WHEATLAND, Mo.—Long-time Southwest Missouri sports journalist Lyndal Scranton has been named Public Relations Director for Lucas Oil Speedway, track General Manager Dan Robinson announced on Wednesday.

Scranton recently took early retirement from the Springfield News-Leader after a 36-year career with the newspaper, including the last 30 as the motorsports reporter. He will be inducted in December into the Ozarks Area Racers Foundation Hall of Fame in the pioneer division.

"We are thrilled and honored to add Lyndal to our staff," Robinson said. "There is nobody with more knowledge or with a stronger background in the area racing scene than Lyndal and he will be a great addition to our team here at Lucas Oil Speedway."

Scranton, a Springfield native who attended Central High School and Missouri State University, has been around the Ozarks racing scene since attending his first race as an 8-year-old at the old Springfield Fairgrounds Speedway where he saw the legendary Larry Phillips win the Conoco 100.

He eventually wound up writing numerous stories about Phillips, a five-time NASCAR Weekly Racing Series National Champion and Missouri Sports Hall of Famer, along with stories on future NASCAR stars such Carl Edwards and Jamie McMurray while they were establishing themselves on area short tracks.

"I've always been a racing fan as well as a sportswriter and I was fortunate enough to be able to combine those two passions," Scranton said. "I have a deep appreciation for the heritage, tradition and talent of Ozarks racing. Lucas Oil Speedway is a major player on the weekly racing scene, locally and nationally, and I look forward to supplying information and telling stories from there."

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

Lucas Oil Speedway is located at Highways 83 and 54 in Wheatland, MO. A campground with shower and bathroom facilities is also available. With it's 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.