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Poll Position: O'Neal regains lost ground
Welcome to one of the newest DirtonDirt.com features, Poll Position, as DirtonDirt.com staffers Michael Rigsby, Todd Turner and Joshua Joiner rank the nation's top 25 Dirt Late Model racers by consensus. Future rankings will appear every Tuesday at DirtonDirt.com.
1. Jimmy Owens, Newport, Tenn.
Comment: Twice equals his season-worst Lucas Oil Series finish over the tour’s tripleheader weekend, but still in control of title chase. Series points: First (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 1st (nc)
2. Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, Tenn.
Comment: Three top fives over the weekend helped him close Owens’s Lucas Oil points lead ever so slightly. Series points: Second (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 2nd (nc)
3. Josh Richards, Shinnston, W.Va.
Comment: Heads into Tyler County’s Black Diamond 125 with a lot of money on the line in his home state. Series points: Second (World of Outlaws). Last week's ranking: 3rd (nc)
4. Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine, Iowa
Comment: Extends his top-five streak to 11 races with a pair of strong runs in Lucas Oil action. Series points: None. Last week's ranking: 4th (nc)
5. Darrell Lanigan, Union, Ky.
Comment: His chances of winning the WoO championship may be all but over, but there’s still money to be won starting this weekend at Tyler County. Series points: Third (World of Outlaws). Last week's ranking: 5th (nc)
6. Don O'Neal, Martinsville, Ind.
Comment: Rebounds from a pair of crown-jewel disappointments by winning Lucas Oil races at Lawrenceburg and Bluegrass. Series points: Third (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 13th (+7)
7. Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, Ill.
Comment: Ends post-Summernationals skid with a pair of $5,000 MARS victories. Series points: First (Summernationals). Last week's ranking: 9th (+2)
8. Rick Eckert, York, Pa.
Comment: After finishing fifth in Friday’s tuneup at Winchester (Va.) Speedway, Hurricane Irene washed out Saturday’s Ray Vest Memorial, a race that honors his long-time car owner. Series points: First (World of Outlaws). Last week's ranking: 7th (-1)
9. Chris Madden, Gray Court, S.C.
Comment: His dominance in east Tennessee didn’t carry over to Thursday’s Lucas Oil race at Volunteer. Series points: First (Southern Nationals). Last week's ranking: 8th (-1)
10. Steve Shaver, Vienna, W.Va.
Comment: Bevy of events over Labor Day weekend provide plenty of options for Shaver and the Rumley Enterprises team. Series points: None. Last week's ranking: 6th (-4)
11. Billy Moyer, Batesville, Ark.
Comment: Plans to enter three events in Illinois this weekend, including Fairbury’s Prairie Dirt Classic, a race he won in 2010. Series points: None. Last week's ranking: 10th (-1)
12. Eddie Carrier Jr., Salt Rock, W.Va.
Comment: Former Hillbilly 100 winner heads back to Portsmouth where he won $5,000 two weeks ago. Series points: Second (O'Reilly All Stars). Last week's ranking: 14th (+2)
13. Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, Ga.
Comment: Last year’s Black Diamond finale winner heads back to Tyler County needing to turn things around, after missing more main event lineups than he made in August. Series points: Seventh (Southern Nationals). Last week's ranking: 11th (-2)
14. Jimmy Mars, Menomonie, Wis.
Comment: Has Fairbury on his schedule after being relatively quiet for the past month. Series points: None. Last week's ranking: 12th (-2)
15. Steve Francis, Ashland, Ky.
Comment: Will look to breakthrough for first victory of the season just a few miles from home at Portsmouth. Series points: Fourth (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 15th (nc)
16. Tim McCreadie, Watertown, N.Y.
Comment: Finally puts a disappointing month of August in his rearview mirror. Series points: Fourth (World of Outlaws). Last week's ranking: 16th (nc)
17. Jason Covert, York Haven, Pa.
Comment: Regional standout will take on heavy hitters this weekend at Tyler County and Roaring Knob. Series points: First (Three State Flyers). Last week's ranking: 18th (+1)
18. Chad Simpson, Mount Vernon, Iowa
Comment: Awaits the weekend’s Corn Belt Clash doubleheader after taking some time off. Series points: First (Corn Belt Clash). Last week's ranking: 17th (-1)
19. Austin Hubbard, Seaford, Del.
Comment: Still looking for first WoO victory of 2011. Series points: Seventh (World of Outlaws). Last week's ranking: 19th (nc)
20. Robbie Blair, Titusville, Pa.
Comment: Doubleheader at Eriez Speedway produced a pair of runner-up finishes for Blair. Series points: none. Last week's ranking: 23rd (+3)
21. Shane Clanton, Fayetteville, Ga.
Comment: Posts a pair of top 10s in Lucas Oil Series action on WoO off weekend. Series points: Sixth (World of Outlaws). Last week's ranking: 20th (-1)
22. Scott James, Lawrenceburg, Ind.
Comment: Summernationals winner at Highland came up one spot short of winning Thursday’s MARS event at the tight quarter-mile. Series points: Second (Summernationals). Last week's ranking: 24th (+2).
23. Dave Hess Jr., Waterford, Pa.
Comment: With limited options over the weekend, hometown driver posted a weekly event victory at Eriez. Series points: None. Last week's ranking: Not ranked.
24. Kelly Boen, Henderson, Colo.
Comment: Will try to keep success rolling in own equipment. Series points: none. Last week's ranking: Not ranked.
25. Klint Byars, Carrollton, Miss.
Comment: With the MSCCS title all but locked up, Byars prepares for some late-season major events in his home state. Series points: First (Mississippi State Series). Last week's ranking: 21st (-4).
DROPPED OUT: Ronnie Johnson, Brady Smith.
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Ronnie Johnson, Jon Henry, Brad Looney, Brady Smith, Jeep Van Wormer.
