When the USMTS Southern Series roars back into action this weekend with a doubleheader at the Enid (Okla. ) Speedway Park on Friday and Saturday, March 30-31, race fans are in store for what is shaping up to be a “who s who” of Modified racing. The race will feature some of the top Modified drivers from throughout the United States, and will also serve as the second USMTS Southern Series event of the season.
“Based on the entries we ve received and the phone calls we ve taken, there are some pretty heavy hitters on the road to Enid, ” said USMTS president Todd Staley. “This quite possibly could be the biggest car count we ll see all year, and the toughest field of drivers assembled at one event. “
Heading up the list of pre-entered drivers from the O Reilly USMTS national tour is eight-time defending national champion and current points leader Kelly Shryock. The 41-year-old from Fertile, Iowa, has one win under his belt this season to go along with four runner-up finishes and a third-place finish. In addition to sitting atop the national rankings, Shryock also leads the points in the Southern Region, Western Region and USMTS Southern Series while his creation—the Skyrocket Chassis—leads the Builders Championship points.
Other expected invaders from the north include last year s national title runner-up Zack VanderBeek of New Sharon, Iowa, and Dean Mahlstedt of Clear Lake, Iowa, who will be debuting his new Bullet Modified. Also making the long trip to the Sooner State will be veteran Mark Noble of Blooming Prairie, Minn. Noble s KraftKar Modified will be propelled by a new Ford powerplant utilizing the Brodix spec head.
From the east, Team GRT will be represented by the powerful trio of Terry Phillips from Springfield, Mo. ; 21-year-old Jeremy Payne of Cave City, Ark. ; and Jack Sullivan of Greenbrier, Ark.
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