WHAT TO WATCH FOR: World of Outlaws Ohio Bound for Atomic Doubleheader
CHILLICOTHE, OH (April 1, 2025) – Race season has arrived in the Ohio Valley, and The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet are ready to invade the region for the first time in 2025.
A regular stop on the World of Outlaws Late Models tour since 1989, Atomic Speedway will host the Series for two nights of action Friday and Saturday as part of the Fireball 50.
Action gets underway on Friday night with a 35-lap, $12,000-to-win, main event before a 50-lap, $15,000-to-win, Feature caps off the program on Saturday night. In addition to the Late Models, the program will also include Modifieds on Friday and Sport Mods and Legend Cars on Saturday.
Here are the top storylines entering the weekend:
THE BOBBY & RYAN SHOW: The 2025 season is only eight races old, but every driver not named Bobby Pierce and Ryan Gustin knows exactly who they have to beat if they want to contend for the championship in the fall.
With two wins apiece, Pierce and Gustin stand as the only two current title contenders to reach Victory Lane with the Outlaws this year. They also sit 1-2 in multiple key metrics, including Heat Race wins and Feature laps led.
If history is anything to go by, the next chapter in their battle will be written at the front of the pack this weekend. The last three World of Outlaws races at Atomic were won by either Pierce or Gustin, and they are the only Series regulars to win an Outlaw race at the track since Tim McCreadie took the checkers in 2006.
Gustin took a few nights to get the hang of Atomic, as he missed the top 10 in his first four Outlaw starts there. Something clicked last August though, as “The Reaper” picked up back-to-back podiums with a third on Friday and a win on Saturday. Pierce has been impeccable at the track from the start, as he’s collected two wins and no finishes worse than fourth in World of Outlaws competition.
ON THE UPSWING: Following a strong end to the 2024 season, Brian Shirley rolled into 2025 looking for more race-winning speed. Instead, he got the exact opposite in the opening weeks of the year.
A disastrous Speedweeks buried him in the standings and left him with a shop full of wrecked cars and blown engines. Smoky Mountain Speedway wasn’t much better, as “Squirrel” never found his footing and came home 21st. But when the tour traveled south to Swainsboro Raceway, the Bob Cullen Racing team began to show signs of life.
After using a provisional to start Friday’s Feature, Shirley moved up 11 spots in 35 laps to finish 13th. Saturday saw Shirley’s best early-night speed in months, as he qualified sixth in his group, finished second in his Heat Race to make his first Redraw of 2025 and spent the first half of the Feature running in the top 10. A flat left-rear tire may have knocked him down to 20th in the final order, but the No. 3S clearly had speed.
Shirley delivered two more encouraging performances last weekend in a MARS Late Model Championship event at Maquoketa Speedway, finishing fourth and third in a field that included several other Outlaws like Pierce, Gustin, Tanner English, Dennis Erb Jr. and Daniel Adam.
The next two weeks present a golden opportunity for Shirley to show what he’s capable of. He ended the night on the podium in his last three World of Outlaws starts at Atomic and has a DIRTcar Summer Nationals win in Chillicothe on his resume from 2014. Then, he’ll head back to his home state for next weekend’s Illini 100 at Farmer City Raceway. Shirley’s decades-long track record there includes two wins each with the World of Outlaws, Hell Tour and MARS along with several more local and regional triumphs.
BREAKING THROUGH: As the only driver with seven top 10s in the first eight races, Nick Hoffman has arguably been the most consistent driver on tour so far in 2025. But solid finishes alone aren’t enough to win a World of Outlaws championship.
The season is still young, but up to this point Hoffman finds himself in the opposite scenario from a year ago. In 2024, “The Thrill from Mooresville” won five times – two more than champion Brandon Sheppard – but trailed Sheppard in top fives and top 10s. This time around, a lack of wins is his only deficit compared to the likes of Pierce and Gustin.
Atomic could be just the place for Hoffman to remove his goose egg from the win column. He’s a two-time winner in regional action and owns three top fives in four World of Outlaws starts at the track.
ROOKIE RACE ROLLS ON: There’s a new driver on top of the MD3 Rookie of the Year Award battle entering Atomic, as a pair of top fives at Swainsboro were enough to vault Drake Troutman around Ethan Dotson and into fourth in the overall points table.
Troutman kicked his season into gear on the final night of Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals when he led several laps and finished second to Jonathan Davenport. Smoky Mountain didn’t go his way with a 24th-place run, but Troutman quickly got back on track in Georgia. On the other hand, Dotson got off to a hot start with two top fives in the first three Outlaw nights of the year at Volusia Speedway Park, but has struggled to replicate that speed in the weeks since.
While Dotson has yet to compete at Atomic in a Late Model, his Modified stat sheet is certainly impressive. The Californian ran a three-race weekend with the Renegades of Dirt Tour in 2022 and finished first, first and third in the Features. Troutman was also in attendance that weekend, scoring a best finish of seventh.
Trailing that duo in the rookie standings are Jake Timm, Daniel Adam, Austin Smith and Dillon McCowan.
SCOUTING THE LOCALS: In addition to the World of Outlaws, this weekend’s event is co-sanctioned by the Valvoline American Late Model Iron Man Series, bringing the toughest Late Model competition in the region together to battle the nation’s best.
They’ll be led by reigning Series champion Rusty Schlenk, who finished top five at Atomic last June on his way to the title. The three-time DIRTcar UMP Late Model national champion is already batting 1.000 in 2025, winning twice in two starts at Attica Raceway Park.
Other “Buckeye State” natives to keep an eye on include Rod Conley, who beat the Outlaws at Atomic in 2008 and finished top five at the track four times last year, as well as Adam Stricker, who came home fifth against the Outlaws in last year’s Fireball 50.
WHEN AND WHERE:
Friday-Saturday, April 4-5, at Atomic Speedway in Chillicothe, OH
CURRENT POINT STANDINGS:
1. Bobby Pierce (1164 points)
2. Ryan Gustin (-30)
3. Nick Hoffman (-30)
4. Drake Troutman (-70)
5. Max Blair (-94)
6. Ethan Dotson (-98)
7. Cody Overton (-108)
8. Tim McCreadie (-110)
9. Tanner English (-120)
10. Dennis Erb Jr. (-140)
FEATURE WINNERS (5):
Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 2
Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IA – 2
Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – 2
Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 1
Jonathan Davenport – Blairsville, GA – 1
HEAT RACE WINNERS (18):
Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – 6
Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IA – 5
Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 5
Jonathan Davenport – Blairsville, GA – 3
Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 3
Ricky Thornton Jr. – Chandler, AZ – 3
Jimmy Owens – Newport, TN – 3
Ethan Dotson – Bakersfield, CA – 2
Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 2
Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – 2
Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – 1
Cody Overton – Thomson, GA – 1
Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – 1
Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 1
Mike Marlar – Winfield, TN – 1
Chris Madden – Gray Court, SC – 1
Garrett Smith – Madison, GA – 1
Ashton Winger – Hampton, GA – 1
LANDA PRESSURE WASHERS LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINNERS (17):
Tyler Bruening – Decorah, IA – 3
Michael Leach – Sun River, MT – 2
Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – 2
Mike Marlar – Winfield, TN – 1
Dustin Sorensen – Rochester, MN – 1
Cody Overton – Thomson, GA – 1
Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 1
Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 1
Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – 1
Max Blair – Centerville, PA – 1
Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 1
Kyle Bronson – Brandon, FL – 1
Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IA – 1
Ashton Winger – Hampton, GA – 1
Jackson Hise – Ocala, FL – 1
Trey Mills – St. Augustine, FL – 1
Austin Smith – Cedartown, GA – 1
PODIUM FINISHERS (11):
Jonathan Davenport – Blairsville, GA – 5
Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – 4
Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IA – 3
Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 2
Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 2
Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 2
Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – 2
Cody Overton – Thomson, GA – 1
Max Blair – Centerville, PA – 1
Ricky Thornton Jr. – Chandler, AZ – 1
Ashton Winger – Hampton, GA – 1
FOX FACTORY HARD CHARGERS (8):
Cody Overton – Thomson, GA – 1
Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – 1
Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – 1
Dennis Erb Jr. – Carpentersville, IL – 1
Jonathan Davenport – Blairsville, GA – 1
Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 1
Ethan Dotson – Bakersfield, CA – 1
Dustin Sorensen – Rochester, MN – 1
SIMPSON RACING PRODUCTS QUICK TIMES (5):
Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 3
Ricky Thornton Jr. – Chandler, AZ – 2
Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IA – 1
Chris Madden – Gray Court, SC – 1
Tanner English – Benton, KY – 1
BILSTEIN POLE AWARD (5):
Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 2
Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 2
Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – 2
Jimmy Owens – Newport, TN – 1
Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – 1
FEATURE LAP LEADERS (9):
Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – 70
Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IA – 67
Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 44
Jimmy Owens – Newport, TN – 41
Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – 41
Ricky Thornton Jr. – Chandler, AZ – 18
Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 17
Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 16
Jonathan Davenport – Blairsville, GA – 11
2025 WORLD OF OUTLAWS LATE MODELS SCHEDULE & WINNERS
Friday, Jan. 24 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Ryan Gustin (1)
Saturday, Jan. 25 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Garrett Alberson (1)
Thursday, Feb. 13 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Garrett Alberson (2)
Friday, Feb. 14 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Devin Moran (1)
Saturday, Feb. 15 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Jonathan Davenport (1)
Friday, Mar. 14 / Smoky Mountain Speedway / Maryville, TN / Bobby Pierce (1)
Friday, Mar. 21 / Swainsboro Raceway / Swainsboro, GA / Bobby Pierce (2)
Saturday, Mar. 22 / Swainsboro Raceway / Swainsboro, GA / Ryan Gustin (2)
Friday, Apr. 4 / Atomic Speedway / Chillicothe, OH
Saturday, Apr. 5 / Atomic Speedway / Chillicothe, OH
Thursday, Apr. 10 / Farmer City Raceway / Farmer City, IL (Practice)
Friday, Apr. 11 / Farmer City Raceway / Farmer City, IL
Saturday, Apr. 12 / Farmer City Raceway / Farmer City, IL
Friday, Apr. 25 / Talladega Short Track / Eastaboga, AL
Saturday, Apr. 26 / Talladega Short Track / Eastaboga, AL
Thursday, May 1 / Mississippi Thunder Speedway / Fountain City, WI
Friday, May 2 / Mississippi Thunder Speedway / Fountain City, WI
Saturday, May 3 / Mississippi Thunder Speedway / Fountain City, WI
Thursday, May 15 / Raceway 7 / Conneaut, OH
Friday, May 16 / Marion Center Raceway / Marion Center, PA
Saturday, May 17 / Marion Center Raceway / Marion Center, PA
Sunday, May 18 / Bedford Speedway / Bedford, PA
Friday, June 20 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO
Saturday, June 21 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO
Monday, June 23 / Independence Motor Speedway / Independence, IA
Thursday, June 26 / I-94 EMR Speedway / Fergus Falls, MN
Friday, June 27 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND
Saturday, June 28 / Norman County Raceway / Ada, MN
Sunday, June 29 / Nodak Speedway / Minot, ND
Thursday, July 3 / Deer Creek Speedway / Spring Valley, MN
Friday, July 4 / Deer Creek Speedway / Spring Valley, MN
Saturday, July 5 / Deer Creek Speedway / Spring Valley, MN
Friday, July 11 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH
Saturday, July 12 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH
Friday, July 25 / Fairbury Speedway / Fairbury, IL
Saturday, July 26 / Fairbury Speedway / Fairbury, IL
Monday, July 28 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI
Thursday, July 31 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI
Friday, Aug. 1 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI
Saturday, Aug. 2 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI
Wednesday, Aug. 13 / Highland Speedway / Highland, IL
Thursday, Aug. 14 / Spoon River Speedway / Lewistown, IL
Friday, Aug. 15 / Maquoketa Speedway / Maquoketa, IA
Saturday, Aug. 16 / Maquoketa Speedway / Maquoketa, IA
Friday, Aug. 22 / Arrowhead Speedway / Colcord, OK
Saturday, Aug. 23 / Arrowhead Speedway / Colcord, OK
Friday, Sept. 12 / Needmore Speedway / Norman Park, GA
Saturday, Sept. 13 / Senoia Raceway / Senoia, GA
Friday, Sept. 26 / Tri-City Speedway / Granite City, IL
Saturday, Sept. 27 / Tri-City Speedway / Granite City, IL
Friday, Oct. 3 / Humboldt Speedway / Humboldt, KS
Saturday, Oct. 4 / 81 Speedway / Wichita, KS
Friday, Oct. 10 / Boothill Speedway / Greenwood, LA
Saturday, Oct. 11 / Boothill Speedway / Greenwood, LA
Wednesday, Nov. 5 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Thursday, Nov. 6 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Friday, Nov. 7 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Saturday, Nov. 8 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
EVENT INFO: https://worldofoutlaws.com/
TRACK INFO: https://www.atomicspeedway.
FAN 101: https://about.worldofoutlaws.
The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners. Official partners include, 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). Also supported by : AMKUS, Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Bilstein, Capital Race Cars, Coltman Farms, Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, Dave Warren Powersports, Dirt King Simulators, Evolve Transporters, FAST 1 Speed Shop, FIREBULL, Fox Factory (Hard Charger Award), Gorsuch Performance, Infinity Chassis, Integra Racing Shocks, Intercomp, Jarrett Rifles, Keyser Manufacturing, Landa Pressure Washers, Lifeline USA, Longhorn Chassis, MD3, MSD, Penske Racing Shocks, Quarter Master, Reliable Painting, Rocket Chassis, STAKT Products, Swift Springs, WELD Racing, and Wieland (Exclusive Racing Aluminum).
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: Spence Smithback, World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR