USAC MIDWEST FOCUS SERIES TO SPLIT INTO DIRT, PAVEMENT DIVISIONS FOR 2006 SEASON

INDIANAPOLIS – USAC Ford Focus Series officials have announced that the
Midwest Ford Focus Series will expand to include both a Dirt Series and
Pavement Series Championship beginning with the 2006 racing season. This
expansion is designed to meet the needs of Focus Series competitors and an
increased demand from race organizers for Midwest Ford Focus Series dates.

The USAC Western States Ford Focus Series successfully competed for a Dirt
Series Champion and a Pavement Series Champion during the current season.

“Based on the success we’ve had with this format in California, as well as
the input we have had from our competitors, we felt it is time to run the
two series here in the Midwest,” said Mike Devin, USAC VP and Director of
Competition. “Our competitors now have the opportunity to choose to
competitively race for a Dirt Championship, a Pavement Championship or both,
based on their goals and budget.”

Focus officials and car constructors have had numerous inquiries from
drivers and owners ready to graduate from Quarter Midgets and Go-Karts,
expressing a desire to compete in the Focus Division on the surface they
have raced on throughout their careers.

“Each year there is an increase demand for Midwest Ford Focus Series race
dates from the race organizers and there is a finite number of dates
available due to school requirements and potential weather challenges,” said
Eric Bunn, USAC’s Ford Focus Series National Coordinator. “By going to the
Dirt and Pavement Series, we can meet the demand for race dates and help our
competitors by relieving the pressure of having to change over their cars
from dirt to pavement overnight to race for points. Certainly racers will
continue to do this, but now it will be by choice, not necessity.”

USAC is currently scheduling races for both series for the 2006 racing
season.

“We will not be scheduling dirt and pavement series races on the same date
so drivers and owners wishing to race for both championships can do so,”
stated Bunn.

For more information, contact Bunn at the USAC National Office,
317-247-5151.


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