Modified Masters launches Thursday, fight for $50,000 begins


NEW RICHMOND, Wis. (June 14) -- The largest purse in the history of the USMTS happens in this week's "Modified Masters" race at the Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond Wis.

Set for Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 15-17, officials from the Cedar Lake Speedway and United States Modified Touring Series announced the change to the track's annual Masters late last year with an event that will produce the biggest winner's check in the history of the USMTS.

Known for hosting a number of national marquee events, this is the first time in track history they will pay out $50,000 to win a Modified event. Midwest Mods will also compete on Friday and Saturday.

It all begins Thursday with a $3,000-to-win RHRSwag.com USMTS Northern Region event. Friday is qualifying night for the Modified Masters with each competitor running two 12-lap heat races with starting positions and drivers mixed. Last chance races and alphabet soup features on Saturday will lead up to the 70-lap, $50,000-to-win finale.

Points will be combined for the two heat races with the top 12 drivers locked into Saturday's championship race. The next 12 in points (13th-24th) will be locked into Saturday's "B" Main, the next 12 into the "C" Main and the remainder will run in "Last Chance" races on Saturday.

SATURDAY'S PAYOUT

"A" Main: 1. $50,000, 2. $20,000, 3. $10,000, 4. $6000, 5. $5000, 6. $4000, 7. $3500, 8. $3250, 9. $3000, 10. $2800, 11. $2650, 12. $2500, 13. $2400, 14. $2300, 15. $2200, 16. $2100, 17. $2075, 18. $2050, 19. $2040, 20. $2030, 21. $2025, 22. $2020, 23. $2015, 24. $2010, 25. $2005, 26. $2000.

Drivers not advancing out of the "B" Main are guaranteed a minimum of $500 to start. Drivers not advancing out of the "C" Main will get no less than $350 with a minimum of $200 for all non-qualifiers in the Last Chance Races.

DRIVER ENTRIES

Jimmy Mars, Brad Gerdes, Brent Dutenhoffer, Zack VanderBeek, Curt Myers, Terry Phillips, Chris Oertel, Adam Ayotte, Matt Leer, Jason Gross, Chase Junghans, Jacob Bleess, Cory Crapser, Cory Bruggeman, Jake Hartung, Dave Cain, Shawn Peterson, Brad Dierks, Craig Thatcher, Cade Dillard, Jake Timm, Lucas Schott, Joey Jensen, Lance Mari, Kenny Gaddis, Zane DeVilbiss, Tyler Townsend, Kyle Strickler, Joe Duvall, Scott Drake, Tyler Wolff, R.C. Whitwell, Jake Gallardo, Stormy Scott, Johnny Scott, Dan Ebert, Ricky Thornton Jr., Jason Hughes, Ryan Gustin, Clayton Wagamon, Kyle Prauner, Travis Saurer, Adam Kates, Tanner Mullens, Austin Arneson, Rodney Sanders, Bobby Malchus, Mike Mashl, A.J. Diemel, Thomas Tillison Jr., Mike Densberger, Pat Doar, Darrell Nelson, Pat Graham, Dereck Ramirez, Kelly Estey, Paul Niznik, Jay Richardson, Jardin Fuller, Michael Truscott, Steve Wetzstein, Cory Mahder, Adam Hensel, Brad Waits, Shane Sabraski, Skeeter Estey

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Thursday:
6:30 Hot laps
7:00 Racing
Full program of USMTS Modifieds paying $3,000 to win
Party in the arena following the races

Friday:
8:30-11:00 Breakfast served
6:30 Hot laps
7:00 Heat races and dash for Modifieds plus full program of Midwest Mods
Party in the arena with live band following the races

Saturday:
8:30 Breakfast served in west restaurant
12:00 Apple River tubing
6:30 Hot laps
7:00 Last Chance Races, "C" Main, "B" Main and 70-lap $50,000-to-win Modified main event plus full program of Midwest Mods

TICKET INFORMATION

Thursday: $25 Adults, $12 Students, $35 Pits
Friday: $30 Adults, $12 Students, $35 Pits
Saturday: $35 Adults, $15 Students, $45 Pits

THINGS TO DO BEFORE/AFTER THE RACES

Apple River Tubing: If you haven't tried what has made the Apple River famous you are missing out! Tubing down the river is an experience in itself but add nearly another thousand people and you have a party! For a small fee we provide to and from Float-Rite park and a inner tube to enjoy the day under the sun! We will have you back to the track way before hot laps start!

Driver and Meet & Greet: Before the races come to souvenir alley and purchase an event T-shirt, your favorite driver's shirt or die-cast and get him to sign it as the top drivers will be there to answer your questions, snap a couple pictures and sign your souvenirs.

Pit Party: Rub elbows with your favorite drivers, buy them a beer enjoy the music in the arena both Thursday and Friday night after the races.

COMPETITOR RULES

USMTS/USRA rules apply with the following variances: Tire permitted is American Racer KK704 racing tire (no grooving or siping on rear tires). Chip rule is 8,000 RPM. Five-inch spoiler permitted for all cars. Rest of USMTS/USRA spoiler rules will be in effect. All USMTS/USRA shock, spring and body rules will apply. Weight for USMTS/USRA spec engine, USMTS/USRA, Wissota and IMCA-type flat tappet steel head motors and GM 525 crate (standard USMTS rules will apply) will all be 2,450 pounds. Weight for GM 604 crate, USMTS/USRA or Wissota concept engine will be 2,400 pounds. All other engines with 23-degree heads must be 2,500 pounds. Any engine utilizing heads less than 23 degrees will be 2,550 pounds. If utilizing aluminum heads for either option, must add 25 pounds in front of motor plate. All cars are welcome to run this race. For rules questions email tech@usmts.com. Draw for heat race starting spot on Friday ends 15 minutes before hot laps. RACEceivers and AMB transponders are mandatory and available for rent or purchase at USMTS trailer. See complete USMTS rules at www.usmts.com or USRA rules at www.usraracing.com.

QUALIFYING PROCEDURES

Each driver will run two heat races on Friday. Starting positions and drivers will be mixed. Each heat race will feature 12 or more starters for 12 laps, giving drivers the chance to advance as much as possible. USMTS passing points will be combined for the two heat races with the top 12 drivers in overall points locked into Saturday's "A" Main. The next 12 in points (13th-24th) will be locked into Saturday's "B" Main, the next 12 drivers (25th- 36th) will be locked into Saturday's "C" Main and the remainder will run in "Last Chance" races on Saturday. Top 14 finishers from the LCQ races will join the 12 already qualified drivers from Friday in the "C" Main. Top 14 finishers from the "C" Main will join the 12 already qualified cars in the "B" Main. Top 14 finishers in the B main will join the 12 cars already qualified or the "A" Main bringing the total field to 26 starters battling 70 laps or a $50,000 pay day. Promoter reserves the right to adjust qualifying procedures due to unforeseen circumstances or weather conditions.

RAIN POLICY

If Thursday rains out, Thursday event is cancelled and refunds will be issued. If Friday rains out, we will run it at 1 p.m. Saturday followed by the regular Saturday show at 6 p.m. Purse is the exact same except 1st place pays $30,000. If Saturday rains out, we will run Sunday. Purse is the exact same except 1st place pays $30,000. If both Friday and Saturday rain out, will either issue refunds or reschedule event for late September.

LIVE BROADCAST ON RACINDIRT

If you are unable to attend, RacinDirt will have the entire production live on www.racindirt.com. This will be an explosive broadcast with a multi-camera production, a dedicated host, pre- and post-race interviews, FK Rod Ends Instant Replay and other video elements mixed in as time allows.

Visit www.racindirt.com to order your pay-per-view package today.

The Cedar Lake Speedway is a high-banked 3/8-mile clay oval located 1.0 mile east of SR 35 on SR 64, then 4.2 miles north on CR C to CR CC, then left 1.8 miles. For more information, call (612) 363-0479 or (715) 248-7119 or check out www.cedarlakespeedway.com online.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usmts, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/usmts and Instagram at www.instagram.com/usmts or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/usmtstv. Keep up to speed with everything USMTS by joining our email list at www.usmts.com/subscribe.

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USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Racer Racing Tires, Argo Manufacturing, Casey's General Stores, Chix Gear Racewear, CP-Carrillo, Deatherage Opticians, Fast Shafts, Intercomp, KSE Racing Products, Leaf Racewear & Safety Equipment, Malvern Bank, MSD, Pace Performance, RacerWebsite.com, RacinDirt.com, RacingJunk.com, S&S Fishing & Rental, SToK Cold-Brew Coffee, Summit Racing Equipment, The Joie of Seating, VP Racing Fuels.

USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: Arizona Sport Shirts, ASi Racewear, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Duvall Electric, ElbowsUp.com, Mesilla Valley Transportation, Oreo, Production Jars, Rancho Milagro Racing, RHRSwag.com, YouDirt.com.

USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: 905 Ink, AFCO Racing Products, Allstar Performance, Beyea Custom Headers, BigDeal Car Care, BSB Manufacturing, Day Motor Sports, Dickson Racing Shocks, E3 Spark Plugs, Edelbrock, FK Rod Ends, Forty9 Designs, Fuel Safe, Genesis Racing Shocks, GRT Race Cars, Holley Performance Products, Hooker Custom Harness, Integra Shocks & Springs, Jerovetz Motorsports Racing Parts, Keyser Manufacturing, Out-Pace Racing Products, QA1 Precision Products, Real Racing Wheels, Simpson Performance Products, Sweet Manufacturing, Swift Springs, Sybesma Graphics, Tire Demon, Wehrs Machine & Race Products, Wilwood Disc Brakes.