FOUNTAIN CITY, Wis. -- Welcome to 2011 at Mississippi Thunder Speedway! A car count of 94 graced the pits for the season opener as the 2010 track champions hit the track to carry the colors for the National Anthem.

Heat race action appeared to be the season-ending features as the close races and competition was fabulous. Shaun Walski, Troy Langowski and Jimmy Broszeit topped the three USRA Karl Performance Parts B-Mod heats while Ben Mattick, Keith Foss and Hank Rollinger Jr. started their seasons off with heat wins in the USRA RHS Modified division.

The EngineStore.com USRA Karl Performance Parts B-Mod feature was chaotic to say the least. Erik Kanz started from the pole in the 15-lap feature. Kanz showed strength in each of the restarts but never really got a chance to shine. Eight cautions and 30 minutes later, Kanz hit victory lane followed by Langowski, Ben Anderson, Broszeit and Brian Mahlstedt.

The USRA RHS Modified feature action took three attempts to get it right. Bob Timm and Josh Mattick set the pace followed by Andy Bohnstengel and Luke Schott. But as the drivers gained momentum and with only two laps down, Lance Hofer found himself spun just past the flagstand facing the grandstands. In a chain reaction, Hofer was pounded hard by Jay Ihrke and a multitude of other cars were snared into the web of metal. Approximately eight cars were involved, some ending their night.

After a lengthy clean up, Schott took the lead from Timm as Ben Mattick battled in third place. Josh Mattick, Foss and Ryan York raced in spots four through six as Ben Mattick shot high to take the lead from Schott. Schott held his ground, but by lap 12 Mattick took the lead while Schott remained a threat.

Cautions four and five came together for a self spin by rookie Jake Timm. Ben Mattick took the point over Schott, Bob Timm, Josh Mattick and Ihrke. Timm and Schott both bobbled heavy through a turn 4 rut but recovered without incident.

Foss gained considerable momentum as he shot into a fight for third with Schott. Foss then focused on Ben Mattick and Bob Timm for the lead. Foss nipped Mattick in the last turn for the win. Timm, Schott, and Josh Angst rounded out the top-5.

New things happening at MTS this season include a new Junior Fan Club as well as construction to start soon on the 16x40 corporate VIP suite. Many specials are on the books including the IRA 410 Sprints, Cornbelt Clash Late Models and USMTS Modifieds. For more information on kids’ club, schedule and to keep up with news, visit www.mississippithunder.com.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
American Racer USRA Weekly Racing Series
Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, Wis.
Friday, April 29, 2011

USRA KARL PERFORMANCE PARTS B-MODS

Feature: 1. Erik Kanz, 2. Troy Langowski, 3. Ben Anderson, 4. Jimmy Broszeit, 5. Brian Mahlstedt, 6. Nick Frion, 7. Brandon Hare, 8. Greg Mattick, 9. Scott Demmer, 10. Aaron Haggerty, 11. Brandon Reutzel, 12. Jacob Bleess, 13. Alex Williamson, 14. Matt Appel, 15. Tyler Creeley, 16. Troy Hovey, 17. Chad Kosidowski, 18. Shaun Walski, 19. Patrick McCarthy, 20. Andrew Kelly, 21. Taylor Knutson, 22. Parker Hale, 23. Josh Roney.

Heat #1: 1. Walski, 2. Hare, 3. Hovey, 4. Hale, 5. Mahlstedt, 6. Kosidowski, 7. Demmer, 8. Appel.

Heat #2: 1. Langowski, 2. Kanz, 3. Reutzel, 4. Frion, 5. Williamson, 6. McCarthy, 7. Knutson, 8. Roney.

Heat #3: 1. Broszeit, 2. Anderson, 3. Creeley, 4. Mattick, 5. Haggerty, 6. Bleess, 7. Kelly.

USRA RHS MODIFIEDS

Feature: 1. Keith Foss, 2. Ben Mattick, 3. Bob Timm, 4. Luke Schott, 5. Josh Angst, 6. Josh Mattick, 7. Hank Rollinger Jr., 8. John Doelle, 9. Shane Wehrs, 10. Andy Bohnstengel, 11. Bryan Hessler, 12. Ryan York, 13. Leroy Scharkey, 14. Jake Timm, 15. Thomas Brink, 16. Kurt Krauskopf, 17. Randy Jonsgaard, 18. Lance Hofer, 19. Jay Ihrke, 20. Bob Fort, 21. Phil Wernert, 22. Ron Konkel, 23. Jeremy Jonsgaard, 24. Shaun Wehlage, 25. Bill Clemens.

Heat #1: 1. B. Mattick, 2. York, 3. Angst, 4. J. Mattick, 5. Wehrs, 6. Scharkey, 7. Wehlage, 8. Clemens, 9. Hessler.

Heat #2: 1. Foss, 2. Schott, 3. Bohnstengel, 4. Brink, 5. Wernert, 6. Fort, 7. Krauskopf, 8. J. Jonsgaard.

Heat #3: 1. Rollinger, 2. B. Timm, 3. Hofer, 4. J. Timm, 5. Doelle, 6. Konkel, 7. Ihrke, 8. R. Jonsgaard.