A WARRIOR’S CALL: Mike Marlar Opens World of Outlaws World Finals With Victory

Mike Marlar clinched a World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models title at The Dirt Track at Charlotte in 2018. However, a World Finals victory had eluded the Winfield, TN driver.

That changed Wednesday night, as the “Winfield Warrior” drove from ninth to first to earn his fifth World of Outlaws win of 2022 and first at The Dirt Track.

Shane Clanton grabbed the early lead in the 40-lap Feature, sliding Brandon Overton in Turn 4 to take the lead on Lap 1.

Behind them, Marlar was methodically working through the field, picking off cars one by one on the bottom until he reached the top five on a Lap 19 restart.

That restart propelled him further up the field as he swung his Longhorn Chassis under Tim McCreadie for fourth, Overton for third, and Trent Ivey for second by Lap 37 when a yellow for Tyler Erb slowed the field.

It set up a single-file restart, putting Marlar behind Clanton.

When the green came out, Marlar thundered to the low side as Clanton rolled the middle, keeping Marlar at bay for two laps. But on Lap 39, the window Marlar needed finally opened.

He used his momentum to pull even with “The Georgia Bulldog,” inching ahead as they roared into Turn 3.

A slide job in Turn 4 completed the pass for Marlar, who held on to score the $15,000 prize and his 13th World of Outlaws triumph.

“The car was excellent tonight,” Marlar said. “All night long, I thought I had a good car. I was the first car on the track in Qualifying, and the track was a little greasy, and I thought that hurt me some. We got a lucky break in the Heat (Race) when Hudson (O’Neal) pushed up, and it got me to start ninth (in the Feature), and I got a lot of good restarts in that race.

“I had a good car, though, man. The closer I got to the front, the better it was.”

Even though the restart propelled him to the win, Marlar said he felt he was positioned to take the lead before the caution for Tyler Erb.

“I was in a real good position there before that caution came out,” Marlar said. “I honestly thought it’d be tough to beat Shane on a little shootout here at the end with four laps to get it done.

“It worked out, I had a good enough car I could pass him, and it worked out for me.”

Clanton settled for second, falling short of his third Series win of the season by one lap.

The Zebulon, GA driver said he wasn’t sure if he could’ve held Marlar off even if the late caution didn’t come out.

“It is what it is,” Clanton said. “I don’t know if I could’ve held him off anyways. Dirty air is big here. The racetrack is so big, and our car has to be a little bit better to win the race.

“I’ve raced here a lot and ain’t never really had clean air. I’ve won a lot of Heat Races in clean air. I just know that’s what we need to have. I was trying to get the lead and trying to hold on for 40 laps and made it 39.”

Trent Ivey, from Union, SC, grabbed the final spot on the podium. He was up to second and trying to catch Clanton before Marlar passed him on Lap 35.

Even though he fell to third, he said he was happy to run up front against some of the best drivers in the country.

“I was so content just to race behind Shane,” Ivey said. “I just couldn’t get quite close enough, but like you said, I’m just going to ride and take wherever we finish at that point.

“I had no idea Mikey was coming like that, and I knew Shane knew that I was coming. Shane protected, and I tried to change my line up, and Mikey slid by me.”

Overton crossed the line fourth after starting on the pole. The Evans, GA driver, said he was fighting the handling of his Longhorn Chassis throughout the race.

“We just wasn’t balanced,” Overton said. “The first time we were behind anybody all night and I would get into traffic, it was like, wheelieing and picking the nose off the ground. It was hard to drive.

“Hell, I don’t know. I kind of got better as the fuel burned off. We were good early; we just have to adjust a little bit for the race. I feel like I know which direction to go.”

Tim McCreadie, the 2006 World of Outlaws champion, rounded out the top five.

Max Blair finished ninth, gaining two points on Tanner English, who finished 10th in the race for Rookie of the Year.

The Benton, KY driver leads Blair by 18 points with two races remaining in the 2022 season.

UP NEXT: The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet return to The Dirt Track at Charlotte on Thursday, Nov. 3, for night two of the World of Outlaws World Finals, along with the Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modifieds. On Friday, Nov. 4, fans get to meet the World of Outlaws stars during the World Finals Fan Fest from 2-4 p.m. Drivers will be signing autographs and playing games with the fans.

FOR TICKETS: CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action live on DIRTVision – either online on with the DIRTVision App.

CASE Construction Equipment Feature (40 Laps): 1. 157-Mike Marlar[9]; 2. 25-Shane Clanton[2]; 3. 88-Trent Ivey[3]; 4. 76-Brandon Overton[1]; 5. 39-Tim McCreadie[6]; 6. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[8]; 7. 20-Jimmy Owens[5]; 8. 18D-Daulton Wilson[18]; 9. 111V-Max Blair[10]; 10. 81E-Tanner English[14]; 11. 7W-Ricky Weiss[21]; 12. 17M-Dale McDowell[4]; 13. 1H-Hudson O’Neal[15]; 14. 1-Josh Richards[13]; 15. 11-Gordy Gundaker[24]; 16. 24D-Michael Brown[11]; 17. 19R-Ryan Gustin[25]; 18. 8-Kyle Strickler[17]; 19. B1-Brent Larson[26]; 20. 32-Dustin Mitchell[16]; 21. 44-Chris Madden[7]; 22. 42-Cla Knight[19]; 23. 1T-Tyler Erb[20]; 24. 7-Ross Robinson[23]; 25. 99B-Boom Briggs[27]; 26. 93-Carson Ferguson[22]; 27. 15-Dale Hollidge[12] FOX FACTORY HARD CHARGER: Daulton Wilson [+10]

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World of Outlaws World Finals
2022-11-02
The Dirt Track at Charlotte
5555 Concord Parkway S
Concord, North Carolina 28027 

Event Description
For the first time ever, the most prestigious dirt racing event in the country lights up The Dirt Track at Charlotte with not three, but four days of heart-pounding, clay-slinging action on the lightning-fast, four-tenths mile oval. The World of Outlaws World Finals brings together the top series in the sport, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, the World of Outlaws Late Model Series and the Super DIRTcar Series, for four full days of racing culminating in the crowning of all three series champions.

Series Racing
World of Outlaws Late Model Series

To Win Amount
$15,000.00

Feature Laps Length
40

Event Schedule
VIEW FULL SCHEDULE
*All times Eastern

Event Hashtag
#AllDirtRoads

To Win Amount
$15,000.00

Reserved Seating
all seating

Type of Grandstand
Bleacher with backs

Stadium Seating
Not allowed

Handicapped Seating
Lower level and Second level - Reserved seating required - Companion seating is available

Handicapped Parking
Designated handicap parking between the dirt track and zMax dragway

Pit Age Limit
All ages allowed. Minors ages 17 and under must have a signed waiver sheet. ONE parent must be present OR waiver should be notarized with the required ONE parent signature. Call 1-800-455-FANS with questions.

Pit Gate Location
Pit gate is located at Gate 2 of the zMax Dragway

Personal Coolers
No

ATMs
1

Credit Card Use
Concessions, Pit Gate, Ticket Window

Alcohol Sales
Alcohol is also sold at the track

Smoking Policy
designated smoking areas only

Family Section
n/a

Parking Cost
$5

Camping Availability
electric hookup, non-electric, onsite, showers, waste services

Camping Cost
Contact the track for pricing

The Dirt Track at Charlotte
5555 Concord Parkway S
28027 

Track Phone
(704) 455-3200

Track Type
0.400; semi banked

Sprint Car Track Record
11.880 seconds by Jeff Shepard on 10/6/01

Late Model Track Record
14.183 seconds by Kyle Larson on 11/5/20

Closest Airport
Concord-Padgett Regional Airport

Other Airport
Charlotte Douglas International Airport

Pit Gate Location
Pit gate is located at Gate 2 of the zMax Dragway

Track Map

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

Tire Rules
(LF Open Tire) {LF MUST remain on the LF all night}
(Hoosier 1350) RF/LR/RR
(Hoosier LCB70) Right Rear Option
*You MUST Qualify, Heat Race, and LCS on the same tires.
You can change (1) tire for the Feature.