7/8/2020
Lucas Oil Speedway
Lucas Oil Speedway Spotlight: For JC Newell, it's about family, fun and competition on the dirt
WHEATLAND, Mo. (July 8, 2020) - As part of a three-generation racing family, JC Newell grew up around the sport. Despite being only 24, he already has carved out a successful career for himself on both pavement and dirt tracks.
Competing this season as a regular at Lucas Oil Speedway for the first time, Newell is fifth in the strong Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mod division.
"I've never contended for a championship at Lucas, so I decided this year we were going to run every race and have fun and see where we ranked in the points deal over there," Newell said. "So far, it's been good. We had some really good runs at the beginning of the season and the last two or three weeks, we've struggled with track position in the heat race and kind of dug ourselves a hole.
"But we've had a lot of speed and been competitive. That's a big change from this year to last year. Being able to run with those guys means a lot."
Newell, a Stoutland native who now lives in Buffalo, will be back in action on Saturday during Lucas Oil Speedway's Veterans and Military Appreciation Night Presented by KOZL 27. The B-Mods will be featured, chasing a $750-to-win prize in the 25-lap main event.
Newell, with one top-five finish and five top-10s, has an extensive racing background that includes a track and state championship in the NASCAR Whelan Series on the pavement as a 19-year-old at Lebanon I-44 Speedway. He won five features that season in a car owned by David Willard.
The Newell family's racing resume is deep. Grandfather JC Newell has been racing for nearly 50 years and still competes on the pavement. Father Ben Newell still races occasionally on the dirt, with his sons JC and 20-year-old Dayton.
"My uncle, Jimmy Willis, also races a B-Mod," Newell said, adding that it seems like he's always running alongside one of his relatives on the track. He said the friendly rivalry with his younger brother is especially fun and includes good-natured, on-and-off-track trash talk.
"The last couple of weeks, he's beat me to the line by about a bumper - two weeks ago at Dallas County and on Thursday at Lucas," JC said of Dayton. "We work together, so we get to razz each other all week."
Newell also gets help from his father-in-law, Scotty Allen who oversees Allen Autosports. JC drives an Allen-built car.
"It's just a big family deal," Newell said, noting that the family aspect is why he went back to dirt racing four years ago after the successful stint on the pavement that included some national-level events at places like Nashville Speedway.
"I miss the atmosphere, going to Nashville and racing against big names like Bubba Pollard and those guys," Newell said. "But chasing that and working full time on the race cars, it turned into a full-time job and I wasn't enjoying racing any more. I really enjoy where I'm at now, with my whole family doing it - both on my wife (Lindsey's) side and my side.
"Everything we do is racing and I get to see my whole family ever weekend because we're all racing together. It's just a lot of fun."
Newell, who gets help on the car from Bill Sprague during the week and in the pits, said it could be even more fun if he's able to achieve some goals the remainder of 2020.
"My main goal is I really want to win one at Lucas Oil and I'd like to pick up a couple of wins at Dallas County," he said. "I'd also like to stay in the top five of the points battle at Lucas."
Newell's sponsors include Allen Autosports, The Butcher Shop, Royal Heating and Air, Save a Lot, Pomme Plumbing, Scotty's Signs and Wraps and Ruble Race Engines.
Veterans and Military Appreciation Night: All veterans and active military personnel, with identification, will be admitted free to the grandstand on Saturday.
There also are individual seats available in one of the VIP Suites where fans can enjoy the action from air-conditioned comfort. It includes indoor or outdoor seating and access to a hostess for food and beverage service.
To purchase a suite ticket, call McMillan at (417) 282-5984 or email her at Nichole@lucasoilspeedway.com.
Joining the Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mods will be the Pitts Homes USRA Modifieds, Warsaw Auto Marine & RV ULMA Late Models and O'Reilly Auto Parts Street Stocks. Mod Lites make their first appearance at the speedway as a special guest class.
Mod Lite drivers are encouraged to preregister for the event on the MyRacePass link to expedite the check-in process on race night.
Gates open at 4 p.m. with hot laps at 6:30 and racing at 7:05.
The Frogs Signs Junior Fan Club Kids Pit Tour also continues as eight lucky kids will get to tour the pits with flagman Mike Striegel to get an up-close look at the cars and drivers. The tour will be from 5:15-6 p.m. and then the kids will get to attend the drivers' meeting before going back to the grandstands.
Youngsters ages 5-12 can sign up from 4-5 p.m. on the midway, next to the gift shop trailer on the south end of the midway. Parents will have to sign a waiver form allowing the kids to go into the pits for the tour.
Admission prices:
Adults (16 and over) $12
Seniors (62 and over) $9
Military/Veterans FREE with ID
Youth (ages 6-15) $5
Kids (5 and under) FREE
Family pass $30
Pit pass $30
For ticket questions or information for any event this season, 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
Article Credit: By Lyndal Scranton, Lucas Oil Speedway