Sunday, June 21, 2020

Vanderbeek Reigns Supreme in the USMTS at Hamilton County Speedway

If you looked at the forecast early in the week, you will have thought there is no way the United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) would get the whole five night swing during Iowa Speedweek. Saturday Night saw the USMTS get its fifth night of Iowa Speedweek in at the Hamilton County Speedway Driven by Spangler Automotive in Webster City.

Seventy-Nine cars signed in to the historic half mile including twenty-six USMTS Modifieds for the 14th Annual USMTS Webster City Wrangle presented by D&B Agro Systems. In the Summit Racing Equipment USRA Weekly Racing Series, 16 Diamond in the Rough USRA Hobby Stocks, 18 Stein Heating & Cooling USRA B-Mods and 19 Seneca Foundry USRA Stock Cars.

First feature of the night was the Diamond in the Rough USRA Hobby Stocks 15 lap feature event. Tyson Overton wrestled the lead away early from fellow front row starter Bryce Sommerfeld. The first caution came out on lap three when David Reiks came to a stop in turn thrree and four. Overton held off Sommerfeld and Logan Fitzpatrick on the restart but the caution came out again on lap six for a bumper sitting up in the top side of turn two.

Overton got another great restart but once again the caution waived on lap eight when Daniel Ayers stopped in turn four. Overton held off Scott Dobel and Sommerfeld on this restart but the final race caution came out on lap ten for Fitzpatrick on the backstretch. Overton had Dobel and fifteenth place starter Eric Stanton on the back bumper on the restart. Overton working the top side and Stanton on the bottom side, Stanton grabed the top spot on lap 12. Stanton went on to take his third win in 2020 at the Hamilton County Speedway, Overton settled for second. Dobel finished third, Sommerfeld fell back to fourth and Roger Haupt was fifth.

Alex Zwanziger started outside front row in the Stein Heating & Cooling USRA B-Mods 16 lap feature. Zwanziger held off challenges early from Logan Anderson and Jeremiah Reed before only lap traffic slowed him down in late stages of the race. Nobody was catching, Zwanziger as he went on to take the feature win. Brandon Toftee, Anderson, Ty Griffith and Levi Chipp rounded out the top five.

Levi Chipp started on the pole position and after holding off hometown favorite Ty Griffith, Latimer pulled away and went on to take the win.  For Chipp, his second win at the Hamilton County Speedway as he picked up the feature win last saturday. Griffith started fifth and ended up second. Nate Whitehurst finished third, Brandon Toftee was fourth and Doug McCollough was fifth

In the Seneca Foundry USRA Stock Cars 20 lap feature event, Kevin Donlan grabbed the top spot early but "Terminator" Mark Elliott wrestled the top spot away from Donlan on lap three. Shortly after the caution came out when Parker Slagle came to a stop in turn four after heavy front end damage. Elliott got a great restart and pulled away from the field until the caution came out again on lap thirteen. The first caution on lap 13 was for Kevin Vogt in turn two and then on the restart Chance Hollatz came to a stop on the back stretch.

Elliott pulled away again on the restart but the caution came out on lap 15 when Jesse Brown spun in turn four. Elliott was determined to not let that bother him as he went on to lead the final five laps to take the win. Nineteenth place starter Todd Staley worked the top side came home in second. Eleventh place starter Derek Green was third, Travis Shipman was fourth and Philip Holtz was fifth.

Final feature of the night was the 35 lap feature for USMTS and their USMTS National Championship fueled by Casey's. After the intial start was called back it was Haysville, Kansas driver Tyler Davis grabbing the top spot on lap one. Just after the completion of lap one, the caution came out for Scott Olson in turn four. Davis held off Zack Vanderbeek and Jason Hughes on the restart but the caution came out on lap four when Adam Kates was slow in turn one.

Davis led until another caution was displayed on lap nine when Kates stopped in turn three. On the restart, Davis did not get a great restart after the lap nine caution, that allowed Vanderbeek to take the top spot away. Vanderbeek was hitting his marks and holding off Hughes every lap and then the final race caution came on lap twenty, when Kyle Brown had his brake rotors explode leaving debris in turn one. Vanderbeek held off Hughes on the restart and went on to lead the final 15 laps to claim the victory.

For Vanderbeek, the driver nicknamed "The Z-Man", it was his 49th career USMTS win putting him fifth all-time with wins. Hughes finished second, Davis was third and USMTS Points Leader Rodney Sanders was fourth. Eighteenth place starter Terry Phillips finished fifth, giving the FK Rod Ends Hard Charger.

Racing action finished at 10:36 pm putting an end to another fantastic night of racing at the Historic half-mile the Hamilton County Speedway driven by Spangler Automotive.

After 12 races in the last 17 days, the USMTS will take a pit stop before returning to action on Tuesday July 21st at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa for the 12th Annual USMTS Summer Classic, part of the 2020 Southern Iowa Fair. Then they will head West to take part of the 10th Annual Imperial Tile Silver Dollar Nationals on Friday July 24th and Saturday July 25th at the I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Nebrasaka. Tuesday July 28th through Thursday July 30th, Mod Mania takes place at the Mason City Motor Speedway in Mason City.

Hamilton County Speedway returns to action next Saturday Night with Salute to 2020 Seniors presented by Jerry Goebel State Farm. Super Late Models powered by Jerry Goebel State Farm plus the Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series for Olsen Family USRA Modifieds, Seneca Foundry USRA Stock Cars, Stein Heating & Cooling USRA B-Mods, Diamond in the Rough USRA Hobby Stocks and My Race Pass USRA Tuners.

Senior Parade will begin at 6:15pm and all Graduating 2020 seniors will receive FREE Grandstand admission with school ID. Grandstand Admission for everbody 12 and older is just $5 meanwhile kids 11 and under are FREE. Drivers Meeting at 6:45pm, Hot Laps at 7pm and Racing at 7:30pm.

Then on Tuesday June 30th and Wednesday July 1st, the Hamilton County Speedway hosts the Great American Stock Car Shootout.  USRA Stock Cars are $2,000 to win, USRA B-Mods are $1,500 to win and the USRA Hobby Stocks are $1,000 to win. Tuesday will feature Qualifying, King of the Hill and Dash for Cash. Wednesday will feature Last Chance Races and Championship Races.


To connect with the USMTS check out USMTS.com, like us on Facebook, follow on Twitter, check us out on Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Keep up to speed by joining our email list

For more information about the Hamilton County Speedway,  call the office at (515) 832-6000 or check out HamiltonCoSpeedway.com or Like the Hamilton County Speedway on Facebook or Follow on the Hamilton County Speedway on Twitter.

I took roughly around 450 pictures and they are posted on the Trackside Report Facebook Page and you find the direct link to the photo album at Hamilton County Speedway USMTS 6-20-20. If you share the pictures please give me credit because I do this for the love of this sport and not to make money, however if you want to give me some I wouldn't complain.

14th Annual USMTS Webster City Wrangle presented by D&B Agro Systems
Hamilton County Speedway Driven by Spangler Automotive
Saturday, June 20, 2020


Showing finishing position, starting position in parentheses, car number, driver and hometown.

Summit USMTS National Championship fueled by Casey's
United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS)

SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):
1. (3) 21K Kyle Brown (Madrid); 2. (8) 12 Jason Hughes (Watts, Okla.); 3. (2) 209 Ron Ver Beek (Oskaloosa); 4. (6) 10C Cayden Carter (R) (Oskaloosa); 5. (5) 6 Casey Skyberg (R) (Rapid City, S.D.); 6. (9) 00J J.D. Auringer (Waterloo); 7. (7) 41 Nate Hughes (Humboldt); 8. (1) 3F Cole Ferguson (Dexter); 9. (4) 211 Jesse Ely (R) (Webster City)

FAST SHAFTS HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. (1) 12M Mark Elliott (Webster City); 2. (5) 33Z Zack VanderBeek (New Sharon); 3. (2) 27X Calvin Iverson (R) (Eleva, Wis.); 4. (7) 23 Adam Kates (Tonganoxie, Kan.); 5. (3) 14E Chase Ellingson (R) (Williams); 6. (6) 29H Joe Horgdal (Kasson, Minn.); 7. (8) 3W Garett Wilson (R) (Carlisle); 8. (4) 45H Jason Hickingbottom (R) (Duncombe); 9. (9) 75M Jeff MacRunnel (R) (Webster City)

EDELBROCK HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. (1) 65 Tyler Davis (R) (Haysville, Kan.); 2. (2) 20 Rodney Sanders (Happy, Texas); 3. (3) 62 Hunter Marriott (Brookfield, Mo.); 4. (5) 02 Tanner Mullens (R) (Wichita, Kan.);  5. (4) 5D Devon Havlik (Iowa Falls);  6. (7) 4R Dereck Ramirez (Woodward, Okla.); 7. (8) 75 Terry Phillips (Springfield, Mo.); 8. (6) 8X Scott Olson (Blairsburg)

REAL RACING WHEELS "B" MAIN (8 laps):
1. (1) 4R Dereck Ramirez (Woodward, Okla.); 2. (4) 75 Terry Phillips (Springfield, Mo.); 3. (2) 29H Joe Horgdal (Kasson, Minn.); 4. (5) 41 Nate Hughes (Humboldt); 5. (3) 3W Garett Wilson (R) (Carlisle); 6. (8) 8X Scott Olson (Blairsburg); 7. (9) 211 Jesse Ely (R) (Webster City); 8. (6) 3F Cole Ferguson (Dexter); 9. (10) 75M Jeff MacRunnel (R) (Webster City); 10. (7) 45H Jason Hickingbottom (R) (Duncombe)

CASEY'S "A" MAIN (35 laps):
1. (2) 33Z Zack VanderBeek (New Sharon); 2. (4) 12 Jason Hughes (Watts, Okla.); 3. (1) 65 Tyler Davis (R) (Haysville, Kan.); 4. (8) 20 Rodney Sanders (Happy, Texas); 5. (18) 75 Terry Phillips (Springfield, Mo.); 6. (12) 02 Tanner Mullens (R) (Wichita, Kan.); 7. (17) 4R Dereck Ramirez (Woodward, Okla.); 8. (9) 27X Calvin Iverson (R) (Eleva, Wis.); 9. (14) 6 Casey Skyberg (R) (Rapid City, S.D.); 10. (11) 10C Cayden Carter (R) (Oskaloosa); 11. (15) 14E Chase Ellingson (R) (Williams); 12. (13) 00J J.D. Auringer (Waterloo); 13. (3) 21K Kyle Brown (Madrid); 14. (22) 8X Scott Olson (Blairsburg); 15. (20) 41 Nate Hughes (Humboldt); 16. (10) 62 Hunter Marriott (Brookfield, Mo.); 17. (16) 5D Devon Havlik (Iowa Falls); 18. (19) 29H Joe Horgdal (Kasson, Minn.); 19. (7) 23 Adam Kates (Tonganoxie, Kan.); 20. (21) 3W Garett Wilson (R) (Carlisle); 21. (5) 12M Mark Elliott (Webster City); DNS - 209 Ron Ver Beek (Oskaloosa)


(R) = Grant Junghans USMTS Rookie of the Year contender

Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series
Seneca Foundry
USRA Stock Cars

Heat #1 (7 laps):
1. (1) 30 Curt Lund (Redwood Falls, Minn.); 2. (2) 33 Kevin Donlan (Decorah); 3. (3) 6 Chanse Hollatz (Clear Lake); 4. (7) 87T Travis Shipman (Mason City); 5. (6) 87 Dylan Suhr (Waterloo); 6. (4) 16K Kevin Vogt (Rose Creek, Minn.); 7. (5) 52 Nathan Ely (Webster City)

Heat #2 (7 laps):
1. (2) 32 Derek Green (Granada, Minn.); 2. (1) 35 Bill Crimmins (Fort Dodge); 3. (4) 4ORD Bob Sutherland (Blairsburg); 4. (6) 10 Justin Ades (Webster City); 5. (5) 19 Reid Keller (Webster City); 6. (3) 14 Todd Staley (Webster City)

Heat #3 (7 laps):
1. (1) 11 Jesse Brown (Nashua); 2. (3) 12 Mark Elliott (Webster City); 3. (4) 47 Parker Slagle (Eagle Grove); 4. (6) 7H Philip Holtz (Manchester); 5. (5) 7J John Campbell (Belmond); 6. (2) M5 Jim Mitchell (Webster City)

Feature (20 laps):
1. (4) 12 Mark Elliott (Webster City); 2. (19) 14 Todd Staley (Webster City); 3. (11) 32 Derek Green (Granada, Minn.); 4. (3) 87T Travis Shipman (Mason City); 5. (7) 7H Philip Holtz (Manchester); 6. (2) 33 Kevin Donlan (Decorah); 7. (12) 30 Curt Lund (Redwood Falls, Minn.); 8. (13) 87 Dylan Suhr (Waterloo); 9. (9) 4ORD Bob Sutherland (Blairsburg); 10. (15) 7J John Campbell (Belmond); 11. (6) 6 Chanse Hollatz (Clear Lake); 12. (18) 52 Nathan Ely (Webster City); 13. (10) 35 Bill Crimmins (Fort Dodge); 14. (14) 19 Reid Keller (Webster City); 15. (1) 11 Jesse Brown (Nashua); 16. (17) M5 Jim Mitchell (Webster City); 17. (5) 10 Justin Ades (Webster City); 18. (16) 16K Kevin Vogt (Rose Creek, Minn.); 19. (8) 47 Parker Slagle (Eagle Grove)

Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series
Stein Heating & Cooling
USRA B-MODS

Heat #1 (7 laps):
1. (2) 56 Ty Griffith (Webster City); 2. (4) 66 Levi Chipp (Latimer); 3. (1) 13S Braden Scharn (Sac City); 4. (9) 32Z Alex Zwanziger (Walker); 5. (7) 85T Brandon Toftee (Webster City); 6. (6) 1 Doug McCollough (Webster City); 7. (5) 5 Mitch Frakes (Eagle Grove); 8. (3) 56H Brandon Hare (Elma); DNS 20J Jeremy Grantham (Allison)

Heat #2 (7 laps):
1. (1) 53 Logan Anderson (Eddyville); 2. (3) 99 Rocky Caudle (Ellsworth); 3. (6) 83X Kadden Kath (Owantonna, Minn.); 4. (5) 9J Jeremiah Reed (Otho); 5. (4) 56X Kyle Webb (Des Moines); 6. (7) 35 Terry Faul (Minot, N.D.); 7. (9) D1 Damion Elliott (Webster City); 8. (2) 98R Kendall Zuetlau (Fort Dodge); 9. (8) 40 George Gilliland (Lehigh)

Feature (16 laps):
1. (2) 32Z Alex Zwanziger (Walker); 2. (3) 85T Brandon Toftee (Webster City); 3. (4) 53 Logan Anderson (Eddyville); 4. (8) 56 Ty Griffith (Webster City); 5. (5) 66 Levi Chipp (Latimer); 6. (10) 99 Rocky Caudle (Ellsworth); 7. (9) 83X Kadden Kath (Owantonna, Minn.); 8. (1) 9J Jeremiah Reed (Otho); 9. (14) 56H Brandon Hare (Elma); 10. (11) 1 Doug McCollough (Webster City); 11. (16) 20J Jeremy Grantham (Allison); 12. (7) 13S Braden Scharn (Sac City); 13. (12) 35 Terry Faul (Minot, N.D.); 14. (18) D1 Damion Elliott (Webster City); 15. (13) 5 Mitch Frakes (Eagle Grove); 16. (17) 40 George Gilliland (Lehigh); 17. (6) 56X Kyle Webb (Des Moines); 18. (15) 98R Kendall Zuetlau (Fort Dodge)

Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series
Diamond in the Rough
USRA HOBBY STOCKS

Heat #1 (6 laps):
1. (1) 78XX David Rieks (Eldora); 2. (3) 50 Bryce Sommerfeld (Fort Dodge); 3. (4) 42T Tyson Overton (Carlisle); 4. (2) L82 Logan Fitzpatrick (Worthing, S.D.); 5. (7) 10 John Ades (Rippey); 6. (8) 34 Lincoln Miller (Eagle Grove); 7. (6) 05 Mark Kennedy (Webster City); DNS 7B Eric Stanton (Carlisle)

Heat #2 (6 laps):
1. (2) 83 Scott Dobel (Manly); 2. (6) 24R Roger Haupt (Webster City); 3. (7) 4D Daniel Ayers (Webster City); 4. (8) 15 Jeremy Crimmins (Fort Dodge); 5. (4) 56 Jake Blau (Latimer); 6. (1) 136 Tanner Green (Hampton); 7. (5) 35 Riley Crimmins (Fort Dodge); 8. (3) 25T Tanner Redman (Webster City)

Feature (15 laps):
1. (15) 7B Eric Stanton (Carlisle); 2. (2) 42T Tyson Overton (Carlisle); 3. (10) 83 Scott Dobel (Manly); 4. (1) 50 Bryce Sommerfeld (Fort Dodge); 5. (3) 24R Roger Haupt (Webster City); 6. (7) 15 Jeremy Crimmins (Fort Dodge); 7. (6) 10 John Ades (Rippey); 8. (4) 4D Daniel Ayers (Webster City); 9. (11) 34 Lincoln Miller (Eagle Grove); 10. (8) 56 Jake Blau (Latimer); 11. (14) 35 Riley Crimmins (Fort Dodge); 12. (16) 25T Tanner Redman (Webster City); 13. (13) 05 Mark Kennedy (Webster City); 14. (12) 136 Tanner Green (Hampton); 15. (9) 78XX David Rieks (Eldora); 16. (5) L82 Logan Fitzpatrick (Worthing, S.D.)