NASCAR’s Bowyer to battle O’Reilly USMTS at Adams County Speedway June 5
by: Jeff Nun

CORNING, Iowa  (June 1) - When the O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series invades the Adams County Speedway next Tuesday, June 5, drivers will have some added incentive to find victory lane and fans will have a chance to see one of the rising stars in stock car racing take on the biggest names in modified racing.

NASCAR star Clint Bowyer will strap on the helmet and stand on the gas as he competes with the O’Reilly USMTS on the Corning, Iowa, dirt oval. While he may be best known for circling America's superspeedways with the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, he is a prolific dirt track racer with a pedigree.

Bowyer, who turned 28 on May 30, currently pilots the #07 Jack Daniel's Chevrolet Monte Carlo in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and the #2 BB&T Chevrolet Monte Carlo in the NASCAR Busch Series, both for Richard Childress Racing, as well as the #2 Chevrolet Silverado for Kevin Harvick Incorporated in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

A native of Emporia, Kan., Bowyer captured more than 200 wins and numerous championships during his dirt track racing career. In 1996, he began racing street stocks at Thunderhill Speedway in Mayetta, Kan., and won the Modified championship there in 2000. He racked up 18 wins and 32 top-five finishes on his way to capturing the 2001 Modified track championships at Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., and Heartland Park Topeka.

Bowyer competed in an open Modified race last year at Heartland Park Topeka where he ran second to eight-time defending O’Reilly USMTS national champion Kelly Shryock before suffering mechanical failure late in the race.

The rugged road warriors of the O’Reilly USMTS will be led into this Western Region battle by Shryock as the current national points leader seeks his unprecedented ninth crown. Other drivers expected for this Central Region tilt include Zack VanderBeek, Donovan Lodge, Brad Pinkerton, Ryan Gustin, Tommy Myer, Al Hejna, Richie Gustin, Jr., Mark Burgtorf, Jay Noteboom, Jason Hughes, Alan Mondus, Jay Poidinger, Joey Schaefer, Jake Durbin, Michael Long, Tommy Weder, Jr., Tony Fraise, Mike Hejna, Dustin Boney, Cale Sponsler, Jeff Schluetter, Steve Holzkamper, Jake Neal, Dean Mahlstedt, Brent Bohmont, Mark Dotson, Garry Oskerson, Barry Sandeman, Chase Allen, Steve Arpin, Mark Schulte, Ryan Meyer, Mark Noble, Mike Spaulding and Nate Caruth.

The O’Reilly USMTS invaders can expect some stiff competition from current track points leader Jerry Carlson, as well as other local aces like Jeremy Tibben, Dan Mueller, Chris Hogan, Russell Stewart, Randy Foote, Ryan Peckham, Kirby Stiens, Larry Foote, Richard Spriggs, Brian Foote and Jeff James.

In addition to the O’Reilly USMTS Modifieds, Tuesday's showcase event will also feature the Adams County Speedway debut of the high-powered USRA Late Models. Chris Simpson leads the field of mud-slinging masters to the fast half-mile oval after his recent victory at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa. Other contenders include current points leader Chad Simpson, Chris Smyser, Tommy Elston, Multi-time IMCA Late Model National Champion Jeff Aikey, Justin Reed, Adams County Speedway regulars Todd and Troy McKee, Dave Eckrich, Jason Utter, Gary Wilson, Todd Shute and recent World of Outlaws Late Model Series winner Brian Harris.

Among the track regulars expected to contend for the victory are Chris Spieker, Jason O'Brien, Karl Ritterbusch, Trent Jackson, Ryan Vicker, Joe Kosiski, Jeremy Houck, Jamie Kinyon, Scott Koskovich, Justin Zeitner, Paul Glendenning, Leon Zeitner, Josh Most, Kenny Edwards, Corey Zeitner, Todd Morgan, Andrew Kosiski, Gary Hopp, Harley Moen, Al Zeitner, Ed Kosiski and Jay Stewart.

Pit gates will open at 4:30 p.m. and grandstand gates will swing open at 5:00. Schrader, Bowyer will be signing autographs for the fans from 5:30 to 6:30. After that, all he will suit up for hot laps before competing with the O’Reilly USMTS Modifieds. The first green flag is scheduled to wave at 7:00. Tickets are available at the track, and all grandstand seating will be general admission only, so get there early to grab your seat for this one-of-a-kind event.

Also on the racing card will be Stock Cars ($300 to win) and Hobby Stocks ($200 to win). Cars legal under Adams County Speedway "Tradition" rules will be able to compete, but there will be no points awarded and drives will be allowed to groove tires. There is no license required for drivers competing in any of the four classes Tuesday night.

The Adams County Speedway is a half-mile semi-banked dirt oval located 0.8 mile north of US 34 on SR 148, then east on 12th. For more information, call the Adams County Speedway business office at (712) 785-3271 or visit www.acspeedway.com  online. Day-of-race info is available by calling the track hotline at (641) 322-4184.