Wheatland, Missouri (April 7, 2016) - The 2016 season at Lucas Oil Speedway takes the green flag Friday night, with the Lucas Oil MLRA Series' 3rd annual Spring Nationals headlining a two-night program. The Pitts Homes USRA Modifieds and Carson's Corner NAPA Street Stocks also have full shows both nights.

It's going to be a terrific next seven months at America's Newest Motorsports Destination. Here are 12 things to know as another season fires up:

1 - Free Kids Fridays: Right out of the gates comes Lucas Oil Speedway's newest promotion. The MLRA Spring Nationals first night marks the first of seven "Free Kids Fridays" on the 2106 schedule with kids 11-and-under free with a paid adult.

The others are May 27 for the middle night of the Lucas Oil Show-Me 100 Presented by ProtecttheHarvest.com; June 10 for the opening day of the 5th annual John Haas Memorial Drag Boat Classic; Sept. 2 for the first day of the 6th annual Diamond Drag Boat Nationals; Sept. 16 for night one of the Lucas Oil Pro Puling Nationals; Sept. 23 for the middle night of the Lucas Oil ASCS Jesse Hockett/Daniel McMillin Memorial and Oct. 7 for the opener of the 3rd annual Lucas Oil MLRA Fall Nationals.

2 - Show-Me 100 grows: One of Dirt Late Model's signature races, the 24th annual Show-Me 100 Presented by Protectetheharvest.com, is growing. Each night (May 26-28) will have full programs with $6,000-to-win features both of the first two nights, helping to align the field for Saturday's $30,000-to-win 100-lap features. The total purse has been increased to about $170,000.

3 - Seeing Red: A new look for fans are walls on the back straightaway and front stretch that have been painted red, with white lettering. It's a sharp contrast - especially under the lights - to the white walls that remain in the turns and the plush green infield grass.

	Newly painted red walls on the straightaways and green grass will be on display as the new season begins. (Chris Bork photo)

4 - Drag Boats Times Three: The Lucas Oil Drag Boat Series visits "Lake Lucas" twice with both the John Haas Memorial (June 10-12) and the Diamond Drag Boat Nationals (Sept. 2-4) expanded to three-day programs. That means the popular top-fuel hydro boats will be in action each day.

5 - Weekly Championship Chase: The Budweiser Weekly Championship Series opens its 13-week chase April 16. Defending champs are Camdenton's Kenny Carroll (Carson's Corner NAPA Street Stocks), Henley's Justin Russell (ALPS Food Store ULMA Late Models), Bolivar's Jeff Cutshaw (Pitts Homes USRA Modifieds) and Wheatland's Mike Striegel (Ozark Golf Cars USRA B Mods).

6 - New name, same excitement: The Carson's Corner NAPA Auto Parts Street Stock division was formerly the Factory Stock division. The name change came about with some rules changes aimed at making the division - for full-bodied, 1980s-style cars - more uniform to other tracks in the region.

7 - Show-Me 100 passes on sale: Want to assure yourself of one of the best seats in the house for one of the biggest events in dirt racing? Three-day passes for the 24th annual Show-Me 100 Presented by protecttheharvest.com remain on sale. Three-day tickets - in the comfort of stadium-style seat with high backs along the front straightaway - are $95 and can be purchased by calling the Lucas Oil Speedway office at (417) 282-5984.

Ticket info for all of Lucas Oil Speedway's events can be found at LucasOilSpeedway.com/tickets

The ASCS Jesse Hockett/Daniel McMillin Memorial will be part of an ASCS Triple Crown Bonus Challenge. (Chris Bork photo)

8 - Triple-Crown Sprint Bonus: The Lucas Oil ASCS Jesse Hockett/Daniel McMillin Memorial (Sept. 22-24) has expanded to three days, including the $10,000-to-win Saturday night feature. It's also part of a new $50,000 ASCS Triple Crown Bonus is one driver wins Saturday night of the Knoxville Nationals, Sedalia State Fair High Roller Classic and the Hockett/McMillin Memorial.

9 - Pro Pulling doubles up: The popular Lucas Oil Pro Pulling Nationals (Sept. 16-17) is expanded to two days this year. Two diesel classes and two tractor classes are set on opening night with a full six-class show on Saturday.

10 - Hot water? You bet: The Lucas Oil Speedway campground, always a bee hive of activity during Show-Me 100 weekend, has been enhanced with a new check-in area and a new hot water system with over 400,000 BTUs of propane heat capacity. That means no more cold showers for campers.

11 - Smoking policy adjusted: The speedway's new smoking policy prohibits smoking in any facility buildings. This includes the Diamond Cafe Concession Stand, Track Treasures Gift Shop, VIP Suites (inside only), Parts Store, Restrooms and the Diamond Bar. Beginning with the 2017 season, smoking will be prohibited in all grandstand seating areas and in any lines for goods and services. The exception will be the outside seating area located just in front of the VIP Suites. There will be areas designated for smoking.

12 - Home base for MLRA: The 3rd annual Lucas Oil MLRA Spring Nationals will be the first of five appearances by the popular Late Model Series. Others are May 26-28 for the 24th annual Show-Me 100 Presented by Protecttheharvest.com with the Lucas Oil Late Model Series co-sanctioning; July 16 for the 10th annual CMH Diamond Nationals co-sanctioned by the Lucas Oil Late Model Series; Sept. 3 for the Larry Phillips Memorial Presented by G2 Gemini; and Oct. 7-8 for the 3rd annual Fall Nationals.

Bonus - Off-Road Track coming: If you see construction on the property, it's the work beginning on Lucas Oil Speedway's Off-Road Track. Coming in 2017, the approximately mile-long track will play host to the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series.

Please visit www.LucasOilSpeedway.com for the most up to date information about "America's New Motorsports Destination," Lucas Oil Speedway.