VanderBeek leaves Waco with two wins, points lead

Zack VanderBeek and the Casey's General Stores 33z Racing team invaded the Heart O' Texas Speedway Feb. 18-20 for the 7th Annual Day Motor Sports Texas Spring Nationals. it was a superb weekend for the Z-Man as he recorded two victories and a third-place finish to take over the points lead in the Production Jars Southern Region.

On Thursday, Zack started eighth in his heat and raced to a third-place finish to earn a spot in the "A" Main. After starting seventh, he kept race-long leader Cade Dillard in his sights and reeled him in as the white flag waved. As they came to the checkers, Zack took the win and $2,000 top prize.

Friday saw Zack score the heat race win and again started the main event from the seventh position where he was able to climb to a third-place finish behind Ryan Gustin and Jason Hughes.

On Saturday, Zack picked up another win in Fast Shafts Heat Race #2 and won the "A" Main after battling Kyle Strickler for the first half of the 50-lap, $4,000-to-win race.

The third round of USMTS Winter Speedweeks happens at the Ark-La-Tex Speedway for the 5th Annual Cajun Clash on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 25-27, preceded by a Wednesday evening practice from 6-9 p.m. with free admission to the grandstands and $20 pit passes.

Thursday’s racing program starts at 7 p.m. with $2,000 to win USMTS Modifieds. On Friday, the green flag unfurls at 7 p.m. with USMTS Modifieds competing for $3,000 to win and Saturday’s finale at Gene Boyter’s popular high-banked oval gets started at 6 p.m. USMTS Modifieds will race for $4,000 to win.

For unfortunate fans unable to make one or more of these blockbuster events, every lap of every race at every event during USMTS Winter Speedweeks will be broadcast live on RacinDirt.com. Visit www.racindirt.com/livevideo for ordering information.

The Ark-La-Tex Speedway is located 0.6 mile south of SR 2 on SR 1, then 0.7 mile west on Airport Rd., then 2.2 miles south on Boyter Lane Rd. For race day information, call the track hotline at 318-375-3470 or click www.arklatexspeedway.net to visit them online.

USMTS winter Speedweeks wraps up at the Southern Oklahoma Speedway in Ardmore, Okla., Thursday-Saturday, March 3-5.