Cade Dillard Begins 2024 With Best Start in Five-Year Career With World of Outlaws
The Thriller sits fourth in the Series standings after a career-best performance at Volusia Speedway Park
SUMMERTOWN, TN (March 1, 2024) –
Exceeding expectations in the first two months of the season has been a weight off Cade Dillard’s shoulders as he looks to keep the success going with the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models.
The Robeline, LA driver started 2024 with a bang – winning at Vado Speedway Park and finishing outside the top-10 only once during five nights at Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals.
Historically, Dillard has struggled at Volusia Speedway Park, only having one top five and two top-10 finishes in 32 starts at “The World’s Fastest Half Mile.” But he’s flipped the script this year, starting the 2024 World of Outlaws season with two top 10s at the track during Sunshine Nationals and then his four straight top 10s during DIRTcar Nationals.
With that performance, Dillard sits fourth in World of Outlaws CASE Late Models points – 42 points back from Series leader Bobby Pierce – and is now excited for what’s to come.
“Everything has started off really good, honestly,” Dillard said. “We were really strong at Vado, getting a win out there. Volusia has never been a track that I was really good at, or ever had speed at and struggled. I felt like we would leave Florida way behind in points, but we had really good racing in January and February. Got a couple of podiums, had great speed, and got to lead some laps in the finale, which was cool. All in all, I’m excited for how this year is going to go because of the start we’ve had. Getting to leave Florida with good points feels better than digging myself out of a hole to start.”
Piloting his first full season in a Longhorn Chassis, Dillard said he feels fortunate to have been able to work closely with the Longhorn team to build up his program and understand more about setting up his car for races.
“I’ve been fortunate enough over the years to be able to race as much as I have,” Dillard said. “There’s always something to learn each day and that’s what makes you get better at it, so more than anything, I got better with how I setup the car. Got a lot of testing in the winter. Longhorn has been really beneficial, and I’ve just learned a whole lot more of that aspect of things with the technology and setups that I’ve devoted a lot more time in that. I believe it’s made myself better and I hope that time is showing.”
Up next on the World of Outlaws tour is the Series’ debut at Thunderhill Raceway in Summertown, TN, March 22-23. It’ll also be a new track for the 15-year veteran, who begins his prep by watching past videos and studying his notes from similar tracks to put himself in the ballpark of where he wants the #97 to be on race day.
“Naturally, I watch videos of races from the facility,” Dillard said. “I see what it relates to the tracks that I have visited as a starting point, then I rely on the people that go there, and they get me in the ballpark of where I need to be or think about. It’s a pretty quick turnaround from Hot Laps to Qualifying, so you want to have yourself in the ballpark with information about chatting with those that have been there. For the most part, I relate it to where I’ve been and check my notes to see where I can get closer.”
Dillard straps in for the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models’ inaugural Summertown Showdown at Thunderhill Raceway, March 22-23. Tickets for the event can be purchased at the track. For more information, visit worldofoutlaws.com/latemodels/
If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch every World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model race live on DIRTVision.
The World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: CASE Construction Equipment (Official Construction Equipment), DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Racing Electronics (Official Radio Supplier), Simpson Performance Products (Preferred Safety Gear Partner), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider), Toyota (Official Vehicle), and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel). Contingency sponsors include: Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, Evolve Transporters, Fox Factory (Hard Charger Award), MD3, MSD, Penske Racing Shocks, Quarter Master, Swift Springs, and Wieland Metal Services (Exclusive Racing Aluminum); along with manufacturer sponsors, including, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Bilstein, Capital Race Cars, Dirt King Simulators, FAST 1 Speed Shop, FIREBULL, Gorsuch Performance, Integra Shocks, Intercomp, Reliable Painting, Rocket Chassis, and Sea Foam.
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 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: Matt Skipper, World of Outlaws PR