PORTSMOUTH, OH (October 18, 2021) by Chuck Greenslate – Ricky Thornton, Jr. took the checkers at Carl Short's 41st Annual General Tire Dirt Track World Championship presented by Optima Batteries Saturday at Portsmouth Raceway Park.
The Adel, IA driver became the 26th different winner of the $100,000-to-win event. Twenty-six drivers representing 13 different states started Saturday night's 100-lap race, which witnessed three different leaders, four lead changes, seven cautions, and took just over 50 minutes to complete.
In total, there were 228 race teams on hand for the DTWC which hosted Modifieds, Steel Block Late Models, and Legends Cars to go along with the Lucas Oil Dirt Car Series Super Lates. Chris Wilson from Louisa, KY claimed victory in the Mods. Tazewell, TN's Austin Neely took the win in the Steel Blocks, and Waverly's Josh Dietz was the winner in the Legends.
The three-day spectacle kicked off Thursday with the first night of action being all about the Modified Division with heats, B-Mains, and a non-qualifiers race. Friday was supposed to bring Super Lates, Steel Blocks, and Legends but instead brought nothing but heavy rain forcing a busy day on Saturday.
Friday and Saturday's itinerary were all rolled into one on Day 3. Hot laps started Saturday afternoon at 1:45 and the final checkered flag fell around 2 a.m. Sunday morning. In between, there were all kinds of plot twists from a fight in the pits between two Late Model crews to a nationally-renowned Modified driver getting disqualified during post-race tech.
The 100-lap Late Model Feature served as the headliner for the DTWC. Sixty Late Model drivers were on hand all hoping to win the race that again served as the finale for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Car Series.
After six exciting heats, the front of the field was set. Chris Ferguson from Mt. Holly, NC won the fifth heat and was slated to start on the outside pole. However, after his heat, his crew had a run in with Brandon Sheppard's crew.
Sheppard, a four-time DTWC winner from Illinois, finished fifth in Heat 5 and entered the weekend looking for what would've been a record-tying fifth DTWC victory. As a result of the altercation in the pits between the two crews, the Lucas Series wound up suspending both Ferguson and Sheppard for the remainder of the weekend.
Early on in the 100-lap feature, the lone Ohioan in the race, Devin Moran, looked to be the driver to beat. The Dresden, OH native led the first 35 laps. With 64 to go, Brandon Overton would take command, and the Evans, GA driver would lead the next 15 laps before Ricky Thornton Jr would get by to lead lap 52. The very next lap, Overton would re-take the lead, and the Evans, GA driver would lead up until 18 laps to go. Then on a re-start, Thornton would get the jump and would hold on to claim his highest pay day as a Dirt Late Model driver.
Overton would have to settle for second. Jonathan Davenport climbed from 17th to third. Rounding out the top 10 were Mike Marlar, 2021 Lucas Oil champion Tim McCreadie, Tyler Erb, Earl Pearson Jr, Spencer Hughes, Hudson O'Neal, and Jimmy Owens. Pearson was the race's biggest mover as he climbed 17 positions from 24th to seventh.
Parkersburg, WV's Colton Burdette won the Jim Dunn Non-Qualifier Late Model Race. Making up the rest of the top 10 were Zack Dohm, Max Blair, Jared Hawkins, Matthew Lux, Colton Flinner, RJ Conley, Rod Conley, Kevin Wagner, and Shane Bailey.
The conclusion of the Barbour Auto Parts, Wix Filters, Auto Value Parts Stores & Bosch Brakes and Sensors Modified A-Main had plenty of drama, but it didn't actually occur until after the conclusion of the actual race. Mooresville, NC's Nick Hoffman took the lead on lap 3 from Drake Troutman and would run away with it. However, Hoffman, a three-time UMP National Points Champion, would fail post-race inspection and Louisa, KY's Chris Wilson would be credited with the win.
Wilson, the 2011 PRP Late Model Track Champion and a driver who had an horrendous crash at the 2009 DTWC, started seventh before charging his way to the front. Troutman, KC Burdette, Tyler Carpenter, and Aaron Branham completed the top five. Jeremy Rayburn, Eddie Carrier Jr, Jacob Hall, Seth Daniels, and Brandon Smith made up the rest of the top 10.
In total, 89 Modified drivers were on the scene for the 41st DTWC. A pair of teenagers made up the front row at the race's start... 16-year-old Drake Troutman who was the runner-up and 18-year-old Brayden Berry who would place 17th.
Austin Neely would dominate The Premier Pre-Cast Products/Pickett Concrete Steel Block Late Model A-Main. Kyle Lear, Jared Hawkins, Brandon Brown, and Wayne Francis rounded out the top five. The next five were Matt Melvin, Daniel Hill, Tyler Riggs, Pete Crum, and Joe Brewer[13]. There were 59 Steel Blocks in attendance to participate in the race that was sanctioned by The Steel Block Late Model Series Presented by Impact RaceGear.
There were 20 Ohio Valley Roofers Legends Car Series drivers on hand. In their feature, Waverly's Josh Dietz would take the lead from Nathan Young on the second lap and would hold on to win. Bryce Swango would finish second. Jerren Perdue placed third. Nathan Young slipped to fourth, and Garrett Schuler rounded out the top 5. Steve Partin charged from 19th to sixth. John Gutman, Blake Skaggs, Zach Schuler, and Scott Chaney rounded out the top 10.
Over a quarter of a million dollars was paid out to drivers in Portsmouth this weekend. Carl Short announced that the DTWC, which has been held in Portsmouth since 2012, will return again in 2022.
PORTSMOUTH, OH (October 16, 2021) – Ricky Thornton Jr. topped off his first full-year running with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series as he snuck by race leader Brandon Overton on a lap 83 restart on Saturday Night at Portsmouth Raceway Park. The 2021 Eibach Springs Rookie-of-the-Year winner went on to score the biggest win of his racing career by capturing the 41st Annual General Tire Dirt Track World Championship presented by Optima Batteries.
Thornton pulled away from Overton and Jonathan Davenport in the final laps to record a 2.145 second advantage over Overton for the $100,000 victory. Thornton’s previous career high late model wins were both $20,000.
Devin Moran was in charge the first 35 circuits, Overton led laps 36-82. Overton and Davenport rounded out the podium. Mike Marlar and 2021 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion, Tim McCreadie completed the top five.
In Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the first time since winning at Bubba Raceway Park in February, Thornton’s win was impressive over a stout field of cars. “I was kind of worried. I didn’t want those yellows, but then I could get a run off of four on the restart and go half a lane better into one. I finally stayed with him (Overton) on the front straightaway, and I thought it’s now or never. It’s 100 grand, I would have wrecked my mom to win.”
Thornton became the 26th different driver to win the crown jewel event that started in 1981. “It’s wild. I can’t really explain it. We were lucky enough to run second last year. To win it this year is amazing. We gambled on tires. This is awesome, I have always wanted to be a late model driver and I think this kind of solidifies it. We have been so excited to run the Lucas Oil series and we look forward to doing it again next year.”
Overton was looking for his first win in the event and his 29th overall this season but lost ground to Thornton in the waning laps. “I guess I just didn’t get going enough on that restart. He had a head full of steam going down in there. It is what it is. Sometimes you just run second. Congrats to those guys, they did a good job. They gambled on tires, and it paid off. Nobody needs to feel bad for me for running second, we have had a great year. We will take our second place and head to the house.”
Davenport, like the top two ahead of him at the finish, was looking for his first win in the richest race on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series schedule. Davenport tried his best to make the top side work in turns three and four. “Me and Brandon pretty much had the thing as far as tires. Ricky went a little different, so he was definitely better late in the race. We just wore ours down and didn’t have much tread left. The top of three and four died just a little too early before I could get up there and surprise them.”
The winner’s Todd and Vickie Burns-owned SSI Motorsports Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Hoker Trucking, Sub-Surface of Indiana, Dyno One, Inc., West Side Tractor Sales, Excel Floor Covering, Certified Inspection Service Co, Inc., D&E Outside Services, Shelby Materials, Penske Racing Shocks, and VP Race Fuels.
Completing the top ten were Tyler Erb, Earl Pearson Jr., Spencer Hughes, Hudson O’Neal, and Jimmy Owens.
PORTSMOUTH, OH (October 17, 2020) – Brandon Sheppard captured the 40th Annual General Tire Dirt Track World Championship - Presented by Optima Batteries on Saturday Night at Portsmouth Raceway Park. Sheppard earned $100,000 for his fourth career win in the crown jewel event sanctioned by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. With the win, Sheppard became the third driver in the 40-year history of the event to score back-to-back wins, joining Josh Richards and Scott Bloomquist.
Ricky Thornton Jr. finished in second for his best career finish in the event with Tim McCreadie claiming third at the finish. McCreadie had led the first 23 laps of the 100-lap affair until yielding the top spot to Sheppard, who started 11th. Chris Madden; in his first DTWC start in 14 years; finished in fourth and 22nd-place starter Tyler Erb rounded out the top five drivers at the finish.
McCreadie, who had already clinched second place in the championship point standings, sprinted to the lead at the start of the richest first-place prize money offered in dirt late model racing this year. McCreadie held off challenges from last year’s DTWC runner-up Mike Marlar for several laps until Marlar lost the second spot to Sheppard on lap 21.
Sheppard made his move to the lead three laps later taking over the top spot on lap 24. Zack Dohm was on the move taking the second spot on lap 35 and started to challenge Sheppard for the lead. Dohm pulled even with Sheppard a couple of times until lap 75 when Thornton moved into second place. Thornton held the second position until the finish.
In Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the fifth time in 2020 the 27-year-old Sheppard withstood some tense caution flags laps to get the win. “I will tell you what, I love this place. As hard as its been all weekend I knew it was going to be around the bottom at the end of the race. I knew when I rolled out there for the race, drive as hard as I could to get to the front as soon as I could. So that was kind of the game plan. We went a little different on tires than we normally do here. We had an early game, but once we got the lead we didn’t know what we were going to do.”
“Our car was good just like it has been all year long. I think that’s 31 wins this year so that’s really awesome. During those cautions I had too much time to think about my right rear tire for sure. When I was in lap traffic I tried to pass them one time and I didn’t feel good and so I tucked back in behind them. Zack showed me his nose on the outside and when he showed the line a little bit different in one and two, that got me going a little bit better.”
Thornton was coming off his first career LOLMDS win at Pittsburgh came home in second. “I honestly don’t think the cautions mattered. He [Sheppard] had a really good car. I was going to try and go to the top if I got close enough. On the restarts he would really take off and it took me about 5 or 6 laps to get going. We ran a little hard on tires and I knew on the restarts we wouldn’t be as good as those other guys.”
McCreadie wound up third in the final rundown. “I gave it my best shot. I was too good too early, and I didn’t know where to be on the track. When Sheppard got by me I was just kind of got lost for a few laps and it cost us. On the restarts I just couldn’t get a clear track to make a move.”
The winner’s Mark Richards Racing Rocket Chassis is powered by a Durham Racing Engines and is sponsored by Valvoline, Seubert Calf Ranches, Gunters Honey, Ace Metal Works, Integra Racing Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Sallack Well Services Keyser, and Rocket 1 Pre-Owned Motors.
Completing the top ten were Zack Dohm, Billy Moyer Jr., Boom Briggs, Kyle Bronson, and Jason Feger.
PORTSMOUTH, OH (October 19, 2019) – Brandon Sheppard captured the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series-sanctioned 39th Annual Rhino Ag Dirt Track World Championship - Presented by Optima Batteries on Saturday night at Portsmouth Raceway Park. He earned $100,000 for his third career DTWC victory and also marked his 25th victory of 2019.
Sheppard was one of four different race leaders in the 100-lap event. Mike Marlar finished in second, with 2019 Eibach Rookie of the Year, Tyler Erb finishing in third. Rounding out the top five were two-time DTWC winner Josh Richards and Dennis Erb Jr. Richards was in position to become the first driver in the 39-year history of the race to win the crown jewel race three years in a row and kept himself in the hunt for the entire distance.
Shane Clanton took the lead at the start of the race and led the first five laps until former DTWC winner Jimmy Owens passed him for the top spot. Owens then held the point for several laps before yielding the point to Sheppard. Sheppard briefly gave up the lead to Richards on lap 68, but the very next lap Sheppard regained the point for good. Sheppard withstood a caution with ten laps to go and then controlled the last ten laps of the race by distancing himself from both Marlar and Tyler Erb for his third $100,000 win of the year.
In Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the fourth time this year, Sheppard thanked his team for a special year. “The year we have had has been unbelievable. My guys are the best of group of guys I have ever worked for. My guys are the best at what they do. They give me the best equipment night in and night out. I just go do my job with it. Thanks to Mark Richards, Steve Baker, and all of my crew, Austin Hargrove, Joel Rogers, and Danny White. It’s been a dream year. It looks like they had a heck of crowd and to do it in front of them is special.”
Sheppard’s other $100,000 victories this season came in the Dirt Late Model Dream at Eldora Speedway ($125,000) and the Dirt Million at Mansfield Motor Speedway ($101,000). “I want to thank everyone who helps me, especially my family back home, dad, and grandpa. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am at today. When I started my career, I never thought I would be a three-time Dirt Track World Champion.”
Marlar was seeking his first win in the famed event but came home in second. “I got my car a little looser than I wanted to. I tightened it up more than I was last night, but I was a little loose. Honestly, I was on a softer left rear tire than Sheppy. Earlier in the race when I could tell that I was in a little disadvantage when it came to tires. My best chance was to take it easy on the tires to be there at the end.”
Erb claimed the 2019 Eibach Rookie of the Year finishing on the podium and he ended the year with six series wins. “I was a little behind where I wanted to be early in the race, because I started ninth. Those other guys put themselves in a better starting position. I am very happy with the finish tonight and this year. I broke Randall’s streak of three wins in a row tonight, but it has been an awesome year for us at Best Performance. To come out of this season with the Rookie-of-the-Year Championship is fantastic, and I can’t wait for our team to build on that next year,” said the Best Performance Motorsports Team driver.
The winner’s Mark Richards Racing, Rocket Chassis House Car is powered by a Durham Racing Engine and is sponsored by: Valvoline, Seubert Calf Ranches, Ace Metal Works, Sunoco Race Fuels, Gunter’s Honey, Integra Racing Shocks, and Keyser Manufacturing.
Completing the top ten were Bobby Pierce, Scott James, Scott Bloomquist, Hudson O’Neal, and Kyle Bronson.
Dale McDowell won the Jim Dunn Memorial Non-Qualifiers race by holding off Jared Hawkins for the win. Brandon Overton led early in the race, but he tangled with a car that he was trying to lap, and was knocked out of the race lead. McDowell then led the rest of the race. Hawkins tried to make it close but just couldn’t overtake McDowell as the checkers waved. Hawkins finished in second, followed by R.J. Conley, Doug Drown, and Brandon Fouts.
BATAVIA, OH (October 11, 2019) – The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is set to cap off the 2019 season with one of the most anticipated events of the year. The 39th Annual Rhino Ag Dirt Track World Championship - Presented by Optima Batteries – will take place October 17th-19th, at Portsmouth Raceway Park in Portsmouth, Ohio.
The weekend will get underway on Thursday night with preliminary events for the Open Wheel Modifieds. On Friday, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will Hot Lap, Time Trial, and compete in a single set of 15-lap Heat Races. Additionally, the Limited Late Models will have their preliminary events, along with the $5,000-to-win main event for the Open Wheel Modifieds. A complete program for the Ohio Valley Roofers Legend Car Series is also on tap for Friday night.
Saturday’s festivities kick off with a Dirt Racing Outreach Service, followed by a Driver Autograph Session. Afterwards, consolation events for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will be held, followed by the 100-lap, $100,000-to-win Dirt Track World Championship. After that, the Limited Late Models will compete in their $4,000-to-win feature, followed by the 25-lap, $3,000-to-win DirtonDirt.com Jim Dunn Memorial Non-Qualifiers Race.
The awards presentations for the 2019 Lucas Oil National Champion and Eibach Rookie of the Year will take place on Saturday. Jonathan Davenport leads the current Lucas Oil Championship Standings, while Tyler Erb continues to set the pace in the Eibach Rookie of the Year battle.
BATAVIA, OH (September 4, 2019) – Hall-of-Fame promoter, Carl Short recently announced that the 39th edition of the Dirt Track World Championship, set for October 18th-19th at Portsmouth Raceway Park will return to a Time Trial format for Super Late Models.
Since 2015, a double-heat race format, with a passing-points system, has transferred drivers into the main event. This year, Friday night will include Time Trials and a single set of 15-lap heat races with a six car invert. Competitors will earn points based on Time Trials and Heat Race finishing results. The total points accumulated by a specific driver will be added together to create Saturday’s B-Main and A-Main lineups.
Saturday’s on-track action for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will include B-Mains, followed by a non-qualifier race, where the winner has the choice of keeping their $3,000 winnings, or forfeiting their earnings to start tail of the main event. The 100-lap Dirt Track World Championship finale will cap off the weekend.
PORTSMOUTH, OH (October 21, 2018) – Josh Richards won his second straight Rhino Ag Dirt Track World Championship presented by Optima Batteries on Sunday afternoon at Portsmouth Raceway Park.
Richards took the lead on lap 22 from Brian Shirley and led the rest of the way to pick-up the $100,000 first-place prize and his third Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win of the season.
Jonathan Davenport; the newly crowned Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion; finished in second followed by Brandon Overton, Brandon Sheppard, and Zack Dohm.
Richards was elated in Lucas Oil Victory Lane, “It’s an emotional day. I want to thank everyone at Best Performance Motorsports, especially Eric and Kelly Brock for giving me this opportunity. I’d also like to give a huge thank you to Randall Edwards, this is the third straight year that he has been the DTWC winner’s crew chief. The same goes to Brad Ramsey, I’d like to thank him for working so hard all year long. I know there was a little rough stretch during the summer, but they kept working hard and kept their heads up. To win the first and the final race of the year I have to thank my dad [Mark Richards] and all my sponsors.”
“I knew it would be critical to get the lead early,” Richards added. “I knew I’d also spun my tires early on trying to get by Shirley. I wanted to get out front as early as I could because of the restarts. I didn’t know where Jonathan was. I wasn’t sure when to pick the throttle up. He [Davenport] gave me a lot of room. He and his team did a great job to win the championship. We did what we came here for, and we won the last race of the season. Thanks to Carl Short and everyone here at this facility for working so hard for this race.”
Davenport clinched the championship before the series’ final race at Portsmouth. He commented afterwards on his runner-up finish in the season finale. “I think the top three cars all ran different tire combinations. There were a couple of restarts where we got a run on Josh to challenge for the lead. I could have gone in there and door-slammed him, but I got a feeling we are going to be racing with each other for several years. All three of us had fast cars, but Josh was just more dominant today.”
Overton claimed third and was happy about his podium finish as well. “I felt like we were good at the end. I don’t know if we had anything for Josh, but we hung right in there with JD. By the time we got to third there wasn’t a whole lot of racing left, so all-in-all, another crown jewel race and another top five finish for the Billy Franklin team.”
The winner’s Eric and Kelly Brock-owned Rocket Chassis is powered by an Andy Durham Racing Engine and sponsored by: Colt Firearms, Bulk Material Lift.com, Valvoline, Bazell Race Fuels, Keyser Manufacturing, Boxo USA, Integra, Sunoco Race Fuels, Alexander Lawn and Landscaping, and Impact Race Gear.
Completing the top ten were Mike Marlar, Don O’Neal, Earl Pearson Jr., Jimmy Owens, and Chase Junghans.
PORTSMOUTH, OH (October 21, 2017) – Josh Richards completed a dream night at Portsmouth Raceway Park on Saturday night. The West Virginia native won his first-career Rhino Ag Dirt Track World Championship - Presented by Optima Batteries, worth $100,000, and the 2017 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Championship, worth $75,000.
Richards became the fourth different leader of the race when he passed race leader and defending DTWC winner, Brandon Sheppard for the lead after a lap 46 restart. Richards led the rest of the way to take his tenth series win of the season over Sheppard, Jonathan Davenport, Mike Marlar, and Jared Hawkins.
Jonathan Davenport started on the pole and led early on. Sheppard took over the point on lap 36, and then began pulling away from the field until a caution on lap 46 slowed his pace. On the restart, Richards; who was running third; went around Sheppard to take over the lead and stayed in front until the checker flag waved..
Tim McCreadie entered the race as the series point leader by 40 points over Richards and 75 ahead of Bloomquist. During the race McCreadie suffered two flat tires and Bloomquist had a tire go down while running second to Richards. Bloomquist finished the race in 12th and McCreadie was credited with a 17th place finish.
In Lucas Oil Victory Lane after the biggest win of his career, the 29-year-old was emotional when being interviewed. “I have to collect my thoughts right now. I can’t thank everyone enough for this opportunity. I made a tough decision last year to switch teams. We didn’t know what was going to happen. We started the year off well, and then we went to a bunch of new tracks and kind of fell off a little. We struggled a little bit, but so did those other guys. We got on a hot streak in July though.”
“Coming into this weekend we felt pretty good and I know Scott [Bloomquist] and Timmy [McCreadie] did too. Thanks to Best Performance Motorsports, Eric and Kelly Brock for giving me this opportunity.
It’s been a crazy year. Randall Edwards has done such a great job as crew chief. There are so many people behind this team and that supported me. I felt everything in the last four or five laps. I have been through this scenario enough to know. I knew the tires were slipping away, but fortunately they held up to the end.”
The Best Performance Motorsports, Rocket Chassis entry is powered by an Andy Durham Racing Engine and sponsored by: Bulk Material Lift.com, Corey Frazier-State Farm Insurance, Alexander Lawn and Landscaping, Ultimate Firepit, Sunoco, Integra, Keyser, Riggs Motorsports, and Valvoline.
Sheppard, the runner-up and defending DTWC winner, joined Richards in Victory Lane with another podium finish in the crown jewel event. “We had a pretty good car. Josh got around me on that restart and he did a good job out in front. I look up to him a lot. I drive for his dad. It’s been a dream come true driving for Mark [Richards], we have had a great year. Being able to learn from Josh has been great. We would have liked to get the win tonight, but there’s nobody else I’d like to finish second to than Josh.”
Davenport, who was sporting the Flintstone Flyer scheme commemorating the late Mike Duvall, came home in third in the G.R. Smith-owned, Rocket Chassis entry. “Congrats to Josh and Brandon on their run tonight. We were good early on. I just don’t have this place down pat yet for some reason. We keep getting closer.”
Completing the top ten were Zack Dohm, Chub Frank, Brandon Overton, Darrell Lanigan, and Dennis Erb Jr.
BATAVIA, OH (October 12, 2017) – In one week, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will cap off one of the most exciting seasons in the history of the national tour. The 2017 season finale, 37th Annual Rhino Ag Dirt Track World Championship - Presented by Optima Batteries, will take place October 19th-21st, at Portsmouth Raceway Park in Portsmouth, OH.
This weekend will get underway on Thursday night, October 19th with preliminary events for the Modified division. Action on Friday night, October 20th will include the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series with Hot Laps and two rounds of qualifying Heat Races - with the passing points total from both rounds determining Saturday night’s B-Main and Feature line-ups.
On Saturday night, a driver autograph session will take place in the vendor midway area. Afterwards, consolation events for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will be held, followed by the $4,000-to-win Modified main event and the Jim Dunn Memorial Non-Qualifier Race. The top-26 drivers that did not transfer into the Dirt Track World Championship (via preliminary events) will be eligible to start the $3,000-to-win, $200-to-start, non-qualifiers race - held prior to the main event. The winner of the 30-lap, Jim Dunn Memorial has the choice of keeping their $3,000 winnings, or forfeiting their earnings to start last in the main event. The 100-lap, $100,000-to-win, Rhino Ag Dirt Track World Championship - Presented by Optima Batteries - main event will cap off the weekend’s on-track action..
After Saturday night’s main event, the 2017 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion will be crowned. Tim McCreadie, Josh Richards, and Scott Bloomquist are locked in an unprecedented three-man battle for the national championship – separated by just 75-points in the championship standings, heading into the season finale.
The 2017 Lucas Oil Products Rookie of the Year - Presented by Hot Rod Processing will also be decided on Saturday night at Portsmouth Raceway Park. A margin of 85-points separate Hudson O’Neal and Gregg Satterlee in the current Rookie of the Year standings.
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BATAVIA, OH (October 5, 2017) – One of the most highly-anticipated events of the season is just around the corner. The 37th Annual Rhino Ag Dirt Track World Championship - Presented by Optima Batteries will take place October 19th-21st at Portsmouth Raceway Park in Portsmouth, OH.
The deadline to purchase advance discount tickets for this marquee event is quickly approaching. Advance tickets are on sale now through Wednesday, October 11th. Advance Three-Day General Admission tickets (by October 11th) are just $50 for Adults (Ages 18 & Up); $30 for Students (Ages 12-17); $15 for Children (Ages 7-11). Advance Three-Day All Access Pit Passes are $60. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit: www.thedtwc.com or call (740) 858-6661.
The activities will get underway on Thursday night, October 19th with preliminary events for the Modified division. On Friday night, October 20th the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will take to the track for Hot Laps and two rounds of qualifying Heat Races. Saturday night’s program will include: Late Model B-Mains, the $4,000-to-win Modified feature, the $3,000-to-win DirtonDirt.com Jim Dunn Memorial Non-Qualifier race, and the 100-lap, $100,000-to-win Dirt Track World Championship main event.
PORTSMOUTH, OH (November 16, 2016) – The DTWC and PRP would like to thank you for supporting the 2016 Dirt Track World Championship at Portsmouth Raceway Park.
The 2017 Dirt Track World Championship will return to PRP October 19th, 20th, and 21st and will again pay $100,000 to the Late Model winner!
To reward your loyal support of the 2016 event, we would like to offer you the first option to renew your tickets for the 2017 DTWC. You may renew your Reserved Seats and/or Reserved Camping that you had for the 2016 DTWC beginning December 14th, 2016.
If you do not take advantage of this opportunity before February 1st 2017, the Reserved Seats and/or Reserved Camping you had for the 2016 Dirt Track World Championship will be made available to other race fans. The Reserved Seats and Reserved Camping for the 2016 event sold out, so we encourage you to make your reservations early!
Again, we extend a huge thank you for the success of the 2016 Dirt Track World Championship. We hope to see you next season for the 37th Annual DTWC at Portsmouth Raceway Park paying $100,000 to win the Lucas Oil Late Model 100 lap feature event.
Beginning February 1st until February 6th, we will give everyone on our list the opportunity to move their reserve seat to one that hasn't been renewed by that time. On February 7th, all seats will become available to the general public and will be available to purchase online.
Additional Information
2017 Pre-Sale Ticket Prices
All Access Pit Pass - $60
General Admission
Adults - $50
Ages 12-17 - $30
Ages 7-11 - $15
-Children age 6 and under are FREE in the General Admission area.
-All Access Pit Passes are the same price for everyone (newborn and up).
-Pre-Sale tickets will not be mailed.
-All Pre-Sale tickets must be picked up at the Will Call Window at the General Admission Gate (even Pre-Sale Pit Passes).
-Every Pre-Sale Pit Pass must be picked up individually at Will Call because you are required to sign the waiver.
Email tickets@thedtwc.com or call 740-858-6661 to RENEW Reserved Seats & Reserved Camping.
PORTSMOUTH, OH (October 16, 2016) – Portsmouth Raceway Park hosted the 36th annual RhinoAg Dirt Track World Championship presented by Optima Batteries this past weekend, marking the fifth consecutive year event promoter Carl Short has chosen Portsmouth to be the host site.
Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, IL took the checkers in the Lucas Oil Late Model, 100-lap, $100,000-to-win feature event, while Fairmont, WV's Jacob Hawkins grabbed the victory in the Modified portion of the program.
Great crowds gathered for all three nights of this three-day event with Saturday's show reeling in the largest crowd ever in the 26-year history of Portsmouth Raceway Park. There were 164 race teams with 79 Late Models and 85 Modifieds, over 500 RVs in the camping area, and an estimated crowd of 8,000 people in the stands on Saturday night alone.
The fans were not disappointed with a lack of action. Not including hot laps and Modified Time Trials, DTWC fans were witness to over 500 laps of racing during this three-day Fall Festival of Speed.
Thursday evening was all about the Modifieds. The night featured time trials, eight heats, four B-Mains, and a non-qualifiers race.
The Late Models took center stage on Friday with 16 total heats, which were broken into two rounds of eight with passing points being used to lock in the top 16 for Saturday's feature as well as to line up up the B-Mains.
On Saturday there were three B's, the Modified Feature presented by www.vallerychevy.com, the Jim Dunn Memorial Late Model Non-Qualifiers Race, and the big 100 lapper.
Of the nearly 80 Late Model drivers who participated in the event, only 28 of them were lucky enough to qualify for Saturday's feature lineup. Of those 28 drivers, 11 different states were represented with the top seven finishers hailing from seven different states.
The 100-lap Late Model A-Main had three different leaders and four lead changes. Chickamauga, GA's Dale McDowell and 2016 Lucas Oil Late Model Champion Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN made up the front row.
Bloomquist jumped out to the early lead and appeared invincible early on leading the first 45 laps. Shinnston, WV's Josh Richards got by on lap 46 and would lead up through the 71st circuit.
All the while Sheppard, who started 21st, would continue his march toward the front. "B-Shep" came from 21st to third in the first 30 laps. The 2013 DTWC winner eventually ran down Richards, and Sheppard took his first lead narrowly nipping Richards at the stripe on lap 72.
Sheppard's time at the front was short lived, as Richards charged back around and retook the lead on lap 73. "The Rocket Man" Josh Richards would hold on until lap 77 when Sheppard went back to the lead to stay.
A couple of late cautions on laps 92 and 95 would make things interesting, as Jacksonville, FL's Earl Pearson, Jr. got up on the wheel and moved to second. He would make a couple of challenges, but nothing that put Sheppard in extreme jeopardy of relinquishing the lead.
Sheppard would hold on to take the victory with Pearson placing as the runner-up. Richards was third. Pennsylvania's Gregg Satterlee stayed near the front the entire race and would finish fourth with Union, KY's Darrell Lanigan rounding out the top five.
Don O'Neal, Devin Moran, Doug Drown, and Tim McCreadie were sixth through ninth respectively. Wheelersburg's Rod Conley was the highest finishing local placing 10th.
The next 10 were Bloomquist, Tyler Carpenter, Rick Eckert, Nick Hoffman, Jonathan Davenport, Eric Wells, Dale McDowell, Steve Francis, Dustin Linville, and 2016 PRP track champ Nick Bocook rounded out the top 20.
Making up the rest of the field were Colton Flinner, Chris Ferguson, Jason Covert, Jimmy Owens, Dennis Erb, Jr., R.J. Conley, Stephen Breeding, and Jackie Boggs.
The race had a lot of passing and several big movers. Besides Sheppard charging from 21st to take the win, Don O'Neal climbed from 16th to sixth. Devin Moran won the Jim Dunn Memorial Non-Qualifiers Race, started dead last in the feature, and worked his way up to seventh. Tim McCreadie came from 23rd to ninth.
While it doesn't necessarily show in the official stat book, Rod Conley had to work much harder for a 10th place finish that his starting spot of 11th would indicate. While he officially passed one car, the former PRP track champion had to go to the tail before the race started, so he technically had to get by 18 cars to crack the top 10. Only Sheppard and Moran passed more.
The track itself was wicked fast all weekend. During Late Model Hot Laps on Friday, Josh Richards turned a lap clocked at 14.121, which is the fastest known lap ever recorded at PRP by a Late Model averaging out to a speed of over 110 mph. That time was eight thousandths of a second quicker than the track record established by Bloomquist back on July 2nd.
As for Saturday's Modified Feature, the 26-car field was made up of drivers representing five different states.
Jessie Wisecarver jumped out to the early lead. The Zanesville native was Thursday's Shain Custom Graphics "Bob Whiteman Memorial" Modified Fast Time Award Winner.
Wisecarver would lead until lap five when Shon Flanary jumped out front. Flanary held on to the top spot until lap 16 when Jacob Hawkins motored to the front. Hawkins would hold on to the finish.
Wisecarver, Dave Jamison, Tanner Wilson, Jason Brookover, Taylor Cook, Kevin Morehouse, Ervin Vance, Jackie Boggs, and Jeremy Rayburn made up the rest of the top 10.
Rounding out the 26-car field were Eddie Harmon, Jimmy Robinson, Greg Oliver, Dustin Linville, Lucas Lee, Shon Flanary, K.C. Burdette, Scott LeMaster, Brian Skaggs, Nathon Loney, Jody Puckett, Josh Stumbo, Don Adams, Mike McPherson, Kenny Johnson, and Anthony Kinkade.
Kinkade took the ride of the weekend flipping on the front straightaway. The Zanesville driver walked away unscathed.
Ervin Vance's rebound from a rough start to the weekend is certainly notable. The 2016 PRP track champ blew his engine in hot laps Thursday. He got a new one installed in 45 minutes but missed time trials. He ran decent in his heat and B-Main but not good enough to transfer into the feature.
By a random draw, he was lucky enough to run the Non-Qualifiers Race Thursday. He started 10th, busted his way up through the field to win, and was given the option to take home $800 and walk or tag the tail of Saturday's feature. Vance chose to race on and wound up charging from 26th to eighth.
It was announced that Carl Short's 37th annual Dirt Track World Championship will return to Portsmouth Raceway Park in 2017. Pre-sale tickets will be made available beginning December 14th. Renewals for reserved seats and camping sites must be made by February 1st. At that time, they will go on sale to the general public.
Learn more online at www.portsraceway.com or www.thedtwc.com.
PORTSMOUTH, OH (September 29, 2016) – The tradition of the third week in October to dirt late model fans is liken to opening day to baseball fans or Super Sunday to the many football fans. One thing is certain on the third weekend in October, crowds will gather and racers will once again gear up for legendary promoter Carl Short’s huge windfall of purse money as the best racers in the nation will set their sights on the prestigious title of Dirt Track World Champion. The 36th Annual Rhino Ag Dirt Track World Championship presented by Optima Batteries will take place on October 13th-15th at Portsmouth Raceway Park in Portsmouth, Ohio. The crown jewel event will serve as the season finale for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, featuring a 100 lap, $100,000 to win main event on Saturday Night, October 15th.
With a whopping $100k available to the winner, the riches and tradition of the Dirt Track World Championship routinely attracts the top names in dirt late model racing as the sports best will look to conquer their competition as well the three eighths mile oval at Portsmouth Raceway Park. You can assure you’ll be a part of the excitement of the 2016 version of the DTWC by purchasing your tickets in advance and saving money by doing so! The fast approaching deadline for advanced tickets sales is October 4th. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.thedtwc.com/tickets or by calling 740-858-6661.
3-day All Access Pit Pass: $60 (All Ages)
3-Day General Admission: $50 Adults (Ages 18 & up)
3-day Student: $30 (Ages 12-17)
3-Day Child: $15 (Ages 7-11)
Reserved seats are an additional $5 each.
All tickets will be held at the Will Call window for your convenience.
Primitive Camping: $40 for the week/weekend.
The action gets underway on Thursday Night, October 13th with the prelims for the $4,000 to win www.ValleryChevy.com UMP Modified portion of the weekend. The atmosphere will kick into high gear on Friday Night, October 14th as the nationally known stars of the Lucas Oil Dirt Car Series along with the best super late model racers in America will parlay their talents into hot laps and two rounds of qualifying heat races with the fan friendly passing points total from both rounds determining Saturday Night’s B-Main and Feature line-ups. On the jam-packed Saturday Night card will be the $4,000 to win UMP Modified feature event along with Super Late consolation events and the DirtonDirt Jim Dunn Memorial Non Qualifier. The 100 lap $100,000 to win Rhino Ag Dirt Track World Championship presented by Optima Batteries will close the can’t miss weekend of racing as the Portsmouth Raceway Park and Carl Short crown another Dirt Track World Champion.
OTHER DIRT TRACK WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP NEWS AND NOTES
ATTENTION MODIFIED DRIVERS
With the $4,000 to win www.ValleryChevy.com UMP Modified portion of the Dirt Track World Championship looming, race officials are alerting all competitors. Pre-Entry for the Rhino AG 36th Annual Dirt Track World Championship presented by Optima Batteries at Portsmouth Raceway Park, October 13th-15th, is only $25. Please send a check or money order and completed 2016 Open Wheel Modified Entry Form to DTWC, c/o Portsmouth Raceway Park, P.O. Box 1543, Portsmouth, OH 45662. Pre-Entries must be received NO LATER than Tuesday, October 4, 2016. Entry fee is $50 if paid after October 4th or the day of the race.
ATTENTION CAMPERS!
Camping Registration at Portsmouth Raceway Park opens Sunday, October 9th at 12:00 p.m.
All Campers must stop at Camping Registration (located on the concrete boat ramp at the entrance to the raceway) to register and receive their camping pass. Someone will show you where to park. If you Pre-paid for a campsite, please bring your receipt to Camping Registration.
If you do not have a reserved camping spot, camping is available on a first come first serve basis. You must stop at Camping Registration to purchase a spot and someone will show you where to park.
We are looking forward to the Rhino AG 36th Annual Optima Batteries Dirt Track World Championship presented by Optima Batteries! Be sure to join us Thursday, Friday and Saturday for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series season finale!
For more information go to www.thedtwc.com, www.portsraceway.com or call 740-858-6661!
ABOUT THE 2016 DTWC MARKETING PARTNERS
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Schedule of Events Announced; Advanced Tickets on Sale Now!
PORTSMOUTH, OH (September 19, 2016) – As the calendar prepares to flip to the upcoming month of October, race fans know one thing, the third weekend in October is racing royalty as legendary race promoter Carl Short will welcome race fans from all over the globe to the Rhino AG 36th Annual Dirt Track World Championship presented by Optima Batteries at Portsmouth Raceway Park. The Lucas Oil Dirt Car Series will sanction the historic event on October 13-15 paying a whopping $100,000 to the winner. Also on the star-studded racing weekend will see the always popular running of the DirtonDirt.com Jim Dunn Memorial Super Late Model Non-Qualifier race paying $3,000 to win. While the www.ValleryChevy.com UMP Modified feature will see the best open wheel racers shootout for a $4,000 to win payday.
The action will get underway on Thursday Night, October 13th as the UMP Modified division will take center stage as Night #1 of the $4,000 to win / $400 to start www.ValleryChevy.com UMP Modified program will commence with hotlaps, qualifying, heats, consies and non-qualifiers race capping the kickoff to the 36th Annual DTWC weekend. Always a stacked field of modifieds converge on the DTWC as car counts routinely hover around the century mark as the best mod racers from all over the country will look to add their name to the history books of the Dirt Track World Championship.
Friday Night, October 14th will see the stars and cars of the Lucas Oil Dirt Car Series roll into town as the best super late model racers in America look to add the coveted Crown Jewel event to their resume. Gates will open at 2pm with hotlaps getting underway at 6pm, with heat races to follow as the field will narrow itself as the starting grid begins to take shape for the 36th Annual Dirt Track World Championship.
Day three of the fall festival of speed will take the green on Saturday Night, October 15th as Carl Short and the Portsmouth Raceway Park will crown a 36th Dirt Track World Champion. Gates will open at 2pm, with a fan friendly autograph session slated for 5:30, with Super Late Model B-Mains slated for a 7pm showtime. The www.ValleryChevy.com UMP Modified feature will roll off next with the $3,000 to win DirtonDirt.com Jim Dunn Non-Qualifier race serving as the appetizer to the nights main event. The 100 lap $100,000 to win 36th Annual Rhino AG Dirt Track World Championship presented by Optima Batteries will headline as the nations best late model drivers will strap in to do battle in hopes of standing on the podium of one of dirt late model racings true Crown Jewel events. From its humble beginnings at Pennsboro Speedway where Jim Dunn accomplished the impossible in the inaugural DTWC to the 2016 version that will see if dirt track dominator Scott Bloomquist can pick up an unprecedented three wins in a row, it's a culmination of another race season as the leaves have started to turn and so do the storylines during the third week in October that continues to make the Dirt Track World Championship so special.
Click Here for a list of Prior DTWC Winners
The Rhino AG 36th Annual Dirt Track World Championship Presented by Optima Batteries
Schedule of Events, October 13-15
Thursday, October 13th
All Modifieds (no Late Models)
Gates Open at 2:00 PM (Main and Pit)
Drivers Meeting - 5:30 PM
Hot Laps - 6:00 PM
Qualifying - 6:45 PM
Heats - 8:00 PM
Consy's - 9:30 PM
Non-Qualifiers Race - 10:30 PM
Friday, October 14th
Gates Open at 2:00 PM (Main and Pit)
Drivers Meeting - 5:30PM
Hot Laps - 6:00PM
Heats Round #1 - 7:30PM
Heats Round #2 - 9:00PM
Saturday, October 15th
Gates Open at 2:00PM (Main and Pit)
Dirt Racing Outreach Service - 4:30-5:15PM
Autograph Session - 5:30-6:15PM
Drivers Meeting - 6:30PM
Invocation/National Anthem
B-Mains - 7:00PM
Modifieds Feature - 8:15PM
Non-Qualifiers Race - 9:00PM
DirtonDirt.com Jim Dunn Memorial - 30 Laps
**Depending on Time, may be ran after Feature**
Feature 10:00PM Rhino AG 36th Annual Dirt Track World Championship
presented by Optima Batteries - 100 Laps
To Purchase Tickets
Be sure to get your advance tickets to the 36th Annual Dirt Track World Championship and save money in the process, before October 4th.
Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.thedtwc.com/tickets or by calling Mindy at 740-858-6661.
3-day All Access Pit Pass: $60 (All Ages)
3-Day General Admission: $50 Adults (Ages 18 & up)
3-day Student: $30 (Ages 12-17)
3-Day Child: $15 (Ages 7-11)
Reserved seats are an additional $5 each.
All tickets will be held at the Will Call window for your convenience.
Primitive Camping: $40 for the week/weekend.
How Do I Get There?
Portsmouth Raceway Park is located 1 mile West of Portsmouth, Ohio on SR 73/104. Directions: Take US 52 West from Portsmouth and follow the signs. Take the 2nd St. Bridge out of Portsmouth, turn right at the end of the bridge.
2016 Dirt Track World Championship Marketing Partners
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About OPTIMA Batteries: If you’re looking for pure power, look no further. OPTIMA Batteries, made by Johnson Controls, deliver supreme performance and reliability. Our unique SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY gives OPTIMA Batteries over 15 times more vibration resistance and increased cycle life compared to traditional batteries. They’re virtually spill-proof and maintenance-free for absolute peace of mind.
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PORTSMOUTH, OH (October 19, 2015) – Portsmouth Raceway Park hosted a record-setting crowd Saturday for the third and final day of the 35th annual Optima Batteries Dirt Track World Championship presented by NAPA Auto Parts.
The huge weekend at PRP brought in fans from all over the United States and Canada. Over 500 RVs lined the parking area, and 193 race teams filed into the pits.
The enormous crowd Saturday witnessed Mooresburg, TN's Scott Bloomquist pick up $100,000 for winning the 100-lap, Lucas Oil Series-sanctioned Late Model A-Main. Fairmont, WV's Jake Hawkins claimed the $4,000-to-win Modified Feature.
Bloomquist claimed the DTWC for the second straight year becoming the first-ever driver to win the event in back-to-back seasons. The veteran racer was dominant all weekend, as he captured both of his heat races on Friday and led every lap of Saturday's feature.
For Bloomquist, Saturday's victory marked his third DTWC win, as his first occurred in 2005. He held off Arkansas' Jared Landers, Indiana's Don O'Neal, and highest finishing local racer R.J. Conley of Wheelersburg. The top four went across the line nose to tail.
In total, there were drivers from 12 different states in the 26-car field. Shinnston, WV's Josh Richards rounded out the top five. Ashland, KY's Steve Francis came up from 13th to finish sixth. The rest of the top 10 was made up of Darrell Lanigan, Dustin Linville, Dennis Erb, Jr., and Eddie Carrier, Jr.
The remainder of the field consisted of Chris Brown, Jason Feger, Jonathan Davenport, Rod Conley, Alex Ferree, Jackie Boggs, Rick Eckert, Jason Montgomery, Earl Pearson, Jr., Audie Swartz, Brandon Sheppard, Bobby Pierce, Greg Johnson, Zack Dohm, Devin Moran, and Jimmy Owens.
Chris Ferguson won Saturday's DirtonDirt.com Jim Dunn Memorial Late Model Non-Qualifiers race. Davenport wound up capturing the 2015 Lucas Oil Series Championship.
The DTWC Weekend got underway with Glockner.com Night Thursday, as fans witnessed Modified Time Trials, Heats, and B-Mains. Action continued Friday as the Late Model portion of the program kicked into gear with 81 drivers running two rounds of heat races. In total, PRP fans saw 16 Lucas Oil Late Model Heats Friday, as the implementation of passing points occurred for the first time ever at PRP and the DTWC.
Friday's heats certainly witnessed plenty of passing. Landers came from eighth to record a victory. Bloomquist, Johnson, Carrier, and O'Neal all marched from seventh to win heats.
The Wince Mayabb Memorial Modified Non-Qualifiers Race also took place Friday with Pedro's Brian Skaggs taking the win.
Saturday's Modified Feature was a good one with Hawkins leading 28 of 30 laps. K.C. Burdette placed second. John Burdette was third. Keith Smith finished fourth, and two-time PRP track champ Tim Tribby from Beaver climbed from 10th to finish fifth.
North Carolina racer David Stremme marched from 20th to sixth. The rest of the field was made up of Kevin Morehouse, Tanner Wilson, Shawn Holliday, Ervin Vance, Anthony Kinkade, Tony DeHart, Jeremy Rayburn, Shon Flanary, Greg Oliver, Jason Montgomery, Jody Puckett, Davey Warnock, Jeremy Hayes, Kevin Hall, Henry Sizemore, Todd Robinson, Ben Adkins, Tyler Evans, Dave Jamison, and Michael Paul Howard.
Carl Short's 2016 Dirt Track World Championship will return to Portsmouth Raceway Park October 13th, 14th, and 15th.
Thursday, Oct 15
All Modifieds (no Late Models)
Gates Open at 2:00 PM (Main and Pit)
Drivers Meeting - 5:30 PM
Hot Laps - 6:00 PM
Qualifying - 6:45 PM
Heats - 8:00 PM
Consy's - 9:30 PM
Non-Qualifiers Race - 10:30 PM
Friday, Oct 16
Gates Open at 2:00 PM (Main and Pit)
Drivers Meeting - 5:30PM
Hot Laps - 6:00PM
Heats Round #1 - 7:30PM
Heats Round #2 - 9:00PM
Saturday, Oct 17
Gates Open at 2:00PM (Main and Pit)
Dirt Racing Outreach Service - 4:30-5:15PM
Autograph Session - 5:30-6:15PM
Drivers Meeting - 6:30PM
Invocation/National Anthem
B-Mains - 7:00PM
Modifieds Feature - 8:15PM
Non-Qualifiers Race - 9:00PM
Jim Dunn Memorial - 30 Laps
**Depending on Time, may be ran after Feature**
Feature 10:00PM
Dirt Track World Championship - 100 Laps
WAYCROSS, GA (August 11, 2015) - The 35th Annual Optima Batteries Dirt Track World Championship - Presented by NAPA Auto Parts is set for October 16th-17th at Portsmouth Raceway Park in Portsmouth, OH. The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and famed promoter, Carl Short are excited to announce a new format for this crown jewel event.
This year’s record setting, $100,000-to-win event will feature the popular passing points format. Drivers will compete in two rounds of qualifying heat races, with the passing points total from both rounds determining the B-Main and Feature line-ups.
The activities will get underway on Thursday night, October 15th with preliminary events for the Modified division. On Friday night, October 16th the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will take to the track for Hot Laps and two rounds of qualifying Heat Races. Saturday night’s program will include: Late Model B-Mains, the $4,000-to-win Modified feature, the $3,000-to-win DirtonDirt.com Jim Dunn Memorial Non-Qualifier race, and the 100-lap, $100,000-to-win Dirt Track World Championship main event.
Advanced tickets to this marquee event are on sale now. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit: www.thedtwc.com or call the DTWC office at (740) 858-6661.
PORTSMOUTH, OH (October 20, 2014) – This past weekend Portsmouth Raceway Park welcomed what is believed to be the largest crowd in the 24-year history of the track, as the Coleman-Family-owned facility hosted the 34th Annual Optima Batteries Dirt Track World Championship presented by NAPA Auto Parts.
Mooresburg, TN’s Scott Bloomquist captured the $50,000-dollars-to-win Lucas Oil Late Model Series finale. Martinsville, IN’s Don O’Neal held off Newport, TN’s Jimmy Owens to win the Lucas Oil Points. Fairmont, WV’s Jake Hawkins won the Modified A-Main, and several local drivers represented themselves well in both the Late Model and Modified Divisions.
In total, 173 race teams rolled into Portsmouth for The DTWC. There were 89 Late Models and 84 Modifieds. The Late Model car count was PRP’s highest for a single event. It was the second highest car count of any major Late Model race in 2014, second only to Eldora’s World 100.
The weekend full of racing began on Thursday night with the Modifieds. In addition to time trials, there were six Modified heats, four B-Mains, and a non-qualifiers race. On Friday, the Late Models took to the track for time trials and six 20-lap heat races.
Saturday’s slate was rained out and postponed until Sunday where racing got underway at 1 p.m. with three 20-lap Late Model B-Mains, a 30-lap Modified feature, The Jim Dunn Memorial Late Model Non-qualifiers Race, and the 100-lap Late Model DTWC.
The Late Model feature witnessed hard racing throughout, as all 30 drivers who started the race took the initial green with hopes of pocketing the $50,000-dollar prize. There were four different leaders and five lead changes in an event that witnessed six cautions.
The race was made up of drivers representing 10 different states (OH, KY, WV, NC, IN, PA, AR, TN, IL, and GA). Wheelersburg racers Delmas, Rod, and R.J. Conley all raced their way in. The 2014 PRP Track Champ Ben Adkins of West Portsmouth received a track provisional as did Grayson, KY’s Jackie Boggs for winning the 2014 Boone Coleman Memorial “Gator 50” back in May.
Pole-sitter Eddie Carrier, Jr. led early but was quickly overhauled by Billy Moyer. Owens took the lead away from Moyer on Lap 39. Three laps later Bloomquist captured the lead from Owens. Owens charged back to the front on Lap 54, but on Lap 61 Bloomquist powered back out front to stay.
After fading midway through the race, Carrier rebounded for a second-place finish. Owens nabbed third. O’Neal captured fourth, and Jason Feger rounded out the top 5. Billy Moyer was sixth. Dennis Erb, Jr. charged from 24th to seventh. Dale McDowell finished eighth. Ashland, KY native Steve Francis was ninth, and Tim McCreadie capped the top 10.
The highest finishing PRP regular was Rod Conley, who came in 16th earning $2,200. Jackie Boggs fought his way up from 28th to 13th but had issues on Lap 70 and wound up pulling out of the race 30 laps shy of the finish.
One of the most breath-taking moments of the feature occurred off of turn 4 on lap 98, as O’Neal got way crossed up. The veteran made a nice save and avoided an accident which could’ve cost him the Lucas Championship.
Friday night’s Late Model Heats were all entertaining. They all went 20 laps with the top three coming out of each. Jonathan Davenport, Gregg Saterlee, and R.J. Conley all transferred from the first. Moyer, Mason Zieglar, and Rod Conley came out of the second. Bloomquist, Josh Richards, and Brandon Shepphard transferred out of the third. O’Neal, Feger, and Frank Heckenast, Jr. came out of the fourth. Owens, John Blankenship, and Doug Drown were the top three in Heat 5. Carrier, Steve Casebolt, and Delmas Conley came out of Heat 6.
The three B-Mains were each 20 laps. The top two transferred from those. Earl Pearson, Jr. and Tim McCreadie came out of the first B. Brandon Overton and Dale McDowell transferred from B-Main #2, and Dustin Linville and Dennis Erb, Jr. came out of the third B.
Scott James won The Jim Dunn Memorial but chose to leave with a secure $3,000 rather than opting to tag the tail of the feature which would’ve given him the chance at $50,000 but only guaranteed him $2,000.
R.J. Conley was the Late Model Fast Qualifier Friday night. He wound up pulling out of the feature on Lap 25 after his fan blade came off. The former PRP champion finished the A-Main in 29th.
As for the Modified portion of the show, Jake Hawkins led the feature from flag to flag, but a couple of late cautions made things very interesting. Nevertheless, Hawkins held off K.C. Burdette by less than two tenths of a second to take the win. Joey Kramer rounded out the top 3.
Two-time reigning PRP track champion Todd Robinson from South Point battled his way from 16th to fourth. Ironically, he would’ve not been able to race had Saturday’s action not have gotten pushed back to Sunday. The extra night enabled him and his crew to repair some mechanical issues to his car.
Another two-time PRP track champion, Tim Tribbey, also charged hard up through the field. The Waverly native started 26th and raced his way up to an eighth-place finish.
Weasel Rhoades was the Modified quick qualifier on Thursday but had a flat in his heat and suffered rear-end damage in his B-Main which prevented him a shot at making the field.
The 2015 Dirt Track World Championship will return to PRP and will pay a DTWC record $100,000 to the Late Model winner!!!
WAYCROSS, GA (October 14, 2014) – The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series season finale will take place this weekend in Portsmouth, OH on October 17th and 18th with the running of the 34th Annual Optima Batteries Dirt Track World Championship – Presented by NAPA Auto Parts. This event, held at Portsmouth Raceway Park, is promoted by hall of fame promoter Carl Short, along with track promoters Donna Rayburn and Tim Coleman. The Dirt Track World Championship event has been Carl’s signature event, over the years, which have been filled with great history, thrilling racing action, hall of fame winners and numerous facilities hosting the event in the past 33 years. This year’s DTWC will, once again, pay $50,000 to win and $2,000 to start.
In the previous 33 DTWC events, there have been 24 different drivers to visit victory lane and capture this crown jewel event. Dating back to the inaugural running in 1981, there have been five drivers that have won the prestigious event more than once. Hall of Famer Freddy Smith of Seymour, TN leads the way with five wins, followed by the late Jack Boggs of Grayson, KY, who won the race three times. Two time winners of the DTWC include: Billy Moyer of Batesville, AR; Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, TN and Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, IL. Some of the sport’s biggest names have won the DTWC at least once over the 33 years of the event, including names like: Larry Moore (’87); Donnie Moran (’88); Steve Francis (’99); Darrell Lanigan (’03); Rick Eckert (’04); Chub Frank (’07); Brian Birkhofer (’08); Jimmy Mars (’09); Earl Pearson Jr. (’10); Don O’Neal (’11), Jimmy Owens (’12) and the youngest driver to ever win the event, Brandon Sheppard in 2013.
Included among the many activities at the DTWC is a $3,000 to win Jim Dunn Memorial Non-Qualifiers Race-Presented by DirtonDirt.com. The top 26 drivers that fail to transfer into the DTWC feature event through a heat race or B-Main get to compete for a chance to earn additional prize money through this race. The winner of this event can elect to forfeit the $3,000 first place prize money and start on the tail of the DTWC feature event for a chance to win the $50,000. In honor of Jim Dunn and his legacy of being the very first winner of the DTWC, Carl Short added the non-qualifiers race to the DTWC event schedule as a tribute to the late Jim Dunn and his family.
The 34th Annual Optima Batteries Dirt Track World Championship - Presented by NAPA Auto Parts will once again be filmed by the award winning Lucas Oil Production Studios. This event will air on NBC Sports and on the MAVTV American Real Networks in 2014. “We really feel partnering with the Lucas Oil Series has helped to grow the event even more with the TV coverage they bring to this event. I’m looking forward to this year’s event and enjoy working with the great staff at Portsmouth Raceway Park”, stated Carl Short, promoter of the DTWC.
Activities for the 34th Annual Optima Batteries Dirt Track World Championship - Presented by NAPA Auto Parts will get underway on Thursday, October 16th with Modified Qualifying, Heat Races and Consolation races. On Friday, October 17th the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will take to the track for Hot-Laps, Miller Welders Time Trials and Heat Races. Also, on Friday night there will be a Non-Qualifiers race for the Modifieds. Then, on Saturday, October 18th the schedule will include the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series B-Mains, the Modified Feature event, the $3,000 to Win Jim Dunn Memorial Non-Qualifiers Race-Presented by DirtonDirt.com and the $50,000 to win/$2,000 to start DTWC 100-lap feature.
WAYCROSS, GA (October 7, 2014) – The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and famed promoter Carl Short are pleased to announce the 2014 Miss Dirt Track World Championship, Katelynne Newton. She will be assisting sponsors and staff during the 34th Annual Optima Batteries Dirt Track World Championship race weekend.
Katelynne is the daughter of Gerald and Carissa Newton and is a freshman at Indiana State University. She is a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and actively gives back to her community by volunteering with Susan G. Komen for Breast Cancer Awareness and The American Heart Association as a National Youth Heart Health Advocate.
This past year she served as Miss Teen Indiana International and competed on the International stage for the title of Miss Teen International. She was voted online fan favorite among 39 other contestants this past July. Katelynne also serves as the current reigning Miss Gotta Race for Arizona Sport Shirts and has held numerous other titles in past years.
Katelynne will be attending and representing The 34th Annual Optima Batteries DTWC – Presented by NAPA Auto Parts at Portsmouth Raceway Park in Portsmouth, Ohio on October 16th through 18th. The three-day event is the final event for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series 2014 season and will conclude with the 100-lap $50,000 to win feature event on Saturday night October 18th.
An avid race fan, Katelynne has been attending dirt racing events since the age of six weeks old. She has grown up around racing and loves to attend when she can. She will be available for autographs and photos throughout the event weekend at the Arizona Sport Shirts trailer.
To conclude the weekend events, Katelynne will assist The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and promoter Carl Short in awarding the trophy and check to the 2014 DTWC race winner.
To learn more about 2014 MISS DTWC - KATELYNNE NEWTON, visit her official website at: www.katelynnenewton.com or her Facebook Page www.facebook.com/katelynnen