Series Information

The Upper Midwest Sprint Car Series (UMSS) is a value-based racing organization for the participants, race tracks, and race fans. Based in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, the popularity of UMSS is gaining momentum by establishing reasonable rules for the participants, an economical purse structure for the race tracks, and an affordable race ticket and fan-friendly program for the race fans.

Participants: Sprint car owner/drivers choosing to build a car based on the UMSS spec motor program can build a competitive car for under $15,000. A tire rule and a strict teching philosophy will ensure an even level of competition. In addition, travel expenses are minimized, with the majority of the race programs within 150 miles of the Twin Cities.

Divisions: The winged sprint car division was the initial UMSS class of cars back in 2009. In 2011, the UMSS added the Traditional Sprint Car Series non-winged sprints. In 2012, the 600cc Micro Sprints were added as the third UMSS division and ran under UMSS sanctioning through the 2016 season. Rules and additional information for each of the two divisions of sprint cars can be found here on our website under the Series Info heading by clicking on the Rules/Forms link.

Race Tracks: The UMSS has developed a purse structure that is sustainable for race tracks. The purse structure will allow track operators to maintain their weekly front gate admission price or raise it only slightly. This will ensure that the integrity of the race track's weekly attendance will be maintained while adding the sprint car fan and participant when the UMSS is included in the program.

Race Fans: The UMSS will entertain race fans with our brand of wild-looking race cars and very fast, and sometimes very volatile, racing action at a value-based price. Race fans will appreciate the addition of the UMSS program at the night's traditional cost or a slightly higher ticket price.

From 2009-2017, the UMSS winged sprint car division ran a different kind of race program format. In addition to the heat races, the winged sprints typically ran a couple of Challenge Races. In 2018, the UMSS winged sprint division will run heats, a dash and a feature event. On occasion, special events may utilize a different race format. The Traditional sprints will run their usual heat races and feature race format with an occasional dash night thrown in.

The UMSS has a niche in the Upper Midwest for an affordable sprint car series that will attract participants, allow race tracks to put on a special night of racing with something different, and entertain race fans with edge-of-your-seat action. For more information, call Ron Bernhagen @ 612-363-5302.