Lucas Oil Speedway has long been known for its large fields and top quality when it comes to Out-PAce USRA B-Mod racing. This weekend, that's even going to be kicked up a few more notches.

The inaugural B-Mod Clash of Champions will bring together the best of the locals against some top out-of-state invaders, with $3,000 up for grabs to the winner of Saturday night's 40-lap feature.

For Kris Jackson, a former Lucas Oil Speedway track champion and six-time feature winner at the speedway in 2018, it's a much-anticipated event. Jackson, of Lebanon, Mo., also is the Out-Pace USRA B-Mod national points leader in the Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series.

"It's going to bring in a lot of cars to give us a lot more competition," Jackson said. "It's going to be stout, with a lot of really good cars from up north. There are some people I've met and raced with from up there and I can't wait for them to try out this track."

The 5th annual Lucas Oil MLRA Fall Nationals will run in conjunction with the event, which kicks off with an open practice from 6-9 p.m. Thursday night.

Jackson and other local standouts included 2018 track champion J.C. Morton and 2017 champ Andy Bryant will be among those defending the home dirt in the B-Mod action. Jackson noted that brothers Parker and Jackson Hale from Grand Meadow, Minn., along with Shaun Walski of Rollingstone, Minn., will be drivers to deal with.

"Parker is fast and Walski is a front-runner at Mississippi Thunder Speedway in Wisconsin," Jackson said. "He's a pretty well-funded team and he'll be hard to beat. Those are a couple of stand-outs."

But when it comes to stand-outs, Jackson has been at the top of the list in 2018 with 26 victories in 45 USRA starts. He has an eye-popping 41 top-five finishes while building a 104-point lead over Iowa's Dan Hovden in the USRA championship chase.

"This is the best year we've ever had," Jackson said. "We've won all the big-money shows we've went to, except for one (in Wisconsin) when we broke a U joint. We've been real fortunate."

Jackson said the key to his winning and consistency has been "really good help."

"My car doesn't want for much," Jackson added. "I have really good sponsors and they keep me in good parts. I don't get all my money at one time, I get it spread throughout the year so I'm never running on a shoestring budget like I used to.

"With the bigger wins we've had, we've been able to keep better stuff and newer tires. And (Jim) Ruble keeps us with a good power plant and that's a key. We're just fortunate."

This weekend's format is a little different for the B-Mods. Passing points from two rounds of heat races on Friday night will set the first 14 starting positions for Saturday's feature. The remainder of the main-event field will come from Saturday-night preliminary action.

Jackson said he hasn't studied the qualifying format and didn't seem concerned because it's the same for everyone.

"If they tell me to run two heat races or race to the end of the parking lot and back, that's what I'm gonna do," he said.

Should rain postpone Saturday's action, Sunday is the rain date.

TIMES AND TICKETS

Thursday:
Open practice from 6-9 p.m.
Grandstands (all ages) FREE
Pit pass $25
Live music in Diamond Bar from 8-12 p.m.

Friday:
Gates open at 4 p.m.
Hot laps at 6:30 p.m.
Opening ceremonies at 7 p.m.
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 $35
Two rounds of B-Mod heat races. Following the second round, the top 14 drivers in passing points will be locked into Saturday night's "A" Feature. A full Lucas Oil MLRA program will be held.

Saturday:
Gates open at 4 p.m.
Hot laps at 6:30 p.m.
Opening ceremonies at 7 p.m.
Adults (16 and over) $20
Seniors (62 and over)/Military $17
Youth (ages 6-15) $10
Kids (5 and under) FREE
Family pass $40
Pit pass $40
"Alphabet" main events will be held for the B-Mods with the top 10 "B" Main finishers advancing to the 40-lap "A" Main. Another full Lucas Oil MLRA program will be held and a season champion determined.

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.