Krohn conquers O’Reilly USMTS National Tour at Cresco


CRESCO, Iowa – Defending O’Reilly USMTS National Champion Jason Krohn notched his fourth main event victory of the season Tuesday with an impressive wire-to-wire run at the Cresco (Iowa) Speedway.

Krohn drew the pole for the 40-lap Holley "A" Main, and when the green flag dropped, that was just about as close as anybody got to the flying farmer from Slayton, Minn. Unlike the multitude of fans in attendance, however, Krohn wasn't able to enjoy all of the incredible action that went on behind him from start to finish.

Last year's Rookies Rockin' Sports Bar Rookie of the Year Scott Green of Derby, Kan., was the only threat to Krohn's lead during the race. After starting eighth on the 24-car grid, Green found a fast line at the top of the racetrack that he used to carry him into the runner-up position. By lap 16, Green was on Krohn's rear bumper and actually passed the leader down the back stretch during lap 18, but a caution flag for Julie McDermid slowed the pace and gave Krohn the point for the restart.

Earlier in the program, McDermid earned the AFCO Pole Award by earning the most passing points in the heat races then redrew third for the start of the main event. She was still third on the 18th orbit when her motor let go and ended her spectacular run. The Oconto Falls, Wis., racer also won a new American Racer tire in the random draw during the pre-race drivers meeting.

After the restart, Green's machine just wasn't as strong as before and he was unable to challenge for the lead again. Zack VanderBeek, however, moved in to take over the job of stalking Krohn. But "The Z-Man" was unable to threaten Krohn for the spot and settled for second at the checkered flag. After starting 12th, VanderBeek earned the KSE Racing Products Hard Charger Award for his runner-up finish, while Krohn pocketed the $2,000 top prize for the win.

A solid third-place finish was all that Tim Donlinger needed to wrap up the points title in the Yeager Machine Upper Midwest Region. In doing so, Donlinger became the first driver other than Kelly Shryock to claim one of the four regional crowns since the O’Reilly USMTS National Tour adopted the Casey's General Stores Hunt for the USMTS National Championship format for the 2006 season.

Michael Long made the long tow from Quincy, Ill., pay off with a fourth-place finish, while Ron Konkel of Caledonia, Minn., took fifth. Shryock, Jon Tesch, Steve Wetzstein, Green and Jason Hughes rounded out the top-10 at the flagstand.

While Donlinger secured the Yeager Machine Upper Midwest Region championship, Wetzstein's top-10 run was enough to help him squeak into 10th place in the standings and earn a berth in the Casey's General Stores Hunt for the USMTS National Championship. Also joining the elite group of "hunters" are VanderBeek, who finished second in the region's final rankings, Hughes, Shryock, Al Hejna, Alan Mondus, Bob Timm, Brandon Kenny and Dereck Ramirez. Also garnering a spot in "The Hunt" via perfect attendance in the region are Dan Bohr, Corey Dripps and Jake Neal.

Tuesday was a tough night for the NASCAR stars. Kenny Wallace, who was competing in his eighth race with the O'Reilly USMTS National Tour this season, started 10th in the main event but slipped to 18th during the 40-lapper. Ken Schrader finished seventh in the second Real Racing Wheels "B" Main and failed to transfer to the night's finale.

UP NEXT:

Both Schrader and Wallace will once again take on the USMTS Modifieds at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa on Wednesday, along with Jimmy Spencer on hand to add some "excitement" to the show. Wednesday's event at the Mahaska County Half-Mile Monster will be the first of four straight nights in the Central States Region.

Pit gates open at 4 p.m. and grandstand gates open at 5. The V.I.P. Autograph Session will be from 5 to 5:30, and fans can take part in an autograph session in front of the grandstands from 6 to 6:45. Hot laps begin at 7 with the first green flag slated to wave at 7:30. General admission adult grandstand tickets are just $15, kids ages 6-12 are $5 and children 5 & Under are FREE. Pit passes are $30.

Race fans can pick up $2-off discount coupons at al three Casey's General Store locations in Oskaloosa. Once again, Zack VanderBeek will be on hand to meet and greet fans at the Casey's store at 1310 A Ave. W in Oskaloosa, along with his Cheetos/Casey's General Stores #33z Skyrocket Modified, from 12-2 p.m.

Also on tap will be the USRA Casey's General Stores Weekly Racing Series featuring USRA Karl Chevrolet Stock Cars ($400 to win), USRA Karl Chevrolet B-Mods ($300 to win) and USRA Hobby Stocks ($300 to win), with all three classes racing for USRA national and track points.

The Southern Iowa Speedway is a half-mile semi-banked clay oval located 0.5 mile west of US 63 on SR 92, then four blocks north on N. I St. (at the Southern Iowa Fairgrounds). For day-of-race information, call the track hotline at (507) 634-4281 or visit www.rlpromotions.com/oskaloosa online.

Thursday will find the O’Reilly USMTS National Tour at the Knox County Fairgrounds in Knoxville, Ill., followed by a trip to the Bloomfield (Iowa) Speedway on Friday and the first-ever invasion of the 24 Raceway in Moberly, Mo., on Saturday.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, call the headquarters at (515) 832-7944 or visit www.usmts.com online for the latest news and information from the USMTS — America's Hottest Ticket on Dirt.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
United States Modified Touring Series
O’Reilly USMTS National Tour (Yeager Machine Upper Midwest Region)
2nd Annual NASCAR Challenge presented by Kabrick Distributing
Cresco Speedway, Cresco, Iowa
Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Showing finishing position, car number, driver, hometown and starting position in parentheses. The top 12 drivers in passing points accumulated in the heat races are locked into the Holley “A” Main, with the top 8 re-drawing for starting positions 1-8.

ISKY RACING CAMS HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):
1. 35k - Ron Konkel -- Caledonia, MN (1)
2. 18L - Michael Long -- Quincy, IL (2)
3. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (5)
4. 49 - Bob Timm -- Rollingstone, MN (4)
5. 12j - Justin O'Brien -- Volga, IA (3)
6. X - Mike Wedelstadt -- Hortonville, WI (7)
7. 21m - Dean Mahlstedt -- Clear Lake, IA (6)
8. 77 - Tom Brink -- Winona, MN (9)
9. 72 - Doug Hillson -- Blooming Prairie, MN (8) DNF
10. 7x - Ron Britain -- Winona, MN (10) DNS

NEW VISION GRAPHICS HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. 3d - Tim Donlinger -- Rochester, MN (1)
2. 7k - Jason Krohn -- Slayton, MN (3)
3. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (4)
4. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (6)
5. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (8)
6. 1r - Ryan York -- Racine, MN (2)
7. 65 - Tommy Myer -- Blooming Prairie, MN (7)
8. 21b - Brandon Kenny -- Woodward, OK (10)
9. 9 - Ken Schrader -- Concord, NC (9)
10. 31 - Corey Dripps -- Waterloo, IA (5)

Q.E.M., INC. HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. 66 - Dan Bohr -- Decorah, IA (2)
2. 1m - Julie McDermid -- Oconto Falls, WI (6)
3. 14j - Jake Neal -- Omaha, NE (3)
4. 36 - Kenny Wallace -- Concord, NC (9)
5. 5w - Darrin Walch -- Postville, IA (4)
6. 2 - Carey Umbarger -- Garner, IA (1)
7. 4r - Dereck Ramirez -- Woodward, OK (7)
8. 88t - Terry Timmerman -- Stewartville, MN (5)
9. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Westville, OK (8) DNF

HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (2)
2. 35 - Jeff Schluetter -- New Hampton, IA (3)
3. 90 - Steve Wetzstein -- West Concord, MN (7)
4. 21L - Layne Meyer -- West Union, IA (1)
5. 19 - Mike Sorensen -- Rochester, MN (5)
6. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (6)
7. 55 - Alan Mondus -- Lakeville, MN (9)
8. 27s - Jason Schlangen -- Cresco, IA (4)
9. 55 - Larry Hall -- Rochester, MN (8) DNF

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (12 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (2)
2. 14j - Jake Neal -- Omaha, NE (1)
3. 55 - Alan Mondus -- Lakeville, MN (7)
4. 5w - Darrin Walch -- Postville, IA (4)
5. X - Mike Wedelstadt -- Hortonville, WI (5)
6. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Westville, OK (12)
7. 21b - Brandon Kenny -- Woodward, OK (9)
8. 72 - Doug Hillson -- Blooming Prairie, MN (11)
9. 7x - Ron Britain -- Winona, MN (13)
10. 65 - Tommy Myer -- Blooming Prairie, MN (8) DNF
11. 21L - Layne Meyer -- West Union, IA (3) DNF
12. 2 - Carey Umbarger -- Garner, IA (6) DNF
13. 88t - Terry Timmerman -- Stewartville, MN (10) DNF

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (12 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (1)
2. 49 - Bob Timm -- Rollingstone, MN (2)
3. 19 - Mike Sorensen -- Rochester, MN (4)
4. 21m - Dean Mahlstedt -- Clear Lake, IA (7)
5. 1r - Ryan York -- Racine, MN (5)
6. 12j - Justin O'Brien -- Volga, IA (3)
7. 9 - Ken Schrader -- Concord, NC (11)
8. 4r - Dereck Ramirez -- Woodward, OK (8)
9. 31 - Corey Dripps -- Waterloo, IA (13)
10. 27s - Jason Schlangen -- Cresco, IA (10)
11. 55 - Larry Hall -- Rochester, MN (12)
12. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (6) DNF
13. 77 - Tom Brink -- Winona, MN (9) DNF

HOLLEY “A” MAIN (40 laps):
1. 7k - Jason Krohn -- Slayton, MN (1)
2. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (12)
3. 3d - Tim Donlinger -- Rochester, MN (6)
4. 18L - Michael Long -- Quincy, IL (9)
5. 35k - Ron Konkel -- Caledonia, MN (2)
6. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (11)
7. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (13)
8. 90 - Steve Wetzstein -- West Concord, MN (5)
9. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (8)
10. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Westville, OK (23)
11. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (14)
12. 1r - Ryan York -- Racine, MN (22)
13. 35 - Jeff Schluetter -- New Hampton, IA (4)
14. 21m - Dean Mahlstedt -- Clear Lake, IA (20)
15. 55 - Alan Mondus -- Lakeville, MN (17)
16. 19 - Mike Sorensen -- Rochester, MN (18)
17. 14j - Jake Neal -- Omaha, NE (15)
18. 36 - Kenny Wallace -- Concord, NC (10)
19. X - Mike Wedelstadt -- Hortonville, WI (21)
20. 66 - Dan Bohr -- Decorah, IA (7)
21. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (24) DNF
22. 49 - Bob Timm -- Rollingstone, MN (16) DNF
23. 1m - Julie McDermid -- Oconto Falls, WI (3) DNF
24. 5w - Darrin Walch -- Postville, IA (19) DNF

Lap Leaders: Krohn 1-40.
Total Laps Led: Krohn 40.
AFCO Pole Winner: McDermid.
Provisional Starters: Hughes, Hejna.
Ruter Farms Long Tow: Kenny (789.85 miles).
KSE Racing Products Hard Charger: VanderBeek (started 12th, finished 2nd).
Next Race: Wednesday, July 30, Southern Iowa Speedway, Oskaloosa, Iowa (Central States Region).
Yeager Machine Upper Midwest Region Points (final): Donlinger 815, VanderBeek 764, Hughes 757, Shryock 718, Hejna 696, Mondus 613, Timm 612, Kenny 609, Ramirez 574, Wetzstein 551.
Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar Rookie of the Year Points: Kenny 655, Ramirez 641, Bryan Rowland 425, Gary Langworthy Jr. 161, Colt Mather 149.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Sput’s 287, Mullins 242, Wanders 216, A.S.I. 206, JR 189.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: Skyrocket 301, Hughes 250, Harris 194, Kraft 183, Specialty 94.

Contingency Awards:
AFCO Racing Products – McDermid.
American Racer – McDermid.
Belleville Motorsports – not awarded.
BSB Manufacturing – Hughes.
Hawk Performance – Krohn, Green.
Isky Racing Cams – Konkel.
KSE Racing Products – VanderBeek.
Marsh Racing Wheels – McDermid.
New Vision Graphics – Donlinger.
Nitroquest Web Solutions - Donlinger.
Quarter Master – Krohn, Wetzstein.
QuickTime Performance Parts – Tesch.
Real Racing Wheels – Tesch, Noble.
Ruter Farms – Kenny.
TrackTek Racing Fuel – not awarded.

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TITLE SPONSOR: O’Reilly Auto Parts.

PRESENTING SPONSOR: Casey’s General Stores.

OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Race Tires, Arizona Sport Shirts, AwesomeRaceSuits.com, Bear Tire Company, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, Childhelp, Gressel Racing, Houston Specialty Products Co., Karl Chevrolet, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, New Vision Graphics, Nitroquest Web Solutions, Q.E.M., Inc., TrackTek Racing Fuel, Western Flyer Xpress.

PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: Boom Drilling, Buzzard Racing Engines, Day Motor Sports, Kraft/Ramirez Race Cars, Olympic Fire Protection, Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar, Ruter Farms, Yeager Machine.

CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, Belleville Motorsports, Bert Transmission, BSB Manufacturing, COMP Cams, Duralite Racing Wheels, Dynatech Racing Exhaust, GRT Race Cars, Hawk Performance, Holley Performance Products, Hyperco, ISKY Racing Cams, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, Quarter Master, QuickTime Performance Race Parts, Real Racing Wheels, US Brake.