Dirt on Dirt - McDowell robs Moran for first Eldora semifeature

September 4

Eldora Speedway,

Rossburg, OH

Sanction: DIRTcar Supers (World 100 first Thursday semifeature) - $12,000

Information provided by: Kevin Kovac, Kyle McFadden and track reports (last updated September 5, 5:18 pm)

McDowell robs Moran for first Eldora semifeature

World 100 first Thursday semifeature

Dale McDowell
Devin Moran
Bobby Pierce
Brandon Sheppard
Nick Hoffman
Ryan Gustin
Tyler Erb
Ricky Thornton Jr.
Cade Dillard
Josh Rice
Max Blair
Dan Ebert
Brian Shirley
Jimmy Owens
Chase Junghans
Tristan Chamberlain
Jason Feger
Kyle Strickler
Shannon Babb
Frank Heckenast Jr.
Tyler Millwood
Dylan Thompson
Garrett Smith
Ethan Dotson
Clint Keenan
Tyler Bruening

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Zach Yost

Dale McDowell (17m) battles Devin Moran (99) in semifeature action.

What won the race: Sliding past Devin Moran for the lead as they raced towards the checkered flag, second-starting Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., beat Moran by 0.112 of a second to win Thursday's first 25-lap World 100 preliminary semifeature at Eldora Speedway. McDowell led only the final lap to earn $12,000 and Shane McDowell Racing’s third overall 2025 victory.

Quotable: “We were a little bit different on tires. Devin (Moran) was a little softer, we were a little harder (compound), I think Brandon Sheppard was kinda mixed in between, so it was just a tire deal there,” McDowell said. “Car is still a little tight, but Shane (McDowell’s) been working on it and making some changes. We caught a break in that heat race, you gotta have some luck. So we started right in the heat race and I’m just trying to drive it for all I got. Those young guys make you dig deep when you’re 59 years old.”

Key notes: McDowell added to Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series victories on April 4 — $8,000 at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Ala. and May 17 — $15,000 at Smoky Mountain Speedway in Maryville, Tenn. ... Third-starting Devin Moran led laps 11-24 before McDowell slid by him in the final set of corners. ... Moran inherited control on a lap-11 restart after early leader Nick Hoffman couldn't keep pace following right-front nosepiece damage; Hoffman made contact while attempting to lap Ethan Dotson on the 10th lap, with debris from resulting damage drawing the race's lone stoppage. Hoffman finished fifth while Dotson was credited with 24th. ... Ninth-starting Bobby Pierce took third from Brandon Sheppard on the final lap, relegating Sheppard to fourth. ... Josh Rice rounded out the top 10 after starting last when he received the final provisional starting position following electrical issues in the group's first shootout qualifier. ... The night's first 25-lap prelim lasted 11 minutes, with 23 starters completing the distance.

On the move: Josh Rice of Crittenden, Ky., started 26th and finished 10th.

Winner's sponsors: McDowell’s Shane McDowell Racing Team Zero Race Car has a Clements Chevrolet engine and sponsorship from Reece Monument Company, Cometic Gaskets, Klotz Synthetic Lubricants, Bath Masters, Connected Strategy Advisors, Northeastern Fabrication, Campbell Insulation Specialists, M&S Motors, Black Rock Enterprises., BSI Well Service, S&H Systems, Be Cool Radiators, Spring-Pro and Fox Racing Shox.

Points chase: World 100 after Thursday: 1. Nick Hoffman (488); 2. Brandon Sheppard (479); T3. Devin Moran (473); T3. Chris Ferguson (473); T3. Jason Jameson (473); 6. Dale McDowell (470); T7. Tim McCreadie (464); T7. Garrett Alberson (474); T7. Max Blair (474); T7. Carson Ferguson (464).

Current weather: Clear, 57°F

Car count: 101

Fast qualifier: Nick Hoffman

Time: 15.602 seconds

Polesitter: Nick Hoffman

Heat race winners: Nick Hoffman, Dale McDowell, Devin Moran

Provisional starters: Garrett Smith, Josh Rice

Next series race: September 5, Eldora Speedway (Rossburg, Ohio) $12,000

Editor's note: Results and race details are unofficial.

From staff reports

ROSSBURG, Ohio — Updates and results from Thursday’s 55th annual World 100 first preliminary night, highlighted by twin 25-lap, $12,000-to-win split-field qualifying features for DIRTcar Super Late Models (results unofficial):

Semifeature

Sliding by Devin Moran for the lead as they raced towards the checkered flag, second-starting Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., beat Moran by 0.112 of a second to win Thursday's first 25-lap World 100 preliminary semifeature at Eldora Speedway. McDowell led only the final lap to earn $12,000 and his third overall 2025 victory.

Semifeature lineup

(25 laps)

Row 1: Nick Hoffman, Dale McDowell
Row 2: Devin Moran, Tristan Chamberlain
Row 3: Tyler Erb, Ryan Gustin
Row 4: Cade Dillard, Brandon Sheppard
Row 5: Bobby Pierce, Dan Ebert
Row 6: Ricky Thornton Jr., Kyle Strickler
Row 7: Jimmy Owens, Jason Feger
Row 8: Chase Junghans, Shannon Babb
Row 9: Ethan Dotson, Clint Keenan
Row 10: Dylan Thompson, Brian Shirley
Row 11: Tyler Millwood, Tyler Bruening
Row 12: Frank Heckenast Jr., Max Blair
Row 13: Garrett Smith, Josh Rice

Shootout recap

Sixth-starting Nick Hoffman slid by Tristan Chamberlain on a lap-11 restart and led the final two laps to win Thursday’s first 12-lap Shootout. Hoffman beat Chamberlain to the checkers by 0.985 of a second and will start on the pole of the night’s first 25-lap preliminary feature. Chamberlain led the opening four laps. Cade Dillard used a last-lap pass to take third from Dan Ebert, relegating Ebert to fourth. Tenth-starting Jimmy Owens rounded out the top five. The race’s first caution flew on the fifth lap when World 100 rookie Dalton Cook spun from 11th and made contact with the turn-three wall; he continued to finish ninth. The second yellow flag came out on the ensuing restart when third-running Garrett Smith shredded a right-rear tire; he could only rebound to 11th after changing the flat and will utilize a provisional starting position as the fastest qualifier that failed to transfer. The third and final stoppage came on the 11th lap when Josh Rice slowed from the lead with electrical issues; Rice was credited with 17th after leading laps 5-10. … Third-starting Dale McDowell muscled his way by Ricky Thornton Jr. on a lap-10 restart and led the final three laps in winning Thursday’s second qualifying shootout. McDowell won by 1.771 seconds over ninth-starting Tyler Erb, with Brandon Sheppard finishing third and Thornton settling for fourth. Ethan Dotson overcame an opening lap melee to take sixth from Brian Shirley on the final lap, relegating Shirley to seventh. The first yellow flew on the opening lap when Mario Gresham spun from 12th, suffering significant right-rear damage; he continued and finished 13th. The second stoppage came on the ensuing restart when Michael Page and Shane Clanton made contact in turn two, forcing Clanton into the outside wall then back across the track, collecting Dotson, Kaede Loudy, Colten Burdette and Frank Heckenast Jr.; Clanton was the only driver unable to continue and announced his World 100 bid is over after receiving heavy damage; Heckenast claimed the race’s final transfer spot in eighth, Loudy finished ninth and Burdette in 12th. Page continued until making contact with Forrest Trent as they battled for ninth on the 10th lap, sending both drivers nearly spinning entering turn one, but continuing with minor contact; Trent finished 11th, while Page was credited with 16th. … Fourth-starting Devin Moran led all 12 laps to win the first group’s third and final shootout, crossing the line 1.125 seconds ahead of third-starting Ryan Gustin. Bobby Pierce advanced from seventh to finish third, while Chase Junghans improved five positions to finish fifth.

Editor's note: Updates with Josh Rice's issues being electrical.

Shootout results

(12 laps; top eight transfer)

First shootout: Nick Hoffman, Tristan Chamberlain, Cade Dillard, Dan Ebert, Jimmy Owens, Shannon Babb, Dylan Thompson, Tyler Bruening, Dalton Cook, Kyle Bronson, Garrett Smith, Carson Brown, Wil Herrington, Rusty Ballenger, Donnie Jeschke, Mike Spatola, Josh Rice.

Second shootout: Dale McDowell, Tyler Erb, Brandon Sheppard, Ricky Thornton Jr., Jason Feger, Ethan Dotson, Brian Shirley, Frank Heckenast Jr., Kaede Loudy, Justin Duty, Forrest Trent, Colten Burdette, Mario Gresham, Evan Koehler, Bryant Dickinson, Michael Page, Shane Clanton.

Third shootout: Devin Moran, Ryan Gustin, Bobby Pierce, Kyle Strickler, Chase Junghans, Clint Keenan, Tyler Millwood, Max Blair, Zack Dohm, Brenden Smith, Gordy Gundaker, Kent Robinson, Austin Smith, Casey Noonan, Luke Anstett, Nevin Gainey. Scratched: Jon Hodgkiss.

Group A pre-race notes

After some overnight rain, weather conditions are nearly perfect with sunny skies and an afternoon high temperature reaching about 70 degrees. Forecasts for the weekend call for dry and comfortable days and cool nights. … Thursday’s preliminary program has 101 cars signed in, marking the fourth straight year that the World 100 field has topped the century mark. … Fairbury (Ill.) Speedway promoter Matt Curl conducted the drivers’ meeting. His most notable announcement was about the preliminary program formats: the three 12-lap “shootouts” for each qualifying group will have the top six starters inverted from qualifying, but the eight drivers who transfer to their respective 25-lap, $12,000-to-win semifeature will align straight-up. … Ryan Gustin of Marshalltown, Iowa, has a Buzz Lightyear character and Buzz’s catch phrase “to Infinity and beyond” on his Cooney Motorsports car, leaning into the connection with his Infinity Chassis. … Justin Duty of Molalla, Ore., is entered in the World 100 for the first time after failing to qualify in June in his Dream debut. … Dan Ebert of Lake Shore, Minn., is driving the same car he crashed hard in last Friday’s Hillbilly Hundred preliminary feature at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa. The machine’s rear clip was replaced at Rocket Chassis in Shinnston, W.Va., earlier this week. … Tyler Bruening of Decorah, Iowa, is returning to the World 100 roster for the first time since 2022. … Tyler Erb of New Waverly, Texas, has a very special wrap on his Best Performance Motorsports car recognizing the Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, where he was successfully treated for Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, when he was a teenager. Erb had the wrap sent to the hospital so young patients there could sign it before it was put on his car.

Time trials

Group A
Driver (car no.), hometown, time (unofficial)
1. Nick Hoffman (9), Mooresville, N.C., 15.602
2. Brian Shirley (3s), Chatham, Ill., 15.648
3. Max Blair (111), Centerville, Pa., 15.658
4. Garrett Smith (10), Madison, Ga., 15.714
5. Brandon Sheppard (1), New Berlin, Ill., 15.868
6. Tyler Millwood (31), Kingston, Ga., 15.882
7. Cade Dillard (97), Robeline, La., 15.893
8. Ricky Thornton Jr. (20rt), Chandler, Ariz., 15.900
9. Devin Moran (99), Dresden, Ohio, 15.954
10. Shannon Babb (18), Moweaqua, Ill., 15.958
11. Dale McDowell (17m), Chickamauga, Ga., 15.967
12. Ryan Gustin (19R), Marshalltown, Iowa, 16.003
13. Tristan Chamberlain (20tc), Richmond, Ind., 16.022
14. Shane Clanton (25), Zebulon, Ga., 16.029
15. Kyle Strickler (8), Mooresville, N.C., 16.063
16. Josh Rice (11R), Crittenden, Ky., 16.065
17. Michael Page (18x), Douglasville, Ga., 16.071
18. Clint Keenan (29), Pataskala, Ohio, 16.082
19. Dan Ebert (60), Lake Shore, Minn., 16.106
20. Ethan Dotson (74x), Bakersfield, Calif., 16.115
21. Bobby Pierce (32), Oakwood, Ill., 16.117
22. Dylan Thompson (99T), Paducah, Ky., 16.183
23. Justin Duty (15D), Molalla, Ore., 16.203
24. Gordy Gundaker (11G), St. Charles, Mo., 16.207
25. Wil Herrington (15k), Hawkinsville, Ga., 16.237
26. Tyler Erb (1T), New Waverly, Texas, 16.248
27. Nevin Gainey (17), Fort White, Fla., 16.250
28. Jimmy Owens (20), Newport, Tenn., 16.258
29. Colten Burdette (53c), Parkersburg, W.Va.
30. Chase Junghans (18J), Manhattan, Kan., 16.300
31. Kyle Bronson (40B), Brandon, Fla., 16.307
32. Jason Feger (25F), Bloomington, Ill., 16.312
33. Casey Noonan (1n), Sylvania, Ohio, 16.318
34. Dalton Cook (44D), Smiths Station, Ala., 16.318
35. Mario Gresham (21), Rome, Ga., 16.321
36. Austin Smith (11), Cedartown, Ga., 16.340
37. Mike Spatola (89), Manhattan, Ill., 16.392
38. Frank Heckenast Jr. (99jr), Frankfort, Ill., 16.394
39. Zack Dohm (17D), Cross Lanes, W.Va., 16.417
40. Rusty Ballenger (1G), Seymour, Tenn., 16.556
41. Kaede Loudy (26), Rogersville, Tenn., 16.570
42. Brenden Smith (17ss), Dade City, Fla., 16.579
43. Tyler Bruening (16), Decorah, Iowa, 16.582
44. Forrest Trent (101), Morristown, Tenn., 16.645
45. Kent Robinson (1R), Bloomington, Ind., 16.652
46. Carson Brown (28B), New London, N.C., 16.709
47. Evan Koehler (114e), Mount Airy, N.C., 16.712
48. Jon Hodgkiss (69), Pittsburgh, Pa., 16.823
49. Donnie Jeschke (99J), Dayton, Ohio, 17.133
50. Bryant Dickinson (5D), Ionia, Mich., 17.378
51. Luke Anstett (64), Greenville, Mich., no time

Thursday’s schedule

(All times local)
11 a.m. - Ticket office opens (ticket and pit pass sales)
Noon - Pits open
1 p.m. - Grandstands closed and cleared
2 p.m. - All gates, suites and concessions open
2 p.m. - Ballroom opens
5 p.m. - Drivers’ meeting
6 p.m. - Hot laps
7:30 p.m. - Opening ceremonies
8 p.m. - Ballroom closes
Competition
- Late Model time trials (2 laps)
- Late Model shootout races (12 laps)
- Late Model first feature (25 laps)
- Late Model second feature (25 laps)
Dukes of Country concert (fan zone)