WINSTON, Mo. (March 19, 2003) - The United States Modified Touring Series will kick off the 2003 race season next weekend at the Winston Speedway in Winston, MO for the first points night for national drivers. This race will start with an open practice on Thursday night for any and all drivers interested in testing their car for the upcoming season. Practice will get underway at 6:30 pm and run until 10pm.

USMTS visited the Winston Speedway twice in 2002 and Kelly Shryock started the season with a win before returning in October for the Fall Nationals. Shryock who picked up the win on Thursday and Friday night before John Vandenberg picked up the win on the final night after tipping his car over in the heat race.

Also running will be B-Mods, Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks, and the new Grand National Class. Racing will get underway at 7pm on Friday and 5pm on Saturday. Each night will be a complete show for all classes so fans will be treated to some great side by side racing all weekend.

With this race being the first points race of the season for the national points a very strong field of cars is expected for this event. Some of the expected drivers are: Defending Series Champion Kelly Shryock, Runner-Up Tommy Myer, Jason Hughes, Ron Schreiner, Corey Dripps, Kevin Peters, Mike Chasteen, Justin Boney, John VanDenBerg, John Schwab, Charles, Nelson, David Grigg, Craig Scott, Curt Fulps, Dan Daniels, Ryan Ruter, Pat Graham, Dean Wray, Hibners, Mike Ryun, Todd Wilson, Dan Chapman plus many more.

This will be one of three stops to the Winston Speedway in 2003 a date in June during the National Tour is scheduled and then the 2nd Annual Fall Nationals will be held at a later date. Saturday’s races will include heat races, last chance races and the main events in all classes.

The Hobby Stock/Factory Stocks will pay $300 on Saturday, Stocks Cars will pay $400 to win, B-mods and Grand Nationals will pay $500 to win on Saturday.

For more information call the USMTS office at 515-832-7944. USMTS has set up a racers rate at the Holiday Inn in Cameron and blocked off twenty rooms and fan or driver needing a room call the Holiday Inn at 816-632-6666. Hope to see everyone at the first national points race of the 2003 race season in Winston next weekend. In the case of inclement weather this race will be run April 11-12.