FAIRBURY, Ill. — Dirt late model history will be tested and written.
A two-state trip to Illinois and Wisconsin has the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models chasing glory and adding a new chapter to the record books.
First on the docket, welcoming fans far and wide, the small town of Fairbury, Ill. hosts the World of Outlaws for the 34th Annual Prairie Dirt Classic, July 26-27. Then, the series will make its debut at Wilmot Raceway on July 29.
Racing from Fairbury commences on July 26, with four 25-lap Prairie Dirt Showdown Feature races that boast a $5,000 payday. The top four finishers from each Feature will clinch a spot in Saturday’s Prairie Dirt Classic.
Then, it’s off to the high-stakes finale on Saturday, July 27, highlighted by the 100-lap, $50,000-to-win, Prairie Dirt Classic – which also pays $500 for every lap led, meaning one driver could leave with a $100,000 payday if they lead all 100 laps.
Then, the Series heads north of the state border to Wisconsin to chase a $10,000 payday at Wilmot on Monday.
Here are the top storylines to look out for:
Wilmot Welcome
Two days after the Prairie Dirt Classic, the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models visit Wilmot Raceway for the first time in series history on July 29.
Known as a staple on the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series calendar, the Wisconsin facility will welcome the first national touring dirt Late Model Series to the track in the Monday night showdown for a $10,000 payday.
Dennis Erb Jr. is the only Outlaw victor at the track, winning with the Dirt Kings Late Model Tour in 2018.
Standing Alone
When the Prairie Dirt Classic is on the line, you can never count out Brandon Sheppard to be in contention for the win.
The New Berlin, Ill. native has claimed three PDC titles (2017, 2019, and 2022) but a fourth triumph in 2024 could move Sheppard one step closer to tying racing royalty with Billy Moyer and Bob Pierce sharing the most wins with five.
With 2024 marking his first PDC hunt as the pilot of the No. B5 Sheppard Riggs Racing Longhorn Factory Team machine, Sheppard enters the week with a comfortable lead in the World of Outlaws CASE Late Model points battle as he commands by 52 points over Mooresville, NC driver Nick Hoffman.
Like Father, Like Son
Bobby Pierce stands out with the most World of Outlaws CASE Late Model feature wins of 2024 with eight, but the Prairie Dirt Classic has slipped out of his hands through his last 10 attempts.
The Oakwood, Ill. driver has finished inside the podium in three of his last four PDC runs and led a combined 177 laps. His most recent visit to Fairbury in October of 2023 resulted in his first World of Outlaws Feature win at the 1/4-mile dirt track and sealed his maiden championship with “The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet.”
The “Smooth Operator” enters the weekend with red-hot momentum after winning the last four Series races, including the NAPA Auto Parts Gopher 50 at Deer Creek Speedway, the Billy Winn Classic at Bedford Speedway, and a sweep of features at Sharon Speedway. With the July winning streak, Pierce joined Moyer, Rick Eckert, Darrell Lanigan, Josh Richards, and Brandon Sheppard as the only drivers to win four straight Series Feature races.
Can he break through for glory at Fairbury? If so, Pierce will join his dad Bob to become the first father-son duo to win the Prairie Dirt Classic.
RTJ Chasing Back-to-Back
While uncertainty has plagued Ricky Thornton Jr. the last few weeks, one thing that is for sure is the 2023 Prairie Dirt Classic champion will be back to defend his title. This year, it’ll be behind the wheel of Kevin Rumley’s No. 6 late model.
The Chandler, Ariz. native’s night in 2023 almost ended early with a broken crank trigger on lap 81, but he made the most out of the final 19 laps to swing by Pierce for the $50,000 prize and an extra $12,000 in lap money to win an overall $62,000.
Thornton is racing to break the mold as the first driver to win consecutive Prairie Dirt Classic Features since Bob Pierce won three straight from 1999 to 2001.
Sweet Home Illinois
Out of the 34 editions of the Prairie Dirt Classic, 17 have been won by a driver from Illinois.
Jason Feger, of Bloomington, Ill., and Shannon Babb, of Moweaqua, Ill., enter Fairbury’s gates as previous event winners. Feger won in 2012 while Babb won the PDC thrice (2002, 2006, and 2013).
With 2024 marking 20 years since he first won the Prairie Dirt Classic, 2022 World of Outlaws champ Dennis Erb Jr looks to break a 46-race winless streak with the Series at his home state track. The Carpentersville, Ill. driver finished seventh in the 2023 running.
While Brian Shirley seeks his first Prairie Dirt Classic win, he has two Prairie Dirt Shootout wins to account for entering the weekend. The Chatham, Ill. driver won his first World of Outlaws Feature of 2024 at a similar bullring in North Dakota’s River Cities Speedway at the end of June.
Heavy Hitters
Alongside the invasion of Illinois locals and the World of Outlaws stars, the Prairie Dirt Classic is expected to host one of the toughest fields of Late Models in 2024.
Reigning Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series champion Hudson O’Neal joins the fray in his SSI Motorsports No. 71 to best his top-five finish from 2023 in just his fourth career start in the PDC.
Double Down Motorsports pilot Devin Moran won the 2018 edition of the FALS classic as he goes for a second win in 2024. Moran began the 2024 World of Outlaws season with two victories at Volusia Speedway Park, including the DIRTcar Sunshine Nationals overall title.
Blairsville, GA native Jonathan Davenport will chase his second PDC title in 2024 with the World of Outlaws. “Superman” picked up his latest Late Model crown jewel win in June with his third Eldora Dirt Late Model Dream victory.
Watertown, NY driver Tim McCreadie will land his Rocket1 Racing Late Model at the Illinois quarter-mile to chase his second PDC win on the 10th anniversary of his first victory.
Former World of Outlaws CASE Late Models champions Shane Clanton and Mike Marlar make their case for a first PDC title in 2024. Clanton, of Zebulon, Ga., and Marlar, of Winfield, Tenn., have each won two Prairie Dirt Showdowns individually.