By Lyndal Scranton – Wheatland, Missouri (June 23, 2016) – Darrin Crisler’s track-championship hopes were over before they started as he missed the first month of racing at Lucas Oil Speedway while awaiting key parts for a new engine.
“We had some parts that got put on back order and it kind of held us up,” Crisler said.
But since returning to the driver’s seat, Crisler has been making up for lost time in the Carson’s Corner NAPA Street Stock division. Before a sixth-place the last time out on June 11, Crisler grabbed a long-awaited Lucas Oil Speedway feature victory on May 21.
“So far it’s going pretty good,” the 31-year-old Clever resident said of his season. “I got my first win at Lucas and that’s kind of icing on the cake after chasing it all year last year.”
Crisler, the Tailgate Guys Radio Show Spotlight Driver of the Week, will seek his second victory Saturday night when the Budweiser Weekly Championship Series resumes with the Bolivar Herald-Free Press Midseason Championships.
The ALPS Food Store ULMA Late Models, Ozark Golf Cars B Mods and Pitts Home USRA Modifieds also will be in action. Gates open at 5 p.m. with hot laps at 7 and racing at 7:30.
Driving his own chassis built from the ground up by his dad Tim Crisler’s help, Darrin Crisler did what few have been able to – beat Derek Brown – in the late-May triumph. Brown, of Stoutland, is the runaway points leader and has won five of eight Street Stocks features this season.
Asked how he did it, Crisler quickly gave praise to his supporting cast.
“I’ve had a lot of help from some really good, long-time friends,” Crisler said. “Bob and Erik Maggard (long-time area racers) helped me out a lot with my car. We completely changed our entire set-up package and … some nights you just get lucky. That happened to be one of those nights.”
Crisler, who works as a police officer in Miller, has been racing competitively since climbing behind the wheel of a go-kart as a six-yearold. He began driving full-bodied cars in entry-level classes such as Bombers and Super Stocks at 15, then tried Modifieds for a brief time.
“I didn’t care for them too much,” Crisler said of the open-wheel cars. “I got back into the full-bodied cars. It’s a style of car that I’ve always enjoyed driving.”
These days, the Street Stock division is probably more competitive than it’s ever been with Brown leading the way.
You have guys like Tim Brown, who’s been racing forever. He and my father raced together,” Crisler said. “Derek Brown, Kenny Carroll, Burl Woods. The list goes on. You have the toughest race cars in the country to race against on a weekly basis.”
That made his breakthrough victory all the sweeter. Last season, Crisler said he had a couple of second-place finishes at Lucas Oil Speedway and several other top-fives. He was running fourth in the Big Buck 50 last fall before succumbing to motor issues.
The Big Buck 50 is one of a few big-money races around the region that Crisler has circled for the rest of this season. Even thought he the points chase is out of reach, he also has the goal of rallying into the top-10 and visiting victory lane some more at Lucas Oil Speedway.
“I have a little boy who likes those trophies,” Crisler said of 5-year-old son Gavin. “He will be a fourth-generation racer. He’s racing go-karts now.”
Tim Crisler raced for several years and Darrin’s grandfather, Ron Crisler, drove sprint cars in the late 1950s and 1960s. These days, Tim Crisler provides the majority of his race-night help, along with mother Melynda and wife Amanda.
Sponsors include Mac’s Performance Powertrain, Comfort Heating & Air in Republic and The Auto Shop in Springfield.
The Tailgate Guys Radio Show can be heard from 11:05 a.m.-noon Saturdays on AM 1340 KICK or online at 1340BigTalker.com. The show’s Facebook page is facebook.com/TailgateGuysRadio.
Look for discount coupons for this week’s races in the Bolivar Herald-Free Press. For more information on the Bolivar Herald-Free Press, please visit www.BolivarMONews.com .
Ticket prices for Saturday’s program are:
Adults (16 and up) $12
Seniors (62 and up)/Military $9
Youth (6-15) $5
Kids (5 and under) FREE
Family Pass $25 click here for more information
Pit Pass $25
To purchase tickets or to inquire about the availability of suites for upcoming races, contact admissions director Nichole McMillan at (417) 282-5984 or via email at nichole@lucasoilspeedway.com.
A reminder, a special Casey’s General Stores Thursday Night Thunder edition of the Budweiser Weekly Championship Series Presented by KRBK Fox 5 is coming up on June 30. There will be no Saturday racing on July 2.
For complete 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.