ZEBULON, Ga. – After weighing his options, dirt late model veteran Shane Clanton has decided to commit to racing with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series this year.

To this point, Clanton had competed in every Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series race thus far this year. However, with both tours in action this weekend, Clanton had to make a decision.

“Ever since my wife Michelle was diagnosed with breast cancer late last year, everything has been up in the air as far as my racing schedule. Obviously, my family comes first in everything that I do. With her continued treatments as well as her upcoming surgery, it makes the most sense for me to run the Lucas Oil tour,” Clanton shared. “She’s scheduled to have surgery on June 3, and I need to be around home as much as possible to take care of her and my family before and after the surgery. Right now Lucas Oil is off the two weeks following her surgery, so that was a driving factor in my decision.”

While Clanton currently has full intentions of following the remainder of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series slate, Michelle’s recovery will dictate his racing schedule following her early June procedure.

“I plan to run every Lucas Oil series event this year, but if I need to be home for the months following her surgery, that’s what I’ll do. My plan for now is to run every race through the end of May, and then plan accordingly from there,” Clanton said. “I’m just very thankful to have a great team in Skyline Motorsports and a lot of great sponsors, who support my decisions. My family is my everything, and they’re always going to be my top priority.”

Clanton, who currently sits ninth in the latest Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series standings, is scheduled to travel to Illinois this weekend for action at Tri-City Speedway and Macon Speedway.