LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The O’Reilly USMTS Southern Series will scream back into action this Friday and Saturday, Oct. 3-4 for the 10th Annual GRT Race Cars Topless Modified Nationals at the I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, Ark. with a possible $7,000 winner's share of the purse up for grabs.

With the O’Reilly USMTS National Tour wrapping up their business for the 2008 season two weeks ago, this year's "Topless" race is expected to draw dozens of big guns from north, south, east and west.

Jason Hughes of Westville, Okla. comes into the event atop the O'Reilly USMTS Southern Series standings on the strength of his series-leading five victories. Steve Holzkamper of Gentry, Ark. sits second in points and will be looking to pick up his second win of the season in his home state. Tommy Weder Jr. of Woodward, Okla. is third, followed by a pair of Texans: John O Whittington of Vidor and Paul White of Temple, both of whom are seeking their first triumphs under the USMTS banner.

Other drivers entered for this weekend's blockbuster include Dereck Ramirez, Brandon Kenny, Shane Hebert, Bryan Rowland, Dustin Hyde, Jamie Burford, Rodney Sanders, David Mitchell, Morgan Bagley, Scott Green, Timothy Culp, Steven Whiteaker Jr., Jeremy Ross and Jeff Huckaby.

Invading from the north, O'Reilly USMTS National Tour standouts Kelly Shryock, Jon Tesch, Zack VanderBeek and Al Hejna are also expected to compete for the chance to become the 10th Annual GRT Race Cars Topless Modified Nationals champion.

Among the favorites to win this year's event, however, is Greenbrier's Jack Sullivan, who captured the O'Reilly USMTS Southern Series race at I-30 Speedway on June 4 and was also the winner of the 2001 GRT Race Cars Topless Modified Nationals.

Past winners of the prestigious event include Charlie Armstrong (1999-2000), Sullivan (2001), Skeet Amason (2002), Wayne Brooks (2003), Kevin Salter (2004), Tim Crawley (2005-06) and Mike Bowers (2007).

On Thursday night, Oct. 2, the I-30 Speedway will be warming up with a test 'n' tune session for all drivers. Admission to the grandstands is free, with pit passes just $10.

Friday night will be the first of two complete shows at the high-banked quarter-mile clay oval. The main event for the O'Reilly USMTS Southern Series Modifieds will pay $2,000 to win with a minimum $200 to start. On Saturday, a $5,000 top prize awaits the winner of the feature race, with a guaranteed $500 to start the Holley "A" Main.

Pit gates will open at 4 p.m., grandstands open at 5, hot laps are at 6:30 and racing starts at 7:30 both nights. Sprint cars will also join the racing card both nights.

The I-30 Speedway is located 7 miles southwest of Little Rock on I-30 to Exit 126 (County Line Rd.), then south to frontage road, then east (SSR). For race day information, call the track hotline at (501) 455-4567 or visit www.i-30speedway.com.

RULES & PROCEDURES: All USMTS rules apply. The American Racer KK704 is the Official Tire of the USMTS; however drivers may use the Hoosier G60 but will not earn points or be eligible for contingency awards. Qualifying will be done by heat race passing points and "B" Mains. Draw for heat race starting spot ends 15 minutes before hot laps start. All racecars must have roof and sail panels removed, and mufflers are required for this event.

LICENSES: There is no requirement to purchase a USMTS license to compete in any USMTS event. However, benefits enjoyed by licensed drivers includes higher event purses and bonus payouts, increased tow money, discounted entry fees, contingency awards, points funds, provisional starting spots, increased media recognition, a personalized driver profile page at www.usmts.com and more. The cost of a license is $200 for the O’Reilly USMTS Southern Series.

TOP DOG BONUS: Drivers ranked among the top-10 in points will be guaranteed a minimum of $300 on Saturday night.

ENTRY FEES: Pre-entry is $150 for all drivers. Entry fee at the gate is $250. To pre-enter, call the USMTS headquarters at (515) 832-7944.

FRIDAY PAYOFF: 1. $2000, 2. $1000, 3. $750, 4. $600, 5. $500, 6. $475, 7. $450, 8. $425, 9. $400, 10. $350, 11. $325, 12. $300, 13. $275, 14. $250, 15. $200, 16. $200, 17. $200, 18. $200, 19. $200, 20. $200, 21. $200, 22. $200, 23. $200, 24. $200.

SATURDAY PAYOFF: 1. $5000, 2. $2500, 3. $2000, 4. $1500, 5. $1000, 6. $900, 7. $800, 8. $750, 9. $700, 10. $600, 11. $575, 12. $550, 13. $525, 14. $500, 15. $500, 16. $500, 17. $500, 18. $500, 19. $500, 20. $500, 21. $500, 22. $500, 23. $500, 24. $500; Tow $250.

O’REILLY USMTS SOUTHERN SERIES 2008 SCHEDULE:
Friday, April 18 … Golden Triangle Raceway Park, Beaumont, TX (winner: Howard Willis)
Saturday, April 19 … Gator Motorplex, Willis, TX (winner: Steve Holzkamper)
Friday, May 2 … Lake Country Speedway, Ardmore, OK (winner: Jason Hughes)
Saturday, May 3 … Cowtown Speedway, Kennedale, TX (winner: George White)
Thursday, May 8 … Champion Park Speedway, Minden, LA (winner: David Mitchell)
Friday, May 9 … Sabine Speedway, Many, LA (winner: Jason Hughes)
Saturday, May 10 … Pike County Speedway, Magnolia, MS (winner: Jason Hughes)
Friday, May 16 … 105 Speedway, Cleveland, TX (winner: Chris Brown)
Saturday, May 17 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX (winner: Jason Hughes)
Tuesday, June 3 … Tri-State Speedway, Pocola, OK (winner: Eddie Martin)
Wednesday, June 4 … I-30 Speedway, Little Rock, AR (winner: Jack Sullivan)
Thursday, June 5 … Ark-La-Tex Speedway, Vivian, LA (winner: Duke Whiseant)
Friday, June 6 … Monticello Speedway, Monticello, AR (winner: Jason Hughes)
Saturday, June 7 … Fast Trax Speedway, Chatham, LA (winner: Johnny Bone Jr.)
Friday, Oct. 3 … I-30 Speedway, Little Rock, AR ($2,000 to win)
Saturday, Oct. 4 … I-30 Speedway, Little Rock, AR ($5,000 to win)
Thursday, Nov. 20 … Texana Raceway Park, Edna, TX ($1,000 to win)
Friday, Nov. 21 … Texana Raceway Park, Edna, TX ($2,000 to win)
Saturday, Nov. 22 … Texana Raceway Park, Edna, TX ($3,000 to win)
Thursday, Dec. 4 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($2,000 to win)
Friday, Dec. 5 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($3,000 to win)
Saturday, Dec. 6 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($4,000 to win)

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, AwesomeRaceSuits.com, 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, Buzzard Racing Engines, 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.