PEPSI/MOUNTAIN DEW MID-AMERICA NATIONALS THIS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

MEMPHIS, Mo. (Nov. 2, 2006) - After 57 races at 33 tracks in nine States, The O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series road warriors will wrap their nine-month campaign with the 5th Annual Pepsi/Mountain Dew Mid-America Nationals at the Pepsi Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, Mo., this Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 4-5.

Featuring America's top Modified teams on the racey 3/8-mile clay oval, a huge field of big-name drivers and their machines are expected to be on hand to close the curtain on the most intriguing and successful season so far for the O’Reilly USMTS.

Leading the invasion will be seven-time defending O’Reilly USMTS national champion Kelly Shryock of Fertile, Iowa, as he looks to capture his unprecedented eighth title. Trailing New Sharon, Iowa's Zack VanderBeek by two points in ‘The Hunt’ for the O’Reilly USMTS National Championship entering last Sunday's O’Reilly Auto Parts Fall Classic at Bolivar (Mo.) Speedway USA, Shryock captured his record-setting 30th O’Reilly USMTS main event of the season and garnered control of ‘The Hunt’ points over VanderBeek (1,102 to 1,080) entering the 5th Annual Pepsi/Mountain Dew Mid-America Nationals doubleheader.

Both drivers have been prolific at Memphis. Most recently, Shryock finished third at the Pizza Hut USRA Nationals while VanderBeek was fourth. When the O’Reilly USMTS last visited the Pepsi Scotland County Speedway three months ago, Shryock was fourth while VanderBeek was sixth. Shryock is a three-time O’Reilly USMTS main event winner at the facility, while VanderBeek has been a two-class regular where he scored two runner-up finishes in the USRA Modifieds and won two USRA Stock Car main events during the 2006 season.

Chasing the lead pair in ‘The Hunt’ for the O’Reilly USMTS National Championship will be third-ranked Jason Friesen of Sutton, Neb. As the only driver in the top-6 in points without a win during ‘The Hunt’, Friesen in eager for another victory after picking up the season-opening win at the Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb., on March 10. He trails VanderBeek by 48 points entering this weekend's finale.

Still alive, but virtually mathematically eliminated from any chance at ‘The Hunt’ crown, Tommy Myer of Blooming Prairie, Minn. (980 points) and Jon Tesch of Watertown, S.D. (973 points) will have victory -- as well as an improved final standing -- on their minds.

The region's top drivers are expected to be in action this weekend, including Steve Arpin, Brent Bohmont, Johnny Bone Jr., Dustin Boney, Mark Burgtorf, Scott Drake, Corey Dripps, Tony Fraise, Chevy Hadan, Bruce Hanford, Al Hejna, Mike Hejna, David Holder, Steve Holzkamper, Jason Hughes, Willy Kraft, Brad McEwan, Alan Mondus, Jake Neal, Mark Noble, Paul Parker, Brad Pinkerton, Jay Poidinger, Ryan Ruter, Mike Spaulding, Steve Stewart, Ron Ver Beek, Mike Wedelstadt, Tommy Weder Jr. and many more.

Several local aces are also expected to contend for the $2,000 top prize both days, including 2006 track champion Ryan Meyer, Michael Long, Mike Bennett, Jared Durbin, David Weitholder, Bob Dale, Martin Bennett and Dennis Elliott.

A field of 24 cars will start the Holley “A” Main each night, with qualifying through Heat Races and Real Racing Wheels “B” Mains. The top 12 cars in Home Pride Passing Points accumulated in the Heat Races will be locked into the Holley “A” Main. An additional 10 cars will qualify from the Real Racing Wheels “B” Mains, with two provisional starters added to the Holley “A” Main. Additional track provisionals may also be awarded.



Joining the O’Reilly USMTS Modifieds on the racing card each day will be USRA Stock Cars, USRA B-Mods and USRA Hobby Stocks.

On Saturday, Nov. 4, gates open 1 p.m., with hot laps at 3:30 and racing at 4 p.m. Times are one hour earlier on Sunday, with gates opening at 12 noon, hot laps at 2:30 and racing at 3 p.m.

The Pepsi Scotland County Speedway is located one mile west of Memphis on U.S. Hwy. 136 to State Route 15, then east (at the Scotland County Fairgrounds). For more information about the O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series, call the headquarters at (515) 832-7944 or visit www.usmts.com online. Call the track at (660) 465-8948 for race day information.

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USMTS TITLE SPONSOR: O’Reilly Auto Parts.

USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Racer Racing Tires, AMSOIL, Dirt Works Race Cars, Holley Performance Products, Home Pride Companies, Intercomp, Marsh Racing Wheels, Nitroquest Web Solutions, Olympic Fire Protection, R.A. Benson Motorsports, Real Racing Wheels, Reich Concrete, Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar, SpeedNet Direct, UNIJIG, Yeager Machine.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, Bassett Racing Wheel, Bell Racing, Belleville Motorsports, Bert Transmission, Boyer’s Engine Development, Dynatech Racing Exhaust, Edelbrock, Fast Shafts, GRT Race Cars, Hawk Performance, Hyperco, Impact! Racing, Intensitee Custom Clothing, Isky Racing Cams, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, KSE Racing Products, Larson Racing Specialists, Quarter Master, QuickTime Performance Race Parts, RaceQuest, RaceMN Motorsports Expo, T.A.R. Race Car Bodies, US Brake.