BAYTOWN, Texas -- United States Modified Touring Series officials said Monday that early entries are coming in at a record clip for the 2nd Annual Texas Winter Nationals, Dec. 3-6 at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas.

Last year nearly 70 top-flight Modified racers competed in the inaugural Texas Winter Nationals. Officials expect to top that number this year, possibly eclipsing the 100 entry threshold.

The event will be the highest-paying O'Reilly USMTS Southern Series event in the two-year existence of the popular tour, with a possible $9,000 to win over three nights.

The main event will pay $2,000 to win on Thursday, with $3,000 earmarked for Friday's winner and $4,000 to win on Saturday.

An open practice will be held on Wednesday night, Dec. 3. All classes are invited to participate. Due to the high number of racecars expected for the weekend tripleheader, this will be the only night for hot laps. The pit gate will open at 4 p.m. and practice will be held from 6-10 p.m. Pit passes are $20 and admission to the grandstands will be free.

On Thursday and Friday, Dec. 4-5, gates will open at 5 p.m. with racing at 7:30. On Saturday, Dec. 6, gates open at 4 p.m. and the mud starts flying at 6:30.

Houston Raceway Park is a 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval located east of Houston on I-10 to Exit 798, then 3.0 miles south on SR 146, then 0.9 miles SE on FM 1405, then 1.5 miles NE on FM 565. For more information, call the track office at (281) 383-RACE or visit www.houstonraceway.com online.

THURSDAY PAYOUT: 1. $2000, 2. $1200, 3. $800, 4. $600, 5. $500, 6. $450, 7. $400, 8. $350, 9. $300, 10. $275, 11. $250, 12. $225, 13. $200, 14. $200, 15. $200, 16. $200, 17. $200, 18. $200, 19. $200, 20. $200, 21. $200, 22. $200, 23. $200, 24. $200,

FRIDAY PAYOUT: 1. $3000, 2. $1800, 3. $1200, 4. $800, 5. $600, 6. $500, 7. $450, 8. $400, 9. $350, 10. $300, 11. $275, 12. $250, 13. $250, 14. $250, 15. $250, 16. $250, 17. $250, 18. $250, 19. $250, 20. $250, 21. $250, 22. $250, 23. $250, 24. $250,

SATURDAY PAYOUT: 1. $4000, 2. $2500, 3. $1700, 4. $1000, 5. $700, 6. $600, 7. $500, 8. $450, 9. $400, 10. $350, 11. $325, 12. $300, 13. $300, 14. $300, 15. $300, 16. $300, 17. $300, 18. $300, 19. $300, 20. $300, 21. $300, 22. $300, 23. $300, 24. $300,

Published payouts are for non-licensed drivers. 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.

ENTRY FEES:
Thursday: early licensed $80, early non-licensed $90, late entry all drivers $100.
Friday: early licensed $100, early non-licensed $110, late entry all drivers $125.
Saturday: early licensed $125, early non-licensed $135, late entry all drivers $150.

Early entries must be received in the USMTS office, postmarked no later than Dec. 1, 2008. Entry forms can be downloaded at www.usmts.com/entry.asp.

RULES & PROCEDURES: All USMTS rules apply. The American Racer KK704 is the Official Tire of the USMTS; however drivers may utilize 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 begin.

TOP DOG BONUS: Drivers ranked among the top-10 in points will be guaranteed a minimum of $300 on both Friday and Saturday night, while drivers ranked 11th through 15th are guaranteed $200. There is no Top Dog Bonus for Thursday's show.

Defending winners of the Texas Winter Nationals are Paul White (Thursday), Alan Mondus (Friday) and Kelly Shryock (Saturday).

Limited Mods will also be competing all three nights for an increased purse, racing for $500 to win on Thursday, $700 to win on Friday and $1,000 to win on Saturday. More than 60 different Limited Mods competed in last year's event.

LIMITED MODS PAYOFF:

Thursday: 1. $500, 2. $300, 3. $200, 4. $150, 5. $120, 6. $100, 7. $90, 8. $80, 9. $75, 10. $70, 11. $65, 12. $60, 13. $55, 14. $50, 15. $50, 16. $50, 17. $50, 18. $50, 19. $50, 20. $50, 21. $50, 22. $50, 23. $50, 24. $50.

Friday: 1. $700, 2. $400, 3. $300, 4. $200, 5. $170, 6. $140, 7. $120, 8. $100, 9. $90, 10. $80, 11. $75, 12. $70, 13. $65, 14. $60, 15. $60, 16. $60, 17. $60, 18. $60, 19. $60, 20. $60, 21. $60, 22. $60, 23. $60, 24. $60.

Saturday: 1. $1000, 2. $600, 3. $400, 4. $300, 5. $200, 6. $175, 7. $150, 8. $125, 9. $100, 10. $90, 11. $80, 12. $75, 13. $75, 14. $75, 15. $75, 16. $75, 17. $75, 18. $75, 19. $75, 20. $75, 21. $75, 22. $75, 23. $75, 24. $75.

There is no entry fee on any night for Limited Mods. However, any driver racing in both Modifieds and Limited Mods will pay an entry of $30 on Thursday and Friday, and $35 on Saturday.

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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