A lot of money will be on the line for Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series competitors in the 2023 season, but it won’t come without a twist. On Thursday, series officials announced a record $1 million points fund and a new pursuit-style championship format for the upcoming season.
2023 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series at Golden Isles Speedway
The new championship format will be an elimination-style format that includes four rounds of eliminations before the championship round. After four rounds of elimination, four riders will enter the season-ending World Dirt Track Championship at Eldora Speedway with an equal chance of winning the championship.
In addition to the all-new Championship format, over $470,000 has been added to the Points Fund for the 2023 season. This brings the total Championship Points Fund to just over $1,000,000, a number that includes a final championship payout and bonuses for each round a driver advances.
“The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt series has seen phenomenal growth throughout its history,” said series director Rick Schgallie. “We look forward to crowning our 18th national champion, Tim McCreadie, on Friday night. As we look into our 19th season, we’re ready for an action-packed season that will culminate with our first-ever visit to historic Eldora Speedway. Only twice in our series history has the championship been contested in the season finale. The Dirt Track World Championship is an event worthy of crowning a champion. Not only will the crown jewel pay $100,000 to win, but now the race inside the race is worthy of the personality that is the Dirt Track World Championship. For us to be proud of this program, there were two key factors. First, the event was to be contested on the speedway that late model dirt racing calls home, Eldora. Second, the four finalists vying for a national title needed to be well rewarded for their efforts throughout the season. The unwavering dedication of Lucas Oil, our exclusive FloRacing broadcast partner, and our excellent marketing partners allow us to strive to be the elite tour of the latest dirt models.
“We are passionately committed to our involvement in motorsport and the continued growth of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. We are incredibly excited about the new million dollar points fund and elimination-style championship format for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt series – it elevates the drama, the action, the stories and the passion that fans like us have for these drivers and these teams,” said Morgan Lucas, President of Lucas Oil. , and the Late Models series in particular, is in our DNA. Increasing the fan experience and excitement for the sport while celebrating and supporting these great athletes is a win-win situation. I can’t wait to see how this season goes.”
The first round of eliminations will take place after the prestigious Show-Me 100 at Lucas Oil Speedway on May 27. Following this event, the field of championship drivers will be reduced to 15.
Teams qualifying for the Round of 16 will receive the following bonuses:
Sunoco Route to Wheatland – 1. $2500, 2. $1500, 3. $1500, 4. $1500, 5. $1500, 6. $1000, 7. $1000, 8.1 $000, 9. $1,000, 10. $1,000, 11. $500, $12,500, 13. $500, 14. $500, 15. $500 = $16,000
From there, the teams will continue to fight ahead of the second round of eliminations at Diamond Nationals at Lucas Oil Speedway on July 15. Teams that qualify for the Round of 16 will receive the following bonuses:
Summit Racing Equipment Super 12 – 1. $5000, 2. $1000, 3. $1000, 4. $1000, 5. $1000, 6. $1000, 7. $1000, 8. $1,000, 9. $1,000, 10. $1,000, 11. $1,000, 12. $1,000 = $16,000
The third round of eliminations will take place after The Rumble By The River at Port Royal Speedway on August 26.
UNOH Great Eight – 1. $7,500, 2. $1,500, 3. $1,500, 4. $1,500, 5. $1,500, 6. $1,500, 7. $1,500, 8. $1,500 $ = $18,000
The “Big Four” driver who will fight for the championship will be decided during the Pittsburgher at Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway on September 30. Following this race, the four best drivers in the ranking will have their points consolidated and will receive the following bonus:
Big River Steel Big Four – 1. $10,000, 2. $2,000, 3. $2,000, 4. $2,000 = $16,000
The first of the “Big Four” riders to cross the finish line during the Dirt Track World Championship at Eldora Speedway will be crowned the 2023 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Champion.
2023 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Point Fund
1. $200,000
2. $150,000
3. $125,000
4. $100,000
5. $75,000
6. $60,000
7. $50,000
8. $45,000
9. $40,000
10. $35,000
11. $30,000
12. $25,000
A regular points fund of $935,000 plus $66,000 in pursuit bonuses brings the total points fund to $1,001,000.
The Big River Steel Chase for the championship presented by ARP kicks off at Golden Isles Speedway with the Super Bowl of Racing January 25-28. From there, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series returns to Bubba Raceway Park for two nights on January 29-30 before heading to All-Tech Raceway, February 2-4. The 47th annual Wieland Winternationals will wrap up Speedweeks, February 5-11, at East Bay Raceway Park.
Racing fans can watch all Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series races in 2023 live on MAVTV on FloRacing.
