WARRENSBURG, Mo.—A warm late summer evening greeted race fans and drivers on a competitive night of racing at Central Missouri Speedway (CMS) for championship race night in three divisions.

A solid field of 28 USRA Modified drivers competed in four preliminary heat races to setup the starting grid for their 35-lap $1,500 to-win feature purse. Tyler Schmidt won in convincing fashion in heat one with Jason Bodenhamer and Jeremy Chambers in tow. Kevin Blackburn was on top of the finish in heat two ahead of Brian Johnson and Gunner Martin. The third heat went to Colson Kirk followed by Nick Pence and Matt Dotson. The final heat of the night went to Jim Moody ahead of Rick Beebe and Jared Rogers.

A full field of 26 drivers filed out for their featured event, the first of two $1,500-to-win special events on the weekend. After a series of early race cautions, Tyler Schmidt grabbed the top spot with Moody and Bodenhamer in close pursuit. Former USRA Modified Champion Matt Dotson was involved in one of the early caution periods but was able to restart the event in pursuit of racing his way back to the front. Shad Badder and Rick Beebe were early retirees from the event after posting strong finishes in earlier heat race action.

With a lightning quick and maneuverable track, Moody eventually caught Schmidt as the pair waged a torrid battle for the top spot. Schmidt’s care appeared to be a little too free coming off the corners and as a result there was just enough opening for Moody to grab the lead by lap ten. Not long after Moody assumed the lead, a broken drive shaft on top-five running Jason Bodenhamer’s car in between turns one and two led to a multi-car accident before Bodenhamer could bring his car to the infield out of harm’s way.

Unfortunately, several drivers running inside the top 10 were unable to avoid the accident as a red flag was brought out to separate the cars. Aaron Marrant, Tad Davis, Jeremy Rogers, Tim Karrick, were among those involved. David Wood had one of his strongest runs of the year going shortly before the incident but he took the hardest hit in the accident. Despite being understandably upset about the incident, he was okay after his car received major damage.

Marrant and Davis were forced to retire after the incident but Karrick and Rogers reported to the infield hot pit area and after several crew members pitched in, both drivers were able rejoined the event. Once the race resumed Moody was on turbo mode as he quickly distanced himself from the outstanding battle for second between Schmidt, Brian Johnson, Jeremy Chambers and Lewis Jackson.

Lap-after-lap Moody began to thread his way through some of the lapped machines leaving the rest of the drivers to sort things out behind him. Brian Johnson masterfully made his way inside the top three with Schmidt doing all he could to keep the 66t machine in front. Meanwhile, Matt Dotson was the man on the charge as he methodically climbed his back into the top five!

Track and National USRA point’s leader Terry Schultz experienced mechanical gremlins with a reported broken cam in the heat race but was able to jump into Steve Twenter’s car, which had qualified into the main event by virtue of the heat races, and salvage a solid finish by the end of the race.

In the closing laps Moody’s lead diminished a little bit but it wasn’t enough for Schmidt and Dotson to catch the eventual winner as he crossed the finish line for his second special-event win of the season after claiming the $5,000 payday last July. Dotson’s impressive charge back to the front was exciting right to the finish as he captured second just feet in front of Johnson at the line for second.

After a strong night, Brian Johnson recorded yet another solid finish in third while Schmidt was able to turn his season around with a solid fourth-place run. Parsons, Kansas driver Jeremy Chambers had an outstanding run to the fifth position while fellow Kansan Lewis Jackson settled for sixth. Danny Scrogham, Terry Schultz, Jake Brewer, and Luke Feeback rounded out the top ten.

Join us again on Sunday night with another $1,500 to-win USRA Modified special along with USRA B-Mods, Lightning Sprints sponsored by Jayhawk Milwright, and the All-Star Midget series. On Sunday, USRA Modifieds return for another $1,500 to-win special event with the track Championship points on the line. Both Modified and B-mod drivers must be USRA Members to compete or purchase the $10 USRA temporary license at the track. B-Mods will compete for USRA national points only as track points ended Saturday.

On race day, call the Track Report Line for general information at (660) 747-2166. Follow us on Twitter @CMSgoing_green. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Central-Missouri-Speedway. CMS may also be found on Instagram.

Pit Gates open at 4:30, Admission Gates open at 5, driver's pill draw cutoff is at 6:15 (no passing points awarded to driver if late draw), Drivers Meeting at 6:30, Hot Laps at 7, and Racing at 7:30! Special event pricing is in effect for September 5th and 6th with General Admission Adults $15, Military/Students w/ID $12, Seniors 65 and over $12, Kids 6 to 12 years $5, all children 5 and under free! Permanently confined to wheelchair, free! All weekend pit passes are $35.

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 the Interstate 70 Higginsville/Warrensburg Hwy 13 exit, the track is located 12.5 miles south on Hwy 13.

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, RockAuto.com, 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, Rod End Supply, JA Performance and Outdoor Services, Seeburg Mufflers, RockAuto.com, and RacinDirt.com.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
United States Racing Association
USRA Weekly Racing Series
Central Missouri Speedway, Warrensburg, Mo.
Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015

USRA MODIFIEDS

Feature:
1. 00 Jim Moody, Odessa
2. 88d Matt Dotson, Hallsville
3. 97k Brian Johnson, Independence
4. 66T Tyler Schmidt, Easton, Kan.
5. 96 Jeremy Chambers, Parsons Kan.
6. 3j Lewis Jackson, Wellsville, Kan.
7. 92 Danny Scrogham, Peculiar
8. 90 Terry Schultz, Sedalia
9. 22b Jake Brewer, Fulton
10. 22x Luke Feeback, Harrisonville
11. 26k Kevin Blackburn, Fulton
12. 75 Gunner Martin, Blue Springs
13. 1k Tim Karrick, Basehor, Kan.
14. 32p Nick Pence, Raymore
15. 27t Rob Test, Jefferson City
16. 0 Richard Layne, Kansas City
17. 85s Tyler Shaw, Mexico
18. 44 Jared Rogers, Tecumseh, Kan.
19. 227 Chase Domer, Nevada
20. 03 Jason Bodenhamer, Centerview
21. 70 Aaron Marrant, Richmond
22. 82 David Wood, Richmond
23. 75b Tad Davis, Mt. Hope, Kan.
24. 22bb Rick Beebe, Shawnee, Kan.
25. 73b Shad Badder, Oak Grove
26. 5k Colson Kirk, Urbana
DNS - 209 Josiah Stephens, Grain Valley
DNS - 23 Steve Twenter, Sedalia