LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- While the rest of the United States is getting blasted with snow or preparing for the white stuff to fall, the sun will be shining and most of the people in southern New Mexico will still be in shorts.

Sounds like a good time for a race.

The 12th Annual USRA Fall Modified Nationals at the Southern New Mexico Speedway in Las Cruces, N.M., is happening Nov. 4-6 and will again feature one of the highest payouts in the world of open-wheel dirt Modifieds.

The event will pay $10,000 to win and $1,500 just to start the main event – a boost from last year when the event paid $1,250 to start.

Always trying to make it easier for racers to do what they love, Southern New Mexico Speedway co-owner and promoter Royal Jones has again made it to where any engine combination can compete by using weight and RPM.

Not only does this put the race back in the drivers' hands, but also keeps teams from having to perform unnecessary engine changes by not allowing the cars over 8,000 RPM.

The Fall Nationals engine and weight rules read as follows:

•  8,000 RPM rule will be enforced.
•  CT525 sealed crate engine - 2,200 lbs (7,500 RPM limit).
•  Flat tappet with 23-degree steel heads - 2,300 lbs.
•  Roller cam with 23-degree steel heads - 2,350 lbs.
•  USMTS Brodix spec heads - 2,350 lbs.
•  Non-spec aluminum heads - 2,450 lbs.

The biggest change in this year’s event will be the fact that no cars are allowed to run rear spoilers or fins on the nose of the car.

Regarding format, USMTS-style passing points will be used to determine line-ups from the heat races to the main events. The top 5 from the "A" Main on the first day will be the inside of the first five rows in Sunday’s "A" Main while drivers finishing sixth through tenth will be the inside of the first five rows in Sunday’s "B" Main. On Saturday the process will repeat itself with the top 5 from "A" Main on the second day going to the outside of the first five rows in Sunday’s "A" Main and drivers finishing sixth through tenth on the outside of the first five rows in Sunday’s "B" Main.

Entry for the USRA Fall Modified Nationals is $250 if paid by Oct. 1. After that date, the cost to enter goes to $300.

All entries received by Sept. 30 will be put into a random draw with one driver winning a free three-day pit pass.

A practice night will be held on Thursday, Nov. 3, starting at 7:30 p.m. Night 1 of the USRA Fall Modified Nationals is Friday, Nov. 4, with gates opening at 4 p.m. and racing getting underway at 6:30. On Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 5-6, action will get underway at 2 p.m. with gates opening noon.

For more information on the USRA Fall Modified Nationals, log onto www.snmspeedway.com or call 575-524-7913.

Entries can be mailed to ...

SNM Speedway
3590 W. Picacho Ave.
Las Cruces, NM 88007

... or you may enter by phone with a credit card at 575-524-7913. You can also e-mail your information to Southern New Mexico Speedway General Manager Annette Granado at annetteg@m-v-t.com or the track's Marketing Manager, Bryan Hulbert, at bryan.hulbert@m-v-t.com.

Click here to view and/or download the entry form

Click here to view and/or download the entry form