OSKALOOSA, Iowa -- The first Wild Wednesday of the 2006 racing season kicks off this Wednesday, April 12, at the Southern Iowa Speedway with a full slate of action scheduled at the legendary half-mile clay oval in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Racing in three big classes of cars is on tap with Modifieds, Stock Cars and Hobby Stocks competing in the USRA Casey's General Stores Weekly Racing Series.

Steve Stewart of Washington will be looking to defend his title as track champion in the USRA Modified division. Ron VerBeek, Zack VanderBeek, Steven Blattler, Brad Pinkerton and many others are expected to challenge for the $1,000-to-win track championship.

In the USRA Stock Car class, Oskaloosa's T.J. Criss will be back to try for his second straight track championship. Teammate Brian Mitrisin, two-class chauffeur Brad Pinkerton, Jim Brown and Eric Flander are among the title contenders for the $700-to-win season-ending prize.

A new track champion will be crowned in the USRA Hobby Stock division as last year's titleist, Colt Mather of Webster, has moved up to challenge the Stock Car aces. Rick Landgrebe, Randy Veldhuizen, Bobby Greene, Robert Rupprecht and dozens more will be eyeing the $500 championship prize in 2006.

In addition to track championship awards, drivers will also be competing for national points funds through the USRA Casey's General Stores Weekly Racing Series. The national champion in the Modified class will earn $10,000. Stock Car drivers are chasing a $3,000 payday while a $2,000 top prize awaits the Hobby Stock national champion.

Wild Wednesday main event payouts for each class during the 2006 racing season are as follows:

Modifieds - $500 to win, $75 to start

Stock Cars - $300 to win, $50 to start

Hobby Stocks - $200 to win, $40 to start

Gates will open at 5 p.m., with hot laps at 7:15 and racing at 7:30 for all Wild Wednesday events at Osky. General admission adult tickets are $9, Juniors (13-18) & Seniors (62+) are $7, with kids 12 and under admitted FREE each night.

The Southern Iowa Speedway is locate 0.5 mile west of US 63 on SR 92, then 0.3 mile north on N. I St. (at the Southern Iowa Fairgrounds). For more information call the track hotline at (641) 673-7004.

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SOUTHERN IOWA SPEEDWAY OFFICIAL SPONSORS: Arnold's Motor Supply, Club House, Coca-Cola, DRS Transport, Greiner Buildings, KBOE Radio, Mike's Tire & Alignment, MUSCO Lighting, Oskaloosa Chamber of Commerce, Oskaloosa Herald, Pro-Line Buildings.

SOUTHERN IOWA SPEEDWAY TRACK SPONSORS: McDaniel Racing, Doug's 4-Wheelers, Professional Real Estate, Van Gorp Auto Recyclers, Mahaska County Tire, Pizza Ranch, Mitrisin Motors, Hot Shotz, Farmers Insurance, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Big Ed's BBQ, Bank of Iowa, Speedway Jimmy's, NAPA Auto Parts.