Trenton Berry of RacinDirt.com caught up with Mike Johnson before Sunday's USMTS Event.

Winston MO. (03-25-12) The USMTS and USRA opened the doors at I-35 Speedway for the second straight season with the Yancys Automotive Missouri Meltdown. Drivers from all around the Midwest competed in the USMTS Swan Energy Modified series, USRA B-Mod, and Stock Car Iron Man series.

Mike Higley from Tecumseh, Kansas won his second straight Iron Man B-Mod series race at I-35. Last season he won the final time the series visited I-35 Speedway. It didn't come easy for Higley as he battled Trevor Hunt and Jesse Sobbing for the lead before he eventually ran away for his first win in his new Razor chassis. Tyler Droste got into the mix but Higley was already gone and Droste finished second, Hunt wound up third.  I-35 Speedway driver Truman Asher from St. Joseph, Missouri was fourth and Casey Greubel was fifth.

Mike Van Genderen from Newton, Iowa had a great battle to the end with Tom Schmitt from Independence, Iowa as Van Genderen won by mere inches. Early on it was Van Genderen and Matt Griener before Griener faded. Tom Schmitt finished second, Sean Johnson from Independence, Iowa was third, Matt Griener was fourth and Tory Reicks fifth. Local I-35 Speedway driver Bruce Fair from Trenton, Missouri was eighth.

Ron Ver Beek from Oskaloosa, Iowa picked up the biggest win of his career, his first ever USMTS feature win. Ver Beek drove his Skyrocket number R car to victory lane after he wrestled the lead back from Colt Mather. Ver Beek then held off points leader Rodney Sanders from Happy, Texas who finished second. Third spot went to Jeremy Payne from Springfield, Missori, Zack Vanderbeek of New Sharon, Iowa was fourth and Johnny Allen from Chanute, Kansas rounded off the top 5. The 2011 I-35 Speedway track champion Cory Wray from Jamesport, Missouri qualified for the big show and finished ninteenth.

The USMTS will be back at I-35 Speedway on Thursday, July 12th and more plans are in the works with USMTS for this season and next season!

Next Saturday, March 31st, is our opening points race for the IMCA classes of Modifieds, SportMods, Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks and the Border War Grand Nationals. Pit Gates open at 4:30, Grandstands at 5, Drivers Meeting at 6, Hot Laps at 6:30 and Racing at 7!  Come join the fun at I-35 Speedway Dirt Trackin' at its Best every Saturday night!

Phillip Wilson
I-35 Speedway Announcer/PR