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Fox Ridge Hosts USMTS Wisconsin Summer Nationals
by Dan Bailey
(ARCADIA, Wisconsin / WEBSTER CITY, Iowa) -- When the O’Reilly Auto Parts
United States Modified Touring Series released their 54-race schedule of
events earlier this year, many race fans in the area put a big ol’ gold star
on Friday June 24th.
For those who failed to follow suit, please accept this as your notification
to pack up the family and friends tomorrow and head for FOX RIDGE SPEEDWAY to
enjoy the “O’Reilly Auto Parts Wisconsin Summer Nationals”
The O’Reilly USMTS invasion of the area actually began Tuesday, June 21,
with the first of four consecutive nights of unbelievable high-speed Modified
action on four of Wisconsin's most unique and legendary dirt ovals.
On Tuesday night, the Langlade County Speedway in Antigo got the first look at
the stars and cars of the O’Reilly USMTS, followed by stops at Thunderhill
Raceway in Sturgeon Bay on Wednesday, the Luxemburg Speedway tonight and then
Arcadia’s own FOX RIDGE SPEEDWAY tomorrow night.
The USMTS comes to FOX RIDGE SPEEDWAY for an evening of 'Barn Storming' styled
excitement as the regular pack of traveling modified aces from the USMTS do
battle against the high-banked high-speed 'home-town heros' who compete on a
weekly basis in FOX RIDGE's USRA Modified Division. All the on-track action
will be directed toward the $2000 to win trip to Victory Lane!
The USMTS is viewed by many racing fans and competitors alike as one of, if
not, the best traveling series for the top-level Modifieds which compete on
the dirt tracks around the nation. Last season the USTMS held events in more
than ten different states, traveling over 25,000 miles and thrilling more than
200,000 fans through the season.
"The O’Reilly USMTS is the most demanding tour in America for Modified
teams," said Series president Todd Staley, “the local and regional
racers can (also) take their shot at the best of the best in Modified racing
for (excellent) prize money.”
When the USMTS show visited FOX RIDGE SPEEDWAY last season, the local drivers
faired very well, against the drivers from the traveling show, of the four
heat races held, two were won by local weekly drivers (Karl Fenske and Les
Duellman) with the other two won by visitors (Jason Hughes and Kelly Shryock).
The two B-Main ‘last chance qualifying’ races were both won my weekly
regulars (John Doelle and Bob Timm).
Last year’s $2000 to win event was won by Jason Hughes of the USMTS, but
local drivers held their own and put on an incredibly exciting show that had
fans talking for a while afterwards.
This year could prove to be an even more competitive event, as local regulars
have shown incredible speed over the first half of the 2005 season. Winona
Karl Fenske is currently sitting on 5 feature wins this year including a
current string of back-to-back feature wins over the past two weeks.
“I tell you what,” commented Fenske when asked about his success thus far
this season and the upcoming special, “this car is working on this track
like a dream. I’m ready for the competition and looking forward to the
fun!”
Fenske will be joined, of course, by the rest of the FOX RIDGE regulars from
the weekly USRA Modified division in hopes of keeping the ‘Wisconsin Summer
Nationals’ trophy – not to mention the $2000 winner’s check – right
here in the area.
But, they’ll have their work cut out for them, with a list of regular
drivers which numbers over 60, there’s no telling how many of those
top-notch travelers will be on hand to challenge for the win – including
Kelly Shryock.
The second-generation ace from Fertile, Iowa, is the defending O’Reilly
USMTS National Champion, and has captured the title in all six seasons of the
Series' existence. Shryock is also on track to make history by capturing his
seventh straight O’Reilly USMTS National Championship.
So come root for your favorite local driver to beat the visiting 'hot shoes'
or come cheer on one of the USMTS 'Top Dogs' to de-thrown a local driver!
WISSOTA Super Stocks, WISSOTA Street Stocks, WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds, and
the popular 4-Cylinder Hornets will attack 'The Big 3/8 Mile' as well! Pit and
Grandstand gates open at 5 pm with hot laps at 7 and the first green flag at
7:30!
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