USMTS gets back to work Memorial Day Weekend


WEBSTER CITY, Iowa (May 18)--For more than two decades, Memorial Day Weekend is one of the biggest weekends of the year for USMTS and USRA competitors and fans, but this year's schedule of events looks much different-just like America does right now-due to the restrictions placed upon the businesses and citizens of the country's commonwealths due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Currently, fans are not allowed in the grandstands at venues in Iowa and Minnesota. Therefore, three of the weekend's previously scheduled events for the Summit USMTS National Championship fueled by Casey's are not going to happen.

While racing will go on without the USMTS on Thursday at Iowa's Hamilton County Speedway in Webster City and the Mason City Motor Speedway on Sunday, the 18th Annual Southern Minnesota Spring Challenge will not take place Saturday at the Deer Creek Speedway.

Instead, the Mississippi Thunder Speedway in nearby Fountain City, Wis., will expand the 11th Annual USMTS Spring Shootout into a two-day show on Friday and Saturday, May 22-23.

The 9th Annual USMTS River City Rumble will happen at the Park Jefferson Speedway near Jefferson, S.D., on Monday, May 25.

RacinDirt.TV will carry all five nights live with coverage of every lap in every division. Watch live on your computer, Roku, Amazon Fire, iOS, Apple TV and Google Play for one sickening low monthly or annual price.

Here is what is happening for the Summit USMTS National Championship fueled by Casey's and Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series for the 2020 Memorial Day Weekend:

HAMILTON COUNTY SPEEDWAY - WEBSTER CITY, IOWA
THURSDAY, MAY 21 - THURSDAY NIGHT THUNDER

The Hamilton County Speedway hosts Thursday Night Thunder with the program highlighted by the Christie Door Company Iron Man Challenge built by Medieval Chassis featuring American Racer USRA Stock Cars and USRA B-Mods.

Todd and Janet Staley, who have steered the USMTS since 1999, became the promoters of the track in the fall of 2018 with Brad and Sarah Ratcliff running the weekly operations. New dirt was put down, a newly-remodeled VIP booth was completed, a unique racing experience party deck was erected and so much more has transformed this place into a fun venue for fans with an awesome, multi-grooved race track all year long.

Now in its 22nd season, the first three Fall Jamboree events were held at the track from 1999-2001 before moving to the Deer Creek Speedway. Kelly Shryock won the first race on Oct. 7, 1999, while Ron Jones went on to capture the first Fall Jamboree title two days later. Since then, drivers such as Kevin Pittman, Tommy Myer, Willy Kraft, Mark Noble, Johnny Saathoff, Ryan Gustin, Johnny Scott, Jason Hughes, Jesse Sobbing, Cade Dillard and Jake O'Neil have found glory in Webster City.

The AmericInn by Wyndham is the Official Host Hotel of the Hamilton County Speedway driven by Spangler Automotive. Located just off the exit from Hwy. 20 at 411 Closz Dr., check them out online or call (515) 337-2611 to book your room today.

USRA Modifieds will also be in action along with Mensink Racing Products USRA Hobby Stocks and USRA Tuners.

USRA Modifieds will pay $700 to win and $100 to start. There will be a side pot for the drivers at a cost of $50 each. The top three get the pot at 60%, 30% and 10%, respectively, plus and any sponsor money contributed.

Mensink Racing Products USRA Hobby Stocks get $300 to win and $50 to start but if 21 or more racers are entered, the payout will increase to $400 for the winner and a minimum $70 to start.

USRA Tuners will race for $150 to win and $35 to start but if more than 15 show up then it will pay $20 more to start while the winner gets $200 to win if at least 21 cars are in attendance.

Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series national, regional and track points are up for grabs in every division. All USRA competitors must possess a USRA license or a $10 temp license paid at each event. Racers can purchase a USRA license at usraracing.com/register.

The grandstands will be closed to the public but the pits will be open with the pit gate opening at 4 p.m., hot laps at 7:10 and racing at 7:30. Pit passes are $35 or $25 for youth ages 6-10. Kids 5 and under are free.

Opening in July 1910, the Hamilton County Speedway is the oldest speedway in the state of Iowa. In 1938, work began on the current location at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds. The semi-banked half-mile dirt track was completed in the spring of 1939, and the first races were held on the track in September of that year.

The Hamilton County Speedway driven by Spangler Automotive is located off US 20 at exit 140, then 1.2 miles north, then 0.5 mile east on Bank St., then 0.4 mile south on Bluff St. to the Hamilton County Fairgrounds in Webster City, Iowa. The physical address is 1200 Bluff St, Webster City, IA 50595.

For more information, call (515) 832-6000 or check out hamiltoncospeedway.com. You can also get social on Facebook and Twitter.

MISSISSIPPI THUNDER SPEEDWAY - FOUNTAIN CITY, WIS.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 22-23 - 11TH ANNUAL USMTS SPRING SHOOTOUT

On Friday and Saturday the 11th Annual USMTS Spring Shootout presented by Coca-Cola Bottling of Winona will take place at Bob Timm's Mississippi Thunder Speedway with a $3,000-to-win main event each night for USMTS warriors.

Both nights will also feature the Dirt Kings Late Models, USRA B-Mods and Mensink Racing Products USRA Hobby Stocks. Saturday's show will add the American Racer USRA Stock Cars as they double with the USRA B-Mods for the second race of the season for the Christie Door Company Iron Man Challenge built by Medieval Chassis.

Todd Scharkey won the first-ever USMTS race in Fountain City when the track was known as the Tri-Oval Speedway. Nine-time USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock, Brad Waits and Al Hejna also won main events on the old configuration.

Timm took the reins in 2009 and with him came a new configuration for the track, a new clay surface and a new name for the track.

Since then, Ryan Gustin has posted a series-best five USMTS victories including the first on the "new" track and the most recent in 2019. In USRA Modified competition, 'The Reaper' collected $40,000 in 2016 by holding off dirt late model legend Scott Bloomquist during the wee hours of the morning in the USRA Modified Nationals here.

Waits won again in 2011 to become the only driver to get the job done on both the old and new track layout. He collected his third career win here during the Memorial Day Weekend event in May last year.

Jon Tesch won back-to-back races in 2011 and 2012 to be the only other USMTS multi-race winner at MTS with Gustin and Waits. Tim Donlinger, Tommy Myer, Terry Phillips, Jason Hughes, Rodney Sanders and Zack VanderBeek each have one victory here.

Adult general admission is $25 each night, seniors (65+) are $23. Teens and students (with ID) ages 13-23 are just $5 and kids 12 and under are free.

On Friday, the pit gate opens at 4 p.m. and grandstands open at 5:30 with hot laps at 6:30 and racing at 7:30. All times are one hour earlier on Saturday.

Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series national, regional and track points are up for grabs in every division. All USRA competitors must possess a USRA license or a $10 temp license paid at each event. Racers can purchase a USRA license at usraracing.com/register.

The Mississippi Thunder Speedway is located 3.0 miles north of Fountain City on SR 35. For more information, call (608) 687-3282 or visit mississippithunder.com.

MASON CITY MOTOR SPEEDWAY - MASON CITY, IOWA
SUNDAY, MAY 24 - MAYHEM IN MASON CITY

On Sunday, the Mason City Motor Speedway will host Mayhem in Mason City with the program highlighted by the Christie Door Company Iron Man Challenge built by Medieval Chassis featuring American Racer USRA Stock Cars and USRA B-Mods.

USRA Modifieds will also be in action along with Mensink Racing Products USRA Hobby Stocks and USRA Tuners.

USRA Modifieds will pay $700 to win and $100 to start. There will be a side pot for the drivers at a cost of $50 each. The top three get the pot at 60%, 30% and 10%, respectively, plus and any sponsor money contributed.

Mensink Racing Products USRA Hobby Stocks get $300 to win and $50 to start but if 21 or more racers are entered, the payout will increase to $400 for the winner and a minimum $70 to start.

Tuners will race for $150 to win and $35 to start but if more than 15 show up then it will pay $20 more to start while the winner gets $200 to win if at least 21 cars are in attendance.

Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series national, regional and track points are up for grabs in every division. All USRA competitors must possess a USRA license or a $10 temp license paid at each event. Racers can purchase a USRA license at usraracing.com/register.

The grandstands will be closed to the public but the pits will be open with the pit gate opening at 3 p.m., hot laps at 5:40 and racing at 6 p.m. Pit passes are $35 or $25 for youth ages 6-10. Kids 5 and under are free.

The Mason City Motor Speedway is a 1/3-mile clay oval located 5.1 miles east of I-35 at exit 194 on SR 122 (at the North Iowa Fairgrounds). For more information, call (515) 832-6000 or check out masoncitymotorspeedway.com online. You can also like the track's Facebook page at facebook.com/MasonCityMotorSpeedway and follow on Twitter at twitter.com/RacinMasonCity.

PARK JEFFERSON SPEEDWAY - NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D.
MONDAY, MAY 25 - 9TH ANNUAL USMTS RIVER CITY RUMBLE

The Summit USMTS National Championship fueled by Casey's returns to the Park Jefferson Speedway near Jefferson, S.D., on Memorial Day for a $2,500-to-win main event at the 9th Annual USMTS River City Rumble.

Nearly 15 years, the series debut here was it was a barn-burner with local favorite Jay Noteboom besting the USMTS invaders.

Since then, no driver has been able to win twice. Past winners include Kelly Shryock, Jason Krohn, Jason Hughes, Jon Tesch, Ryan Gustin and Rodney Sanders and Lucas Schott, who was the last USMTS winner here in 2018. The event was rained out in 2017 and 2019.

Joining the USMTS will be the make-up of the Pepsi South Dakota Sprint Car Nationals featuring MSTS 360 Sprint Cars, RACEsaver Sprint Cars and Sport Modifieds.

The pit gate will open at 2 p.m. with the spectator entrance opening at 3 p.m. Hot laps are at 4:15 with racing slated to follow around 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online. Remaining tickets will be sold at the door.

Social distancing guidelines will be in effect and fans are asked to observe best practices. Track officials request that fans and teams bring some type of face covering to help the continuing support from South Dakota government agencies.

The Hampton Inn in North Sioux City has a special Park Jefferson Speedway rate of $89 and can be booked by calling (605) 232-9739. Camping can be found at the KOA of North Sioux City located 1 mile south of the track and reservations can be made at (605) 232-4519. Tell them Park Jefferson sent you.

The Park Jefferson Speedway is a semi-banked 4/10-mile dirt oval located off I-29 at exit 4, then 0.2 mile east to SR 105, then 1.8 miles north (48426 332nd St., Jefferson, SD 57049). For more information call (712) 202-5540, email adam@parkjeff.com or visit parkjeff.com.

In accordance with national, state and local ordinances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, several rules and guidelines will be enforced and all participants must be aware of those guidelines at each racetrack.

Social distancing measures must be conformed to. Any competitor or other participant failing to follow the posted guidelines will be disqualified from the event and asked to leave. The wearing of a protective face mask is strongly recommended but not required. If you are sick or not feeling well, please stay home.

Currently, the 2020 schedule for the Summit USMTS National Championship fueled by Casey's is highlighted by 41 nights of racing at 27 unique dirt ovals for the 22nd season of competition for the world's Best of the Best in dirt modified racing.

To connect with the USMTS check out USMTS.com, like us on Facebook, follow on Twitter, check us out on Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Keep up to speed by joining our email list

To learn more about the United States Racing Association, visit USRAracing.com. You can also like us on Facebook, visit us on Instagram, follow us on Twitter and watch us on YouTube. Keep up to speed with everything USRA and subscribe to the USRA e-Newsletter at USRAracing.com/subscribe.