2010usmts

CONCORD, N.C. (March 5) – Kenny Wallace is a favorite among NASCAR faithful and racing fans everywhere. He is a successful driver, racetrack owner and television personality, but the 46-year-old is looking to add one more feather to his cap in 2010.

Wallace will be looking to capture his first checkered flag with the United States Modified Touring Series when the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour kicks off the 2010 campaign next Friday and Saturday, March 12-13, at the Humboldt (Kan.) Speedway.

Friday's lidlifter will be Wallace’s fourth career stop at the exciting high-banked 3/8-mile bullring.

“Every time that I race at Humboldt, the people are nice and the competition is tough,” said Wallace, who competed with the NASCAR Nationwide Series this past weekend at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. “The USMTS series is the NASCAR Sprint Cup of Modified racing in the United States. I really respect the drivers and the officials in the USMTS.”

After 29 starts over the course of the last three seasons, Wallace has 15 top-ten finishes with three of those inside the top five. His two runner-up finishes came last June when he ran second to Jon Tesch at the Park Jefferson (S.D.) Speedway on June 16, then followed Ryan Ruter to the checkers eight days later at the I-35 Speedway in Mason City, Iowa.

Born in St. Louis on Aug. 23, 1963, Wallace is the youngest of three boys and racing was a household reality before any of them could wheel a car. Their father, Russ Wallace, was a winning race car driver on dirt and asphalt. Lake Hill Speedway track promoter Bob Miller noticed Kenny’s boisterous behavior and started calling him “Herman,” after a mischievous cartoon character named Herman the German. The nickname has stuck through his rise through the racing ranks.

Wallace won the first race he ever entered. His Illinois Street Stock State Championship victory would be the first of many in his racing career. After winning that first race in 1982, Wallace decided that his place in racing was in the driver’s seat. That day was a preview of things to come.

In 1986, he joined the ASA ranks and won Rookie of the Year honors, then in September of 1988, Dale Earnhardt gave Wallace the seat for his first-ever NASCAR start. He finished seventh in his first Nationwide Series event at Martinsville, Va., and then raced the full Nationwide Series schedule the following season in a car owned by older brother Rusty, earning the Rookie of the Year award and finishing sixth in points.

Wallace’s Nationwide Series accomplishments include nine wins, ten poles and nine seasons in the top ten in driver points. Kenny has over 425 Nationwide Series starts, making him only the second driver with this distinction. He is the only driver to have won the Nationwide Series Most Popular Driver Award three times.

Wallace also has over 340 starts in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He has grabbed three poles, six top-five, and 27 top-ten finishes, including three career-high second-place runs. Wallace’s most well known finish probably came when he pushed Earnhardt to his final Sprint Cup Series victory at Talladega in 2000 in a thrilling last-lap shootout.

Although he cut his teeth racing on asphalt, “The Hermanator” also has an admirable résumé of racing on the dirt. He was the winner of the first “Prelude To The Dream” Super Late Model charity race at Tony Stewart’s Eldora Speedway, and has numerous wins at Volusia Speedway Park during the Florida Winter Nationals.

Wallace currently drives the #28 Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. He also works as an on-air personality for SPEED Channel on shows such as NASCAR RaceDay and NASCAR Victory Lane, and is co-owner of the Macon (Ill.) Speedway. He has two older brothers who are also NASCAR drivers: Rusty and Mike Wallace, as well as a nephew Steve Wallace who races in the Nationwide Series, and niece Chrissy Wallace who has competed in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

Getting that first USMTS win at Humboldt will be a tall order. More than 50 top-level teams are expected to pack the pit area of Ron and Rhenda Whitworth’s facility for the fifth annual “Havoc at The Hummer.”

Among those is Jason Hughes – the hottest Modified driver on dirt in 2009 and already off to a good start in 2010 with a $5,000 win at the Texas Winter Nationals on Feb. 20 already in his pocket this season.

One of his 19 wins under the USMTS banner in 2009 came when the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour last visited Humboldt on Aug. 14.

In addition to Hughes, race fans can expect to see at least four other former Humboldt Speedway winners, including nine-time USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock (3 wins at Humboldt), Johnny Bone Jr. (2), Jon Tesch and Steve Holzkamper.

Drivers who will be looking to score their first win at “The Hummer” include Rodney Sanders, Zack VanderBeek, Dustin Boney, Bryan Rowland, Dereck Ramirez, Scott Green, Chad Wheeler, Johnny Fennewald, Mark Dotson, Melvin Pilcher, Brandon Davis, Nick Deal, Tommy Weder Jr., John Allen, Jeremy Ross and more.

Drivers expected to defend their home turf include 2008 Humboldt Speedway track champion Jess Folk Jr., Rodney Sigg, Ryan Whitworth, Scott Daniels, Dennis Bishop, Brian McGowen, Jessy Willard, Riley Whitworth, Dan Daniels, Gary Langworthy Jr., Jake Richards and others.

Both days will be two separate complete shows and will pay $2,000 to win and a minimum $250 to start each day.

On Friday, pit gates will open at 1 p.m. while grandstand gates will open at 4, hot laps start at 6:30 and racing will start at 7. On Saturday, pit gates will swing open at 12 noon with grandstands opening for general admission seating at 3, hot laps at 5:30 and racing at 6.

The Humboldt Speedway is a quarter-mile semi-banked clay oval located on US 169 to the Humboldt Exit, then 0.1 mile west, then 0.5 mile south, then 0.9 mile east on Georgia Rd. For more information call 620-431-2470 (office) or 620-473-3694 (track) or visit www.humboldtspeedway.com.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also follow the USMTS on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.

USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Race Tires, Awesome Racewear, AwesomeRacesuits.com, Intercomp, Karl Chevrolet, Kevko Oil Pans & Components, New Vision Graphics, Nitroquest, RACEceiver.

USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: ASi Racewear, Bear Tire, Big Dog Chassis & Fabrication, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, DandyLand Farms, Day Motor Sports, Dirt Track Racing School, Dirthead.com, Falcon Wind Power, Farm Boy BBQ Sauce, Gressel Oil Field Service, Intensitee Custom Racewear, Just Say Yes, Olympic Fire Protection, Ramirez Race Cars, Ruter Farms, Yeager Machine.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, Ai-Racing, Belleville Motorsports, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, COMP Cams, Dynatech Racing Exhaust, Eibach Springs, Fast Shafts, GRT Race Cars, Hyperco, ISKY Racing Cams, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, Out-Pace Racing Products, PBM Performance Products, Quarter Master, QuickTime Inc, Real Racing Wheels, RHS – Racing Head Service, SuperFlow Technologies Group, US Brake.

WALNUT, Iowa (Feb. 26) – Nick Deal is ready for a new challenge. Entering just his third year of modified competition, “The Real Deal” is ready to take on the cars and stars of the United States Modified Touring Series in search of the DandyLand Farms Rookie of the Year title with the nation’s top dirt modified racing attraction.

“The learning opportunities traveling with these guys are endless,” said Deal, who earned the 2008 IMCA National Rookie of Year Award. “We want to do some traveling, have fun and race as many tracks as we can to help us learn the different tracks and racing conditions. It will also be nice not changing gears every night and coming home with the same engine.

“Our main goals are to learn and, of course, win the DandyLand Farms Rookie of the Year title, but we’d like to just make the shows and get some valuable seat time and maybe win one if it all falls together. We seem to work a lot harder if we have a mission as we did in '08.”

Deal has had a taste of running with the rugged USMTS road warriors. During the 2009 campaign, the driver from Walnut, Iowa, raced with the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour during its mid-season swing through Iowa, and learned a lot from the experience.

“I’ve got to be more patient and wait for the right time to make moves,” he said. “The holes fill up fast. Those guys are a lot faster and things happen quickly. You’d better bring your ‘A’ game if you want to be in the show when you race with the USMTS.”

Deal, who turns 18 years old this May, will be piloting a Harris Chassis powered by WAM Racing Engines for the 2010 campaign. Sponsors of the #55d Modified will be M43 Chrome Shop, Rose City Sign Company, Total Performance Parts, All Star Tire, Youngren Farms, Race Day Prints, Aero Race Wheels, AFCO, Bob Harris Race Tech, JR Motorsports, Pink Poodle Restaurants and Ryan Auto Parts.

Find out more about “The Real Deal” and his racing program by checking out his website at www.nickdealracing.com.

Last season, then 20-year-old Grant Junghans of Manhattan, Kan., captured the 2009 DandyLand Farms Rookie of the Year title after a spirited season-long battle with friend Mike Hansen, Colt Mather, younger brother Chase Junghans and second-generation ace Ryan Dolan.

2009 – Grant Junghans, Manhattan, Kan.
2008 – Brandon Kenny, Woodward, Okla.
2007 – Scott Green, Derby, Kan.
2006 – Jay Poidinger, Somerset, Wis.
2005 – Brad McEwan, Storm Lake, Iowa
2004 – Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa
2003 – Corey Dripps, Waterloo, Iowa
2002 – Justin Boney, DeSoto, Kan.
2001 – Jason Hughes, Colcord, Okla.
2000 – Kevin Peters, Monmouth, Ill.

Drivers must meet certain eligibility requirements to qualify for rookie status with the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour. For complete rules and guidelines, see the USMTS Rulebook on www.usmts.com.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also follow the USMTS on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.

USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Racer Racing Tires, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, COMP Cams, Intercomp, Karl Chevrolet, Kevko Oil Pans & Components, New Vision Graphics, Nitroquest, RACEceiver.

USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: ASi Racewear, Awesome Racewear, AwesomeRaceSuits.com, Bear Tire, Big Dog Chassis & Fabrication, DandyLand Farms, Day Motor Sports, Dirt Track Racing School, Dirthead.com, Falcon Wind Power, Farm Boy BBQ, Gressel Oil Field Service, Intensitee Custom Racewear, Just Say Yes, Ramirez Race Cars, Olympic Fire Protection, Ruter Farms, Yeager Machine.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, Ai-Racing, Belleville Motorsports, Dynatech Racing Exhaust, Eibach Springs, Fast Shafts, Hyperco, Isky Racing Cams, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, Out-Pace Racing Products, PBM Performance Products, Quarter Master, QuickTime, Real Racing Wheels, US Brake.

DandyLand Farms returns to recognize USMTS rookies

GARNER, Iowa (Feb. 23) – DandyLand Farms is once again making the Rookie of the Year Award for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour possible as the company returns for a second straight season to recognize the up-and-comers in the sport.

“We’re honored to be working with Dan and Wendy again this year,” said USMTS President Todd Staley. “DandyLand Farms has been a great supporter of the USMTS and we’re looking forward to seeing them at our events again in 2010.”

Located in Garner, Iowa, DandyLand Farms is a growing grain production partnership which operates and improves farm land to produce top quality corn and soybeans.

“DandyLand Farms affiliation with the team of USMTS drivers, sponsors, rookies and fans is a way of informing the racing community that USMTS is a very high quality run business that provides exceptional entertainment,” said Dan Wood, Ptnr. “The competition of this sport drives us toward values of pride and sportsmanship, and enhances the host communities with spirited support.”

DandyLand Farms utilizes the latest technology and most efficient process of producing grain in the USA, and is a major element that feeds the world. The goal of DandyLand is to run an excellent, top quality grain production facility and maximize profit potential while maintaining a competitive return on farmland investments.

The future of DandyLand Farms is to grow and maintain a progressive farm operation with top quality employees, landowners and business partners while enjoying the process of farming in the beautiful land of the free.

To learn more about DandyLand Farms, check out www.dandylandfarms.com on the World Wide Web.

Several drivers have announced their intentions to pursue the 2010 DandyLand Farms Rookie of the Year Award and will be competing at many of the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour events.

Previous DandyLand Farms Rookie of the Year Award winners:

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also follow the USMTS on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.

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USMTS TITLE SPONSOR: Casey’s General Stores.

USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Racer Racing Tires, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, COMP Cams, Intercomp, Karl Chevrolet, Kevko Oil Pans & Components, New Vision Graphics, Nitroquest, RACEceiver.

Attached images:
junghans-2009-rookie.jpg – Grant Junghans accepts his 2009 DandyLand Farms Rookie of the Year Award from DandyLand Farms partner Dan Wood.
dandyland-rookie.gif – 2010 DandyLand Farms Rookie of the Year Award logo.

YORK, Neb. (Feb. 21) – For race fans wanting to witness the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour drivers in action at the Junction Motor Speedway on Friday and Saturday, March 26-27, there’s no need to scramble to find hotel accommodations.

USMTS officials have announced that Camelot Inn and Suites will be the Official Host Hotel for the 7th Annual Nebraska Spring Thaw.

Located in York, Neb. – just 5.7 miles from the racetrack – the Camelot Inn and Suites is offering fans, sponsors and teams the advantage of a special USMTS rate of just $44.95 by mentioning the code “JMS” when booking your reservation.

This exclusive rate is valid for any single or double room with up to four guests per room, at no additional cost.

At Camelot Inn and Suites, you can expect spacious and comfortable rooms with all the amenities to make your stay most enjoyable. Before or after you spend the day at the racetrack, enjoy fast, casual dining at the South Side Grille or a drink at The Lounge, both located inside the hotel. Other amenities include free high-speed internet and plenty of parking.

Furthermore, the Camelot Inn and Suites will be awarding the “King’s Treatment” to a pair of lucky fans who will get two nights of free lodging during the weekend of the event. The first winner will be for the fan traveling the furthest distance to attend the event. The second prize will be doled out to the fan that has the most original “essay” as judged by USMTS officials.

To enter the Camelot Inn and Suites “King’s Treatment” contest, send an email to kingstreatment@usmts.com by 9 p.m. Central on Feb. 26 with the following information:

• Your full name, address and phone number.
• Who will be accompanying you to the 7th Annual Nebraska Spring Thaw?
• Is this your first visit to the Junction Motor Speedway? Your first USMTS race?
• A single paragraph describing what you like most about the USMTS and/or Junction Motor Speedway.

Camelot Inn and Suites “King’s Treatment” contest winners will be announced March 1.

The Camelot Inn and Suites is located at 4817 S. Lincoln Ave. in York, Neb. For more information or to book your reservation, call 402-362-6885. This special rate is available only by calling the hotel directly and mentioning the code “JMS” when booking your reservation. For more information about the Camelot Inn and Suites, visit www.camelotyork.com online.

For the seventh straight year, they USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour will invade McCool Junction, Neb., for a doubleheader at the Junction Motor Speedway. Friday’s event will pay $2,000 to win while the victor in Saturday’s main event will pocket $3,000. More than 70 entries are once again expected for the annual blockbuster.

Located five miles south of I-80 (York Exit) on U.S. Hwy. 81, the Junction Motor Speedway is a state-of-the-art facility entering its seventh year of operation. The track is a super-fast, 3/8-mile clay oval boasting 80-foot-wide straight-aways, making for a lot of racing room for the drivers and a lot of wheel-to-wheel action for fans.

Pit gates will open at 12 noon on Friday, grandstand gates open at 5 p.m., hot laps are slated for 5:30 and racing is set for 7. On Saturday, pit gates will open at 10 a.m. and grandstands open at 12 noon. Hot laps are at 1 p.m. with racing at 2.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also follow the USMTS on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.

USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Racer Racing Tires, Awesome Racewear, AwesomeRaceSuits.com, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, COMP Cams, Intensitee Custom Racewear, Intercomp, Karl Chevrolet, Kevko Oil Pans & Components, New Vision Graphics, Nitroquest, PBM Performance Products, RACEceiver.

USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: ASi Racewear, Bear Tire, Big Dog Chassis & Fabrication, DandyLand Farms, Day Motor Sports, Dirt Track Racing School, Dirthead.com, Falcon Wind Power, Farm Boy BBQ, Gressel Oil Field Service, Just Say Yes, Ramirez Race Cars, Olympic Fire Protection, Ruter Farms, Yeager Machine.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, Ai-Racing, Belleville Motorsports, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Dynatech Racing Exhaust, Eibach Springs, Fast Shafts, Hyperco, Isky Racing Cams, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, Out-Pace Racing Products, Quarter Master, QuickTime, Real Racing Wheels, US Brake.

BAYTOWN, Texas (Feb. 20) – Jason Hughes was in a class by himself in 2009, winning ten main events en route to claiming his second straight USMTS Southern Series crown.

After three days of racing at the Houston Raceway Park, it looks like Hughes will be the man to beat again in 2010.

As the weekend wore on and the stakes got higher and higher, the 35-year-old chassis builder from Westville, Okla., got better and better. He scored a fifth-place finish on Thursday, came home second on Friday, and then wrapped up the 3rd Annual Texas Winter Nationals presented by Ed Rinehart for County Commissioner with an impressive $5,000 victory on Saturday night.

“That’ll help pay some of the bills,” Hughes said in victory lane. “We kept fighting, my crew has been working hard all weekend and the car kept getting better. This is how we wanted to start the season.

“This is by far the biggest crowd we’ve seen since we’ve started running here, and it’s nice to get the win in front of all these people.”

Prior to the drop of the green flag, Hughes had his work cut out for him as he sat tenth on the 26-car starting grid. On Thursday he started and finished fifth, then could only manage to climb one spot from third to second on Friday night.

Bumper Jones used his pole position to jump out to the early lead in Saturday’s “A” Main while drivers shuffled positions behind him.

Friday’s winner Jeremy Payne rocketed past three cars down the back-stretch two laps later to grab the runner-up spot while Hughes followed suit and quickly moved to fourth behind eighth-starting Steven Whiteaker Jr.

Jones, Payne and Whiteaker raced bumper to bumper for the next nine laps while Hughes trailed by four car-lengths. Racing side by side out of the fourth turn on lap 11, Whiteaker and Payne made contact with Payne holding on to the second spot.

One lap later, the race’s first yellow flag waved as Whiteaker came to a halt on the front-stretch with a flat tire.

After leaving the pit area with fresh rubber, Whiteaker tagged the rear of the field while Hughes inherited the third spot. Payne elected to start on the inside, leaving Hughes to his right for the double-file restart.

At the drop of the green flag, Hughes dove hard into the first turn and powered around Jones in turn two. Payne shadowed Hughes down the back-stretch and wrestled second place away from Jones in the next corner.

Within five laps, Hughes had extended his advantage to nearly a full straight-away over Payne and his teammate Terry Phillips. Phillips, however, nearly spun on lap 19 and gave up the position to Mike Hansen while Jones remained close behind in fifth.

Despite heavy lapped traffic throughout the second-half of the 40-lapper, Hughes remained flawless as he sailed to his 21st career USMTS Southern Series victory and 81st overall under the USMTS banner.

Payne, Hansen and Phillips held on for second, third and fourth, respectively, while John O Whittington nipped Jones for the fifth-place paycheck.

Morgan Bagley snagged seventh, Rodney Sanders earned an eight-place finish, Chris Henigan nabbed ninth and defending Texas Winter Nationals champion Zack VanderBeek raced from eighteenth to finish tenth.

The win also propelled Hughes into the points lead on the strength of his nine passing points and three lap leader bonus points in the main event. Phillips sits six points behind Hughes (292 to 286) in second with Payne just one more point back in third. Whittington is fourth with 276 markers, followed by Jones (259), Bagley (257), Kelly Shryock (227), Dereck Ramirez (201), Shane Hebert (191) and Steve Holzkamper (191).

Lee Patton leads the current crop of rookie contenders, followed by Tristan Dycus, Darrel Dawson, Shane Killingsworth and nine other drivers tied for fifth.

Up next for the USMTS Southern Series is a tripleheader in the Sooner State. The series makes its debut at the Creek County Speedway in Kellyville, Okla., on Thursday, March 18, then moves on to the Outlaw Motor Speedway near Muskogee on Friday, March 19. The weekend winds up at the West Siloam Speedway in West Siloam Springs on Saturday, March 20. All three events are expected to attract a powerful field of entries as points will be awarded for both the USMTS Southern Series and USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also follow the USMTS on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
USMTS Southern Series
3rd Annual Texas Winter Nationals presented by Ed Rinehart for County Commissioner – Event #3 of 3
Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, Texas
Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010

Showing finishing position, starting position in parentheses, car number, driver, hometown, chassis/engine builder, laps completed, reason out (if any) and money won. The top 14 drivers in passing points accumulated in the heat races are locked into the “A” Main, with the top 8 re-drawing for starting positions 1-8.

ISKY RACING CAMS HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):
1. (2) 5r Morgan Bagley, Longview, Texas.
2. (4) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla.
3. (5) 51 Tracy Denby Jr., Vidor, Texas.
4. (1) 15 Kevin Battarbee (R), Houston, Texas.
5. (10) E Howard Willis, Dayton, Texas.
6. (9) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa.
7. (7) 5 Jon Mitchell, Texarkana, Texas.
8. (6) 9 Shane Killingsworth (R), Dallas, Texas.
9. (11) 7x Rory Jordan (R), Victoria, Texas.
10. (12) 51 Jeff Wood, Willis, Texas.
11. (8) 17 Brad Lasater, Garland, Texas.
12. (3) 8 Steve Miller, Georgetown, Texas.

HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. (2) 85d Mark Dotson, Cameron, Mo.
2. (10) 89 Steven Whiteaker Jr., Corpus Christi, Texas.
3. (4) 15h Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyville, Texas.
4. (1) 58 Nathan Bichsel (R), Amarillo, Texas.
5. (7) 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La.
6. (11) 10 Kenny Battarbee (R), Houston, Texas.
7. (12) 21 Johnny Fennewald, Appleton City, Mo.
8. (8) 12c Corey Babbitt, Channelview, Texas.
9. (3) 18L Michael Long, Quincy, Ill.
10. (9) R5 Hunter Rasdon (R), Jonesboro, Ark.
11. (6) 10 Kyle Schmidt, Farmington, Ark.
12. (5) 23 Brandon Davis (R), Castle Rock, Colo.

HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. (2) 5w John O Whittington, Vidor, Texas.
2. (7) 25 Scott Green, Derby, Kan.
3. (11) 16 Chris Henigan, Marshall, Texas.
4. (8) 34 Ben Stephens (R), Hattiesburg, Miss.
5. (9) 8g Greg Dinsmore, Kerrville, Texas.
6. (5) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa.
7. (10) 14t Tristan Dycus (R), Midlothian, Texas.
8. (4) 8j Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, Texas.
9. (1) 87 John Webb, Pauls Valley, Okla.
10. (12) 20 Troy Seidl (R), Magnolia, Texas.
11. (3) 69 Randy Heston (R), Stinnett, Texas.
12. (6) 17x Cade Dillard, Robeline, La.

EIBACH SPRINGS HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. (3) 111 Bumper Jones, Mesilla Park, N.M.
2. (2) JP5 Lee Patton (R), Ruston, La.
3. (1) 410 Brad Doherty (R), Ennis, Texas.
4. (9) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
5. (7) 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla.
6. (10) 190 Shawn Stephenson (R), Howe, Texas.
7. (11) 44 Darrell Nelson, Hermantown, Minn.
8. (4) 56 David Horner, Houston, Texas.
9. (12) 2 Jerry Standifer (R), Howe, Okla.
10. (8) 55 Kyle Anderson (R), Tomball, Texas.
11. (5) 25 John Allen, Chanute, Kan.
12. (6) 2 Grant Junghans, Manhattan, Kan.

HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):
1. (3) 12h Mike Hansen, Alton, Iowa.
2. (11) 74 Jeremy Payne, Springfield, Mo.
3. (2) 30 Chase Allen, Midlothian, Texas.
4. (10) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas.
5. (1) 99 Derick Grigsby, Marshall, Texas.
6. (6) 98 Darryl Seals, Vidor, Texas.
7. (4) 56 Steve Pugh, Anderson, Texas.
8. (7) 9 Brent Nicholas (R), Baytown, Texas.
9. (5) 5a Wes Armstrong, Marshall, Texas.
10. (9) 96 Foster Ellison III, Richwood, Texas.
11. (8) 76 Jesse Manning, Brazoria, Texas.

HEAT RACE #6 (8 laps):
1. (2) 12 Jason Hughes, Westville, Okla.
2. (3) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
3. (5) 74 Mark Noble, Blooming Prairie, Minn.
4. (1) 00 Darrel Dawson (R), Midlothian, Texas.
5. (10) 5 Steve Holzkamper, Gentry, Ark.
6. (11) 20 Tommy Weder Jr., Woodward, Okla.
7. (8) 18s Cody Smith, Kaufman, Texas.
8. (7) 64 Jay Sale (R), Edmond, Okla.
9. (4) 68 Danny Barringer, Lufkin, Texas.
10. (9) 186 Jeremy Gossett (R), Amarillo, Texas.
11. (6) 7g Mark Smith, Lufkin, Texas.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 4 advance):
1. (1) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
2. (7) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa.
3. (8) 21 Johnny Fennewald, Appleton City, Mo.
4. (11) 12c Corey Babbitt, Channelview, Texas.
5. (15) R5 Hunter Rasdon (R), Jonesboro, Ark., $120.
6. (5) 00 Darrel Dawson (R), Midlothian, Texas, $120.
7. (3) 30 Chase Allen, Midlothian, Texas, $120.
8. (16) 186 Jeremy Gossett (R), Amarillo, Texas, $120.
9. (9) 98 Darryl Seals, Vidor, Texas, $100.
10. (19) 17x Cade Dillard, Robeline, La., $100.
11. (14) 68 Danny Barringer, Lufkin, Texas, $120.
12. (17) 69 Randy Heston (R), Stinnett, Texas, $120.
13. (6) 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La., $120.
14. (4) 8g Greg Dinsmore, Kerrville, Texas, $100.
15. (2) 34 Ben Stephens (R), Hattiesburg, Miss., $120.
16. (10) 56 Steve Pugh, Anderson, Texas, $120.
17. (12) 9 Brent Nicholas (R), Baytown, Texas, $120.
18. (13) 18L Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., $120.
19. (18) 7g Mark Smith, Lufkin, Texas, $120.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 4 advance):
1. (6) 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla.
2. (2) 15h Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyville, Texas.
3. (1) 51 Tracy Denby Jr., Vidor, Texas.
4. (3) E Howard Willis, Dayton, Texas.
5. (5) 10 Kenny Battarbee (R), Houston, Texas, $120.
6. (9) 18s Cody Smith, Kaufman, Texas, $120.
7. (4) 15 Kevin Battarbee (R), Houston, Texas, $120.
8. (17) 25 John Allen, Chanute, Kan., $120.
9. (8) 14t Tristan Dycus (R), Midlothian, Texas, $120.
10. (15) 55 Kyle Anderson (R), Tomball, Texas, $120.
11. (19) 2 Grant Junghans, Manhattan, Kan., $120.
12. (14) 51 Jeff Wood, Willis, Texas, $120.
13. (10) 2 Jerry Standifer (R), Howe, Okla., $120.
14. (12) 64 Jay Sale (R), Edmond, Okla., $120.
15. (18) 8 Steve Miller, Georgetown, Texas, $120.
16. (13) 87 John Webb, Pauls Valley, Okla., $100.
17. (16) 17 Brad Lasater, Garland, Texas, $120.
18. (7) 99 Derick Grigsby, Marshall, Texas, $120.
19. (11) 8j Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, Texas, $120.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #3 (15 laps, top 4 advance):
1. (1) 74 Mark Noble, Blooming Prairie, Minn.
2. (3) 5 Steve Holzkamper, Gentry, Ark.
3. (8) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa.
4. (2) 410 Brad Doherty (R), Ennis, Texas.
5. (7) 44 Darrell Nelson, Hermantown, Minn., $120.
6. (6) 190 Shawn Stephenson (R), Howe, Texas, $120.
7. (16) 10 Kyle Schmidt, Farmington, Ark., $120.
8. (13) 5a Wes Armstrong, Marshall, Texas, $120.
9. (5) 20 Tommy Weder Jr., Woodward, Okla., $120.
10. (12) 7x Rory Jordan (R), Victoria, Texas, $120.
11. (9) 5 Jon Mitchell, Texarkana, Texas, $120.
12. (14) 20 Troy Seidl (R), Magnolia, Texas, $120.
13. (18) 23 Brandon Davis (R), Castle Rock, Colo., $120.
14. (10) 9 Shane Killingsworth (R), Dallas, Texas, $120.
15. (11) 56 David Horner, Houston, Texas, $120.
16. (15) 96 Foster Ellison III, Richwood, Texas, $100.
17. (4) 58 Nathan Bichsel (R), Amarillo, Texas, $120.
18. (17) 76 Jesse Manning, Brazoria, Texas, $100.

“A” MAIN (40 laps):
1. (10) 12 Jason Hughes, Westville, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 40, $5,000.
2. (6) 74 Jeremy Payne, Springfield, Mo., GRT/Hatfield, 40, $3,000.
3. (4) 12h Mike Hansen, Alton, Iowa, GRT/PerfOnly, 40, $2,000.
4. (12) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo., GRT/Hatfield, 40, $1,500.
5. (9) 5w John O Whittington, Vidor, Texas, Pierce/CB, 40, $1,000.
6. (1) 111 Bumper Jones, Mesilla Park, N.M., TRE/ASI, 40, $800.
7. (3) 5r Morgan Bagley, Longview, Texas, Shaw/Rowland, 40, $700.
8. (13) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas, Hughes/Sanders, 40, $600.
9. (2) 16 Chris Henigan, Marshall, Texas, Kraft/PTS, 40, $500.
10. (18) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa, Skyrocket/Sput’s, 40, $450.
11. (16) 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 40, $400.
12. (5) 25 Scott Green, Derby, Kan., Hughes/Mullins, 40, $350.
13. (20) 5 Steve Holzkamper, Gentry, Ark., TRE/Shinook, 40, $350.
14. (17) 74 Mark Noble, Blooming Prairie, Minn., Kraft/Craft, 40, $350.
15. (19) 15h Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyville, Texas, Kraft/Wells, 39, $300.
16. (11) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla., Skyrocket/ASI, 39, $350.
17. (25) E Howard Willis, Dayton, Texas, Evolution/Fox, 39, $350.
18. (24) 12c Corey Babbitt, Channelview, Texas, TRE/CAM, 39, $300.
19. (14) JP5 Lee Patton (R), Ruston, La., Harris/PTS, 39, $350.
20. (22) 51 Tracy Denby Jr., Vidor, Texas, DirtWorks/Harris, 39, $350.
21. (26) 410 Brad Doherty (R), Ennis, Texas, GRT/Ewell, 39, $350.
22. (23) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa, Skyrocket/Sput’s, 32, flat tire, $350.
23. (7) 85d Mark Dotson, Cameron, Mo., GRT/Hatfield, 28, throttle spring, $350.
24. (15) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla., Ramirez/Sput’s, mechanical, 27, $350.
25. (8) 89 Steven Whiteaker Jr., Corpus Christi, Texas, Hughes/Rowland, flat tire, 15, $350.
26. (21) 21 Johnny Fennewald, Appleton City, Mo., GRT/Hatfield, 10, transmission, $350.

Lap Leaders: Jones 1-12, Hughes 13-40.
Total Laps Led: Hughes 28, Jones 12.
AFCO Pole Winner: Whiteaker.
PBM Performance Products Hard Charger: Hughes (started 10th, finished 1st).
Next Race: Thursday, March 18, Creek County Speedway, Kellyville, Okla.
Points Standings: Hughes 292, Phillips 286, Payne 285, Whittington 276, Jones 259, Bagley 257, Shryock 227, Ramirez 201, Hebert 191, Holzkamper 191.
Rookie of the Year Points: Patton 175, Dycus 149, Dawson 141, Killingsworth 140, Stephenson 135, Battarbee 135, Sale 135, Gossett 135, Stephens 135, Jordan 135, Seidl 135, Standifer 135, Bischel 135, Battarbee 135, Anderson 135, Nicholas 135, Heston 135, Davis 135.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Hatfield 28, Mullins 25, CB 20, Rowland 19, PerfOnly 17.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: GRT 28, Hughes 25, Shaw 21, Pierce 21, Skyrocket 19.

Contingency Awards:
Ai-Racing – Phillips.
American Racer – not awarded.
Eibach Springs – Jones.
Isky Racing Cams – Bagley.
KSE Racing Products – Payne.
Marsh Racing Wheels – Fennewald.
Out-Pace Racing Products – Timms.
PBM Performance Products – Hughes.
Quarter Master – Hughes, Sanders.
QuickTime – Bagley.
Real Racing Wheels – Dawson, C. Smith, Stephenson.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, Ai-Racing, Belleville Motorsports, Dynatech Racing Exhaust, Eibach Springs, Fast Shafts, Hyperco, Isky Racing Cams, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, Out-Pace Racing Products, Quarter Master, QuickTime, Real Racing Wheels, US Brake.

BAYTOWN, Texas (Feb. 19) – Jeremy Payne powered his way into victory lane Friday night at the Houston Raceway Park, holding off two-time defending USMTS Southern Series champion Jason Hughes and pocketing $3,000 in the process.

Payne started fourth on the grid and quickly moved into the second spot behind Darrell Nelson, who wrestled the lead away from polesitter Shane Killingsworth as the field crossed beneath the flagstand to complete the first lap.

Nelson held his own for 11 laps until Payne swept to his outside down the back-stretch before securing the top spot on lap 12.

Hughes got around Nelson six laps later and closed in on Payne while the top five runners of Payne, Hughes, Nelson, Morgan Bagley and John O Whittington pulled away from the rest of the pack.

Just as the leaders encountered lapped traffic for the first time, the caution flag waved on lap 16 to slow the action and bunch up the field.

On the restart, Payne shut the door on Hughes’ attempt to get by and the pair distanced themselves from the field en route to a nose-to-tail finish at the checkered flag.

“It’s nice to get a win under our belt tonight,” Payne said in victory lane. “Now we can take a little more risk tomorrow for the big money.”

Despite a second late-race yellow flag with ten laps to go, Hughes was never able to find a way around the 24-year-old from Springfield, Mo., and had to settle for the runner-up paycheck.

“After the last caution I knew he (Hughes) was behind us,” Payne revealed. “He’s a great racer and I knew I couldn’t make a single mistake or the race would be his.”

The win was the first for Payne since capturing a USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour main event at his hometown Springfield Raceway last August.

Whittington recoded his second top-5 finish in as many nights with a third-place showing, Nelson held on for a USMTS career-best fourth-place finish and Bagley, who captured the AFCO Pole Award earlier in the evening, rounded out the top-5 finishers.

Mike Hansen, Payne’s teammate Terry Phillips, Shane Hebert, Dereck Ramirez and Thursday night’s winner Kelly Shryock finished sixth through tenth, respectively.

Round 3 of the 3rd Annual Texas Winter Nationals presented by Ed Rinehart for County Commissioner takes place on Saturday, with a top prize of $5,000 awaiting the “A” Main winner.

In addition to the touring titans of the USMTS Southern Series, the racing card will also feature Southern Limited Modifieds racing for $1,500 to win, courtesy of Express Racecars.

On Saturday, the pit gate opens at 3 p.m., grandstands open at 4 and the first heat race hits the track at 6 p.m. Hot laps will begin approximately one half-hour before race time.

The Houston Raceway Park is a state-of-the-art 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval with a main grandstand seating capacity of 7,500 which includes fourteen VIP luxury suites and boasts a modern Musco Lighting system suitable for television productions.

The facility is located east of Houston on I-10 to Exit 799, then 2.5 miles south on SH 99 (Grand Parkway), then 0.3 mile west on FM 565 (speedway entrance located at Gate 3). For more information, call the track office at 281-383-RACE or visit www.houstonraceway.com online.

Free grandstand tickets are available by calling the track’s ticket office at 281-383-RACE and requesting free tickets by will-call for the USMTS race. Free event passes that were distributed for the weathered-out December event are still good for Saturday’s show too.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also follow the USMTS on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
USMTS Southern Series
3rd Annual Texas Winter Nationals presented by Ed Rinehart for County Commissioner – Event #2 of 3
Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, Texas
Friday, Feb. 19, 2010

ISKY RACING CAMS HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):
1. (2) 44 Darrell Nelson, Hermantown, Minn.
2. (8) 5r Morgan Bagley, Longview, Texas.
3. (4) R5 Hunter Rasdon (R), Jonesboro, Ark.
4. (5) 5 Steve Holzkamper, Gentry, Ark.
5. (10) 74 Mark Noble, Blooming Prairie, Minn.
6. (9) 34 Ben Stephens (R), Hattiesburg, Miss.
7. (6) 7g Mark Smith, Lufkin, Texas.
8. (3) 8 Steve Miller, Georgetown, Texas.
9. (7) 64 Jay Sale (R), Edmond, Okla.
10. (11) 68 Danny Barringer, Lufkin, Texas.
11. (1) 87 John Webb, Pauls Valley, Okla.
12. (12) E Howard Willis, Dayton, Texas.

HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. (2) 9 Shane Killingsworth (R), Dallas, Texas.
2. (6) 21 Johnny Fennewald, Appleton City, Mo.
3. (3) 89 Steven Whiteaker Jr., Corpus Christi, Texas.
4. (9) 5 Jon Mitchell, Texarkana, Texas.
5. (5) 5a Wes Armstrong, Marshall, Texas.
6. (10) 18s Cody Smith, Kaufman, Texas.
7. (7) 186 Jeremy Gossett, Amarillo, Texas.
8. (8) 30 Chase Allen, Midlothian, Texas.
9. (4) 7x Rory Jordan (R), Victoria, Texas.
10. (12) 56 Steve Pugh, Anderson, Texas.
11. (11) 16 Chris Henigan, Marshall, Texas.
12. (1) 25 John Allen, Chanute, Kan.

HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. (4) 2 Grant Junghans, Manhattan, Kan.
2. (8) 12 Jason Hughes, Westville, Okla.
3. (2) 12c Corey Babbitt, Channelview, Texas.
4. (6) 51 Tracy Denby Jr., Vidor, Texas.
5. (1) 99 Derick Grigsby, Marshall, Texas.
6. (5) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas.
7. (9) 25 Scott Green, Derby, Kan.
8. (3) 51 Jeff Wood, Willis, Texas.
9. (7) 18L Michael Long, Quincy, Ill.
10. (11) 15 Kevin Battarbee (R), Houston, Texas.
11. (10) 5m Joe Mayhew, Highlands, Texas.

EIBACH SPRINGS HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. (2) 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla.
2. (8) 12h Mike Hansen, Alton, Iowa.
3. (7) 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La.
4. (11) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa.
5. (1) 17 Brad Lasater, Garland, Texas.
6. (10) 8j Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, Texas.
7. (9) 82 Joshua Majek (R), Corpus Christi, Texas.
8. (3) JP5 Lee Patton (R), Ruston, La.
9. (4) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla.
10. (5) 23 Brandon Davis (R), Castle Rock, Colo.
11. (6) 85d Mark Dotson, Cameron, Mo.

HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):
1. (2) 74 Jeremy Payne, Springfield, Mo.
2. (1) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
3. (5) 00 Darrel Dawson (R), Midlothian, Texas.
4. (7) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
5. (8) 20 Tommy Weder Jr., Woodward, Okla.
6. (4) 10 Kyle Schmidt, Farmington, Ark.
7. (11) 14t Tristan Dycus (R), Midlothian, Texas.
8. (3) 410 Brad Doherty (R), Ennis, Texas.
9. (10) 9 Brent Nicholas (R), Baytown, Texas.
10. (6) 55 Kyle Anderson (R), Tomball, Texas.
11. (9) 190 Shawn Stephenson (R), Howe, Texas.

HEAT RACE #6 (8 laps):
1. (2) 5w John O Whittington, Vidor, Texas.
2. (3) 56 David Horner, Houston, Texas.
3. (5) 111 Bumper Jones, Mesilla Park, N.M.
4. (7) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa.
5. (6) 10 Kenny Battarbee (R), Houston, Texas.
6. (10) 15h Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyville, Texas.
7. (8) 58 Nathan Bischel (R), Amarillo, Texas.
8. (4) 9j Darrell Jones, Ashland, Mo.
9. (9) 69 Randy Heston (R), Stinnett, Texas.
10. (1) 2 Jerry Standifer (R), Howe, Okla.
11. (11) 20 Troy Seidl (R), Magnolia, Texas.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 4 advance):
1. (1) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla.
2. (3) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa.
3. (8) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas.
4. (2) 111 Bumper Jones, Mesilla Park, N.M.
5. (4) 51 Tracy Denby Jr., Vidor, Texas, $100.
6. (5) 18s Cody Smith, Kaufman, Texas, $100.
7. (9) 82 Joshua Majek (R), Corpus Christi, Texas, $100.
8. (6) 10 Kenny Battarbee (R), Houston, Texas, $100.
9. (15) 15 Kevin Battarbee (R), Houston, Texas, $100.
10. (11) 51 Jeff Wood, Willis, Texas, $100.
11. (17) 5m Joe Mayhew, Highlands, Texas, $80.
12. (18) 20 Troy Seidl (R), Magnolia, Texas, $100.
13. (12) 9j Darrell Jones, Ashland, Mo., $80.
14. (13) 7x Rory Jordan (R), Victoria, Texas, $100.
15. (16) 2 Jerry Standifer (R), Howe, Okla., $100.
16. (14) 69 Randy Heston (R), Stinnett, Texas, $100.
17. (7) 99 Derick Grigsby, Marshall, Texas, $100.
18. (10) 186 Jeremy Gossett (R), Amarillo, Texas, $100.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (12 laps, top 4 advance):
1. (1) 5 Jon Mitchell, Texarkana, Texas.
2. (2) R5 Hunter Rasdon (R), Jonesboro, Ark.
3. (11) JP5 Lee Patton (R), Ruston, La.
4. (3) 12c Corey Babbitt, Channelview, Texas.
5. (9) 58 Nathan Bischel (R), Amarillo, Texas, $100.
6. (4) 5 Steve Holzkamper, Gentry, Ark., $100.
7. (17) 85d Mark Dotson, Cameron, Mo., $100.
8. (12) 9 Brent Nicholas (R), Baytown, Texas, $100.
9. (14) 56 Steve Pugh, Anderson, Texas, $100.
10. (6) 34 Ben Stephens (R), Hattiesburg, Miss., $100.
11. (5) 8j Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, Texas, $100.
12. (7) 17 Brad Lasater, Garland, Texas, $100.
13. (13) 18L Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., $100.
14. (10) 8 Steve Miller, Georgetown, Texas, $100.
15. (8) 10 Kyle Schmidt, Farmington, Ark., $100.
16. (15) 23 Brandon Davis (R), Castle Rock, Colo., $100.
17. (16) 87 John Webb, Pauls Valley, Okla., $80.
18. (18) E Howard Willis, Dayton, Texas, $100.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #3 (12 laps, top 4 advance):
1. (2) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
2. (1) 00 Darrel Dawson (R), Midlothian, Texas.
3. (8) 25 Scott Green, Derby, Kan.
4. (18) 25 John Allen, Chanute, Kan.
5. (15) 55 Kyle Anderson (R), Tomball, Texas, $100.
6. (7) 14t Tristan Dycus (R), Midlothian, Texas, $100.
7. (11) 410 Brad Doherty (R), Ennis, Texas, $100.
8. (13) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla., $100.
9. (12) 64 Jay Sale (R), Edmond, Okla., $100.
10. (10) 30 Chase Allen, Midlothian, Texas, $100.
11. (14) 68 Danny Barringer, Lufkin, Texas, $100.
12. (17) 190 Shawn Stephenson (R), Howe, Texas, $100.
13. (4) 20 Tommy Weder Jr., Woodward, Okla., $100.
14. (9) 7g Mark Smith, Lufkin, Texas, $100.
15. (5) 15h Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyville, Texas, $80.
16. (3) 74 Mark Noble, Blooming Prairie, Minn., $100.
17. (16) 16 Chris Henigan, Marshall, Texas, $100.
18. (6) 5a Wes Armstrong, Marshall, Texas, $100.

“A” MAIN (35 laps):
1. (4) 74 Jeremy Payne, Springfield, Mo., GRT/Hatfield, 35, $3,000.
2. (3) 12 Jason Hughes, Westville, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 35, $2,000.
3. (9) 5w John O Whittington, Vidor, Texas, Pierce/CB, 35, $1,500.
4. (2) 44 Darrell Nelson, Hermantown, Minn., Shaw/Tim’s, 35, $1,000.
5. (6) 5r Morgan Bagley, Longview, Texas, Shaw/Rowland, 35, $800.
6. (7) 12h Mike Hansen, Alton, Iowa, GRT/PerfOnly, 35, $700.
7. (17) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo., GRT/Hatfield, 35, $600.
8. (11) 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La., Hughes/Wall2Wall, 35, $500.
9. (15) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla., Ramirez/Sput’s, 35, $450.
10. (10) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa, Skyrocket/Sput’s, 35, $400.
11. (14) 89 Steven Whiteaker Jr., Corpus Christi, Texas, Hughes/Rowland, 35, $350.
12. (24) 111 Bumper Jones, Mesilla Park, N.M., TRE/ASI, 35, $320.
13. (26) 25 John Allen, Chanute, Kan., Hughes/Mullins, 35, $300.
14. (19) R5 Hunter Rasdon (R), Jonesboro, Ark., GRT/Dickens, 35, $300.
15. (23) 25 Scott Green, Derby, Kan., Hughes/Mullins, 35, $300.
16. (25) 12c Corey Babbitt, Channelview, Texas, TRE/Jeff, 35, $275.
17. (22) JP5 Lee Patton (R), Ruston, La., Harris/tbd, 35, $300.
18. (5) 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 35, $300.
19. (16) 5 Jon Mitchell, Texarkana, Texas, GRT/KHP, 35, $300.
20. (8) 2 Grant Junghans, Manhattan, Kan., TRE/Sput’s, 35, $300.
21. (18) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa, Skyrocket/Sput’s, 35, $300.
22. (13) 56 David Horner, Houston, Texas, Skyrocket/Sput’s, 35, $300.
23. (20) 00 Darrel Dawson (R), Midlothian, Texas, Hughes/Rowland, 35, $300.
24. (12) 21 Johnny Fennewald, Appleton City, Mo., GRT/Hatfield, 25, mechanical, $300.
25. (21) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas, Hughes/Sanders, 16, mechanical, $300.
26. (1) 9 Shane Killingsworth (R), Dallas, Texas, KillerWorks/BK’s, 2, mechanical, $300.

Lap Leaders: Nelson 1-11, Payne 12-35.
Total Laps Led: Payne 24, Nelson 11.
AFCO Pole Winner: Bagley.
PBM Performance Products Hard Charger: J. Allen (started 26th, finished 13th).
Next Race: Saturday, Feb. 20, Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, Texas.
Points Standings: Phillips 191, Whittington 188, Payne 186, Hughes 180, Bagley 179, Jones 177, Shryock 174, Ramirez 151, Hebert 146, J. Allen 124.
“Just Say Yes” Rookie of the Year Points: Patton 120, Dycus 104, Dawson 96, Killingsworth 95, Stephenson 90, Kevin Battarbee 90, Sale 90, Gossett 90, Stephens 90, Jordan 90, Seidl 90, Standifer 90, Bischel 90, Kenny Battarbee 90, Anderson 90, Nicholas 90, Heston 90, Davis 90.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Hatfield 19, Mullins 15, Rowland 14, Sput’s 13, CB 13.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: GRT 19, Skyrocket 15, Shaw 15, Hughes 15, Pierce 13.

Contingency Awards:Ai-Racing – Ramirez.
American Racer – not awarded.
Eibach Springs – Timms.
Isky Racing Cams – Nelson.
KSE Racing Products – Hughes.
Marsh Racing Wheels – Killingsworth.
Out-Pace Racing Products – Whiteaker.
PBM Performance Products – J. Allen.
Quarter Master – Payne, Hebert.
QuickTime – Phillips.
Real Racing Wheels – C. Smith, Holzkamper, Dycus.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, Ai-Racing, Belleville Motorsports, Dynatech Racing Exhaust, Eibach Springs, Fast Shafts, Hyperco, Isky Racing Cams, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, Out-Pace Racing Products, Quarter Master, QuickTime, Real Racing Wheels, US Brake.

Shryock draws first blood, conquers USMTS Southern Series opener at Houston Raceway Park

BAYTOWN, Texas (Feb. 18) – While Kelly Shryock was counting the $2,000 he earned for winning the USMTS Southern Series main event on Thursday night, it was equally satisfying to the nine-time USMTS National Champion what he was not counting.

Last year, Shryock struggled through a career-worst 55-race winless streak that began in August of 2008 and finally ended nearly 11 months later.

But that won’t be the case this year as he captured the 30-lap “A” Main at the Houston Raceway Park to kick start the USMTS Southern Series season and set the tone for the rest of the 2010 campaign.

Shryock drew the outside of the front row for the start of the main event, but it was polesitter Mark Dotson who led the first lap and third-starting Morgan Bagley who led the next 15 trips around the 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval.

With two-time defending USMTS Southern Series champion Jason Hughes joining the fight at the front of the field, the leaders encountered heavy lapped traffic at the midway point of the race with Shryock able to edge in front of Bagley down the back-stretch as they split a lapped car.

Before the lap could be completed, however, the race’s first caution waved and Bagley retained the point for the restart. The yellow flag waved two more times over the next two laps with Bagley able to hold off Shryock on both occasions.

On the next attempt, Shryock elected to take the outside lane for the double-file restart. Back under green, Shryock was able to power around Bagley in the first turn and snag the top spot away from the 23-year-old Texan.

Shryock never relinquished the lead, but had to fend off several aggressive maneuvers from tenth-starting Terry Phillips over the final ten laps to secure the victory.

Bagley held on for a third-place finish, while Bumper Jones climbed to fourth from 14th on the starting grid to earn the PBM Performance Products Hard Charger Award.

Hughes, who had captured the last two checkered flags at the Baytown, Texas, speedplant, faded to fifth by the end of the contest.

John O Whittington won the second of three Real Racing Wheels “B” Mains, then advanced ten spots in the “A” Main to pocket a sixth-place paycheck.

Jeremy Payne, Mike Hansen, Johnny Fennewald and Steve Holzkamper rounded out the top-10 finishers.

Sixty-one USMTS Modified filled the pit area on Thursday, and officials expect that number climb even higher on Friday and Saturday as the prize money and forecasted temperatures rise throughout the weekend.

Friday’s main event winner will earn $3,000 while the victor on Saturday gets $5,000 courtesy of Ed Rinehart for County Commissioner.

In addition to the touring titans of the USMTS Southern Series, the racing card will feature Southern Limited Modifieds racing for $1,000 and $1,500 to win, respectively, courtesy of Express Race Cars.

On Friday, the pit gate opens at 3 p.m., grandstands open at 5 and racing begins at 7. On Saturday, pit gates open at 3 p.m., grandstands open at 4 and the first heat race hits the track at 6 p.m. Hot laps each day will begin approximately one half-hour before race time.

Free grandstand tickets for Friday and Saturday night are available at several locations throughout the Houston area, or by calling the track’s ticket office at 281-383-RACE and requesting free tickets by will-call for the USMTS race. Free event passes that were distributed for the December event are still good for the Feb. 18-20 show this year.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also follow the USMTS on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
USMTS Southern Series
3rd Annual Texas Winter Nationals presented by Ed Rinehart for County Commissioner – Event #1 of 3
Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, Texas
Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010

ISKY RACING CAMS HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):
1. (4) 8 Steve Miller, Georgetown, TX.
2. (3) 5 Steve Holzkamper, Gentry, AR.
3. (10) 85d Mark Dotson, Cameron, MO.
4. (5) 18 Michael Long, Quincy, IL.
5. (8) 14t Tristan Dycus, Midlothian, TX.
6. (7) 20 Tommy Weder Jr., Woodward, OK.
7. (2) 9 Brent Nicholas, Baytown, TX.
8. (11) 9 Shane Killingsworth, Dallas, TX.
9. (9) 17 Brad Lasater, Garland, TX.
10. (6) 186 Jeremy Gossett, Amarillo, TX.
11. (1) 7x Rory Jordan, Victoria, TX.

HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. (1) 25 Scott Green, Derby, KS.
2. (5) 12 Jason Hughes, Westville, OK.
3. (4) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, OK.
4. (8) 5 Jon Mitchell, Texarkana, TX.
5. (2) 12 Corey Babbitt, Channelview, TX.
6. (3) 87 John Webb, Pauls Valley, OK.
7. (9) 9j Darrell Jones, Ashland, MO.
8. (6) 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, LA.
9. (7) 2 Grant Junghans, Manhattan, KS.
10. (10) 89 Steven Whiteaker Jr., Corpus Christi, TX.

HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):1. (1) 5r Morgan Bagley, Longview, TX.
2. (2) 15h Sam Hafertepe, Sunnyville, TX.
3. (6) 21 Johnny Fennewald, Appleton City, MO.
4. (7) 74 Mark Noble, Blooming Prairie, MN.
5. (3) 5a Wes Armstrong, Marshall, TX.
6. (5) 55 Kyle Anderson (R), Tomball, TX.
7. (8) 15 Kevin Battarbee (R), Houston, TX.
8. (4) 68 Danny Barringer, Lufkin, TX.
9. (9) 34 Ben Stephens (R), Hattiesburg, MS.
10. (10) 56 David Horner, Houston, TX.

EIBACH SPRINGS HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. (1) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, IA.
2. (4) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, MO.
3. (3) JP5 Lee Patton (R), Ruston, LA.
4. (6) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, OK.
5. (9) 99 Derick Grigsby, Marshall, TX.
6. (5) 190 Shawn Stephenson (R), Howe, TX.
7. (10) 51 Tracy Denby Jr., Vidor, TX.
8. (8) 20 Troy Seidl (R), Magnolia, TX.
9. (7) 69 Randy Heston (R), Stinnett, TX.
10. (2) 23 Brandon Davis, Castle Rock, CO.

HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):
1. (2) 12h Mike Hansen, Alton, IA.
2. (1) 111 Bumper Jones, Mesilla Park, NM.
3. (8) 74 Jeremy Payne, Springfield, MO.
4. (3) 44 Darrell Nelson, Hermantown, MN.
5. (5) 5w John O Whittington, Vidor, TX.
6. (6) 25 John Allen, Chanute, KS.
7. (7) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, TX.
8. (4) 10 Kenny Battarbee (R), Houston, TX.
9. (10) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, IA.
10. (9) 22 Tracy Denby Sr., Vidor, TX.

HEAT RACE #6 (8 laps):
1. (6) 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, OK.
2. (2) 8j Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, TX.
3. (1) 00 Darrel Dawson (R), Midlothian, TX.
4. (5) 10 Kyle Schmidt, Farmington, AR.
5. (8) E Howard Willis, Dayton, TX.
6. (9) 58 Nathan Bischel, Amarillo, TX.
7. (7) 2 Jerry Standifer (R), Howe, OK.
8. (3) 64 Jay Sale, Edmond, OK.
9. (4) 7g Mark Smith, Lufkin, TX.
10. (10) 18s Cody Smith, Kaufman, TX.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 4 advance):
1. (2) 74 Mark Noble, Blooming Prairie, MN.
2. (3) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, OK.
3. (1) 8j Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, TX.
4. (5) 44 Darrell Nelson, Hermantown, MN.
5. (4) 10 Kyle Schmidt, Farmington, AR, $80.
6. (8) 190 Shawn Stephenson (R), Howe, TX, $80.
7. (7) 51 Tracy Denby Jr., Vidor, TX, $80.
8. (6) 5a Wes Armstrong, Marshall, TX, $80.
9. (9) 15 Kevin Battarbee (R), Houston, TX, $80.
10. (14) 7g Mark Smith, Lufkin, TX, $80.
11. (12) 64 Jay Sale, Edmond, OK, $80.
12. (11) 68 Danny Barringer, Lufkin, TX, $80.
13. (13) 2 Grant Junghans, Manhattan, KS, $80.
14. (10) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, TX, $80.
15. (16) 18s Cody Smith, Kaufman, TX, $80.
16. (15) 56 David Horner, Houston, TX, $80.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 4 advance):
1. (6) 5w John O Whittington, Vidor, TX.
2. (2) JP5 Lee Patton (R), Ruston, LA.
3. (12) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, IA.
4. (4) 14t Tristan Dycus (R), Midlothian, TX.
5. (8) 25 John Allen, Chanute, KS, $80.
6. (14) 186 Jeremy Gossett (R), Amarillo, TX, $80.
7. (13) 34 Ben Stephens (R), Hattiesburg, MS, $60.
8. (7) 87 John Webb, Pauls Valley, OK, $60.
9. (16) 7x Rory Jordan (R), Victoria, TX, $80.
10. (11) 20 Troy Seidl (R), Magnolia, TX, $80.
11. (10) 2 Jerry Standifer (R), Howe, OK, $80.
12. (5) 58 Nathan Bischel, Amarillo, TX, $80.
13. (3) 99 Derick Grigsby, Marshall, TX, $80.
14. (1) 5 Jon Mitchell, Texarkana, TX, $80.
15. (9) 9 Shane Killingsworth (R), Dallas, TX, $80.
16. (15) 23 Brandon Davis, Castle Rock, CO, $80.

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #3 (15 laps, top 4 advance):1. (3) 18 Michael Long, Quincy, IL.
2. (1) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, OK.
3. (10) 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, LA.
4. (5) 12 Corey Babbitt, Channelview, TX.
5. (2) 00 Darrel Dawson (R), Midlothian, TX, $80.
6. (6) 20 Tommy Weder Jr., Woodward, OK, $80.
7. (11) 10 Kenny Battarbee (R), Houston, TX, $80.
8. (7) 55 Kyle Anderson (R), Tomball, TX, $80.
9. (15) 22 Tracy Denby Sr., Vidor, TX, $60.
10. (9) 9 Brent Nicholas (R), Baytown, TX, $80.
11. (8) 9j Darrell Jones, Ashland, MO, $60.
12. (13) 69 Randy Heston (R), Stinnett, TX, $80.
13. (12) 17 Brad Lasater, Garland, TX, $80.
14. (4) E Howard Willis, Dayton, TX, $80.
15. (14) 89 Steven Whiteaker Jr., Corpus Christi, TX, $80.

“A” MAIN (30 laps):
1. (2) 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa, Skyrocket/Sput’s, 30, $2,000.
2. (10) 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo., GRT/Hatfield, 30, $1,500.
3. (3) 5r Morgan Bagley, Longview, Texas, Shaw/Rowland, 30, $1,000.
4. (14) 111 Bumper Jones, Mesilla Park, N.M., TRE/ASI, 30, $800.
5. (5) 12 Jason Hughes, Westville, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 30, $700.
6. (16) 5w John O Whittington, Vidor, Texas, Pierce/CB, 30, $600.
7. (9) 74 Jeremy Payne, Springfield, Mo., GRT/Hatfield, 30, $500.
8. (8) 12h Mike Hansen, Alton, Iowa, GRT/PerfOnly, 30, $450.
9. (12) 21 Johnny Fennewald, Appleton City, Mo., GRT/tbd, 30, $250.
10. (11) 5 Steve Holzkamper, Gentry, Ark., TRE/Shinook, 30, $350.
11. (1) 85d Mark Dotson, Cameron, Mo., GRT/Hatfield, 30, $325.
12. (17) 18 Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., Kraft/Xtreme, 30, $300.
13. (18) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla., Ramirez/Sput’s, 30, $275.
14. (26) 12 Corey Babbitt, Channelview, Texas, TRE/Jeff, 30, $200.
15. (13) 15h Sam Hafertepe, Sunnyville, Texas, tbd/tbd, 30, $200.
16. (23) 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La., Hughes/Wall2Wall, 30, $250.
17. (21) 8j Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, Texas, Ramirez/Sput’s, 30, $250.
18. (19) JP5 Lee Patton (R), Ruston, La., Harris/tbd, $250.
19. (24) 44 Darrell Nelson, Hermantown, Minn., Shaw/Tim’s, $250.
20. (25) 14t Tristan Dycus (R), Midlothian, Texas, Kraft/Barr, $250.
21. (22) 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa, Skyrocket/Sput’s, $250.
22. (6) 25 Scott Green, Derby, Kan., Hughes/Mullins, 22, mechanical, $250.
23. (7) 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 22, mechanical, $250.
24. (20) 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla., Skyrocket/Sput’s, 19, mechanical, $250.
25. (4) 8 Steve Miller, Georgetown, Texas, Hughes/tbd, 17, mechanical, $250.
26. (15) 74 Mark Noble, Blooming Prairie, Minn., Kraft/tbd, 15, mechanical, $250.

Lap Leaders: Dotson 1, Bagley 2-17, Shryock 18-30.
Total Laps Led: Bagley 16, Shryock 13, Dotson 1.
AFCO Pole Winner: Timms.
PBM Performance Products Hard Charger: Jones (started 14th, finished 4th).
Next Race: Friday, Feb. 19, Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, Texas.
Points Standings: Phillips 103, Shryock 102, Jones 97, Bagley 94, Whittington 91, Hughes 84, Payne 80, Holzkamper 73, Dotson 71, Ramirez 71.
Just Say Yes Rookie of the Year Points: Dycus 59, Patton 57, Stephenson 45, Kevin Battarbee 45, Sale 45, Gossett 45, Stephens 45, Jordan 45, Seidl 45, Standifer 45, Bischel 45, Killingsworth 45, Dawson 45, Kenny Battarbee 45, Anderson 45, Nicholas 45, Heston 45.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: Sput’s 10, Hatfield 9, Rowland 8, ASI 7, Mullins 6.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: Skyrocket 10, GRT 9, Shaw 8, TRE 7, Hughes 6.

Contingency Awards:
American Racer – not awarded.
Eibach Springs – Shryock.
Isky Racing Cams – Miller.
KSE Racing Products – Phillips.
Marsh Racing Wheels – Noble.
Out-Pace Racing Products – Dotson.
PBM Performance Products – Jones.
Quarter Master – Shryock, Hansen.
QuickTime – Payne.
Real Racing Wheels – Stephenson, Gossett, Weder.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, Ai-Racing, Belleville Motorsports, Dynatech Racing Exhaust, Eibach Springs, Fast Shafts, Hyperco, Isky Racing Cams, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, Out-Pace Racing Products, Quarter Master, QuickTime, Real Racing Wheels, US Brake.

Practice makes perfect: USMTS Southern Series ready to heat up Houston Raceway Park

BAYTOWN, Texas (Feb. 17) – The USMTS Southern Series is set to kick off the 2010 racing season with an earlier start date than ever this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 18-20, at the Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas, for the 3rd Annual Texas Winter Nationals presented by Ed Rinehart for County Commissioner.

Dozens of drivers, however, still got a head start during a three-hour practice session on the 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval Wednesday night.

In contrast to 76 days ago when heavy rainfall and bitter cold resulted in a soft rough racing surface, drivers embraced the smooth surface on Wednesday night.

And everybody involved is looking forward to the next three days where the weatherman is forecasting temperatures to be 30 to 40 degrees warmer than the last time they visited the Baytown, Texas, speedplant.

This weekend’s event will be the highest-paying in the four-year history of the USMTS Southern Series, with a possible $10,000 to win over three nights. The main event will pay $2,000 to win on Thursday, with $3,000 earmarked for Friday's winner and $5,000 to win on Saturday.

Winner of the last two main events at HRP, Jason Hughes of Westville, Okla., was the most dominant USMTS Southern Series driver in 2009, and capped off a personal-best record-setting season with his second straight USMTS Southern Series title.

Nine-time USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock of Fertile, Iowa, finished second behind Hughes in the final standings, and was on hand Wednesday night to shake down his new 2010 Skyrocket Chassis in hopes of improving his ranking at the end of the 2010 racing season.

A field of 74 cars and drivers were in attendance on Dec. 3 for the snow-shortened program, and officials are expecting even more for this weekend’s blockbuster tripleheader.

In addition to Hughes and Shryock, other heavyweights that fans can expect to see in action are Mark Noble, Michael Long, Jon Tesch, Rodney Sanders, Morgan Bagley, Bumper Jones, Scott Green, Zack VanderBeek, Tommy Weder Jr., Shane Hebert, Chris Henigan, Dereck Ramirez, Bryan Rowland, Cody Smith, John O Whittington, Steven Whiteaker Jr., Randy Timms, Wes Armstrong, B.J. Robinson, Garrett Durrett, Dustin Hyde, Jason Armstrong, Kyle Schmidt, Steve Holzkamper, Chad Davis, William Gould, Jeff Huckaby, Bobby Malchus, Michael Robertson, Eddie Martin, Kyle Anderson, Howard Willis, David Horner, Tracy Denby Sr., Danny Barringer, Tracy Denby Jr., Paul White, Kyle Anderson, Phil Dixon, Chris Brown, Grant Junghans, Brandon Davis and many more.

In addition to the touring titans of the USMTS, the racing card will feature Southern Limited Modifieds racing for $700, $1,000 and $1,500 to win, respectively, courtesy of Express Race Cars.

On Thursday and Friday, the pit gate opens at 3 p.m., grandstands open at 5 and racing begins at 6:30. On Saturday, pit gates open at 3 p.m., grandstands open at 4 and the first heat race hits the track at 6 p.m. Hot laps each day will begin approximately one half-hour before race time.

Located in Baytown, Texas, the track is located east of Houston on I-10 to Exit 799, then 2.5 miles south on SH 99 (Grand Parkway), then 0.3 mile west on FM 565. Speedway entrance located at Gate 3. For more information, call the track office at 281-383-RACE or visit www.houstonraceway.com online.

EVENT PAYOUTS: Thursday – 1. $2000, 2. $1200, 3. $800, 4. $600, 5. $500, 6. $400, 7. $350, 8. $300, 9. $250, 10. $230, 11. $210, 12-26. $200, Tow $60; Friday – 1. $3000, 2. $1800, 3. $1200, 4. $800, 5. $600, 6. $500, 7. $450, 8. $400, 9. $350, 10. $300, 11-26. $275, Tow $80; Saturday – 1. $5000, 2. $2500, 3. $1700, 4. $1000, 5. $700, 6. $600, 7. $500, 8. $450, 9. $400, 10. $350, 11. $325, 12-26. $300, Tow $100.

Published payouts are for non-licensed drivers. There is no requirement to purchase a USMTS license to compete in any USMTS event. However, benefits enjoyed by licensed drivers includes higher event purses and bonus payouts, increased tow money, discounted entry fees, contingency awards, points funds, a personalized driver profile page at www.usmts.com and more. The cost of a license is $200 for the USMTS Southern Series, which is good for all 29 events on this year’s campaign.

ENTRY FEES: The entry fee for Thursday is $80 for licensed drivers, $90 for non-licensed or $100 for all drivers entering at the track. Friday’s early entry fee for licensed drivers is $100, non-licensed $110 and at-the-track entry for all drivers is $125. On Saturday, early entry is $125 for licensed drivers, $135 for non-licensed drivers and $150 for all drivers on race day.

There is no entry fee on any night for Limited Mods. However, any driver racing in both Modifieds and Limited Mods will pay an entry of $30 on Thursday and Friday, and $35 on Saturday.

RULES & PROCEDURES: All USMTS rules apply. The American Racer KK704 is the Official Tire of the USMTS; however drivers may utilize the Hoosier G60 but will not be eligible to earn points. Qualifying will be done by heat race passing points and Real Racing Wheels “B” Mains. Draw for heat race starting spot ends 15 minutes before hot laps begin.

FREE TICKETS: Free grandstand tickets for Friday and Saturday night are available at several locations throughout the Houston area, or by calling the track’s ticket office at 281-383-RACE and requesting free tickets by will-call for the USMTS race. Free event passes that were distributed for the December event are still good for the Feb. 18-20 show this year.

2010 USMTS SOUTHERN SERIES SCHEDULE:Thu Feb 18 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($2000 to win)
Fri Feb 19 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($3000 to win)
Sat Feb 20 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($5000 to win)
Thu Mar 18 … Creek County Speedway, Kellyville, OK ($2000 o win)
Fri Mar 19 … Outlaw Motor Speedway, Muskogee, OK ($2000 to win)
Sat Mar 20 … West Siloam Speedway, West Siloam Springs, OK ($2000 to win)
Fri Apr 16 … Golden Triangle Raceway Park, Beaumont, TX ($2000 to win)
Sat Apr 17 … Gator Motorplex, Willis, TX ($2000 to win)
Sun Apr 18 … 105 Motor Speedway, Cleveland, TX ($2000 to win)
Fri Apr 30 … Clinton Motorsports Park, Clinton, OK ($2000 to win)
Sat May 1 … Route 66 Motor Speedway, Amarillo, TX ($2000 to win)
Sun May 2 … Lubbock Motor Speedway, Lubbock, TX ($2000 to win)
Fri May 7 … Grand Prairie Speedway, Grand Prairie, TX ($2000 to win)
Sat May 8 … Cowtown Speedway, Kennedale, TX ($2000 to win)
Sun May 9 … Heart O’ Texas Speedway, Waco, TX ($2000 to win)
Thu Jun 10 … Tri-State Speedway, Pocola, OK ($2000 to win)
Fri Jun 11 … Paris Motor Speedway, Blossom, TX ($2000 to win)
Sat Jun 12 … Texarkana 67 Speedway, Texarkana, AR ($2000 to win)
Sun Jun 13 … Ark-La-Tex Speedway, Vivian, LA ($2000 to win)
Fri Oct 8 … Golden Triangle Raceway Park, Beaumont, TX ($2000 to win)
Sat Oct 9 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($2000 to win)
Sun Oct 10 … 105 Motor Speedway, Cleveland, TX ($2000 to win)
Fri Oct 22 … Gator Motorplex, Willis, TX ($2000 to win)
Sat Oct 23 … Gator Motorplex, Willis, TX ($3000 to win)
Fri Oct 29 … Lonestar Speedway, Kilgore, TX ($2000 to win)
Sat Oct 30 … Lonestar Speedway, Kilgore, TX ($3000 to win)
Thu Nov 18 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($2000 to win)
Fri Nov 19 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($3000 to win)
Sat Nov 20 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($4000 to win)

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also follow the USMTS on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.

Regional alignments revealed for USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour

WEBSTER CITY, Iowa (Feb. 16) – Regional alignments have been announced for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour, officials announced today.

For the 12th straight season, the rugged road warriors of the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour will thrill race fans in America's heartland with an aggressive 2009 campaign which features 61 events at 40 different venues in 10 different States.

The schedule is highlighted with return engagements to 31 facilities that hosted a USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour event last season and seven new venues encompassing some of the most exciting dirt ovals in America.

In addition, three facilities return to the line-up after at least a two-year hiatus from the schedule.

“We’ve got a solid campaign put together for 2010,” said USMTS President Todd Staley. “Piecing together 60-plus shows while trying to balance the regions is a monumental task, but we are fortunate to be working with some great track promoters that are flexible and work hard to make every show a success.”

The rugged road warriors of the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour will kick off the 2010 season in the Falcon Wind Power Mo-Kan Region at the Caney Valley Speedway in Caney, Kan., on Friday, March 12, followed by a date at the nearby Humboldt Speedway in Humboldt, Kan., on Saturday, March 13.

The series returns to Humboldt on Friday, Aug. 13, and Caney on Saturday, Aug. 14, to kick off the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Championship.

The following weekend will see the touring titans tackling a tripleheader in the Sooner State.

The series makes its debut at the Creek County Speedway in Kellyville, Okla., on Thursday, March 18, then moves on to the Outlaw Motor Speedway near Muskogee on Friday.

This will be the first visit to the Outlaw Motor Speedway since a two-race weekend on May 8-9, 2003, that saw Jason Hughes and Tommy Myer walk away victorious.

A powerful field of entries is expected as points will be awarded for both the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour and USMTS Southern Series at all three shows.

Two shows in the Show-Me State dot the month of April, with a couple of $2,000-to-win contests at the LA Raceway in La Monte on Friday, April 9, and Moberly's 24 Raceway Park on Saturday, April 10.

The final events for the Falcon Wind Power Mo-Kan Region include the Springfield Raceway in Springfield, Mo., on Saturday, May 15, sandwiched between a pair of to-be-announced venues on May 14 and 16. These events will mark the earliest completion of a region since the USMTS began utilizing the regional format in 2006.

For the seventh straight year, USMTS officials had planned to launch the season with a doubleheader at the Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb., on March 5-6, but due to record-setting snowfall and lingering bitter cold from the harsh winter, the 7th Annual Nebraska Spring Thaw has been pushed back to Friday and Saturday, March 26-27, and will serve as the first event of the Great Plains Region.

The month of May ends with a busy Memorial Day Weekend that finds the series on familiar ground with a $2,000-to-win stop at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa, on Wednesday, May 26, for the first of five straight nights of racing action.

On Thursday, May 27, it's on to the Highway 3 Raceway in Allison, Iowa, followed by annual Memorial Day Weekend events at the Chateau Raceway in Lansing, Minn., on Friday, May 28; Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., on Saturday, May 29; and the Dodge County Speedway in Kasson, Minn., on Sunday, May 30.

While the Oskaloosa and Allison events get the Central States Region going, the final three races of the weekend will be he first three in the Yeager Machine Upper Midwest Region.

The USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour returns to the popular Fairmont Raceway in Fairmont, Minn., on Tuesday, June 15, for the first time since June 20, 2001—a race that Kelly Shryock won with a last-lap pass of Mike Chasteen.

The Fairmont event kicks off a whirlwind final half of June that will see nine shows in a span of eleven days.

On Wednesday, June 16, the series invades the Buena Vista Raceway in Alta, Iowa, followed by the Huset’s Speedway in Brandon, S.D., on Thursday, June 17, and the Murray County Speedway in Slayton, Minn., on Friday, June 18.

Tuesday, June 22, is set for the Mineral City Speedway in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Wednesday, June 23, will find the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour back at the I-35 Speedway in Mason City, Iowa, for an encore of last year's blockbuster event at Joe Ringsdorf’s speedplant on the North Iowa Fairgrounds.

The Redwood Speedway in Redwood Falls, Minn., plays host to the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour for the first time on Thursday, June 24, while Bob Timm’s Mississippi Thunder Speedway in Fountain City, Wis., hosts its first of two shows during the 2010 campaign on Friday, June 25.

Drivers, fans and officials alike will get their usual summer vacation during the first half of July, with the engines firing back up on Wednesday, July 14, for the annual Dodge County Fair in Kasson, Minn.

On Thursday, July 15, the series heads north to the North Central Speedway in Brainerd, Minn., then on Friday and Saturday, July 16-17, the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour invades the famed Elko Speedway in Elko, Minn., as the legendary asphalt track is transformed into a dirt gridiron for the 2nd Annual Dirt Nationals.

A swing of five shows in the Dakotas wraps up the month of July, beginning on Tuesday, July 27, at the Park Jefferson Speedway in Jefferson, S.D.

The State of North Dakota welcomes back the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour for the first time in three years with the first-ever visit to the Red River Valley Speedway in Fargo, N.D., on Wednesday, July 28.

From there, it's on to the Casino Speedway in Watertown, S.D., on Thursday, July 29, for what has become an annual sell-out and one of the most popular events on the schedule.

The curtain closes on the Tour of the Dakotas with another inaugural event on Friday, July 30, at the Brown County Speedway in Aberdeen, S.D., and a return to the Jamestown Speedway in Jamestown, N.D., after a three-year hiatus on Saturday, July 31.

On Sunday, Aug. 1, the series slips back into the Land of 10,000 Lakes with its annual trek to the Nobles County Speedway in Worthington, Minn., for the sixth straight $2,000-to-win event of the week.

On Tuesday, Aug. 3, the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour kicks off the annual Kossuth County Fair with a return to the Algona Raceway in Algona, Iowa, for the first time since Johnny Bone Jr. won a thriller there on Aug. 5, 2004.

Originally slated for July 13, the Cresco Speedway in Cresco, Iowa, will now welcome the USMTS dirt merchants on Wednesday, Aug. 4.

The Jackson Speedway in Jackson, Minn., is back on the calendar after a four-year absence. The USMTS Modifieds will take to the half-mile oval on Thursday, Aug. 5, for the final event in the Yeager Machine Upper Midwest Region.

The Great Plains Region will crown a champion and advance another batch of competitors into the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Championship with the final race in the region on Friday, Aug. 6, at the Murray County Speedway in Slayton, Minn.

The third straight regional curtain-closer happens on Saturday, Aug. 7, with the final event in the Central States Region at an excited venue to be announced soon.

The Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Championship begins on Friday, Aug. 13, at the Humboldt Speedway with the first of 20 scheduled events that will culminate with the crowning of the 2010 USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Champion.

The USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour will return to the Deer Creek Speedway for the 12th Annual Fall Jamboree on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 23-25. The standing-room-only show has become one of the most popular races on the calendars of Modified fans, as well as one of the most lucrative for the drivers.

Central States Region:
Wed May 26 … Southern Iowa Speedway, Oskaloosa, IA ($2000 to win)
Thu May 27 … Highway 3 Raceway, Allison, IA ($2000 to win)
Wed Jun 16 … Buena Vista Raceway, Alta, IA ($2000 to win)
Fri Jun 18 … Iowa State Fair Speedway, Des Moines, IA ($2000 to win)
Sat Jun 19 … Scotland County Speedway, Memphis, MO ($2000 to win)
Tue Jun 22 … Mineral City Speedway, Fort Dodge, IA ($2000 to win)
Wed Jun 23 … I-35 Speedway, Mason City, IA ($2000 to win)
Tue Aug 3 … Algona Raceway, Algona, IA ($2000 to win)
Wed Aug 4 … Cresco Speedway, Cresco, IA ($2000 to win)
Sat Aug 7 … TBA ($2000 to win)

Falcon Wind Power Mo-Kan Region:
Fri Mar 12 … Caney Valley Speedway, Caney, KS ($2000 to win)
Sat Mar 13 … Humboldt Speedway, Humboldt, KS ($2000 to win)
Thu Mar 18 … Creek County Speedway, Kellyville, OK ($2000 o win)
Fri Mar 19 … Outlaw Motor Speedway, Muskogee, OK ($2000 to win)
Sat Mar 20 … West Siloam Speedway, West Siloam Springs, OK ($2000 to win)
Fri Apr 9 … LA Raceway, La Monte, MO ($2000 to win)
Sat Apr 10 … 24 Raceway Park, Moberly, MO ($2000 to win)
Fri May 14 … TBA ($2000 to win)
Sat May 15 … Springfield Raceway, Springfield, MO ($2000 to win)
Sun May 16 … TBA ($2000 to win)

Great Plains Region:
Fri Mar 26 … Junction Motor Speedway, McCool Junction, NE ($2000 to win)
Sat Mar 27 … Junction Motor Speedway, McCool Junction, NE ($3000 to win)
Thu Jun 17 … Huset’s Speedway, Brandon, SD ($2000 to win)
Tue Jul 27 … Park Jefferson Speedway, Jefferson, SD ($2000 to win)
Wed Jul 28 … Red River Valley Speedway, Fargo, ND ($2000 to win)
Thu Jul 29 … Casino Speedway, Watertown, SD ($2000 to win)
Fri Jul 30 … Brown County Speedway, Aberdeen, SD ($2000 to win)
Sat Jul 31 … Jamestown Speedway, Jamestown, ND ($2000 to win)
Sun Aug 1 … Nobles County Speedway, Worthington, MN ($2000 to win)
Fri Aug 6 … Murray County Speedway, Slayton, MN ($2000 to win)

Yeager Machine Upper Midwest Region:
Fri May 28 … Chateau Raceway, Lansing, MN ($2000 to win)
Sat May 29 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN ($2000 to win)
Sun May 30 … Dodge County Speedway, Kasson, MN ($2000 to win)
Tue Jun 15 … Fairmont Raceway, Fairmont, MN ($2000 to win)
Thu Jun 24 … Redwood Speedway, Redwood Falls, MN ($2000 to win)
Fri Jun 25 … Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, WI ($2000 to win)
Wed Jul 14 … Dodge County Speedway, Kasson, MN ($2000 to win)
Thu Jul 15 … North Central Speedway, Brainerd, MN ($2000 to win)
Fri Jul 16 … Elko Speedway, Elko, MN ($2000 to win)
Sat Jul 17 … Elko Speedway, Elko, MN ($3000 to win)
Thu Aug 5 … Jackson Speedway, Jackson, MN ($2000 to win)

The Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Championship:
Thu Aug 12 … Great American Dirt Track, Jetmore, KS ($3000 to win)
Fri Aug 13 … Humboldt Speedway, Humboldt, KS ($3000 to win)
Sat Aug 14 … Caney Valley Speedway, Caney, KS ($3000 to win)
Sun Aug 15 … Monett Speedway, Monett, MO ($3000 to win)
Thu Aug 19 … Hancock County Speedway, Britt, IA ($3000 to win)
Fri Aug 20 … Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, WI ($3000 to win)
Sat Aug 21 … Adams County Speedway, Corning, IA ($3000 to win)
Thu Aug 26 … Nevada Speedway, Nevada, MO ($3000 to win)
Fri Aug 27 … LA Raceway, La Monte, MO ($3000 to win)
Sat Aug 28 … 24 Raceway Park, Moberly, MO ($3000 to win)
Tue Aug 31 … Marshalltown Speedway, Marshalltown, IA ($3000 to win)
Wed Sep 1 … Southern Iowa Speedway, Oskaloosa, IA ($3000 to win)
Thu Sep 2 … Highway 3 Raceway, Allison, IA ($3000 to win)
Fri Sep 3 … Chateau Raceway, Lansing, MN ($3000 to win)
Sat Sep 4 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN ($3000 to win)
Sun Sep 5 … Dodge County Speedway, Kasson, MN ($3000 to win)
Mon Sep 6 … North Central Speedway, Brainerd, MN ($3000 to win)
Thu Sep 23 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN ($2000 to win)
Fri Sep 24 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN ($4000 to win)
Sat Sep 25 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN ($6000 to win)

The Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Championship is comprised of the final 16-20 races of the season. The USMTS points system will be used at all regional events, with the top-10 in the final standings for each of the four regions earning a spot in ‘The Hunt.’ In addition, any driver who has perfect attendance in a region will also be qualified. After the completion of the regional schedule and base points have been established, the USMTS points system will be used at the remaining events for the drivers in ‘The Hunt’ to determine the 2010 USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Champion.

For the fans, the ‘The Hunt’ serves as a “playoff” for the ultimate prize in dirt Modified racing. While handicapping gives a slight advantage to the drivers that compete on the entire USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour circuit, any of the qualified drivers have a legitimate shot at capturing the crown.

Past USMTS National Champions include Shryock (1999-2006, 2009), Jason Krohn (2007) and Tim Donlinger (2008).

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com or call 515-832-7944. You can also follow the USMTS on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.

USMTS “power brokers” seek COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Award again in 2010

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Feb. 11) – COMP Cams—The Absolute Leader In Valve Train Performance—is back on board for a third straight season in 2010 to award the COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Award to engine builders and competitors in the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour and USMTS Southern Series.

The COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Award was created at the start of the 2008 racing season to recognize the engine builders whose dedication, hard work and unparalleled expertise propel the mud-slinging USMTS Modifieds around America's finest dirt ovals.

“Over the course of the last three years, we have been extremely happy with the growth of our USMTS program,” said Chris Douglas, Vice President of Marketing for COMP Cams. “As a company, we have a very clear understanding that short track racers and engine builders are our lifeblood and USMTS provides us with a great stage for building relationships with both groups.

“We look forward to having COMP Cams representatives in the pits at several national tour events and invite all the USMTS participants to give us a call for all their valve train needs during the season ahead.”

As they did during the past two campaigns, COMP Cams will offer a three-pronged program which will benefit both drivers and engine builders.

At season’s end, COMP Cams will dole out awards to the top five engine builders in the COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year standings. For the drivers, the top five in points at the conclusion of the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Championship will be recognized, along with the top three in each of the four USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour regions and the top three finishers in the USMTS Southern Series final standings.

What's more, COMP Cams will also be a cash contributor to the points funds for both the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour and USMTS Southern Series.

Sput’s Racing Engines in Owatonna, Minn., captured the 2008 and 2009 COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Award for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour. Drivers utilizing Sput’s powerplants captured 23 main events in each of those seasons.

In the USMTS Southern Series, Mullins Race Engines of Mt. Olive, Ill., has reigned as champion for back-to-back seasons. Mullins-powered pilots picked up 11 of the 22 checkered flags during the 2010 USMTS Southern Series season.

Between the two tours, 88 different engine builders scored points in the 2009 COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year competition.

For more than 34 years, the COMP Cams mission to produce the highest-performing products possible, provide customers with superior service and to lead the industry in technological development has never changed.

Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., COMP Cams employs the industry’s largest and most highly trained engineering staff, and the most sophisticated manufacturing processes and test equipment in the world. The integration of research, engineering and development at COMP Cams consistently proves itself by out-performing the competition.

Whether you’re looking for horsepower, reliability or gas mileage, COMP Cams has the products that will deliver. For more information about COMP Cams, call toll-free 800-999-0853 or visit them online at www.compcams.com.

Here are the top five finishers from the 2009 COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year standings:

USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour:1. Sput’s Racing Engines, Owatonna, Minn. ... 501
2. Mullins Race Engines, Mt. Olive, Ill. ... 350
3. JR Motorsports, Ankeny, Iowa ... 253
4. Pro Power Racing, Sullivan, Wis. ... 250
5. Automotive Engine & Machine, Waterloo, Iowa ... 204

USMTS Southern Series:1. Mullins Race Engines, Mt. Olive, Ill. ... 173
2. ASI Racing Engines, Lubbock, Texas ... 154
3. Sput’s Racing Engines, Owatonna, Minn. ... 139
4. Rowland Racing Engines, Cedar Hill, Texas ... 99
5. BMS Racing Engines, Hulbert, Okla. ... 79

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also follow the USMTS on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.

USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: ASi Racewear, Bear Tire, Big Dog Chassis & Fabrication, DandyLand Farms, Day Motor Sports, Dirt Track Racing School, Dirthead.com, Farm Boy BBQ, Gressel Oil Field Service, Just Say Yes, Ramirez Race Cars, Olympic Fire Protection, Ruter Farms, Yeager Machine.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, Ai-Racing Inc., Belleville Motorsports, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Dynatech Racing Exhaust, Eibach Springs, Fast Shafts, Hyperco, Isky Racing Cams, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, Out-Pace Racing Products, Quarter Master, QuickTime Inc., Real Racing Wheels, SuperFlow, US Brake.

Casey’s General Stores extends title sponsorship of USMTS National Tour through 2012

ANKENY, Iowa (Feb. 9) – Officials from the United States Modified Touring Series officials announced today that Casey’s General Stores will continue as the title sponsor of the USMTS National Tour through the end of 2012.

As part of their ongoing partnership, Casey's General Stores will remain the title sponsor of the USMTS National Tour and the Hunt for the USMTS National Championship for at least the next three seasons. Furthermore, Casey’s General Stores will be continue as the Official Convenience Store of the USMTS, with marketing objectives to drive incremental sales at Casey’s General Store retail locations and execute brand reinforcement.

“The past partnership with the USMTS has been a very positive and enjoyable relationship.” said Mike Richardson, VP of Marketing for Casey’s General Stores. “Casey’s is looking forward to our continued partnership for the next three years to promote racing throughout our nine-state area.”

Thanks to the support from Casey’s, fans will also be able to pick up $2-off-admission coupons at their local Casey’s General Store for most USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour events. And during the Hunt for the USMTS Casey's General Stores National Championship, fans will once again be able to meet and chat with some of the USMTS drivers during pre-race appearances at local Casey's locations.

“The folks at Casey’s General Stores have been great to work with these last few years,” said USMTS President Todd Staley. “Our association with Casey's is our honor, and their dedication to the USMTS and local short track racing in general is truly admirable.”

Casey’s General Stores and their associated partner vendors will once again have a direct impact on the competitors by becoming the primary sponsor of multiple teams during the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Championship. Each driver will utilize a branded driving suit during the Hunt, and each racecar will be professionally detailed with a bright and bold wrap. Fans will be able to get their hands on special branded limited-edition spin-off merchandise such as apparel, autograph cards and more.

Al Hejna, Jason Hughes, Mark Noble, Kelly Shryock and Zack VanderBeek made up the "Casey’s Crew" in 2008 while VanderBeek was joined by Corey Dripps and Tommy Myer as the tasty trio in 2009 with sponsorship from Cheetos, Doritos and Snickers.

Casey’s General Stores (NASDAQ: CASY), owns and operates more than 1,500 convenience stores in nine Midwestern states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Casey’s stores supply quality self-service gasoline, made-from-scratch pizza & donuts, sandwiches, hot & cold beverages, grocery items, and a whole lot more.

Most Casey’s operate in towns with populations of less than 5,000, and it's in these same communities where the majority of USMTS fans, drivers and their families reside.

To learn more about Casey’s General Stores, or to find the location nearest you, visit them online at www.caseys.com.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also follow the USMTS on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

USMTS TITLE SPONSOR: Casey’s General Stores.

Attached Photo: Corey Dripps of Waterloo, Iowa, carried the Cheetos logo and colors as part of the Casey’s Crew in 2009.

FAIRMONT, Minn. (Feb. 9) – Kevko Oil Pans & Components will return for 2010 as the Official Oil Pan of the United States Modified Touring Series.

In addition to contributing to both the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour and USMTS Southern Series points funds, Kevko will award product certificates to the third-place finishers in the final points for all four regions of the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour and the USMTS Southern Series, plus certificates to three drivers in the final USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour points.

To be eligible, licensed drivers must display an approved Kevko decal in the required location on their racecar.

Located in Fairmont, Minn., Kevko has been producing quality parts for the auto racing industry since 1986, providing the oil pans for consistent winners in the oval dirt track competition. With over 20 years of experience in fabricating quality performance parts, Kevko has established themselves as a premiere component manufacturer with their core product line of oil pans, as well as more recent innovations for the racing industry.

Along with their quality performance oil pans and oil pan accessories, Kevko also offers custom oil pans and valve covers in both steel and aluminum, oil pan repair, oil pan painting and plating, fabrication of custom metal products and custom parts fabrication.

For more information about Kevko, check out www.kevko.net or call toll-free 800-770-3557.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also follow the USMTS on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.

USMTS Southern Series kicks off 2010 season Feb. 18-20 at Houston Raceway Park

HOUSTON, Texas (Feb. 8) – The stars and cars of the USMTS Southern Series are gearing up to take care of some unfinished business when they return to the Houston Raceway Park on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 18-20, for the 3rd Annual Texas Winter Nationals.

Due to snow and bitter cold in the Houston area during the first weekend in December, the remaining two nights of the event were canceled after the completion of Thursday night's action. The event was postponed to become the kick-off event for the 2010 season and a true winter-time tilt.

The entire tripleheader was postponed to Feb. 18-20, 2010, with the same full slate of events and full purse posted for the top dirt Modified drivers in the nation.

The event will be the highest-paying in the four-year history of the USMTS Southern Series, with a possible $10,000 to win over three nights. The main event will pay $2,000 to win on Thursday, with $3,000 earmarked for Friday's winner and $5,000 to win on Saturday.

Jason Hughes of Westville, Okla. was the most dominant USMTS Southern Series driver in 2009, and he capped off a personal-best record-setting season with his second straight title. Hughes garnered 10 USMTS Southern Series wins during the season plus an additional nine wins in the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour.

Nine-time USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock of Fertile, Iowa, finished second behind Hughes in the standings.

Between the two rival chassis builders, they have 239 career wins under the USMTS banner. Shryock, who was also the 2007 USMTS Southern Series titleist, leads Hughes in National Tour wins with 152 to 61, but Hughes holds the edge in Southern Series triumphs with 19 to Shryock’s 7.

Both drivers are expected to be on hand for the season-opener at the Baytown, Texas, quarter-mile bullring, along with dozens more of the best of the best in dirt Modified racing, including three-time IMCA Super Nationals winner and USMTS veteran Mark Noble of Blooming Prairie, Minn., who will be piloting a new machine owned by Mark Smith and built by Willy Kraft.

Other heavyweights that fans can expect to see in action are Jon Tesch, Rodney Sanders, Morgan Bagley, Bumper Jones, Scott Green, Zack VanderBeek, Shane Hebert, Chris Henigan, Dereck Ramirez, Bryan Rowland, Cody Smith, John O Whittington, Steven Whiteaker Jr., Randy Timms, Wes Armstrong, B.J. Robinson, Garrett Durrett, Dustin Hyde, Jason Armstrong, Kyle Schmidt, Steve Holzkamper, Chad Davis, William Gould, Jeff Huckaby, Bobby Malchus, Michael Robertson, Eddie Martin, Howard Willis, David Horner, Tracy Denby Sr., Danny Barringer, Tracy Denby Jr., Paul White, Kyle Anderson, Phil Dixon, Chris Brown, Grant Junghans and many more.

In addition to the touring titans of the USMTS, the racing card will feature Southern Limited Modifieds racing for $700, $1,000 and $1,500 to win, respectively, courtesy of Express Race Cars.

Paul White won the first-ever USMTS Southern Series event at Houston Raceway Park in 2007. Since then, trips to victory lane have also been made by Alan Mondus, Kelly Shryock, Jason Hughes, Tommy Weder Jr., Johnny Bone Jr. and Zack VanderBeek, who captured the finale at the 2nd Annual Texas Winter Nationals in 2008.

Early entries must be received in the USMTS office, postmarked no later than Feb. 12, 2010. Entry forms can be downloaded at www.usmts.com.

There is no entry fee on any night for Limited Mods. However, any driver racing in both Modifieds and Limited Mods will pay an entry of $30 on Thursday and Friday, and $35 on Saturday.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also follow the USMTS on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.

TULSA, Okla. (Feb. 4) – Officials from the United States Modified Touring Series announced today that Ai-Racing, Inc., has signed on as a contingency sponsor of USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour and USMTS Southern Series for the 2010 racing season.

Ai-Racing’s two-stage bushings, which give racers more choices of pound ratings, their popular dual roller bearing pullbars and their offset and soft control arm bushings all were industry firsts and continue to lead the way in “advanced innovations.”

Headquartered in Tulsa, Okla., Ai-Racing also provides custom bushings and other various products.

“We will continue to improve and design products for the serious racer in mind,” said Jason Gilbert, Managing Officer of Ai-Racing, Inc. “We look forward to being a part of the USMTS this season.”

As part of their commitment to USMTS competitors, Ai-Racing will supply product certificates to the ninth-place finisher in every USMTS “A” Main during the 2010 season. The 12th-place finisher in the final standings of the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Championship will get a new Ai-Racing X-Factor Pullbar.

Ai-Racing will also be a contributor to the year-end points funds for all USMTS drivers.

For more information about Ai-Racing, call 918-794-8222 or visit www.ai-racing.net online.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, call the headquarters at (515) 832-7944 or visit www.usmts.com online for the latest news and information from the USMTS.

CORONA, Calif. (Feb. 2) – Eibach Springs has joined the USMTS family of contingency sponsors for the 2010 racing season, officials announced today.

As part of their inaugural program with America's premier modified series, Eibach Springs will award product certificates to each of the top three eligible drivers in USMTS Casey's General Stores National Tour points, as well as the top three in the USMTS Southern Series final standings.

“Eibach Springs is excited to be a part of the 2010 United States Modified Touring Series,” said Todd Carroll, National Sales Director for Eibach Springs. “Our Eibach team feels that our partnership with the USMTS will help expand our goal of supporting the Modified racers across the USA. Good Luck to all the competitors!”

Eibach Springs will also dole out product certificates to eligible drivers at as many as 60 USMTS events, and will contribute cash awards toward the points funds for both series.

For more than 50 years, Eibach has dedicated itself to one simple quest: building the finest suspension components in the world. The inspiration for this effort can be summed up in four words: The Will To Win. And the results are showcased every day in the demanding world of racing, from the legendary Formula 1 circuits and rugged WRC stages around the world, to the high-banked ovals of America.

As the stakes in racing grow ever higher, competition gets even tougher. Precision, reliability and repeatability assume greater importance, as preparation for winning race efforts becomes more crucial than ever. And Eibach suspension components, which ultimately determine handling, balance and overall performance, must be nothing less than perfect.

To learn more about gaining an advantage with Eibach Springs, call toll-free 800-507-2338 or check out www.eibach.com on the World Wide Web.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, call the headquarters at (515) 832-7944 or visit www.usmts.com online for the latest news and information from the USMTS.

USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Racer Racing Tires, Awesome Racewear, AwesomeRaceSuits.com, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, COMP Cams, Intensitee Custom Racewear, Intercomp, Karl Chevrolet, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, New Vision Graphics, Nitroquest, PBM Performance Products, RACEceiver.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, Ai-Racing Inc., Belleville Motorsports, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Dynatech Racing Exhaust, Eibach Springs, Fast Shafts, Hyperco, ISKY Racing Cams, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, Out-Pace Racing Products, Quarter Master, QuickTime Performance Race Parts, Real Racing Wheels, SuperFlow, US Brake.

BELLEVILLE, Kan. (Jan. 31) – United States Modified Touring Series officials announced today that Belleville Motorsports, Inc. (BMS) is back on board as a contingency sponsor of the USMTS Casey's General Stores National Tour for the 2010 racing season.

BMS will award product certificates to drivers competing in the Great Plains Region, as well as product certificates to top-finishing rookie drivers and cash contributions to the Great Plains Region points fund.

Located one mile south of the High Banks Hall of Fame & National Midget Auto Racing Museum in Belleville, Kan., BMS has built winning Modifieds since 1994 and have the experience and knowledge through refined design and research of their BMS Modified chassis.

BMS receives valuable feedback from successful drivers, allowing them to continually improve their product. BMS completes the "homework" for their customers with a geometrically correct front suspension, avoiding headaches and hassles for the customer. BMS specializes in 4-bar/Z-link rear suspension, but also build a variety of designs to meet the customer's wants and needs.

Be sure to attend the 10th Annual BMS Open House all week long from Feb. 8-14. To learn more about Belleville Motorsports, call 785-527-5080 or visit www.bmsmods.com online.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, call the headquarters at (515) 832-7944 or visit www.usmts.com online for the latest news and information from the USMTS.

USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Racer Racing Tires, Awesome Racewear, AwesomeRaceSuits.com, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, COMP Cams, Intensitee Custom Racewear, Intercomp, Karl Chevrolet, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, New Vision Graphics, Nitroquest, PBM Performance Products, RACEceiver.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, Belleville Motorsports, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Dynatech Racing Exhaust, Fast Shafts, Hyperco, ISKY Racing Cams, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, Out-Pace Racing Products, Quarter Master, QuickTime Performance Race Parts, Real Racing Wheels, SuperFlow, US Brake.

GAINESVILLE, Ga. (Jan. 22) – Officials from the United States Modified Touring Series announced today that RACEceiver—the world’s leader in one-way communications for auto racing—has been named the Official Driver Communication of the USMTS.

Founded in 2001 by Joe Vinson, RACEceiver has become the standard for one-way communications in all types of auto racing. Today, Vinson’s game-changing addition to the motorsports world continues to fuel the rapid growth of the company through new, innovative ideas for the racing industry.

The RACEceiver allows USMTS officials to communicate individually with drivers on the track, increasing safety and operating efficiency. USMTS officials introduced the use of RACEceivers at all events last year, and will continue to utilize RACEceivers during the 2010 campaign.

The RACEceiver is a compact radio receiver that conveniently fits into the driver's pocket. Utilizing the RACEceiver saves time during race events and facilitates getting cars lined up prior to the race, making the experience more enjoyable for fans.

Furthermore, the RACEceiver gives officials the ability to notify drivers if something is wrong with their car and quickly direct them to the pits, thus enhancing the level of safety for all drivers on the track.

Drivers competing at USMTS events may rent RACEceivers on a per-night basis or purchase their own from the USMTS, and may use them at a myriad of other tracks, series and sanctioning bodies that use the RACEceiver to enhance their programs.

For more information about RACEceiver visit www.raceceiver.com or call toll-free 866-301-7223.

For the seventh straight year, the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour campaign will kick off with a doubleheader at the Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb., for the 7th Annual Nebraska Spring Thaw on Friday and Saturday, March 5-6. The USMTS Southern Series season will start with some unfinished business from the 2009 season with the 3rd Annual Texas Winter Nationals at the Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 18-20.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, call the headquarters at (515) 832-7944 or visit www.usmts.com online for the latest news and information from the USMTS.

USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Racer Racing Tires, Awesome Racewear, AwesomeRaceSuits.com, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, COMP Cams, Intensitee Custom Racewear, Intercomp, Karl Chevrolet, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, New Vision Graphics, Nitroquest, PBM Performance Products, RACEceiver.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Dynatech Racing Exhaust, Fast Shafts, Hyperco, ISKY Racing Cams, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, Out-Pace Racing Products, Quarter Master, QuickTime Performance Race Parts, Real Racing Wheels, SuperFlow, US Brake.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Jan. 22) – If you're a fan that has always wondered what it would be like to drive a racecar on dirt, USMTS officials have announced a new program that is fan-tastic.

The Dirt Track Racing School, located in Charlotte, N.C., offers a unique driving experience for fans and racers alike. Not only can students experience what it's like to drive on dirt in a professionally prepared racecar, but they can also feel the difference between driving an open-wheel Modified, Late Model and Sprint Car on dirt.

In 2010, two lucky fans will get the opportunity of a lifetime as the USMTS and Dirt Track Racing School will give away two “Hit the Dirt” Modified Certificates to two lucky fans.

The first winner will be chosen at the conclusion of the Hunt for the USMTS Casey's General Stores National Championship at the 12th Annual Fall Jamboree at the Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., on Sept. 25. The other prize will be doled out at the 4th Annual Texas Winter Nationals during the USMTS Southern Series finale at the Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas, on Nov. 20.

“I'm looking forward to working with USMTS in 2010. The schedule looks great and I'm sure the racing will be even better,” said Dirt Track Racing School President Shawn Parker. “As we continue to grow our business, I'm hoping that our association with USMTS will spark more interest in Modified racing at our school.”

The Dirt Track Racing School concept offers both racers and fans alike the chance to drive on dirt in four different types of racecars. Students have the opportunity to drive a Legends Car, open-wheel Modified, Late Model and Sprint Car.

Each kind of racecar offers students a different driving experience, and prices vary across cars, offering value for money for different budgets. In addition to our regular classes, the Dirt Track Racing School also offers specialized programs tailored to fit the individual needs of racers, race fans and groups.

The Dirt Track Racing School operates year-round at the historic Carolina Speedway in Gastonia, N.C. The racetrack is located just 25 minutes from uptown Charlotte and 45 minutes from Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord. Private classes, group outings and corporate programs are available.

For more information about the Dirt Track Racing School, call 704-728-2969 or visit www.DriveOnDirt.com on the World Wide Web.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, call the headquarters at (515) 832-7944 or visit www.usmts.com online for the latest news and information from the USMTS.

USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Racer Racing Tires, Awesome Racewear, AwesomeRaceSuits.com, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, COMP Cams, Intensitee Custom Racewear, Intercomp, Karl Chevrolet, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, New Vision Graphics, Nitroquest, PBM Performance Products.

BRAINERD, Minn. (Jan. 11) – The Race Minnesota Modified Series (RACEMN), an open wheel modified racing series set to debut in 2010 at Central Minnesota race tracks, has reached a joint sanctioning and promotional agreement with the United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) to produce the Inaugural “Big Daddy 37” Labor Day Modified Extravaganza at North Central Speedway in Brainerd, Minn., on Monday, Sept. 6.

Open Wheel Modified fans will be treated to a show like no other with the combined effort of the regional RACEMN sanctioned three classes and the Modifieds of the USMTS National Tour battling for the season-long title in the Hunt for the USMTS National Championship.

“We had a great show with the USMTS in 2009 and found a way to really showcase them again with our partners at RACEMN,” stated North Central Speedway promoter Tim Boeder. “We want to put an exclamation point on the end of the season with the biggest Modified show the state of Minnesota will ever see.”

“Last year’s inaugural event at Brainerd was a big hit with drivers and fans alike,” said USMTS Marketing & Communications Director Jeff Nun. “It’s a top-notch facility in the center of a picturesque landscape. The drivers heaped praise on the facility and, in turn, gave the fans one of the best races we saw all season. We can’t wait to return.”

Details on the event are in the planning stages and more information will be released soon.

The North Central Speedway is a semi-banked 1/3-mile clay oval located 5 miles south of Brainerd at the junction of US 371 and Bus 371. For more information, visit the track's website at www.racencs.net or call 218-839-9280. Race day information is available by calling the track hotline at 218-829-1545.

Fri Mar 5 … Junction Motor Speedway, McCool Junction, NE ($2000 to win)
Sat Mar 6 … Junction Motor Speedway, McCool Junction, NE ($3000 to win)
Fri Mar 12 … Caney Valley Speedway, Caney, KS ($2000 to win)
Sat Mar 13 … Humboldt Speedway, Humboldt, KS ($2000 to win)
Fri Mar 19 … Outlaw Motor Speedway, Muskogee, OK ($2000 to win)
Sat Mar 20 … West Siloam Speedway, West Siloam Springs, OK ($2000 to win)
Fri Mar 26 … TBA
Sat Mar 27 … TBA
Fri Apr 9 … LA Raceway, La Monte, MO ($2000 to win)
Sat Apr 10 … 24 Raceway Park, Moberly, MO ($2000 to win)
Fri May 14 … TBA
Sat May 15 … TBA
Sun May 16 … TBA
Wed May 26 … Southern Iowa Speedway, Oskaloosa, IA ($2000 to win)
Thu May 27 … Highway 3 Raceway, Allison, IA ($2000 to win)
Fri May 28 … Chateau Raceway, Lansing, MN ($2000 to win)
Sat May 29 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN ($2000 to win)
Sun May 30 … Dodge County Speedway, Kasson, MN ($2000 to win)
Tue Jun 15 … Fairmont Raceway, Fairmont, MN ($2000 to win)
Wed Jun 16 … Buena Vista Raceway, Alta, IA ($2000 to win)
Thu Jun 17 … Huset’s Speedway, Brandon, SD ($2000 to win)
Fri Jun 18 … Murray County Speedway, Slayton, MN ($2000 to win)
Sat Jun 19 … TBA
Tue Jun 22 … Mineral City Speedway, Fort Dodge, IA ($2000 to win)
Wed Jun 23 … I-35 Speedway, Mason City, IA ($2000 to win)
Thu Jun 24 … TBA
Fri Jun 25 … Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, WI ($2000 to win)
Sat Jun 26 … TBA
Tue Jul 13 … TBA
Wed Jul 14 … Dodge County Speedway, Kasson, MN ($2000 to win)
Thu Jul 15 … TBA
Fri Jul 16 … Elko Speedway, Elko, MN ($2000 to win)
Sat Jul 17 … Elko Speedway, Elko, MN ($3000 to win)
Tue Jul 27 … Park Jefferson Speedway, Jefferson, SD ($2000 to win)
Wed Jul 28 … Red River Valley Speedway, Fargo, ND ($2000 to win)
Thu Jul 29 … Casino Speedway, Watertown, SD ($2000 to win)
Fri Jul 30 … Brown County Speedway, Aberdeen, SD ($2000 to win)
Fri Aug 13 … Humboldt Speedway, Humboldt, KS ($3000 to win)
Sat Aug 14 … Caney Valley Speedway, Caney, KS ($3000 to win)
Sun Aug 15 … Monett Speedway, Monett, MO ($3000 to win)
Fri Aug 20 … Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, WI ($3000 to win)
Sat Aug 21 … Adams County Speedway, Corning, IA ($3000 to win)
Sun Aug 22 … Nobles County Speedway, Worthington, MN ($3000 to win)
Thu Aug 26 … Nevada Speedway, Nevada, MO ($3000 to win)
Fri Aug 27 … LA Raceway, La Monte, MO ($3000 to win)
Sat Aug 28 … 24 Raceway Park, Moberly, MO ($3000 to win)
Tue Aug 31 … Marshalltown Speedway, Marshalltown, IA ($3000 to win)
Wed Sep 1 … Southern Iowa Speedway, Oskaloosa, IA ($3000 to win)
Thu Sep 2 … Highway 3 Raceway, Allison, IA ($3000 to win)
Fri Sep 3 … Chateau Raceway, Lansing, MN ($3000 to win)
Sat Sep 4 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN ($3000 to win)
Sun Sep 5 … Dodge County Speedway, Kasson, MN ($3000 to win)
Mon Sep 6 … North Central Speedway, Brainerd, MN ($3000 to win)
Thu Sep 23 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN ($2000 to win)
Fri Sep 24 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN ($4000 to win)
Sat Sep 25 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN ($6000 to win)

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, call the headquarters at (515) 832-7944 or visit www.usmts.com online for the latest news and information from the USMTS.

USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Racer Racing Tires, Awesome Racewear, AwesomeRaceSuits.com, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, COMP Cams, Intensitee Custom Racewear, Intercomp, Karl Chevrolet, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, New Vision Graphics, Nitroquest, PBM Performance Products.

USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: ASi Racewear, Bear Tire, Big Dog Chassis & Fabrication, DandyLand Farms, Day Motor Sports, Dirthead.com, Farm Boy BBQ, Gressel Oil Field Service, Just Say Yes, Ramirez Race Cars, Olympic Fire Protection, Ruter Farms, WatchModsLive.com, Yeager Machine.

HOUSTON, Texas (Jan. 7) – Officials from the United States Modified Touring Series have announced the 2009 schedule of events for the USMTS Southern Series with a slate of more than 30 shows on tap as the USMTS embarks on a fourth straight season of competition for the premier dirt modified drivers in the South.

With many returning events as well as exciting new venues, 30 dates are currently reserved at 14 top-notch dirt track facilities in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas.

The season will start with some unfinished business from the 2009 season with the 3rd Annual Texas Winter Nationals at the Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 18-20. Due to snow and bitter cold in the Houston area during the first weekend in December, the remaining two nights of the event were canceled after the completion of Thursday night's action. The event was postponed to become the kick-off event for the 2010 season and a true winter-time tilt.

One month later, action moves north into the Sooner State at the Outlaw Motor Speedway near Muskogee, Okla., on Friday, March 19, and the West Siloam Speedway in West Siloam Springs, Okla., on Saturday, March 20. This will be the first visit to the Outlaw Motor Speedway since a two-race weekend on May 8-9, 2003., that saw Jason Hughes and Tommy Myer walk away victorious. Both events are expected to attract a powerful field of entries as both USMTS National Tour and USMTS Southern Series points will be awarded.

A return trip into the Lone Star State happens on Friday, April 16, when the USMTS Southern Series heads to the Golden Triangle Raceway Park in Beaumont, then onto the Gator Motorplex in Willis on Saturday, April 17, and the 105 Speedway in Cleveland on Sunday, April 18.

The stars and cars of the USMTS Southern Series head for the Greenville Speedway in Greenville, Miss., on Friday, April 30, with an accompanying $2,000-to-win event at a venue to be determined soon.

Grand Prairie Speedway in Grand Prairie, Texas, will welcome the touring titans for the first time ever on Friday, May 7, to kick off a tripleheader weekend in and around the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Saturday, May 8, is set for a return trip to the Cowtown Speedway in Kennedale, Texas, followed by the third $2,000-to-win event of the weekend at the Heart O’ Texas Speedway near Waco on Sunday, May 9.

The 3rd Annual Southern Speedweek kicks off on Thursday, June 10, at the Tri-State Speedway in Pocola, Okla. Friday's venue is yet to be announced, but Saturday, June 12, will feature a return to the Texarkana 67 Speedway in Texarkana, Ark. The week wraps up at Gene Boyter's Ark-La-Tex Speedway in Vivian, La., on Sunday, June 13. More than $60,000 in prize money will be up for grabs during the four-race swing, with a possible $8,000 to win.

At this point, the top-10 drivers in USMTS Southern Series points, along with all other drivers that have perfect attendance at USMTS Southern Series through June 13, will be qualified to compete in the Hunt for the USMTS National Championship, which begins Aug. 13 in Humboldt, Kan., and ends at the 12th Annual Fall Jamboree at the Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn.

After a summer break, the action heats back up again with three events in and around the Houston area in October. The Golden Triangle Raceway Park in Beaumont hosts their second USMTS Southern Series event of the season on Friday, Oct. 8, as does the 105 Speedway in Cleveland on Sunday, Oct. 10. The weekend's third $2,000-to-win show will be sandwiched between these two at a location to be determined.

The Gator Motorplex in Willis hosts the USMTS Southern Series for a doubleheader on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 22-23, with $2,000 to win on Friday and a top prize of $3,000 up for grabs on Saturday night.

Last month, World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series driver Sam Hafertepe Jr. competed in his first USMTS-sanctioned event at the Houston Raceway Park, leading several laps early in the main event. In 2010 the USMTS Southern Series invades his family's half-mile oval in Kilgore, Texas, for the inaugural event at the Lonestar Speedway on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 29-30, with a possible $5,000 to win over the two action-packed nights.

The 2010 season will wrap up back where it started with the 4th Annual Texas Winter Nationals at the Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas. The three-day show on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 18-20, will feature a possible $9,000 to win over the three nights. Thursday's show will be worth $2,000 to the winner, while Friday's main event carries a $3,000 top prize and Saturday's winner takes home $4,000.

The Houston Raceway Park finale will also serve as the setting for the crowning of the 2010 USMTS Southern Series champion.

Thu Feb 18 Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($2000 to win)
Fri Feb 19 Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($3000 to win)
Sat Feb 20 Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($5000 to win)
Fri Mar 19 Outlaw Motor Speedway, Muskogee, OK ($2000 to win)
Sat Mar 20 West Siloam Speedway, West Siloam Springs, OK ($2000 to win)
Fri Apr 16 Golden Triangle Raceway Park, Beaumont, TX ($2000 to win)
Sat Apr 17 Gator Motorplex, Willis, TX ($2000 to win)
Sun Apr 18 105 Motor Speedway, Cleveland, TX ($2000 to win)
Fri Apr 30 Greenville Speedway, Greenville, MS ($2000 to win)
Sat May 1 TBA
Fri May 7 Grand Prairie Speedway, Grand Prairie, TX ($2000 to win)
Sat May 8 Cowtown Speedway, Kennedale, TX ($2000 to win)
Sun May 9 Heart O’ Texas Speedway, Waco, TX ($2000 to win)
Thu Jun 10 Tri-State Speedway, Pocola, OK ($2000 to win)
Fri Jun 11 TBA
Sat Jun 12 Texarkana 67 Speedway, Texarkana, AR ($2000 to win)
Sun Jun 13 Ark-La-Tex Speedway, Vivian, LA ($2000 to win)
Fri Oct 8 Golden Triangle Raceway Park, Beaumont, TX ($2000 to win)
Sat Oct 9 TBA
Sun Oct 10 105 Motor Speedway, Cleveland, TX ($2000 to win)
Fri Oct 22 Gator Motorplex, Willis, TX ($2000 to win)
Sat Oct 23 Gator Motorplex, Willis, TX ($3000 to win)
Fri Oct 29 Lonestar Speedway, Kilgore, TX ($2000 to win)
Sat Oct 30 Lonestar Speedway, Kilgore, TX ($3000 to win)
Thu Nov 11 TBA
Fri Nov 12 TBA
Sat Nov 13 TBA
Thu Nov 18 Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($2000 to win)
Fri Nov 19 Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($3000 to win)
Sat Nov 20 Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($4000 to win)

Nine-time USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock finished second behind Hughes in the standings. Shryock was the first USMTS Southern Series champion in 2007.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, call the headquarters at (515) 832-7944 or visit www.usmts.com online for the latest news and information from the USMTS.

USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Racer Racing Tires, Awesome Racewear, AwesomeRaceSuits.com, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, COMP Cams, Intensitee Custom Racewear, Intercomp, Karl Chevrolet, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, New Vision Graphics, Nitroquest, PBM Performance Products, Sunoco Race Fuels.

USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: ASi Racewear, Bear Tire, Big Dog Chassis & Fabrication, DandyLand Farms, Day Motor Sports, Diamond Oil Company, Farm Boy BBQ, Gressel Oil Field Service, Just Say Yes, Ramirez Race Cars, Lone Star Super Gas, Olympic Fire Protection, Ruter Farms, WatchModsLive.com, Yeager Machine.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Dynatech Racing Exhaust, Hyperco, ISKY Racing Cams, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, Out-Pace Racing Products, Quarter Master, QuickTime Performance Race Parts, Real Racing Wheels, SuperFlow, US Brake.

EXCITING NEW VENUES, TIMELESS CLASSICS HIGHLIGHT 2010 USMTS NATIONAL TOUR SCHEDULE

WEBSTER CITY, Iowa (Jan. 1) – Officials from the United States Modified Touring Series released a tentative 2010 USMTS National Tour schedule of events today.

The line-up of events showcasing the premier dirt modified drivers in America features an exciting mix of familiar venues, as well as several new locales that are certain to jump start every race fan's hunger for the series' 12th year of competition.

“We've got one heck of a schedule brewing for 2010,” said USMTS president and race director Todd Staley. “Despite an economy that was pretty sour in 2009, our average car count was up and both our average and overall fan attendance was higher than ever before.”

“We have been truly blessed these past 11 years with the greatest drivers, sponsors and fans in the sport.”

The assembled slate of blockbuster events for 2010 includes return events at some the most popular USMTS venues, as well as a bolstered menu of new racetracks representing the finest in the country.

The rugged road warriors of the USMTS National Tour will thrill race fans in America's heartland with an aggressive campaign which currently features 54 events at 39 different venues in 10 different States. The schedule is highlighted with return engagements to 29 facilities that hosted a USMTS National Tour event last season, and four exciting dirt ovals that will play host to the USMTS National Tour for the first time.

One facility returns to the line-up after a one-year hiatus, another is back on the schedule after a seven-year absence and yet another track's name is on the slate for the first time in nine years.

For the seventh straight year, they USMTS National Tour campaign will kick off with a doubleheader at the Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb. The 7th Annual Nebraska Spring Thaw is slated for Friday and Saturday, March 5-6. Friday’s event will pay $2,000 to win while the victor in Saturday’s main event will pocket $3,000. More than 70 entries are once again expected for the annual lidlifter at the 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval.

The following weekend will find the touring titans at the Caney Valley Speedway in Caney, Kan., on Friday, March 12, followed by a date at the Humboldt Speedway in Humboldt, Kan., on Saturday, March 13. The series returns to Humboldt on Friday, Aug. 13, and Caney on Saturday, Aug. 14, to kick off the Hunt for the USMTS National Championship.

The month on March wraps up with trips to the Outlaw Motor Speedway near Muskogee, Okla., on Friday, March 19, and the West Siloam Speedway in West Siloam Springs, Okla., on Saturday, March 20. This will be the first visit to the Outlaw Motor Speedway since a two-race weekend on May 8-9, 2003, that saw Jason Hughes and Tommy Myer walk away victorious. Both events are expected to attract a powerful field of entries as both USMTS National Tour and USMTS Southern Series points will be awarded.

Two shows in the Show-Me State dot the month of April, with a couple of $2,000-to-win contests at the LA Raceway in La Monte on Friday, April 9, and Moberly's 24 Raceway Park on Saturday, April 10.

A busy month of May is only partially finalized, but the Memorial Day Weekend will find the series on familiar ground with a $2,000-to-win stop at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa, on Wednesday, May 26, for the first of five straight nights of racing action. On Thursday, May 27, it's on to the Highway 3 Raceway in Allison, Iowa, followed by annual Memorial Day Weekend events at the Chateau Raceway, Lansing, Minn., on Friday, May 28; Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., on Saturday, May 29; and the Dodge County Speedway in Kasson, Minn., on Sunday, May 30.

In the 11-year history of the USMTS, Kelly Shryock has garnered ten titles, including nine USMTS National Championships and one USMTS Southern Series crown. It all started nearly two decades ago for the second-generation racer in the Hobby Stock division at the Fairmont Raceway in Fairmont, Minn., and the USMTS National Tour returns to the popular half-mile oval on Tuesday, June 15, for the first time since June 20, 2001 — a race that Shryock won with a last-lap pass of Mike Chasteen.

The Fairmont event kicks off a whirlwind final half of June that will see 10 shows in a span of 12 days. On Wednesday, June 16, the series invades the Buena Vista Raceway in Alta, Iowa, followed by the Huset’s Speedway in Brandon, S.D., on Thursday, June 17, and the Murray County Speedway in Slayton, Minn., on Friday, June 18. Tuesday, June 22, is set for the Mineral City Speedway in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Wednesday, June 23, will find the USMTS National Tour back at the I-35 Speedway in Mason City, Iowa, for an encore of last year's blockbuster event at Joe Ringsdorf's speedplant at the North Iowa Fairgrounds. On Friday, June 25, the Mississippi Thunder Speedway in Fountain City, Wis., hosts its first of two shows during the 2010 campaign.

Drivers, fans and officials alike will get their usual two- to three-week summer vacation during the first half of July, with the engines firing back up on Wednesday, July 14, for the annual Dodge County Fair in Kasson, Minn.

On Friday and Saturday, July 16-17, the USMTS National Tour invades the famed Elko Speedway in Elko, Minn., as the legendary asphalt track is transformed into a dirt gridiron for the 2nd Annual Dirt Nationals.

The State of North Dakota welcomes back the USMTS National Tour for the first time in three years with the first-ever visit to the Red River Valley Speedway in Fargo, N.D., on Wednesday, July 28. From there, it's on to the Casino Speedway in Watertown, S.D., on Thursday, July 29, for what has become an annual sell-out and one of the most popular events on the schedule. The curtain closes on the tripleheader through the Dakotas with another inaugural event on Friday, July 30, at the Brown County Speedway in Aberdeen, S.D.

The Hunt for the USMTS National Championship begins on Friday, Aug. 13, at the Humboldt Speedway and the first of 18 events that will culminate with the crowning of the 2010 USMTS National Champion.

The USMTS National Tour will return to the Deer Creek Speedway for the 12th Annual Fall Jamboree on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 23-25. The standing-room-only show has become one of the most popular races on the calendars of Modified fans, as well as one of the most lucrative for the drivers.

USMTS officials plan to announce more dates and regional alignments in the next few days.

Fri Mar 5 … Junction Motor Speedway, McCool Junction, NE ($2000 to win)
Sat Mar 6 … Junction Motor Speedway, McCool Junction, NE ($3000 to win)
Fri Mar 12 … Caney Valley Speedway, Caney, KS ($2000 to win)
Sat Mar 13 … Humboldt Speedway, Humboldt, KS ($2000 to win)
Fri Mar 19 … Outlaw Motor Speedway, Muskogee, OK ($2000 to win)
Sat Mar 20 … West Siloam Speedway, West Siloam Springs, OK ($2000 to win)
Fri Mar 26 … TBA
Sat Mar 27 … TBA
Fri Apr 9 … LA Raceway, La Monte, MO ($2000 to win)
Sat Apr 10 … 24 Raceway Park, Moberly, MO ($2000 to win)
Fri May 14 … TBA
Sat May 15 … TBA
Sun May 16 … TBA
Wed May 26 … Southern Iowa Speedway, Oskaloosa, IA ($2000 to win)
Thu May 27 … Highway 3 Raceway, Allison, IA ($2000 to win)
Fri May 28 … Chateau Raceway, Lansing, MN ($2000 to win)
Sat May 29 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN ($2000 to win)
Sun May 30 … Dodge County Speedway, Kasson, MN ($2000 to win)
Tue Jun 15 … Fairmont Raceway, Fairmont, MN ($2000 to win)
Wed Jun 16 … Buena Vista Raceway, Alta, IA ($2000 to win)
Thu Jun 17 … Huset’s Speedway, Brandon, SD ($2000 to win)
Fri Jun 18 … Murray County Speedway, Slayton, MN ($2000 to win)
Sat Jun 19 … TBA
Tue Jun 22 … Mineral City Speedway, Fort Dodge, IA ($2000 to win)
Wed Jun 23 … I-35 Speedway, Mason City, IA ($2000 to win)
Thu Jun 24 … TBA
Fri Jun 25 … Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, WI ($2000 to win)
Sat Jun 26 … TBA
Tue Jul 13 … TBA
Wed Jul 14 … Dodge County Speedway, Kasson, MN ($2000 to win)
Thu Jul 15 … TBA
Fri Jul 16 … Elko Speedway, Elko, MN ($2000 to win)
Sat Jul 17 … Elko Speedway, Elko, MN ($3000 to win)
Wed Jul 28 … Red River Valley Speedway, Fargo, ND ($2000 to win)
Thu Jul 29 … Casino Speedway, Watertown, SD ($2000 to win)
Fri Jul 30 … Brown County Speedway, Aberdeen, SD ($2000 to win)
Fri Aug 13 … Humboldt Speedway, Humboldt, KS ($3000 to win)
Sat Aug 14 … Caney Valley Speedway, Caney, KS ($3000 to win)
Sun Aug 15 … Monett Speedway, Monett, MO ($3000 to win)
Fri Aug 20 … Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, WI ($3000 to win)
Sat Aug 21 … Adams County Speedway, Corning, IA ($3000 to win)
Sun Aug 22 … Nobles County Speedway, Worthington, MN ($3000 to win)
Thu Aug 26 … Nevada Speedway, Nevada, MO ($3000 to win)
Fri Aug 27 … LA Raceway, La Monte, MO ($3000 to win)
Sat Aug 28 … 24 Raceway Park, Moberly, MO ($3000 to win)
Tue Aug 31 … Marshalltown Speedway, Marshalltown, IA ($3000 to win)
Wed Sep 1 … Southern Iowa Speedway, Oskaloosa, IA ($3000 to win)
Thu Sep 2 … Highway 3 Raceway, Allison, IA ($3000 to win)
Fri Sep 3 … Chateau Raceway, Lansing, MN ($3000 to win)
Sat Sep 4 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN ($3000 to win)
Sun Sep 5 … Dodge County Speedway, Kasson, MN ($3000 to win)
Thu Sep 23 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN ($2000 to win)
Fri Sep 24 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN ($4000 to win)
Sat Sep 25 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN ($6000 to win)

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, call the headquarters at (515) 832-7944 or visit www.usmts.com online for the latest news and information from the USMTS.

USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Racer Racing Tires, Awesome Racewear, AwesomeRaceSuits.com, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, COMP Cams, Intensitee Custom Racewear, Intercomp, Karl Chevrolet, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, New Vision Graphics, Nitroquest, PBM Performance Products, Sunoco Race Fuels.

USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: ASi Racewear, Bear Tire, Big Dog Chassis & Fabrication, DandyLand Farms, Day Motor Sports, Diamond Oil Company, Dirthead.com, Farm Boy BBQ, Gressel Oil Field Service, Just Say Yes, Ramirez Race Cars, Lone Star Super Gas, Olympic Fire Protection, Ruter Farms, WatchModsLive.com, Yeager Machine.