For the 18th straight year, racers and fans will be flocking to Las Cruces, N.M., this October to take part in one of dirt modified racing’s most exciting and unique crown jewel events.

The 18th Annual Rancho Milagro USRA Fall Nationals is set to happen Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 20-22, at the Southern New Mexico Speedway for what will likely be the last time this event is held at the popular 3/8-mile clay oval at the Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds.

A ground-breaking ceremony was held Aug. 18 for the all-new Vado Speedway Park in Vado, N.M. Located at exit 155 on I-10, the new state-of-the-art, 127-acre, multi-purpose motorsports complex is expected to include a dirt track, go-kart track, motocross and more.

Vado Speedway Park is expected to be operational in 2018 and once it's built, the current Southern New Mexico Speedway will close down. Next year’s Fall Nationals will be held in Vado.

Presented by S&S Fishing & Rental, Barnett Harley-Davidson and G3 Fitness, this year’s USRA Modified main event will award at least $20,000 to the winner, and each of the 24 starters will pocket no less than $1,500.

Ryan Gustin dominated last year’s finale, and then survived a late-race caution to take home his first USRA Fall Nationals trophy.

Hometown favorite Stormy Scott is a two-time champion of the event, winning back-to-back titles in 2014 and 2015. Other past winners include Terry Phillips (2012, 2013), Jason Cummins (2011), Rodney Sanders (2010), Johnny Scott (2009), Eddie Martin (2005, 2006, 2007), Ron Jones (2000, 2001, 2004), Monte Bolton (2003) and Royal Jones (2002).

Gates will open at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19, for an open practice from 6-10 p.m. for drivers in all divisions. Pit passes are $25. Grandstands will be closed for the practice session.

FRIDAY, OCT. 20 - Gates Open 5 p.m. Racing 7 p.m.; General Admission $12, Kids 10 & Under FREE, Family Pack $30, Pit Pass $40 (3-Day Pit Pass $110). Featuring USRA Modifieds (Qualifying), Out-Pace USRA B-Mods ($500 to win), Holley USRA Stock Cars ($500 to win), Legends of the Southwest ($500 to win) and The Body Works Super Trucks ($500 to win).

SATURDAY, OCT. 21 - Gates Open 3 p.m. Racing 5 p.m.; General Admission $12, Kids 10 & Under FREE, Family Pack $30, Pit Pass $40. Featuring USRA Modifieds (Qualifying), Out-Pace USRA B-Mods, ($500 to win) Holley USRA Stock Cars ($500 to win), Casa Nissan Legends of the Southwest ($500 to win) and The Body Works Super Trucks ($500 to win).

SUNDAY, OCT. 22 - Gates Open 12 p.m. Racing 2 p.m.; General Admission $15, Kids 10 & Under FREE, Family Pack $35, Pit Pass $40. Featuring USRA Modifieds ($20,000 to win), Out-Pace USRA B-Mods ($1,000 to win), Holley USRA Stock Cars ($1,000 to win), Casa Nissan Legends of the Southwest ($1,000 to win) and The Body Works Super Trucks ($1,000 to win).

Sunday's USRA Modified “A” Main payout: 1. $20,000, 2. $5000, 3. $3000, 4. $2250, 5. $2000, 6. $1950, 7. $1900, 8. $1880, 9. $1860, 10. $1840, 11. $1820, 12. $1800, 13. $1780, 14. $1760, 15. $1740, 16. $1720, 17. $1700, 18. $1680, 19. $1660, 20. $1640, 21. $1620, 22. $1600, 23. $1550, 24. $1500. Drivers not advancing out of the “B” Main get $800. Drivers not advancing out of the “C” Main get $500. The top 24 in combined points earned throughout the weekend that do not qualify for Sunday’s “A” Main may compete in a $1,000 winner-take-all non-qualifiers race.

ENTRY FEE: $250 for USRA Modifieds if received on or before Oct. 1. After Oct. 1, the entry fee is $300. Competitors are urged to enter as soon as possible so that your name, race car and sponsors can be utilized to promote this historic event.

USRA MODIFIED RULES & PROCEDURES: This event is sanctioned by the United States Racing Association and, unless otherwise noted, all USRA rules apply. RACEceivers and AMB transponders are mandatory and available for rent or purchase. A tire sniffer will be used and samples sent for inspection. Mufflers (any type) are mandatory. Drivers utilizing roller cam 23-degree steel engines must weigh a minimum 2,450 pounds and may have a five-inch spoiler. Heat race passing points will determine main event line-ups. The top five in Friday’s “A” Main are locked into the inside row of Sunday’s “A” Main. The top five in Saturday’s “A” Main to locked into the outside row of Sunday’s “A” Main. The remainder of the “A” Main field will come from Sunday’s “B” Mains.

Out-Pace USRA B-Mods, Holley USRA Stock Cars, Casa Nissan Legends of the Southwest and The Body Works Super Trucks will run a complete show of heat races and feature races each night.

Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series national points will be awarded all three nights to drivers in the USRA Modifieds, Holley USRA Stock Cars and Out-Pace USRA B-Mods.

BRISKET COOK-OFF: The inaugural Brisket Cook-Off will be happening on Friday and Saturday, with a $1,000 top prize for the winning feast. Competitors must present their briskets sliced to the judges on Saturday, and after judging, all briskets will then be sold to race fans.

The Southern New Mexico Speedway is a high-banked 3/8-mile clay oval located 11 miles west of Las Cruces at the Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds. Take exit 132, go left and take the frontage road south of I-10 heading west. The physical address is 10263 Robert Larson Blvd., Las Cruces, NM 88007.

For more information call (575) 524-7913 or (505) 524-7913 or visit www.SNMSpeedway.com online. You can also check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SouthernNewMexicoSpeedway and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SNMSpeedway.