Dirt on Dirt - O'Neal overcomes tricky cushion to win $10,000

May 22

Lucas Oil Speedway,

Wheatland, MO

Sanction: Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series (Cowboy Classic) - $10,000

Information provided by: Kevin Kovac, series and track reports (last updated May 24, 8:55 pm)

O'Neal overcomes tricky cushion to win $10,000

Cowboy Classic

Hudson O'Neal
Devin Moran
Garrett Alberson
Ricky Thornton Jr.
Jonathan Davenport
Carson Ferguson
Bobby Pierce
Brandon Sheppard
Justin Wells
Cade Dillard
Donald McIntosh
Gordy Gundaker
Daulton Wilson
Daniel Hilsabeck
Mike Marlar
Dan Ebert
Spencer Hughes
Jeremy Shaw
Dillon McCowan
Clay Stuckey
Aaron Marrant
Tyler Stevens
Tyler Bruening
Brandon Overton

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Hudson O'Neal celebrates his first Lucas Oil Series win of the season.

What won the race: Sliding by race-long leader Garrett Alberson on the 33rd circuit, third-starting Hudson O'Neal of Martinsville, Ind., led the final 13 laps to win Thursday's $10,000 12th annual Cowboy Classic at Lucas Oil Speedway. O'Neal slipped as low as sixth after hopping the turn-two cushion on a lap-eight restart, before marching his way back to the front and beating Devin Moran to the line by 1.335 seconds for his first Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory of the season.

Quotable: “I got to second there right before (the lap-eight) restart. The top was still pretty dominant, I was like ‘Man, I need to get to the top down here in (turns) one and two,’ and I’ll be danged if I didn’t drive off in there and run right over the banking. I fell back to like fifth or sixth,” O’Neal said. “Restarts fell our way, got some good breaks right through there and was able to show how good our race car was there on the bottom.”

Key notes: O'Neal captured his third straight Wheatland victory after sweeping April's Spring Nationals in unsanctioned competition, worth $27,000. ... It's his fifth overall victory of the season and 27th career full-field Lucas Oil triumph. ... Devin Moran grabbed second from Garrett Alberson on the final lap, relegating Alberson to third after leading the opening 32 circuits from the pole. ... Ricky Thornton Jr. took advantage when O'Neal hopped the turn-two cushion and trailed Alberson twice for 18 laps (8-19, 21-25) before settling for fourth. ... Bobby Pierce improved eight positions and finished seventh after narrowly avoiding a slowing Tyler Bruening on lap 20. ... Bruening, who was challenging Jonathan Davenport for third place at the time, folded his left-front nosepiece after clipping an infield tractor tire. He did not continue and was credited with 23rd. ... Tyler Stevens's flat right-rear tire drew the race's fourth and final caution on the 25th lap. ... Mike Marlar hopped the turn-two cushion on lap eight, spinning from seventh and collecting Cade Dillard, who spun to avoid. Both drivers continued, with Dillard rebounding to 10th and Marlar in 15th. ... Fifth-running Brandon Overton (oil pump) was the race's first retiree after slowing on lap four. Overton reported he also lost power steering and his Riggs Motorsports Longhorn Factory Team is likely to change motors overnight. ... Dillon McCowan overcame an oil leak in hot laps and changed his motor after transferring out of the first heat race, salvaging a 19th-place finish. ... Thursday's Show-Me 100 opener lasted 24 minutes, with 19 drivers completing 45 laps. ... The top 18 points earners following Friday's 40-lap, $10,000-to-win Tribute to Don & Billie Gibson will be locked-in for Saturday's $75,000-to-win Show-Me 100 finale.

On the move: Runner-up finisher Devin Moran of Dresden, Ohio, started 12th.

Winner's sponsors: O’Neal’s SSI Motorsports Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Cornett Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from Wheeler Metals, Professional Concrete, Dyno One, Sub-Surface of Indiana, Big River Steel, O'Neal's Salvage & Recycling, Merrill Bonding, Bob & Tammy Burton, Bobcat of Batesville, Indiana USSSA Fastpitch, West Side Tractor Sales, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels and Midwest Sheet Metal.

Points chase: After Wheatland Thursday: 1. Ricky Thornton Jr. (3,810); 2. Jonathan Davenport (3,770); 3. Devin Moran (3,665); 4. Garrett Alberson (3,430); 5. Hudson O’Neal (3,405); 6. Brandon Sheppard (3,255); 7. Brandon Overton (3,240); 8. Daulton Wilson (3,020); 9. Carson Ferguson (2,875); 10. Donald McIntosh (2,705).

Current weather: Clear, 66°F

Car count: 49

Fast qualifier: Garrett Alberson

Time: 15.191 seconds

Polesitter: Garrett Alberson

Heat race winners: Garrett Alberson, Hudson O'Neal, Ricky Thornton Jr., Jonathan Davenport, Brandon Overton, Tyler Bruening

Consolation race winners: Clay Stuckey, Daniel Hilsabeck

Provisional starters: Daulton Wilson, Dan Ebert

Next series race: May 24, Lucas Oil Speedway (Wheatland, MO) $75,000

Editor's note: Corrects winner's engine builder.

From staff reports

WHEATLAND, Mo. — Live updates from Thursday’s 12th annual Cowboy Classic, featuring a 45-lap, $10,000-to-win main event for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series (results unofficial):

Feature

Sliding by race-long leader Garrett Alberson on the 33rd circuit, third-starting Hudson O'Neal of Martinsville, Ind., led the final 13 laps to win Thursday's $10,000 12th annual Cowboy Classic at Lucas Oil Speedway. O'Neal slipped as low as sixth after hopping the turn-two cushion on a lap-eight restart, before marching his way back to the front and beating Devin Moran to the line by 1.335 seconds for his first Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory of the season.

Feature lineup

(45 laps)

Row 1: Garrett Alberson, Jonathan Davenport
Row 2: Hudson O'Neal, Brandon Overton
Row 3: Ricky Thornton Jr., Tyler Bruening
Row 4: Cade Dillard, Mike Marlar
Row 5: Carson Ferguson, Brandon Sheppard
Row 6: Jeremy Shaw, Devin Moran
Row 7: Dillon McCowan, Gordy Gundaker
Row 8: Bobby Pierce, Justin Wells
Row 9: Tyler Stevens, Aaron Marrant
Row 10: Clay Stuckey, Daniel Hilsabeck
Row 11: Spencer Hughes, Donald McIntosh
Row 12: Daulton Wilson, Dan Ebert

Consolation race results

(10 laps; top two transfer)

First consolation: Clay Stuckey, Spencer Hughes, Cole Wells, Dan Ebert, Kayden Clatt, Daulton Wilson, Ryan Johnson, Mason Oberkramer, Dylan Hoover, Brennon Willard, Jim Vanzandt, Jace Parmley, Glen Powell. Scratched: Dalton Imhoff, Scott Crigler, Richard Kimberling.

Second consolation: Daniel Hilsabeck, Donald McIntosh, Clay Harris, Kyle Bronson, Jaxon Ertel, Cole Henson, Chris Jones, Tyler Kuykendall, Cory Lawler, Chris Wilhite Jr., Bryan Glaze, Joey Smith, Shannon Parker. Scratched: Chris Hawkins, Dalon Helm.

Heat race recap

Garrett Alberson led all eight laps from the pole to win the first heat race by 5.192 seconds over second-starting Cade Dillard. Alberson will lead the field to green for Thursday’s $10,000-to-win Show-Me opener. Dillon McCowan used a last-lap pass by Clay Stuckey and beat him to the line by 0.073 of a second for the third and final transfer position into the 45-lap feature. … Hudson O’Neal commanded all eight laps, winning the second heat by 1.678 seconds over Carson Ferguson, with Bobby Pierce starting and finishing third. Each driver punched their ticket into the main event. … Ricky Thornton Jr. cruised to win the third heat, leading the entire way and beating Jeremy Shaw to the line by 0.703 of a second, with Tyler Stevens grabbing the third and final transfer spot. … Jonathan Davenport earned a flag-to-flag victory in the fourth heat, winning by 4.413 seconds over Mike Marlar. Third-starting Gordy Gundaker reclaimed third spot on the sixth lap and held off Daniel Hilsabeck by 0.170 of a second at the checkers. … Brandon Overton overcame multiple mid-race restarts and beat Brandon Sheppard to the checkers by 0.139 of a second to win the fifth heat, with Justin Wells rounding out the podium. The race’s first caution came on the fifth lap when Chris Hawkins slowed from seventh and required a tow back to the pits. The second stoppage came on lap seven after fifth-running Cory Lawler appeared to strike an infield tire and slowed to a stop. … Tyler Bruening dominated the sixth and final heat race, winning by 2.782 seconds over Devin Moran, with Aaron Marrant completing the podium finishers. … All six prelims combined to last just shy of 20 minutes.

Heat results

(Eight laps; top three transfer)

First heat: Garrett Alberson, Cade Dillard, Dillon McCowan, Clay Stuckey, Dan Ebert, Daulton Wilson, Mason Oberkramer, Brennon Willard, Richard Kimberling.

Second heat: Hudson O'Neal, Carson Ferguson, Bobby Pierce, Kayden Clatt, Dylan Hoover, Ryan Johnson, Jace Parmley. Scratched: Scott Crigler.

Third heat: Ricky Thornton Jr., Jeremy Shaw, Tyler Stevens, Cole Wells, Dalton Imhoff, Spencer Hughes, Jim Vanzandt, Glen Powell.

Fourth heat: Jonathan Davenport, Mike Marlar, Gordy Gundaker, Daniel Hilsabeck, Kyle Bronson, Cole Henson, Joey Smith, Shannon Parker.

Fifth heat: Brandon Overton, Brandon Sheppard, Justin Wells, Donald McIntosh, Chris Wilhite Jr., Bryan Glaze, Cory Lawler, Chris Hawkins.

Sixth heat: Tyler Bruening, Devin Moran, Aaron Marrant, Clay Harris, Jaxon Ertel, Tyler Kuykendall, Chris Jones, Dalon Helm.

Time trials

Group A
Driver (car no.), hometown, time (unofficial)
1. Garrett Alberson (58), Las Cruces, N.M., 15.191
2. Hudson O’Neal (71), Martinsville, Ind., 15.293
3. Ricky Thornton Jr. (20rt), Chandler, Ariz., 15.434
4. Cade Dillard (97), Robeline, La., 15.481
5. Carson Ferguson (93), Lincolnton, N.C., 15.484
6. Jeremy Shaw (1s), Millport, Ala., 15.488
7. Dillon McCowan (8), Urbana, Mo., 15.737
8. Bobby Pierce (32), Oakwood, Ill., 15.782
9. Tyler Stevens (2T), Searcy, Ark., 15.794
10. Dan Ebert (60), Lake Shore, Minn., 15.863
11. Ryan Johnson (7J), Aurora, Mo., 15.866
12. Spencer Hughes (19m), Meridian, Miss., 15.911
13. Clay Stuckey (15), Shreveport, La., 15.960
14. Dylan Hoover (99H), Columbia, Mo., 15.970
15. Dalton Imhoff (96), Jamestown, Mo., 16.002
16. Daulton Wilson (18D), Fayetteville, N.C., 16.027
17. Kayden Clatt (50), Edina, Mo., 16.028
18. Cole Wells (7), Aurora, Mo., 16.151
19. Mason Oberkramer (93m), Broseley, Mo., 16.212
20. Scott Crigler (12), Alton, Mo., 16.292
21. Glen Powell (26p), Nixa, Mo., 16.414
22. Brennon Willard (3w), Lebanon, Mo., 16.501
23. Jace Parmley (82), Neosho, Mo., 16.584
24. Jim Vanzandt (67), Pleasant Hope, Mo., 16.825
25. Richard Kimberling (1k), Slater, Mo., 17.545
Group B
1. Jonathan Davenport (49), Blairsville, Ga., 15.356
2. Brandon Sheppard (1), New Berlin, Ill., 15.432
3. Tyler Bruening (16), Decorah, Iowa, 15.452
4. Mike Marlar (157), Winfield, Tenn., 15.536
5. Brandon Overton (76), Evans, Ga., 15.565
6. Devin Moran (99), Dresden, Ohio, 15.619
7. Gordy Gundaker (11), St. Charles, Mo., 15.733
8. Justin Wells (98), Aurora, Mo., 15.816
9. Aaron Marrant (1xm), Richmond, Mo., 15.875
10. Daniel Hilsabeck (22), Earlham, Iowa, 15.948
11. Cory Lawler (93L), Hanover, Pa.,15.961
12. Clay Harris (6), Jupiter, Fla., 15.976
13. Kyle Bronson (40B), Brandon, Fla., 16.023
14. Donald McIntosh (79), Dawsonville, Ga., 16.029
15. Dalon Helm (4x), Lahoma, Okla., 16.078
16. Cole Henson (31c), Russellville, Mo., 16.146
17. Bryan Glaze (1G), Little Rock, Ark., 16.188
18. Jaxon Ertel (1/4J), Neosho, Mo., 16.405
19. Joey Smith (s3), West Plains, Mo., 16.437
20. Chris Wilhite Jr. (21), Meeker, Okla., 16.549
21. Chris Jones (91), Neelyville, Mo., 16.551
22. Shannon Parker (18p), Ashdown, Ark., 16.554
23. Chris Hawkins (usa1), Neosho, Mo., 16.973
24. Tyler Kuykendall (8k), Warsaw, Mo., disqualified

Weekend plan

While the Show-Me 100 is kicking off Thursday with gorgeous weather — a high temperature of 70 under partly sunny skies — a threat of rain looms over the remainder of the weekend. Forecasts are currently indicating an increased chance of showers and thunderstorms beginning around race time on Friday and the timing of precipitation is fluctuating on Saturday, so Lucas Oil Series director Rick Schwallie has preemptively been working with Lucas Oil Speedway officials to develop contingency plans for the weekend.

During Thursday’s drivers’ meeting, Schwallie said if Friday’s $10,000-to-win racing program is lost to weather it will not be rescheduled and Saturday’s Show-Me 100 feature and consolation lineups will be determined using only points earned on Thursday. He also said that a rainout of Saturday’s Show-Me 100 finale would lead to the 100-lapper being rescheduled for Sat., July 12, the second night of Wheatland’s Diamond Nationals doubleheader for the Lucas Oil Series.

A caveat for a potential July 12 Show-Me 100: Schwallie said the series would run a full show of time trials, heats and consolations to set the starting field for the $75,000-to-win headliner rather than carry over the lineups from points earned this weekend. In addition, Wheatland’s show on Fri., July 11, would pay the $25,000 earmarked for Saturday’s Diamond Nationals winner rather than the $15,000 prize now planned for the opener of the weekend.

The last time the Show-Me 100 was postponed by rain to July’s Diamond Nationals weekend was in 2015 when the 100-lapper was run on Sunday night after Saturday’s originally scheduled Lucas Oil Series event. The Show-Me 100 was also rescheduled for mid-July in 2020 after Covid-19 restrictions prevented action on Memorial Day weekend.

Thursday’s schedule

(All times local)
2:45 p.m. - Tech and registration opens
3:30 p.m. - Pits cleared and closed
4 p.m. - All gates open
5:45 p.m. - Tech and registration closes
6 p.m. - Drivers’ meeting
6:30 p.m. - On-track activity
- Late Model hot laps
- Late Model time trials (2 laps)
Opening ceremonies
- Late Model heats (8 laps)
- Stock car feature (20 laps)
- Late Model consolations (10 laps)
- B-mod feature (20 laps)
- Late Model feature (45 laps)