After an exciting edition of the CMH Diamond Nationals, attention now turns to one of the biggest weekends in Lucas Oil Speedway history.
The unveiling of the new off road course for the Inaugural GEICO Off Road Shootout Presented by General Tire highlights a weekend of action that also will include the Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series on the dirt oval track on Saturday night.
"We've been eagerly awaiting this weekend for more than a year, since construction of the off road track began," Lucas Oil Speedway General Manager Dan Robinson said. "We been receiving calls about tickets for months and have fans coming from all over the country for this.
"The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series is something that is truly unique and thrilling to see and we're excited to open up our new, purpose-built venue for what is sure to be action-packed and memorable racing. Saturday, with the doubleheader of off road in the day and our dirt track at night, offers a combination unlike any venue in the country."
Engines fire up on Friday as gates open at noon for a practice day as Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series teams get their all-important first test session on the new track.
Off Road racing veteran Carl Renezeder, who's won nine off road short-course championships, said the practice day will be important for the drivers and teams to get a good read on the surface and layout before qualifying and racing on Saturday and Sunday.
"I've seen some pictures and there's been talk of some interesting elements on the track with some big, wide-open turns and banks and over-under jumps," Renezeder said. "It'll be interesting to get there and see what it looks like."
"Gearing will be important. We're used to driving on smaller, tighter tracks and apparently, this one is pretty wide open."
Robinson reminds fans that the grandstand at the new off road track is covered and that ample concessions will be available through the daytime programs each day. He also encourages fans to arrive early on Saturday and stay throughout as a ticket to the off road event - either that day for via a weekend pass - includes admission to the dirt track that night.
Gates open at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday for the GEICO Off Road Shootout Presented by General Tire with qualifying kicking off a 9:30 a.m.
Off road classes in action include Pro 4, Pro 2, Pro Lite, Pro Buggy, Production 1000 UTV and Mod Karts."
We also invite our Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series drivers and crews to arrive early, get their pit passes and enjoy the day at the off road event," Robinson said.
The Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series on Saturday night is presented by The National Wild Turkey Federation. The program will feature the Warsaw Auto Marine & RV ULMA Late Models, running a special 25-lap feature for $1,000 to win. The Pitts Homes USRA Modifieds, Big O Tires Street Stocks and the Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mods also will be in action.
Hot laps are set for 7 p.m. with racing at 7:35.
Dirt-track-only admission:
- Adults (16 and up) $12
- Seniors (62 and up)/Military $9
- Youth (6-15) $5
- Kids (5 and under) FREE
- Family pass $25
- Pit pass-$30
For ticket information click here.