Lucas Late Model Series adopts playoff format; $1M Point Fund

Dirt Track Racing welcomes playoffs for national dirt late model tour

The world of dirt track racing is set for a massive change in 2023. The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series has adopted a NASCAR-style playoff format for the upcoming season. A new format ensures the championship battle comes down to the wire in the final race of the season at Eldora Speedway.

Four rounds of eliminations are set for 2023. Four drivers will then battle for the championship in the final race of the season at Eldora Speedway.

$470,000 has been added to the point fund. The total point fund pays out $1,001,000 with $200,000 going to the champion.

Points will be collected at every race in the 2023 season. There will be no resets between rounds. For the finale, the driver who crosses the finish line first, of those four drivers, will be awarded the championship.

Playoff Rounds

Round of 15
Sunoco Road to Wheatland: May 27 at Lucas Oil Speedway; 31st Annual Show-Me 100

Round of 12
Summit Racing Equipment Super Twelve: July 15 at Lucas Oil Speedway; 17th Annual Diamond Nationals

Round of 8
UNOH Great Eight: August 26 at Port Royal Speedway; The Rumble by the River

Round of 4
Big River Steel Big Four: September 30 at Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway; 35th Annual Pittsburgher

Cash Bonuses

Each time a driver advances through the playoffs, the team is handed a bonus.

Sunoco Road to Wheatland
1. $2,500, 2. $1,500, 3. $1,500, 4. $1,500, 5. $1,500, 6. $1,000, 7. $1,000, 8. $1,000, 9. $1,000, 10. $1,000, 11. $500, 12. $500, 13. $500, 14. $500, 15. $500 = $16,000

Summit Racing Equipment Super Twelve
1. $5,000, 2. $1,000, 3. $1,000, 4. $1,000, 5. $1,000, 6. $1,000, 7. $1,000, 8. $1,000, 9. $1,000, 10. $1,000, 11. $1,000, 12. $1,000 = $16,000

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

Big River Steel Big Four
1. $10,000, 2. $2,000, 3. $2,000, 4. $2,000 = $16,000

2023 Lucas Dirt Point Fund

1st
$200,000

2nd
$150,000

3rd
$125,000

4th
$100,000

5th
$75,000

6th
$60,000

7th
$50,000

8th
$45,000

9th
$40,000

10th
$35,000

11th
$30,000

12th
$25,000

Chase Bonuses: $66,000
Point Fund: $935,000
Total: $1,001,000

Rick Schwallie comments

“The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series has seen tremendous growth throughout its history,’ said Rick Schwallie, Series Director.

“We look forward to crowning our 18th National Champion, Tim McCreadie, on Friday night. As we look ahead to our 19th season, we’re ready for an action-packed season that will culminate in our first ever visit to the historic Eldora Speedway. Only twice in our Series history has the championship been contested at the season finale.”

“The Dirt Track World Championship is an event that is 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 persona that is the Dirt Track World Championship. For us to be proud of this program, there were two key factors. First, the event needed to be contested at the speedway that dirt late model racing calls home, Eldora.”

Schwallie concluded, “Second, the four finalists contending for a national title needed to be well compensated for their efforts all season. The unwavering dedication of Lucas Oil, our exclusive broadcast partner FloRacing, and our great marketing partners allow us to strive as the elite dirt late model tour.”

Morgan Lucas comments

“We are passionately committed to our involvement in motorsports and the continued growth of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. We are incredibly excited about the new million-dollar point 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 teams,” said Morgan Lucas, president of Lucas Oil.

Morgan added, “Motorsports, and the Late Models series specifically, is in our DNA. Ratcheting up the fan experience and excitement for the sport while celebrating and supporting these tremendous athletes is a win-win. I can’t wait to see how this season shakes out.”

Links

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series | Eldora Speedway

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