Lucas Oil shifts Atomic race to Mansfield
Friday's Independence 50, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event originally scheduled for Atomic Speedway in Alma, Ohio, has been relocated to Mansfield (Ohio) Speedway (pictured), the series announced this evening. The event remains a complete Lucas Oil Series program featuring a 50-lap feature paying $25,000 to the winner and awarding championship points.
The venue change comes amid Atomic's attempts to "work through its current situation and transition" amid several reports of legal challenges by creditors.
The Lucas Oil event marks the second touring event change involving Atomic in recent weeks. The INEX Racing Series moved Oct. 15-17's Legend Car Dirt Championship Nationals from the 3/8-mile oval.
"We were honored to be asked to host this race for all the fans, teams, and competitors, and to do our part in assisting Atomic Speedway and Charlie Vest as they look toward the future to build the best path forward for their loyal fans and competitors," Mansfield Speedway owner Matt Tifft said. Mansfield emphasized in a Facebook post that it "did not pursue this event," but agreed to host after being approached to help ensure the event could still be contested.
Lucas Oil Series director Rick Schwallie said the national tour appreciated "the efforts of Mansfield Speedway and everyone involved in making this event possible on short notice, and we look forward to putting on a great show for the fans."
The Lucas Oil Series last visited Mansfield in 2019 and the track recently reopened by Tifft hosted the World of Outlaws Late Model Series on May 29-30.
Fans who purchased advance tickets through Atomic Speedway will automatically receive refunds. Advance tickets for the Mansfield event are on sale with presale ticket holders receiving early entry beginning at 4 p.m., one hour before general admission gates open at 5 p.m. General admission tickets are priced at $40 for adults and $20 for children, matching Saturday's series pricing at Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, Ohio.
Atomic plans to host July 8's Blue Collar Racing Series event and future scheduled races.
