LONGVIEW, Texas — In 2007, the O’Reilly USMTS Southern Series exceeded all expectations for the first-year campaign that saw hundreds of drivers pit their skills against the best in Modified racing throughout the South. Thanks to several sponsors that have come on board for 2008, this year's 25-race schedule looks to be even bigger and better with increased purses, a fatter points fund and the addition of several special awards.

USMTS officials revealed one of those special awards Monday with the announcement of the Dustin Duncan Memorial “Just Say Yes” Rookie of the Year Award.

Dustin Duncan was living life in the fast lane. From the outside, everything seemed to be going well for this vibrant 22-year-old Texan. But Dustin had a hidden dependency on drugs, which ultimately led to his death in November, 2005.

Dustin didn't start racing dirt track ovals until 2004 at the age of 21. He scored his first and only feature win with less than a year's experience in May of 2005 at Sabine Speedway in Many, La. The O’Reilly USMTS Southern Series will visit Sabine Speedway on Friday night, May 9.

The Dustin Duncan Memorial “Just Say Yes” Rookie of the Year Award will be worth $2,000 to the 2008 recipient, with $1,000 going to the runner-up and $500 to third in the final O’Reilly USMTS Southern Series rookie standings.

An application is required and drivers must meet certain eligibility requirements to qualify for rookie status with the O’Reilly USMTS Southern Series. For complete rules or to obtain an application, visit www.usmts.com and click on Downloads.

The O’Reilly USMTS Southern Series season will start on Friday, April 18, at Golden Triangle Raceway Park (formerly Motorama Speedway) in Beaumont, Texas, and move over to the Gator Motorplex in Willis, Texas, on Saturday night, April 19.

More information about Just Say Yes is available online at www.justsayyes.tv.

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.

O’REILLY USMTS SOUTHERN SERIES - 2008 SCHEDULE

Fri Apr 18 … Golden Triangle Raceway Park, Beaumont, TX ($2,000 to win)
Sat Apr 19 … Gator Motorplex, Willis, TX ($2,000 to win)
Fri Apr 25 … Champion Park Speedway, Minden, LA ($2,000 to win)
Sat Apr 26 … Thunder Valley Speedway, Glenmora, LA ($2,000 to win)
Fri May 2 … Lake Country Speedway, Ardmore, OK ($2,000 to win)
Sat May 3 … Cowtown Speedway, Kennedale, TX ($2,000 to win)
Fri May 9 … Sabine Speedway, Many, LA ($2,000 to win)
Sat May 10 … Pike County Speedway, Magnolia, MS ($2,000 to win)
Fri May 16 … 105 Speedway, Cleveland, TX ($2,000 to win)
Sat May 17 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($2,000 to win)
Tue Jun 3 … Tri-State Speedway, Pocola, OK ($2,000 to win)
Wed Jun 4 … I-30 Speedway, Little Rock, AR ($2,000 to win)
Thu Jun 5 … Ark-La-Tex Speedway, Vivian, LA ($2,000 to win)
Fri Jun 6 … Monticello Speedway, Monticello, AR ($2,000 to win)
Sat Jun 7 … Fast Trax Speedway, Chatham, LA ($2,000 to win)
Fri Aug 22 … Golden Triangle Raceway Park, Beaumont, TX ($2,000 to win)
Sat Aug 23 … Gator Motorplex, Willis, TX ($2,000 to win)
Fri Oct 3 … I-30 Speedway, Little Rock, AR ($2,000 to win)
Sat Oct 4 … I-30 Speedway, Little Rock, AR ($5,000 to win)
Thu Nov 20 … South Texas Speedway, Corpus Christi, TX ($1,000 to win)
Fri Nov 21 … South Texas Speedway, Corpus Christi, TX ($2,000 to win)
Sat Nov 22 … South Texas Speedway, Corpus Christi, TX ($3,000 to win)
Thu Dec 4 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($2,000 to win)
Fri Dec 5 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($3,000 to win)
Sat Dec 6 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($4,000 to win)

SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

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, New Vision Graphics, Nitroquest Web Solutions, TrackTek Racing Fuel.

PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, Day Motor Sports, Houston Specialty Products Co., 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, Dynatech Racing Exhaust, Bert Transmission, GRT Race Cars, Hawk Performance, Hyperco, ISKY Racing Cams, Quarter Master, QuickTime Performance Race Parts, US Brake.line.