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Lucas Oil Speedway Spotlight: Chad Simpson has repeat MLRA championship in sight entering Ron Jenkins Memorial

WHEATLAND, MO. (Aug. 30, 2023) - Chad Simpson holds a seemingly comfortable 165-point lead in pursuit of his fourth Lucas Oil MLRA championship entering this weekend’s two-night Ron Jenkins Memorial Presented by Rugged Radios at Lucas Oil Speedway.

But you won’t catch the 44-year-old from Mount Vernon, Iowa, taking anything for granted with just six events remaining on the MLRA schedule. What looks safe today is a bad night or two away from becoming a tense chase.

“The car and everything is feeling good, but it’s like everything else,” Simpson said Wednesday in previewing the weekend and his top-dog status. “You can’t slip up or give anything up. You have to be ready to go every week.”

Action fires up on Friday with drivers chasing a $5,000-to-win feature with Saturday night's main event winner taking home $10,000 plus a $1,000 bonus courtesy of Mary Jenkins Holt in memory of Ron Jenkins, original builder of Wheatland Raceway. Mary also will give a $500 bonus to fast-time qualifier on Saturday night.

The MLRA weekend will conclude with a Sunday show at Moberly Motorsports Park. That leaves only three October events remaining, so this weekend will shape how much mystery remains in the title chase.

Simpson, with two MLRA victories and four top-five finishes this season, is looking to defend his series championship to go with other MLRA points titles in 2014 and 2018. His brother, Crhis Simpson of Oxford, Iowa, is the nearest pursuer with Garrett Alberson of Las Cruces, N.M., 195 behind.

“Obviously the goal is to go out and win races, but what you do when you’re point racing like you are, you have to play it a little smarter at times,” Chad Simpson said. “Maybe you can’t get as aggressive or as greedy sometimes when you want to win the race.”

For instance, top-three finishes this weekend would make it difficult for anyone to make a major dent in his lead. Winning a fourth title, and becoming the first MLRA repeat champ since John Anderson 2011 and 2012, carries a lot of meaning.

Winning again as a driver-owner also would be special. Simpson did so for the first time in 2022.

“It’s definitely been the goal,” Simpsons aid. “We started the year out with a new car and program this year. With all the help Longhorn and Wells Motorsports in helping us get this thing going, it’s put us in position to hopefully get that fourth title.

“Every one is special in their own way,” Simpson said of series championships. “Every year is new challenges and new adventures. Every one is just as important as the other one.

Especially in the modern era of Late Model racing where achieving consistency from year to year is so difficult.

“It’s definitely getting harder and harder. The competition level is definitely better,” Simpson said. “It’s always been really tough, but the race cars are so equal nowadays when everybody is in contention.”

For more information on the Lucas Oil MLRA, including results, points and schedule visit MLRAracing.com.

The Cedar Creek Beef Jerky USRA Modifieds, Ozark Golf Car USRA B-Mods and O'Reilly Auto Parts USRA Stock Cars also be in action both nights. Friday night's USRA Modified feature pays $700 to win and it's $500 to win in the B-Mod and Stock Car divisions. On Saturday, the USRA Modified winner collects $1,000 with the B-Mods and Stock Car winners earning $750.

Pit and spectator gates open at 4 p.m. both days with hot laps at 6:30 and racing at 7:05.

Dirt Track Friday admission:
Advance Discount Tickets online only (16 and up) - $22
Adults (16 and up) - $25
Seniors (62 and up)/Military - $22
Youth (6-15) - $10
Kids (5 and under) FREE
Family Pass - $60
Pit Pass - $40
(Admission free with Friday drag boat ticket or 3-day drag boat pass)

Dirt Track Saturday admission:
Advance Discount Tickets online only (16 and up) - $27
Adults (16 and up) - $30
Seniors (62 and up)/Military - $27
Youth (6-15) - $10
Kids (5 and under) - FREE
Family Pass - $70
Pit Pass - $45
(Admission free with Saturday drag boat ticket, or 2-day or 3-day drag boat passes)

Diamond Drag Boat Nationals on Lake Lucas: Next door on Lake Lucas, the Kentucky Drag Boat Association-sanctioned 13th annual Diamond Drag Boat Nationals will be in action Friday, Saturday and Sunday with qualifying rounds the first two days and eliminations on the final day.

The tentative drag boat schedule finds registration, pit gates and spectator gates open at 8 a.m. Friday with racing at 9 a.m. On Saturday and Sunday, gates open at 8 a.m. with racing at 9 a.m.

Divisions in action will be Top Alcohol Hydro, Pro Outlaw, Pro Modified, Quick Eliminator, Pro Eliminator, Pro Comp Flat, Top Eliminator, Mod Eliminator, Stock Eliminator and Personal Water Craft.

Check out kydragboat.com for more information on the series.

Diamond Drag Boat Nationals Friday admission:
(All tickets include access to drag boat pits)
Advance Discount Tickets online only (16 and up) - $22
Adults GA/Pit Pass Combo (16 and up) - $25
Seniors (62 and up)/Military GA/Pit Pass Combo (62 and up) - $22
Youth GA/Pit Pass Combo (age 6 to 15) - $10
Kids GA/Pit Pass Combo (age 5 and under) - FREE
Family Pass (GA/Pit Pass Combo Includes Admission for 2 Adults and Up to 3 Kids Ages 6-15) - $60
Adult 3-Day GA/Pit Pass Combo - $70
Seniors (62 and up)/Military 3-Day GA/Pit Pass Combo - $64
Youth Ages (6-15) 3-Day GA/Pit Pass Combo - $30
(All Friday tickets include entry to the Dirt Track event on Friday night)
(All 3-day tickets include entry to the Dirt Track event on Friday and Saturday nights)

Diamond Drag Boat Nationals Saturday admission:
(All tickets include access to drag boat pits)
Advance Discount Tickets online only (16 and up) - $27
Adults GA/Pit Pass Combo (16 and up) - $30
Seniors (62 and up)/Military GA/Pit Pass Combo (62 and up) - $27
Youth GA/Pit Pass Combo (age 6 to 15) - $10
Kids GA/Pit Pass Combo (age 5 and under) - FREE
Family Pass GA/Pit Pass Combo (Includes Admission for 2 Adults and Up to 3 Kids Ages 6-15) - $70
Adult 2-Day GA/Pit Pass Combo - $45
Seniors (62 and up)/Military 2-Day GA/Pit Pass Combo - $42
Youth Ages (6-15) 2-Day GA/Pit Pass Combo - $25
(All Saturday, 3-Day and 2-Day tickets include entry to the Dirt Track event on Saturday night)

Diamond Drag Boat Nationals Sunday admission:
(All tickets include access to drag boat pits)
Age 6 and up GA/Pit Pass Combo - $15
5 and Under GA/Pit Pass Combo - FREE

For information on any event at Lucas Oil Speedway in 2023 contact admissions director Nichole McMillan at (417) 282-5984 or email her at nichole@lucasoilspeedway.com for more information.

CONTACT:
Danny Lorton
Lucas Oil Speedway General Manager
Office: (417) 282-5984
DLorton@lucasoilspeedway.com
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Complete Lucas Oil Speedway event information, archived race recaps, previews and driver features, along with ticket information and schedules can be found by visiting LucasOilSpeedway.com.

Lucas Oil Speedway is located at Highways 83 and 54 in Wheatland, Missouri. A campground with shower and bathroom facilities is also available. With its entrance located just outside the pit gate this sprawling scenic camping facility will continue to enhance the racing experience at the Diamond of Dirt Tracks.

Click LucasOilSpeedway.com for more information and detailed directions to the speedway or call the Track Hotline at (417) 282-5984. The Lucas Oil Speedway EZ Texting number is (417) 804-4141.

In addition, fans can get social with Lucas Oil Speedway by following @LucasSpeedway on Twitter, clicking "Like" at www.facebook.com/LucasOilSpeedway and on www.youtube.com/LucasOilSpeedway

About Lucas Oil Speedway
Lucas Oil Speedway is considered by fans, drivers and industry insiders to be one of the top five racing facilities in the nation. Located in Wheatland, Missouri, approximately an hour from Springfield, Missouri, and just an hour and a half from the Kansas City metro area, the "Diamond of Dirt Tracks" lives up to its title.

Twenty-One VIP Luxury Suites, HD Jumbo-Tron Screen, Stadium Style Musco Sports Lighting, a Bose Sound System, Go-Kart Slick Track, The Diamond Bar, Track Treasures Gift Shop, the best track food in the country and paved pits are a few of the spectacular amenities setting the Diamond of Dirt apart. This year marks the 12th season for the Liquid Quarter Mile Drag Racing Lake, "Lake Lucas." New for 2017 was all-purpose built Off Road facility featuring a host of regional events.

Lucas Oil Speedway's dirt oval track plays host to some of the largest and most-popular events in the Midwest with national and regional touring series appearing frequently including: The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, POWRi Midget National Series, Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League, United States Modified Touring Series, ASCS Sprint Cars and the Lucas Oil MLRA.

In addition to the special events, the Lucas Oil Speedway Weekly Racing Series features the Late Models, USRA Modifieds, USRA Stock Cars and USRA B-Mods.

2023 Official Lucas Oil Speedway Marketing Partners

Arizona Sport Shirts
"The Official Merchandise Provider" of Lucas Oil Speedway

Bill Roberts Chevrolet-Buick
"The Official Truck" of Lucas Oil Speedway

Dixie Chopper
"The Official Mowers of Lucas Oil Speedway"

General Tire
"The Official Tire" of Lucas Oil Speedway

Lucas Oil Products
"The Official Oil" of Lucas Oil Speedway

MAVTV
"The Official Television Network" of Lucas Oil Speedway

Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr. Pepper
"The Official Soft Drink" of Lucas Oil Speedway

RacingJunk.com
"The Official Classifieds" of Lucas Oil Speedway

Rugged Radios
"The Official 2-Way Communications Provider" of Lucas Oil Speedway

Summit Racing Equipment
"The Official Sponsor" of Lucas Oil Speedway

Sunoco Race Fuels
"The Official Fuel" of Lucas Oil Speedway

Super Clean
"The Official Sponsor" of Lucas Oil Speedway

2023 Lucas Oil Speedway Supporters Include:
AM Pyrotechnics, Alliance Sport Marketing, Arctic Food Equipment, Arizona Sport Shirts, Berry Tractor and Equipment Co., Big Adventure RV, Bill Roberts Chevrolet-Buick, Bolivar Auto Sales & Detailing, Bolivar Farmers Exchange-MFA, Boone's BBQ Barn, Boubin Tire/American Racer, Branstetter & Lightfoot LLC, Bridal Cave, BWI Sanitation, Camden on the Lake Resort, Candlelight Creations-Dick's Wild Root Horseradish, Casey's, Cedar Creek Beef Jerky, Citizens Memorial Healthcare, City Magnet, Clearlight Inn, Dirt Track Specialist, Dixie Chopper, Eagle Vision Paving LLC, Eibach Springs, Farmers Insurance Agent Kristy Reynolds, Fast Shafts by Axle Exchange, Foley Equipment-Cat Rental Store, Frog Signs, Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare, Hermitage Lumber, HICKAMO Country Store, Hobbytime Motorsports, Impact Signs Awnings Wraps, In the Garden of Eden, KC Bobcat, Kettle Treats, Keyser Manufacturing, Kluhsman Racing Components, Kona Ice, Lucas Cattle Company, MD3, Midwest Sheet Metal, Miller Welding, Missouri Division of Tourism, MyRacePass, Nutrien Ag Solutions, OakStar Bank, O'Bannon Bank, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Ozark Golf Cars, Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr. Pepper, Ozarks Community Health Center, PEM, Pitts Homes, Pitts Realty, Pitts Cattle, Pomme de Terre Resort, ProThings Apparel, RACEceiver, Racinboys.com, RacinDirt.com, RacingJunk.com, Rains Ice Company, Real Racing Wheels, Reed Environmental, River's End Motel & RV Park, Rod End Supply, Ron Jenkins Accounting & Tax Service, Rugged Radios, Ryan E. Murphy Law Firm LLC, SBU Athletics, Safety Kleen, Scott Furniture, Sidetrack RV Park, Simpson Racing Products, SMC, Southwest Electric Cooperative, State Tech, Stillwater Resort, Summit Racing Equipment, Sunoco Race Fuels, US Army Corps of Engineers-Pomme de Terre, Vietti Marketing Group, Wasoba Seed & Trucking, Wheatland Motel, White's Marine Center, Wieland, Wild Animal Safari, Woods Supermarkets.

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