Season begins Saturday at Lucas Oil Speedway


After a successful test and tune last weekend, all systems are set on go as Lucas Oil Speedway fires up a new season with Saturday night’s Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series Spring Opener presented by Benne Media.

The first of 14 points programs for the Cedar Creek Beef Jerky USRA Modifieds, Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mods, O'Reilly Auto Parts USRA Stock Cars and Missouri Metal Buildings ULMA Late Models will find hot laps at 6:30 p.m. and racing at 7:05. Gates open at 4 p.m.

“We had a great test and tune last Saturday and everyone is excited to get the new season underway,” Lucas Oil Speedway General Manager Danny Lorton said. “Opening night always has an extra buzz in the air and this year will be no exception.”

If there’s anything certain, it will be another competitive and fun season in the Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mod division.

Three former USRA B-Mod national champions—JC Morton, Kris Jackson and Andy Bryant—are Lucas Oil Speedway regulars. There also are veterans like Ryan Gillmore and Eric Turner who always are threats to win and up-and-coming younger drivers such as Dillon McCowan and J.C. Newell.

“They’re coming up through the ranks and getting better and better each year,” Morton said of the youngsters. “It’s tough. It’s hard to get into the top five some nights. Everybody’s continually getting better.”

Morton, a two-time Lucas Oil Speedway champion, finished just five points behind Jackson in the points chase a year ago as Jackson claimed his fifth track championship. Morton, from Springfield, will have momentum and a new chassis as the season begins.

Driving a new Allen Autosports chassis, Morton won the Battle at the Bullring at Humboldt Speedway last weekend with Jackson in second. After a heat-race mishap, Morton came from the C and B mains to earn a 20th-starting position in the $10,000-to-win main event.

“We kind of kept digging,” Morton said. “We made it through the C and then the B and started in the back of the A. I kind of bought some time early and finally, by the end of the night we were at the front.”

Robbie Reed returns in pursuit of a third straight Lucas Oil Speedway Cedar Creek Beef Jerky USRA Modified title, and making their debut as a points division will be the O’Reilly Auto Parts USRA Stock Cars, which is expected to bring several new faces to the speedway along with some familiar names who competed in the Street Stock division in past years.

Drivers who have not yet done so are encouraged to register much of their paperwork information ahead of time with MyRacePass https://www.myracepass.com/tracks/1865/registrations/3584. Upon entering the basic information, drivers will be able to bypass almost all paperwork at the track.

Drivers can also save time at check in by printing off the driver registration paperwork, including a W-9, from the Lucas Oil Speedway website, completing it ahead of time and bringing it in with them.

USRA Modifieds, USRA B-Mods and USRA Stock Car drivers all have to purchase their USRA Licenses directly from USRA prior to the first event, with only temporary licenses sold at the track.

Ticket Prices:
Adults (16 and over) $12
Seniors (62 and over)/Military $9
Youth (ages 6-15) $5
Kids (5 and under) FREE
Family pass $30
Pit pass $30

Suite available for opening night: A 18-seat suite on the third level, offering prime viewing from inside or outside, is available for opening night. Individual seats are $24 with food and drinks not included, though a host/hostess will be available to take food and drink orders. Call the speedway office at (417) 282-5984 for more information.

For ticket information for any event during the 2021 Lucas Oil Speedway season, contact Admissions Director Nichole McMillan at (417) 282-5984 or via email at nichole@lucasoilspeedway.com. Fans also can use the online ticketing system.

Complete Lucas Oil Speedway event information, archived race recaps, previews and driver features, along with ticket information and schedules can be found by visiting 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 on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.