Ominous clouds and rain were glooming over the second event of the 2009 United States Super Truck (USST) Challenge Series Tour. Thunderstorms, high winds and changing temperatures put the “challenge” in challenge series for the racers. Twenty five competitors pre-registered with seventeen of those drivers taking the green flag.

The weather on Saturday started off calm yet portions of the infield and surrounding parking lots were under water. While the ASALMS and track officials did a wonderful job in keeping the facility above water; the worst of the weather was yet to come.

As the haulers unloaded in the front row, the ASALM series filled in their pit stalls with the USST trucks rolling in shortly there after. You had to feel proud overlooking the scene of the well prepared trucks of the USST standing tall next to the pro late models of the ASALMS.

To say the action was “lively” would be an understatement as it was determined that teams could pit “live” during the USST main event if need be. Once again a new frontier would be experienced for the drivers of the USST Challenge Series.
 
As the day progressed, everyone was feeling optimistic that Mother Nature would provide a much needed break. A full day of racing began with the ASALM Series, USST and ARA (American Racing Association) sharing the grand stage in front of a great crowd.

Practice went well as ORP proved to be a fast track. The only mishap in practice was the #74 truck of Gary McDonald, of Sun Prairie Wisconsin, who found the wall in the middle of turns one and two. Unfortunately the #74 was done for the afternoon.

Congratulations to Pathfinder Chassis and the Wood Brothers on having their three truck USST team in full force at ORP. The tough as nails team from Sun Prairie brought three well prepared stout trucks to the challenge event.  John, Jerry and the boys have been working hard and long hours building trucks for the series. Their support and participation in the USST is appreciated.

Qualifying would not be for the faint of heart. Hot shoes such as Randy Price, Chris Sevey and Jess Williams all laid down early fast laps, thus setting the benchmark in time trials. When you have a field that also includes the Wood Brothers, Randy Price, Williams, Chris Sevey, Fitzsimmons and McClintock, you know you have your work cut out for you. Each week the competition bar keeps rising with new trucks and great drivers.

When the smoke cleared on qualifying one driver stood alone. That driver was none other than #45 Trista Stevenson of Pocahontas, Illinois. This young female talent is as articulate and she is talented. Driving a J&D chassis, 604 crate motored truck, Stevenson (a participant in the NASCAR Driver Diversity Program) has worked hard to gain the respect of her peers in Motorsports. Trista and her dad focused getting their truck just right for this race. The team came to ORP wanting the pole and getting the pole they did! Stevenson’s record setting performance of  24.038 set a new speed mark for the USST at O’Reilly Raceway Park.

The feature events were prepared to start on time, however, so was the rain. Precipitation blanketed the track, infield and pits. The rain dampened the track but not the spirits of the racers or the fans. Everyone came to see a great truck race and the USST gang did NOT disappoint.  A two hour plus rain delay would not keep this fantastic field from seeing action.

#73 Jerry Wood, of Sun Prairie (making his USST Challenge series debut) lead the fire breathing field of talented racers to the long awaited green flag. JJ Sonneveldt driving the Racinboys.com racing truck, jumped to the lead as (Jerry) Wood was shuffled back to 4th place.  JJ and Jess Williams started to break away from the pack. 

The night’s first caution came on lap three when a mechanical issue on the truck of Eric Caudell, Piedmont, OK, slowed on the race track.  On the re-start Sonneveldt and Williams picked up were they left off but this time female driving sensation Trista Stevenson was hot on their heels.  Although the three trucks broke away from the rest of the pack, they put on a driving display which included three wide racing down the front stretch. The gap widened to fifteen truck lengths over fourth place racing Chris Sevey of Waterloo IA, current USST Challenge Series point’s leader #72 John Wood and front row starter Jerry Wood. 

Although the field was starting to stretch out, the battle for the lead was heating up. Stevenson wrestled her way past Jess Williams and set her sites on the leader Sonneveldt.  As Stevenson powered her way towards the lead, on lap thirty three, the two trucks made contact as Trista’s truck clipped JJ’s nose. The contact sent Stevenson into the wall and thus ending what looked to be a potentially memorable night. 

Sonneveldt was able to hold his line and the lead after the altercation. While the yellow was displayed JJ opted to stay out while his front fender was flopping in the breeze.  Several trucks took the time to make some adjustments, including current point’s leader John Wood. Wood gave up his 5th place position and headed to the pits, Wood was followed by the #74 Tom McClintock of Onalaska, WI, and Larry Fitzsimmons who was battling engine issues all afternoon. 

On the restart, Sovereign’s hood caught some air which sent it fifteen feet into the sky on lap thirty eight. Chris Sevey assumed the lead on the restart as he kept on point to capture the second race in the challenge series and also captured the points lead. Sevey was followed by Jess Williams, driving the Williams Garage/J&D Chassis race truck and Ron Hartford driving the Joslyn Jewelers race truck. Jerry Wood and Randy Price nipped out John Wood for 5th. Joe Shuryan of Michigan, Tom McClintock, and Larry Fitzsimmons.

NORTH SERIES

OUR NEXT USST race is a Northern Series event June 27th at The Lacrosse Fairgrounds Speedway. This event will be hosted by the ASALMS with several divisions competing from the Lacrosse area. The drivers expected to attend include   Andy Jirik, Tim Anderson, Bill Collins, Bobby Yonkee, Camden Murphy, Monte Lockington, Tommy McCarles, John Wood, Jerry Wood, Jeff Babbs, Tom Collins, Larry Fitzsimmons and current Northern Division Points Leader Butch Mierendorf.

RACE REGISTRATION 40.00, PIT PASSES 30.00 PER PERSON.
(THIS IS A NORTHERN DIVISION EVENT PROVIDING NORTHERN CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS)

PAY OUTS BASED ON FIFTEEN (15) OR MORE TRUCKS:

• 1ST 700.00 (TO WIN)
• 2ND 500.00
• 3RD 300.00
• 4TH ON BACK TOW MONEY.
• PAY OUTS ARE “TENTATIVE” AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON TRUCK COUNT AND SPONSORSHIP.

"Rent a Ride"
USST Introduces “RENT A RIDE” Program. New and existing drivers looking for a GOOD truck to race for a limited schedule should contact the USST. They are providing quality equipment and the use of a state of the art race trucks. The trucks are prepared (scaled, setup) by none other than multi-time USST winner Andy Jirik. Andy has a vision of providing “winning” truck racing opportunities to the qualified racers who simply can’t afford or establish their own programs full time. Please contact Andy at 612.328.3334. Dates are filling FAST so call Andy today!

Odds & Ends USST melting Pot just got a little sweeter!
A rules formula, that will encompass the ability for Michigan Short Track Series, Ohio Truck Series and the American Racing Series (ARA) trucks to race competitively within the USST Series, is in the works.
 
The goal is for all three types of trucks to run together under a common set of rules that will provide solid car counts and entertaining truck racing for the racers and fans alike. “STAY TUNED” for more exciting information.

USST Looking to Expand The Horizon
Watch for news on a NEW region underneath the USST umbrella. The new region covering truck racers in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana could come as early as 2010. Interest, from racer drivers all across the nation is forcing the need for additional regions across the United States. The serious discussions with talented promoters in the Michigan/Ohio/Indiana area make that region the odds on favorite to expand the first.  Come to USSTRacing.com to stay on top of this fast moving story.

NEXT CHALLENGE SERIES RACE:
Nashville Fairgrounds 8/2/2009 will be the 3rd race of the Challenge series for 2009, this is a 5/8 mile track, very similar to ORP, here are some track facts
“The Tale of the Tape: 
TRACK FACTS:

• LENGTH:  .596, Asphalt
• LENGTH OF STRAIGHTS:  Front: 679 feet – Back: 665 feet
• WIDTH:  Front straightaway: 55 feet, Back straightaway: 55 feet
• LENGTH OF TURNS:  Turns 1 & 2: 53 feet – Turns 3 & 4: 772 feet
• WIDTH OF TURNS:  Turns 1 & 2:=2 053 feet – Turns 3 & 4: 52 feet
• BANKING DEGREE:  Straights 3 degrees – Turns 18 degrees
• LENGTH OF PIT ROAD:  950 feet, asphalt
• NUMBER OF PIT POSITIONS:  40 total
• GRANDSTANDS:  15,000 seats

***Nashville trucks must be pre-registered and get approval from USST management to run this event. ALL NASHVILLE TRUCKS MUST MEET USST REQUIREMENTS TO RUN THE EVENT.