SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Springfield Raceway owners Jerry Hoffman and Doug Bland announced today that the Springfield Raceway has signed with the United States Racing Association (USRA) to sanction the USRA RHS Modified events for the 2011 racing season.

The quick quarter-mile dirt oval is known for its three-wide action, with the premier class being the USRA RHS Modifieds weekly.

Hoffman is excited about the upcoming racing season.

"With the work Todd Staley and crew have done and the weekly points fund available for the drivers, it's a win-win situation for all," Hoffman said. "Monett Speedway and Springfield Raceway share a lot of the same drivers and this makes it even more exciting with a chance for each track champion to win $1,500 and compete for a national championship worth $10,000.

"We like the way Todd and crew have the format set up as car count, starting position and finishes help to determine the national champion as they take a driver's best finishes."

Last season, New Richland, Minn., driver Jason Cummings won the USRA Weekly Racing Series national title for the USRA RHS Modifieds in a season-long battle while Monett's track champion, Johnny Bone Jr., finished fourth in the final standings.

Springfield Raceway will start the 2011 season on Saturday night, April 16, with action in the USRA RHS Modifieds, Reliable Chevrolet Sports Mods, Wheeler Metals Street Stocks, Legends Cars, Midwest Modz and Pure Stocks.

Built in 1961, the track features multiple racing grooves with progressive banking. For the fans, great food and seating close to the racing action makes the facility a popular Saturday night destination.

The track runs weekly through Sept. 3.

The pit gate opens at 4 p.m., grandstands open at 5, hot laps are at 6:15 and racing begins at 7.

Special events are run after the track points end and throughout the season, including MARS and MLRA Late Models, ASCS Sprint Cars and POWRi Midgets.

In 2010, Mitch Keeter of Webb City claimed the track championship over 2009 USRA RHS Modified track champion Jackie Dalton of Carthage as the battle went down to the last night both years.

Springfield Raceway is located south of I-44 (exit 75) on Kearney Hwy., then 1.0 mile west to Westgate Ave. For more information about Springfield Raceway, visit www.springfieldraceway.com or contact Jerry Hoffman at 417-673-7426.

SPRINGFIELD RACEWAY 2011 SCHEDULE:
April 9 ... Test & Tune All Classes
April 16 ... Opening Night - All Classes
April 23 ... Transport Graphics Championship Chase/Emergency Personnel Night
April 30 ... Transport Graphics Championship Chase - $700 to win USRA RHS Modifieds
May 7 ... Transport Graphics Championship Chase
May 14 ... MARS/MLRA John Kuntz Memorial/Andy's Frozen Custard Night - classes TBA
May 21 ... Transport Graphics Championship Chase/Battle of the Badges
April 4 ... Transport Graphics Championship Chase/O'Reilly Auto Parts Night
June 11 ... POWRi/ASCS2 Midgets & Micros/Transport Graphics Championship Chase - classes TBA
June 18 ... Transport Graphics Championship Chase/Kids Bicycle Races
June 25 ... Transport Graphics Championship Chase/Scout Night
July 2 ... ASCS/WOW Sprints/Transport Graphics Championship Chase - classes TBA
July 9 ... Transport Graphics Championship Chase
July 23 ... Transport Graphics Championship Chase/Reliable Chevrolet Night
July 30 ... Transport Graphics Championship Chase
Aug. 6 ... Transport Graphics Championship Chase/Back to School Night
Aug. 13 ... Transport Graphics Championship Chase/Spectator Drags
Aug.20 ... Transport Graphics Championship Chase
Aug.27 ... Transport graphics Championship Chase
Sept.3 ... Transport Graphics Season Championship
Sept.17 ... Larry Phillips Memorial/Wheeler Metals Might - MLRA/MARS Late Models - classes TBA
Oct. 4 ... Tuesday Autism Night - classes TBA
Oct. 15 ... Octoberfast/Battle of the Badges/One Missing Link
Oct. 29 ... Inaugural Booger Man Trick or Treat for Breast Cancer - classes TBA
Nov. 26 ... 5th Annual Bad Boy Mowers Turkey Classic - Late Models, Modifieds, Sports Mods, Legends Cars.

Transport Graphics Championship Chase events include USRA RHS Modifieds, Sports Mods, Street Stocks and Legends Cars. Schedule is tentative and subject to change.

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 Race Suits, Intercomp, Karl Chevrolet, Karl Performance Parts, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, NITROQUEST, RACEceiver, RHS – Racing Head Service, Western Flyer HotMods.

USRA PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: Boubin Tire & Automotive, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, DAY Motor Sports, DirtKnights.com, SpeedNet Direct.

USRA CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: COMP Cams, Dirthead.com, Eibach Springs, Forty9Designs.com, Genesis Shocks, Hooker Custom Harness, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, New Vision Graphics, PBM Performance Products, Real Racing Wheels, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products.