Webster City, IA—For the second straight season four first-time national champions in the four USRA divisions have been crowned in the 2014 USRA Weekly Racing Series.

Fito Gallardo of Las Cruces, NM (USRA Modifieds), Justin Lasiter of Alamogordo, NM (USRA Stock Cars), Chad Clancy of Smithville, MO (USRA B-mods), Dustin Gulbrandson of Sioux Falls, SD (USRA Hobby Stocks). Each of these champions will be honored at the USRA banquet in late January in Kansas City, MO and will take home the winner’s share of the 2014 USRA national points money for their respective class.

In the USRA Modified division it looked like it was going to come down to a three-way battle in late August between Brian Williams, Terry Schultz, and Darron Fuqua when all of the sudden two other drivers popped into the equation. Williams, who maxed out his win total with 20 wins, looked as if he may pick up his first ever championship; however, early year car counts really hurt him at the end of the season. Fuqua came on strong with wins late in the season, racing weekly at Lakeside and Heartland Park. Nic Bidinger took the top spot into the final weeks of racing and looked as if he could possibly collect the USRA hardware. Fito Gallardo only had 27 races in the books with several early year mishaps, sitting some forty points back headed into the final week of the points battle. Fito had one bad night on his resume to get rid of and only needed a top nine finish to secure the championship. In the final weekend, Bidinger took his USRA modified to the Spooker at Tri-State Speedway in Pocola, OK for the two-day event while Gallardo was at his home track for the Winter Nationals. The problem with the two events was the Spooker only ran one main event and the Winter Nationals ran three qualifying features for the $10,000 to win main event. It was pretty evident, heading into the final weekend, who was going to be crowned the 2014 USRA National Champion.

There was unfinished business for the second through fifth spots as it was very tight in points. In the end Gallardo would take the top spot by 42 points over Nic Bidinger. Bidinger would finish runner-up with a 12 point cushion with only 1 point separating Williams and Fuqua for the third and fourth place spots. Terry Schultz rounds out the top five and also earned the Iron Man as Terry raced in 57 USRA national point events in 2014. For the 2014 season Gallardo would compete in 27 events with 12 wins, 21 top fives, and 22 top tens. Bidinger competed in 33 events with 10 wins, 24 top fives, and 28 top tens. Brian Williams, who had his best season ever, finished off with 48 events, 20 wins, 35 top fives, and 42 top tens, definitely nothing to hang his head about. Fuqua would race 50 times with 11 wins, 31 top fives, and 36 top tens. Rounding out the top ten respectively was Mitch Keeter, Trevor Hunt, Lucas Schott, Kerry Davis, and Jeremy Chambers. In addition the numerous contingency awards, Gallardo earned $10,000 in becoming the 2014 USRA Modified National Champion. Each of the top 20 in the final standing will earn point fund checks.

Final 2014 USRA Modified National Points:
1. Fito Gallardo, Las Cruces, NM … 4361
2. Nic Bidinger Lawrence, KS … 4319
3. Brian Williams Fayetteville, AR …4307
4. Darron Fuqua Mayetta, KS … 4306
5. Terry Schultz Sedalia, MO … 4280
6. Mitch Keeter Joplin, MO … 4216
7. Trevor Hunt Kearney, MO … 4209
8. Lucas Schott Chatfield, MN … 4190
9. Kerry Davis Parksville, MO … 4185
10. Jeremy Chambers Parsons, KS … 4180
11. John Allen Chanute, KS … 4139
12. Brad Waits Rochester, MN … 4113
13. Steven Bowers Jr. Topeka, KS … 4112
14. Royal Jones Las Cruces, NM … 4109
15. Zach Sanders Kearney, MO … 4088
16. Steve Muilenburg Sparta, MO … 4080
17. Matt Dotson Hallsville, MO … 4070
18. Jackie Dalton Carthage, MO … 4069
19. Tim Karrick Basehor, KS … 4067
20. Dennis Elliott Mt Ayr, IA … 4045

Former USRA Modified National Champions include Matt Dotson (2013), Brandon Davis (2012) Johnny Bone Jr. (2011), Jason Cummins (2010), Greg Skaggs (2009), Brad Waits (2007-08), Larry Herring (2006), and Ron Luitjens (2005)

In the USRA Stock Car division Justin Lasister used his 46 race events to take the top spot over Brett Heeter by 48 points. Lasiter had another remarkable season with 14 feature wins, 38 top five finishes and 40 top tens, racing weekly at both Southern New Mexico Speedway in Las Cruces and El Paso Speedway in El Paso, TX. This makes the second season in a row that the USRA Stock Car champion has come out of the state of New Mexico. Last season Donavon Flores from Las Cruces, NM took the honors. Lasiter had an average starting spot of 9.5 and only started on the front row one time throughout the 2014 race season. Lasister started earning points on April 25th, the first points race of the 2014 race season for Southern NM Speedway, and did not see many rainouts, which is common in that area. Brett Heeter raced weekly at Lakeside Speedway and I-35 Speedway, turning in a great race season with 38 starts, taking the top spot 8 times, 26 top fives, and 30 top tens in the class too tough to tame. Competition at Lakeside Speedway is probably some of the toughest in the USRA Stock Car division and we are sure that every one of those eight wins was not easy. Rounding out the top five was Mitch Hovden, Jon McDaniel, and Thomas Roberts. The top five in the USRA Stock Car division took the winning paycheck 51 times throughout the 2014 racing campaign. Also earning point fund checks at the banquet will be sixth through tenth; Dean Wray, Tom Schmitt, Kyle Falck, Kevin Donlan, and Justin Siefert.

Final 2014 USRA Stock Car National Points:
1. Justin Lasiter, Alamogordo, NM … 4339
2. Brett Heeter, Kansas City, KS … 4281
3. Mitch Hovden, Decorah, IA … 4256
4. Jon McDaniel, Alamogordo, NM … 4235
5. Thomas Roberts, Kidder, MO … 4152
6. Dean Wray, Jamesport, MO … 4093
7. Tom Schmitt, Independence, IA … 4082
8. Kyle Falck, Decorah, IA … 4060
9. Kevin Donlan, Decorah, IA … 4018
10. Justin Seifert, Kansas City, KS … 3993

Former USRA Stock Car National Champions include Donavan Flores (2013), Mitch Hovden (2011-12), Rich Gregiore (2010), Tory Reicks (2009), Tom Schmitt (2007-08), and Scotty Pratt (2006).

The 2014 USRA B-mod chase was the closest of the four classes. Chad Clancy, from Smithville, MO, took the top honors in the USRA b-mods. Clancy had his best season to-date, racing weekly at Lakeside & I-35 Speedway with 22 wins, 50 top fives, and 52 top tens; impressive numbers considering all the races he competed in. This left Clancy with three bad events where he finished outside the top ten. What makes this even more impressive is that he did this racing against more than 20 cars each and every night as these two tracks average more than 20 cars on a weekly basis. It was by far not a runaway-and-hide deal as he had the top four drivers nipping as his heels each week.

JC Morton worked hard to take the top spot as he was racing against more than 30 cars weekly at his two tracks; Lucas Oil Speedway and Springfield Raceway. JC also piled up some great stats with 42 point nights, taking the top spot 18 times, 32 top fives, and 34 top tens; another impressive young and upcoming driver. Just a mere 8 points back was Jacob Bleess from Chatfield, MN. Bleess raced 51 nights, picked up 12 wins, 34 top fives, and 45 top tens. Rounding out the top five was Cory Crapser finishing fourth, with a tie for 5th between Logan Martin and Kris Jackson. As the B-mod class continues to grow every year and we hear rumblings of some of the young talented superstars starting to make their way to the modified division, we can only hope to see their names at the top of that class too. Rounding out the top ten was Dan Hovden, Yancy Shepard, Andy Bryant, and Brad Smith the 2013 runner-up.

In addition to the contingency awards Clancy also earned $2,000 in becoming the 2014 USRA B-Mod National Champion. Each of the top 10 in the final standing will earn point fund checks.

2014 Final USRA B-Mod National Point Standings:
1. Chad Clancy Smithville, MO … 4493
2. JC Morton Springfield, MO … 4464
3. Jacob Bleess Chatfield MN … 4456
4. Cory Crapser Chippewa Falls, WI … 4414
5. Logan Martin West Plains MO … 4374
6. Kris Jackson Lebanon, MO … 4374
7. Dan Hovden Decorah, IA … 4355
8. Yancy Shepard Smithville, MO … 4354
9. Andy Bryant Fort Scott, KS … 4350
10. Brad Smith Belton, MO … 4270

Former USRA B-mod National Champions include Troy Hovey (2013), Scott Drake (2012), Brandon Hare (2010-11), Matt Jones (2007-09), Tony Dunker (2006).

Similar to the 2013 race season, the only class to never have a repeat champion is the USRA Hobby Stock class. Sioux Falls driver, Dustin Gulbrandson, took the top spot over Steve Holthaus, the hobby stock veteran, by 38 points. Gulbrandson raced at I-90 Speedway in Hartford, SD and Rapid Speedway in Rock Rapids, IA. Gulbrandson only needed three wins in his 29 starts to take the top spot, racing against a tough field of hobby stocks every night out. Gulbrandson also had 23 top fives, and 27 top tens throughout his 2014 race season, only leaving 2 times outside the top ten. Holthaus, who has been in the hobby stock division for several years, picked up three more wins than the 2014 champion, with 6 wins and 21 top fives and only finished out of the top ten once in his 27 starts. Low car counts on a few nights left Holthaus on the short end. Gulbrandson continues the streak for the USRA making the ninth different champion in nine years. This is the third championship for the Northwest Iowa area in the nine years. Rounding out the top ten was Zach Oliver, Brad Link, Josh Ludeking, Mich Ross, Steve Larson, Nate Lerch, Scott Spilde, and Travis Vandentop.

In addition to the contingency awards, Gulbrandson will pocket the $1,000 paycheck in becoming the 2014 USRA Hobby Stock National Champion. Each of the top ten in the final USRA standings will earn point fund checks.

2014 Final USRA Hobby Stock Points:
1. Dustin Gulbrandson, Sioux Falls, SD … 4143
2. Steve Holthaus, Cresco, IA … 4105
3. Zach Oliver, Sioux Falls, SD … 4076
4. Brady Link, Waukon, IA … 3979
5. Josh Ludeking, Decorah, IA … 3874
6. Mich Ross, Mayesville, MO … 3873
7. Steve Larson, Decorah, IA … 3830
8. Nate Lerch, West Union, IA … 3801
9. Scott Spilde, Cresco, IA … 3730
10. Travis Vanden Top, Rock Rapids, IA … 3690

Former USRA Hobby Stock National Champions include Adam Cline (2013), Dillion Anderson (2012), Dan Strandberg (2011), Shane Klaassen (2010), Chris Hovden (2009), Jason McDaniel (2008), Mitch Hovden (2007), and Nathan Wood (2006).

USRA national points were awarded to each driver based on his/her best twenty (20) point nights from February 20 through October 20, 2014. In order to be eligible for USRA track and/ nation point funds, each drivers must have competed in a minimum of 50% of the events held at any one USRA-sanctioned racetrack.

2014 USRA Track Champions:
Callaway Raceway, Fulton, MO. – Ronnie Woods, Mexico, MO. (USRA Modified).
Central Missouri Speedway, Warrensburg, MO. – Terry Schultz, Sedalia, MO. (USRA Modified). Chateau Raceway, Lansing, Minn. – Todd Scharkey, Kasson, Minn. (USRA Modified); Josh Mattick, Rose Creek, Minn. (USRA B-Mod).
Dallas County Speedway, Louisburg, MO. – Ryan Edde, Urbana, MO. (USRA B-Mod).
Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, Minn. – Jason Cummins, New Richland, Minn. (USRA Modified); Jacob Bleess, Chatfield, Minn. (USRA B-Mod).
El Paso Speedway Park, El Paso, TX. – Royal Jones, Las Cruces, N.M. (USRA Modified); Jon McDaniel, Alamogordo, N.M. (USRA Stock Car); Paddy Rush, El Paso, TX. (USRA B-Mod).
Fayette County Speedway, West Union, IA. – Lynn Panos, Calmar, IA. (USRA Stock Car); Dan Hovden, Decorah, IA. (USRA B-Mod); Billy Rhoades, Maynard, IA. (USRA Hobby Stock).
Heartland Park Topeka, Topeka, Kan. – Jeremy Chambers, Parsons, Kan. (USRA Modified); Steve Herrick, Topeka, Kan. (USRA Stock Car); Dustin Thulin, Topeka, Kan. (USRA B-Mod).
Humboldt Speedway, Humboldt, Kan. – Jeremy Chambers, Parsons, Kan. (USRA Modified); Tyler James, Chanute, Kan. (USRA Stock Car); Jimmie Davis, Chanute, Kan. (USRA B-Mod).
Huset’s Speedway, Brandon, S.D. – Colter Deutsch, Ellsworth, Minn. (USRA B-Mod).
I-35 Speedway, Winston, MO. – Zach Sanders, Kearney, MO. (USRA Modified); Dean Wray, Jamesport, MO. (USRA Stock Car); Chad Clancy, Smithville, MO. (USRA B-Mod); Mich Ross, Maysville, MO. (USRA Hobby Stock).
I-90 Speedway, Hartford, S.D. – Tim Dann, Hartford, S.D. (USRA B-Mod); Mike Chaney, Sioux Falls, S.D. (USRA Hobby Stock).
Lakeside Speedway, Kansas City, Kan. – Nic Bidinger, Perry, Kan. (USRA Modified); Brett Heeter, Kansas City, Kan. (USRA Stock Car); Chad Clancy, Smithville, MO. (USRA B-Mod).
Lucas Oil Speedway, Wheatland, MO. – Jeff Cutshaw, Cross Timbers, MO. (USRA Modified); Kris Jackson, Lebanon, MO. (USRA B-Mod).
Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, Wis. – Lucas Schott, Chatfield, Minn. (USRA Modified); Jacob Bleess, Chatfield, Minn. (USRA B-Mod).
Monett Speedway, Monett, MO. – Mitch Keeter, Webb City, MO. (USRA Modified); Toby Thompson, Mountain Grove, MO. (USRA B-Mod).
Nevada Speedway, Nevada, MO. – Jessy Willard, Mound City, Kan. (USRA Modified); Matthew Rose, Liberal, MO. (USRA B-Mod).
North Central Arkansas Speedway, Flippin, AR. – Jason Brigman, West Plains, MO. (USRA B-Mod).
Randolph County Speedway, Moberly, MO. – Ronnie Woods, Mexico, MO. (USRA Modified); Vance Wilson, Quincy, IL. (USRA B-Mod).
Rapid Speedway, Rock Rapids, IA. – Rich Gregoire, Russell, Minn. (USRA Stock Car); Mitch Van Engen, Doon, IA. (USRA B-Mod); Justin Regnreus, Orange City, IA. (USRA Hobby Stock).
Southern New Mexico Speedway, Las Cruces, N.M. – Fito Gallardo, Las Cruces, N.M. (USRA Modified); Justin Lasiter, Alamogordo, N.M. (USRA Stock Car); Paddy Rush, El Paso, TX. (USRA B-Mod).
Southern Oklahoma Speedway, Ardmore, OK. – Cam Case, Edmond, OK. (USRA Modified).
Springfield Raceway, Springfield, MO. – Jody Tillman, Branson West, MO. (USRA Modified); JC Morton, Springfield, MO. (USRA B-Mod).
Superbowl Speedway, Greenville, TX. – Wesley Veal, Princeton, TX. (USRA Modified).
Texas Gulf Coast Modified Series – Howard Willis, Dayton, TX. (USRA Modified).
Texas Outlaw Modified Series – Clyde Dunn Jr., Sunnyvale, TX. (USRA Modified).
Tri-State Speedway, Pocola, OK. – Brian Williams, Fayetteville, AR. (USRA Modified); Chris Hawkins, Neosho, MO. (USRA B-Mod).
Upper Iowa Speedway, Decorah, IA. – Mitch Hovden, Decorah, IA. (USRA Stock Car); Matt Jones, Waukon, IA. (USRA B-Mod); Steve Holthaus, Cresco, IA. (USRA Hobby Stock).
Valley Speedway, Grain Valley, MO. – Brad Smith, Belton, MO. (USRA B-Mod).
West Siloam Speedway, Colcord, OK. – Brian Williams, Fayetteville, AR. (USRA Modified); Tyler Harp, Lincoln, AR. (USRA B-Mod).

To learn more about the USRA, visit www.usraracing.com or call 515-832-6000. You can also like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usraracing, follow us at www.twitter.com/usraracing on Twitter and check out our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/usratv.

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USRA OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Racer Racing Tires, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, COMP Cams, Day Motor Sports, Intercomp, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, MSD, Nitroquest Media, RACEceiver, RacinDirt.com, Radical Race Gear.

USRA PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: Boubin Tire & Automotive, ElbowsUp.com, Erson Cams, New Vision Graphics.

USRA CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, ASi Racewear, Beyea Custom Headers, BSB Manufacturing, COMP Cams, Edelbrock, Forty9 Designs, Genesis Racing Shocks, Hooker Custom Harness, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, PBM Performance Products, QA1 Performance Products, Quarter Master, Real Racing Wheels, Sybesma Graphics, Tiger Rear Ends, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products.

USRA PARTICIPATING TRACKS: Battleground Speedway, Bloomfield Speedway, Bronco Raceway Park, Buena Vista Raceway, Callaway Raceway, Cedar County Raceway, Central Missouri Speedway, Chateau Raceway, Cresco Speedway, Dallas County Speedway, Deer Creek Speedway, Devil’s Bowl Speedway, Dodge County Speedway, El Paso Speedway Park, Fairmont Raceway, Fayette County Speedway, Gator Motorplex, Hamilton County Speedway, Hancock County Speedway, Heartland Park Topeka, Humboldt Speedway, Huset’s Speedway, I-35 Speedway, I-90 Speedway, Lakeside Speedway, Lucas Oil Speedway, Marshalltown Speedway, Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Monett Speedway, Mountain Creek Speedway, Nevada Speedway, North Central Arkansas Speedway, Randolph County Raceway, Rapid Speedway, Red River Speedway, Royal Purple Raceway, Salina Highbanks Speedway, South Texas Speedway, Southern New Mexico Speedway, Southern Oklahoma Speedway, Springfield Raceway, Superbowl Speedway, Texana Raceway park, Tri-State Speedway, Upper Iowa Speedway, Valley Speedway, West Siloam Speedway.