9/12/2019
Lucas Oil Speedway
Just three weeks until Street Stocks chase big prize at Lucas Oil Speedway's Big Buck 50 Presented by Whitetail Trophy Hunt
WHEATLAND, Missouri (September 12, 2019) - It's already an attention-getter for its first prize of $10,000, but dig below the surface of Lucas Oil Speedway's 6th annual Big Buck 50 Presented by Whitetail Trophy Hunt and there's potential for a much bigger pay day.
Winner of the 50-lap feature for the O'Reilly Auto Parts Street Stocks on October 5 also will receive a free entry into the long-ago-sold-out annual Whitetail Trophy Hunt in mid-Missouri this November, valued at $3,000.
And maybe a whole lot more.
"This is the year to win the Big Buck 50," said race sponsor Craig Danuser, owner of Whitetail Trophy Hunt. "That $10,000 is just the start."
That's because the top 20 finishers in this year's hunt, in addition to receiving prize money for their corresponding finish (ranging from $15,000 for first to $1,500 for 10th) will receive a spot in next year's hunt (another $3,000 value). Those 20 also will be eligible for the Show-Me Showdown in 2020, joining the top 20 from the previous four hunts from 2015-18.
Those 100 not only will compete for the regular purse in next year's Whitetail Trophy Hunt, they will be eligible for an additional $55,000 in prize money. Tim Brown of Stoutland won the 2016 Big Buck 50 and went on to finish ninth in the Whitetail Hunt, thus making his eligible for the Show-Me Showdown next year.
When Danuser sat down with Lucas Oil Director of Racing Operations Dan Robinson a few years ago to talk about sponsoring the event, he said it was important to do something to set it apart from others. That's when he came up with the idea of the free hunt to the winner.
"Batesville (Arkansas), West Plains, a lot of places have big-money (Street Stock) races," Danuser said. "I wanted it to be something different. I think that's why it took off. Since we started this, there's races down south in Louisiana that give gator hunts away, one that gives away a duck hunting week away at a race."
Lucas Oil Speedway track champion Toby Ott said the racing-hunting combo is a natural. He said the majority of Street Stock drivers seem to be hunting enthusiasts. Ott said he's never entered the Whitetail Hunt, but would love to win his way in.
"I've thought about doing it, but I have several acres of land to hunt on and a group of hunters come down to hunt with us every year," Ott said. "But I definitely would like to go see what (the Whitetail Hunt) is all about."
Ninety six cars entered the 2017 Big Buck 50, won by Arkansas' Tony Anglin. Last year's race was cancelled due to poor weather.
In just three weeks, the next winner of the Big Buck 50 will walk away with that unique combination of prize money and a deer hunt that could potentially be golden.
This year marks the 31st anniversary of the Whitetail Trophy Hunt at Lake of the Ozarks in mid-Missouri with over $4.5 million awarded over the last 30 years. The hunt, set for Nov. 16-18, brings in participants from all over the United States and abroad. Entries are received on a first come, first served basis and limited to a maximum of 230 hunters and this year's event has been sold out since last December.
Visit Whitetail.net for more info.
Format for this year's Big Buck 50 will find practice and time trials on Thursday, Oct. 3; qualifying heat races, along with a full Warsaw Auto Marine & RV ULMA Late Model program on Oct. 4; last-chance qualifiers before the main event, plus a full ULMA Late Model program on Oct. 5.
Entry fee is $100 if received before Oct. 1 and $125 after. Drivers can find the complete rules on the entry form at LucasOilSpeedway.com.
Big Buck 50 Presented by Whitetail Trophy Hunt
Weekend Event Schedule
Thursday, October 3
4 p.m. - Gates open
6-9 p.m. - Open practice for Street Stocks and ULMA Late Models
9 p.m. - Street Stocks qualifying time trials
Friday, October 4
4 p.m. - Gates open
6:30 p.m. - Hot laps
7:05 p.m. - Racing begins. 10-lap heat races for Street Stocks, plus a full program for Warsaw Auto Marine & RV ULMA Late Models.
Saturday, October 5
4 p.m. - Gates open
6:30 - Hot laps
7:05 - Racing begins. Last-chance races for Street Stocks before the 50-Lap, $10,000 to win main event. Warsaw Auto, Marine & RV ULMA Late Models with a full show with $2,000 going to the feature winner.
For questions about tickets or camping for any event at Lucas Oil Speedway, contact Admissions Director Nichole McMillan at (417) 282-5984 or via email at Nichole@LucasOilSpeedway.com.
CONTACT:
Danny Lorton
Lucas Oil Speedway General Manager
Office: (417) 282-5984
DLorton@lucasoilspeedway.com
Article Credit: By Lyndal Scranton, Lucas Oil Speedway
