McCOOL JUNCTION, Neb. -- It’s been 117 long and cold days since the last checkered flag waved, but the heat is on and the wait is nearly over for thousands of race fans and drivers throughout America’s heartland as the O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series kicks off a thrilling 2007 season with the 4th Annual Nebraska Spring Thaw at the Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb., this Friday and Saturday, March 9-10.

This will be the first race of the season for the O’Reilly USMTS, and the first pair of points races for drivers seeking the Western Region title. Last year’s event saw more than 70 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. Drivers from 10 States are already pre-entered for this year’s classic-in-the-making.

With warm weather and no significant chance of rain in the forecast, race fans hungry for the site of mud-slinging Modifieds with bad attitudes are filling their gas tanks and loading up their coolers as they embark on a joyous journey to “The Junction” for their first encounter with the unique sights, sounds and smells that only an O’Reilly USMTS show can deliver.

“You can bet it’s on,” said Junction Motor Speedway marketing director Wayne Dake. “York County did not receive the nasty snow fall of last weekend which fell in areas to the east and north.”

“Delmar (Friesen, promoter) and the crew put a disc to the soil earlier this week, and MUSCO track lighting was inspected. Water turned on and lines inspected. The weather man has turned away the earlier forecasted Friday showers. Ice cold adult beverages have been stocked. Big Brute -- the JMS water tanker -- is staged and ready to go at the computerized well. Transponders are charged and ready to be strapped onto the multi-horsepowered racing machines. Firewood is ready for the warmth of the bon fires.”

Last season, local favorite Jason Friesen of Sutton, Neb., shocked the touring titans with a win on opening night at JMS. Although it was his only win in 37 starts during the 2007 campaign, Friesen remained a force to be reckoned with and wound up third in ‘The Hunt’ for the O’Reilly USMTS National Championship final points standings.

On Saturday night last year, Jon Tesch of Watertown, S.D., captured his first of four main event wins during the season -- his first ever at Junction Motor Speedway -- as he sped on to a fifth place finish in the season’s final rankings.

Other past champions of this event include 2005 winners Corey Dripps of Waterloo, Iowa, and local hero Johnny "The Jet" Saathoff of Beatrice. Kelly Shryock won the first-ever event at JMS in 2004 en route to his sixth O’Reilly USMTS title, while veteran racer Mark Noble of Blooming Prairie, Minn., ruled the second night of that doubleheader. On June 22, 2004, Jason Hughes of Colcord, Okla., dominated a special one-day show at the high-banked 3/8-mile clay oval.

Some of the other O’Reilly USMTS road warriors expected include eight-time defending O’Reilly USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock, last year’s title runner-up Zack VanderBeek, Tommy Myer, Al and Mike Hejna, Brad McEwan, Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar Rookie of the Year Jay Poidinger, Dean Mahlstedt, Randy Timms, Jay Noteboom, Mike Wedelstadt, Mike Spaulding, Willy Kraft, Jim Horejsi and many more.

Local and regional hotshoes expected to contend for this year’s crown include Darrick Klima, Kevin Larkins, Matt Richards, Scott Bivens, Jeremy Tibben, Jake Neal, David Murray Jr., Chevy Hadan, Jon Thompson, Tim Echevarria, Wade Cross, Chad Dolan, Kurt Johnson, Danny McKeighan, John Allen, Ricky Stephan, Johnny Saathoff, Dirk Kirk and many more.

Located five miles south of I-80 (York exit) on U.S. Hwy. 81, Junction Motor Speedway is a state-of-the-art facility entering it’s fourth year of operation. The track is a super-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 a $3,000 top prize. Gates will open at noon on Saturday with hot laps slated for 3:30 p.m. and racing to follow. If needed, Sunday will be used as a raindate with a noon start time.

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

This is a race you won’t want to miss! For more information, contact Junction Motor Speedway by calling (402) 773-5538 or online at www.junctionmotorspeedway.com.

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

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USMTS TITLE SPONSOR: O’Reilly Auto Parts.

USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Race Tires, AMSOIL, Holley Performance Products, Home Pride Companies, Intercomp, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, Marsh Racing Wheels, Nitroquest Web Solutions, Olympic Fire Protection, Real Racing Wheels, Reich Concrete, Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar, UNIJIG, Yeager Machine.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, Bell Racing, Belleville Motorsports, Bert Transmission, Bilstein Shocks, BORCO LP, Boyer’s Engine Development, Day Motor Sports, Dynatech Racing Exhaust, Edelbrock, Fast Shafts, GRT Race Cars, Hawk Performance, Hyperco, Intensitee Custom Clothing, Isky Racing Cams, Kraft Kars, KSE Racing Products, Quarter Master, QuickTime Performance Race Parts, Racer’s Choice (RCI), US Brake.