12/21/2022
Lucas Oil Speedway
Lucas Oil Speedway selected for one of six 2023 SRX Thursday night events on ESPN
WHEATLAND, MO. (Dec. 21, 2022) - Some of the world's best-known drivers are coming to Lucas Oil Speedway for the first time in 2023 as part of the popular Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) six-race series.
The finale of the six events will be held at Lucas Oil Speedway on Thursday, Aug. 17 with the telecast set to begin at 8 p.m. CDT on ESPN and the ESPN App.
“The six tracks we selected came from a list of 42 fantastic venues, all who had real interest in hosting an SRX race this summer,” said Don Hawk, SRX Chief Executive Officer. “When selecting the schedule, we prioritized historic tracks that have had success hosting big-time events.
"We are really excited with the six tracks that have been selected - the venues will be packed and bring incredible energy and local racing passion that will come out on ESPN for Thursday Night Thunder. This summer will be short-track racing
at its very best. SRX at 6 historic short tracks all over the US – we can’t wait and are so excited for the fans to experience it on ESPN in prime time."
Hawk said that Lucas Oil Speedway as "an easy selection" for inclusion on the 2023 schedule.
"Tony Stewart had a big hand in helping with the selections of iconic race tracks and when you hear the name Lucas Oil, and Lucas Oil Speedway, you just go 'wow, I want to go there,' " Hawk added. "They were literally on our radar from day one, when when requests starting coming in. They get it, they understand it and they understand the big picture and we can't wait to go there."
The SRX schedule (all events at 9 p.m. EDT on ESPN):
July 13 - Stafford Motor Speedway (Stafford Springs, Conn.)
July 20 - Thunder Road Speedbowl (Barre, Vermont)
July 27 - Motor Mile Speedway (Radford, Va.)
Aug. 3 - Berlin Raceway (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
Aug. 10 - Eldora Speedway (New Weston, Ohio)
Aug. 17 - Lucas Oil Speedway (Wheatland, Mo.)
The final two races are back-to-back dirt-track events with the SRX champion determined as the checkered flag flies at Lucas Oil Speedway.
"We're thrilled to be a part of the SRX," Lucas Oil Speedway General Manager Danny Lorton said. "We can't wait for racing fans across the world to see Lucas Oil Speedway on ESPN and I know our fans will turn out in force for this one-of-a-kind event with some of the legends of racing in action."
Hawk gave a further breakdown of the schedule, starting with the opener at Stafford which is near the ESPN campus in Bristol, Conn.
"It was important to us to kick-off this summer at Stafford Motor Speedway, in Bristol’s backyard," Hawk said. "Stafford and the Arute family have done a first-class job, and the proximity to ESPN made the home-game concept very exciting. SRX’s first visit to Thunder Road (VT) will be awesome – the fans there are
spectacular, and we’re excited for race rans around the country to see how awesome that place is.
"We are equally excited to visit Motor Mile and Berlin Race - these are two tracks that have been on our radar since day one. Finally, finishing the season with back-to-back dirt races will test the driver’s adaptability. Eldora is a world-class facility, and with Tony [Stewart], we know we are getting the very best. And hosting our championship at Lucas Oil Speedway in Missouri will be the perfect finale to a diverse and exciting 2023 summer schedule."
According to a Sports Business Journal story, SRX last year averaged just over 1 million viewers on CBS, and it was able to break even financially after selling out five of the six races it held. In that story, Hawk said he's received an uptick in interest from drivers in NASCAR and IndyCar who are interested in competing because the series has switched from Saturdays to Thursdays.
Hawk said that about half the driver roster already is filled, but announcement of the entire roster likely will come later in January or February.
Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) was created by Sandy Montag and The Montag Group, Investor and former NASCAR COO, George Pyne, NASCAR Hall of Famer and legendary driver Tony Stewart, and NASCAR Hall of Fame Crew Chief and Owner Ray Evernham.
Over the first two seasons of SRX, the six-race series has featured drivers from a variety of racing backgrounds with an emphasis on champion-level drivers. SRX has seen some of the sport’s biggest names compete including: Tony Stewart, Bill Elliott, Chase Elliott, Tony Kanaan, Paul Tracy, Bobby Labonte, Willy T. Ribbs, Hailie Deegan, Ryan Blaney, Ryan Newman, Greg Biffle, Marco Andretti, Matt Kenseth, Michael Waltrip, Josef Newgarden, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Helio Castroneves, and many more.
In 2022, the series field featured a total of five NASCAR Cup Series Championships, three IndyCar Series Championships, four Daytona 500 Winners, five Indianapolis 500 Winners and four NASCAR Hall of Fame Drivers. Tony Stewart claimed the inaugural SRX Championship in 2021 and Marco Andretti claimed the 2022 Championship
For more information on the Superstar Racing Experience visit srxracing.com.
Ticket info: Tickets for the event will be $35 in advance and $40 at the gate. Kids will be $20. Advance tickets will become available online on Stubwire in the near future.
Season pass holders from 2022 can make sure they have a ticket for the event by renewing their season pass, at a $25 discount, through the end of the year. The Lucas Oil Speedway office will by open through the end of business on Thursday of this week and re-open Dec. 27-30, then be closed for the New Year's weekend before opening on Jan. 3. At that time, season passes will be available to all fans interested at the regular price.
Contact Admissions Director Nichole McMillan at (417) 282-5984 or email her at nichole@lucasoilspeedway.com for more information.
Season Pass Renewals before Dec. 31:
Adults (Age 16-61) $625 (dirt-track only), $725 (all speedway events)
Seniors (Age 62 and up) $525 (dirt-track only), $625 (all speedway events)
Season Passes beginning Jan. 1, 2023:
Adults (Age 16-61) $650 (dirt-track only), $750 (all speedway events)
Senior (Age 62 and up) $550 (dirt track only), $650 (all speedway events)
Each season pass holder is entitled to one reserved stadium-style seat, complete with high backs and armrests located in the top six rows of the main grandstand of the dirt track.
For information regarding gift certificates which can be used in various areas of the speedway in 2023, contact Lucas Oil Speedway Admissions Director Nichole McMillan at (417) 282-5984 or by 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, 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, Summit Racing Equipment, Sunoco Race Fuels, US Army Corps of Engineers-Pomme de Terre, Vietti Marketing Group, Wheatland Motel, White's Marine Center, Wild Animal Safari, Woods Supermarkets, Wrisco Industries.
Article Credit: By Lyndal Scranton, Lucas Oil Speedway
