<B><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="GRAY">by Todd Staley</FONT></B>

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (July 31, 2000) &#151; The United States Modified Touring Series will make their first appearance into the state of Illinois this week for the Illinois Summer Swing. The first night of the three nights of racing action will start at the Knox County Fair in Knoxville, IL. This race will pay $2100 to win and $200 to start the A-main. A lot of sponsors have come on board for this race that will be mentioned at the end. The race Wednesday will be the only race of the season in Knoxville, IL and will be part of the oldest county fair in Illinois. This is the 150th Anniversary of the Knox County Fair. In addition to this race paying a little more to win there will also be $300 in lap money up for grabs for the top three drivers. Also running will be the two-man cruisers and also an open bomber/street stock class of cars. Each one of these classes will pay $500 to win and $50 to start the A-main. Tickets for this event will be on sale throughout the day at the fair ticket office price for adults are $10 and kids 6-12 $5. There is no entry fee for bombers and cruisers. Ant modified driver that fails to qualify for the A-main will receive $75 tow money.

On Thursday the series moves to the Peoria Speedway in Peoria, IL for the first ever visit to this speedway. This race will also pay the winner of the A-main $2000 and $200 to start. Also running will be the Bombers. All modified drivers failing to qualify for the main event will receive $75 tow money.

The last night of racing will be at Quincy Raceway in Quincy, IL on Friday August 4. This will be the final race in Illinois for the USMTS in the 2000 season. The two-man cruisers and bombers will also be on hand for the racing action. The two-man cruisers will pay $400 to win and the bombers will pay $300 to win. The modifieds will pay $2000 to win and $200 to start the A-main. All cars that fail to qualify will receive $75 tow money.

The racing action will start with hot laps at 7pm each night and racing at 7:30. Some of the expected drivers for these events are: Kelly Shryock, John VanDenBerg, Bruce Hanford, Bob Dominacki, Corey Dripps, Russ Olson, all from Iowa. Ron Jones, Mark Noble, Tim Donlinger, Tommy Myer, Doug Hillson all from Minnesota. Mike Mashl, Brian Mullen, from Wisconsin, Jim Roach, Mark Dotson, Vance Wilson, Gary Blackburn from Missouri. Kevin Peters, Mike Chasteen, Jeff Leka, from Illinois. Plus many more drivers from all over the United States. We are expecting a very good following for the racing action for three straight nights of $2000 to win racing in Illinois.

All races will be under USMTS rules for the modifieds. The bombers and cruisers rules have been made for all area tracks to be able to run. Hope to see everyone this week for the USMTS Illinois Summer Swing August 2-4. Some of the sponsors for the race at Knoxville, IL are: Lakis Ford/Dodge, Inness R&R Trucking, Jones Auto Center, Parts House, Tri-State Water, Lonnie’s Auto Sales, Hy-Vee Food Stores, Trulson Construction, Midwest Bank of Western Illinois, Winner’s Circle, R.A. Benson Motorsports, Dexter Motorsports, Fike Racing & RFMS. Plus more that will be mentioned at the races. This will be the only race of the 2000 season at the Knox County Fairgrounds in Knoxville, IL.