FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEBSTER CITY, Iowa (Friday, November 12, 2010) - In preparation of their tenth consecutive year of sanctioning competitive grassroots dirt track racing, officials from the United States Racing Association revealed today the track and national points funds for the 2011 USRA Weekly Racing Series.
“The USRA is proud to announce our biggest and most lucrative points funds ever for our drivers in 2011,” said USRA President Todd Staley. “We’re fortunate to have great support from our drivers, officials, racetrack operators and sponsors that make it possible.”
During the 2010 racing season, more than 1,400 drivers competed in USRA-sanctioned events at 30 different dirt ovals in seven states: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
Payouts at all levels in all four of the USRA’s premier classes will see an increase in their post-season earnings at the end of the 2011 USRA Weekly Racing Series campaign.
2011 TRACK POINTS FUNDS:
USRA Modifieds – 1. $1,500, 2. $900, 3. $600, 4. $450, 5. $300, 6. $250, 7. $200, 8. $175, 9. $150, 10. $150.
USRA Karl Chevrolet Stock Cars – 1. $600, 2. $400, 3. $300, 4. $250, 5. $200, 6.. $175, 7. $150, 8. $125, 9. $125, 10. $125.
USRA Karl Performance Parts B-Mods – 1. $500, 2. $350, 3. $250, 4. $200, 5. $175, 6. $150, 7. $125, 8. $110, 9. $110, 10. $110.
USRA Hobby Stocks – 1. $500, 2. $300, 3. $200, 4. $180, 5. $160, 6. $140, 7. $125, 8. $110, 9. $110, 10. $110.
In order to be eligible for track points funds, a licensed driver must have competed in at least 50% of the events held at the racetrack where that driver finished among the top-10 in points (minimum of 8 events with a minimum of 4 starts).
Track points funds are not based on an individual racetrack’s weekly purse or car counts, but rather are guaranteed amounts based on 16 nights of USRA-sanctioned competition.
In addition to track points funds which are among the highest in the county, the USRA will also dole out a national points fund of more than $60,000 in four classes.
2011 NATIONAL POINTS FUNDS:
USRA Modifieds – 1. $10,000, 2. $5,000, 3. $3,000, 4. $2,000, 5. $1,500, 6. $1,000, 7. $900, 8. $800, 9. $700, 10. $600, 11. $500, 12. $500, 13. $500, 14. $500, 15. $500, 16. $500, 17. $500, 18. $500, 19. $500, 20. $500.
USRA Karl Chevrolet Stock Cars – 1. $1,500, 2. $1,000, 3. $700, 4. $600, 5. $500, 6. $450, 7. $400, 8. $350, 9. $300, 10. $250.
USRA Karl Performance Parts B-Mods – 1. $2,000, 2. $1,500, 3. $1,000, 4. $800, 5. $600, 6. $500, 7. $400, 8. $350, 9. $300, 10. $250.
USRA Hobby Stocks – 1. $1,500, 2. $1,000, 3. $700, 4. $600, 5. $500, 6. $400, 7. $300, 8. $250, 9. $250, 10. $250.
In order to be eligible for track points funds, a licensed driver must have competed in at least 50% of the events held at any one of the sanctioned racetracks at which that driver earned points (minimum of 8 events with a minimum of 4 starts).
A driver’s best 20 events (based on points earned) from March 4, 2011, through October 16, 2011, will apply toward USRA Weekly Racing Series national points.
Each individual racetrack, however, may include all USRA-sanctioned events at their facility for the 2011 calendar year, or only those they designate as track points events.
All drivers competing in USRA-sanctioned events in 2011 must possess a USRA license. The cost of a USRA Competitor License for 2011 is $120 for Modifieds, $100 for Stock Cars, $90 for B-Mods and $90 for Hobby Stocks. Drivers who want to compete in USRA-sanctioned events but not participate in season-ending awards may purchase a USRA Associate License. The cost of a USRA Associate License for the 2011 season shall be $60 for Modifieds, $50 for Stock Cars, $45 for B-Mods and $45 for Hobby Stocks. Drivers opting for a USRA Associate License will still be eligible to earn points, but will not be eligible for any cash earnings from track points funds, national points funds or contingency awards.
HISTORY OF THE USRA:
The USRA was founded in 2002 with the sanctioning of Modifieds and Stock Cars at the Thunder Valley Speedway in Fayetteville, Ark. The organization grew steadily over the next three years with 14 tracks hosting USRA events in 2005.
Hobby Stocks were added in 2003 and the B-Mod division arrived on the scene in 2006.
Champions were not crowned in individual divisions during the first four years, but an overall National Champion was crowned in 2005. Earning that honor was USRA Modified driver Ron Luitjens of Brewster, Minn.
Since then, USRA Weekly Racing Series National Champions have been crowned in all four premier divisions.
PAST NATIONAL CHAMPIONS:
USRA Modifieds – Larry Herring (2006), Brad Waits (2007-08), Greg Skaggs (2009), Jason Cummins (2010).
USRA Karl Chevrolet Stock Cars – Scotty Pratt (2006), Tom Schmitt (2007-08), Tory Reicks (2009), Rich Gregoire (2010).
USRA Karl Performance Parts B-Mods – Tony Dunker (2006), Matt Jones (2007-08-09), Brandon Hare (2010).
USRA Hobby Stocks – Nathan Wood (2006), Mitch Hovden (2007), Jason McDaniel (2008), Chris Hovden (2009), Shane Klaassen (2010).
The USRA was formed with a mission of accomplishing three goals: increased driver participation, increased attendance and increased sponsorship for each USRA-sanctioned racetrack. The USRA serves as a marketing partner with the bottom line of our sanctioned tracks at interest, and we are committed to maintaining guidelines to make racing affordable and fun for all racers, yet exciting and competitive for fans. The USRA is committed to providing a combination of cost-effective rules for competitors in weekly auto racing and effective marketing strategies to assist in the growth and popularity of the tracks at which they compete.
To learn more about the USRA, visit www.usraracing.com or call 515-832-6000. You can also follow the USRA on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.
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USRA OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Racer Racing Tires, Awesome Racewear, Dart Machinery, Intercomp, Karl Chevrolet, Karl Performance Parts, Kevko Oil Pans & Components, Nitroquest, RACEceiver, RHS – Racing Head Service.
USRA PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: Boubin Tire & Automotive, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, Day Motor Sports, SpeedNet Direct.
USRA CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: COMP Cams, Eibach Springs, Forty9Designs.com, Hooker Custom Harness, Marsh Racing Wheels, QuickTime Inc, Real Racing Wheels.