Column: WoO Late Model Series To Contend For $15K Paydays At Arrowhead Debut & 81 Return

Column By: MATT SKIPPER / WORLD OF OUTLAWS – CONCORD, NC – The World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models are headed westbound and down for a pair of unpredictable and exciting tracks.

Colcord, OK is the site of Arrowhead Speedway – making its debut with the Late Models for a Friday night battle under the lights in the Fujita 50 on April 26. Then, the Series makes the trek to Wichita, KS for the sight of racing from 81 Speedway on Saturday, April 27.

Both races boast a $15,000 payday.

Here are the storylines to look out for:

Mad Max’s Mojo – On Friday night, MD3 Rookie of the Year contender Max McLaughlin picked up his maiden World of Outlaws CASE Late Models win at the Talladega Short Track in just his fifth start with the Series during a preliminary Feature.

It was no easy task either for the Mooresville, NC driver, having to pass Newport, TN’s Jimmy Owens, then holding off Martinsville, IN driver Ricky Thornton Jr. to pick up his first win in the rain-shortened Feature.

While the prelim Feature does not officially count as an official Feature victory, “Mad Max’s” added boost of confidence will have him hungry to find Victory Lane again this weekend for a true Feature win.

Locked In Shepp – Brandon Sheppard has visited Victory Lane with the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models at 81 Speedway twice in 2022 and 2017. He was also the last Series winner in Oklahoma in 2017.

After weeks of being disappointed with his qualifying efforts, Sheppard is coming off a strong couple of days in Alabama after scoring the Simpson Quick Time Award on Saturday at the Talladega Short Track.

The New Berlin, IL driver will be poised to repeat that effort again this weekend as he still chases his first win of the season with the World of Outlaws.

Erb’s 81 Fun – 2022 World of Outlaws CASE Late Models champion Dennis Erb Jr. won the first point-paying Series race at 81 Speedway last year, out dueling Nick Hoffman to score his 14th career triumph.

Erb has liked the Kansas facility, giving him room to work around multiple grooves to challenge and find speed to win a race.

With the new adjustments in Fox Shocks giving the Carpentersville, IL’s #28 machine a better start than last season, he and crew chief Heather Lyne look forward to chasing a back-to-back feat on Saturday night.

Oklahoma! – The World of Outlaws Late Models return to Oklahoma for the first time in seven years on Friday – this time for their debut at Colcord, OK’s Arrowhead Speedway.

The only driver in the Series to have won at the facility is Marshalltown, IA driver Ryan Gustin on July 6, 2013.

The state-of-the-art 3/8-mile facility has garnered the interest of drivers and fans alike as the first Super Late Model race awaits drivers with 50 laps and a $15,000 check.
When the World of Outlaws last visited Oklahoma, Brandon Sheppard picked up the victory at Salina Highbanks Speedway in 2017.