Chris Madden is seeking his first WoO title
The World of Outlaws CASE Construction Late Model Series is in the midst of a very busy stretch that will have the national touring series racing seven times between the dates of June 23rd through July 1st. And to add to the drama of so much racing over a short period of time is a very tight battle at the top of the series standings. As things stand following Tuesday’s event at Mason City Motor Speedway and going into the rain delayed show at Red River Valley Speedway on Thursday, there are three drivers separated by only 22 points with another three well within striking distance.
Red hot Bobby Pierce has won three of the last four WoO Late Models features and four times during the month of June to assume the lead by 12 points over Nick Hoffman and 22 ahead of Chris Madden. Ryan Gustin(-60), Kyle Bronson(-84) and Brandon Sheppard(-92) are keeping the leaders in their sights.
Rookie contender Hoffman has also been heating up making his way to second on the strength of four straight top-5 efforts after earning his first series win earlier this season at New York’s Busti Speedway on May 23rd.
Conversely, former points leader Chris Madden has struggled of late uncharacteristically posting three finishes outside the top-10 in his last seven series starts.
The World of Outlaws Late Model Series gives 150 points to feature winners with second place receiving 146. From there, each position drops off by two points. With that distribution, any of the current top-3 drivers has the ability to leave the upcoming race at Red River Valley(Thursday) as the leader.
The season has reached its traditional halfway mark as the Independence Day holiday approaches which means the big races scheduled for the summer months will eventually lead to those events that will form the stretch drive. With the championship hanging in the balance, the season will end with its traditional stop at The Dirt Track at Charlotte on November 1st through the 5th in Concord, NC.
The tightness of this points battle is somewhat remindful of the 2018 championship fight ultimately won by Mike Marlar after he, Brandon Sheppard and Chris Madden entered that final weekend with a chance to claim the top prize. But if the current model remains in place, there could be as many as six drivers who could go into those final four features with a mathematical chance to earn the trophy.
This busy stretch of races could prove to be a turning points for one or more drivers.
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