𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝.

As we head into this weekend, a number of national super late model teams face decisions on how they will spend their summer, chasing a Lucas or World of Outlaw championship. In the modified world, teams in the heartland face a decision to chase an epic payday or championship points. Who knows, maybe at least one super late model driver is facing the same decision 🤔. Before we get too deep into the what-ifs and maybes of the upcoming weekend, let’s shine some light on this past weekend’s notable performers in the late model and modified world.

🏀 The World of Outlaws Late Model Series managed to get one of two nights in this past weekend, seeing Bobby Pierce lead flag-to-flag on Friday to take home the $12K payday. JD did his best to make the race of it on the one-lane track but ultimately rode home 2nd. Nick Hoffman fought valiantly to finish 3rd. We also had a change at the top of the Outlaw standings this weekend, possibly the last one. Here's how the Championship stacks up heading into Swainsboro this weekend:
1. Bobby Pierce
2. Nick Hoffman (-12)
3. Ricky Thornton Jr. (-26)
4. Ryan Gustin (-32)
5. Max Blair (-42)

⚡️ In a bit of a shocker, the 22-year-old Dillon Steuer battled tooth-and-nail with Matt Sheppard in a banger of a race to win the Short Track Super Series Speed Showcase 60 from Port Royal Speedway and the $12K payday. Mike Mahaney rounded out the podium in 3rd. The STSS rolls again this weekend from Bridgeport Motorsport for the 60 Over Special.

🔴 COMP Cams Super Dirt Series was able to get Saturday's show in from Springfield Raceway, after cancelling Friday due to winds, and we got another surprise winner as Timmy Culp took home the $5K check. Billy Moyer Sr. was your runner-up. Outlaw RotY contender Jake Timm got some positive vibes rolling with a 3rd-place finish. The CCSDS fires off again March 28th and March 29th.

🌩 In a surprise to almost nobody, Ben Watkins won at Lancaster Motor Speedway. This time taking home the Southern Thunder Super Dirt Series Red Rose Rumble and the $7,500 payday on Saturday. Zack Mitchel was your runner-up. Hudson O'Neil, in the Rumley 6, rounded out the podium. The Thunder rolls next May 17th from Needmore Speedway.

👀 Looking Ahead: What's on tap this week?
❌ The richest payday of the weekend belongs to the XR Dominator going down at Salina Highbanks Speedway, with $100K up top for the baddest modifieds in the country. The festivities kickoff Friday with practice and qualifying. Shit gets real on Saturday with heats, alphabet soup, and the $100K-to-win, 24-car, 60 lap XR Dominator. Big money awaits the Top 5:
1. $100,000
2. $20,000
3. $10,000
4. $7,000
5. $5,000

Currently, there are about 75 entries of the 200 spots available. I fully expect that number to grow as we get closer to the weekend. The entry list, as it sits, is full of the who's who in the modified world. And I might be crazy, but I wouldn't rule out a Cade Dillard sighting. More on that below 👇 in ✍ ...

🏈🧊 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series resumes their season this Friday from Atomic Speedway for the $15K-to-win Buckeye 50 followed by the $25K-to-win Indiana Icebreaker from Brownstown Speedway on Saturday. As of this morning, the weather isn't looking great, which is par of the course for these March Lucas races. The #LucasDirt breakdown like this heading into the weekend:1. Jonathan Davenport2. Devin Moran (-5)3. Ricky Thornton Jr. (-15)4. Brandon Overton (-110)5. Daulton Wilson (-145)

⚔️ The Outlaws are also in action at Swainsboro Raceway for the Battle at the Crossroads with $12K on the line Friday and $15 up top on Saturday. If the Outlaws and Lucas both run this weekend, we should get some clarity on which teams are running which touring series. I cover the "decisions" I am most curious about below 👇 in ✍️...

💛🩵 The Heartland Modified Tour get their season rolling this Friday and Saturday for the Whitworth Spring Classic from Humboldt Speedway. You can catch the season opener on @RacinDirt.com. Modified teams in the heartland won't lack for options this weekend!

🤠 TOMS - Touring Outlaw Modified Series also kickoff their season this weekend from Southern Oklahoma Speedway with $1,500 on the line Friday and Saturday. Catch it live on Race On.

🎩 On the UMP side of the country, the Modified Mafia Tour starts their season with the $5K-to-win 4th Annual Mark Batten Memorial from County Line Raceway.

🔶 Not to be outdone, IMCA has the Spring Nationals from Beatrice Speedway with $5K for IMCA Modifieds, $2K for IMCA Stock Cars and SportMods, and $1,500 for IMCA Hobby Stocks on Saturday, with heats Friday.

🟦 Scotland County Speedway hosts the Memphis Spring Nationals with $1,250-to-win shows for Modifieds, Stock Cars, and B-Mods both Friday and Saturday.

✍️ Josh's Jottings - Who’s got options?

I’ll fully admit, historically the odds are against the Lucas shows getting in, and the weather forecast isn’t favorable. All the same, as of now, these shows are scheduled and planned to run. Due to that, we might get some clarity on national touring decisions. Who doesn’t like a little intrigue?

Probably much ado about nothing, but RTJ, the defending Lucas Champ, sits 3rd in both series. Theoretically, Ricky could go either way, and boy howdy would it be something if we got RTJ and Bobby Pierce all summer long, but I think we’d all need a change of drawers if RTJ was anywhere but Lucas. I don’t really think it is a decision for BShepp either, given that he showed up at Smokey Mountain in his own B5 rather than the Rocket 1. All the same, Sheppard sits 7th in the Outlaw standings, while he is 10th in Lucas points. I won’t hold my breath, but maaaaybe? Doubtful though, the Rocket 1 is running Lucas.

The one that has always seemed odd to me was Big Perm mulling an Outlaw run. Wilson sits 5th in Lucas points, while he’s buried in 17th with WoO. My hair would stand up if Daulton doesn’t run Lucas.

Finally, I am most intrigued by Max Blair’s decision. If you recall, the Outlaws posted that Blair had committed to the series. Blair followed up saying he had made no firm commitments. As we enter the weekend, the Keystone Kamikaze is 9th with Lucas and 5th with WoO. Blair has run both series before and has started this season with a noticeable uptick in results. I’ve long been impressed with Blair and his hot start has me feeling the 111 could be a contender in either series. Of all the guys we’ve discussed, this one feels like the decision that could go either way and may have some big financial implications to go along with it.

Ok, I sorta lied, there is one more “decision” I am watching and that is whether or not we see Cade Dillard at Swainsboro or Salina Highbanks this Saturday. This past weekend, Dillard and team chose to play it safe, staying home in Louisiana with the threat of severe weather across the southeast. While an understandable decision, Dillard did miss this past Friday’s race and sits 27th in Outlaw points. If you recall, Dillard already collected a $100K modified payday last year, capturing the XR Big Deal. There just so happens to be another $100K modified race this weekend… Call it a hunch, but I think the Thriller is headin' to Oklahoma. If he does, just know I told ya so.