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Richards returns to top spot in power rankings
After a one-week departure from the top spot, World of Outlaws Late Model Series points leader Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., is back at No. 1 in DirtonDirt.com’s power rankings this week despite Sunday's heartbreaking loss in the final laps at Duck River Raceway Park in Wheel, Tenn.
Richards collected 12 of 19 first-place votes in the poll presented by JRi Shocks to regain the No. 1 spot in the poll from Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series co-points leader Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn. Owens, who last week was stripped of a $20,000 NDRL victory after a tire failed a postrace lab test, received the other seven first-place votes in dropping to the second spot. He’s appealing NDRL’s ruling.
Don O’Neal of Martinsville, Ind., maintained his third spot in the Top 25 while Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., and Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., hold the fourth and fifth spots in the rankings of Dirt Late Model drivers.
Making the biggest jump in the top 10 was Shane Clanton (pictured), newly of Zebulon, Ga., who won Friday’s World of Outlaws Late Model Series event at Smoky Mountain Speedway in Maryville, Tenn. Clanton rose four slots to the sixth position.
Also climbing in the poll was Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., another driver appealing a tire-cheating disqualification after the World of Outlaws stripped him of the $20,000 Illini 100 victory in Farmer City, Ill. Feger returned to Farmer City for a $5,000 UMP DIRTcar victory that helped him move to 20th from 25th in the rankings.
Returning to the rankings was Eric Wells of Hazard, Ky., a benefactor of the frontstretch scramble among the leaders at Duck River that led to his first career World of Outlaws victory. He’s No. 23.
Among drivers dropping were Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., who is out of the top 10 for the first time this season. Twice a retiree in World of Outlaws action over the weekend, he fell to 11th from seventh. Fellow Tennessee driver Randy Weaver of Crossville, Tenn., was the poll’s lone dropout.
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: In control virtually all the way at Duck River, he’s derailed by wreck amid lapped traffic at Duck River Raceway Park. Series points: 1st (World of Outlaws). Last week's ranking: 2nd
2. Jimmy Owens, Newport, Tenn.
Comment: Faces disqualification from $20,000 NDRL victory after one of his tires fails a lab test after victory in Pevely, Mo. Series points: 1st-tie (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 1st (-1)
3. Don O’Neal, Martinsville, Ind.
Comment: After what might be his last off-weekend in 2013, he’ll head to Lucas Oil Series action at Tri-City and Paducah. Series points: 1st-tie (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 3rd (nc)
4. Darrell Lanigan, Union, Ky.
Comment: Runner-up finish and track record at Duck River just hours after welcoming first child delivered by fiancee Erin Dailey. Series points: 3rd (World of Outlaws). Last week's ranking: 4th (nc)
5. Billy Moyer, Batesville, Ark.
Comment: Licking his chops for weekend action at Tri-City Speedway and Paducah, two tracks where he’s had extensive success. Series points: None. Last week's ranking: 6th (+1)
6. Shane Clanton, Zebulon, Ga.
Comment: Flat tires at Duck River cost him after he grabs second World of Outlaws victory of the season at Smoky Mountain. Series points: 2nd (World of Outlaws). Last week's ranking: 10th (+4)
7. Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, Ill.
Comment: Leads much of Farmer City’s Douglas Dodge 50 before losing the lead to Jason Feger late and settling for second. Series points: 5th (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 5th (-2)
8. Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, Ga.
Comment: Seventh-place finisher at Smoky Mountain plans to challenge WoO in home-state starts at Lavonia and Swainsboro. Series points: 4th (Southern All Stars). Last week’s ranking: 9th (+1)
9. Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine, Iowa
Comment: Kicks off a busy May on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series with planned starts at Tri-City and Paducah. Series points: None. Last week's ranking: 8th (-1)
10. Tim McCreadie, Watertown, N.Y.
Comment: Because of wet conditions, doesn’t get to see Duck River at its best, but picks way through for third-place finish. Series points: 5th (World of Outlaws). Last week's ranking: 11th (+1)
11. Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, Tenn.
Comment: Early retiree in WoO action at Smoky Mountain and Duck River; back to Lucas Oil Series at Tri-City, Paducah. Series points: 7th (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 7th (-4)
12. Steve Francis, Ashland, Ky.
Comment: Takes a weekend off from being behind the wheel but serves as crew chief for Aussie visitors Ross Nicastri and Bruce MacKenzie. Series points: 6th (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 12th (nc)
13. Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, Ga.
Comment: Next race up in the air; his Smoky Mountain outing was shortened when he lost a cylinder in a heat race. Series points: None. Last week's ranking: 13th (+1)
14. Rick Eckert, York, Pa.
Comment: After struggling to 18th at Smoky Mountain, he’s caught up in frontstretch wreck running third at Duck River. Series points: 3rd (World of Outlaws). Last week's ranking: 13th (-1)
15. Eddie Carrier Jr., Salt Rock, W.Va.
Comment: Winner of two of his last three starts, he’ll pass on races closer to home to stick with Lucas Oil tour at Tri-City, Paducah. Series points: 10th (Lucas Oil). Last week’s ranking: 16th (+1)
16. Steve Casebolt, Richmond, Ind.
Comment: Runs a solid second in World of Outlaws action at Smoky Mountain in giving winner Shane Clanton all he wants. Series points: 1st (Spring Nationals). Last week’s ranking: 17th (+1)
17. Mike Marlar, Winfield, Tenn.
Comment: Smoky Mountain’s fast qualifier gets a tough draw, then blows right-front tire for early departure from main event. Series points: None. Last week's ranking: 15th (-2)
18. John Blankenship, Williamson, W.Va.
Comment: After weekend off, he’ll head to Tri-City and Paducah looking for first Lucas Oil top-five since Florida Speedweeks. Series points: 4th (Lucas Oil). Last week’s ranking: 18th (nc)
19. Scott James, Lawrenceburg, Ind.
Comment: Finishes 11th at Smoky Mountain, then caught up in late accident at Duck River while holding the second spot. Series points: 7th (World of Outlaws). Last week’s ranking: 19th (nc)
20. Jason Feger, Bloomington, Ill.
Comment: Bittersweet week includes facing tire-cheating penalty from Illini 100, but returning to Farmer City for $5,000 victory. Series points: None. Last week’s ranking: 25th (+5)
21. Jimmy Mars, Menomonie, Wis.
Comment: After some time back at the Mars Racing Shop, he’ll head back into action on Lucas Oil tour at Tri-City, Paducah. Series points: None. Last week’s ranking: 20th (-1)
22. Chad Simpson, Mount Vernon, Iowa
Comment: Plans to tackle Lucas Oil Series at Tri-City before heading to 34 Raceway for track’s first weekly UMP DIRTcar event. Series points: 1st (Corn Belt Clash). Last week’s ranking: 21st (-1)
23. Eric Wells, Hazard, Ky.
Comment: A solid top-five run turns into a dramatic victory at Duck River when top three cars wreck in the closing laps. Series points: 6th (World of Outlaws). Last week’s ranking: Unranked
24. Earl Pearson Jr., Jacksonville, Fla.
Comment: Heads to Tri-City and Paducah trying to maintain his goal of staying in the thick of Lucas Oil Series points. Series points: 3rd (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 22nd (-2)
25. Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, Ill.
Comment: Following third-place run at Farmer City, he heads back into action on Lucas Oil tour at Tri-City and Paducah. Series points: 8th-tie (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 23rd (-2)
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.
