12/18/2019
RacinBoys
Check out Lucas Oil Speedway, MLRA, ULMA booths at Ozarks Racers Reunion, Jan. 4
By Lyndal Scranton (Wheatland, MO) -- The biggest offseason gathering of Ozarks-area racing fans is coming up and Lucas Oil Speedway, along with the Lucas Oil MLRA and Lucas Cattle Company ULMA, will be on hand with information about their respective 2020 seasons.
The 33rd annual Ozarks Area Racers Foundation Reunion and Hall of Fame, where racing's past meets its present, is scheduled for Jan. 4 at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds E-Plex in Springfield.
Eight people who contributed to the racing scene in the Ozarks will be inducted into the Hall of Fame to conclude festivities that include race cars on display, vintage racing memorabilia and photos and an autograph session with the inductees.
"This is always a great time for racing fans from all over the region to gather and talk racing, while honoring some of the greats who contributed so much to the sport," Lucas Oil Speedway General Manager Danny Lorton said. "We want to invite everyone to stop by and see us at our booths and say hello."
Representatives from Lucas Oil Speedway, the Lucas Oil MLRA and the ULMA will be on hand with schedules and information for next season. Doors will open at 2:30 p.m. with an autograph session with the 2020 inductees plus a question-and-answer session with a panel of racing figures starting at 3:30. The induction portion of the program starts at 5 p.m.
This year's induction class includes, in the Legends category, includes Springfield's Terry Phillips, a four-time MLRA series champion with a record 116 series wins; Sparta veteran racer Rob Muilenberg, and a pair of former Late Model drivers - Skip Thompson of Mountain Grove and Don Marsh of West Plains.
The Pioneers category (non-driving contributors) features Springfield native and former NASCAR crew chief James Ince Jr.; long-time racing photographer Ron Mitchell of Republic and two posthumous inductees who made their marks as mechanics - Claude Higbee of Springfield and Tony Bone of Pea Ridge, Arkansas.
Advance tickets for the event are on sale at area O'Reilly Auto Parts locations at a discounted price of $15. Tickets will be $20 at the door.
For the third straight year, the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks will hold a blood drive, from 1-4 p.m. in the E-Plex lobby.
The 7,600-pound, three-piece granite monument with all the Ozarks Area Racers Foundation Hall of Famers listed is on display outside the front entrance of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in Springfield. It's free for viewing, 365 days a year.
The Lucas Oil Speedway season kicks off with an open test and tune on March 28, with the Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series opening night - which includes the ULMA Late Models - set for April 4. The Lucas Oil MLRA begins April 10-11 with the 7th annual Spring Nationals at Lucas Oil Speedway.
Gift cards, season passes available: Season passes for 2020, along with gift cards which can be redeemed in any department of the speedway, are now available. Contact Admissions Director Nichole McMillan at (417) 282-5984 or email her at nichole@lucasoilspeedway.com for more information.
Submitted By: Kirk Elliott
