*Turn 2 Blog is a regular feature on InsideDirtRacing.com. Here, site operators Michael Moats and Richard Allen take turns offering their thoughts on the dirt racing topics of the day from east Tennessee and beyond.
*For this week’s Turn 2 Blog we are pleased to be joined by Kris Krug. His experience at covering dirt racing is prolific, having served as a track announcer in our area at the Smoky Mountain Speedway. But more recently, Kris has handled the microphone duties at Iowa’s Knoxville Raceway, site of the Knoxville Nationals.
Richard: Last week we previewed the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and its myriad of story lines going into the 2016 season. This week, we take a look into the World of Outlaws Late Models upcoming campaign and find that while the story lines may not be the same, there is again no shortage of them.
To begin with, both the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Late Models Series recently sent out the big news that each would have Craftsman Tools as its title sponsor for the next three years. This will mark the Sears-owned tool company’s re-entry into racing after dropping their support of NASCAR’s truck series several years ago.
In my opinion, this announcement may be the biggest news of the entire off season, even with the rule changes and driver swaps that were made. Having a major commitment such as this will give this national touring series guaranteed stability along with increased marketing power and exposure. The series, and dirt racing in general, could potentially be brought to an entirely new audience through advertising campaigns and other marketing tools of such a large corporation.
Did you guys see this news as the big deal that I did?
Michael: It certainly helps with name recognition, because Craftsman has a lot of clout, and it helps in the PR end with rumors the series is on its last leg. One thing I didn’t see in the press release is how, if in any way, this increases the points fund. The WoO champion gets more money than the Lucas champion. But Lucas has all these other awards that pay out some good money. We’ll see if the Craftsman sponsorship helps with that going forward.
But to answer your question, I still think the rules changes in Lucas is bigger news than Craftsman coming to WoO, at least for now. This time next year, the rules issue may be something easily forgotten just like the rules change last year regarding adjusting shocks from outside of the car. By the time summer rolled around, I think most people forgot about it. As for right now, I think the rules change is bigger. But we’ll see in 6 months or 12 months which turned out to be the bigger story.
I will say it’s great for the World of Outlaws to get a title sponsor and to get one with such a recognizable name as Craftsman.
Kris: Oh, absolutely! It can’t be stated how big this news is for not just the Outlaws but dirt track racing in general. Last year the Outlaws sprints were without a sponsor after STP didn’t re-sign with the series. Nobody was really sure what they were going to do long term but now everyone can breath easy. I think the biggest thing to note is how rare it is for a sponsor to lay claim to both the Sprint Cars and the Late Models. Craftsman had such a great reputation with the NASCAR truck series for years and now I think they could help bring dirt track racing to the next level! I only see great things with this partnership.
Richard: To turn more to the competition side of things, the WoO Late Models tour intrigues me in a different way than the Lucas Oil series does. In this case, there are three well established stars in Josh Richards, Rick Eckert and defending champion Shane Clanton that look to be the most serious threats to take the title at season’s end after the definite loss of former champion Darrell Lanigan and the likely loss of former champion Tim McCreadie to the rival series.
Some may view the departure of two major stars as a negative, and certainly it is in some respects, but I see opportunity here as well. With those guys leaving, it opens the door for others to step in and fill their shoes. The series has already addressed this by putting out a press release that stated newcomers Billy Moyer, Jr., Paul Wilmouth, Jr. and former NASCAR truck series regular Joey Coulter plan to run the full schedule in 2016.
Certainly the three series stalwarts I mentioned above have to be counted as title favorites, but the possibility of having new winners to occasionally enter victory lane can’t be bad for the series.
Michael: I think that is one thing about this season that makes it exciting is all the new faces in the series. While some of the drivers may not have that national name recognition as the ones that left the series, there are some really good drivers that will be taking their talents to the series this season. Don’t forget that Steve Casebolt and Brian Shirley plan to make a run with the series. Both of those drivers are very accomplished racers and will be in the mix for a number of wins this year.
Kris: The list of drivers this year for the Outlaws is, yet again, outstanding. I really love the addition to Billy Moyer, Jr. The Moyer name has been on the national Late Model scene for years and it’s good to see Junior joining a national tour in 2016. I think he could be a contender toward the end of the year. Of all the newcomers though, I really love the addition of Joey Coulter. I see this as only outstanding news for the sport of dirt track racing. Coulter had a pretty good following in the NASCAR truck series and now it’s possible that he could bring a few of the NASCAR heavy fans with him to our sport. This was a great get for the Outlaws.
Looking at returning series drivers, I think Brandon Overton, a rookie from 2015, has a chance to make some noise this year. Overton ran well during his rookie season last year and I think he can pick up his first career victory in 2016. Of the full-time drivers, I don’t see one dominating the season this year, I think your going to have multiple winners this season and a few first time winners as well.
Richard: I too am anxious to see how those newer drivers to the circuit do and if they can remain with the series throughout the full season. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Moyer, Overton, Casebolt or Shirley score multiple wins this year.
As far as the more established contenders go, Clanton got off to a hot start last year during Georgia/Florida SpeedWeeks and that momentum propelled him to a season that might well have been the talk of the Dirt Late Model had it not been for Jonathan Davenport’s unprecedented run. While it’s certainly a long season and much can happen over the course of a full year, who do you guys see as the driver most likely to get off to a hot start in 2016?
Michael: Like most people, I fully expect Josh Richards to reassert himself as the driver to beat week-in and week-out on the tour. Rocket got just a tad behind the last couple of years but seem to be back at the top of their game right now. Clanton can still compete head-to-head with Richards because Capital Race Cars have really elevated their game in the last 12 months. I also see someone like Frank Hackenast, Jr. having a break out year this year. He really improved throughout the season last year.
Kris: Yea, Clanton had an outstanding run last year racking up 10 wins in route to his WoO points championship. But like you said, Rich, he was a second thought compared to the results Davenport was putting together. With Lanigan gone from Outlaw competition this season, I think the points championship is a two man race between Clanton and Richards. Richards really finished the season strong last year winning 6 of the last 12 events including 3 in a row at one point. I think he can use that momentum to have a hot start this year and get back on track. I like Richards to have the best SpeedWeeks in 2016 and I think the hot start will lead to another Outlaw points title for Kid Rocket.
Michael: My pick to win this year’s title has to be Josh Richards. I think he’s back and Rocket is back to being at top or near the top and that combination will be hard to beat. I thought this, even before last weekend’s action at Golden Isles, but I think Richards will also win the most races on the series this season.
Richard: To quote Delmar O’Donnell from the movie ‘O Brother Where Art Thou’, I’m with you fellers. I believe Richards is in for a monster season. and like you said, Michael, I thought this would be the case even before the start of Lucas Oil action in Golden Isles. Richards will win the WoO Late Models title and have the most series wins in 2016.
