The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series will not return in 2021, with Lucas Oil Products announcing an immediate closure of the national and regional series bearing its name.
The company started the short course off-road truck racing championships in 2009 following the collapse of the Championship Off-Road Racing organization, taking over its West Coast events.
As with most motorsport series, the 2020 season was heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the prospect of further disruption and financial hardship forced Lucas Oil into calling time on its running of the series.
“Lucas Oil has made the decision to discontinue owning and operating both the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series and the Lucas Oil Regional Off Road Series,” said the series’ director of race operations, Ritchie Lewis.
“This year, Lucas Oil made an incredible financial effort to keep our off road commitments to our employees, promoters, racers and sponsors, during arguably one of the roughest periods of time for our country.
“As we look ahead, there are too many variables that could impact the financial commitment and overall health of the series going forward, which necessitated this difficult course of action.”
The series has welcomed a number of big name stars through its ranks over the years including former Global Rallycross racers Jeff Ward and Brian Deegan – a three-time Pro 2 and Pro Lite champion in Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series; rising NASCAR talents Hailie Deegan and Sheldon Creed who shared multiple Karts and Lites titles between them; and Chip Ganassi Racing Extreme E driver Kyle LeDuc – a six-time champion at Pro 4 level.
