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John Haas Memorial Drag Boat Classic at Lucas Oil Speedway this weekend, along with dirt-track action

By Lyndal Scranton (Wheatland, MO) -- The raw power of some of the world's fastest boats returns to Lucas Oil Speedway this weekend with the 7th annual John Haas Memorial Drag Boat Classic, Friday and Saturday.

With both sportsman and professional divisions - including the 250 mile-per-hour Top Fuel Hydro boats - the Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series fires up with qualifying on Friday with round one starting at 9 a.m.

"This always is one of the highlights of our season when the drag boats return to 'Lake Lucas' to put on their usual, awe-inspiring show," Lucas Oil Speedway General Manager Dan Robinson said. "For anyone who hasn't been to a drag-boat event, it's truly something to witness the speed and literally feel the power of the Top Fuel Hydro boats.

"It's a two-day show this year, with the finals on Saturday instead of Sunday and dirt-track action at night which offers our fans a unique opportunity. Those who want to come out and make it a full day of racing on Saturday can get into the dirt track for free with their drag-boat tickets. It's going to make for a memorable day of racing."

Action on "Lake Lucas" action will get underway on Friday with round one of qualifying at 9 a.m. in the sportsman division and 10:30 a.m. for the pro division. Round two is set for 12:30 p.m. for the sportsman boats and 2 p.m. for the pros. On Saturday, the first round of eliminations are set for 9 a.m., with round two at 12:30 p.m., round three at 2:30 and eliminations in all classes starting at 3 p.m.

While the Top Fuel Hydro boats routinely are clocked at 250 miles per hour, last fall's Diamond Drag Boat Nationals at Wheatland saw a pair of 270 mile-per-hour qualifying runs.

Other Pro divisions include Pro Modified, Pro Outlaw, Top Alcohol Flat and Top Alcohol Hydro. There also are eight sportsman divisions scheduled.

With hot weather in the forecast, fans are reminded that there are two large, covered grandstands with prime viewing of the drag-boat track to offer plenty of shade. There also are grass areas in which blankets or folding lawn chairs provide great views, and there will be plenty of concession areas set up along the drag-boat midway.

The John Haas Memorial honors the former Top Fuel Hydro world champion who lost his life in a practice crash at a race in Oklahoma in 2010.

Action on the dirt track Saturday night will find the Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series Presented by KY3 Digitial. The Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mods are the featured class with a special 25-lap, $750-to-win feature. The Pitts Homes USRA Modifieds, Big O Tires Street Stocks and Warsaw Auto Marine & RV ULMA Late Models also will be in action.

John Haas Memorial Drag Boat Classic
(Friday schedule)
8 a.m. - Spectator gates open
9 a.m. - Round one qualifying sportsman session
10:30 a.m. - Round one qualifying pro session
12:30 p.m. - Round two qualifying sportsman session
2 p.m. - Round two qualifying pro session
(Tickets)
General Admission $10
Kids (5 and under) FREE
Two-day General Admission $35
Two-day Senior (62 and over)/Military $32
Two-day Youth (ages 6-15) $20

(Saturday schedule)
8 a.m. - Spectator gates open
9 a.m. - Round one eliminations (PM, PO)
9:30 a.m. - Round one eliminations (TFH, TAH, TAF)
10:30 a.m. - Round one eliminations (QE, PE, TE, ME, SE, RR, PWC, JR)
12:30 p.m. - Round two eliminations (TFH, TAH, TAF)
1 p.m. - Round two eliminations (TFH, TAH, TAF)
1:30 p.m. - Round two eliminations (QE, PE, TE, ME, SE, RR, PWC, JR)
2:30 p.m. - Round three eliminations (PM, PO)
2:45 p.m. - Round three eliminations (JR, PWC, RR, SE, ME, TE, PE, QE)
3 p.m. - Final eliminations all classes
(Tickets - includes FREE admission to dirt-track races)
General admission (16 and over) $25
Seniors (62 and over)/Military $22
Youth (6-15) $10
Kids (5 and under) FREE

Dirt-track schedule Saturday
4 p.m. - Gates open
6:30 p.m. - Hot laps
7 p.m. - Opening ceremonies
(Tickets)
(FREE with drag-boat admission)
Adults (16 and over) $12
Seniors (62 and over)/Military $9
Youth (6-15) $5
Kids (5 and under) FREE
Family pass $25
Pit Pass $30

For ticket information on all events at Lucas Oil Speedway in 2018, contact admission director Nichole McMillan at (417) 282-5984 or by email at nichole@LucasOilSpeedway.com. Fans also can go online to purchase tickets for any event on the 2018 schedule.

Complete Lucas Oil Speedway event information, archived stories, ticket information and 2018 schedule can be found by visiting http://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 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

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