March 18, 2026 | By Spence Smithback, World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR

World of Outlaws Late Models Mississippi Bound for Magnolia Debut

Photo by Trent Gower

COLUMBUS, Miss.—For the first time since 2018, the World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision is set to battle in Mississippi.

Four different tracks in the state have hosted The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet in the past, and Magnolia Motor Speedway becomes number five this weekend with the inaugural Duel at the Mag. Following a practice night on Thursday, March 19, racing kicks off on Friday, March 20, with a 40-lap, $12,000-to-win World of Outlaws program. The weekend wraps up on Saturday, March 21, when $20,000 will be up for grabs after 60 laps around the 3/8-mile.

In addition to the World of Outlaws, the schedule also includes CRUSA Modified Sportsman and Crown Vics on Friday and CRUSA Late Model Sportsman and Factory Stocks on Saturday.

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Here are this week’s top storylines:

BACK ON TOP: There’s a new, yet familiar name on top of the points standings following last weekend’s Tennessee doubleheader.

Two-time and defending World of Outlaws champion Bobby Pierce leads Nick Hoffman by seven markers after a third-place run on Friday at Volunteer Speedway and his second win of the year on Saturday at Smoky Mountain Speedway. Those two nights extended his podium streak to six dating back to the first World of Outlaws race of Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park.

Magnolia could be a good place for Pierce to extend that margin. His 10 appearances at the track have included one win in 2020 and four top fives, although he hasn’t been there since 2020. Meanwhile, his closest challenger in Hoffman has never turned a lap at Magnolia.

QUALIFYING BLUES: Tim McCreadie knows exactly what he needs to improve on to join Pierce and Hoffman as a nightly contender, and that’s Qualifying.

Through 10 races, McCreadie has the worst average Feature starting spot of anyone in the top seven in points and is the only driver in that group who has not yet won a Heat Race this year. Nevertheless, he still finds himself third in points with the third-best average finish in the field behind Pierce and Hoffman.

Even though he’s been starting toward the back too often, he’s still managing to pass plenty of cars come Feature time. He’s gained 65 positions in Features this year, second only to Pierce’s 66 cars passed. If McCreadie can find the early-night speed he needs to make his job easier in the Feature, he’s proven he has the speed to reach the front and stay there.

This weekend will be McCreadie’s first trip to Magnolia with the Briggs Transport team, but he was fast nearly every time he unloaded there in his past ride in the Paylor Motorsports No. 39. He won at Magnolia in 2020 and finished on the podium in six of his last 10 starts.

ALL BUNCHED UP: If “T-Mac” needs any extra reasons to get up on the wheel this weekend, all he has to do is look at the logjam of drivers right behind him in the points chase.

Only 22 points separate Ryan Gustin in fourth from Dustin Sorensen in ninth, with Tyler Erb, Drake Troutman, Daulton Wilson and Ethan Dotson all packed between them. Magnolia promises to bring plenty of shuffling amongst them, as the group includes past winners at the track as well as drivers making their first visit.

Wilson is heading to Magnolia with the most momentum out of any of them, as he was the only one to finish in the top 10 at both Volunteer and Smoky Mountain last weekend. Given those results, his lead in the MD3 Rookie of the Year race is already deep into the triple digits entering his Magnolia debut, with Trey Mills sitting 147 points back in second.

Another driver making his first appearance at “The Mag” this weekend is Dustin Sorensen, who is off to the best start of his career in his third season as a full-time Outlaw. His average finish of 13.3 through the first 10 races is already better than last season’s average of 13.8, and the tour has yet to visit any of his best tracks in the upper Midwest.

MISSISSIPPI MISSILES: The Duel at the Mag may be the first World of Outlaws race in Magnolia’s history, but the track is no stranger to hosting high-level Late Model racing.

In addition to Pierce and McCreadie, three other Series regulars have a Magnolia win on their resume. Two of them have been victorious in one of Mississippi’s premier events, the Cotton Pickin’ 100, which Dotson won in 2024 and Mills won in 2025. Additionally, Tyler Erb collected a Mississippi State Championship Challenge Series win at Magnolia in 2017, one of his first triumphs behind the wheel of a Super Late Model.

Those names are part of a long list of Late Model superstars to reach Victory Lane at Magnolia, including Billy Moyer, Scott Bloomquist, Jimmy Owens, Dale McDowell, Jonathan Davenport and more.

SUPERMAN RETURNS: Speaking of Davenport, the driver of the No. 49 has a World of Outlaws race on his agenda for the first time in 2026.

The Blairsville, GA native has scaled back his schedule this season to allow for more time at home and more chances to visit some of his favorite tracks, and Magnolia is certainly one of them. He’s a five-time winner there, including a weekend sweep in his most recent visit in 2021.

Several other national stars have announced their plans to battle the World of Outlaws this weekend, including Hudson O’Neal in the K&L Rumley Enterprises No. 6, Sam Seawright, Luke Morey, Michael Leach and more.


WHEN AND WHERE:

Friday-Saturday, March 20-21, at Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, MS


CURRENT POINT STANDINGS:

1. Bobby Pierce (1328 points)
2. Nick Hoffman (-7)
3. Tim McCreadie (-52)
4. Ryan Gustin (-91)
5. Tyler Erb (-92)
6. Drake Troutman (-100)
7. Daulton Wilson (-103)
8. Ethan Dotson (-108)
9. Dustin Sorensen (-113)
10. Dennis Erb Jr. (-146)


FEATURE WINNERS (7):

Nick Hoffman – 3
Bobby Pierce – 2
Brandon Sheppard – 1
Tim McCreadie – 1
Chris Madden – 1
Hudson O’Neal – 1
Mike Marlar – 1


FEATURE TOP FIVES (16):

Nick Hoffman – 8
Bobby Pierce – 7
Brandon Sheppard – 4
Tim McCreadie – 4
Ricky Thornton Jr. – 4
Drake Troutman – 4
Chris Madden – 3
Tyler Erb – 3
Hudson O’Neal – 2
Dennis Erb Jr. – 2
Ethan Dotson – 2
Dale McDowell – 2
Ryan Gustin – 2
Mike Marlar – 1
Brandon Overton – 1
Daulton Wilson – 1


FEATURE LAPS LED (13):

Nick Hoffman – 136
Chris Madden – 73
Bobby Pierce – 42
Mike Marlar – 39
Hudson O’Neal – 35
Tim McCreadie – 28
Ryan Gustin – 22
Brandon Sheppard – 18
Brandon Overton – 12
Michael Leach – 10
Drake Troutman – 7
Sam Seawright – 5
Ricky Thornton Jr. – 2


BILSTEIN POLE AWARDS (8):

Nick Hoffman – 2
Chris Madden – 2
Ricky Thornton Jr. – 1
Drake Troutman – 1
Ryan Gustin – 1
Brandon Overton – 1
Sam Seawright – 1
Michael Leach – 1


SIMPSON QUICK TIME AWARDS (6):

Chris Madden – 5
Drake Troutman – 1
Tyler Erb – 1
Brandon Overton – 1
Sam Seawright – 1
Cody Overton – 1


HEAT RACE WINS (20):

Chris Madden – 7
Nick Hoffman – 5
Bobby Pierce – 4
Tyler Erb – 4
Ricky Thornton Jr. – 3
Ryan Gustin – 3
Brandon Overton – 3
Brandon Sheppard – 2
Drake Troutman – 2
Hudson O’Neal – 1
Mike Marlar – 1
Daulton Wilson – 1
Donald McIntosh – 1
Dan Ebert – 1
Austin Smith – 1
Sam Seawright – 1
Michael Leach – 1
Cody Overton – 1
Blair Nothdurft – 1
Dustin Sorensen – 1


LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (14):

Josh Rice – 3
Dennis Erb Jr. – 2
Ethan Dotson – 2
Bobby Pierce – 1
Tim McCreadie – 1
Ricky Thornton Jr. – 1
Dallon Murty – 1
Carson Ferguson – 1
Luke Morey – 1
Cody Overton – 1
Tristan Chamberlain – 1
Jake Timm – 1
Logan Zarin – 1
Cory Hedgecock – 1


2026 WORLD OF OUTLAWS LATE MODEL SERIES PRESENTED BY DIRTVISION SCHEDULE

Wednesday, Jan. 21 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL (Practice)
Thursday, Jan. 22 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Chris Madden (1)
Friday, Jan. 23 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Hudson O’Neal (1)
Saturday, Jan. 24 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Tim McCreadie (1)
Thursday, Feb. 12 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Nick Hoffman (1)
Friday, Feb. 13 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Nick Hoffman (2)
Saturday, Feb. 14 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Brandon Sheppard (1)
Thursday, Feb. 19 / Hendry County Motorsports Park / Clewiston, FL (Practice)
Friday, Feb. 20 / Hendry County Motorsports Park / Clewiston, FL / Bobby Pierce (1)
Saturday, Feb. 21 / Hendry County Motorsports Park / Clewiston, FL / Nick Hoffman (3)
Friday, March 13 / Volunteer Speedway / Bulls Gap, TN / Mike Marlar (1)
Saturday, March 14 / Smoky Mountain Speedway / Maryville, TN / Bobby Pierce (2)
Friday, March 20 / Magnolia Motor Speedway / Columbus, MS
Saturday, March 21 / Magnolia Motor Speedway / Columbus, MS
Friday, March 27 / East Alabama Motor Speedway / Phenix City, AL
Saturday, March 28 / Senoia Raceway / Senoia, GA
Thursday, April 9 / Farmer City Raceway / Farmer City, IL (Practice)
Friday, April 10 / Farmer City Raceway / Farmer City, IL
Saturday, April 11 / Farmer City Raceway / Farmer City, IL
Friday, April 24 / Talladega Short Track / Eastaboga, AL
Saturday, April 25 / Talladega Short Track / Eastaboga, AL
Tuesday, April 28 / Independence Motor Speedway / Independence, IA
Thursday, April 30 / Mississippi Thunder Speedway / Fountain City, WI
Friday, May 1 / Mississippi Thunder Speedway / Fountain City, WI
Saturday, May 2 / Mississippi Thunder Speedway / Fountain City, WI
Wednesday, May 13 / Georgetown Speedway / Georgetown, DE
Thursday, May 14 / Selinsgrove Speedway / Selinsgrove, PA
Friday, May 15 / Marion Center Raceway / Marion Center, PA
Saturday, May 16 / Marion Center Raceway / Marion Center, PA
Sunday, May 17 / Bedford Speedway / Bedford, PA
Thursday, May 28 / Wayne County Speedway / Orrville, OH
Friday, May 29 / Mansfield Speedway / Mansfield, OH
Saturday, May 30 / Mansfield Speedway / Mansfield, OH
Friday, June 12 / West Virginia Motor Speedway / Mineral Wells, WV
Saturday, June 13 / West Virginia Motor Speedway / Mineral Wells, WV
Friday, June 19 / 141 Speedway / Maribel, WI
Saturday, June 20 / 141 Speedway / Maribel, WI
Monday, June 22 / Ogilvie Raceway / Ogilvie, MN
Wednesday, June 24 / I-94 emr Speedway / Fergus Falls, MN
Friday, June 26 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND
Sunday, June 28 / Nodak Speedway / Minot, ND
Tuesday, June 30 / Norman County Raceway / Ada, MN
Thursday, July 2 / Deer Creek Speedway / Spring Valley, MN
Friday, July 3 / Deer Creek Speedway / Spring Valley, MN
Saturday, July 4 / Deer Creek Speedway / Spring Valley, MN
Wednesday, July 8 / Stateline Speedway / Busti, NY
Friday, July 10 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH
Saturday, July 11 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH
Friday, July 24 / Fairbury Speedway / Fairbury, IL
Saturday, July 25 / Fairbury Speedway / Fairbury, IL
Thursday, July 30 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI
Friday, July 31 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI
Saturday, Aug. 1 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI
Thursday, Aug. 20 / Maquoketa Speedway / Maquoketa, IA (Practice)
Friday, Aug. 21 / Maquoketa Speedway / Maquoketa, IA
Saturday, Aug. 22 / Maquoketa Speedway / Maquoketa, IA
Wednesday, Aug. 26 / Southern Iowa Speedway / Oskaloosa, IA
Friday, Aug, 28 / Adams County Speedway / Corning, IA
Saturday, Aug. 29 / Shelby County Speedway / Harlan, IA
Friday, Sept. 25 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO
Saturday, Sept. 26 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO
Friday, Oct. 2 / Boothill Speedway / Greenwood, LA
Saturday, Oct. 3 / Boothill Speedway / Greenwood, LA
Friday, Oct. 23 / Modoc Speedway / Modoc, SC
Saturday, Oct. 24 / Modoc Speedway / Modoc, SC
Wednesday, Nov. 4 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Thursday, Nov. 5 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Friday, Nov. 6 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Saturday, Nov. 7 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC

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