The blue race car came slowly to the infield, accompanied by a low rumble. It rolled slowly past Jimmy Owens, the 2013 Lucas Oil series champion; past Jackie Boggs, a popular local star who finished third tonight; past race runner-up Steve Francis. The nose of the car nudged against the concrete ramp that led to the Portsmouth Raceway Park victory lane, the engine singing as the car traveled up to the level platform before falling silent. | Complete DTWC coverage

Brandon Sheppard, 20, had just MORE

The shadows have grown longer, and summer has begun to run away. The deep green of the Ohio cornfields have started their transition to brown, and after a summer at play children fill area schoolyards. | Complete World 100 coverage

It is September, and once again the eyes of the world turn to Eldora Speedway. It is that magical weekend when it isn’t just another race, just another day, just another moment. It’s the World 100, the greatest and most significant weekend of the year for Dirt Late MORE

Brian Birkhofer is as upbeat as ever, in spite of his circumstances. It’s been a tough racing season, complete with a broken hand that cost him several key weekends of racing. He’s scrambling to deal with a water leak that left some damage in his Iowa home. He’s in the normal mode of working and watching and trying to learn things to make his race car better.

Despite the trials and tribulations Birkhofer is eagerly looking forward to his annual trek to the 43rd annual World 100, scheduled MORE