WHEATLAND, Mo. -- Unforeseen issues in the infrastructure at the Lucas Oil Speedway have forced Speedway owner Forrest Lucas and General Manager Gary Hubert to make a decision that neither of them wanted to make.

“We have some issues that were unexpected and beyond our control that will delay our opening date,” commented Hubert.

“While this decision disappoints us, our beautiful, new facility can not be operational as we expected by May 20th. We are working with outside firms to resolve these issues. Our construction team and our contractors have been the absolute best during the new construction phase; all of them have performed well beyond the call of duty,” Hubert added.

Lucas stated: “We have been wrestling with this decision for the past few days and have decided that we had to make the decision for a delay in the interest of our fans.”

“This is not a cancellation,” commented Kent Smith, Director of Competition. “We will reschedule each of the events. Drivers will race the same number of nights as originally scheduled, for the same payout each night and for the same points fund that was established for the 2006 season.”

“With the exception of what Mother Nature throws at us, we will produce events on 29 nights: 28 nights of racing plus the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League scheduled for June 17,” added Chuck Stowe, Director of Marketing.

Lucas Oil Speedway officials have now slated Saturday, June 10, as opening night at “The Diamond of Dirt Tracks.” The opening night program will be sponsored by the Bolivar Herald–Free Press and its parent company, Community Publishers, Inc. This night of racing will feature the O'Reilly MLRA and NCRA Late Models, along with USRA Modifieds, Outlaw Figure 8s, B-Mods, Factory Stocks and Pure Stocks.

Gates will open at 4 p.m. Hot laps will start at 6:30 with racing to follow.

Ticket prices for the June 10 event will be $12 for teens (ages 12-17), $18 for adults (18-61) and $12 for seniors (62 and older).

For further information regarding the 2006 revised schedule of events, 2006 special events, opening times and ticket prices, call the Lucas Oil Speedway office at (417) 282-5984 or log on to our Web site at www.lucasoilspeedway.com.