WARRENSBURG, Mo.—Sizzling temperatures settled in over Central Missouri Speedway on Saturday but even hot weather couldn’t slow down the 82 drivers on hand for competition in the USRA Modified, Street Stock, Midwest Mod-Lite, B-Mod and Pure Stock divisions for Budweiser race night.

A strong field of 26 USRA Modifieds highlighted the night’s competition with four heat races and a 25-lap main event for drivers on hand. Point’s leader Kevin Blackburn took the first Modified heat of the night over Nathan Vaughn and Kyle Covert. Matt Dotson, who recently won both Memorial Day weekend USRA Modified main events at CMS, crossed the line first in heat two over Terry Schultz and a returning Dalton Kirk. Gunner Martin drove to the win in head three over Dean Bachner and Danny Scrogham while Brian Johnson finished ahead of Jim Moody and Justin Johnson in the fourth and final heat of the night.

Twenty-five of the 26 drivers originally on hand took the green flag for the USRA Modified main event with Gunner Martin and Matt Dotson showing the way. Martin quickly assumed command of the main event with Dotson, Brian Johnson, and Kevin Blackburn close behind.

A multi-car incident in turns one and two slowed the field early in the race with some cars receiving damage from the incident but after reporting to the hot pit for crews to make repairs were able to return to the event. Martin took off from the lead when the race resumed as he and Matt Dotson looked more like drag racers with several laps of side-by-side action before Martin eventually prevailed by lap twelve. Martin continued to lead the event through a couple more caution periods as Blackburn brought himself up into the mix just past the race’s halfway point.

Blackburn’s car resembled something more of a space rocket on the next restart as he flew from third to first in a matter of seconds to lead the way over Dotson and Martin, who slipped to third in the lineup. By lap 15, Blackburn led Dotson, Terry Schultz, Martin, and Brian Johnson inside the top five. Schultz ran inside the top three through lap 20 but Martin rebounded and retook the spot behind Blackburn and Dotson out front.

On lap 21 it appeared Dotson was going to the front as he fought back on the low side with Blackburn preferring the high line, particularly off turn four. However, after Dotson retook the lead, a late-race caution flew over the field and Blackburn again led the way for the restart as the field was realigned going back to the last completed lap. Meanwhile, Dalton Kirk, who was making his first CMS appearance of the year fought back from being involved in one of the early cautions to race inside the top five. Up front, Blackburn and Dotson waged a classic battle for the win but on this occasion it was Blackburn who drove to the victory, his first at CMS of the year. Dotson crossed the line in second followed by Martin third, Kirk fourth, and Schultz inside the top five. Justin Johnson, also making his first appearance of the year, completed the top six.

Next week, ULMA Late Models join Pure Stocks, B-Mods, Street Stocks and USRA Modifieds for KIX 105.7 FM Radio Race Night and Joslin’s Jewelry night at the races. Joslin’s Jewelry informed CMS they have several men’s watches to give away on June 18th in honor of Father’s Day. Gates open at 4:30 with hot laps at 7 and racing at 7:30.

CMS recently announced the make-up event date for the May 21 rained-out event as Saturday June 25, for the USRA Modifieds.

Keep up with CMS on Twitter @CMSgoing_green. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Central-Missouri-Speedway. Join our email group by emailing info@centralmissourispeedway.net. Keep up with CMS news and information by pointing your browser to www.centralmissourispeedway.net. Don’t forget about the all-new CMS Going Green YouTube video page!

CMS is located 3.5-miles north of Warrensburg, MO from the junction of Highways 50 and 13 in Warrensburg just north of the new Hwy 13 by-pass round-a-bout, or from the Higginsville exit off I-70, head south on Highway 13 for twelve and half miles. Pit gates open at 4:30, grandstands at 5, driver pill draw cutoff 6:15, pit meeting at 6:30, hot laps at 7, and racing at 7:30. Admission prices: $12 adult general mission, $10 military with I.D., seniors 65 to 74 $10, kids ages 6 to 12 $5. Children 5 and under and seniors 75 and over free. Pit passes $30.

CMS wishes to thank its 2016 primary sponsors for their support this season! Cliff Harris Warrensburg Ford, Budweiser, KMZU 100.7 FM, Sunoco Race Fuels, KMMO FM 102.9, Midwest Coatings, Better Country KIX 105.7, KSDL, and KSIS FM, Comfort Inn Warrensburg Station, KRLI FM 103.9 & KAOL 101.3 FM The Grenade, Pepsi, 610 Sports Radio Kansas City, Heartland Waste, and 'Today's New Hit Country' 95.3 FM KDKD.

This list of 2016 outstanding business partners includes: Victory Trophies & Plaques, Joslins Jewelry, Batliner Recycling, DQ Grill & Chill of Warrensburg, Economy Lumber, Kleinschmidt's Western Store, OK Tire Stores, Eickleberry Concrete & Construction, LJS Graphics, Finish Line Performance, Wolf Tire Service, JA Performance and Outdoor Services, RockAuto.com, and Seeburg Mufflers.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
United States Racing Association
USRA Weekly Racing Series
Central Missouri Speedway, Warrensburg, Mo.
Saturday, June 11, 2016

USRA MODIFIEDS
1. (4) 26K Kevin Blackburn, Fulton
2. (2) 88D Matt Dotson, Hallsville
3. (1) 75 Gunner Martin, Independence
4. (13) 30 Dalton Kirk, Edgerton, Kan.
5. (7) 90 Terry Schultz, Sedalia
6. (6) 7J Justin Johnson, Olathe, Kan.
7. (3) 97K Brian Johnson, Independence
8. (16) 19K Eddie Bray Jr., Archie
9. (12) 85S Tyler Shaw, Mexico
10. (5) 12V Nathan Vaughn, Sedalia
11. (10) 7D7 Kyle Covert, Topeka, Kan.
12. (24) 3J Lewis Jackson, Wellsville, Kan.
13. (9) 00M Jim Moody, Odessa
14. (18) 32P Nick Pence, Raymore
15. (23) 00 Justin Plumb, Peculiar
16. (22) 96 Dwayne Mitchell, Tipton
17. (19) X25 Travis Ruff, Belton
18. (14) 68 Dean Wille, Warrensburg
19. (17) 5K Colson Kirk, Urbana
20. (21) 175 Jason Park, Kansas City, Kan.
21. (11) 92 Danny Scrogham, Peculiar
22. (15) 1K Tim Karrick, Basehor, Kan.
23. (8) 2D Dean Bachner, Olathe, Kan.
24. (20) 99C Craig Crossette, Valley Center, Kan.
DNS - 23 Steve Twenter, Sedalia
DNS - 39 Luke Driskell, Stillwell, Kan.