Last season can be summed up succinctly for one of Lucas Oil Speedway’s most consistent drivers over the years.

“Very frustrating,” said Jason Pursley, the veteran USRA Modified driver from Hermitage, Missouri. “About the worst year we’ve had, forever. Lots of things went wrong. We had electrical issues and that kind of got started us off bad and we fought that for five or six weeks. We were just ready for a change and Tom was ready for a change. He went and picked up this car.”

Tom is Tom Campbell, the team’s car owner. Campbell and Pursley have been teamed up for a dozen years and the duo is off to a flying start in 2021, with a new MB Customs chassis. On the strength of feature finishes of second, fourth and sixth, Pursley leads the Cedar Creek Beef Jerky USRA Modified points chase entering Saturday night’s Round 4 of the Big Adventure Weekly Racing Series.

“We got (the car) towards end of last year and had about five races on it entering this season,” Pursley said. “It’s a different feel than what we were used to. So far, it’s been really consistent. When you make a change to the car, no matter how small, you can feel it. So far, so good.”

Except at the “Battle of the Bullring” at Humboldt Speedway in late March, where Pursley said “we kind of got our butts kicked and came back home and changed everything but the driver and he was next. We’re pretty happy so far at Lucas.”

“Mike Striegel gave me a couple of ideas that he learned on his MB Custom. We talked to a few other people. Darron Fuqua helped us with some ideas. We put it all together and so far, so good.”

Pursley said having a car owner like Campbell has been a blessing. It’s rare that a driver and team owner have such a long-standing partnership.

“We’re good friends and we work good together,” Pursley said. “My personality and his personality goes well together. We both want to do well and do as good as we can but if we have a bad night, it’s not the end of the world either. Tom is real sensible in that aspect.”

Pursley’s frustration in 2020 saw him salvage a top-five in Lucas Oil Speedway points despite zero top-five feature finishes. Pursley has three runner-up finishes in points since 2015, along with a third and a pair of fourths.

Known as “The Racing Principal,” Pursley said finally winning a Lucas Oil Speedway championship is an obvious goal but that it’s way too early to focus on that.

“Right now you just want to get top-fives,” Pursley said. “We just want to be competitive and towards the front every week. Eventually I would like to win the points championship, just because I’ve been second like 20 times. But you don’t worry about points until the last quarter of the season. If you do, it makes racing not enjoyable as you have stress every week.

“For now, you just do what you can and when you get down to it, we’ll worry about it at that point. We just want to be competitive with our speed and be in the top five every week. Then if you can do that little extra and get a couple of wins, it’ll be a successful season.”

Pursley has added a new sponsor this season, joining Campbell and longtime sponsors Fugate Motors and Carson’s Corner NAPA Auto Parts. Ozarks Community Health Center out of Hermitage came aboard this season. Pursley, completing his 17th year as Principal at Hickory County R1 Skyline Elementary, has worked closely with OCHC the last few years.

“Scott Crouch is the CEO and they do a lot for the schools,” Pursley said. “They have a behavior specialist they send to the schools along with ‘Miles for Smiles,’ a mobile dental unit to the schools providing dental care for hundreds of kids for free. I’m used to working with them and one thing led to another. I think it’s gonna be a really good partnership.”

A younger Pursley, Jason’s 18-year-old son Dayton, also is off to a good racing start. Dayton is seventh in the Ozark Golf Cars USRA B Mod points.

“He’s getting there. He really developed last year,” Jason said of Dayton. “I really look for him to get a win this year. He’s doing a good job, keeping his nose pretty clean and showing some speed.”

Lucas Oil Speedway resumes action on Saturday night with NMI/VMG Marketing and Wild Animal Safari presenting the action. Cedar Creek Beef Jerky USRA Modifieds will run a special 25-lap, $1,000-to-win feature to highlight the program. Metal Buildings ULMA Late Models, Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mods and O’Reilly Auto Parts USRA Stock Cars also are on the schedule.

In honor of Mother's Day Weekend, all Mom's will be admitted free courtesy of NMI/VMG Marketing and Wild Animal Safari.

Fans can take in Saturday's action from a VIP Suite on the third level overlooking the front straightaway, as a limited number of individual tickets are available priced at $24 apiece. All VIP Suite seats must be pre-paid and can be reserved by calling Admissions Director Nichole McMillan at (417) 282-5984.

The suite offers prime viewing from inside, where the temperature is climate-controlled, or an outside seating area. Food and drinks are not included in the ticket price, though a host/hostess will be available to take food and drink orders throughout the evening.

Gates open at 4 p.m. with hot laps at 6:30 and opening ceremonies at 7:05.

Admission prices:
(*Mothers admitted FREE)
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

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.

Find additional information on NMI/VMG Marketing at ViettiMarketing.com and Wild Animal Safari at AnimalSafari.com.