heathlawsonphotos.com

Four-time Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series champion Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla., will end a two-year absence from competition to participate in Oct. 9-10’s UNOH Clash on the Wabash at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.

Pearson, 54, has been semi-retired since October 2024 when he made his most recent Super Late Model start in MLRA-sanctioned action at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo. He’s remained active in the sport, however, as an occasional official for the Lucas Oil Series and in August was inducted into the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame.

A No. 1 machine powered by a Cornett Racing Engine is being prepared for Pearson at the Longhorn Chassis shop in China Grove, N.C. Sponsors for his comeback effort include his longtime backer Lucas Oil Products, Big River Steel and Dunn Benson Industrial, a company operated by Kemp Lamm, whose late father, Carlton, fielded the Dunn Benson Racing No. 1 that Pearson drove to victory in Eldora’s 2006 World 100.

“I’m excited to get back behind the wheel at Eldora Speedway,” Pearson said in a press release. “I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of my friends and family that will be attending the event. I have to give special thanks to (Longhorn’s) Steve Arpin and Justin Labonte for helping to put this whole deal together for me.”

Pearson will receive assistance at Eldora’s Lucas Oil Series-sanctioned doubleheader from several former crew members, including his close friends Matt Langston and Jason Fitzgerald, who were part of Pearson’s World 100-winning team 20 years ago. Kemp Lamm is also planning to attend the event.

“I also want to especially thank Morgan (Lucas) and the entire Lucas Oil Products family for their support of this event and all the years they supported me,” Pearson said. “It is incredible to know that relationship started back in 2001 and that I was the longest sponsored athlete-driver for Lucas Oil. They are genuinely great people that have done so much for my career and the entire industry of motorsports. It has been a great journey, and I am looking forward to having their name across the front nose as always.”

While the Clash on the Wabash, which includes $10,000- and $50,000-to-win programs, is currently Pearson’s lone scheduled action, additional starts are possible in Oct. 16-17’s Dirt Track World Championship at West Virginia Motor Speedway in Mineral Wells and perhaps Nov. 4-7’s World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte in Concord, N.C., if his Eldora weekend goes well.