World of Outlaws Late Models invade Humboldt and 81 Speedways
Photo by Emily Schwanke
CONCORD, N.C.—Only four races remain until World of Outlaws World Finals, and half of them are set to take place this weekend in the “Sunflower State.”
The World of Outlaws Real American Beer Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision is headed to Kansas for the first time in two years, starting with the second Series appearance at Humboldt Speedway for a 40-lap, $12,000-to-win, contest on Friday, Oct. 3. From there, it’s off to Wichita for 81 Speedway’s Ed Gressel Tribute, which pays $20,000 to the winner of the 50-lap main event.
The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet will be joined by Midwest Modifieds at Humboldt and A Modifieds at 81.
Here are the top storylines entering the weekend:
NASTY NICK: With seven race nights remaining in the season, Nick Hoffman has a 116-point gap to Bobby Pierce that he needs to erase if he wants to be crowned champion. That may seem like an insurmountable task, but one thing is for certain – Hoffman isn’t going down without a fight.
“The Thrill From Mooresville” has caught fire over the last seven weeks, racking up three wins and 10 top fives in his last 12 Late Model starts. Two of those victories have come in his last four starts, including his fifth World of Outlaws win of the year at Needmore Speedway and the CJ Rayburn Memorial at Brownstown Speedway last weekend.
Last time he was in Kansas, Hoffman came up just short of Victory Lane at 81 with finishes of second and third with the Series in 2023. Humboldt will be a new adventure though, as Hoffman has yet to turn a lap around the 1/4-mile bullring.
TROUBLE AT THE TOP: On the other side of the championship battle, Pierce comes into the home stretch of the season looking to turn the page on a September to forget.
After winning 29 of his first 73 starts in 2025, the Oakwood, IL native has gone 10 races without a win since his World of Outlaws double-up at Arrowhead Speedway in August. A runner-up at Needmore was one of the few bright spots in a month that included only four top fives, two of them coming in split-field action at the World 100.
A return to Wichita could be the key to getting the train back on the tracks, as Pierce has won two of his four starts there – one in a split-field preliminary event with the World of Outlaws in 2023, and the other with the MLRA the year prior. And like Hoffman, Pierce has yet to compete at Humboldt in his Late Model career.
HEARTLAND HEROES: Kansas is known for hosting some of the premiere events in dirt Modified racing, and Ryan Gustin has won more than his share of them.
The “Reaper” has eight United States Modified Touring Series wins to his name between the two tracks on this week’s agenda, with five coming at Humboldt and three at 81. His success isn’t limited to the open-wheel ranks though, as Gustin also owns a MLRA win at Humboldt and scores with NCRA and MARS at 81. He’s also had some good runs in World of Outlaws action, with a pair of top fives at 81 and a ninth in the lone previous Series race at Humboldt in 2022.
It’s been a boom-or-bust stretch for Gustin in recent weeks – he finished a career-best fifth in the World 100, but that’s his only top five since his $100,000 payday at the USA Nationals in early August. With Tim McCreadie closing within 72 points in the race for third in the standings after a podium at Senoia Raceway, Gustin could use a few more “boom” nights in the final month of the season to solidify his position.
MOD MAFIA: Gustin is far from the only Outlaw with plenty of past Modified experience to lean on this weekend.
Jake Timm won a USMTS event at Humboldt last year to go along with his five podiums with the Series at 81. His fellow Minnesota gasser, Dustin Sorensen, has racked up four top fives at Humboldt and a trio of top 10s at 81.
The driver Sorensen is trailing for the final spot in the top 10, Ethan Dotson, has a Kansas record that includes a best of sixth in five USMTS starts at Humboldt. He’s never been to 81 in a Modified, but he was strong in the last World of Outlaws race there two years ago, finishing sixth in split-field action and ninth in the main event.
Brent Larson did plenty of Modified racing prior to hitting the road with the World of Outlaws in 2018, with a handful of those starts coming at Humboldt and 81. His best finish between the two tracks stands as a fifth with USMTS at 81 in 2015, while he also finished eighth with the World of Outlaws in 2023.
CHASING ANOTHER CROWN: The story of Late Model racing in Kansas wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the state’s only World of Outlaws winner, Chase Junghans.
The Manhattan, KS native picked up the most recent of his four Series wins at Humboldt in 2022, leading every lap in the process. Junghans is also a force to be reckoned with in Wichita, with a pair of World of Outlaws top fives in 2017 and 2022 and a NCRA win in 2012 highlighting his resume there.
His last Series appearance at Arrowhead Speedway in August turned into one of his best weekends of the year with finishes of 10th on Friday and 12th on Saturday, and he’ll be hungry for more when the nation’s best invade his home turf this weekend.
WHEN AND WHERE:
Friday, Oct. 3, at Humboldt Speedway in Humboldt, KS
Saturday, Oct. 4, at 81 Speedway in Park City, KS
CURRENT POINT STANDINGS:
1. Bobby Pierce (5098 points)
2. Nick Hoffman (-116)
3. Ryan Gustin (-266)
4. Tim McCreadie (-338)
5. Brian Shirley (-406)
6. Dennis Erb Jr. (-414)
7. Drake Troutman (-422)
8. Cody Overton (-532)
9. Tanner English (-544)
10. Ethan Dotson (-564)
FEATURE WINNERS (15):
Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – 11
Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 5
Tim McCreadie – Watertown, NY – 4
Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IA – 4
Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 2
Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 1
Jonathan Davenport – Blairsville, GA – 1
Ethan Dotson – Bakersfield, CA – 1
Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 1
Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – 1
Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – 1
Mike Marlar – Winfield, TN – 1
Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 1
Tanner English – Benton, KY – 1
Ashton Winger – Hampton, GA – 1
HEAT RACE WINNERS (37):
Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – 24
Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 13
Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 13
Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IA – 12
Tim McCreadie – Watertown, NY – 9
Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – 8
Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 6
Dustin Sorensen – Rochester, MN – 5
Ethan Dotson – Bakersfield, CA – 5
Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 4
Jimmy Owens – Newport, TN – 4
Tyler Bruening – Decorah, IA – 4
Jonathan Davenport – Blairsville, GA – 4
Ricky Thornton Jr. – Chandler, AZ – 4
Dennis Erb Jr. – Carpentersville, IL – 4
Ashton Winger – Hampton, GA – 4
Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – 3
Cody Overton – Thomson, GA – 3
Jake Timm – Winona, MN – 3
Chris Madden – Gray Court, SC – 3
Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – 3
Jason Feger – Bloomington, IL – 2
Mike Marlar – Winfield, TN – 2
Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 2
Cade Dillard – Robeline, LA – 2
Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – 1
Garrett Smith – Madison, GA – 1
Zack Mitchell – Enoree, SC – 1
Cory Hedgecock – Loudon, TN – 1
Aaron Marrant – Richmond, MO – 1
Mike Harrison – Highland, IL – 1
Chris Simpson – Oxford, IA – 1
Jared Miley – Pittsburgh, PA – 1
Shannon Babb – Moweaqua, IL – 1
Tanner English – Benton, KY – 1
Tristan Chamberlain – Richmond, IN – 1
Mark Whitener – Middleburg, FL – 1
Shane Clanton – Zebulon, GA – 1
LANDA PRESSURE WASHERS LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINNERS (38):
Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IA – 6
Tyler Bruening – Decorah, IA – 5
Dustin Sorensen – Rochester, MN – 3
Max Blair – Centerville, PA – 3
Ashton Winger – Hampton, GA – 3
Ethan Dotson – Bakersfield, CA – 3
Michael Leach – Sun River, MT – 2
Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – 2
Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – 2
Shannon Babb – Moweaqua, IL – 2
Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 2
Jake Timm – Winona, MN – 2
Ricky Thornton Jr. – Chandler, AZ – 2
Mike Marlar – Winfield, TN – 2
Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 2
Cade Dillard – Robeline, LA – 2
Cody Overton – Thomson, GA – 1
Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 1
Kyle Bronson – Brandon, FL – 1
Jackson Hise – Ocala, FL – 1
Trey Mills – St. Augustine, FL – 1
Austin Smith – Cedartown, GA – 1
Mckay Wenger – Fairbury, IL – 1
Gregg Satterlee – Indiana, PA – 1
Brenden Smith – Dade City, FL – 1
Kayden Clatt – Edina, MO – 1
Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – 1
Boom Briggs – Bear Lake, PA – 1
Derrick Stewart – Ainsworth, IA – 1
Tim McCreadie – Watertown, NY – 1
Jared Miley – Pittsburgh, PA – 1
Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 1
Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 1
Dennis Erb Jr. – Carpentersville, IL – 1
Brent Larson – Lake Elmo, MN – 1
Dillon McCowan – Urbana, MO – 1
Eli Ross – Muskogee, OK – 1
Sam Seawright – Fort Payne, AL – 1
Tristan Chamberlain – Richmond, IN – 1
PODIUM FINISHERS (29):
Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – 21
Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 13
Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IA – 9
Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 9
Tim McCreadie – Watertown, NY – 7
Dennis Erb Jr. – Carpentersville, IL – 6
Jonathan Davenport – Blairsville, GA – 5
Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – 5
Ashton Winger – Hampton, GA – 4
Ethan Dotson – Bakersfield, CA – 3
Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 2
Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 2
Ricky Thornton Jr. – Chandler, AZ – 2
Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 2
Mike Marlar – Winfield, TN – 2
Dustin Sorensen – Rochester, MN – 2
Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – 2
Cody Overton – Thomson, GA – 1
Max Blair – Centerville, PA – 1
Zack Mitchell – Enoree, SC – 1
Jimmy Owens – Newport, TN – 1
Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – 1
Mike Harrison – Highland, IL – 1
Tyler Bruening – Decorah, IA – 1
Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – 1
Chris Madden – Gray Court, SC – 1
Tanner English – Benton, KY – 1
Shannon Babb – Moweaqua, IL – 1
Jason Feger – Bloomington, IL – 1
FOX FACTORY HARD CHARGERS (20):
Dustin Sorensen – Rochester, MN – 4
Dennis Erb Jr. – Carpentersville, IL – 3
Ashton Winger – Hampton, GA – 3
Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – 3
Cody Overton – Thomson, GA – 3
Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IA – 2
Ethan Dotson – Bakersfield, CA – 2
Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 2
Jake Timm – Winona, MN – 2
Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – 2
Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – 1
Jonathan Davenport – Blairsville, GA – 1
Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 1
Max Blair – Centerville, PA – 1
Brent Larson – Lake Elmo, MN – 1
Tim McCreadie – Watertown, NY – 1
Mike Marlar – Winfield, TN – 1
Tristan Chamberlain – Richmond, IN – 1
Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 1
Sam Seawright – Fort Payne, AL – 1
SIMPSON RACING PRODUCTS QUICK TIMES (16):
Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 6
Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – 6
Tyler Bruening – Decorah, IA – 4
Ricky Thornton Jr. – Chandler, AZ – 3
Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 3
Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 2
Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – 2
Cade Dillard – Robeline, LA – 2
Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IA – 1
Chris Madden – Gray Court, SC – 1
Tanner English – Benton, KY – 1
Tyler Millwood – Kingston, GA – 1
Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – 1
Dennis Erb Jr. – Carpentersville, IL – 1
Ethan Dotson – Bakersfield, CA – 1
Ashton Winger – Hampton, GA – 1
BILSTEIN POLE AWARDS (19):
Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 6
Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – 4
Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IA – 3
Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 3
Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – 2
Cade Dillard – Robeline, LA – 2
Dennis Erb Jr. – Carpentersville, IL – 2
Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 2
Jimmy Owens – Newport, TN – 1
Jason Feger – Bloomington, IL – 1
Cody Overton – Thomson, GA – 1
Cory Hedgecock – Loudon, TN – 1
Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – 1
Ashton Winger – Hampton, GA – 1
Tim McCreadie – Watertown, NY – 1
Mike Harrison – Highland, IL – 1
Tyler Bruening – Marshalltown, IA – 1
Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 1
Dustin Sorensen – Rochester, MN – 1
Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – 1
FEATURE LAP LEADERS (24):
Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – 471
Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IA – 211
Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 165
Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 132
Tim McCreadie – Watertown, NY – 115
Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – 95
Ethan Dotson – Bakersfield, CA – 76
Ashton Winger – Hampton, GA – 71
Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 55
Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – 50
Jimmy Owens – Newport, TN – 41
Tanner English – Benton, KY – 40
Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 30
Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 29
Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – 22
Mike Harrison – Highland, IL – 21
Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – 21
Ricky Thornton Jr. – Chandler, AZ – 18
Cory Hedgecock – Loudon, TN – 13
Chris Madden – Gray Court, SC – 12
Jonathan Davenport – Blairsville, GA – 11
Dennis Erb Jr. – Carpentersville, IL – 9
Mike Marlar – Winfield, TN – 8
Tyler Bruening – Decorah, IA – 2
2025 WORLD OF OUTLAWS REAL AMERICAN BEER LATE MODEL SERIES PRESENTED BY DIRTVISION SCHEDULE & WINNERS
Friday, Jan. 24 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Ryan Gustin (1)
Saturday, Jan. 25 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Garrett Alberson (1)
Thursday, Feb. 13 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Garrett Alberson (2)
Friday, Feb. 14 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Devin Moran (1)
Saturday, Feb. 15 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Jonathan Davenport (1)
Friday, Mar. 14 / Smoky Mountain Speedway / Maryville, TN / Bobby Pierce (1)
Friday, Mar. 21 / Swainsboro Raceway / Swainsboro, GA / Bobby Pierce (2)
Saturday, Mar. 22 / Swainsboro Raceway / Swainsboro, GA / Ryan Gustin (2)
Thursday, Apr. 10 / Farmer City Raceway / Farmer City, IL (Practice)
Friday, Apr. 11 / Farmer City Raceway / Farmer City, IL / Ethan Dotson (1)
Saturday, Apr. 12 / Farmer City Raceway / Farmer City, IL / Brandon Sheppard (1)
Saturday, Apr. 26 / Talladega Short Track / Eastaboga, AL / Bobby Pierce (3)
Friday, May 2 / Mississippi Thunder Speedway / Fountain City, WI / Tyler Erb (1)
Saturday, May 3 / Mississippi Thunder Speedway / Fountain City, WI / Nick Hoffman (1)
Thursday, May 15 / Raceway 7 / Conneaut, OH / Tim McCreadie (1)
Saturday, May 17 / Marion Center Raceway / Marion Center, PA / Bobby Pierce (4)
Sunday, May 18 / Bedford Speedway / Bedford, PA / Tim McCreadie (2)
Friday, June 20 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Bobby Pierce (5)
Saturday, June 21 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Drake Troutman (1)
Friday, June 27 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Nick Hoffman (2)
Saturday, June 28 / Norman County Raceway / Ada, MN / Nick Hoffman (3)
Sunday, June 29 / Nodak Speedway / Minot, ND / Tim McCreadie (3)
Thursday, July 3 / Deer Creek Speedway / Spring Valley, MN / Bobby Pierce (6)
Friday, July 4 / Deer Creek Speedway / Spring Valley, MN / Nick Hoffman (4)
Friday, July 11 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH / Bobby Pierce (7)
Saturday, July 12 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH / Mike Marlar (1)
Saturday, July 26 / Fairbury Speedway / Fairbury, IL / Brian Shirley (1)
Monday, July 28 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI / Ryan Gustin (3)
Thursday, July 31 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / Tim McCreadie (4)
Saturday, Aug. 2 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / Ryan Gustin (4)
Wednesday, Aug. 13 / Highland Speedway / Highland, IL / Tanner English (1)
Thursday, Aug. 14 / Spoon River Speedway / Lewistown, IL / Bobby Pierce (8)
Saturday, Aug. 16 / Maquoketa Speedway / Maquoketa, IA / Bobby Pierce (9)
Friday, Aug. 22 / Arrowhead Speedway / Colcord, OK / Bobby Pierce (10)
Saturday, Aug. 23 / Arrowhead Speedway / Colcord, OK / Bobby Pierce (11)
Friday, Sept. 12 / Needmore Speedway / Norman Park, GA / Nick Hoffman (5)
Saturday, Sept. 13 / Senoia Raceway / Senoia, GA / Ashton Winger (1)
Friday, Oct. 3 / Humboldt Speedway / Humboldt, KS
Saturday, Oct. 4 / 81 Speedway / Wichita, KS
Friday, Oct. 10 / Boothill Speedway / Greenwood, LA
Saturday, Oct. 11 / Boothill Speedway / Greenwood, LA
Wednesday, Nov. 5 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Thursday, Nov. 6 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Friday, Nov. 7 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Saturday, Nov. 8 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
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