Webster City, Iowa (Jan. 12, 2006) - Officials from the O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series have announced that the Series will return to two of the Midwest's most exciting facilities in 2006 -- both under the leadership of new promoters.

Thumb's Up Enterprises
Rick Hindsley

O’REILLY USMTS ADDS INTERSTATE, JACKSON SPEEDWAYS TO 2006 SLATE
by: Jeff Nun

Webster City, Iowa (Jan. 12, 2006) - Officials from the O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series have announced that the Series will return to two of the Midwest's most exciting facilities in 2006 -- both under the leadership of new promoters.

J.P. Karpowicz was introduced as the new promoter of the Jackson (Minn.) Speedway last Thursday. The Jackson County Commissioners met in special session and approved entering into a contract with Karpowicz, who was on hand with his wife, Sabre, to promote the local half-mile speedplant.

"The physical facilities here are impeccable," Karpowicz said. "That was one of the biggest selling points for us. I heard about the opening and knew of the racing enthusiasm in Minnesota and Iowa and so I contacted Loren (Tusa, Jackson County Commissioner).

The O’Reilly USMTS Pro Modifieds will visit Jackson Speedway twice during the 2006 campaign, beginning with the 28th Annual Jackson Nationals on Saturday, July 15, and followed by an return engagement on Saturday, August 19.

First-year track promoter Greg Golden will host the O’Reilly USMTS at the high-banked quarter-mile Interstate Speedway in Jefferson, S.D., on Tuesday, June 27.

"I guess I can say I enjoyed my short time out from promoting," said Golden. "I never even got to grab the helmet bag and go racing yet and am already back in the promoting business."

In 2005, seven-time O’Reilly USMTS national champion captured the checkered flag at both Interstate Speedway and Jackson Speedway. While Shryock returns to defend his O’Reilly USMTS crown, fellow road warriors such as Tommy Myer, Brad McEwan, Al Hejna, Corey Dripps, Zack VanderBeek, Ryan Ruter, Jon Tesch, Jason Hughes and Mark Noble will give the champ all he can handle.

In addition, regional aces such as Jay Noteboom, Reese Coffee, Chad Waples, Mark Neal, Mike Cooper, Jim Cole, Mitch Dowhower, Chris Mills, Clint Homan, Eric Dailey and Ricky Stephan are expected to challenge the "Best of the Best" for the $2,000 top prize.

"Last year's shows at Interstate and Jackson were thrillers," said Series President Todd Staley. "The regulars from both tracks, as well as other drivers from that area, are some of the best in the business and they can give our guys a run for their money."

Karpowicz can be reached at (859) 509-8157 or by emailing info@hitechlubricants.com. More information regarding Interstate Speedway is available by calling Golden Racing Promotions at (712) 258-0200.

The 2005 O’Reilly Auto Parts USMTS season will kick off at the Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb., on Friday and Saturday, March 11-12. More dates may be added to the 2006 O’Reilly USMTS slate as contract negotiations continue with several event promoters. As the tentative 2006 schedule nears completion, officials will announce the regional alignments for the 2006 “In The Hunt” season-ending title chase.

To learn more about the O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series, call the headquarters office at (515) 832-7944 or visit www.USMTS.com online.

O’REILLY AUTO PARTS UNITED STATES MODIFIED TOURING SERIES
TENTATIVE 2006 SCHEDULE
(as of Jan. 12, 2006)

Fri Mar 10 ... Junction Motor Speedway, McCool Junction, NE ($2,000 to win)
Sat Mar 11 ... Junction Motor Speedway, McCool Junction, NE ($3,000 to win)
Fri Mar 17 ... Thunderhill Speedway, Mayetta, KS ($2,000 to win)
Sat Mar 18 ... Thunderhill Speedway, Mayetta, KS ($3,000 to win)
Fri Mar 31 ... Bloomfield Speedway, Bloomfield, IA ($2,000 to win)
Sat Apr 1 .... Scotland County Speedway, Memphis, MO ($2,000 to win)
Fri Apr 7 .... Hancock County Speedway, Britt, IA ($2,000 to win)
Sat Apr 8 .... Southern Iowa Speedway, Oskaloosa, IA ($2,000 to win)
Fri Apr 14 ... TBA
Sat Apr 15 ... TBA
Fri May 12 ... Bolivar Speedway USA, Bolivar, MO ($2,000 to win)
Sat May 13 ... Lebanon I-44 Speedway, Lebanon, MO ($2,000 to win)
Sun May 14 ... Monett Speedway, Monett, MO ($2,000 to win)
Thu May 25 ... Park Jefferson Speedway, Jefferson, SD ($2,000 to win)
Fri May 26 ... Murray County Speedway, Slayton, MN ($2,000 to win)
Sat May 27 ... Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN ($2,000 to win)
Sun May 28 ... Dodge County Speedway, Kasson, MN ($2,000 to win)
Mon May 29 ... Hancock County Speedway, Britt, IA ($2,000 to win)
Tue Jun 6 .... Oshkosh SpeedZone Raceway, Oshkosh, WI ($2,000 to win)
Wed Jun 7 .... Thunderhill Raceway Sturgeon Bay, WI ($2,000 to win)
*Thu Jun 8 ... Langlade County Speedway, Antigo, WI ($2,000 to win)
Fri Jun 9 .... Fox Ridge Speedway, Arcadia, WI ($2,000 to win)
Fri Jun 16 ... Humboldt Speedway, Humboldt, KS ($2,000 to win)
Sat Jun 17 ... Lebanon I-44 Speedway, Lebanon, MO ($2,000 to win)
Sun Jun 18 ... Monett Speedway, Monett, MO ($2,000 to win)
Tue Jun 20 ... Highway 3 Raceway, Allison, IA ($2,000 to win)
Wed Jun 21 ... Cresco Speedway, Cresco, IA ($2,000 to win)
Thu Jun 22 ... Adams County Speedway, Corning, IA ($2,000 to win)
Tue Jun 27 ... Interstate Speedway, Jefferson, SD ($2,000 to win)
Thu Jun 29 ... Casino Speedway, Watertown, SD ($2,000 to win)
Sat Jul 1 ... TBA
Sun Jul 2 ... TBA
Mon Jul 3 ... TBA
Wed Jul 12 ... Dodge County Speedway, Kasson, MN ($2,000 to win)
Thu Jul 13 ... Cresco Speedway, Cresco, IA ($2,000 to win)
Fri Jul 14 ... Fox Ridge Speedway, Arcadia, WI ($2,000 to win)
Sat Jul 15 ... Jackson Speedway, Jackson, MN ($2,000 to win)
Wed Jul 19 ... Eagle Raceway, Eagle, NE ($2,000 to win)
Thu Jul 20 ... Buena Vista Raceway Alta, IA ($2,000 to win)
Fri Jul 21 ... Murray County Speedway, Slayton, MN ($2,000 to win)
Wed Aug 2 .... Southern Iowa Speedway, Oskaloosa, IA ($2,000 to win)
Thu Aug 3 .... Knox County Fairgrounds, Knoxville, IL ($2,000 to win)
Fri Aug 4 .... Bloomfield Speedway, Bloomfield, IA ($2,000 to win)
Sat Aug 5 .... Scotland County Speedway, Memphis, MO ($2,000 to win)
Fri Aug 11 ... Lucas Oil Speedway, Wheatland, MO ($2,000 to win)
Sat Aug 12 ... Lucas Oil Speedway, Wheatland, MO ($3,000 to win)
Tue Aug 15 ... West Liberty Raceway, West Liberty, IA ($2,000 to win)
Wed Aug 16 ... Farley Speedway, Farley, IA ($2,000 to win)
Thu Aug 17 ... Upper Iowa Speedway, Decorah, IA ($2,000 to win)
Fri Aug 18 ... Fox Ridge Speedway, Arcadia, WI ($2,000 to win)
Sat Aug 19 ... Jackson Speedway, Jackson, MN ($2,000 to win)
Fri Sep 1 .... Highway 3 Raceway, Allison, IA ($2,000 to win)
Sat Sep 2 .... Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN ($2,000 to win)
Sun Sep 3 .... Dodge County Speedway, Kasson, MN ($2,000 to win)
Fri Sep 15 ... Southern Iowa Speedway, Oskaloosa, IA ($2,000 to win)
Sat Sep 16 ... Southern Iowa Speedway, Oskaloosa, IA ($2,000 to win)
Thu Sep 21 ... Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN (TBD)
Fri Sep 22 ... Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN (TBD)
Sat Sep 23 ... Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN (TBD)
Fri Oct 6 .... Adams County Speedway, Corning, IA ($2,000 to win)
Sat Oct 7 .... Adams County Speedway, Corning, IA ($3,000 to win)
Thu Oct 12 ... TBA
Fri Oct 13 ... TBA
Sat Oct 14 ... TBA
Fri Oct 20 ... Bolivar Speedway USA, Bolivar, MO ($2,000 to win)
Sat Oct 21 ... Bolivar Speedway USA, Bolivar, MO ($3,000 to win)
Fri Oct 27 ... Scotland County Speedway, Memphis, MO ($2,000 to win)
Sat Oct 28 ... Scotland County Speedway, Memphis, MO ($3,000 to win)

* Tentative

SCHEDULE IS TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE

* * * * * * * * * *

USMTS TITLE SPONSOR: O’Reilly Auto Parts.

USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Race Tires, Holley Performance Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, R.A. Benson Motorsports, Real Racing Wheels, Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: Belleville Motorsports, Bert Transmission, Boyer’s Engine Development, Edelbrock, Hyperco, ISKY Racing Cams, KSE Racing Products, Quarter Master, Racequest, US Brake.