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VANDERBEEK CHARGES TO O’REILLY USMTS NATIONAL TOUR TRIUMPH AT QUAD CITY RACEWAY

EAST MOLINE, Ill. (June 1) – Patient and calculating, Zack VanderBeek has been a model of consistency this season. The 23-year-old from New Sharon, Iowa, has racked up eight top-5s and ten top-10 finishes in 17 starts this season, and Sunday night he finally put a digit in the win column with a thrilling victory at the Quad City Raceway in East Moline, Ill.

The 2004 Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar Rookie of the Year started the 24-car, 40-lap main event from the ninth starting spot, but quickly picked off his competition as he moved to the front. On lap 16, VanderBeek was up to second and challenging leader Marty Thompson on the low side of the racing surface. Four laps later, VanderBeek was still looking for a way around Thompson when defending race winner Kelly Shryock took control using the high side of the high-banked quarter-mile oval.

With Shryock pulling away, VanderBeek was finally able to wrestle the runner-up spot away from Thompson and quickly began closing the gap on the leader. While Shryock was faster than Thompson, he was no match for VanderBeek as “The Z-Man” took the lead away on lap 29, then paced the final 11 laps and won going away.

Shryock held on for second with polesitter Dereck Ramirez scoring a career-best third ahead of Jason Hughes. Thompson claimed a fifth-place paycheck.

Milo Veloz, Al Hejna, Bruce Hanford, Alan Mondus and Bob Dominacki finished sixth through 10th, respectively, in a race that went caution-free after a first-lap yellow brought about a complete restart.

As it did for Hejna the previous night, VanderBeek's $2,000 win propelled him into the Central States Region points lead after three events. The points race is extremely tight, however, as VanderBeek's advantage over Hejna is just one point (288 to 287), while Hughes is just four points out of the lead. Shryock moved one spot ahead of Ramirez and holds a one-point cushion (266 to 265) going into Monday night's race. Ron Ver Beek (214), Donovan Lodge (213), Colt Mather (197), Ryan Gustin (196) and Mondus (191) complete the "Top Dogs" ranked in the top-10.

TOMORROW:

When the United States Modified Touring Series invades the Iowa State Fair Speedway on Monday, June 2, the rugged road warriors will have some added incentive to find victory lane, and fans will have a chance to see two of the biggest names in stock car racing take on the biggest names in modified racing.

NASCAR stars Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace will strap on the helmets and stand on the gas as they compete with the O’Reilly USMTS National Tour on the Des Moines half-mile dirt oval for NASCAR Night presented by Karl Chevrolet. While they are best known for circling America's superspeedways with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, both are prolific dirt track racers with a pedigree.

They won't be looking for show up points, they'll be looking to win.

Ken Schrader: It was on the dirt tracks where Schrader's career began. He started out driving mostly open-wheel cars and won in every division he raced, including two USAC championships -- 1982 Silver Crown and '83 Sprint Car. Schrader is a veteran second-generation racer, and has 722 career starts in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Schrader's victory in the 1991 Budweiser 500 at Dover International Speedway was his last to date. He appears as a television analyst on Inside Sprint Cup on the SPEED Channel, and is also the owner of Ken Schrader Racing, which fields entries for himself in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the Whelen All-American Series for Chris Bristol. Schrader is also the owner of I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo.

Kenny Wallace: Wallace currently drives part-time in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He also works as an on-air personality for SPEED Channel on shows such as NASCAR RaceDay and NASCAR Victory Lane. He was also featured on the show NASCAR Drivers: 360 on FX. He has two brothers who are also current or former NASCAR drivers: Rusty Wallace and Mike Wallace. As a child, Wallace’s boisterous behavior earned him the nickname “Herman,” after a mischievous cartoon character named Herman the German. Last year, Wallace was voted in by fans to compete in the NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

A big field of 60 cars and drivers were on hand for last year's blockbuster event.

Drivers expected for this year's episode include VanderBeek, Hejna, Hughes, Shryock, Ramirez, Ver Beek, Lodge, Mather, Gustin, Mondus, Brad Pinkerton, Jay Noteboom, Mark Noble, Chris Spieker, Brandon Kenny, Bryan Rowland, Cale Sponsler, Jake Neal, Nate Caruth, Michael Long, Brandon Banks, Steve Kosiski, Josh Truman, David Holder, Steve Stewart, Scott Dickey, Jeff Schluetter, , Tommy Myer, Richie Gustin, Jr., Mark Burgtorf, Tommy Weder Jr., Tony Fraise, Dean Mahlstedt and many more.

Pit gates will open at 4:30 p.m. and grandstand gates will swing open at 5. Schrader and Wallace will be signing autographs for the fans from 5:30 to 6:30. After that, all three NASCAR stars will suit up for hot laps. The first green flag is scheduled to wave at 7 p.m. 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, B-Mods and Hobby Stocks. Cars legal under USRA or IMCA rules will be able to compete, but there will be no points awarded and the claim rule will not be in effect.

Race fans can pick up $2-off coupons for the event at Casey's General Stores locations in Ankeny, Des Moines and Pleasant Hill. Mark Noble, who will be driving the Miller Lite/Casey's General Stores #74 Modified will meet and greet fans at the Casey's General Stores location at 1010 SE Oralabor Rd. in Ankeny from 12-2 p.m. At the Casey's General Stores location at 1125 N. Hickory Rd. in Pleasant Hill, Zack VanderBeek will be on hand from 12-2 p.m. with his Cheetos/Casey's General Stores #33z Modified.

The Iowa State Fair Speedway is a half-mile semi-banked dirt oval located on the east side of Des Moines at 30th St. and University Ave. For more information, call (515) 201-5526 or visit www.jjam.2y.net/statefair.html online.

The USMTS is celebrating its 10th Anniversary Season in 2008 with many special promotions to show thanks to the fans, drivers, team members, families and sponsors who have helped make the USMTS the premier dirt modified series in the nation.

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.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
United States Modified Touring Series
O’Reilly USMTS National Tour
2nd Annual Spring Clash
Quad City Raceway, East Moline, Ill.
Sunday, June 1, 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. 70 - Vince Cooper -- Morris, IL (2)
2. 8 - Colt Mather -- Webster, IA (1)
3. 25 - Marty Thompson -- Mineral, IL (5)
4. 43 - Milo Veloz -- Colona, IL (3)
5. 32 - Donovan Lodge -- Moline, IL (4)
6. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Westville, OK (6)
7. 55 - Alan Mondus -- Lakeville, MN (7)
8. 15 - Brad Pershy -- Colona, IL (8)

NEW VISION GRAPHICS HEAT RACE #2 (10 laps):
1. 4r - Dereck Ramirez -- Woodward, OK (2)
2. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (1)
3. 61 - Bruce Hanford -- Davenport, IA (5)
4. 75 - Thad Wilson -- Moline, IL (4)
5. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (7)
6. 83 - Nathan Balensiefen -- Sheffield, IL (8)
7. 99 - Doug Curless -- Silvis, IL (3)
8. 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (6) DNF

HEAT RACE #3 (10 laps):
1. Z - Mike Zemo Jr. -- Geneseo, IL (1)
2. 5d - Bob Dominacki -- Bettendorf, IA (5)
3. 77 - Ray Bollinger -- Kewanee, IL (3)
4. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (7)
5. 4r - Ron Ver Beek -- Oskaloosa, IA (4)
6. 98 - Mitch Morris -- Long Grove, IA (6)
7. 21b - Rich Bell -- Sheffield, IL (2)
8. 89 - Tom Patz -- Port Byron, IL (8)

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN (15 laps, all advance):
1. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (1)
2. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Westville, OK (5)
3. 32 - Donovan Lodge -- Moline, IL (2)
4. 55 - Alan Mondus -- Lakeville, MN (7)
5. 4r - Ron Ver Beek -- Oskaloosa, IA (3)
6. 83 - Nathan Balensiefen -- Sheffield, IL (4)
7. 98 - Mitch Morris -- Long Grove, IA (6)
8. 21b - Rich Bell -- Sheffield, IL (9)
9. 99 - Doug Curless -- Silvis, IL (8)
10. 15 - Brad Pershy -- Colona, IL (10) DNF
11. 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (11) DNF
12. 89 - Tom Patz -- Port Byron, IL (12) DNF

HOLLEY “A” MAIN (40 laps):
1. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (9)
2. 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (4)
3. 4r - Dereck Ramirez -- Woodward, OK (1)
4. 12 - Jason Hughes -- Westville, OK (14)
5. 25 - Marty Thompson -- Mineral, IL (3)
6. 43 - Milo Veloz -- Colona, IL (11)
7. 7 - Al Hejna -- Clear Lake, IA (13)
8. 61 - Bruce Hanford -- Davenport, IA (2)
9. 55 - Alan Mondus -- Lakeville, MN (16)
10. 5d - Bob Dominacki -- Bettendorf, IA (6)
11. 4r - Ron Ver Beek -- Oskaloosa, IA (17)
12. 75 - Thad Wilson -- Moline, IL (12)
13. 32 - Donovan Lodge -- Moline, IL (15)
14. 8 - Colt Mather -- Webster, IA (8) -1 Lap
15. Z - Mike Zemo Jr. -- Geneseo, IL (4) -1 Lap
16. 98 - Mitch Morris -- Long Grove, IA (19) -1 Lap
17. 83 - Nathan Balensiefen -- Sheffield, IL (18) -1 Lap
18. 77 - Ray Bollinger -- Kewanee, IL (10) -1 Lap
19. 70 - Vince Cooper -- Morris, IL (5) DNF
20. 15 - Brad Pershy -- Colona, IL (22) DNF
21. 99 - Doug Curless -- Silvis, IL (21) DNF
22. 21b - Rich Bell -- Sheffield, IL (20) DNF
23. 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (23) DNF
24. 89 - Tom Patz -- Port Byron, IL (24) DNF

Lap Leaders: Ramirez 1, Thompson 2-21, Shryock 22-28, VanderBeek 29-40.
Total Laps Led: Thompson 20, VanderBeek 12, Shryock 7, Ramirez 1.
AFCO Pole Winner: Cooper.
Provisional Starters: none.
Ruter Farms Long Tow: Hughes (611.24 miles).
KSE Racing Products Hard Charger: Hughes (started 14th, finished 4th).
Next Race: Monday, June 2, Iowa State Fair Speedway, Des Moines, Iowa (Central States Region).
Central States Region Points: VanderBeek 288, Hejna 287, Hughes 284, Shryock 266, Ramirez 265, Ver Beek 214, Lodge 213, Mather 197, Gustin 196, Mondus 191.
Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar Rookie of the Year Points: Brandon Kenny 323, Ramirez 274, Bryan Rowland 195, Gary Langworthy Jr. 128, Steve Stewart 96.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Sput’s 138, Mullins 118, Wanders 105, A.S.I. 102, JRM 89.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: Skyrocket 148, Hughes 131, Harris 102, Kraft 62, GRT 53.

Contingency Awards:
American Racer – Bell.
Belleville Motorsports – not awarded.
BSB Manufacturing – not awarded.
Hawk Performance – VanderBeek, Mondus.
Isky Racing Cams – Ramirez.
KSE Racing Products – Hughes.
Marsh Racing Wheels – Gustin.
New Vision Graphics – not awarded.
Nitroquest Web Solutions - Ramirez.
Quarter Master – VanderBeek.
QuickTime Performance Parts – Hejna.
Real Racing Wheels – Hejna.
Ruter Farms – Hughes.
TrackTek Racing Fuel – not awarded.

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TITLE SPONSOR: O’Reilly Auto Parts.

PRESENTING SPONSOR: Casey’s General Stores.

OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Race Tires, Arizona Sport Shirts, Awesome Race Suits, 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, 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.