10/19/2017
RacinBoys
Freestyle Motocross at Lucas Oil Speedway
By Lyndal Scranton (Wheatland, MO) -- Fans attending Saturday night's Monster Truck Nationals "Eve of Destruction" at Lucas Oil Speedway will get more than the metal-crushing, four-wheeled bruisers.
Freestyle Insanity Moto-X also will be on display and veteran stunt rider Terry Russell promises to put on a show, along with fellow rider Tyler Davidson.
PHOTO: Freestyle Insanity Moto-X, including Jeremy Russell, is part of the Monster Truck Nationals program on Saturday at Lucas Oil Speedway--CREDIT: United FMX photo
"We are going to jump 80 feet in distance, from one metal launch ramp to another metal landing," Russell said. "We'll have stunts including Backflip, Superman Seat Grab and Cliffhanger. We definitely will give the fans something to watch, along with the Monster Trucks."
Russell is a member of a team of riders that travels coast-to-coast, defying gravity and fear as fans hold their breath. How dangerous is life as a Freestyle Insanity Motocross rider?
"Very. Especially in the learning period," said Russell, a former dirt-bike motocross racer who said he found his calling as a stunt rider more than a decade ago.
"I started racing dirt bikes and decided that I was a better jumper than I was a racer," Russell said. "I ending up building a metal ramp and chasing my dream. I've been blessed to provide for my family riding freestyle motocross."
The injury list is a long one, including 13 broken bones. But Russell adds that, while it sounds bad, that total really isn't that bad compared to many others in the sport.
Russell admits you have to be wired a certain way to excel in the dangerous world of freestyle motocross.
"I can best answer that by describing what goes through my mind as I'm ready to hit the ramp," Russell said. "You shut off the part of your brain that says, 'stop, don't do this! You might get hurt!' You have to have confidence in yourself."
This Saturday's show is one that Russell, of Jefferson City, looks forward to because it's so close to home. He said he usually travels at least 500 miles to perform in 25-30 events a year.
"So this is one that the family gets to come to," he said.
Fans of all ages are encourage to dress in their favorite Halloween costumes as part of the "Spooktacular" program. Six world-famous Monster Trucks - Bigfoot, Raminator, Heavy Hitter, Big Kahuna, Snakebite and Basher - are on the schedule.
The trucks also will hold a Wheelie Contest, Donut Contest and Long Jump Contest. The evening will conclude with a Grand Finale Truck Parade.
Gates will open at 4 p.m. with a Pit Party from 5-6:30 p.m. with showtime at 7. A giant 76 by 50 foot American flag presented by Naval Enlisted Reserve of Oklahoma will be displayed on the infield for the National Anthem. Engines will fire at 7:15 p.m.
Fans can save $5 by getting tickets in advance, at area O'Reilly Auto Parts locations.
Advance ticket prices:
Adults (16 and up) $20 in advance
Seniors (62 and up)/Military $17
Youth (6-15) $5
Kids (5 and under) FREE
**Applicable fees may be applied
Day of show ticket prices:
Adults (16 and up) $25
Seniors (62 and up)/Military $22
Youth (6-15) $10
Kids (5 and under) FREE
Family Pass $50
For ticket information, contact admissions director Nichole McMillan at (417) 282-5984 or via email at nichole@LucasOilSpeedway.com. Tickets also can be purchased online at https://www.showclix.com/events/8559.
The latest information on the Monster Truck National series may be found at www.MonsterNationals.com.
Complete Lucas Oil Speedway event information, archived stories, ticket info and schedules can be found by visiting 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 its 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 http://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 http://www.facebook.com/LucasOilSpeedway and on http://www.youtube.com/LucasOilSpeedway
Submitted By: Kirk Elliott
