SENOIA, Ga. — The World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models are set for a southern brawl in Georgia and Alabama to mark a pivotal mile on the road toward World of Outlaws World Finals.
Beginning the weekend of racing on Saturday, Sept. 14, Senoia Raceway welcomes the Series for the first time since 2021 in the 50-lap, $15,000-to-win, Billy Clanton Classic. Local divisions of chargers, modifieds, and 602 late models share the track with the “Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet.”
Then, the series heads west to Eastaboga, Ala. for the completion of the Alabama Gang 100 at the Talladega Short Track on Sunday, Sept. 15.
With the race being a completion of the Feature that was originally scheduled for April, all other events leading up to the Feature will not be redone. The night begins with Hot Laps, then the field will battle for 75 laps around the high-banked track for a $35,000 payday to the winner.
Here are the top storylines to look out for:
Pierce’s Global Conquest
Bobby Pierce is riding the high of his biggest year in dirt late model racing in 2024 with crown jewel wins in the Illini 100, NAPA Gopher 50, Prairie Dirt Classic, USA Nationals, North/South 100, and most recently his second World 100.
Pivoting the focus towards completing a massive comeback to achieve his second consecutive World of Outlaws CASE Late Models title, the Oakwood, IL native is tied with Mooresville, N.C. driver Nick Hoffman for second place – 52 points away from Series leader Brandon Sheppard.
The 27-year-old gasser has four chances before the end of September to close the interval to Sheppard before the history-making title fight is decided in November at World Finals.
Reaper’s Late Charge
Through a meticulous learning process that included a share of growing pains, Ryan Gustin sits inside the top five in Series points for the first time in 2024 in his best career season with the World of Outlaws driving the No.19R Todd Cooney Racing Late Model.
The Marshalltown, Iowa native enjoyed the Fireball 50 weekend at Atomic Speedway with a podium on Friday and his fourth Series win of 2024 on Saturday. In his time off from the World of Outlaws, “The Reaper” won $50,000 at 300 Speedway, then visited Eldora Speedway Victory Lane for the first time in the opening World 100 prelim feature.
With Gustin’s current fourth-place series standing, he’s looking to finish the year with his fifth Feature win of 2024 to match the number of wins he accumulated with Tri Star Promotions over three seasons.
Senoia Stronghold
Georgia’s Senoia Raceway makes its awaited return to the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models schedule for the fourth time in history on Saturday night with the Billy Clanton Classic.
In the last three Series races held at the track in 2017, 2018, and 2021, Brandon Sheppard, Chris Madden, and Ashton Winger each left the facility as Feature winners.
MD3 Rookie of the Year contender Cody Overton calls Senoia his home track on the 2024 schedule, with one of the Evans, GA driver’s first big wins in a Crate Late Model coming at the three-eighths-mile track in 2023.
Return of the Hornet’s Nest
Returning to the Talladega Short Track for the first time since April 20, the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models complete the Alabama Gang 100 weekend on Sunday.
When the Series last raced at the track, Lanett, AL driver Dylan Knowles won the Group A Feature, and Mooresville, N.C. rookie Max McLaughlin captured the Group B Feature. The two drivers are chasing their first Series points win.
Championship contenders Sheppard and Pierce won their Saturday Heat races in April to lock in respectively. Hoffman had to clinch a spot through the final position of the first Last Chance Showdown.