WARRENSBURG, Mo.--Warmer weather settled into the area Saturday evening at Central Missouri Speedway (CMS) and for the drivers and fans who chose CMS as their destination, they witnessed a swift moving program coupled with a vastly improved racing surface and close-quarters racing in six divisions.

Tim Karrick of Basehor, Kan., claimed the USRA Modified feature for his first victory this season.

In the USRA modified heats, fans were entertained with close racing action as drivers attempted to maximize passing points with their heat race finishes. Tim Karrick edged Jim Moody and Darron Fuqua in heat one while Gunner Martin crossed the line ahead of Josh Everhart and Lewis Jackson in heat two.

Karrick led the early portion of the 25-lap main event after three unsuccessful attempts at the start with some impatience rearing its ugly head. On the first start, Jim Moody had an unfortunate accident in turn three as several drivers went for the same piece of real estate with Moody ending up on his lid in a roll-over incident over the embankment. Moody walked away unscathed and actually wanted safety personnel to turn the car over so he could race again. As it turned out, he was not able to return to action and although he waived to the fans upon retiring from the event, he voiced his displeasure with some of his peers for “trying to win on the first lap.”

Once the Moody incident was cleared, Karrick, Josh Everhart, Gunner Martin, and Darron Fuqua ran strong at the front of the pack. Karrick was clearly the class of the field on this night as his Skyrocket chassis #1k pulled away ever so slightly throughout the event. On lap 18, while fighting for third, Fuqua’s strong run came to an end when he tangled with Richard Lane as Layne’s car slowed on the low side off turn two. Fuqua’s car suffered extensive damage as he retired from the race.

Karrick mastered the track and found a strong rhythm to claim his first CMS victory since September 4, 2011. Gunner Martin recorded his best-ever CMS finish with a determined run to second with another young driver Dalton Kirk posting a solid run to third. Everhart finished a respectable fourth after challenging for the top spot for several laps while Lewis Jackson’s strong start to the season continued with a run to fifth.

Week three of the championship season takes place next Saturday, April 18 for Weekly Racing in all divisions, which includes USRA Modifieds, Street Stocks, Lightning Sprints, B-Mods, and Pure Stocks.

USRA Modified Feature Finish:
1st - 1k - Tim Karrick, Basehor, KS
2nd - 75 - Gunner Martin, Blue Springs
3rd - 30 - Dalton Kirk, Edgerton, KS
4th - 21j - Josh Everhart, Burlingame, KS
5th - 3j - Lewis Jackson, Wellsville, KS
6th - 23 - Steve Twenter, Sedalia
7th - 0 - Richard Layne, Kansas City
8th - 32p - Nick Pence, Raymore
9th - 175 - Jason Park, Kansas City, KS
10th - 87 - Darron Fuqua, Mayetta, KS
11th - 86 - Buddy Benedict, Independence
12th - 99c - Craig Crossette, Valley Center, KS
13th - 00 - Jim Moody, Odessa

Be sure to check out the latest schedule updates, track news, and general race information online at www.centralmissourispeedway.net. Find CMS on Twitter @CMSgoing_green and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Central-Missouri-Speedway.

CMS is located just past the round-a-bout on Hwy 13 three and a half miles north of Warrensburg, Missouri from the junction of Highways 50 and 13. From Interstate 70 Higginsville/Warrensburg Hwy 13 exit, the track is located 12.5 miles south on Hwy 13. On race day call 660-747-2166 for race status.

CMS thanks its primary sponsors for their support this season! Cliff Harris Warrensburg Ford, Budweiser, KMZU 100.7 FM, Sunoco Race Fuels, Pepsi, KMMO FM 102.9, Midwest Coatings, Better Country KIX 105.7 FM, Comfort Inn Warrensburg Station, 610 Sports Radio Kansas City, KRLI FM 103.9 & KAOL 101.3 FM The Grenade, Heartland Waste, and 'Today's New Hit Country' 95.3 FM KDKD.

This year’s list of outstanding business partners includes: Victory Trophies & Plaques, Roundabout Café, Batliner Recycling, DQ Grill & Chill of Warrensburg, Blue Springs Chiropractic, Economy Lumber, Brooks Automotive LLC, Kleinschmidt's Western Store, OK Tire Stores, Eickleberry Concrete & Construction, Finish Line Performance, Wolf Tire Service, Economy Lumber and Hardware, Rod End Supply, JA Performance and Outdoor Services, Seeburg Mufflers, RockAuto.com, and RacinDirt.com.

CMS is located 3.5-miles north of Warrensburg, MO from the junction of Highways 50 and 13 in Warrensburg. From the Higginsville/Warrensburg exit off I-70, head south on Highway 13 for twelve and half miles towards Warrensburg.