Johnny Scott flat-out shreds USMTS rivals at Rock Rapids

ROCK RAPIDS, Iowa (Aug. 30)--Just when Johnny Scott could probably cruise safely to his first USMTS national championship, the New Mexico native just continues to push it to the limit like his life depends on it.

Rather than just play it safe and collect enough points to keep his lead safe, Scott manhandled his No. 1st Rancho Milagro Racing VanderBuilt machine as hard as he could Thursday night at the Rapid Speedway and collected his 13th victory of the season.

"I felt that tire go down coming out of (turn) four for the white flag and I was like 'You gotta be kidding me,' but I guess I had a good enough lead and I just stayed on the gas and just kept going around there and we pulled it off. I didn't think we were going to," an elated Scott said in victory lane.

Enjoying a nearly eight-second lead over Rodney Sanders with one lap to go, Scott began to slow considerably after crossing underneath the white flag. By the time he reached turn three it was obvious his right rear tire was flat and chunks of rubber began to tear into his body panels as they flew off of the car.

One lapped car got back by Scott in the final corner heading to the checkered flag, but despite the right rear wheel digging into the soft clay in the final turn Scott's cushion was so massive that he was able to limp across the finish line more than two seconds ahead of Sanders.

Scott took the lead on the first lap, and with just one caution during the race he lapped everybody but those finishing in the top six. He was on the back bumper of fifth-place-finishing twin brother Stormy Scott's bumper when his tire went flat.

"It's been a stressful year," Johnny Scott added. "When you're leading the points it's never off your mind. You just got to go out there and just try to finish races. Heck, I just try not to think about. Just go out there and try to win races."

For his efforts, Johnny Scott pocketed $3,000 for the win-the 43rd of his USMTS career-and surpassed Tommy Myer's total of 42 to move into sole possession of seventh on the all-time victories list.

More importantly, Johnny Scott basically needs to make sure he keeps breathing and he'll be the 2018 USMTS national champion.

Considering he's the top eligible driver for a provisional starting spot in the final four races of the points chase, the least amount of points he can earn in each of those events is 50 while the most a driver can earn is 103 for winning the race and leading the most laps.

If he wins the final four races, leads the most laps all four and Johnny Scott finishes last in those four races, the most points that second-place Stormy Scott could gain on the leader over the next four races is 212.

He trails by 210.

Mathematically, it's not over yet. But the fat lady is warming up and the awards-makers are charging their engraving tools.

A two-time USMTS national champion, Sanders held off last year's Rapid Speedway winner Dereck Ramirez for the runner-up spot Thursday while Terry Phillips continued his late-season surge with a fourth-place finish.

The last driver on the lead lap, Josh Angst was sixth, followed by Jake O'Neil, Adam Kates, Rock Rapids racer Don Gerritsen Jr. and 17th-starting Zack VanderBeek.

There's no mathematical equations to figure out in the battle for the Grant Junghans USMTS Rookie of the Year Award. With his showing Thursday night, O'Neil has secured the 2018 top rookie honors.

One other season-ending award was clinched with Johnny Scott's victory on Thursday night. Claiming their first title with the series, Durham Racing Engines of High Point, N.C., is the USMTS Engine Builder of the Year for 2018.

FRIDAY -The USMTS Hunt for the Casey's Cup heads to the Fayette County Speedway in West Union, Iowa, on Friday for the 6th Annual USMTS War in West Union presented by KAR Auto Group.

The Iron Man Challenge featuring Holley USRA Stock Cars and Out-Pace USRA B-Mods will join the action, along with Cook Racing Supplies USRA Hobby Stocks.

The pit gate opens at 4 p.m., grandstands open at 4:30, hot laps begin at 7 and racing starts at 7:30. Spectator tickets are $20 for those ages 12 and older. Kids ages 11 and under get in free with a paid adult. Pit passes are $30.

Coupons good for $2 off adult admission available at Casey's General Stores locations in Clermont, Decorah, Fairbank, Fredericksburg, Maynard, Monona , Oelwein, Ossian, Postville, Strawberry Point, Sumner, Tripoli and West Union. To find the location nearest you, visit www.caseys.com.

Zack VanderBeek and his Oreo-sponsored USMTS Modified will be at the Casey's General Store located at 102 E. Bradford in West Union from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to meet 'n' greet fans.

The Fayette County Speedway is a semi-banked 3/8-mile clay oval located 0.9 mile south of US 18 on SR 150, then 0.1 mile east on SR 56 (Vine St.). For more information, call (563) 422-5202 or (563) 422-5286 or visit www.fayettecountyspeedway.net online.

SATURDAY - On Saturday, it's another colossal clash at the high-banked Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., for the 13th Annual USMTS Labor Day Duel.

The USMTS will share the spotlight with the Iron Man Challenge featuring Holley USRA Stock Cars and Out-Pace USRA B-Mods plus Wissota Street Stocks.

Adult general admission tickets are $20 and kids ages 12 and under get in for $5. Pit passes are $35 for adults, students (6-15) are $20 and kids 5 and under are $5.

The pit gate opens at 2 p.m. and grandstands open at 2:30. Hot laps begin at 5:30 and racing starts at 6 p.m. Slingshots will be racing at 3 p.m. on Button Buck Speedway.

Race fans can pick up coupons good for $2 off adult admission at Casey's General Stores locations in Austin, Blooming Prairie, Dodge Center, Hayfield, Mantorville, Oronoco, Preston, Rochester, Spring Valley and Stewartville plus the Cresco, Lime Springs, Osage, Riceville and St. Ansgar locations in Iowa. To find the location nearest you, visit www.caseys.com.

Corey Crapser and his No. 07 Snickers-sponsored USMTS Modified will be at the Casey's General Store located at 735 N. Broadway Ave. in Spring Valley to meet 'n' greet fans from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Deer Creek Speedway is a 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval is located 11.3 miles south of I-90 (exit 209) on US 63 or 0.7 mile north of SR 16 in Spring Valley, Minn. (25262 US Hwy 63, Spring Valley, MN 55975). For more info, call 877-327-7223 or (507) 346-2342 on race day or visit www.deercreekspeedway.com online.

SUNDAY - The stars and cars of the USMTS invade the Cresco Speedway in Cresco, Iowa, on Sunday for the 16th Annual USMTS Cresco Bowl and the next-to-last event in the USMTS Hunt for the Casey's Cup powered by Summit.

The Iron Man Challenge featuring Holley USRA Stock Cars and Out-Pace USRA B-Mods will also be in action, along with Cook Racing Supplies USRA Hobby Stocks.

The pit gate opens at 4 p.m., grandstands open for seating at 5, hot laps begin at 6 and the first race hits the track at 6:30. Grandstand admission is $20 for adults (18 and older), $10 for teens (13-17) and free for kids 12 & under.

Coupons good for $2 off adult admission available at Casey's General Stores locations in Cresco, Decorah, Fredericksburg, Lime Springs, New Hampton, Ossian and Riceville plus the Preston location in Minnesota. To find the location nearest you, visit www.caseys.com.

'Big Daddy' Joe Duvall and his No. 91 Spike Hardcore Energy-sponsored USMTS Modified will be at the Casey's General Store located at 601 2nd Ave. SW in Cresco to meet 'n' greet fans from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Event sponsors include Precision Overhead Door, South Side Bar & Grill, Harvey's Used Cars, Dean's Body Shop, Phil's Lawn Service, Bruening Recycling, Cresco Building Service and Balk Lime & Construction.

The Cresco Speedway is a semi-banked 4/10-mile clay oval 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.

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.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
United States Modified Touring Series
USMTS Hunt for the Casey's Cup powered by Summit
10th Annual Coral Lanes Rapid Rumble
Rapid Speedway, Rock Rapids, Iowa
Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018

Showing finishing position, starting position in parentheses, car number, driver, hometown, chassis/engine builder, laps completed and money won. All drivers advanced 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. (2) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas.
2. (5) 90 Steve Wetzstein, West Concord, Minn.
3. (4) 99 Josh Angst, Winona, Minn.
4. (1) 07 Cory Crapser, Chippewa Falls, Wis.
5. (6) 57 Duke Erickson, Sioux Falls, S.D.
6. (3) 2s Stormy Scott, Las Cruces, N.M.
DNS - 91 Joe Duvall, Claremore, Okla.

FAST SHAFTS HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. (1) 69 Lucas Schott, Chatfield, Minn.
2. (2) 1st Johnny Scott, Cameron, Mo.
3. (3) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
4. (6) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
5. (4) 20 Trevor Anderson (R), Watertown, S.D.
6. (5) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa.
DNS - 14 Jon Tesch, Watertown, S.D.

EDELBROCK HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. (2) 0 Jake O'Neil (R), Tucson, Ariz.
2. (4) 27 Don Gerritsen Jr., Rock Rapids, Iowa.
3. (5) 23 Adam Kates, Tonganoxie, Kan.
4. (3) 8c Chris Clark, Jackson, Wyo.
5. (6) 16b Randy Brown, Chowchilla, Calif.
6. (1) X Chris Moore, Madison, S.D.

CASEY'S GENERAL STORES "A" MAIN (40 laps):
1. (3) 1st Johnny Scott, Cameron, Mo., VanderBuilt/Durham, 40, $3450.
2. (6) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas, MBCustoms/Hatfield, 40, $2025.
3. (10) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla., Hughes/Cornett, 40, $1500.
4. (9) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo., GRT/Durham, 40, $1290.
5. (16) 2s Stormy Scott, Las Cruces, N.M., VanderBuilt/Mullins, 40, $1085.
6. (8) 99 Josh Angst, Winona, Minn., MBCustoms/Sput's, 40, $600.
7. (7) 0 Jake O'Neil (R), Tucson, Ariz., LG2/Cornett, 39, $880.
8. (1) 23 Adam Kates, Tonganoxie, Kan., LG2/Speedway, 39, $825.
9. (4) 27 Don Gerritsen Jr., Rock Rapids, Iowa, Skyrocket/HarryHeads, 39, $350.
10. (17) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa, VanderBuilt/Sput's, 39, $775.
11. (15) 20 Trevor Anderson (R), Watertown, S.D., Arrow/Victory, 39, $375.
12. (12) 8c Chris Clark, Jackson, Wyo., GRT/ChevPerf, 39, $350.
13. (13) 57 Duke Erickson, Sioux Falls, S.D., Dominator/Hansen, 38, $250.
14. (11) 07 Cory Crapser, Chippewa Falls, Wis., MBCustoms/Troy's, 33, $300.
15. (5) 90 Steve Wetzstein, West Concord, Minn., MBCustoms/Sput's, 32, $225.
16. (14) 16b Randy Brown, Chowchilla, Calif., PCD/ChevPerf, 28, $225.
17. (18) X Chris Moore, Madison, S.D., GRT/Vetter, 1, $225.
18. (2) 69 Lucas Schott, Chatfield, Minn., MBCustoms/Hill, 0, $650.
DNS - 91 Joe Duvall, Claremore, Okla., 0, $0.
DNS - 14 Jon Tesch, Watertown, S.D., 0, $0.

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

Lap Leader: J. Scott 1-40.
Total Laps Led: J. Scott 40.
Margin of Victory: 2.819 seconds.
Time of Race: 13 minutes, 41.076 seconds (1 caution).
Provisional Starters: none.
Eibach Spring Forward Award: Ramirez (advanced 9 positions).
FK Rod Ends Hard Charger: S. Scott (started 16th, finished 5th).
Entries: 20.
Next Race: Friday, Aug. 31, Fayette County Speedway, West Union, Iowa.
USMTS Hunt for the Casey's Cup Points: J. Scott 3025, S. Scott 2815, Sanders 2784, VanderBeek 2701, O'Neil 2676, Ramirez 2669, Phillips 2656, Schott 2572, Kates 2027, Duvall 1875.
Grant Junghans USMTS Rookie of the Year Points: O'Neil 2048, Lance Mari 1163, Carlos Ahumada Jr. 760, Zane Ferrell 692, Kyle Prauner 627.
USMTS Engine Builder of the Year Points: Durham 290, Mullins 240, Cornett 236, Hatfield 225, Hill 195.
USMTS Manufacturers Championship Points: VanderBuilt 341, MBCustoms 319, Hughes 247, GRT 245, LG2 228.