OSKALOOSA, Iowa — This Wednesday, Aug. 20, the USRA Casey’s General Stores Weekly Racing Series gets back underway at the Southern Iowa Speedway with tight points battles in all four divisions coming into Wednesday's next-to-last points race.

This week's event is presented by Paul DeGeest for Sheriff, and will feature the MUSCO Lighting USRA Modifieds, USRA Karl Chevrolet Stock Cars, Carter’s Manufacturing USRA B-Mods and USRA Hobby Stocks.

Plus ladies get their turn behind the wheel in the Powder Puff races while the weekly wrench-turners take their shot in the Mechanics Races.

Pit gates open at 5 p.m., grandstands open at 5:30, hot laps are at 7:15 and the first green flag waves at 7:30 sharp.

In the MUSCO Lighting USRA Modified division, Colt Mather of Webster is leads the points as he seeks the title in his first full season of driving the lightning-fast open-wheel Modifieds. Mather leads Oskaloosa's Steven Blattler by 59 points (800 to 741) entering Wednesday's contest.

Matt "Iron Man" Greiner of Washington is looking to repeat as track champion in the USRA Karl Chevrolet Stock Car class, but he has his work cut out for him with A.J. Johnson of Oskaloosa a mere 14 points behind.

Brian Edel of Osky came out of retirement and has been a force to be reckoned with in the Carter's Manufacturing USRA B-Mods. While Edel holds down the top spot with several wins with his GM Performance Parts Crate Engine, consistency has kept Knoxville's Bill Gibson in contention and just five markers behind Edel.

In the USRA Hobby Stocks, Jason McDaniel of Eldon eyes his second straight track championship at the Mahaska County Half-Mile Monster. Danny Thrasher of Agency remains within striking distance.

POINTS STANDINGS AS OF 8/18/08:

MUSCO LIGHTING USRA MODIFIEDS
1. Colt Mather, Webster … 800
2. Steven Blattler, Oskaloosa … 741
3. Ron Ver Beek, Oskaloosa … 733
4. Brandon Banks, Washington … 726
5. David Ott, Ankeny … 559
6. Josh Truman, Indianola … 532
7. Brad Pinkerton, New Sharon … 517
8. Kyle Harwood, Oskaloosa … 505
9. Scott Dickey, Packwood … 488
10. Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon … 485

USRA KARL CHEVROLET STOCK CARS
1. Matt Greiner, Washington … 961
2. A.J. Johnson, Oskaloosa … 947
3. Howard Gordon Jr., Oskaloosa … 909
4. Nathan Wood, Keswick … 849
5. Bobby Greene, Eddyville … 824
6. Rick Todd, Des Moines … 813
7. Kyle Anderson, Oskaloosa … 754
8. Brock Welch, Oskaloosa … 750
9. Mike VanGenderen, Newton … 712
10. Brian Mitrisin, Oskaloosa … 682

CARTER'S MANUFACTURING USRA B-MODS
1. Brian Edel, Oskaloosa … 906
2. Bill Gibson, Knoxville … 901
3. Andrew Schroeder, Keswick … 846
4. Mike Shelton, Bloomfield … 795
5. Jayme Duinink, Pella … 719
6. Mike Wanders, Oskaloosa … 702
7. Rick Landgrebe, Sigourney … 664
8. LeRoy Groenindyk, Oskaloosa … 652
9. Tyler Groenindyk, Oskaloosa … 615
10. Rick Krueger, Sigourney … 535

USRA HOBBY STOCKS
1. Jason McDaniel, Eldon … 1058
2. Danny Thrasher, Agency … 995
3. Don Nunnikhoven, Kellogg … 912
4. Bobby Greene, Eddyville … 846
5. Dustin Griffiths, Ottumwa … 832
6. Justin Hook, Oskaloosa … 822
7 Shannon Sherwood, Rose Hill … 806
8. David Breuklander, Oskaloosa … 754
9. Andy Coleman, Packwood … 667
10. T.J. Henderson, Douds … 577

UPCOMING EVENTS:

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 27 … Pepsi-Cola Season Championships featuring MUSCO Lighting USRA Modifieds, USRA Karl Chevrolet Stock Cars, Carter’s Manufacturing USRA B-Mods and USRA Hobby Stocks. Join us after the races for some great food and drink while we hand out trophies and special awards at the first-ever fan-friendly post-season awards banquet.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY, OCT. 10-11 … 22nd Annual MUSCO Lighting Fall Challenge featuring Musco Lighting USRA Modifieds, USRA Karl Chevrolet Stock Cars, Carter’s Manufacturing USRA B-Mods and USRA Hobby Stocks.

For more information call the Southern Iowa Speedway office at 515-832-6000. The Southern Iowa Speedway is located 0.5 mile west of US 63 on SR 92 (“A” Ave. W), then four blocks north on N. I St. (at the Southern Iowa Fairgrounds). For day-of-race information, call the track hotline at (507) 634-4281 or visit www.rlpromotions.com/oskaloosa online. For more information about the USRA, visit www.usraracing.com.