CRESCO, Iowa — The 2007 racing season at the Cresco Speedway has been one of the most exciting and memorable ever at the 4/10-mile high-banked clay oval. Henceforth, officials from RL Promotions have announced plans for one final speed-fest to close out the events calendar and give both drivers and fans one last hurrah before the checkered flags are put away for the winter months.

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, October 11-13, the Mighty Howard County Fairgrounds speedplant will be the site of the Inaugural Cresco USRA Nationals. More than 200 drivers in five classes are expected to take part in the big-money mega-blowout. USRA Modifieds, USRA Stock Cars, USRA B-Mods, USRA Hobby Stocks and Outlaw Hobbys will be in action all three days.

A practice session scheduled for Wednesday night has been canceled.

"We had a lot of rain on Monday night and we just want our track prep crew to have ample time to groom a perfect racing surface for the three-day weekend," said promoter Todd Staley. "The Cresco track has been smooth and fast all year, and we want it to finish up the same way. We'll have her ready to race on Thursday."

On Thursday, the action heats up with a complete program of qualifying heats and preliminary features for all five classes, plus more of the same on Friday night. All drivers will draw on Thursday and Friday night for starting positions. The top-6 from Thursday’s preliminary feature will be locked in for the inside row of Saturday’s main event. The top-6 from Friday’s preliminary feature will be locked in for the outside row of Saturday’s main event. All drivers failing to qualify on Thursday or Friday will redraw for heat races for Saturday night.

Friday night’s show will be followed by a free hog roast and beverages after the races. Karaoke will also be playing throughout the night.

All drivers racing on Saturday will have two chances to get into Saturday’s main event via heat races and last chance races. Saturday night’s show will feature qualifying heats, last chance races and the championship features in all five divisions.

USRA Modifieds will race for whopping $5,000 to win while USRA Stock Cars battle for $2,000 to win. USRA B-Mods, USRA Hobby Stocks and Outlaw Hobbys will each contend for a top prize of $1,000 on Saturday.

SATURDAY’S MAIN EVENT PAYOUTS:

USRA Modifieds – $5000, $3000, $2000, $1000, $800, $700, $600, $550, $500, $450, $400, $375, $350 to start. Tow $100.
USRA Stock Cars – $2000, $1200, $800, $600, $500, $400, $300, $250, $200, $175, $150 to start. Tow $75.
USRA B-Mods – $1000, $600, $500, $400, $300, $250, $200, $175, $150, $130, $120, $115, $110, $105, $100 to start. Tow $60.
USRA Hobby Stocks – $1000, $600, $500, $400, $300, $250, $200, $175, $150, $130, $120, $115, $110, $105, $100 to start. Tow $60.
Outlaw Hobbys – $1000, $600, $500, $400, $300, $250, $200, $175, $150, $130, $120, $115, $110, $105, $100 to start. Tow $60.

Tow money will be paid to drivers racing all three nights that fail to qualify for Saturday’s main event.

TIMES:

Thursday – Pit gates open at 4:00 p.m. Grandstands open at 5:30 p.m. Hot Laps at 7:00 p.m. Racing at 7:30 p.m.
Friday – Pit gates open at 4:00 p.m. Grandstands open at 5:30 p.m. Hot Laps at 7:00 p.m. Racing at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday – Pit gates open at 2:00 p.m. Grandstands open at 3:00 p.m. Hot Laps at 4:30 p.m. Racing at 5:00 p.m.

TICKETS:

Adult general admission grandstand tickets are $12 Thursday and Friday, $15 Saturday. Juniors (12-18) and Seniors (62+) are $10 Thursday and Friday, $12 Saturday. Kids 11 & Under are FREE all three days. Pit passes are $25 Thursday and Friday, $30 Saturday. For Wednesday’s practice session, pit passes are $15 and admission to the grandstands is FREE.

The entry fee for USRA B-Mods, USRA Hobby Stocks and Outlaw Hobbys is $50, USRA Stock Cars are $100 and USRA Modifieds are $200. This event is sanctioned by the United States Racing Association (USRA), however, a USRA license is not required to compete in this event. For Modifieds, Stock Cars and B-Mods, the American Racer KK704/G60 or Hoosier G60 tires are allowed. Grooving and siping is allowed. For track rules go to www.rlpromotions.com/cresco and click on the “Classes” link, or visit www.usraracing.com.

For more information, contact the RL Promotions offices at (515) 832-6000 or visit www.rlpromotions.com online. Race day info is available by calling the track hotline at (563) 547-3400. The Cresco Speedway is located 0.2 miles north of SR 9 on SW 7th (at the Howard County Fairgrounds). For more information about the United States Racing Association (USRA), visit them online at www.usraracing.com.