VanderBeek, Reicks, Engen, Hare, Henkes top opening night at Cresco USRA Nationals

CRESCO, Iowa (Oct 11) - Fans and drivers that braved the cold were treated to some hot on-track action Thursday night as the inaugural Cresco USRA Nationals kicked off at the Cresco Speedway. Taking the preliminary feature wins and earning a spot in Saturday's big dance were Zack VanderBeek (USRA Modifieds), Tory Reicks (USRA Stock Cars), Curtis Engen (USRA B-Mods), Brandon Hare (USRA Hobby Stocks) and Cody Henkes (Outlaw Hobbys).

In the USRA Modified main event, Zack VanderBeek of New Sharon slipped back several spots at the start of the race, but clawed his way back to the front and took the lead from Decorah's Dan Bohr with a dramatic four-wide pass down the backstretch as the leaders split a lapped car. From there, VanderBeek cruised to the win, with Tim Donlinger of Rochester, Minn., taking the runner-up spot. Clear Lake's Dean Mahlstedt finished third, Ryan Gustin of Marshalltown was fourth, Ryan York of Racine, Minn., took fifth and Bohr hung on for the sixth and final transfer spot into Saturday's $5,000-to-win championship feature.

The USRA Stock Cars have given race fans some incredible racing throughout the season, and again on Thursday the full-fendered warriors did not disappoint. Shawn Peter of Mabel, Minn., held the advantage early in the main event, but pressure from Decorah's Kurt Krauskpof throughout the race kept him on his toes. Late in the race, ninth-starting Tory Reicks of Waucoma joined the battle up front as he slipped around the leader on the final lap to edge Peter at the line for the win. Matt Greiner of Washingon finished fourth behind Krauskopf, followed by Kevin Bidne of Decorah in fifth and Mike Bergan of Ridgeway sixth to earn spots in Saturday's $2,000-to-win feature.

Monona, Iowa's Curtis Engen found victory lane in the USRA B-Mod main event, holding off Jeremy Smith of Wilmont, Minn., for the win. Joining them in Saturday's $1,000-to-win finale will be third-place finisher Shane Panos of Decorah, Todd Hanson of Clear Lake, Jimmy Davis of Medford, Minn., and Junior Boyer of Calmar.

USRA Hobby Stock action saw the return of the season-long battle at Cresco Speedway between Elma's Brandon Hare and Cresco's Chris Hovden, with Hare edging Hovden for the win. Third went to Scott Spilde of Eidgeway, followed by Steve Holthaus of Cresco in fourth, Kyle Anderson of Decorah in fifth and Webster City's Austin Wolfgram in the sixth and final transfer spot into Saturday's $1,000-to-win championship feature.

Cody Henkes of Postville raced from eighth on the starting grid to capture the Outlaw Hobby main event, with Josh Ludeking of Waukon grabbing the runner-up finish. Third through sixth went to Austin Curtin of Waukon, Shawn Erickson of Cresco, Ben Moudry of Protivin and Ryan Goergen. USRA Casey's General Stores Weekly Racing Series national champion Mitch Hovden of Decorah won his heat race, but suffered mechanical woes in the main event and will have to try again Friday to qualify for Saturday's $1,000-to-win finale.

The action heats back up on Friday with a complete program of qualifying heats and preliminary features for all five classes. All drivers will draw for starting positions. The top-6 from Friday’s preliminary feature will be locked in for the outside row of Saturday’s main event. All drivers failing to qualify on Thursday or Friday will redraw for heat races for Saturday night.

All drivers racing on Saturday will have two chances to get into Saturday’s main event via heat races and last chance races. Saturday night’s show will feature qualifying heats, last chance races and the championship features in all five divisions.

On Saturday, USRA Modifieds will race for whopping $5,000 to win while USRA Stock Cars battle for $2,000 to win. USRA B-Mods, USRA Hobby Stocks and Outlaw Hobbys will each contend for a top prize of $1,000 on Saturday.

Pit gates open at 4 p.m. on Friday, with grandstands opening at 5:30, hot laps at 7 and racing at 7:30. On Saturday, pit gates open at 2 p.m., grandstands open at 3, hot laps are at 4:30 and racing kicks off at 5 p.m.

Adult general admission grandstand tickets are $12 on Friday and $15 Saturday. Juniors (12-18) and Seniors (62+) are just $10 Friday and $12 Saturday. Kids 11 & Under are FREE all three days. Pit passes are $25 Friday, $30 Saturday.

This event is sanctioned by the United States Racing Association (USRA), however, a USRA license is not required to compete in this event. For Modifieds, Stock Cars and B-Mods, the American Racer KK704/G60 or Hoosier G60 tires are allowed. Grooving and siping is allowed. For track rules go to www.rlpromotions.com/cresco and click on the “Classes” link, or visit www.usraracing.com.

For more information, contact the RL Promotions offices at (515) 832-6000 or visit www.rlpromotions.com online. Race day info is available by calling the track hotline at (563) 547-3400. The Cresco Speedway is located 0.2 miles north of SR 9 on SW 7th (at the Howard County Fairgrounds). For more information about the United States Racing Association (USRA), visit them online at www.usraracing.com.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
Inaugural Cresco USRA Nationals - Night 1 of 3
Cresco Speedway, Cresco, Iowa
Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007

Showing finishing position, car number, driver, hometown and starting position in parentheses. The top-6 finishers in each A Main will be locked in to the first six starting positions on the inside row for Saturday's championship features.

USRA MODIFIEDS

Heat 1:
1 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (6)
2 65 - Tommy Myer -- Blooming Prairie, MN (2)
3 66 - Dan Bohr -- Decorah, IA (9)
4 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (3)
5 0 - Craig Scott -- Rosemount, MN (8)
6 96 - Greg Jensen -- Albert Lea, MN (4)
7 27 - Kyle Lentz -- Green Bay, WI (5)
8 55 - Larry Hall -- Rochester, MN (7)
9 55s - Brian Shaw -- Brownsdale, MN (1) DNS

Heat 2:
1 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshaltown, IA (3)
2 3d - Tim Donlinger -- Rochester, MN (7)
3 21m - Dean Mahlstedt -- Clear Lake, IA (6)
4 37b - Ron Barker -- Dubuque, IA (8)
5 25x - Tom Brink -- Winona, MN (1)
6 99 - Doug Hillson -- Blooming Prairie, MN (5)
7 X - Mike Wedelstadt -- Hortonville, WI (4) DNF
8 35 - Ron Konkel -- Caledonia, MN (2) DNF

Heat 3:
1 7 - Al Hejna -- Ventura, IA (2)
2 1r - Ryan York -- Racine, MN (3)
3 10 - Mike Steensma -- Luverne, MN (1)
4 27m - Mark Schulte -- Delhi, IA (8)
5 00 - J.D. Auringer -- Evansdale, IA (5)
6 5w - Darrin Walch -- Postville, IA (6)
7 2 - Carey Umbarger -- Garner, IA (4)
8 7x - Ron Britain -- Winona, MN (7)

A Main:
1 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (2)
2 3d - Tim Donlinger -- Rochester, MN (3)
3 21m - Dean Mahlstedt -- Clear Lake, IA (6)
4 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshaltown, IA (10)
5 1r - Ryan York -- Racine, MN (7)
6 66 - Dan Bohr -- Decorah, IA (1)
7 7 - Al Hejna -- Ventura, IA (9)
8 10 - Mike Steensma -- Luverne, MN (4)
9 27m - Mark Schulte -- Delhi, IA (12)
10 00 - J.D. Auringer -- Evansdale, IA (15)
11 5w - Darrin Walch -- Postville, IA (18)
12 0 - Craig Scott -- Rosemount, MN (13)
13 X - Mike Wedelstadt -- Hortonville, WI (23)
14 96 - Greg Jensen -- Albert Lea, MN (16)
15 7x - Ron Britain -- Winona, MN (22)
16 25x - Tom Brink -- Winona, MN (14)
17 99 - Doug Hillson -- Blooming Prairie, MN (17)
18 27 - Kyle Lentz -- Green Bay, WI (19)
19 55 - Larry Hall -- Rochester, MN (21)
20 37b - Ron Barker -- Dubuque, IA (11) DNF
21 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (5) DNF
22 65 - Tommy Myer -- Blooming Prairie, MN (8) DNF
23 2 - Carey Umbarger -- Garner, IA (20) DNS
24 35 - Ron Konkel -- Caledonia, MN (24) DNS
25 55s - Brian Shaw -- Brownsdale, MN (25) DNS

USRA STOCKS CARS

Heat 1:
1 44 - Don Rude -- Decorah, IA (3)
2 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (5)
3 27t - Tory Reicks -- Waucoma, IA (7)
4 1 - Jeff Krambeer -- Postville, IA (4)
5 17 - Chad Halverson -- Decorah, IA (2)
6 121g - Arlen Hoy -- Marble Rock, IA (6)
7 37 - Carl Colsch -- Eitzen, MN (1)

Heat 2:
1 27p - Shawn Peter -- Mabel, MN (2)
2 9 - Patty Fosaaen -- Waukon, IA (1)
3 20r - Gary Rotenberger -- Calmar, IA (5)
4 97 - Lynn Panos -- Protivin, IA (6)
5 77 - Josh Smith -- Elma, IA (3)
6 11 - Jake Lampert -- Caledonia, MN (4) DNF
7 62 - Kevin Bidne -- Decorah, IA (7) DNF

Heat 3:
1 60 - Kurt Krauskopf -- Decorah, IA (1)
2 29 - Matt Greiner -- Washington, IA (4)
3 40 - Shay Curtin -- Cresco, IA (2)
4 5 - Mike Bergan -- Ridgeway, IA (5)
5 z06 - Loren Kuennen -- Ossion, IA (7)
6 88 - Danny Cole Jr. -- Lansing, IA (6)
7 69 - Jake Ludeking -- Decorah, IA (3)

A Main:
1 27t - Tory Reicks -- Waucoma, IA (9)
2 27p - Shawn Peter -- Mabel, MN (2)
3 60 - Kurt Krauskopf -- Decorah, IA (3)
4 29 - Matt Greiner -- Washington, IA (12)
5 62 - Kevin Bidne -- Decorah, IA (21)
6 5 - Mike Bergan -- Ridgeway, IA (1)
7 40 - Shay Curtin -- Cresco, IA (4)
8 97 - Lynn Panos -- Protivin, IA (11)
9 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (10)
10 9 - Patty Fosaaen -- Waukon, IA (5)
11 77 - Josh Smith -- Elma, IA (14)
12 11 - Jake Lampert -- Caledonia, MN (20)
13 37 - Carl Colsch -- Eitzen, MN (18)
14 121g - Arlen Hoy -- Marble Rock, IA (16) DNF
15 17 - Chad Halverson -- Decorah, IA (13) DNF
16 88 - Danny Cole Jr. -- Lansing, IA (17) DNF
17 44 - Don Rude -- Decorah, IA (6) DNF
18 1 - Jeff Krambeer -- Postville, IA (8) DNF
19 20r - Gary Rotenberger -- Calmar, IA (7) DNF
20 z06 - Loren Kuennen -- Ossion, IA (15) DNF
21 69 - Jake Ludeking -- Decorah, IA (19) DNS

USRA B-MODS

Heat 1:
1 96 - Raymond Lundry -- Maynard, IA (1)
2 13 - Brett Moffitt -- Grimes, IA (5)
3 21 - Curtis Engen -- Monona, IA (2)
4 58 - Shane Panos -- Decorah, IA (4)
5 42x - Dan Ahlers -- Slayton, MN (7)
6 74 - Clint Bodensteiner -- Castalia, IA (3)
7 10 - Todd Hanson -- Clear Lake, IA (6) DNF

Heat 2:
1 11x - Alex Yohn -- Clear Lake, IA (3)
2 83 - Jimmy Davis -- Medford, MN (1)
3 42 - Junior Boyer -- Calmar, IA (5)
4 7j - Jeremy Smith -- Wilmont, MN (2)
5 11 - Eugene Betz -- Avoca, MN (4)
6 69 - Steve Wiltse -- Charles City, IA (6)

A Main:
1 21 - Curtis Engen -- Monona, IA (2)
2 7j - Jeremy Smith -- Wilmont, MN (6)
3 58 - Shane Panos -- Decorah, IA (4)
4 10 - Todd Hanson -- Clear Lake, IA (13)
5 83 - Jimmy Davis -- Medford, MN (8)
6 42 - Junior Boyer -- Calmar, IA (3)
7 96 - Raymond Lundry -- Maynard, IA (5)
8 11 - Eugene Betz -- Avoca, MN (10)
9 69 - Steve Wiltse -- Charles City, IA (12)
10 74 - Clint Bodensteiner -- Castalia, IA (11)
11 11x - Alex Yohn -- Clear Lake, IA (7)
12 42x - Dan Ahlers -- Slayton, MN (9) DNF
13 13 - Brett Moffitt -- Grimes, IA (1) DNF

USRA HOBBY STOCKS

Heat 1:
1 18 - Scott Spilde -- Ridgeway, IA (1)
2 51 - Stac Schroeder -- Clear Lake, IA (2)
3 24 - Austin Wolfgram -- Webster City, IA (7)
4 98 - Kyle Anderson -- Decorah, IA (8)
5 83 - David Licktieg -- Cresco, IA (5)
6 55 - Derek Dettmann -- Monona, IA (3)
7 101 - Bernie Adams -- Stacyville, IA (6)
8 72 - Kyle Buxengard -- Spring Grove, MN (4)

Heat 2:
1 56h - Brandon Hare -- Elma, IA (2)
2 70 - Chris Hovden -- Cresco, IA (5)
3 38s - Nick Schwebach -- Caledonia, MN (3)
4 6 - Dan Sacquitne -- Decorah, IA (4)
5 101a - Kory Adams -- Stacyville, IA (1)
6 8d - Brad Darling -- Mabel, MN (7)
7 70s - Steve Holthaus -- Cresco, IA (6) DNF

A Main:
1 56h - Brandon Hare -- Elma, IA (4)
2 70 - Chris Hovden -- Cresco, IA (8)
3 18 - Scott Spilde -- Ridgeway, IA (2)
4 70s - Steve Holthaus -- Cresco, IA (15)
5 98 - Kyle Anderson -- Decorah, IA (6)
6 24 - Austin Wolfgram -- Webster City, IA (5)
7 83 - David Licktieg -- Cresco, IA (3)
8 6 - Dan Sacquitne -- Decorah, IA (1)
9 38s - Nick Schwebach -- Caledonia, MN (9)
10 55 - Derek Dettmann -- Monona, IA (11)
11 101 - Bernie Adams -- Stacyville, IA (13)
12 72 - Kyle Buxengard -- Spring Grove, MN (14)
13 101a - Kory Adams -- Stacyville, IA (10) DNF
14 51 - Stac Schroeder -- Clear Lake, IA (7) DNF
15 8d - Brad Darling -- Mabel, MN (12) DNS

OUTLAW HOBBYS

Heat 1:
1 15h - Mitch Hovden -- Decorah, IA (4)
2 40 - Austin Curtin -- Waukon, IA (7)
3 28 - Shawn Erickson -- Cresco, IA (1)
4 5k - Keith Schwartzhoff -- Decorah, IA (5)
5 g12 - Ryan Goergen -- Stacyville, IA (8)
6 83b - Brady Halverson -- Ridgeway, IA (6)
7 21 - Bruce Lundin -- Hanley Falls, MN (3)
8 8 - Casey Panos -- Decorah, IA (2) DNF

Heat 2:
1 68x - Cody Henkes -- Postville, IA (4)
2 85 - Ben Moudry -- Protivin, IA (5)
3 81 - Josh Ludeking -- Decorah, IA (7)
4 29x - Paul Fauser -- Elgin, IA (2)
5 61 - Kyle Henry -- West Union, IA (3)
6 14 - David Kjome -- Decorah, IA (6)
7 00 - Jeff Fels -- West Union, IA (1) DNS

A Main:
1 68x - Cody Henkes -- Postville, IA (8)
2 81 - Josh Ludeking -- Decorah, IA (1)
3 40 - Austin Curtin -- Waukon, IA (10)
4 28 - Shawn Erickson -- Cresco, IA (4)
5 85 - Ben Moudry -- Protivin, IA (2)
6 g12 - Ryan Goergen -- Stacyville, IA (9)
7 83b - Brady Halverson -- Ridgeway, IA (11)
8 61 - Kyle Henry -- West Union, IA (5)
9 8 - Casey Panos -- Decorah, IA (14)
10 14 - David Kjome -- Decorah, IA (12)
11 15h - Mitch Hovden -- Decorah, IA (3) DNF
12 21 - Bruce Lundin -- Hanley Falls, MN (13) DNF
13 29x - Paul Fauser -- Elgin, IA (7) DNF
14 5k - Keith Schwartzhoff -- Decorah, IA (6) DNS
15 00 - Jeff Fels -- West Union, IA (15) DNS