Muskingum County’s nationally recognized motorcycle champion Lonnie Warne is giving back to his home community by sponsoring a race at Midway Speedway next week.

The Lucas Slick Mist 40 is a car race open to anyone who wishes to enter. A second race will be solely for those hoping for their first win.

The winner will take home hardware and $1,500.

Since Warne got his start in custom bike building with local artist Bill Sikora in 2012, the pair has come a long way.

“We started small. Our dream was to win a show, and that didn’t happen the first year. We’ve lost a lot of shows,” said Warne. “We’ve shed tears, but then, we just worked that much harder in the garages now we’re a seven-time national event winner. We actually won the tour.”

Now Warne and Sikora can add seven-time national champions to their names and they picked up a major sponsor since last season — Lucas Oil.

The company is helping Warne sponsor the Lucas Slick Mist 40 and will be in town on race day with a truck and trailer full of merchandise.

Warne said he is looking forward to coming home and giving back to the community that gave him his start by helping give a new generation their start.

That’s why Warne reached out to Midway Speedway’s Jeremy Krouskoupf about hosting a race for beginners.

Those wishing to enter the race can do so the day of by showing up to the racetrack when gates open at 5 p.m.