MLRA Late Models return to Lucas Oil Speedway for Spring Nationals
Photo by GSS Media
WHEATLAND, MO.—Late Models tackle the dirt of Lucas Oil Speedway for the first time this season on Friday and Saturday with the return of the Midwest Late Model Racing Association at the 13th annual MLRA Spring Nationals.
In what is expected to be a mini-Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event of sorts, featuring some of the national-touring series' top drivers as the LOLMDS has the weekend off, feature winners will earn $7,000 on Friday and $20,000 on Saturday.
The Hickamo Super Stocks join the Late Models both nights, with Legend cars on Friday and Show-Me Vintage Racing Series on Saturday.
Among the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series regulars indicating they will compete are a pair of former Show-Me 100 winners - Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., Hudson O’Neal of Martinsville, Ind.
O’Neal captured both nights of the Spring Nationals a year ago when it was an unsanctioned open Late Model event. Davenport, meanwhile, has eight feature wins at Lucas Oil Speedway since the spring of 2023, including a pair of Spring Nationals triumph in 2024 and one in 2023.
The MLRA came back to life for 2026 after Ernie Leftwich, former series director of the Lucas Oil MLRA, bought the rights to the series after it shut down following the 2024 season.
Tony Jackson Jr. of Lebanon collected his 17th and 18th career MLRA victories in a mid-March doubleheader at the Springfield Raceway.
Friday Late Model feature purse: 1, $7,000. 2, $3,000. 3, $2,000. 4, $1,000. 5, $950. 6, $900. 7, $850. 8, $825. 9, $800. 10, $775. 11, $750. 12, $725. 13, $725. 14, $725. 15-24, $700.
Saturday Late Model feature purse: 1, $20,000. 2, $10,000. 3, $5,000. 4, $3,000. 5, $2,500. 6, $2,000. 7, $1,700. 8, $1,600. 9, $1,500. 10, $1,450. 11, $1,400. 12, $1,400. 13, $1,300. 14, $1,200. 15, $1,100. 16-24, $1,000.
Pit gates open at 4 p.m. and grandstands at 5 p.m. Friday; both open at 4 p.m. on Saturday with hot laps at 6:30 and racing at 7 both nights.
Friday admission:
Adults (13 and over) - $27.50
Seniors (62 and over)/Military - $24.25
Youth (ages 6-12) - $12
Kids (5 and under) - FREE
Pit pass (purchase only at pit office) - $44, $22.25 (5 and under), 2-day pit pass $91, $22.25 (5 and under).
Saturday admission:
Adults (13 and over) - $33
Seniors (62 and over)/Military - $29.50
Youth (ages 6-12) - $12
Kids (5 and under) - FREE
Pit pass (purchase only at pit office) - $49, $12 (5 and under).
For advance ticket info go online to Stub Wire.
High Limit Sprints coming April 18: Advance tickets for the Interstate Batteries High Limit Sprint Series' April 18 visit at Lucas Oil Speedway are available online. Tanner Thorson holds a narrow lead over Aaron Reutzel, Rice Abreu and Giovanni Scelzi in the early 2026 championship standings.
For further event information, including more info on tickets and camping for any event at Lucas Oil Speedway, contact Admissions Director Nichole McMillan at (417) 282-5984 or by email at Nmcmillan@lucasoilspeedway.com.
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