Officials with both the USRA Heartland Modified Tour Presented by Real Racing Wheels and Monett Motor Speedway in Monett, Missouri, in collaboration with Terry Phillips are pleased to announce the running of the 2024 Larry Phillips Memorial. The event will take place Sunday, August 18, featuring the HMT at the Monett Motor Speedway.

“I am really happy to let everybody know where we will be running my dad's race this year,” said Terry Phillips. “He's my hero, and I'm glad we still get together and remember his legacy.”

Monett has switched operators over the off-season, with Steve Andrews now holding the lease with option to purchase. Jesse Stovall has been brought into the fold to work on the track surface and assist with promotions.

“This race is one of my all-time favorite events,” said Stovall. “I wanted to win it every single year when I was racing. Now to bring it to Monett, and work with Terry on it is almost too good to be true. I have so much respect for what Larry did during his career, and I'm great friends with Terry. We're going to make this a really enjoyable evening for the family and have a barn burner show for all the fans who come out.”

For the Heartland Tour, while not initially on the schedule, Monett Motor Speedway is a place that fits the Tour perfectly.

“We really have watched Monett close this season,” said HMT partner Trenton Berry. “We wanted to make sure they had their feet underneath them before we ever talked about the possibility of working with them on a show. They have really progressed well and are prepared to host this event. When the possibility of hosting the Larry Phillips Memorial was presented to us it was a near immediate yes! For Terry to have that trust in us to handle the show and honor his dad speaks volumes. We are so appreciative to be included in this!”

Here's the news most racers and fans are wanting to know. The event will pay a whopping $7575 to win and $575 to start the 24 car feature. There will be no increased entry fee for the racers above the standard $125 for all series events. More partnerships are currently being pursued, and a final event purse will be released prior to the event.

The weekend for the USRA HMT Tour Presented by Real Racing Wheels begins Friday,  August 16 at Electric City Speedway in Butler, Missouri, before heading to Nevada Speedway on Saturday, August 17. Both shows will pay the standard event purse, with $2,000 to win each night. These will set the stage for the Sunday evening blockbuster.

Right out of the gate series regular and overwhelming supporter Rick Beebe has agreed to support the event with the backing from his business, Rick Beebe Heating and Air Conditioning. Rick's generosity has allowed the track to push the winners purse to it's current position.

“Rick has just been right there this whole season,” Berry further added. “He has helped us, and put multiple cars on the track at our shows and just went above and beyond time after time. I can't thank him enough. He and Larry raced quite a bit against each other, and he has many fond memories of that time in his career. He also knows what LP meant to racing overall.”

All three weekend events will be carried live, exclusively on RacinDirt for those unable to be at the track.

USRA Heartland Modified Tour Presented by Real Racing Wheels photos are available for viewing and purchase from our Official Series Photographer, Todd Boyd. You can view his work by clicking here. You can also follow his racing adventures on social media by clicking here.

The Heartland Modified Tour Presented by Real Racing Wheels would like to thank their 2024 season long partners.

Gold Partners - ARMI Contractors, Day Motorsports, Hochatown Saloon, Kenny's Tile, Midwest Sheet Metal, RacinDirt.com, Real Racing Wheels, S&S Fishing and Rental, VP Racing Fuels Heartland, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products

Silver Partners - American Racer Tires, Central Spray Foam & Cement Lifting, Duvall Electric, Fast Shafts, Freight Logistics Inc., Integra Shocks, Keyser Manufacturing, Milburn Property LLC, One4 Motorsports, Rick Beebe Heating and Air Conditioning

Bronze Partners - Charlie Williams Painting, Fowler Locomotive Sales and Leasing, Lassiter Construction, Transmissions Unlimited, Photos by Boyd, Victory Vault

2024 HMT Point Fund

1. $7,500

2. $4,500

3. $3,500

4. $3,000

5. $2,500

6. $2,400

7. $2,300

8. $2,200

9. $2,100

10. $2,000

*80 Percent attendance required to remain point fund eligible*