WHEATLAND, Mo. -- Officials from the United States Racing Association and Lucas Oil Speedway announced today that the USRA will again sanction the Modified division as part of the weekly Saturday night programs at the multi-million-dollar, multi-use 3/8-mile dirt track facility in 2012.

“We are really excited to align our Pitts Homes A-Modifieds with the USRA Weekly Racing Series for 2012,” said the speedway's general manager, Dan Robinson. “This will not only give our drivers a chance to compete for a healthy track point fund but it also gives our drivers a chance to run for the USRA National Championship.”

Weekly Saturday night programs featuring the USRA RHS Modifieds will begin April 21 at the "Diamond of Dirt Tracks" and will also feature Late Models, Factory Stocks and B-Mods. The USRA RHS Modifieds will make their debut, however, on April 14 with a $750-to-win show in conjunction with the Lucas Oil MLRA Dirt Late Model Racing Series.

“The USRA rules package has been developed for parity and cost control between the various engine packages, which is a plus to keep the racing affordable,” Robinson added. “Todd (Staley) and his crew do a great job and we can’t wait to get started with our first USRA event on April 14 along with the Lucas Oil MLRA Late Models.”

Drivers in the USRA RHS Modified division will compete for a track points fund worth $1,500 at season’s end to the track champion and a $10,000 top prize awaiting the division’s national champion in the USRA Weekly Racing Series.

The USRA had sanctioned Modifieds at the Lucas Oil Speedway in 2006 during the track’s inaugural season. Mickey Burrell of Fair Grove, Mo., is the defending track champion.

The Lucas Oil Speedway is the standard-bearer for high-quality racing venues in America, with the best of the best amenities for race fans as well as the racing competitors.

Amenities for race fans at the facility include a slick surface go-kart rental track, a complete playground for children, a world class concession stand with weekly food specials and an inside dining area and a complete souvenir stand and a full service bar. Bleacher-style seating includes seat backs, while seats in the top six rows, or the reserved section, are stadium style chairs. Musco lighting provides TV quality lighting on the speedway and a high-tech Bose PA system provides quality sound for all events.

Amenities for competitors include asphalt and concrete pit areas, a spacious staging area, an off-track work area and an easy-access drive-on scale with a three-lane tech barn. A separate bleacher section, including rest rooms and concessions, are also provided for those who are watching the races from the pits. Also located in the pit area is a fuel station, car wash and full service parts store and fabrication shop.

The Lucas Oil Speedway is located on US 54 at the east city limits of Wheatland, Mo. For more information, call 417-282-5984 or visit www.lucasoilspeedway.com online.

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.