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USMTS unveils record points funds, driver bonus program for
2011; National champion gets $20,000 payday
WEBSTER CITY, Iowa (Feb. 13) -- In just a little over seven months from now,
one driver will walk away from Featherlite Fall Jamboree at the Deer Creek
Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., as the 2011 USMTS National Champion and
hoist the most coveted and toughest-to-earn trophy in all of open-wheel
modified racing.
Oh, and did we mention a $20,000 paycheck too.
The rugged road warriors of the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour
powered by Swan Energy are set to embark on an overwhelming schedule that
consists of 94 nights of racing at 54 different venues in 12 different
States.
In the end, the 2011 USMTS National Champion will pocket a record $20,000
for his/her efforts while drivers finishing among the top-15 in both
national and regional points will garner a portion of the post-season prize
money offered in the 13-year history of the United States Modified Touring
Series.
“We are extremely excited and proud to announce that our overall points
funds for 2011 will nearly double that of last year’s amount,” said USMTS
President Todd Staley. “First and foremost, this would not be possible
without the tremendous support that the fans and sponsors have shown for the
series and the talented drivers and crewmembers that fill the pits.”
While the USMTS National Champion’s cut of the pie is double that of last
year’s award, each of the six regions are worth up to $2,500 for the highest
points earner – up from $2,000 to win each of the five regions last season.
“Somewhere in between the headlines of a struggling economy and chatter
about the demise of Modifieds and dirt track racing in general, you would
have also read how 2011 was a record year for the USMTS both in fan
attendance and average car count at each event,” noted USMTS Marketing &
Communications Director Jeff Nun. “When we say ‘best of the best’ we’re not
just talking about the drivers, but the sponsors, racetrack promoters,
manufacturers and fans too – there are none better in this industry.”
Drivers competing in each of the six regions will be eligible for the
following points fund in each region: 1. $2500; 2. $1500; 3. $1000; 4. $700;
5. $600; 6. $500; 7. $450; 8. $400; 9. $350; 10. $300; 11. $200; 12. $200;
13. $200; 14. $200; 15. $200.
For the second straight year, the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores
National Championship powered by Swan Energy will begin at the Great
American Dirt Track in Jetmore, Kan.
‘The Hunt’ is comprised of the final 22 races of the season. Points are
awarded at regional events, with the top-10 in the final standings of each
region and those with perfect attendance in any region earning a spot in the
season-ending title chase.
Drivers competing in the Hunt for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National
Championship powered by Swan Energy will be racing for the following points
fund: 1. $20,000; 2. $12,000; 3. $7,000; 4. $5,000; 5. $4,000; 6. $3,500; 7.
$3,000; 8. $2,500; 9. $2,200; 10. $2,000; 11. $1,000; 12. $1,000; 13.
$1,000; 14. $1,000; 15. $1,000.
In addition, every driver that qualifies for ‘The Hunt’ and competes in
every event during the title chase but fails to finish among the top-15 in
points will get $500.
See the complete rules on the USMTS website at
www.usmts.com.
Driver Bonus Program: This is a special cash award for drivers making as
many USMTS events as possible. This will start with the first points race of
the year and finish with the last points race of the year.
When signing in for an event, each driver that has participated in a certain
number of events without missing an event will be awarded bonus money:
16 to 30 events = $50 bonus per event
31 to 40 events = $100 bonus per event
41 or more events = $200 bonus per event
Do the math … if you show up at 70 straight events, you’ll earn an extra
$7,750. This bonus will be in addition to any other bonuses, purses or
points funds.
The catch? Miss just one race and it’s gone for the season.
Top Dog Bonus: The Top Dog Bonus will continue again this season. Starting
with the third race in each region, drivers with perfect attendance and
ranked among the top-10 in points for that region will be guaranteed a
minimum of $400 in earnings at that event.
Drivers will also be eligible for the Top Dog Bonus during the Hunt for the
USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Championship powered by Swan Energy,
provided that drivers is in the top-10 in the points standings and has
prefect attendance during ‘The Hunt.’
Provisionals: At each event during the 2011 season, one driver may be added
to the rear of the “A” Main field as a provisional starter.
The provisional starting spot will be awarded to the highest-ranked driver
in points for that region or in ‘The Hunt’ that does not qualify for the "A"
Main.
Check the USMTS rulebook for complete rules and procedures for awarding
provisionals.
The 2011 campaign will kick off Feb. 17-19 at the Royal Purple Raceway
(formerly Houston Raceway Park) in Baytown, Texas, for the first race in the
new Southeast Region formed from the former USMTS Southern Series.
Action moves to the Cornhusker State two weeks later as the Junction Motor
Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb., hosts the 8th Annual Nebraska Spring Thaw
on Friday and Saturday, March 4-5, for the first two of a dozen events
comprising the Great Plains Region.
Jason Hughes of Westville, Okla., is the defending USMTS National Champion,
and also won last year’s USMTS Southern Series title – his third straight.
Former USMTS National Champions include Kelly Shryock (1999-2006, 2009),
Jason Krohn (2007) and Tim Donlinger (2008).
To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit
www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. For sponsorship and marketing
inquiries, call 515-297-3935 or email
media@usmts.com. 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,
GoPro, Intercomp, Karl Chevrolet, Kevko Oil Pans & Components, New Vision
Graphics, NITROQUEST, RACEceiver.
USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: Allstar Performance, Arnold Motor Supply, ASi
Racewear, Bad Boy Mowers, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, Day Motor Sports, Dirt
Track Racing School, Dirthead.com, DirtKnights.com, DrySlik Dirt Trak
Racewear, Farm Boy BBQ Sauce, Intensitee Custom Racewear, Just Say Yes, Karl
Performance Parts, Mesilla Valley Transportation, Olympic Fire Protection,
Ramirez Race Cars, Ruter Farms, Yeager Machine.
USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, Belleville Motorsports,
COMP Cams, Dynatech Racing Exhaust, Eibach Springs, Fast Shafts, Forty9
Designs, Genesis Shocks, GRT Race Cars, Hooker Harness, Hypercoil Springs,
ISKY Racing Cams, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, Out-Pace Racing
Products, PBM Performance Products, Quarter Master, Real Racing Wheels, RHS
– Racing Head Service, Schoenfeld Headers, US Brake, Willy’s Carburetor &
Dyno Shop, WIX Filters.
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