6/5/2024
Lucas Oil Speedway
Lucas Oil Speedway Spotlight: Wettengel knocking on the door in USRA Stock Car, with B-Mod also in hunt
WHEATLAND, MO. (June 5, 2024) - After occasional appearances at Lucas Oil Speedway over the last couple of years, Jaylen Wettengel is going all-in this season. Wettengal is making the three-hour haul from Topeka, Kan., with not only one, but two cars.
The fourth-generation racer is leading the O’Reilly Auto Parts USRA Stock Cars points standings after a pair of second-place feature finishes. He’s also competing in the Clear Creek Golf Cars USRA B-Mod class and sit just outside the top 10.
“It keeps us pretty busy, especially when (the classes) race back to back,” Wettengel said of double duty. “But we’ve been doing it since 2016, so we’re pretty seasoned in how to get through it.
“I try to do as much work as I can at home with tires and set ups and stuff. That way when we get to the track, it’s straightforward, in and out. Fortunately, I have a crew guy Scott (Davis) that travels with me, along with my dad (Shane Wettengel) and girlfriend (Tori Turner). They help out quite a bit.”
Wettengel looks to get over the hump and find victory lane at Lucas Oil Speedway for the first time on Saturday night during Public Service Appreciation Night at the Races. All Police, Fire and Rescue personnel admitted free with ID. The Arctic Food Equipment USRA Modified and special guest class Mod Lites also will be in action in addition to USRA Stock Cars and B-Mods.
Motorsports definitely is in Wettengel’s blood since birth. The 24-year-old has been racing since the age of five, when he climbed into a quarter-midget and has been driving full-sized cars on dirt since he was 14.
Great grandfather Roy Still started racing in 1949 in what Jaylen said was called Modifieds at that time but are known as Sprint cars today. Grandfather Jim Still raced regionally for several years, on dirt and pavement at I-70 Speedway and Lakeside Speedway. Dad Shane Wettengel began racing in 1991.
“So racing definitely grew on me, growing up around it,” said Jaylen Wettengel, who has been doubling up in both Stock Car and B-Mod since 2020.
“My dad tells me that I might as well do it while I’m young,” he said of the demanding schedule. He tries to give the cars equal attention, but said that’s often a challenge. The Stock Car is where most of his success has come so far as Wettengel has two feature wins in that class this season at Lakeside Speedway and one at Humboldt.
“I was able to win first out in the King of America in the Stock Car and that was a good way to start the year,” Wettengel said. “Overall, I haven’t tore anything up and had some successful finishes, everywhere I’ve been. This is the best I’ve ever done at Lucas, with two second-place finishes there. Usually, I’m just cracking the top 10 there is a win in my book.”
The plan is to race Friday at his “home track” of Lakeside, just west of Kansas City, and commit to Lucas Oil Speedway on Saturday nights.
“It’s mostly because of my Stock Car,” he said of committing to Lucas. “That is my more successful car. We’ve been struggling a little bit in the B-Mod. There’s not many Saturday places we can race with the Stock Car. Lucas Oil is a stellar facility. Everywhere else is about two hours out from us and Lucas Oil is only three. We usually bite that extra hour just for the quality of the track and the amazing car count there.
“Not only is there a full field, but there’s probably 10-15 cars in each class that are A Feature-winning type of cars.”
Wettengel said his primary goal is to win a track championship, at either Lakeside or Lucas.
“The past four years I’ve been runner-up in points (at Lakeside) and I really want to get a points championship under my belt,” he said. “That’s probably my biggest goal, at either one, Lucas or Lakeside. A win at Lucas Oil is one of my next top goals. The crowd and competition there is top level. I consider a win in either class - more than likely it would be the Stock Car - but to get one win at Lucas would be our second goal next to a points championship.”
He’s been close in both attempts this season, finishing right behind Derek Brown and William Garner. Wettengel is nine points ahead of Garner and 12 clear of Brown in the early points battle.
Wettengel said he hopes to keep growing his confidence with more track time as the season goes on.
“I’m not one of those driers that’s really good right out of the gate at a new track,” Wettengel said. “The more and more I drive at Lucas, I can hopefully get a better feel for how to get around the corners and fine-tune the set-up. Most of the issues I had those two nights of not winning was driver error. If I can clean that stuff up, I think I can wind up on top some time this year.”
Pit gates at the dirt track open at 4 p.m. with spectator grandstands at 5 p.m., hot laps at 6:30 and racing at 7:05.
Kids Power Wheel Races: Round 3 of Kids' Power Wheel races will be held during intermission Saturday with a 24V-36V class. The races will be held on the front straightaway and the kids' cars can be dropped off at the pit gate and will be brought to the front stretch at intermission.
Other Power Wheel races are set for July 27 and Aug. 24.
Kids ages 5-12 also can sign up prior to 5 p.m. race day for the RCR Designs Jr. Fan Club for a chance to take part in flagman Mike Striegel's Pit Tour prior to the races, where they can meet drivers and crews. Visit the RCR Designs Jr Fan Club Facebook page for more info.
Drag Boats next door: The dirt-track action is part of a big weekend of speed at Lucas Oil Speedway with the first of three Kentucky Drag Boat Association-sanctioned appearances this season taking part next door during the day time on Saturday and Sunday.
The KDBA Summer Thunder on Lake Lucas is scheduled to get underway with qualifying rounds on Saturday, tentatively set to begin at 10 a.m. Eliminations leading to championship rounds is set to get underway at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday.
The KDBA will have action in 10 pro and sportsman divisions, from the 200-mile-per hour Top Alcohol Hydro class all the way down to Personal Water Craft. Gates at the drag boat track open at 9 a.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. on Sunday.
For more information on the Kentucky Drag Boat Association, visit kydragboat.com.
Saturday Admission:?
(Drag Boats Only: Includes access to drag boat pits)
General Admission (ages 6-and-over) - $15
Kids GA (5 and under) - FREE
2-Day GA (6 and over) - $30
(Dirt Track Only)?
Adults (ages 13 and over) - $15
Seniors (62 and up)/Military - $12
Youth (6-12) - $5
Kids (5 and under) - FREE
Family Pass - $35
- Public Service Appreciation Night at the Races with all Police, Fire and Rescue personnel FREE with ID
Combo Event (Drag Boats & Dirt Track)
Adults GA Combo (ages 13 and over) - $30
Seniors/Military GA Combo - $27
Youth GA Combo (6-12) - $25
Kids GA Combo (5 and under) - FREE
Family Pass GA Combo - $85
Sunday Admission
(Includes admission to drag boat pits)
General admission (ages 6 and over) - $15
Kids GA (5 and under) - FREE
Other KDBA-sanctioned drag boat events at the speedway this season are the Show-Me Shootout on Lake Lucas, Aug. 2-3, and the 14th annual Diamond Drag Boat Nationals, Aug. 30-Sept. 1
For ticket information on any Lucas Oil Speedway event, contact Admissions Director Nichole McMillan at (417) 295-6043 or via email at nmcmillan@lucasoilspeedway.com.
CONTACT:
Danny Lorton
Lucas Oil Speedway General Manager
Office: (417) 282-5984
DLorton@lucasoilspeedway.com
Lucas Oil Speedway is located at Highways 83 and 54 in Wheatland, Missouri. A campground with shower and bathroom facilities is available. With its entrance located just outside the pit gate, this sprawling scenic camping facility will continue to enhance the racing experience.
For ticket and camping information and everything about the Show-Me 100 event, visit www.LucasOilSpeedway.com for all the 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 X, clicking "Like" at www.facebook.com/LucasOilSpeedway and on www.youtube.com/LucasOilSpeedway
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.
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.
2024 Official Lucas Oil Speedway Marketing Partners
Arizona Sport Shirts
"The Official Merchandise Provider" of Lucas Oil Speedway
Bill Roberts Chevrolet
"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
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
2024 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, Bolivar Auto Sales & Detailing, Bolivar Farmers Exchange-MFA, Boone's BBQ Barn, Boubin Tire/American Racer, Bridal Cave, BWI Sanitation, Candlelight Creations-Dick's Wild Root Horseradish, Casey's, Citizens Memorial Healthcare, City Magnet, Clearlight Inn, Dixie Chopper, Eibach Springs, Farmers Insurance Agent Kristy Reynolds, Fast Shafts by Axle Exchange, Foley Equipment-Cat Rental Store, Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare, Hermitage Lumber, HICKAMO Country Store, Hobbytime Motorsports, Iconic Apparel, Impact Signs Awnings Wraps, In the Garden of Eden, KC Bobcat, 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, Proboat, ProThings Apparel, RACEceiver, Racinboys.com, RacinDirt.com, Rains Ice Company, RCR Designs, Real Racing Wheels, 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, Southwest Electric Cooperative, State Tech, Stillwater Resort, Summit Racing Equipment, Sunoco Race Fuels, Turn 1 Bar & Grill, US Army Corps of Engineers-Pomme de Terre, Vietti Marketing Group, Wheatland Motel, White's Marine Center, Wieland, Wild Animal Safari, Woods Supermarkets.
Article Credit: By Lyndal Scranton, Lucas Oil Speedway
