5/18/2017
RacinBoys
Lucas Oil Speedway Spotlight: Jackson stays focused after hot USRA B-Mod start
By Lyndal Scranton (Wheatland, MO) -- The way his season has started suggests this could be a huge year for USRA B-Modified driver Kris Jackson. But you won't catch the Lebanon native looking too far ahead - or behind.
PHOTO: Lebanon's Kris Jackson looks for his third straight Lucas Oil Speedway victory Saturday in the Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mod division.--CREDIT: Kenny Shaw photo
Jackson is 2-for-2 in feature wins in the Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mod division at Lucas Oil Speedway. Only a pair of rainouts have slowed him down. Asked his overall win total for 2017, Jackson paused and counted it up as five.
"I try not to keep track of that too close," Jackson said of the victory tally. "But it's going good. We've had a lot of good luck so far."
Jackson, the Tailgate Guys Radio Show Spotlight Driver of the Week at Lucas Oil Speedway, shoots to make it 3-for-3 on Saturday night as the Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series resumes. The B-Mods will be running a special 25-lap, $500-to-win main event.
The early trend suggests that Jackson, driving a new TJR Motorsports Factory 56 Modified built by his cousin Tony Jackson Jr., again will be the man to beat. He said the car has been a dream to drive.
"It's one of the best cars I've ever had," Jackson said. "I can't say enough about it. It's great and I love it.
"Last Saturday it was pretty tacky around the bottom and we usually are pretty good when it's tacky. The first night, I was real pleasantly surprised with how good it was in the slick. I was pretty excited about that.
"I've never been that great in the slick to be honest. To do something worthwhile on the slick was pretty neat. I have to thank my cousin for all the help."
Kris Jackson, 32, has carved out a reputation as one of the best Modified drivers in this part of the country. He started racing at age 14 and advanced through the ranks, winning three straight Lucas Oil Speedway B-Mod track championships from 2012-14.
While he's opened a 14-point lead over Andy Bryant and is 18 clear of Shawn Strong, chasing points is not necessarily a priority this season. He does, however, plan to race plenty at Lucas where the USRA B-Mod car counts are strong.
"We want to go to as many bigger-paying races as we can," he said. "I don't know our schedule for sure other than I know we're going to the (Mississippi Thunder B-Mod Nationals) at the end of the year for a $10,000-to-win."
Wherever he races, Jackson said it'll be a family occasion with wife Krystle and five-year-old son Karter alongside. Seeing Karter's excitement in victory lane has been Kris Jackson's biggest reward of all.
"Oh man, he's great," Jackson said of the youngster. "He comes to the shop and works on the car with me and stays right there. He'll wear you down with 'Daddy this and Daddy that,' but he's a lot of fun and I enjoy it."
Jackson said it's almost a given that Karter will follow in his driving footsteps.
"I don't really want him racing go-karts, though he does have one he drives around the shop parking lot," Jackson said. "I'd like to start him, probably in a Midwest Mod, someday. But I'm not going to push him."
For now, the priority is having fun and visiting victory lane as often as possible. Once there, Jackson is quick to mention sponsors Ruble Racing Engines, Joe's Pharmacy, TJR Motorsports, VANS Motor Sales, Starnes Excavating and East 32 Meat Processing. He receives race-night help from brothers Jared and Jordan Medley.
"Jared and Jordan go almost everywhere with me and they help a ton," Jackson said. "They take care of my tires and make it a whole lot easier on me also to keep in mind what the track is doing.
"There's a lot to do if you're going to have this car top-notch and as good as it can be and they help me a ton."
When the Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series resumes Saturday, it will be Ozarks Cola-Cola/Dr. Pepper Night at the Races Presented by KOLR 10 and Z27. Joining Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mods will be the Warsaw Auto Marine & RV ULMA Late Models, Pitts Homes USRA Modifieds and Big O Tires Street Stocks also will be in action.
Fans bringing any empty 20-ounce Coca-Cola product bottle to the main gate will receive $2 off general admission tickets. There is a limit of one per customer.
Gates open at 5 p.m. with hot laps at 7 and racing at 7:35. A limited number of suites are available. Contact admissions director Nichole McMillan (417) 282-5984 by via email Nichole@Lucasoilspeedway.com for more information.
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 complete Lucas Oil Speedway event information, archived stories, ticket info and the 2017 racing schedule, visit http://www.LucasOilSpeedway.com.
A limited number of three-day passes for the 25th annual Show-Me 100 Presented by ProtecttheHarvest.com, May 25-27, remain on sale. Call McMillan at (417) 282-5984 or email Nichole@lucasoilspeedway.com for more information.
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 and 1340 AM and online at 923kick.com. For more information, visit the show Facebook page.
Lucas Oil Speedway is located at Highways 83 and 54 in Wheatland, Missouri. A campground with shower and bathroom facilities is also available. With it's 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
