COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. -- The 2012 season will find the popular USRA Modifieds at three more tracks in the Pacific Northwest, officials from the United States Racing Association announced today.

Oregon speedplants Willamette Speedway in Lebanon and Sunset Speedway Park in Banks, along with the Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Wash., brings the total to four new USRA Member Tracks in the region.

“This is a great step forward for the USRA,” said Lon Oelke, Director of Growth & Parnerships for the Webster City, Iowa-based sanctioning body. “Not only have we been fortunate to gain three new USRA Member Tracks in the great Northwest, but all three are among the most successful operations in Oregon and Washington. The facilities are second to none and the staff at each track is amazing.”

Bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains on the east, the move will bring the Northwest closer to complete uniformity in open-wheel dirt Modified rules as White City’s Southern Oregon Speedway recently transitioned to USRA rules.

“We are looking forward to working with the United States Racing Association (USRA) in the future,” said Jerry Schram, promoter at all three venues. “This association will add consistency, recognition to the drivers and points funds to all of the tracks. We can’t wait to get this season started.”

Drivers in the USRA Modified division will compete for a points fund worth up to $1,500 at season’s end to the track champion plus multiple contingency awards and a $10,000 top prize for the national champion in the American Racer USRA Weekly Racing Series.

In order to give drivers and teams the appropriate time to transition to the new set of rules, all three tracks will have a year to phase the rules in. For 2013 it is expected that all cars be up to the USRA standards and cars will be compatible and on the same page with all previously mentioned venues.

The move will be very helpful come time for the 2nd Annual Wild Wild West Modified Shootout events in June where there will be a common base of rules at the majority of the tracks that will host the races.

Some things to note for local teams and fans is that the formats and the rules will be relatively the same even though the tracks are transitioning the rules. There will be no aluminum block engines allowed to compete at any of the three tracks as well. Amongst the three venues there will be a total of fifty points events throughout the course of the 2012 campaign.

The Willamette Speedway has operated since 1966 and has been regarded as the “Late Model Capitol of the Northwest” for many years, and is anxious to host fans with the vast upgrades and improvements done over the 2011-12 winter. In addition to the USRA Modifieds, weekly action will be comprised of Late Models, Sportsmans, Classics and Mini-Trucks. For more information on the latest news and stories regarding the Willamette Speedway log on to www.trophymotorsports.com.

Dustin Dittman of Albany is the defending Modified track champion at the Willamette Speedway.

The Grays Harbor Raceway is known for its high speeds and side-by-side racing, as well as its large size. The track hosts regular racing from April to September with 360 Sprints, USRA Modifieds, Midgets, Hobby Stocks and Hornets as regular classes. You can keep up on all the latest activity at www.graysharborraceway.com for the latest news and stories.

Joe German of Aberdeen is the defending Modified track champion at the Grays Harbor Raceway.

The Sunset Speedway Park is located just west of the Portland metro area in Banks on the Sunset Highway. The venue is located in a gorgeous small town setting with rolling hills in the background and hosts weekly competition with 350 Sprints, the Northwest Wingless Tour, USRA Modifieds, Street Stocks, 4-Bees, Pure Stocks, Womens and Tracers classes. To stay up to date with the latest information regarding this wonderful facility log on to www.sunsetspeedwaypark.com.

Eric Sayre of Vancouver, Wash., is the defending Modified track champion at the Sunset Speedway Park.

To learn more about the USRA, visit www.usraracing.com or call 515-832-6000. You can also like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usraracing or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/usraracing.

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