KIRKWOOD, N.Y. -- Drivers typically don't enter an event hoping to lead at halfway or finish 26th in a feature.

However, a Modified competitor doing either at the VP Racing Fuels-Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. Short Track SuperNationals Oct. 5-6 at Five Mile Point Speedway will be rewarded with extra cash. Bonuses are adding up for the "Working Man's Race" of 2012 at the wide and racy Kirkwood, N.Y., quarter-mile oval. This October mark's the race's fifth running.

The driver who is in the lead at the halfway mark of the 50-lap big-block/small-block Modified main event will earn $700 cash from Dale Smith Photography of Afton, N.Y. Smith has backed the halfway leader bonus at the SuperNationals since the event's first running in 2006 at Afton Speedway. Each year, the award has become more lucrative for racers.

Previous SuperNationals Dale Smith Halfway Leaders are Duane Howard of Oley, Pa., (2011), Kevin Bates of Lake Ariel, Pa., (2010), Jeff Strunk of Bechtelsville, Pa., (2009) and Mike Ricci of Rosendale, N.Y., (2006). Two of those drivers - Howard and Ricci - went on to win the main event.

"Dale has been such an asset to this event," said Short Track SuperNationals promoter Brett Deyo. "He has supported the SuperNationals and its racers since day one. His contributions are much appreciated."

Touch of Green Landscaping of Bechtelsville, Pa., has joined the list of SuperNationals bonus sponsors for the '12 running. Touch of Green, a longtime southeastern Pennsylvania motorsports supporter, has posted a $100 cash bonus to the 26th-place feature finisher. Combined with the recently increased $455 to take the green flag, a driver will earn $555 for finishing 26th!

Additionally, Touch of Green has signed on as a heat-race sponsor, offering $100 to the winner of the first qualifier. Heat sponsorships are available at $100/each by contacting Brett Deyo at Deyo99H@aol.com or 845.728.2781.

All marketing partners will be highlighted in a huge, color yearbook to be produced for the SuperNationals and King of the Can to be held at Penn Can Speedway in Susquehanna, Pa., on Oct. 12. Advertising opportunities for this publication are available now. Contact Brett Deyo at 845.728.2781 or Deyo99H@aol.com.

The SuperNationals feature winner takes home $5,000 so long as they post the $20 'gambler's fee' for the Alpine Building & Post Supply 'Roll the Dice Challenge' prior to the start of qualifying. Lap money is also plentiful at the SuperNationals. Last year's race winner Howard pocketed more than $7,000 in cash and contingencies!

Modified rules allow for big- or small-block engines, gasoline or methanol, sail panels or windows, an open tire rule (run weekly at a Northeast dirt Modified facility), with a draw for position setting the heat-race starting orders. Complete rules have been posted on the BD Motorsports Media website.

ALL racing activity takes place on Saturday (Oct. 6) with an open practice on Friday (Oct. 5).

The Comfort Inn of Binghamton, N.Y., 1000 Front Street just miles from the speedway off Interstate 81 Exit 5, serves as the host hotel with a group rate of $99/night. Contact the Comfort Inn by phone at 607.724.3297 and mention "SuperNationals" to receive the discounted rate.

Registration is now open at $15 per car through Sept. 30. After Sept. 30, the entry fee increases to $20. Entry forms have been posted on the home page of the BD Motorsports Media website: www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com.

The first 10 Modified entries received in the SuperNationals office will be entered into a drawing for two FREE pit passes for the event. Additionally, all pre-entered drivers will be eligible for a $50 gas card. The gas card drawing takes place at the drivers' meeting on race day.

Joining the Modifieds on the program are Street Stocks (under 2011 Race of Champions rules, 25 laps) and a Four Cylinder Open event (18 laps).

Previous Short Track SuperNationals Modified winners include Howard (2011), Justin Holland of White Lake, N.Y. (2010), Kevin Hirthler of Boyertown, Pa. (2009) and Ricci (2006).

Marketing opportunities, lap sponsorships and contingency award opportunities are available now. To learn more, contact Brett Deyo by e-mail at Deyo99H@aol.com, by phone at 845.728.2781 or log onto the official BD Motorsports Media website at www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com. BD Motorsports Media can also be found on Facebook.

The Short Track SuperNationals is presented by VP Racing Fuels, Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc., Alpine Building & Post Supply, Dale Smith Photography, Touch of Green Landscaping, Four Star Lettering and BD Motorsports Media.

2012 American Racer/Lias Tire "Road to the SuperNationals"
Friday, March 16 - Selinsgrove Speedway/Selinsgrove, PA - DUANE HOWARD
Sunday, April 8 - Big Diamond Speedway/Minersville, PA - RICK LAUBACH
Monday, July 2 - Five Mile Point Speedway/Kirkwood, NY - KEVIN BATES
Thursday, July 12 - Utica-Rome Speedway/Vernon, NY - STEWART FRIESEN
Saturday, July 14 - New Egypt Speedway/New Egypt, NJ - SAMMY PIAZZA
Saturday, July 21 - Grandview Speedway/Bechtelsville, PA - DON NORRIS JR.
Saturday, August 4 - Bridgeport Speedway/Bridgeport, NJ - RICK LAUBACH
Friday August 10 - I-88 Speedway/Afton, NY
Friday, August 24 - Penn Can Speedway/Susquehanna, PA
Friday, September 14 - Accord Speedway/Accord, NY

Past Short Track SuperNationals Modified Top-Five Finishers
Oct. 8, 2011 Five Mile Point: DUANE HOWARD - Danny Tyler - Billy Pauch Sr. - Jeff Strunk - Jeff Heotzler
Oct. 9, 2010 Five Mile Point: JUSTIN HOLLAND - Billy Pauch Jr. - Kevin Bates - Brian Weaver - Danny Tyler
Oct. 10, 2009 Five Mile Point: KEVIN HIRTHLER - Mike Ricci - Mike Gular - Sean Merkel - Joey Grammes
Oct. 7, 2006 Afton: MIKE RICCI - J.R. Hurlburt - Brian Weaver - Joey Grammes - Davie Franek