I guess it’s usually around this time of year the racing bug starts to bite me pretty hard. It’s been a few months since I’ve seen a race, the trade shows are over, and everyone is gearing up for the Georgia-Florida Speedweeks.

Coincidentally, this is also the time of year when I’m the least busy at my 9-to-5 job at Ohio Northern University. (Contrary to popular belief, I don’t work full-time in racing.) So, in my spare time, I like to scope out potential road trips for the upcoming MORE

As we head into Dirt Late Model racing’s biggest event, it’s time to take a look at some of the drivers you’ll be hearing more about over the course of the week heading for the World 100. I’ve highlighted 20 key drivers and narrowed the list down to the favorites, the ones you can’t count out, those who are flying under the radar, and those who stand the best chance to make the sport's most prestigious event:

The favorites

Jimmy Owens: His stats this year look like something out of a MORE

Usually, when I’m at the races where I'm merely spectating, my friends and I get into some pretty colorful conversations about this, that and the other. Almost always, the topic revolves around our firm beliefs on a various racing-related discussions.

Such was the case recently when I adamantly slammed a certain track for running their headlining class last in the running order. I was cold, I had more than two hours to drive to get back home, and the Late Model feature (last on the card) MORE