WHEATLAND, Mo. – Lucas Oil Speedway has announced plans to kick off its season with an open test and tune scheduled for May 9 and the first Big Adventure RV Weekly Championship Series program set for May 16.
In the revised schedule, the 28th annual Show-Me 100 Presented by ProtecttheHarvest.com, set for May 21-23, will instead be a one-day program on July 18 and pay $20,000 to the winner. That will make for a doubleheader weekend for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, with the $12,000-to-win CMH Diamond Nationals the following night.
Fans who purchased advance tickets to the original Show-Me 100 dates will receive refunds, as will all those who had reserved camping spots for the Show-Me 100. All tickets for the July 18 Show-Me 100 and the July 19 CMH Diamond Nationals will be general admission only and will be available at the gate or by calling (417) 282-5984.
Lucas Oil Speedway General Manager Danny Lorton said it was necessary to postpone the Show-Me 100 to July due to social distancing restrictions that limit crowd density during May.
“While we are disappointed not to be able to have the three-day version of the Show-Me, hopefully by July some of the distancing restrictions will have eased and more fans will be able to attend and enjoy the event,” Lorton said.
The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, which has been halted due to COVID-19 since early March, will visit Wheatland in May – but in a unique setting with a pair of $7,000-to-win events on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 12-13. Those will be held without spectators – but fans will get a chance to tune in live via LucasOilRacing.tv and for free on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Facebook page.
The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series drivers will have a practice on Monday, May 11 that also will be closed to the public. Details on race-team pit admission will be forthcoming on LucasDirt.com in coming days.
Along with helping relaunch the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, Lorton said the events also will be a bridge to the speedway’s transition to when general spectators are able to return to the speedway on May 16.
As outlined in his letter to racers and fans earlier this week, Lorton said business will be different at the speedway for everyone in light of the COVID-19 virus.
“We’ve worked closely with state and Hickory County officials and are confident about our plan to get back to racing with some strict health guidelines that we will follow,” Lorton said. “Our priority is the safety of our fans, drivers and staff and with everyone’s cooperation, we’ll be able to achieve that.”
To insure social distancing in the pit area, May 16, May 23 and May 30 weekly programs will be limited to 30 pre-registrations in each division – Pitts Homes USRA Modified, Warsaw Auto Marine & RV ULMA Late Models, O’Reilly Auto Parts Street Stocks and Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mods.
Drivers will receive a confirmation email from MyRacePass that they are entered. Drivers and fans also will be able to go to the MyRacePass app to see confirmed drivers.
The same pre-registration procedure will follow for the two remaining May events, but with 2020 points used for those. Details about pre-registration dates for the May 23 and 30 programs will be announced.
Teams will be required to leave one pit stall empty between the haulers throughout May. The May 9 practice day will run from 2-6 p.m. with the pit office opening at 10 a.m. to alleviate congestion as drivers arrive.
Social distancing of 6 feet will be required for spectators through the month of May, though families May sit together in the grandstand. Masks are not mandatory but are recommended and the speedway will offer disposable masks at the gate while supplies last. Hand sanitizer stations will be located throughout the facility and restrooms will be sanitized frequently throughout the racing program.
There will be a limited menu at the concession stands for the first few weeks.
“We realize that this is a big departure from what everyone is used to, but we are in unique times,” Lorton said. “We would ask that everyone cooperate and follow the guidelines so we can all enjoy the sport that we love. We know that everyone is eager to get back to racing and we thank the drivers and fans for their patience.”
The Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series features racing in four divisions – Pitts Homes USRA Modified, Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mods, Warsaw Auto Marine & RV ULMA Late Models and O’Reilly Auto Parts Street Stocks. Gates will open at 4 p.m. on May 16 with hot laps set for 6:30 p.m. and racing at 7:05 p.m.
To make up for some weekly events that already were postponed, Lorton said as of now three of those four will be made up on dates that originally were scheduled to be off weeks at the speedway. So instead of the scheduled 13 Weekly Championship Series programs, there now will be 12.