Story By: MIKE WARREN / WORLD OF OUTLAWS – CONCORD, NC – After an epic 2022 World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model season, the Series is set for a bigger 2023 with increased purses and several new tracks.
More than $3 million in purse money will be spread through a 53-race schedule at 30 different tracks, including six events with a weekend purse worth more than $200,000 – two boasting more than $250,000.
Entering a new era for the Series, 11 new tracks have been added to the tour.
“We’ve taken the schedule and built it in a way that benefits our drivers and fans,” said World of Outlaws CASE Late Model Series Director Steve Francis. “Along with adding several new venues, we increased the purses at several events, creating a platform for great racing all season.”
NEW ADDITIONS
411 Speedway (Thursday, Apr. 20)- For the first time since 2020, the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models will roar into 411 Speedway. The Series has made three previous appearances at the Seymour, TN oval, as Chris Madden, Brandon Overton, and Cory Hedgecock picked up wins.
Talladega Short Track (Friday-Saturday, Apr. 21-22)- When you think Talladega, high-speed, door-to-door action comes to mind. But in 2023, you can also link Talladega with the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models as they debut at the Talladega Short Track.
The doubleheader in Eastaboga, AL, will be on the same weekend as the spring NASCAR event, leading to an epic weekend in “The Heart of Dixie.”
Stateline Speedway (Tuesday, May 23)- After a year off the schedule, Stateline Speedway in Busti, NY, returns for a mid-week event.
It’s the only trip the Series will make to the Empire State in 2023 and the first since Dave Hess dominated the Feature in 2021 for his second World of Outlaws triumph.
Paducah International Raceway (Saturday, June 3)- The first of two trips to Kentucky are in June as the Series visits Paducah International Raceway for the second time.
It’s the first appearance in the Bluegrass State since 2021, when the World of Outlaws visited Richmond Raceway.
Off Road Speedway (Sunday, June 25)- A trip to the Cornhusker State is on the horizon in 2023, as the Series stops at Off Road Speedway in Norfolk, NE.
It’s the first time the Series will visit Nebraska since 2004 when Series Director Steve Francis won at Eagle Raceway.
Mason City Motor Speedway (Tuesday, June 27)- The World of Outlaws Late Models will also return to Mason City Motor Speedway in Mason City, IA, for the first time since 2016.
The last time the Series appeared at the 1/3-mile, 2015 Series champion Shane Clanton found Victory Lane, holding off four-time Series champion Josh Richards.
Red River Valley Speedway (Wednesday, June 28)- The World of Outlaws Late Models will make two stops in North Dakota this season, starting with the return to Red River Valley Speedway in Fargo, ND.
It’s the first visit the Series will make at the West Fargo, ND oval since 2005.
Ponderosa Speedway (Friday, July 14)- A second Kentucky track will return to the World of Outlaws Late Models schedule with the first appearance at Ponderosa Speedway since 2016.
Shane Clanton and Rick Eckert won the other stops at the 3/8-mile track.
Brownstown Speedway (Saturday, July 15)- Brownstown Speedway returns to the schedule after a sixteen-year break. Reigning Series champion Dennis Erb Jr. scored the win in 2007, holding off Earl Pearson Jr. and Don O’Neal for the win.
34 Raceway (Friday, Oct. 6)- Another track back on the schedule after a long hiatus is 34 Raceway in Burlington, IA. The last time the Series raced at the Hawkeye State oval was in 1989 when Billy Moyer scored the win.
It’ll be Iowa’s sixth and final stop for the 2023 season after stops at Mason City, Boone Speedway, and Davenport Speedway.
I-75 Raceway (Friday, Oct. 13)- October also marks the final stop of the season in Tennessee, as the Series makes its debut at I-75 Raceway. The Niota, TN track is paired up with Georgia’s Senoia Raceway for a fall doubleheader in the Southeast.
NEW SUPRISES
Big Regional Swings: Two significant regional swings highlight the middle portion of the 2023 schedule for the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models.
The first of those starts in mid-May, when the Series runs seven consecutive races through Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio. This includes a $25,000-to-win finale at Sharon Speedway in Hartford, OH.
A seven-race swing through five states is also on tap in June and July, highlighted by a $30,000-to-win race at 81 Speedway in Wichita, KS.
Double-Dip at FALS: The Prairie Dirt Classic won’t be the only trip the Series makes to Fairbury Speedway in 2023.
The World of Outlaws Late Models will return to the 1/4-mile bullring on Saturday, Oct. 7, after a trip to 34 Raceway the night before. It’s the first time the Series will race in an event at the track outside its traditional July weekend.
HIGH DOLLAR RACES
Illini 100: It’s Farmer City, Baby! The World of Outlaws CASE Late Models will make their annual Spring trip to Illinois for the Illini 100 at Farmer City Raceway Mar. 31-Apr.1.
An $8,000-to-win Feature kicks off the weekend on Friday, March 31, before $25,000 is on the line in the finale on Saturday, April 1.
Dairyland Showdown: The Dairyland Showdown at Mississippi Thunder Speedway returns to the schedule for the third consecutive season sporting three nights of action for the second straight year.
Drivers will battle to become the big cheese on Saturday, May 6, as $50,000 is up for grabs.
Prairie Dirt Classic: The Prairie Dirt Classic at Fairbury keeps getting bigger.
While the crown jewel is still $50,000-to-win, there’s more money on the line through the field in 2023.
That includes the lap money worth $50,000 if one driver can lead every lap of the 100-lap affair.
USA Nationals: One week after drivers battle at Fairbury, they’ll return to Wisconsin to battle at Cedar Lake Speedway’s USA Nationals.
A $50,000 prize is on the line again at the New Richmond, WI oval, as competitors hope to keep Jonathan Davenport out of Victory Lane for the third straight year.
Quad Cities 150: The World of Outlaws CASE Late Models will end August the same way as the last two seasons, with a three-night trip to Davenport Speedway in Davenport, IA, for the Quad Cities 150 Aug. 23-25.
Tanner English will return to try and win his third straight Feature at the event, after scoring his first career win in 2022 on a last-lap pass.
A total of six events this season will have at least $200,000 in total prize money up for grabs throughout the weekend, including the World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Nov. 1-4.
Ticket renewals and on-sale details will be available in the coming weeks.
