FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2011

Lucas Oil Speedway Season Opener Just Over 30 Days Away

Wheatland, MO (March 9th, 2011)- The biggest season in Lucas Oil Speedway's history kicks off on Saturday, April 9th, as the Lucas Oil MLRA Dirt Late Model Series invades Wheatland, Missouri for the first time in 2011. A huge field of Pitt's Homes A-Modifieds is also expected for this first mega event of the 2011 Season at the "Diamond of Dirt Tracks." Al Purkey scored his first ever Lucas Oil Speedway MLRA win at last season's Lucas Oil Speedway opener on his way to his Sixth MLRA title. Special attractions on Opening night include a special performance and post race concert by the band Rideshy along with the Rockstar Energy Drink Dirt Late Model Simulator and Kids Inflatables on the Midway plus a special bonus Fireworks Display by AM Pyrotechnics! Advanced Tickets are available by clicking http://lucasoilspeedway.showclix.com/

Coffeyville, Kansas' veteran Al Purkey captured the 2010 MLRA Championship by just two points over Republic, Missouri's Brad Looney in a battle that came down to the wire in the season finale. Both veteran Late Model drivers are expected to once again vie for the coveted Lucas Oil MLRA Championship in 2011. Oxford, Iowa's Dave Eckrich challenged the leaders throughout the season but faded to third at the finish while Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer Joe Kosiski finished up 2010 with a strong fourth place finish. Springfield, Missouri ace Terry Phillips came home in fifth place in the final 2010 standings. Rounding out the Top-10 were Phillip's teammate Jeremy Payne in sixth, Cross Timbers, Missouri Rookie of the Year Evan Hubert in seventh, Birch Tree, Missouri's Justin Asplin in eighth, Henderson, Colorado's Kelly Boen in ninth, and Omaha, Nebraska's Bill Koons in tenth.

The Lucas Oil MLRA event is the first of a long list of huge events scheduled for 2011 at Lucas Oil Speedway. The first "Rockstar Energy Drink Championship Series" race takes place on April 16th, as the TNT Quick Shop Late Models, the Pitt's Homes A-Modifieds, and the Carson's Corner Napa Factory Stocks all begin their chase for the Lucas Oil Speedway Season Championship. The 2nd Rockstar Energy Drink Weekly Series race takes place on Saturday, April 23rd followed by the The POWRi National Midget Series Missouri Mid-State Nationals on Saturday, April 30th.

The month of May kicks off with the first of three big Rockstar Energy Drink Weekly Series Races on Saturday, May 7th along with the 2nd Annual Business Expo and the first of two appearances in 2011 by the Midwest Outlaw Vintage Racing Series. May 14th and May 21st also feature the TNT Quick Shop Late Models, Pitt's Homes A-Modifieds, and Carson's Corner Napa Factory Stocks as the three week swing really sets the stage for the season long points battle. The biggest race of the season kicks off on May 26th as the 19th Annual DART Show-Me 100 rolls into Wheatland for the second time after capacity crowds jammed the facility in 2010. The traditional Thursday night practice and barbecue takes place on May 26th while Late Model Qualifying, Heat Races, and a full A-Mod Show takes place on Friday, May 27th. Saturday night May 28th is one you won't want to miss as the top Dirt Late Model drivers in the country battle it out for 100 Laps with the cameras of CBS Sports on hand to catch all the action. Advanced Tickets are available by clicking http://lucasoilspeedway.showclix.com/

The high octane Winged Sprint Cars of the Lucas Oil ASCS Warrior Region blow into town on June 18th as Impact Signs, Awnings, and Wraps Presents the ASCS Winged Warrior Showdown. The newly added Rockstar Energy Drink Mid-Season Championships take place on June 25th as the Mid-Season Champion will be crowned on a special Double Points night. June wraps up with a Special Thursday Night Thunder Edition of Weekly racing Presented by Nemo Quarry on Thursday, June 30th as we also will be kicking off the Independence Day Celebration with the area's first huge fireworks show of the season.

We take a break on July 2nd so fans can spend time with their families at the local fireworks shows, but racing resumes on Saturday, July 9th as our weekly drivers continue their Championship battle. The second biggest Late Model race of the season hits the track on July 16th as the "The Newport Nightmare" Jimmy Owens and the rest of the stars of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series come to town for the 5th Annual CMH Diamond Nationals.

Quite possibly the biggest weekend in the history of the Speedway takes place on July 29th-31st as the first ever Diamond Drag Boat Nationals take to the Liquid Quarter Mile for the first time ever. This Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series National Event is highlighted by Top Fuel Hydro Boats capable of reaching speeds in excess of 250 miles per hour. A full compliment of Sportsman and Pro Classes will be in action all three days as Friday, July 29th is scheduled as a "Test and Tune" day followed by Qualifying on Saturday, July 30th, and Eliminations on Sunday, July 31st. If that wasn't enough, the Lucas Oil MLRA and the Pitt's Homes A-Modifieds will also take to the "Diamond of Dirt Tracks" on Saturday evening, July 30th. This is going to be one full weekend of racing action! Visit www.LucasOilDragBoats.com for info on the Nation's Premier Drag Boat Racing Series.

The Casey's General Stores USMTS Modified HUNT for the National Championship rolls into town on Saturday, August 13th along with the SportMods, and the Factory Stocks. A stellar field of the best modified drivers in country are expected to be in attendance including 2010 National Champion Jason Hughes, Kelly Shryock, Zach Van Der Beek, Derek Rameriz, Ryan Gustin, and Tommy Meyer just to name a few. Local Stars Jesse Stovall, Shawn Nations, and Jason Pursley are just a few of the Lucas Oil Speedway racers looking to keep the USMTS loot here locally. August 20th kicks off three consecutive nights of Rockstar Weekly Series action as the final push for the Championship wraps up with the crowning of the three class champions taking place on Labor Day Weekend, September 3rd. The Midwest Outlaw Vintage Racing Series makes their second and final appearance of the season on Saturday, August 20th while a Special Double Points night is scheduled for Saturday, August 27th.

Two of the biggest events of the year however are still to come as the CBS Sports Nationally Televised Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League Truck and Tractor pull shakes the ground on September 10th followed by the 1st Annual Jesse Hockett/Daniel McMillin Memorial featuring the Lucas Oil ASCS National Sprint Car Tour on September 23rd-24th along with the SportsMods on Friday Night and the Pitt's Homes A-Modifieds on Saturday night. For details about these events including support classes, ticket prices, and event times at the Lucas Oil Speedway, please visit www.LucasOilSpeedway.com or call (417) 282-5984.