CRESCO, Iowa — Five hot summer nights are forecasted for this week as the Modified Masters of the O’Reilly USMTS National Tour blaze a trail through America’s heartland this Tuesday through Saturday, July 29 through Aug. 2.

Fans and drivers alike can expect some added excitement from NASCAR veterans Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace will take on the USMTS Modifieds at the Cresco (Iowa) Speedway on Tuesday and the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa on Wednesday. Along with them, the colorful and legendary Jimmy Spencer will join in the fun, and all three drivers will be signing autographs for the fans both nights. While Schrader and Wallace will strap into their own high-powered Modifieds to take on the best the division has to offer, Spencer will serve as both Grand Marshall and Master of Ceremonies as "Mr. Excitement" will flag races, entertain the crowd and who knows what else. UPDATE: On Wednesday afternoon, Spencer had a family emergency and had to fly home to Pennsylvania. Regrettably, he will not be at the Oskaloosa event.

On Thursday, the rugged road warriors of the O’Reilly USMTS National Tour will close out the month of July with one of the long-standing traditional stops with the 9th Annual UPS Store Illinois Challenge at the Knox County Fairgrounds in Knoxville, Iowa. Then on Friday and Saturday, it's the 3rd Annual Iowa-Missouri Border War, with the Bloomfield (Iowa) Speedway hosting Friday's opener followed by a first-time appearance by the USMTS at the 24 Raceway in Moberly, Mo., on Saturday night.

The O’Reilly USMTS National Tour will be led into battle by Jason Hughes, Tim Donlinger, Al Hejna, Zack VanderBeek, Mark Noble and Kelly Shryock as he seeks his unprecedented ninth O'Reilly USMTS National Championship. Other drivers expected for these barnburners include Brandon Kenny, Steve Wetzstein, Alan Mondus, Tommy Myer, Jay Noteboom, Dereck Ramirez, Bob Timm, Dan Bohr, Mike Sorensen, Jason Krohn, Ron Ver Beek, Dean Mahlstedt, Bryan Rowland, Corey Dripps, Doug Hillson, Jake Neal, Ryan Gustin, Joey Schaefer, Kevin Pittman, Steve Stewart, Brad Waits, Shawn Peterson, Nate Wasmund, Josh Reisch, Tom Paulson, Joe Wernecke, Ryan York, Ryan Ruter, Jeff Schluetter, Jay Ihrke, Terry Timmerman, Brady Peterson, Carey Umbarger, Jacob Dahle, T.J. Stalker, Scott Green, Tommy Weder Jr., Mike Wedelstadt, Layne Meyer, Julie McDermid, Ron Konkel, Brady Peterson, Mick Glenn, Ron Ver Beek, Donovan Lodge, Colt Mather, Richie Gustin Jr., Cale Sponsler, Brad Pinkerton, Chris Spieker, Nate Caruth, Josh Truman, Michael Long, Brandon Banks, Steve Kosiski, David Holder, Scott Dickey, Matt Waugh, Jerry King and many more.

TUESDAY, JULY 29 — CRESCO SPEEDWAY

The Mighty Howard County Fairgrounds speedplant will host the final event for the Yeager Machine Upper Midwest Region with the 2nd Annual NASCAR Invitational and will qualify the third group of drivers to be a part of the Casey's General Stores Hunt for the USMTS National Championship.

The infield opens for Party Pass fans at 4 p.m., as well as pits. Grandstands open at 5 p.m. and the V.I.P. Autograph Session will be from 5 to 5:30. Schrader, Spencer and Wallace will be signing autographs for the fans from 5:45 to 6:30. Hot laps begin at 6:45 with a full night of racing action to follow.

Pit gates will open at 4:00, hot laps begin at 6:45 and the first heat race is at 7:15. General admission adult grandstand tickets are just $15, kids ages 6-12 are $5 and children 5 & Under are FREE. Pit passes are $30. In addition to the grandstands and the pits, race fans can purchase a one-of-a-kind Party Pass. For just $20 per person, drive your vehicle inside the track and watch the races from the infield! Bring your own food, drinks and grills! First come first served for infield spots. Passenger cars and trucks only. No scaffolding.

Race fans can pick up $2-off discount coupons at Casey's General Store locations in Cresco, Decorah, New Hampton and Ossian. Zack VanderBeek will be on hand to meet and greet fans at the Casey's store at 601 2nd Ave. SW in Cresco, along with his Cheetos/Casey's General Stores #33z Skyrocket Modified, from 12-2 p.m.

In addition to the O’Reilly USMTS Modifieds, the USRA Casey's General Stores Weekly Racing Series featuring USRA Karl Chevrolet Stock Cars, USRA Karl Chevrolet B-Mods, USRA Hobby Stocks and Outlaw Hobbys will be in action with all three classes racing for USRA national and track points.

Race day info is available by calling the track hotline at (563) 547-3400 or visit www.rlpromotions.com/cresco online. The Cresco Speedway is a 4/10-mile high-banked clay oval located 0.2 miles north of SR 9 on SW 7th.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 30 - SOUTHERN IOWA SPEEDWAY

The Mahaska County Half-Mile Monster will host the first of four straight nights in the O’Reilly USMTS Central States Region. Pit gates open at 4 p.m. and grandstand gates open at 5. The V.I.P. Autograph Session will be from 5 to 5:30, and fans can take part in an autograph session in front of the grandstands from 6 to 6:45. Hot laps begin at 7 with the first green flag slated to wave at 7:30.

General admission adult grandstand tickets are just $15, kids ages 6-12 are $5 and children 5 & Under are FREE. Pit passes are $30.

Race fans can pick up $2-off discount coupons at al three Casey's General Store locations in Oskaloosa. Once again, Zack VanderBeek will be on hand to meet and greet fans at the Casey's store at 1310 A Ave. W in Oskaloosa, along with his Cheetos/Casey's General Stores #33z Skyrocket Modified, from 12-2 p.m.

Also on tap will be the USRA Casey's General Stores Weekly Racing Series featuring USRA Karl Chevrolet Stock Cars ($400 to win), USRA Karl Chevrolet B-Mods ($300 to win) and USRA Hobby Stocks ($300 to win), with all three classes racing for USRA national and track points.

The Southern Iowa Speedway is a half-mile semi-banked clay oval located 0.5 mile west of US 63 on SR 92, then four blocks north on N. I St. (at the Southern Iowa Fairgrounds). For day-of-race information, call the track hotline at (507) 634-4281 or visit www.rlpromotions.com/oskaloosa online.

THURSDAY, JULY 31 - KNOX COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

Thursday, July 31, will find the stars and cars of the O’Reilly USMTS National Tour at the Knox County Fairgrounds in Knoxville, Ill., for the ninth straight season. The 9th Annual UPS Store Illinois Challenge at the Knox County Fair has grown into a fan-favorite Central States Region tilt. The annual fair-time event has been a standing-room-only extravaganza since its inception thanks to dozens of sponsors, a supportive community and the hard work of former O’Reilly USMTS Marketing Director Ed Sheckler. For the second year, this year's main event will pay honor to the late great USMTS ambassador with the Ed Sheckler Memorial Race.

Pit gates will open at 4 p.m., hot laps begin at 7 and the first heat race is at 7:30.

General admission adult grandstand tickets are just $15, kids ages 6-12 are $5 and children 5 & Under are FREE. Pit passes are $30.

Race fans can pick up $2-off discount coupons at al three Casey's General Store locations in Abingdon, Elmwood, Galesburg, Knoxville and Wataga. Zack VanderBeek will be on hand to meet and greet fans at the Casey's store at 440 Henderson Rd. in Knoxville from 12-2 p.m.

The Knox County Fairgrounds features a half-mile slightly-banked clay oval located south of I-74 (Exit 51) on the north side of Knoxville. For raceday information, call the track hotline at (309) 289-4806.

Stock Cars ($500 to win) and Outlaw Hobbys ($400 to win) will round out the featured divisions in action. Both classes will utilize Burlington/Donnellson rules. Mod Lites ($250 to win) will also be running.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1 - BLOOMFIELD SPEEDWAY

Eight-time O’Reilly USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock of Fertile, Iowa, notched his 14th main event win last year at the Bloomfield speedplant and locked up the Central States Region title in doing so. Friday's race will be the next to last event in the Central States Region, and Shryock is once again in the driver's seat to claim the regional crown.

The opening night of the 3rd Annual Iowa-Missouri Challenge will see pit gates opening at 5 p.m., with hot laps at 7 and racing at 7:30 sharp.

General admission adult grandstand tickets are just $15, kids ages 6-12 are $5 and children 5 & Under are FREE. Pit passes are $25.

Race fans can pick up $2-off discount coupons at al three Casey's General Store locations in Bloomfield, Eldon and all four locations in Ottumwa, as well as Lancaster and Memphis, Mo., locations. Zack VanderBeek will be on hand to meet and greet fans at the Casey's General Store at 206 S. Washington in Bloomfield from 12-2 p.m.

The Bloomfield Speedway is a 3/8-mile slightly-banked clay oval located 1.0 mile west of Bloomfield on US 63/SR 2, then 0.8 mile north on CR J40 (at the Davis County Fairgrounds). Raceday information is available by calling (641) 664-2500.

The USRA Karl Chevrolet Stock Cars, USRA Karl Chevrolet B-Mods and USRA Hobby Stocks will also be in action with all three classes racing for national and track points in the USRA Casey's General Stores Weekly Racing Series.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2 - 24 RACEWAY

After four nights of racing on familiar ground, the O’Reilly USMTS National Tour ventures into unchartered territory with the first-ever visit to the 24 Raceway in Moberly, Mo. The second race of the 3rd Annual Iowa-Missouri Challenge will be the final race of the Central States Region and will qualify a fourth batch of drivers into the Casey's General Stores Hunt for the USMTS National Championship.

Pit gates will open at 4 p.m., hot laps begin at 6:15 and the first heat race is at 7 p.m.

General admission adult grandstand tickets are just $15, kids ages 6-12 are $5 and children 5 & Under are FREE. Pit passes are $25.

Race fans can pick up $2-off discount coupons at al three Casey's General Store locations in Macon, Madison and Moberly.. Zack VanderBeek will be on hand to meet and greet fans at the Casey's General Store located at 1222 Hurley St. in Moberly from 12-2 p.m.

The 24 Raceway is a 4/10-mile high-banked clay oval located 3.5 miles east of US 63 on US 24. For more information, check out the track's website at www.24racewayinmoberly.com.

Also on the racing card will be B-Mods, Sportsmans, Hobby Stocks and Hornets competing under 24 Raceway weekly rules.

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, Arizona Sport Shirts, Awesome Race Suits, Bear Tire Company, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, Childhelp, Gressel Racing, Houston Specialty Products Co., Karl Chevrolet, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, New Vision Graphics, Nitroquest Web Solutions, Q.E.M., Inc., TrackTek Racing Fuel, Western Flyer Xpress.

PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: Boom Drilling, Day Motor Sports, Kraft/Ramirez Race Cars, Olympic Fire Protection, Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar, Ruter Farms, Yeager Machine.

CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, Belleville Motorsports, Bert Transmission, BSB Manufacturing, COMP Cams, Duralite Racing Wheels, Dynatech Racing Exhaust, GRT Race Cars, Hawk Performance, Holley Performance Products, Hyperco, ISKY Racing Cams, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, Quarter Master, QuickTime Performance Race Parts, Real Racing Wheels, US Brake.