William Garner has done everything but win a feature race this season in Lucas Oil Speedway’s O’Reilly Auto Parts USRA Stock Car division, finishing as runner-up three times. The 22-year-old from Lebanon is confident that first win is coming soon.

But for starters, Garner is going to have to drive his way past two of his closest friends to get it done.

“I grew up with Bryan White. He’s my best friend and Rob is like my other dad,” Garner said of the Lebanon son-father duo who are 1-2 in the Stock Cars points battle. Just a couple of weeks ago, Garner finished second as Rob White picked up the feature win and Bryan ran third.

“I grew up with them and have been around racing with them forever,” Garner said. “I would go with them and Bryan started racing and now we’re all in Stock Cars. It’s pretty fun when we go 1-2-3.”

Garner looks to find his way to victory lane again on Saturday night at Ozarks Food Harvest Food Drive Night Presented by KY3. Fans can attend free by bringing four non-perishable food items to the main gate.

The USRA Stock Cars will headline the action with a special 25-lap, $750-to-win main event. The Cedar Creek Beef Jerky USRA Modifieds, Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mods and Hermitage Lumber Late Models also will be in action.

Garner said since he’s fixed motor issues that plagued him early in the season, he’s been on a winning trajectory. He said better draws for his heat race and then earning a better starting spot in the feature would be helpful in leading to a win.

“We have a good car, thanks to my parents, along Josh and Mitchell Franklin,” Garner said. “They’ve helped me a lot. We just need a little luck on our side now.

“I help Josh in the winters and in my free time to build cars. My free time over there I built this car over the winter and he coached me how to do it. We pretty well did it together.”

Each week finds the Stock Cars battling it out side-by-side, sometimes three-wide in arguably the best racing action of any of the Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series divisions. Garner, asked if the close racing was fun or stressful, gave a quick and decisive answer.

“I think it’s a blast,” he said. “Really, about any night, any of the top 10 could win. You have a lot of good drivers in that class, a bunch of talent for sure. It’s fun racing side-by-side like that, just being able to race with guys and have a good time.”

Garner said he got his racing start a couple of years ago at Dallas County Speedway, where he was helping out the Whites and he got to take one of their Pure Stocks for a spin after the races. He got his own car the following year, first a Midwest Mod and then a Stock Car.

"Josh Franklin gave me the opportunity to get one of his cars and we went from there. That’s how we got into this deal," Garner said.

The Lebanon contingent of Garner and the Whites pit together each week on Friday nights at Dallas County Speedway and on Saturday in Wheatland. They are quick to lend each other a helpful hand when needed.

Garner said his dad, Jeremy, serves as his crew chief and lends plenty of support, both in knowledge and with encouragement.

After three straight second-place runs (two at Lucas Oil Speedway and one at Dallas County) and nine top-fives in 17 events overall, Garner’s goal is simple.

“I’d like to win at Lucas and at Dallas County,” he said. “I’d like to get some wins and do good in (USRA) national points.”

Team sponsors include Josh Franklin Motorsports, Albright Racing, the Perkins Family, Court Probationary Services, Garner Construction, Arrowhead Building Supply, Icon Race Graphics, Richard’s Carpet and Eagle Machine.

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

On Saturday, UTV short course racers tackle the off-road track, and spectators purchasing off-road tickets will get free admission to Saturday night's Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series action on Ozarks Food Harvest Food Drive Night presented by KY3. Fans attend free by bringing four non-perishable food items to the main admission gate.

“This is one of our more gratifying nights of the season as we partner with Ozarks Food Harvest,” Lucas Oil Speedway General Manager Danny Lorton said. “Race fans are known for their generosity and this is our way of thanking them, for helping those in need, with a free night of racing.”

Food items can be dropped off after gates open at 4 p.m. Hot laps begin at 6:30 and racing at 7:05.

Ozarks Food Harvest and Lucas Oil Speedway had its first Food Drive Night in 2008. The partnership has been annual event since 2011 with a total of more than 71,400 pounds of food donated overall. Last year’s food drive at the speedway saw attendees donate more than 7,000 pounds of food.

These donations will support The Food Bank and Hickory County C.A.R.E.S.

Ozarks Food Harvest is the Feeding America food bank for southwest Missouri, serving 270 hunger-relief organizations across 28 Ozarks counties. Founded in 1983, Ozarks Food Harvest provides food distribution and services to 270 Ozarks nonprofits through programs such as the Weekend Backpack Program, Mobile Food Pantry, After-School and Summer Food programs, the Senior Food Program and more.

For more information about the Ozarks Food Harvest visit OzarksFoodHarvest.org.

The Medieval USRA Stock Cars will be featured in a special 25-lap, $750-to-win main event. Gates open at 4 p.m. with hot laps at 6:30 and racing at 7:05.

Dirt track admission:
(FREE with 4 non-perishable food items, per person; FREE with Off Road ticket)
Advance discount tickets online only (16+) – $12
Adults (16+) – $15
Military & Seniors (62+) – $12
Youth (6-15) – $5
Kids (5 & Under) – FREE
Family Pass – $35 (2 Adults and up to 3 Youth)
Pit Pass – $30

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.

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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.

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