*Above video courtesy KOLR10 News
Cleanup continues at Wheatland, Missouri-based Lucas Oil Speedway after severe storm tore through the track facilities on May 20. The storm moved into the area shortly before midnight and damaged several buildings, destroyed the grandstands at the off-road track and also damaged some of the grandstands at the dirt track. There also was damage in the campground and debris was scattered throughout the facility. Several vehicles on-site were toppled, including some campers that had arrived for the weekend.
Track officials plan to re-open for racing on June 8 with the next scheduled Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series program.
“We’ve had a lot of inquiries about how we’re doing and I want everyone to know that things are progressing well. We’re making good progress,” said General Manager Danny Lorton. “We thank everyone who has sent thoughts and prayers our way, to the community of Wheatland and to all those affected by the storms.”
There’s been a public outpouring of people offering to volunteer to help the speedway cleanup, but Lorton asked that people instead offer their services to the local community.
“The town of Wheatland can also use some support with volunteers and donations,” Lorton said. “They can contact Wheatland City Hall (417-282-6552) to see where help is needed or how to make donations for those who have lost property and need assistance with covering cost of clean up. We want to show our support to them as well.”
Track officials were forced to cancel the 27th annual Show-Me 100 Presented by ProtecttheHarvest.com, originally scheduled for Memorial Day weekend.
“We had hoped to be able to reschedule as a three-day event, but it just wasn’t practical,” Lorton said. “On the plus side, we see the two-night Diamond Nationals as being a terrific weekend of racing at Lucas Oil Speedway with a top field of cars after the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series holds events on Thursday and Friday that weekend at Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Illinois.”
The 13th annual CMH Diamond Nationals will expand to two nights and is set for July 13-14, with $15,000-to-win Late Model features both nights.
Meanwhile, Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series officials also announced that the third annual GEICO Off Road Shootout Presented by General Tire, scheduled for June 29-30, will not be held at Lucas Oil Speedway, due to damage to the speedway’s off-road facility. The event will be moved to another off-road venue that same weekend, with a location yet to be announced.
“The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series has been a smash hit with fans in the Midwest and we hate that we will not be able to play host to the event,” Lorton said. “But the grandstands at our off-road facility have to be completely rebuilt and there’s just no practical way to have the event here this year.”
Also canceled this summer is the Level 5 & KCORRA Off-Road UTV/Side by Side Series that had been scheduled for July 27.
“We will look forward to having the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, plus Level 5 and KCORRA back in Wheatland in 2020, bigger and better than ever,” Lorton said.
Click for more information about the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, LucasOilOffRoad.com or the Lucas Oil Speedway.
