TEXARKANA, Ark. – For the first time in what seems like eternity, the early forecast for this weekend's tripleheader of USMTS Southern Series events is looking like perfect weather for racing. Highs this weekend throughout the southern portion of Arkansas and into Louisiana are predicted to be in the mid-80s with lows in the upper 50s and little or no chance of rain.

This weekend's tripleheader of East Region action gets underway at the Texarkana 67 Speedway in Texarkana, Ark., on Friday, April 24. On Saturday, the USMTS Southern Series heads to the Champion Park Speedway in Minden, La., before wrapping up the swing with a Sunday drive at the Boothill Speedway in Greenwood, La.

All three events will earn points for competitors in the East Region of the USMTS Southern Series, where Jack Sullivan of Greenbrier, Ark., is the points leader after a pair of top-five finishes at the Topless Modified Nationals last month. Fellow veteran Razorback racer Steve Holzkamper is second in the East Region standings, followed by Steven Whiteaker Jr., Patrick Linn, Michael Robertson, Rodney Sanders, Johnny Bone Jr., Scott Green, Dereck Ramirez and Chris Henigan in the top-10.

Eight-time USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock is 11th in the East Region rankings while defending USMTS Southern Series champion Jason Hughes sits 12th.

Other USMTS warriors expected for this weekend's trio of battles are Chad Wheeler, William Gould, Wes Armstrong, Mike Bowers, Brett Frazier, B.J. Robinson, Bryan Rowland, Mike Dillard, Jason Armstrong, Jon Tesch, Timothy Culp, Morgan Bagley, Jamie Burford, Bobby Malchus, Texarkana's own Dustin Hyde, Larry Clevenger, Tate Cole, Brandon Davis, Chad Davis, Tristan Dycus, Shane Hebert, T.J. Herndon, Jeff Huckaby (also from Texarkana), David Mitchell, Jeremy Ross, Kyle Schmidt, Chris Shown, Kevin Sustaire, Randy Timms, Tyler Townsend, Lee Walchli and Troy Taylor Jr.

A top prize of $2,000 is up for grabs each night with a minimum of $200 to start each Sunoco “A” Main.

FRIDAY, APRIL 24 - TEXARKANA 67 SPEEDWAY

The USMTS banner will fly over the Texarkana 67 Speedway in Texarkana, Ark., for the first time ever on Friday, April 24, with a strong field of touring veterans and surprise show-ups expected. Local drivers expected to make some noise include Jeremy Tussey, Greg Garrett, Scott Hushelpeck, Bryan Mewborn, B.J. Moore, Caleb Shown, Josh Uchtman, Mike Morris and Matt Conine.

Texarkana 67 Speedway will also be hosting a practice night on Thursday, April 23, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Pit passes are $15 with free admission to the grandstands. On Friday, pit gates open at 4:30, grandstands open at 5:00, hot laps begin at 6:45 and racing starts at 7:30. Also on the racing card will be the USRA Southern Limited Mods racing for $500 to win, plus Street Stocks and Factory Stocks.

The Texarkana 67 Speedway is a 1/4-mile semi-banked clay oval located east of Texarkana on I-30 to Exit 7, then 0.5 mile southeast on SR 108, then 2.6 miles northeast on US 67 (WSR). For more information, call 870-773-0029 or visit www.texarkana67speedway.com online.

SATURDAY, APRIL 25 - CHAMPION PARK SPEEDWAY

Returning again in 2009 after an exciting debut last season, the Champion Park Speedway in Haughton, La., will be the meat in the weekend's sandwich on Saturday, April 25. Last year, David Mitchell captured his first and only USMTS victory by holding off Shane Hebert and Rodney Sanders in the closing laps of the main event.

Newly-added clay and more banking have produced three-wide racing during weekly shows already this season, and fans can expect more of the same when the big dogs starts biting into the dirt this Saturday.

Local Minden racer Michael Robertson finished fifth in last year's event and currently sits fifth in the USMTS Southern Series East Region points standings. Other local drivers expected to contend for the $2,000 winner's share of the purse include Geoffrey Lary, Aaron Jordan, Brent Stewart, David Winslett, Jeff Weems Jr., Clif Williams, Bruce Williams, John Williams, Clay Walker, Jason Ingalls, Michael Knighten, Chad Perot, Brandon Russell, Dwayne Brown, Robert Miller, Derek Perkins, Jonathan Brunson, Chris Patton and Lee Patton.

Also on the menu Saturday night will be USRA Limited Mods racing for $500 to win, plus Southern Hot Stocks and Factory Stocks. Pit gates open at 4:00, grandstands open at 5:00, hot laps are set for 6:00 and the first green flag flies at 6:30.

The Champion Park Speedway is a 1/4-mile semi-banked clay oval located 0.2 mile north of I-20 at Exit 38, then 0.7 mile east. For more information, call 318-371-0077 or visit the track's website at www.championparkspeedway.net.

SUNDAY, APRIL 26 - BOOTHILL SPEEDWAY

By popular demand after a two-year hiatus, the USMTS Southern Series returns to the big and fast Boothill Speedway in Greenwood, La., on Sunday, April 26. Defending USMTS Southern Series champion Jason Hughes of Westville, Okla., came out on top during the most recent invasion on July 29, 2007.

Also on the racing card will be USRA Southern B-Mods ($500 to win) and Factory Stocks. Pit gates open at 4:00, grandstands open at 5:00, hot laps start at 6:00 and the mud starts flying at 6:30.

The Boothill Speedway is a 3/8-mile semi-banked clay oval located west of Shreveport on I-20 to the Carthage-Morningsport Exit #3, then 0.2 mile north, then east on McGee Rd. For more information, call 318-938-5373 or check out www.boothillspeedway.net online.

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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