RICE LAKE, Wis. -- The Rice Lake Speedway played host to the stars and cars of the USMTS for the first time in its 54-year history last year during the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup, and a huge crowd was on hand to witness Ryan Gustin score the 46th win of his USMTS career and 22nd triumph of the season en route to claiming the title.

In 2012, two visits by the USMTS are on tap at the longest-running racetrack in Northern Wisconsin,
and it kicks off this Thursday, April 26, for the third leg of the USMTS National Championship Series.

The stakes are even higher this time around as the nation’s elite open-wheel dirt Modified drivers descend on the high-banked 1/3-mile clay oval for the first of three straight $4,000-to-win, $400-to-start events over three days.

Pure Stocks and Midwest Mods are also scheduled to compete. Race time is slated for 7 p.m.

The Rice Lake Speedway is a located 1 mile north of Rice Lake between Hwy. 48 and Barron County SS. The track phone number is 715-236-2002 and more information can be obtained by calling 715-205-2861 or by checking the speedway website at www.ricelakespeedway.net.

On Friday, April 27, Fastenal Company is joining forces with the Mississippi Thunder Speedway to present the USMTS National Championship Series as part of the track’s 2012 season opener.

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.

Todd Scharkey, Kelly Shryock, Brad Waits and Al Hejna were all winners at the former Tri-Oval Speedway before driver/promoter Bob Timm assumed ownership in 2009 and reconfigured the track shape and brought in tons of new clay for the racing surface.

Since then, Tommy Myer and Tim Donlinger have both scored victories at the track while Ryan Gustin has three wins and Waits another on the current configuration. Jon Tesch won the most recent race on Aug. 19 last season.

“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,” said Timm. “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.”

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.

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

More USMTS events have been staged at the Deer Creek Speedway than any other racetrack on the planet, and the Justice Brothers Car Care Products Spring Showdown on Saturday, April 28, will be the 58th race here in the 14-year history of the United States Modified Touring Series.

Kelly Shryock was the first winner at ‘The Creek’ on May 25, 2002. Since that night he has added another eight victories at the Modified Capital of the World. Other multiple winners include Jason Hughes (6 wins), Tim Donlinger (5), Jason Cummins (3), Zack VanderBeek (3), Terry Phillips (3), Corey Dripps (2), Ryan  Ruter (2), Brad Waits (2) and Ryan Gustin (2).

Drivers tasting victory just once at Deer Creek include Steve Wetzstein, Mark Noble, Darin Walker, Tony Fraise, Dan Daniels, Dan Chapman, Les Duellman, Mike Hejna, Mike Spaulding, Brad McEwan, Mark Burgtorf, Chad Kinder, Steve Arpin, Jason Krohn, Jon Tesch, Dean Mahlstedt, Tommy Myer, Mike Sorensen and Randy Timms.

Pit gates will open at 2 p.m., grandstands open at 3, hot laps begin at 4:45 and racing starts at 5 p.m. Support classes will include Wissota Late Models racing for $2,000 to win, plus USRA B-Mods, Street Stocks and Midwest Mods.

Fan may purchase tickets online at www.deercreekspeedway.com or by calling toll-free 877-DCS-RACE. For track or campground info, call 507-346-2342.

The Deer Creek Speedway is a 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval located off of I-90 at Exit 209, then 11.3 miles south on US 63 (0.7 mile north of SR 16).

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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

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

USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: Arbor Masters, Arnold Motor Supply, ASi Racewear, Beebe Heating & Air Conditioning, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, Dirthead.com, DirtKnights.com, Erson Cams, Farm Boy BBQ Sauce, Intensitee Custom Racewear, Mesilla Valley Transportation, O’Brien Enterprises, Olympic Fire Protection, Ramirez Motorsports, Road Runner Trucking, Ruter Farms, Sybesma Graphics, Yeager Machine.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AERO Race Wheels, AFCO Racing Products, COMP Cams, CPD Racing Tools, Eibach Springs, Fast Shafts, Forty9Designs.com, Genesis Shocks, Hooker Harness, Integra Racing Shocks & Springs, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, PBM Performance Products, Quarter Master, R2C Performance Products, Real Racing Wheels, Tiger Rear Ends.