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Lucas Oil Speedway Diamond Nationals Spotlight: Local fan favorite Cornell eager to debut new car

WHEATLAND, MO. (July 13, 2022) - Local fans could have a renewed reason to cheer one of their favorites Saturday night as Lucas Oil Speedway plays host ot the 16th annual CMH Diamond Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment.

Kaeden Cornell, a 21-year-old from Willard who won the speedway's "Most Popular Driver" voting in runaway fashion four seasons in a row (2017-2020) will have a new Black Diamond chassis for the Rick Hoover Motorsports team.

Cornell and Hoover were top contenders in the Hermitage Lumber Late Model division while racing weekly at Lucas Oil Speedway before branching out to try the rugged waters of open Late Model racing the last two seasons in the Lucas Oil MLRA Series.

"The car K’s been driving in is a nine-year-old chassis," Hoover said. "We were bringing him up slow to make sure he got comfortable running with these big boys and all. He’s there. He was there quite a while ago. But we needed to upgrade the car."

Hoover said he spent considerable time during Show-Me 100 weekend at Wheatland visiting with Ronnie Stuckey of Stuckey Enterprises, which builds the Black Diamond chassis out of Shreveport, Louisiana. Hoover said Stuckey talked about the need for younger Late Model drivers in the pipeline as many of the sport's veterans are getting older.

"He said, ‘I’ve been watching 'K' quite a while.’ I made a deal with him," Hoover said. "I went and got a new Black Diamond and we’re gonna get a lot of help from Ronnie. This guy is so smart when it comes to race cars.

“We’ve got the car ready. Everything on it is brand new. We don’t have our new motor ready. We’re gonna have to run the little one. But that’s all right, we’ll get him used to the car which won’t take long."

Cornell, who did manage a sixth-place in an MLRA feature a few weeks ago in Norfolk, Nebraska, is understandably elated. The team plans to break in the car - in the familiar-looking white wrap with blue-and-orange trim - on Thursday night at a combined Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series/Lucas Oil MLRA event at I-70 Motorsports Park in Odessa.

"I think we probably have been needing this for a while," Cornell said. "Finances and everything, it took a while to get there. We finally got it and I think it’ll be good and at least get us somewhat even with the field. Everyone we’re racing against, it’s tough. They’re on a endless budget and they’re all really, really good at what they do.

"I’m just thankful for everything Rick’s done for me. We’ve been together five or six years now. There’s not a lot of that around here anymore, kids my age that get opportunities like this. I'm super thankful to Rick and everybody who helps me out."

While the results haven't always been what he's desired since leaving the weekly racing scene, Cornell said he's learned a lot about the Late Model game. Mainly, he's found out how aggressive one has to wheel the car to keep up - especially against the national-touring series.

"I get to line up and race against people I’ve watched my whole life," Cornell said. "Half the people I race against, I have their t-shirts that I bought when I was a kid."

Hoover said the outpouring of support via text message, social media or word-of-mouth since news of the new car was released tells him that Cornell's popularity among the local fans has not waned.

"It’s unbelievable You wouldn’t believe the fans and support, the texts and phone calls," Hoover said. "This kid has so much backing. We’re not running much local since we went MLRA, so only chance they get to him race is video. This kid has so much backing it's unreal. He's such a good kid. Very humble.”

Asked his goals for this weekend and beyond, Cornell said he just hopes "to make Rick look good and Black Diamond to look good."

Along with Hoover Motorsports and Black Diamond, team sponsors include DR Racing, Choate Farms, Midwest Sheet Metal, Oil & Octane, Swift Springs, True Form Racing Products, Simpson, Super Moon Graphics, Cloverleaf Auto Repair and Dynamic Drivelines.”

The Diamond Nationals will award the 50-lap feature winner $15,000 and a diamond ring. Also on the program will by the Cedar Creek Beef Jerky USRA Modifieds with a $1,000-to-win feature and O'Reilly Auto Parts USRA Stock Cars running for a $750 first prize.

Pit and spectator gates open at 4 p.m. with hot laps at 6:30 and opening ceremonies at 7.

Saturday admission prices:
Adults (16 and up) - $30
Seniors (62 and up)/Military - $27
Youth (6 to 15) - $10
Kids (5 and under) - Free
Family Pass (two adults and up to three youth) - $70
Pit Pass - $40

To purchase tickets for any event on Lucas Oil Speedway's schedule, or to inquire about camping information, contact Admissions Director Nichole McMillan at (417) 295-6043 or via email at nichole@lucasoilspeedway.com.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Diamond Nationals Purse (50 lap):

1. $15,000, 2. $6,500, 3. $3,500, 4. $3,000, 5. $2,500, 6. $2,400, 7. $2,300, 8. $2,200, 9. $2,100, 10. $2,000, 11. $1,600, 12. $1,400, 13. $1,300, 14. $1,200, 15. $1,050, 16. $1,000, 17. $1,000, 18. $1,000, 19. $1,000, 20. $1,000, 21. $1,000, 22. $1,000, 23. $1,000, 24. $1,000. = $57,050

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Tire Rules:
Lucas Oil Speedway
Left Front - Hoosier (90) LM20 or harder
Right Front/Left Rear - Hoosier (90) LM20
Right Rear - Hoosier (92) LM30s
*Must use the same set of 4 tires for Time Trials, Heat Races, and B-Mains.
*For the A-Main, competitors may use a new right rear tire.
*Flat tire must be replaced with a used tire of the same compound and construction to retain starting position.

CONTACT:
Danny Lorton
Lucas Oil Speedway General Manager
Office: (417) 282-5984
DLorton@lucasoilspeedway.com
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Complete Lucas Oil Speedway event information, archived race recaps, previews and driver features, along with ticket information and schedules can be found by visiting 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 LucasOilSpeedway.com for more information and detailed directions to the speedway or call the Track Hotline at (417) 282-5984. The Lucas Oil Speedway EZ Texting number is (417) 804-4141.

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

About Lucas Oil Speedway
Lucas Oil Speedway is considered by fans, drivers and industry insiders to be one of the top five racing facilities in the nation. Located in Wheatland, Missouri, approximately an hour from Springfield, Missouri, and just an hour and a half from the Kansas City metro area, the "Diamond of Dirt Tracks" lives up to its title.

Twenty-One VIP Luxury Suites, HD Jumbo-Tron Screen, Stadium Style Musco Sports Lighting, a Bose Sound System, Go-Kart Slick Track, The Diamond Bar, Track Treasures Gift Shop, the best track food in the country and paved pits are a few of the spectacular amenities setting the Diamond of Dirt apart. This year marks the 12th season for the Liquid Quarter Mile Drag Racing Lake, "Lake Lucas." New for 2017 was all-purpose built Off Road facility featuring a host of regional events.

Lucas Oil Speedway's dirt oval track plays host to some of the largest and most-popular events in the Midwest with national and regional touring series appearing frequently including: The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, POWRi Midget National Series, Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League, United States Modified Touring Series, ASCS Sprint Cars and the Lucas Oil MLRA.

In addition to the special events, the Lucas Oil Speedway Weekly Racing Series features the Late Models, USRA Modifieds, USRA Stock Cars and USRA B-Mods.

2022 Official Lucas Oil Speedway Marketing Partners

Arizona Sport Shirts
"The Official Merchandise Provider" of Lucas Oil Speedway

Bill Roberts Chevrolet-Buick
"The Official Truck" of Lucas Oil Speedway

Dixie Chopper
"The Official Mowers of Lucas Oil Speedway"

General Tire
"The Official Tire" of Lucas Oil Speedway

Lucas Oil Products
"The Official Oil" of Lucas Oil Speedway

MAVTV
"The Official Television Network" of Lucas Oil Speedway

Optima Batteries
"The Official Battery" of Lucas Oil Speedway

Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr. Pepper
"The Official Soft Drink" of Lucas Oil Speedway

RacingJunk.com
"The Official Classifieds" of Lucas Oil Speedway

Rugged Radios
"The Official 2-Way Communications Provider" of Lucas Oil Speedway

Sunoco Race Fuels
"The Official Fuel" of Lucas Oil Speedway

Super Clean
"The Official Sponsor" of Lucas Oil Speedway

2022 Lucas Oil Speedway Supporters Include:
AM Pyrotechnics, Arizona Sport Shirts, Ash Grove Aggregates, Berry Tractor and Equipment Co., Big Adventure RV, Bill Roberts Chevrolet-Buick, Bolivar Auto Sales & Detailing, Bolivar Farmers Exchange-MFA, Boone's BBQ Barn, Boubin Tire/American Racer, Branstetter & Lightfoot LLC, Bridal Cave, BWI Sanitation, Camden on the Lake Resort, Candlelight Creations-Dick's Wild Root Horseradish, Casey's, Cedar Creek Beef Jerky, Citizens Memorial Healthcare, City Magnet, Clearlight Inn, Comfort Inn-Bolivar,DirtonDirt.com, Dixie Chopper, eBay Motors, Eibach Springs, Evans Pipe & Steel Co., Farmers Insurance Agent Kristy Reynolds, Fast Shafts by Axle Exchange, Foley Equipment-Cat Rental Store, Frog Signs, Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare, Hermitage Lumber, HICKAMO Country Store, Highway 54 RV Park, Hobbytime Motorsports, Hoosier Race Tires, Impact Signs Awnings Wraps, In the Garden of Eden, Kettle Treats, Keyser Manufacturing, Kluhsman Racing Components, Kona Ice, Lucas Cattle Company, Margaritaville Lake Resort, Midwest Sheet Metal, Miller Welding, Missouri Department of Tourism, Missouri Division of Tourism, MyRacePass, Nutrien Ag Solutions, OakStar Bank, O'Bannon Bank, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Ozark Golf Cars, Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr. Pepper, Ozarks Community Health Center, PEM, Pitts Homes, Pitts Realty, Pitts Cattle, ProThings Apparel, RACEceiver, Racinboys.com, RacinDirt.com, RacingJunk.com, Rains Ice Company, Real Racing Wheels, Rod End Supply, Ron Jenkins Accounting & Tax Service, Rugged Radios, Ryan E. Murphy Law Firm LLC, SBU Athletics, Safety Kleen, Scott Furniture, Simpson Racing Products, Southwest Electric Cooperative, Stillwater Resort, Sunoco Race Fuels, Sunflower Resort, TA/PETRO, US Army Corps of Engineers-Pomme de Terre, Vietti Marketing Group, Wheatland Motel, White's Marine Center, Wild Animal Safari, Woods Supermarkets, Wrisco Industries.

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