Springfield and Monett both have tracks but, if you are looking for the nicest facility and biggest races, Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland (on 83 just south of 54) is probably my #1.
Racing Thread (for me and Top) Everyone else carry on!
- Thread starter trumanbulldog42
- Start date
You can go to both if you want. Monett runs on Friday nights and Springfield runs on Saturdays. Nevada also has a track but I'm not sure what night they run on. Depending on where you live, Lucas Oil in Wheatland is the place to go like Top said. The facilities are top notch anywhere in the country. Springfield gets a lot of cars on a weekly basis though so you won't be disappointed if you go there I don't think. Just don't expect the same level of facilities.
The previous owners of the West Plains speedway(now Legit Speedway) sold the rights to the Show Me 100 to Lucas Oil years ago. What a bonehead move.
I grew up going to I-44 in Lebanon mainly, big Terry & Larry fan.
Also been to WP, Batesville, Wheatland, went to a short track outside of Memphis next to the big track and drag strip when I was a kid(can’t remember the name)
And then I-70 back in the day and Pikes Peak International Speedway when Busch was running there some 20-25 years ago.
Also remember going to a dirt track in Iowa around 25 years ago, I wanna say it was Corning, IA if I remember.
Always loved dirt tracks over asphalt.
Yes and Forrest the pirate Lucas just nabbed the King of America away from the USMTS. In saying that he has done wonders for that depressed area. The dirt track in Corning IA is still open just doing local stuff now. Riverside Intl Speedway is a cool little bull ring in Crittenden Co AR I try to hit when down that Memphis way on business.
Need to get back down to Batesville beautiful country and an iconic venue. (drum roll) Forrest Lucas also put the August Topless 100 under the Lucas Oil umbrella.
It appears nobody is going to be watching any races in person around here this weekend...
Did you see the crowd for the King of America? Empty, I was really sad about that. even last weekend the big boys were in town for a 20,000 to win late model race and still the stands were a ghost town. Other than the Show Me it doesn’t look like people enjoy going to Lucas anymore.
To be fair, the crowds are almost always like that early and late in the season. I go several times a year to Lucas, and if the weather is nice, it still has plenty of people interested. Floracing probably hasn't helped though since you can stay at home, stay warm, and save money by watching it on there.
Two major reasons why: 1) Location. 2) Track prep (what my Dad and I call milking the public). Minor reasons are: 1) Webcasting and 2) Track conditions (rocky cutting tires).
They actually put new dirt down last year and it was way better as far as the track conditions. That's from talking to drivers as well as my own observations but could obviously not be completely true. They do for some reason like to do an absurd amount of intermission track prep. The track ends up being super tacky all night which doesn't promote good racing most of the time. I would go every week if it wasn't in BFE west....need a new map made maybe??? I'll refer to the standard though if need be.
My observation is yes the track is racey early on but, as they wear off the new dirt and reach the old orange rocky Ozarks clay, declines as the night goes on and yes thank you for pointing out how their track prep intermission never helps. I remember one Show Me 100 the now late great Scott Bloomquist all but begged them not to do that then called them out during his pre race trackside interview.
They do it every time and it makes no sense. It takes a ton of time so its annoying for the fans and it makes the racing worse. That would be like making the halftime of a HS game 30 minutes and turning on the sprinklers the whole time to make sure it was good and muddy for the second half....
Don't forget the T Shirt shacks are all open and we are serving the best race track food in America!
Go on...
It is what they shamelessly say during the 90 minute intermission. Milking the public. Now knowing what a foodie you are if ya go there do the YUGE tenderloin someone from Springfield/Ozark area serves. Don't remember the name, though. It may even fill you up big boy.
As someone who is well versed in milking the public and boosting concession stand sales, this is a weak attempt. Be better!! Hehe
Larry the legend. I watched him run at Ozark Empire Fairgrounds against a young kid named Mark Martin. Went to the pits after the race and was totally surprised how short and young Mark was. Saw Dick Trickle (great name) too. Never saw him against Rusty but wish I did. I still have a photo of Larry sitting in his blue and white, House of Sound #75. Car is on the track with the old grandstands as the backdrop. He still has his helmet on and he’s smoking a cigarette. lol. Too cool. Wish I could post the photo.
Show Me 100 at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland is a nice 3-day event coming up.
Used to watch NASCAR all the time (I became a big Mark Martin fan) but they ruined it. Haven’t seen a race in ages.
I only follow the Sprint Car/DLM guys in NASCAR agree. It is pretty hard to watch.
Mark Martin is actually a southern Indiana native moved to Batesville AR because of Larry Shaw. There is another big time racing/family connection there in dirt circles as Billy Moyer moved from his native Ankeny IA (anyone from the Des Moines area knows Bill and Karl Moyer are business legends in that area). Bill discovered a young hot shoe from Kansas City one Terry Bivins (let's see if anyone remembers him) and was going to mold him into a NASCAR star but it never panned out and his son stayed dirt becoming every bit the DLM legend Larry Phillips, who was beyond a daredevil who could race anything, was.
I am looking at the Show Me but this thread explains my issues with Lucas Oil Speedway. Will they ever learn?
How dare you.....CLOWN!
Oh, calm down! Dont get your circuits in a bunch! I said "hehe" implying it was a JOKE!
I was on a racing blog just this morning before driving to work one poster suggested a certain sprint car driver should get a prestigious ride because he's a man's man.....................
Kane has poisoned me he and Gordon came right to mind I lost it...............
I was on a racing blog just this morning before driving to work one poster suggested a certain sprint car driver should get a prestigious ride because he's a man's man.....................
Hey @thetophat2021 , is this the year Larry Phillips gets into the NASCAR HOF???
Been to Topless 100 twice, great race. Mark has a big IMCA modified race pays around 25 grand to win at Batesville.
Get on there and vote every day. I found some new stories online about the legend. I wish I could watch a race from the 70s or 80s with Trickle, Phillips Shear, Wallace, Martin Reffner etc, the golden years.
When we lived in Cameron I used to listen to them regularly, great show. That was 15 plus years ago. I 70, what a track, sure miss it. Watched an ASA race there won by a kid named Petty, got his autograph and later got the Kings autograph on that picture. A you g guy named Jimmie Johnson sat on the pole that night. Who knew what the future held for those two young men at that time.
And your from the state that produced the Andretti family, my my.
Does Bosko know Central PA is one of Sprint Car Racing's true hotbeds?
Hey! I said racing was BETTER than 8 man football! Im also from the state that produced the du Pont family after they migrated from France! YOUR POINT??? NICE TRY!!!
I'm pretty sure the Andretti family is more popular in sports circles, and for sure not as weird.
Neither you nor I know what the Andretti family does behind closed doors!
Regardless, my point still stands!! Racing > 8 man football but only by the SMALLEST of notches!!
Mrs Bosko if you see this. Can you get tell Sheldon to leave our racing thread alone please and thank you!!!
