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Tracks: Bloomington Speedway Modifieds Join UMP Series

10 March 1999

BLOOMINGTON, IN - When Bloomington Speedway opens it's doors for the 1999 racing season on May 7, the popular open wheel modified division will be part of the United Midwest Promoters (UMP) family.

UMP president, Bob Memmer says that there are two main benefits to Bloomington's modified competitors. They'll find exactly the same rules at all UMP tracks, which means that they'll be able to race at several tracks in a weekend without having to make changes to their cars. Several tracks in southern Indiana compete under UMP sanctioning, including Brownstown, Tri-State (Haubstadt) and Chandler (Evansville).

At the end of the season, the modified racers will also have an opportunity to participate in UMP's $100,000 point fund. The fund pays back 70 spots, including the top-5 in each state and top 7 in each region. 167 drivers collected a paycheck at the 1998 UMP banquet, with more than thirty of them taking home more than $1,000.

Memmer points out that the drivers will also receive the recognition of competing in the UMP series. A weekly newsletter keeps all UMP members up-to-date.

In 1999, UMP modifieds will compete at 86 member race tracks in 21 states. While UMP began in the Midwest, Memmer says that the series has grown through Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, to Louisiana, Texas, Arizona and now California. The series finale will be part of the UMP Fall Nationals at Eldora Speedway, in Rossburg, Ohio, October 9 & 10. Last fall, 178 modifieds towed into Eldora for the program. The modifieds will compete in an open event for $2,000 to win. There will also be two invitational races. One event will pits all of the state champions, and the second will match the top teams for each of the top 20 chassis types. UMP's Late Models are also on the Fall Nationals program.

The open wheel modifieds will compete 15 times at Bloomington in 1999, including the 4th Annual Street Stock and Modified Nationals on September 17. This event will pay $1,200 to win, and $100 to start, the feature race.