Whether it’s motorsports or any venture in life, there is no substitute for dedication and hard work. The USRA Modified national points leader is a great example of that.

Tyler Davis looks to use this week’s 9th Annual Summit USRA Nationals as another step toward his goal of a Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series national championship.

He's 39 points in front of Dillon McCowan as the five-night racing extravaganza begins Tuesday night.

The road began on cold nights last winter inside his Haysville, Kan., shop.

“I was bound and determined to be better,” Davis said. “We teamed up with Bobby Bills, a local chassis builder, and said we wanted to win the national points championship. We decided to back up a hair from the USMTS, which we ran the last two years and try to use the knowledge we gained from those two seasons.

“I spent a lot of nights to make the car run good. I remember being down at the shop on Christmas night until 4 in the morning. Just a lot of time and dedication, I think, has been the key.”

Davis has 22 feature victories and 39 top-five finishes in 60 races. Eight of the wins have been at his home track of 81 Speedway with six more at Humboldt Speedway.

“I didn’t even think it was possible until about mid-season to be in this position," he said of the points title. "I knew it was gonna take 20 wins, looking at past years. If we get could get to 20 wins, we would have a shot. We’ve got to 22, though only 20 are USRA.”

Teamed up with 81 Speedway owner J.R. Sartain, whom he worked with prior to going on the USMTS circuit, Davis began racing at 81 Speedway in Park City, Kan., in 2007 or ’08. The track is about 20 minutes from his home and he’s made a lot of laps there, and at Humboldt Speedway, over the years.

This after he chose racing over another sport he loved growing up, baseball.

“I played baseball every summer, with fall ball and all that,” he said. “I was heavy in that, but I also went to the race track since I was born. When I got to be 16, I was like, ‘I think I want to race.’ Of course, I didn’t understand the financial part of it back then. But I decided to quit playing baseball and start racing and we really haven’t slowed down since.”

“I drove Mini-Stocks for a half season and the next year we got a Modified and went straight into A-Mods,” he added. “In Wichita they have what they call a rookie class which they still do and regular Mod class. I raced rookie class, which is the same car, same rules, just different skill levels.

“We started racing that and pretty much just raced local, 15-18 times a year, until about 2017.”

Davis said he started racing 40-50 times a year at that point and saw the learning curve quickly gain speed. He had a couple of solid seasons on the USMTS circuit with car owner Dave Gaggero, but said he needed a change after last season.

“Dave did great things for me and gave me stuff I never had before,” he said. “But I was struggling, kind of at a dead end. I wanted to try a different chassis. Me and J.R. started our own team again.”

The opportunity to work with Bills was a good one as Davis got to give his input. 

“Now we’re a dealer and have sold three already after starting that about mid-season,” Davis said.

Mindful that the Summit USRA Nationals might go a long way toward deciding the points championship, Davis made a point to make three trips to Lucas Oil Speedway this season. He had finishes of second and third in Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series features and was fourth in the USMTS Show-Me Shootout in August.

“We came over and I took a lot of notes,” Davis said. “Dillon McCowan, he races there every week and he’s very good there—and everywhere he goes. We’re really gonna have to figure a few things out. We were close. Just a little bit off and we’ve made some adjustments since then. The USMTS weekend gave me a lot of confidence over there, coming back for this event.

“A lot of it is gonna be good luck. There are gonna be a lot of good cars there. We just hope to come out of the box good there and not be behind.”

Asked if the points battle is fun or stressful, Davis said it’s never fun unless he’s winning or running up front.

“I try not to think about the points,” he said. “I figure if I can win races, the points will follow and so far that’s been the case. But you get down to the wire here and anything can happen.

“If we win it, that’s awesome. If we don’t, I’ll go home saying I gave it my all without any regrets.”

Team sponsors include Gerber Collision & Glass, F.O.E. Racing, BillsBuilt Race Cars & Components, Allen’s Automotive, Autotech Service, BSB Manufacturing, Diva Dogs Spa, The Glassman and Midwest Wrap Co.

For more information on Davis, check out his website at TylerDavis65Racing.com.

Summit USRA Nationals is here: The biggest event in the history of the Lucas Oil Speedway has arrived.

The 9th Annual Summit USRA Nationals, featuring action in eight different divisions under the United States Racing Association banner, begins a marathon six-night run with a practice night on Monday.

Entries from all over the country have been pouring in as the event is held at "the diamond of Dirt Tracks" for the second time, expanding from three nights in 2021 when more than 300 cars participated.

Racing in some, but not all of the classes, will begin the following night and go through the big finales on the final two nights. USRA Late Models and USRA Tuners will have their championship race on Friday while the other classes will finales happen Saturday.

The Summit Shootout also returns this year and will take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The all-star event features track champions and Summit Shootout qualifying race winners to compete in this one-of-a-kind battle for USRA Modified, Medieval USRA Stock Car, USRA B-Mod and USRA Hobby Stock competitors.

FAST FACTS –> www.bit.ly/3CFOTX0
REGISTRATION –> www.bit.ly/3R3tN9l
TICKETS –> www.bit.ly/usra-nationals-tix
WATCH LIVE –> www.racindirt.tv

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9TH ANNUAL SUMMIT USRA NATIONALS SCHEDULE

Monday, Oct. 3
Classes: USRA Modifieds, Medieval USRA Stock Cars, USRA B-Mods, USRA Hobby Stocks, USRA Late Models, USRA Tuners, USRA Limited Mods and Sunoco USRA Factory Stocks
Pit gate opens: 3 p.m.
Practice: 6-10 p.m.
Spectator grandstand admission - FREE
Pit Pass: $25
6-Day Pit Pass: $205

Tuesday, Oct. 4
Classes: USRA Modified qualifying, Medieval USRA Stock Car Summit Shootout, USRA B-Mod qualifying, USRA Hobby Stock Summit Shootout
Pit gate opens: 1 p.m. (cleared at 3:30)
Spectator and pit gates open: 4 p.m.
Drivers meeting: 5 p.m.
Racing begins: 6 p.m.
Admission:
Adults (16-61) - $20
Seniors (62+)/Military - $17
Youth (6-15) - $5
Kids (5 & Under) - FREE
Family Pass - $45
Pit Pass - $35
Adult 5-Day GA - $110
Seniors/Military 5-day GA - $95
Youth 5-Day GA - $35
5-Day Pit Pass - $185

Wednesday, Oct. 5
Classes: USRA Modified Summit Shootout, Medieval USRA Stock Car qualifying, USRA B-Mod qualifying, USRA Hobby Stock qualifying; USRA Late Model and USRA Tuner practice as time permits
Pit gate opens: 1 p.m. (cleared at 3:30)
Spectator and pit gates open: 4 p.m.
Drivers meeting: 5 p.m.
Hot laps (USRA Late Models and USRA Tuners only) and racing - 6 p.m.
Admission:
Adults (16-61) - $20
Seniors (62+)/Military - $17
Youth (6-15) - $5
Kids (5 & Under) - FREE
Family Pass - $45
Pit Pass - $35
Adult 4-Day GA - $90
Senior/Military 4-Day GA - $78
Youth 4-Day GA - $30
4-Day Pit Pass - $155

Thursday, Oct. 6
Classes: USRA Modified qualifying, Medieval USRA Stock Car qualifying, USRA B-Mod Summit Shootout, USRA Hobby Stock qualifying, USRA Late Model full show, USRA Tuner full show; USRA Limited Mod and Sunoco USRA Factory Stock practice as time permits
Pit gate opens: 1 p.m. (cleared at 3:30)
Spectator and pit gates open: 4 p.m.
Drivers meeting: 5 p.m.
Hot laps (USRA Limited Mods and Sunoco USRA Factory Stocks only) - 5:30 p.m.
Racing - 6 p.m.
Admission:
Adults (16-61) - $20
Seniors (62+)/Military - $17
Youth (6-15) - $5
Kids (5 & Under) - FREE
Family Pass - $45
Pit Pass - $40
Adult 3-Day GA - $70
Seniors/Military 3-Day GA - $61
Youth 3-Day GA - $25
3-Day Pit Pass - $120

Friday, Oct. 7
Classes: USRA Modified, Medieval USRA Stock Car and USRA B-Mod last chance races; USRA Late Model and USRA Tuner B-mains and championship features; USRA Limited Mod and Sunoco USRA Factory Stock full show
Pit gate opens: 1 p.m. (cleared at 3:30)
Spectator and pit gates open: 4 p.m.
Drivers meeting: 4:30 p.m.
Racing: 5 p.m.
Admission:
Adults (16-61) - $25
Seniors (62+)/Military - $22
Youth (6-15) - $10
Kids (5 & Under) - FREE
Family Pass - $60
Pit Pass - $40
Adult 2-Day GA - $50
Seniors/Military 2-Day GA - $39
Youth 2-Day GA - $20
2-Day Pit Pass - $80

Saturday, Oct. 8
Classes: USRA Modified, Medieval USRA Stock Car, USRA B-Mod, USRA Hobby Stock, USRA Limited Mod and Sunoco USRA Factory Stocks D-mains, C-mains, B-mains and championship features.
Pit gate opens: 1 p.m. (cleared at 3:30)
Spectator gates open: 3:30 p.m.
Drivers meeting: 4 p.m.
Racing: 5 p.m.
Admission:
Adults (16-61)- $25
Seniors (62+)/Military - $22
Youth (6-15) - $10
Kids (5 & Under) - Free
Family Pass - $60
Pit Pass - $40

To purchase tickets for any event on Lucas Oil Speedway's schedule, or to inquire about camping information, contact Admissions Director Nichole McMillan at (417) 295-6043 or via email at nichole@lucasoilspeedway.com.

Continuing to crush it: Year after year, the USRA continues to attract more racetracks and dirt racing competitors through fair, logical and cost-effective rules accompanied by an organization that puts the racers, racetracks and their fans first.

For the 2022 campaign for the Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series, there are currently more than 50 of America’s finest dirt ovals which will host over 1,000 nights of racing this season.

Visit usraracing.com for schedules, points, photos, souvenirs, videos and more. Follow our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Click here to get USRA news delivered to your inbox.

USRA OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Racer Racing Tires, Beyea Headers, Chevrolet Performance, Christie Door Company, Fast Shafts, FK Rod Ends, K1 RaceGear by Ryan Bowers, KS Engineering, KSE Racing Products, Mesilla Valley Transportation, MSD, Nitroquest Media, PEM Racing Gears & Drivetrain, RacinDirt, Summit Racing Equipment, Sunoco Race Fuels.

USRA PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: ARMI Contractors, Boubin Tire & Automotive, Brodix Cylinder Heads, DAY Motorsports, Innovative AutoGlass & Window Tint, PBM Performance Products, Star 1 Roofing & Construction, Stealth Oilwell Services, Texas Locomotive Solutions, TNT Auto Parts, YouDirt.com.

USRA CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, Allstar Performance, Bryke Racing, BSB Manufacturing, Champ Pans, Edelbrock, Hooker Harness, Integra Racing Shocks & Springs, JE Pistons, Keyser Manufacturing, Landrum Performance Springs, Medieval Chassis, Performance Bodies & Parts, QA1, RacerWebsite.com, Real Racing Wheels, Swift Springs, Sybesma Graphics, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Wilwood Disc Brakes Five1seven Designs, Four Seven Designs Salon & Boutique, Hi-Tek Paving, Jerovetz Motorsports Racing Parts, Penske Racing Shocks, Race Smart Wraps, S&S Fishing & Rental, Traeger Wood Pellet Grills by Elliott Motorsports.

USRA RACETRACKS: 67 Speedway of Texarkana, 81 Speedway, Alien Motor Speedway, Ark-La-Tex Speedway, Big O Speedway, Bolivar Speedway, Callaway Raceway, Caney Valley Speedway, Cedar Lake Speedway, Centerville Super Speedway, Chateau Speedway, Crawford County Speedway, Cresco Speedway, Dallas County Speedway, Deer Creek Speedway, Diamond Park Speedway, Eagle Valley Speedway, Electric City Speedway, Elk City Motorsports Park, Fairmont Raceway, Fayette County Speedway, Gondik Law Speedway, Hamilton County Speedway, Humboldt Speedway, I-35 Speedway, I-90 Speedway, Lake Ozark Speedway, Lakeside Speedway, Lawton Speedway, Lucas Oil Speedway, Mason City Motor Speedway, Midway Speedway, Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Monett Motor Speedway, Pike County Speedway, Rapid Speedway, Rocket Raceway Park, Sports Park Raceway, Springfield Raceway, Super Bee Speedway, Superbowl Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track, Tomahawk Speedway, Tri-State Speedway, Tulsa Speedway, Vado Speedway Park, West Texas Raceway, Winneshiek Raceway.