WHAT: 5th Annual Nebraska Spring Thaw, races #1 and 2 for the 2008 O’Reilly USMTS National Tour and races #1 and 2 in the Great Plains Region.

WHEN: Friday and Saturday, March 7-8, 2008.

TRACK: Junction Motor Speedway, 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval.

LOCATION: McCool Junction, Neb.

DIRECTIONS: Junction Motor Speedway is located 5 miles south of I-80 (York Exit) on US 81.

STARTING FIELD: 24 cars will start the “A” Main each night, with qualifying through Heat Races and Real Racing Wheels “B” Mains. The top 12 cars in Home Pride Passing Points accumulated in the heat races will be locked into the “A” Main each night. An additional 10 cars will qualify from the Real Racing Wheels “B” Mains, with two provisional starters added to the “A” Main to create the 24-car starting field. Additional sponsor provisional(s) may be awarded.

PURSE: Friday - $2,000 to win, $250 to start; Saturday - $3,000 to win, $275 to start.

PROMOTER: Delmar Friesen, Junction Motor Speedway, P.O. Box 524, Sutton, NE 68979; Tel: 402-773-5538; Email: jmsinfo@junctionmotorspeedway.com; Website: www.junctionmotorspeedway.com.

SCHEDULE:

Friday, March 7
12:00 noon - Gates open
5:15 p.m. - Draw ends for heat race line-ups
5:30 p.m. - Hot laps begin
6:30 p.m. - Drivers meeting
7:00 p.m. - Heat races begin

Saturday, March 8
12:00 noon - Gates open
2:15 p.m. - Draw ends for heat race line-ups
2:30 p.m. - Hot laps begin
3:30 p.m. - Drivers meeting
4:00 p.m. - Heat races begin

TICKETS:

Friday, March 7
General Admission - Adults $12, Kids (6-12) $4, Under 6 FREE
Pit Pass - $25

Saturday, March 8
General Admission - Adults $15, Kids (6-12) $4, Under 6 FREE
Pit Pass - $30

Discount coupons are available on race day at Casey's General Stores locations in York and Geneva.

PAST WINNERS AT JUNCTION MOTOR SPEEDWAY:

March 12, 2004 - Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa
March 13, 2004 - Mark Noble, Blooming Prairie, Minn.
June 22, 2004 - Jason Hughes, Colcord, Okla.
March 11, 2005 - Corey Dripps, Waterloo, Iowa
March 12, 2005 - Johnny Saathoff, Beatrice, Neb.
March 10, 2006 - Jason Friesen, Sutton, Neb.
March 11, 2006 - Jon Tesch, Watertown, S.D.
March 9, 2007 - Al Hejna, Clear Lake, Iowa
March 10, 2007 - Al Hejna, Clear Lake, Iowa

NOTES OF INTEREST: The 5th Annual Nebraska Spring Thaw will be the first and second of more than 60 races on the 2008 schedule for the O’Reilly USMTS National Tour and the first and second in the Great Plains Region … Friday's main event winner will earn $2,000 while the winner of Saturday's finale will pocket $3,000 … A big field of America's hottest Modified drivers are expected for this event, including defending O’Reilly USMTS National Champion Jason Krohn, eight-time O’Reilly USMTS National Champion and all-time win leader Kelly Shryock, last year’s title runner-up Jason Hughes, Tommy Myer, defending race winner Al Hejna, 2007 Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar Rookie of the Year Scott Green, Dean Mahlstedt, Mark Noble, Jon Tesch, Corey Dripps, Jason Friesen, Mike Spaulding and many more … Last year's event saw more than 60 drivers compete … Open Stock Cars will also be on the racing card both days, with the feature winner earning $250 on Friday and $300 on Saturday.

FINAL 2007 O’REILLY USMTS NATIONAL TOUR POINTS:

1. Jason Krohn, Slayton, MN … 1424
2. Jason Hughes, Colcord, OK … 1371
3. Kelly Shryock, Fertile, IA … 1360
4. Jon Tesch, Watertown, SD … 1272
5. Tommy Myer, Blooming Prairie, MN … 1178
6. Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, IA … 1169
7. Tommy Weder Jr., Woodward, OK … 1124
8. Greg Skaggs, Bixby, OK … 1081
9. Steve Holzkamper, Gentry, AR … 948
10. Scott Green, Derby, KS … 913
11. Dean Mahlstedt, Clear Lake, IA … 893
12. Donovan Lodge, Moline, IL … 804
13. Jay Poidinger, Somerset, WI … 739
14. Corey Dripps, Waterloo, IA … 722
15. Scott Vesely, Mosinee, WI … 705
16. Al Hejna, Clear Lake, IA … 653
17. Jamie Burford, Keatchie, LA … 477
18. Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA … 421
19. Johnny Bone Jr., Pea Ridge, AR … 396
20. Richie Gustin Jr., Gilman, IA … 310

2008 O’REILLY USMTS NATIONAL TOUR SCHEDULE (64 races):

Fri Mar 7 … Junction Motor Speedway, McCool Junction, NE ($2,000 to win)
Sat Mar 8 … Junction Motor Speedway, McCool Junction, NE ($3,000 to win)
Fri Mar 14 … U.S. 36 Raceway, Osborn, MO ($2,000 to win)
Sat Mar 15 … Humboldt Speedway, Humboldt, KS ($2,000 to win)
Sun Mar 16 … Thunderhill Speedway, Mayetta, KS ($2,000 to win)
Fri Mar 28 … LA Raceway, LaMonte, MO ($2,000 to win)
Sat Mar 29 … Lebanon I-44 Speedway, Lebanon, MO ($2,000 to win)
Sun Mar 30 … Monett Speedway, Monett, MO ($2,000 to win)
Fri Apr 4 … West Siloam Speedway, West Siloam Springs, OK ($2,000 to win)
Sat Apr 5 … West Siloam Speedway, West Siloam Springs, OK ($3,000 to win)
Fri Apr 11 … Southern Iowa Speedway, Oskaloosa, IA ($2,000 to win)
Sat Apr 12 … LaSalle Speedway, LaSalle, IL ($2,000 to win)
Sun Apr 13 … Quad City Raceway, East Moline, IL ($2,000 to win)
Fri May 23 … Chateau Raceway, Lansing, MN ($2,000 to win)
Sat May 24 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN ($2,000 to win)
Sun May 25 … Kasson Speedway, Kasson, MN ($2,000 to win)
Mon May 26 … Steele County Speedway, Owatonna, MN ($2,000 to win)
Sun Jun 1 … Nobles County Speedway, Worthington, MN ($2,000 to win)
Mon Jun 2 … Iowa State Fair Speedway, Des Moines, IA ($2,000 to win)
Tue Jun 10 … Adams County Speedway, Corning, IA ($2,000 to win)
Wed Jun 11 … Highway 3 Raceway, Allison, IA ($2,000 to win)
Thu Jun 12 … Fayette County Speedway, West Union, IA ($2,000 to win)
Fri Jun 13 … Tri-Oval Speedway, Fountain City, WI ($2,000 to win)
Tue Jun 17 … Mineral City Speedway, Fort Dodge, IA ($2,000 to win)
Wed Jun 18 … Park Jefferson Speedway, Jefferson, SD ($2,000 to win)
Thu Jun 19 … Thunderhill Speedway, Mayetta, KS ($2,000 to win)
Fri Jun 20 … U.S. 36 Raceway, Osborn, MO ($2,000 to win)
Sat Jun 21 … Mid America Speedway, South Coffeyville, OK ($2,000 to win)
Tue Jun 24 … Buena Vista Raceway, Alta, IA ($2,000 to win)
Wed Jun 25 … Huset’s Speedway, Brandon, SD ($2,000 to win)
Thu Jun 26 … Casino Speedway, Watertown, SD ($2,000 to win)
Fri Jun 27 … Rapid Speedway, Rock Rapids, IA ($2,000 to win)
Thu Jul 3 … Cresco Speedway, Cresco, IA ($2,000 to win)
Fri Jul 4 … Murray County Speedway, Slayton, MN ($2,000 to win)
Tue Jul 22 … Kasson Speedway, Kasson, MN ($2,000 to win)
Wed Jul 23 … Clay County Fair Speedway, Spencer, IA ($2,000 to win)
Thu Jul 24 … Independence Motor Speedway, Independence, IA ($2,000 to win)
Fri Jul 25 … Tri-Oval Speedway, Fountain City, WI ($2,000 to win)
Sat Jul 26 … TBA
Tue Jul 29 … Cresco Speedway, Cresco, IA ($2,000 to win)
Wed Jul 30 … Southern Iowa Speedway, Oskaloosa, IA ($2,000 to win)
Thu Jul 31 … Knox County Fairgrounds, Knoxville, IL ($2,000 to win)
Fri Aug 1 … Bloomfield Speedway, Bloomfield, IA ($2,000 to win)
Sat Aug 2 … 24 Raceway, Moberly, MO ($2,000 to win)
Mon Aug 4 … Humboldt Speedway, Humboldt, KS ($2,000 to win)
Tue Aug 5 … 81 Speedway Wichita, KS ($2,000 to win)
Wed Aug 6 … Heartland Park Topeka, Topeka, KS ($2,000 to win)
Thu Aug 7 … Nevada Speedway, Nevada, MO ($2,000 to win)
Fri Aug 8 … Midway Speedway, Lebanon, MO ($2,000 to win) [H]
Sat Aug 9 … Lebanon I-44 Speedway, Lebanon, MO ($2,000 to win) [H]
Sun Aug 10 … Monett Speedway, Monett, MO ($2,000 to win) [H]
Tue Aug 12 … Belleville High Banks, Belleville, KS ($2,000 to win) [H]
Wed Aug 13 … Upper Iowa Speedway, Decorah, IA ($2,000 to win) [H]
Thu Aug 14 … Steele County Speedway, Owatonna, MN ($2,000 to win) [H]
Thu Aug 28 … Highway 3 Raceway, Allison, IA ($2,000 to win) [H]
Fri Aug 29 … Chateau Raceway, Lansing, MN ($2,000 to win) [H]
Sat Aug 30 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN ($2,000 to win) [H]
Sun Aug 31 … Kasson Speedway, Kasson, MN ($2,000 to win) [H]
Mon Sep 1 … Steele County Speedway, Owatonna, MN ($2,000 to win) [H]
Fri Sep 12 … Iowa State Fair Speedway, Des Moines, IA ($2,000 to win) [H]
Sat Sep 13 … Marshalltown Speedway, Marshalltown, IA ($2,000 to win) [H]
Thu Sep 18 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN ($2,000 to win) [H]
Fri Sep 19 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN ($4,000 to win) [H]
Sat Sep 20 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN ($6,000 to win) [H]

[H] = The Casey's General Stores Hunt for the O’Reilly USMTS National Championship

The Casey's General Stores Hunt for the O’Reilly USMTS National Championship will be comprised of the final 16 races of the season. The USMTS points system will be used at all regional events, with the top-10 in the final standings for each region earning 10 points for first place, 9 points for second place and so forth, descending to 1 point for tenth place in the region. In addition, each driver who competed at all events within a region will also earn 5 bonus points. The total points earned for all regions will serve as the base points that each driver will start ‘The Hunt’ with. After base points have been established, the USMTS points system will be used at the remaining events for the drivers in ‘The Hunt’ to determine the 2008 O’Reilly USMTS National Champion. As few as 10 and as many as 50 or more different drivers could be in ‘The Hunt’ when the final swing begins on Friday, Aug. 8, at the Midway Speedway in Lebanon, Mo. For the fans, the ‘The Hunt’ will serve as a “playoff” for the O’Reilly USMTS National Championship. While handicapping gives a slight advantage to the drivers that compete on the entire O’Reilly USMTS National Tour, each of the top-10 drivers in any of the four regions or in the O’Reilly USMTS Southern Series has a legitimate shot at capturing the title. Without question, the 10th Anniversary season for the USMTS will be the most exciting ever!

GREAT PLAINS REGION SCHEDULE (12 races):
Fri Mar 7 … Junction Motor Speedway, McCool Junction, NE ($2,000 to win)
Sat Mar 8 … Junction Motor Speedway, McCool Junction, NE ($3,000 to win)
Fri Mar 14 … U.S. 36 Raceway, Osborn, MO ($2,000 to win)
Sun Mar 16 … Thunderhill Speedway, Mayetta, KS ($2,000 to win)
Sun Jun 1 … Nobles County Speedway, Worthington, MN ($2,000 to win)
Tue Jun 24 … Buena Vista Raceway, Alta, IA ($2,000 to win)
Wed Jun 18 … Park Jefferson Speedway, Jefferson, SD ($2,000 to win)
Wed Jun 25 … Huset’s Speedway, Brandon, SD ($2,000 to win)
Thu Jun 26 … Casino Speedway, Watertown, SD ($2,000 to win)
Fri Jun 27 … Rapid Speedway, Rock Rapids, IA ($2,000 to win)
Fri Jul 4 … Murray County Speedway, Slayton, MN ($2,000 to win)
Wed Jul 23 … Clay County Speedway, Spencer, IA ($2,000 to win)

The American Racer KK704 is the Official Racing Tire of the USMTS. Drivers not wishing to compete for points and/or points funds have the option of using the stamped Hoosier G60 tire. There is no requirement that a driver purchase a USMTS license in order to compete in any USMTS event. However, benefits enjoyed by licensed drivers include bonus payouts, reduced entry fees, increased tow money, contingency awards, points funds, provisional starting spots, increased media recognition, a personalized driver profile page at www.usmts.com and more.

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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TITLE SPONSOR: O’Reilly Auto Parts.

PRESENTING SPONSOR: Casey’s General Stores.

OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Race Tires, Awesome Race Suits, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, Nitroquest Web Solutions, TrackTek Racing Fuel.

PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: Day Motor Sports, Kraft Kar Race Cars, Marsh Racing Wheels, Olympic Fire Protection, Real Racing Wheels, Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar, Ruter Farms, Yeager Machine.

CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: Belleville Motorsports, Hawk Performance, Hyperco, ISKY Racing Cams, Quarter Master, QuickTime Performance.