BOLIVAR, Mo. - Officials from the United States Racing Association (USRA) announced today that three of Missouri's premier dirt track facilities will be sanctioning weekly racing with the USRA in 2006.

Bolivar Speedway USA, Lebanon I-44 Speedway and Monett Speedway will run the popular USRA Modifieds on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, respectively, during the 2006 season. The three-track combination will provide a powerful opportunity for Show-Me State racers to challenge for the $10,000 top prize in the USRA Weekly Racing Series national championship for the Modified division.

"We are truly honored to have these three great tracks join the USRA family," said USRA president Todd Staley. "The drivers in that region are super-competitive and talented, and the promoters at those facilities know how to put on a show for the fans. This is a great milestone for the USRA."

In addition to competing for the $10,000-to-win USRA Weekly Racing Series National Championship, Modified drivers at each track will be competing for a lucrative track points fund that will pay $1,000 to the USRA Modified season points champion at each track.

Randy Mooneyham will be at the helm as promoter of the Lebanon I-44 Speedway and Monett Speedway in 2006. Mooneyham, who has also been the promoter at Bolivar Speedway USA over the past four years, is turning over the reigns at the lightning-fast 3/8-mile high-banked oval to Kevin Greven and Randy Bowman.

"It's just too hard trying to prepare three tracks and do it right," Mooneyham said. "Look for some exciting new things to happen with that place (Bolivar). Kevin really has some racing connections and will make it an even better place than it is now."

Bolivar Speedway USA races every Friday night. In addition to the USRA Modifieds, the weekly racing card will also feature Super Stocks, Factory Stocks, Legends Cars, Bombers, Rookies and UMP-sanctioned Late Models.

"We are very excited anytime that we can bring a top level show such as the USMTS or the USRA to Bolivar Speedway USA," said co-promoter Randy Bowman. "The opportunity to take this one step further and sanction Bolivar Speedway USA will allow our weekly drivers in Southwest Missouri (Bolivar, Lebanon and Monett) to be showcased among the best modified drivers in the country on a weekly basis and also allow them to run for point money that would not be possible any other way.

"Todd and all of the people at USRA and USMTS have grown that series to be one of the top in the country and that is exactly what we want to accomplish at Bolivar Speedway USA ... to be one of the best dirt tracks in the country."

The same weekly class of cars will also compete at Mooneyham's facilities, with racing on Saturday nights at Lebanon and Sunday nights at Monett.

Bolivar Speedway USA is located 3 miles south of Bolivar on SR 13 to CR U, then west to Frontage Rd., then 0.3 mile south, then 0.5 mile west. For more information, call (417) 326-3966 or visit Bolivar Speedway USA online at www.bolivarspeedwayusa.com.

Lebanon I-44 Speedway is located 6 miles northeast of Lebanon on I-44 to exit 135 (Sleeper), then north to Outer Dr., then 1.1 miles west on Historic US 66. For more information, call (417) 732-2766 or visit Lebanon I-44 Speedway online at www.monettspeedway.com.

Monett Speedway is located 1 mile east of SR 37 on US 60, then north on Chapel Dr. For more information, call (417) 732-2766 or visit Monett Speedway online at www.monettspeedway.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.