WHEATLAND, Mo.—Along with its ultra competitive nature, the Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mod division at Lucas Oil Speedway often offers up camaraderie between the drivers.

Richland driver Tyler Brown gave an example of how Lebanon's Kris Jackson, a former track champ and a regular near the top of the B-Mod standings, always is willing to dispense helpful advice.

"He helps me a lot, always giving me set-up advice if I ask," Brown said. "We're race-track friends. Any time I have a question, he answers it. We work with each other and I'd say we have a pretty good partnership."

Brown then tossed out a quick, good-natured barb at his racing buddy.

"Maybe I can get up there and hit old Kris Jackson in the bumper this year," Brown said, laughing.

For Brown, the goal of running up front could become more of a reality with the addition of a new GRT Race Car. He's been putting the final touches on the car in preparation for an April 2 practice session ahead of the first Budweiser Weekly Championship Series action of the season on April 16.

Brown is coming off a fourth-place finish in the B-Mod class in 2015 behind track champion Mike Striegel, runner-up Jackson and third-place Andy Bryant.

"I think it's a little tougher division than the A-Mods," Brown said. "I raced an A-Mod for a couple of years and I think the B-Mods are harder to make the feature in."

Brown, 30, has been racing for a dozen years. His dad, Ricky Brown, won a championship back in the 1980s at Lebanon I-44 Speedway when it was dirt.

"He got to where he didn't want to race any more so I took the car over," Tyler Brown said. "He kind of put me in the care and let me get after it."

Brown won 10 features and a track championship in 2013 at Lebanon Midway Speedway. He decided to bring his program to Lucas Oil Speedway each week last season.

"It upped the bar a little bit for us," Brown said. Last season included a second-place finish at Lucas to go with several top-10s.

"We're going to look to be in the top five more often this year and we'd like to pick up a win," Brown said. "I've raced over there five years and never have won.

"I think we should have a pretty mean machine and should be better than the one we had last year. Hopefully, we can go out and prove it."

Brown's GRT includes a Mullens engine and he gets crew help from Johnny McDaniel and Bruce McDaniel. The team is sponsored by Premier Auto Enterprise, Shelter Insurance and Burger Stand of Richland.

Lucas Oil Speedway's season fires up April 8-9 with the Lucas Oil MLRA Spring Nationals with the Budweiser Weekly Championship Series starting April 16.

Lucas Oil Speedway is located at Highways 83 and 54 in Wheatland, Missouri. A campground with shower and bathroom facilities is also available. With it's entrance located just outside the pit gate this sprawling scenic camping facility will continue to enhance the racing experience at the Diamond of Dirt Tracks.

Click www.LucasOilSpeedway.com for more information and detailed directions to the speedway or call the Track Hotline at (417) 282-5984. In addition, fans can get social with Lucas Oil Speedway by following @LucasSpeedway on Twitter, clicking "Like" at www.facebook.com/LucasOilSpeedway and on www.youtube.com/LucasOilSpeedway.