Lucas Oil Speedway Spotlight: 4 State Dirt Series is a fit for points leader Crigler, rookie contender Tiger
2025-07-17 13:45
dirtFan website https://dirtfan.com/dirtfan/assets/graphics/dirtfan-200x200.jpg
WHEATLAND, MO. (July 16, 2025) - Sawyer Crigler wants to forge his own way in the dirt Late Model racing world as his dad, long-time regional racer Scott Criger, continues to enjoy success in the sport. The 4 State Dirt Late Model Series has been the younger Crigler's path.
"To me it's the best traveling series out there for the regional guy who doesn't want to break the bank," Sawyer Crigler said. "We're on a super hard tire that we're not allowed to groove or sipe. I put on a fresh set at the beginning of the year and I've run the same tire all year. I have eight races on them now and last week I put on a new right rear for the first time."
One of Crigler's four series wins in 2025 came at Lucas Oil Speedway back in March. The 4 State points leader, out of Alton, Mo., looks to make it 2-for-2 on Saturday night when the 4 State Late Models headline Horton Supply Company Veterans and Military Appreciation Night at the races. All veterans and military personnel with ID will be admitted free with ID.
The 4 State Dirt Series pays $1,250-to-win the feature and $400-to-start the main event. Other classes in action will be the Arctic Food Equipment Modifieds, O'Reilly Auto Parts Stock Cars and the Clear Creek Golf Car B-Mods.
Sawyer Crigler, 24, grew up around the sport and found success driving Modifieds as a teenager, with track championships in the B Mod and Modified divisions at Legit Speedway in West Plains. He climbed behind the wheel of a Late Model in 2019 and hasn't looked back - as his dad continues to excel with multiple wins this season in open competition.
"I feel Late Models are the top of the food chain as far as dirt-track racing. It's been a lifelong goal to be able to drive one and be successful," Sawyer Crigler said.
Winning the 4 State championship is Sawyer's goal this season after narrowly missing it a year ago. He wound up third, just eight points behind series champ Dustin Atkinson and four behind runner-up Jace Parmley.
"I blew up a motor at Tri-State and that pretty well sunk my ship for the season," Crigler said of last season. "I had a really good late part of the season, and got close, but it wasn't enough to get it done. That's the main goal right now, to win that deal. I haven't raced a lot of super shows because I've been focused on that."
Crigler, who is 70 points in front of Joey Smith of West Plains in the series chase, said the win at Lucas Oil Speedway in March was only his third time to compete at Wheatland.
"We went there in a B-Mod probably about four years ago and about three years ago I raced my dad's Late Model in a weekly series race," he said. "We didn't run very good. The next time there was the beginning of this year.
"The track, best I can remember, was really slick and it really cleaned up around the bottom. I really wasn't tested at all," he added.
Tiger enjoys rookie 4 State season: Another driver looking forward to coming back to Wheatland on Saturday is Dustin Tiger of West Plains. Tiger, 27, leads the 4 State Rookie of the Year standings and is third overall in points, 160 behind Crigler. Just like Crigler, Tiger said the 4 State has been a perfect proving ground for him to break into Late Model racing after spending several years campaigning Modifieds.
"I ran a Modified the last three years and with Legit Speedway being closed last year I was running by myself at Flippin (Arkansas)," Tiger said. He noted that his brother-in-law, Austin Vincent, was racing on the Comp Cams Late Model series. but he wasn't budgeted to join him there.
Instead, Tiger and his family have made the 4 State Series their traveling home and it's gone well. He picked up his first Late Model feature win at Lakeside Speedway on June 20th and has four top-five finishes in eight events.
"I'm definitely happy with my first year in a Late Model. It's gone really good," Tiger said, adding that the camaraderie has been excellent as well.
"Everyone with the series has been really nice. If you have an idea, they will value your opinion," Tiger said, adding that the competitors are "cool guys and fun to talk to. It's fun to race with their newer format this year where we qualify. It's been really good racing this year."
Tiger is looking to improve upon his seventh-place finish at Lucas Oil Speedway on his first visit. Each time he takes the Late Model out it's a learning experience.
"That was my first time with the 4 State rules, with their shocks and tires," he said. "I was pretty content with that. I like Lucas. It gets slick and smooth and that's of in my wheelhouse. I'm looking forward to coming back and hopefully get a podium or a win."
Grandstands open at 4 p.m. Saturday with hot laps at 6:30 and racing to follow.
Saturday Dirt Track admission:
Ages 6-and-up - $5
Ages 5-and-under - FREE
Pit pass - $35
It's a busy weekend at Lucas Oil Speedway with action on the UTV Short Course on Friday and with American Flat Track Motorcycles on the dirt oval Friday night.
Action kicks off on Friday with practice and qualifying for the UTV Short Course Round 3. Gates will open at 8 a.m. on the off road course with tech from 8-11 a.m. and qualifying from 10:45 a.m.-2 p.m. Two rounds of racing are set for Saturday, starting at 10:45 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. All times are tentative.
UTV divisions include Vet NA and Turbo, 700cc, Mini Stock, Women's NA and Turbo, Mini Limited, Sportsman NA, Pro-Am NA, Sportsman Turbo, Youth 1000, Pro-Am Turbo, Pro NA and Pro Turbo.
Friday Off Road admission:
Ages 6 and up - $15
Kids (ages 5 and under) - FREE
Adults (13 & up) 2-day - $45
Seniors (62 and up)/Military 2-Day - $39
Youth Ages (6-12) 2-day - $25
(All tickets include access to the Off-Road pit area)
(2-Day tickets include entry to the dirt track event on Saturday night)
Saturday Off Road admission:
Advance discount tickets online only (16 and up) - $27
Adults (13 and up) $30
Seniors (62 and up)/Military (62 and up) $27
Youth (age 6 to 12) $10
Kids (age 5 and under) FREE
(All tickets include access to the off-road pit area)
(Tickets include entry to the dirt track event Saturday night)
Motorcycles on the oval: On Friday night at the dirt track, Progressive American Flat Track motorcycle racing comes to Lucas Oil Speedway for the first time. In a makeup of a rainout from earlier this season, gates open at 2:30 p.m. with opening ceremonies at 7. Tickets are available online or general admission is $25 at the gate (kids 12 and under free with a paid adult).
Event tickets include paddock access, giving fans the chance to meet riders and get up close with the motorcycles.
Camping: Daily Rates (Limited Availability)
Dry Camping - $15/Night (up to 6 people) ($5 additional a night per person)
Reserve Dry - $25/Night (up to 6 people $5 additional a night per person)
Reserved Electric & Water - $40/Night (up to 6 people) ($5 additional a night per person)
For information on admission or camping for any Lucas Oil Speedway event in 2025, contact Admissions Director Nichole McMillan at (417) 282-6119 or (417) 295-6043 or email her at nmcmillan@lucasoilspeedway.com for more information.
CONTACT:
Danny Lorton
Lucas Oil Speedway General Manager
Office: (417) 282-5984
DLorton@lucasoilspeedway.com
# # #
Lucas Oil Speedway is located at Highways 83 and 54 in Wheatland, Missouri. A campground with shower and bathroom facilities is available. With its entrance located just outside the pit gate, this sprawling scenic camping facility will continue to enhance the racing experience.
For ticket and camping information and everything about the Show-Me 100 event, visit www.LucasOilSpeedway.com for all the 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 X, clicking "Like" at www.facebook.com/LucasOilSpeedway and on www.youtube.com/LucasOilSpeedway
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.
About Lucas Oil Speedway
Lucas Oil Speedway is considered by fans, drivers and industry insiders to be one of the top racing facilities in the nation. Located in Wheatland, Mo., approximately an hour from Springfield 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, United States Modified Touring Series and the High Limit Sprint Racing Series, POWRi Sprint Cars and POWRi WAR Sprints.
In addition to the special events, the Lucas Oil Speedway Weekly Racing Series features the Late Models, USRA Modifieds, USRA Stock Cars, USRA B-Mods and Super Stocks.
2025 Official Lucas Oil Speedway Marketing Partners
Bill Roberts Chevrolet
"The Official Truck" of Lucas Oil Speedway
Dixie Chopper
"The Official Mowers of Lucas Oil Speedway"
Iconic Apparel
"The Official Merchandise Provider of Lucas Oil Speedway"
Lucas Oil Products
"The Official Oil" of Lucas Oil Speedway
Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr. Pepper
"The Official Soft Drink" of Lucas Oil Speedway
Rugged Radios
"The Official 2-Way Communications Provider" of Lucas Oil Speedway
Summit Racing Equipment
"The Official Sponsor" of Lucas Oil Speedway
Sunoco Race Fuels
"The Official Fuel" of Lucas Oil Speedway
2025 Lucas Oil Speedway Supporters Include:
AM Pyrotechnics, Alliance Sport Marketing, Arctic Food Equipment, Berry Tractor and Equipment Co., Big Adventure RV, Bill Roberts Chevrolet, Bolivar Auto Sales & Detailing, Bolivar Farmers Exchange-MFA, Boubin Tire/American Racer, Bridal Cave, BWI Sanitation, Candlelight Creations-Dick's Wild Root Horseradish, Casey's, Citizens Memorial Healthcare, City Magnet, Clear Creek Golf Cars, Clearlight Inn, Dixie Chopper, Eibach Springs, Encounter Ministry Inc., FSE Fire Systems, Fast Shafts by Axle Exchange, Foley Equipment-Cat Rental Store, Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare, Henry's Towing Service, Heritage Tractor, Hermitage Lumber, HICKAMO Country Store, Hobbytime Motorsports, Iconic Apparel, Impact Signs Awnings Wraps, In the Garden of Eden, Kluhsman Racing Components, Kona Ice, Lucas Cattle Company, MD3, Midwest Sheet Metal, Miller Welding, Missouri Division of Tourism, MyRacePass, Nutrien Ag Solutions, OakStar Bank, O'Bannon Bank, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Outerwears Performance Products, Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr. Pepper, Ozarks Community Health Center, PEM, Pitts Homes, Pitts Realty, Pitts Cattle, RACEceiver, RacinDirt.com, RCR Designs, Real Racing Wheels, Rod End Supply, Rugged Radios, Ryan E. Murphy Law Firm LLC, SBU Athletics, Safety Kleen, Scott Furniture, Sidetrack RV Park, SMSI, Southwest Electric Cooperative, State Tech, Summit Racing Equipment, Sunoco Race Fuels, Super 8 Bolivar Mo., US Army Corps of Engineers-Pomme de Terre, Vietti Marketing Group, WacoBill.com, Wheatland Motel, White's Marine Center, Wieland, Woods Supermarkets.