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Freedom Jeep and Unforgotten Heroes Foundation join Lucas Oil Speedway's Veterans and Military Appreciation Night on Saturday

WHEATLAND, MO. (July 8, 2022) - After Debrya Faria’s father passed away just shy of his 95th birthday, soon followed by several of his fellow World World II veteran friends, Faria wanted to pay tribute to what’s often called America’s Greatest Generation.

So Faria came up with the unique idea of the “Freedom Jeep,” a vehicle airbrushed with images paying tribute to all military members and veterans by Nathan Curry, a renowned artist from Nixa, Missouri.

“I just want to bring awareness to the younger generation, so they realize what (the veterans) went through and what they sacrificed,” said Faria, who serves on the Women’s Auxiliary at American Legion Post 639 in Springfield. “Every kid loves a jeep and they swarm it.”

Faria’s Freedom Jeep will be on display Saturday on Lucas Oil Speedway’s Midway as part of the Veterans and Military Appreciation Night Presented by KOZL. All active military or veterans will be admitted free to the dirt-track program with ID. Gates open at 4 p.m. with hot laps at 6:30 and racing at 7:05.

Also on Saturday, the Unforgotten Heroes Foundation will be a part of the program on the Midway. It will have raffles, giveaways, games for kids with prizes and merchandise. The Unforgotten Heroes B-Mod will be on display.

Lucas Oil Speedway General Manager Danny Lorton said recognition of the military, active or retired, always is a part of the opening ceremonies at the speedway. There is added emphasis this week with Faria’s Freedom Jeep and the Unforgotten Heroes Foundation additional ways to recognize those who served or are serving their country.

Faria said the Freedom Jeep has several elements on it, beginning with the P-51 bomber plane, her father’s favorite from World War II. Her dad’s military helmet also is part of the display with his two bronze stars and the words “In Honor of Those Who Served.”

There also is recognition of Vietnam veterans with plans for Curry to add more art to the jeep, including blue lights coming out when the hood is raised with a tribute to the 9/11 tragedy and the Twin Towers plus the war in Afghanistan.

“I’ve had veterans come up to me and cry when they saw my Jeep,” Faria said. “That touches my heart. When they say ‘thank you’ and cry, I know I’m getting that message out.

“I love my veterans. People need to realize the sacrifice. It tears me up. Everybody says why do you spend so much money on the Jeep and I say, ‘Well it cost them their lives.’ You cannot put a price on what they sacrificed for us."

Faria said she is a die-hard racing fan, of both cars and drag boats, and is looking forward to the fans getting a close-up look at the Freedom Jeep on Saturday.

It's a big doubleheader racing weekend of racing at Lucas Oil Speedway with the Kentucky Drag Boat Association firing up the KDBA Summer Thunder on Lake Lucas during the daytime, Saturday and Sunday. Round one of qualifying is tentatively set to begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday.

Spectators can make it a full day of racing action by sticking around for Saturday night's action on the dirt track. The Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series resumes as KOZL Presents Veterans and Military Appreciation Night, with all veterans or military personnel admitted free with ID. Any spectator purchasing a drag boat ticket, or a two-day drag boat pass, also will gain free admittance to the dirt-track program.

The KDBA Summer Thunder on Lake Lucas will have a $38,200 purse and recorded for later airing on MAVTV Motorsports. Competing divisions will be Top Alcohol Hydro, Pro Outlaw, Top Alcohol Flat, Pro Mod, Quick Eliminator, Pro Eliminator, Pro Comp Flat, Top Eliminator, Modified Eliminator, Stock Eliminator and Personal Watercraft.

On the dirt, the Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mods will be the evening's featured class running for a special 25-Lap, $750 to win Main Event. Hot laps are set for 6:30 p.m. with racing at 7:05.

Kids' Pit Tour: Prior to the dirt-track racing program, flagman Mike Striegel will lead his weekly Kids' Pit Tour on a large golf cart for youngsters ages 5-12. The kids can sign up at the Frogs Jr Fan Club on the south end of the Midway prior to 5 p.m. for a chance to go on the pit tour.

Saturday KDBA Summer Thunder on Lake Lucas schedule
7 a.m. - Registration opens
8 a.m. - Spectator gates open
9 a.m. - Round 1 qualifying sportsman session
10:30 a.m. - Round 1 qualifying pro session
12:30 p.m. - Round 2 qualifying sportsman session
2 p.m. - Round 2 qualifying pro session

Saturday Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series schedule
4 p.m. - Gates open
6:30 p.m. - Hot laps
7:05 p.m. - Racing begins

Sunday KDBA Summer Thunder on Lake Lucas schedule
8 a.m. - Gates open
9 a.m. - Racing begins

Saturday Drag Boat admission:
Adults GA/Pit Pass Combo (16 and up) - $30
Seniors (62 and up)/Military GA/Pit Pass Combo (62 and up) - $27
Youth GA/Pit Pass Combo (age 6 to 15) - $10
Kids GA/Pit Pass Combo (age 5 and under) - FREE
Family Pass GA/Pit Pass Combo $70 Includes Admission for 2 Adults and Up to 3 Kids Ages - (6-15)
Adult 2-Day GA/Pit Pass Combo - $55
Seniors (62 and up)/Military 2-Day GA/Pit Pass Combo - $49
Youth Ages (6-15) 2-Day GA/Pit Pass Combo - $20
(All tickets include access to the Drag Boat pit area)
(All Saturday and 2-Day tickets include entry to the Dirt Track Event on Saturday night)

Sunday Drag Boat Admission
Adults GA/Pit Pass Combo (16 and up) - $25
Seniors (62 and up)/Military GA/Pit Pass Combo (62 and up) - $22
Youth GA/Pit Pass Combo (age 6 to 15) - $10
Kids GA/Pit Pass Combo (age 5 and under) - FREE
Family Pass GA/Pit Pass Combo - $60 i(ncludes admission for 2 adults and up to 3 kids ages 6-15)
(All tickets include access to the Drag Boat pit area)

Dirt track admission:
Advance Discount Tickets online only (16 and up) $12
Adults (16 and up) $15
Seniors (62 and up)/Military $12
Youth (6-15) $5
Kids (5 and under) FREE
Family Pass $35 (Click Here for more information)
Pit Pass $30
(Grandstand admission FREE with Saturday drag boat ticket or 2-day drag boat pass)

To purchase tickets for any event on Lucas Oil Speedway's schedule, or to inquire about camping information, contact Admissions Director Nichole McMillan at (417) 295-6043 or via email at nichole@lucasoilspeedway.com.

CONTACT:
Danny Lorton
Lucas Oil Speedway General Manager
Office: (417) 282-5984
DLorton@lucasoilspeedway.com
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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.

2022 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

Optima Batteries
"The Official Battery" 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

Sunoco Race Fuels
"The Official Fuel" of Lucas Oil Speedway

Super Clean
"The Official Sponsor" of Lucas Oil Speedway

2022 Lucas Oil Speedway Supporters Include:
AM Pyrotechnics, Arizona Sport Shirts, Ash Grove Aggregates, 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, Comfort Inn-Bolivar,DirtonDirt.com, Dixie Chopper, eBay Motors, Eibach Springs, Evans Pipe & Steel Co., 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, Highway 54 RV Park, Hobbytime Motorsports, Hoosier Race Tires, Impact Signs Awnings Wraps, In the Garden of Eden, Kettle Treats, Keyser Manufacturing, Kluhsman Racing Components, Kona Ice, Lucas Cattle Company, Margaritaville Lake Resort, Midwest Sheet Metal, Miller Welding, Missouri Department of Tourism, 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, ProThings Apparel, RACEceiver, Racinboys.com, RacinDirt.com, RacingJunk.com, Rains Ice Company, 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, Simpson Racing Products, Southwest Electric Cooperative, Stillwater Resort, Sunoco Race Fuels, Sunflower Resort, TA/PETRO, US Army Corps of Engineers-Pomme de Terre, Vietti Marketing Group, Wheatland Motel, White's Marine Center, Wild Animal Safari, Woods Supermarkets, Wrisco Industries.

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