WEBSTER CITY, Iowa -- Officials from the United States Racing Association have released the 2012 schedule for the popular USRA Iron Man Challenge featuring USRA Karl Chevrolet Stock Cars and USRA Karl Performance Parts B-Mods.

The third season for the Iron Man Challenge campaign will see 26 dates – up from 17 last year – at 13 of the finest dirt ovals in six different states. On the calendar are 24 shows for B-Mods and 16 for Stock Cars. Both classes will race together on 14 nights while B-Mods will have 10 solo nights and Stock Cars will have 2 nights to themselves.

Last season 367 tough-as-nails drivers took part in the Iron Man Challenge, including 130 Stock Car and 237 B-Mod competitors.

The 2012 season for the B-Mods will kick off with a doubleheader at the Humboldt Speedway in Humboldt, Kan., on Friday and Saturday, March 16-17, in conjunction with the USMTS Modifieds. Both the Stock Cars and B-Mods are featured the following weekend at the I-35 Speedway in Winston, Mo., and LA Raceway in La Monte, Mo.

In all but six of the events, the Iron Man Challenge will join the USMTS Modifieds on the racing card. All USRA-sanctioned classes will be featured for the pair of season-ending doubleheaders at the Highway 3 Raceway in Allison, Iowa, and Mineral City Speedway in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Stock Car drivers will enjoy the spotlight during the Clash at The Creek featuring the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series on Sept. 15 at the Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn.

New venues on the calendar include the LA Raceway in La Monte, Mo.; Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kan.; Raceway Park in Jefferson, S.D.; and Huset’s Speedway in Brandon, S.D.

USRA IRON MAN CHALLENGE 2012 SCHEDULE:
Fri Mar 16 ... Humboldt Speedway, Humboldt, KS (B-Mods)
Sat Mar 17 ... Humboldt Speedway, Humboldt, KS (B-Mods)
Sat Mar 24 ... I-35 Speedway, Winston, MO (B-Mods & Stock Cars)
Sun Mar 25 ... LA Raceway, La Monte, MO (B-Mods & Stock Cars)
Thu May 24 ... Highway 3 Raceway, Allison, IA (B-Mods & Stock Cars)
Sat May 26 ... Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN (B-Mods & Stock Cars)
Wed Jun 27 ... Mineral City Speedway, Fort Dodge, IA (B-Mods & Stock Cars)
Thu Jun 28 ... Fairmont Raceway, Fairmont, MN (B-Mods)
Fri Jun 29 ... Highway 3 Raceway, Allison, IA (B-Mods)
Sat Jun 30 ... Upper Iowa Speedway, Decorah, IA (B-Mods)
Thu Jul 12 ... I-35 Speedway, Winston, MO (B-Mods)
Fri Jul 13 ... Lakeside Speedway, Kansas City, KS (B-Mods)
Thu Jul 19 ... Interstate Speedway, Jefferson, SD (B-Mods)
Sun Jul 22 ... Nobles County Speedway, Worthington, MN (B-Mods)
Thu Jul 26 ... Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN (Stock Cars)
Fri Aug 17 ... Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, WI (B-Mods & Stock Cars)
Sat Aug 18 ... Upper Iowa Speedway, Decorah, IA (B-Mods & Stock Cars)
Sun Aug 19 ... Nobles County Speedway, Worthington, MN (B-Mods & Stock Cars)
Sun Aug 26 ... Huset’s Speedway, Brandon, SD (B-Mods)
Wed Aug 29 ... Fairmont Raceway, Fairmont, MN (B-Mods & Stock Cars)
Thu Aug 30 ... Highway 3 Raceway, Allison, IA (B-Mods & Stock Cars)
Sat Sep 15 ... Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN (Stock Cars)
Fri Oct 5 ... Highway 3 Raceway, Allison, IA (B-Mods & Stock Cars)
Sat Oct 6 ... Highway 3 Raceway, Allison, IA (B-Mods & Stock Cars)
Fri Oct 12 ... Mineral City Speedway, Fort Dodge, IA (B-Mods & Stock Cars)
Sat Oct 13 ... Mineral City Speedway, Fort Dodge, IA (B-Mods & Stock Cars)

Points will be determined by the best 12 finishes for B-Mods while Stock Cars will count their best 10 nights. To be eligible for points funds, drivers must possess a valid USRA license, utilize the American Racer KK704 racing tire on all four wheels and compete in at least half of the events for their division.

Mike Van Genderen of Newton, Iowa, is the defending Iron Man Challenge Stock Car champion. Cayden Carter of Oskaloosa, Iowa, is the defending B-Mod champ.

There is no requirement to purchase a USRA license to compete in the Iron Man Challenge, but benefits enjoyed by licensed drivers include higher event purses, a piece-of-mind $100,000 insurance policy and an unmatched points fund from the organization that puts it’s money where it’s mouth is and gives more back to the drivers who give their all. The cost of a USRA Competitor License is $100 for Stock Cars and $90 for B-Mods.

The USRA was founded in 2002 with the sanctioning of Modifieds and Stock Cars. Hobby Stocks were added in 2003 and the organization grew steadily over the next three years with 14 tracks hosting USRA events in 2005. The B-Mod division arrived on the scene in 2006 and since then, USRA Weekly Racing Series national champions have been crowned in all four premier divisions.

To learn more about the USRA, visit www.usraracing.com or call 515-832-6000. You can also like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usraracing or follow us at www.twitter.com/usraracing 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 Media Group, RACEceiver,  Racing Head Service, Western Flyer Race Cars.

USRA PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: Boubin Tire & Automotive, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Day Motor Sports, DirtKnights.com.

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, Tiger Rear Ends, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products.