SHRYOCK GRABS USMTS GLORY WITH WIN AT INDEPENDENCE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
by Christine Rublack

Monday, June 23, 2008

INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (June 23) – The O’Reilly USMTS National
Tour made a stop in Independence, Iowa, Monday for the
inaugural event at the Independence Motor Speedway.

With the sun setting, the crowd looked upon the 3/8-mile
dirt oval as the traditional four-wide “Salute to America”
parade lap took place.

From the drop of the green flag, the O’Reilly USMTS
Modifieds were flying for their 40-lap main event. With a
couple early cautions, the pack stayed close and kept the
top spot open for grabs.

Richie Gustin Jr. looked to be tough to beat from the
start, but Zack VanderBeek worked his Cheetos/Casey's
General Stores #33z Skyrocket for the lead from his
third-place starting spot within the first five laps, but
failed to claim the top spot as he had mechanical issues
and had to pull into the pits.

Eight-time O’Reilly USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock
worked his way to the front from his fourth starting
position and Al Hejna worked from his ninth-place starting
spot as both drivers inched closer to the lead.

The battle began between Hejna and Shryock within the
first few laps of the race until Shryock was able to pass
Hejna just outside the corner.

With Shryock taking over the lead, Hejna was right on him,
however. Another caution caused the field to bunch up and
giving Hejna another chance to get around Shryock.

Hejna charged hard toward the lead but Shryock was able to
hold him off. With the laps winding down, Hejna stayed on
Shryock’s tail and seemed to get closer with each lap.

With three laps remaining, Shryock started to pull away
slightly from Hejna, causing Hejna to give chase to
Shryock all the way to the checkered. With the white flag
waving, Shryock now had Hejna on his rear bumper but Hejna
just couldn’t get around Shryock before the checkered flag
waved.

Shryock took the win, followed closely by Hejna. Central
States Region points leader Jason Hughes, Tommy Weder Jr.,
and Gustin rounded out the top-5.