WHAT TO WATCH FOR: World of Outlaws prepare for Dairyland Showdown Doubleheader
Sheppard, Gustin, Strickler, Bruening and More will battle for potential $40K payday
Fountain CITY. WI– MAY 3, 2021 – The World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models will make its first visit to Mississippi Thunder Speedway May 7-8, for the Dairyland Showdown presented by Dynamic Concrete Resurfacing.
The Fountain City, WI site is the 193rd track the Series will visit. It’s also the third straight weekend it’ll travel to a venue for the first time.
Drivers will chase another big payday, with one potentially walking away with $40,000 by the end of the weekend.
On Friday May 7, the Series will run a 40-Lap Feature, paying $12,500-to-win. The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet will return Saturday May 8 for a 60-Lap Feature, paying $22,500-to-win. If one driver wins both, they’ll get a $5,000 bonus from Dynamic Concrete Resurfacing.
The USRA Modifieds will join the World of Outlaws Late Models on both nights.
If you can’t make it either night, watch all the action live on DIRTVision with the annual Platinum FAST PASS subscription for $299/year or the monthly FAST PASS Subscription for $39/month.
Here are the top stories to follow this weekend:
A Long Road to 70: Three-time and defending champion Brandon Sheppard still hasn’t won an official Morton Buildings Feature. The closest he’s been to finding Victory Lane was last Friday when he finished second to Cade Dillard at Boone Speedway.
The next time Sheppard takes the checkered flag will be his 70th career World of Outlaws win.
It would put him eight wins behind Josh Richards for most all-time (78).
Even though a trip to Victory Lane has eluded the “Rocket Shepp,” he’s still at the top of the mountain in the standings—56 points ahead of Chris Madden.
Sheppard leads all drivers with 10 top-10 finishes in 2021. He also has five top-five’s, trailing only Madden who has six.
He’s had success at 3/8 mile tracks already in 2021. Sheppard won a Feature at Cherokee Speedway in March, but that did not count as an Official Series win.
Fear the Reaper: Since Rookie of the Year contender Ryan Gustin joined the Series, he’s been looking forward to racing at Mississippi Thunder Speedway. The Marshalltown, IA driver has a lot of laps at the track and raced there in a Regional Late Model Series last year.
“The Reaper” comes into this weekend eighth in the points standings-226 points behind Sheppard. He has six top-10 finishes in 2021, including one last Friday at Boone Speedway. Gustin is still looking for his first career World of Outlaws Late Models victory.
Consistency Is Key: A driver quietly working his way up the standings is Iowa’s Tyler Bruening. The rookie driver has taken over third place—94 points behind Sheppard.
Bruening has two top-five’s and eight top-10’s in 15 starts. He and Ricky Weiss are tied for the third-most top-10’s this season, behind Sheppard and Madden.
The Hawkeye State campaigner has also taken over the lead in the hunt for Rookie of the Year—10 points ahead of Kyle Strickler.
Bruening hopes to keep his consistency going, as the Series races close to his Decorah, IA home for the second straight weekend.
Breaking out of Bad Luck: It may sound like a broken record, but the bad luck continues for early-season points leader Kyle Strickler.
Since DIRTcar Nationals, “The High Side Tickler” hasn’t had a top-10 finish. He’s also dropped to fourth in the standings—104 points behind Sheppard.
Despite those results, there are signs he may be turning things around soon.
Strickler led a few laps in the Hawkeye 100, and had a top-five run going before he was involved in a crash.
The last time he raced on a track like Mississippi Thunder was at Cherokee Speedway in March. He was running in the top-five during that event until a flat tire forced him to pit late in the race.
The Mooresville, NC driver is tied for the most Series wins this season (2).
When and Where
May 7-8: Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, WI
About the track
Mississippi Thunder Speedway is a high-banked, sweeping 3/8 mile oval.
Online: http://www.mississippithunder.com
On the Internet
World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models Series
Twitter – Twitter.com/WoOLateModels – @WoOLateModels
Instagram – Instagram.com/WoOLateModels – @woolatemodels
Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlawsLateModelSeries
YouTube – Youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws
DIRTVision – DIRTVision.com – Platinum annual FAST PASS for $299 or monthly FAST PASS for $39/month
Around the Turn: The World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models head to Port Royal Speedway, May 21-22 for the Huey Wilcoxon, and Billy Vacek Memorials.
Feature Winners: (11 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins
- Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC-2
Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-2
Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-2 - Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL-1
Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1
Chris Madden, Grey Court, SC-1
Mike Spatola, Manhattan, IL-1
Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV-1
Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY-1
Cade Dillard, Robeline, LA-1
Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL-1
DRYDENE HEAT RACE WINNERS (29 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins
- Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-5
- Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY-4
- Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL-3
Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-3
Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA-3
Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC-34. - Devin Moran, Dresden, OH- 2
Ross Bailes, Clover, SC- 2
Rick Eckert, York, PA-2
Ricky Weiss, Headingly, MB-2
Cade Dillard, Robeline, LA-2
Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL- 25. - Dale Mcdowell, Chickamauga, GA- 1
Darell Lanigan, Union, KY-1
Parker Martin, Milledgeville, GA-1
Brandon Overton, Evans, Ga-1
Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN-1
Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-1
Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN-1
Ricky Thornton Jr., Chandler, AZ-1
Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-1
Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, TN-1
Brian Shirley, Chatham, IL-1
Ryan Unzicker, El Paso, IL-1
Taylor Scheffler, Waukesha, WI- 1
Mike Spatola, Manhattan, IL-1
Kevin Weaver, Gibson City, IL-1
Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV-1
Jimmy Owens, Newport, TN-1
Last Chance Showdown Winners (17 drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins
- Ricky Weiss, Headingly, MB -2
Dale Mcdowell, Chickamauga, GA-2
Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-2
Boom Briggs, Bear Lake, PA-22. - Ross Robinson, Georgetown, DE- 1
Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN-1
Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, TN-1
Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS-1
Brandon Overton, Evans, GA- 1
Dennis Erb, Jr., Carpentersville, IL-1
Mike Norris, Sarver, PA- 1
Stacy Boles, Clinton, TN-1
Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC-1
Rick Eckert, York, PA-1
Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL-1
Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA-1
Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-1
PODIUM FINISHES (26 drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Podiums
- Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-4
Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-42. - Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC – 3
Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-3
Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-3
Cade Dillard, Robeline, LA – 33. - Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL – 2
Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL-24. - Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, TN – 1
Darrell Lanigan, Union, KY – 1
Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN – 1
Ricky Thornton, Jr., Chandler, AZ – 1
Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA – 1
Brandon Overton, Evans, GA – 1
Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-1
Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-1
Ryan Unzicker, El Paso, IL-1
Mike Spatola, Manhattan, IL-1
Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV-1
Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY-1
Ross Bailes, Clover, SC-1
Ricky Weiss, Headingly, MB-1
Scott James, Bright, IN-1
Billy Moyer, Batesville, AR-1
Frank Heckenast Jr.- Frankfort, IL-1
Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA-1
HARD CHARGER (9 drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – H.C.
- Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL – 3
Ricky Weiss, Headingly, MB – 32. - Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS – 2
- Boom Briggs, Bear Lake, PA – 1
Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1
Ricky Thornton Jr., Chandler, AZ-1
Jason Jameson, Lawrenceburg, IN-1
Logan Martin, West Plains, MO-1
Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-1
SLICK WOODY’S QUICK TIME Award (9 drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – QTs
- Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC – 2
Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-2 - Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL – 1
Devin Moran, Dresden, OH – 1
Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL – 1
Donald McIntosh, Dawsonville, GA- 1
Taylor Scheffler, Waukesha, WI- 1
Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-1
Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-1
Billy Moyer, Batesville, AR-1
2021 World of Outlaws Late Model Schedule & Winners
No./ Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)
1. Thursday, Jan. 14 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Kyle Bronson (1)
2. Saturday, Jan. 16 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Kyle Strickler (1)
3. Wednesday, Feb. 10 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Kyle Strickler (2)
4. Thursday, Feb. 11 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Devin Moran (1)
5. Friday, Feb. 12 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Brandon Overton (1)
6. Saturday, March 6/ Smoky Mountain Speedway/ Maryville, TN/ Chris Madden (1).
7. Friday, March 26 / Cherokee Speedway / Gaffney, SC / Jimmy Owens/Brandon Sheppard
8.Friday, April 2/Farmer City Raceway/Farmer City, IL/ Mike Spatola(1)
9. Saturday April 3/ Farmer City Raceway/Farmer City, IL/Bobby Pierce(1)
10.Friday April 9/Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, TN/Josh Richards(1)
11. Sunday April 11/Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, TN/Devin Moran(2)
12. Friday April 23/Richmond Raceway, Richmond, KY/Tim McCreadie(1)
13. Friday April 30/Boone Speedway, Boone IA/Cade Dillard(1)/Shannon Babb(1)
14. Saturday May 1/Boone Speedway, Boone IA/Bobby Pierce(2)
The World of Outlaws Morton Buildings® Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider) VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, MSD, Penske Racing Shocks, Quarter Master, Slick Woody’s (Quick Time Award), and Wrisco (Exclusive Racing Aluminum); along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Capital Race Cars, FireAde, Integra Shocks, Intercomp, K1 Race Gear, Racing Electronics, Reliable Painting, and Rocket Chassis.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings® Late Model Series. Annually, the two series race nearly 140 times at tracks across the United States and Canada. CBS Sports Network is the official broadcast partner of the World of Outlaws. DIRTVision® also broadcasts World of Outlaws events over the Internet to fans around the world. Learn more about the World of Outlaws.
Sources: Mike Warren, World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series PR