WEBSTER CITY, Iowa (Jan. 12) – Nine more events have been added to the calendar for the mud-slinging open-wheel machines of the United States Modified Touring Series, bringing the total to 84 nights of intense USMTS action in for the 2012 racing season.
Thirty-eight different venues in ten different states will host an event this year, and once again the best of the best dirt modified racers on the planet will tackle everything from historic high-speed half-mile ovals to high-banked quarter-mile bullrings that give race fans unequaled action that is extremely loud and incredibly close.
Set to host their first USMTS event ever, the RPM Speedway in Crandall, Texas, will showcase a USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifier on Friday, May 11 – a perfect fit to fill the gap between Thursday night’s show at the Heart O’ Texas Speedway near Waco and Saturday’s tilt at the Cowtown Speedway in Kennedale.
There are currently 27 USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifiers on the schedule, with each race doling out at least $2,000 to the winner.
Drivers competing in USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifiers will be battling for a spot in the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup, which will begin Aug. 9 at the Valley Speedway in Grain Valley, Mo., and culminate Sept. 20-22 at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., during the 14th Annual Featherlite Fall Jamboree.
One more event has been added to this year’s ‘Hunt’ with the Nobles County Speedway in Worthington, Minn., picking up the Sunday, Aug. 19, date. All races during the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup will pay a minimum of $3,000 to win, with the 2012 USMTS Casey’s Cup champion pocketing $15,000 from the season-ending points fund.
Seven dates have also been added to the new USMTS National Championship Series, including a second stop penciled in at the Nobles County Speedway on Sunday, July 22.
Also added to the campaign for the elite USMTS National Championship Series is a stop at the Interstate Speedway in Jefferson, S.D., on Thursday, July 19 – the first USMTS event at the track since 2006.
A three-race swing through Iowa will kick off the month of August with the USMTS National Championship Series invading the Buena Vista Raceway in Alta, Mineral City Speedway in Fort Dodge and Cedar County Raceway in Tipton, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Aug. 1-3.
On Saturday, Aug. 25, the action heads north to the Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo, N.D., followed by a visit to the Huset’s Speedway in Brandon, S.D., for the seventh straight year on Sunday, Aug. 26.
The USMTS National Championship Series currently has 29 events and each will pay at least $4,000 to win and $400 to start with up to 30 cars taking the green flag in every main event. The driver with the best 20 showings during the USMTS National Championship Series will be named the 2012 USMTS National Champion and will take home a record $30,000 while the runner-up in the final ranking will get a cool $20,000.
For the third straight year, the campaign will begin and end with a tripleheader at the Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown, Texas. The 3rd Annual USMTS Spring Nationals will take place Feb. 16-18 and the 6th Annual USMTS Winter Nationals happens Nov. 15-16.
The season-opening Thursday night at the 3/8-mile oval near Houston will be the first USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifier, and the stakes are raised on Friday and Saturday with the first two events of the USMTS National Championship Series.
The two biggest-paying events in USMTS history will also return again in 2012.
The inaugural King of America Modified Nationals just wrapped up six weeks ago, and will move to March 28-31 for King of America II. Although the dates have changed, the format and location remains the same with three days of qualifying that leads up to the $15,000-to-win finale at the Humboldt Speedway in Humboldt, Kan.
The Deer Creek Speedway will host the 2nd Annual World Modified Dirt Track Championship, Wednesday-
Saturday, July 25-28, with a top prize of $20,000 awaiting the winner again this time.
2012 USMTS SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Thu Feb 16 … Royal Purple Raceway, Baytown, TX (USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifier)
Fri Feb 17 … Royal Purple Raceway, Baytown, TX (USMTS National Championship Series)
Sat Feb 18 … Royal Purple Raceway, Baytown, TX (USMTS National Championship Series)
Fri Mar 9 … Heart O’ Texas Speedway, Elm Mott, TX (USMTS National Championship Series)
Sat Mar 10 … Cowtown Speedway, Kennedale, TX (USMTS National Championship Series)
Fri Mar 16 … Humboldt Speedway, Humboldt, KS (USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifier)
Sat Mar 17 … Humboldt Speedway, Humboldt, KS (USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifier)
Fri Mar 23 … LA Raceway, La Monte, MO (USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifier)
Sat Mar 24 … I-35 Speedway, Winston, MO (USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifier)
Wed Mar 28 … Humboldt Speedway, Humboldt, KS – King of America II
Thu Mar 29 … Humboldt Speedway, Humboldt, KS – King of America II
Fri Mar 30 … Humboldt Speedway, Humboldt, KS – King of America II
Sat Mar 31 … Humboldt Speedway, Humboldt, KS – King of America II
Fri Apr 20 … Valley Speedway, Grain Valley, MO (USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifier)
Sat Apr 21 … Salina Highbanks Speedway, Salina, OK (USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifier)
Sun Apr 22 … Monett Speedway, Monett, MO (USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifier)
Thu Apr 26 … Rice Lake Speedway, Rice Lake, WI (USMTS National Championship Series)
Fri Apr 27 … Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, WI (USMTS National Championship Series)
Sat Apr 28 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN (USMTS National Championship Series)
Fri May 4 … LA Raceway, La Monte, MO (USMTS National Championship Series)
Sat May 5 … West Plains Motor Speedway, West Plains, MO (USMTS National Championship Series)
Thu May 10 … Heart O’ Texas Speedway, Elm Mott, TX (USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifier)
Fri May 11 … RPM Speedway, Crandall, TX (USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifier)
Sat May 12 … Cowtown Speedway, Kennedale, TX (USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifier)
Fri May 18 … Southern Oklahoma Speedway, Ardmore, OK (USMTS National Championship Series)
Sat May 19 … Route 66 Motor Speedway, Amarillo, TX (USMTS National Championship Series)
Wed May 23 … I-35 Speedway, Mason City, IA (USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifier)
Thu May 24 … Highway 3 Raceway, Allison, IA (USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifier)
Fri May 25 … Chateau Raceway, Lansing, MN (USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifier)
Sat May 26 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN (USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifier)
Sun May 27 … Dodge County Speedway, Kasson, MN (USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifier)
Fri Jun 1 … Junction Motor Speedway, McCool Junction, NE (USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifier)
Sat Jun 2 … Junction Motor Speedway, McCool Junction, NE ($3,000 to win)
Fri Jun 8 … Southern Oklahoma Speedway, Ardmore, OK (USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifier)
Sat Jun 9 … Route 66 Motor Speedway, Amarillo, TX (USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifier)
Sun Jun 10 … Beaver County Raceway, Beaver, OK (USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifier)
Wed Jun 13 … Amsoil Speedway, Superior, WI (USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifier)
Fri Jun 15 … Cedar Lake Speedway, Somerset, WI (USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifier)
Sat Jun 16 … Cedar Lake Speedway, Somerset, WI (USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifier)
Fri Jun 22 … Humboldt Speedway, Humboldt, KS (USMTS National Championship Series)
Sat Jun 23 … Valley Speedway, Grain Valley, MO (USMTS National Championship Series)
Wed Jun 27 … Mineral City Speedway, Fort Dodge, IA (USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifier)
Thu Jun 28 … Fairmont Raceway, Fairmont, MN (USMTS National Championship Series)
Fri Jun 29 … Highway 3 Raceway, Allison, IA (USMTS National Championship Series)
Sat Jun 30 … Upper Iowa Speedway, Decorah, IA (USMTS National Championship Series)
Sat Jul 7 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN (USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifier)
Thu Jul 12 … I-35 Speedway, Winston, MO (USMTS National Championship Series)
Fri Jul 13 … Lakeside Speedway, Kansas City, KS (USMTS National Championship Series)
Sat Jul 14 … Great American Dirt Track, Jetmore, KS (USMTS National Championship Series)
Thu Jul 19 … Interstate Speedway, Jefferson, SD (USMTS National Championship Series)
Fri Jul 20 … I-80 Speedway, Greenwood, NE (USMTS National Championship Series)
Sat Jul 21 … I-80 Speedway, Greenwood, NE (USMTS Casey’s Cup Qualifier)
Sun Jul 22 … Nobles County Speedway, Worthington, MN (USMTS National Championship Series)
Wed Jul 25 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN – World Modified Dirt Track Championships
Thu Jul 26 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN – World Modified Dirt Track Championships
Fri Jul 27 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN – World Modified Dirt Track Championships
Sat Jul 28 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN – World Modified Dirt Track Championships
Wed Aug 1 … Buena Vista Raceway, Alta, IA (USMTS National Championship Series)
Thu Aug 2 … Mineral City Speedway, Fort Dodge, IA (USMTS National Championship Series)
Fri Aug 3 … Cedar County Raceway, Tipton, IA (USMTS National Championship Series)
Thu Aug 9 … Valley Speedway, Grain Valley, MO (Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup)
Fri Aug 10 … Humboldt Speedway, Humboldt, KS (Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup)
Sat Aug 11 … Lucas Oil Speedway, Wheatland, MO (Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup)
Sun Aug 12 … Monett Speedway, Monett, MO (Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup)
Wed Aug 15 … Ogilvie Raceway, Ogilvie, MN (Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup)
Thu Aug 16 … Rice Lake Speedway, Rice Lake, WI (Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup)
Fri Aug 17 … Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, WI (Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup)
Sat Aug 18 … Upper Iowa Speedway, Decorah, IA (Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup)
Sun Aug 19 … Nobles County Speedway, Worthington, MN (Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup)
Sat Aug 25 … Red River Valley Speedway, West Fargo, ND (USMTS National Championship Series)
Sun Aug 26 … Huset’s Speedway, Brandon, SD (USMTS National Championship Series)
Wed Aug 29 … Fairmont Raceway, Fairmont, MN (Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup)
Thu Aug 30 … Highway 3 Raceway, Allison, IA (Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup)
Fri Aug 31 … Chateau Raceway, Lansing, MN (Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup)
Sat Sep 1 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN (Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup)
Sun Sep 2 … Dodge County Speedway, Kasson, MN (Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup)
Fri Sep 7 … Ogilvie Raceway, Ogilvie, MN (USMTS National Championship Series)
Sat Sep 8 … Ogilvie Raceway, Ogilvie, MN (USMTS National Championship Series)
Thu Sep 20 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN (Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup)
Fri Sep 21 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN (Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup)
Sat Sep 22 … Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN (Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s Cup)
Thu Nov 15 … Royal Purple Raceway, Baytown, TX – 6th Annual USMTS Winter Nationals
Fri Nov 16 … Royal Purple Raceway, Baytown, TX – 6th Annual USMTS Winter Nationals
Sat Nov 17 … Royal Purple Raceway, Baytown, TX – 6th Annual USMTS Winter Nationals
Thanks to the unwavering support of the fans, drivers, crews, families, track promoters, media and sponsors, more than $2 million is projected to be awarded in record purses and record points fund money during the 2012 racing season.
To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also follow the USMTS on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and YouTube.
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USMTS TITLE SPONSORS: Casey’s General Stores, Swan Energy.
USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Racer Racing Tires, Awesome Race Suits, Cheetos, Intercomp, Karl Chevrolet, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, New Vision Graphics, Nitroquest, RACEceiver, SLAP Energy, Snickers.
USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: Arnold Motor Supply, ASi Racewear, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, Day Motor Sports, Dirthead.com, DirtKnights.com, DrySlik Dirt Trak Racewear, Farm Boy BBQ Sauce, Intensitee Custom Racewear, Karl Performance Parts, Mesilla Valley Transportation, Olympic Fire Protection, Ramirez Race Cars, Ruter Farms, Sybesma Graphics, Yeager Machine.
USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, COMP Cams, CPD Racing Tools, Eibach Springs, Erson Cams, Fast Shafts, Forty9Designs.com, Genesis Shocks, Hooker Harness, Hypercoil Springs, ISKY Racing Cams, The Joie of Seating, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, Out-Pace Racing Products, PBM Performance Products, Quarter Master, Real Racing Wheels, RHS – Racing Head Service, Tiger Rear Ends, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, WIX Filters.