FORT DODGE, Iowa -- Officials from the Mineral City Speedway in Fort Dodge, Iowa, have announced the schedule of events for the 2012 racing season at the half-mile dirt oval.

Friday night racing at the track will feature four divisions sanctioned by the United States Racing Association – A-Mods, Stock Cars, B-Mods and Hobby Stocks – competing for outstanding track and national points funds as part of the USRA Weekly Racing Series.

Also on the weekly Friday night card will be Econos and Hornets.

While the Stock Cars were sanctioned by the USRA last year at Fort Dodge, this will be the first season under the USRA banner for the A-Mods, B-Mods and Hobby Stocks. While the A-Mods will utilize the “alternative” rules package, all other USRA rules will apply.

A-Mods will compete for a track points fund worth up to $1,500 to the season champion. Stock Cars will compete for $600 to win the points battle while B-Mods and Hobby Stocks will each square off for a $500 to the 2012 track champion.

“This is a great opportunity for our drivers to earn their share of an unmatched points fund, and also for our fans who get to see some exciting classes of racing every Friday night in Fort Dodge,” said track manager Larry Flaws. “In addition to a fantastic Friday night line-up, we’ve also got some big shows on the calendar for 2012.”

Flaws, from nearby Webster City, was recently hired to promote and manage the Mineral City Speedway. He will oversee the day-to-day operations of the facility with Chuck Crimmins.

The 2012 season will get started on Sunday, April 22, with Fan Fest from 1-2 p.m., where fans can meet and greet many of the drivers they will see on Friday nights. Fan Fest will be followed by an open practice session at the track from 2-4 p.m.

The season opener is slated for the following Friday, April 27.

2012 MINERAL CITY SPEEDWAY SCHEDULE:

Sun Apr 22 ... Fan Fest 1-2 p.m., Practice 2-4 p.m.
Fri Apr 27 ... Season Opener - USRA Weekly Racing Series.
Fri May 4 ... USRA Weekly Racing Series.
Fri May 11 ... Kids Night - USRA Weekly Racing Series.
Fri May 18 ... B-Mod Special - USRA Weekly Racing Series.
Fri May 25 ... Hobby Stock Special - USRA Weekly Racing Series.
Fri Jun 1 ... School's Out Special - USRA Weekly Racing Series.
Fri Jun 8 ... Stock Car Special - USRA Weekly Racing Series.
Fri Jun 15 ... USRA Weekly Racing Series.
Fri Jun 22 ... USRA Weekly Racing Series.
Wed Jun 27 ... USMTS Casey's Cup Qualifier plus USRA Iron Man Challenge for B-Mods and Stock Cars.
Fri Jul 6 ... USRA Weekly Racing Series.
Tue Jul 17 ... Great American Stock Car Shootout - USRA Weekly Racing Series.
Wed Jul 18 ... Great American Stock Car Shootout - USRA Weekly Racing Series.
Fri Jul 27 ... USRA Weekly Racing Series.
Thu Aug 2 ... USMTS National Championship Series plus USRA B-Mods and USRA Hobby Stocks.
Fri Aug 10 ... USRA Weekly Racing Series.
Fri Aug 17 ... USRA Weekly Racing Series.
Fri Aug 24 ... Season Championships - USRA Weekly Racing Series (rain date Sept. 1).
Fri Oct 12 ... Bruce Sommerfeld Memorial Fall Challenge - USRA Iron Man Challenge for B-Mods and Stock Cars plus USRA A-Mods, USRA Hobby Stocks, Econo Stocks and Hornets.
Sat Oct 13 ... Bruce Sommerfeld Memorial Fall Challenge - USRA Iron Man Challenge for B-Mods and Stock Cars plus USRA A-Mods, USRA Hobby Stocks, Econo Stocks and Hornets.

Unless otherwise noted, all USRA Weekly Series events feature USRA A-Mods, USRA Stock Cars, USRA B-Mods, USRA Hobby Stocks, Econo Stocks and Hornets. Gates open at 5:00, hot laps start at 7:00 and racing begins at 7:30.

Regular weekly ticket prices are $10 for adults, $6 for kids ages 13-16 and children 12 and under get in for free. Pit passes are $25. Ticket prices may be higher for special events.

The Mineral City Speedway is a 1/2-mile semi-banked dirt oval located 0.9 mile north of US 20 on US 169, then 0.5 mile east on 230th. For more information call track manager Larry Flaws at 515-297-1691 or 515-574-7223 on race day, or visit www.fdspeed.com online.

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 on Twitter at www.twitter.com/usraracing.

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