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At the beginning of the 2005 race season at the Hayden Speedway, Yampa Valley Auto Racing Association President Jaceson Van Grandt told the IMCA Modified drivers he hoped to put on a big race for them this year.

Tonight his promise will be fulfilled.

The winner's purse in the main event of tonight's Modified race is $2000.

"I can't remember a purse this big at the Speedway," Van Grandt said. "If there was one, it was three or four years ago. It's a great feeling to be able to offer it because the drives deserve it."

The Rock Springs, Wyo., track is holding a big Modified race, as well, but that hasn't kept away the racers.

Van Grandt said he's expecting anywhere from 14 to 25 cars in the Modified class.

"We'll have a lot of guys from the southern part of Colorado," he said. "There have also been a couple of guys from Denver that have shown interest."

Brian and Brandon Hughes, brothers from Grand Junction, will be in Hayden.

"If one of us wins, it will make the drive more than worth it," Brian said. "We like being up at the track, and with that purse, it will be some intense driving."

In the final race before the Speedway's season finale in September, the IMCA Modified Madness races should be interesting.

Van Grandt said depending on what the racers want and the number of cars, the heat races could be used as a qualifying race for the main event.

The YVARA is a nonprofit organization, so the purse for the race is from racing fees and the gate this year.

Nate Hitz, an IMCA Modified rookie and a Speedway veteran, was excited more for the track than his opportunity to win the cash.

"The track improves in areas every year, and being able to hold this race is part of that," he said. "I'm just out there to have fun and get my car figured out this year. But there is a lot of money in the car so it'd be nice to win some of it back."

To add to the Modified madness the Mini Sprints from Vernal, Utah are returning this weekend.

In the points standings for the Hayden Speedway members H.D. Craig is leading with 263 points. Phil Goodwin has second place with 230 and Josh Anderson is in third with 270.

The races start at 6:30 p.m. with admission set at $6 for adults and $2 for children.