Wheatland, Missouri (January 12, 2017) - The goal for Jon Binning is clear as he focuses on the 2017 racing season, which fires up in early April at Lucas Oil Speedway.
"I really want to get a championship at Wheatland," the former Lucas Cattle Company ULMA Late Model National Champion said, noting some close-but-no-cigar points finishes in the past at Lucas Oil Speedway.
Binning, of Warrensburg, is coming off a solid third-place finish last season that included three runner-up finishes. But priorities - Binning missed a night of racing for his daughter's high school graduation - plus a blown motor late in the schedule scuttled his title hopes.
Aaron Marrant rode an early season four-race winning streak to the Lucas Oil Speedway championship with Tommy Cordray second. Binning, the 2014 ULMA National Champ, is hungry to earn his first title at the Wheatland oval.
It won't be easy in a division that seems to be getting more competitive by the year.
"You can't have any mistakes," Binning said. "There are just too many good cars. And you have to have a little luck on your side.
"It was very tough (in 2016). There were so many good cars and a lot of new drivers. Jon Sheets and Johnny Fennewald both came in (from Modifieds) and were good. It's great to have them. They're both good guys.
"I don't mind it when guys come in and they're not going to wreck you."
Binning, 44, said the quality of Limited Late Model racing at Lucas Oil Speedway stacks up with any venue in the nation. He said as many as 10 drivers are capable of winning on any given night.
"Then we have 20-some cars there every weekend; that's got to be at the top of any track in the country for Late Models," Binning said.
Binning, who began his racing career 11 years ago at I-35 Speedway, also plans to race at his hometown Central Missouri Speedway in Warrensburg this season. What car he will drive is a little bit uncertain as his 2013 Rocket is for sale.
"If anybody wants to buy it, they can," Binning said. "But if I don't sell it, I'll race it. If I do, then I'll buy something newer. A lot of people are buying these newer cars and that's fine. I just don't think that it's necessarily the answer to every problem."
Binning emphasizes that any success he has is a team effort. Crew help includes Scott Davis, Jeremy Wetzel, George Hicks, Joe Bartlett, Jonna Ingham and Binning's wife, Nikki.
The sponsor lineup finds All-Pro Electrical Technology, D&M Plumbing, RCI, Scott Bailey Racing Engines, B&D Transmission, Bybee Lawn Care along with John and Danny Linenberger.
"We're looking forward to the season," Binning said of his anticipated Lucas Oil Speedway title chase. "I have another daughter who will graduate this year. I'll pray for rain that day. If that doesn't happen, then we'll try to win it in 12 races."
The 2017 season begins with the Weekly Championship Series opener on April 8, followed by the 4th annual Lucas Oil MLRA Spring Nationals on April 14-15. Here is the complete schedule for 2017.
For complete Lucas Oil Speedway event information, archived stories, ticket info and schedule information for the season, visit 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 it's 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 www.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.
"I really want to get a championship at Wheatland," the former Lucas Cattle Company ULMA Late Model National Champion said, noting some close-but-no-cigar points finishes in the past at Lucas Oil Speedway.
Binning, of Warrensburg, is coming off a solid third-place finish last season that included three runner-up finishes. But priorities - Binning missed a night of racing for his daughter's high school graduation - plus a blown motor late in the schedule scuttled his title hopes.
Aaron Marrant rode an early season four-race winning streak to the Lucas Oil Speedway championship with Tommy Cordray second. Binning, the 2014 ULMA National Champ, is hungry to earn his first title at the Wheatland oval.
It won't be easy in a division that seems to be getting more competitive by the year.
"You can't have any mistakes," Binning said. "There are just too many good cars. And you have to have a little luck on your side.
"It was very tough (in 2016). There were so many good cars and a lot of new drivers. Jon Sheets and Johnny Fennewald both came in (from Modifieds) and were good. It's great to have them. They're both good guys.
"I don't mind it when guys come in and they're not going to wreck you."
Binning, 44, said the quality of Limited Late Model racing at Lucas Oil Speedway stacks up with any venue in the nation. He said as many as 10 drivers are capable of winning on any given night.
"Then we have 20-some cars there every weekend; that's got to be at the top of any track in the country for Late Models," Binning said.
Binning, who began his racing career 11 years ago at I-35 Speedway, also plans to race at his hometown Central Missouri Speedway in Warrensburg this season. What car he will drive is a little bit uncertain as his 2013 Rocket is for sale.
"If anybody wants to buy it, they can," Binning said. "But if I don't sell it, I'll race it. If I do, then I'll buy something newer. A lot of people are buying these newer cars and that's fine. I just don't think that it's necessarily the answer to every problem."
Binning emphasizes that any success he has is a team effort. Crew help includes Scott Davis, Jeremy Wetzel, George Hicks, Joe Bartlett, Jonna Ingham and Binning's wife, Nikki.
The sponsor lineup finds All-Pro Electrical Technology, D&M Plumbing, RCI, Scott Bailey Racing Engines, B&D Transmission, Bybee Lawn Care along with John and Danny Linenberger.
"We're looking forward to the season," Binning said of his anticipated Lucas Oil Speedway title chase. "I have another daughter who will graduate this year. I'll pray for rain that day. If that doesn't happen, then we'll try to win it in 12 races."
The 2017 season begins with the Weekly Championship Series opener on April 8, followed by the 4th annual Lucas Oil MLRA Spring Nationals on April 14-15. Here is the complete schedule for 2017.
For complete Lucas Oil Speedway event information, archived stories, ticket info and schedule information for the season, visit 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 it's 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 www.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.
