Christopher Gavin Watts sold some of his favorite items, including jet skis and a RZR side-by-side, to pull together enough money to buy his first race car. His plan was to go racing in the USRA B-Mod division with his cousin, James Gates.

That dream never had the chance to happen. Gates was killed last December in an automobile accident in Hickory County, shaking not only the family but the tight-knit Ozarks-area dirt-track racing community.

After Watts decided to race on in 2022, he decided to pay tribute to his cousin at the same time. Watts is driving Gates' car, keeping the same door panels with the orange-on-black No. 98.

The idea came about while chatting with veteran racer and Lucas Oil Speedway flagman Mike Striegel, a racing mentor to both cousins.

“We were gonna put a new body on the car," Watts said. "Striegel was like, ‘What do you say we keep her close to the same this year?’ We kind of just went with the flow and are doing a memorial car for him this year. His wife thought it was a good idea and everything just kind of fell into place.

"It's been a cool little deal and keeping everybody involved in the deal he started."

Despite missing one racing program to attend a wedding, Watts sits 13th in the Lucas Oil Speedway Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mod points, just 33 out of the top 10. The B-Mods will be the featured division at Saturday night's Veterans and Military Appreciation Night Presented by KOZL.

Watts said he feels good about his rookie season and is quick to thank several people who have helped him, including Striegel along with his Dad and Grandfather.

Watts has qualified to two B-Mod A Features in seven Lucas Oil Speedway programs, with finishes near the back of the pack. But he said last time out for the Thursday Night Thunder program was one of his best despite missing the A Feature lineup by one transfer position from the B-Main.

"We didn’t make it to the show, but the car handled really good," Watts said. "We had one other time the car was excellent, when we went to I-35 in Winston and missed the show by one spot there, like we did last weekend.

“This whole experience has been awesome. I’ve wanted to do it forever and with the circumstances that happened, getting to do it in my cousin’s car is pretty cool."

Watts, who is from Osceola, said he and Gates, from Wheatland, grew up around racing as their dads both raced on the dirt. The cousins were one year apart in age.

"He got into it before I did and got him a car - this car I’m racing now was his first car, also," Watts said.

Since he began racing this season, Watts said many other family members and even some of Gates' friends and even Late Model racer Joe Walkenhorst have offered to help.

"A lot of people are supporting it and it’s just been a cool thing," he said.

Driving in the ultra-competitive USRA B-Mod division, where four speedway regulars (Kris Jackson, JC Morton, Andy Bryant and Ryan Gillmore) have claimed past USRA National Championships, has been an education. Watts said he learns by keeping his eyes and ears open to advice.

"It’s very tough and we have learned a lot just by watching some of the veteran drivers," Watts said. "They race clean. Nobody races you too dirty. But man, if you want to run up front, you better know what you’re doing.

"When we started this year, I missed one race to go to a wedding and we dropped from 10th to now ranked 13th. That’s not too bad for a first year, jumping straight into the B-Mod class. A lot of the B-Mod drivers aren’t scared to help. Jackson, he’s one you can learn from just watching him race."

Team sponsors include Motley Dozing and Construction, 5W Customs, Rains Seed Service, C&R Lawn Care and Tree Service and Outlaw Race Bodies.

Watts said he would like to finish top 10 in points or even claim a top-10 feature finish before the season concludes. He wants to do it for himself and to honor his cousin.

"I’m starting with my goals pretty small, but I didn’t think this year would go as good as it has so far," Watts said. "We’re gonna keep on trying to make our way faster.”

Drag boats and dirt-track doubleheader: It's a big doubleheader racing weekend of racing at Lucas Oil Speedway with the Kentucky Drag Boat Association firing up the KDBS Summer Thunder on Lake Lucas during the daytime, Saturday and Sunday. Round one of qualifying is tentatively set to begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday.

Spectators can make it a full day of racing action by sticking around for Saturday night's action on the dirt track. The Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series resumes as KOZL Presents Veterans and Military Appreciation Night, with all veterans or military personnel admitted free with ID. Any spectator purchasing a drag boat ticket, or a two-day drag boat pass, also will gain free admittance to the dirt-track program.

On the dirt, the Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mods will be the evening's featured class running for a special 25-Lap, $750 to win Main Event. Hot laps are set for 6:30 p.m. with racing at 7:05.

Kids' Pit Tour: Prior to the dirt-track racing program, flagman Mike Striegel will lead his weekly Kids' Pit Tour on a large golf cart for youngsters ages 5-12. The kids can sign up at the Frogs Jr Fan Club on the south end of the Midway prior to 5 p.m. for a chance to go on the pit tour.

Saturday KDBA Summer Thunder on Lake Lucas schedule
7 a.m. - Registration opens
8 a.m. - Spectator gates open
9 a.m. - Round 1 qualifying sportsman session
10:30 a.m. - Round 1 qualifying pro session
12:30 p.m. - Round 2 qualifying sportsman session
2 p.m. - Round 2 qualifying pro session

Saturday Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series schedule
4 p.m. - Gates open
6:30 p.m. - Hot laps
7:05 p.m. - Racing begins

Sunday KDBA Summer Thunder on Lake Lucas schedule
8 a.m. - Gates open
9 a.m. - Racing begins

Saturday Drag Boat admission:
Adults GA/Pit Pass Combo (16 and up) - $30
Seniors (62 and up)/Military GA/Pit Pass Combo (62 and up) - $27
Youth GA/Pit Pass Combo (age 6 to 15) - $10
Kids GA/Pit Pass Combo (age 5 and under) - FREE
Family Pass GA/Pit Pass Combo $70 Includes Admission for 2 Adults and Up to 3 Kids Ages - (6-15)
Adult 2-Day GA/Pit Pass Combo - $55
Seniors (62 and up)/Military 2-Day GA/Pit Pass Combo - $49
Youth Ages (6-15) 2-Day GA/Pit Pass Combo - $20
(All tickets include access to the Drag Boat pit area)
(All Saturday and 2-Day tickets include entry to the Dirt Track Event on Saturday night)

Sunday Drag Boat Admission
Adults GA/Pit Pass Combo (16 and up) - $25
Seniors (62 and up)/Military GA/Pit Pass Combo (62 and up) - $22
Youth GA/Pit Pass Combo (age 6 to 15) - $10
Kids GA/Pit Pass Combo (age 5 and under) - FREE
Family Pass GA/Pit Pass Combo - $60 i(ncludes admission for 2 adults and up to 3 kids ages 6-15)
(All tickets include access to the Drag Boat pit area)

Dirt track admission:
Advance Discount Tickets online only (16 and up) $12
Adults (16 and up) $15
Seniors (62 and up)/Military $12
Youth (6-15) $5
Kids (5 and under) FREE
Family Pass $35 (Click Here for more information)
Pit Pass $30
(Grandstand admission FREE with Saturday drag boat ticket or 2-day drag boat pass)

To purchase tickets for any event on Lucas Oil Speedway's schedule, or to inquire about camping information, contact Admissions Director Nichole McMillan at (417) 295-6043 or via email at nichole@lucasoilspeedway.com.

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, Nitroquest Media, PEM Racing Gears & Drivetrain, RacinDirt, Summit Racing Equipment, Sunoco Race Fuels.

USRA PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: ARMI Contractors, Boubin Tire & Automotive, Brodix Cylinder Heads, DAY Motorsports, Innovative AutoGlass & Window Tint, PBM Performance Products, Star 1 Roofing & Construction, Stealth Oilwell Services, Texas Locomotive Solutions, TNT Auto Parts, YouDirt.com.

USRA CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, Allstar Performance, Bryke Racing, BSB Manufacturing, Champ Pans, Edelbrock, Hooker Harness, Integra Racing Shocks & Springs, JE Pistons, Keyser Manufacturing, Landrum Performance Springs, Medieval Chassis, Performance Bodies & Parts, QA1, RacerWebsite.com, Real Racing Wheels, Swift Springs, Sybesma Graphics, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Wilwood Disc Brakes Five1seven Designs, Four Seven Designs Salon & Boutique, Hi-Tek Paving, Jerovetz Motorsports Racing Parts, Penske Racing Shocks, Race Smart Wraps, S&S Fishing & Rental, Traeger Wood Pellet Grills by Elliott Motorsports.

USRA RACETRACKS: 67 Speedway of Texarkana, 81 Speedway, Alien Motor Speedway, Ark-La-Tex Speedway, Big O Speedway, Bolivar Speedway, Callaway Raceway, Caney Valley Speedway, Cedar Lake Speedway, Centerville Super Speedway, Chateau Speedway, Crawford County Speedway, Cresco Speedway, Dallas County Speedway, Deer Creek Speedway, Diamond Park Speedway, Eagle Valley Speedway, Electric City Speedway, Elk City Motorsports Park, Fairmont Raceway, Fayette County Speedway, Gondik Law Speedway, Hamilton County Speedway, Humboldt Speedway, I-35 Speedway, I-90 Speedway, Lake Ozark Speedway, Lakeside Speedway, Lawton Speedway, Lucas Oil Speedway, Mason City Motor Speedway, Midway Speedway, Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Pike County Speedway, Rapid Speedway, Rocket Raceway Park, Sports Park Raceway, Springfield Raceway, Super Bee Speedway, Superbowl Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track, Tomahawk Speedway, Tri-State Speedway, Tulsa Speedway, Vado Speedway Park, West Texas Raceway, Winneshiek Raceway.