Lucas Oil announced is has dissolved the Lucas Oil Midwest Late Model Racing Association (MLRA).
Chris Simpson at Lucas Oil Speedway via FloRacing.com
In a press release the company shared that the company is dissolving the series, which it has owned and supported since 2012 as “part of its long-term vision and commitment to continue nurturing the growth of dirt racing at the grassroots level and to provide a sustainable and exciting future for racers, fans and the entire Midwest motorsports community.”
The company, which will focus on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and Lucas Oil Speedway in Missouri detailed that the dissolution of the MLRA series “will allow the company to consolidate efforts and resources to better serve the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and to improve facilities and fan experiences at Lucas Oil Speedway.”
Lucas Oil Speedway via FloRacing.com
President of Lucas Cattle Company and Lucas Oil Speedway Jamie Devney stated, “Ending the MLRA was a difficult decision for everyone here at Lucas Oil. The series has brought fans incredible late model racing for years, but this shift helps us dedicate more time, energy and resources to growing the Late Model Dirt Series and enhancing the Lucas Oil Speedway.”
Devney added, “Lucas Oil Products remains fully committed to the ongoing development of Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri. There are significant projects already in progress, which include infrastructure improvements and facility upgrades. There is no doubt Lucas Oil Speedway will continue to serve as a cornerstone of grassroots racing for years to come. Our vision is to make the Speedway a must-see destination for racing fans and a venue for premier events guaranteed to attract audiences and competitors from across the country.”
With the dissolution of the series, Series Director Ernie Leftwich will remain with the company, but will transition to the Assistant General Manger of Lucas Oil Speedway.
The press release explains, “In this new role, Leftwich will work alongside Danny Lorton, General Manager of Lucas Oil Speedway, to oversee day-to-day operations and help oversee the development and completion of several major capital improvement projects which are currently underway at the speedway.”
The Lucas Oil MLRA hauler via FloRacing.com
This announcement comes just a week after the series announced it had “big plans” for its 37th season of racing and would open with a MLRA Founders Tribute race on the weekend of February 28th at Springfield Raceway where it would “pay tribute to a pair of individuals who were responsible for laying the ground work to one of the nation’s longest running dirt touring series. Kenny Essary and Randy Mooneyham founded the MLRA back in 1989 and operated the series through 1996, when they turned over the reins to Allen (Cowboy) and Harriett Chancellor.”
It’s unclear what will happen to this race and if this tribute race will be rescheduled or incorporated into the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.
The Lucas Oil MLRA had 33 scheduled events last year. It crowned Chad Simpson as its champion in 2024. It was his fifth series championship and third consecutive championship. Chris Simpson ended up winning the series finale at Tri-City Speedway, but was came up 70 points short in his championship hunt.
What do you make of Lucas Oil shutting down the MLRA series?
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