USMOD Series Debut Promises Plenty of Action In 2009

Racetracks in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina will be hosting the debut of the United Southeast Modifieds on Dirt Series (USMOD) in 2009. A group of former late model owners and drivers, along with a few die-hard race fans, developed the USMOD Series with the aim of bringing added excitement to their local speedways. These innovative speedsters are confident that the speed, history and unique look of northeast modifieds will generate plenty of excitement for drivers and spectators alike.

A number of current late model drivers, such as Ricky Elliot, Vic Coffey, Tim McCreadie and Tim Fuller, are running modified on a part-time basis. Organizers anticipate a high level of interest as some racing fans see these extraordinary race cars for the first time and see local drivers participating in a division not often seen on speedways in the past. Events have already been held at Hagerstown Speedway, Tyler County Speedway, Virginia Motor Speedway and the Dirt Track at Lowe’s, with great success. The positive feedback from local fans at these southeast tracks has boosted confidence that USMOD will go from strength to strength in the future.

As financial matters stand at the moment for USMOD, winners of series events will receive a purse of $1500. However, this is likely to change if sponsorship can be secured. No point fund is in place as yet, and this is also subject to sponsorship commitments. Negotiations are underway with several speedways, with the ultimate goal for USMOD being a schedule of around 10 to 12 races, with a “Big Purse” 6 race North-South Shootout series.

Taking into account the wide variety of options the RoC Dirt Tour’s set of rules makes available to drivers to be competitive, USMOD is considering adopting a similar rule package. While the original plan had been to only run small block modifieds, the Lernerville Speedway, Delaware International Speedway, Tri-City Speedway and Sharon Speedway all run big blocks weekly, and as these tracks are closest in location to the USMOD’s target area, big blocks will be included in the rule package. Small blocks and big blocks will run in the same division with weight breaks being allowed for small blocks. Depending on the level of feedback, a crate class may be added to the USMOD Series at a later stage.

With the USMOD series ready to set the southeast buzzing with excitement in the new year, auto racing fans have even more reason to make sure they are among the throng of spectators at each event in their area.