Lucas Oil Speedway
Title-chasing Crigler returns to Wheatland oval
By Lyndal Scranton
Lucas Oil Speedway
Sawyer Crigler (11) at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo. (gsstanekracingphotography.smugmug.com)
Sawyer Crigler wants to forge his own way in the Dirt Late Model racing world as his dad, longtime regional racer Scott Criger, continues to enjoy success in the sport. The 4 State Dirt Late Model Series has been the younger Crigler’s path.
“To me it’s the best traveling series out there for the regional guy who doesn’t want to break the bank,” Sawyer Crigler said. “We’re on a super hard tire that we’re not allowed to groove or sipe. I put on a fresh set at the beginning of the year and I’ve run the same tire all year. I have eight races on them now and last week I put on a new right rear for the first time.”
One of Crigler’s four series victories in 2025 came at Lucas Oil Speedway back in March. The 4 State points leader from Alton, Mo., looks to make it 2-for-2 Saturday night when the series headlines Horton Supply Company Veterans and Military Appreciation Night at the races (all veterans and military personnel will be admitted free with ID).
The younger Crigler, 24, grew up around the sport and found success driving modifieds as a teenager with track championships in the B-mod and modified divisions at Legit Speedway in West Plains, Mo. He climbed behind the wheel of a Late Model in 2019 and hasn’t looked back as his dad continues to excel with multiple wins this season in open-engine competition.
“I feel Late Models are the top of the food chain as far as dirt-track racing. It’s been a lifelong goal to be able to drive one and be successful,” Sawyer Crigler said.
Capturing the 4 State championship is Sawyer’s goal this season after narrowly missing it a year ago. He wound up third, just eight points behind champ Dustin Atkinson and four points behind runner-up Jace Parmley.
“I blew up a motor at Tri-State and that pretty well sunk my ship for the season,” Crigler said of last season. “I had a really good late part of the season, and got close, but it wasn’t enough to get it done. That’s the main goal right now, to win that deal. I haven’t raced a lot of Super shows because I’ve been focused on that.”
Crigler, who is 70 points in front of Joey Smith of West Plains in the series chase, said the win at Lucas Oil Speedway in March was only his third time to compete at Wheatland.
“We went there in a B-mod probably about four years ago and about three years ago I raced my dad’s Late Model in a weekly series race,” he said. “We didn’t run very good. The next time there was the beginning of this year.
“The track, best I can remember, was really slick and it really cleaned up around the bottom. I really wasn’t tested at all,” he added.
Another driver looking forward to coming back to Wheatland on Saturday is Dustin Tiger of West Plains. Tiger, 27, leads the 4 State Rookie of the Year standings and is third overall in points, 160 behind Crigler. Just like Crigler, Tiger said the 4 State has been a perfect proving ground for him to break into Late Model racing after spending several years campaigning modifieds.
“I ran a modified the last three years and with Legit Speedway being closed last year I was running by myself” at North Central Arkansas Speedway win Flippin, Tiger said. He noted that his brother-in-law, Austin Vincent, has competed in Super Late Model competition, but he wasn’t budgeted to join him there.
Instead, Tiger and his family have made the 4 State Series their traveling home and it’s gone well. He picked up his first Late Model feature win at Lakeside Speedway on June 20th and has four top-five finishes in eight events.
"I'm definitely happy with my first year in a Late Model. It's gone really good," Tiger said, adding that the camaraderie has been excellent as well.
“Everyone with the series has been really nice. If you have an idea, they will value your opinion,” Tiger said, adding that the competitors are “cool guys and fun to talk to. It’s fun to race with their newer format this year where we qualify. It’s been really good racing this year.”
Tiger is looking to improve upon his seventh-place finish at Lucas Oil Speedway on his first visit. Each time he takes the Late Model out it's a learning experience.
“That was my first time with the 4 State rules, with their shocks and tires,” he said. “I was pretty content with that. I like Lucas. It gets slick and smooth and that’s of in my wheelhouse. I’m looking forward to coming back and hopefully get a podium or a win.”
