WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Tennessee Tipoff on Tap for World of Outlaws Late Models at Smoky Mountain
One driver could take home $25,000 with a weekend sweep on the new 3/8-mile configuration
MARYVILLE, TN– February 28, 2023 – The 10th annual Tennessee Tipoff is on tap for the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models, March 3-4 at Smoky Mountain Speedway, as drivers contend for a $115,000 overall purse.
A 35-lap, $10,000-to-win Feature kicks off the Volunteer State doubleheader on Friday, March 3, before an epic 50-lap, $15,000-to-win finale caps off the weekend on Saturday, March 4.
Joining the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models are the track’s Classic Cars and Front Wheel Drive divisions on Friday, along with the Kajun Mini Stock Association and Sportsman on Saturday.
If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action live on DIRTVision – either online on with the DIRTVision App.
Here are the top storylines to keep an eye on entering the Tennessee Tipoff:
A New Curveball: Smoky Mountain Speedway will have a new look when drivers arrive at the track this weekend.
In the offseason, track owner Roger Sellers shortened the track’s length from a 4/10-mile to its current 3/8-mile configuration.
The 10th annual Tennessee Tipoff will be the first event run on the new 3/8-mile track as drivers battle to be the first winner on the shortened red clay oval.
Madden’s Playground: Before the track changed, Chris Madden made Smoky Mountain Speedway his playground over the past two seasons.
The Gray Court, SC driver hasn’t lost a national touring event he’s entered at the track since 2020.
Madden scored two wins at the facility last season and leads the points standings entering the weekend—14 points ahead of second place Brian Shirley.
A win this weekend would be his third World of Outlaws triumph at Smoky Mountain and 33rd overall.
For a complete look at the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models points standings, CLICK HERE.
O-Show Rebound: Since 2021, only one other driver has won a national touring Series event at Smoky Mountain—Tennessee’s Jimmy Owens.
“The O-Show” is the track’s most recent World of Outlaws winner, leading every lap in last year’s Smoky Mountain Showdown.
Owens hopes two races in his home state can turn his 2023 season around after a tough start at Volusia Speedway Park, missing out on a top-10 finish in the season-opening races.
If the Newport, TN driver can rebound for a victory, it’ll be his 22nd Series triumph.
A Step in the Right Direction: Three drivers looking to build off top-five finishes from Smoky Mountain last September are Max Blair, Ryan Gustin and defending Series champion Dennis Erb Jr.
Of them, Gustin is currently the only one to score a top five in 2023. However, each of them thrived at 3/8-mile tracks in 2022.
Blair and Gustin scored their four combined wins last season on tracks like Smoky Mountain, including Blair’s red clay win at Cherokee Speedway a year ago.
While Erb didn’t find Victory Lane on a 3/8-mile track last season, he did score 11 top fives on his way to the Series championship.
Here Come the Georgia Boys: Shane Clanton hopes for redemption when the Series returns to Smoky Mountain this weekend.
The Zebulon, GA driver was running third last September when an oil pump belt broke.
Clanton, who won at the track in 2013, also looks to bounce back after a tough start in Florida.
Another Georgia driver to watch this weekend is Germfree Rookie of the Year contender Payton Freeman.
Last season, the Commerce, GA driver finished 11th at Smoky Mountain—tied with his best finish in six starts with the Series in 2022. A win this weekend would be his first career World of Outlaws victory.
The Warrior Returns: A trip to Tennessee will be the first World of Outlaws appearance for 2018 Series champion Mike Marlar this season.
The “Winfield Warrior,” who won the Tennessee Tipoff in 2020, scored five World of Outlaws wins in 17 starts last season—four of them coming at 3/8-mile tracks.
This weekend’s Tennessee Tipoff will be Marlar’s first race since the Wild West Shootout in January, where he scored three top fives in six races.
WHEN AND WHERE
Smoky Mountain Speedway in Maryville, TN
TICKETS: bit.ly/3IdAwdx
ABOUT THE TRACK
Smoky Mountain Speedway is a 3/8-mile dirt oval
ONLINE
Smoky Mountain Speedway: www.smokymountainspeedway.com
TRACK RECORDS
Smoky Mountain Speedway:
The Tennessee Tipoff will be the first race contested under the new 3/8-mile configuration.
On the Internet
World of Outlaws CASE 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 CASE Construction Equipment Late Models travel to Boyd’s Speedway for the Shamrock 100, March 17-18. For Tickets: CLICK HERE.
FEATURE WINNERS: (3 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins
- Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-2
- Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-1
- Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN-1
HEAT RACE WINNERS (14 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins
- Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-3
Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY-3 - Nick Hoffman, Mooresville, NC-2
Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-2
Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-2
Brian Shirley, Chatham, IL-2 - Max Blair, Centerville, PA-1
Ricky Thornton Jr, Martinsville, IN-1
Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC-1
Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS-1
Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1
Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA-1
Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-1
Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-1
LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINNERS (9 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins
- Mark Whitener, Middleburg, FL-2
Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-2 - Jimmy Owens, Newport, TN-1
Daulton Wilson, Fayetteville, NC-1
Tanner English, Benton, KY-1
Mike Norris, Sarver, PA-1
Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA-1
Ricky Thornton, Jr, Martinsville, IN-1
Mike Spatola, Manhattan, IL-1
PODIUM FINISHES (7 Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Podiums
- Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY-3
Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-3 - Ricky Thornton Jr., Martinsville, IN-2
- Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-1
Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-1
Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1
Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN-1
FOX FACTORY HARD CHARGER (4 Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – H.C.
- Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-1
Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-1
Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-1
Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN-1
QUICK TIMES (3 Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – QTs
- Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-2
- Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-1
Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-1
CASE FEATURE LAP LEADERS (7 Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Laps Led
- Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY-60
- Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-29
- Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-28
- Nick Hoffman, Mooresville, NC-6
Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN-6 - Ricky Thornton Jr., Martinsville, IN-1
- Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-1
2023 World of Outlaws Late Model Schedule & Winners
- Thursday, Jan. 19 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Devin Moran (1)
- Friday, Jan. 20/ Volusia Speedway Park/ Barberville, FL/ Devin Moran (2)
- Thursday, Feb. 16/Volusia Speedway Park/Barberville, FL/Bobby Pierce (1)
- Saturday, Feb. 18/Volusia Speedway Park/Barberville, FL/Hudson O’Neal (1)
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), CASE No.1 Engine Oil™ (Official Oil and Lubricant), DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider), Toyota (Official Vehicle), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, Fox Factory (Hard Charger Award), Low-E Insulation, MSD, Penske Racing Shocks, Quarter Master, Swift Springs, and Wieland Metal Services (Exclusive Racing Aluminum); along with manufacturer sponsors, including, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Capital Race Cars, FIREBULL, Integra Shocks, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, 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: Mike Warren, World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR