---

Franklin scores first Lucas Oil Speedway feature win in B-Mod headliner as Dimmitt, Wells, Hughes also triumph

WHEATLAND, MO. (June 3, 2023) - For the first time in his career, Mitchell Franklin was able to bask in the glow of Lucas Oil Speedway victory lane.

The 24-year-old Camdenton driver led all 25 laps Saturday night to capture the Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mod main event, taking home $750.

"It's about time," said Franklin, son of long-time area racer and car builder Josh Franklin. Mitchell Franklin had a second place and a pair of thirds so far this season, plus some runner-up finishes in past years at Lucas Oil Speedway.

Other feature winners on Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper $5 Night at the Races Presented by Fox 49 were Waylon Dimmitt (O'Reilly Auto Parts USRA Stock Cars), Justin Wells (Hermitage Lumber Late Models) and Trevor Hughes (Cedar Creek Beef Jerky USRA Modifieds).

Franklin held off a trio of past USRA National champions - JC Morton, Ryan Gillmore and Andy Bryant - to pick up his first Lucas Oil Speedway feature win.

"The track, I was real worried in the heat race," Franklin said. "It was a little funky, but it moved out in the feature and it was pretty good.

"I"m not sure where my dad's at. He's probably crying somewhere," Franklin added, with a smile. "This Franklin B-Mod was on-point. I kind of picked up a vibration with about five to go and that's the worst time for that, when you're leading.

"Just thanks to everybody who helps on the car."

Franklin started on the pole and led the way in from the start, leading Bryant by 1.1 seconds when the event’s first caution flew on lap five. The biggest mover in the early laps was Morton, who had advanced from ninth to fourth.

Morton moved around Bryant and into second on lap eight with Cody Brill running fourth. Meanwhile, the race’s fourth caution came out a lap later and those cautions were helping Gillmore move into contention.

Gillmore didn’t make the call for his heat race and started the feature dead last, in 23rd. The two time Lucas Oil Speedway winner this season was running eighth by lap nine.

Bryant regained second on the restart and challenged Franklin for the top spot. Franklin was able to get his rhythm back and restored his lead to just over a second by lap 16 and, just as the leaders caught lapped traffic, another caution slowed things on lap 18.

On the restart, Gillmore joined the battle for second with Bryant and Morton with the trio going three-wide into turn three. Franklin took advantage of that - along with a clear track ahead of him - to open an eight-car-length lead with six laps to go.

Franklin was able to take it home from there, beating Morton by 1.5 seconds. Gillmore was close behind in third, Bryant finished fourth and Jon Sheets captured fifth.

Dimmitt grabs USRA Stock Cars feature: Waylon Dimmitt rallied from a sixth starting position to win the O’Reilly Auto Parts Stock Cars feature by a comfortable 3.2-second margin over William Garner.

Dimmitt, of Camdenton, took the lead on lap seven and steadily pulled away from there for his second Lucas Oil Speedway feature victory.

"The car's been awesome," Dimmitt said. "Rodney Schweizer let us borrow a gear. We actually had the wrong gear in the heat race. A big thanks to him for that. The track's been awesome. I like a good, slick track like this."

Front-row starter Colton Bourland opened up a lead from the start and had built it to 1.5 seconds when a lap-five caution for Christopher Sawyer’s spin bunched the field. Dimmitt took advantage and needed only two laps before driving past Bourland on the inside going into turn one.

White rolled from there as the race remained caution-free to win by nearly straightaway margin over Garner, who rallied from eighth to finish as runner-up. Mason Beck finished third with Rob White fourth and Bourland winding up fifth.

Wells earns another Late Models win: Justin Wells' dominant season in the Hermitage Lumber Late Model division continued as the Aurora veteran driver picked up his fifth feature victory in six attempts.

It was the 99th victory for Wells in his No. 98, 2006 TNT race car he calls "Old Faithful." In victory lane, he said there are no plans to retire the car.

"It's the best car in our stable," Wells said, noting a struggling Show-Me 100 weekend in a different car a week ago.

Wells and JC Morton started on the front row and traded the lead the first three laps, with Wells making a pass out of turn four to complete lap three.

Wells opened a one-second lead by lap nine with Ferris closing in on Morton before passing him a lap later for the second spot.

Jimmy Dowell slowed on lap 11 to bring out the first caution, wiping out Wells’ 1.8-second command over Ferris. Morton had a superb restart to get around Ferris and made a run at Wells before the leader regained command.

While Ferris returned the pass on Morton for second, Wells drove away to a 1.8-second lead with just five to go. The lead only grew from there as Wells finished 3.4 seconds in front of Ferris with Morton another 2.6 behind in third.

“JC was really good and Larry was right there," Wells said, noting that drawing the second starting position was key for him. "It was a good race."

Cole Henson rallied from 10th to fourth and Joe Walkenhorst was fifth.

Wells won the $1,000 first prize as the Late Models also collected bonus money in the heat races ($100 for first, $75 for second, $50 third and $25 fourth) thanks to sponsors Wasoba Trucking & Seed, Reed Environmental and Dirt Track Specialist.

USRA Modified win goes to Hughes: Trevor Hughes, son of United States Modified Touring Series multi-time champion Jason Hughes, dominated the Cedar Creek Beef Jerky USRA Modified main event.

Hughes, of Salina, Okla., led all 25 laps for his first feature win at Lucas Oil Speedway in his second career appearance. He dropped in after a USMTS race in Louisiana was rained out and figured he would come to Wheatland get some experience on the track before returning later in the season.

"This place was awesome tonight," Hughes said. "The first time I came here, I wasn't worth a crap, to be honest. I figured I'd better come back here and get better. I know the USRA Nationals are here, so hopefully we'll make it up here for that. We needed to come here and learn."

Hughes showed his dominance from the start, needing only seven laps to open a 2.4-second lead over fellow front-row starter Nic Bidinger. The lead expanded to four seconds by the midway mark.

Hughes avoided a near-disaster on lap 13 when three lapped cars, just in front of him, spun in turn one. He was able to dart around them on the outside, but the ensuing caution wiped out his 5.4-second lead over Bidinger with seven laps to go.

It didn’t make a difference. Hughes had a flawless restart and cruised the rest of the way, under green-flag conditions, to beat Bidinger by 3.6 seconds.

Carlos Ahumada Jr. finished third, Clint Johnson fourth and Jeff Cutshaw came home in fifth.

LUCAS OIL SPEEDWAY UNOFFICIAL RESULTS (June 3, 2023)
Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series
Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mods
A Feature - 1. F1-Mitchell Franklin[1]; 2. 18-JC Morton[9]; 3. 66-Ryan Gillmore[23]; 4. 28-Andy Bryant[3]; 5. 8S-Jon Sheets[13]; 6. 28Z-Randy Zimmerman[10]; 7. 56-Shadren Turner[6]; 8. 1B-Bobby Williams[4]; 9. 10P-Dayton Pursley[7]; 10. 24-Jerry Ellis[15]; 11. 11L-Logan Smith[8]; 12. 96-Cody Brill[2]; 13. 17-Henry Chambers[12]; 14. 2-Quentin Taylor[17]; 15. 15S-CODY BRAY[21]; 16. 0K-Tracy Killian[16]; 17. 19-Nathan Schwartze[19]; 18. 51-Michael Benjamin[18]; 19. 2G-Eric Graves[20]; 20. (DNF) 27-Terry Williams[11]; 21. (DNF) 46-Brice Gotschall[5]; 22. (DNF) 83-JC Newell[14]; 23. (DNF) 03-TC Hambrick[22]

Heat 1 - 1. 10P-Dayton Pursley[1]; 2. 56-Shadren Turner[5]; 3. 1B-Bobby Williams[4]; 4. 17-Henry Chambers[2]; 5. 8S-Jon Sheets[7]; 6. 2-Quentin Taylor[6]; 7. 19-Nathan Schwartze[3]; 8. 2G-Eric Graves[8]

Heat 2 - 1. 28-Andy Bryant[3]; 2. 96-Cody Brill[2]; 3. 18-JC Morton[4]; 4. 28Z-Randy Zimmerman[5]; 5. 83-JC Newell[7]; 6. 51-Michael Benjamin[6]; 7. (DNF) 03-TC Hambrick[1]

Heat 3 - 1. 46-Brice Gotschall[3]; 2. 11L-Logan Smith[6]; 3. F1-Mitchell Franklin[7]; 4. 27-Terry Williams[1]; 5. 24-Jerry Ellis[5]; 6. 0K-Tracy Killian[2]; 7. (DNF) 15S-CODY BRAY[8]; 8. (DNS) 66-Ryan Gillmore

O'Reilly Auto Parts USRA Stock Cars
A Feature - 1. 11-Waylon Dimmitt[6]; 2. 7-William Garner[8]; 3. 0F-Mason Beck[7]; 4. 5-Robert White[5]; 5. 2-Colton Bourland[2]; 6. 83-James Ellis[10]; 7. 74-Rodney Schweizer[4]; 8. 8M-James McMillin[3]; 9. 116-Zack Smith[9]; 10. (DNF) 12-Christopher Sawyer[1]; 11. (DNF) 1DER-Maverick Wunder[11]

Bill Roberts Chevrolet Heat 1 - 1. 11-Waylon Dimmitt[1]; 2. 74-Rodney Schweizer[3]; 3. 7-William Garner[4]; 4. 5-Robert White[5]; 5. 116-Zack Smith[2]; 6. (DNF) 1DER-Maverick Wunder[6]

Bill Roberts Chevrolet Heat 2 - 1. 0F-Mason Beck[2]; 2. 12-Christopher Sawyer[1]; 3. 8M-James McMillin[3]; 4. 2-Colton Bourland[5]; 5. 83-James Ellis[4]
Powered by MyRacePass

Hermitage Lumber Late Models
A Feature - 1. 98-Justin Wells[2]; 2. 51-Larry Ferris[4]; 3. 72-JC Morton[1]; 4. 31S-Cole Henson[10]; 5. 90-Joe Walkenhorst[3]; 6. 14-Kyle Graves[8]; 7. 7J-Jake Morris[7]; 8. 99-Larry Jones[5]; 9. 1A-Bryon Allison[6]; 10. 0X-Jason Sivils[11]; 11. 3-Richard Kimberling[9]; 12. (DNF) 6-Bob Cummings[13]; 13. (DNF) 81-Jimmy Dowell[12]

Wasoba Seed & Trucking Heat 1 - 1. 90-Joe Walkenhorst[1]; 2. 99-Larry Jones[2]; 3. 7J-Jake Morris[3]; 4. 51-Larry Ferris[6]; 5. 31S-Cole Henson[5]; 6. 81-Jimmy Dowell[4]

Reed Environmental & DTS Heat 2 - 1. 90-Joe Walkenhorst[1]; 2. 99-Larry Jones[2]; 3. 7J-Jake Morris[3]; 4. 51-Larry Ferris[6]; 5. 31S-Cole Henson[5]; 6. 81-Jimmy Dowell[4]

Cedar Creek Beef Jerky USRA Modifieds
A Feature - 1. 712-Trevor Hughes[1]; 2. 3B-Nic Bidinger[2]; 3. 65X-Carlos Ahumada Jr[6]; 4. 37-Clint Johnson[4]; 5. 98-Jeff Cutshaw[3]; 6. 03-Chase Jones[8]; 7. 38C-Jason Pursley[5]; 8. 21M-Ryan Middaugh[9]; 9. 21W-Tracy Wolf[12]; 10. 5-Robbie Reed[14]; 11. 14-Kameron Grindstaff[11]; 12. 21-Greg Scheffler[13]; 13. 155-Terry Kirk[7]; 14. (DNF) 23-Lucas Dobbs[10]; 15. (DNS) F26-Jay Fields

Heat 1 - 1. 3B-Nic Bidinger[1]; 2. 65X-Carlos Ahumada Jr[2]; 3. 98-Jeff Cutshaw[5]; 4. 37-Clint Johnson[4]; 5. 23-Lucas Dobbs[3]; 6. 21W-Tracy Wolf[6]; 7. 21-Greg Scheffler[7]; 8. 5-Robbie Reed[8]

Heat 2 - 1. 712-Trevor Hughes[2]; 2. 03-Chase Jones[3]; 3. 155-Terry Kirk[4]; 4. 38C-Jason Pursley[5]; 5. 21M-Ryan Middaugh[6]; 6. 14-Kameron Grindstaff[7]; 7. (DNF) F26-Jay Fields[1]

Off Road and Dirt Track racing doubleheader next: Lucas Oil Speedway will be busy next Saturday as racing resumes with UTV Short Course Off Road action during the day time and the Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series at night where it will be Bolivar Herald-Free Press Midseason Championship Night.

The Off Road action see gates opening at 7:30 a.m. and racing at about 9:40 a.m., wrapping up with awards at approximately 4:45 p.m. Fans purchasing Off Road tickets will be admitted free to the dirt-track action which begins with hot laps at 6:30 and the program at 7:05 p.m.

For information about any event at Lucas Oil Speedway in 2023 contact admissions director Nichole McMillan at (417) 282-5984 or email her at nichole@lucasoilspeedway.com for more information.

CONTACT:
Danny Lorton
Lucas Oil Speedway General Manager
Office: (417) 282-5984
DLorton@lucasoilspeedway.com
Complete Lucas Oil Speedway event information, archived race recaps, previews and driver features, along with ticket information and schedules can be found by visiting LucasOilSpeedway.com.

Lucas Oil Speedway is located at Highways 83 and 54 in Wheatland, Missouri. A campground with shower and bathroom facilities is also available. With its 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 LucasOilSpeedway.com for more information and detailed directions to the speedway or call the Track Hotline at (417) 282-5984. The Lucas Oil Speedway EZ Texting number is (417) 804-4141.

In addition, fans can get social with Lucas Oil Speedway by following @LucasSpeedway on Twitter, clicking "Like" at www.facebook.com/LucasOilSpeedway and on www.youtube.com/LucasOilSpeedway

About Lucas Oil Speedway
Lucas Oil Speedway is considered by fans, drivers and industry insiders to be one of the top five racing facilities in the nation. Located in Wheatland, Missouri, approximately an hour from Springfield, Missouri, and just an hour and a half from the Kansas City metro area, the "Diamond of Dirt Tracks" lives up to its title.

Twenty-One VIP Luxury Suites, HD Jumbo-Tron Screen, Stadium Style Musco Sports Lighting, a Bose Sound System, Go-Kart Slick Track, The Diamond Bar, Track Treasures Gift Shop, the best track food in the country and paved pits are a few of the spectacular amenities setting the Diamond of Dirt apart. This year marks the 12th season for the Liquid Quarter Mile Drag Racing Lake, "Lake Lucas." New for 2017 was all-purpose built Off Road facility featuring a host of regional events.

Lucas Oil Speedway's dirt oval track plays host to some of the largest and most-popular events in the Midwest with national and regional touring series appearing frequently including: The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, POWRi Midget National Series, Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League, United States Modified Touring Series, ASCS Sprint Cars and the Lucas Oil MLRA.

In addition to the special events, the Lucas Oil Speedway Weekly Racing Series features the Late Models, USRA Modifieds, USRA Stock Cars and USRA B-Mods.

2023 Official Lucas Oil Speedway Marketing Partners

Arizona Sport Shirts
"The Official Merchandise Provider" of Lucas Oil Speedway

Bill Roberts Chevrolet-Buick
"The Official Truck" of Lucas Oil Speedway

Dixie Chopper
"The Official Mowers of Lucas Oil Speedway"

General Tire
"The Official Tire" of Lucas Oil Speedway

Lucas Oil Products
"The Official Oil" of Lucas Oil Speedway

MAVTV
"The Official Television Network" of Lucas Oil Speedway

Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr. Pepper
"The Official Soft Drink" of Lucas Oil Speedway

RacingJunk.com
"The Official Classifieds" of Lucas Oil Speedway

Rugged Radios
"The Official 2-Way Communications Provider" of Lucas Oil Speedway

Summit Racing Equipment
"The Official Sponsor" of Lucas Oil Speedway

Sunoco Race Fuels
"The Official Fuel" of Lucas Oil Speedway

Super Clean
"The Official Sponsor" of Lucas Oil Speedway

2023 Lucas Oil Speedway Supporters Include:
AM Pyrotechnics, Alliance Sport Marketing, Arctic Food Equipment, Arizona Sport Shirts, Berry Tractor and Equipment Co., Big Adventure RV, Bill Roberts Chevrolet-Buick, Bolivar Auto Sales & Detailing, Bolivar Farmers Exchange-MFA, Boone's BBQ Barn, Boubin Tire/American Racer, Branstetter & Lightfoot LLC, Bridal Cave, BWI Sanitation, Camden on the Lake Resort, Candlelight Creations-Dick's Wild Root Horseradish, Casey's, Cedar Creek Beef Jerky, Citizens Memorial Healthcare, City Magnet, Clearlight Inn, Dirt Track Specialist, Dixie Chopper, Eagle Vision Paving LLC, Eibach Springs, Farmers Insurance Agent Kristy Reynolds, Fast Shafts by Axle Exchange, Foley Equipment-Cat Rental Store, Frog Signs, Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare, Hermitage Lumber, HICKAMO Country Store, Hobbytime Motorsports, Impact Signs Awnings Wraps, In the Garden of Eden, KC Bobcat, Kettle Treats, Keyser Manufacturing, Kluhsman Racing Components, Kona Ice, Lucas Cattle Company, MD3, Midwest Sheet Metal, Miller Welding, Missouri Division of Tourism, MyRacePass, Nutrien Ag Solutions, OakStar Bank, O'Bannon Bank, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Ozark Golf Cars, Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr. Pepper, Ozarks Community Health Center, PEM, Pitts Homes, Pitts Realty, Pitts Cattle, Pomme de Terre Resort, ProThings Apparel, RACEceiver, Racinboys.com, RacinDirt.com, RacingJunk.com, Rains Ice Company, Real Racing Wheels, Reed Environmental, Rod End Supply, Ron Jenkins Accounting & Tax Service, Rugged Radios, Ryan E. Murphy Law Firm LLC, SBU Athletics, Safety Kleen, Scott Furniture, Sidetrack RV Park, Simpson Racing Products, Southwest Electric Cooperative, State Tech, Stillwater Resort, Summit Racing Equipment, Sunoco Race Fuels, US Army Corps of Engineers-Pomme de Terre, Vietti Marketing Group, Wasoba Seed & Trucking, Wheatland Motel, White's Marine Center, Wieland, Wild Animal Safari, Woods Supermarkets.

---

Back to News