For the first time in 2021, the World of Outlaws Late Models will be running on separate tracks in the same weekend.
The Morton Building Late Model Series makes a weekend trip to Kentucky and Ohio for the double dip. It’ll be the first time this year the Series runs at two different tracks in the weekend. This also marks the first trip and only trip for the Late Models to Kentucky. The Late Models will pack up and head to Ohio for part two of the weekend series.
When the World of Outlaws Late Models hit the Richmond Raceway in Richmond, Kentucky on Friday it will be the 191st track the Series has visited. Friday’s feature in Kentucky will be a $10,000 payday for the winner. For the World of Outlaws Late Model series they have been to Kentucky nine times before with Rick Eckert holding the most wins in the state with two.
The following day, teams will head to the Brushcreek Motorsports Complex in Peebles, Ohio for another $10,000 to win feature. It’ll be the third time the World of Outlaws competed at Brushcreek and they will celebrate the life of Jackie Boggs. A 40-lap feature is set for Saturday. Brushcreek has seen Dale Mcdowell and Steve Francis win in the previous two trips for the Outlaws.
Highs and Lows of 2021
Right now it’s a tale of two stories for current points leader Brandon Sheppard and points second place runner Kyle Strickler. B-Shepp is making moves and starting to catch fire. This is a little bit later than what he did during his dominant championship run in 2020. Despite not winning yet, he’s totaling up the points with three top-five finishes in the last four races.
The next time Sheppard finds victory lane will be his 70th of his career. This weekend he’s got a real good shot of hitting the milestone. Sheppard has yet to find victory lane and it’s his longest drought of his career. Once he grabs win No. 70 he will be only eight behind Josh Richards. Richards holds the all-time record.
On the low end is Kyle Strickler. Recently, ‘The High Side Tickler’ wouldn’t have any luck at all if it weren’t for bad luck. Since picking up two wins to open the year at Volusia, Strickler has struggled. It has been since those same DirtCar Nationals in Florida that Strickler has had a top-ten. That was in February.
Despite the woes, he held the points lead in the series until recently when Sheppard took over the spot. Now Strickler is only 20 points back from Sheppard for the point lead. Something that could help the No. 8 team is a couple of good runs this weekend and that’s what he’s looking for.
Points Outlook for the Weekend
It’s still very early in the season. However, that hasn’t stopped World of Outlaws Late Models teams from looking at the points situation. Even with so many races left, points will be a big topic of conversation throughout the year for many drivers and they look to this weekend as key.
There are eight drivers only 100 points or less back from the leader in Sheppard. A big weekend by any of them will boost them into serious contention for the title. Look for a guy like Darrell Lanigan to have a good time in his home state. Lanigan is not only a former winner in the Bluegrass State but he is from Kentucky. He would love nothing more than to grab a win and close his 106 point gap to Sheppard.
Chris Madden has caught fire lately and is starting to climb up the leaderboard in points. He now sits only 60 back from Sheppard in the top spot. In 11 events entered this year, Madden has six top-ten finishes and four top-fives as well as a victory. With his consistency and hot streak he’s been on, look at Madden to make some ground up this weekend.
For rookie Tyler Bruening it hasn’t been the greatest of seasons. Yet, it hasn’t been the worst. He’s only 72 points back from the lead heading into the weekend and that’s coming with no top-five finishes. Also Bruening only has five top-ten finishes in his 11 starts this year. But in those 11 starts he’s also made the feature 11 times and with that consistency he will put himself in a good spot in the points. Maybe this weekend Bruening gets his top-five or even a checkered flag.
Rebound Weekend?
2021 has been another struggle of a season for Scott Bloomquist. ‘Black Sunshine’ only has one top-five finish in the 11 starts this year. It also marks his only top-ten of the new year too. Bloomquist is heading into the weekend looking for some ray of hope and maybe turn his year around.
The same could be said for Iowa native and rookie Ryan Gustin. Gustin is making his first full time season run at the World of Outlaws Late Model championship and it’s not gone as well as he would like. In 11 starts this season, Gustin has four top-tens, no top-five and missed a feature this year already.
He sits 160 points back from first place and has a long ways to go to climb out of the hole he’s in. However, a quick change of luck this weekend could help the Iowa native with some momentum heading into the Hawkeye 100 next weekend in his home state.
Coverage from Richmond Raceway in Kentucky begins at 6:00pm with hot laps. Action can be found on DirtVision.com or by following along on Twitter @AlwaysRaceDay.
