WHEATLAND, MISSOURI. (June 10, 2020) - As one of the most-popular and visible drivers in professional drag boat racing, Shelby Ebert embraces the opportunity to promote the sport. Which is why she encourages fans - especially young girls - to stop by her pit area and ask for autographs or to take a photo.

"I love it. And I love promoting the female aspect of it," said Ebert, who will be in action this weekend at the Inaugural Summer Thunder on Lake Lucas as drag boat racing returns to Lucas Oil Speedway.

Shelby Ebert earned her first Pro Mod victory on Lake Lucas in 2017 and won again there in 2018. (GS Stanek Racing Photography)

The "Fastest Woman on Water" zips over the racing surface at about 165 miles per hour in her boat "Can't Touch This." Along with contending for wins, she relishes the chance to be a positive role model.

"There are a lot of girls out there that don't have people to look up to, just because it's mostly a male-dominated sport," Ebert said. "I'm thankful that young girls can see somebody that is actually out there in the pro category, knowing they can do anything they want to do, whether it be racing or something else.

"It's special to have young girls come up and say, 'I want to be like you.' It's something that I will always appreciate forever and ever. I don't take it lightly."

Ebert is not just a smiling face. She won three Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series championships and two Southern Drag Boat Association titles during a career that began in the sportsman division a decade ago.

While Ebert is from Wamego, Kansas, she considers Lucas Oil Speedway her "hometown track" because it's the closest quality drag-boat racing venue. Family and friends will be on hand as she fires up the hot-pink boat in this weekend's Kentucky Drag Boat Association-sanctioned event.

Lake Lucas carries special memories for Ebert. She posted her first Pro Mod win there in 2017 during the Diamond Drag Boat Nationals in the fall; one year later, she and her dad Todd, driving a Quick Eliminator, earned wins on the same day.

"That was a perfect day, for sure," Shelby Ebert said.

But the Lucas Oil Drag Boat Series ended after 2018 and Lake Lucas did not have an event last year. With her favorite track quiet, Ebert said her racing career also slowed down a bit.

That has changed in 2020, despite the COVID-19 pandemic threatening the schedule for a while. Now Lake Lucas is scheduled to play host to three events, between the KDBA and SDBA.

"I'm more excited than you could ever imagine," Ebert said. "We love Wheatland and we love Lucas Oil Speedway more than any other track we race on.

"I'm very thankful to Lucas Oil for doing everything they've done for the drag-boat racing world. They've been incredible for the sport. We're just thankful to be going back there and into a more competitive, full season. We're going to have probably 9-10 races which is a lot more than last year.

"Three races at Wheatland is amazing. Hopefully we'll be at all of them and we're hoping, as always, for a Pro Mod championship."

Ebert made her season debut last weekend at an SDBA event in Paris, Texas. It was not a great weekend on the water.

"Honestly it didn't go very well for us," she said. "I red-lit in the first round on Sunday and dad red-lit in the second round. I just couldn't get comfortable with the light. The first race out you're not very comfortable. I'm hoping next weekend I'll be more comfortable.

"I always do well in Wheatland. I'm hoping to get my confidence back there.

Ebert, 25, graduated a couple of years ago from Kansas State University with degrees in marketing and accounting. She works as Digital Marketing and Sales Coordinator for Heartland Motorsports Park in Topeka, Kansas.

"I do digital marketing, a lot of website and social media stuff along with being involved some in the operations of the track on the digital side," Ebert said.

This weekend, it again will be Ebert's turn to put on the helmet, go fast and make new fans. Her best advice to young fans who might meet her?

"Just work hard and follow your dreams and don't let anyone tell you no," Ebert said.

Show & Shine on Friday: The Inaugural Drag Boat Summer Thunder on Lake Lucas weekend kicks off with a "Show & Shine" from 5-7 p.m. Friday on the Wheatland town square. Music, food vendors and drag boats will be on display.

On the dirt track: The Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series on the dirt track resumes on Saturday as iHeartMedia presents round five. The O'Reilly Auto Parts Street Stocks will be featured with a 25-lap, $750-to-win main event.  The Warsaw Auto Marine & RV ULMA Late Models, Pitts Homes USRA Modifieds and Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mods also will be in action.  

 

Gates to the dirt track open at 4 p.m. with hot laps at 6:30 and racing at 7:05 p.m.

 

Dirt-track tickets:

Adults (16 and over): $12
Seniors (62 and over)/Military: $9
Youth (ages 6-15): $5
Kids (5 and under): FREE
Family Pass: $30
Pit Pass: $30

 

For ticket questions or information for next weekend or any event this season, contact Admissions Director Nichole McMillan at (417) 282-5984 or email her at [email protected] for more information.

CONTACT:

 

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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.

Lucas Oil Speedway is considered by fans, drivers and industry insiders to be one of the top five racing facilities in the nation. Located in Wheatland, Missouri, approximately an hour from Springfield, Missouri, 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 ninth season for the Liquid Quarter Mile Drag Racing Lake, "Lake Lucas." New for 2017 was all-purpose built Off Road facility featuring the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series as well as a host of other 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, POWRi Midget National Series, Lucas Oil Pro-Pulling League, United States Modified Touring Series, ASCS Sprint Cars and the Lucas Oil MLRA.  

In addition to the special events, the Lucas Oil Speedway Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series features the Warsaw Auto Marine & RV ULMA Late Models, Pitts Homes USRA Modifieds, O'Reilly Auto Parts Street Stocks and the Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mods.