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 All-Star Pro Late Models Presented by PPM Racing Products
Are you surprised that it took until late June for both national touring series defending champions to win a series feature?
Richard: I’m going to have to give one of those noncommittal yes and no answers.
The fact that Tim McCreadie had not won a Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series race and Dennis Erb Jr. had not won a World of Outlaws CASE Construction Late Model Series feature until this past weekend is surprising in that both are great drivers and race for excellent teams. And obviously, both were very good last season which would seem to be something that would carry over into the next season.
At the same time, it’s not surprising in the sense that a significant number of races were lost because of the weather which took away several opportunities to win.
But perhaps the biggest factor is that the talent level on both tours makes it harder for anyone to win and if a driver and team show up at a track just a hair off, they will find themselves buried in mid-pack after qualifying and heat races which makes it virtually impossible to get caught up. And more, both tours added significant talent leading into the 2023 season making it even more difficult to win.
Finally, Ricky Thornton Jr. on the Lucas Oil Series is taking wins away from everyone right now so there are a lot of people who could have more trophies in their collection if not for that.
Tim McCreadie just won his first Lucas Oil race of 2023 this past weekend
Michael: I’m a little surprised it has taken McCreadie this long. He’s a threat to win at most tracks but things haven’t gone his way. Based on how he finished last season, there was no indication it would take this long to get a win.
At the same time, Thornton, Hudson O’Neal, and Jonathan Davenport have been winning nearly all the races to this point. Devin Moran only has one win and that was the result of Thornton failing the droop rule at the Show Me 100. Several other drivers have only one win or no wins on the series. I think McCreadie’s team is just a tick behind those other three.
Dennis Erb Jr. is a great driver but he’s never been a big winner on the series. And this year, Brandon Sheppard and Chris Madden are back on the tour. Bobby Pierce and Nick Hoffman are also on the WoO tour. All of those are great drivers with really good teams. This is one of those years being a “one man band” doesn’t do him any favors.
Is there anything more automatic than Cory Hedgecock winning a big race at 411 Motor Speedway?
Richard: Aside from the sun rising in the east and someone getting on social media to predict rain whenever a big racing weekend comes up, I would say no. Hedgecock has essentially made 411 his personal playground, or more accurately, his personal ATM.
The Loudon, Tennessee driver earned another $10,000 for his win in Saturday’s Crate Racin’ USA-sanctioned J.T. Kerr Memorial. This came after he had already collected $15,000 from a March Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals race, $10,000 following a World of Outlaws Case Construction Late Model Series event in April, and $5,052 during a Valvoline Iron-Man Late Model Series feature in May.
Sometimes a driver and team just hit the right combination at a particular track and that seems to be true of Hedgecock’s family-owned team at 411. We have seen that before with Jimmy Owens running off a string of wins at the Seymour, Tennessee track. Before that, Donald McIntosh saw his share of success there.
Dirt Late Model racing has a tendency to run in cycles but this particular string of success could last a while being that Hedgecock’s team is based close to 411 and because he races so often there between Crate Late Model and Super Late Model events.
Cory Hedgecock is always among the favorites at 411
Michael: Hedgecock essentially cut his teeth at 411, so he knows the track really well. Not to mention he is a really good driver. I’m not sure how many people outside of the southeast know just how good he is. His team is basically him, his dad, and a couple of others. They don’t have one of those hired gun crew chiefs like other teams with young drivers do.
After winning Saturday’s race, he made a Facebook post about the win. I joked by asking him if track owner, Mitch McCarter, gave him the deed to the track since he pretty much owns the place.
What makes for a good July 4th weekend racing show?
Richard: There have to be fireworks!
I love fireworks, but at the same time, I don’t want to have a show held up for too long because of them. After all, I go to race tracks primarily to see racing and that should always be the top priority no matter what the occasion.
Aside from the fireworks, I think it would be a good idea for tracks to offer special on traditional July 4th type foods such as hot dogs. And offering special ticket prices and activities for kids never hurts as well.
Michael: I’m with you on the time management. Most tracks around us race on the 3rd. That allows fans and drivers to spend time with family and friends on the 4th. But if you’re not leaving the track until 1 or 2 a.m., you can be pretty drained the next day. That can take away the enjoyment of the 4th.
Please consider also reading:
Ricky Thornton Jr. pulls away late to claim Lucas Oil Firecracker 100
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