FORT SMITH, Ark. – The USMTS Southern Series kicks back into high gear for the 3rd Annual USMTS Southern Speedweek, June 9-14.

With six straight nights at six different tracks and nearly $100,000 in prize money up for grabs, the Best of the Best in dirt Modified racing are expected from both the south and the north.

All six events will pay $2,000 to win and a minimum $250 to start, with the USMTS Southern Series East Region champion being crowned at the end of the swing.

Jack Sullivan of Greenbrier, Ark., leads the charge as the points leader in the East Region as he looks to solidify himself in the standings going into The Hunt for the USMTS Southern Series Championship.

Other drivers expected to challenge for the checkered flag and the title include Steve Holzkamper, Rodney Sanders, Johnny Bone Jr., Steven Whiteaker Jr., Jason Hughes, Kelly Shryock, Morgan Bagley, Dereck Ramirez, B.J. Robinson, Michael Robertson, Jason Armstrong, Patrick Linn, Scott Green, Chris Henigan, Bryan Rowland, Wes Armstrong, William Gould, Dustin Hyde, Chad Davis, Shane Hebert, Garrett Durrett, Bobby Malchus, Kyle Schmidt, Jamie Burford, Tyler Townsend, Brandon Davis, Jeff Huckaby, Mike Dillard, Timothy Culp, Larry Clevenger, Chris Shown, Brett Frazier, T.J. Herndon, David Mitchell, Kevin Sustaire, John Schwab and many others.

Specializing in drive shafts and rear ends for short track racing, Fast Shafts will be offering some extra incentive for drivers using traditional nine-inch Ford rearends. At each Speedweek event, Fast Shafts will award an additional $100 to the main event winner if that driver is utilizing a nine-inch Ford rearend. If the award is not won the first day, the bounty will climb to $200 for the next event and so on with a possible $600 bonus at the June 14 finale. To learn more about Fast Shafts, call toll-free 800-622-6617 or visit www.fastshafts.com online.

Race fans will get an added bonus and drivers get an added challenge as NASCAR fan favorite and television personality Kenny Wallace. “The Hermanator” will join the action during the first two nights of Speedweek at the Tri-State Speedway in Pocola, Okla., on Tuesday and the I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, Ark., on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the USMTS Southern Speedweek road trip takes the teams and travelers to the Ark-La-Tex Speedway in Vivian, La., then on to the Fast Trax Speedway in Chatham, La., on Friday. Saturday finds the throttle-mashing speed merchants in Monticello, Ark., at the Drew County Speedway before wrapping up the week-long event at the Boothill Speedway in Greenwood, La., on Sunday.

TUESDAY, JUNE 9 … TRI-STATE SPEEDWAY, POCOLA, OKLA.

The action gets underway on Tuesday, June 9, with a return trip to Todd Martin's Tri-State Speedway in Pocola, Okla. Last year's inaugural event saw Eddie Martin (no relation to the track's promoter) of Stilwell, Okla., hold off eight-time USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock and defending USMTS Southern Series Champion Jason Hughes for the win.

By virtue of being the track's weekly Modified points leader, Darwin Hale is guaranteed one of the two track provisionals for Tuesday Sunoco "A" Main, and is expected to challenge for the win, along with fellow Tri-State regulars Bill Dillard, Brandon Wilson, Randy Henson, J.P. Hassett, Eric Beshoner, Glenn Bratti, Lonnie Robins, Lee Walchli, Brent Holman and others.

Pit gates will open at 4:00, grandstand gates open at 5:00, hot laps begin at 7:00 and the first heat race takes the green flag at 7:30. Also on the racing card will be Mini-Stocks, Front-Wheel-Drives and Roadrunners.

The USMTS Southern Speedweek opener is presented by Schoenfeld Headers.

The Tri-State Speedway is a 3/8-mile high-banked dirt oval located 1.6 miles west of the Arkansas-Oklahoma State line on US 271, then 0.3 mile north. For race day information, call 918-436-2914 or visit www.tri-statespeedway.com online.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10 … I-30 SPEEDWAY, LITTLE ROCK, ARK.

On Wednesday, June 10, the stars and cars of the USMTS Southern Series invade the action-packed I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, Ark., for the second affair of the week. Johnny Bone Jr. pocketed the $5,000 top prize back in March during the 10th Annual Topless Modified Nationals at the Clay family's famous facility, and the Pea Ridge, Ark., resident looks to add another $2,000 to his take home pay from the quick quarter-mile bullring this season.

Jack Sullivan captured last year's USMTS Southern Speedweek event at his home track as he hopes to continue his momentum toward the USMTS Southern Series title on familiar ground.

Race fans will have local aces such as Jeremy Kuykendall, David Baser, Mike Sellers, Randy Weaver, Robert Baker, Scooter Scruggs, Jayson Hefley, Chad Mallett, Emmett Lawson, Chris Carter and others to cheer on to take home the top prize.

Pit gates open at 4:00, grandstands open at 5:00, hot laps are at 7:00 and the mud starts flying at 7:30. Joining the racing card Wednesday night will be local Super Stocks and Mini-Sprints.

The I-30 Speedway is a 1/4-mile high-banked clay oval located 7.0 miles southwest of Little Rock on I-30 to Exit 126 (County Line Rd.), then south to frontage road, then
east (SSR). For day-of-race information, call 501-455-4567 or check out the track's website at www.i-30speedway.com.

THURSDAY, JUNE 11 … ARK-LA-TEX SPEEDWAY, VIVIAN, LA.

Thursday, June 11, will find the tireless touring titans at Gene Boyter's Ark-La-Tex Speedway in Vivian, La. In the first-ever USMTS Southern Series show here last year, first-time USMTS competitor Duke Whiseant of Texarkana, Ark., took home the hardware over Johnny Bone Jr., Jason Hughes, Tommy Weder Jr. and Steve Holzkamper.

Local aces Odie Green, Justin Sprayberry, Mike Washburn, Dick Haynes, Dwayne Brown, Greg Garrett, Lee Patton, Tippy Bickham, Jason Ingalls, Michael Robertson and others are expected to make a statement in protecting their home turf against the invading USMTS forces.

Pit gates open at 4:00, grandstand gates swing open at 5:00, hot laps take to the track at 7:00 and the racing action kicks off at 7:30. Factory Stocks will also be racing for $300 to win, along with the USRA Southern Limited Modifieds going for $500 to win.

Beginning at the Ark-La-Tex Speedway event, the final four events will all feature the USRA Southern Limited Modifieds racing for $500 to win each night.

The Ark-La-Tex Speedway a 1/4-mile semi-banked dirt oval located 0.6 mile south of SR 2 on SR 1, then 0.7 mile west on Airport Rd., then 2.2 miles south on Boyter Lane Rd. (ESR). For race day information, call the track hotline at 318-375-3470 or click your way to www.arklatexspeedway.net on the World Wide Web.

FRIDAY, JUNE 12 … FAST TRAX SPEEDWAY, CHATHAM, LA.

Fast Trax Speedway in Chatham, La., is the site of event #4 on the USMTS Southern Speedweek schedule. Johnny Bone Jr. captured the Speedweek win last year at the Fast Trax Speedway, with Jason Hughes, Tommy Weder Jr., Kelly Shryock and Elias Anderson finishing second through fifth.

The wide straight-aways and corners are popular for producing two- and three-wide racing, which makes this a very competitive short track.

Among the favorites from the local racers to challenge for the checkers are points leader Dougie Murphrey, Randy Thompson, Kyle Pleasant, Lee Patton, Bud Mullins, Kent Hollingsworth, Jody Davidson, Sammy Knighten, Chase Del Rio, Richard Roberts and others.

Pit gates open at 4:00, grandstand gates swing open at 5:00, hot laps take to the track at 6:30 and the racing action kicks off at 7:00. USRA Southern Limited Modifieds will also be on the racing card going for $500 to win.

The Fast Trax Speedway is a 3/8-mile semi-banked dirt oval located 4.0 miles southeast of SR 34 on SR 4 (NSR). For more information, call 318-249-2443 or visit www.fasttraxspeedway.net online.

SATURDAY, JUNE 13 … DREW COUNTY SPEEDWAY, MONTICELLO, ARK.

The Drew County Speedway (formerly called Monticello Speedway) in Monticello, Ark., plays host to round 5 of the USMTS Southern Speedweek steamroller on Saturday, June 13, with the event presented by Commercial Bank.

En route to winning the 2008 USMTS Southern Series crown, Westville, Okla.'s Jason Hughes took the win last year at Monticello, followed closely by Kelly Shryock, Johnny Bone Jr., Timothy Culp and Scott Green.

Track points leader Seth Reed is expected to be on hand to defend his home turf along with promoter Grant Box (son of track promoter Rodney Box), Richard Anders, Matt Stacy, Jody Davidson, Johnathon Crib, Kevin Ferrell, Terry Maloney, Casey Findley, Manuel Williams II and more.

The pits and tailgate suites open at 4:30, grandstands open at 5:30, hot laps and playground start at 6:00 and the show starts at 7:00. USRA Southern Limited Modifieds will also join the program, along with Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Mini-Stocks.

The Drew County Speedway is a 1/4-mile semi-banked dirt oval located 7.2 miles south of US 278 on US 425 (WSR). For more info, call 870-367-RACE or see www.drewcountyspeedway.net on the Web.

SUNDAY, JUNE 14 … BOOTHILL SPEEDWAY, GREENWOOD, LA.

The six-race USMTS Southern Speedweek wraps up on Sunday, June 14, at the Boothill Speedway in Greenwood, La., and will also see the emergence of the 2009 USMTS Southern Series East Region champion, as well as the first batch of drivers qualified for this year's Hunt for the USMTS Southern Series Championship later this year.

Billy Robinson, Randy Paine Jr., Michael Knighton, Tony Lindsey, Mike Washburn, Ronnie McAteer, Dustin Randol, Josh Worn, Derrick Grigsby and Michael Easley are just a few of the local Boothill Speedway heavy-hitters expected to contend for a spot in the Sunoco "A" Main and the $2,000 top prize.

Pits open at 4:00, grandstands open at 5:00, hot laps begin at 6:00 and the first heat race is slated to hit the track at 6:30. USRA Southern Limited Modifieds will again be racing for $500, with Factory Stocks also joining the action-packed festivities.

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.

USMTS SOUTHERN SPEEDWEEK FAST FACTS

RULES: All USMTS rules apply. 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.

PROCEDURES: Draw for heat race starting spot ends 15 minutes before hot laps begin. Qualifying will be done by heat race passing points and Real Racing Wheels “B” Mains. On nights when there are 40 or fewer cars entered, 20 will qualify through the heat races and Real Racing Wheels "B" Mains with two USMTS provisionals and two provisionals from the track's current Modified division points added to create a 24-car Sunoco "A" Main starting field. On nights when 41 or more cars check in, 22 qualifiers will be joined by two USMTS provisionals and two track provisionals to make up a 26-car starting field.

TOP DOG BONUS: Drivers ranked among the top-10 in East 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.

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

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 not already pre-entered may call USMTS headquarters at 515-832-7944 to secure the early entry rate.

USMTS SOUTHERN SERIES - EAST REGION POINTS STANDINGS:
1. 18 Jack Sullivan, Greenbrier, Ark. ... 423
2. 5 Steve Holzkamper, Gentry, Ark. ... 406
3. 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas ... 384
4. 12 Johnny Bone Jr., Pea Ridge, Ark. ... 383
5. 89 Steven Whiteaker Jr., Corpus Christi, Texas ... 372
6. 12 Jason Hughes, Westville, Okla. ... 368
7. 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa ... 366
8. 5r Morgan Bagley, Longview, Texas ... 363
9. 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla. ... 353
10. 02x B.J. Robinson, Shreveport, La. ... 332
11. 05 Michael Robertson, Minden, La. ... 327
12. 57 Jason Armstrong, Marshall, Texas ... 320
13. 26 Patrick Linn, Little Rock, Ark. ... 316
14. 25 Scott Green, Derby, Kan. ... 311
15. 16 Chris Henigan, Marshall, Texas ... 310
16. 20r Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla. ... 304
17. 5a Wes Armstrong, Marshall, Texas ... 303
18. 60 William Gould, Calera, Okla. ... 292
19. 8j Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, Texas ... 281
20. 52 Chad Davis, Tulsa, Okla. ... 278
21. 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La. ... 268
22. 05 Garrett Durrett, Simsboro, La. ... 265
23. 4m Bobby Malchus, Red Oak, Texas ... 260
24. 10 Kyle Schmidt, Farmington, Ark. ... 238
25. 19 Jamie Burford, Keatchie, La. ... 234
26. 12t Tyler Townsend, Longview, Texas ... 231
27. 23 Brandon Davis, Castle Rock, Colo. ... 225
27. 12h Jeff Huckaby, Texarkana, Texas ... 225
29. 66x Mike Dillard, Allen, Texas ... 212
30. C8 Timothy Culp, W. Monroe, La. ... 205
31. L1 Larry Clevenger, Greenwood, La. ... 180
32. 94 Chris Shown, Hooks, Texas ... 164
33. 1 Brett Frazier, Haughton, La. ... 156
34. 1t T.J. Herndon, Atwood, Tenn. ... 135
34. 13 David Mitchell, Ashdown, Ark. ... 135
34. 71k Kevin Sustaire, Emery, Texas ... 135
34. 5j John Schwab, Liberal, Kan. ... 135
38. 88 Chad Wheeler, Muskogee, Okla. ... 127
39. 60b Mike Bowers, N. Little Rock, Ark. ... 119
40. 12j Jason Ingalls, Hallsville, Texas ... 105
41. 14 Jon Tesch, Watertown, S.D. ... 103
42. 99 Derick Grigsby, Marshall, Texas ... 97
43. 89 Tate Cole, Muskogee, Okla. ... 90
43. 14t Tristan Dycus, Midlothian, Texas ... 90
43. 38 Jeremy Ross, Locust Grove, Okla. ... 90
43. 5t Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla. ... 90
43. 15w Lee Walchli, Lavaca, Ark. ... 90
43. 71 Tracy Denby Sr., Vidor, Texas ... 90
43. 7g Mark Smith, Lufkin, Texas ... 90
43. 22 Tracy Denby Jr., Vidor, Texas ... 90
51. 76 Troy Taylor Jr., Dallas, Texas ... 45
51. E Howard Willis, Dayton, Texas ... 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 (winner: Bryan Rowland) [W]
Fri May 8 … Battleground Speedway, Highlands, TX (winner: Chris Brown) [W]
Sat May 9 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX (winner: Jason Hughes) [W]
Sun May 10 … Gator Motorplex, Willis, TX (winner: Jason Hughes) [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) [H]
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] = The Hunt for the USMTS Southern Series Championship

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.