O'Reilly MLRA prepares to kick off 19th Season
Lucas Oil Speedway to play host to season opener

BUCKNER, MO (April 10) - The time has come that fans, drivers, and crews have looked for all winter as the O'Reilly MLRA rolls into Lucas Oil Speedway on Saturday, April 14, to kick off the 19th season of the super late model series.

"With the weather last weekend causing us to postpone our opener it worked out great that we would be able to kick off year 19 at the "Diamond of the Dirt Tracks" Lucas Oil Speedway," stated O'Reilly MLRA promoter Harriett Chancellor. "The facility is one of the best in the country and the fans are always treated to some of the best racing in the Midwest. In 2006 the O'Reilly MLRA was able to kick off the racing action for Lucas Oil Speedway and now we're back together again to kick off the 2007 season for both of us. It's going to be an exciting night all the way around."

In 2006 racing action returned to Lucas Oil Speedway after a complete overhaul that saw the facility become one of the premiere racing venues in the country. Justin Wells kicked it into high gear and took the narrow victory for his first O'Reilly MLRA triumph in the initial visit by the series to the facility. Terry Phillips and teammate Jeremy Payne also notched victories during 2006 visits and look to add their names to the win list again in 2007. All three will be looking to hold off the tough contingent of drivers making the trip to the southwest Missouri speed plant including five time O'Reilly MLRA Champion Al Purkey, four time champion Alan Vaughn, David Turner, Jason Bodenhamer, Scott Drake, Chris Smyser, and a whole host of local competitors looking to make their way to the front of the pack. In addition to the O'Reilly MLRA and local drivers the race will also see the likes of Bill Frye, Jeff Taylor, Jeff Floyd and the rest of the Mid American Racing Series (MARS) drivers looking to claim the top prize as the event is co-sanctioned with the Arkansas based series.

This event will also be a Midwest Walnut Lucky Stars Award event that will award an extra $1,000 to one lucky driver in the A Feature. The award winner will be determined by a draw, prior to the feature event, with positions 11-24 being eligible. To be eligible for the award driver's must be an O'Reilly MLRA member and display the Midwest Walnut decal on their machine. Due to the opening weekend being cancelled, driver's must also have competed in at least two O'Reilly MLRA events during the 2006 to be eligible.

Pit gates swing open at 2:00 pm with the grandstand gates set to open at 5:00 pm. Hot laps kick off the action at 6:30 pm with heat race action to immediately follow. Ticket prices are $17.00 for adults with Teens (12-17) and Seniors $15.00. Children 7-11 are only $5.00 while those 6 and under are free. Pit passes for the evening are $30.00 each.

The "Diamond of Dirt Tracks", the Lucas Oil Speedway is a 3/8th mile; semi-banked clay oval located 5 Blocks south of US Highway 54, on State Highway 83, in Wheatland, MO. To learn more about the Lucas Oil Speedway and the 2007 schedule of events, fans may call the Speedway office at (417) 282-5984 or visit them on the web at www.lucasoilspeedway.com .

For all the latest news and information on the O'Reilly MLRA visit us on the web at www.mlraracing.com  or by calling (816) 650-5063 or (816) 305-6572.

The O'Reilly MLRA would like to thank the sponsors of the 2007 Thunder Tour including O'Reilly Auto Parts, Hoosier Race Tire, Midwest Walnut, Hatfield Racing Engines, Larry Shaw Race Cars, Taylor Cable Products, Afco, GRT Race Cars, The Driveline Shop, Sunoco Race Fuels, Weld Wheels, Chase Race Decals, Gameday Trophy, Bodee's Race Bodies, Duralite, Holley Race Products, Rod End Supply, Schoenfeld Headers, Kluhsman Racing Components, Performance Race Bodies, ATL Fuel Cells, Shepherd of the Hills Entertainment, Racing Optics, Impact Sign & Lighting