Dirt on Dirt - Hoffman nips B-Shepp, wins Rayburn Memorial

September 26

Brownstown Speedway,

Brownstown, IN

Sanction: Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series (C.J. Rayburn Memorial) - $10,000

Information provided by: Todd Turner, Bryan Ault, series and track reports (last updated September 27, 4:09 am)

Hoffman nips B-Shepp, wins Rayburn Memorial

C.J. Rayburn Memorial

Nick Hoffman
Brandon Sheppard
Devin Moran
Ricky Thornton Jr.
Garrett Alberson
Josh Rice
Bobby Pierce
Tyler Erb
Clay Harris
Daulton Wilson
Donald McIntosh
Jason Jameson
Brandon Overton
Jonathan Davenport
Dan Ebert
Daniel Hilsabeck
Tanner English
Drake Troutman
Tyler Neal
Camaron Marlar
Carson Ferguson
Hudson O'Neal
Chris Ferguson
Justin Rattliff

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Ryan Roberts

Nick Hoffman celebrates his first career Lucas Oil Series victory.

What won the race: Powering around mid-race leader Brandon Sheppard on the 29th of 40 laps, fourth-starting Nick Hoffman of Mooresville, N.C., went on to nip Sheppard at the finish line by 0.081 of a second to win Friday's fourth annual C.J. Rayburn Memorial at Brownstown Speedway. Hoffman officially led the final 12 laps to earn a $10,000 payday and his first career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory.

Quotable: “I knew our car was good enough (to win). It was just picking the right lanes, and then I got too loose there at the end, got to the point where I couldn’t run where I wanted to,” Hoffman said. “With Sheppy behind you, you know he’s not gonna run you over. He’s probably the cleanest guy out here, but honestly I expected him to be on the top. I couldn’t park it on the bottom like a lot of guys could and then take back off and he obviously could and damn near beat me back to the line.”

Key notes: Hoffman captured his ninth overall feature of the season while becoming the 94th driver to win on the Lucas Oil tour. ... Sheppard took control on a lap-10 restart after Jonathan Davenport pitted with a flat left-rear tire and led until Hoffman powered around him out of turn four as they completed lap 29. Sheppard remained within striking distance until his last-lap bid fell short. ... Davenport, who led laps 1-9 from the pole, tangled with Daniel Hilsabeck and spun for the race's fifth and final caution on lap 13, then soldiered to a 14th-place result. ... Tenth-starting Devin Moran briefly held the runner-up spot on lap 12 before giving way to Hoffman and settling for third. ... Ricky Thornton Jr. prevailed to finish fourth after a back-and-forth battle with Garrett Alberson, who settled for fifth. ... Jason Jameson battled Sheppard for second in the early going before slipping to finish 12th. … Five yellow flags slowed the action, including on lap three for Justin Rattliff’s broken driveshaft and lap eight when Tanner English clipped an infield tire and spun entering turn three, sending Drake Troutman off the track to avoid contact. ... Thornton and Hudson O’Neal made contact on a lap-eight restart attempt, sending O’Neal spinning and collecting Hilsabeck. O’Neal retired with right-front suspension damage and was credited with 22nd. ... Davenport and Carson Ferguson both slowed with flat tires on lap 10, then both spun on lap 13 with Ferguson retiring and placing 21st. … Carson’s cousin, Chris Ferguson, retired under the lap-eight caution. … The race lasted 34 minutes with 17 starters completing 40 laps. … Max Blair, appearent fourth-place finisher in the third heat race, was disqualified for missing the scales and scratched for the night. ... The event honored C.J. Rayburn, the late Hall of Fame chassis builder who died on Jan. 1, 2022, at the age of 81 after battling Covid pneumonia.

On the move: Tyler Erb of New Waverly, Texas, started 18th and finished eighth.

Winner's sponsors: Hoffman’s Tye Twarog Racing Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from NOS Energy Drink, C&W Trucking, Petroff Towing, Tye Twarog Performance Parts, Lonewolf Petroleum, Holdren Construction, Haulin’ Haskells, Tri Valley Equipment Sales, Deatherage Opticians, Allgaier Performance Parts, VP Racing Fuels, Bilstein Shocks, Eibach Springs, Lincoln Smith Racing, Wehrs Machine, Burlile Fuels and KBC Graphix.

Points chase: After Brownstown Friday: 1. Ricky Thornton Jr. (8,305); 2. Devin Moran (8,235); 3. Jonathan Davenport (8,195); 4. Hudson O’Neal (8,140); 5. Brandon Sheppard (7,405); 6. Garrett Alberson (7,310); 7. Brandon Overton (6,935); 8. Daulton Wilson (6,365); 9. Carson Ferguson (6,080); 10. Donald McIntosh (6,060); 11. Daniel Hilsabeck (5,795); 12. Dan Ebert (5,585).

Current weather: Clear, 63°F

Car count: 48

Fast qualifier: Jonathan Davenport

Time: 13.152 seconds

Polesitter: Jonathan Davenport

Heat race winners: Jonathan Davenport, Jason Jameson, Brandon Sheppard, Nick Hoffman

Consolation race winners: Clay Harris, Tyler Erb

Provisional starters: Daulton Wilson, Daniel Hilsabeck

Next series race: September 27, Brownstown Speedway (Brownstown, IN) $50,000

Editor's note: Corrects prelim results after Max Blair's heat race disqualification.

From staff reports

BROWNSTOWN, Ind. — Live updates and results from Friday’s fourth annual C.J. Rayburn Memorial, highlighted by a 40-lap, $50,000-to-win feature for Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series-sanctioned Super Late Models (results unofficial):

Feature

Powering around mid-race leader Brandon Sheppard on the 29th of 40 laps, fourth-starting Nick Hoffman of Mooresville, N.C., went on to nip Sheppard at the finish line by 0.081 of a second to win Friday's fourth annual C.J. Rayburn Memorial at Brownstown Speedway. Hoffman officially led the final 12 laps to earn a $10,000 payday and his first career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory.

Feature lineup

(40 laps)

Row 1: Jonathan Davenport, Brandon Sheppard
Row 2: Jason Jameson, Nick Hoffman
Row 3: Ricky Thornton Jr., Hudson O'Neal
Row 4: Garrett Alberson, Josh Rice
Row 5: Tanner English, Devin Moran
Row 6: Chris Ferguson, Drake Troutman
Row 7: Bobby Pierce, Carson Ferguson
Row 8: Brandon Overton, Donald McIntosh
Row 9: Clay Harris, Tyler Erb
Row 10: Dan Ebert, Justin Rattliff
Row 11: Camaron Marlar, Tyler Neal
Row 12: Daulton Wilson, Daniel Hilsabeck

Consolation race results

(10 laps; top three transfer)

First consolation: Clay Harris, Dan Ebert, Camaron Marlar, Dennis Erb Jr., Devin Gilpin, Daulton Wilson, Derek Groomer, Jordan Wever, Trevor Landrum, Cody Mahoney, Matt Boknecht, Chad Stapleton, Jacob Leitzman, Justin Smith, Justin Wetington, Zak Blackwood.

Second consolation: Tyler Erb, Justin Rattliff, Tyler Neal, Bob Gardner, Logan Zarin, Tristan Chamberlain, Cory Lawler, Tyler Collins, Don O'Neal, Daniel Hilsabeck, Quentin White. Scratched: Steve Peeden, Evan Harrell, Derek Campbell, Max Blair, Jared Bailey.

Heat race recap

Jonathan Davenport led all eight laps from the pole to win the first heat race by a scant 0.577 of a second over Ricky Thornton Jr., who trailed the entire distance. Tanner English held serve in third, with fifth-starting Bobby Pierce grabbing the fourth and final transfer spot into Friday’s 40-lap C.J. Rayburn Memorial. Fourth-starting Daulton Wilson slipped off the turn-two racing surface on the opening lap and soldiered to a ninth-place finish. … Second-starting Jason Jameson earned a flag-to-flag victory in the second heat race after Camaron Marlar was called for jumping the opening start attempt and docked a starting row. Garrett Alberson finished runner up, 1.720 seconds behind Jameson, with fifth-starting Chris Ferguson taking third. Brandon Overton started and finished fourth. The race’s lone caution came for Marlar jumping the opening start attempt; he faded to finish fifth. … Fourth-starting Brandon Sheppard took advantage of a lap-five restart to slip by race-long leader Hudson O’Neal and lead the final three laps of the third heat, winning by 0.966 of a second over O’Neal, who paced the opening five circuits. Devin Moran improved three positions to grab the third, while Carson Ferugson inherited the fourth and final transfer spot after Max Blair was disqualified for missing the scales. The first yellow flag flew on the opening lap when O’Neal appeared to make contact with Tyler Erb, sending Erb spinning down the backstretch; Erb continued but could only rebound to seventh. The second slowdown came on the fifth lap when Evan Harrell spun after hitting an infield tire; he drove straight to the pits and was credited with 11th. … Nick Hoffman cruised to win the fourth and final heat race, leading all eight laps and taking the checkers 2.571 seconds ahead of fourth-starting Josh Rice. Drake Troutman held on for a third-place finish while sixth-starting Donald McIntosh rounded out the top-four finishers. The lone stoppage came on the third lap when Derek Campbell slowed and parked just outside the turn-one racing surface. Steve Peeden pulled off on the opening lap and retired with heavy left-front nose damage. … The four heats combined to last just shy of 20 minutes.

Heat race results

(Eight laps; top four transfer)

First heat: Jonathan Davenport, Ricky Thornton Jr., Tanner English, Bobby Pierce, Clay Harris, Dan Ebert, Devin Gilpin, Derek Groomer, Daulton Wilson, Jordan Wever, Jacob Leitzman, Justin Smith.

Second heat: Jason Jameson, Garrett Alberson, Chris Ferguson, Brandon Overton, Camaron Marlar, Dennis Erb Jr., Cody Mahoney, Trevor Landrum, Chad Stapleton, Matt Boknecht, Justin Wetington, Zak Blackwood.

Third heat: Brandon Sheppard, Hudson O'Neal, Devin Moran, Carson Ferguson, Tyler Neal, Justin Rattliff, Tyler Erb, Bob Gardner, Tyler Collins, Quentin White, Evan Harrell, Max Blair.

Fourth heat: Nick Hoffman, Josh Rice, Drake Troutman, Donald McIntosh, Logan Zarin, Tristan Chamberlain, Cory Lawler, Don O'Neal, Daniel Hilsabeck, Steve Peeden, Derek Campbell. Scratched: Jared Bailey.

Time trials

Group A
Driver (car no.), hometown, time (unofficial)
1. Jonathan Davenport (49), Blairsville, Ga., 13.152
2. Camaron Marlar (57m), Winfield, Tenn., 13.317
3. Ricky Thornton Jr. (20rt), Chandler, Ariz., 13.363
4. Jason Jameson (12), Lawrenceburg, Ind., 13.406
5. Tanner English (96), Benton, Ky., 13.492
6. Garrett Alberson (58), Las Cruces, N.M., 13.496
7. Daulton Wilson (18D), Fayetteville, N.C., 13.520
8. Brandon Overton (76), Evans, Ga., 13.596
9. Bobby Pierce (32), Oakwood, Ill., 13.630
10. Chris Ferguson (22F), Mount Holly, N.C., 13.697
11. Devin Gilpin (1G), Columbus, Ind., 13.726
12. Trevor Landrum (18), Florence, Ky., 13.810
13. Clay Harris (6), Jupiter, Fla., 13.811
14. Dennis Erb Jr. (28), Carpentersville, Ill., 13.814
15. Dan Ebert (60), Lake Shore, Minn., 13.898
16. Cody Mahoney (4), Madison, Ind., 13.953
17. Derek Groomer (D48), Bloomington, Ind., 13.974
18. Matt Boknecht (22x), Seymour, Ind., 14.020
19. Justin Smith (7), Barbourville, Ky., 14.040
20. Chad Stapleton (32c), Edinburgh, Ind., 14.098
21. Jordan Wever (29J), Bloomington, Ind., 14.216
22. Zak Blackwood (93x), Columbus, Ind., 14.263
23. Jacob Leitzman (2nd), Paragon, Ind., 14.627
24. Justin Wetington (48j), Edinburgh, Ind., 14.888
Group B
1. Tyler Erb (01), New Waverly, Texas, 13.589
2. Nick Hoffman (9), Mooresville, N.C., 13.639
3. Hudson O’Neal (71), Martinsville, Ind., 13.703
4. Drake Troutman (22*), Hyndman, Pa., 13.743
5. Carson Ferguson (93), Lincolnton, N.C., 13.756
6. Cory Lawler (93L), Hanover, Pa., 13.790
7. Brandon Sheppard (1), New Berlin, Ill., 13.792
8. Josh Rice (11R), Crittenden, Ky., 13.889
9. Devin Moran (99), Dresden, Ohio, 13.932
10. Tristan Chamberlain (20tc), Richmond, Ind., 13.940
11. Max Blair (111), Centerville, Pa., 14.005
12. Donald McIntosh (79), Dawsonville, Ga., 14.085
13. Justin Rattliff (16J), Campbellsville, Ky., 14.166
14. Jared Bailey (24), Bedford, Ind., 14.245
15. Bob Gardner (4G), East Peoria, Ill., 14.273
16. Steve Peeden (P3), Martinsville, Ind., 14.308
17. Tyler Neal (20), Paragon, Ind., 14.410
18. Logan Zarin (1z), Moon Township, Pa., 14.416
19. Tyler Collins (11c), North Vernon, Ind., 14.440
20. Daniel Hilsabeck (22), Earlham, Iowa, 14.508
21. Evan Harrell (29), Franklin, N.C., 14.589
22. Don O’Neal (71D), Martinsville, Ind., 14.623
23. Quentin White (41), Greenwood, Ind., 14.965
24. Derek Campbell (22c), Attica, Ind., 16.387

Friday’s schedule

(All times local)
Noon - Gates open
3 p.m. - Tech and registration opens
6:15 p.m. - Tech and registration closes
6:30 p.m. - Drivers’ meeting
7 p.m. - On-track activity
- Super Late Model hot laps
- Pro Late Model group qualifying
- Super Late Model time trials (2 laps)
Opening ceremonies
- Pro Late Model heats (8 laps)
- Super Late Model heats (8 laps)
- Pro Late Model consolations (10 laps)
- Super Late Model consolations (10 laps)
Intermission/track prep
- Super Late Model feature (40 laps)
- Pro Late Models feature (50 laps)