MT. ALTO, W.Va. -- The American Motor Racing Association (AMRA) continues to remodel and reload as the exciting 2012 season continues. Despite a lagging economy, AMRA Malta Windows Modified car counts have actually grown at weekly race meets where Ohio Valley Speedway had 28 cars, I-77 signed in 26, Midway inked 23, 17 traveled to Natural Bridge, Skyline garnered a solid 23 and Beckley tallied 24 over the past weekend.

"We've seen solid if not growing car counts all season long," said AMRA president Larry Keefer. "Racers find a way to race. We have seen several drivers move up from other divisions to the open wheel modifieds, while also noticing that many drivers are jumping from the super lates to the modifieds. Most of our drivers indicate that the level playing field is one reason that the modifieds are so popular in our immediate area."

Keefer continued, "We are constantly trying to make things better for the racers. Driver input is important to us and having a driver part of the AMRA is an honor to us. We have a great mix of veterans and drivers just starting out. Each and every one of you is an important part of the organization."

Keefer noted that if drivers would like to see changes in the AMRA rule book for 2013, "changes that help save costs" should be sent to the AMRA office for review.

Coming June 29 is the AMRA sanctioned 4th Annual Greg Schilling Memorial at Skyline Speedway with a total estimated purse of over $17,000 and growing, paying $199 to start and $1,699 to the winner. Further details of the race will be released this weekend. This race not only honors one of the Ohio Valley's most popular drivers, but provides scholarships and other aid to community members in need. All indications are that this race may be a Road Warrior event, pending the ironing out of final details. Special thanks from all goes to Skyline promoter/owner Billy Jarrell for his generosity in hosting this event.

Says race organizers Mike McPherson and Kenny Johnson, two talented AMRA veterans, "This race is about people and about giving and helping others as much as it is about racing. Ultimately, we are here to honor Greg and all the good that he stood for."

In other news, the AMRA would like to continue to extend its thanks and offer promotional efforts to its member tracks. The tracks, track owners, and fans of member tracks are the driving force for keeping AMRA racing alive and well.

Over $650,000 in point fund money has been paid out over the history of the AMRA. The AMRA office has announced that if continued sponsorship efforts evolve that the AMRA is looking to expand its point fund.

"The main thing," noted Scott Wolfe, Director of Racing for the AMRA, "Is that drivers know that they will have a guaranteed lucrative point fund at the end of the season. We have tried to increase Road Warrior purses and put more money in the hands of our competitors, but the driving force of the AMRA is the point fund and the fact that our tech people try very hard to keep the cars uniform."

Wolfe noted that some 15-20 drivers not in the point fund money last year received contingency gift certificates. "Over 50 modified drivers and 20 more Late Model drivers received something. If we can get more for the banquet in 2012 we will do so. We want to reward those who race with us every week, whether it be a weekly show or a Road Warrior show."

$34,000 in point fund money is on the line in 2012 for the Malta Modifieds, while another $12,000 plus in on the line for the Tru Tech Customs late models.

Point funds are posted below:
Added Wolfe, "We don't want to take away from our other tracks, but the opporunity is there for drivers to get big dividends at Thunder Mountain Speedway near Gilbert. We have some drivers there just now getting involved in the modified division, but we would like to see those efforts continue to grow and help Heath and the staff out with their car counts. Our other tracks appear to be healthy right now."

Many AMRA sanctioned tracks are open this weekend. AMRA tracks are as follows: Skyline Speedway www.skylinespeedway.net , Ohio Valley Speedway http://www.ohiovalleyspeedway.com/ , Jackson County Speedway , http://www.jacksoncospeedway.com/ , The Legendary Hilltop Speedway http://www.legendaryhilltop.com/ , Midway Speedway http://www.midwayracing.com/ , Thunder Mountain, http://www.racethundermountain.com/ , Beckley Motorsports Park http://www.beckleymotorsports.com/ , I-77 Raceway Park http://www.racei77.com/ , and O'Brion Oval Speedway http://www.obrionovalspeedway.com/ , and Natural Bridge ( Virginia) Speedway http://www.nbspeedway.com/ . Drivers and fans should check out track websites before traveling. Jackson Speedway is idle for a week or so, but will reopen soon. O'Brion Speedway and Hilltop Speedway are planning on openings pending work to satisify the insurance companies and provide quality, safe racing to their fans.

Octane Racing Products will be on board as a sponsor of AMRA in 2012 and will add $1000 to the AMRA National Points fund, again making the modified national points' $5000 to win. Octane will add contingency awards in random drawings at the banquet to racers displaying the Octane Racing Products decals.

Malta Doors and Windows is the Title Sponsor of the AMRA Modifieds and Tru-Tech Customs for the Late Models. Other fine sponsors of the MALTA AMRA Modified series are Dave Poske's Performance Parts, Wrisco, Hoosier Racing Tire/Hoosier Tire Ohio Valley, Carthage Auto Parts, AERO Racing Wheels, Rocket Chassis, Lincoln Welders & Lincoln Electric, Hypercoils, Bazell Race Fuels, Alky Racing Alcohol and Sunoco Race Fuels, Impact Racing, ADP Rivets, RCI, OTR Filters, MSD Ignition, Wilwood, Kluhsman Racing Components (KRC), Evans Vinyl Signs, WV Tax & Bookkeeping, Winters Performance, Bilstein Shocks, PST Drive Shafts, Schoenfeld, Killer Bee Race Bodies, The Bumper Man, and Pike Street Lanes. Join the AMRA now!-America's Open Wheeled Modifieds Most Competitive Series!

Look for several big upcoming announcements concerning the 2012 series!
Please visit www.amramodified.com

National Modified Tour RWT Modified Challenge
1 $5,000.00 1 $2,500.00
2 $1,900.00 2 $1,250.00
3 $1,700.00 3 $1,000.00
4 $1,500.00 4 $900.00
5 $1,400.00 5 $750.00
6 $1,300.00 6 $600.00
7 $1,200.00 7 $500.00
8 $1,100.00 8 $500.00
9 $1,000.00
10 $950.00
11 $900.00 $8,000.00
12 $850.00
13 $800.00
14 $750.00
15 $700.00
16 $650.00
17 $600.00
18 $575.00
19 $550.00
20 $525.00
21 $500.00
22 $425.00
23 $375.00
24 $375.00
25 $375.00
$26,000.00

*Tentative
**Looking to add 26-35 pending sponsorship