Lucas Oil MLRA announced their events schedule today, Nov. 18 at the opening of the Annual Heartland Auto Racing Show in Des Moines, Iowa. A variety of tracks will host a total of 27 nights of racing. All the chosen speedways have hosted Lucas Oil MLRA events previously, so drivers and fans will find themselves on familiar ground.
The most exciting track choice is the Mid America Speedway in South Coffeyville, Okla., which will host two $10,000 to win two-day shows. John Fiore of Okla. purchased the speedway recently, and has laid out plans to renovate the facility in stages. Seven-time Lucas Oil MLRA Champion Al Purkey was recently hired to promote the track, of which he is very fond.
“We want to bring Mid America Speedway back to a place it once was on the MLRA schedule,” said Purkey. “We want to step up and show everyone our commitment to the sport and MLRA. A pair of $10,000 to win shows is a great way to do that. Mid America is going to have a new look, attitude and plan. We’re really excited for all of the great race fans in the region to come see what we’re all about. I’ve been involved in racing my whole life and am ready to step to the other side of the fence.
The year begins with a pair of opening weekends in April. The Spring Meltdown at I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Neb. will run on March 31 and April 1; after a weekend off, the tour will move south to its home track, Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Miss., for the 4th Annual Spring Nationals. Both weekends are two day shows with payouts each night.
Lee County Speedway and Davenport Speedway, both Iowa tracks, will return May 4 and 5, with a stop the following night, still to be determined. These tracks were very popular in previous years, so they ought to lead to packed grandstands this time around as well.
The first Late Model Crown Jewel of the season is the 25th Annual Show Me 100 at Lucas Oil Speedway, on May 25-27. There will be two preliminary shows leading up to the $30,000 to win finale.
June starts out with a three day weekend right from the outset. June 1 is still open, but the second and third will feature Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa and Randolph County Speedway in Moberly, Miss. June will end back in Iowa at the Adams County Speedway Ray Houck Liberty 50 in Corning on June 24. There will also be a show on the preceding night – details still to come.
The exiting and very popular Freedom Classic will bridge the gap between June and July, running June 30 and July 1 at the Salina Highbanks Speedway in Salina, Okla. The first of the Mid America Speedway weekends will follow the trip to Salina; July 7 will be the qualifying night, with the $10,000 to win main event the next evening.
Lucas Oil MLRA will collaborate with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Miss. with the 11th Annual Diamond Nationals on July 15. The 7th Annual Silver Dollar Nationals at I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Neb. will follow from July 20-22.
In contrast to busy July, August has a mere one event scheduled; the series returns to Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb. August 11 and 12. The Clyde Ellis Memorial will bring the action back to Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas for the third year in a row on Labor Day weekend. The weekend will conclude at Lucas Oil Speedway with the Larry Phillips Memorial. September ends in South Coffeyville, Okla. with another $10,000 to win blockbuster.
The famous Fall Nationals will return for the fourth straight time to wrap up the season.
For all of the latest news and information fans are encouraged to visit the series website at www.MLRARacing.com.
Fans may also “like” the Lucas Oil MLRA Facebook page by clicking www.Facebook.com/lucasoilmlra or follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/MLRA.
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