I came to Dirt Late Model racing relatively late, and I appreciate those that forgive me for being an asphalt-only fan as a youngster. But when I fell for dirt racing, I fell hard, and with the post-college freedom of a car and spending money, I quickly embraced trips to the biggest races.

So when I discovered that there was more to Florida Speedweeks than the events at Daytona International Speedway — now a place I usually just label “the big track” — I was excited to drive south. | Spee MORE

The name of this blog signals that I'm not typically an optimist when it comes to Dirt Late Model racing.

The highway miles and time away from home can be long. The racing isn't always as fun as it should be. And events that keep you at the track until after midnight quickly get old.

But then you run into an event like the Wild West Shootout, and it's rejuvenating, even just a few weeks after the conclusion of what seemed like a never-ending season. USA Raceway's January miniseries in Tucson, MORE

Superlatives from the fifth annual Wild West Shootout, where more than 60 drivers competed in the six-race miniseries at USA Raceway:

Best race: There wasn't a bad one, but the finale topped them all with the top three bunched at the line while taking the white flag. Three-race winner Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., stalked Terry Phillips of Springfield, Mo., for 38 laps before taking the lead going for the white flag, and hometown hero R.C. Whitwell nearly snuck past both of them.

Best finish: I MORE