CONCORD, NC – What would you do for an additional $30,000 in your paycheck? Well, the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series racers currently second through fifth in the championship point standings will settle that question during this weekend’s Can-Am World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Nov. 7-9.
While Brandon Sheppard already has the $100,000 championship check locked up, and Ricky Weiss will be the top rookie, there is quite a bit still to be determined in this final week of the season.
This storyline follows the drivers occupying spots two-through-five in the overall points standings. Second-place pays $60,000 and fifth-place is worth $30,000. Chase Junghans (2), Darrell Lanigan (3), Shane Clanton (4) and Ricky Weiss (5) are currently separated by just 32 points with two races remaining, staring at the whopping $30,000 points fund check difference, and none of these drivers have any plans to give an inch at two of the most high-profile races on the schedule.
Shockingly, Weiss is the only driver in the top five without a victory this year, but he managed to lead the points standings from after Fairbury Speedway on July 27 through Stateline Speedway on September 19. He’s also collected an impressive six runner-ups and six third-place finishes in 39 starts, the most of anyone in those categories not named Brandon Sheppard.
Weiss has the largest points gap to make up of anyone, largely due to his two DNFs at Outlaw Speedway in September and Lavonia Speedway last month. Should he rise above the always-stiff World Finals competition and make up the gap to finish either second or third, he’ll become the highest-finishing Rookie in Series history. He makes his debut at The Dirt Track this weekend, but there’s a good reason to believe he’ll have success, and possibly even get that very elusive first World of Outlaws victory.
Weiss would rather forget the sour ending to what was shaping up to be his first Series win back in June at Lernerville Speedway. Taking the lead from Sheppard on lap 62, Weiss was just five circuits away from a $30,000 payday in the Firecracker 100 finale on cruise control, when he blew a tire, putting an end to his hopes for victory. But that was arguably his strongest performance of the season, as the competition he held off that night included big names the Outlaws will see again this weekend.
“The Manitoba Missile” also seemed to have the 4/10-mile of Lernerville very well figured out that weekend, especially once the surface became slick. Charlotte is another 4/10-mile with a good degree of banking throughout, which also tends to slick off and smooth out as the night moves forward. The Late Models will also be joined by the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds, which will aid in the track conditioning process. With a tiny pinch of luck, all of this could play right into Weiss’s hands, so long as he has his Sweet-Bloomquist Chassis underneath him through 50 laps.
Three-time Series Champion Darrell Lanigan led the 2019 points chase for most of the spring/summer months until a late-summer slump ascended over the #29 team, moving “The Bluegrass Bandit” back to fifth in the standings. But he was able to recover with his first win of the year at Selinsgrove in September and three top-five finishes in the previous seven races, and he now sits just eight points behind Junghans for second.
With two victories to his credit at The Dirt Track, expect the DLR crew to have their Club 29 Chassis up front this weekend. And what an accomplishment it would be for the Union, KY-native to finish runner-up in points in his first year back as a full-time Outlaw.
Chase Junghans is having his best season on record with the World of Outlaws, garnering 10 podiums, 16 top-fives and 30 top-tens in 39 starts. He currently sits on the hot seat as the runner-up in points, but if his recent history at The Dirt Track is any indication, he should have no problem getting to the front this weekend.
The Friday night Feature portion of last year’s World Finals was run on Saturday afternoon, and Junghans took full advantage of the racy track surface and passed 18 cars to come all the way from 26th to finish 8th. Later that night, he backed it up with a fourth-place effort behind only winner Scott Bloomquist, Jonathan Davenport and Sheppard. Look for the Kansan to turn on the jets once again this time around.
Diving into World of Outlaws history at The Dirt Track, one name surprisingly not on the winners list is 2015 Series Champion, Shane Clanton. He’s been strong all season long, posting 4 wins, 14 top-fives and 33 top-tens in 39 starts. He’s also taken two weeks away from the track to recuperate before a battle with the best in Dirt Late Model racing this weekend, but the question still remains: can “The Georgia Bulldog” finally break through and get to World Finals Victory Lane?
Find out the answers to all these unknowns this weekend when the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series takes to The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Can-Am World Finals, this Thursday, Friday and Saturday!
And don’t forget to check out PRN at the Track’s World Finals Kickoff Party on Wednesday night from 6-10 p.m. at the ZMax Dragway Pavilion (across from the track) with food, drinks, driver appearances and live musical guest Dirty Grass Soul!
THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE
WHEN & WHERE
Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 7-9 at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway
THURSDAY
• Pit gate opens at 11 a.m.
• Spectator gate opens at 3:30 p.m.
• Hot Laps at 3:45 p.m.
FRIDAY
• Pit gate opens at 9 a.m.
• Spectator gate opens at 3 p.m.
• Racing at 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAY
• Pit gate opens at noon.
• Spectator gate opens at 3 p.m.
• Racing at 5 p.m.
ABOUT THE TRACK
The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway is a 4/10-mile, semi-banked clay oval. The track record is 14.385 seconds, set by Mike Marlar on Nov. 2, 2017.
Online: http://charlottemotorspeedway.com
Phone: (704) 455-3200
TICKETS
Tickets for all tracks can be purchased at the gate on race day or online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.
4/10-MILE WINNERS
There have been two races on 4/10-mile tracks this season.
1-2: Lernerville Speedway – Mike Norris on June 21 and Tim McCreadie on June 22
THE DIRT TRACK AT CHARLOTTE PREVIOUS WINNERS
2018 – Brandon Sheppard on Nov. 2; Scott Bloomquist on Nov. 3
2017 – Brandon Sheppard on Nov.3; Dennis Erb Jr. on Nov. 4
2016 – Josh Richards on Oct. 28; Chris Madden on Oct. 29
2015 – Brandon Sheppard on Nov. 6; Jonathan Davenport on Nov. 7
2014 – Darrel Lanigan on Nov. 7; Jimmy Owens on Nov. 8
2013 – Darrell Lanigan on Nov. 8; Josh Richards on Nov. 9
2012 – Rick Eckert on Oct. 10; Jimmy Owens on Nov. 2; Jimmy Owens on Nov. 3
2011 – Josh Richards on Oct. 12; Jonathan Davenport on Nov. 4; Jimmy Owens on Nov. 5
2010 – Josh Richards on Oct. 13; Jonathan Davenport on Nov. 6; Jimmy Owens on Nov. 6
2009 – Josh Richards on Nov. 5; Scott Bloomquist on Nov. 6; Jimmy Owens on Nov. 7
2008 – Steve Francis on April 19; Chris Madden on Oct. 29; Scott Bloomquist on Oct. 31; Josh Richards on Nov. 1
2007 – Scott Bloomquist on April 21; Shannon Babb on Oct. 10; Scott Bloomquist on Nov. 2; Donnie Moran on Nov. 3
ON THE INTERNET
World of Outlaws Late Model Series – www.worldofoutlaws.com/latemodels
Twitter – Twitter.com/ WoOLateModels (@WoOLateModels)
Instagram – Instagram.com/ WoOLateModels (@WoOLateModels)
Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlawsLateModelSeries
YouTube – YouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws
DIRTVision – Dirtvision.com – Get your Late Model Fast Pass to watch all races LIVE for only $39/month!
Twitter – Twitter.com/DIRTVision – @DIRTVision
Facebook – Facebook.com/WatchDIRTVision
DRIVER INFO
Follow full-time World of Outlaws drivers on Twitter:
Brandon Sheppard – @B_Sheppard_B5
Shane Clanton – @clanton25
Darrell Lanigan – @DarrellLanigan
Chase Junghans – @ShopQuik18
Dennis Erb Jr. – @DennisErbJr
Boom Briggs – @boom99b
Brent Larson – @BrentLarsonB1
Ricky Weiss – @weissracing7
Cade Dillard – @CDillard97
Blake Spencer – www.blakespencer.com (not on Twitter)
AROUND THE TURN
After the final checkered of the season falls on Saturday night, the World of Outlaws full-time roster will gather at Concord’s Great Wolf Lodge for the annual World of Outlaws postseason celebration banquet. Available to all Late Model Fast Pass subscribers on DIRTVision!
2019 STATS
There have been 39 World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series Feature events this season.
MORTON BUILDINGS FEATURE WINNERS (14 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL – 18
– Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA – 4
– Brandon Overton, Evans, GA – 4
4 – Jimmy Owens, Newport, TN – 2
– Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC – 2
6 – Brian Shirley, Chatham, IL – 1
– Ross Bailes, Clover, SC – 1
– Michael Norris, Sarver, PA – 1
– Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY – 1
– Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS – 1
– Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA – 1
– Mason Zeigler, Chalk Hill, PA – 1
– Max Blair, Titusville, PA – 1
– Darrell Lanigan, Union, KY – 1
PFC BRAKES FAST TIME AWARD WINNERS (23 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Quick Times
1 – Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL – 11
2 – Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA – 3
3 – Ross Bailes, Clover, SC – 2
– Ricky Weiss, Headingley, Manitoba – 2
5 – Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY – 1
– Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, TN – 1
– Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA – 1
– Jason Covert, York Haven, PA – 1
– Kent Robinson, Bloomington, IN – 1
– Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS – 1
– Tanner English, Benton, KY – 1
– Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC – 1
– Tyler Erb, New Waverly, TX – 1
– Chris Simpson, Oxford, IA – 1
– Jimmy Mars, Menomonie, WI – 1
– Don Shaw, Ham Lake, MN – 1
– Darrell Lanigan, Union, KY – 1
– Jimmy Owens, Newport, TN – 1
– Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA – 1
– Frank Heckenast Jr., Frankfort, IL – 1
– Boom Briggs, Bear Lake, PA – 1
– Max Blair, Titusville, PA – 1
– Cade Dillard, Robeline, LA – 1
DRYDENE HEAT RACE WINNERS (43 different winners)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL – 26
2 – Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA – 11
3 – Darrell Lanigan, Union, KY – 10
– Ricky Weiss, Headingley, Manitoba – 10
– Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS – 10
6 – Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC – 9
7 – Brandon Overton, Evans, GA – 5
8 – Scott Bloomquist – Mooresburg, TN – 4
– Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL – 4
– Frank Heckenast Jr., Frankfort, IL – 4
11 – Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV – 3
– Boom Briggs, Bear Lake, PA – 3
– Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY – 3
– Brian Shirley, Chatham, IL – 3
– Jimmy Mars, Menomonie, WI – 3
– Mason Zeigler, Chalk Hill, PA – 3
17 – Kyle Hardy, Stephens City, VA – 2
– Jimmy Owens, Newport, TN – 2
– Chris Ferguson, Mt. Holly, NC – 2
– Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA – 2
– Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA – 2
– Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine, IA – 2
– Jason Covert, York Haven, PA – 2
24 – Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA – 1
– Devin Moran, Dresden, OH – 1
– Kent Robinson, Bloomington, IN – 1
– Tanner English, Benton, KY – 1
– Ross Bailes, Clover, SC – 1
– Ben Watkins, Lancaster, SC – 1
– Johnny Pursley, Clover, SC – 1
– Michael Norris, Sarver, PA – 1
– Chris Simpson, Oxford, IA – 1
– Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN – 1
– Chad Simpson, Mount Vernon, IA – 1
– Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN – 1
– Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL – 1
– Tyler Erb, New Waverly, TX – 1
– Earl Pearson Jr., Jacksonville, FL – 1
– Max Blair, Titusville, PA – 1
– David Scott, Garland, PA – 1
– Cade Dillard, Robeline, LA – 1
– Zack Mitchell, Enoree, SC – 1
– Cory Hedgecock, Loudon, TN – 1
LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINNERS (38 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Brandon Overton, Evans, GA – 3
– Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA – 3
3 – Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA – 2
– Devin Moran, Dresden, OH – 2
– Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KY – 2
– Jimmy Owens, Newport, TN – 2
– Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN – 2
8 – Darrell Lanigan, Union, KY – 1
– Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV – 1
– Steve Casebolt, Richmond, IN – 1
– Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN – 1
– Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA – 1
– Kent Robinson, Bloomington, IN – 1
– Tyler Erb, New Waverly, TX – 1
– Kyle Hardy, Stephens City, VA – 1
– Tanner English, Benton, KY – 1
– John Ownbey, Cleveland, TN – 1
– Cory Hedgecock, Loudon, TN – 1
– Tommy Kerr, Maryville, TN – 1
– Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL – 1
– Ryan Unzicker, El Paso, IL – 1
– Bob Gardner, Washington, IL – 1
– Blake Spencer, St. Augustine, FL – 1
– Donald Bradsher, Burlington, NC – 1
– Anthony Sanders, Spartanburg, SC – 1
– Dan Stone, Thompson, PA – 1
– John Kaanta, Elk Mound, WI – 1
– Brody Troftgruben, Grand Forks, ND – 1
– Boom Briggs, Bear Lake, PA – 1
– Ashton Winger, Hampton, GA – 1
– Donny Schatz, Fargo, ND – 1
– Terry Casey, New London, WI – 1
– Earl Pearson Jr., Jacksonville, FL – 1
– Gary Stuhler, Greencastle, PA – 1
– Bryan Bernheisel, Jonestown, PA – 1
– Andy Haus, Hamburg, PA – 1
– Jake Finnerty, Niobe, NY – 1
– Coleby Frye, Dover, PA – 1
PODIUM FINISHES (31 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – # of podiums
1 – Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL – 31
2 – Ricky Weiss, Headingley, Manitoba – 12
3 – Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS – 10
4 – Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA – 8
5 – Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC – 6
– Darrell Lanigan, Union, KY – 6
– Brandon Overton, Evans, GA – 6
8 – Jimmy Mars, Menomonie, WI – 4
9 – Brian Shirley, Chatham, IL – 3
– Don O’Neal, Martinsville, IN – 3
– Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL – 3
– Ross Bailes, Clover, SC – 2
– Jimmy Owens, Newport, TN – 2
– Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN – 2
– Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY – 2
– Mason Zeigler, Chalk Hill, PA – 2
– Scott Bloomquist, Mooresville, TN – 2
18 – Kyle Hardy, Stephens City, VA – 1
– Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV – 1
– Tanner English, Benton, KY – 1
– Michael Brown, Lancaster, SC – 1
– Michael Norris, Sarver, PA – 1
– Chris Simpson, Oxford, IA – 1
– Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL – 1
– Cade Dillard, Robeline, LA – 1
– Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA – 1
– Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine, IA – 1
– Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA – 1
– Frank Heckenast Jr., Frankfort, IL – 1
– Max Blair, Titusville, PA – 1
– Dave Hess Jr., Waterford, PA – 1
HARD CHARGERS (32 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – # of merits
1 – Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS – 4
2 – Darrell Lanigan, Union, KY – 2
– Cade Dillard, Robeline, LA – 2
– Blake Spencer, St. Augustine, FL – 2
5 – Frank Heckenast Jr., Frankfort, IL – 1
– Brian Shirley, Chatham, IL – 1
– Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA – 1
– Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN – 1
– Morgan Bagley, Longview, TX – 1
– Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA – 1
– Spencer Diercks, Davenport, IA – 1
– Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN – 1
– Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC – 1
– Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL – 1
– Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IA – 1
– John Kaanta, Elk Mound, WI – 1
– Brody Troftgruben, Grand Forks, ND – 1
– Boom Briggs, Bear Lake, PA – 1
– Rick Hanestad, Boyceville, WI – 1
– Mike Fryer, Freeport, IL – 1
– Brad Mueller, Random Lake, WI – 1
– Nick Anvelink, Navarino, Wisconsin – 1
– Tyler Erb, New Waverly, TX – 1
– Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, TN – 1
– Gary Stuhler, Greencastle, PA – 1
– Ross Robinson, Georgetown, DE – 1
– Brandon Thirlby, Traverse City, MI – 1
– Tyler Dietz, Pittsburgh, PA – 1
– Chad Valone, Jamestown, NY – 1
– Michael Smith – 1
– Derrick Ramey – 1
– Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL – 1
TOTAL LAPS LED (24 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Laps
1 – Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL – 691
2 – Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA – 232
3 – Brandon Overton, Evans, GA – 156
4 – Jimmy Owens, Newport, TN – 98
5 – Darrell Lanigan, Union, KY – 89
6 – Ricky Weiss, Headingley, Manitoba – 82
7 – Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS – 76
8 – Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL – 74
9 – Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC – 66
10 – Cade Dillard, Robeline, LA – 60
11 – Ross Bailes, Clover, SC – 50
– Max Blair, Titusville, PA – 50
13 – Tanner English, Benton, KY – 32
14 – Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA – 30
15 – Mason Zeigler, Chalk Hill, PA – 29
16 – Michael Norris, Sarver, PA – 25
17 – Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY – 24
18 – Brian Shirley, Chatham, IL – 20
19 – Ben Watkins, Lancaster, SC – 19
20 – Cory Hedgecock, Loudon, TN – 16
21 – Chris Simpson, Oxford, IA – 3
22 – Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine, IA – 2
23 – Boom Briggs, Bear Lake, PA – 1
24 – Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, TN – 1
2019 WORLD OF OUTLAWS SCHEDULE & WINNERS
No. / Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)
1. Friday, Feb. 8 / Screven Motor Speedway / Sylvania, GA / Brandon Overton (1)
2. Saturday, Feb. 9 / Screven Motor Speedway / Sylvania, GA / Shane Clanton (1)
3. Wed, Feb. 13 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Brandon Sheppard (1)
4. Thursday, Feb. 14 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Brandon Sheppard (2)
5. Friday, Feb. 15 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Brandon Sheppard (3)
6. Saturday, Feb. 16 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Brandon Sheppard (4)
7. Friday, March 22 / Duck River Raceway Park / Lewisburg, TN / Brandon Sheppard (5)
8. Saturday, March 23 / Smoky Mountain Speedway / Maryville, TN / Jimmy Owens (1)
9. Friday, April 4 / Farmer City Raceway / Farmer City, IL / Brian Shirley (1)
10. Saturday, April 5 / Farmer City Raceway / Farmer City, IL / Brandon Sheppard (6)
11. Friday, May 3 / Cherokee Speedway / Gaffney, SC / Ross Bailes (1)
12. Saturday, May 18 / Wayne County Speedway / Orrville, OH / Brandon Sheppard (7)
13. Friday, May 31 / Cochran Motor Speedway / Cochran, GA / Brandon Overton (2)
14. Saturday, June 1 / Lancaster Motor Speedway / Lancaster, SC / Brandon Sheppard (8)
15. Friday, June 21 / Lernerville Speedway / Sarver, PA / Michael Norris (1)
16. Saturday, June 22 / Lernerville Speedway / Sarver, PA / Tim McCreadie (1)
17. Friday, June 28 / Terre Haute Action Track / Terre Haute, IN / Brandon Sheppard (9)
18. Friday, July 5 / Independence Motor Speedway / Independence, IA / Brandon Sheppard (10)
19. Friday, July 6 / Deer Creek Speedway / Spring Valley, MN / Brandon Sheppard (11)
20. Tuesday, July 9 / ABC Raceway / Ashland, WI / Brandon Sheppard (12)
21. Friday, July 12 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Brandon Sheppard (13)
22. Saturday, July 13 / Ogilvie Raceway / Ogilvie, MN / Shane Clanton (2)
23. Sunday, July 14 / Red Cedar Speedway / Menomonie, WI / Chase Junghans (1)
24. Wednesday, July 24 / Davenport Speedway / Davenport, IA / Jimmy Owens (2)
25. Saturday, July 27 / Fairbury Speedway / Fairbury, IL / Brandon Sheppard (14)
26. Monday, July 29 / Plymouth Dirt Track / Plymouth, WI / Brandon Sheppard (15)
27. Tuesday, July 30 / Shawano Speedway / Shawano, WI / Shane Clanton (3)
28. Thursday, August 1 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / Jonathan Davenport (1)
29. Saturday, August 3 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / Chris Madden (1)
30. Friday, Aug. 16 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Brandon Sheppard (16)
31. Saturday, Aug. 17 / Port Royal Speedway / Port Royal, PA / Mason Zeigler (1)
32. Thursday, Aug. 29 / I-96 Speedway / Lake Odessa, MI / Brandon Sheppard (17)
33. Friday, Aug. 30 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH / Brandon Sheppard (18)
34. Thursday, Sept. 19 / Stateline Speedway / Jamestown, NY / Max Blair (1)
35. Friday, Sept. 20 / Outlaw Speedway / Dundee, NY / Shane Clanton (4)
36. Saturday, Sept. 21 / Selinsgrove Speedway / Selinsgrove, PA / Darrell Lanigan (1)
37. Thursday, Oct. 3 / Lavonia Speedway / Lavonia, GA / Chris Madden (2)
38. Friday, Oct. 4 / Cherokee Speedway / Gaffney, SC / Brandon Overton (3)
39. Saturday, Oct. 5 / 411 Motor Speedway / Seymour, TN / Brandon Overton (4)
