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McCowan eager to celebrate top rookie honors in MLRA Season Finale on home track of Wheatland

WHEATLAND, MO. (Oct. 25, 2023) - It seems fitting for Dillon McCowan that the Lucas Oil MLRA’s final race of the season, following a schedule adjustment, will be at his home track of Lucas Oil Speedway.

McCowan has clinched Sunoco Lucas Oil MLRA Rookie of the Year honors after a stellar first full season in an open Late Model. He’s third overall in points, behind Chad Simpson and Chris Simpson and set to receive recognition as top rookie at Saturday’s scheduled MLRA Season Finale.

Lucas Oil Speedway and the MLRA added the $10,000-to-win event after the MLRA Season Championship weekend was rained out earlier this month at Tri-City Speedway.

“When I saw that, I was pretty happy,” the 19-year-old McCowan, of nearby Urbana said of the added race at Wheatland. “We’ve been kind of trying to figure where we’re gonna try to race at the end of the year and when they said that race was gonna be at Lucas, I was happy to get back over there in front of all the fans and my family can come over there.

“To get to crawl up on the stage, if we can win this rookie deal, that can be really cool for us.”

McCowan has some momentum on his side coming into the one-day show after picking up his first career Late Model touring series feature win. That came last weekend on the Comp Cams Series at Super Bee Speedway in Chatham, Louisiana.

“That was definitely a fun race. There was some stiff competition down with Tyler Stevens, Billy Moyer and Billy Moyer Jr., and quite a few other good drivers and teams,” McCowan said. “We started back in sixth and were able to rally to the front and just maintained once we got into the lead and hold on for 40 laps.

“That track is super fun. We had only raced there once before and that was in a Modified. I was excited to get back down there and give it a run.”

McCowan said the first touring-series win checked off a goal he hoped to accomplish before the conclusion of the season.

“It didn’t really matter what series it was with,” he said. “To do it with Comp Cams and beat the guys that were there, and to achieve one of my goals, it was definitely a big accomplishment for me and my team. We were pretty stoked about it.”

This weekend, he will realize another goal with the top rookie honors on the MLRA circuit. He called his first full Late Model season everything he expected, and then some, with a sixth-place run in the Show-Me 100 back in May as one of the top moments of his career.

“I wouldn’t trade it for the world. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do and what I’ve dreamed off since I was a little kid,” he said of driving the Late Model against top competition. “I’ve definitely learned a lot from the guys I’ve raced with. It’s been a big learning experience for me and hopefully we can take this momentum into next year.”

Plans for 2024 are not finalized. He said following the Lucas Oil MLRA is an option, along with hitting select races on different series including the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. But for now, the focus is on completing the current season on a high note - and hoping Mother Nature cooperates and Saturday’s race is able to go on.

Chad Simpson and Chris Simpson will enter the Wheatland race as the top two drivers in the series standings with Chad leading his brother by 270 points. McCowan is in third with Daniel Hilsabeck and Trevor Gundaker fourth and fifth with Justin Duty, Jeff Herzog, Garrett Alberson, Tyler Stevens and Dustin Hodges rounding out the top 10.

POWRi Super Stocks and USRA Modifieds also are on the schedule for Saturday and another sponsor has stepped up to support the Super Stock class. James Ray with Ray's Lake Service has donated $500 for Hard Charger award and is adding $50 to 2nd-11th place positions in the Super Stock Feature payout.

It was previously announced that Whitetail Trophy Hunt will sponsor the POWRi Super Stocks portion and the feature winner will earn $2,000, courtesy of Craig Danuser with Whitetail Trophy Hunt. Nitro Nick Motorsports also has added money to Super Stock positions 18th, 20th, 22nd and 24th. The Super Stock payout will be:

1st - $2,000. 2nd - $850. 3rd - $750. 4th - $650. 5th - $500. 6th - $350. 7th - $300. 8th - $250. 9th - $225. 10th - $200. 11th - $180. 12th - $120. 13th - $110. 14th-17th - $100. 18th - $150. 19th - $100. 20th - $150. 21st - $100. 22nd - $150. 23rd - $100. 24th - $150.

Lucas Oil Speedway General Manager Danny Lorton also has announced that David Hendrix, owner of Hendrix Construction, will sponsor the fast time qualifier for the Super Stocks. The driver to set fast time in qualifying will receive $500 for Fast Time Qualifier thanks to Hendrix Construction.

Hickamo Country Store owner Chip Shaddox is helping sponsor the USRA Modified class and it will now race for $2,000 to win and $100 has been added to finishers two through 11. The Modified payout:

1st - $2,000. 2nd - $900. 3rd - $800. 4th - $700. 5th - $550. 6th - $400. 7th - $350. 8th - $300. 9th - $275. 10th - $250. 11th - $230. 12th - $120. 13th - $110. 14th-through-24th - $100.

Both support classes will use time trials for heat-race starting positions just like the MLRA Late Models will do.

Pit gates will open at 3 p.m. with grandstands at 4, hot laps at 5:30 and racing at 6:05.

ADMISSION:

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

CAMPING: DAILY RATES

Dry Camping - $15/Night (up to 6 people) ($5 additional a night per person)

Reserve Dry - $25/Night (limited Availability) (up to 6 people) ($5 additional a night per person)

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Reserved Electric & Water - $40/Night (up to 6 people) ($5 additional a night per person (Limited Availability)

For ticket information on any event at Lucas Oil Speedway 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
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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