10/8/2018
Four years later, four times the winner's share: An historical look at Big Buck 50 Presented by Whitetail Trophy Hunt
WHEATLAND, Missouri- Just four years after it began as the "Factory Stock Shootout" with a winner's share of $2,500, the Big Buck 50 Presented by Whitetail Trophy Hunt has become a crown jewel for Street Stock dirt-track racing.
The 5th annual event, at Lucas Oil Speedway, is now a three-night extravaganza and pays $10,000 to the winner of Saturday night's feature - plus a free entry into title sponsor Whitetail Trophy Hunt which is worth an additional $3,000.
It's why a big, quality field of cars will fill the Lucas Oil Speedway pits starting on Thursday night for an open practice, followed by time trials. The Warsaw Auto Marine & RV ULMA Late Models, with full programs set for Friday and Saturday, also have an option to practice on Thursday.
The growth of the race is exactly what Whitetail Trophy Hunt owner Craig Danuser had in mind when he sat down with Dan Robinson, Lucas Oil Director of Racing Operations for Lucas Oil Speedway, and talked about sponsoring the race beginning with the 2015 edition.
Here's a brief history lesson on the Big Buck 50:
(2017) Anglin takes command for $5,000 win
Tony Anglin of Walnut Ridge, Ark., took command with 11 laps remaining and pulled away to capture the $5,000-to-win feature, plus the free entry into the Whitetrail Trophy Hunt. The sixth lead change of the race was decisive as, from there, Anglin pulled away to win by nearly a straightaway over runner-up Derek Brown and third-place Jeremy Russell.
A Feature - 1, Tony Anglin. 2, Derek Brown. 3, Jeremy Russell. 4, Edwin Wells. 5, Brian Schutt. 6, Robert Arnold. 7, Ted Welschmeyer. 8, Dalton Imhoff. 9, Brian Worley. 10, Jason Winkle. 11, Bobby Barnett. 12, Josh Halbrook. 13, Matt Becker. 14, Dalton Garrison. 15, James Flood. 16, Kenny Carroll. 17, Burl Woods. 18, Tim Brown. 19, Kris Lloyd. 20, David Hendrix. 21, Dale Nelson. 22, Jimmy Myers. 23, Brian Parker. 24, Payton Taylor. 25, Toby Ott. 26, Kyle Slader.
(2016) A son's misfortune sends Tim Brown to victory
Derek Brown's misfortune was his dad Tim Brown's path to victory in the Big Buck 50. Derek Brown had a flat tire with six laps remaining, ending his bid for a 10th win of the season at Lucas Oil Speedway. Tim Brown said he hated to see his son eliminated in heartbreaking fashion. "We both wanted that (Whitetail) hunt," Tim Brown said. Burl Woods of Republic finished second, Robbie Arnold was third and Brian Schutt finished fourth. Tim Brown went on to finish ninth in the Whitetail Trophy Hunt to earn another $2,000.
- Tim Brown (Stoutland, MO), 2. Burl Woods (Republic, MO), 3. Robby Arnold (Marmaduke, Ar), 4. Brian Schutt (Lebanon, MO), 5. Tony Anglin (Walnut Ridge, AR), 6. Peyton Taylor (Batesville, Ar), 7. Jeremy Russell (Jonesboro, AR), 8. Cole Farmer (Glenwood, Ar), 9. Kenny Carroll (Camdenton, MO), 10. Dale Eaton (St Joseph, MO), 11. Aaron Carr (Judsonia, Ar), 12. Kyle Slader (Muskogee, Ok), 13. James Flood (Crane, Mo), 14. Darrin Crisler (Clever, MO), 15. Dale Nelson (Milan, Tn), 16. Whitney Nunalls (Black Rock, Ar), 17. Clayton Campbell (Otterville, MO), 18. Steve Beach (Eldon, MO), 19. Bobby Bryant (West Plains, Mo), 20. Derek Brown (Stoutland, MO).
(2015) Russell goes from sixth to first
Jeremy Russell topped a stellar field of more than 75 Factory Stocks to score a thrilling win in the Big Buck 50 Presented by Whitetail Trophy Hunt. Russell worked his way from his sixth starting spot to hold off repeated challengers to score the emotional win. Kyle Slader started third and hung in the top-three throughout as he settled for runner up honors hot on Russell's heels. Stoutland's Tim Brown charged from 18th to third.
A-Feature: 1. Jeremy Russell (Jonesboro, AR), 2. Kyle Slader, 3. Timothy Brown (Stoutland, MO), 4. David Hendrix (Laquey, MO), 5. Jared Hays, 6. Tony Anglin (Walnut Ridge, AR), 7. Kenny Carroll (Camdenton, MO), 8. Doug Moore (Brosley, MO), 9. Steve Beach (Eldon, MO), 10. Chip Shaddox (Wheatland, MO), 11. Barry Daniels, 12. Brian Schutt (Lebanon, MO), 13. Toby Ott (Wheatland, MO), 14. Donnie Miller (Houston, Mo), 15. Jimmy Ngo, 16. Matt Brown (Broseley, Mo), 17. Cody Jones (Fort Smith, AR), 18. Burl Woods (Republic, MO), 19. Grayson McKiney (Springfield, MO), 20. Tim Petty (Niangua, MO).
(2014) Schultz grabs inaugural Shootout
After the first night of the inaugural Factory Stock Shootout was rained out, Terry Schultz of Warrensburg took the lead early and picked up the feature win worth $2,500 on the smooth and slick surface. Tony Anglin made a late charge, but came up short and finished second with David Hendrix winding up in third, Greg Dobson fourth and John Clancy fifth.
2018 lineup preview
The Warsaw Auto Marine & RV ULMA Late Models will also be on the program running complete shows on Friday with $1,000 to the winner and on Saturday with $2,000 to the winner. Action will kick off on Thursday with open practice from 6-9 p.m. and time trials for the Street Stocks.
Grandstand admission on Thursday is free with limited concessions on the pit side. Live music in the Diamond Bar will follow qualifying.
On Friday, there will be qualifying heat races with the top two advancing to two 10-lap dashes. The first dash, consisting of heat-race winners, will set the first eight spots in the feature lineup; the second dash, from the second-place heat finishers, will produce positions 9-16 for the A Feature. A full ULMA Late Model program is scheduled as well.
Last-chance races will finalize the Big Buck 50 feature field on Saturday with the Late Models competing in heats and features. Two Lucas Oil Speedway provisionals will be added to the feature field based on final 2018 Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series points standings.
This year's Big Buck 50 feature payout will be as follows: 1st $10,000; 2nd $5,000; 3rd $2,500; 4th $1,500. 5th $1,250; 6th $1,000; 7th $900; 8th $850; 9th $800; 10th $750; 11th $700; 12th $650; 13th $600; 14th $550; 15th-through-24th $500; non-transfers $200.
About Whitetail Trophy Hunt
More information about the Whitetail Trophy Hunt can be found at whitetail.net. Nearly $5 million in prize money has been awarded in the hunt over the last 29 years. The prestigious hunt in mid-Missouri, which is limited to 230 people, has been sold out since February. The hunt winner will earn $15,000 so, potentially, the Big Buck 50 winner could make a gigantic haul.
Other Big Buck 50 awards include:
Alamo Arms again will award $500 to the first non-qualifier to the race. Alamo Arms, in Montreal, Missouri, is a go-to place for firearms, ammo and reloading supplies. It's conveniently located at the junction of Highways 7 and E. For more information, call (573) 346-9944. This October marks the sixth anniversary of Alamo Arms, which is owned by Tom and Becky Carroll.
Tony Jackson and Tony Jackson Racing again will provide $500 for the Fast Time Bonus to the driver quickest in time trials on Oct. 4. Jackson, a veteran Late Model standout, has become a leading builder of Street Stocks through Tony Jackson Racing.
