Jump to content

USMTS sets record 2011 points funds, driver bonus program


NickHolt

Recommended Posts

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...