by Stephanie Odom on April 5, 2011

Photo credit: www.usmts.com

This past weekend the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Store powered by Swan Energy returned to Winston, Montana’s I-35 Speedway for the first time since 2003. Sixty-four cars were in attendance with twenty year old “The Reaper” Ryan Gustin piloting his machine into victory lane around the high-banked 1/3 mile oval.

Mark Dotson set the pace for the forty lap feature event grabbing the lead when the green flag dropped. Dotson remained in control the first half of the race until Gustin and Jason Hughes began their march to the front. Approaching lapped traffic Gustin and Hughes applied heavy pressure until a group of cars brought out the yellow flag on lap twenty-one. Former USMTS Series Champion Hughes was able to move through without making contact as well as Dotson. Gustin wasn’t as fortunate however took back his second place starting position on the restart.

Photo source: www.gresselracing.com

When racing resumed Gustin blasted around Dotson for the top spot. Dotson tried fighting back and came up short with Gustin extending his lead. While Gustin was in control Hughes battled with Dotson for second place. Hughes was able to make a move under Dotson through lapped traffic. Not long after Dotson spun and came to a stop with a broken rear end.

Racing resumed and Gustin held off Hughes for his fifth victory of the season worth $2,000. Hughes, Johnny Scott, Tommy Weder Jr., Kelly Shyrock, Johnny Bone Jr., Austin Siebert, Ryan Rutler, Dustin Boney and Terry Schultz filled in the top ten.

Racing will resume April 15th for the USMTS at Valley Speedway in Grain Valley, Montana. For full race results, news and schedule visit www.usmts.com.

http://www.onedirt.com/news/the-reaper-scores-fifth-usmts-victory-at-i-35-speedway/