<B>MAYETTA, Kan. --</B> Impending cold and rainy weather has prompted promoters of the 4th Annual Kansas Spring Thaw to move the event back one week. The doubleheader at Thunderhill Speedway in Mayetta, Kan., will now be held on Friday and Saturday, March 24-25.

"Many of the O’Reilly USMTS teams travel a great distance for each event," said event promoter Todd Staley. "The National Weather Service is confident that this weekend (March 17-18) will be horrible weather, so we felt it was best to offer our fans a chance at a more comfortable weekend, and give ample notice to our drivers so that they can make alternative plans for this coming weekend.

"The forecast for next weekend looks much brighter, and we have an opening in our schedule, so the decision to move to March 24-25 makes sense for everybody involved."

Looking to continue their chase for the national title, O’Reilly USMTS drivers expected at next weekend's Kansas Spring Fling include seven-time defending O’Reilly USMTS national champ Kelly Shryock, current points leader Mark Noble, Tommy Myer, last Saturday's main event winner Jon Tesch, Steve Arpin, Randy Timms, Johnny Bone Jr., Dustin Boney, Mike Chasteen, Clayton Christensen, Gary Clark, Justin Cooper, Mookie Cunningham, Michael Darnall, Scott Drake, Tony Fraise, Jason Friesen, Matt Gilbertson, Chevy Hadan, Al Hejna, Jim Horejsi, Jason Hughes, Marlin Kracht, Brett LaFollette, Kevin Larkins, Dean Mahlstedt, Jim Mathieson, Matt McDermid, Brad McEwan, Greg Metz, Alan Mondus, Scott Mullen, Jake Neal, Chris Oertel, Jay Poidinger, Josh Reisch, Jeff Schluetter, John Schwab, Chuck Stanton, Mike Steensma, Jeremy Tibben, Zack VanderBeek, Joshua Vinnedge, Nate Wasmund, Mike Wedelstadt, Tommy Weder Jr., Ryan York.

Expected Western Region competitors include John Allen, Matt Bonine, Reese Coffee, Jim Cole, Wade Cross, Mike Hansen, Dave Hardesty, Mike Johnson, Tim Karrick, Darrick Klima, Mike Lineberry, Jay Noteboom, Matt Richards, Johnny Saathoff, Ricky Stephan, Jason Thoennes and Scott Ward.

Friday's "A" Main winner will pocket $2,000 while Saturday's winner will take home $3,000.

Drivers may now pre-enter by March 22 for this event. Entry forms are available at www.usmts.com or by calling (515) 832-7944. Competitors can save up to $55 by pre-entering prior to raceday.

Gates open at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 24, with hot laps at 6:30 and racing to follow. Grandstand general admission is $12 for adults and $4 for kids. On Saturday, March 25, gates open at 12 noon, with hot laps at 3 p.m. and racing at 3:30. Grandstand general admission is $15 for adults and $5 for kids. Children under 6 are admitted free both days. Pit passes are $25 Friday, $30 Saturday.

Sunday, March 26, is reserved as a raindate if needed.

USRA Stock Cars (formerly Factory Stocks) and USRA Hobby Stocks will also be on the racing card both days (no entry fee - pit pass only). The USRA Stock Car winner will earn $250 Friday and $400 Saturday. USRA Hobby Stocks will pay $200 to win on Friday and $300 to win on Saturday. This event will be a national points race for both USRA-sanctioned classes -- the first USRA points races of the 2006 season.

The 4th Annual Kansas Spring Fling will be the third and fourth of 74 races on the 2006 schedule for the O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series -- the third and fourth of 14 scheduled events comprising the Western Region slate.

Thunderhill Speedway is located 14.6 miles north of U.S. Highway 24 on U.S. Highway 75 to 142nd Street, then 2.2 miles west.

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.