December 8, 2023 | By Lucas Oil Late Model Series PR

Lucas Oil Late Model Final Four with even bigger emphasis in 2024

BATAVIA, Ohio — The next evolution of the Chase for the Championship will put an even greater emphasis on the final four drivers. The round-by-round format will continue to award teams cash prizes at four different intervals throughout the season. However, bonus points will not be awarded after each round.

The Big River Steel Big Four will now be settled at the 20th Annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals on September 21. From there, the four championship contenders will battle for the 20th Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Championship at the remaining seven races of the season.

The modified title format is already driving up purses for the new season. Sept. 28’s Jackson 100 at Brownstown Speedway and Oct. 5’s Pittsburgher now pay $50,000-to-win, both up from $30,000-to-win in 2023, simply because those crucial events are now part of the seven-race chase for the title.

“It’s seven points events, and if we have a rainout along the way, it is what it is. We think that’s a unique group of racetracks,” Series Director Rick Schwallie said. “Brownstown’s a small place. Pittsburgh’s a bigger place; dry-slick usually. East Bay is wildly different than both of those. And then headed to Eldora. In that group of racetracks, the cream will rise to the top. And that’s how we’re going to crown our champion.”

The four bonuses are:

Sunoco Road to Wheatland: May 25 at Lucas Oil Speedway; 32nd Annual Show-Me 100: 1. $2,500, 2. $1,500, 3. $1,500, 4. $1,500, 5. $1,500, 6. $1,000, 7. $1,000, 8. $1,000, 9. $1,000, 10. $1,000, 11. $500, 12. $500, 13. $500, 14. $500, 15. $500 = $16,000

Summit Racing Equipment Super Twelve: July 13 at Lucas Oil Speedway: 18th Annual Diamond Nationals: 1. $5,000, 2. $1,000, 3. $1,000, 4. $1,000, 5. $1,000, 6. $1,000, 7. $1,000, 8. $1,000, 9. $1,000, 10. $1,000, 11. $1,000, 12. $1,000 = $16,000

UNOH Great Eight: August 24 at Port Royal Speedway; The Rumble by the River: 1. $7,500, 2. $1,500, 3. $1,500, 4. $1,500, 5. $1,500, 6. $1,500, 7. $1,500, 8. $1,500 = $18,000

Big River Steel Big Four: September 21 at Knoxville Raceway; Late Model Knoxville Nationals: 1. $10,000, 2. $2,000, 3. $2,000, 4. $2,000 = $16,000

Big River Steel Big Four Championship Events:
Date – Venue – Event – To Win
Sept. 27 – Brownstown Speedway – 3rd Annual CJ Rayburn Memorial - $10,000
Sept. 28 – Brownstown Speedway – 45th Annual Jackson 100 - $50,000
Oct. 1 – Atomic Speedway – The Night the Stars Come Out - $20,000
Oct. 4 – Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway – 36th Annual Pittsburgher - $10,000
Oct. 5 – Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway – 36th Annual Pittsburgher - $50,000
Oct. 10 – East Bay Raceway Park – The Grand Finale (Prelim; Non-Points) - $5,000
Oct. 11 – East Bay Raceway Park – The Grand Finale (Prelim; Non-Points) - $5,000
Oct. 12 – East Bay Raceway Park – The Grand Finale - $50,000
Oct. 18 – Eldora Speedway – 44th Annual Dirt Track World Championship (Prelim; Non-Points)
Oct. 19 – Eldora Speedway – 44th Annual Dirt Track World Championship - $100,000

2023 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Point Fund:

1  $200,000
2  $150,000
3  $125,000
4  $100,000
5  $75,000
6  $60,000
7  $50,000
8  $45,000
9  $40,000
10  $35,000
11  $30,000
12  $25,000

Chase Bonuses: $66,000
Point Fund: $935,000
Total: $1,001,000

For the latest news, results, championship standings and more about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, please visit www.lucasdirt.com.