Series Information

Founded in 1989, the NSTA Top Speed Modified Tour is the Nation’s premier touring asphalt modified series. The Tour features open-wheel cars with extra downforce capable of producing high-speeds and close racing. Drivers from all across the Midwest compete with the series as it tours the country from early April thru mid-October. This season the series will visit prominent and historic tracks in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri and Tennessee. The Tour is one of six competing at the Inaugural U.S. Nationals of Short Track Racing at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn.

Originated as the Economy Modified Oval Division (E-Mod) at Mount Lawn Speedway in New Castle, Indiana, Dave Dayton formed the E-Mod Racing Series, to expose modified racing to other race tracks and racers in 1989. The E-Mods ran at the legendary Indiana high-banked facilities of Salem Speedway and Winchester Speedway while also running on smaller ovals such as the 1/4 mile of Anderson Speedway and the tight 1/5 mile of the Indianapolis Speedrome. The E-Mods, as they were known back then were not strictly run on asphalt either as several races were conducted on the dirt tracks of Brownstown Speedway, Gas City Speedway, Lawrenceburg Speedway and Paragon Speedway.

As the E-Mod Series grew and Dave Dayton approached retirement in the early 1990s, Al Larson was brought in to run the series. He had worked for International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) based in Vinton, Iowa. Eventually Larson would buy the E-Mod Racing Series from Dayton and brought in a partner, Jim Minnich of Fort Wayne, Indiana. A year later, Minnich would become the sole owner of the series and would rename the entire organization as International Championship Auto Racing (ICAR).

In 1997, Jasper Engines & Transmissions became the first corporate sponsor to sign on as the title sponsor of the series, which was renamed the ICAR Jasper Modified Tour. In 1999, Steve Ellis of Ellis Race Cars stepped into the picture with Minnich looking towards retirement. Ellis hired Keith Beeching as the Race Director and renamed the tour the USA Modified Series. Todd Van Kleeck briefly was at the helm of the series for Ellis in 2003 and 2004, but health issues forced him to resign from his position after a short time. O’Reilly Auto Parts became the title sponsor of the series from 2007-2009 with Ellis selling the series and its’ amenities to Beeching at the end of the 2008 season.

Beeching would be at the controls of the series until the end of the 2011 campaign when he resigned to take over as General Manager of Winchester Speedway. Prior to the 2012 racing season, Dave Muzzillo and his wife, Jody from Top Speed Fabrication purchased the series and celebrated several successful seasons until selling the series in 2016.

John Robbins, nephew of American Speed Association (ASA) founder Rex Robbins purchased the series in late 2016. The Tour is now sanctioned by the National Short Track Alliance (NSTA) and is known as the NSTA Top Speed Modified Tour.

2016 -- Bob Sibila (South) - Mike Occhipinti (North)
2015 -- Brian Nester (South) – Nick Clemens (North)
2014 -- Chad Poole
2013 -- Tim Burkett
2012 -- Trevor Berry
2011 -- Jonathan Martin
2010 -- Brad Springer
2009 -- Scott Tomasik
2008 -- Scott Coe
2007 -- Bob Curry
2006 -- Bob Curry
2005 -- Harold Scott
2004 -- Rodney Scott
2003 -- Jason Dietsch
2002 -- Rodney Scott
2001 -- Rodney Scott
2000 -- Rodney Scott
1999 -- L.J. Lines
1998 -- Jeff Lane
1997 -- Tim Taylor
1996 -- Mark Krider
1995 -- Chad Bland
1994 -- Steve Christman
1993 -- Steve Christman
1992 -- Dave Bice
1991 -- Rick Rhonemus
1990 -- Dave Bice
1989 -- Ken Dayton