WHAT TO WATCH FOR: World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Prepare for Port Royal Doubleheader
Sheppard, Madden, Strickler, and more battle for potential $25K Payday
PORT ROYAL, PA – MAY 17, 2021 – The World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models makes its first of six trips to Pennsylvania in 2021, with a weekend double-dip at Port Royal Speedway.
It’s the sixth time the Series will visit “The Speed Palace,” and one driver could walk away with $25,000 if they win both races.
Friday, May 21, is the Huey Wilcoxon Memorial. It’s a 40-lap Morton Buildings Feature paying $10,000-to-win. Also, on the bill are Limited Late Models and Wingless Sportsman.
The Series returns Saturday, May 22, for the 50-lap Billy Vacek Memorial, paying $15,000-to-win. Port Royal Speedway’s 410 Sprint Cars will also be in action.
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:
Rocket Momentum: Three-time and defending champion Brandon Sheppard finally got the monkey off his back at Mississippi Thunder Speedway, winning his first official Morton Buildings Feature of the season.
It was the 70th World of Outlaws win of his career. He’s now eight wins away from tying Josh Richards for the most all-time (78).
The victory, along with Sheppard’s Series leading 12 top-10s is enough to put him at the top of the standings—60 points ahead of Chris Madden.
The New Berlin, IL driver has already found Victory Lane at Port Royal Speedway in his career. He won a Morton Buildings Feature in 2017 and has a third-place finish at the track this season.
The “Rocket Shepp” also has four top-10s at 1/2-mile tracks this season. His best was a third on April 9 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Sheppard enters the weekend with some momentum, as well. He won a MARS Racing Series event at Farmer City Raceway last Friday in his family owned #B5 car.
Smokin’ Hot: The only driver on the Series that may be more consistent than Sheppard, is South Carolina’s Chris Madden.
Madden won his second Morton Buildings Feature of the Season at Mississippi Thunder Speedway, tying him for the most wins this season. He also has more top fives than any other driver this year (8).
The Gray Court, SC driver is 60 points behind Sheppard in the standings, with two fewer starts.
“Smokey” also has past success at Port Royal Speedway. In two starts with the Series, Madden has one top-five and two top-10s. His best finish was third in 2017.
Madden has been consistent on 1/2-mile tracks in 2021, so far. He has four top-10s in five starts, including a second-place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Don’t Sleep on Pennsylvania: It’s not just the World of Outlaws tour regulars that have their eyes on Victory Lane this weekend. Anytime the Series travels to Pennsylvania, several stout regional competitors are hoping to steal a win.
Mason Zeigler won the last World of Outlaws race at “The Speed Palace” in 2019, holding off Ricky Weiss in an exciting race.
The Chalk Hill, PA driver also has a win at the track this season.
Rick Eckert is also a threat anytime the Series visits the Keystone State. The York, PA driver is the most recent Super Late Model Winner at Port Royal Speedway.
The 2011 Series champion has run well with the World of Outlaws in 2021. In 10 starts, he has four top-fives and six top-10s.
Eckert’s best runs this season are two fourth-place finishes, both at 1/2-mile tracks. One at DIRTcar Nationals, and the other at the Bristol Bash.
Happy To Be Home: One driver excited to return to Pennsylvania is Rookie of the Year contender Kyle Strickler.
“The High-Side Tickler” grew up about 90 minutes away from Port Royal Speedway. But racing close to home isn’t his only reason to look forward to the weekend.
Strickler is one of four drivers with two Morton Buildings Feature wins in 2021. Both wins came at DIRTcar Nationals, on a track the same size as “The Speed Palace.”
Despite a bit of bad luck throughout March and April, Strickler showed signs of turning things around at Mississippi Thunder Speedway. He hopes to build on a fourth-place finish and find his way back to Victory Lane.
The Mooresville, NC driver is third in the standings—120 points behind Sheppard. He also leads the chase for Rookie of the Year by 26 points over Tyler Bruening.
When and Where
May 21-22: Port Royal Speedway, Port Royal, PA
About the track
Port Royal Speedway is a 1/2-mile, semi-banked racetrack.
Online: https://
Track Record: 17.470 set by Jeff Rine on May 13th, 2017
PREVIOUS PORT ROYAL SPEEDWAY WINNERS
2019- Mason Zeigler on August 17
2018- Mike Marlar on August 18
2017- Brandon Sheppard on August 19
2008- Clint Smith on June 17
2007- Darrell Lanigan on June 20
On the Internet
World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models Series
Twitter – Twitter.com/WoOLateModels –
Instagram – Instagram.com/WoOLateModels
Facebook – Facebook.com/
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 Circle City Raceway June 4, and Plymouth Speedway (IN) June 5.
Feature Winners: (12 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins
- Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC-2
Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-2
Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-2
Chris Madden, Grey Court, SC-2 - Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL-1
Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-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
Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-1
DRYDENE HEAT RACE WINNERS (31 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins
- Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-6
- Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY-4
Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA-4
Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-4
Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC-4 - Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL-3
Cade Dillard, Robeline, LA-3 - Devin Moran, Dresden, OH- 2
Ross Bailes, Clover, SC- 2
Rick Eckert, York, PA-2
Ricky Weiss, Headingly, MB-2
Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL- 2
Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-2 - 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
Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-1
Last Chance Showdown Winners (21 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-2 - 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
Chris Simpson, Oxford, IA-1
Jake Timm, Winona, MN-1
Taylor Scheffler, Waukesha, WI- 1
Gordy Gundaker, St. Charles, MO-1
PODIUM FINISHES (29 drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Podiums
- Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-6
- Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-4
Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-4 - Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC – 3
Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-3
Cade Dillard, Robeline, LA – 3 - Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL – 2
Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL-2 - 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
Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN-1
Jimmy Mars, Memomonie, WI-1
Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-1
HARD CHARGER (10 drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – H.C.
- Ricky Weiss, Headingly, MB – 4
- Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL – 3
- 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
Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN-1
SLICK WOODY’S QUICK TIME Award (11 drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – QTs
- Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC – 2
Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-2
Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL – 2 - Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL – 1
Devin Moran, Dresden, OH – 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
Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-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)
15.Friday, May 7/Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, WI/Brandon Sheppard(1)
16.Saturday May 8/Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, WI/Chris Madden(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