.
72. 7 A.J. Roschen, Somerset, Wis.