*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
The superstars showed up and showed out at Eldora, didn’t they?
Richard: In an earlier Turn 2 Blog we both agreed that this might be the year in which the Dirt Late Model Dream could produce an unexpected winner. Well, that couldn’t have been more wrong so it’s a good thing we don’t give gambling advice.
Of course, Jonathan Davenport won the $129,000 first prize on Saturday night which gave him a total of seven crown jewel wins on the Rossburg, Ohio track along with his win in the Eldora Million in 2022. There aren’t many who are currently active in the sport of Dirt Late Model racing who bring more star power to the sport than the Blairsville, Georgia driver. Absolutely no one was surprised to see the No. 49 wheel onto the victory stage.
But it wasn’t just Davenport who was in the spotlight at Eldora this past weekend. There were four preliminary features that paid $12,000-to-win each that led into the Dream. Recognizable names were at the top of the scoring sheet at the end of the night for those races as well.
Ricky Thornton Jr., Tim McCreadie, Hudson O’Neal and Mike Marlar took checkered flags ahead of their respective fields on Thursday and Friday nights at the ‘Big E’. While I did state that a surprise winner might surface at some time during the weekend, those are the very names I would have come up with had I had to put money on predicting winners.
So yes, the superstars most certainly did show up and show out at Eldora.
Mike Marlar(157) and Jonathan Davenport were among the feature winners at Eldora
Michael: Aside from Mason Ziegler, the weekend went along with how the top-two series have seen many of their race results turn out. We saw Davenport, Thornton, O’Neal, McCreadie, Madden, Erb Jr., and Hoffman excel this weekend while the others had spots for a highlight reel that wasn’t sustainable or just couldn’t get it together. It’s a shame the track locked down so we couldn’t see if anyone could mount a charge to the front.
One thing is for sure, when the money is at its highest point, the best are answering the challenge. I’m worried this will create a divide between the haves and the have nots, or least the ones that have lesser support. With the exception of Dale McDowell at Volunteer or Chris Ferguson at Bristol, the biggest names are winning most of these races. We’ll see in the coming weeks if this continues.
Speaking of superstars, there should be plenty of them in our area this weekend
Richard: As a lifelong resident of east Tennessee, it’s somewhat surreal to realize that some of the biggest races of the season apart from the Eldora shows will be held right here in this area. Volunteer Speedway has already hosted a $100,000-to-win XR Super Series show. And again that will, in fact, be the case this coming weekend when the Lucas Oli Late Model Series comes to Smoky Mountain Speedway for a pair of $5,000-to-win preliminary events then a $50,000-to-win show on Saturday evening.
Many of the same stars who were in contention at Eldora will be at Smoky Mountain this weekend. Track owner Roger Sellers and his team have worked hard to raise that facility up to a prominent place in the Dirt Late Model world and this race has gone a long way toward achieving that goal.
Ricky Thornton Jr. will enter the race as the series points leader but all the big names who follow that tour will be on hand. Davenport, Overton, O’Neal, McCreadie and Moran will be there. Also, expect several drivers form the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Late Model Series to be on track with that tour off next weekend. And, of course, there will be a number of local aces to enter.
Last year, Chris Madden had to fight off determined challenges from Jonathan Davenport and Brandon Overton to score the lucrative win. With such a big purse up for grabs, there is likely to be that same type of action in store this time around on the reconfigured track.
It should be a great show.
Smoky Mountain Speedway has been shortened to a 3/8-mile track.
Michael: Smoky Mountain has already been dealt a big blow this season when their World of Outlaws weekend was cancelled. The biggest thing the track needs is a weekend with great weather to have something to build on for next season.
And because of the WoO cancellation, this will be the first time all year that Super Late Models will be taking to the new 3/8-mile layout. I know many of the drivers along with the fans are really looking forward to seeing how the new layout will race with many of the best on hand.
It’s hard to believe just how much money is up for grabs in this sport nowadays, isn’t it?
Richard: The Dream offered a winner’s purse of $129,000 on Saturday night at Eldora. Competitors will go from there to Kokomo(IN) Speedway for a $100,000-to-win XR Super Series sanctioned event on Monday night then to Smoky Mountain for a shot at $50,000 on this coming Saturday night.
The most amazing thing is that this is only the beginning as there will be a significant number of races offering major money over the course of the next few months. While there will not be a $1,000,000 feature this season, there are several that pay $50,000 or more in the near future.
Had someone said that such a schedule would be possible just a few short years ago, no one would have believed it. As we have said in this forum before, it’s a good time to be a top-tier Dirt Late Model racer right now.
Michael: I’m worried these mega purses are devaluing the standard $15,000 to win races typically seen for the national touring races. Don’t get me wrong, the sport needs the big purses to allow the teams to stay on the road. Both Lucas and WoO are mixing in a number of these mega events into their schedule. From my vantage point, it just seems like there is less buzz around the typical national events.
To your point, there is a lot of money up for grabs the next several weeks. In addition to the two you mentioned this week, there is the $50,000 to win Firecracker 100 at Lernerville, a $30,000 to win WoO race in Kansas, a $30,000 to win race at Zanesville, and the $21,000 to win Lil’ Bill Corum Memorial at Tazewell which should draw some national drivers. There are plenty of big money races coming up for drivers and fans to choose from. Fans need to support these races instead of staying at home.
Please consider also reading:
Another Eldora podium for Madden; Disappointment for Overton
Respond to this post on Twitter by following @RichardAllenIDR and @MichaelRMoats or by liking the InsideDirtRacing.com Facebook page.
Also, NASCAR and pavement racing fans can check out InsideCircleTrack.com
