BEAUMONT, Texas – Four events in the Lone Star State are up next for the USMTS Southern Series with a possible $8,500 to win as drivers look to make their move in the West Region points standings during the 3rd Annual Rinehart Texas Shootout.

More than $60,000 in purse money will be up for grabs during the 3rd Annual Rinehart Texas Shootout, including a $2,000 top prize at each of the four events and a points fund which will pay $500 to the top points earner, $300 for second and $200 for third over the course of the four-race swing.

With three West Region races in the books so far this season, defending USMTS Southern Series champion Jason Hughes of Westville, Okla., is three-for-three and leads the top-notch touring titans into Texas as the current points leader over 2007 USMTS Southern Series titleist and eight-time USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock of Fertile, Iowa. Texan Rodney Sanders of Happy is third in the rankings, followed by Steven Whiteaker Jr. of Corpus Christi. Shane Hebert of Lafayette, La., is fifth; Johnny Bone Jr. of Pea Ridge, Ark., is sixth; and Jon Tesch of Watertown, S.D., sits seventh. Three Sooner State speedsters round out the top 10: Eddie Martin of Stilwell, Randy Timms of Wheatland and Woodward's Bryan Rowland.

Other USMTS Southern Series drivers expected to make some noise this weekend include Kevin Sustaire, Wes Armstrong, Dereck Ramirez, Bobby Malchus, Jason Armstrong, Morgan Bagley, Bumper Jones, Kyle Schmidt, William Gould, Chase Allen, Shawn Brassfield, Chad Davis, Alan Sharpensteen, Cody Smith, Steve Holzkamper, Chad Wheeler, Scott Green, Kip Hughes, Jeremy Morris, Larry Clevenger, Tate Cole, Mike Dillard, Dustin Hyde, Pat McVicker, Melvin Pilcher, Jeremy Ross, Timothy Culp, John O Whittington, Tim Clonch, Troy Taylor Jr., Jack Sullivan, Tristan Dycus, Jerry Standifer, Tyler Townsend, Nathan Bichsel, Allen Chickering, Brandon Davis, Ron Gould Jr. and Grant Junghans.

THURSDAY, MAY 7 - GOLDEN TRIANGLE RACEWAY PARK

On Thursday, May 7, the quadrupleheader kicks off at the Golden Triangle Raceway Park in Beaumont for a re-scheduled date that was rained-out on April 17.

Howard Willis of Vidor, Texas, sat on the pole and never relinquished the lead as he captured the season-opening USMTS Southern Series main event last year. Four events were held at the track (then called Motorama Speedway) in 2007 with Kelly Shryock, Steve Holzkamper, Tommy Weder Jr. and Jason Hughes sharing the honors.

Among the regulars expected to defend their home turf are Corey Neil, Darryl Seals, Corey Babbitt, Robert Metz, Johnny Brown, John Baker, Mike Walling, Brian Boram, Mike Girardo and John Neff Jr.

Pit and grandstand gates will open at 5:00 with hot laps at 7:00 and racing at 7:45. Also on the racing card will be USRA Southern Limited Modifieds and Hobby Stocks.

The Golden Triangle Raceway Park is a 1/4-mile high-banked clay oval located 9.5 miles west of I-10 on US 90 (SSR). For race day information, call the track hotline at 409-752-7200 or 409-781-2801 or visit www.motoramaspeedway.com on the World Wide Web.

FRIDAY, MAY 8 - BATTLEGROUND SPEEDWAY

Friday, May 8, will find the mud-slinging Modifieds of the USMTS Southern Series making their debut at the rejuvenated Battleground Speedway in Highlands. The 3/8-mile oval opened on March 31, 1984, and operated through 2001 before closing. It re-opened briefly from 2004-06 under the name Highland Motor Speedway, changing the name back to Battleground Speedway just before closing again.

“My goal is to make Battleground Speedway the premier facility for dirt track racing in Southeast Texas,” said Mike Walling, who purchased the complex in September 2008.

With a successful World of Outlaws Late Model Series event already under their belt in 2009, the facility boasts a 4,000-seat grandstand topped by a new press box. The former press box was blown off the stands and landed in the nearby woods when Hurricane Ike rocked the area last September – just four days after Walling assumed ownership of the track.

Phil Dixon, Bubba Gates, Tommy Stanley, Danny Barringer, Paul White, Corey Neil, Benny Perry, Corey Babbitt, Frank Kitchenhoff and Pete Sagmiller are just a few of the weekly warriors expected to contend for the winner's trophy Friday night.

Pit gates will open at 3:00 for the inaugural event, with grandstand gates swinging open at 5:00. Hot laps are slated for 6:00 and the first heat race is scheduled to take to the track at 7:00. USRA Southern Limited Modifieds will also join the racing program Friday night.

The Battleground Speedway is a 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval located east of Houston on I-10 to Highland Exit 787, then 4.0 miles north on FM 2100 (Crosby Lynchburg Rd.). For more information, call 832-421-RACE or check out www.battlegroundspeedway.net online.

SATURDAY, MAY 9 - HOUSTON RACEWAY PARK

On Saturday, May 9, the Houston Raceway Park in Baytown is on the invasion menu with the 2nd Annual Showdown at Baytown. With seven shows since 2007, more USMTS Southern Series events have been held at HRP than any other facility – and, weather permitting, the total will increase to 11 with the conclusion of the 3rd Annual Texas Winter Nationals, Dec. 3-5.

The nine-year-old facility has a main grandstand seating capacity of 7,500 which includes fourteen VIP luxury suites and boasts a state-of-the-art MUSCO Lighting system for TV productions.

Paul White won the first-ever USMTS Southern Series event at Houston Raceway Park. Since then, trips to victory lane have also been made by Alan Mondus, Kelly Shryock, Jason Hughes, Tommy Weder Jr., Johnny Bone Jr. and Zack VanderBeek.

Local aces expected to compete include David Smith, Chris Brown, Corey Neil, Kevin Batterbee, Joe Mayhew, Kenny Batterbee, Ed Wickham, Brent Nicholas, Brian Spindleman, Brian Sellier and others.

Pit gates will open at 4:00 on Saturday with grandstands opening at 6:00. Hot laps are at 6:30 and racing begins at 7:00. USRA Southern Limited Modifieds will round out the night's racing card.

The Houston Raceway Park is a state-of-the-art 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 southeast on FM 1405, then 1.5 miles northeast on FM 565. For more information, call the track office at 281-383-RACE or visit www.houstonraceway.com online.

SUNDAY, MAY 10 - GATOR MOTORPLEX

The four-race weekend wraps up at the Gator Motorplex in Willis on Sunday, May 10, to make-up the rained-out show on April 18. Gates will open early at 12 noon, with hot laps slated for 3:30 and the first green flag flying 4:00. Also competing will be USRA Southern Limited Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Pure Stocks.

Fans can meet the drivers prior to hot laps and a free meal from Hickory Hut Concessions are part of the special Mothers Day prizes that will be distributed at the races. Mother's Day prize sponsors include Speed Tan, Gene's Hickory Hut, Performance Tinters, SDR Photography, Checkerflag Diner, Waffle House, Starbucks, Sonic, Subway and more.

Past USMTS Southern Series winners at the Gator Motorplex include Greg Skaggs (2007) and Steve Holzkamper (2008).

Local favorites than fans can expect to see defending their home turf are Kevin Sturgess, Bryan Vollmer, Doug Byrns, Keith Wright, Monty Locke, Alan Drewry, Steve Pugh, Derek Knowles, Kalif Sellier, Jeff Wood and others.

The Gator Motorplex is a 1/4-mile high-banked clay oval located off I-45 to Shepherd Hill (Exit 98), then east, then 1.4 miles south on SR 75. The track's official website is online at www.gatormotorplex.net.

RULES & PROCEDURES: All USMTS rules apply. Qualifying will be done by heat race passing points and Real Racing Wheels “B” Mains. Draw for heat race starting spot ends 15 minutes before hot laps begin. 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 points funds. Roll bar padding and a window net are required. If utilizing a flat tappet or BRODIX aluminum spec head engine, the minimum weight of the racecar must be 2,400 lbs. If utilizing steel or aluminum heads with a 23-degree valve angle, the minimum weight must be 2,450 lbs. If utilizing raised runner heads or heads with less than a 23-degree valve angle, the minimum weight must be 2,500 lbs. Racecars with aluminum heads other than the approved BRODIX aluminum spec heads must have 25 lbs. in front of mid-plate.

PROVISIONALS: Four provisional starters shall be added to the rear of the Sunoco “A” Main each night - two from USMTS points and two from track points.

TOP DOG BONUS: Drivers ranked among the top-10 in West Region points are guaranteed a minimum of $300. Drivers ranked 11th through 15th earn a minimum of $200. Driver must have perfect attendance in the USMTS Southern Series West Region to be eligible.

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 USMTS Southern Series license is $200.

ENTRY FEES: Pre-entry is $90 for non-licensed drivers or $80 for drivers with a USMTS license. Late entry for all drivers is $100. Drivers may call USMTS headquarters at (515) 832-7944 on Tuesday, May 5, to secure the early entry rate.

PAYOFF: Licensed - 1. $2000, 2. $1500, 3. $1000, 4. $800, 5. $700, 6. $600, 7. $500, 8. $450, 9. $400, 10. $350, 11. $320, 12. $300, 13. $275, 14-26. $250, Tow $80; Non-Licensed - 1. $2000, 2. $1200, 3. $800, 4. $600, 5. $500, 6. $400, 7. $350 , 8. $300, 9. $250, 10. $230, 11. $210, 12-26. $200, Tow $60.

USMTS SOUTHERN SERIES - WEST REGION POINTS STANDINGS:
1. 12 - Jason Hughes, Westville, Okla. … 312
2. 3 - Kelly Shryock, Fertile, IA, . 246
3. 20 - Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas … 237
4. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr., Corpus Christi, Texas … 227
5. 9 - Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La. … 222
6. 12 - Johnny Bone Jr., Pea Ridge, Ark. … 216
7. 14 - Jon Tesch, Watertown, S.D. … 210
8. 51 - Eddie Martin, Stilwell, Okla. … 203
8. 5t - Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla. … 203
10. 20r - Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla. … 199
11. 71k - Kevin Sustaire, Emery, Texas … 181
12. 5a - Wes Armstrong, Marshall, Texas … 179
13. 4r - Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla. … 177
14. 4m - Bobby Malchus, Red Oak, Texas … 167
14. 57 - Jason Armstrong, Marshall, Texas … 167
16. 5r - Morgan Bagley, Longview, Texas … 164
17. 111 - Bumper Jones, Mesilla Park, N.M. … 160
17. 10 - Kyle Schmidt, Farmington, Ark. … 160
19. 60 - William Gould, Calera, Okla. … 145
19. 30 - Chase Allen, Midlothian, Texas … 145
21. 91b - Shawn Brassfield, Ada, Okla. … 135
21. 52 - Chad Davis Tulsa, Okla., … 135
21. 75 - Alan Sharpensteen, Amarillo, Texas … 135
21. 18 - Cody Smith, Kaufman, Texas … 135
25. 5 - Steve Holzkamper, Gentry, Ark. … 130
26. 88 - Chad Wheeler, Muskogee, Okla. … 129
27. 25 - Scott Green, Derby, Kan. … 120
28. GO - Kip Hughes, Enid, Okla. … 102
29. 9j - Jeremy Morris, Lowell, Ark. … 95
30. L1 - Larry Clevenger, Greenwood, La. … 90
30. 89 - Tate Cole, Muskogee, Okla. … 90
30. 66x - Mike Dillard, Allen, Texas … 90
30. 8j - Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, Texas … 90
30. 6 - Pat McVicker, Woodward, Okla. … 90
30. 47 - Melvin Pilcher, Springdale, Ark. … 90
30. 38 - Jeremy Ross, Locust Grove, Okla. … 90
30. C8 - Timothy Culp, West Monroe, La. … 90
38. 5w - John O Whittington, Vidor, Texas … 85
39. 18 - Tim Clonch, Quinlan, Texas … 77
40. 76 - Troy Taylor Jr., Dallas, Texas … 67
41. 18 - Jack Sullivan, Greenbrier, Ark. … 64
42. 14 - Tristan Dycus, Midlothian, Texas … 54
43. 2 - Jerry Standifer, Howe, Okla. … 45
43. 12 - Tyler Townsend, Longview, Texas … 45
43. 58 - Nathan Bichsel, Amarillo, Texas … 45
43. 26 - Allen Chickering, Okarche, Okla. … 45
43. 23b - Brandon Davis, Castle Rock, Colo. … 45
43. 05 - Ron Gould Jr., McLoud, Okla. … 45
43. 2 - Grant Junghans, Manhattan, Kan. … 45

USMTS SOUTHERN SERIES - 2009 SCHEDULE:
Fri Mar 20 … I-30 Speedway, Little Rock, AR (winner: Michael Robertson) [E]
Sat Mar 21 … I-30 Speedway, Little Rock, AR (winner: Johnny Bone Jr.) [E]
Fri Apr 3 … West Siloam Speedway, West Siloam Springs, OK (winner: Jason Hughes) [W]
Sat Apr 4 … West Siloam Speedway, West Siloam Springs, OK (winner: Jason Hughes) [W]
Fri Apr 24 … Texarkana 67 Speedway, Texarkana, AR (winner: Jason Hughes) [E]
Sat Apr 25 … Champion Park Speedway, Haughton, LA (winner: Johnny Bone Jr.) [E]
Sun Apr 26 … Boothill Speedway, Greenwood, LA (winner: Jack Sullivan) [E]
Fri May 1 … Lake Country Speedway, Ardmore, OK (winner: Jason Hughes) [W]
Thu May 7 … Golden Triangle Raceway Park, Beaumont, TX ($2,000 to win) [W]
Fri May 8 … Battleground Speedway, Highlands, TX ($2,000 to win) [W]
Sat May 9 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($2,000 to win) [W]
Sun May 10 … Gator Motorplex, Willis, TX ($2,000 to win) [W]
Tue Jun 9 … Tri-State Speedway, Pocola, OK ($2,000 to win) [E]
Wed Jun 10 … I-30 Speedway, Little Rock, AR ($2,000 to win) [E]
Thu Jun 11 … Ark-La-Tex Speedway, Vivian, LA ($2,000 to win) [E]
Fri Jun 12 … Fast Trax Speedway, Chatham, LA ($2,000 to win) [E]
Sat Jun 13 … Drew County Speedway, Monticello, AR ($2,000 to win) [E]
Sun Jun 14 … Boothill Speedway, Greenwood, LA ($2,000 to win) [E]
Thu Oct 1 … Battleground Speedway, Highlands, TX ($1,000 to win)
Fri Oct 2 … Battleground Speedway, Highlands, TX ($2,000 to win) [H]
Sat Oct 3 … Battleground Speedway, Highlands, TX ($3,000 to win) [H]
Fri Oct 23 … Gator Motorplex, Willis, TX ($2,000 to win) [H]
Sat Oct 24 … Gator Motorplex, Willis, TX ($3,000 to win) [H]
Fri Nov 27 … Texana Raceway Park, Edna, TX ($1,000 to win) [H]
Sat Nov 28 … Texana Raceway Park, Edna, TX ($2,000 to win) [H]
Sun Nov 29 … Texana Raceway Park, Edna, TX ($3,000 to win) [H]
Thu Dec 3 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($2,000 to win) [H]
Fri Dec 4 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($3,000 to win) [H]
Sat Dec 5 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($4,000 to win) [H]

[E] = East Region
[W] = West Region
[H] = Championship Hunt

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, COMP Cams, Intensitee Custom Racewear, Karl Chevrolet, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, Nitroquest, PBM Performance Products, Sunoco Race Fuels.

USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: ASi Racewear, Bear Tire, DandyLand Farms, Day Motor Sports, Diamond Oil Company, Gressel Oil Field Service, Just Say Yes, Ramirez Race Cars, Lone Star Super Gas, Olympic Fire Protection, Ruter Farms, Yeager Machine.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, Big Dog Chassis & Fabrication, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Dynatech Racing Exhaust, Hyperco, ISKY Racing Cams, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, Out-Pace Racing Products, Quarter Master, QuickTime Performance Race Parts, Real Racing Wheels, US Brake.