WHEATLAND, Mo. — The newly formed Heartland Modified Tour is coming to Lucas Oil Speedway and will part of the Big Adventure Weekly Racing Series program on May 11.
The new regional series for USRA Modifieds will race for $2,000 to win and $250 to start. Drivers will earn track points, USRA national and regional points and HMT Series points that evening.
“This is a good addition to our schedule and gives our weekly drivers in the modified division a chance to race for additional money,” Lucas Oil Speedway General Manager Danny Lorton said. “We’re excited to add this new tour to our show on May 11th.”
The Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mods, Hermitage Lumber Late Models and O’Reilly Auto Parts USRA Stock Cars also are on that night’s schedule.
“The Heartland Modified Tour will cover eastern Kansas, western Missouri and northern Oklahoma,” Chesterman said in a news release announcing the formation of the HMT. “Seeing first-hand how vital the ARMS Series has become to the USRA Modified scene in Texas, Louisiana and southern Oklahoma, we had a desire to bring that into the central part of the American Heartland as well (hence the name).
“Our sole desire in owning and operating both regional touring series is to promote the overall growth of USRA and USMTS modified racing.”
Chesterman said he hopes to have full schedules completed by mid-January and added that having Lucas Oil Speedway as part of the inaugural HMT Series is big.
“You never know how a start-up is going to go, but Lucas Oil Speedway was one of the race tracks we circled and said if there’s any way we can get there and have an event, that’s a place we need to be,” Chesterman said. “Lucas Oil Speedway is arguably one of the top tracks in the country and being able to go in there, having your series at Lucas Oil Speedway gives you some validity that you may not have otherwise had.
“We just feel blessed to get to to Lucas Oil Speedway with this new Heartland Modified Tour next year.”
Chesterman just concluded his first year overseeing the ARMS and traveling the country for the USRA and USMTS. He will continue those duties while also serving as the day-to-day contact for both modified series.
Both series will utilize the USRA rulebook and not run in conflict with the USMTS schedule. Both series will feature their own points funds and championship chase, with overall amounts and payback still being finalized.