SPRING VALLEY, Minn. – Alan Mondus led all 35 laps of the O'Reilly USMTS National Tour main event Saturday night at the Deer Creek Speedway for what appeared to be his first O'Reilly USMTS National Tour victory.

Unfortunately for the 20-year-old from Lakeville, Minn., his celebration was cut short when his Modified rolled across the scales and failed to meet the minimum weight requirement, resulting in his disqualification.

His loss was Tim Donlinger's gain as Donlinger was awarded the win after finishing second to Mondus on the track. The win was Donlinger's second in a row and third in the Casey's General Stores Hunt for the O'Reilly USMTS National Championship.

Donlinger, who has six USRA Modified wins during weekly racing action at Deer Creek this season, pocketed $2,000 for his efforts. Perhaps more important, the win propelled the Rochester, Minn. veteran to the top of the rankings in 'The Hunt' as he seeks to become just the third driver in the 10-year history of the USMTS o take the title.

Fertile, Iowa's Kelly Shryock, who possesses eight of the nine O'Reilly USMTS National Championship crowns and has nine career USMTS victories at Deer Creek, came into Saturday night's 5th Annual Labor Day Dual as the points leader. He started 15th in the main event, went to the rear of the field early in the race after changing a flat tire, then raced back through the pack to finish fourth.

Despite his efforts, Shryock dropped two spots in the standings behind Donlinger and Zack VanderBeek of New Sharon, Iowa, who started next to Shryock in 16th, but finished two spots ahead in second.

With nine races in the books and six more to go, a mere eight points separate the trio at the top of the standings. Donlinger has 849 points, VanderBeek 845 and Shryock 841. Jon Tesch is fourth with 793 markers, followed by Al Hejna (760), Dereck Ramirez (689), Tommy Weder Jr. (664), Brandon Kenny (637), Corey Dripps (628) and Alan Mondus (621).

VanderBeek started 16th on the 24-car grid and earned the KSE Racing Products Hard Charger Award by passing 12 cars in the 35-lapper.

A jam-packed grandstand was on hand Saturday night as the WDRL Late Models were also on the racing card. With 52 USMTS Modifieds checked in for action, this was the final tune-up race before the 10th Annual Featherlite Fall Jamboree, Sept. 17-20 at the Deer Creek Speedway.

WHAT'S ON TAP—

The four-race weekend wraps up with the ninth race of the Casey's General Stores Hunt for the O'Reilly USMTS National Championship on Sunday, Aug. 31 at the Dodge County Speedway in Kasson, Minn.

The 7th Annual Kasson Klash will be the 22nd USMTS event staged at the 1/3-mile semi-banked clay oval.

Gates open at 3 p.m. and the mud starts flying at 5 p.m. Late Models, Super Stocks, Midwest Mods and Street Stocks will also be featured.

The Dodge County Speedway (formerly Kasson Speedway) is located 1.1 miles north of US 14 on SR 57 (at the Dodge County Fairgrounds). For more information, call Track: (507) 634-4281 or check out www.dodgecountyspeedway.com.

Fans can pick up $2-off discount coupons at Casey's General Store locations in Austin, Owatonna, Rochester and Stewartville, Minn.

Kelly Shryock fans can meet the man and his machine at the Casey's General Store location at 4500 18th Ave. NW in Rochester from 12-2 p.m.

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.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

OFFICIAL RESULTS
United States Modified Touring Series
O’Reilly USMTS National Tour - Casey's General Stores Hunt for the O'Reilly USMTS National Championship
5th Annual Labor Day Dual
Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, Minn.
Saturday, Aug. 30, 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 (10 laps):
1. 66 - Dan Bohr -- Decorah, IA (4)
2. 2 - Joey Schaefer -- Waterloo, IA (1)
3. 19 - Mike Sorensen -- Rochester, MN (7)
4. 55s - Brian Shaw -- Brownsdale, MN (3)
5. 52w - Nate Wasmund -- Rochester, MN (8)
6. 45 - Todd Scharkey -- Kasson, MN (6)
7. 75 - James Parker -- Dodge Center, MN (2)
8. 88t - Terry Timmerman -- Stewartville, MN (9)
9. S43 - Shaun Olson -- Albert Lea, MN (5)

NEW VISION GRAPHICS HEAT RACE #2 (10 laps):
1. 21L - Layne Meyer -- West Union, IA (2)
2. 72 - Doug Hillson -- Blooming Prairie, MN (1)
3. 98 - Josh Reisch -- Luverne, MN (4)
4. 96 - Jay Ihrke -- Dover, MN (3)
5. 4r - Dereck Ramirez -- Woodward, OK (6)
6. 32 - Donovan Lodge -- Moline, IL (9)
7. 68 - Tyler Clark -- Rochester, MN (5)
8. 4rv - Ron Ver Beek -- Oskaloosa, IA (7)
9. 25x - Andy Bohnstengel -- Winona, MN (8)

Q.E.M., INC. HEAT RACE #3 (10 laps):
1. 3d - Tim Donlinger -- Rochester, MN (3)
2. 90 - Steve Wetzstein -- West Concord, MN (2)
3. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (4)
4. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (7)
5. 21x - Joe Wernecke -- Dodge Center, MN (1)
6. 20r - Bryan Rowland -- Woodward, OK (6)
7. 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (5)
8. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (8)
9. 21m - Dean Mahlstedt -- Clear Lake, IA (9)

HEAT RACE #4 (10 laps):
1. 19g - Richie Gustin Jr. -- Gilman, IA (2)
2. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (1)
3. 35 - Jeff Schluetter -- New Hampton, IA (4)
4. 21b - Brandon Kenny -- Woodward, OK (5)
5. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (7)
6. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (8)
7. 0 - Les Duellman -- Winona, MN (6)
8. 58 - Jeff Rollinger -- Winona, MN (3)
9. 49x - Jay Poidinger -- Somerset, WI (9)

HEAT RACE #5 (10 laps):
1. 14j - Jake Neal -- Omaha, NE (2)
2. 55 - Alan Mondus -- Lakeville, MN (5)
3. 65 - Tommy Myer -- Blooming Prairie, MN (7)
4. 96 - Greg Jensen -- Albert Lea, MN (1)
5. 2 - Carey Umbarger -- Garner, IA (3)
6. 50 - Brad Bakken -- Garner, IA (6)
7. 77 - Tom Brink -- Winona, MN (4)
8. 6m - Ted Marrs -- Bethel, MN (8)

HEAT RACE #6 (10 laps):
1. 31 - Corey Dripps -- Waterloo, IA (2)
2. 49 - Bob Timm -- Rollingstone, MN (6)
3. 1k - Pat Graham -- Ames, IA (5)
4. 23 - Darwin Karau -- Kasson, MN (4)
5. 71 - Jason Cummins -- New Richland, MN (7)
6. 4a - Joel Alberts -- Mantorville, MN (3)
7. 02 - Tommy Weder Jr. -- Woodward, OK (8)
8. 1x - Bobby Swanson -- Kasson, MN (1)

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 90 - Steve Wetzstein -- West Concord, MN (1)
2. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (3)
3. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (4)
4. 71 - Jason Cummins -- New Richland, MN (8)
5. 52w - Nate Wasmund -- Rochester, MN (5)
6. 68 - Tyler Clark -- Rochester, MN (14)
7. 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (17)
8. 32 - Donovan Lodge -- Moline, IL (9)
9. 02 - Tommy Weder Jr. -- Woodward, OK (13)
10. 0 - Les Duellman -- Winona, MN (15)
11. 50 - Brad Bakken -- Garner, IA (12)
12. 88t - Terry Timmerman -- Stewartville, MN (16)
13. 6m - Ted Marrs -- Bethel, MN (18)
14. 96 - Jay Ihrke -- Dover, MN (6) DNF
15. 23 - Darwin Karau -- Kasson, MN (7) DNF
16. S43 - Shaun Olson -- Albert Lea, MN (19) DNF
17. 1k - Pat Graham -- Ames, IA (2) DNF
18. 2 - Carey Umbarger -- Garner, IA (10) DNF
19. 45 - Todd Scharkey -- Kasson, MN (11) DNF
20. 21m - Dean Mahlstedt -- Clear Lake, IA (20) DNS

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (1)
2. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (7)
3. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (10)
4. 21b - Brandon Kenny -- Woodward, OK (4)
5. 35 - Jeff Schluetter -- New Hampton, IA (3)
6. 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (14)
7. 4r - Dereck Ramirez -- Woodward, OK (8)
8. 96 - Greg Jensen -- Albert Lea, MN (6)
9. 58 - Jeff Rollinger -- Winona, MN (17)
10. 77 - Tom Brink -- Winona, MN (15)
11. 49x - Jay Poidinger -- Somerset, WI (20)
12. 4a - Joel Alberts -- Mantorville, MN (12)
13. 20r - Bryan Rowland -- Woodward, OK (11)
14. 21x - Joe Wernecke -- Dodge Center, MN (9) DNF
15. 98 - Josh Reisch -- Luverne, MN (2) DNF
16. 1x - Bobby Swanson -- Kasson, MN (18) DNF
16. 75 - James Parker -- Dodge Center, MN (13) DNF
17. 25x - Andy Bohnstengel -- Winona, MN (19) DNF
19. 4r - Ron Ver Beek -- Oskaloosa, IA (16) DNF
20. 55s - Brian Shaw -- Brownsdale, MN (5) DNF

HOLLEY “A” MAIN (35 laps):
1. 3d - Tim Donlinger -- Rochester, MN (8)
2. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (16)
3. 65 - Tommy Myer -- Blooming Prairie, MN (10)
4. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (15)
5. 19 - Mike Sorensen -- Rochester, MN (9)
6. 21L - Layne Meyer -- West Union, IA (2)
7. 19g - Richie Gustin Jr. -- Gilman, IA (3)
8. 52w - Nate Wasmund -- Rochester, MN (21)
9. 71 - Jason Cummins -- New Richland, MN (19)
10. 35 - Jeff Schluetter -- New Hampton, IA (22)
11. 49 - Bob Timm -- Rollingstone, MN (4)
12. 2 - Joey Schaefer -- Waterloo, IA (11)
13. 14 - Jon Tesch -- Watertown, SD (17)
14. 72 - Doug Hillson -- Blooming Prairie, MN (12)
15. 4r - Dereck Ramirez -- Woodward, OK (23)
16. 21b - Brandon Kenny -- Woodward, OK (20) -1 Lap
17. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (18) DNF
18. 66 - Dan Bohr -- Decorah, IA (5) DNF
19. 31 - Corey Dripps -- Waterloo, IA (7) DNF
20. 14j - Jake Neal -- Omaha, NE (6) DNF
21. 90 - Steve Wetzstein -- West Concord, MN (13) DNF
22. 02 - Tommy Weder Jr. -- Woodward, OK (24) DNF
23. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (14) DNS
24. 55 - Alan Mondus -- Lakeville, MN (1) DQ - underweight

Lap Leaders: Mondus 1-35.
Total Laps Led: Mondus 35.
AFCO Pole Winner: Bohr.
Provisional Starters: Ramirez, Weder.
Ruter Farms Long Tow: Ramirez (794.13 miles).
KSE Racing Products Hard Charger: VanderBeek (started 16th, finished 2nd).
Next Event: Sunday, Aug. 31, Dodge County Speedway, Kasson, Minn.
O'Reilly USMTS National Championship Points: Donlinger 849, VanderBeek 845, Shryock 841, Tesch 793, Hejna 760, Ramirez 689, Weder 664, Kenny 637, Dripps 628, Mondus 621.
Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar Rookie of the Year Points: Kenny 1048, Ramirez 1032, Rowland 697, Rodney Sanders 193, Colt Mather 191.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Sput’s 440, Mullins 356, Wanders 343, A.S.I. 324, JR 278.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: Skyrocket 459, Hughes 373, Kraft 316, Harris 286, Specialty 140.

Contingency Awards:
AFCO Racing Products – Bohr.
American Racer – Timmerman.
Belleville Motorsports – not awarded.
BSB Manufacturing – Schluetter.
Hawk Performance – Donlinger.
Isky Racing Cams – Bohr.
KSE Racing Products – VanderBeek.
Marsh Racing Wheels – Noble.
New Vision Graphics – Meyer.
Nitroquest Web Solutions – Myer.
Quarter Master – Donlinger, Wasmund.
QuickTime Performance Parts – Richie Gustin Jr.
Real Racing Wheels – Wetzstein, Noble.
Ruter Farms – Ramirez.
TrackTek Racing Fuel – not awarded.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

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.