Dale McDowell claimed the win in the season opener for the WoO Late Models
The World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series kicked off its 2022 season with the first of the three-day Sunshine Nationals at the Volusia Speedway Park. A stellar field of Super Late Model drivers took to the track on Thursday night at the track located in Barberville, Florida.
However, due to a large number of cars in all three divisions, some challenging track conditions, and the lateness of the hour on Thursday night/Friday morning, the features were moved to Friday afternoon. When the dust had finally settled, it was Dale McDowell who claimed the victory. The Team Zero Race Cars driver from Chickamauga, Georgia earned $10,000 for his efforts.
The win proved to be a triumphant return to competition for McDowell who was sidelined last fall with prostate chance.
A total of 47 cars were signed in for competition.
Kyle Hammer was fastest in Group A qualifying with a lap of 16.046 seconds around the half-mile clay oval to beat out Kyle Larson, Dale McDowell, Chris Madden and Kyle Strickler.
Devin Moran led Group B time-trials by touring the track in 16.207 seconds topping Ricky Thornton Jr., David Breazeale, Brandon Sheppard and Shane Clanton.
Dale McDowell was the winner of the first heat race of the night besting Kyle Strickler, Ryan Gustin and Chase Junghans then Chris Madden took the second preliminary ahead of Dennis Erb Jr., Kyle Larson and Jimmy Mars.
Devin Moran was victorious in the third heat of the night over Josh Richards, Shane Clanton and Tyler Bruening while Brandon Sheppard outran Ricky Thornton Jr., Max Blair and Jimmy Owens in the fourth and final heat of the night.
Cade Dillard and Hudson O’Neal won the Last Chance Showdown races that were used to set the remainder of the starting lineup.
The World of Outlaws redraw set the top-8 starters as McDowell, Moran, Madden, Sheppard, Erb, Strickler, Richards and Thornton.
At the start of the 30-lap feature it was McDowell who took the early lead ahead of Moran, Madden, Sheppard and Erb. As drivers worked to navigate around the choppy track, a yellow flag waved on the second lap for a spin by Ashton Winger.
On the ensuing restart, the top-10 running car of Gustin spun in turn three collecting Richards and Thornton. Gustin and Thornton retired from the event.
On the second lap 2 restart, McDowell continued to lead while Madden slid into second with Erb stepping up to third. Strickler began to rise as he passed by Sheppard for fifth then began to close on Moran for fourth.
McDowell continued to show the way on lap 10 but Madden began to close as the lead duo worked through slower traffic. A caution on lap 12 for a spin by Richards with McDowell, Madden and Moran running in the top-3 positions.
Erb jumped to third on the lap restart then challenged Madden for the runner-up spot. The No. 28 then passed by the No. 44 for second. Further back, Larson fought with Sheppard for sixth while all the time closing on Strickler.
A lap 19 caution for the slowing car of Chris Simpson. Third-running Moran clipped the inside wall in turn two on the lap 19 restart and spun with English, Bagley and Brent Larson piling in. The running order was then McDowell, Erb, Madden, Larson and Strickler.
The NASCAR Cup Series champion jumped to third on the second lap 19 restart behind McDowell and Erb.
McDowell pulled away by more than four seconds leaving Erb and Larson to fight for second until a spin by Richards with two laps remaining brought about a late-race restart that would determine the final running order at the finish. “Mac Daddy” would go unchallenged over the final two circuits to claim the win in his first race since returning from cancer surgery in September of last year.
Feature Finish: 1. Dale McDowell, 2. Dennis Erb Jr., 3. Kyle Larson, 4. Chris Madden, 5. Hudson O’Neal, 6. Shane Clanton, 7. Brandon Sheppard, 8. Max Blair, 9. Tyler Bruening, 10. Chase Junghans, 11. Darrell Lanigan, 12. Cade Dillard, 13. Brent Larson 14. Kyle Strickler, 15. Morgan Bagley, 16. Boom Briggs, 17. Gordy Gundaker, 18. Tanner English, 19. Josh Richards, 20. Chris Simpson, 21. Jimmy Mars, 22. Gordy Gundaker, 23. Jimmy Owens, 24. Ashton Winger, 25. Ryan Gustin, 26. Ricky Thornton Jr., 27. Kyle Hammer
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