Mahlstedt, Wood, Lettow, Haglund nab opening night checkers at MUSCO Lighting Fall Challenge
by Jeff Nun

OSKALOOSA, Ia (Sept 14) - A thrilling night of wheel-to-wheel action highlighted the opening night of the 16th Annual MUSCO Lighting Fall Challenge at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa, Friday night. Feature winners were Dean Mahlstedt (MUSCO Lighting USRA Modifieds), Nathan Wood (USRA Stock Cars), Matt Lettow (USRA B-Mods) and Mark Haglund (USRA Hobby Stocks).

With championship races slated for Saturday, preliminary events on Friday set the stage as drivers battle for a big purse, as well as USRA Casey’s General Stores Weekly Racing Series national points both nights.

Fresh off of a win at the 9th Annual Featherlite Fall Jamboree in Gopher State, Mahlstedt, from Clear Lake, held off defending MUSCO Lighting Fall Challenge winner Zack VanderBeek of New Sharon for the $1,000 top prize in the USRA Modified main event. Donnellson's Tony Fraise captured third while polesitter and hometown ace Ron Ver Beek finished fourth and Bruce Hanford of Davenport took fifth. Richie Gustin Jr., Brad Pinkerton, Michael Long, Ryan Gustin and Colt Mather rounded out the top-10 at the finish line.

While the top-6 drivers in the USRA Stock Car, USRA B-Mod and USRA Hobby Stock features on Friday automatically qualify for Saturday's championship race, the USRA Modifieds will stage a complete show on Saturday with drivers racing for a $2,000 winner's share of the purse.

In Friday's USRA Stock Car main event, last year's USRA Casey’s General Stores Weekly Racing Series Hobby Stock National Champion, Nathan Wood of Keswick, took the $500 win after starting third on the grid. Malcolm Teachout of Granada, Minn., was second, Mike Harward of Floris took third and Bobby Greiner Jr. of Ottumwa came from the 12th starting spot to claim fourth. Jerry Pilcher of Floris and Bobby Greene of Eddyville finished fifth and sixth, respectively, to fill out the first six spots of the inside row for Saturday's $1,000-to-win main event.

Matt Lettow of Roland pocketed $200 as he conquered the USRA B-Mod feature race as he looks to repeat as the MUSCO Lighting Fall Challenge B-Mod champ. Ryan Lundy of Knoxville was second and Raymond Lundry of Maynard finished third. Cory Brown of Ottumwa, Andrew Schroeder of Keswick and Kevin Fee of Knoxville completed the top-6 and earned a spot in Saturday's $500-to-win championship race.

Making his first trip to Osky this season, Mark Haglund of Webster City took the $250 top prize as he won a highly-competitive USRA Hobby Stock main event after starting seventh. Chris Hovden of Cresco, who sits third in the USRA Casey’s General Stores Weekly Racing Series Hobby Stock national points behind Southern Iowa Speedway track champion Jason McDaniel, finished second after starting 10th, and Knoxville's Bill Gibson scored a third-place paycheck after racing from the 11th starting spot. Mike Shelton of Ottumwa was fourth, Ryan Vicker of Creston took fifth and Scott Spilde of Ridgeway was the sixth car across the finish line to earn a spot in Saturday's $500-to-win championship race.

On Saturday, pit gates open at 4 p.m. with grandstand gates swinging open at 5, hot laps at 6 and the first green flag waving at 6:30. Adult general admission grandstand tickets are $12 on Friday and just $15 Saturday. Juniors (12-18) and seniors (62+) get in for $10 Friday, $12 Saturday. Kids 11 and under get in for free both days. Pit passes are $25 each night.

This event is sanctioned by the United States Racing Association (USRA). USRA national points will be awarded each night to USRA-licensed drivers, however, a USRA license is not required to compete in this event. For Modifieds, Stock Cars and B-Mods, American Racer KK704 or G60 racing tires are preferred. The Hoosier G60 tire will also be allowed, but no USRA points will be awarded. For complete rules go to www.rlpromotions.com/oskaloosa and click on the Classes link.

For more information call the Southern Iowa Speedway office at 515-832-6000. The Southern Iowa Speedway is a half-mile semi-banked clay oval located 0.5 mile west of US 63 on SR 92, then four blocks north on N. I St. (at the Southern Iowa Fairgrounds). For day-of-race information, call the track hotline at (507) 634-4281 or visit www.rlpromotions.com/oskaloosa online. For more information about the USRA, visit www.usraracing.com.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
USRA Casey’s General Stores Weekly Racing Series
16th Annual MUSCO Lighting Fall Challenge
Southern Iowa Speedway, Oskaloosa, Iowa
Friday, Sept. 14, 2007

Showing finishing position, car number, driver, hometown and starting position in parentheses. The top 12 drivers in passing points accumulated in the heats are locked into the A Main, with the top 8 re-drawing for starting positions 1-8.

MUSCO LIGHTING USRA MODIFIEDS

Heat #1:
1. 4r - Ron Ver Beek -- Oskaloosa, IA (1)
2. 61 - Bruce Hanford -- Davenport, IA (4)
3. 40 - Scott Dickey -- Packwood, IA (5)
4. 21m - Dean Mahlstedt -- Clear Lake, IA (9)
5. 17p - Brad Pinkerton -- New Sharon, IA (8)
6. 22 - Brandon Banks -- Washington, IA (2)
7. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (6)
8. 40x - Clayton Jensen -- Iowa City, IA (3)
9. 14r - Jim Redmann -- Lockridge, IA (7)

Heat #2:
1. 45 - Tony Fraise -- Donnellson, IA (6)
2. 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (5)
3. 8 - Colt Mather -- Webster, IA (4)
4. 19g - Richie Gustin Jr. -- Marshalltown, IA (7)
5. 21r - Glenn Ridgeway -- Eldon, IA (1)
6. 12 - Terry Walker -- Riverside, IA (3)
7. 9 - Tom Lathrop -- Ottumwa, IA (8)
8. 14j - Jake Neal -- Omaha, NE (2)

Heat #3:
1. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (3)
2. 18L - Michael Long -- Quincy, IL (7)
3. 56 - Chris Spieker -- Massena, IA (5)
4. 89 - Brad Dubil -- Bettendorf, IA (8)
5. 20 - John Fellman -- Blue Grass, IA (1)
6. 7r - Jerry Pilcher -- Bloomfield, IA (6)
7. 5 - Tim Sands -- Conesville, IA (4)
8. 29 - Dennis Elliott -- Mt. Ayr, IA (2)

A Main:
1. 21m - Dean Mahlstedt -- Clear Lake, IA (2)
2. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (3)
3. 45 - Tony Fraise -- Donnellson, IA (6)
4. 4r - Ron Ver Beek -- Oskaloosa, IA (1)
5. 61 - Bruce Hanford -- Davenport, IA (4)
6. 19g - Richie Gustin Jr. -- Marshalltown, IA (7)
7. 17p - Brad Pinkerton -- New Sharon, IA (13)
8. 18L - Michael Long -- Quincy, IL (12)
9. 19r - Ryan Gustin -- Marshalltown, IA (9)
10. 8 - Colt Mather -- Webster, IA (5)
11. 56 - Chris Spieker -- Massena, IA (10)
12. 22 - Brandon Banks -- Washington, IA (16)
13. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (19)
14. 21r - Glenn Ridgeway -- Eldon, IA (14)
15. 7r - Jerry Pilcher -- Bloomfield, IA (18)
16. 20 - John Fellman -- Blue Grass, IA (15)
17. 5 - Tim Sands -- Conesville, IA (20)
18. 89 - Brad Dubil -- Bettendorf, IA (11)
19. 14r - Jim Redmann -- Lockridge, IA (25)
20. 40x - Clayton Jensen -- Iowa City, IA (21)
21. 40 - Scott Dickey -- Packwood, IA (8)
22. 12 - Terry Walker -- Riverside, IA (17)
23. 9 - Tom Lathrop -- Ottumwa, IA (22)
24. 29 - Dennis Elliott -- Mt. Ayr, IA (23)
25. 14j - Jake Neal -- Omaha, NE (24)

USRA STOCK CARS

Heat #1:
1. 2j - Steve Jackson -- Polk City, IA (4)
2. 94 - Corey Stout -- Oskaloosa, IA (2)
3. 72 - Jerry Pilcher -- Floris, IA (7)
4. 121g - Arlen Hoy -- Marble Rock, IA (8)
5. 17p - Brad Pinkerton -- New Sharon, IA (5)
6. 20 - Greg Mitchell -- Decorah, IA (6)
7. 22 - Aaron Wendel -- Melbourne, IA (1)
8. K1 - Randy Krampe -- Baxter, IA (3)

Heat #2:
1. 99 - Bobby Greiner Jr. -- Ottumwa, IA (4)
2. 81 - Bert McDaniel -- Eldon, IA (8)
3. 33 - Josh Newell -- Oskaloosa, IA (6)
4. 66 - Jeff Joldersma -- McClelland, IA (1)
5. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (7)
6. 28w - Don Wear -- Des Moines, IA (3)
7. 14j - Michael Johnston -- Des Moines, IA (5)
8. 29 - Matt Greiner -- Washington, IA (2)

Heat #3:
1. 52 - Nathan Wood -- Keswick, IA (6)
2. 20t - Malcolm Teachout -- Granada, MN (4)
3. 8j - A.J. Johnson -- Oskaloosa, IA (3)
4. 27s - Doug Seidl -- Des Moines, IA (2)
5. 37 - Carl Colsch -- Eitzen, MN (1)
6. 37ck - Robert Koeneman -- Des Moines, IA (7)
7. 9m - Terry McDowell -- Des Moines, IA (5)
8. 73c - Patty Kephart -- Des Moines, IA (8)

Heat #4:
1. 01i - Mike Harward -- Floris, IA (4)
2. 32t - Bobby Greene -- Eddyville, IA (1)
3. 407 - Clayton Garden -- Oskaloosa, IA (2)
4. 57 - Jason Vansickel -- Webster City, IA (5)
5. 7 - Rick Todd -- Des Moines, IA (6)
6. 08 - Matt Pinegar -- Ankeny, IA (7)
7. 44 - Doug Newell -- Oskaloosa, IA (

B Main (top 4 advance):
1. 29 - Matt Greiner -- Washington, IA (10)
2. 28w - Don Wear -- Des Moines, IA (2)
3. 08 - Matt Pinegar -- Ankeny, IA (4)
4. 44 - Doug Newell -- Oskaloosa, IA (8)
5. 9m - Terry McDowell -- Des Moines, IA (7)
6. 22 - Aaron Wendel -- Melbourne, IA (5)
7. 14j - Michael Johnston -- Des Moines, IA (6)
8. 73c - Patty Kephart -- Des Moines, IA (11)
9. 37ck - Robert Koeneman -- Des Moines, IA (3)
10. 20 - Greg Mitchell -- Decorah, IA (1)
11. K1 - Randy Krampe -- Baxter, IA (9)

A Main (top 6 locked into Saturday’s A Main):
1. 52 - Nathan Wood -- Keswick, IA (3)
2. 20t - Malcolm Teachout -- Granada, MN (6)
3. 01i - Mike Harward -- Floris, IA (7)
4. 99 - Bobby Greiner Jr. -- Ottumwa, IA (12)
5. 72 - Jerry Pilcher -- Floris, IA (1)
6. 32t - Bobby Greene -- Eddyville, IA (5)
7. 8j - A.J. Johnson -- Oskaloosa, IA (11)
8. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (18)
9. 29 - Matt Greiner -- Washington, IA (21)
10. 27s - Doug Seidl -- Des Moines, IA (15)
11. 2j - Steve Jackson -- Polk City, IA (8)
12. 57 - Jason Vansickel -- Webster City, IA (16)
13. 08 - Matt Pinegar -- Ankeny, IA (23)
14. 28w - Don Wear -- Des Moines, IA (22)
15. 7 - Rick Todd -- Des Moines, IA (20)
16. 44 - Doug Newell -- Oskaloosa, IA (24)
17. 66 - Jeff Joldersma -- McClelland, IA (14)
18. 33 - Josh Newell -- Oskaloosa, IA (4)
19. 17p - Brad Pinkerton -- New Sharon, IA (17)
20. 121g - Arlen Hoy -- Marble Rock, IA (13)
21. 94 - Corey Stout -- Oskaloosa, IA (10)
22. 81 - Bert McDaniel -- Eldon, IA (2)
23. 37 - Carl Colsch -- Eitzen, MN (19)
24. 407 - Clayton Garden -- Oskaloosa, IA (9)

USRA B-MODS

Heat #1:
1. 21 - Matt Lettow -- Roland, IA (1)
2. 3k - Ryan Lundy -- Knoxville, IA (2)
3. 96 - Raymond Lundry -- Maynard, IA (5)
4. 98 - Cory Brown -- Ottumwa, IA (4)
5. 44 - Mike Wanders -- Oskaloosa, IA (6)
6. 10s - Ray Stock Jr. -- Ankeny, IA (7)
7. 21e - Curtis Engen -- Monona, IA (3)

Heat #2:
1. 27 - Ken Bryant -- Ottumwa, IA (3)
2. 02 - Andrew Schroeder -- Keswick, IA (5)
3. 52 - Kevin Fee -- Knoxville, IA (7)
4. 32 - Ronnie Pumphrey -- Altoona, IA (6)
5. 1 - Paul Underwood -- Ottumwa, IA (1)
6. 777 - Jayme Duinink -- Pella, IA (4)
7. 90 - Brad Iverson -- Grinnell, IA (2)

A Main (top 6 locked into Saturday’s A Main):
1. 21 - Matt Lettow -- Roland, IA (4)
2. 3k - Ryan Lundy -- Knoxville, IA (1)
3. 96 - Raymond Lundry -- Maynard, IA (9)
4. 98 - Cory Brown -- Ottumwa, IA (8)
5. 02 - Andrew Schroeder -- Keswick, IA (7)
6. 52 - Kevin Fee -- Knoxville, IA (5)
7. 10s - Ray Stock Jr. -- Ankeny, IA (11)
8. 90 - Brad Iverson -- Grinnell, IA (14)
9. 27 - Ken Bryant -- Ottumwa, IA (10)
10. 777 - Jayme Duinink -- Pella, IA (12)
11. 32 - Ronnie Pumphrey -- Altoona, IA (2)
12. 21e - Curtis Engen -- Monona, IA (13)
13. 44 - Mike Wanders -- Oskaloosa, IA (6)
14. 1 - Paul Underwood -- Ottumwa, IA (3)

USRA HOBBY STOCKS

Heat #1:
1. 16 - Mike Shelton -- Ottumwa, IA (1)
2. 70 - Chris Hovden -- Cresco, IA (8)
3. 2m - Mark Moore -- Ottumwa, IA (6)
4. 71x - Paul Wheeler -- Des Moines, IA (5)
5. 3z - Jason VanZomeren -- Oskaloosa, IA (7)
6. 3g - Lonnie Greiner -- Fairfield, IA (9)
7. 7v - John Yaw Jr. -- Des Moines, IA (3)
8. 71 - Louis Lynch -- Glenwood, MO (4)
9. 85 - Jason McDaniel -- Eldon, IA (2)

Heat #2:
1. 38 - Bill Gibson -- Knoxville, IA (5)
2. 18 - Scott Spilde -- Ridgeway, IA (2)
3. 31m - Mark Haglund -- Webster City, IA (6)
4. 22v - Ryan Vicker -- Creston, IA (7)
5. 20t - Richard Yaw II -- Pleasant Hill, IA (4)
6. 2t - Travis Sherwood -- Ottumwa, IA (8)
7. 01 - David Breuklander -- Oskaloosa, IA (3)
8. 8j - Tony Johnson -- Oskaloosa, IA (1)
9. 18x - Chad Dehne -- Ottumwa, IA (9)

Heat #3:
1. 51 - Alan Hultz -- Madison, MO (3)
2. 21x - Curtis Barnes -- Greentop, MO (4)
3. 10g - Dustin Griffiths -- Ottumwa, IA (5)
4. 33 - Justin Hook -- Oskaloosa, IA (1)
5. 34 - Terry Rachels -- Knoxville, IA (8)
6. Y19 - Mike Yaw -- Des Moines, IA (2)
7. 62 - T.J. Henderson -- Douds, IA (7)
8. 65 - Wes White -- Bloomfield, IA (9)
9. 5n - Don Nunnikhoven -- Sully, IA (6)

Heat #4:
1. 22 - Nathan Wood -- Keswick, IA (1)
2. 4j - Bob Lynch -- Ottumwa, IA (6)
3. 6s - Shannon Sherwood -- Oskaloosa, IA (7)
4. 2k - Derek Kirkland -- Centerville, IA (8)
5. D31 - Lawrence Dorsey -- Pleasant Hill, IA (2)
6. J4 - John Yaw -- Des Moines, IA (4)
7. 46 - Jim Walker -- Des Moines, IA (3)
8. 55 - Ricky Wilson -- Ottumwa, IA (5)

B Main (top 4 advance):
1. 01 - David Breuklander -- Oskaloosa, IA (6)
2. 7v - John Yaw Jr. -- Des Moines, IA (5)
3. 71 - Louis Lynch -- Glenwood, MO (9)
4. 5n - Don Nunnikhoven -- Sully, IA (15)
5. 2t - Travis Sherwood -- Ottumwa, IA (2)
6. J4 - John Yaw -- Des Moines, IA (4)
7. 3g - Lonnie Greiner -- Fairfield, IA (1)
8. Y19 - Mike Yaw -- Des Moines, IA (3)
9. 8j - Tony Johnson -- Oskaloosa, IA (10)
10. 18x - Chad Dehne -- Ottumwa, IA (14)
11. 62 - T.J. Henderson -- Douds, IA (7)
12. 46 - Jim Walker -- Des Moines, IA (8)
13. 65 - Wes White -- Bloomfield, IA (11)
14. 55 - Ricky Wilson -- Ottumwa, IA (12)
15. 85 - Jason McDaniel -- Eldon, IA (13

A Main (top 6 locked into Saturday’s A Main):
1. 31m - Mark Haglund -- Webster City, IA (7)
2. 70 - Chris Hovden -- Cresco, IA (10)
3. 38 - Bill Gibson -- Knoxville, IA (11)
4. 16 - Mike Shelton -- Ottumwa, IA (6)
5. 22v - Ryan Vicker -- Creston, IA (14)
6. 18 - Scott Spilde -- Ridgeway, IA (5)
7. 22 - Nathan Wood -- Keswick, IA (8)
8. 2m - Mark Moore -- Ottumwa, IA (2)
9. 4j - Bob Lynch -- Ottumwa, IA (12)
10. 5n - Don Nunnikhoven -- Sully, IA (24)
11. 51 - Alan Hultz -- Madison, MO (4)
12. 2k - Derek Kirkland -- Centerville, IA (16)
13. 33 - Justin Hook -- Oskaloosa, IA (15)
14. 10g - Dustin Griffiths -- Ottumwa, IA (9)
15. 01 - David Breuklander -- Oskaloosa, IA (21)
16. 34 - Terry Rachels -- Knoxville, IA (19)
17. D31 - Lawrence Dorsey -- Pleasant Hill, IA (20)
18. 71 - Louis Lynch -- Glenwood, MO (23)
19. 71x - Paul Wheeler -- Des Moines, IA (13)
20. 6s - Shannon Sherwood -- Oskaloosa, IA (3)
21. 3z - Jason VanZomeren -- Oskaloosa, IA (17)
22. 20t - Richard Yaw II -- Pleasant Hill, IA (18)
23. 7v - John Yaw Jr. -- Des Moines, IA (22)
24. 21x - Curtis Barnes -- Greentop, MO (1)