FOUNTAIN CITY, Wis. — There was no better time for Nick Hoffman to get back in the win column on the World of Outlaws Real American Beer Late Model Series than Saturday at Mississippi Thunder Speedway’s Dairyland Showdown, the track and event he’s embraced over the years.

Snapping a 32-race winless drought on the WoO tour en route to his career-richest payday of $30,000, the 33-year-old Hoffman left no doubt among himself and his competitors that he belonged in victory lane.

The Tye Twarog Motorsports driver commanded the final 33 of 50 laps and was never challenged once he took the lead from eventual third-place finisher Brandon Overton on lap 18. Bobby Pierce finished second, 1.702 seconds behind Hoffman.

“That was awesome. You get pretty frustrated going a couple of weeks not getting the job done,” Hoffman said in victory lane. “Get your ass kicked and then finally get to a place you really like. The race car was really good there.

“I don’t know what else I could’ve done to be better, but I was actually glad to see that caution there (on lap 37 for Tyler Bruening’s flat right-rear tire) to get me away from lapped traffic where I can run my lane again. Yeah, I can’t thank all my guys enough.”

Hoffman, who finished runner-up to Tyler Erb in Friday's Dairyland opener at Mississippi Thunder Speedway, hadn’t won a World of Outlaws feature since last June 29 at Norman County Raceway in Ada, Minn. His only scare came during qualifying earlier in the night when his motor wasn’t performing at full strength. 

He eventually attributed the gremlin to a crank trigger issue, and from there, it was smooth sailing.

“My Clements motor ran great all weekend. I just had that crank trigger issue earlier, and we got that figured out,” Hoffman said. “Spent a couple days at Wehrs Machine (and Racing Products in Bangor, Wisc.) right down the road. He builds a lot of great products for me and was able to learn a couple things I feel like that helped us this weekend. This is badass.”

The second-finishing Pierce attested to Hoffman’s superiority, admitting he needed “a little more balance” to keep pace with Hoffman.

Pierce’s best chance at Hoffman came on the lap-37 restart, but the top-ranked driver in DirtonDirt.com's Top 25 poll quickly found out his racecar wasn’t as nimble to make a move.

“That’s what we were talking about. Felt a little laid over and that’s tough here on these circle tracks like that,” Pierce said. “Nick had a great car, congrats to him on the win. I don’t know, I really wanted that caution. It came out and I really thought that was my chance. When we took the green, (Hoffman) just blasted out half a straightaway lead right at the green flag. (I) knew he was pretty good.

“All in all, a pretty good weekend for us. A third and a second, we’ll take it, and move on to Illinois Speedweek and see what we got there.”

Overton, meanwhile, appeared on his way to a second straight win before Hoffman turned up the heat. Fresh off his first Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory of 2025 on Friday at Circle City Raceway in Indianapolis, Ind., and making the eight-hour haul after Saturday’s Lucas Oil race at Florence Speedway in Union, Ky., rained out, Overton dispatched early leader Tim McCreadie to lead laps 4-17.

The lap-13 caution for Ethan Dotson didn’t help Overton, who five laps later surrendered the lead to Hoffman when the eventual winner blasted around the top through turns three and four for command on lap 18.

Overton was happy with his third-place finish because he was in tire conservation mode.

“I’m glad there wasn’t anymore laps. We just had a flat. That was plenty enough,” Overton said. “On the podium, we made a long trip, and kind of made it all worth it. We’re fast. I don’t know if I’m a little too aggressive early and hurt my tire or what, but I just wanted to get out front. Car felt really good early. We’re talking about it now, there’s a couple little tweaks we should’ve done.”

Overton, too, conceded that Hoffman had the better car Saturday.

“Nick was really, really good. He drove right by me and got gone,” Overton said. “I kind of started reeling Bobby back there at the end and we caught traffic, and they were in my lane. Hell, we’ll take it. It’s fun. We’re definitely getting better week in and week out. That’s all I care about. We keep showing improvements. We keep finishing up there on the podium and we’ll get our share.”

Hoffman’s two career-richest Late Model victories have now come at Mississippi Thunder Speedway. Last May 3, he paced the final 45 of 50 laps for a $25,000 payday on opening night of the Dairyland Showdown. 

Earlier this week, FloRacing announced its partnership in the $100,025-to-win inaugural Modified World Championship at Mississippi Thunder on May 31. Ricky Thornton Jr., Tyler Erb, Cade Dillard, Kyle Strickler, Stormy Scott and Rodney Sanders, among others, are part of the 120 pre-registrants.

Hoffman, however, isn’t one despite both nationally touring Late Model series off that weekend.

“People tell me I’m stupid for not coming here for $100,000 in a modified. This Late Model deal, I’m just so focused on (it),” Hoffman said. “My modifieds are taking care of themselves with my guys winning. This place is just awesome. I’ve been fortunate to win here last year and run really solid. Just my style of momentum, and slick and slow, and just doing everything you can to make grip and make momentum speed. Man, it’s pretty badass.”

Notes: Three cautions slowed the 21-minute feature: Lap eight for a four-car pileup involving Billy Moyer, Chad Simpson Dustin Sorensen and Jake Timm; lap 13 for 12th-running Ethan Dotson; and lap 37 for ninth-running Tyler Bruening's flat right-rear tire. ... Tanner English switched to a backup car after suspected engine issues en route to a runner-up finish in his heat race; he eventually finished 11th in the feature. ... Cade Dillard ripped the right-rear quarter panel and spoiler off his car after hard contact with the turn-one wall and did not complete a qualifying lap; he could only manage seventh in his heat and 10th in the second consolation. ... Max Blair (19th in the A-main) and Aaron Marrant (scratched after time trials) each completed their qualifying attempts with spoilers dragging after wall contact. ... Lucas Oil regulars Brandon Overton, Ricky Thornton Jr., Jonathan Davenport, Brandon Sheppard and Dan Ebert traveled overnight from Circle City Raceway in Indianapolis, Ind., after Saturday's series stop at Union, Ky.'s Florence Speedway rained out. ... Twenty-one drivers were running at the finish, 16 on the lead lap.

Feature lineup

(50 laps)

Row 1: Brian Shirley, Tim McCreadie
Row 2: Brandon Overton, Nick Hoffman
Row 3: Bobby Pierce, Tyler Erb
Row 4: Drake Troutman, Ryan Gustin
Row 5: Tyler Bruening, Chris Simpson
Row 6: Dennis Erb Jr., Jonathan Davenport
Row 7: Brandon Sheppard, Shane Clanton
Row 8: Dylan Thornton, Billy Moyer
Row 9: Jake Timm, Dustin Sorensen
Row 10: Max Blair, Chad Simpson
Row 11: Ricky Thornton Jr., Tanner English
Row 12: Ethan Dotson, Cody Overton
Row 13: Ashton Winger, Tristan Chamberlain

Consolation race results

(10 laps; top two transfer)

First consolation: Dustin Sorensen, Chad Simpson, Tristan Chamberlain, J.T. Wasmund, Ethan Dotson, Cody Overton, Lance Hofer, Rob Sanders, Dan Ebert, Austin Smith, Chad Mahder, Lance Matthees, Clay Stuckey, Derrick Stewart, Dean Carpenter, Parker Foster.

Second consolation: Max Blair, Ricky Thornton Jr., Brent Larson, Michael Leach, Ashton Winger, Cory Crapser, Sammy Mars, Matthew Larson, Collen Winebarger, Cade Dillard, Eli Ross, Brad Waits, Justin Green, Glen Powell. Scratched: Aaron Marrant.

Heat race recap

Tyler Erb survived a few late-race restarts to lead all 10 laps, winning the first heat race by 1.063 seconds over second-starting Drake Troutman. Erb, winner of Friday’s $25,000 opener, will go to the WoO redraw along with Troutman. Fifth-starting Jonathan Davenport grabbed the third and final transfer spot into Saturday’s 50-lap finale. Dan Ebert was involved in all three cautions that slowed the first heat race. His contact with Cody Overton sent Overton spinning on lap seven; Overton rebounded to sixth. Ebert’s lap-seven contact with Davenport flattened his own right rear, sending Ebert to the infield for a tire change. Ebert and Parker Foster spun on the ensuing restart, setting up one final green-white-checkered restart and extending the heat race to 10 laps (from eight). … Brandon Overton secured a flag-to-flag victory in the second heat, leading all eight laps and winning by 0.751 of a second over Ryan Gustin, with fourth-starting Shane Clanton taking third, punching their tickets into the $30,000-to-win main event. … Tim McCreadie controlled the entirety of heat three, taking the checkers by 2.193 seconds over fourth-starting Chris Simpson, with Hall of Famer Billy Moyer taking the third and final transfer position. … Bobby Pierce overcame an opening start penalty to lead the final six laps, winning the fourth heat by 2.379 seconds over fifth-starting Tanner English, who will switch to a backup after suspected engine issues. Third-starting Sammy Mars led the opening lap before fading to sixth. Ricky Thornton Jr. led the second lap before Pierce’s bold third-to-first move gave him control on the third lap. Thornton faded back to fifth before passing Brent Larson for fourth on the final lap. … Brian Shirley cruised to win the fifth heat, leading the entire distance and crossing the line 0.843 of a second ahead of Tyler Bruening. Dylan Thornton outdueled Max Blair to qualify for his first career World of Outlaws feature. … Nick Hoffman grabbed the lead on lap three and never looked back, winning the sixth and final heat race by 2.916 seconds over fourth-starting Dennis Erb Jr., who took the runner-up spot from Jake Timm on the final lap. Timm led the opening two laps before settling for third. Cade Dillard could only manage seventh after repairing damage following wall contact during time trials.

Heat race results

(Eight laps; top three transfer)

First heat: Tyler Erb, Drake Troutman, Jonathan Davenport, Dustin Sorensen, J.T. Wasmund, Cody Overton, Dan Ebert, Clay Stuckey, Parker Foster.

Second heat: Brandon Overton, Ryan Gustin, Shane Clanton, Chad Simpson, Dean Carpenter, Rob Sanders, Chad Mahder, Austin Smith.

Third heat: Tim McCreadie, Chris Simpson, Billy Moyer, Tristan Chamberlain, Ethan Dotson, Lance Hofer, Lance Matthees, Derrick Stewart.

Fourth heat: Bobby Pierce, Tanner English, Brandon Sheppard, Ricky Thornton Jr., Brent Larson, Sammy Mars, Eli Ross, Justin Green.

Fifth heat: Brian Shirley, Tyler Bruening, Dylan Thornton, Max Blair, Michael Leach, Matthew Larson, Glen Powell. Scratched: Aaron Marrant.

Sixth heat: Nick Hoffman, Dennis Erb Jr., Jake Timm, Ashton Winger, Cory Crapser, Collen Winebarger, Cade Dillard, Brad Waits.

Time trials

Group A
Driver (car no.), hometown, time (unofficial)
1. Tyler Erb (1), New Waverly, Texas, 13.494
2. Brandon Overton (76), Evans, Ga., 13.539
3. Tim McCreadie (9m), Watertown, N.Y., 13.759
4. Drake Troutman (22*), Hyndman, Pa., 13.760
5. Ryan Gustin (19R), Marshalltown, Iowa, 13.824
6. Billy Moyer (21), Batesville, Ark., 13.900
7. Dustin Sorensen (19), Rochester, Minn., 14.000
8. Chad Simpson (25s), Mount Vernon, Iowa, 14.049
9. Ethan Dotson (74x), Bakersfield, Calif., 14.077
10. Dan Ebert (60), Lake Shore, Minn., 14.095
11. Shane Clanton (25), Zebulon, Ga., 14.123
12. Chris Simpson (32s), Oxford, Iowa, 14.259
13. Jonathan Davenport (49D), Blairsville, Ga., 14.261
14. Rob Sanders (10n), Bakersfield, Calif., 14.362
15. Lance Hofer (11H), Fountain City, Wis., 14.379
16. J.T. Wasmund (51w), Pine Island, Minn., 14.412
17. Dean Carpenter (51), Coldwater, Miss., 14.428
18. Derrick Stewart (43), Ainsworth, Iowa, 14.437
19. Cody Overton (2), Evans, Ga., 14.460
20. Austin Smith (11), Cedartown, Ga., 14.500
21. Tristan Chamberlain (20tc), Richmond, Ind., 14.528
22. Clay Stuckey (15), Shreveport, La., 14.664
23. Chad Mahder (55c), Bloomer, Wis., 14.891
24. Lance Matthees (90), Winona, Minn., 14.905
25. Parker Foster (35), Winona, Minn., 15.026
Group B
1. Bobby Pierce (32), Oakwood, Ill., 14.030
2. Brian Shirley (3s), Chatham, Ill., 14.042
3. Jake Timm (49), Winona, Minn., 14.047
4. Ricky Thornton Jr. (20rt), Chandler, Ariz., 14.103
5. Tyler Bruening (16), Decorah, Iowa, 14.114
6. Ashton Winger (12), Hampton, Ga., 14.188
7. Sammy Mars (28m), Menomonie, Wis., 14.190
8. Dylan Thornton (38T), Orcutt, Calif., 14.255
9. Nick Hoffman (9), Mooresville, N.C., 14.291
10. Brandon Sheppard (1s), New Berlin, Ill., 14.387
11. Max Blair (111), Centerville, Pa., 14.508
12. Dennis Erb Jr. (28), Carpentersville, Ill., 14.574
13. Tanner English (96), Benton, Ky., 14.579
14. Michael Leach (09), Sun River, Mont., 14.580
15. Collen Winebarger (14s), Corbett, Ore., 14.712
16. Eli Ross (66), Muskogee, Okla., 14.846
17. Aaron Marrant (1x), Richmond, Mo., 14.892
18. Brad Waits (24), Rochester, Minn., 15.070
19. Brent Larson (B1), Lake Elmo, Minn., 15.102
20. Matthew Larson (8), Lake Elmo, Minn., 15.192
21. Cory Crapser (93), Chippewa Falls, Wis., 15.554
22. Justin Green (19J), Sheboygan Falls, Wis., 16.195
23. Glen Powell (26), Nixa, Mo., 16.381
24. Cade Dillard (97), Robeline, La., no time

Saturday’s schedule

(All times local)
2 p.m. - Pits open
4-5 p.m. - Autograph session (midway)
5 p.m. - Grandstands open
5:30 p.m. - Drivers’ meeting
6 p.m. - On-track activity begins
- Late Model hot laps
- Modified hot laps
- Late Model time trials (2 laps)
- Modified group qualifying
Opening ceremonies
- Late Model heats (8 laps)
- Modified heats (8 laps)
- Late Model consolation (10 laps)
WoO redraw
- Modified consolation (15 laps)
Intermission/track prep
- Late Model feature (50 laps)
- Modified feature (30 laps)