USRA: Cresco results 2005-05-08

PITTMAN, SCHMITT, ELSBERND, CURTAIN, DWYER VICTORIOUS AT CRESCO SPEEDWAY

CRESCO, Iowa (May 8, 2005) -- High-powered weekly racing in the USRA Casey's General Stores Championship Series continued at the Cresco (Iowa) Speedway this past Sunday with new winners in three classes and two repeat winners.

Feature race action kicked off with the Hornets and points leader Steve Dwyer picking up the win. The win was not an easy one, however, as Justin Yahnke jumped into the early lead with several drivers making the challenge to the front. Yahnke pulled off the track with mechanical troubles, and Dwyer inherited the lead.

It appeared that Dwyer would cruise to victory, but John Schroeder had Dwyer in his sights. Schroeder made several attempts at the pass, but had to settle for second at the checkered. Rounding out the top-5 were Adam Kline, Andy Stinsor and Randy Koshatka.

Next, the Street Stock class took to the Cresco Speedway clay. Austin Curtain led all 10 laps en route to the win. Scott Spilde tried several times to take the top spot before his car started to overheat, ruining his chances for a victory. Curtain cruised on to his first victory of the season. Rounding out the top-5 were Brandon Hare, Beau Langland and Marc Banks.

The USRA Hobby Stock main event saw Kevin Donlan jump into the early lead with several drivers making their way to the front to challenge for the point. Donlan and Justin Elsbernd battled side by side for several laps before Elsbernd wrestled the lead away from Donlan on lap 6. Elsbernd sailed to victory from there while Donlan went unchallenged for the runner-up spot. Rounding out the top-5 were seventh-starting Darin Balk, Steve Holthaus and Dillon Anderson.

The USRA Stock Car class put on the best show of the night as Tom Schmitt picked up his second straight win after starting eighth in the main event. Dan Jones jumped into the early lead with several drivers battling it out for the top 5 spots. Kevin Bidne snagged the top spot from Jones, but his reign was short-lived as Tory Reicks powered his #27T to the front of the pack.

Three different drivers battled for three laps racing three-wide with Schmitt right behind them. By lap 7, Schmitt had worked his way into third, then raced door to door with Bidne for three trips around the big, fast oval. Schmitt finally got the job done and set his sights on Reicks. By lap 11, Schmitt powered his #18 machine past Reicks to pick up his second winners trophy in as many weeks. Rounding out the top-5 were Bidne, Reicks, Shawn Peter and Lynn Panos.

The USRA Modifieds capped off the evening's events. Kevin Pittman ,who started the season with mechanical problems, picked up the win after starting from the third spot and taking the point on lap 1 before leading all 20 laps. The win was not easy, however, as Ron Konkel tried several times to get past "Porky" without success. Konkel had to settle for second while Darin Duffy, driving his Gene Sheetz Hughes Chassis, came home third after having some great racing with six-time O'Reilly USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock making the tow to Cresco.

Shryock was really working the top of the Speedway and looked to be moving up and getting close to Konkel, but the #3 Skyrocket would go back to fifth at the caution. Shryock finish fourth.

At the caution, Duffy worked his way past Konkel and set his sights on Pittman, but had to be content with second-place money on this night. Rounding out the top-5 was Jeff Schluetter.

As is customary and expected at the Cresco Speedway, Sunday's racing action was exciting, and fans were treated to some great door-to-door battles. More cars are expected next week as several drivers were tore up this past weekend from earlier races in the week. The final checkered flag flew at 7:45 p.m. on Sunday night, giving working fans time to get home at a decent hour.

Racing action will get underway at 6 p.m. each and every Sunday night during the 2005 season. For more information call the Cresco Speedway office at 515-832-7944.

HORNETS

Heat 1:
1. 7d Steve Dwyer, La Crosse, Wis. (3)
2. 7k Andy Stinsor, Ridgeway (1)
3. 17 Randy Koshatka, Cresco (5)
4. 87 Justin Yahnke, Sparta, Wis. (4)
5. 14 Brian Mahlstadt, New Hampton (2)

Heat 2:
1. 28 Terry Lafleur, La Crosse, Wis. (1)
2. 71 Adam Cline, Decorah (4)
3. 86 Ryan Happel, Holmen, Wis. (3)
4. 18 John Schroeder, Castalia (2)

A-Main:
1. 7d Steve Dwyer, La Crosse, Wis. (6)
2. 18 John Schroeder, Castalia (8)
3. 71 Adam Cline, Decorah (3)
4. 7k Andy Stinsor, Ridgeway (5)
5. 17 Randy Koshatka, Cresco (4)
6. 28 Terry Lafleur, La Crosse, Wis. (7)
7. 14 Brian Mahlstadt, New Hampton (9)
8. 86 Ryan Happel, Holmen, Wis. (2)
9. 87 Justin Yahnke, Sparta, Wis. (1)

STREET STOCKS

Heat 1:
1. 40 Austin Curtain, Waukon (1)
2. 56H Brandon Hare, Elma (3)
3. 18 Scott Spide, Ridgeway (6)
4. 41b Marc Banks, Waucoma (2)
5. 38 Nick Schwebach, Caledonia, Minn. (4)
6. 20 Beau Langland, Waukon (7)
7. 35 Brian Martin, Randalia (5)
8. 16 Jeremy Oakes, Spring Grove, Minn. (8)

A-Main:
1. 40 Austin Curtain, Waukon (1)
2. 18 Scott Spide, Ridgeway (3)
3. 56H Brandon Hare, Elma (2)
4. 20 Beau Langland, Waukon (6)
5. 41b Marc Banks, Waucoma (4)
6. 35 Brian Martin, Randalia (7)
7. 16 Jeremy Oakes, Spring Grove, Minn. (8)
8. 38 Nick Schwebach, Caledonia, Minn. (5)

USRA HOBBY STOCKS

Heat 1:
1. 41 Darin Balk, Waucoma (2)
2. 33 Kevin Donlan, Decorah (1)
3. 70 Steve Holthaus, Cresco (4)
4. 44 Dillon Anderson, Decorah (6)
5. 9 Patty Fosaaen, Waukon (5)
6. 29x Paul Fauser, Elgin (7)
7. 66 Joe Stevenson, Cresco (8)
8. 28 Paul Fisk, Monona (3)

Heat 2:
1. 22 Justin Elsbernd, Des Moines (4)
2. 85 Ben Moudry, Protivin (2)
3. 58 Shane Panos, Decorah (7)
4. 15 Mitch Hovden (6)
5. 81 Josh Ludeking, Decorah (3)
6. 11x Rory Borsheim, Decorah (5)
7. 5 Russell Einck, Calmar (1)

A-Main:
1. 22 Justin Elsbernd, Des Moines (3)
2. 33 Kevin Donlan, Decorah (1)
3. 41 Darin Balk, Waucoma (7)
4. 70 Steve Holthaus, Cresco (5)
5. 44 Dillon Anderson, Decorah (9)
6. 85 Ben Moudry, Protivin (10)
7. 9 Patty Fosaaen, Waukon (6)
8. 58 Shane Panos, Decorah (4)
9. 81 Josh Ludeking, Decorah (8)
10. 29x Paul Fauser, Elgin (11)
11. 11x Rory Borsheim, Decorah (12)
12. 66 Joe Stevenson, Cresco (13)
13. 5 Russell Einck, Calmar (14)
14. 15 Mitch Hovden (2)
15. 28 Paul Fisk, Monona (15)

USRA STOCK CARS

Heat 1:
1. 97 Lynn Panos, Protivin (4)
2. 27 Jason Schlangen, Cresco (6)
3. 62 Kevin Bidne, Decorah (3)
4. 25 Dan Jones, Waterville (1)
5. 5 Mike Bergan, Ridgeway (5)
6. 51 Jeff Vsetecka, Charles City (2)

Heat 2:
1. 18 Tom Schmitt, Independence (1)
2. 27t Tory Reicks, Waucoma (4)
3. 23 Brian Gjere, Mabel, Minn. (3)
4. 27x Shawn Peter, Mabel, Minn. (5)
5. 40 Shay Curtin, Waukon (2)
6. 36 Tony Severson, Preston, Minn. (6)

A-Main:
1. 18 Tom Schmitt, Independence (8)
2. 62 Kevin Bidne, Decorah (2)
3. 27t Tory Reicks, Waucoma (5)
4. 27x Shawn Peter, Mabel, Minn. (4)
5. 97 Lynn Panos, Protivin (7)
6. 23 Brian Gjere, Mabel, Minn. (3)
7. 27 Jason Schlangen, Cresco (6)
8. 25 Dan Jones, Waterville (1)
9. 40 Shay Curtin, Waukon (10)
10. 51 Jeff Vsetecka, Charles City (11)
11. 5 Mike Bergan, Ridgeway (9)
12. 36 Tony Severson, Preston, Minn. (12)

USRA MODIFIEDS

Heat 1:
1. 26p Kevin Pittman, Waterloo (1)
2. 35 Jeff Schluetter, New Hampton (2)
3. 19 Darin Duffy, Hazleton (3)
4. 90 Chuck Stanton, New Hampton (4)
5. 24 Tim Heins, Elkader, Minn. (5)
6. 93 Bob Fischer, Lyle, Minn. (6)

Heat 2:
1. 35K Ron Konkel, Caledonia, Minn. (1)
2. 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile (5)
3. 72 Doug Hillson, Blooming Prairie, Minn. (3)
4. 28t Todd Ihde, Decorah (4)
5. 55 Larry Gene Hall, Rochester, Minn. (2)

A-Main:
1. 26p Kevin Pittman, Waterloo (3)
2. 19 Darin Duffy, Hazleton (1)
3. 35K Ron Konkel, Caledonia, Minn. (5)
4. 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile (7)
5. 35 Jeff Schluetter, New Hampton (6)
6. 72 Doug Hillson, Blooming Prairie, Minn. (8)
7. 24 Tim Heins, Elkader, Minn. (9)
8. 90 Chuck Stanton, New Hampton (4)
9. 28t Todd Ihde, Decorah (2)
10. 55 Larry Gene Hall, Rochester, Minn. (10)
11. 93 Bob Fischer, Lyle, Minn. (11)

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