Evan Hubert (9) duels with USRA Modified points leader Darron Fuqua during a feature race at Lucas Oil Speedway.

The first segment of the 2018 Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series could have left Evan Hubert beaten down, as he averaged a lowly 17th-place finish through four USRA Modified events.

But the driver from nearby Pittsburg, Mo., instead came roaring back. Over the last five races, Hubert has two wins and an average finishing position of fourth. As the Lucas Oil Speedway Tailgate Guys Radio Spotlight Driver of the Week, Hubert will look for another contending run this week in the special "Thursday Night Thunder" program.

"We got something figured out on that car," Hubert said of the turnaround. "We did some shock changes and made the car a heck of a lot better. I think that's one of the biggest factors.

"Obviously, chassis matters quite a bit, but the shocks are where it's at, honestly. We've done some testing in the past and got to see what little changes you make to a shock and what a big impact it can make to a car. It's frickin' mind-boggling."

Hubert, in the sharp-looking gold No. 9 MB Customs car, certainly knows his way around the Lucas Oil Speedway facility better than most. His dad, Gary Hubert, built the place and Evan won some races a few years ago in the Limited Late Model division before switching to USRA Modifieds a couple of years ago.

But his feature victory on May 25, which ignited the hot streak, was significant. It came during the middle night of the track's highest-profile weekend, the Show-Me 100 presented by ProtecttheHarvest.com and in a field of 67 competitors.

"It awesome, to win right there close to home," Hubert said. "It's tough down there, especially in the Mods, where there are so many good cars. And especially when there are 67 of them.

"I'd never won a Mod race there. The closest I got there was second a few years ago. Somehow, I pulled it off with 67 of them. It was awesome, one of the most meaningful wins I've ever had. Pretty neat."

Evan Hubert called his USRA Modified win during Show-Me 100 weekend one of the most meaningful of his career.

Hubert, 27, won again three weeks later, on Father's Day weekend, which was another special win. Racing is a family tradition as Gary Hubert used to compete at the old Wheatland Raceway and Evan's older brother, J.D., also raced for several years.

"I actually raced a Ford Pinto when I was 12 or 13 years old," Evan Hubert said of his racing start. "After only a few races, I jumped into a B Mod. I crashed it and Dad put me in his A Mod. From there, I ran the A Mod a couple of years, off and on, then we switched to limited Late Models for a couple of years.

"We dabbled in some open Late Model stuff, too. I ran the whole MLRA tour and was 2010 Rookie of the Year, but we never won any races."

Hubert switched back to USRA Modifieds last year because he didn't have the time to devote to Late Models as he's trying to get a metal-building business off the ground.

"The rest of the year we're going to try to win as many races as we can. We're running for points and trying to catch up to Darron Fuqua, but he's tough," Hubert said of the points leader.

No matter the division, Hubert might be a leading contender for best-appearing car. He said he came up with the unique metallic-gold look with help from Chris Davis of Midwest Sheet Metal.

"I came up with that look two years ago," Hubert said. "I told Dad that if we were running the Protect the Harvest theme, it would be cool to have a Protect the Harvest-looking car."

Other sponsors along with Protect the Harvest and Midwest Sheet Metal are Lucas Oil, Fast Shafts and Schlesselman Fencing.

Casey's General Stores and KY3 Present the "Thursday Night Thunder" program, which finds the Warsaw Auto Marine & RV ULMA Late Models featured with a 25-lap, $1,000-to-win main event courtesy of Rains Ice. USRA Modifieds, Out-Pace USRA B-Mods and Big O Tires Street Stocks also will be in action with $2 discount admission coupons at participating area Casey's locations.

Post-race fireworks and a bicycle giveaway for kids also highlight the evening. Youngsters ages 5-12 can sign up for the Frog's Signs Junior Fan Club on the midway for a chance to win a bicycle during intermission. Assistant General Manager Danny Lorton said drivers, sponsors or fans can bring bicycles to the track on Thursday for the giveaway.

Gates open at 4 p.m. with hot laps at 6:30 and opening ceremonies at 7.

Admission prices:
Adults (16 and over) $15
Seniors (62 and over)/Military $12
Youth (ages 6-15) $5
Kids (5-and-under) FREE
Family pass $30
Pit pass $30

The Tailgate Guys Radio Show airs each Saturday, 11:05 a.m.-noon on KICK 92.3 FM, 1340 AM or online at 923kick.com. It features a segment each week with news from Lucas Oil Speedway.

For ticket information on all events at Lucas Oil Speedway in 2018, contact admission director Nichole McMillan at (417) 282-5984 or by email at nichole@LucasOilSpeedway.com. Fans also can go online to purchase tickets for any event on the 2018 schedule.

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 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.