---

Diamond Dozen: 12 Memorable Moments from Lucas Oil Speedway's 2021 season

WHEATLAND, MO. (Nov. 4, 2021) - The 2021 Lucas Oil Speedway season had more than its fair share of rain and cold, as those who attended the 29th annual Show-Me 100 Presented by ProtecttheHarvest.com will attest. But the season also will be remembered for red-hot racing, gigantic fireballs and Bo Duke.

It’s become an annual tradition to take a look back at the “Diamond Dozen,” a list of 12 Memorable Moments from the season. The list is compiled by Lucas Oil Speedway Media Relations Director Lyndal Scranton, with input from announcers Shane Friebe and Corey Riggs.

So, before looking forward to more memories in 2022, here’s our Diamond Dozen for 2021:

No. 1 - USRA Nationals smashes car-count record
The first USRA Summit Nationals Powered by MyRacePass at Lucas Oil Speedway turned into a grassroots racing festival over three nights in October. A record 320 cars checked into the pits (including an overflow area in the drag-boat pit area) the final two nights.

While the action continued deep into the night, the racing was outstanding as drivers from all over the United States converged on the speedway. The final-night highlight saw Springfield’s JC Morton and Lebanon’s Kris Jackson defending the home dirt, with Morton holding off Jackson to capture the B-Mod main event.

Minnesota’s Dustin Sorensen picked up the American Racer USRA Modified feature to complete a three-night sweep and conclude the late-night/early morning program. Other feature winners included Iowa’s Mitch Hovden (Medieval Chassis USRA Stock Cars), Iowa’s Dylan Clinton (Mensink Racing Products USRA Hobby Stocks) and Texas’ David Thompson (USRA Tuners) also earned feature wins.

No. 2 - O’Neal wins Show-Me 100 after patriotic pre-race
Hudson O’Neal of Martinsville, Indiana, led the final 32 laps to capture the 29th annual Show-Me 100 Presented by ProtecttheHarvest.com. O’Neal finished 1.451 seconds in front of Brandon Sheppard with Josh Richards in third.

Tears flowed freely as an emotional O’Neal emerged from his car in victory lane. The Indiana native has been around racing his entire life as his legendary father, Don O’Neal, won the Show-Me 100 in 2014. They are the first father-son duo to win the Show-Me 100.

The evening began with opening ceremonies that featured three-time CMA and ACM Country Music Male Vocalist of the Year and Grammy Award winner Lee Greenwood who served as Grand Marshall. Greenwood sang the National Anthem. Later, during Show-Me 100 pre-race festivities, Greenwood performed his iconic song "God Bless the USA," bringing a gigantic cheer from the large crowd.

No. 3 - Timms sweeps Modified portion of Show-Me
Randy Timms completed a sweep in the Cedar Creek Beef Jerky USRA Modifieds, winning all three features in the support division for the Show-Me 100. On Friday night, after Thursday's action had been rained out, Timms won both Modified features, using a last-lap pass to take the night's final feature to cap a program ending at 4:01 a.m.

Timms, of Wheatland, Oklahoma, held off Dillon McCowan by less than a half-second in Friday’s finale then on Saturday in the weekend capper he beat Joe Duvall - he was driving Duvall’s backup car - by 3.3 seconds.

No. 4 - Stock Cars put on a show as Allen wins a thriller

The O’Reilly Auto Parts USRA Stock Car division made its debut at Lucas Oil Speedway in 2021 and quickly became a fan favorite for its close competition. No race was better than a June 19 affair that saw Scotty Allen of Urbana emerge from a thrilling four-way battle, making a last-lap pass to edge Burl Woods and Derek Brown for feature win by a half-car-length.

Woods wound up second and Derek Brown was third as the trio was separated by just under a half-second at the finish line. This after Allen, of Urbana, came to the white flag behind Woods and Brown.

No. 5 - Racing, fireworks and a holiday celebration
For several years, Lucas Oil Speedway has celebrated 4th of July Weekend with a “Thursday Night Thunder” edition of the Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series. This year’s July 1 version produced another memorable USRA Stock Cars feature finish.

James McMillin of Warrensburg caught and passed Scotty Allen in the home stretch of the final lap to deny Allen a third straight feature win. "You can’t have much more fun racing than that, right there," an elated McMillin said in victory lane.

The traditional post-race fireworks display entertained a big crowd with a spectacular finish as a huge fire bomb exploded in the drag-boat pit area, producing a mushroom cloud of rising fire as the fans roared.

No. 6 - “Bo Duke” entertains and races
Bo’s On The Road Extravaganza, featuring John Schneider and his wife Alicia rolled into Lucas Oil Speedway for a concert the night before both drag-boat and dirt-track racing. Schneider, who played the role of Bo Duke in the television program "Dukes of Hazzard," performed the Star Spangled Banner before Saturday night’s races and then both he and Alicia raced in the B-Mod division.

John started 26th and finished 14th in the main event. Alicia started 25th and wound up 21st. Johnny Fennewald scored his fifth straight ULMA Late Model feature win and Kris Jackson earned his sixth Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mod feature win of the season.

During intermission, Schneider auctioned off both door panels off his orange No. 01 car, attracting a total of $4,100 going to Shriners Hospital for Children.

No. 7 - Davenport picks up Diamond Nationals win
The hottest driver on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series remained on a summer sizzle on July 16. Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Georgia, took the lead with 22 laps remaining and went on to capture the 15th annual CMH Diamond Nationals to collect $15,000 and a diamond ring.

Davenport finished 1.4 seconds in front of runner-up Josh Richards in collecting his third Diamond Nationals triumph and sixth Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series feature victory of the season.

No. 8 - Ramirez makes it a USMTS repeat
Dereck Ramirez scored a successful repeat of the 12th annual Slick Mist Show-Me Shootout Presented by Foley Equipment, leading wire to wire in the Aug. 7 visit.

The USMTS points leader, from Woodward, Oklahoma, dominated the 40-lap feature to take home $10,000. Ramirez beat Dustin Sorensen by 1.8 seconds for his third series victory of the season. Meanwhile, Ryan Gillmore of Springfield led all 20 laps of the Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mod main event as Gillmore captured his first victory at Lucas Oil Speedway after numerous near-misses. Gillmore wound up 2.6 seconds in front of JC Morton.

No. 9 - Right place, right time on opening night
JC Newell inherited the lead when perennial championship contenders Kris Jackson and JC Morton tangled on lap 14 and went on to win the Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mod feature on opening night of the Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series.

Newell, of Buffalo, led the final six laps and beat Cody Nivens by a car length. “What a way to open the season,” Newell said in victory lane.

Meanwhile, Cole Henson (ULMA Late Models) and David Hendrix (O’Reilly Auto Parts USRA Stock Cars) earned their first feature wins, launching them toward eventual track championships.

No. 10 - Hickle, Smith take Hockett-McMillin checkers
J.J. Hickle realized a dream by winning one of the biggest events in winged sprint car racing. Hickle took over the lead with eight laps remaining and went on to win the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series feature at the 11th annual Jesse Hockett/Daniel McMillin Memorial. Hickle beat Roger Crockett, who led much of the race before Hickle wrestled command away.

In the POWRi Wingless Auto Racing Series portion of the action, Wesley Smith of Springfield used a late pass to take home the $3,077 first prize for the wingless series.

No. 11 - Ferris snaps Fennewald’s streak
In the the next-to-last weekly program of the season, Larry Ferris put an end to Johnny Fennewald’s five-race winning streak in the ULMA Late Model division, leading all 25 laps of main event.

Ferris, of Nevada, picked up $1,000 for the dominating victory, finishing 6.7 seconds in front of runner-up Will Vaught. Ferris picked up his ninth top-five finish in nine attempts and was a new visitor to victory lane, ending Fennewald's long run of summer success.

No. 12 - McCowan celebrates championship with win
Dillon McCowan nailed down his first Cedar Creek Beef Jerky USRA Modified crown on Rempfer Memorial Season Championship Night Presented by Bill Roberts Chevrolet-Buick.

McCowan, a 17-year-old from Urbana, not only won the season title but also captured the feature with a late pass for third feature victory of season in the Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series.

Meanwhile, Kris Jackson celebrated his sixth Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mod championship, Cole Henson repeated his ULMA Late Model points title and David Hendrix earned the O'Reilly Auto Parts USRA Stock Cars title.

No. 13 (bonus moments) - Pro Pulling and Drag Boats
The Lucas Oil Pro Pulling Nationals in late September put on its usual terrific two-night show and was named "Pull of the Year" by the organization. ... Drag boat racing had another big summer as the Kentucky Drag Boat Association sanctioned four events on Lake Lucas with champions crowned during Labor Day Weekend at the 11th annual Diamond Drag Boat Nationals.

Look for the tentative 2022 Lucas Oil Speedway scheduled to be released in the near future.

For ticket information for any future event at Lucas Oil Speedway, contact admissions director Nichole McMillan at (417) 282-5984 or via email at Nichole@lucasoilspeedway.com. Fans also can use the online ticketing system.

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.

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 ninth season for the Liquid Quarter Mile Drag Racing Lake, "Lake Lucas." New for 2017 was all-purpose built Off Road facility featuring the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series as well as a host of other 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 ULMA Late Models, USRA Modifieds, USRA Stock Cars and USRA B-Mods.

2021 Official Lucas Oil Speedway Marketing Partners

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

2021 Lucas Oil Speedway Supporters Include:
Advanced Automotive Repair, AM Pyrotechnics, Angler's Resort, Arizona Sport Shirts, Ash Grove Aggregates, Ball Tree Service, Benton County Tire, 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 General Stores, Cedar Creek Beef Jerky, CED Electric, Central Life Sciences, 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, Heritage Tractor Inc., 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, LimeBank, Lucas Cattle Company, McCoy Logging LLC, Merck Animal Health, Midwest Sheet Metal, Miller Welding, Missouri Land Co. LLC, Missouri Welding Institute (MWI), MyRacePass, Nemo Quarry, NMI/VMG Marketing Group, Nutrien Ag Solutions, OakStar Bank, O'Bannon Bank, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Ozark Golf Cars, Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr. Pepper, Ozarks Community Health Center, PFI Western Store, 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, Schlesselman Fencing, Scott Furniture, Sidetrack RV Park, Southwest Electric Cooperative, Square B Ranch, Stillwater Resort, Stover Milling, Sunoco Race Fuels, Sunflower Resort, Superior Products, TA/PETRO, Transportation Distribution Co. (TDC), US Army Corps of Engineers-Pomme de Terre, Wheatland Motel, White's Marine Center, Wild Animal Safari, Windsor Livestock Auction, Woods Supermarkets, Wrisco Industries, ZINPRO Performance Minerals.

---

Back to News