May 20, 2024 | By Lyndal Scranton

Diamond Dozen of storylines as 32nd annual Lucas Oil Show-Me 100 Presented by Missouri Division of Tourism nears

WHEATLAND, Mo. — One of the great weeks of the Dirt Late Model season has arrived. It’s time for the 32nd annual Lucas Oil Show-Me 100 Presented by Missouri Division of Tourism with the first of three nights of action on Thursday at Lucas Oil Speedway.

There will be countless activities happening, on and off the race track, for everyone to enjoy. Before fans converge on south-central Missouri and turn the small city of Wheatland into a major mecca of dirt-track racing, here’s a look at a “Diamond Dozen” of storylines to watch as the Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model Models and Lucas Oil MLRA Series arrive at the Diamond of Dirt Tracks:

Is this RTJ’s time? Ricky Thornton Jr. was the first to take the checkers at the 2023 Show-Me 100, but was penalized in post-race inspection for his car’s deck height being 3/8-inch too high, elevating Devin Moran to victory lane. It was a crushing way to lose for Thornton, who went on to win an amazing 23 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series features. He’s back at it again this season, already with a series-leading six wins.

Look out for Superman: When it comes to Lucas Oil Speedway, no one is better than Jonathan Davenport. After his sweep of the Lucas MLRA Spring Nationals doubleheader in April in which he led all 100 laps, “Superman” has seven feature wins at Wheatland over the last two seasons. The Blairsville, Ga., driver won both preliminary night features at last year’s Show-Me 100 and is looking for his first win in the 100-lap finale since 2015.

Moran takes aim: The defending race champion is Devin Moran, but the Ohio driver admits the way he won last year was not fully satisfying as it came at Ricky Thornton Jr’s expense. In a feature story in the Show-Me 100 official souvenir program, available at the Lucas Oil Speedway Track Treasures gift shop, Moran said it was “obviously it was not quite the way we wanted to win, but at the end of the day we got the big check and the trophy so it’s always a great thing to come out of there with some money.”

Expect a dramatic finish: Since Jonathan Davenport led all 100 laps in dominating the 2015 Show-Me 100, the last seven editions of the race (the 2019 event was canceled due to storm damage) have seen the final lead change occur on lap 87 or later three times. Payton Looney led the final 70 circuits to prevail in 2020,. No recent Show-Me is more memorable than 2016 when Jimmy Owens took over with just eight laps remaining.

Show-Me State hopes: Payton Looney of Republic became the second Missourian to win the Show-Me 100 when he scored a popular victory in 2020, joining Terry Phillips (1999) the only home-state winners. Looney is part of a contingent of Missourians who will be chasing victory lane again and that list includes 20-year-old Dillon McCowan from nearby Urbana, who ran a strong sixth in last year’s 100-lap finale.

Three nights, three features for a record purse: While everything will build toward the 100-lap, $50,000-to-win main event on Saturday night, there are three full nights of racing scheduled. Action kicks off on Thursday with the 10th annual Cowboy Classic, honoring the long-time MLRA Owner/Promoter Allen "Cowboy" Chancellor, headlining the program. On Friday, it's the Tribute to Don and Billie Gibson, in honor of longtime West Plains Motor Speedway owners Don and Billie Gibson who started the Show-Me 100 in 1991. Results from the first two nights will help set the lineup for the big finale.

The record total purse over the three days will exceed $275,000 for the co-sanctioned Lucas Oil Late Model and Lucas Oil MLRA event.

Midwest Sheet Metal Show-Me Challenge always dramatic: The final race prior to the Show-Me 100 is Saturday night's Midwest Sheet Metal Show-Me Challenge. It's a non-qualifiers race where the winner can take either the $2,500 check or opt to give it back for a spot at the rear of the Show-Me 100 starting lineup. Chris and Jan Davis of Midwest Sheet Metal have sponsored the race since 2013. The first year, Mike Marlar won the race and went on to run seventh in the Show-Me 100 after starting 33rd. Chris Simpson parlayed his win into a last-to-third run in 2015 to earn $6,000 and Bobby Pierce went from last to briefly leading the race in the late going, before a flat tire relegated him to sixth in 2016 to earn $5,000.

More Late Models: It will be all Late Models this year as the Hermitage Lumber POWRi Late Models will serve as support class for this year’s event. Veteran racer Justin Wells of Aurora, the reigning track champion in the division and who already has three feature wins this season, will be pulling double duty driving his POWRi Late Model and his Open Late Model this weekend.

Kids Fishing Tourney: The inaugural 54 Outdoor Kids Fishing Tournament will take place on Lake Lucas from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday as kids will get to fish with drivers from both the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and the Lucas Oil MLRA. To learn more about the kids tournament visit the RCR Designs Jr. Fan Club Facebook page.

Pit Crew Challenge: Following the 54 Outdoor Kids Fishing tournament, a Pit Crew Challenge competition will take place, presented by Hellraizer Jacks, in the infield of the track starting at 3:30 p.m. Race teams that are locked into the top 18 of points for Saturday night's main event will compete for cash and products to see which crew can change two tires the fastest. The winning crew receives $2,000 and a New Hellraizer jack valued at $1,500, compliments of Hellraizer Jacks.

Nutrien Ag Opening Ceremonies with Creed Fisher: Nutrien Ag Solutions will sponsor the pre-race ceremonies and entertainment for this year’s Lucas Oil Show-Me 100-presented by Missouri Division of Tourism with recording artist Creed Fisher as the Grand Marshal for the event. Fisher will hit the stage to perform several of his hit songs, along with the National Anthem following the presenting of the colors and the flag. The KC Flight Formation Team out of Kansas City will do a special flyover and mini-air show at the conclusion of the National Anthem. Nutrien Ag Solutions and the Missouri Division of Tourism will be recognized in the ceremonies.

Door panel auction for a great cause: In what's become another one of the great traditions of Show-Me 100 weekend, Ozarks Area Racers Foundation Hall of Fame photographer Ron Mitchell's Door Panel Auction will return to the hillside between the spectator entrance and main grandstands. Saturday’s silent auction, featuring door panels of many Late Model and USMTS drivers, has raised more than $60,000 over the years to benefit the American Cancer Society.


Show-Me 100 admission:

Thursday, May 23

Adults (13 and up) - $30
Seniors (62 and over)/Military with ID - $27
Youth (ages 6-12) - $5
Kids (5-and-under) - FREE
Family pass - $70
3-day reserved-seat - $115
Pit pass - $40
3-day pit pass - $125


Friday, May 24

Adults (13 and up) - $30
Seniors (62 and over)/Military with ID - $27
Youth (ages 6-12) - $5
Kids (5-and-under) - FREE
Family pass - $70
Pit pass - $40
2-day pit pass - $85


Saturday, May 25

Adults (13 and up) - $40
Seniors (62 and over)/Military with ID - $37
Youth (ages 6-12) - $10
Kids (5-and-under) - FREE
Family pass - $90
Pit pass - $45


Show-Me 100 3-day passes do not include pit passes. Those must be purchased separately if access to the pit area is desired.


Show-Me 100 Late Model purses:

Thursday, May 23: 1. $10,000, 2. $5,500, 3. $3,500, 4. $2,700, 5. $2,500, 6. $2,300, 7. $2,200, 8. $2,100, 9. $2,050, 10. $2,000, 11. $1,600, 12. $1,400, 13. $1,200, 14. $1,000, 15. $950, 16. $925, 17. $900, 18. $875, 19. $850, 20. $825, 21. $800, 22. $800, 23. $800, 24. $800 - (Total) $48,575

Friday, May 24: 1. $10,000, 2. $5,500, 3. $3,500, 4. $2,700,
5. $2,500, 6. $2,300, 7. $2,200, 8. $2,100, 9. $2,050, 10. $2,000, 11. $1,600, 12. $1,400, 13. $1,200, 14. $1,000, 15. $950, 16. $925, 17. $900, 18. $875, 19. $850, 20. $825, 21. $800, 22. $800, 23. $800, 24. $800 - (Total) $48,575

Midwest Sheet Metal Show-Me Challenge: 1. $2,500, 2. $1,250, 3. $750, 4. $600, 5. $500, 6. $475, 7. $450, 8. $425, 9. $400, 10. $375, 11. $350, 12. $325, 13. $300, 14. $275, 15. $250, 16. $250, 17. $250, 18. $250, 19. $250, 20. $250, 21. $250, 22. $250, 23. $250, 24. $250 = $11,475

Saturday, May 25: 1. $50,000, 2. $20,000, 3. $10,000, 4. $9,000, 5. $8,000, 6. $7,000, 7. $6,000, 8. $5,000, 9. $4,500, 10. $4,000, 11. $3,500, 12. $3,250, 13. $3,000, 14. $2,750, 15. $2,500, 16. $2,400, 17. $2,350, 18. $2,325, 19. $2,300, 20. $2,250, 21. $2,200, 22. $2,150, 23. $2,100, 24. $2,050, 25. $2,000, 26. $2,000, 27. $2,000, 28. $2,000, 29. $2,000. (Total) $168,625



Show-Me 100 winners:

2023 - Devin Moran, Dresdin, Ohio
2022 - Chris Ferguson, Mount Holly, N.C.
2021 - Hudson O'Neal, Martinsville, Ind.
2020 - Payton Looney, Republic, Mo.
2019 - Canceled (storm damage)
2018 - Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, Tenn.
2017 - Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, Ill.
2016 - Jimmy Owens, Newport, Tenn.
2015 - Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, Ga.
2014 - Don O'Neal, Martinsville, Ind.
2013 - Jimmy Owens, Newport, Tenn.
2012 - Jimmy Owens, Newport, Tenn.
2011 - Jimmy Owens, Newport, Tenn.
2010 - Ray Cook, Brasstown, N.C.
2009 - Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine, Iowa
2008 - Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, Tenn.
2007 - Wendell Wallace, Batesville, Ark.
2006 - Wendell Wallace, Batesville, Ark.
2005 - Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, Tenn.
2004 - Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, Tenn.
2003 - Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, Tenn.
2002 - Wendell Wallace, Batesville, Ark.
2001 - Freddy Smith, Knoxville, Tenn.
2000 - Ray Cook, Brasstown, N.C.
1999 - Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
1998 - Freddy Smith, Knoxville, Tenn.
1997 - Rick Aukland, Fargo, N.C.
1996 - Billy Moyer, Batesville, Ark.
1995 - Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, Tenn.
1994 - Billy Moyer, Batesville, Ark.
1993 - Billy Moyer, Batesville, Ark.