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Poll Position: Davenport continues rankings climb
Welcome to one of the newest DirtonDirt.com features, Poll Position, as DirtonDirt.com staffers Michael Rigsby, Todd Turner and Joshua Joiner rank the nation's top 25 Dirt Late Model racers by consensus. Future rankings will appear every Tuesday at DirtonDirt.com:
1. Jimmy Owens, Newport, Tenn.
Comment: Freshly crowned Lucas Oil champ took a well-deserved week off after wrapping up his first series title. Series points: First (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 1st (nc)
2. Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, Tenn.
Comment: Time to put the Lucas Oil points race behind him possibly starting this weekend with a trip to Magnolia. Series points: Second (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 2nd (nc)
3. Don O'Neal, Martinsville, Ind.
Comment: A late error at Lake Cumberland cost him a $10,000 victory. Series points: Third (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 3rd (nc)
4. Josh Richards, Shinnston, W.Va.
Comment: His WoO title hopes all come down to Charlotte after Screven cancelation. Series points: Second (World of Outlaws). Last week's ranking: 4th (nc)
5. Darrell Lanigan, Union, Ky.
Comment: Didn’t get a chance to battle for the win at Florence after falling out while running second on lap 32 of 50. Series points: Third (World of Outlaws). Last week's ranking: 4th (nc)
6. Steve Shaver, Vienna, W.Va.
Comment: Will he head back to 311 this weekend where a final-lap flat tire cost him a $5,000 victory earlier this season?. Series points: None. Last week's ranking: 6th (nc)
7. Rick Eckert, York, Pa.
Comment: Two races now stand between him and his first WoO championship. Series points: First (World of Outlaws). Last week's ranking: 7th (nc)
8. Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine, Iowa
Comment: Couldn’t repeat at Whynot, but he’ll try again this week at Magnolia. Series points: None. Last week's ranking: 10th (+2)
9. Billy Moyer, Batesville, Ark.
Comment: Still winless in Whynot’s Fall Classic. Series points: None. Last week's ranking: 8th (-1)
10. Eddie Carrier Jr., Salt Rock, W.Va.
Comment: Advanced from 19th to fourth at Florence. Series points: Second (O'Reilly All Stars). Last week's ranking: 9th (-1)
11. Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, Ga.
Comment: Appears to be back to 2010 form after a $15,000 triumph at Whynot. Series points: none. Last week's ranking: 15th (+4)
12. Chris Madden, Gray Court, S.C.
Comment: Still waiting for Charlotte. Series points: First (Southern Nationals). Last week's ranking: 11th (-1)
13. Scott James, Lawrenceburg, Ind.
Comment: Wrapped up Florence’s season with his fourth victory of the year at the half-mile oval. Series points: Second (Summernationals). Last week's ranking: 14th (+1)
14. Steve Francis, Ashland, Ky.
Comment: Still time to avoid a winless year. Series points: Fourth (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 12th (-2)
15. Jimmy Mars, Menomonie, Wis.
Comment: January will be here before you know it. Series points: None. Last week's ranking: 13th (-2)
16. Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, Ill.
Comment: He’s not complaining about too long of a season this year. He’s done for 2011 after less than seven months of racing. Series points: First (Summernationals). Last week's ranking: 16th (nc)
17. Tim McCreadie, Watertown, N.Y.
Comment: Waiting for Charlotte, where he’ll look to end the year on a positive note. Series points: Fourth (World of Outlaws). Last week's ranking: 17th (nc)
18. Brady Smith, Solon Springs, Wis.
Comment: Getting an early start to the offseason to focus on his fledgling open-wheel modified chassis business. Series points: None. Last week's ranking: 18th (nc)
19. Chub Frank, Bear Lake, Pa.
Comment: Finished fifth in Saturday’s UFO finale at Hesston. Series points: Fifth (World of Outlaws). Last week's ranking: 19th (nc)
20. Jared Hawkins, Fairmont, W.Va.
Comment: Still time to add another win or two to his breakout season. Series points: None. Last week's ranking: 20th (nc)
21. Jeep Van Wormer, Pinconning, Mich.
Comment: Called it a season after his UMP DIRTcar Nationals win at Eldora last week. Series points: None. Last week's ranking: 21st (nc)
22. Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, Ga.
Comment: Was the first car out of Whynot’s 100-lap feature. Series points: 11th (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 22nd (nc)
23. Jason Covert, York Haven, Pa.
Comment: Runner-up effort at Hesston was his fifth-straight top-five finish. Series points: First (Three State Flyers). Last week's ranking: 23rd (nc)
24. Jared Landers, Batesville, Ark.
Comment: Stayed clear of trouble for the entire distance of Whynot’s 100-lapper. Series points: Fifth (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 24th (nc)
25. Jamie Lathroum, Mechanicsville, Md.
Comment: Continued late-season hot streak with $8,800 victory in the UFO tour finale. Series points: None. Last week's ranking: Not ranked
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Chad Simpson, Klint Byars, Dan Stone, John Blankenship, Jason Feger.
