USMTS blasts off 2011 Season at Baytown

[NickHolt]

USMTS blasts off at Baytown: 2011 season opener this weekend at Royal Purple Raceway

 

BAYTOWN, Texas (Feb. 14) – Drivers and fans alike are gearing up to flock to Baytown, Texas, this weekend for the 2001 season opener for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour powered by Swan Energy.

 

Set for this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 17-19, the inaugural Texas Spring Nationals at the Royal Purple Raceway is expected to draw some of the best open-wheel dirt modified drivers in America to the state-of-the-art high-banked 3/8-mile clay oval where a possible $7,000 to win over three days awaits.

 

The 2011 season for the mud-slinging USMTS Modifieds will kick off right where it left off in 2010 with a visit to the former Houston Raceway Park with $2,000 to win on Thursday and Friday and the winner of Saturday pocketing $3,000.

 

Points will be awarded in the newly-formed Southeast Region where 11 events over four weekends are scheduled, with six of those races happening at the Royal Purple Raceway.

 

Paul White won the first-ever USMTS event at the Royal Purple Raceway in 2007. Since then, trips to victory lane have also been made by Alan Mondus, Kelly Shryock, Jason Hughes, Tommy Weder Jr., Johnny Bone Jr., Zack VanderBeek and Rodney Sanders

 

Last November, VanderBeek captured the second and third victories of his career at the speedplant during the first two nights of the 4th Annual Texas Winter Nationals, while Texan Rodney Sanders held off VanderBeek on the third night to capture the finale and his first win at the track.

 

USRA Western Flyer HotMods (Limited Mods) will also be running for $500 to win Thursday, $700 on Friday and $1,000 on Saturday.

 

On Thursday and Friday, the pit gate opens at 3 p.m., grandstands open at 5 and racing begins at 6:30. On Saturday, pit gates open at 3 p.m., grandstands open at 4 and the first heat race hits the track at 5:30.

 

An open practice will be held on Wednesday from 6-9 p.m., and will be the only opportunity for drivers to turn hot laps prior to Thursday’s heat races.

 

With the incorporation of the USMTS Southern Series into the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour powered by Swan Energy, this year’s slate is divided into six regions where drivers can compete for lucrative regional points funds and earn a chance to compete for the USMTS National Championship.

 

The Southeast Region and each of the other five regions are worth up to $2,500 for the highest points earner while the 2011 USMTS National Champion will earn $20,000.

 

THURSDAY PAYOFF: Licensed – 1. $2000, 2. $1500, 3. $1000, 4. $800, 5. $700, 6. $600, 7. $550, 8. $500, 9. $450, 10. $425, 11. $400, 12. $375, 13. $350, 14. $325, 15-26. $300, Tow $80; Non-Licensed – 1. $2000, 2. $1200, 3. $800, 4. $600, 5. $500, 6. $400, 7. $350, 8. $300, 9. $250, 10. $230, 11. $210, 12-26. $200, Tow $60.

 

FRIDAY PAYOFF: Licensed – 1. $2000, 2. $1500, 3. $1000, 4. $900, 5. $800, 6. $700, 7. $650, 8. $600, 9. $550, 10. $500, 11. $450, 12. $400, 13. $375, 14. $350, 15. $325, 16-26. $300, Tow $80; Non-Licensed – 1. $2000, 2. $1200, 3. $800, 4. $600, 5. $500, 6. $400, 7. $350, 8. $300, 9. $250, 10. $230, 11. $210, 12-26. $200, Tow $60.

 

SATURDAY PAYOFF: Licensed – 1. $3000, 2. $2000, 3. $1500, 4. $1000, 5. $900, 6. $800, 7. $700, 8. $650, 9. $600, 10. $550, 11. $500, 12. $450, 13. 425, 14-26. $400, Tow $100; Non-Licensed – 1. $3000, 2. $1800, 3. $1200, 4. $800, 5. $600, 6. $500, 7. $450, 8. $400, 9. $350, 10. $300, 11-26. $275, Tow $80.

 

LICENSES: There is no requirement to purchase a USMTS license to compete in any USMTS event. However, benefits enjoyed by licensed drivers includes higher event purses and bonus payouts, increased tow money, discounted entry fees, points funds, increased media recognition, a personalized driver profile page on the USMTS website and more. The cost of a USMTS Southeast Region license is $150.

 

ENTRY FEES: Early entry is $90 for licensed drivers or $100 for non-licensed drivers on Thursday and Friday; $100 for licensed and $110 for non-licensed on Saturday. Late or at-the-track entry for all drivers is $110 on Thursday and Friday; $125 on Saturday. Drivers may still lock in the early entry rate by calling the USMTS office by Tuesday or at Wednesday night’s practice session at the track.

 

TOP DOG BONUS: Drivers with perfect attendance and ranked among the top-10 in points in the Southeast Region after Friday’s event are guaranteed a minimum $400 in earnings on Saturday.

 

RULES & PROCEDURES: Qualifying will be done by heat race passing points and Real Racing Wheels “B” Mains. Draw for heat race starting spot ends 15 minutes before hot laps. RACEceivers and AMB transponders are mandatory and available for rent or purchase from the USMTS. The American Racer KK704/G60 is the Official Tire of the USMTS; however, the IMCA-stamped Hoosier G60 is also permitted at this event. All USMTS rules apply. See the USMTS website at www.usmts.com for complete rules.

 

The Royal Purple Raceway is located just east of Houston on I-10 to exit 799, then 2.5 miles south on SH 99 (Grand Parkway), then 0.3 mile west on FM 565.

 

For more information, call the track office at 281-383-7223 or visit www.royalpurpleraceway.com online.

 

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.