3/1/2017
RacinBoys
Ken Schrader, 'Big Foot' added to Lucas Oil Speedway Media Day lineup on March 29
By Lyndal Scranton (Wheatland, MO) -- Lucas Oil Speedway General Manager Dan Robinson has announced two major additions to the annual Media Day season preview coming up on March 29.
Veteran NASCAR driver and Missouri Sports of Fame member Ken Schrader plans to attend and will be available for interviews. Schrader plans to race his USRA Modified at Lucas Oil Speedway April 14-15 during the 4th annual Lucas Oil MLRA Spring Nationals weekend.
In addition, the legendary Monster Truck "Big Foot" will be on display. Big Foot will again be one of the featured attractions at the Monster Truck Nationals Eve of Destruction which will conclude the Lucas Oil Speedway schedule on Oct. 21. Newly retired Big Foot driver Dan Runte will be on hand to talk about the experience of driving one of the world's most-popular Monster Trucks.
"We're really excited that Ken Schrader, a good friend of dirt-track racing and a St. Louis native, called and said he wanted to be a part of our Media Day activities," Robinson said. "Ken's best known by many for his tremendous NASCAR career, but he's always been a dirt-racer at heart. He loves the sport and we're thrilled that he wants to come down for Media Day and the Spring Nationals.
"Then any time that you can have an opportunity for 'Big Foot' to be on display, you're talking one of the legendary vehicles in Monster Truck history. So in addition to an already fun-filled schedule of activities, we're really looking forward to having a great Media Day on March 29."
Schrader made 763 starts in NASCAR's top division in a 29-year career, last driving a Sprint Cup race in 2013. He had four wins and 64 top-five finishes, earning just over $38 million in prize money.
"It's such a nice facility and it already one of the premier facilities in the country with all the improvements," Schrader said of Lucas Oil Speedway. "I always look forward to coming down there, tooling around and admiring it. And we always enjoy racing there."
In addition to his busy dirt-track Modified racing, Schrader owns an ARCA team that recently captured the season-opening Lucas Oil 200 at Daytona with driver Austin Theriault.
"That means a lot. That a real good way to start," Schrader said of the ARCA victory. "We don't run again until April 8 at Nashville. That gives everyone a little time to enjoy it. It's pretty special."
Robinson will give a brief overview and some drivers will be available for one-on-one interviews to discuss the season. Another highlight of the gathering will be tours of the new Off-Road track, which will play host to its first event July 21-23 to usher in a form of racing new to this part of the country.
Here's a look at the schedule for media day on Wednesday, March 29:
11:30 a.m. - Check-in at the Lucas Oil Speedway office building, adjacent to the pit entrance. Media members will be directed to the Tech Building where the program will be conducted and press releases distributed.
11:45 - Lunch in the Tech Building.
Noon - A brief program (a multi-plexer will be provided to record comments). General Manager Dan Robinson will give a brief overview of the season, which marks the 11-year anniversary of the grand opening of Lucas Oil Speedway under the ownership of Forrest Lucas. Robinson will answer questions, then be available for one-on-one interviews afterward.
12:15 - One-on-one interviews with Robinson and drivers in attendance.
12:30 - Tour of the facility, which includes the new off-road track, dirt track, pits, press box/suites and "Lake Lucas" drag-boat track.
Media members who plan to attend are asked to RSVP to Lucas Oil Speedway PR Director Lyndal Scranton at Lscranton755@gmail.com by Friday, March 25.
The 2017 Lucas Oil Speedway season begins with the Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series opener on April 8, followed by the 4th annual Lucas Oil MLRA Spring Nationals on April 14-15. Here is the complete schedule for 2017.
For complete Lucas Oil Speedway event information, archived stories, ticket info and schedule information for the season, visit http://www.lucasoilspeedway.com. Three-day passes for the 25th annual Show-Me 100 Presented by ProtecttheHarvest.com are now on sale.
Lucas Oil Speedway is located at Highways 83 and 54 in Wheatland, Missouri. A campground with shower and bathroom facilities is also available. With it's entrance located just outside the pit gate this sprawling scenic camping facility will continue to enhance the racing experience at the Diamond of Dirt Tracks.
Click http://www.LucasOilSpeedway.com for more information and detailed directions to the speedway or call the Track Hotline at (417) 282-5984.
In addition, fans can get social with Lucas Oil Speedway by following @LucasSpeedway on Twitter, clicking "Like" at http://www.facebook.com/LucasOilSpeedway and on http://www.youtube.com/LucasOilSpeedway.
Submitted By: Kirk Elliott