ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour teams are revving up for two first-time visits this Friday and Saturday, May 29-30, to two historic facilities. Friday will find the series at the Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Ill., then on Saturday at the Laze Ozark Speedway in Eldon, Mo.

Both blockbuster events will be worth valuable points in the Bear Tire Mo-Kan Region of the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour.

A power-packed field of cars and drivers are expected as Jason Hughes of Westville, Okla., leads the charge into the weekend as the Bear Tire Mo-Kan Region points leader with two main event wins and six top-10 finishes in eight starts.

Other mud-slinging masters expected for the doubleheader are Johnny Bone Jr., Rodney Sanders, eight-time USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock, Dustin Boney, Zack VanderBeek, Bryan Rowland, Dereck Ramirez, Chad Wheeler, Scott Green, Jon Tesch, Tommy Myer, Springfield Raceway winner Terry Phillips, Tate Cole, Jeremy Payne, Tim Shields, Steve Holzkamper, Steven Martin, Don Crnkovich, Brian Bolin, Kip Hughes, Brian Green, 2007 USMTS National Champion Jason Krohn, Tony Jackson Jr., Daulton Greven, Tyler Schmidt, Tim Setzer, Matt Waugh, Tammy Mitchell, Scott Drake and several other unexpected invaders.

FRIDAY, MAY 29 - TRI-CITY SPEEDWAY

The stars and cars of the USMTS Casey's General Stores National Tour invade the historic Tri-City Speedway on Friday, May 29, for the long-awaited debut of America's premier dirt Modified drivers at Kevin and Tammy Gundaker's famed speedplant for the inaugural event presented by Budweiser.

Tri-City Speedway regulars Tommie Seets Jr., Rusty Griffaw, Ray Walsh, Randy Korte, Mike Harrison, Scott Weber, Dean Vickers, Joe Dresch, Dane Gundaker, Steve Lach and others are expected to try using home field advantage to take down the $2,000 winner's share of the purse.

The pit gate opens at 4:30 and grandstand seating begins at 5:00. Hot laps are slated for 6:30 and the mud starts flying at 7:00. Super Late Models, UMP Pro Late Models and Street Stocks are also on the racing card Friday night.

Race fans can pick up $2-off coupons on race day at the Casey's General Stores locations in Collinsville, Glen Carbon, Pontoon Beach and South Roxana.

The Tri-City Speedway is a 3/8-mile semi-banked clay oval located 0.5 mile south of I-270 (Exit 4) on SR 203 in Pontoon Beach, Ill. For more information, call the track offices at 636-448-9111 or 618-931-7836 for raceday updates. The track's website is online at www.tricityspeedway.net.

SATURDAY, MAY 30 - LAKE OZARK SPEEDWAY

On Saturday, May 30, the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour will trek to unchartered territory again with a visit to the popular Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, Mo.

The 1/3-mile semi-banked clay oval offers a 75-foot-wide racing surface, with 10 degrees of banking in the corners and 5 degrees in the straight-aways.

Built in 2004, the state-of-the-art facility features seating for more than 5,000 fans, handicap parking and seating, a playground for children, MUSCO lighting and closed-circuit TV.

The USMTS was scheduled to christen the track one month after its opening on June 20, 2004, but that event was canceled due to inclement weather.

A top prize of $2,000 is up for grabs Saturday night with a minimum $250 to start the Sunoco "A" Main.

Danny Crane leads the Lake Ozark Speedway locals in to challenge the USMTS invaders, with Steve Cain, Jason Russell, Vance Wilson, Rowland Blythe, Dane Gundaker, Curt Potter, Howard Hall, Curt Rackers, Larry Winn and others expected to also take part in the inaugural event presented by Advantage Metals.

The pits will open at 4:00 and grandstands open at 5:00. Hot laps begin at 6:30 and the first green flag is scheduled to wave at 7:00. 360 Winged Sprints, , UMP Pro Late Models and Street Stocks join the action Saturday night.

Race fans can pick up $2-off coupons on race day at the Casey's General Stores locations in California, Eldon, Osage Beach and Versailles.

The Lake Ozark Speedway is a 1/3-mile semi-banked clay oval located south of Eldon on US 54, then 0.1 mile east on SR 52, then 0.5 mile north on Twiggy Ln. (frontage road). For more information call 800-617-9077 or check out www.lakeozarkspeedway.com on the World Wide Web.

BEAR TIRE MO-KAN REGION POINTS STANDINGS

1. 12 Jason Hughes, Westville, OK … 656 (2 wins)
2. 12 Johnny Bone Jr., Pea Ridge, AR … 639 (1 win)
3. 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, TX … 615
4. 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, IA … 614
5. 22 Dustin Boney, Tonganoxie, KS … 587
6. 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, IA … 578
7. 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, OK … 550
8. 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, OK … 536
9. 88 Chad Wheeler, Muskogee, OK … 535
10. 25 Scott Green, Derby, KS … 528
11. 14 Jon Tesch, Watertown, SD … 480 (2 wins)
12. 65 Tommy Myer, Blooming Prairie, MN … 453
13. 75 Terry Phillips, Springfield, MO … 440 (1 win)
14. 89 Tate Cole, Muskogee, OK … 415
15. 74 Jeremy Payne, Springfield, MO … 405
16. 42t Tim Shields, Kansas City, MO … 369
17. 5 Steve Holzkamper, Gentry, AR … 295 (1 win)
18. 21m Steven Martin, Ozark, MO … 275
19. 5c Don Crnkovich, Lenexa, KS … 231
20. X2 Brian Bolin, Fort Scott, KS … 210
21. GO Kip Hughes, Enid, OK … 199
22. 40 Brian Green, Pierce City, MO … 191
23. 7k Jason Krohn, Slayton, MN … 190
24. 39 Gary Langworthy Jr., Coffeyville, KS … 165
25. 56 Tony Jackson Jr., Lebanon, MO … 154
26. 42 Daulton Greven, Bolivar, MO … 149
27. 66t Tyler Schmidt, Easton, KS … 135
28. 9 Ken Schrader, Concord, NC … 132
29. 7jr Jess Folk Jr., Iola, KS … 115
30. 6 Justin Folk, Iola, KS … 105
31. 98 John Allen, Chanute, KS … 103
32. 22m Brian McGowen, Pittsburg, KS … 100
33. 3d Dan Daniels, Humboldt, KS … 99
34. 6 Pat McVicker, Woodward, OK … 90
34. 05 Ron Gould Jr., McLoud, OK … 90
34. 4J Jake Richards, Edwardsville, KS … 90
34. 51 Tim Setzer, Archie, MO … 90
34. 13 Matt Waugh, Des Moines, IA … 90
34. 08 Brian Wolfe, Cromwell, OK … 90
34. 16 Austin Siebert, Warrensburg, MO … 90
34. B29 Tammy Mitchell, Pea Ridge, AR … 90
42. 18 Justin Boney, Leavenworth, KS … 45
42. 15 Richard Payne, Jefferson City, MO … 45
42. 11p Curt Potter, Boonville, MO … 45
42. 12d Scott Drake, Webb City, MO … 45

FAST FACTS

PROCEDURES: Qualifying will be done by heat race passing points and Real Racing Wheels “B” Mains. If 40 or less cars are entered, 12 will qualify through heat races and 8 through Real Racing Wheels “B” Mains with 4 provisionals creating a 24-car starting field. If 41 or more cars are entered, 12 will qualify through heat races and 10 through Real Racing Wheels “B” Mains with 4 provisionals creating a 26-car starting field.

RULES: All USMTS rules apply except that drivers may use the Hoosier A40, D40 or H40 or American Racer 82/4-8 at the Tri-City and Lake Ozark Speedway events. 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. Complete rules are online at www.usmts.com.

PROVISIONALS: Four provisional starting spots will be awarded in each Sunoco “A” Main starting field. The first two provisionals will be awarded to non-qualified drivers ranked highest in USMTS regional points. The second two provisionals will be awarded to non-qualified drivers ranked highest in Modified track points for the hosting racetrack.

TOP DOG BONUS: Drivers ranked in the top-10 of the Bear Tire Mo-Kan Region points are guaranteed a minimum of $400 at each event where that driver is among the top-10 in points for the region.

LICENSES: There is no requirement to purchase a 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, 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 $150 for each region.

MAIN EVENT PURSE (Licensed/Non-Licensed): 1. $2000/$2000, 2. $1500/$1500, 3. $1000/$1000, 4. $900/$800, 5. $800/$700, 6. $700/$600, 7. $650/$550, 8. $600/$500, 9. $550/$450, 10. $500/$400, 11. $450/$350, 12. $425/$300, 13. $400/$275, 14. $375/$250, 15. $350/$250, 16-26. $300/$250, Tow $90/$75.

ABOUT THE USMTS: The United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) is the fastest growing and most popular dirt modified touring series in the country. Attracting some of the most talented and professional drivers in America, the fan friendly format and exciting show creates an enthusiastic and loyal fan base, and the USMTS routinely competes in front of capacity crowds. With no less than 20,000 men and women competing nationwide on any given weekend, the Modified is by far the most popular and most widely-used type of race car circling America’s dirt tracks today, and when it comes to a touring series that features the Best of the Best in Modified racing, the USMTS has no equal. Beginning its 11th season in 2009, the USMTS is the ultimate playground for America’s hottest Modified drivers, while the USMTS rulebook allows for close competition and inclusion among local racers. More than 800 different drivers from 23 States took part in USMTS events in 2008 as the rugged road warriors staged nearly 80 events at 45 unique venues in 14 different States throughout America’s heartland. Since 1999, the USMTS has doled out more than $8 million in prize money to more than 3,000 different drivers while traveling to 139 different venues in 17 different States.

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, Intercomp, Karl Chevrolet, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, Nitroquest, PBM Performance Products, Sunoco Race Fuels.

USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: ASi Racewear, Bear Tire, Big Dog Chassis & Fabrication, 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, 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.