THE THRILL OF THE CHASE: Dillard scores pole for 34th annual USA Nationals

A Louisiana driver will lead some of the best Late Model drivers in the country to the green flag for the 34th annual USA Nationals. Cade Dillard led all eight laps of Friday’s pole dash at Cedar Lake Speedway to earn the first starting position for the 100-lap finale.

The Robeline, LA driver survived double Drydene Heat races under a passing points format to lock himself into one of the top eight spots for the $50,000-to-win event. It also earned him the chance to race his way onto the front row.

The “Thriller” drew the pole for the dash and never looked back, thundering ahead of Ashton Winger en route to the victory.

Even though he’s thrilled with Friday’s performance, Dillard knows there’s a lot of racing left.

“It’s pretty cool to be locked in and get on the pole of an event as big as this,” Dillard said. “There’s a long way to go, so hopefully, I can make the right changes on my car and hopefully be good at the end. That’s where I’ve struggled in the past with this event.”

Every driver racing at USA Nationals saw a different format on Friday than what they’re used to with the World of Outlaws. Drivers earned passing points in their two Heat Races, locking the top 16 into the show.

It’s a format that didn’t faze Dillard one bit because he’s familiar with it.

“I come from Modified racing,” Dillard said. “The USMTS; that’s what we do every night so passing points that didn’t really bother me. We just had a couple of lucky breaks in that second [Heat Race] and just had a really good car.”

Joining Dillard on the front row of the $50,000-to-win Feature is 2020 World of Outlaws Rookie of the Year Ashton Winger.

After cashing in on $6,000 by winning Thursday’s held over Morton Buildings Feature, his second-place finish in the dash only added to Friday’s accolades.

The USA Nationals has been on the Senoia, GA driver’s bucket list for a while. But Winger knows there’s still work to do if he wants to find Victory Lane again this weekend.

“We’ve got to be better, and we’re a little bit off whenever the racetrack progresses to the bottom,” Winger said. “At some point, we’re going to need to move to the bottom tomorrow, and we have to make sure we’re not 15th.”

Despite having a fast car all night, Winger stated he needed some luck to be in a good position for Saturday.

“I got pretty lucky in my first heat because the guy who was running second, I think something broke on his car, and I went from sixth to fourth and got points without passing anybody,” Winger said. “Racing is so much about being at the right place at the right time. I definitely think we had some stuff go our way today.”

Kyle Bronson, Jimmy Owens, and Brandon Sheppard rounded out the top five in the pole dash. Max Blair, Brandon Overton, and A.J Diemel made up the rest of the field.

After the pole dash, 11 drivers battled for a $2,500 prize in the Kyle Koch Memorial F.A.N.S. Fund dash. Mark Whitener of Middleburg, FL, took the lead on the outside of Garrett Alberson and held on to win the event.

The dash is one of the reasons the Big Frog Motorsports is racing this weekend at Cedar Lake.

“Ultimately, that’s why we’re here; them guys stepped up and helped us get here financially,” Whitener said. “The Big Frog team pulled this car up here and got me here, and my fans put me on the front row [of the dash], so I have to thank them guys.”

Garrett Alberson, Bobby Pierce, Jason Feger, and Trevor Gundaker rounded out the top five in the 12-lap dash.

UP NEXT: The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet return to Cedar Lake Speedway on Saturday, August 7, for day three of the USA Nationals. A pair of Last Chance Showdowns will help set the field for the 100-Lap, $50,000-to-win finale.

USA Nationals Pole Dash (8 Laps)- 1. 97- Cade Dillard [1]; 2. 12-Ashton Winger [2]; 3.40B- Kyle Bronson[3]; 4. 20-Jimmy Owens[5], 5. 1- Brandon Sheppard [6]; 6. 111V- Max Blair[4]; 7. 76- Brandon Overton[7]; 8. 10C-A.J. Diemel[8].

F.A.N.S Fund Dash (12 Laps)- 1. 58- Mark Whitener[2]; 2. 58- Garret Alberson[1]; 3. 32- Bobby Pierce[6]; 4. 25-Jason Feger[5]; 5. 11-Trevor Gundaker[4]; 6. 25S-Chad Simpson[7]; 7. 21- Billy Moyer, Jr. [8]; 8. 12- Ashton Winger [10]; 9. 11-Gordy Gundaker[11]; 10. 24-Ryan Unzicker [9]; 11. 32- Chris Simpson [12]; 12. 0-Nick Hoffman [13]; 13. 22-Tegan Evans[3].

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USA Nationals
August 5, 2021 to August 7, 2021
Cedar Lake Speedway
2275 County Road CC
New Richmond, WI 

Event Description
The World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models will battle for three nights at Cedar Lake Speedway for the USA Nationals.

The action starts Thursday and finishes with the 100-lap, $50,000-to-win finale on Saturday.

Series Racing
World of Outlaws Late Model Series

Sprint Car Track Record
10.775 seconds by Terry McCarl on 9/11/04

Late Model Track Record
12.972 seconds by Jason Rauen on 6/17/11

Event Schedule
THURSDAY
6:30 Hot Laps
7:00 Complete show of World of Outlaw Late Model show & USRA Limited Late Models.
After race party in the Cedar Lake Arena!

FRIDAY
8:30 Breakfast served in east and west restaurants
11:00 or 12:00 Tubing down the Apple River
1:00 Trout Fishing
6:30 Hot Laps
7:00 Double Heat Races & Dash for USA Nationals & complete show of local Late Models
After race party in the Cedar Lake Arena

SATURDAY
8:30 Breakfast served in east and west restaurants
11:00 or 12:00 Apple River Tubing
12:30 FansFund Luncheon
3:00 Lawn Mower Racing in Arena
4:30 Driver Autograph/Meet & Greet
6:30 Hot Laps
7:00 B Mains & 100 lap, $50,000 to Win USA Nationals and complete show of local Late Models
*All times Central

Options And Prices
Thursday only at gate $25 Adults, $12 Student, $35 Pits
Friday only at gate $30 Adults, $15 Students, $40 Pits
Saturday only at gate $35 Adults, $17 Students, $45 Pits
Advance Friday / Sat Pass* $60 Adults, $30 Students
Advance Thu/Fri/Sat Pass* $80 Adults, $40 Students

* Note: Reduced 2 or 3 day advanced tickets available online or by calling 612-363-0479. Must be purchased at least 2 days before the event starts.

Parking Cost
$0.00

Camping Availability
non-electric, onsite, sanitary facility, showers, waste services

Camping Cost
$60 for the Weekend

Type of Grandstand
Bleachers / chairbacks

Stadium Seating
Stadium seats are allowed.

Handicapped Seating
Both sides of stadium have wheel chair accessible seating

Handicapped Parking
Outside the front gate

Pit Age Limit
NO age restriction for pits. 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent/ guardian.

Personal Coolers
Coolers are permitted at the speedway, however you are NOT ALLOWED to bring in any alcoholic beverages or glass containers.

ATMs
1

Credit Card Use
Ticket Window

Alcohol Sales
Beer and wine will be available to purchase

Smoking Policy
No smoking in Grandstands

Family Section
all areas are family friendly

Parking Cost
$0.00

Camping Availability
non-electric, onsite, sanitary facility, showers, waste services

Camping Cost
$60 for the Weekend

Closest Airport
Minneapolis, MN (MSP / KMSP) Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport

Other Airport
Eau Claire, WI (EAU / KEAU) Chippewa Valley Regional Airport

Cedar Lake Speedway
2275 County Road CC
New Richmond, WI 

Track Phone
(715) 248-7119

Ticket Phone
(612) 363-0479

Track Email
[email protected]

Track Size & Type
0.375;

Sprint Car Track Record
10.775 seconds by Terry McCarl on 9/11/04

Competitor Downloads
 https://www.dirtcarmembers.com/downloads.php

Competitor Info
Tire Rules:
ALL FOUR (4) CORNERS: M30 or W30
RIGHT REAR OPTION: M40 (USA Nationals you are required to run a LM40 on the right rear tire.)
GROOVING AND SIPING IS ALLOWED
**Thursday you must qualify, heat race, and LCS on the same tires. You may change RR tire for the Feature. On Friday you will heat race on the same tires. Saturday is LM30, W30 on all 4 corners with a 40 right rear option (No limit for Saturday) but for the USA Nationals you are required to run a LM40 on the right rear.