Hejna Takes USMTS Win at Huset's Huset's Speedway had not been kind to Al Hejna in the previous two visits by the O’Reilly USMTS National Tour. Conversely, Kelly Shryock had cultivated a warm friendship with the 3/8-mile high-banked dirt oval in Brandon, S.D.

It was a reversal of fortune Wednesday night as Hejna scored his second O’Reilly USMTS National Tour victory of the season while Shryock's front-row start for the 40-lap main event turned into a last-place finish instead of a third straight win.

As the 24 starters stomped on their gas pedals to start the Holley "A" Main, Shryock and polesitter Scott Green banged wheels coming to the flagstand which resulted in Shryock's Modified smacking the wall and retiring him to the pit area without completing a lap.

After the restart, Green paced the first lap before relinquishing the top spot to Jay Noteboom. From that point, Noteboom set a blistering pace and led the next 30 laps before being challenged by defending O’Reilly USMTS National Champion Jason Krohn.

Krohn snagged the lead on lap 32, but as the pair raced into the first turn, the pair made contact which sent Noteboom spinning to a stop and bringing out a caution flag. Both drivers failed to return from the pits for the restart, which handed the lead to Hejna.

Two years ago, Hejna had to take a provisional just to get into the main event, but passed 13 cars en route to a 10th-place finish. Last year found Hejna in a Real Racing Wheels "B" Main again where he raced his way in to the Holley "A" Main but failed to finish the race.

After starting 12th Wednesday night, Hejna was in front and led lap 33, but his reign was short-lived as Jason Hughes passed Hejna on the outside two laps later to gain the lead with seven laps to go.

Hughes couldn't shake the “A-Train” and four laps later was back in second chasing Hejna's JDRF Lucky #7 Harris Modified.

Hejna was flawless for the last three laps as he took the checkered flag in front of Hughes to pocket the $2,000 top prize.

[from USMTS Media]

posted by BUCK @ 9:34 PM