By USMTS (Park City, KS) -- After several near misses in the early going this season, Zack VanderBeek finally found the road to victory lane and garnered his 48th career USMTS win at the 81 Speedway on Thursday night.
The 34-year-old from New Sharon, Iowa, hasn't employed any drastic measures to get faster, just plugging away.
"We made some little changes, but we're just working hard and not giving up," he said after receiving the winner's trophy just shortly after 10:30. "It's a heck of a lot easier when you can start in front of these guys."
Local favorite and Wichita native Cody Schniepp snagged the Sybesma Pole Award, but VanderBeek muscled his familiar No. 33z Casey's General Stores VanderBuilt Race Cars USMTS Modified into the top spot to lead the first lap.
About 20 minutes and 40 laps later, 'The Z-Man' finally had a checkered flag to take home from C. Ray Hall's historic facility-a place where VanderBeek had piled up several near-misses over the last decade.
"King of America was tough, and then going down south there's a lot of good cars," VanderBeek added. "We've been kind of right there but you just have to get in the right position. I think we'll have some more wins this year."
Conversely, Rodney Sanders has a series-best four triumphs at the 81 Speedway and two wins under his belt this season already. This time, however, 'The Sandman' had to follow his long-time nemesis to the finish line.
Sanders chased Schniepp for the first half of the main event before eventually working his way into second, but he was never able to mount a serious challenge on the leader despite two caution flags late in the race.
"Once I got to second I knew Zack was probably not going to make a mistake," said the 2013 and 2014 USMTS National Champion. "At that point I was just trying to save my right rear tire and just kind of hang on."
For his part, Schniepp kept pace with the lead duo until the end, coming home with a career-best third-place USMTS finish and holding off Ryan Gustin over the final laps.
Jake O'Neil returned to USMTS action after nearly a month off to recover from an apparent staff infection in his legs, and snatched a top-five finish as a 'Welcome Home' gift.
R.C. Whitwell, Dereck Ramirez, Hunter Marriott, Joe Duvall and Chad Wheeler completed the top 10.
Headed for Hutch: On Friday, the series invades the historic Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, Kan., for the inaugural USMTS Salt City Assault and another pivotal points race in the MSD Performance USMTS Mid-American Series.
The Arnold Motor Supply Iron Man Challenge featuring American Racer USRA Stock Cars and Out-Pace USRA B-Mods will complete the thrilling three-division card.
Gates open at 5 p.m. with racing at 7. Spectator tickets are $20 while kids ages 11 and younger get in for free. Pit passes are $35.
The Kansas State Fairgrounds is an historic half-mile dirt oval located just west of SR 61 on 17th Ave., then north on N. Poplar St. (2000 N Poplar St, Hutchinson, KS 67502).
On Saturday, the Longdale Speedway hosts USMTS Night of the Stars with local Pure Stocks and IMCA Sport Mods also be in action.
Pit gates open at 4 p.m. and grandstands open at 5:30. Racing is slated to start at 6:30. Adult general admission tickets are $18 per person and reserved are $22 per person. Seniors and military member general admission pricing is $12 per person and reserved is $15 per person. Children ages 12 years and younger get in free.
The Longdale Speedway is a semi-banked, 3/8-mile clay oval located 0.5 mile south of Longdale on SR 58 (4959 S Hwy 58, Longdale, OK 73755). The track is on west side of highway. For more information, call (580) 886-5375 or visit longdalespeedway.com.
The Official Host Hotel for the April 25-27 tripleheader of USMTS events is the Best Western Wichita North. As the preferred lodging location for USMTS competitors and fans, the Best Western Wichita North is offering a discounted rate of just $74.99 plus taxes per night and includes breakfast for two each day.
Guests will enjoy a nice stay in a comfortable hotel near Old Town Wichita, with ample vehicle parking for RVs, trucks and buses. Best Western Wichita North also features convenient amenities such a fitness center, indoor pool and guest laundry to make guests feel right at home, and their pet-friendly hotel allows you to bring your furry pal along.
Located off I-35 at 915 E. 53rd St. North, Best Western Wichita North offers delicious meals at their on-site restaurant, Country Kitchen Restaurant, plus free Wi-Fi, whirlpool suites and mobility accessible features makes your stay even more enjoyable.
When calling to make reservations, guests are asked to say "81 Speedway" to get the special discount rate. Call (316) 832-9387 to make your reservation today or visit wichitabestwestern.com for more information.
To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit USMTS.com or call (515) 832-7944. You can also like the USMTS on Facebook, visit us on Instagram, follow us on Twitter, connect with us on LinkedIn and watch us on YouTube. Keep up to speed with everything USMTS and subscribe to the USMTS e-Newsletter.