DECORAH, Iowa -- Officials from the Upper Iowa Speedway in Decorah, Iowa, have announced that they will sanction their Stock Car and B-Modified classes with the United States Racing Association (USRA) for the 2006 racing season.

"It makes sense for us," said Chuck Ihde, who co-promotes the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds facility with his brother, Todd. "The points fund with USRA will actually save us money, but earn more for the drivers. When you add in the national points fund, it should grow our car draw.

"We were just a little different on rules, and this should get us on the same page as other tracks in the area so our guys won't have to make many changes to run with us. This is really a big boost for our drivers."

USRA Stock Car competitors will be racing for $700 to win the track championship and $3,000 to win the national title. Racers in the B-Modified division at the Upper Iowa Speedway will battle for a $500-to-win track championship and a $2,000 top prize in the B-Mod national championship.

With regular racing on Saturday nights, the USRA Weekly Racing Series will kick off at the quarter-mile semi-banked clay oval on April 22 and end on September 2.

The Upper Iowa Speedway is located 1.8 miles east of U.S. Hwy. 52 on Hwy. 9, then 1.0 mile northwest on Montgomery St., then northeast on E. Main St. (at the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds). For more information, call (563) 379-1979, or visit the Upper Iowa Speedway online at www.upperiowaspeedway.com.

ABOUT THE USRA

The United States Racing Association (USRA) was formed in 2001 with a mission of accomplishing three goals: increased driver participation, increased attendance and increased sponsorship for each USRA-sanctioned racetrack. The USRA serves as a marketing partner with the bottom line of our sanctioned tracks at interest, and we are committed to maintaining guidelines to make racing affordable and fun for racers, yet exciting and competitive for fans. The USRA is committed to providing a combination of cost-effective rules for competitors in weekly auto racing and effective marketing strategies to assist in the growth and popularity of the tracks at which they compete.

For more information regarding the USRA, call (515) 832-7944 or visit the USRA online at www.usraracing.com.