7/31/2024
Lucas Oil Speedway
Lucas Oil Speedway USMTS Spotlight: Series leader Timm tones down aggression to chase end-game spoils
WHEATLAND, MO. (July 31, 2024) - Jake Timm’s pursuit of his first United States Modified Touring Series championship continues on Friday and Saturday when Lucas Oil Speedway plays host to the 15th annual Slick Mist USMTS Show-Me Shootout Presented by Foley Equipment.
Running the full USMTS schedule for the first time has been a rousing success so far. With a key stretch kicking off this weekend, Timm has a pair of feature victories, an eye-popping 15 top-five finishes and a 24-point lead over Iowa’s Jim Chisholm.
“We’ve had some good luck in terms of not having DNFs and we haven’t had many big issues. It’s been pretty good,” Timm said of the season. “We’ve finished every race and only finished outside the top 10 twice. We can’t complain. We’ve had some decent luck and hopefully it stays that way.”
Chasing a season-long series title for the first time does involve some compromise. For the 27-year-old Timm, from Winona, Minn., he’s had to dial back his aggressiveness a bit. That hasn’t been easy for a driver considered an up-and-comer in both the Modified and Super Late Model ranks.
By nature and desire, Timm wants to chase victories at every turn, but realizes that approach is not always conducive to his end goal. Sometimes, hitting the brakes instead of mashing the gas eats at him, though it's the right decision in the bigger picture.
“I hate to say it, but it does,” Timm said of points racing. “You can’t take as many chances. You have to race more on the defense, which isn’t something that I like to do, but you have to keep the points in mind and sometimes settle for a good finish instead of laying it all on the line for a win.
“I still always try (to win) obviously, but if you’re gonna take a chance of diving between lapped cars or going outside of them on the front stretch or whatever it may be … sometimes I may hit the brakes instead of sticking it in there like I normally would.”
Driving the only Rage chassis on the USMTS circuit, Timm has 20 top-10 finishes in 22 USMTS events in 2024. A third-generation racer, Timm builds his own motors. That sets him apart from most of the competition and goes a long way toward making a budget stretch from February through October.
“I managed an engine rebuilding shop the last five years here. I learned through that and I had a lot of (maintenance) and machine background before that, so that helps out,” Timm said of his power plant skills. “Since racing full time, I’ve been taking care of my own engines. It’s nice because it saves us a lot of money and allows me to fine-tune my engine to the way I want it to run.”
Timm grew up around racing as his dad, Bob Timm, raced the family number 49 that Jake now uses. Bob now runs Mississippi Thunder Speedway in Fountain City, Wis. Bob Timm often travels to the USMTS races with Jake to offer assistance, but will stay behind this weekend to oversee duties at the popular Wisconsin track.
Jake Timm said he’s had mixed results at Lucas Oil Speedway in the past, in both the Modified and Late Model divisions. He qualified for the Show-Me 100 in 2021, through a B Main, and wound up 32nd. Driving a Late Model full time, on a national tour, is a goal that he would like to attack at some point. It’s a path that several, such as Ricky Thornton Jr., Ryan Gustin and Jimmy Owens to name a few, have followed.
But Timm, with an immediate focus on the USMTS championship chase, is not going to jump into that deep water until the time is right.
“That’s kind of my goal and what I’m working toward, building up the funds and the team we need to be able to compete for something like that,” Timm said. “It’s about three times as much money as what we’re doing now. It’s definitely my goal and my future plan, but as of now we’re doing what we can with what we have.
“We’ve only raced the Late Model maybe 10 times all year. We’ve just been putting all our focus on this tour, leading the points and trying to make sure we hopefully are able to maintain that.”
Rodney Sanders, of Happy, Texas, led all 50 laps to hold off Dereck Ramirez to win last season's USMTS Slick Mist Show-Me Shootout Presented by Foley Equipment. Ramirez had won the race the three previous seasons. Sanders, also a four-time feature winner on the tour, sits third in 2024 USMTS points, 116 behind Timm.
The USMTS features will pay $5,000 to win both nights. USMTS it putting up extra money on Saturday with $900 to start the main event after $600 to start the feature on Friday night.
Full programs both nights will include the Clear Creek Golf Car USRA B-Mods, O'Reilly Auto Parts USRA Stock Cars and Hermitage Lumber POWRi Late Models. The B-Mods and Stock Cars will race for $500 to win on Friday with the Late Models going after $750 to win; on Saturday, $750 goes to the B-Mod and Stock Cars winners with a $1,000-to-win Late Model feature.
Track and national points will be awarded as usual in those three classes. In the USMTS portion of the program, track regulars who enter will receive 75 track bonus points each night toward their Big Adventure RV Weekly Championship Series total.
Pit gates for the dirt track open at 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday with grandstands at 4:30 p.m., hot laps at 6:30 and racing at 7:05 both nights.
Flagman Mike Striegel also lead a Kids' Pit Tour prior to the races both days. Youngsters interested can sign up at the RCR Designs Jr Fan Club table before 5:15 p.m. for a chance to go on the tour. Also on Thursday night, an open practice at the dirt track will be held from 6-9 p.m. Pit passes are $35.
For more information on the USMTS, including archived news, point standings and schedules, visit USMTS.com.
KDBA Summer Shootout: The Kentucky Drag Boat Association makes the second of three appearances on Lake Lucas during the day time on Friday and Saturday for the KDBA Show-Me Shootout.
More than $33,000 in purse money will be up for grabs as KDBA drivers in nine divisions compete.
Grandstand gates open at 9 a.m. Friday with qualifying rounds at 10 a.m. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. On Saturday, grandstands at 9 a.m. with eliminations starting at 10 a.m. Times are tentative. All tickets include access to the pits for the drag boats.
Visit kydragboat.com for more info on the series.
Friday Drag Boat admission:
(All drag boat tickets include drag boat pit access)
General admission (ages 6 and up) - $20
Kids (5 and under) - FREE
Two-day drag boat only pit pass - $40
Combo Ticket (Drag Boats & Dirt Track) includes entry to the dirt track event on Friday night:
Adults GA combo (13 and up) - $45
Seniors (62 and up)/Military GA Combo - $42
Youth GA combo (ages 6-12) - $30
Kids GA combo (age 5 and under) - FREE
Family Pass GA Combo - $120 (includes admission for two adults and up to two kids ages 6-12
Friday Dirt Track admission:
Advance discount tickets online only (ages 13 and up) - $22
Adults (13 and up) - $25
Seniors (62 and up)/Military - $22
Youth (ages 6-12) - $10
Kids (5 and under) - FREE
Family pass - $60
Pit pass - $40
Saturday Drag Boat admission:
(All drag boat tickets include drag boat pit access)
Adults (ages 13 and up) - $20
Kids (5 nd under) - FREE
Drag boat only pit pass - $20
Combo Ticket (Drag Boats and Dirt Track) includes entry to dirt-track event on Saturday night:
Adults GA Combo (13 and up) - $45
Seniors (62 and up) / Military GA Combo - $42
Youth GA Combo (6-12) - $30
Kids GA Combo (age 5 and under) - FREE
Family Pass GA Combo - $120 Includes Admission for 2 Adults and Up to 2 Kids Ages (6-12)
Saturday Dirt Track admission:
Advance discount tickets online only (ages 13 and up) - $22
Adults (13 and up) - $25
Seniors (62 and up)/Military - $22
Youth (ages 6-12) - $10
Kids (5 and under) - FREE
Family pass - $60
Pit pass - $40
For ticket or camping information on any Lucas Oil Speedway event, contact Admissions Director Nichole McMillan at (417) 295-6043 or via email at nmcmillan@lucasoilspeedway.com.
For information about Lucas Oil Speedway, including schedules, point standings and other news, please visit 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
