SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Oronogo's Bobby Pearish grabbed the opening lead and withstood a late-race challenge from veteran Rex Merritt and a wild full moon night to capture his first Budweiser USRA Modified feature win at the Springfield Raceway in 2012.

With over 90 race teams in the pits, things started rocky as points leader Erik Maggard took a hard roll-over in turn 1 as the field was three-wide when the green flag flew. Also getting caught up was defending champion Jackie Dalton, 2010 champ Mitch Keeter, Jeff Cutshaw and Nick Whitehead. Maggard was able to walk away but his BAS Security/State Farm/Shaw Modfiied was the worse for wear. All the other cars returned to action.

On the restart, Pearish took the lead from Corey Weir with Rob Muilenburg following. With the track fast tonight, action was extremely quick on quarter-mile as drivers were shuffling back and forth. On lap 3, the second red flag was displayed as Josh Woody, Justin Neuman and Tammy Mitchell got together on the front-stretch. On the restart, Muilenburg moved into second and began his chase on the leader as Brian Green was picking up spots.

On lap 5, John Yeoman moved into second place as the yellow flew again for Green's spin in turn 2. Action picked back up with Pearish, Yeoman, Muilenburg and 18th-starting Merritt battling. Pearish was then able to withstand a two-lap shootout from Merritt to grab the victory by two car-lengths as Merritt was riding the top groove quickly.

The final top five rundown saw Pearish in his Pearish Construction/Hoffman/Yeoman Engines Modfiied followed by Merritt in his Allen Autosports/Yeoman Engines Modified, Yeoman in the Hoffman/Yeoman Engines 25th Anniversary Special, Dalton recovering to capture fourth in the Carthage Lock/Garrison/Hoffman and a fast moving Dairian Hendrix from 16th in his Babe's Drive-In/Hoffman/Yeoman.

Twelve of the 20 starters finished on the lead lap in a wild feature.

In Reliable Chevrolet USRA B-Mod action it also was a wild affair as the full moon caused havoc here also. Jon Yeoman Jr. grabbed the opening lead with Brandon Maggard driving for former track champion Wayne Graybeal this season following while Jared Thulin was close behind. Several spins and wild action saw the yellow fly often early.

Back to green flag action, Yeoman and Magagard were wheel to wheel. On lap 4, Maggard grabbed the lead as points leader Scott Drake was coming forward from his 11th starting spot. Drake made a move to get around Yeoman and attempted several times to get the lead as Mike Hailman had moved to third place. Maggard withstood a two-lap shootout to secure the win with Drake, Hailman, Yeoman and Kaleb Copher completing the top five.

Next up for Springfield Raceway is the 6th Annual John Kuntz Memorial presented by Andy's Frozen Custard featuring the MLRA and MARS Super Late Models along with a full points shows in the Transport Graphics Championship Chase as extra money is provided in all classes. USRA Modifieds compete for $600 to win and $90 to start.

Go to www.springfieldraceway.com for more details or like us on Facebook.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
American Racer USRA Weekly Racing Series
Springfield Raceway, Springfield, Mo.
Saturday, April 21, 2012

USRA MODIFIEDS

"A" Main: 1. Bobby Pearish, Oronogo; 2. Rex Merritt, Billings; 3. John Yeoman III, Granby; 4. Jackie Dalton, Carthage; 5. Dairan Hendrix, Joplin; 6. Mitch Keeter, Webb City; 7. Robbie Bryant, Willard; 8. Rob Muilenburg, Sparta; 9. Corey Wier, Nixa; 10. Nick Whitehead, Ozark; 11. Billy Dalton, Exeter; 12. Fred Slagle, Pierce City; 13. Scott Symmonds, Bolivar; 14. Jeff Cutshaw, Cross Timbers; 15. Justin Neuman, Crocker; 16. Brian Green, Pierce City; 17. Jerry Lankton, Lampe; 18. Josh Woody, Laquey; 19. Tammy Mitchell, Pea Ridge, Ark.; 20. Erik Maggard, Brighton; DNS - Rusty Weir.

Heat Race #1: 1. Yeoman; 2. Maggard; 3. B Dalton; 4. Weir; 5. Woody; 6. Symmonds; 7. Merritt.

Heat Race #2: 1. J. Dalton; 2. Whitehead; 3. Cutshaw; 4. Green; 5. Lankton; 6. Hendrix; 7. Slagle.

Heat Race #3: 1. Pearish; 2. Keeter; 3. Muilenburg; 4. Bryant; 5. Neuman; 6. Mitchell; DNS - R Weir.

USRA B-MODS

"A" Main: 1. Brandon Maggard, Springfield; 2. Scott Drake, Webb City; 3. Mike Hailman, Reed Springs; 4. Jon Yeoman Jr., Granby; 5. Kaleb Copher, Webb City; 6. Charlie Gentile, Ozark; 7. Andy Beauchamp, Springfield; 8. Ryan Stacye, Fair Grove; 9. Blake Ellis, Sarcoxie; 10. Jared Thulin, Miami, Okla.; 11. Gary Rodocker, Willard; 12. Michael Maggard, Springfield; 13. Bobby Maggard Jr., Republic; 14. Ron McClellan, Jasper; 15. Jeff Scroggins, Brookline; 16. Don Luna, St. James; 17. Jeremy Thulin, Miami, Okla.; 18. Aaron Speck, Republic; DNS - Thomas Hylton, Joplin; Darren Danner, Joplin.

Heat Race #1: 1. B. Maggard; 2. Drake; 3. Rodocker; 4. J. Thulin; 5. Scroggins; 6. Beauchamp; DNS - Hylton.

Heat Race #2: 1. Yeoman; 2. M. Maggard; 3. Copher; 4. McClellan; 5. Danner; 6. Thulin; 7. Speck.

Heat Race #3: 1. B. Maggard Jr.; 2. Gentile; 3. Luna; 4. Hailman; 5. Ellis; 6. Stacye.