Ramirez reigns in USMTS debut at Stuart


STUART, Iowa (June 16)--It would be a crime against dirt track racing humanity if another 21 years go by without the Summit USMTS National Championship fueled by Casey's competing at the Stuart International Speedway.

Now in its 22nd season, Tuesday's inaugural Smackdown in Stuart was the first visit by the USMTS touring titans to Mike Van Genderen's ultra-competitive short track. With fierce, nail-biting action everywhere on the track during the main event, the fans--a lot of them--were the big winners.

Them, and Dereck Ramirez who claimed his first USMTS victory of the season and ninth of his storied career which moved him into the top 20 on the all-time wins list tied with Lucas Schott and Brad Waits--one tally behind Mike Chasteen.

It wasn't easy for Ramirez, but the 33-year-old from Woodward, Okla., was up to the task, leading the final 17 circuits in the Ramirez also pocketed an additional two bonus points for leading the most lap in the Casey's "A" Main.

Three nights after coming up two spots short of sweeping the 21st Annual Masters at the Cedar Lake Speedway in Wisconsin, Sanders was unable to take advantage of his Sybesma Graphics Pole Award and saw Grant Junghans Rookie of the Year points leader Calvin Iverson lead the first lap.

Iverson and Sanders swapped a couple of slide-jobs during the first two laps before settling in nose to tail around the high side of the Stuart high banks. As it would several times during the race, lapped traffic slowed Iverson briefly--enough for Sanders to squirt past on lap 9.

On the same lap, Jason Hughes also got by Iverson but the two made contact with Hughes spinning but Iverson getting the blame and restarting at the rear of the field following the race's first of two cautions.

Back under green, Hughes chased Sanders around the 1/4-mile bullring as they danced dangerously close to the outer concrete wall. Following the last yellow flag on lap 12, Tanner Mullens made his way past Hughes on lap 13 and began threatening Sanders for the lead.

Maneuvering in and out of lapped traffic, Mullens was able to sneak by Sanders as they completed the 23rd lap. Seven laps later, Sanders careened off of a back-marker that was trying to knock down the wall in turn two.

Ramirez laid claim to second place and then used the uncharted middle of the racing surface to race by Mullens in front of the flagstand as they eclipsed the 34th orbit.

Mullens never lost sight of Ramirez but save for a momentary peek to the outside of a lapped car that Ramirez quickly had second thoughts about, the two remained that way to the finish line with Ramirez nabbing the $2,500 top prize and Mullens settling for the runner-up paycheck.

Kyle Brown, who started 12th on the 24-car grid, recorded a career-best third-place finish with four-time USMTS national champ Hughes and three-time USMTS national champ Sanders behind him in fourth and fifth.

Zack VanderBeek, Jacob Bleess, Hunter Marriott, 24th-starting Cayden Carter and Adam Kates rounded out the top ten finishers.

Just getting started: The five-day celebration of freedom, fun and fast cars throughout the Hawkeye State continues Wednesday at the Cedar County Raceway in Tipton. Headlined by the fire-breathing USMTS Modified, the Christie Door Company Iron Man Challenge featuring USRA Stock Cars and B-Mods is also on tap.

USMTS Modifieds are racing for $2,500 to win, USRA Stock Cars shooting for a $600 top prize and the USRA B-Mod main event winner getting $500. The top three local racers in each class will earn bonuses of $100, $75 and $50, respectively, on top of the already stellar payouts.

A few hours of sleep and the rugged road warriors are on to the Mason City Motor Speedway on Thursday, June 18, for Mayhem! in Mason City featuring the Summit USMTS National Championship fueled by Casey's ($2,500 to win) and Christie Door Company Iron Man Challenge featuring USRA Stock Cars ($600 to win) and USRA B-Mods ($500 to win).

Mensink Racing Products USRA Hobby Stocks and USRA Tuners complete the five-division program at the newly-configured high-banked 1/3-mile at the North Iowa Fairgrounds. Check out MasonCityMotorSpeedway.com to learn more.

Friday finds the USMTS Modifieds returning to the Rapid Speedway in Rock Rapids for the 12th Annual USMTS Rapid Rumble presented by American Racer. "Rocky" was the site of one of the most thrilling shows in 2019 when both Rodney Sanders and Ryan Gustin spun while racing for the lead. That opened for door for Terry Phillips to sneak in, take the money and run. The $3,000-to-win USMTS penultimate show will see USRA Stock Cars, USRA B-Mods and USRA Hobby Stocks also in action along with Sportsmans. Race time is 7:30 p.m. More information can be found at RockRapidsSpeedway.com.

The fifth round of action during 2020 Iowa Speedweek happens at the Hamilton County Speedway in Webster City for the 14th Annual USMTS Webster City Wrangle presented by D&B Agro-Systems with the USMTS touring titans again sparring over a $3,000 top prize. Also on the card are USRA Stock Cars, USRA B-Mods and USRA Hobby Stocks with race time 7:30. Get more information such as driving directions and news at HamiltonCoSpeedway.com.

All five nights will award national points nights for the Summit USMTS National Championship fueled by Casey's, and Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series in the USRA-sanctioned divisions.

Currently, the 2020 schedule for the Summit USMTS National Championship fueled by Casey's is highlighted by 42 nights of racing at 27 unique dirt ovals for the 22nd season of competition for the world's Best of the Best in dirt modified racing.

To connect with the USMTS check out USMTS.com, like us on Facebook, follow on Twitter, check us out on Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Keep up to speed by joining our email list

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
United States Modified Touring Series
Summit USMTS National Championship fueled by Casey's
Inaugural USMTS Smackdown in Stuart
Stuart International Speedway, Stuart, Iowa
Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Showing finishing position, starting position in parentheses, car number, driver, hometown, chassis/engine builder, and laps completed. All racers advance to the Casey's "A" Main with the top 8 in heat race passing points redrawing for starting positions 1-8.

SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):
1. (2) 21 Jacob Bleess, Chatfield, Minn.
2. (4) 65 Tyler Davis (R), Haysville, Kan.
3. (7) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas
4. (3) 21K Kyle Brown, Madrid, Iowa
5. (6) 55 Nathan Hagar (R), Adair, Okla.
6. (1) 37 Randy Foote, Stanton, Iowa
7. (5) 23JR Nick Roberts (R), Des Moines, Iowa
DNS - 3F Cole Ferguson, Dexter, Iowa

FAST SHAFTS HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. (4) 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla.
2. (3) 33Z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa
3. (6) 02 Tanner Mullens (R), Wichita, Kan.
4. (1) 23 Adam Kates, Tonganoxie, Kan.
5. (7) 29 Dennis Elliott, Mt. Ayr, Iowa
6. (2) 20JR Chase Rudolf (R), Norwalk, Iowa
7. (5) 83G Josh Gilman (R), Earlham, Iowa
DNS -- 91 Joe Duvall, Claremore, Okla.

EDELBROCK HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. (3) 4R Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
2. (4) 27X Calvin Iverson (R), Eleva, Wis.
3. (1) 6 Casey Skyberg (R), Rapid City, S.D.
4. (7) 62 Hunter Marriott, Brookfield, Mo.
5. (2) 02J John Davis (R), Altoona, Iowa
6. (6) 17 Cory Sauerman (R), Johnston, Iowa
7. (5) 1BC Tony Cox (R), Boone, Iowa
8. (8) 10C Cayden Carter (R), Oskaloosa, Iowa

CASEY'S "A" MAIN (50 laps):
1. (6) 4R Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla., Hughes/Cornett, 50.
2. (3) 02 Tanner Mullens (R), Wichita, Kan., Mullens/Mullens, 50.
3. (12) 21K Kyle Brown, Madrid, Iowa, Harris/Tesar, 50.
4. (4) 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 50.
5. (5) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas, MBCustoms/Hatfield, 50.
6. (2) 33Z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa, VanderBuilt/Stoen, 50.
7. (8) 21 Jacob Bleess, Chatfield, Minn., VanderBuilt/KSE, 50.
8. (9) 62 Hunter Marriott, Brookfield, Mo., Rage/KSE, 50.
9. (24) 10C Cayden Carter (R), Oskaloosa, Iowa, VanderBuilt/, 50.
10. (13) 23 Adam Kates, Tonganoxie, Kan., Jet/Speedway, 50.
11. (11) 29 Dennis Elliott, Mt. Ayr, Iowa, GRT/Elliott, 50.
12. (7) 65 Tyler Davis (R), Haysville, Kan., Hughes/Mullins, 50.
13. (17) 20JR Chase Rudolf (R), Norwalk, Iowa, Rage/KSE, 50.
14. (16) 37 Randy Foote, Stanton, Iowa, Jet/ChevPerf, 50.
15. (18) 17 Cory Sauerman (R), Johnston, Iowa, Rage/ChevPerf, 50.
16. (21) 1BC Tony Cox (R), Boone, Iowa, Rage/ChevPerf, 49.
17. (23) 91 Joe Duvall, Claremore, Okla., MBCustoms/Stoen, 49.
18. (15) 02J John Davis (R), Altoona, Iowa, /Midstate, 49.
19. (1) 27X Calvin Iverson (R), Eleva, Wis., MBCustoms/Tim's, 49.
20. (14) 55 Nathan Hagar (R), Adair, Okla., GRT/ChevPerf, 49.
21. (20) 83G Josh Gilman (R), Earlham, Iowa, Harris/Hauf, 38.
22. (22) 3F Cole Ferguson, Dexter, Iowa, DirtHustler/King, 24.
23. (19) 23JR Nick Roberts (R), Des Moines, Iowa, Harris/, 19.
24. (10) 6 Casey Skyberg (R), Rapid City, S.D., Lethal/Mullins, 12.

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

Lap Leaders: Iverson 1-8, Sanders 9-24, Mullens 25-33, 34-50.
Total Laps Led: Ramirez 17, Sanders 16, Mullens 9, Iverson 8.
Margin of Victory: 0.618 second.
Time of Race: 18 minutes, 50.366 seconds (2 cautions).
Provisional Starters: none.
Eibach Spring Forward Award: Carter (advanced 15 positions).
FK Rod Ends Hard Charger: Carter (started 24th, finished 9th).
Entries: 24.
Next Race: Wednesday, June 17, Cedar County Raceway, Tipton, Iowa.
Summit USMTS National Championship fueled by Casey's Points: Sanders 1250, Ramirez 1192, Hughes 1106, VanderBeek 1023, Iverson 981, Marriott 967, T. Davis 952, Terry Phillips 873, Skyberg 824, Bleess 817.
Grant Junghans USMTS Rookie of the Year Points: Iverson 981, T. Davis 952, Skyberg 774, Hagar 594, Mullens 464.
Jobbers Warehouse Supply USMTS Manufacturers Championship Points: MBCustoms 122, Hughes 119, VanderBuilt 83, GRT 75, Rage 67.
Compstar/JE Pistons USMTS Engine Builder of the Year Points: Hatfield 103, Cornett 99, Mullins 82, Stoen 78, KSE 69.

Contingency Awards:
American Racer - Hagar.
Beyea Custom Headers - Hughes.
BigDeal Car Care - Brown, Ramirez.
Bryke Racing - Sauerman.
BSB Manufacturing - Gilman.
Champ Pans - Sanders.
Deatherage Opticians - T. Davis.
Edelbrock - Ramirez.
Eibach - Carter.
Fast Shafts - Hughes.
FK Rod Ends - Carter.
Forty9 Designs - Foote, Iverson.
Hooker Harness - Elliott.
Integra Racing Shocks & Springs - J. Davis.
Jerovetz Motorsports Racing Parts - Duvall.
K1 RaceGear by Ryan Bowers Motorsports - Ferguson.
Keyser Manufacturing - Kates.
KSE Racing Products - Carter.
Maxima Racing Oils - Ramirez.
Mesilla Valley Transportation - Hagar.
Penske Racing Shocks - Elliott.
PEM Racing Gears & Drivetrain - Carter.
QA1 - Mullens.
RacerWebsite.com - Carter.
Simpson Performance Products - Bleess.
Spyder High Performance Filters - VanderBeek.
Summit Racing Equipment - Elliott, Brown, Carter.
Super Clean - Ramirez.
Swift Springs - Ramirez, Brown.
Sybesma Graphics - Sanders.
Tire Demon - Skyberg.
VP Racing Fuels - Ramirez.
Wehrs Machine & Racing Products - Roberts.
Wilwood Disc Brakes - Bleess.

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USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Racer Racing Tires, Casey's, Chevrolet Performance, Compstar Performance Engine Components by Callies, CP-Carrillo, Dirt Draft, Eibach, Fast Shafts, FK Rod Ends, Intercomp, Jerovetz Motorsports Racing Parts, K1 RaceGear by Ryan Bowers Motorsports, KS Engineering, KSE Racing Products, Malvern Bank, Mesilla Valley Transportation, MSD Performance, MTN DEW Zero Sugar, MyRacePass, Nitroquest Media, PEM Racing Gears & Drivetrain, RacinDirt.com, Snickers, Summit Racing Equipment, Super Clean, VP Racing Fuels, Wrisco Industries.

USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: Boubin Tire & Automotive, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Duvall Electric, Eagle Moon Farm, JE Pistons, Miller Welders, PBM Performance Products, Rancho Milagro Racing, Rivers Edge Scrap Management, Tony Moro Powder Coat, Top of the World Ranch, YouDirt.com.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, Allstar Performance, Beyea Headers, BigDeal Car Care, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Bryke Racing, BSB Manufacturing, Champ Pans, Deatherage Opticians, Edelbrock, Forty9 Designs, Genesis Racing Shocks, Hooker Harness, Integra Racing Shocks and Springs, Keyser Manufacturing, Maxima Racing Oils, Penske Racing Shocks, QA1, RacerWebsite.com, Real Racing Wheels, Simpson Performance Products, Swift Springs, Sybesma Graphics, Tire Demon, Wehrs Machine & Race Products, Wilwood Racing.