LEBANON, Mo. - Under beautiful skies and with 80 race teams in the pits, the 2009 race season at the Midway Speedway began in grand style Friday with an action-packed night.

Defending USRA Modified track champion Jamie Ragland had to work hard in capturing the season opener.

2007 champion Eric Hudson of Rolla grabbed the early lead with Rusty Dukes and Craig Wood following close behind, with Dukes showing the high groove.

On lap 3, Ragland made a three-wide move on the front stretch to grab the runner-up spot and began his move to the front as Hudson was setting a fast pace.

On lap 6, Ragland caught Hudson as the duo ran side by side for three laps until Ragland grabbed the lead using the top side.

Hudson stayed down low while the battle for third was tight with Dukes, Donnie Fellers, Justin Neuman and Wood battling it out.

The second and final yellow flew on lap 13 for debris as the track had both low lines and top lines working strong. On the restart, Hudson moved to the top groove as Dukes, Fellers, Wood and Neuman battled hard.

In the closing laps Ragland pulled away leaving the race for second with Dukes and Hudson running side by side.

Coming to the checkered, Ragland grabbed the win with Dukes sliding high in turn 4, allowing Hudson and Fellers to move around to take the second and third place spots with Dukes and Wood following.

Action continues next Friday night as a Non-Winged Sprint event along with racing in the Factory Stocks, B-Mods, Bombers and Pure Stocks with Racing at 8 p.m.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
American Racer USRA Weekly Racing Series
Midway Speedway, Lebanon, Mo.
Friday, April 24, 2009

USRA MODIFIEDS

Feaure: 1. Jamie Ragland, Lebanon; 2. Eric Hudson, Rolla; 3. Donnie Fellers, Wheatland; 4. Rusty Dukes, Fair Grove; 5. Craig Wood, El Dorado Springs; 6. Justin Neuman, Crocker; 7. Eric Lampe, Springfield; 8. Sam Petty, Niangua; 9. Tony Moore, Lebanon; 10. Colson Kirk, Urbana.

Heat #1: 1. Hudson, 2. Wood, 3. Fellers, 4. Lampe, 5. Petty.

Heat #2: 1. Dukes, 2. Ragland, 3. Neuman, 4. Kirk, 5. Moore.