In conjunction with the Kouba family and North Central Speedway, the Upper Midwest Sprintcar Series (UMSS) is very pleased to announce that the 18th Annual Kouba Memorial race has been rescheduled for Saturday night July 24.  The original attempt on June 5 fell victim to rain showers just before the two Ultimate Challenge Races were scheduled to be run.  On July 24, the Kouba Memorial will pick up with the two Challenge races and then the 25 lap feature race will be run.  All 23 sprint cars that were on hand will be eligible to participate in the Kouba Memorial portion of the program.  Following the conclusion of the Kouba Memorial races, a complete UMSS racing program will be contested with heats, challenge races and a feature race on July 24 at North Central Speedway.  Stated UMSS President Ron Bernhagen, "this will be the only night that we currently have on our 2010 schedule that will provide drivers and race fans with two UMSS feature races during the same evening."

The 18th Annual Kouba Memorial will pay the same strong advertised purse and bonuses as it originally was scheduled to pay on June 5.  All sponsors and additional bonus monies are back on board and in place for the July 24 makeup which will pay $1,500 to win and $240 to start.  The results from the three Ultimate Sprint Heats that were run on June 5 will count, and the lineups that were posted for the two Ethel Kouba Ultimate Challenge Races will be the same.  If any of the original 23 cars are unable to make it back up to North Central Speedway on July 24, their starting spots will be filled by moving cars up on the inside or outside rows accordingly for the Challenge Races.  Should there be less than 20 cars returning from the original 23 cars on hand, a drivers vote at the pit meeting ahead of time will determine if any new cars can be added to the back of the Challenge Races or not.

Joe Kouba and the Kouba family wishes to thank Cliff Sasker and Tim Boeder from North Central Speedway for working to find a date and for providing the additional incentive via a complete UMSS show following the remainder of the Kouba Memorial event.  Stated Joe Kouba, "with a fairly full remaining UMSS schedule, there were very few dates that would work for all parties involved.  Thanks to Cliff and Tim for working with us to find a solution that should provide a great night of sprint car racing for both fans and drivers."  Weather permitting, North Central Speedway will also hold the distinction of being the first track to host twin UMSS feature races in the same night when July 24 rolls around.

Any drivers who were not in attendance at the June 5 UMSS event are certainly encouraged to head to Brainerd for the July 24 show, as a complete UMSS program follows the Kouba Memorial.  With sponsorship help from GRP Motorsports, the second UMSS feature of the evening will pay $1,000 to win.  Should a driver sweep both feature races, he or she could earn in excess of $2,500 for the evening!  If the car count is strong, any nonqualifiers who participate in both the Kouba Memorial and regular UMSS portions of the program will be able to earn at least $275 for the evening.

With two UMSS sprint car feature races on tap including the prestigious Kouba Memorial, racers and fans certainly will want to put the July 24 date at North Central Speedway on their racing calendars.  Greg Parent of GRP Motorsports commented, "it is not very often that race fans have a chance to watch twin sprint car feature races at a track here in our area, so I am really looking forward to the July 24 show at North Central Speedway.  I'm glad to be able to help out with some sponsorship for both feature races that night."

The UMSS is a value-based sprint car organization bringing open wheel racing back to the Twin Cities area of Minnesota by establishing reasonable rules for the participant, an economical purse structure for the race tracks, and an affordable race ticket and fan-friendly program for the race fan. For race results, 2010 schedule, current points, series sponsors, and other information, please visit our website at www.umsprints.com or call series President Ron Bernhagen at 612-363-5302.

Upcoming UMSS Schedule for June/July 2010.
June 25 - Kopellah Speedway ($1,000 to win w/help from GRP Motorsports)
June 26 - Ogilvie Raceway ($1,000 to win w/help from GRP Motorsports)
July 2 - Kopellah Speedway
July 9 - Elko Speedway (w/IMCA Sprints)
July 10 - Elko Speedway (w/IMCA Sprints)
July 16 - Elko Speedway (w/IMCA Sprints)
July 17 - Elko Speedway (w/IMCA Sprints)
July 24 - North Central Speedway (18th Annual Kouba Memorial $1,500 to win)
July 24 - North Central Speedway ($1,000 to win w/help from GRP Motorsports)
July 30 - Kopellah Speedway
July 31 - Arlington Raceway (w/IMCA Sprints)