𝐑𝐮𝐛𝐛𝐢𝐧', 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧', 𝐒𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐳𝐢𝐧'

That was quite the weekend of racing in the late model and modified world, wasn't it! We had an absolute brawl with some of the baddest modifieds in the country for $100K, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series return to action, the World of Outlaws Late Model Series closed out their southern swing, and a number of regional modified series start their season.

The Dish is my perspective on the past weekend's results and a look ahead of the upcoming weekend's national, regional, and big💲races in the late model, modified, and stock car world. I also have a database of all touring and big money modified shows at dirtinfo.com/mods.

👟 💨 The Rundown:

🥊💲 Jim Chisholm top 65 of the baddest modifieds in country, surviving a grueling a 60-lap feature at Salina Highbanks Speedway to win the XR Dominator and claim the $100K payday. It is worth noting that Chisholm was the only car, of the 11 remaining on track, to finish on his original tires. However you feel about the show otherwise, that is just badass. Chisholm also only led the last two laps. In my opinion, these facts puts an absolute stamp on Chisholm's win. Not only did Jim win, he won the way I would want to see it won.; mastering the track, the race conditions, the race strategy, his equipment, and besting the competition. It was an absolute master class. Rounding out the Top 5 and taking home solid paydays were:2. Chad Wheeler - $20K3. Terry Phillips - $10K4. Jesse Stovall - $7K5. Jake O'Neil - $5K

🏅 Zane DeVilbiss took home the first check of the evening at Salina Highbanks, scoring a $2K payday in winning the XR Dominator Non-Qualifier. Not too shabby for missing out on the Feature.

Next Up: The XR ONUM Dirt Modifieds return July 25th & 26th for the XR Big Deal at Ogilvie Raceway

🏈🧊#LucasDirt was fortunate to get two, historically weather impacted, events in this weekend. On Friday, Ricky Thornton Jr fended off early challenges from JD and late pestering from Josh Rice to score the $12K win in the Spring 50 at Atomic Speedway. 2nd: Josh Rice, 3rd: Devin Moran, 4th: Mike Marlar, 5th: Hudson O'Neal

Saturday saw Devin Moran put on a masterclass in traffic to claim the $25K Indiana Icebreaker from Brownstown Speedway. 2nd: Thornton, 3rd: Davenport, 4th Marlar, 5th Rice.

Season Standings: T-1. Devin Moran
T-1. Ricky Thornton Jr.
3. Davenport (-55)
4. Brandon Overton (-200)
5. Daulton Wilson (-265)

Next Up: Georgetown Speedway - Friday, April 25th - $20,049, Hagerstown Speedway - Saturday, April 26th - $25K, Port Royal Speedway - Sunday, April 27th - $10K.

⚔️ On the Outlaws side of the ledger, Bobby Pierce opened the weekend with a $12K trip to Victory Lane. Friday's feature started with a scary incident in the early going that Tristan Chamberlain pinned underneath, and upside down, under Kyle Bronson. and collected close to half the field in some form or fashion. 2nd: Ryan Gustin, 3rd: Drake Troutman, 4th: Cory Hedgecock, 5th: Wil HerringtonOn

Saturday, it was Ryan Gustin's who flexed his muscle and took home the $15K payday. Ashton Winger came home 2nd, and I'm personally hoping this is the start of better luck for Winger. Looking at this past weekend's results and the season standings, Pierce and Gustin are flexing muscle and Nick Hoffman and Drake Troutman are separating from the rest of the pack. An invigorated Winger would be a nice thorn in the side of the front runners. 2nd: Winger, 3rd: Pierce 4th: Troutman, 5th: Nick Hoffman.

Season Standings:
1. Bobby Pierce
2. Ryan Gustin (-30)
3. Nick Hoffman (-30)
4. Drake Troutman (-70)
5. Max Blair (-94)

Next Up: Atomic Speedway - Friday, April 4th - $12K & Saturday, April 5th - $15K.

🧹🧹 The Heartland Modified Tour opened their season from Humboldt Speedway for the Whitworth Spring Classic and Randal Schiffelbein Jr. swept the festivities, claiming back-to-back $2K victories. Shadren Turner also swept up the runner-up position on the weekend. All said, this was a very solid start to the season for HMT with a very stout and deep field of 42 cars. As the season progresses, I suspect we'll see some USMTS regulars in attendance fairly consistently. Friday: 1st: Schiffelbein Jr., 2nd: Turner, 3rd: Wyatt Gaggero, 4th: Brandon Givens, 5th: Dustin Hodges. Saturday: 1st: Schiffelbein Jr., 2nd: Turner, 3rd: Tyler Davis, 4th: Jason Pursley, 5th: Henry Chambers.

Next Up: Friday April 11th - Electric City Speedway & Saturday, April 12th - I-35 Speedway

🎩 On the UMP side of the country, the Modified Mafia Tour lifted the lid on their season, seeing Chris Arnold claim the $3K Batten Memorial from County Line Raceway. 2nd: Ray Kable, 3rd: Ryan Ayers, 4th: Austin Holcombe, 5th: Cole Hilton

Next Up: This weekend! Friday - March 28th - Qualifying, Heats, Prelim Features & Saturday March 29th - B-Mains & $7,500 Feature - Needmore Speedway - 2nd Southern Heritage Classic

🤠 TOMS - Touring Outlaw Modified Series got the season kicking with a pair of $1,500 shows from Southern Oklahoma Speedway. Friday saw Mitchell Clement visit victory lane, 2nd: Shane Hartline, 3rd: Jason Ingalls, 4th: Chris Henigan, 5th: Bo Day. Saturday it was Chase Hatton taking the dub, 2nd: Chris Henigan, 3rd: Shane Hartline, 4th: Dean Abbey, 5th: Jason Ingalls.

Next Up: Friday, April 4th - Heart O’ Texas & Saturday, April 5th - Kennedale Speedway Park

🔶 The 32nd Annual Spring Nationals from Beatrice Speedway had its own sweep, with Jordan Grabouski claiming the $5K IMCA modified crown and $2K stock car victory. Rounding out the modified Top 5: 2nd, Troy Morris III, 3rd. Ethan Braaksma, 4th: Justin Zeitner, 5th: Jesse Dennis.

🏹 Oklahoma was the place to be for big money racing this weekend! Arrowhead Speedway hosted the Stand on It Classic, which saw Cole Czarneski top 95 other Stock Cars and claim yet another massive payday on the season. This time $20K is headed back to Wisconsin. With the Ironman Stock Car Series kicking off this weekend, I wonder if we won't see Czarneski at Lucas Oil Speedway... 🤔

👀 Looking Ahead:

👑 King of America XIV will be crowned this weekend at Lucas Oil Speedway as the USMTS battles for $3K Thursday, $5K Friday, before crowning the king in the $20K feature on Saturday. I'm getting the feeling we'll see a fairly deep field of modifieds this weekend, including Stormy Scott making his return to the modified ranks.

🦾 The USRA will make their triumphant return in support of the USMTS at the King of America, racing for $1K Friday, $2K Saturday, and $3K Saturday.

🍼 The Nippy 50 this weekend doubles as the season opener for the MARS Late Models, with $10K on the line Friday and $15K to victor on Saturday. The entry list for this one is quite impressive with both touring series being off. If the weather cooperates, this should be a banger. IMCA Mods run for $1K Friday and $1,500 Saturday. IMCA Stock Cars also go for $750 and $1,200.

🪝 The Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series heads to Whynot Motorsports Park for the House of Hook Showdown, with $8K on the line Friday and $12K up for grabs Saturday.

⭐️ 3rd time is the charm, hopefully, for the Northern Allstars Late Model & Modified Dirt Series as they try to get their seasons started from Florence Speedway for the Spring 50. Late Models will compete for a $10K payday, while Modifieds battle for $1,500.

💧 The Southern Nationals Series Spring Nationals returns to action from Buckshot Speedway this Friday with $7,553 up for grabs. The series then heads to East Alabama Motor Speedway for a $10,053 battle.

✍️ Josh's Jottings

As I put this together, one question keeps popping back up: "What makes a good show?" Notice I didn't say race, as that is more or less something we can all agree on. But the race is just one part of the show, especially for big money, spectacle type events.

Big money being on the line and deep fields of cars definitely add to the storylines and drama. I'd also say that a surprise or underdog winner can go a long way in making a show feel special.

But what if the race is filled with cautions? Does that automatically knock the event down a peg? What if the cautions add to the drama and make the result feel like a crap shoot? Does the cause and frequency of the cautions matter?

The XR Dominator was high drama and the result rarely felt assured, especially as the cautions and cars started to pile up late in the going but the racing itself left a bit to be desired for long spurts.

The heartbreak of Dillard, the drama of the restarts and jumped restarts, the multiple trips through the field for many contenders, the badassery of Chisholm nursing his ride to a massive payday, it all provided great storylines and drama, but was that enough to outshine the product on the track with all of its warts? Let me know how you see it in the comments 👇

#DirtRacing #Racing #Modifieds #IMCA #IMCAModifieds #Nippy50 #LateModels #KingofAmerica