Adding to an impressive line-up of racing series operated under the Lucas Oil banner, company officials have announced the acquisition of the Midwest Latemodel Racing Association, better known as the MLRA.

Lucas Oil had been the title sponsor for the series for several years, but will now own and operate MLRA from the offices of its Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri.

Since 1998, the Lucas Oil MLRA has been a regional series under the management team of Harriett and Allen "Cowboy" Chancellor. Beginning in November, the sanctioning body will be run by Dan Robinson, who will add the title "series director" to his current role as general manager of the Lucas Oil Speedway, also know as the "Diamond of the
Dirt Tracks."

The highly popular series has drawn up to 8000 spectators to its action-packed races.

While the Lucas Oil MLRA schedule included several yearly stops at the Lucas-owned Speedway, series competitors also hit the dirt bullrings in Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska and other parts of Missouri.

The series is getting set for its big 2012 season finale on October 19 and 20 at Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas in conjunction with the NASCAR Sprint Cup weekend at nearby Kansas Speedway.

Lucas Oil also runs the more nationally based Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, as well as several other professional motorsports series including Lucas Oil Off Road, Lucas Oil Modified Racing, Lucas Oil Pro Pulling and Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series.