GREENWOOD, Neb. -- In a month it will be Silver Dollar Nationals time at the I-80 Speedway. While most of the hype has been about the $25,000-to-win Super Late Model feature and the drivers that will be battling it out for the big prize, it should not be overlooked that the companion class for the big event features the best Modified racers in the country.

The United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) will be running complete programs on both Friday, July 22, and Saturday, July 23. The races will be the last two events in the battle for the Farm Boy BBQ Sauce Great Plains Region as the series counts down to “The Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Championship powered by Swan Energy” which starts Aug. 11.

The USMTS and its drivers are featured on the national television series Dirt Knights, and the stars of the USMTS compete 80 times a year in races from Texas to North Dakota.

Coming into the Silver Dollar Nationals, Kelly Shryock of Fertile, Iowa, is leading the Farm Boy BBQ Sauce Great Plains Region points battle. Following the nine-time USMTS National Champion in the points battle is defending regional champion 20-year-old Ryan Gustin of Marshalltown, Iowa. “The Reaper” has already won 13 times this year in USMTS competition.

Zack Vanderbeek of New Sharon, Iowa, is currently third in the region’s points with Jason Grimes of Jamestown, N.D., and Rodney Sanders of Happy, Texas, rounding out the top five.

Other top USMTS drivers that will likely be racing at the Silver Dollar Nationals include defending USMTS National Champion Jason Hughes of Watts, Okla.; 2007 USMTS National Champion Jason Krohn of Slayton, Minn.; Corey Dripps of Waterloo, Iowa; Chase Junghans of Manhattan, Kan.; and Colt Mather of Webster, Iowa, just to name just a few.

Then of course there is that other class that will be in action at the Silver Dollar Nationals racing for $25,000 to win. Pre-entries for the Super Late Model event include nationally known drivers like recent “Dream” winner Don O’Neal, Steve Francis, Brian Birkhofer, Dale McDowell, Jimmy Mars, Jared Landers and Austin Hubbard, just to name a few.

Grandstand admission on Friday is $25 for adults and $30 on Saturday. Kids ages 6-15 are $10 both days and children ages 5 and under get in for free both days. Pit Passes are $40 both nights.

For more information, go to www.neracewaypark.com or www.silverdollarnationals.com.

The I-80 Speedway is located off Interstate 80 at exit 420, halfway between Omaha and Lincoln. The 4/10-mile dirt track is home to the NASCAR Whelen All American Series on Sunday nights and hosts several specials featuring regional and national touring late model, sprint car and modifieds series.

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, Twitter and YouTube.