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Lucas Oil Speedway Spotlight: Former track champ Burrell back in USRA Modified action after a year-long break

WHEATLAND, MO. (June 9, 2022) - When Mickey Burrell returned to the driver’s seat of his USRA Modified after taking the 2021 season off, the likable veteran racer from Fair Grove wasn’t sure what to expect.

“It’s fun being back in the car and making laps,” Burrell said earlier this week. “I’ve kind of got the drive to want to work on it again and go some more.

“I wondered if we did this again if I’d get back into it,” Burrell added. “But that first night, I was ready to go back and figured that was a good sign.”

Burrell and the Cedar Creek Beef Jerky USRA Modifieds will headline Saturday night’s Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series program. It will be $5 Night at the Races Presented by KOLR and the Modifieds will have a 25-lap feature for $1,000 to win.

Spectators are admitted for $5 to the grandstands with kids 5-and-under free. Those attending the KDBA Drag Boat Spring Opener on Lake Lucas earlier in the day also will be admitted free to the dirt-track action.

Burrell, the 2011 Lucas Oil Speedway Modified track champion, has one top-10 run in four features this season. He’s just outside the top 10 in points, having missed the first points night of the season.

While the results haven’t been exactly what he desires so far, Burrell hopes to consistently sustain speed soon.

“So far we’ve struggled some,” Burrell said. “Sometimes we’re better than others. We’ve been decent a couple of heat races, but haven’t been able to put it all together yet.

“We’re hoping some of the stuff we’ve figured out will help. We’ll see.”

Burrell, nicknamed “Squirrel,” joked before his first night back, on April 30, that he might need a competition caution every five laps just to catch his breath. But it was a busy work schedule in 2021 that led to him taking a breather after racing regularly on area ovals for more than a decade.

“We had started to get stuff ready last winter. The wrap that’s on the car we got last year,” Burrell said. “I just got busy working and Elston (crew chief Elston Moore) got busy working. We couldn’t get it all put together, so ended up not racing.

“I guess that made it easier this winter because a lot of it was ready.”

Asked if he missed racing last year, Burrell said, “I was almost too busy to miss it. There were times that I guess I did, but we didn’t even go to a race all of last year. I watched a few times on MAVTV Plus or MAVTV and that was it.

“This year, I was tired of working as much as I was, so I thought, ‘We’re gonna back it down a little bit and try to race again.’ So we have.”

Burrell said it’s hard to believe that it’s been 11 years since he won a championship at Lucas Oil Speedway, though he said the technology in Modifieds has changed considerably since that time.

“Maybe back then I just had more time and kept up with it better,” Burrell said. “Taking a year off has got us behind. We’ve been talking to Jeff Taylor and Kevin at Shaw Race Cars quite a bit and trying to get back up on the game. They’ve helped out a lot with different things.

“I always thought being a heavier guy, it made things different. Jeff is kind of the first guy who talked much about changing things for it. That seems to have helped.”

Burrell said there are fewer Modifieds competing weekly than a decade ago, but the competition level makes running near the front challenging. He said his long-time friend and crew chief, Moore, will give it all they have to become a contender.

“Some places it’s not as bad, but up there, several guys are good and have the equipment and the ability to get the job done,” Burrell said.

“Elston’s been helping me, probably nine or 10 years. I couldn’t do it without him. He’s a big help. We kind of do this thing together and that makes it fun.”

The team’s sponsors include Nixa Monument, Dorothy and Tex Motorsports and Bud’s Tire & Wheel.

Gates to the dirt track open at 4 p.m. Saturday with hot laps at 6:30 and racing at 7:05.

Saturday Dirt Track Admission
(FREE with drag boat admission ticket)

All tickets (6 and Up) $5
Kids (5 and under) FREE
Pit Pass $30

Drag boats take to Lucas Lucas for three days: The Kentucky Drag Boat Association Spring Opener on Lake Lucas fires up for qualifying rounds on Friday and Saturday, with eliminations on Sunday. It's the first of four KDBA events scheduled this season on Lake Lucas.

Drag boat teams can visit KDBA.net for more information on the series, including how to register.

KDBA Spring Opener on Lake Lucas daily schedule:
Friday
9 a.m. - Registration opens
2 p.m. - Ticket gates open
3 p.m. - Qualifying begins
8 p.m. - KDBA awards banquet at big tent with karaoke until midnight

Saturday
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
Sunday
8 a.m. - Spectator gates open
9 a.m. - Eliminations begin

Friday Drag Boat Grandstand Admission:
(All tickets include access to the drag boat pit area)

Age 6 and up GA/Pit Pass Combo - $15
5 and Under GA/Pit Pass Combo - FREE
Adult 3-Day GA/Pit Pass Combo - $65
Seniors (62 and up)/Military 3-Day GA/Pit Pass Combo - $59
Youth Ages (6-15) 3-Day GA/Pit Pass Combo - $30

Saturday Drag Boat Grandstand Admission:
(All tickets include access to the drag boat pit area)
(Saturday drag boat tickets or 3-day and 2-day passes include FREE admission to dirt track)

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 Includes Admission for 2 Adults and Up to 3 Kids Ages (6-15)
Adult 2-Day GA/Pit Pass Combo - $50
Seniors (62 and up)/Military 2-Day GA/Pit Pass Combo - $44
Youth Ages (6-15) 2-Day GA/Pit Pass Combo - $20

Sunday Drag Boat Grandstand Admission:
(All tickets include access to drag boat pit area)

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
Family Pass GA/Pit Pass Combo $60 Includes Admission for 2 Adults and Up to 3 Kids Ages (6-15)
Kids GA/Pit Pass Combo (age 5 and under) - FREE

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
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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