BAYTOWN, Texas -- The eyes of Texas will be seeing stars in two weeks as the sport’s elite head for the Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown, Texas, for the 5th Annual USMTS Texas Winter Nationals.

Slated for next Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 17-19, the season-ending event for the United States Modified Touring Series is expected to draw more than 70 of the best pilots from not only the Lone Star State but at least a dozen other states too, with all of them converging on the state-of-the-art 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval looking for their share of more than $50,000 in prize money.

A possible $9,000 to win is up for grabs over three days. Thursday’s winner will take home $2,000 while Friday’s first-place finisher pockets $3,000. Saturday’s finale will carry a $4,000 top prize.

While Marshalltown, Iowa’s Ryan Gustin wrapped up his first USMTS National Championship six weeks ago, he still has some unfinished business as he looks to capture the Southeast Region crown during the tripleheader.

In order to do so, Gustin will have to overtake 2010 USMTS National Champion Jason Hughes of Watts, Okla., who is primed to capture the regional title. Hughes currently clings to a 60-point lead over Gustin, who captured four of the other five regional crowns this year and leads all USMTS drivers with 24 feature wins this season.

Lurking just 44 markers behind Gustin in the Southeast Region points battle is nine-time Kelly Shryock of Fertile, Iowa, who is coming off a $15,000 win at the King of America Modified Nationals on Oct. 22. John O Whittington sits fourth with Randy Timms holding down the fifth position.

Shane Hebert, Tommy Weder Jr., Rodney Sanders and Johnny Scott are sixth through ninth in regional points while Rick Beebe leads Clyde Dunn Jr. by a single point for the tenth slot.

Other drivers expected for the 5th Annual USMTS Texas Winter Nationals include Steven Whiteaker Jr., Dereck Ramirez, Cody Smith, Chase Allen, Bobby Malchus, Jimmy Ray, T.J. Herndon, Lucas Schott, P.J. Egbert, Bryan Rowland, Corey Babbitt, Steve Pugh, John Webb, Philip Houston, Howard Willis, Jeff Rowland, Troy Seidl, Jesse Manning, Keith Foss, Aaron Jorden, Trevor Egbert, Phil Dixon, George Egbert IV, Kenny Gaddis, David Horner, Tracy Denby Jr., Tyler Townsend, Robert Metz Jr., Rory Jordan, Brent Nicholas, Justin McCoy, Ben Stephens, Bubba Gates, Jared Webb, Jason Armstrong, Bumper Jones, Chris Brown, Patrick Linn, Justin Rexwinkle, Mark Dotson, Chase Delrio, Wes Armstrong, Larry Fears, John Schwab, Richie Ginn, Danny Barringer, Landon Anderson, Jamie Burford, Brad Dierks, Corey Dripps, Dustin Hyde, Chris Henigan, Robert Baker, Russell Moore, Scott Ward, Larry Clevenger, Danny Booth, Mike Dillard, Topper Dugas, Dallas Everett, Jason Boyd, Johnny Fennewald, Darrel Dawson, Doug Begnaud, Jay Sale, Jerry Standifer, William Gould, Jeff Wood, Johnny Bone Jr., Nick Hardcastle, Cody Simpson, Kyle Pleasant, Eric Tomlinson, Billy Brutchin, Ronald Pilkington and others.

Paul White won the first-ever USMTS event at the Royal Purple Raceway (formerly called Houston Raceway Park) in 2007. Since then, one-time trips to victory lane have also been made by Alan Mondus, Tommy Weder Jr., Johnny Bone Jr., Jeremy Payne, Rodney Sanders, Ryan Gustin and John O Whittington.

Kelly Shryock has won twice here, Zack VanderBeek three times and Jason Hughes has tasted victory five times in the 20 previous visits.

In addition to the touring open-wheel titans of the USMTS, the racing card will feature Limited Modifieds racing for $700 to win Thursday and $1,000 each day on Friday and Saturday. Limited Modifieds may use the IMCA-stamped Hoosier 500 or H500 tire only.

Thanks to sponsorship support from Express Racecars, there is no entry fee for Limited Modifieds racing all three nights, otherwise the entry fee is $50. Also, any Limited Modified driver racing all three nights and doesn’t qualify for Saturday’s main event is guaranteed $100 tow money.

A practice session for drivers in both classes will be held on Wednesday night, Nov. 16. Gates open at 4 p.m. and practice will take place from 6-9 p.m. Admission to the grandstands is free while pit passes are $20.

TIMES: On Thursday, the pit gate opens at 3 p.m., grandstands open at 5 and racing begins at 7 p.m. On Friday, the pit gate opens at 3 p.m., grandstands open at 5 and racing begins at 7 p.m. On Saturday, the pit gate opens at 2 p.m., grandstands open at 4 and racing begins at 6 p.m.

TICKETS: Grandstand ticket prices each day are $15 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6-12 and children under 6 get in for free. Pit passes are $30 on Thursday and $35 on Friday and Saturday.

THURSDAY PAYOFF: Licensed – 1. $2000, 2. $1500, 3. $1000, 4. $800, 5. $700, 6. $600, 7. $500, 8. $450, 9. $400, 10. $350, 11. $320, 12. $300, 13. $275, 14-24. $250, Tow $80; Non-Licensed – 1. $2000, 2. $1200, 3. $800, 4. $600, 5. $500, 6. $400, 7. $350, 8. $300, 9. $250, 10. $230, 11. $210, 12-24. $200, Tow $60.

FRIDAY PAYOFF: Licensed – 1. $3000, 2. $2000, 3. $1500, 4. $1000, 5. $800, 6. $700, 7. $600, 8. $500, 9. $450, 10. $400, 11. $350, 12. $320, 13-24. $300, Tow $100; Non-Licensed – 1. $3000, 2. $1800, 3. $1200, 4. $800, 5. $600, 6. $500, 7. $450, 8. $400, 9. $350, 10. $300, 11-24. $275, Tow $80.

SATURDAY PAYOFF: Licensed – 1. $4000, 2. $3000, 3. $2000, 4. $1500, 5. $1000, 6. $800, 7. $700, 8. $600, 9. $500, 10. $450, 11. $400, 12-24. $350, Tow $120; Non-Licensed – 1. $4000, 2. $2500, 3. $1700, 4. $1000, 5. $700, 6. $600, 7. $500, 8. $450, 9. $400, 10. $350, 11. $325, 12-24. $300, Tow $100.

ENTRY FEE: Early entry is $90 for Thursday, $110 for Friday and $135 for Saturday. Late or at-the-track entry is $100 on Thursday, $125 on Friday and $150 for Saturday. Early entries must be received or postmarked by Monday, Nov. 14. An entry form is available for download on the USMTS website.

TOP DOG BONUS: Drivers with perfect attendance and ranked among the top-10 in USMTS Southeast Region points are guaranteed a minimum $400 in earnings.

RULES & PROCEDURES: All USMTS rules apply. Qualifying will be done by heat race passing points and “B” Mains. Draw for heat race starting spot ends 15 minutes before hot laps. RACEceivers and AMB transponders are mandatory and available for rent or purchase from the USMTS. The American Racer KK704/G60 is the Official Tire of the USMTS; however, the stamped Hoosier G60 is also permitted for this event. Weight: If utilizing a Flat Tappet/Steel Head Engine, Brodix Aluminum Spec Head Engine with a 23-degree valve angle and mushroom lifters or Crate Engine, minimum is 2,400 lbs. If utilizing steel heads with a 23-degree valve angle or aluminum heads without raised runners, minimum is 2,450 lbs. If utilizing aluminum heads other than the Brodix Aluminum Spec Heads, raised runner heads or less than a 23-degree valve angle, minimum is 2,500 lbs. If utilizing aluminum heads other than the Brodix Aluminum Spec Heads, racecar must have 50 lbs. in front of mid-plate. Spoiler: If utilizing a Flat Tappet/Steel Head Engine, Brodix Aluminum Spec Head Engine, Crate Engine or any engine with steel heads and a 23-degree valve angle, maximum is 8 inches. If utilizing aluminum heads other than the Brodix Aluminum Spec Heads or any engine with less than a 23-degree valve angle, maximum is 6 inches.

The Royal Purple Raceway 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.

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.royalpurpleraceway.com online.

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.

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USMTS TITLE SPONSORS: Casey’s General Stores, Swan Energy.

USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Racer Racing Tires, Awesome Race Suits, Cheetos, Intercomp, Karl Chevrolet, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, New Vision Graphics, Nitroquest, RACEceiver, SLAP Energy, Snickers.

USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: Arnold Motor Supply, ASi Racewear, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, DAY Motor Sports, Dirthead.com, DirtKnights.com, Dirt Track Racing School, DrySlik Dirt Trak Racewear, Farm Boy BBQ Sauce, Intensitee Custom Racewear, Karl Performance Parts, Mesilla Valley Transportation, Olympic Fire Protection, Ramirez Race Cars, Ruter Farms, Schwab’s Tinker Shop, Sybesma Graphics, Yeager Machine.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, COMP Cams, CPD Racing Tools, Eibach Springs, Erson Cams, Fast Shafts, Forty9Designs.com, Genesis Shocks, Hooker Harness, Hypercoil Springs, ISKY Racing Cams, The Joie of Seating, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, Out-Pace Racing Products, PBM Performance Products, Quarter Master, Real Racing Wheels, RHS – Racing Head Service, Tiger Rear Ends, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, WIX Filters.