St. Charles, MO (April 11, 2008) The MARS DIRTcar Series will get the 2008 racing season underway on Friday, April 18th at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, IL and then move on to Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, MO on Saturday, April 19th.

Defending MARS DIRTcar Series Champion Bill Frye along with other MARS DIRTcar Series competitors such as Terry Phillips, Will Vaught, Jeremy Payne, Jack Sullivan and more are expected to take on some of tough U.M.P. DIRTcar competitors such as Dennis Erb, Bryan Collins, Billy Faust and more!

The Friday night action at Tri-City Speedway will also feature U.M.P. DIRTcar Modifieds, U.M.P. DIRTcar Pro Late Models, U.M.P. DIRTcar Street Stocks and U.M.P. DIRTcar 4 Cylinders. All classes will receive U.M.P. National points. Pit gate will open at 4pm with the grandstand gate opening at 5pm. Racing will get underway at 7pm. General admission is $18 with kids 12 and under FREE.

When the action moves to Lake Ozark Speedway, the U.M.P. DIRTcar Modifieds, Crate Late Models and Street Stock divisions will also be competing. The pit gate and grandstand gate opens at 5pm with racing at 7pm. General admission will be $18 with kids 12 and under FREE.

These events will not only be the season opener for the MARS DIRTcar Series, they will also be the season opening event for both tracks.

Tri-City Speedway is located in Pontoon Beach, Illinois. The track is located across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, MO. Take exit 4 off of I-270 and then go a 1/2 mile south on SR 203. For tickets or more info, you can call the track office at 636-448-9111, 618-931-7836 or 800-617-9077 or visit their website at www.tricityspeedway.net.

Lake Ozark Speedway is located in Eldon, Missouri near the intersection of Highway 54 and Highway 52. For tickets or more info, you can call the track office at 636-448-9111, 618-931-7836 or 800-617-9077 or visit their website at www.lakeozarkspeedway.com.

For more information on the MARS DIRTcar Series, visit www.dirtcar.com.