SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The action Saturday night at the quick quarter-mile of the Springfield Raceway lived well up to its name with side-by-side action and photo finishes all night long.

Action in the USRA Modified feature saw the "Blonde Bomber" Tammy Mitchell take the opening lead from her front row starting spot.

The caution waved on lap 2 as Bobby Pearish looped his car in turn 2, and then early contender Jody Tillman went to the pits with problems.

On the restart, Erik Maggard flew to the very top side of the track to grab the lead from Mitchell. Mitchell then had a tight battle with Mitch Keeter and Jim body for position as current USRA Modified track points leader Jackie Dalton was working from his 10th starting spot and moved into third by lap 8 as action was fast and all over the track.

With Maggard setting a fast pace on the top groove, the caution waved on lap 10 as Body came to a halt in turn 2. On the double file restart, runner-up Keeter picked the low lane putting Dalton on the outside.

As action resumed, Dalton shot to the bottom with Maggard still running the high line. The duo ran side by side for five consecutive laps before Dalton went upstairs and followed for two more laps.

On lap 18, Dalton went back downstairs with Maggard rim-riding the top groove quickly. With the white flag out, Dalton made another last-lap lunge, but Maggard kept his Shaw Chassis on the upper line to claim the win with Dalton and his Hoffman Chassis a close second, followed by Mitch Keeter, Bobby Pearish and Mitchell.

Racing action continues next Saturday night, July 25, with Coors Night as the USRA Modified feature will pay $600 to the winner. USRA track and national points will be awarded and the drivers will draw for heats and use passing points to set the line-ups. Action will also feature the Bombers, Street Stocks, SportMods, Legends Cars and Late Models. Pit gates open at 4 p.m. with the drivers meeting at 6:30, hot laps at 6:45 and racing at 7:30. Grandstand gates open at 5 p.m. with adult admission only $10, kids 6-12 are $5 and under 6 free.

For more information, visit the website at www.springfieldraceway.com or contact Jerry Hoffman at 417-673-7426.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
American Racer USRA Weekly Racing Series
Springfield Raceway, Springfield, Mo.
Saturday, July 18, 2009

USRA MODIFIEDS

Feature: 1. Erik Maggard, Springfield; 2. Jackie Dalton, Carthage; 3. Mitch Keeter, Webb City; 4. Bobby Pearish, Oronogo; 5. Tammy Mitchell, Pea Ridge, Ark.; 6. Ted VanZandt, Billings; 7. Todd Knight, Harrison, Ark.; 8. Brian Green, Pierce City; 9. Darrell McWhirter, Bentonville, Ark.; 10. Jim Body, Diamond; 11. Jody Tillman, Branson; West; DNS - Wayne Graybeal, Springfield.

Heat #1: 1. Tillman; 2. Maggard; 3. Dalton; 4. Graybeal; 5. VanZandt; 6. McWhirter.

Heat #2: 1. Keeter; 2. Knight; 3. Pearish; 4. Body; 5. Mitchell; 6. Green.