Sunday, May 22, 2016, marks an historic time in motorsports history—not only for competitors and fans in Northern Iowa, but all throughout the Upper Midwest region.

After months of planning, preparation and sweat equity, the all-new Mason City Motor Speedway is set to kick off the 2016 racing season with the most anticipated grand openings in recent memory.

The season opener, presented by Mason City Auto Sales, Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar and Sevens Restaurant & Steakhouse, will feature Budweiser USRA Modifieds, USRA Stock Cars, USRA B-Mods, USRA Hobby Stocks and Rookies Rockin’ Tuners.

A large of contingent of fair board members, staff and volunteers have contributed thousands of hours to dozens of changes to the racing surface and associated amenities at the historic North Iowa Fair facility.

Several tons of new clay are expected to breathe life back into the legendary dirt track, which has been banked and reshaped in an effort to produce more side-by-side racing action.

Weekly racing events on Sunday nights will dole out $400 to the USRA Hobby Stock feature winner, $500 to both the USRA Stock Cars and USRA B-Mods and a whopping $1,000 to win the Budweiser USRA Modified main event.

And all four classes will pay $1,000 to win the season points championships, plus drivers finishing in the top 12 in points (or with perfect attendance) will be invited to Season Championships night on Aug. 28.

Talk about putting your money where your mouth is.

For the fans, every inch of the speedway has been leveled, painted, smoothed out and cleaned to perfection.

Even the concessions menu is incredible, with ribeyes, burgers, chicken breasts and bratwursts cooked on a wood fire grill by the guys at the Backyard Deli. The tenderloins are the same thick-cut breaded tenderloin served at Rookies Rockin’ Sports Bar. Other highlights include big tubs of popcorn—not the small box you can hardly get your hand in—and eight flavors of Coke products on the fountain, including Monster Energy, PowerAde, Peace Teas and Dasani water.

"We aim to prove that, through good promotion and hard work, fans will support the track if the show is run well with great action, and that drivers will support the track if they are treated and paid fairly for their hard work," said co-promoter Al Hejna. "Throughout 2016, all weekly purses and year-end points funds are guaranteed. This is our commitment to the drivers and we're asking them to be a part of something special with us."

2016 PONTS FUNDS: All USRA classes – 1. $1000, 2. $700, 3. $600, 4. $500, 5. $400, 6. $300, 7. $250, 8. $225, 9. $200, 10. $180, 11. $160, 12. $150, 13. $140, 14. $130, 15. $125; Rookies Rockin' Tuners – 1. $300, 2. $250, 3. $200, 4. $175, 5. $150, 6. $125, 7. $100, 8. $90, 9. $80, 10. $70, 11. $60, 12. $50.

The grand opening on Sunday, May 22, will have a low-impact adult spectator admission of $10. Juniors ages 13-16 and seniors 65 and older get in for just $8. Kids 12 and under are free. Pits passes are $25.

The pit gate opens at 4 p.m., spectator gate opens at 5, drivers meeting is set for 6, hot laps begin at 6:30 and the first green flag waves at 7 p.m.

Various special events are also in the planning stages, including shows featuring the USMTS Modifieds, World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Models, FVP National Sprint League, Monster Trucks featuring Big Foot and Bounty Hunter, freestyle motocross, demolition derby and more.

The Mason City Motor Speedway is a half-mile clay oval located 5.1 miles east of I-35 at exit 194 on SR 122 (at the North Iowa Fairgrounds). For more information, call (641) 424-6515 or check out www.masoncitymotorspeedway.com online. You can also like the track’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/masoncitymotorspeedway follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/racinmasoncity (@RacinMasonCity).

To learn more about the USRA, visit www.usraracing.com or call 515-832-6000. You can also like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usraracing, follow us at www.twitter.com/usraracing on Twitter and check out our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/usratv.

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MASON CITY MOTOR SPEEDWAY 2016 MARKETING PARTNERS: American Racer Racing Tires, Auto Edge, Buck’s Recycling, Burke’s Bar & Grill, Casey’s General Stores, Coca-Cola Bottling Co., D&D Sales, Inc., Davies Masonry, Diamond Jo Worth Casino, Farmers State Bank, Fast Shafts, Harley-Davidson of Mason City, Kabrick Distributing, Kramer Ace Hardware, Mason City Auto Sales, Mason City Powersports, Nitroquest Media Group, North Iowa Collision Center, Papa's American Café, Quick Shop, Rookies Rockin' Sports Bar, Sevens Restaurant & Steakhouse, United Beverage, Westermann & Cooney of Raymond James, Whiskey Creek Wood Fire Grill, YohnCo.