Robbie Bauman of Fairview, Ill., has his Dirt Late Model in The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Mo., and is ready to compete in this weekend’s VP Racing Fuels Gateway Dirt Nationals, but a major problem was thrust into his trip when he awoke Thursday morning at his hotel in Cahokia, Ill., to find his truck and trailer stolen from the parking lot.

A Peoria (Ill.) Speedway regular who is competing in the Gateway events with a steel-block engine in his Rayburn car, Bauman dropped off his machine and some extra equipment in the Dome’s pit area on Wednesday afternoon and then headed to his lodging for the weekend about 15 minutes away. His crew discovered on Thursday morning that his 2004 Ford F250 pickup truck and 28-foot 1999 Haulmark trailer — both white and unlettered — was missing from the parking lot of the Comfort Inn and Suites.

Bauman was at the Dome by 11 a.m. after dealing with state police who were called to the scene to file reports on the stolen vehicles and will race as he had planned.

“We’ll figure out a way to get the car home,” said Bauman, who was searching the pit area for a helmet and drivers’ uniform to borrow because his safety equipment was still in his trailer. “The insurance (company) can take care of the truck and trailer later. We’re here to race … I’m excited to be part of this event. It can be a real good thing for the sport and we want to be a part of it.”

Bauman’s brother, Brendan, reported on the family race team’s Facebook page that Bauman’s truck license number is 84-819-R and the trailer license number is 77911.

Correction: Fixes spelling of Bauman's last name.