BRITT, OSKY UP NEXT FOR O’REILLY USMTS

WEBSTER CITY, Iowa (April 3) -- After a week off thanks to Mother Nature, the stars and cars of the O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series are back in action this weekend for a Hawkeye State doubleheader at two unique facilities.

With last weekend's rained-out action, the first race in the O’Reilly USMTS Central Region will now happen this Friday, April 7, at the Pritchard Family Auto Stores Hancock County Speedway in Britt, Iowa. The 2nd Annual Ruter Farms Iowa Spring Challenge will be the fifth of 74 races on the 2006 schedule, and the first of 14 scheduled events comprising the Central Region slate.

A big field of Modifieds is expected for the season-opening event at the tight 3/8-mile clay oval, including current national points leader Mark Noble of Blooming Prairie, Minn., and seven-time defending O’Reilly USMTS national champion Kelly Shryock of Fertile, Iowa.

Shryock, who captured an O’Reilly USMTS main event at the Speedway last September during the American Racer Fall Festival, currently sits fourth in the points as he looks to take his first win of the 2006 season.

Fans will also be treated to the 2006 season debut of Corey Dripps as he debuts a new machine at the $2,000-to-win show.

From there, the O’Reilly USMTS teams travel south to the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa, for the $2,000-to-win O’Reilly Auto Parts Iowa Spring Classic on Saturday, April 8. While Tommy Myer of Blooming Prairie, Minn., captured the checkers during the last visit to Osky, Shryock will be battling for his 12th win in 20 starts at the big, fast 1/2-mile oval.

On Friday, gates open at 4 p.m. with hot laps scheduled for 6:30 and racing to follow. Gates will open at 3 p.m. on Saturday, with hot laps at 5 p.m. and racing slated for 5:30.

Both nights, grandstand general admission is $15 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6-12 and children under 6 are admitted free of charge. Pit passes at both events will be $25.

USRA Stock Cars ($350 to win), USRA B-Modifieds ($300 to win) and USRA Hobby Stocks ($300 to win) will also be on the card at the Pritchard Family Auto Stores Hancock County Speedway. USRA Stock Cars ($350 to win) and USRA Hobby Stocks ($300 to win) will join the racing program at the Southern Iowa Speedway. Drivers in USRA-sanctioned classes will be racing for national points in the USRA Casey's General Stores Weekly Racing Series.

The Pritchard Family Auto Stores is located 1.3 miles south of US 18 on James St. (turns into Main Ave. and Diagonal and 1st), then 0.5 mile east on 220th Ave., then 0.1 mile north on Jewel Ave., then east (at the Hancock County Fairgrounds). The Southern Iowa Speedway is located 0.5 mile west of US 63 on SR 92, then 0.3 mile north on N. I St. (at the Southern Iowa Fairgrounds).

For more information, call the USMTS headquarters at (515) 832-7944, or visit the Official Web site at www.usmts.com. Day-of-race info is available by calling the tracks at 641-843-4513 (Britt) or 641-673-7004 (Oskaloosa).

O’REILLY NATIONAL DRIVER CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS:
1. 74 Mark Noble, Blooming Prairie, Minn. .... 412
2. 14 John Tesch, Watertown, S.D. .... 372
3. 555 Ryan Ruter, Forest City, Iowa .... 346
4. 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa .... 343
5. 1f Jason Friesen, Sutton, Neb. .... 305
6. 65 Tommy Myer, Blooming Prairie, Minn. .... 301
7. 26 Brad McEwan, Storm Lake, Iowa .... 268
8. 21m Dean Mahlstedt, Clear Lake, Iowa .... 265
9. 4x Kevin Larkins, Greenwood, Neb. .... 258
10. 33z Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa .... 233