DirtonDirt.com Dispatches
Dispatches: Upsetting McDowell at Bulls Gap
Camaron Marlar at Volunteer. (wellsracingphotos.com)
Among the latest notes and quotes from around Dirt Late Model racing entering late September including Volunteer Speedway's Scorcher and other events (most coverage of the 20th annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals appears elsewhere). Also find a listing of live-streaming video from specials around the country:
Volunteer upset
Camaron Marlar of Winfield, Tenn., wasn't the only one who considered Dale McDowell a favorite to win Thursday's Scorcher at Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tenn.
After all, the 58-year-old Hall of Famer from Chickamauga, Ga., entered the unsanctioned Super Late Model with three victories this season at the high-banked 4/10-mile oval, including a $50,050 payday in the track's 50th anniversary special on June 29. And with this year's Scorcher honoring McDowell's longtime friend and fellow Team Zero racer Scott Bloomquist — a celebration of life was held for the late Bloomquist at Volunteer on Thursday afternoon — McDowell had the racing gods on his side, too.
But with the polesitting McDowell in control most of the 50-lapper, the seventh-starting Marlar worked his way into contention, moving up to challenge the leader with a fourth-to-second move on the 36th lap and taking command on lap 40. The 29-year-old Marlar led the rest of the way for a $10,000 payday, his first career victory at a place he calls his favorite track.
"Man, I was more excited to pass Dale than I was to win the race," Marlar said in victory lane. "Like everybody here is like, 'Oh, we're racing for second tonight.' And I'm like, 'Man, I'm seeing him and I was like, 'I'm fixing to pass Dale McDowell. Let's get it on.' "
Marlar thanked promoter Vic Hill for "an awesome track, as always. This is by far my favorite track and I'm glad to get a win here."
Marlar's victory gives him a rare edge on his older brother and former World of Outlaws Case Late Model Series champ Mike Marlar. Camaron notched his sixth victory of the season while Mike has five (and none since May).
Mike still holds the edge in 2024 first-place earnings with $75,000 to Camaron's $53,553, but that total is the best of Camaron's career in a season that included a career-high $15,000 payday for a Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series victory at Lake Cumberland Speedway in Burnside, Ky.
Streaming schedule
Among upcoming Dirt Late Model special and sanctioned events available via live streaming:
Friday, Sept. 20
• Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series at Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway (FloRacing)
• Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series at Thunderhill Raceway Park in Summertown, Tenn. (Hunt the Front TV)
• Coltman Farms Racing Southern All Star Series at Anderson (S.C.) Motor Speedway (SAS Dirt TV)
• Punky Manor Challenge of Champions at Red Cedar Speedway in Menomonie, Wis. (Dirt Race Central)
• Comp Cams Super Dirt Series at Batesville Motor Speedway in Locust Grove, Ark. (RaceON TV)
• Fastrak Racing Series at Richmond (Ky.) Raceway (Pit Row TV)
• Tiny Lund Memorial and Brandon Saltzman Showdown at Shelby County Speedway in Harlan, Iowa (IMCA TV)
Saturday, Sept. 21
• Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series at Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway (FloRacing)
• Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series at Thunderhill Raceway Park in Summertown, Tenn. (Hunt the Front TV)
• Fastrak Racing Series at Richmond (Ky.) Raceway (Pit Row TV)
• Punky Manor Challenge of Champions at Red Cedar Speedway in Menomonie, Wis. (Dirt Race Central)
• Comp Cams Super Dirt Series at Batesville Motor Speedway in Locust Grove, Ark. (RaceON TV)
• Malvern Bank East and West Series at Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway (FloRacing)
• Tiny Lund Memorial and Brandon Saltzman Showdown at Shelby County Speedway in Harlan, Iowa (IMCA TV)
• Revival Dirt Late Model Series at Longdale (Okla.) Speedway (Start2Finish TV)
