<B>McCOOL JUNCTION, Neb. --</B> It will have been a long 139 days since the last checkered flag waved, but the wait is nearly over for thousands of race fans and drivers throughout the Midwest.

The O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series is set kick off a thrilling 73-race season at the Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb., on Friday and Saturday, March 11-12, for the 3rd Annual Nebraska Spring Thaw.

Located five miles south of I-80 (York exit) on U.S. Highway 81, Junction Motor Speedway is a state-of-the-art facility entering it's third year of operation. The track is a fast, 3/8-mile clay oval boasting 80-foot-wide straight-aways, making for a lot of racing room for the drivers and a lot of wheel-to-wheel action for fans.

Gates will open at 4 p.m. on Friday with hot laps slated for 6:30 and racing action to follow. Friday night's O’Reilly USMTS feature winner will pocket a $2,000 paycheck. On Saturday, the O’Reilly USMTS stars and cars will take to the track again, with the winner of the "A" main taking home the $3,000 top prize. Gates will open at noon on Saturday with hot laps slated for 3:30 p.m. and racing to follow.

Open stock cars will also be on the racing card both nights, racing for $250 and $300 to win, respectively.

If needed, Sunday will be used as a raindate with a noon start time.

This will be the first race of the season for the O’Reilly USMTS, and the first pair of points races for the Western Region. Last year's event saw more than 60 drivers sign in to do battle, and even more are expected for this year's clash as area racers look to score some early-season points in the Western Region.

In 2005, Corey Dripps of Waterloo, Iowa, captured the opening night checkered flag while Beatrice, Neb., veteran Johnny "The Jet" Saathoff won Saturday's finale. Both drivers are expected to return to try and recapture glory from last season.

Local hotshoes expected to contend for this year's title include Matt Richards, Jason Friesen, David Murray Jr., Jay Noteboom, Robbie Haynes, Roger Hadan, Jon Thompson, Tim Echevarria, Greg Metz, Alan Dix, Wade Cross, Bill Flegg, Danny McKeighan, Bub Lerette, Jerry Warner, Darrick Klima, Tim Vogt, Brant Fastnacht and Mike Goldfuss.

Some of the expected O’Reilly USMTS national touring road warriors expected include Seven-time defending O’Reilly USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock, Al Hejna, Jon Tesch, Matt McDermid, Zack Vanderbeek, Brad Bakken, Jason Hughes, Mike Chasteen, Brad McEwan, Mark Noble, Ryan Ruter, Alan Mondus, Dean Mahlstedt, Clayton Christensen, Tony Fraise, Lynn Nilsson and many more.

This is a race you won’t want to miss! For more information, contact Junction Motor Speedway by calling 402-773-5538 (ext. 9) or email info@junctionmotorspeedway.com. Junction Motor Speedway's website is located at www.junctionmotorspeedway.com.

To learn more about the O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series, call (515) 832-7944, email media@usmts.com or visit www.USMTS.com online.

O’REILLY USMTS - 2006 WESTERN REGION SCHEDULE (revised 2/22/06):

Fri Mar 10 ... Junction Motor Speedway, McCool Junction, NE ($2,000 to win)

Sat Mar 11 ... Junction Motor Speedway, McCool Junction, NE ($3,000 to win)

Fri Mar 17 ... Thunderhill Speedway, Mayetta, KS ($2,000 to win)

Sat Mar 18 ... Thunderhill Speedway, Mayetta, KS ($3,000 to win)

Fri Apr 14 ... Blackbird Bend Speedway, Onawa, IA ($2,000 to win)

Sat Apr 15 ... Blackbird Bend Speedway, Onawa, IA ($3,000 to win)

Thu May 25 ... Park Jefferson Speedway, Jefferson, SD ($2,000 to win)

Thu Jun 22 ... Adams County Speedway, Corning, IA ($2,000 to win)

Fri Jun 23 ... Rapid Speedway, Rock Rapids, IA ($2,000 to win)

Tue Jun 27 ... Interstate Speedway, Jefferson, SD ($2,000 to win)

Wed Jun 28 ... Dakota State Fair Speedway, Huron, SD ($2,000 to win)

Thu Jun 29 ... Casino Speedway, Watertown, SD ($2,000 to win)

Wed Jul 19 ... Eagle Raceway, Eagle, NE ($2,000 to win)

Thu Jul 20 ... Huset’s Speedway, Brandon, SD ($2,000 to win)

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USMTS TITLE SPONSOR: O’Reilly Auto Parts.

USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Race Tires, Holley Performance Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, R.A. Benson Motorsports, Real Racing Wheels, Reich Concrete, Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar, UNIJIG Chassis Fabrication Equipment, Yeager Machine.

USMTS EVENT SPONSORS: CasinOmaha, Featherlite, Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, Bell Racing Co., Belleville Motorsports, Bert Transmission, Boyer’s Engine Development, Dynatech Racing Exhaust, Edelbrock, Fast Shafts, GRT Race Cars, Hyperco, Isky Racing Cams, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, KSE Racing Products, Larson Racing Specialists, Quarter Master, QuickTime Performance Race Parts, RaceQuest, T.A.R. Race Car Bodies, US Brake.