The quest for the Big River Steel Chase for the Championship- presented by ARP begins at Golden Isles Speedway, Thursday January 25. The massive fund of over one million dollars will continue in 2024 with a slight twist to the format.
The year-long format will continue to award teams cash prizes at four different intervals throughout the season. However, bonus points will not be awarded after each round. Drivers can still move up in points after each bonus round and be eligible for additional bonuses as the season winds down.
The Big River Steel Big Four will now be determined at the 20th Annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals on September 21. From there, the four championship contenders will battle for the 20th Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Championship at the remaining seven races of the season.
The modified title format is already driving up purses for the new season. Sept. 28’s Jackson 100 at Brownstown Speedway and Oct. 5’s Pittsburgher now pay $50,000-to-win, both up from $30,000-to-win in 2023, simply because those crucial events are now part of the seven-race chase for the title.
“It’s seven points events to determine the Series Championship among those four drivers. With a unique set of race-tracks no one driver will have an advantage. Huge Thanks goes to Big River Steel, ARP, Sunoco Race Fuels, Summit, and UNOH for their support of this format and the bonus money they all are putting into the points fund. We look forward to another exciting battle for the Championship at Eldora Speedway again this year,” stated Wayne Castleberry, Sales and Marketing for Lucas Oil Motorsports.
The Four Bonus Rounds and Payouts Based on Point Standings after each round:
Sunoco Road to Wheatland: May 25 at Lucas Oil Speedway; 32nd Annual Show-Me 100: 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: July 13 at Lucas Oil Speedway: 18th Annual Diamond Nationals: 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: August 24 at Port Royal Speedway; The Rumble by the River: 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: September 21 at Knoxville Raceway; Late Model Knoxville Nationals: 1. $10,000, 2. $2,000, 3. $2,000, 4. $2,000 = $16,000
Big River Steel Big Four Championship Events:
Date – Venue – Event – To Win
Sept. 27 – Brownstown Speedway – 3rd Annual CJ Rayburn Memorial – $10,000
Sept. 28 – Brownstown Speedway – 45th Annual Jackson 100 – $50,000
Oct. 1 – Atomic Speedway – The Night the Stars Come Out – $20,000
Oct. 4 – Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway – 36th Annual Pittsburgher – $10,000
Oct. 5 – Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway – 36th Annual Pittsburgher – $50,000
Oct. 10 – East Bay Raceway Park – The Grand Finale (Prelim; Non-Points) – $5,000
Oct. 11 – East Bay Raceway Park – The Grand Finale (Prelim; Non-Points) – $5,000
Oct. 12 – East Bay Raceway Park – The Grand Finale – $50,000
Oct. 18 – Eldora Speedway – 44th Annual Dirt Track World Championship (Prelim; Non-Points)
Oct. 19 – Eldora Speedway – 44th Annual Dirt Track World Championship – $100,000
2024 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
Chase Bonuses: $66,000
Point Fund: $935,000
Total: $1,001,000
For the latest news, results, championship standings and more about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, please visit www.lucasdirt.com.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series PR