The United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) is the fastest growing and most popular Dirt Modified touring series in the country.

Attracting some of the most talented and professional drivers in America, the fan friendly format and exciting show creates an enthusiastic and loyal fan base, and the USMTS routinely competes in front of capacity crowds.

With no less than 20,000 men and women competing nationwide on any given weekend, the Modified is by far the most popular and most widely-used type of race car circling America’s dirt tracks today.

And when it comes to a touring series that features the Best of the Best in Modified racing, the USMTS has no equal.

Beginning its 12th season in 2010, the USMTS is the ultimate playground for America’s hottest Modified drivers, while the USMTS rulebook allows for close competition and inclusion among local racers.

Nearly 700 different drivers from 23 States took part in USMTS events in 2009 as the rugged road warriors staged 82 events at 49 unique venues in 12 different States throughout America’s heartland.

In 1998, Todd and Janet Staley acquired the fledgling five-year-old United States Modified Series (USMS) and began racing under the USMTS name in 1999.

In the nine seasons since then, the USMTS has doled out nearly $11 million in prize money to more than 4,200 different drivers while traveling to 148 different venues in 16 States.

During the first eight seasons of the USMTS, one driver emerged as the national champion of the series: Kelly Shryock of Fertile, Iowa.

A second-generation racer (his father, Bob, won more than 300 races during his career), Shryock won his first two USMTS national titles without capturing a single main event win.

Since then, however, he has been the most prolific driver on tour with more than 120 USMTS victories and an unprecedented eight USMTS crowns.

In 2007, Jason Krohn of Slayton, Minn., captured his first USMTS National Championship, snapping Shryock's string of titles at eight. In 2008, it was Tim Donlinger of Rochester, Minn., taking the crown after a thrilling season finale at the 10th Annual Featherlite Fall Jamboree at the Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn. Shryock bounced back in 2009 to capture his ninth USMTS National Tour crown after holding off Ryan Gustin and Jason Hughes right up until the checkered flag of the final race.

It's anybody's guess as to who will emerge as the 2010 champions of the USMTS Casey's General Stores National Tour and USMTS Castle Rock Recruiting Southern Series.

But one thing is for sure: it will be a wild thrill ride getting there!