CLEAR LAKE, Iowa — Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar is returning in 2008 as the title sponsor of the Rookie-of-the-Year Award for the O’Reilly USMTS National Tour, officials announced recently.

Located in downtown Clear Lake, Iowa, Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar is a hot spot for drivers and fans alike throughout the year, and is owned and operated by O’Reilly USMTS competitors Al and Mike Hejna. Between the two, the pair have over 40 years of racing experience with more than 130 Modified feature wins and nine track championships.

As veterans of the United States Modified Touring Series, however, the stout combination will not be eligible to win their own award.

Last season, Scott Green of Derby, Kan., earned the Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar Rookie-of-the-Year Award with a consistent season from wire to wire and a 10th-place finish in the O’Reilly USMTS National Tour points.

Previous Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar Rookie-of-the-Year Award winners:

2007 - Scott Green, Derby, Kan.
2006 - Jay Poidinger, Somerset, Wis.
2005 - Brad McEwan, Storm Lake, Iowa
2004 - Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa
2003 - Corey Dripps, Waterloo, Iowa
2002 - Justin Boney, DeSoto, Kan.
2001 - Jason Hughes, Colcord, Okla.
2000 - Kevin Peters, Monmouth, Ill.

Again in 2008, the Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar Rookie-of-the-Year Award will be worth a minimum of $2,500 to the champion.

“Al and Mike are outstanding icons in our sport, and like all great athletes they give back to their sport,” said USMTS president Todd Staley. We are thrilled to have Rookies on board again in 2008.”

Drivers must meet certain eligibility requirements to qualify for rookie status with the O’Reilly USMTS. For complete rules and guidelines, go to the Downloads section at www.usmts.com/downloads.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, call the headquarters at (515) 832-7944 or visit www.usmts.com online for the latest news and information from the USMTS — America's Hottest Ticket on Dirt.

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USMTS TITLE SPONSOR: O’Reilly Auto Parts.

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

USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: Boom Drilling, Day Motor Sports, Featherlite, Gressell Oil Field Services, Hughes Racing Chassis, KraftKar Race Cars, McVicker Oil Fields, MUSCO Lighting, Rinehart Trucking.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, Belleville Motorsports, Bilstein Shocks, Dynatech Racing Exhaust, GRT Race Cars, Hawk Performance, Hyperco, Isky Racing Cams, KSE Racing Products, Quarter Master, QuickTime Performance Race Parts, Racer’s Choice (RCI).