Photo Credit - Ryan Roberts Photography
Mike Marlar stood in victory lane as fireworks were firing off over the track after some fireworks on the track. Jimmy Owens and Nick Hoffman rounded out the World of Outlaws podium.
37 WoO Late Models were in attendance on a fast Atomic Speedway as they received some rain Thursday to save some laps for the water truck. Chris Madden took top time honors with Marlar topping Group B. Madden unfortunately lost a driveshaft while leading his heat race giving the win to Ryan Gustin. Point leader Bobby Pierce took the win in Heat 2 with Marlar and Nick Hoffman taking their heats.
In the redraw Hoffman drew the pole with Marlar drawing the outside pole. When the green waved Hoffman jumped out to an early race advantage and would lead the first 8 laps until the "Winfield Warrior" overtook the WoO Rookie of The Year candidate.
The first yellow waved for Brandon Sheppard as he lost a RR. Marlar led Owens Hoffman Pierce and Ryan Gustin. Owens , who started 8th , was one of the early contenders for Hard Charger as he quickly moved up but didn't quite have enough to catch Marlar in clean air. Jimmy was catching Marlar while in lapped traffic before the yellow.
On lap 23 the yellow would wave for Dustin Walker as he looped in turn 2. At the halfway mark some of the on track fireworks began as Pierce and Brian Shirley were racing hard in turn 2 with Shirley on the outside of the DirtonDirt #2 driver in Dirt Late Model Racing. Shirley went over the cushion on the backstretch sideways with his driver side door exposed to contact forcing a yellow out but he never stopped and blended back in the field. Shirley pulled next to Pierce showing his displeasure and restarted a few spots behind the red 32.
Back to green and Shirley quickly worked right behind Pierce with contact once again this time causing "Squirrel" to spin out. While under yellow Ryan Gustin's strong run ended as he lost his radiator. Hoffman went around Owens on the lap 25 restart but Owens reclaimed the spot but wasn't able to challenge the leader.
With just a couple of laps to go Cade Dillard and Tanner English was battling for 4th and it got heated. The two made contact in turn 4 that continued a little more in turn 2 with Dillard pushing English off the backstretch. Both drivers fell back through the field with English 10th and Dillard 16th.
Usually its the little tight bullrings that get the tempers flaring not on a big fast 3/8th high banked track. I'm sure the driver's meeting will be interesting later today as they will once again strap in and race for $15,000 tonight. If you can't make it you can catch it live on DirtVision.
OUTLAW INVASION
MIKE MARLAR
Owens
Hoffman
Pierce
Larson
Madden
Bronson
Erb
Smith
English
Clanton
Gundaker
Conley
Sheppard
Shirley
Dillard
Cooney
Stricker
Wisecarver
Cooper
Daniels
Walker
Phiilips
Carpenter
Gustin
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