Corona, CA (September 27, 2018) – Bill Smith has been promoted to Series Director for both the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series and the Lucas Oil Midwest Short Course League. Smith had been Race Director for those series the last two years.

Smith’s promotion was announced by Ritchie Lewis, who had been Series Director for both. Lewis has been elevated to Lucas Oil Director of Racing Operations.

“Bill Smith has proven he is right person for the job,” said Bob Patison, Executive Vice-President, Lucas Oil Products, Inc. “His knowledge of off-road racing is exceptional and, his no-nonsense approach to management has proven quite effective.

“Ritchie Lewis will assume an expanded role within the company, overseeing the performance of a number of key Lucas Oil race properties.”

Smith’s background in motorsports and, specifically Off Road racing, runs deep.

“I’m excited about this opportunity,” said Smith, who before his hire as Race Director worked as a crew chief for several Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series drivers, including Carl Renezeder, Scott Douglas and Rod Millen.

“I love Off Road racing. It’s three-dimensional compared to most other forms of motorsports,” Smith said. “You’re still doing it with 4,000-pound trucks. Motocross with trucks is an analogy that I’ve often used. These trucks can do a lot more than most race vehicles can.”

Smith grew on up a small farm in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania and joined the United States Marine Corps after high school. He worked as an auto mechanic and in construction until 1992, when he became involved in motorsports.

Smith and his wife, Mia, reside in San Clemente, California. They have a son, Chuck.

“Bill has earned the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Director position with his great work ethic and vast experience within the Off Road racing community,” Lewis said. “We have worked tirelessly for two years, within the grooming process, for this new position. He has passed his work test with flying colors and has become a welcomed member of the Lucas Oil family.”

Lewis, in his hew position as Lucas Oil Director of Race Operations, will oversee the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, Lucas Oil Midwest Short Course League, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and Lucas Oil Modified Series.

The Georgia native has been with Lucas Oil Products since 2007, when he became Series Director for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. Dirt Late Model Magazine named Lewis as one of the Top Ten Most Influential People in Dirt Racing in 2010. He added the role of Director of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series at the end of 2012.

Under Lewis’ leadership of the LOORRS, in 2015 the series designed and built a short course track south of the United States border in Ensenada, Baja, Mexico at the famed Estero Beach Resort. During 2016-17, he was instrumental in the design and layout of the Lucas Oil Speedway Off Road course in Wheatland, Missouri.

Lewis and his wife, Sheila, reside in Fernandina Beach, Florida.

For more information on the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, including the latest news and schedule information, visit LucasOilOffRoad.com. Information on the Lucas Oil Midwest Short Course League can be found at MidwestShortCourse.com.