Kyle Jones wins Salem

Salem, IN

    The O’Reilly USA Mods were at the world famous Salem Speedway to tame the wicked half mile monster. The Mod Squad was out in full force with 24 hot rods in the pit area all itching to race after two rain outs to open the 2008 racing season. The O’Reilly USA Mods joined the ARA Limited Late Models, Salem Street Stocks, and Super Stocks for the full 4-1 program.

   The Battle for the KSE Racing Products fast time award kicked of the afternoons racing action. The O’Reilly USA Mods were sure the show in qualifying that saw a new track record fall with 23 cars making the attempts. Brad Springer ripped off a fast lap just short of the track record to set the pace in qualifying. Joe Axsom driving the Axsom Motor Sports number 24 ripped of the quickest lap ever for the O’Reilly USA Mods at Salem with a blistering lap of 18.002 to win the KSE Racing Products fast time award winning a $100 gift certificate.

  The racing action started off with Scotty Tomasik winning the heat race and Brad Springer winning the dash. The O’Reilly USA Mods stole the show with their 40 lap main event showing why it’s one of the Midwest’s best traveling shows. The front row saw rookie Kyle Jones on the outside and Mike Zordan on the inside pole positions when the green flag dropped. Kyle Jones put the pedal to the wood and cruised out to a commanding lead over the field, but the real story of the race was the 6 car battle for 2^nd through 7^th positions. Damon Breedlove, Mike Zordan, Tom Jewell, Brad Springer, Steve Christman, and Scott Coe did all the battling for the top spots. Steve Christman looked like he was going to run down Kyle Jones for the win after taking over Mike Zordon for the third spot midway through the race that saw him closing in on Damon Breedlove for second when Christman’s rear end broke ending his night. Damon Breedlove was hanging on to 2^nd position with Mike Zordan on his back bumper then 2^nd yellow flag of the night come out when Breedlove broke a ball joint in turn four handing over 2^nd place to Zordan.  Mike Zordan attempted to run down Kyle Jones, however the rookie proved to be too much by picking up his second career USA Mod win over Mike Zordan, Tom Jewell, Brad Springer, Scott Coe, David Carter, Joe Axsom, Scotty Tomasik, Bob Curry, and John Mamula rounding out the top 10.

  The O’Reilly USA Mods will take some much awaited time off in May returning to action at O’Reilly Raceway Park on Saturday May 24^th, the night before the Indy 500. With some of the local tracks giving their Mod class the week off it’s expected there will be close to 40 Mods on the property. Go to www.usamodifieds.com for the current points and upcoming events.