TUCSON, Ariz. -- With the 2011 racing season just around the corner and USA Raceway continuing its trend of becoming one of the nation’s premier short tracks, an exciting 2011 race schedule has been released.

While more than 30 events grace the 2011 schedule one would think it may be hard to top the 2010 season.

With great optimism, promoters of USA Raceway have created a 2011 schedule that may do just that.

With the cooperation of neighboring tracks, the level of competition will be at an all-time high and make for extreme excitement race fans will not want to miss.

The 5th Annual “Copper on Dirt” will lead the way to an exciting 2011 championship season that kicks off the points battle for ASCS Southwest Wing Sprint Cars, USRA RHS Western Modifieds, along with the Total Seal Late Model Dirt Racing Series and West Coast Shootout Late Model Series.

After a short break in action, the ASCS Non-Wing Sprint Cars will put the thrilling championship season into full swing on March 12 which will also kick off the points chase for X-Mods, Factory Stocks and newly-formed ASCS2 Micro Sprints. The UniFirst Super Stocks and Hornets will follow up with their opener on March 19 as the Total Seal Dirt Late Model Racing Series returns to action at the Southwest Center of Speed.

“The 2010 season was a great success and we are really excited for 2011,” commented co-promoter Benji Lyons. “We are always looking for ways to improve the fan experience and we have some great new things coming for this year. The return of Late Models to our regular season schedule, the new Western States Stock Car Series, USRA Western Modifieds and the Copper on Dirt are just a few things that will enhance 2011.”

The 5th Annual “Copper on Dirt” will feature ASCS National Wing Sprint Cars, Midgets, The West Coast Late Model Shootout vs. Total Seal Late Model Dirt Racing Series and USRA RHS Western Modifieds all taking part in a sensational racing spectacle at Tucson’s USA Raceway's for two nights on Feb. 18-19, marking USA Raceway as the only dirt track venue in the country to host all four premier divisions in one event.

Advanced tickets are on sale now. Ticket pricing, seating charts and purchasing information can be found online at www.usaraceway.net/Uploads/CopperOnDirtTickets.pdf or by calling the USA Raceway office at 520-574-8515.

Hotel Information can be found at www.usaraceway.net/lodging.php or by calling the Tucson Airport Courtyard by Marriott at 520-573-0000.

There will be an opportunity for race fans to get a preview of the 2011 racers at an open practice slated for Feb. 17. The festivities will kick off at 6 p.m. with grandstand admission free for all those who want a sneak preview.

USA RACEWAY 2011 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Unless otherwise noted, gates open at 4 p.m. and racing starts at 6 p.m.

Feb. 17 ... Open practice from 6-9 p.m.
Feb. 18 ... 5th Annual "Copper On Dirt"- Lucas Oil ASCS Wing Sprint Car Dirt Series, West Coast Shootout Late Models vs. Total Seal Late Model Dirt Racing Series, Midgets, USRA RHS Western Modifieds. (Gates open at 3 p.m., racing at 6 p.m.)
Feb. 19 ... 5th Annual "Copper On Dirt"- Lucas Oil ASCS Wing Sprint Car Dirt Series, West Coast Shootout Late Models vs. Total Seal Late Model Dirt Racing Series, Midgets, USRA RHS Western Modifieds. (Gates open at 3 p.m., racing at 6 p.m.)
March 11 ... Open practice and tech day.
March 12 ... ASCS Non-Wing Sprint Cars, Factory Stocks, X Mods, ASCS2 Micro Sprints.
March 19 ... Total Seal Dirt Late Model Racing Series, UniFirst Super Stocks, X-Mods, Dwarf Cars, Hornets.
March 25 ... Open practice from 6-9 p.m.
March 26 ... 3rd Annual Sunoco Fuels Autograph Challenge - USRA RHS Western Modifieds, UniFirst Super Stocks, Factory Stocks, Hornets.
April 2 ... ASCS Winged Sprint Cars, Factory Stocks, X-Mods, SW Mod Lites.
April 9 ... USRA RHS Western Modifieds, Western States Stock Car Series, UniFirst Super Stocks, Hornets.
April 15 ... Open practice from 6-9 p.m.
April 16 ... ASCS Non-Wing Sprint Cars, X-Mods, SW Mod Lites, ASCS2 Micro Sprints.
April 23 ... 3rd Annual Easter Eggstravaganza - ASCS Winged Sprint Cars, Factory Stocks, X-Mods, ASCS2 Micro Sprints.
April 30 ... USRA RHS Western Modifieds, Western States Stock Car Series, UniFirst Super Stocks, Dwarf Cars, Hornets.
May 7 ... 2nd Annual Mothers Day Race For The Cure - ASCS Winged Sprint Cars, UniFirst Super Stocks, Factory Stocks, SW Mod Lites, Hornets.
May 13 ... Open practice from 6-9 p.m.
May 14 ... 3rd Annual Armed Forces Appreciation Night presented By Courtyard By Marriott - ASCS Non-Wing Sprint Cars, Western States Stock Car Series, X-Mods, ASCS2 Micro Sprints.
May 21 ... Closed.
May 27 ... Open practice from 6-9 p.m.
May 28 ... 1st Annual Salute To Indy - ASCS Non-Wing Sprint Cars, USRA RHS Western Modifieds, Factory Stocks, Hornets.
May 29 ... 1st Annual Salute To Indy - ASCS Non-Wing Sprint Cars, USRA RHS Western Modifieds, Factory Stocks, Hornets.
June 4 ... ASCS Winged Sprint Cars, UniFirst Super Stocks, X-Mods, Dwarf Cars.
June 11 ... USRA RHS Western Modifieds, Western States Stock Car Series, UniFirst Super Stocks, Hornets.
June 17 ... Open practice from 6-9 p.m.
June 18 ... 2nd Annual Fathers Day Classic Car Show - Total Seal Dirt Late Model Racing Series, Factory Stocks, X-Mods, Dwarf Cars, Hornets.
June 25 ... Hot Summer Nights - ASCS Winged Sprint Cars, USRA RHS Western Modifieds, Factory Stocks, Dwarf Cars.
July 1 ... Open practice from 6-9 p.m.
July 2 ... ASCS Non-Wing Sprint Cars, Western States Stock Car Series, X-Mods, SW Mod Lites.
July 3 ... Firecracker 40 - ASCS Non-Wing Sprint Cars, Western States Stock Car Series, X-Mods, SW Mod Lites.
July 9 ... USRA RHS Western Modifieds, UniFirst Super Stocks, Factory Stocks, Dwarf Cars, Hornets.
July 16 ... ASCS Winged Sprint Cars, Western States Stock Car Series, UniFirst Super Stocks, X-Mods; Presented by Budweiser.
July 23 ... USRA RHS Western Modifieds, UniFirst Super Stocks, Factory Stocks, Hornets.
July 29 ... Open practice from 6-9 p.m.
July 30 ... ASCS Non-Wing Sprint Cars, X-Mods, ASCS2 Micro Sprints, SW Mod Lites.
Aug. 6 ... USRA RHS Western Modifieds, UniFirst Super Stocks, Factory Stocks, Dwarf Cars, Hornets.
Aug. 13 ... Total Seal Dirt Late Model Racing Series, Western States Stock Car Series, UniFirst Super Stocks, X-Mods, Hornets.
Aug. 20 ... ASCS Winged Sprint Cars, USRA RHS Western Modifieds, Factory Stocks, ASCS2 Micro Sprints.
Aug. 27 ... Closed.
Sept. 2 ... Open practice from 6-9 p.m.
Sept. 3 ... Hank Arnold Memorial - ASCS Non-Wing Sprint Cars, Factory Stocks, X-Mods, ASCS2 Micro Sprints, SW Mod Lites; Presented By Environmental Development Group.
Sept. 4 ... Hank Arnold Memorial - ASCS Non-Wing Sprint Cars, Factory Stocks, X Mods, ASCS2 Micro Sprints, SW Mod Lites.
Sept. 10 ... Closed.
Sept. 17 ... ASCS Winged Sprint Cars, Factory Stocks, X Mods, Hornets.
Sept. 23 ... Open practice from 6-9 p.m.
Sept. 24 ... Law Enforcement Appreciation Night - USRA RHS Western Modifieds, UniFirst Super Stocks, Factory Stocks, SW Mod Lites, Dwarfs, Hornets.
Oct. 1 ... ASCS Winged Sprint Cars, Western States Stock Car Series, X-Mods, ASCS2 Micro Sprints, SW Mod Lites.
Oct. 8 ... USRA RHS Western Modifieds, UniFirst Super Stocks, Factory Stocks, Hornets.
Oct. 13 ... Open practice from 6-9 p.m.
Oct. 14 ... 3rd Annual Carl Trimmer Classic - Total Seal Dirt Late Model Racing Series, UniFirst Super Stocks, Factory Stocks, X-Mods, Hornets.
Oct. 15 ... 3rd Annual Carl Trimmer Classic - Total Seal Dirt Late Model Racing Series, UniFirst Super Stocks, Factory Stocks, X-Mods, Hornets.
Oct. 28 ... 7th Annual Wes Hurst Memorial - USRA RHS Western Modifieds.
Oct. 29 ... 7th Annual Wes Hurst Memorial - USRA RHS Western Modifieds, Western States Stock Car Series, UniFirst Super Stocks, Factory Stocks.
Oct. 30 ... 7th Annual Wes Hurst Memorial - USRA RHS Western Modifieds, Western States Stock Car Series, UniFirst Super Stocks, Factory Stocks.
Nov. 16 ... Open practice from 6-9 p.m.
Nov. 17 ... 44th Annual Kronik Energy Drink Western World Championships - Lucas Oil ASCS Wing Sprint Car Dirt Series presented by K&N Filters, ASCS Non Wing Sprint Cars. (Gates open at 3 p.m., racing at 7 p.m.)
Nov. 18 ... 44th Annual Kronik Energy Drink Western World Championships - Lucas Oil ASCS Wing Sprint Car Dirt Series presented by K&N Filters, ASCS Non Wing Sprint Cars. (Gates open at 3 p.m., racing at 7 p.m.)
Nov. 19 ... 44th Annual Kronik Energy Drink Western World Championships - Lucas Oil ASCS Wing Sprint Car Dirt Series presented by K&N Filters, ASCS Non Wing Sprint Cars. (Gates open at 3 p.m., racing at 7 p.m.)

Schedule is subject to change without notice. The 2011 USA Raceway Schedule can be previewed online at www.usaraceway.net/schedule.php.

Discounted season passes are available by calling the USA Raceway office at 520-574-8515. 2011 Season Ticket Packages can be viewed on line at www.usaraceway.net/tickets.php.

USA Raceway is located east of Tucson off I-10 exit 265, then 1.6 miles south on Craycroft Rd., which turns into Los Reales. For more information please, contact the track at 520-574-8515 or additional information regarding USA Raceway can be found at www.usaraceway.net.

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.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

USRA TITLE SPONSOR: American Racer Racing Tires.

USRA OFFICIAL SPONSORS: Awesome Racewear, Intercomp, Karl Chevrolet, Karl Performance Parts, Kevko Oil Pans & Components, Nitroquest, RHS – Racing Head Service.

USRA PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: Boubin Tire & Automotive, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, Day Motor Sports, RACEceiver, SpeedNet Direct, Western Flyer Sport Mods.

USRA CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: COMP Cams, Eibach Springs, Forty9Designs.com, Genesis Shocks, Hooker Custom Harness, Marsh Racing Wheels, QuickTime Inc, Real Racing Wheels.