BARBERVILLE, Fla. – In less than two months, the curtain will open on the 2022 World of Outlaws Late Model Series season, revealing another year of big names, big purses and big events.
It will all kick off in Florida for the second-straight year.
The series begins its campaign at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., Jan. 20-22, as the main attraction of Sunshine Nationals.
The World of Outlaws Late Model Series will compete for three nights at the half-mile dirt oval as drivers hope to get a leg up on their competition.
The DIRTcar Pro Late Models and 602 Late Models will join the series for the three-night event.
Last season, Florida native Kyle Bronson and DIRTcar UMP Modified-star Kyle Strickler found victory lane during the season opening event.
Bronson’s win on the opening night of Sunshine Nationals saw him drop back to fifth before finding himself in second for the race’s final restart. Bronson turned on the jets at the green flag, producing an epic slide job on Cade Dillard in turns one and two, holding on for his second career series victory.
In Saturday’s finale, fans saw a match-up pitting student versus teacher. Strickler led the first 35 laps of the 40-lap affair before veteran Scott Bloomquist almost dashed his hopes. Bloomquist gave Strickler all he could handle before Strickler came out on top, scoring his then first career World of Outlaws triumph.
Fans who attend this year’s Sunshine Nationals could be part of history involving Rocket1 Racing. Brandon Sheppard, who’s fresh off his third consecutive series title, and fourth overall, is chasing Josh Richards for the most World of Outlaws wins all-time.
The New Berlin, Ill., driver, enters the event with 77 victories — one away from tying Richards. He’s also aiming to score his record-fifth championship, passing Richards for the most all-time.
Expected to join the reigning champion at Volusia are familiar foes Boom Briggs, Chris Madden, Ryan Gustin, Dennis Erb Jr., Tyler Bruening and Brent Larson.
Max Blair and Kyle Hammer will also join the series full-time, battling for Rookie of the Year honors in 2022.