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Ebert proves she belongs in highly competitive Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing world

By Lyndal Scranton (Wheatland, MO) -- Shelby Ebert's hot-pink boat will be easy for fans to spot at this weekend's 7th annual Diamond Drag Boat Nationals at Lucas Oil Speedway.

She's also distinctive as the only woman running the Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series national schedule. At 22 years old, Ebert also is the youngest regular in the highly competitive Pro Mod division.

PHOTO: Shelby Ebert is fifth in the Pro Mod division points race on the Lucas Oil Drag Boat Series entering this weekend's event at Wheatland--CREDIT: Kenny Shaw photo

Ebert doesn't mind being considered a trailblazer in the sport. She's earned her keep, currently fifth in the series points standings in the family owned "Can't Touch This" boat.

It hasn't been easy for the outgoing Ebert.

"There were some obstacles in the beginning as I was moving through the classes," Ebert said this week after completing a day of studies at Kansas State University, where she's a senior majoring in accounting and marketing.

"I had to earn my place more than a man would, just because it's not normal for a woman to come into this sport and succeed and do well," Ebert said. "I have to prove myself 10 times more than men do, unfortunately, because it's just not a woman's sport, typically."

But Ebert, from Wamego, Kan., never had any doubt that she wanted to race boats at a high level. From infancy, she was around the sport as her father, Todd Ebert, competed on the water. He still does, in the Quick Eliminator class.

"I went to my first race when I was only a few months old," Ebert said. "It's basically been my life, my whole life. When I was about three years old, I told my parents that I was going to race, just like my dad.

"They sold a boat and I chased it down the driveway as the new owners were taking it away. I was yelling 'bring my boat back.' I've been addicted to it from the start."

Ebert's parents surprised her with a jet ski on her 13th birthday. Later, they bought her a hydroplane identical to her dad's. She worked her way up through the sportsman classes and launched her career in Pro Mods on the Lucas Oil Drag Boat Series last year, finishing inside the top 10 of points in 2016.

This year has admittedly been a roller coaster of results.

"The first half did not go well," she said. "I have been everything from on fire to almost sinking to not starting every race. We were struggling. But we finally turned the season around in mid-July."

Included was a second-place finish in Marble Falls, Texas, narrowly missing a win in the finals against Mike Lamb.

"I learn more all the time," she said of the Pro Mods. "It is difficult going from an open boat to a capsule boat. You're strapped in and can't move around so much. You have the capsule and the parachute to worry about and all those things. But it's also easier because I've had so many people who have been so supportive."

She said veteran drag-boat drivers like multi-time champions Scotty Lumbert and Tony Scarlata, along with veterans Tim Ortiz and Marty Logan "have been so supportive. I know that I can go to them with a question or if I need a suggestion. They are so helpful."

This weekend is one of the highlights of the season as "Lake Lucas" is the Ebert's home track because it's the closest to their Kansas home. Along with many other teams on the circuit, they enjoy attending the dirt-track races on Saturday night and even take a spin on the go-kart track.

There's no doubt the best highlight of all would be a Pro Mod win. She's hopeful that the close second in Marble Falls will be a springboard.

"We are going to finish in the top 10 of points, but we're only two rounds out of second place," Ebert said. "If we could go into the World Finals with a chance at second, that would be awesome."

This weekend on Lake Lucas, qualifying runs will occur Friday and Saturday to set the brackets for eliminations which begin at 9 a.m. on Sunday.

Daily schedule and ticket info:
(Friday schedule)
8 a.m. - Spectator gates open
9 a.m. - Round 1 qualifying, sportsman session
10:30 a.m. - Round 1 qualifying, pro session
12:30 p.m. - Round 2 qualifying, sportsman session
2 p.m. - Round 2 qualifying, pro session

(Friday tickets)
Age 6 and up GA/Pit Pass Combo - $10
5 and Under GA/Pit Pass Combo - FREE
Adult 3-Day GA/Pit Pass Combo - $50
Seniors (62 and up)/Military 3-Day GA/Pit Pass Combo - $44
Youth Ages (6-15) 3-Day GA/Pit Pass Combo - $20

(Saturday schedule)
8 a.m. - Spectator gates open
9 a.m. - Round 1 qualifying, sportsman session
10:30 a.m. - Round 1 qualifying, pro session
12:30 p.m. - Round 2 qualifying, sportsman session
2 p.m. - Round 2 qualifying, pro session

(Saturday tickets)
Adults GA/Pit Pass Combo (16 and up) - $25
Seniors (62 and up)/Military GA/Pit Pass Combo (62 and up) - $22
Youth GA/Pit Pass Combo (age 6 to 15) - $10
Kids GA/Pit Pass Combo (age 5 and under) - FREE
Family Pass GA/Pit Pass Combo - $50 Includes admission for two adults and up to three kids (ages 6-15)
Adult 3-Day GA/Pit Pass Combo - $50
Seniors (62 and up)/Military 3-Day GA/Pit Pass Combo - $44
Youth Ages (6-15) 3-Day GA/Pit Pass Combo - $20

(Sunday schedule)
8 a.m. - Spectator gates open
9 a.m. - Round 1 Eliminations (PM, PO)
9:30 a.m. - Round 1 Eliminations (TFH, TAH, TAF)
10:30 a.m. - Round 1 Eliminations (QE, PE, TE, ME, SE, RR, PWC, JR)
12:30 p.m. - Round 2 Eliminations (PM, PO)
1 p.m. - Round 2 Eliminations (TFH, TAH, TAF)
1:30 p.m. - Round 2 Eliminations (QE, PE, TE, ME, SE, RR, PWC, JR)
2:30 p.m. - Round 3 Eliminations (PM, PO)
2:45 p.m. - Round 3 Eliminations (JR, PWC, RR, SE, ME, TE, PE, QE)
3 p.m. - Final Round Eliminations (All Classes)

(Sunday tickets)
Adults GA/Pit Pass Combo (16 and up) - $25
Seniors (62 and up)/Military GA/Pit Pass Combo (62 and up) - $22
Youth GA/Pit Pass Combo (age 6 to 15) - $10
Kids GA/Pit Pass Combo (age 5 and under) - FREE
Family Pass GA/Pit Pass Combo $50 Includes Admission for 2 Adults and Up to 3 Kids Ages - (6-15)
Adult 3-Day GA/Pit Pass Combo - $50
Seniors (62 and up)/Military 3-Day GA/Pit Pass Combo - $44
Youth Ages (6-15) 3-Day GA/Pit Pass Combo - $20

For information on the Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series, including archived stories, past results, point standings and the schedule log onto lucasoildragboats.com.

Larry Phillips Memorial: Meanwhile, on the dirt track Saturday night it's the Larry Phillips Memorial. The Lucas Oil MLRA Late Models race for a $5,075-to-win feature and the Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mods go after $1,075 in a 30-lap main event.

Gates will open at 5 p.m. Saturday evening on the dirt track with hot laps at 7 and racing at 7:30. Fans who purchase a boat-race ticket Saturday or a three-day Diamond Drag Boat Nationals pass admitted to the dirt track free.

(Larry Phillips Memorial admission)
Adults (16 and up) $20
Seniors (62 and up)/Military $17
Youth (6-15) $10
Kids (5 and under) FREE
Family Pass $40
Pit Pass $40

For ticket information 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 www.LucasOilSpeedway.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 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 www.facebook.com/LucasOilSpeedway and on www.youtube.com/LucasOilSpeedway.

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