Racing fans are invited to get an early start on the Fourth of July holiday weekend with a special Thursday Night Thunder edition of Lucas Oil Speedway's Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series.

Casey's General Stores and KY3 for Kids present the program, which includes racing in all four weekly divisions plus the lake area's largest fireworks show following the races. AM Pyrotechnics will light up the night sky in a celebration of the upcoming holiday. Fans can visit participating area Casey's for $2 discount coupons for admission tickets.

"Thursday Night Thunder always is one of our best racing nights of the year with all that goes on, in addition to some tremendous racing in all four of our classes," Lucas Oil Speedway General Manager Dan Robinson said. "It's also a big night with our annual Kids' Bicycle Giveaway during intermission and a lot of people have donated new bikes for that."

Youngsters can sign up for the bicycle drawings at the Frogs Signs Jr. Fan Club table on the midway. Drawings will be held during intermission, based on age groups and size of bicycles. Track officials have been collecting bicycles the last several weeks and hope to top the 55 bicycles given away last summer.

Anyone interesting in donating bicycles prior to Thursday can drop them off at the speedway office or contact Assistant General Manager Danny Lorton at (417) 282-5984 or via email at dlorton@lucasoilspeedway.com.

There also will be a drivers' autograph session on the south end of the midway from 5:30-6:15 p.m. for kids to meet and get autographs of their favorite drivers.

On the track, it's the kick off to the second half of the weekly series season after Midseason Championships were determined last Saturday. Jeff Cutshaw (USRA Modifieds) and Shawn Strong (Out-Pace USRA B-Mods) claimed first-half titles.

"We know race fans have a lot going on during the weekend with the holiday coming up. That's why we initiated the special Thursday Night Thunder program a few years ago," Robinson said. "We look forward to seeing everyone this Thursday and wish all our fans, racers and crew members a tremendous holiday weekend."

Gates open at 5 p.m. with hot laps at 7 and racing at 7:35.

Admission prices:
Adults (16 and up) $15
Seniors (62 and up)/Military $12
Youth (ages 6-15) $5
Kids (ages 5 and under) FREE
Family Pass $30
Pit Pass $30

For complete Lucas Oil Speedway event information, archived stories, ticket info and the 2017 racing schedule, visit 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.

Please visit 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.