WEBSTER CITY, Iowa -- The O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series is set to kick off its first season with new title sponsorship on board.

O’Reilly Auto Parts, headquartered in Springfield, Mo., will be the title sponsor of the USMTS through the 2007 race season. O’Reilly Auto Parts is one of the largest specialty retailers of automotive aftermarket parts, tools, supplies, equipment and accessories in the United States, serving both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets. Founded in 1957 by the O’Reilly family, the Company operates more than 1,200 stores in 19 states.

The 2005 O’Reilly Auto Parts USMTS season will kick off at the Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb., on Friday and Saturday, March 11-12. Located 5 miles south of I-80 (York exit) on U.S. Hwy. 81, JMS is a state-of-the-art facility entering it's second year of operation. The track is a fast, 3/8-mile clay oval boasting 80-foot-wide straight-aways, making for a lot of racing room for the drivers and a lot of wheel-to-wheel action for fans.

Gates will open at 4 p.m. on Friday with hot laps slated for 6:30 and racing action to follow. Friday night's O’Reilly Auto Parts USMTS feature winner will pocket a $2,000 paycheck. On Saturday, the O’Reilly Auto Parts USMTS will take to the track again, with the winner of the Holley A-main taking home $3,000. Gates will open at noon on Saturday with hot laps slated for 3 p.m. and racing to follow.

Open stock cars will also be on the racing card both nights. Sunday will be used as a raindate, if needed, with a noon start time.

This will be the first race of the season for the O’Reilly USMTS, and the first of 10 events comprising Swing #1 on the 2005 slate. A big field of cars is expected for this event. Last season saw more than 65 modifieds sign in to do battle, with O’Reilly Auto Parts USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock of Fertile, Iowa, picking up the $2,000 paycheck on Friday night. On Saturday, Mark Noble of Blooming Prairie, Minn., pocketed the $3,000 top prize.

Some of the drivers that fans can expect to see include local hotshoes Jason Friesen, Johnny "The Jet" Saathoff, David Murray Jr., Ronnie Wallace, Kevin Larkins, Steve Kosiski, Joe Kosiski, Jeff James, Brian Foote, Alan Dix, Jeff Stephens, Jay Noteboom, Tony Gregg, Reese Coffee, Jon Schwartz, Jon Thompson, Bill Flegg, Greg Metz, Jerry Warner, Roger Hadan, Don Hagan, Kurt Johnston, Stacey Wilhelm and Brant Fastnacht.

In addition to Shryock and Noble, some of the expected O’Reilly Auto Parts USMTS stars expected include Tommy Myer, Jason Hughes, Bruce Hanford, Jeremy Payne, Craig Scott, Willy Kraft, Dean Mahlstedt, Julie McDermid, Mike Wedelstadt, Brad McEwan, Zack Vanderbeek, Mike Sorensen, Gary March, Alan Mondus, Jon Tesch, Corey Dripps, Jason Krohn, Ryan Ruter, Al Hejna, Brad Bakken, Danny Concelman and Brian Edel.

This is a race you won’t want to miss! For more information, contact the USMTS office by calling 515-832-7944 or email Race Director Todd Staley at todd@usmts.com. For Junction Motor Speedway information, call 402-773-5538 (ext. 9) or email P.R. Director Steve Hansen at steve@junctionmotorspeedway.com.