8/18/2017
RacinBoys
Moore carving out solid season at Lucas Oil Speedway
By Lyndal Scranton (Wheatland, MO) -- Third-generation racer Taylor Moore is showing he's plenty capable of hanging with some of the best in the highly competitive Ozarks Golf Cars USRA B-Mod division at Lucas Oil Speedway.
"The whole reason to go into a B-Mod was to run against a high level of competition and travel a little bit more, which is what we've done," Moore said of his first season as a weekly regular at the track.
PHOTO CREDIT: Kenny Shaw
The 21-year-old from Bois D'Arc, a small community west of Springfield, is fourth in the Lucas Oil Speedway points with two weeks remaining in the Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series. While he's probably too far behind leaders Andy Bryant and Shawn Strong to catch them, he is just 29 behind third-place Kaeden Cornell.
Another solid finish when action resumes on Saturday night would help ensure an impressive finish in the final standings.
"I"m looking forward to getting back to Lucas and see what we can throw at 'em this week," said Moore, the Tailgate Guys Radio Show Spotlight Driver of the Week for Lucas Oil Speedway. "We've made quite a few changes to the car. I think we're going to be even better up there."
The 2014 graduate of Ash Grove High School has followed in a family racing tradition. Grandfather Darrell Moore and his father Timmy Moore competed on Ozarks-area ovals and Timmy Moore now helps Taylor out with his racing program.
It's been a natural progression for the younger Moore, who began in go-karts and raced the entry-level Midwest Mod class for about five years. He won more than 25 features and a track championship at Springfield Raceway before entering the B-Mod class in 2016.
"We're doing pretty good for being in just the second year in a B-Mod against this type of competition," Moore said. "It's tough. You have your dominant guys like Andy Bryant, Shawn Strong and Ryan Gillmore. It seems like anywhere you go there's somebody really fast.
"We were able to go to West Plains last week when Lucas was off and got a win. That was a nice confidence booster."
Moore set out to make running for points at Lucas Oil Speedway a priority in 2017. The experience has exceeded his expectations.
"I really didn't have any intention of being as high as I am in points," Moore said. "We were third for a while, then had a bad week with a transmission failure that dropped us back.
"I looked forward to running weekly at Lucas this year. I enjoy the facility and the track's always in decent shape. It's not like when you go to some places that will beat you up a little bit."
Moore, who works for the City of Springfield operating heavy equipment with emphasis on street maintenance, said he foresees the B-Mod as his racing home for a while. There's plenty more to learn and bigger goals to shoot for.
"I would like to run better in the USRA national points in the years to come," he said. "This is just my second year and I feel like I'm a little behind the guys who have run them for several years. The more I race with them and the more I travel and race, I feel that I can prove myself even more."
Moore's sponsors include C&M Gearworks, Jordan Valley Auto Body, Hoffman Race Cars, Midwest Sheet Metal, R&M Pallets, Schuchmann Cattle Company, Rockin' S Farms, Billy Goin Motorsports and Bois D'Arc Speedway. Moore and his dad oversee go-kart events at Bois D'Arc Speedway in the fall and winter.
Timmy Moore, Goin, Jason Cobb and little brother Colton Moore help out on the car. Colton, who is 10, already is racing go-karts.
"We just hope to finish out the season strong," Moore said of the final programs of the regular season at Lucas Oil Speedway.
Saturday night, TA/Petro Stopping Centers along with the Ozarks CW & Ozarks Sports Zone Present Fan Appreciation Night with food and drink specials all night. TA/Petro items also will be given away.
Gates open at 5 p.m. with hot laps at 7 and opening ceremonies at 7:35.
Ticket prices:
Adults (16 and up) $12
Seniors (62 and up)/Military $9
Youth (6-15) $5
Kids (5 and under) FREE
Family pass $25
Pit pass $30
For ticket information for all Lucas Oil Speedway events, contact admissions director Nichole McMillan at (417) 282-5984 or via email at nichole@LucasOilSpeedway.com.
For complete Lucas Oil Speedway event information, archived stories, ticket info and schedules, visit http://www.LucasOilSpeedway.com.
The Tailgate Guys Radio Show, with co-hosts Lyndal Scranton and Steve Koehler, airs each Saturday from 11:05 a.m.-noon on KICK 92.3 FM, 1340 AM or online at 923kick.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 http://www.LucasOilSpeedway.com for more information and detailed directions to the speedway or call the Track Hotline at (417) 282-5984.
In addition, fans can get social with Lucas Oil Speedway by following @LucasSpeedway on Twitter, clicking "Like" at http://www.facebook.com/LucasOilSpeedway and on http://www.youtube.com/LucasOilSpeedway.
Submitted By: Kirk Elliott
