8/24/2017
RacinBoys
Second-generation racer Scott Chism finds fit in Lucas Oil Speedway Street Stock division
By Lyndal Scranton (Wheatland, MO) -- The makings of a much-needed good night as he finished second in a heat race turned in the blink of an eye - and a smoking motor - as Scott Chism came to the checkered flag.
A blown motor left Chism loading up early and a non-starter in last Saturday's Big O Tires Street Stocks feature at Lucas Oil Speedway. He's 10th in the points chase entering this week's Season Championship program, which is admittedly disappointing.
PHOTO: Scott Chism and the Big O Tires Street Stocks wrap up the regular season on Saturday at Lucas Oil Speedway--CREDIT: Kenny Shaw photo
"It's been a little bit of a rough year," the Bolivar, Mo., driver said in reviewing his 2017 season. "This is the first year I've run the Street Stocks and it's a learning process. There's more than goes into those than people think.
"But I'm enjoying it and having fun. The guys that race the Street Stocks at Lucas are a good group of guys."
Chism, the Tailgate Guys Radio Show Spotlight Driver of the Week for Lucas Oil Speedway, is carrying on the legacy of one of the Ozarks' favorite drivers. His green-colored No. 8 is a tribute to his father, Ozarks Area Racers Foundation Hall of Famer, Roger Chism.
For Scott Chism, 48, the complimentary comments about his car are frequent from fans who remember seeing his dad race. The decision to build and race a Street Stock after many years in a Modified was made in harmony with his dad's wishes.
"I started in about the mid-1990s, running Modifieds, and I struggled there for a while," Scott Chism said. "The last about 10 years, I went to running B-Mods and we started finding our niche in those. Then it got to the point where I just wanted to try something new.
"My dad's always liked those old Street Stocks, so I told him I'd build one. He passed away about a year ago. But he liked those old cars and they're a lot of fun. I'm having fun racing again."
Scott Chism said his dad always was the driving force behind his racing. Roger quit racing in the late 1980s after a long career on area speedways.
"He pushed me," Chism said. "He's one of those types that could drive the wheels off anything, but when it came to working on them, he didn't do that much. So a lot of times we lacked information, but we always figured something out. He kept pushing me to keep going, to keep trying and I appreciate that."
Scott Chism also appreciates good friends who are willing to help in difficult times. After the blown motor last week, Modified racer Tracy Wolf has offered to loan him a motor if Chism can't get his own fixed in time for Saturday's races.
"Tracy Wolf is good people," Chism said, adding that the camaraderie among the drivers as a whole is strong.
"They make things real competitive every night, but you can drive clean with them and race hard and have fun. You can then go back to the pits and talk," Chism said. "It's just a good time."
Chism's said his race crew consists of wife Freda, son Bau Chism who's crew chief and friend Brandon Patton.
Sponsors include Stepping Stone Office Products in Bolivar, Joe's Tire of Stockton, R & R Graphics and Double H Lawn Care.
He's hoping for a strong finish on Saturday to build some momentum for specials around the region this fall - including the Big Buck 50 Presented by Whitetail Trophy Hunt at Lucas Oil Speedway Oct. 6-7.
"We're gonna try to move around a little bit and see what we can do," Chism said. "If you can run well at Lucas, you can go about anywhere and be competitive."
Champions in the Big O Tires Street Stocks, Pitts Homes USRA Modifieds, Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mods and Warsaw Auto Marine & RV ULMA Late Models will be determined on Saturday. It's Bill Roberts Chevrolet-Buick Season Championship Night Presented by KYOO-Your Country 99 & KPOW-Power 97.7.
It also will be Public Safety Appreciation Night as all police, fire and rescue personnel will be admitted free with ID. Police, fire and rescue vehicles will be displayed on the midway.
For ticket information for that and all Lucas Oil Speedway events, contact admissions director Nichole McMillan at (417) 282-5984 or via email at nichole@LucasOilSpeedway.com.
For complete Lucas Oil Speedway event information, archived stories, ticket info and schedules, visit http://www.LucasOilSpeedway.com.
The Tailgate Guys Radio Show, with co-hosts Lyndal Scranton and Steve Koehler, airs each Saturday from 11:05 a.m.-noon on KICK 92.3 FM, 1340 AM and online at 923kick.com.
Lucas Oil Speedway is located at Highways 83 and 54 in Wheatland, Missouri. A campground with shower and bathroom facilities is also available. With its 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
