4/27/2017
RacinBoys
Flood eager to build off early season success at Lucas Oil Speedway
By Lyndal Scranton (Wheatland, MO) -- Since beginning his racing career in 2004, Hurley's James Flood has driven just about everything on Ozarks dirt.
PHOTO: James Flood of Hurley visited victory lane after his Big O Tires Street Stocks feature victory on April 15--CREDIT: Kenny Shaw photo
"From starting in a Bomber car to racing A Mods and I even drove Late Models for just a little while," Flood said. "But I think this is probably where I'll most likely stay."
Street Stocks, where he won a Lucas Oil Speedway championship in 2008, has been Flood's home since returning last year from a four-year racing hiatus. If early 2017 results are a predictor of what's to come, this could be a banner year.
Driving a newly purchased Tony Jackson Jr.-built car, Flood captured the Big O Tires Street Stocks feature win April 15 on night two of the Spring Nationals at Lucas Oil Speedway. Driving No. 54 instead of his traditional No. 42 as he only purchased the car two days earlier, Flood passed Toby Ott with three laps to go for the win.
"I was very surprised," Flood said of winning that quickly in a new ride. "That doesn't happen very often."
Flood, the Tailgate Guys Radio Spotlight Driver of the Week at Lucas Oil Speedway, goes after another win on Saturday. The Big O Tires Street Stocks are featured in a special 25-lap, $500-to-win main event as the Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series resumes.
The early competition in the division has been terrific, with battles up front and three winners in three features. Flood, 34, bounced back quickly, after an engine issue following a heat-race win on night one of the Spring Nationals prevented him from starting the feature that night.
"I lost oil pressure as I was pulling off the track (after the heat win) and luckily we found the problem and got it fixed the next day," Flood said. "The oil pump bolts that hold the pick-up tube on, two of them had come out. Luckily we caught it coming off the track and it didn't hurt anything."
The feature win the next night was anything but routine. Ott led all the way until a caution with four laps remaining gave Flood's hopes new life.
"The laps leading up to the re-start, I wasn't too confident that I was going to get Toby," Flood said. "He pretty well had me covered. My car was getting better and I think his was kind of going away at the end. That caution helped me."
Flood, whose dad Ronald helps him on the car, said he doesn't plan to points race but likely will compete at Lucas Oil Speedway often this year - including this weekend. He hopes to chase some big-paying Street Stock events in the region later in the year, including the Big Buck 50 Presented by Whitetail Trophy Hunt at Lucas in October.
As for switching to the Jackson-built car, Flood said the reason is simple.
"Just the success they've had," he said. "They're the car to beat."
Flood is looking for additional sponsors to go on the new wrap, along with his company (J&H Concrete) and JJ's Concrete.
"Hopefully the weather cooperates and we can race" this weekend, Flood said.
This week's program is Presented by KOLR 10 and Z27 and it's special $5 admission night. Gates open at 5 p.m. with hot laps at 7 and racing at 7:35. Other classes in action will be the Warsaw Auto Marine & RV ULMA Late Models, Ozark Golf Cars B Mods and the Pitts Homes USRA Modifieds. The program is Presented by KOLR 10 and KOZL 27.
In additional to the discounted admission seating in the grandstands, a select number of suites are available for Saturday's action. Contact admissions director Nichole McMillan (417) 282-5984 or by email nichole@lucasoilspeedway.com for more information.
ADMISSION PRICES:
Adults (16 and up) $5
Seniors (62 and up)/Military $5
Youth (6-15) $5
Kids (5 and under) FREE
Family Pass $25
Pit Pass $30
Camping:
Reserved with Electric and Water- $35/Night (Limited Availability)
Reserved Dry Spots- $20/Night (Limited Availability)
Dry Camping- $10/Night
The Tailgate Guys Radio show, with co-hosts Lyndal Scranton and Steve Koehler, airs 11:05 a.m.-noon each Saturday on KICK 92.3 FM, 1340 AM and 923kick.com. For more information on the show, visit http://www.Facebook.com/TailgateGuysRadio.
For complete Lucas Oil Speedway event information, archived stories, ticket info and the 2017 racing schedule, visit LucasOilSpeedway.com. Three-day passes for the 25th annual Show-Me 100 Presented by ProtecttheHarvest.com are now on sale. Only a few hundred of the three-day passes remain. Call admission director Nichole McMillan at (417) 282-5984 or email Nichole@lucasoilspeedway.com for more information.
Lucas Oil Speedway is located at Highways 83 and 54 in Wheatland, Missouri. A campground with shower and bathroom facilities is also available. With it's entrance located just outside the pit gate this sprawling scenic camping facility will continue to enhance the racing experience at the Diamond of Dirt Tracks.
Click http://www.LucasOilSpeedway.com for more information and detailed directions to the speedway or call the Track Hotline at (417) 282-5984.
In addition, fans can get social with Lucas Oil Speedway by following @LucasSpeedway on Twitter, clicking "Like" at http://www.facebook.com/LucasOilSpeedway and on http://www.youtube.com/LucasOilSpeedway.
Submitted By: Kirk Elliott
