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Top 25: Mars joins as Richards solidifies No. 1
Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., solidified his hold on the No. 1 position in DirtonDirt.com’s power rankings with his impressive runs during the inaugural Dirt Racing League weekend. Richards, a $20,000 winner at Paducah (Ky.) International Raceway, secured 13 of 19 first-place votes in the poll presented by JRi Shocks.
The other winner in NDRL action, the first-year tour that drew stout fields of cars for its first two events, also benefitted in the rankings. Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn., the $20,000 winner at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in Pevely, Mo., moved up two spots to No. 2 in the poll. He also collected the other six first-place votes, one week after first-place votes were scattered among six drivers.
Don O’Neal of Martinsville, Ind., who finished no better than 10th in NDRL action while piloting the Illinois-based Moring Motorsports entry, held on to third place in the pole. Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., idle after the World of Outlaws rainout at Ohio’s NAPA Wayne County Speedway, fell out of the No. 2 spot for the first time this season and ranks fourth. Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., holds onto the fifth spot.
The only new entry in the polling was Jimmy Mars (pictured) of Menomonie, Wis., who returned to the rankings following a pair of third-place finishes at Paducah and I-55.
The poll’s top 10 includes three drivers on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, including the points-leading Richards. Four Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series drivers, including the points-leading O’Neal, are among the top 10 along with independent drivers Billy Moyer (No. 6), Jonathan Davenport (No. 8) and Brian Birkhofer (No. 9), runner-up to Owens at I-55.
After restricting poll voting to staffers the previous two seasons, DirtonDirt.com invited more than 30 media members and drivers along with track, series and manufacturer representatives to vote in 2013’s rankings. Nineteen submitted ballots this week. Weekly polls continue through mid-November.
1. Josh Richards, Shinnston, W.Va.
Comment: After $20,000 Paducah victory, flat tire robs him chance of a top-three finish in NDRL action at I-55. Series points: 1st (World of Outlaws). Last week's ranking: 1st (nc)
2. Jimmy Owens, Newport, Tenn.
Comment: Runner-up finish and victory in inaugural NDRL weekend at Paducah, Ky., and Pevely, Mo. Series points: 3rd (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 4th (+2)
3. Don O’Neal, Martinsville, Ind.
Comment: Pilots Illinois-based Moring Motorsports car in NDRL action; non-factor at I-55, breaks running second at Paducah. Series points: 1st (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 3rd (nc)
4. Darrell Lanigan, Union, Ky.
Comment: Idle during the weekend after WoO rainout in Orrville, Ohio; heads to North Carolina for WoO doubleheader. Series points: 3rd (World of Outlaws). Last week's ranking: 4th (-2)
5. Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, Ill.
Comment: Late retiree at Paducah, he posts sixth-place finish at I-55. Three Lucas Oil races in Mid-Atlantic up next. Series points: 2nd (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 5th (nc)
6. Billy Moyer, Batesville, Ark.
Comment: In the mix at both Paducah and I-55, he settles for fourth-place finishes in both NDRL events. Series points: None. Last week's ranking: 6th (+1)
7. Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, Tenn.
Comment: Early breakdown at I-55 after he runs as high as second at Paducah before settling for fifth. Series points: 5th-tie (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 6th (-1)
8. Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, Ga.
Comment: Suspension breakdowns at Paducah slow his fast car; posts a second-place Spring Nationals finish in Maryville, Tenn. Series points: 4th (Southern All Stars). Last week’s ranking: 9th (+1)
9. Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine, Iowa
Comment: After middling finish at Paducah, picks his way to a runner-up finish in NDRL action in Pevely, Mo. Series points: None. Last week's ranking: 10th (+1)
10. Shane Clanton, Fayetteville, Ga.
Comment: Not a factor in NDRL races with car owner and series founder John Kennedy on hand; WoO triple up next. Series points: 2nd (World of Outlaws). Last week's ranking: 8th (-2)
11. Steve Francis, Ashland, Ky.
Comment: Finishes 18th at Paducah and sixth at I-55 in NDRL action; back to Lucas Oil grind with three upcoming races. Series points: 5th-tie (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 12th (+1)
12. Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, Ga.
Comment: Flat and mechanical issues hamper during weekend, but he salvages fourth place at Tri-County. Series points: None. Last week's ranking: 11th (-1)
13. Tim McCreadie, Watertown, N.Y.
Comment: Remains idle after WoO rainout at Wayne County; looking for repeat victory at 311 Motor Speedway. Series points: 5th (World of Outlaws). Last week's ranking: 13th (nc)
14. Mike Marlar, Winfield, Tenn.
Comment: Hauler issues prevent him from competing in NDRL action; salvages weekend with seventh place at Smoky Mountain. Series points: None. Last week's ranking: 14th (nc)
15. Rick Eckert, York, Pa.
Comment: Heads to North Carolina with the World of Outlaws for events at 311 and Fayetteville. Series points: 4th (World of Outlaws). Last week's ranking: 15th (nc)
16. Steve Casebolt, Richmond, Ind.
Comment: After struggling at Tri-County, rebounds for fifth-place finish at Smoky Mountain on Spring Nationals. Series points: 1st (Spring Nationals). Last week’s ranking: 18th (+2)
17. Jason Feger, Bloomington, Ill.
Comment: Retiree at both Paducah and I-55; looking to head to Tri-City for MARS-Corn Belt Clash-ALMS event. Series points: None. Last week’s ranking: 17th (nc)
18. Scott James, Lawrenceburg, Ind.
Comment: Warrior house car driver heads to North Carolina to resume his battles with the World of Outlaws. Series points: 6th (World of Outlaws). Last week’s ranking: 16th (-2)
19. Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, Ill.
Comment: Brings out two cautions at Paducah before scoring seventh-place finish in NDRL action at I-55. Series points: 4th (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 23rd (+4)
20. John Blankenship, Williamson, W.Va.
Comment: Not a factor at Paducah or I-55; he’ll got back to work on Lucas Oil at Roaring Knob, Hagerstown and WVMS. Series points: 5th-tie (Lucas Oil). Last week’s ranking: 19th (+1)
21. Jimmy Mars, Menomonie, Wis.
Comment: In the mix during the NDRL weekend with solid third-place finishes at Paducah and I-55 Raceways. Series points: None. Last week’s ranking: Unranked.
22: Brian Shirley, Chatham, Ill.
Comment: Three straight early departures with DNFs at Paducah, I-55; he’ll tackle Tri-City, 34 and Quincy this weekend. Series points: None. Last week's ranking: 24th (+2)
23. Jared Landers, Batesville, Ark.
Comment: Despite starting on the pole at Paducah, posts 21st-place finishes in NDRL action at Paducah and I-55. Series points: 5th-tie (Lucas Oil). Last week’s ranking: 21st (-2)
24. Earl Pearson Jr., Jacksonville, Fla.
Comment: After taking the weekend off, he’ll resume Lucas Oil tour and gun for third career victory at WVMS. Series points: 9th (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 20th (-4)
25. Bub McCool, Vicksburg, Miss.
Comment: Finishes 15th at Paducah and fails to make the feature lineup at I-55 during inaugural NDRL weekend. Series points: 10th-tie (World of Outlaws). Last week’s ranking: 18th (-4)
Dropped out: Randy Weaver.
Editor’s note: The top 25 drivers are determined by a points system with 25 points for a first-place vote, 24 points for a second-place vote and so on through a single point for a 25th-place vote. The voting panel is made up of media members, drivers, and track, series and manufacturer representatives.
