After a record-setting season in 2009, few changes have been implemented for 2010.

Among the most notable of the changes is the elimination of provisional starting spots at all USMTS National Tour and USMTS Southern Series events.

“We've always provided extra incentives and bonuses to the drivers that support the series week in and week out, such as reduced entry fees and increased prize money for licensed drivers,” said USMTS president and promoter Todd Staley. “That was the idea behind the provisionals, but after a lot of discussion and deliberating we have concluded that each USMTS event is just that—an event that is open to all Modified drivers. If you're in the main event, then you should have earned it that night on the track.”

While a starting spot is eliminated for drivers failing to qualify for the main event, Staley added that the Top Dog Bonus will remain a part of the program. Drivers ranked among the top-10 in USMTS National Tour regional points will be guaranteed a minimum of $400 in earnings at each event in that region, as well as the Hunt for the USMTS National Championship. USMTS Southern Series drivers will earn a minimum of $300 for those among the top-10 in points and $200 for drivers ranked 11th through 15th in points.

The engine type will determine the weight and spoiler height during the 2010 racing season. For drivers utilizing a flat tappet/steel head engine or BRODIX Aluminum Spec Head engine, the overall weight of the racecar must be a minimum of 2,400 pounds while those utilizing steel heads with a 23-degree valve angle must have an overall weight of 2,450 pounds or more. Either of these combinations will be allowed a rear spoiler of six inches. Those utilizing aluminum heads (other than BRODIX Aluminum Spec Head), raised runner heads or any other heads with less than a 23-degree valve angle must have an overall weight of at least 2,500 pounds and a maximum rear spoiler height of five inches.

The USMTS was the first organization to recognize the long-term cost savings that a quick change rearend could have on the Modified class, and began permitting their use in 2007. At the season-opening event, just one driver had a quick change rearend but by season's end more than half of the 120-plus entrants at the Fall Jamboree had a quick change underneath their Modified.

“I think it's the best thing that has happened to the Modifieds since I've been racing them,” said 2004 USMTS National Tour Rookie of the Year Zack VanderBeek. “It's made traveling easier, tuning the cars easier and saved the drivers a lot of money over the last three years.”

Today, most sanctioning bodies and touring series have embraced the positive impact of the quick change rearend, and allow it as an option in their top-level Modified division.

Rules can be viewed on and/or downloaded from the USMTS website at www.usmts.com.

For the seventh straight year, the USMTS National Tour campaign will kick off with a doubleheader at the Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb., for the 7th Annual Nebraska Spring Thaw on Friday and Saturday, March 5-6. The USMTS Southern Series season will start with some unfinished business from the 2009 season with the 3rd Annual Texas Winter Nationals at the Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 18-20.

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, New Vision Graphics, Nitroquest, PBM Performance Products.

USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: ASi Racewear, Bear Tire, Big Dog Chassis & Fabrication, DandyLand Farms, Day Motor Sports, Dirthead.com, Farm Boy BBQ, Gressel Oil Field Service, Just Say Yes, Ramirez Race Cars, Olympic Fire Protection, Ruter Farms, Yeager Machine.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Dynatech Racing Exhaust, Fast Shafts, Hyperco, ISKY Racing Cams, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, Out-Pace Racing Products, Quarter Master, QuickTime Inc, Real Racing Wheels, US Brake.