Jim Chisholm pays his first visit to Lucas Oil Speedway this week for the Summit USRA Nationals powered by MyRacePass, seemingly on a path to repeat his USRA B-Mod National Championship.

If the 18-year-old from Osage, Iowa, is feeling any pressure, we’ll never know. Chisholm has been too busy helping work the field on a massive family farm in northeastern Iowa where there are corn and soybean crops to harvest.

And when he’s not out in the fields, or attending classes as a freshman at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, he is going over his car thoroughly to prepare for the 8th annual Nationals, which begin on Wednesday night with a test and tune.

“We’re getting busy this time of the year,” Chisholm said of the harvest season, which began last week. He said early indications are for a good harvest, despite some spring freezes and spotty rainfall.

Chisholm’s results on the race track have been more spot-on than spotty. He has 22 feature wins and 36 top-five finishes in 43 events, which has been good enough to build a 96-point lead in the national standings over fellow Iowan Dan Hovden.

“It’s nice that USRA sets it up so you don’t get burned out by racing a whole series and you can go out and race weekly and have a really good time,” Chisholm said. “I sure hope we can make it down for test and tune. I’m first year in college, so getting away is not the easiest thing in the world.

“We have never raced at Lucas Oil before. We’re pretty excited about going down there and seeing the place. We’ve heard wondrous things about the facility before and are super excited to race there.”

Chisholm got his start in racing as a six-year-old, after his uncle Mark won a chance to drive a Slingshot which is a 1/5-scale Modified with a roll cage and 40-horse Briggs & Stratton engine. Prior to that, Jim Chisholm said his parents had only attended a few races.

“Without that, we were just a farm family,” he said. “Mark came to my parents—I was just six at the time—and asked them if he bought one of the Slingshots if I could run it two or three weekends that summer. We ended up racing it every weekend that summer and have been racing ever since.

"We fell in love with racing and never looked back.”

Chisholm began racing B-Mods as a 13-year-old. He won his first points race, at Deer Creek Speedway, but said he was far from an instant success story with lots to learn before he emerged as a USRA B-Mod National Champion a year ago.

“At the time we were racing against Cole Queensland,” he said of his early days. “He was the one who really helped us and taught us most of the stuff we know about big cars. Without him, we would have been struggling a lot longer.

“We still struggle with things. It’s not like you know everything. You’re always learning in this sport. You always pick up new information because it’s always changing. Kelly Shryock also has been good to us. He’s helped us a few times.

"All our sponsors, and there’s a lot of them, we wouldn’t be able to do what we like without them. It takes a lot of money to do this, but they make it more manageable.”

Brother Joe, who turned 15 in July, has joined Jim in the B-Mod ranks and won his first feature earlier this year. Just like the farm, racing truly is a family operation with everyone helping out on race nights.

“My brother, my Dad and I work on the cars throughout the week and at the race track it's my girlfriend and one of my sisters and her boyfriend. That's our crew," Chisholm said. "My Mom is always at the race track. She's the one doing tire pressures and making sure we don't forget anything."

Meanwhile, the team looks forward to coming south to Lucas Oil Speedway for the first time. Jim Chisholm said one of the best things about the Summit USRA Nationals is competing against—and getting to know—new competitors from different parts of the country. He cited Kris Jackson of Lebanon, a six-time Lucas Oil Speedway track champ whom he edged for USRA National Championship honors a year ago.

“Just a couple of weeks ago, Jackson and them came up to Deer Creek for the Jamboree and raced against us,” Chisholm said. “Kris is an amazing driver and a great person in general. You can go and talk to him and if you have an issue, he’s the first to help you.

“Last year at Nationals, at Webster City, we met a guy from down south, Tyler Kidwell, and we’ve kept in touch. Races like this, where you meet new people and start new friendships that normally last for a long time, are special.”

The United States Racing Association-sanctioned action kicks off with a test and tune from 6-10 p.m. on Wednesday. Racing action begins on Thursday and will feature USRA Modifieds, Medieval USRA Stock Cars, USRA B-Mods and Mensink Racing Products USRA Hobby Stocks all three nights. USRA Tuners join the card Friday and Saturday.

Due to a huge entry list of more than 300 Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series competitors, starting time has been moved up to 6 p.m. each night. A complete show of qualifying heat races and main events will be held each night. Competitors earn points on Thursday and Friday to help determine lineups for Saturday’s main events.

Lots of off-track activity also is scheduled throughout the week, beginning with Wednesday's Test and Tune. Karaoke with a DJ will be held starting at 10:05 p.m. on the drag boat midway, with a beer tent open. The entertainment and beer tent also will be available following racing on Thursday. On Friday after the races, musician Joe Inman will perform on the drag boat midway.

Some special activities have been scheduled during the day for drivers and crew members, beginning on Thursday morning with a Kickball Tournament. Signup starts at 9 a.m. with a $100 entry fee for 9-10 players per team with room for up to 16 teams. The tournament will be held in the grass area by the pit shack.

On Friday, a Dodgeball Tournament is schedule for 10 a.m. by the pit shack. Sign-up starts at 9 with a $50 entry free for six players per team and a maximum of 16 teams.

A Cornhole Tournament is set for Saturday at 10 a.m. on the midway by the USMTS trailer. Sign-up starts at 9 for a maximum of 64 teams with a $50 entry fee. The top five finishers will be paid.

With 100 bonus points for all competitors in the Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series national points battle, along with the huge car counts and opportunities for deep-field runs, most of the top racers in each of the USRA’s five national divisions will be at the Lucas Oil Speedway blockbuster.

Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series national points standings (top 10 in each division featured at the Summit USRA Nationals):

USRA Modifieds
1. 8 Dillon McCowan, Urbana, Mo. ... 4236
2. 88XXX Clyde Dunn Jr., Rockwall, Texas ... 4164
3. 89 Tyler Hibner, Chillicothe, Mo. ... 4153
4. 99 Josh Angst, Winona, Minn. ... 4146
5. 71 Jason Cummins, New Richland, Minn. ... 4031
6. 15W Kale Westover, Blair, Okla. ... 4030
7. 97 Houston Johnson, Kansas City, Mo. ... 4017
8. 07 Cory Crapser, Chippewa Falls, Wis. ... 3989
9. 47 Jack Sartain, Terrell, Texas ... 3937
10. 21 Ryan Middaugh, Fulton, Mo. ... 3855

Medieval USRA Stock Cars
1. 15 Mitch Hovden, Decorah, Iowa ... 4372
2. 54 David Hendrix, Waynesville, Mo. ... 4142
3. 71 Gary Kerr Jr., Odessa, Texas ... 4102
4. 33 Kevin Donlan, Decorah, Iowa ... 4085
5. 21 Myles Michehl, Fort Dodge, Iowa ... 4032
6. 7 Doug Keller, Easton, Mo. ... 3957
7. 23 Brayden Gjere, Mabel, Minn. ... 3866
8. 29 Brady Link, Waukon, Iowa ... 3802
9. 35 Bill Crimmins, Fort Dodge, Iowa ... 3788
10. 43 Calvin Lange, Humboldt, Iowa ... 3776

USRA B-Mods
1. 24C Jim Chisholm, Osage, Iowa ... 4518
2. 16D Dan Hovden, Decorah, Iowa ... 4422
3. 22C Cole Campbell, Mexico, Mo. ... 4415
4. 65 Kris Jackson, Lebanon, Mo. ... 4392
5. 54 Tyler Kidwell, Chanute, Kan. ... 4329
6. 18 J.C. Morton, Springfield, Mo. ... 4311
7. 17 Jeremy Chambers, Baldwin City, Kan. ... 4265
8. 56 Ty Griffith, Webster City, Iowa ... 4222
9. 21 Jackie Dalton, Carthage, Mo. ... 4207
10. 69ER Tyler Cadwallader, Amazonia, Mo. ... 4202

Mensink Racing Products USRA Hobby Stocks
1. 6 Dustin Gulbrandson, Sioux Falls, S.D. ... 4443
2. X Tyler Schlumbohm, Sioux Falls, S.D. ... 4334
3. 18K Dylan Clinton, Edgewood, Iowa ... 4279
4. 81 Joshua Ludeking, Decorah, Iowa ... 4263
5. 26 Matthew Machen, Roswell, N.M. ... 4196
6. 8 Levi Vander Weide, Sioux Falls, S.D. ... 4174
7. 15 Jeremy Crimmins, Fort Dodge, Iowa ... 4162
8. 22 Steve Larson, Decorah, Iowa ... 4104
9. 86 Tracy Halouska, Worthing, S.D. ... 4070
10. 27H Austin Hoeft, Charles City, Iowa ... 4020

USRA Tuners
1. 33T David Thompson, Mesquite, Texas ... 4254
2. 11 Jett Hefti, Kemp, Texas ... 4240
3. 17T Daniel Thompson, Mesquite, Texas ... 4227
4. 35 Brad Stahl, Castalia, Iowa ... 4105
5. 7V Brandon Vink, Humboldt, Kan. ... 4089
6. 33B Bondy Cannon, Mineral Wells, Texas ... 4086
7. 43 Jade Lange, Humboldt, Iowa ... 4018
8. 6H Hunter Krugle, Wichita Falls, Texas ... 3918
9. 17H Clint Haigler, Humboldt, Kan. ... 3879
10. 613X Joseph Smith, Mesquite, Texas ... 3762

Visit USRAracing.com for complete point standings, photos and archived stories.

Summit USRA Nationals schedule and ticket info:

Wednesday, October 6
Pit gate opens – 10 a.m.
Test ‘n’ tune – 6-10 p.m.
Spectator admission to main grandstands – FREE
Pit pass – $25
4-day pit pass – $135

Thursday, October 7
Gates open – 4 p.m.
Racing begins – 6 p.m.
Adult admission (16 & over) – $20
Seniors (62 & over)/military – $17
Youth (ages 6-15) – $5
Kids (5 & under) – FREE
Family pass (two adults + up to three youths) – $45
Pit pass – $35
Adult 3-day general admission – $65
Senior/military 3-day general admission – $56
Youth 3-day general admission – $20
3-day pit pass – $110

Friday, October 8
Gates open – 4 p.m.
Racing begins – 6 p.m.
Adult admission (16 & over) – $20
Seniors (62 & over)/military – $17
Youth (ages 6-15) – $5
Kids (5 & under) – FREE
Family pass (two adults + up to three youth) – $45
Pit pass – $35
Adult 2-day general admission – $45
Senior/military 2-day general admission – $39
Youth 2-day general admission – $15
2-day pit pass – $75

Saturday, October 9
Gates open – 4 p.m.
Racing begins – 6 p.m.
Adult admission (16 & over) – $25
Seniors (62 & over)/military – $22
Youth (ages 6-15) – $10
Kids (5 & under) – FREE
Family Pass (two adults + up to three youth) – $60
Pit pass – $40

Entry fees from now through October 5 are $150 for Modifieds, $100 for Stock Cars and B-Mods, $75 for Hobby Stocks and $40 for Tuners. Beginning October 6 (practice night) and through the rest of the event at the gate, entry fees increase to $200 for Modifieds, $150 for Stock Cars and B-Mods, $100 for Hobby Stocks and $50 for Tuners.

Tickets, for single days and multi-day passes, may be purchased at the gate or online.

If you can't be there in person, RacinDirt has you covered with live coverage of every lap of every race in every division. Check out RacinDirt.TV or download the RacinDirt app for your phone, computer or television. Available on iTunes, AndroidTV, ROKU, fireTV, AppleTV and Google Play Store.

Drivers, click here and get yourself registered for this year's blockbuster Summit USRA Nationals powered by MyRacePass at the Lucas Oil Speedway.

Most camping spots are sold out. Admissions director Nichole McMillan said only primitive dry camping remains, on a first-come, first-served basis for $10 per night, per tent/camper. Those areas are in the timber on the east side of the campground and north of the camp shack located east of Speedway Drive. People will need to check in at the camp shack before dropping campers in the spots they have chosen.

There are a few suites available Thursday and Friday, but as a whole suite holding 18-27 people. Contact McMillan at (417) 282-5984 or via email at nichole@lucasoilspeedway.com for pricing and availability, plus ticket information for any event during the 2021 Lucas Oil Speedway season. 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.

In addition, fans can get social with Lucas Oil Speedway on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

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.

About Lucas Oil Speedway
Lucas Oil Speedway is considered by fans, drivers and industry insiders to be one of the top five racing facilities in the nation. Located in Wheatland, Missouri, approximately an hour from Springfield, and just an hour and a half from the Kansas City metro area, the "Diamond of Dirt Tracks" lives up to its title.

Twenty-one VIP luxury suites, HD Jumbo-Tron screen, stadium-style Musco Sports Lighting, a Bose sound system, go-kart slick track, The Diamond Bar, Track Treasures Gift Shop, the best track food in the country and paved pits are a few of the spectacular amenities setting Lucas Oil Speedway apart.

This year marks the ninth season for the liquid quarter-mile drag racing lake, "Lake Lucas." New for 2017 was all-purpose built off-road facility featuring the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series as well as a host of other regional events.

Lucas Oil Speedway's dirt oval track plays host to some of the largest and most popular dirt track racing events in the world with national and regional touring series appearing frequently including the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, POWRi Midget National Series, Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League, Summit USMTS National Championship fueled by Casey's, Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Cars and the Lucas Oil MLRA.

In addition to the special events, the Lucas Oil Speedway hosts the Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series on Saturdays featuring USRA Modifieds, Medieval USRA Stock Cars and USRA B-Mods plus ULMA Late Models.

Visit usraracing.com for schedules, points, photos, souvenirs, videos and more. Follow our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Click here to get USRA news delivered to your inbox.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

USRA OFFICIAL SPONSORS:  American Racer Racing Tires, Beyea Headers, Chevrolet Performance, Christie Door Company, Fast Shafts, FK Rod Ends, K1 RaceGear by Ryan Bowers, KS Engineering, KSE Racing Products, Mesilla Valley Transportation, MSD, MyRacePass, Nitroquest Media, PEM Racing Gears & Drivetrain, RacinDirt.com, Summit Racing Equipment, Sunoco Race Fuels.

USRA PARTICIPATING SPONSORS:  Boubin Tire & Automotive, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Day Motor Sports, Dealer Reconditioning Services, Forty9 Designs, Four Seven Designs Salon & Boutique, Hi-Tek Paving, Mensink Racing Products, PBM Performance Products, S&S Fishing & Rental, Star 1 Roofing & Construction, Traeger Wood Pellet Grills by Elliott Motorsports, YouDirt.com.

USRA CONTINGENCY SPONSORS:  AFCO Racing Products, Allstar Performance, Bryke Racing, BSB Manufacturing, Champ Pans, Edelbrock, Five1seven Designs, Hooker Harness, Integra Racing Shocks & Springs, Jerovetz Motorsports Racing Parts, Keyser Manufacturing, Landrum Performance Springs, Medieval Chassis, QA1, RacerWebsite.com, Real Racing Wheels, Sybesma Graphics, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Wilwood Disc Brakes Midwest Wrap Co..

USRA RACETRACKS: 81 Speedway, 82 Speedway, Alien Motor Speedway, Ark-La-Tex Speedway, Belleville High Banks, Big O Speedway, Buffalo Creek Speedway, Caney Valley Speedway, Cedar Lake Speedway, Chateau Speedway, Creek County Speedway, Cresco Speedway, Dallas County Speedway, Deer Creek Speedway, Devil’s Bowl Speedway, Eagle Valley Speedway, Fayette County Speedway, Hamilton County Speedway, Humboldt Speedway, I-35 Speedway, I-90 Speedway, Lake Ozark Speedway, Lakeside Speedway, Lawton Speedway, Lebanon Midway Speedway, Longdale Speedway, Lucas Oil Speedway, Mason City Motor Speedway, Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Monarch Motor Speedway, Nevada Speedway, Old 71 Speedway, Outlaw Motor Speedway, Randolph County Raceway, Rapid Speedway, Red Dirt Raceway, Revolution Park, Route 66 Motor Speedway, RPM Speedway, Sports Park Raceway, Springfield Raceway, Superbowl Speedway, Thunderbird Speedway, Tri-State Speedway, Upper Iowa Speedway, Vado Speedway Park, West Texas Raceway.