After three days of racing at the Houston Raceway Park, it looks like Hughes will be the man to beat again in 2010.

As the weekend wore on and the stakes got higher and higher, the 35-year-old chassis builder from Westville, Okla., got better and better. He scored a fifth-place finish on Thursday, came home second on Friday, and then wrapped up the 3rd Annual Texas Winter Nationals presented by Ed Rinehart for County Commissioner with an impressive $5,000 victory on Saturday night.

“That’ll help pay some of the bills,” Hughes said in victory lane. “We kept fighting, my crew has been working hard all weekend and the car kept getting better. This is how we wanted to start the season.

“This is by far the biggest crowd we’ve seen since we’ve started running here, and it’s nice to get the win in front of all these people.”

Prior to the drop of the green flag, Hughes had his work cut out for him as he sat tenth on the 26-car starting grid. On Thursday he started and finished fifth, then could only manage to climb one spot from third to second on Friday night.

Bumper Jones used his pole position to jump out to the early lead in Saturday’s “A” Main while drivers shuffled positions behind him.

Friday’s winner Jeremy Payne rocketed past three cars down the back-stretch two laps later to grab the runner-up spot while Hughes followed suit and quickly moved to fourth behind eighth-starting Steven Whiteaker Jr.

Jones, Payne and Whiteaker raced bumper to bumper for the next nine laps while Hughes trailed by four car-lengths. Racing side by side out of the fourth turn on lap 11, Whiteaker and Payne made contact with Payne holding on to the second spot.

One lap later, the race’s first yellow flag waved as Whiteaker came to a halt on the front-stretch with a flat tire.

After leaving the pit area with fresh rubber, Whiteaker tagged the rear of the field while Hughes inherited the third spot. Payne elected to start on the inside, leaving Hughes to his right for the double-file restart.

At the drop of the green flag, Hughes dove hard into the first turn and powered around Jones in turn two. Payne shadowed Hughes down the back-stretch and wrestled second place away from Jones in the next corner.

Within five laps, Hughes had extended his advantage to nearly a full straight-away over Payne and his teammate Terry Phillips. Phillips, however, nearly spun on lap 19 and gave up the position to Mike Hansen while Jones remained close behind in fifth.

Despite heavy lapped traffic throughout the second-half of the 40-lapper, Hughes remained flawless as he sailed to his 21st career USMTS Southern Series victory and 81st overall under the USMTS banner.

Payne, Hansen and Phillips held on for second, third and fourth, respectively, while John O Whittington nipped Jones for the fifth-place paycheck.

Morgan Bagley snagged seventh, Rodney Sanders earned an eight-place finish, Chris Henigan nabbed ninth and defending Texas Winter Nationals champion Zack VanderBeek raced from eighteenth to finish tenth.

The win also propelled Hughes into the points lead on the strength of his nine passing points and three lap leader bonus points in the main event. Phillips sits six points behind Hughes (292 to 286) in second with Payne just one more point back in third. Whittington is fourth with 276 markers, followed by Jones (259), Bagley (257), Kelly Shryock (227), Dereck Ramirez (201), Shane Hebert (191) and Steve Holzkamper (191).

Lee Patton leads the current crop of rookie contenders, followed by Tristan Dycus, Darrel Dawson, Shane Killingsworth and nine other drivers tied for fifth.

Up next for the USMTS Southern Series is a tripleheader in the Sooner State. The series makes its debut at the Creek County Speedway in Kellyville, Okla., on Thursday, March 18, then moves on to the Outlaw Motor Speedway near Muskogee on Friday, March 19. The weekend winds up at the West Siloam Speedway in West Siloam Springs on Saturday, March 20. All three events are expected to attract a powerful field of entries as points will be awarded for both the USMTS Southern Series and USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also follow the USMTS on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
USMTS Southern Series
3rd Annual Texas Winter Nationals presented by Ed Rinehart for County Commissioner – Event #3 of 3
Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, Texas
Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010

Showing finishing position, starting position in parentheses, car number, driver, hometown, chassis/engine builder, laps completed, reason out (if any) and money won. The top 14 drivers in passing points accumulated in the heat races are locked into the “A” Main, with the top 8 re-drawing for starting positions 1-8.

ISKY RACING CAMS HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):
1. (2) 5r Morgan Bagley, Longview, Texas.
2. (4) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla.
3. (5) 51 Tracy Denby Jr., Vidor, Texas.
4. (1) 15 Kevin Battarbee (R), Houston, Texas.
5. (10) E Howard Willis, Dayton, Texas.
6. (9) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa.
7. (7) 5 Jon Mitchell, Texarkana, Texas.
8. (6) 9 Shane Killingsworth (R), Dallas, Texas.
9. (11) 7x Rory Jordan (R), Victoria, Texas.
10. (12) 51 Jeff Wood, Willis, Texas.
11. (8) 17 Brad Lasater, Garland, Texas.
12. (3) 8 Steve Miller, Georgetown, Texas.

HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. (2) 85d Mark Dotson, Cameron, Mo.
2. (10) 89 Steven Whiteaker Jr., Corpus Christi, Texas.
3. (4) 15h Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyville, Texas.
4. (1) 58 Nathan Bichsel (R), Amarillo, Texas.
5. (7) 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La.
6. (11) 10 Kenny Battarbee (R), Houston, Texas.
7. (12) 21 Johnny Fennewald, Appleton City, Mo.
8. (8) 12c Corey Babbitt, Channelview, Texas.
9. (3) 18L Michael Long, Quincy, Ill.
10. (9) R5 Hunter Rasdon (R), Jonesboro, Ark.
11. (6) 10 Kyle Schmidt, Farmington, Ark.
12. (5) 23 Brandon Davis (R), Castle Rock, Colo.

HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. (2) 5w John O Whittington, Vidor, Texas.
2. (7) 25 Scott Green, Derby, Kan.
3. (11) 16 Chris Henigan, Marshall, Texas.
4. (8) 34 Ben Stephens (R), Hattiesburg, Miss.
5. (9) 8g Greg Dinsmore, Kerrville, Texas.
6. (5) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa.
7. (10) 14t Tristan Dycus (R), Midlothian, Texas.
8. (4) 8j Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, Texas.
9. (1) 87 John Webb, Pauls Valley, Okla.
10. (12) 20 Troy Seidl (R), Magnolia, Texas.
11. (3) 69 Randy Heston (R), Stinnett, Texas.
12. (6) 17x Cade Dillard, Robeline, La.

EIBACH SPRINGS HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. (3) 111 Bumper Jones, Mesilla Park, N.M.
2. (2) JP5 Lee Patton (R), Ruston, La.
3. (1) 410 Brad Doherty (R), Ennis, Texas.
4. (9) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
5. (7) 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla.
6. (10) 190 Shawn Stephenson (R), Howe, Texas.
7. (11) 44 Darrell Nelson, Hermantown, Minn.
8. (4) 56 David Horner, Houston, Texas.
9. (12) 2 Jerry Standifer (R), Howe, Okla.
10. (8) 55 Kyle Anderson (R), Tomball, Texas.
11. (5) 25 John Allen, Chanute, Kan.
12. (6) 2 Grant Junghans, Manhattan, Kan.

HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):
1. (3) 12h Mike Hansen, Alton, Iowa.
2. (11) 74 Jeremy Payne, Springfield, Mo.
3. (2) 30 Chase Allen, Midlothian, Texas.
4. (10) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas.
5. (1) 99 Derick Grigsby, Marshall, Texas.
6. (6) 98 Darryl Seals, Vidor, Texas.
7. (4) 56 Steve Pugh, Anderson, Texas.
8. (7) 9 Brent Nicholas (R), Baytown, Texas.
9. (5) 5a Wes Armstrong, Marshall, Texas.
10. (9) 96 Foster Ellison III, Richwood, Texas.
11. (8) 76 Jesse Manning, Brazoria, Texas.

HEAT RACE #6 (8 laps):
1. (2) 12 Jason Hughes, Westville, Okla.
2. (3) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
3. (5) 74 Mark Noble, Blooming Prairie, Minn.
4. (1) 00 Darrel Dawson (R), Midlothian, Texas.
5. (10) 5 Steve Holzkamper, Gentry, Ark.
6. (11) 20 Tommy Weder Jr., Woodward, Okla.
7. (8) 18s Cody Smith, Kaufman, Texas.
8. (7) 64 Jay Sale (R), Edmond, Okla.
9. (4) 68 Danny Barringer, Lufkin, Texas.
10. (9) 186 Jeremy Gossett (R), Amarillo, Texas.
11. (6) 7g Mark Smith, Lufkin, Texas.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 4 advance):
1. (1) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
2. (7) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa.
3. (8) 21 Johnny Fennewald, Appleton City, Mo.
4. (11) 12c Corey Babbitt, Channelview, Texas.
5. (15) R5 Hunter Rasdon (R), Jonesboro, Ark., $120.
6. (5) 00 Darrel Dawson (R), Midlothian, Texas, $120.
7. (3) 30 Chase Allen, Midlothian, Texas, $120.
8. (16) 186 Jeremy Gossett (R), Amarillo, Texas, $120.
9. (9) 98 Darryl Seals, Vidor, Texas, $100.
10. (19) 17x Cade Dillard, Robeline, La., $100.
11. (14) 68 Danny Barringer, Lufkin, Texas, $120.
12. (17) 69 Randy Heston (R), Stinnett, Texas, $120.
13. (6) 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La., $120.
14. (4) 8g Greg Dinsmore, Kerrville, Texas, $100.
15. (2) 34 Ben Stephens (R), Hattiesburg, Miss., $120.
16. (10) 56 Steve Pugh, Anderson, Texas, $120.
17. (12) 9 Brent Nicholas (R), Baytown, Texas, $120.
18. (13) 18L Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., $120.
19. (18) 7g Mark Smith, Lufkin, Texas, $120.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 4 advance):
1. (6) 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla.
2. (2) 15h Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyville, Texas.
3. (1) 51 Tracy Denby Jr., Vidor, Texas.
4. (3) E Howard Willis, Dayton, Texas.
5. (5) 10 Kenny Battarbee (R), Houston, Texas, $120.
6. (9) 18s Cody Smith, Kaufman, Texas, $120.
7. (4) 15 Kevin Battarbee (R), Houston, Texas, $120.
8. (17) 25 John Allen, Chanute, Kan., $120.
9. (8) 14t Tristan Dycus (R), Midlothian, Texas, $120.
10. (15) 55 Kyle Anderson (R), Tomball, Texas, $120.
11. (19) 2 Grant Junghans, Manhattan, Kan., $120.
12. (14) 51 Jeff Wood, Willis, Texas, $120.
13. (10) 2 Jerry Standifer (R), Howe, Okla., $120.
14. (12) 64 Jay Sale (R), Edmond, Okla., $120.
15. (18) 8 Steve Miller, Georgetown, Texas, $120.
16. (13) 87 John Webb, Pauls Valley, Okla., $100.
17. (16) 17 Brad Lasater, Garland, Texas, $120.
18. (7) 99 Derick Grigsby, Marshall, Texas, $120.
19. (11) 8j Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, Texas, $120.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #3 (15 laps, top 4 advance):
1. (1) 74 Mark Noble, Blooming Prairie, Minn.
2. (3) 5 Steve Holzkamper, Gentry, Ark.
3. (8) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa.
4. (2) 410 Brad Doherty (R), Ennis, Texas.
5. (7) 44 Darrell Nelson, Hermantown, Minn., $120.
6. (6) 190 Shawn Stephenson (R), Howe, Texas, $120.
7. (16) 10 Kyle Schmidt, Farmington, Ark., $120.
8. (13) 5a Wes Armstrong, Marshall, Texas, $120.
9. (5) 20 Tommy Weder Jr., Woodward, Okla., $120.
10. (12) 7x Rory Jordan (R), Victoria, Texas, $120.
11. (9) 5 Jon Mitchell, Texarkana, Texas, $120.
12. (14) 20 Troy Seidl (R), Magnolia, Texas, $120.
13. (18) 23 Brandon Davis (R), Castle Rock, Colo., $120.
14. (10) 9 Shane Killingsworth (R), Dallas, Texas, $120.
15. (11) 56 David Horner, Houston, Texas, $120.
16. (15) 96 Foster Ellison III, Richwood, Texas, $100.
17. (4) 58 Nathan Bichsel (R), Amarillo, Texas, $120.
18. (17) 76 Jesse Manning, Brazoria, Texas, $100.

“A” MAIN (40 laps):
1. (10) 12 Jason Hughes, Westville, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 40, $5,000.
2. (6) 74 Jeremy Payne, Springfield, Mo., GRT/Hatfield, 40, $3,000.
3. (4) 12h Mike Hansen, Alton, Iowa, GRT/PerfOnly, 40, $2,000.
4. (12) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo., GRT/Hatfield, 40, $1,500.
5. (9) 5w John O Whittington, Vidor, Texas, Pierce/CB, 40, $1,000.
6. (1) 111 Bumper Jones, Mesilla Park, N.M., TRE/ASI, 40, $800.
7. (3) 5r Morgan Bagley, Longview, Texas, Shaw/Rowland, 40, $700.
8. (13) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas, Hughes/Sanders, 40, $600.
9. (2) 16 Chris Henigan, Marshall, Texas, Kraft/PTS, 40, $500.
10. (18) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa, Skyrocket/Sput’s, 40, $450.
11. (16) 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 40, $400.
12. (5) 25 Scott Green, Derby, Kan., Hughes/Mullins, 40, $350.
13. (20) 5 Steve Holzkamper, Gentry, Ark., TRE/Shinook, 40, $350.
14. (17) 74 Mark Noble, Blooming Prairie, Minn., Kraft/Craft, 40, $350.
15. (19) 15h Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyville, Texas, Kraft/Wells, 39, $300.
16. (11) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla., Skyrocket/ASI, 39, $350.
17. (25) E Howard Willis, Dayton, Texas, Evolution/Fox, 39, $350.
18. (24) 12c Corey Babbitt, Channelview, Texas, TRE/CAM, 39, $300.
19. (14) JP5 Lee Patton (R), Ruston, La., Harris/PTS, 39, $350.
20. (22) 51 Tracy Denby Jr., Vidor, Texas, DirtWorks/Harris, 39, $350.
21. (26) 410 Brad Doherty (R), Ennis, Texas, GRT/Ewell, 39, $350.
22. (23) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa, Skyrocket/Sput’s, 32, flat tire, $350.
23. (7) 85d Mark Dotson, Cameron, Mo., GRT/Hatfield, 28, throttle spring, $350.
24. (15) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla., Ramirez/Sput’s, mechanical, 27, $350.
25. (8) 89 Steven Whiteaker Jr., Corpus Christi, Texas, Hughes/Rowland, flat tire, 15, $350.
26. (21) 21 Johnny Fennewald, Appleton City, Mo., GRT/Hatfield, 10, transmission, $350.

Lap Leaders: Jones 1-12, Hughes 13-40.
Total Laps Led: Hughes 28, Jones 12.
AFCO Pole Winner: Whiteaker.
PBM Performance Products Hard Charger: Hughes (started 10th, finished 1st).
Next Race: Thursday, March 18, Creek County Speedway, Kellyville, Okla.
Points Standings: Hughes 292, Phillips 286, Payne 285, Whittington 276, Jones 259, Bagley 257, Shryock 227, Ramirez 201, Hebert 191, Holzkamper 191.
Rookie of the Year Points: Patton 175, Dycus 149, Dawson 141, Killingsworth 140, Stephenson 135, Battarbee 135, Sale 135, Gossett 135, Stephens 135, Jordan 135, Seidl 135, Standifer 135, Bischel 135, Battarbee 135, Anderson 135, Nicholas 135, Heston 135, Davis 135.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Hatfield 28, Mullins 25, CB 20, Rowland 19, PerfOnly 17.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: GRT 28, Hughes 25, Shaw 21, Pierce 21, Skyrocket 19.

Contingency Awards:
Ai-Racing – Phillips.
American Racer – not awarded.
Eibach Springs – Jones.
Isky Racing Cams – Bagley.
KSE Racing Products – Payne.
Marsh Racing Wheels – Fennewald.
Out-Pace Racing Products – Timms.
PBM Performance Products – Hughes.
Quarter Master – Hughes, Sanders.
QuickTime – Bagley.
Real Racing Wheels – Dawson, C. Smith, Stephenson.

Express Race Cars-Limited Mods
Heat Races 2/20/2010
Heat 1 Finish Driver
1 9 – Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (2)
2 12m – Howard Willis — Dayton, TX (8)
3 3 – Glen Grant — Houston, TX (7)
4 89 – Steve Whiteaker,Jr — Corpus Christi, TX
5 420 – Eric Cegielski — Houston, TX (4)
6 188 – Derek Rashall — Dayton, TX (6)
7 65 – Shannon Fox — Pasadena, Tx (5)
8 1 – Steve Hoppe — Houston, TX (3)
9 1b – Grant Brown — Silsbee, TX (9)
10 260 – Paul White — Temple, TX (1)

Heat 2 Finish Driver
1 10a – John Matt — Crosby, TX (2)
2 9 – Phil Dixon — Houston, TX (4)
3 111 – Lee Fincher — League City, TX (6)
4 211 – Dean Hollier — Groves, TX (3)
5 14 – Marcus Berndt — Katy, TX (7)
6 24 – Derek Ross — Crosby, TX (5)
7 11p – Luke Graves — Atlanta, LA (9)
8 5p – Brian Poulter — Cleveland, Tx (8)
9 43 – Jeff Mueller — Highlands, TX (10)
10 28 – Michael McDonald — Wallaceville, TX (1)

Heat 3 Finish Driver
1 93 – Mark Greiner — Crosby, TX (1)
2 33 – Bobby Fehring — Mt. Vieu, TX (6)
3 1 – Shannon Cox — Miliam, TX (2)
4 46 – Randy Bridges — Rosharon, TX (5)
5 x – Thomas Downey — , (8)
6 47 – James Myers — Corpus Christi, TX (7)
7 11jr – Johnny Brown — Lumberton, TX (3)
8 4 – Brad Dixon — Kattie, TX (4)
9 3j – Kevin Dupont — Carencro, LA (

B Main Finish 2/20/2010
Finish Driver
1 260 – Paul White — Temple, TX (10)
2 43 – Jeff Mueller — Highlands, TX (8)
3 1b – Grant Brown — Silsbee, TX (7)
4 4 – Brad Dixon — Kattie, TX (6)
5 11p – Luke Graves — Atlanta, LA (2)
6 5p – Brian Poulter — Cleveland, Tx (5)
7 28 – Michael McDonald — Wallaceville, TX (11)
8 11jr – Johnny Brown — Lumberton, TX (3)
9 65 – Shannon Fox — Pasadena, Tx (1)
10 1 – Steve Hoppe — Houston, TX (4)
11 3j – Kevin Dupont — Carencro, LA (9)

A Main Finish 2/20/2010
Finish Drive
1 9 – Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (7)
2 12m – Howard Willis — Dayton, TX (4)
3 111 – Lee Fincher — League City, TX (2)
4 89 – Steve Whiteaker,Jr — Corpus Christi, TX (10)
5 3 – Glen Grant — Houston, TX (1)
6 260 – Paul White — Temple, TX (19)
7 9 – Phil Dixon — Houston, TX (5)
8 33 – Bobby Fehring — Mt. Vieu, TX (6)
9 10a – John Matt — Crosby, TX (8)
10 24 – Derek Ross — Crosby, TX (17)
11 211 – Dean Hollier — Groves, TX (11)
12 x – Thomas Downey — , (15)
13 188 – Derek Rashall — Dayton, TX (16)
14 1b – Grant Brown — Silsbee, TX (21)
15 47 – James Myers — Corpus Christi, TX (18)
16 1 – Shannon Cox — Miliam, TX (3)
17 43 – Jeff Mueller — Highlands, TX (20)
18 420 – Eric Cegielski — Houston, TX (13)
19 11p – Luke Graves — Atlanta, LA (23)
20 5p – Brian Poulter — Cleveland, Tx (24)
21 46 – Randy Bridges — Rosharon, TX (12)
22 93 – Mark Greiner — Crosby, TX (9)
23 4 – Brad Dixon — Kattie, TX (22)
24 14 – Marcus Berndt — Katy, TX (14)

Payne started fourth on the grid and quickly moved into the second spot behind Darrell Nelson, who wrestled the lead away from polesitter Shane Killingsworth as the field crossed beneath the flagstand to complete the first lap.

Nelson held his own for 11 laps until Payne swept to his outside down the back-stretch before securing the top spot on lap 12.

Hughes got around Nelson six laps later and closed in on Payne while the top five runners of Payne, Hughes, Nelson, Morgan Bagley and John O Whittington pulled away from the rest of the pack.

Just as the leaders encountered lapped traffic for the first time, the caution flag waved on lap 16 to slow the action and bunch up the field.

On the restart, Payne shut the door on Hughes’ attempt to get by and the pair distanced themselves from the field en route to a nose-to-tail finish at the checkered flag.

“It’s nice to get a win under our belt tonight,” Payne said in victory lane. “Now we can take a little more risk tomorrow for the big money.”

Despite a second late-race yellow flag with ten laps to go, Hughes was never able to find a way around the 24-year-old from Springfield, Mo., and had to settle for the runner-up paycheck.

“After the last caution I knew he (Hughes) was behind us,” Payne revealed. “He’s a great racer and I knew I couldn’t make a single mistake or the race would be his.”

The win was the first for Payne since capturing a USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour main event at his hometown Springfield Raceway last August.

Whittington recoded his second top-5 finish in as many nights with a third-place showing, Nelson held on for a USMTS career-best fourth-place finish and Bagley, who captured the AFCO Pole Award earlier in the evening, rounded out the top-5 finishers.

Mike Hansen, Payne’s teammate Terry Phillips, Shane Hebert, Dereck Ramirez and Thursday night’s winner Kelly Shryock finished sixth through tenth, respectively.

Round 3 of the 3rd Annual Texas Winter Nationals presented by Ed Rinehart for County Commissioner takes place on Saturday, with a top prize of $5,000 awaiting the “A” Main winner.

In addition to the touring titans of the USMTS Southern Series, the racing card will also feature Southern Limited Modifieds racing for $1,500 to win, courtesy of Express Racecars.

On Saturday, the pit gate opens at 3 p.m., grandstands open at 4 and the first heat race hits the track at 6 p.m. Hot laps will begin approximately one half-hour before race time.

The Houston Raceway Park is a state-of-the-art 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval with a main grandstand seating capacity of 7,500 which includes fourteen VIP luxury suites and boasts a modern Musco Lighting system suitable for television productions.

The facility is located east of Houston on I-10 to Exit 799, then 2.5 miles south on SH 99 (Grand Parkway), then 0.3 mile west on FM 565 (speedway entrance located at Gate 3). For more information, call the track office at 281-383-RACE or visit www.houstonraceway.com online.

Free grandstand tickets are available by calling the track’s ticket office at 281-383-RACE and requesting free tickets by will-call for the USMTS race. Free event passes that were distributed for the weathered-out December event are still good for Saturday’s show too.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also follow the USMTS on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
USMTS Southern Series
3rd Annual Texas Winter Nationals presented by Ed Rinehart for County Commissioner – Event #2 of 3
Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, Texas
Friday, Feb. 19, 2010

Showing finishing position, starting position in parentheses, car number, driver, hometown, chassis/engine builder, laps completed, reason out (if any) and money won. The top 14 drivers in passing points accumulated in the heat races are locked into the “A” Main, with the top 8 re-drawing for starting positions 1-8.

ISKY RACING CAMS HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):
1. (2) 44 Darrell Nelson, Hermantown, Minn.
2. (8) 5r Morgan Bagley, Longview, Texas.
3. (4) R5 Hunter Rasdon (R), Jonesboro, Ark.
4. (5) 5 Steve Holzkamper, Gentry, Ark.
5. (10) 74 Mark Noble, Blooming Prairie, Minn.
6. (9) 34 Ben Stephens (R), Hattiesburg, Miss.
7. (6) 7g Mark Smith, Lufkin, Texas.
8. (3) 8 Steve Miller, Georgetown, Texas.
9. (7) 64 Jay Sale (R), Edmond, Okla.
10. (11) 68 Danny Barringer, Lufkin, Texas.
11. (1) 87 John Webb, Pauls Valley, Okla.
12. (12) E Howard Willis, Dayton, Texas.

HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. (2) 9 Shane Killingsworth (R), Dallas, Texas.
2. (6) 21 Johnny Fennewald, Appleton City, Mo.
3. (3) 89 Steven Whiteaker Jr., Corpus Christi, Texas.
4. (9) 5 Jon Mitchell, Texarkana, Texas.
5. (5) 5a Wes Armstrong, Marshall, Texas.
6. (10) 18s Cody Smith, Kaufman, Texas.
7. (7) 186 Jeremy Gossett, Amarillo, Texas.
8. (8) 30 Chase Allen, Midlothian, Texas.
9. (4) 7x Rory Jordan (R), Victoria, Texas.
10. (12) 56 Steve Pugh, Anderson, Texas.
11. (11) 16 Chris Henigan, Marshall, Texas.
12. (1) 25 John Allen, Chanute, Kan.

HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. (4) 2 Grant Junghans, Manhattan, Kan.
2. (8) 12 Jason Hughes, Westville, Okla.
3. (2) 12c Corey Babbitt, Channelview, Texas.
4. (6) 51 Tracy Denby Jr., Vidor, Texas.
5. (1) 99 Derick Grigsby, Marshall, Texas.
6. (5) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas.
7. (9) 25 Scott Green, Derby, Kan.
8. (3) 51 Jeff Wood, Willis, Texas.
9. (7) 18L Michael Long, Quincy, Ill.
10. (11) 15 Kevin Battarbee (R), Houston, Texas.
11. (10) 5m Joe Mayhew, Highlands, Texas.

EIBACH SPRINGS HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. (2) 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla.
2. (8) 12h Mike Hansen, Alton, Iowa.
3. (7) 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La.
4. (11) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa.
5. (1) 17 Brad Lasater, Garland, Texas.
6. (10) 8j Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, Texas.
7. (9) 82 Joshua Majek (R), Corpus Christi, Texas.
8. (3) JP5 Lee Patton (R), Ruston, La.
9. (4) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla.
10. (5) 23 Brandon Davis (R), Castle Rock, Colo.
11. (6) 85d Mark Dotson, Cameron, Mo.

HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):
1. (2) 74 Jeremy Payne, Springfield, Mo.
2. (1) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
3. (5) 00 Darrel Dawson (R), Midlothian, Texas.
4. (7) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
5. (8) 20 Tommy Weder Jr., Woodward, Okla.
6. (4) 10 Kyle Schmidt, Farmington, Ark.
7. (11) 14t Tristan Dycus (R), Midlothian, Texas.
8. (3) 410 Brad Doherty (R), Ennis, Texas.
9. (10) 9 Brent Nicholas (R), Baytown, Texas.
10. (6) 55 Kyle Anderson (R), Tomball, Texas.
11. (9) 190 Shawn Stephenson (R), Howe, Texas.

HEAT RACE #6 (8 laps):
1. (2) 5w John O Whittington, Vidor, Texas.
2. (3) 56 David Horner, Houston, Texas.
3. (5) 111 Bumper Jones, Mesilla Park, N.M.
4. (7) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa.
5. (6) 10 Kenny Battarbee (R), Houston, Texas.
6. (10) 15h Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyville, Texas.
7. (8) 58 Nathan Bischel (R), Amarillo, Texas.
8. (4) 9j Darrell Jones, Ashland, Mo.
9. (9) 69 Randy Heston (R), Stinnett, Texas.
10. (1) 2 Jerry Standifer (R), Howe, Okla.
11. (11) 20 Troy Seidl (R), Magnolia, Texas.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 4 advance):
1. (1) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
2. (3) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa.
3. (8) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas.
4. (2) 111 Bumper Jones, Mesilla Park, N.M.
5. (4) 51 Tracy Denby Jr., Vidor, Texas, $100.
6. (5) 18s Cody Smith, Kaufman, Texas, $100.
7. (9) 82 Joshua Majek (R), Corpus Christi, Texas, $100.
8. (6) 10 Kenny Battarbee (R), Houston, Texas, $100.
9. (15) 15 Kevin Battarbee (R), Houston, Texas, $100.
10. (11) 51 Jeff Wood, Willis, Texas, $100.
11. (17) 5m Joe Mayhew, Highlands, Texas, $80.
12. (18) 20 Troy Seidl (R), Magnolia, Texas, $100.
13. (12) 9j Darrell Jones, Ashland, Mo., $80.
14. (13) 7x Rory Jordan (R), Victoria, Texas, $100.
15. (16) 2 Jerry Standifer (R), Howe, Okla., $100.
16. (14) 69 Randy Heston (R), Stinnett, Texas, $100.
17. (7) 99 Derick Grigsby, Marshall, Texas, $100.
18. (10) 186 Jeremy Gossett (R), Amarillo, Texas, $100.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (12 laps, top 4 advance):
1. (1) 5 Jon Mitchell, Texarkana, Texas.
2. (2) R5 Hunter Rasdon (R), Jonesboro, Ark.
3. (11) JP5 Lee Patton (R), Ruston, La.
4. (3) 12c Corey Babbitt, Channelview, Texas.
5. (9) 58 Nathan Bischel (R), Amarillo, Texas, $100.
6. (4) 5 Steve Holzkamper, Gentry, Ark., $100.
7. (17) 85d Mark Dotson, Cameron, Mo., $100.
8. (12) 9 Brent Nicholas (R), Baytown, Texas, $100.
9. (14) 56 Steve Pugh, Anderson, Texas, $100.
10. (6) 34 Ben Stephens (R), Hattiesburg, Miss., $100.
11. (5) 8j Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, Texas, $100.
12. (7) 17 Brad Lasater, Garland, Texas, $100.
13. (13) 18L Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., $100.
14. (10) 8 Steve Miller, Georgetown, Texas, $100.
15. (8) 10 Kyle Schmidt, Farmington, Ark., $100.
16. (15) 23 Brandon Davis (R), Castle Rock, Colo., $100.
17. (16) 87 John Webb, Pauls Valley, Okla., $80.
18. (18) E Howard Willis, Dayton, Texas, $100.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #3 (12 laps, top 4 advance):
1. (2) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
2. (1) 00 Darrel Dawson (R), Midlothian, Texas.
3. (8) 25 Scott Green, Derby, Kan.
4. (18) 25 John Allen, Chanute, Kan.
5. (15) 55 Kyle Anderson (R), Tomball, Texas, $100.
6. (7) 14t Tristan Dycus (R), Midlothian, Texas, $100.
7. (11) 410 Brad Doherty (R), Ennis, Texas, $100.
8. (13) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla., $100.
9. (12) 64 Jay Sale (R), Edmond, Okla., $100.
10. (10) 30 Chase Allen, Midlothian, Texas, $100.
11. (14) 68 Danny Barringer, Lufkin, Texas, $100.
12. (17) 190 Shawn Stephenson (R), Howe, Texas, $100.
13. (4) 20 Tommy Weder Jr., Woodward, Okla., $100.
14. (9) 7g Mark Smith, Lufkin, Texas, $100.
15. (5) 15h Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyville, Texas, $80.
16. (3) 74 Mark Noble, Blooming Prairie, Minn., $100.
17. (16) 16 Chris Henigan, Marshall, Texas, $100.
18. (6) 5a Wes Armstrong, Marshall, Texas, $100.

“A” MAIN (35 laps):
1. (4) 74 Jeremy Payne, Springfield, Mo., GRT/Hatfield, 35, $3,000.
2. (3) 12 Jason Hughes, Westville, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 35, $2,000.
3. (9) 5w John O Whittington, Vidor, Texas, Pierce/CB, 35, $1,500.
4. (2) 44 Darrell Nelson, Hermantown, Minn., Shaw/Tim’s, 35, $1,000.
5. (6) 5r Morgan Bagley, Longview, Texas, Shaw/Rowland, 35, $800.
6. (7) 12h Mike Hansen, Alton, Iowa, GRT/PerfOnly, 35, $700.
7. (17) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo., GRT/Hatfield, 35, $600.
8. (11) 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La., Hughes/Wall2Wall, 35, $500.
9. (15) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla., Ramirez/Sput’s, 35, $450.
10. (10) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa, Skyrocket/Sput’s, 35, $400.
11. (14) 89 Steven Whiteaker Jr., Corpus Christi, Texas, Hughes/Rowland, 35, $350.
12. (24) 111 Bumper Jones, Mesilla Park, N.M., TRE/ASI, 35, $320.
13. (26) 25 John Allen, Chanute, Kan., Hughes/Mullins, 35, $300.
14. (19) R5 Hunter Rasdon (R), Jonesboro, Ark., GRT/Dickens, 35, $300.
15. (23) 25 Scott Green, Derby, Kan., Hughes/Mullins, 35, $300.
16. (25) 12c Corey Babbitt, Channelview, Texas, TRE/Jeff, 35, $275.
17. (22) JP5 Lee Patton (R), Ruston, La., Harris/tbd, 35, $300.
18. (5) 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 35, $300.
19. (16) 5 Jon Mitchell, Texarkana, Texas, GRT/KHP, 35, $300.
20. (8) 2 Grant Junghans, Manhattan, Kan., TRE/Sput’s, 35, $300.
21. (18) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa, Skyrocket/Sput’s, 35, $300.
22. (13) 56 David Horner, Houston, Texas, Skyrocket/Sput’s, 35, $300.
23. (20) 00 Darrel Dawson (R), Midlothian, Texas, Hughes/Rowland, 35, $300.
24. (12) 21 Johnny Fennewald, Appleton City, Mo., GRT/Hatfield, 25, mechanical, $300.
25. (21) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas, Hughes/Sanders, 16, mechanical, $300.
26. (1) 9 Shane Killingsworth (R), Dallas, Texas, KillerWorks/BK’s, 2, mechanical, $300.

(R) = “Just Say Yes” Rookie of the Year candidate.

Lap Leaders: Nelson 1-11, Payne 12-35.
Total Laps Led: Payne 24, Nelson 11.
AFCO Pole Winner: Bagley.
PBM Performance Products Hard Charger: J. Allen (started 26th, finished 13th).
Next Race: Saturday, Feb. 20, Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, Texas.
Points Standings: Phillips 191, Whittington 188, Payne 186, Hughes 180, Bagley 179, Jones 177, Shryock 174, Ramirez 151, Hebert 146, J. Allen 124.
“Just Say Yes” Rookie of the Year Points: Patton 120, Dycus 104, Dawson 96, Killingsworth 95, Stephenson 90, Kevin Battarbee 90, Sale 90, Gossett 90, Stephens 90, Jordan 90, Seidl 90, Standifer 90, Bischel 90, Kenny Battarbee 90, Anderson 90, Nicholas 90, Heston 90, Davis 90.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Hatfield 19, Mullins 15, Rowland 14, Sput’s 13, CB 13.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: GRT 19, Skyrocket 15, Shaw 15, Hughes 15, Pierce 13.

Contingency Awards:Ai-Racing – Ramirez.
American Racer – not awarded.
Eibach Springs – Timms.
Isky Racing Cams – Nelson.
KSE Racing Products – Hughes.
Marsh Racing Wheels – Killingsworth.
Out-Pace Racing Products – Whiteaker.
PBM Performance Products – J. Allen.
Quarter Master – Payne, Hebert.
QuickTime – Phillips.
Real Racing Wheels – C. Smith, Holzkamper, Dycus.

Last year, Shryock struggled through a career-worst 55-race winless streak that began in August of 2008 and finally ended nearly 11 months later.

But that won’t be the case this year as he captured the 30-lap “A” Main at the Houston Raceway Park to kick start the USMTS Southern Series season and set the tone for the rest of the 2010 campaign.

Shryock drew the outside of the front row for the start of the main event, but it was polesitter Mark Dotson who led the first lap and third-starting Morgan Bagley who led the next 15 trips around the 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval.

With two-time defending USMTS Southern Series champion Jason Hughes joining the fight at the front of the field, the leaders encountered heavy lapped traffic at the midway point of the race with Shryock able to edge in front of Bagley down the back-stretch as they split a lapped car.

Before the lap could be completed, however, the race’s first caution waved and Bagley retained the point for the restart. The yellow flag waved two more times over the next two laps with Bagley able to hold off Shryock on both occasions.

On the next attempt, Shryock elected to take the outside lane for the double-file restart. Back under green, Shryock was able to power around Bagley in the first turn and snag the top spot away from the 23-year-old Texan.

Shryock never relinquished the lead, but had to fend off several aggressive maneuvers from tenth-starting Terry Phillips over the final ten laps to secure the victory.

Bagley held on for a third-place finish, while Bumper Jones climbed to fourth from 14th on the starting grid to earn the PBM Performance Products Hard Charger Award.

Hughes, who had captured the last two checkered flags at the Baytown, Texas, speedplant, faded to fifth by the end of the contest.

John O Whittington won the second of three Real Racing Wheels “B” Mains, then advanced ten spots in the “A” Main to pocket a sixth-place paycheck.

Jeremy Payne, Mike Hansen, Johnny Fennewald and Steve Holzkamper rounded out the top-10 finishers.

Sixty-one USMTS Modified filled the pit area on Thursday, and officials expect that number climb even higher on Friday and Saturday as the prize money and forecasted temperatures rise throughout the weekend.

Friday’s main event winner will earn $3,000 while the victor on Saturday gets $5,000 courtesy of Ed Rinehart for County Commissioner.

In addition to the touring titans of the USMTS Southern Series, the racing card will feature Southern Limited Modifieds racing for $1,000 and $1,500 to win, respectively, courtesy of Express Race Cars.

On Friday, the pit gate opens at 3 p.m., grandstands open at 5 and racing begins at 7. On Saturday, pit gates open at 3 p.m., grandstands open at 4 and the first heat race hits the track at 6 p.m. Hot laps each day will begin approximately one half-hour before race time.

The Houston Raceway Park is a state-of-the-art 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval with a main grandstand seating capacity of 7,500 which includes fourteen VIP luxury suites and boasts a modern Musco Lighting system suitable for television productions.

The facility is located east of Houston on I-10 to Exit 799, then 2.5 miles south on SH 99 (Grand Parkway), then 0.3 mile west on FM 565 (speedway entrance located at Gate 3). For more information, call the track office at 281-383-RACE or visit www.houstonraceway.com online.

Free grandstand tickets for Friday and Saturday night are available at several locations throughout the Houston area, or by calling the track’s ticket office at 281-383-RACE and requesting free tickets by will-call for the USMTS race. Free event passes that were distributed for the December event are still good for the Feb. 18-20 show this year.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also follow the USMTS on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
USMTS Southern Series
3rd Annual Texas Winter Nationals presented by Ed Rinehart for County Commissioner – Event #1 of 3
Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, Texas
Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010

Showing finishing position, starting position in parentheses, car number, driver, hometown, chassis/engine builder, laps completed, reason out (if any) and money won. The top 14 drivers in passing points accumulated in the heat races are locked into the “A” Main, with the top 8 re-drawing for starting positions 1-8.

ISKY RACING CAMS HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):
1. (4) 8 Steve Miller, Georgetown, TX.
2. (3) 5 Steve Holzkamper, Gentry, AR.
3. (10) 85d Mark Dotson, Cameron, MO.
4. (5) 18 Michael Long, Quincy, IL.
5. (8) 14t Tristan Dycus, Midlothian, TX.
6. (7) 20 Tommy Weder Jr., Woodward, OK.
7. (2) 9 Brent Nicholas, Baytown, TX.
8. (11) 9 Shane Killingsworth, Dallas, TX.
9. (9) 17 Brad Lasater, Garland, TX.
10. (6) 186 Jeremy Gossett, Amarillo, TX.
11. (1) 7x Rory Jordan, Victoria, TX.

HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. (1) 25 Scott Green, Derby, KS.
2. (5) 12 Jason Hughes, Westville, OK.
3. (4) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, OK.
4. (8) 5 Jon Mitchell, Texarkana, TX.
5. (2) 12 Corey Babbitt, Channelview, TX.
6. (3) 87 John Webb, Pauls Valley, OK.
7. (9) 9j Darrell Jones, Ashland, MO.
8. (6) 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, LA.
9. (7) 2 Grant Junghans, Manhattan, KS.
10. (10) 89 Steven Whiteaker Jr., Corpus Christi, TX.

HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. (1) 5r Morgan Bagley, Longview, TX.
2. (2) 15h Sam Hafertepe, Sunnyville, TX.
3. (6) 21 Johnny Fennewald, Appleton City, MO.
4. (7) 74 Mark Noble, Blooming Prairie, MN.
5. (3) 5a Wes Armstrong, Marshall, TX.
6. (5) 55 Kyle Anderson (R), Tomball, TX.
7. (8) 15 Kevin Battarbee (R), Houston, TX.
8. (4) 68 Danny Barringer, Lufkin, TX.
9. (9) 34 Ben Stephens (R), Hattiesburg, MS.
10. (10) 56 David Horner, Houston, TX.

EIBACH SPRINGS HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. (1) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, IA.
2. (4) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, MO.
3. (3) JP5 Lee Patton (R), Ruston, LA.
4. (6) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, OK.
5. (9) 99 Derick Grigsby, Marshall, TX.
6. (5) 190 Shawn Stephenson (R), Howe, TX.
7. (10) 51 Tracy Denby Jr., Vidor, TX.
8. (8) 20 Troy Seidl (R), Magnolia, TX.
9. (7) 69 Randy Heston (R), Stinnett, TX.
10. (2) 23 Brandon Davis, Castle Rock, CO.

HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):
1. (2) 12h Mike Hansen, Alton, IA.
2. (1) 111 Bumper Jones, Mesilla Park, NM.
3. (8) 74 Jeremy Payne, Springfield, MO.
4. (3) 44 Darrell Nelson, Hermantown, MN.
5. (5) 5w John O Whittington, Vidor, TX.
6. (6) 25 John Allen, Chanute, KS.
7. (7) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, TX.
8. (4) 10 Kenny Battarbee (R), Houston, TX.
9. (10) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, IA.
10. (9) 22 Tracy Denby Sr., Vidor, TX.

HEAT RACE #6 (8 laps):
1. (6) 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, OK.
2. (2) 8j Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, TX.
3. (1) 00 Darrel Dawson (R), Midlothian, TX.
4. (5) 10 Kyle Schmidt, Farmington, AR.
5. (8) E Howard Willis, Dayton, TX.
6. (9) 58 Nathan Bischel, Amarillo, TX.
7. (7) 2 Jerry Standifer (R), Howe, OK.
8. (3) 64 Jay Sale, Edmond, OK.
9. (4) 7g Mark Smith, Lufkin, TX.
10. (10) 18s Cody Smith, Kaufman, TX.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 4 advance):
1. (2) 74 Mark Noble, Blooming Prairie, MN.
2. (3) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, OK.
3. (1) 8j Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, TX.
4. (5) 44 Darrell Nelson, Hermantown, MN.
5. (4) 10 Kyle Schmidt, Farmington, AR, $80.
6. (8) 190 Shawn Stephenson (R), Howe, TX, $80.
7. (7) 51 Tracy Denby Jr., Vidor, TX, $80.
8. (6) 5a Wes Armstrong, Marshall, TX, $80.
9. (9) 15 Kevin Battarbee (R), Houston, TX, $80.
10. (14) 7g Mark Smith, Lufkin, TX, $80.
11. (12) 64 Jay Sale, Edmond, OK, $80.
12. (11) 68 Danny Barringer, Lufkin, TX, $80.
13. (13) 2 Grant Junghans, Manhattan, KS, $80.
14. (10) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, TX, $80.
15. (16) 18s Cody Smith, Kaufman, TX, $80.
16. (15) 56 David Horner, Houston, TX, $80.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 4 advance):
1. (6) 5w John O Whittington, Vidor, TX.
2. (2) JP5 Lee Patton (R), Ruston, LA.
3. (12) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, IA.
4. (4) 14t Tristan Dycus (R), Midlothian, TX.
5. (8) 25 John Allen, Chanute, KS, $80.
6. (14) 186 Jeremy Gossett (R), Amarillo, TX, $80.
7. (13) 34 Ben Stephens (R), Hattiesburg, MS, $60.
8. (7) 87 John Webb, Pauls Valley, OK, $60.
9. (16) 7x Rory Jordan (R), Victoria, TX, $80.
10. (11) 20 Troy Seidl (R), Magnolia, TX, $80.
11. (10) 2 Jerry Standifer (R), Howe, OK, $80.
12. (5) 58 Nathan Bischel, Amarillo, TX, $80.
13. (3) 99 Derick Grigsby, Marshall, TX, $80.
14. (1) 5 Jon Mitchell, Texarkana, TX, $80.
15. (9) 9 Shane Killingsworth (R), Dallas, TX, $80.
16. (15) 23 Brandon Davis, Castle Rock, CO, $80.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #3 (15 laps, top 4 advance):
1. (3) 18 Michael Long, Quincy, IL.
2. (1) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, OK.
3. (10) 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, LA.
4. (5) 12 Corey Babbitt, Channelview, TX.
5. (2) 00 Darrel Dawson (R), Midlothian, TX, $80.
6. (6) 20 Tommy Weder Jr., Woodward, OK, $80.
7. (11) 10 Kenny Battarbee (R), Houston, TX, $80.
8. (7) 55 Kyle Anderson (R), Tomball, TX, $80.
9. (15) 22 Tracy Denby Sr., Vidor, TX, $60.
10. (9) 9 Brent Nicholas (R), Baytown, TX, $80.
11. (8) 9j Darrell Jones, Ashland, MO, $60.
12. (13) 69 Randy Heston (R), Stinnett, TX, $80.
13. (12) 17 Brad Lasater, Garland, TX, $80.
14. (4) E Howard Willis, Dayton, TX, $80.
15. (14) 89 Steven Whiteaker Jr., Corpus Christi, TX, $80.

“A” MAIN (30 laps):
1. (2) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa, Skyrocket/Sput’s, 30, $2,000.
2. (10) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo., GRT/Hatfield, 30, $1,500.
3. (3) 5r Morgan Bagley, Longview, Texas, Shaw/Rowland, 30, $1,000.
4. (14) 111 Bumper Jones, Mesilla Park, N.M., TRE/ASI, 30, $800.
5. (5) 12 Jason Hughes, Westville, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 30, $700.
6. (16) 5w John O Whittington, Vidor, Texas, Pierce/CB, 30, $600.
7. (9) 74 Jeremy Payne, Springfield, Mo., GRT/Hatfield, 30, $500.
8. (8) 12h Mike Hansen, Alton, Iowa, GRT/PerfOnly, 30, $450.
9. (12) 21 Johnny Fennewald, Appleton City, Mo., GRT/tbd, 30, $250.
10. (11) 5 Steve Holzkamper, Gentry, Ark., TRE/Shinook, 30, $350.
11. (1) 85d Mark Dotson, Cameron, Mo., GRT/Hatfield, 30, $325.
12. (17) 18 Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., Kraft/Xtreme, 30, $300.
13. (18) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla., Ramirez/Sput’s, 30, $275.
14. (26) 12 Corey Babbitt, Channelview, Texas, TRE/Jeff, 30, $200.
15. (13) 15h Sam Hafertepe, Sunnyville, Texas, tbd/tbd, 30, $200.
16. (23) 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La., Hughes/Wall2Wall, 30, $250.
17. (21) 8j Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, Texas, Ramirez/Sput’s, 30, $250.
18. (19) JP5 Lee Patton (R), Ruston, La., Harris/tbd, $250.
19. (24) 44 Darrell Nelson, Hermantown, Minn., Shaw/Tim’s, $250.
20. (25) 14t Tristan Dycus (R), Midlothian, Texas, Kraft/Barr, $250.
21. (22) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa, Skyrocket/Sput’s, $250.
22. (6) 25 Scott Green, Derby, Kan., Hughes/Mullins, 22, mechanical, $250.
23. (7) 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 22, mechanical, $250.
24. (20) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla., Skyrocket/Sput’s, 19, mechanical, $250.
25. (4) 8 Steve Miller, Georgetown, Texas, Hughes/tbd, 17, mechanical, $250.
26. (15) 74 Mark Noble, Blooming Prairie, Minn., Kraft/tbd, 15, mechanical, $250.

Lap Leaders: Dotson 1, Bagley 2-17, Shryock 18-30.
Total Laps Led: Bagley 16, Shryock 13, Dotson 1.
AFCO Pole Winner: Timms.
PBM Performance Products Hard Charger: Jones (started 14th, finished 4th).
Next Race: Friday, Feb. 19, Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, Texas.
Points Standings: Phillips 103, Shryock 102, Jones 97, Bagley 94, Whittington 91, Hughes 84, Payne 80, Holzkamper 73, Dotson 71, Ramirez 71.
Just Say Yes Rookie of the Year Points: Dycus 59, Patton 57, Stephenson 45, Kevin Battarbee 45, Sale 45, Gossett 45, Stephens 45, Jordan 45, Seidl 45, Standifer 45, Bischel 45, Killingsworth 45, Dawson 45, Kenny Battarbee 45, Anderson 45, Nicholas 45, Heston 45.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Sput’s 10, Hatfield 9, Rowland 8, ASI 7, Mullins 6.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: Skyrocket 10, GRT 9, Shaw 8, TRE 7, Hughes 6.

Contingency Awards:
American Racer – not awarded.
Eibach Springs – Shryock.
Isky Racing Cams – Miller.
KSE Racing Products – Phillips.
Marsh Racing Wheels – Noble.
Out-Pace Racing Products – Dotson.
PBM Performance Products – Jones.
Quarter Master – Shryock, Hansen.
QuickTime – Payne.
Real Racing Wheels – Stephenson, Gossett, Weder.

Dozens of drivers, however, still got a head start during a three-hour practice session on the 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval Wednesday night.

In contrast to 76 days ago when heavy rainfall and bitter cold resulted in a soft rough racing surface, drivers embraced the smooth surface on Wednesday night.

And everybody involved is looking forward to the next three days where the weatherman is forecasting temperatures to be 30 to 40 degrees warmer than the last time they visited the Baytown, Texas, speedplant.

This weekend’s event will be the highest-paying in the four-year history of the USMTS Southern Series, with a possible $10,000 to win over three nights. The main event will pay $2,000 to win on Thursday, with $3,000 earmarked for Friday’s winner and $5,000 to win on Saturday.

Winner of the last two main events at HRP, Jason Hughes of Westville, Okla., was the most dominant USMTS Southern Series driver in 2009, and capped off a personal-best record-setting season with his second straight USMTS Southern Series title.

Nine-time USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock of Fertile, Iowa, finished second behind Hughes in the final standings, and was on hand Wednesday night to shake down his new 2010 Skyrocket Chassis in hopes of improving his ranking at the end of the 2010 racing season.

A field of 74 cars and drivers were in attendance on Dec. 3 for the snow-shortened program, and officials are expecting even more for this weekend’s blockbuster tripleheader.

In addition to Hughes and Shryock, other heavyweights that fans can expect to see in action are Mark Noble, Michael Long, Jon Tesch, Rodney Sanders, Morgan Bagley, Bumper Jones, Scott Green, Zack VanderBeek, Tommy Weder Jr., Shane Hebert, Chris Henigan, Dereck Ramirez, Bryan Rowland, Cody Smith, John O Whittington, Steven Whiteaker Jr., Randy Timms, Wes Armstrong, B.J. Robinson, Garrett Durrett, Dustin Hyde, Jason Armstrong, Kyle Schmidt, Steve Holzkamper, Chad Davis, William Gould, Jeff Huckaby, Bobby Malchus, Michael Robertson, Eddie Martin, Kyle Anderson, Howard Willis, David Horner, Tracy Denby Sr., Danny Barringer, Tracy Denby Jr., Paul White, Kyle Anderson, Phil Dixon, Chris Brown, Grant Junghans, Brandon Davis and many more.

In addition to the touring titans of the USMTS, the racing card will feature Southern Limited Modifieds racing for $700, $1,000 and $1,500 to win, respectively, courtesy of Express Race Cars.

On Thursday and Friday, the pit gate opens at 3 p.m., grandstands open at 5 and racing begins at 6:30. On Saturday, pit gates open at 3 p.m., grandstands open at 4 and the first heat race hits the track at 6 p.m. Hot laps each day will begin approximately one half-hour before race time.

The Houston Raceway Park is a state-of-the-art 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval with a main grandstand seating capacity of 7,500 which includes fourteen VIP luxury suites and boasts a modern Musco Lighting system suitable for television productions.

Located in Baytown, Texas, the track is located east of Houston on I-10 to Exit 799, then 2.5 miles south on SH 99 (Grand Parkway), then 0.3 mile west on FM 565. Speedway entrance located at Gate 3. For more information, call the track office at 281-383-RACE or visit www.houstonraceway.com online.

EVENT PAYOUTS: Thursday – 1. $2000, 2. $1200, 3. $800, 4. $600, 5. $500, 6. $400, 7. $350, 8. $300, 9. $250, 10. $230, 11. $210, 12-26. $200, Tow $60; Friday – 1. $3000, 2. $1800, 3. $1200, 4. $800, 5. $600, 6. $500, 7. $450, 8. $400, 9. $350, 10. $300, 11-26. $275, Tow $80; Saturday – 1. $5000, 2. $2500, 3. $1700, 4. $1000, 5. $700, 6. $600, 7. $500, 8. $450, 9. $400, 10. $350, 11. $325, 12-26. $300, Tow $100.

Published payouts are for non-licensed drivers. There is no requirement to purchase a USMTS license to compete in any USMTS event. However, benefits enjoyed by licensed drivers includes higher event purses and bonus payouts, increased tow money, discounted entry fees, contingency awards, points funds, a personalized driver profile page at www.usmts.com and more. The cost of a license is $200 for the USMTS Southern Series, which is good for all 29 events on this year’s campaign.

ENTRY FEES: The entry fee for Thursday is $80 for licensed drivers, $90 for non-licensed or $100 for all drivers entering at the track. Friday’s early entry fee for licensed drivers is $100, non-licensed $110 and at-the-track entry for all drivers is $125. On Saturday, early entry is $125 for licensed drivers, $135 for non-licensed drivers and $150 for all drivers on race day.

There is no entry fee on any night for Limited Mods. However, any driver racing in both Modifieds and Limited Mods will pay an entry of $30 on Thursday and Friday, and $35 on Saturday.

RULES & PROCEDURES: All USMTS rules apply. The American Racer KK704 is the Official Tire of the USMTS; however drivers may utilize the Hoosier G60 but will not be eligible to earn points. Qualifying will be done by heat race passing points and Real Racing Wheels “B” Mains. Draw for heat race starting spot ends 15 minutes before hot laps begin.

FREE TICKETS: Free grandstand tickets for Friday and Saturday night are available at several locations throughout the Houston area, or by calling the track’s ticket office at 281-383-RACE and requesting free tickets by will-call for the USMTS race. Free event passes that were distributed for the December event are still good for the Feb. 18-20 show this year.

2010 USMTS SOUTHERN SERIES SCHEDULE:Thu Feb 18 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($2000 to win)
Fri Feb 19 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($3000 to win)
Sat Feb 20 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($5000 to win)
Thu Mar 18 … Creek County Speedway, Kellyville, OK ($2000 o win)
Fri Mar 19 … Outlaw Motor Speedway, Muskogee, OK ($2000 to win)
Sat Mar 20 … West Siloam Speedway, West Siloam Springs, OK ($2000 to win)
Fri Apr 16 … Golden Triangle Raceway Park, Beaumont, TX ($2000 to win)
Sat Apr 17 … Gator Motorplex, Willis, TX ($2000 to win)
Sun Apr 18 … 105 Motor Speedway, Cleveland, TX ($2000 to win)
Fri Apr 30 … Clinton Motorsports Park, Clinton, OK ($2000 to win)
Sat May 1 … Route 66 Motor Speedway, Amarillo, TX ($2000 to win)
Sun May 2 … Lubbock Motor Speedway, Lubbock, TX ($2000 to win)
Fri May 7 … Grand Prairie Speedway, Grand Prairie, TX ($2000 to win)
Sat May 8 … Cowtown Speedway, Kennedale, TX ($2000 to win)
Sun May 9 … Heart O’ Texas Speedway, Waco, TX ($2000 to win)
Thu Jun 10 … Tri-State Speedway, Pocola, OK ($2000 to win)
Fri Jun 11 … Paris Motor Speedway, Blossom, TX ($2000 to win)
Sat Jun 12 … Texarkana 67 Speedway, Texarkana, AR ($2000 to win)
Sun Jun 13 … Ark-La-Tex Speedway, Vivian, LA ($2000 to win)
Fri Oct 8 … Golden Triangle Raceway Park, Beaumont, TX ($2000 to win)
Sat Oct 9 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($2000 to win)
Sun Oct 10 … 105 Motor Speedway, Cleveland, TX ($2000 to win)
Fri Oct 22 … Gator Motorplex, Willis, TX ($2000 to win)
Sat Oct 23 … Gator Motorplex, Willis, TX ($3000 to win)
Fri Oct 29 … Lonestar Speedway, Kilgore, TX ($2000 to win)
Sat Oct 30 … Lonestar Speedway, Kilgore, TX ($3000 to win)
Thu Nov 18 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($2000 to win)
Fri Nov 19 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($3000 to win)
Sat Nov 20 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($4000 to win)
To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also follow the USMTS on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.

Hebert, who started fourth, passed polesitter Derek Ross early in the contest, then sailed to the $500 victory in the first of three events comprising the tripleheader weekend at the 3/8-mile clay oval.

A pair of Lone Star State veterans waged a great battle throughout the 20-lap feature race with Howard Willis holding off Paul White for the runner-up spot.

Tom Hameka finished fourth and Phil Dixon was fifth. Sixth through tenth, respectively, went to Dean Hollier, Glen Grant, William Sellier, Randy Bridges and Brian Eddins.

UPDATE: Due to snow falling in the Houston area on Friday morning, the event slated for Friday night has been canceled and turns the weekend tripleheader into a doubleheader.

Action continues on Saturday with $1,500 earmarked for the winner of Saturday’s main event.

Pit gates open at 3 p.m. on Saturday, grandstands open at 4 and the first heat race hits the track at 6 p.m. Hot laps will begin approximately one half-hour before race time.

The Houston Raceway Park is a state-of-the-art 3/8-mile high-banked clay located east of Houston on I-10 to Exit 799, then 2.5 miles south on SR 99 (Grand Parkway), then 0.3 mile west on FM 565. Speedway entrance located at Gate 3. For more information, call the track office at 281-383-RACE or visit www.houstonraceway.com online.

Free grandstand tickets for Friday and Saturday night are available at Marshall Mobile Homes in Marshall, Day Motorsports in Tyler and at dozens of O’Reilly Auto Parts locations throughout Texas and Louisiana.

For more information about the United States Racing Association (USRA), call 515-832-6000 or visit www.usraracing.com online.

RESULTS

OFFICIAL RESULTS
American Racer USRA Weekly Racing Series
3rd Annual Texas Winter Nationals presented by Express Race Cars
Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas
Thursday, December 3, 2009

USRA SOUTHERN LIMITED MODIFIEDS

Showing finishing position, car number, driver, hometown and starting position in parentheses.

QUICKTIME PERFORMANCE RACE PARTS HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):1. 9 – Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (3)
2. 69r – Derick Grigsby — Marshall, TX (1)
3. 3 – Glen Grant — Houston, TX (2)
4. 33 – Bobby Fehring — Mt. View, TX (5)
5. 14 – Tom Hameka — Dickson, TX (6)
6. 88 – R.J. Stroman — New Boston, TX (8)
7. 22x – Ronald Pilkington — Marshall, TX (7)
8. 420 – Eric Cegielski — Houston, TX (9)
9. 4 – William Sellier — Richmond, TX (10)
10. 90 – Casey Harten — Baytown, TX (4)

AMERICAN RACER HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):1. 4e – Travis Evans — Bullard, TX (3)
2. 461 – Howard Willis — Crosby, TX (8)
3. 2 – Kevin Sellers — Dayton, TX (4)
4. 211 – Dean Hollier — Groves, TX (6)
5. 12 – Brian Eddins — New Caney, TX (7)
6. 260 – Erik Thorne — Baytown, TX (10)
7. 188 – Derek Rashall — Dayton, TX (1)
8. 22 – Darrell Thompson — Ada, OK (5)
9. 29 – Mike Walling — Baytown, TX (2)
10. 19h – Joel Hueske — Brenham, TX (9)

KEVKO OIL PANS & COMPONENTS HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. 216 – Paul White — Temple, TX (6)
2. 38 – Edward Fowler — Dayton, TX (1)
3. A1 – Phil Dixon — Crosby, TX (2)
4. 6v – Cody Harger — West Monroe, LA (9)
5. 39 – John Matt — Crosby, TX (3)
6. 46 – Randy Bridges — Rosharon, TX (4)
7. 25 – Brian Brooks — Inez, TX (5)
8. 31t – Tyler King — Port Neches, TX (8)
9. 61 – Brandon Buhler — Livingston, LA (7)
10. 84 – Scott Maust — Alvin, TX (10)

MARSH RACING WHEELS HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. 24 – Derek Ross — Crosby, TX (2)
2. 9w – John O Whittington — Vidor, TX (4)
3. 93 – Mark Greiner — Crosby, TX (3)
4. 46t – Tom Earl — Midlothian, TX (9)
5. 63 – Shane Hoefling — Meyersville, TX (1)
6. 19 – Kevin Sitton — Baytown, TX (8)
7. 47 – James Myers — Corpus Christi, TX (6)
8. 17m – Jesse McNorton — Spring, TX (7)
9. 5p – Brian Poulter — Cleveland, TX (10)
10. 65f – Shannon Fox — Pasadena, TX (5)

REAL RACING WHEELS ‘B’ MAIN #1 (10 laps, top 4 advance):
1. 4 – William Sellier — Richmond, TX (7)
2. 46 – Randy Bridges — Rosharon, TX (2)
3. 420 – Eric Cegielski — Houston, TX (5)
4. 31t – Tyler King — Port Neches, TX (6)
5. 88 – R.J. Stroman — New Boston, TX (1)
6. 22x – Ronald Pilkington — Marshall, TX (3)
7. 61 – Brandon Buhler — Livingston, LA (8)
8. 84 – Scott Maust — Alvin, TX (10)
9. 25 – Brian Brooks — Inez, TX (4)
10. 90 – Casey Harten — Baytown, TX (9)

REAL RACING WHEELS ‘B’ MAIN #2 (10 laps, top 4 advance):
1. 19h – Joel Hueske — Brenham, TX (9)
2. 47 – James Myers — Corpus Christi, TX (4)
3. 29 – Mike Walling — Baytown, TX (7)
4. 17m – Jesse McNorton — Spring, TX (6)
5. 5p – Brian Poulter — Cleveland, TX (8)
6. 260 – Erik Thorne — Baytown, TX (1)
7. 19 – Kevin Sitton — Baytown, TX (2)
8. 188 – Derek Rashall — Dayton, TX (3)
9. 22 – Darrell Thompson — Ada, OK (5)
10. 65f – Shannon Fox — Pasadena, TX (10)

EXPRESSRACECARS.COM ‘A’ MAIN (20 laps):
1. 9 – Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (4)
2. 461 – Howard Willis — Crosby, TX (5)
3. 216 – Paul White — Temple, TX (3)
4. 14 – Tom Hameka — Dickson, TX (17)
5. A1 – Phil Dixon — Crosby, TX (11)
6. 211 – Dean Hollier — Groves, TX (14)
7. 3 – Glen Grant — Houston, TX (9)
8. 4 – William Sellier — Richmond, TX (21)
9. 46 – Randy Bridges — Rosharon, TX (23)
10. 12 – Brian Eddins — New Caney, TX (18)
11. 93 – Mark Greiner — Crosby, TX (12)
12. 38 – Edward Fowler — Dayton, TX (7)
13. 24 – Derek Ross — Crosby, TX (1)
14. 2 – Kevin Sellers — Dayton, TX (10)
15. 19h – Joel Hueske — Brenham, TX (22)
16. 46t – Tom Earl — Midlothian, TX (16)
17. 6v – Cody Harger — West Monroe, LA (15)
18. 33 – Bobby Fehring — Mt. View, TX (13)
19. 63 – Shane Hoefling — Meyersville, TX (20)
20. 9w – John O Whittington — Vidor, TX (6)
21. 47 – James Myers — Corpus Christi, TX (24)
22. 39 – John Matt — Crosby, TX (19)
23. 69r – Derick Grigsby — Marshall, TX (8)
24. 4e – Travis Evans — Bullard, TX (2)