Wheatland, Missouri (May 19, 2016) – It’s one week and counting until the season’s biggest weekend at Lucas Oil Speedway with the 24th annual Show-Me 100 Presented by Protecttheharvest.com set to fire up May 26-28.
For the fourth straight year, drivers failing to nail down a coveted starting spot in the 100-lap Saturday feature through convention means will still have hope. The 4th annual Midwest Sheet Metal Challenge provides a last-chance opportunity.
It’s one that Iowa driver Chris Simpson made the most of a year ago.
“That race is huge,” Simpson said of the Midwest Sheet Metal Challenge, where the top 24 drivers not already locked into the main event after heat races and B-mains are eligible for the 20-lap, $2,500-to-win race. The winner has the choice to keep the prize money – or forfeit it and start shotgun in the Show-Me 100 for a chance at the $30,000 first prize.
For Simpson, a winner of the Midwest Sheet Metal Challenge in 2015, it was a no-brainer. He elected to start 31st in the feature, the proceeded to drive to a third-place Show-Me 100 finish.
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.
Simpson not only turned $2,000 into $6,000, he said it was about the prestige of being a part of one of dirt-racing’s biggest races.
“Any time you get another chance to make the Show-Me, it’s big,” Simpson said. “We knew we had a good car later in the night. We just had kind of buried ourselves in the (B main) and the heat and we were excited to have that extra chance to get in there.
“A lot of guys don’t take advantage of that. They just take the money and go home. For me, there was no doubt. It gave me and opportunity to move up through the field like we did. It really proves that it’s worth taking the extra shot to get into the feature and work your way up there.”
In addition to the winner’s share, which has been increased by $500 over a year ago, the Midwest Sheet Metal Challenge pays a minimum of $250 to start so it gives everyone in the field a chance for additional winnings despite not making the main event.
The Show-Me 100 is co-sanctioned by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and the Lucas Oil MLRA.
“This is the fourth year in a row that Midwest Sheet Metal has stepped up to sponsor this race,” Lucas Oil Speedway General Manager Dan Robinson said of the Springfield, Mo., company. “It has really become an important factor for the racers as they know it give them not only one last shot to get into the Show-Me 100 but it also gives them a chance to make a little extra money if they have had a bit of a rough weekend.
“Chris Davis (owner of Midwest Sheet Metal) is a terrific supporter of dirt-track racing and we appreciate him stepping up and making this race a key part of our biggest weekend once again.”
Midwest Sheet Metal is a family owned and operated business specializing in the design and custom fabrication of carbon steel, stainless and aluminum products. Midwest Sheet Metal has one of the area’s largest in-stock inventories of steel, aluminum, stainless and structural shapes.
For more information on the company, check out www.msmfab.com or call (417) 869-1252.
The 24th Show-Me 100 is bigger than ever, with full Late Model programs and features each of the three nights for the first time. The purse for the weekend has been increased to approximately $170,000, including $6,000-to-win features on Thursday and Friday.
Action begins Thursday, May 26 with the “Cowboy Classic” presented by Hot Rod Processing, in honor of Allen “Cowboy” Chancellor, former co-owner of the MLRA. The Friday feature will pay tribute to Don and Billie Gibson, former owners of West Plains Motor Speedway where the Show-Me 100 originated in 1993.
First place in the Show-Me 100 remains $30,000, but the payout will increase about $30,000 throughout the remainder of the field. Second will pay $15,000 (an increase of $5,000) with third $10,000 (up from $6,000). Earning a starting spot will guarantee $2,000, up from $1,500.
Up to three B features on Saturday, lined up by average finishes on Thursday and Friday, will determine the remainder of the starting field for the Show-Me 100 – along with possibly the winner of the Midwest Sheet Metal Challenge riding shotgun on the field.
The Pitts Homes USRA Modifieds also will be in action with full programs the first two nights with B-Mains and a main event on Saturday.
For ticket info contact Anna Harnden at (417) 282-5984 or via email at anna@lucasoilspeedway.com.
Ticket prices for the Show-Me 100 weekend are:
THURSDAY:
Adults (16 and up) $25
Seniors (62 and up)/Military $22
Youth (6-15) $10
Kids (5 and under) FREE
Family Pass $50 (Click Here for more information)
3-Day Reserved Seat Ticket $95
Pit Pass $35
3-Day Pit Pass $100
FRIDAY:
Adults (16 and up) $25
Seniors (62 and up)/Military $22
Youth (12-15) $10
Kids (11 and under) FREE
Family Pass $50 (Click Here for more information)
3-Day Reserved Seat Ticket $95
Pit Pass $35
3-Day Pit Pass $100
SATURDAY:
Adults (16 and up) $30
Seniors (62 and up)/Military $27
Youth (6-15) $10
Kids (5 and under) FREE
Family Pass $60 (Click Here for more information)
3-Day Reserved Seat Ticket $95
Pit Pass $40
3-Day Pit Pass $100
A reminder for Show-Me weekend, Friday’s program will be part of the 2016 Free Kids Fridays promotion. Youngsters 11-and-under will be admitted free with a paid adult admission.
For complete event information, archived stories, ticket info and schedule information for the season, visit lucasoilspeedway.com
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.