McCOOL JUNCTION, Neb. – The USMTS Casey's General Stores National Tour springs back into action this weekend with their annual trek to the Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb., on Friday and Saturday, March 6-7.

Thousands of race fans and dozens of the hottest Modified drivers in America are once again expected to flock to the Cornhusker State for the annual lidlifter at the state-of-the-art 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval.

The 6th Annual Nebraska Spring Thaw will be the first and second of 63 events on the 2009 USMTS Casey's General Stores National Tour schedule, and the first and second of 10 events in the Great Plains Region.

Friday's main event winner will earn $2,000 while the winner of Saturday's finale will pocket $3,000.

A big field of America's hottest Modified drivers on dirt are expected, including NASCAR veteran Ken Schrader of Concord, N.C., who will be on hand for both days of racing.

Defending Great Plains Region champion, eight-time USMTS National Champion and all-time wins leader Kelly Shryock is expected to contend for the title, along with defending Nebraska Spring Thaw winners Justin Boney and John Allen, plus former event winners Al Hejna, Jon Tesch, Jason Friesen, Johnny Saathoff and Corey Dripps.

Other notables are also expected, such as Tommy Myer, Zack VanderBeek, Brad Waits, Dereck Ramirez, Scott Green, Jason Krohn, Rich Lewerke, Josh Reisch, Jay Noteboom, Mike Lineberry, Steve Kosiski, Alan Mondus, Andrew Gordon, Ryan Cannon, Brian Shaw, Dylan Smith, Dean Mahlstedt, Jeff Schluetter, Mike Albertsen, Chris Mills, Brandon Aggen, Chris Spieker, Garry Oskerson, Jeremy Rasmussen, Jacob Dahle, Don Eischens, Dan DeMey, Jim Mathieson, Colt Mather, Mike Sorensen, Bob Timm, Richie Gustin Jr. and more.

Last year's rain-delayed event drew 44 entries while the event record is 77, set in 2004.

Open Stock Cars will also be on the racing card both days.

Located five miles south of I-80 (York Exit) on U.S. Hwy. 81, Junction Motor Speedway is a state-of-the-art facility entering its sixth year of operation. The track is a super-fast, 3/8-mile clay oval boasting 80-foot-wide straight-aways, making for a lot of racing room for the drivers and a lot of wheel-to-wheel action for fans.

Pit gates will open at 12 noon on Friday, grandstand gates open at 4:30, hot laps are slated for 5:30 and racing is set for 7. On Saturday, pit gates will open at 10 a.m. and grandstands at 12. Hot laps are at 1 p.m. with racing to follow.

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.

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USMTS TITLE SPONSOR: Casey’s General Stores.

USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Racer Racing Tires, Awesome Racewear, AwesomeRaceSuits.com, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, Childhelp, COMP Cams, Karl Chevrolet, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, New Vision Graphics, Nitroquest Media, PBM Performance Products, Q.E.M., Inc., Western Flyer Xpress.

USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: Bear Tire Company, Buzzard Racing Engines, DandyLand Farms, Day Motor Sports, Gressel Racing, Just Say Yes, Ramirez Race Cars, Olympic Fire Protection, Ruter Farms, Yeager Machine.

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