CHILDHOOD FRIENDS, NOW TEAMMATES: BACON & LAWHEAD UNITE FOR ’24 USAC SPRINT SEASON

By: Pat Sullivan – USAC Media

Ocala, Florida (February 7, 2024)……… Brady Bacon and Billy Lawhead have a long history dating back nearly 30 years.  They both grew up watching their fathers, Ronnie Lawhead and Leon Bacon, race in the Tulsa, Okla. area.  They traveled and raced together in their early teens and also competed against each other in micro sprints.

Simply put, both men have enjoyed a successful motorsports career.

Now, Bacon and Lawhead have teamed together for the 2024 season.  Lawhead will be a key component of Bacon’s quest for a fifth USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship in the Dynamics Inc./Hoffman Auto Racing No. 69 starting this Friday, February 9, at Florida’s Ocala Speedway for the first of seven USAC events in a nine-night span across the Sunshine State.

Dubbed “The Kingmaker,” Lawhead has played pivotal roles in the development of both Christopher Bell, and most recently, Ryan Timms.  Make no mistake about it, Bacon is convinced that Lawhead can be the key ingredient in what he hopes is a record setting year.

“I am the most excited that I have ever been,” Bacon said.  “Billy Lawhead is my childhood best friend, and he was the best man in my wedding.  We both learned under my dad.”

When Lawhead reflects on his time with fellow Oklahoman Ryan Timms, he noted, “Eight years together in motorsports is a long go, and I loved it, and it was successful.  I am so happy for Ryan and his family given where he is at and what is to come.”

Yet it was time to make a change, and Lawhead is eager to take on a new challenge.  Transitions can be hard, but he has landed in familiar circumstances.

“This makes me feel comfortable because it is family,” Lawhead said.  “Brady and I grew up together and our families are still close.  Our personalities are a lot alike so it will be an easy fit.  I’m pumped.  It has never aligned where he needed someone, and I needed something to do.”

For Bacon, there is unfinished business at hand, and by the end of the 2023 campaign, he knew his team needed a spark.  He feels he has found it.  Lawhead will join a solid group that includes veteran Matt Hummel who returns as crew chief.  Also on board is Jamey Neeley, a former firefighter with past racing and automotive experience.  Bacon knows he is fortunate to have a veteran and seasoned team behind him.

Lawhead is also convinced that all the pieces are in place for Brady to get back to the top step on the podium.  He realizes that Bacon’s talent and temperament explain why he already has four USAC titles on his resume and he is poised to help his friend add to that record.

“We are obviously capable,” Lawhead said.  “We have everything we need to do it.  We just need to put everything together.  It’s not easy but it is easier than starting from scratch.”

One thing is for certain.  Bacon and Lawhead are ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work.

THE DETAILS:

Seven nights, seven events and two different racetracks across the state of Florida present the grand opening to the 2024 USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship season – February 9-10 at Ocala Speedway; February 12-13 at Barberville’s Volusia Speedway Park and February 15-16-17 at Ocala Speedway.

FEB. 8-10 OCALA

Practice begins the Winter Dirt Games festivities on Thursday, Feb. 8 from 7-10pm Eastern at Ocala Speedway.  Grandstand admission is free while pit admission is $20.

For the first night of racing on Feb. 9 at Ocala, grandstand admission for ages 13 & up is $30 while kids age 12 & under are free.  Pit passes are $40 apiece for ages 6 & up.  Pit passes for ages 5 & under are free.

On Saturday, Feb. 10, at Ocala, grandstand admission for ages 13 & up is $35 while kids age 12 & under are free.  Pit passes are $45 apiece for ages 6 & up.  Pit passes for ages 5 & under are free.

On both nights Feb. 9-10 at Ocala, pits open at 2pm Eastern, front gates open at 5pm and cars hit the track at 6pm.  Outlaw 4’s will serve as the support class.

FEB. 12-13 VOLUSIA

On both nights, the pits open at 1pm Eastern with grandstands opening at 4pm, the drivers meeting at 4:30pm, engine heat at 5pm and hot laps at 5:30 followed by qualifying and racing. General admission tickets are $35. Reserved tickets are $40. Premium reserved tickets are $45. Child reserved tickets are $18. Pit passes are $45. Advance tickets available at https://dirtcarnationals.com/tickets/

FEB. 14-17 OCALA

Practice begins the return to Winter Dirt Games festivities on Wednesday, Feb. 14 from 7-10pm Eastern at Ocala Speedway.  Grandstand admission is free while pit admission is $20.

For race night on Feb. 15 at Ocala, grandstand admission for ages 13 & up is $30 while kids age 12 & under are free.  Pit passes are $40 apiece for ages 6 & up.  Pit passes for ages 5 & under are free.

On Friday-Saturday, Feb. 16-17, at Ocala, grandstand admission for ages 13 & up is $35 while kids age 12 & under are free.  Pit passes are $45 apiece for ages 6 & up.  Pit passes for ages 5 & under are free.

On all three nights Feb. 15-16-17 at Ocala, pits open at 2pm Eastern, front gates open at 5pm and cars hit the track at 6pm.  Outlaw 4’s will serve as the support class.  Micro Sprints 270-250-450 will be the support class.

COVERAGE

All seven USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship events from Florida will be streamed live and on-demand at https://flosports.link/usac.