By DAVID SMITH JR.

NCRA

Midwest City, Oklahoma - June 28, 2010 - It is that time yet again for this year's version of the Hutchinson Grand Nationals as the 54th rendition of this prestigious event takes place this coming Friday and Saturday night atop the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, Kansas. And as has been case for twenty-four years, the longest running division at this event will once again do battle as the O'Reilly/NCRA modified north division will be competing for the 13th straight year. But it doesn't all end there as on Sunday night, July 4th, 81 Speedway in Park City, Kansas will play host to the series to complete the Independence Day weekend of racing activities.

Modifieds were first part of the Hutchinson Grand Nationals back in 1986 when Cushing, Oklahoma's Frank Graven took home the first ever victory in the division. It became a non-sanctioned event until the O'Reilly/NCRA modified north division was born in 1998 and that year it was Dave Hardesty picking up the victory. Graven is still competing, now with the series southern modified division based out of Oklahoma and will compete on Saturday night.

Coming into Nationals weekend, Brian Powers of Wichita, Kansas looks to maintain the top spot in the modified north division as he comes into the weekend with a slim 15 point advantage over Ryan McAninch. Powers will also try to become a two-time Hutchinson Grand Nationals winner having won this race back in 2004.

Brent Burkart won his second career Nationals title last year and became the sixth different winners in as many years. Burkart also on this race back in 2003 and currently sits sixth in this year's point standings after two events.

Other series regulars expected to compete include Ross Shipman, Jason Schniepp, defending series champion Dan Danials, five-time series champion Brian Franz, 2008 series champion Marc Hurd, Casey McClaskey, Kenny Sweet, Tyler Davis, Nic Baalman, Jim Pearcy, Dan Powers, Brian Casey, Brad Johnston, Jim Johnson, Niel Dossie, Shane Gerber, Marlin Farr, Shane Langhover, Jr., Gary Kilborne, Tad Davis, Bo Key, Josh Lofflan, Austin Allen and Greg Stephens.

Franz, who has won everything under the sun and is the career leader in victories with the series (31), has not yet accomplished the feat of tasting victory lane at the Hutchinson Grand Nationals.

It all kicks off this coming Friday night with pit pates opening at 5:30 PM with racing at 7:30 PM and will be run as a complete show. The top five (5) finishers in the feature finale will start inside the first five rows for Saturday night's championship finale. Then on Championship Saturday night, another complete program of qualifying heats and consolation events will be run to round out the field for the 54th annual Hutchinson Nationals. The top five drivers from Friday night, who were already locked into the inside five rows for Saturday nights feature finale, cannot lose their starting positions unless they better their starting position in the nights qualifying races.

The Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson is located west of SR 61 on 17th Ave., then north on Poplar. For more information call the NCRA office (316) 755-1781.

Gates at 81 Speedway will open at 5:00 PM with racing set for 7:00 PM. All general admission tickets are $9. The track is located north of Wichita on I-135 to exit 16, then .7 miles west on 77th street. For more race or ticket information, call the track (316) 755-1781.

Below is all the important information that you need to know for both nights this year's 54th annual Hutchinson Grand Nationals including times, tickets and agenda:

FRIDAY: July 2: Gates Open: 5:30pm - Race Time: 7:30pm

DIVISIONS: O'Reilly/NCRA Modified Series, O'Reilly/NCRA Sprint Car Series, AAA Modified, Street Stock, Thumper, Hornets

Complete program for all divisions including qualifying heat races and feature events. The feature event for the AAA Modified, Thumper & Hornet division will determine the 54th Ann. Hutchinson Grand National Champion in those divisions. The top (5) finishing cars in the feature event of the O'Reilly/NCRA Modified, O'Reilly/NCRA Sprint Car and Street Stock will fill the inside of rows 1-2-3-4-5 of Saturday night's Championship event.

Ticket Prices: Combo Rod Run & Race Package: Adult: $15.00

Race Ticket Only: Adult: $12.00 $5.00 Children 6-10

Rod Run Only: Adult: $7.00 $3.00 Children 6-10

Friday's 3rd Annual Hutchinson Rockin' Rollin' Rod Run Schedule

Gates Open: 12 (Noon) Sock Hop Featuring King Midas: 9pm

SATURDAY: July 3 Gates Open: 5:30pm Opening Ceremonies: 6:15pm (approx.) Race Time: 7:30pm

DIVISIONS: O'Reilly/NCRA Modified Series, O'Reilly/NCRA Sprint Car Series, O'Reilly/NCRA Sport Mod Series, Street Stock, Kansas Antique Racers

Complete program including qualifying heat races, consolation and Championship Features. (Top 5 finishing/passing point cars from qualifying heat races in the O'Reilly/NCRA Modified Series, O'Reilly/NCRA Sprint Car Series and Street Stock will fill the outside position of rows 1-2-3-4-5 of the Championship event. (Cars that qualified on Friday night cannot lose the starting position from Friday night unless they better their starting position in Saturday night's qualifying heat race)

Ticket Prices: Combo Rod Run & Race Package: Adult: $15.00

Race Ticket Only: Adult: $12.00 $5.00 Children 6-10

Rod Run Only: Adult: $7.00 $3.00 Children 6-10

Saturday's 3rd Annual Hutchinson Rockin' Rollin' Rod Run Schedule

Gates Open: 10am Dance Featuring "Rain" 9pm

Past NCRA modified Hutchinson Grand Nationals winners:

2009 - Brent Burkart, 2008 - Marc Hurd, 2007 - Troy Gemmill, 2006 - Dave Hardesty, 2005 - Greg Stephens, 2004 - Brian Powers, 2003 - Brent Burkhart, 2002 - Dave Lahey, 2001 - Greg Stephens, 2000 - John Allen, 1999 - David Lahey, 1998 - David Hardesty

Non-NCRA modified sanctioned Hutchinson Grand Nationals winners:

1997 - Marc Robe, 1996 - Buddy Mullens, 1995 - Buddy Mullens, 1994 - John Allen, 1993 - Van Gemmill, 1992 - Buddy Mullens, 1991 - Buddy Mullens, 1990 - Buddy Mullens, 1989 - Don Renfro, 1988 - Delbert Smith, 1987 - Buddy Mullens, 1986 - Frank Graven

Current 2010 O'Reilly/NCRA modified north point standings

Rank Driver Points

1 Brian Powers 575

2 Ryan McAninch 560

3 Ross Shipman 540

4 Jason Schniepp 540

5 Dan Daniels 540

6 Brent Burkhart 530

7 Brian Franz 530

8 Marc Hurd 525

9 Casey McClaskey 525

10 Kenny Sweet 515