Taylor Moore of Bois D'Arc, Missouri, finished third in Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mod points in 2017 at Lucas Oil Speedway.

For one of the Ozarks' rising USRA B-Mod prospects, it's time to start dreaming of spring-time warmth and top-five finishes in the season ahead at Lucas Oil Speedway.

But for now, Taylor Moore is keeping his skills sharp behind the wheel of go-karts. There's a major indoor race this weekend in Lebanon where, win or lose, Moore figures it'll help keep his driving skills sharp.

"It's not like a big car, but the actions are kind of the same," said the 21-year-old Moore, whose family operates the go-kart track Bois D'Arc Speedway. He said he's won a handful of races there this winter, when weather has permitted racing outside.

"It keeps you in tune and you have to hit your marks ... and it's an adrenaline rush that's the same as you get in a big car," Moore added.

Moore, a third-generation racer from Bois D'Arc, has plenty to be excited about as he eyes the 2018 season. He finished third in the Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mod points chase last season, his first driving at Lucas Oil Speedway and just his second year in a Modified.

"It started off a little rough, but definitely got better as it went along," Moore said. "I got better as a driver and at reading race tracks. I thought finishing third in points there for my first season was pretty good. From about the middle of the year on, we were finishing top 10, top five and just trying to keep a good point average going.

"The competition in the B-Mods is so good. You have guys like (track champion) Andy Bryant, Kris Jackson, JC Morton and those are only a few. If you can go and run with those guys at Lucas and be competitive, you can go and run anywhere."

Moore said his switch to a Hoffman Race Car about the middle of 2017 was a key and he's confident he will continue to get better the more he races it. He utilizes a crate motor, which means less horsepower than some other competitors. But The 2014 Ash Grove High School graduate said his driving style seems to be a good fit for the power plant.

"When the track slicks off, it seems like the crate is more dominant," Moore said. "You don't need all that horsepower when the track slicks off. When everything slows down a little bit, I seem to get a little better."

Taylor Moore (00) and Mike Striegel (17) duel during a feature last season at Lucas Oil Speedway. Striegel, a long-time racer, is giving the 21-year-old Moore some sponsorship help in 2018.

Moore said a goal for the new season, along with finishing near the top of season points at Lucas, is to be in the USRA B-Mod National points mix. He hopes to use some weekends when Lucas Oil Speedway isn't running B-Mods to take his racing on the road.

Those extra races and additional travel, however, require more funding. Moore said his budget is limited, which is why he appreciates the help from his sponsors - including new backing from Mike Striegel's Team Outlaw Race Bodies.

Striegel is one of the area's veteran Modified drivers and he picks a young B-Mod driver each season to help. Others have included Andy Bryant the year he won the USRA B-Mod National championship, Ryan Gillmore and Kaeden Cornell. This year, it will be Moore.

"He's a good kid and like all those young guys I've helped, just has that will to win and desire to get it done," Striegel said. "I've watched Taylor a lot and he's a winner. He's a good kid, but he will race you hard. Me and him had a couple of run-ins last year and, like I told him, we're not gonna stop racing each other hard just because I'm sponsoring him a little bit."

Moore appreciates the kind words and support.

"To have somebody of his caliber tell me he wants to help me out, that means a lot," Moore said. "I'm just kind of a backyard go-kart racer. I don't have a big shop or fancy racing operation. For him to offer that really helps."

Additional sponsors include C&M Gearworks, Jordan Valley Auto Body, Hoffman Race Cars, Midwest Sheet Metal, R&M Pallets, Schuchmann Cattle Company, Rockin' S Farms, Billy Goin Motorsports and Bois D'Arc Speedway.

The Lucas Oil Speedway 2018 season begins April 7 with the Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series opener.

For ticket information, including season passes for the 2018 season, contact admissions director Nichole McMillan at (417) 282-5984 or by email at Nichole@lucasoilspeedway.com.

Lucas Oil Speedway is located at Highways 83 and 54 in Wheatland, Missouri. A campground with shower and bathroom facilities is also available. With its 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 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.