Industry News: Forrest Lucas, Lucas Oil founder, dead at 83

The motorsports and business worlds mourned the loss of Forrest Lucas, the visionary founder of Lucas Oil Products, who died at the age of 83. The Indiana native, whose relentless drive transformed a small startup into a global automotive and motorsports powerhouse, left an indelible legacy through his entrepreneurial spirit, philanthropy, and deep-rooted passion for racing.

Lucas Oil Products announced his passing in a heartfelt statement, noting, “Forrest’s boundless drive for Lucas Oil, his generosity, and love for his family, friends, and community defined his life. While we grieve this tremendous loss, we take comfort in knowing his legacy will continue to inspire our team and all who knew him.”

Born in February 1942 in rural Bartholomew County, Indiana, Lucas grew up in the now-defunct town of Elkinsville, raised in what he described as “rural deprivation” in a modest shack. The eldest of four siblings, he took on responsibilities like feeding pigs and milking cows to support his family, whose finances were strained by his father’s struggles with alcoholism.

At 15, Lucas left home to work on a cattle ranch in Harrison County, driven by a desire for financial stability. With only a high school education, he later called his journey “a long college called hard knocks,” a testament to his gritty determination.

Lucas’s entrepreneurial spark ignited in the trucking industry. At 19, he bought his first truck, eventually building a fleet and making history in 1980 as one of the first individuals to secure full 48-state operating authority after deregulation. Frustrated by engine performance issues, he and his wife, Charlotte, founded Lucas Oil Products in 1989 in Corona, California.

What began in a single warehouse grew into a global brand, with over 100 lubricants, additives, and greases sold in more than 30,000 auto parts stores across 90 countries. The company’s innovative oil additives, designed to prevent big rigs from overheating, became a staple in automotive and racing circles. In 2024, Lucas relocated the company headquarters to Indianapolis, cementing its ties to the heart of American motorsports.

Lucas’s impact on motorsports was monumental, earning him the title of one of NHRA Drag Racing’s most influential benefactors. For over two decades, Lucas Oil served as the title sponsor of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, supporting thousands of grassroots racers. The brand became the official oil of the NHRA, with naming rights for the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota, and the season-opening Winternationals in Pomona, California. Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, home of the NHRA U.S. Nationals, also bore his name.

Beyond NHRA, Lucas Oil sponsored NASCAR teams, including Kyle Busch’s first Cup Series win for the brand at Auto Club Speedway, as well as IndyCar, Monster Jam, and the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, which races at the state-of-the-art Lucas Oil Speedway in Missouri. Lucas personally backed drivers like John Force, Hector Arana Sr. and Jr., Frank Manzo, and Chris Karamesines, offering the latter a lifetime sponsorship. In August 2024, the NHRA honored Lucas with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his unparalleled contributions.

Beyond racing, Lucas’s influence touched Indianapolis deeply. In 2006, he secured a 20-year, $122 million naming rights deal for Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts. The company also sponsored the Indiana Pacers’ jerseys for the 2025-26 NBA season. Lucas ventured into media, purchasing MAVTV in 2011 and transforming it into a motorsports-focused channel, later sold to RACER Media in 2025 and rebranded as RACER Network. His foray into filmmaking through Forrest Films, founded in 2018 with Ali Afshar, produced family-friendly movies featuring stars like Sharon Stone and Jon Voight.

Philanthropy was a cornerstone of Lucas’s life. Alongside Charlotte, he supported charities through the Lucas Oil Estate in Missouri and founded Protect the Harvest to advocate for agricultural industries. His net worth, estimated at $500 million, reflected his business acumen, but his generosity defined his character. In recent years, Lucas stepped back from daily operations due to health challenges, passing leadership to his son Morgan Lucas, a former NHRA racer, and Morgan’s wife, Katie, who serve as CEO and president of Lucas Oil Products.

Tributes poured in from across sports and racing. Indianapolis Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon called Lucas “an extraordinary business pioneer and a giant among Hoosiers,” noting his community impact. NHRA President Glen Cromwell praised him as “a visionary who believed in motorsports from the grassroots up.” The Indiana Pacers and Arrow McLaren IndyCar team echoed similar sentiments, highlighting his passion and innovation.

Lucas is survived by Charlotte, his wife of 43 years, and their seven children. Funeral arrangements are pending. As the motorsports world prepares for the 2025 NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, racers and fans will honor a man whose vision and generosity reshaped the sport. Forrest Lucas’s legacy will endure in the roar of engines, the pride of Indianapolis, and the countless lives he touched.