WHEATLAND, Mo. (Aug. 20, 2025)—One of the best-known drivers to compete at Lucas Oil Speedway and throughout the Ozarks-area over the last three decades is set to make one final run on Saturday night.

Eric Turner from nearby Hermitage is scheduled to drive the USRA B-Mod of Robbe Ewing during the Rempfer Memorial Season Championship Night presented by Bill Roberts Chevrolet. Turner, 47, said that he will hang up the helmet afterward with no regrets.

The idea of finishing with an even number of 30 seasons behind the race-car wheel began last season, after Turner got attractive offers on his motor, car and then hauler. He wasn’t looking to sell everything, but upon further review it seemed the perfect time to scale back.

But Turner wanted to race one more time in 2025 and the Ewing family offered up their USRA B-Mod for the Pitts Homes & Realty Weekly Racing Series finale.

“It wasn’t like I was giving stuff away just to get out of racing,” Turner said of the selling of his equipment. “I was like, ‘I think I’m gonna hang it up.’ This was a good time to go out. I’m not spending a bunch of money. All the cards just kind of fell into place.

“I just wanted to race one time because that’ll be 30 years. Not that it makes a difference or means anything to anybody. But to me it seems like a good spot. If I was to race one time, it was enough that I could be personally satisfied and that I put my time in.

“The Ewings have been good friends of mine. It’s been about a month since I talked to them, I guess. The year is clicking by, so I guess I needed to make a decision. The year is winding down.”

Robbe Ewing will be focusing on protecting his lead in the Hermitage Lumber Late Model division in pursuit of his first track championship. It’s a place where Turner won a track championship more than 20 years ago, when it looked much different as Wheatland Raceway before Ron Jenkins sold the property to Forrest and Charlotte Lucas.

Over the years, Turner has driven in most every class from his start driving what he called “an old asphalt car on the dirt” at Nevada Speedway. Ozarks Area Racers Foundation Hall of Fame member Rex Merritt was an early mentor and inspiration, beginning when he autographed a picture for a 13-year-old Turner.

“Rex called Mike Clark with Dirtworks and got me on a program and that’s where it all really started,” Turner recalled. “I got into a good car and eventually into a better car and it went from there.”

Turner moved through the ranks and compiled more than 200 career feature wins. He became one of the region’s top Modified drivers and even competed in some Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series events. One of his most-memorable nights was winning in three divisions in 2007 at Wheatland - Late Models, Modifieds and Stock Cars.

“I was jumping from one car to the next and took them each through the tech barn at the end of the night,” Turner said. “I don’t know what the highlight of my racing career is. It’s difficult when you’ve traveled around and run a bunch of classes. I’m grateful for all of it.”

Along with Merritt, Turner mentioned Scotty Allen and Terry Phillips as key influences in his career along with Terry Pannell for financing his Late Model days. Another highlight was off the track, when he worked for Roush-Yates Racing as an ambassador to help the NASCAR-based engine company connect with dirt teams around the country.

“It’s been a good time,” Turner said of his racing career.

Lucas Oil Speedway will crown track champions in five divisions on Saturday night in a program named to honor Harold "Rowdy" Rempfer and his wife, Julia, who were killed in an automobile accident seven years ago. Rowdy was the mayor of Wheatland and he and Julia both worked at Lucas Oil Speedway.

Twenty-lap features are schedule for the Hermitage Lumber Late Models, Arctic Food Equipment USRA Modifieds, Clear Creek Golf Cars USRA B-Mods, O'Reilly Auto Parts USRA Stock Cars and Hickamo Super Stocks.

In addition, the final round of the Kids' Power Wheel Races will be held during intermission with season championships awarded to the youngsters. The kids can sign up to race at the RCR Designs Junior Fan Club on the midway prior to Saturday's action.

Pits and spectator gates open at 4 p.m. with hot laps at 6:30 and racing at 7:05.

Saturday admission:
Ages 6 and up - $5
Ages 5 and under - FREE
Pit Pass - $35

Camping: Daily rates (limited availability):
Dry Camping $15/Night (up to 6 people) ($5 additional a night per person)
Reserve Dry $25/Night (up to 6 people $5 additional a night per person)
Reserved Electric & Water- $40/Night (up to 6 people) ($5 additional a night per person)

For information on admission or camping for any Lucas Oil Speedway event in 2025, contact Admissions Director Nichole McMillan at (417) 282-6119 or (417) 295-6043 or email her at nmcmillan@lucasoilspeedway.com for more information.

To learn more about the USRA, check out www.usraracing.com and follow our social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and YouTube. For exclusive promotions delivered to your inbox, click here to subscribe today.

The United States Racing Association (USRA) was formed in 2002, and currently sanctions eight divisions at some of the finest speedways in America. With the incredible support of dozens of marketing partners, the USRA is able to provide points funds and contingency awards that are second to none in dirt track racing. Thousands of racers compete in the Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series at some of the most elite dirt track facilities in America.

The 12th Annual Summit USRA Nationals happens Sept. 30 through Oct. 4 at the legendary Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo., featuring USRA Modifieds, USRA Stock Cars, USRA B-Mods, USRA Hobby Stocks and USRA Tuners in their Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series national points finales.

The 6th Annual Summit USRA Southern Nationals returns to the Boothill Speedway in Greenwood, La., from Oct. 16-18, featuring USRA Limited Mods and Sunoco USRA Factory Stocks in their final Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series national points event.

USRA Official Sponsors: American Racer Racing Tires, Beyea Headers, Christie Door Company, Fast Shafts, FK Rod Ends, KSE Racing Products, Mesilla Valley Transportation, Nitroquest Media, PEM Racing Gears & Drivetrain, RacinDirt, Summit Racing Equipment, Sunoco Race Fuels.

USRA Presenting Sponsors: Boubin Tire & Automotive, Brodix Cylinder Heads, PBM Performance Products, YouDirt.com.

USRA Contingency Sponsors: AERO Race Wheels, AFCO Racing Products, Allstar Performance, Bryke Racing, BSB Manufacturing, Champ Pans, Dynamic Drivelines, Edelbrock, Gorsuch Performance Solutions, Hooker Narness, Hyperco, Integra Racing Shocks & Springs, JE Pistons, Keyser Manufacturing, KS Engineering, Landrum Performance Springs, MD3, MSD Performance, Performance Bodies & Parts, QA1, Quarter Master, QuickCar Racing Products, RaceQuip, RacerWebsite.com, Real Racing Wheels, Rush RaceGear by Austin Witt, Sweet Manufacturing, Swift Springs, Sybesma Graphics, Total Power, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Wilwood Disc Brakes.