FOUNTAIN CITY, Wis. -- Fastenal Company is joining forces with Mississippi Thunder Speedway to present the USMTS National Championship Series at the 2012 season opener on Friday, April 27.

Racers and race fans alike have come to know that the United States Modified Touring Series presents some of the best dirt modified racing action throughout the United States, and Mississippi Thunder Speedway owners Bob & Paula Timm and Tom & Tina Lockner are excited to welcome them back to the Fountain City, Wis., speedway for the 2012 Fastenal Season Opener.

“We’re really excited to have Fastenal along for the ride at the 2012 season opener this year,” said Bob Timm. “We’re really opening up the racing season with some thunder this year with the USMTS National Touring Series.”

The competition in the USMTS National Championship Series is the best modified racing around. The mix of traveling superstars mixed in with the local Modified drivers presents the best of both worlds for dirt racing fans.

The USMTS National Championship Series will be at Mississippi Thunder Speedway as part of a tripleheader weekend of racing which starts Thursday at the Rice Lake Speedway in Rice Lake, Wis., continues Friday night, April 27, at the Mississippi Thunder Speedway and wraps up Saturday at the Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valey, Minn.

Not only will the on-track action be hot and heavy for this 2012 event, the money being paid out is on the increase as well. All events in this National Championship Series will pay $400 to start with the event winner taking home a hefty $4,000 check. All of this on-track action is also leading towards a potentially huge payout for the racer who can grab the series title. The 2012 USMTS National Champion will win a whopping $30,000.

The 2012 series consists of 28 races at what USMTS promoter Todd Staley considers to be the best tracks throughout the country and tracks can participate by invitation only. Bob Timm takes the inclusion of Mississippi Thunder Speedway in the 2012 series as a huge compliment to his speedway.

“We consider it an honor that they have chosen MTS as one of those tracks. In just four years we’ve turned a thought and a dream into facility that racers and fans alike really enjoy.

“We are expecting car counts to be upwards of 60-70 cars for this event – not counting all of the competitors who will be on hand for the other support divisions that night as well. I really think this could be one of our biggest events of the entire season. All of the best and most popular Modified races in the country will be on hand with our own local racers as well. Friday, April 27, will also be Fastenal Employee Night at the speedway, so we’re looking forward to seeing many Fastenal employees joining in for the fun with our regular crowd of race fans.”

Also on the card for the 7:30 p.m. season-opening spectacular will be the Industrial Material Surplus Iron Man Challenge for USRA B-Mods, plus Street Stocks and Pure Stocks.

The Mississippi Thunder Speedway is embarking upon its fourth season of top-notch dirt track action in Fountain City, Wis. The 3/8-mile dark clay high-banked oval is one of the best speedways in the upper Midwest, presenting dirt track racing in a fan and family friendly atmosphere every Friday night throughout the racing season.

For more details, visit the Mississippi Thunder Speedway web site at www.mississippithunder.com.