WEBSTER CITY, Iowa (June 24, 2002) - After racing thirteen nights in sixteen days the USMTS will start back up with five nights of racing starting Tuesday, June 25. The USMTS north region has had eight races so far this season and Jason Hughes from Colcord, OK has a narrow point lead over Tommy Myer from Blooming Prairie, MN.

The series will start on Tuesday June 25th with the first of four stops at the Steele County Fairgrounds in Owatonna, MN.

This will be the first race of the season at the speedway after the annual Memorial Day special was rained out. USMTS is expecting a great field of cars for this event. Some of the expected drivers for Tuesdays race will be national point leader Kelly Shryock, Tommy Myer, Tim Donlinger, Dan Daniels, Justin Boney, Jason Hughes, Mark Noble, Mike Chasteen, Ron Schreiner, Mike Sorensen, Les Duellman, Nathan Kilwine, Bret Hansen, Ron Houdek, Al Hejna, Kevin Peters, Steve Wetzstein, Joey Kates, Dean Mahlstadt, Jay Ihrke, Todd Scharkey, Todd Klees, Rick Gustin, Corey Dripps, and Bob Timm. Also running will be the Midwest Mods/B-mods and the Stock Cars each running for $500 to win. Pit gates will open at 3pm with the grandstands opening at 5pm. Hot laps will get underway at 6:45 with racing to follow.

On Wednesday June 26th the series will make its first ever appearance at the Shelby County Speedway in Harlan, IA for the Western Iowa Summer Classic. Another great night of racing with most of the same drivers plus all the local favorites running for the $2000 to win payout.

Also running will be the stock cars $500 to win and the hobby stocks $300 to win. Another driver expected to be on hand for this race will be 4-time IMCA national champion Johnny Saathoff. This will be a great show and fans will want to come and see the first ever USMTS race at the Shelby County Speedway on Wednesday night.

Thursday June 27th the series will move back to the north for the first ever visit to the Mighty Howard County Fair in Cresco, IA. A lot of changes have been made at the speedway as banking was added. Most of the same drivers will be on hand and fans will be treated to some great side by side modified action. The modified race will pay the winner $2000 and all cars that start the main event will be guaranteed $200. Some of the local drivers expected at Cresco are: Kevin Pittman, Todd Ihde, Dan Bohr, Shawn Ryan plus may more. For more info call the track and talk with Tom Barnes.

On Friday and Saturday the series will make another first appearance with a visit to the beautiful Power Com at Raceway Park in Beaver Dam, WI.

This will be the first ever appearance in this area for the USMTS and a great field of cars is expected for this event. On Friday the modifieds will run for $1000 to win with the winner of Saturdays main event getting $2000 to win. With no area tracks running on Friday a great field of cars should be on hand.

Also running will be the stock cars and the legends. All the local drivers will have the chance to compete with some of the best drivers in the US as many drivers will be making the journey for the five-day swing for the north region. For more information on the USMTS log on at www.usmts.com or call the USMTS office at 515-832-7944. Hope to see everyone at one of these north region tracks.