WEBSTER CITY, Iowa — On the heels of wrapping up a thrilling and successful 2008 racing season, officials from the United States Racing Association (USRA) have released rules for four sanctioned divisions, effective January 1, 2009.

The changes are few, with some minor clarifications and revised safety standards in place for all classes in 2009.

A full-sized window net mounted in the left side driver’s window opening is now a requirement for all four divisions. In prior years, drivers were given the option of a window net or arm restraints. Officials recommend that arm restraints be used in conjunction with a window net, but they are not a mandatory requirement in 2009.

In the USRA Modified division, several minor tweaks to the body and spoiler specifications have been put in place to help maintain parity among the many different chassis and engine combinations available. Most notably, the maximum height allowed on the rear spoiler has been reduced from eight to six inches for all competitors, regardless of the engine option being used.

The most significant rule changes in 2008 occurred in the USRA Karl Chevrolet Stock Car and USRA Karl Chevrolet B-Mod classes with the addition of a crate engine option.

"The Stock Cars continue to be one of the most exciting classes for dirt racing fans to watch, so we needed to make sure that the class stayed competitive while at the same time reducing the financial barriers some teams may have in stepping up to the Stock Cars," said USRA president Todd Staley. "I think we were successful with the crate option in 2008. It allowed us to keep the on-track action at a maximum and costs to a minimum while giving drivers some freedom of choice in what they want under their hood."

Crate-powered racecars proved to be very competitive in 2008, especially for Brian Edel who captured several wins at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa, en route to a track championship there in the B-Mods. Stock Cars drivers also tasted success utilizing the crate engine option.

USRA Hobby Stock teams will also find very few changes for 2009. Of those, the addition of a floater rear-end option is expected to help decrease the number of related accidents due to broken axles, thereby increasing safety for the USRA competitors while saving them some hard-earned money for replacement parts too.

Points will be awarded to drivers competing in USRA-sanctioned events held from March 6, 2009, through Oct. 18, 2009, in crowning the next USRA Casey's General Stores Weekly Racing Series National Champions.

In what may be a first in organized racing, all four drivers that captured their first titles in 2007 repeated in 2008. Brad Waits captured his second straight USRA Modified crown, while the same can be said for Tom Schmitt (USRA Karl Chevrolet Stock Cars), Matt Jones (USRA Karl Chevrolet B-Mods) and Jason McDaniel (USRA Hobby Stocks).

Complete rules can be found on the USRA website at www.usraracing.com.

The USRA currently sanctions 21 speedways in six states — Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Missouri — with more than 1,600 drivers competing in USRA-sanctioned events during the 2008 season.

The United States Racing Association (USRA) was formed with a mission of accomplishing three goals: increased driver participation, increased attendance and increased sponsorship for each USRA-sanctioned racetrack. The USRA serves as a marketing partner with the bottom line of our sanctioned tracks at interest, and we are committed to maintaining guidelines to make racing affordable and fun for all racers, yet exciting and competitive for fans. The USRA is committed to providing a combination of cost-effective rules for competitors in weekly auto racing and effective marketing strategies to assist in the growth and popularity of the tracks at which they compete.

For more information regarding the USRA, call (515) 832-6000 or visit the USRA online at www.usraracing.com.

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