By DAVID SMITH JR.

NCRA

Midwest City, Oklahoma - The time has come for the O'Reilly National Championship Racing Association to kick off their 40th anniversary season as one of the series newest divisions, the modified south, will begin their sophomore season as they take the little quarter mile bull ring of Cowtown Speedway in Kennedale, Texas this coming Friday and Saturday night, February 12-13. The season opener is part of the tracks annual February Fast 50 for modifieds which will pay $2000 to win and $400 to start Saturday nights twenty-four car field feature finale.

Inaugural division champion Gene Weaver of Amarillo, Texas will lead a strong field of NCRA competitors onto the premises of a facility the series has never visited in their 40 year illustrious history. However, track promoter Bo Rawdon does have one series feature win to his driving credit in the late model division back in 1986 in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Early indications are twelve of the top fifteen in 2009 final season point standings are expected to compete over the weekend. Along with Weaver they include Alan Oliva, Logan Cabbell, Chris Roach, Casey McClaskey, Kerry Davis, Thomas Tillison, Jr., Brian Wolfe, Jason Hilliard, Ron Gould, Jr. and Kyle Sweeney. Other drivers having indicated their intentions on competing full time with the series for 2010 include Chris Cole, Michael McCleskey, Chad Davis, Jason Teague, Randy Bailey, Chase Allen and 2009 O'Reilly/NCRA modified north rookie of the year Jim Pearcy of Springfield, Missouri.

Former three time series modified champion John Allen is also entered for this event.

Track regulars who have already pre-entered and hope to represent their home town fans well include Troy Taylor, Randy Kirkland, Sean Jones and Jarrod Webb.

Close to forty drivers from six different states have already pre-entered as we go to press with close to fifty drivers expected. States represented thus far include Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri and Boone, Iowa.

Below are the tidbits that you will need to know for the running of this annual event:

What: February Fast 50 sanctioned by the O'Reilly National Championship Racing Association. First points race for the series modified south division for 2010. Also competing will be the ASCS 2 series and midgets.

When: Open practice session on Thursday night, February 11 from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM. On Friday night, February 12, pit gates open at 3:00 PM with grandstand gates opening at 4:00 PM. Hot laps start at 5:30 PM with racing set to begin at 6:00 PM. Saturday there will be a "Fan Fest" for all fans to tour the pit area and visit with their favorite drivers from noon until 1:15 PM. The pit area will then be cleared with pit and grandstand gates opening at 1:30 PM. Hot laps start at 3:00 PM with the first race set to begin at 4:00 PM.

Where: Cowtown Speedway in Kennedale, Texas. Take I-20 to exit 442-A, then 1.8 miles southeast to New Hope Rd., then 2 miles southwest.

Race and Contact Information: For questions regarding the National Championship Racing Association modified south division, contact steward Chris Smith (918) 625-6200 or check out the series website www.ncraracing.org. For more race or track information contact Bo Rawdon (817) 313-8563 or check them out on their website www.cowtownspeedway.com

Ticket Information: Single day general admission tickets are $15 for Friday night, $20 for Saturday night. You can purchase reserved, two day passes on-line at www.cowtownspeedway.com.

Recommended Lodging Information: Cowtown Speedway recommends two host Hotels for your over night stay. LaQuinta Inns & Suites in Mansfield (817) 453-5040 or the Best Western in Mansfield (817) 539-0707. You must mention your with Cowtown Speedway to get special rates.