ALLISON, Iowa -- Two events are on tap for this week for the USRA Iron Man Challenge featuring USRA Karl Chevrolet Stock Cars and USRA Karl Performance Parts B-Mods racing in conjunction with the USMTS Modifieds.

On the heels of a successful debut season that saw 130 USRA Karl Chevrolet Stock Car drivers take part in the newly-formed tour with nine different drivers visiting victory lane in 13 events, series officials announced earlier this year that the ultra-competitive USRA Karl Performance Parts B-Mods will also be a part of the Iron Man Challenge in 2011.

Seventeen dates at twelve dirt ovals comprise the 2011 schedule for the second season of the Iron Man Challenge. Points for both classes will be awarded based on a driver’s 10 best nights.

The points fund for the Stock Cars carries a $2,000 top prize with the tenth-place finisher earning $200. In the B-Mod class, the points champion will earn $700 with tenth-place taking home $100.

Both of this week’s main events will pay $700 to win and $125 to start for the Stock Cars, with $500 to win and $75 to start the B-Mods feature race on Thursday.

Race fans can pick up $2-off general admission coupons for each show on race day at area Casey’s General Stores. Check out www.caseys.com to find the location nearest you.

On Thursday, the Iron Man Challenge rolls into the Highway 3 Raceway in Allison, Iowa.

Last May, Mike Van Genderen looked like a super hero with a thrilling drive from last on the first lap of the main event to hoisting the winner’s trophy 19 laps later against a stout field of veteran Stock Car pilots.

A second Iron Man Challenge show in September last season was rained out.

The event will kick off with spectator gates opening at 5 p.m. Hot laps begin at 6:30 and racing starts at 7.

National points in the USRA Weekly Racing Series will also be awarded for both classes.

Race fans can pick up $2-off coupons on race day at the Casey's General Stores locations in Allison, Aplington and Clarksville.

The Highway 3 Raceway is located 0.3 miles north of SR 3 on S. Main St. (at the Butler County Fairgrounds). For more information, call 319-267-9977 or check out www.highway3raceway.com online.

On Saturday, the USRA Karl Chevrolet Stock Cars will turn their long-awaited first laps ever at the historic Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn.

‘The Creek,’ which features USRA RHS Modifieds and USRA Karl Performance Parts B-Mods as part of its weekly Saturday night program, sits on 60 acres with one of America’s most popular state-of-the-art racing complexes. 

Midwest Mods and Street Stocks will also join the line-up in support of the USMTS Modifieds and USRA Karl Chevrolet Stock Cars. Late Models and USRA Karl Performance Parts B-Mods will not be racing this night.

Grandstands gates open at 3 p.m. with $1 beer, pop and hot dogs available from 3-4 p.m. Races start at 5 p.m. Order your tickets now on-line at www.deercreekspeedway.com or by calling 877-DCS-RACE.

Race fans can pick up $2-off grandstand admission coupons on race day at Casey's General Store in Austin, Stewartville, Rochester and Owatonna.

The Deer Creek Speedway is located 11.3 miles south of I-90 (exit 209) on US 63 (0.7 mile north of SR 16). For more info, call toll-free 877-DCS-RACE or 507-346-2342 on raceday or visit www.deercreekspeedway.com online.

2011 USRA IRON MAN CHALLENGE SCHEDULE:

Sat Apr 2 ... I-35 Speedway, Winston, MO
Thu May 26 ... Highway 3 Raceway, Allison, IA
Sat May 28 ... Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN
Sun Jun 12 ... Nobles County Speedway, Worthington, MN
Mon Jun 13 ... Mineral City Speedway, Fort Dodge, IA
Wed Jun 15 ... Cresco Speedway, Cresco, IA
Thu Jun 23 … Park Jefferson Speedway, Jefferson, SD
Fri Jun 24 ... Rapid Speedway, Rock Rapids, IA
Tue Jul 12 ... Southern Iowa Speedway, Oskaloosa, IA
Wed Jul 13 ... Southern Iowa Speedway, Oskaloosa, IA
Wed Jul 20 ... Southern Iowa Speedway, Oskaloosa, IA
Thu Jul 21 … Bloomfield Speedway, Bloomfield, IA
Sat Aug 20 ... Upper Iowa Speedway, Decorah, IA
Sun Aug 21 ... Nobles County Speedway, Worthington, MN
Thu Aug 25 ... I-35 Speedway, Winston, MO
Sat Aug 27 ... Hamilton County Speedway, Webster City, IA
Thu Sep 1 ... Highway 3 Raceway, Allison, IA

After the first Iron Man Challenge event last month at the I-35 Speedway in Winston, Mo., Matt Greiner (Stock Cars) and Matt Lettow (B-Mods) picked up the wins and lead the points standings heading into the Memorial Day Weekend tripleheader.

Licensed USRA drivers in both classes will also earn national points in the USRA Weekly Racing Series. To earn points and be eligible for points funds, drivers must possess a valid USRA Competitor License, utilize the American Racer KK704 racing tire on all four wheels and compete in at least ten events.

There will be an entry fee of $25 for Stock Cars and $15 for B-Mods at each event.

At the conclusion of the last year’s inaugural campaign, 2006 USRA Hobby Stock National Champion Nathan Wood edged Mike Van Genderen for the Iron Man Challenge title by a mere three points. Veteran stock car racer Steve Jackson finished third in the final standings while Greg Elliott and Mike Bergan rounded out the top five in the rankings.

Van Genderen and Jake Masters captured three checkered flags each, while single event winners included Wood, Jackson, Mark Elliott, Greg Elliott, Brian Gjere, Rich Gregoire and Brad Pinkerton.

To learn more about the USRA, visit www.usraracing.com or call 515-832-6000. You can also like us on Facebook, join us on MySpace or follow us on 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.