DirtonDirt Dispatches
Dispatches: Modoc winner thinking sweep
Cody Overton heads to a Modoc heat victory. (Emily Schwanke/woolms.com)
Notes and quotes from Dirt Late Model specials during the Oct. 2-25 weekend, including World of Outlaws Late Model Series action at Modoc (S.C.) Speedway (look for coverage of the FloRacing Night in America visit to Volunteer Speedway elsewhere):
First WoO victory
Cody Overton could barely enjoy his first-time victory on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series when he remembered there’s another WoO race Saturday at Modoc (S.C.) Speedway paying $25,000-to-win.
"We're not done,” the 28-year-old Thomson, Ga., driver said Friday after his first national touring triumph paying $12,000. "I'd like to get two of them. That'd be awesome.”
No one would be surprised after Overton led all 40 laps in becoming the 106th all-time WoO winner. It came at the 4/10-mile Modoc oval updated by owner Ronnie Powell where Overton twice won earlier this season, a July 16 Schaeffer's Southern Nationals and a Sept. 27 Southern Thunder Super Dirt Series triumph.
All are part of a second-half surge for Overton since connecting with Minnesota-based team owner James Trantina and Triple B Motorsports. During a season with 12 victories overall, seven in Super Late Model competition, a first on the WoO is tough to top.
“No one understands how hard it is to win one of these. This is a dream come true,” Overton said in victory lane, his voice cracking. "I know it's not a lot of money, but these are the hardest races to win, and no one gets it, but I got one.”
Calling Trantina “a blessing,” he had a long list of supporters and sponsors to thank, adding that “the good Lord has also helped me a lot lately, and I owe it all to him. I really do. I mean, I wouldn't be where I'm at today without him.”
Overton held a comfortable lead most of the way, but 20th-starting Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, Ill. — the series points leader who overcame trailer liftgate and battery issues earlier in the night — rallied to second in the final laps after a nifty high-side move that took him to second from fourth.
Overton, whose previous best finish on the WoO circuit was third twice in 88 starts, moved to the high groove to protect his lead
“I told Cody’s stick guy, I said, ‘Congrats on moving him up.’ ” Pierce said. “He definitely did a good job. Cody ran a heckuva race, congrats to him.”
Overton wasn’t going to let anybody stop his big night.
“I kept telling myself he's gonna have to kill me to come through here,” he said. “Anybody that tries to (pass) me, because I'm telling you, I was driving my heart out, man.” — DIRTVision and series reports
Streaming schedule
Among upcoming Dirt Late Model special and sanctioned events available via live streaming:
Thursday, Oct. 22
• FloRacing Night in America Series at Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tenn. (FloRacing)
Friday, Oct. 23
• World of Outlaws Late Model Series at Modoc (S.C.) (DIRTVision)
• Coors Light Fall Classic prelims at Whynot Motorsports Park in Meridian, Miss. (Hunt the Front TV)
• Red Clay 602 Crate Late Model Series at Modoc (S.C.) Speedway (DIRTVision)
• Rogers-Dabbs Crate Racin’ USA 604 Series at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Ala. (Crate Racin’ USA TV)
• Midwest LateModel Racing Association Liberty 100 prelims at West Liberty (Iowa) Raceway (RaceON)
• CRUSA 604 non-touring Late Models prelims at Whynot Motorsports Park in Meridian, Miss. (Hunt the Front TV)
Saturday, Oct. 24
• World of Outlaws Late Model Series at Modoc (S.C.) (DIRTVision)
• Coors Light Fall Classic at Whynot Motorsports Park in Meridian, Miss. (Hunt the Front TV)
• Midwest LateModel Racing Association Liberty 100 at West Liberty (Iowa) Raceway (RaceON)
• Rogers-Dabbs Crate Racin’ USA 604 Series at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Ala. (Crate Racin’ USA TV)
• Save A Lot American All-Star Crate Series at 191 Speedway in Campton, Ky. (Dirt Rich TV)
• Dirt Track Championship Super Late Model prelims at Delaware International Speedway (Diamond State Digital TV)
• Rogers-Dabbs Crate Racin’ USA 602 Sportsman at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Ala. (Crate Racin’ USA TV)
• Red Clay 602 Crate Late Model Series at Modoc (S.C.) Speedway (DIRTVision)
Sunday, Oct. 25
• Southern All Star Series Blue-Gray 100 at Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, S.C. (FloRacing)
• Dirt Track Championship Super Late Models at Delaware International Speedway (Diamond State Digital TV)
• Red Clay 602 Crate Late Model Series at Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, S.C. (FloRacing)
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