![](https://dirt.raceproweekly.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/230406dcol_ngraziano_01.jpg)
Column By: NICK GRAZIANO / WORLD OF OUTLAWS – FOUNTAIN CITY, WI – One of the biggest World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model events of the season lands in May at Wisconsin’s Mississippi Thunder Speedway.
The Dairyland Showdown, May 4-6, will boast a $264,000 overall purse – the second biggest of the year – between the three days with Thursday and Friday’s events featuring two $5,000-to-win Features each night and then Saturday boasting a $50,000 payday.
It makes for a massive destination weekend at the 3/8-mile track, loved by fans and drivers, in Fountain City, WI.
Early Storylines:
GUSTIN’S PLAYGROUND: Ryan Gustin, of Marshalltown, IA – less than 4 hours from Fountain City – has collected five wins at Mississippi Thunder Speedway. However, all five came in a Modified.
He’ll be poised to get his first with the World of Outlaws this year after a breakthrough season in 2022, which saw him pick up his first two Series victories. He hasn’t finished outside the top 10 in his last four Series starts at the track and has a career best Series finish of second there.
OUTLAW WINNERS: Three of the current World of Outlaws championship contenders have scored Series victories at Mississippi Thunder Speedway – Bobby Pierce, four-time Series champion Brandon Sheppard and current Series points leader Chris Madden.
Sheppard scored his win during the World of Outlaws’ Series debut at the track in 2021 and then Madden claimed the victory the next night. Pierce earned his third win with the Series at the track last year and will be poised to try and repeat as he chases the World of Outlaws title for the first time in his career.
TITLE HUNT: With one of the most impressive rosters in World of Outlaws CASE Late Model history, the hunt for the 2023 title is far from predictable. After securing his first Series title last year, Dennis Erb Jr. is back with two-time Crew Chief of the Year winner Heather Lyne, for a back to back run, but drivers like Chris Madden, Brian Shirley, Brandon Sheppard and Max Blair have had a strong start to the season, putting themselves at the front of the leaderboard.
Three nights at Mississippi Thunder Speedway could shake up the standings if one contenders hits a hot streak all three nights or if someone misses their setup.