<B>BRITT, Iowa --</B> With the official arrival of Autumn this past week, race fans in the upper Midwest can begin to dread the long, cold winter when racing goes into hibernation until next Spring. But have no fear -- hence forth comes a final shot of adrenaline this season to help keep the fire burning, and race fans talking, until the fowl fly North again.

The biggest names in dirt track racing from Iowa, Minnesota and at least six other States will converge on the ultimate action track this Thursday, Friday and Saturday (Sept. 29 - Oct. 1) to compete for their share of the season's biggest prize pool in the Hawkeye State -- the inaugural American Racer Fall Festival at the Hancock County Speedway in Britt, Iowa.

For the fans, it's the last chance to see the brightest stars in the Modified, Stock Car, Hobby Stock and B-Mod divisions this year. For the drivers, it will be a rugged test of wills and skills between the big dogs while the puppies stay on the porch.

Headlining the American Racer Fall Festival will be the O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series in their final battle of 2005 in the State of Iowa. This event will be a non-points race with no provisional starting spots -- all drivers must race their way into Saturday's explosive $10,000-to-win main event on the 3/8-mile clay oval.

Kelly Shryock, Tommy Myer, Brad McEwan, Al Hejna, Mark Noble, Jason Hughes, Corey Dripps, Zack VanderBeek and the rest of the O’Reilly USMTS regulars will be on hand, as well as many of the nation's toughest Modified pilots, including Illinois standout Chad Kinder and Texas superstar George White.

As if that wasn't enough, Saturday night's program will also feature a $3,000-to-win Stock Car finale, along with a $1,000 top prize for each winner in the Hobby Stock, B-Mod and 2450-lb. Modified features.

<B>SCHEDULE OF EVENTS</B>

<U>WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28</U>

Open practice for all classes. Gates will open at 4 p.m. with practice from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Grandstand admission will be free of charge. Pit passes will be $15. Driver wishing to pre-enter at the discounted rate will be allowed to do so Wednesday night.

<U>THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29</U>

Heats, B-mains, and A-main qualifiers for Hobby Stocks, B-Mods, Stock Cars and O’Reilly USMTS Modifieds. The top six cars in the Hobby Stock, Stock Car and B-Mod classes will be locked into the inside row of Saturday’s main event. These six cars will not be required to race on Friday night.

O’Reilly USMTS Modifieds will compete in a $1,000-to-win A-main qualifier which will award points. The top 4 drivers in combined points earned on Thursday and Friday will be locked into the 12-driver redraw for Saturday's $10,000-to-win main event.

Gates will open at 3:30 p.m. with the first race slated for 6:30. General admission grandstand tickets are $12 for adults, $3 for kids ages 6-12 and FREE for children 5 and under. Pit passes are $25. All drivers will be paid each night.

<U>FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30</U>

Heats, B-mains, and A-main qualifiers for Hobby Stocks, B-Mods, Stock Cars and O’Reilly USMTS Modifieds. The top six cars in the Hobby Stock, Stock Car and B-Mod classes will be locked into the outside row of Saturday’s main event.

O’Reilly USMTS Modifieds will compete in a $1,000-to-win A-main qualifier which will award points. The top 4 drivers in combined points earned on Thursday and Friday will be locked into the 12-driver redraw for Saturday's $10,000-to-win main event.

Gates will open at 3:30 p.m. with the first race slated for 6:30. General admission grandstand tickets are $12 for adults, $3 for kids ages 6-12 and FREE for children 5 and under. Pit passes are $25.

<U>SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1</U>

Last-chance heats and last-chance qualifiers for Hobby Stocks, B-Mods, Stock Cars and O’Reilly USMTS Modifieds. Hobby Stocks will pay $1,000 to win, B-Mods will pay $1,000 to win and Stock Cars will pay $3,000 to win.

The O’Reilly USMTS Modifieds will pay $10,000 to win and will start 28 cars in the main event (no provisionals). With four drivers from Thursday and Friday locked into Saturday's main event redraw, eight more drivers will join the redraw, with any one of the 12 having an equal chance of taking the pole position.

Saturday will also feature 2450-lb. Modifieds racing for $1,000 to win (no entry fee). Rules for this class will be American Racer G60 tires, no spoilers, no roller cams, no aluminum heads and a minimum weight rule of 2,450 pounds. This class will run heats, B-mains and an A-main. 2450-lb. Modified Payout: $1000, 700, 500, 400, 300, 250, 200, 175, 150, 130, 120, 115, 110, 105, 100, 100, 100, 100, 100, 100, 100, 100, 100, 100.

Gates will open at 2 p.m. with hot laps at 5 p.m. and racing to follow. General admission grandstand tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6-12 and FREE for children 5 and under. Pit passes are $30.

<B>ENTRY FEES</B>

Hobby Stocks - $25 Early Entry, $50 Late Entry

B-Mods - $25 Early Entry, $50 Late Entry

Stock Cars - $50 Early Entry, $100 Late Entry

O’Reilly USMTS Modifieds - $100 Early Entry, $200 Late Entry

Early entries will be accepted at Wednesday night's practice session. For entry forms and/or a listing of guaranteed full payouts, call the USMTS office at 515-832-7944.

<B>BIG WEEKEND PAYOFF POSSIBLE</B>

With last weekend's 7th Annual Featherlite Fall Jamboree being rained out, the event has been rescheduled for this Sunday, Oct. 2. And with a $12,000 winner's share on the line, one driver could possibly haul in more than $24,000 for sweeping the Thursday, Friday and Saturday races at the American Racer Fall Festival, as well as Sunday's event at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn.!

<B>DRIVING DIRECTIONS</B>

The Hancock County Speedway is located 1.3 miles south of U.S. Hwy. 18 on James St. (turns into Main Ave. and Diagonal and 1st), then 0.5 mile east on 220th Ave., then 0.1 mile north on Jewel Ave., then east (at the Hancock County Fairgrounds).

<B>CONTACT INFO</B>

For more information, contact the USMTS office by calling 515-832-7944 or email Race Director Todd Staley at todd@usmts.com. The O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series is online at www.USMTS.com. The Hancock County Speedway is online at www.HancockCoSpeedway.com.