WEBSTER CITY, Iowa -- Signing in at the pit gate, paying your entry fee and getting your wristband strapped on after arriving at the racetrack is normally not a momentous occasion for an O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series driver.

For Jay Poidinger, however, the task of entering his 54th O’Reilly USMTS event of the season on Saturday, Oct. 28, at Bolivar Speedway USA was a momentous occasion.

When the 36-year-old driver from Somerset, Wis., took the green flag in his heat race, he assured himself the title of Rookies Rockin' Sports Bar Rookie of the Year for 2006. Poidinger's show-up points on Saturday made it mathematically impossible for second-place Jason Friesen of Sutton, Neb., to overtake him for the honor.

For his efforts, Poidinger earned $2,500 from Rookies Rockin' Sports Bar. Located in downtown Clear Lake, Iowa, Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar is owned and operated by O’Reilly USMTS competitors Al and Mike Hejna. Al went on to win the main event Saturday night.

Poidinger pocketed $19,130 in total earnings for the season, scoring six top-10 finishes. His most memorable event of the season came in the inaugural visit by the O’Reilly USMTS to the all-new Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo. starting last (19th) on the starting grid for the Real Racing Wheels "B" Main, Poidinger passed 18 cars in 15 laps en route to winning the race.

He wound up 10th in both the Western Region and Reich Concrete/Yeager Machine Northeast Region final standings, as well as ninth in the Central Region to earn a spot in ‘The Hunt’ for the O’Reilly USMTS National Championship where he finished 11th in the final rankings.

Poidinger's sponsors on his black No. 49x GRT Modified include EmpireHouse, Majerus Garage, Flyin J Motors, DirtCards.com, J & J Graphics and R.A. Benson Motorsports.

Rookies Rockin' Sports Bar Rookie of the Year Final Points (top 5):
1. Jay Poidinger, Somerset, Wis. ... 871
2. Jason Friesen, Sutton, Neb. ... 823
3. Alan Mondus, Lakeville, Minn. ... 584
4. Brent Bohmont, Martell, Neb. ... 431
5. Tommy Weder Jr., Woodward, Okla. ... 367

After 59 races at 33 tracks in nine States, The O’Reilly USMTS road warriors have wrapped up their nine-month campaign for the 2006 season. A preliminary 2007 schedule of events and rules changes (if any) will be announced in the near future. For more information about the O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series, call the headquarters at (515) 832-7944 or visit www.usmts.com online.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

USMTS TITLE SPONSOR: O’Reilly Auto Parts.

USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Racer Racing Tires, AMSOIL, Dirt Works Race Cars, Holley Performance Products, Home Pride Companies, Intercomp, Marsh Racing Wheels, Nitroquest Web Solutions, Olympic Fire Protection, R.A. Benson Motorsports, Real Racing Wheels, Reich Concrete, Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar, SpeedNet Direct, UNIJIG, Yeager Machine.

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