Series combines with SMRS for Great Plains Midget series

USAC/SMRS COMBINE TO PRESENT "GREAT PLAINS" MIDGET SERIES

The United States Auto Club and the Southern Midget Racing Series will combine efforts in 2009 to present the USAC/SMRS Great Plains Midget Racing Series.

Today's announcement by USAC President/CEO Kevin Miller and SMRS President/CEO John Stewart extends USAC's sanction to events in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri, as well as augmenting established USAC events in Iowa, Kansas and Indiana.

"We have enjoyed our past involvement with SMRS," indicates Miller, "and look forward to this new venture. SMRS has a great history and we're glad to have them as part of the USAC family." Benefits to SMRS participants will be the comprehensive USAC insurance package, increased exposure through USAC's news bureau and website presence and recognition at USAC's season-ending "Night of Champions" National Awards Dinner.

The 2009 season began with SMRS sanctioned events at Cowtown Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas and these events form the foundation of the 2009 standings for the new USAC/SMRS series. Brady Bacon of Broken Arrow, Okla. is the early point leader after winning the opener, while Bryan Clauson won the second Cowtown feature.

The SMRS series was founded by Stewart and is in its 13th year of operation. Over 200 races have been conducted in nine states since the 1997 debut at Alexandria, La. Series champions include Doc Parsons (1997-98), Aaron Kirk (1999), Edwin Wilson (2000), Joe Boyles (2001, 2003 and 2005), Ryan Durst (2002), Rick England (2004), Bacon (2006), Gary Taylor (2007) and Jonathan Beason last year.

Stewart competed in Midgets for a number of years before retiring from driving in 1995. Although his racing background is extensive, his family involved since the 1940s, he's quick to credit the success of the series to the drivers and car entrants.

"We are obviously excited about this new relationship with USAC and what it will mean to our participants," echoed Stewart. "We've enjoyed our past involvement in USAC events and expect 2009 to be our greatest season of competition ever. These two great organizations coming together in an effort to improve the sport of Midget auto racing is indeed exciting."

The next USAC/SMRS Great Plains Midget Racing Series event is April 24 at the North Central Arkansas Speedway in Yellville, AR, while the series closer is presently slated September 19 at Caney (KS) Valley Speedway, although additional dates are in the discussion stage for August and September.

USAC's traditional Knoxville Midget Nationals and Belleville Midget Nationals events are slated for inclusion in the 2009 USAC/SMRS Great Plains point championship.

-credit: --USAC--