*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.
The latest edition of the Turn 2 Blog is presented by the American Crate All-Star Series.
Richard: As its national touring series counterpart did this past weekend, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will head to Florida to kick off its 2021 season beginning this Friday. All-Tech Raceway will be the site of the series opener and from there it will be on to East Bay Raceway Park and then to Bubba Raceway Park to close out SpeedWeeks. Ten races at three tracks over the course of twelve days will set in motion a 62-race schedule that will take the series to 21 states and 32 different tracks.
Unlike with the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series where the primary question asked who will step up to challenge defending champion Brandon Sheppard, the question here is more like who will emerge out of this talent-rich field to take charge.
Jimmy Owens earned his fourth series title in 2020 after putting together a stellar season. But with the list of drivers who plan to follow the LOLMDS, there are numerous options to choose from.
Along with Owens, Jonathan Davenport, Tim McCreadie, Josh Richards, and Earl Pearson, Jr. have won at least one national touring series championship during their careers. More than that, Tyler Erb, Devin Moran, Hudson O’Neal, Kyle Strickler, Tanner English, and Billy Moyer Jr. are potential full-time drivers who are capable of winning feature races.
There is no shortage of talent among these drivers and their crews, is there?
Tim McCreadie(39) & Jonathan Davenport(49) are sure to be serious contenders
Michael: The strength of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is in the balance and number of drivers capable of winning races and even contending for the championship. This is one of the reasons the races are so well attended and why tracks line up to get a date on their schedule.
Add to that, some of the more local or regional favorites are picking up wins occasionally. Peyton Looney’s win at Wheatland, Chris Ferguson’s win, and a near win by Josh Rice makes the series very compelling from race to race.
Richard: Exactly! The Lucas Oil Series has so many drivers and teams who could win at any track on any given night. With the level of competition, it amazes me that any one driver can go on a run such as the one Jimmy Owens went on last year on his way to winning the championship or the types of dominating stretches we have seen from Jonathan Davenport in his title years.
And it isn’t just the fact that there are a lot of great drivers and teams on the tour that makes it tough. The schedule provides one of the greatest challenges in motorsports with more than 60 races set to be contested on tracks that range from the red clay of the southeast to the darker dirt of the upper Midwest. Haulers have to make their way from the far corner of the country in Florida to locales such as Missouri, Nebraska and Minnesota as well as Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Running this series calls for a lot of time on the road while combating every type of weather imaginable. Also, a great deal of know-how in terms of car setups on those differing types of clay and conditions is a must to be competitive.
It’s as much a test of will as it is a test of skill, isn’t it?
Michael: Going up and down the road to race for a living is no easy task. Not everyone is cut out for it. I applaud those who can do it.
Yes, the skill comes from the crews as much as it does from the drivers. We see some of the crew chiefs bounce around from team to team and we see where the successful ones take those results with them. Knowing how to set up cars for the different types of dirt, size of tracks, banking, etc. is a skill with today’s shock packages and suspension components.
Josh Richards(14) & defending champ Jimmy Owens(20) will battle the other Lucas Oil stars in 2021
Richard: Now moving to the competition side of things, there are a few drivers who stand out to me as those who are likely to have big seasons in 2021.
First, I believe Tim McCreadie is in for a big year. After now having had plenty of time to work with the Donald and Tena Bradsher-owned Paylor Motorsports there is likely to be more of a comfort level going into the upcoming campaign. And keep in mind that this is a team that fared very well in the big races that were actually completed in 2020. The No. 39 pulled into victory lane in two $50,000 events(Eldora & Florence) and one $30,000 feature(I-80). There is plenty of momentum to build on with this team.
Jonathan Davenport looked very good in Arizona and says that he is having fun again. That could spell bad news for the competition in 2021. We all know what this guy is capable of when he gets on a roll.
Also, I’m really anxious to see how Ricky Thornton, Jr. does in his rookie season. He had a good bit of success dropping in to a few big races last year. However, taking on a full schedule with a series such as this is a whole different animal.
Who are you looking at as the season approaches?
Michael: Aside from Davenport and McCreadie, I think Hudson O’Neal bounces back and has a good year. His time in the MasterSbilt house car was pretty bad, but he showed what he’s capable of driving for PCC Motorsports late in the season. Both of us know what kind of backing and commitment Roger Sellers and his Double Down Motorsports team has and I think O’Neal is set for a good season.
Another driver I’ll be watching is Billy Moyer Jr. He finished off the 2020 season on a good note. The Capital Race Cars were impressive most of last season. I think having a full season with one chassis, unlike previous years, should offer him better finishes this season.
We both pick Ricky Thornton, Jr. to be the Rookie of the Year(Photo: @ABCracing54)
Richard: The thing about this series is there is no shortage of storylines to watch for.
In terms of predictions, I am going to say that McCreadie will have the most feature wins but I am picking Davenport to be the series champion. I look for Thornton to take Rookie of the Year honors at the end of the season.
Michael: Last year, no one gave Jimmy Owens a mention for series champion. Can a Josh Richards or someone like that come through this year? I go back-and-forth on whether McCreadie or Davenport will win the championship this year. I think Davenport will win the most races and McCreadie will finally get the title. Thornton may be a sleeper title contender while easily taking Rookie of the Year.
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