Poll Position presented by Keyser Manufacturing
Top 25: Hoffman climbs with Pierce on top
By Kevin Kovac
DirtonDirt senior writer
Nick Hoffman (joshjamesartwork.com)
Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, Ill., returned to unanimous No. 1 status in DirtonDirt’s power rankings following a weekend that saw him tally a pair of podium finishes in the World of Outlaws Real American Beer Late Model Series-sanctioned Dairyland Showdown at Mississippi Thunder Speedway in Fountain City, Wis.
One week after ceding a single first-place vote to Ricky Thornton Jr. of Chandler, Ariz., Pierce received all 10 available in the Keyser Manufacturing-sponsored Top 25 poll. It marked his sixth consecutive week atop the rankings and the third time this season he’s been a unanimous selection.
The 28-year-old star placed third in Friday’s Dairyland Showdown opener and improved to second in Saturday’s finale. He ran his post-Speedweeks performance record to 12 podium finishes — including seven victories — in 13 starts with his only blemish being a sixth-place run in April 11’s Illini 100 opener at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway after his involvement in an early tangle forced him to restart at the rear of the field.
Thornton had a relatively quiet weekend — fifth in Friday’s Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event at Circle City Raceway in Indianapolis, Ind., and a 24th-place result in Saturday’s Dairyland Showdown headliner following a long overnight haul — but remained No. 2 in the rankings. Circle City runner-up Devin Moran of Dresden, Ohio, stayed at No. 3 while Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., who finished fourth at Circle City, continued in the No. 4 spot.
Jumping up two spots to complete the top five in the poll was Brandon Overton of Evans, Ga., who earned $15,000 for his first Lucas Oil triumph of 2025 at Circle City and finished third in Mississippi Thunder’s 50-lap finale.
Nick Hoffman of Mooresville, N.C., made the week’s biggest move in the rankings, surging four spots to No. 7 on the strength of a superb weekend at Mississippi Thunder. He registered a career-high $30,000 victory — and his first WoO victory of the season — in Saturday’s 50-lapper after taking runner-up money the previous night to Tyler Erb of New Waverly, Texas, whose first WoO checkered flag since 2022 helped him climb two spots to No. 8 in the poll.
Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., collected a pair of top-five finishes at Mississippi Thunder to propel him back into the Top 25 at No. 22. The idle Dalton Cook of Columbus, Ga., dropped out of the rankings.
Voting is done by a 10-member committee made up of staffers and contributors to determine the Top 25 power rankings: Richard Allen, Bryan Ault, Jeff Broeg, Kelley Carlton, Ryan Delph, Josh James, Kevin Kovac, Kyle McFadden, Mike Ruefer and Kyle Symons. Results are compiled and tabulated by Todd Turner, who serves as a voting alternate along with fellow staffer Aaron Clay.
Rankings appear Tuesdays through mid-November provided at least half of the drivers in the current rankings are in action in the previous week.
1. Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, Ill.
Comment: Goes winless at Dairyland Showdown, but third in opener and second in finale continues post-Speedweeks onslaught of podium runs. He’s pumped for Illinois Speedweek starting Tuesday. Series points: 1st (WoO). Previous ranking: 1st (nc)
2. Ricky Thornton Jr., Chandler, Ariz.
Comment: Quiet weekend with fifth at Circle City and 24th at Mississippi Thunder after Lucas Oil’s Florence rainout allows him to make overnight haul to take on WoO rivals. He has Illinois Speedweek in his crosshairs. Series points: 1st (Lucas Oil). Previous ranking: 2nd (nc)
3. Devin Moran, Dresden, Ohio
Comment: Runner-up at Circle City is lone start of weekend. Five nights in Land of Lincoln are next. Series points: 2nd (Lucas Oil). Previous ranking: 3rd (nc)
4. Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, Ga.
Comment: Runs fourth with Lucas Oil at Circle City followed by ninth in unexpected start at Mississippi Thunder. Illinois Speedweek plans currently show FloRacing Night at La Salle on Tuesday and Lucas Oil stops at Farmer City and Fairbury. Series points: 3rd (Lucas Oil). Previous ranking: 4th (nc)
5. Brandon Overton, Evans, Ga.
Comment: Busts through for elusive first Lucas Oil win of 2025 at Circle City and adds solid third-place outing at Mississippi Thunder. Full Illinois Speedweek assault on tap. Series points: 5th (Lucas Oil). Previous ranking: 7th (+2)
6. Garrett Alberson, Las Cruces, N.M.
Comment: After restart bid for lead falls short and leads to sixth-place finish at Circle City, bypasses Mississippi Thunder to gear up for busy Illinois Speedweek. Series points: 4th (Lucas Oil). Previous ranking: 5th (-1)
7. Nick Hoffman, Mooresville, N.C.
Comment: Shines in Dairyland Showdown, earning career-high $30,000 victory in Saturday’s finale following a runner-up finish 24 hours earlier. Eager for Illinois Speedweek at tracks he knows well from modified days. Series points: 2nd (WoO). Previous ranking: 11th (+4)
8. Tyler Erb, New Waverly, Texas
Comment: Runs the lip to secure $25,000 triumph in Dairyland Showdown opener, snapping 36-race WoO winless streak since last success in 2022. Illinois Speedweek fits right into his 2025 Fun Tour. Series points: 9th (Lucas Oil). Previous ranking: 10th (+2)
9. Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, Ind.
Comment: Stands on podium at Circle City after finishing third. Has Illinois Speedweek events at Spoon River, Farmer City and Fairbury on schedule. Series points: 6th (Lucas Oil). Previous ranking: 8th (-1)
10. Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, Ill.
Comment: Forgettable weekend in Rocket1 machine with 12th-place finish at Circle City, then 18th after long hike to Mississippi Thunder. He’ll look to regain footing amid familiar surroundings during Illinois Speedweek. Series points: 8th (Lucas Oil). Previous ranking: 6th (-4)
11. Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa
Comment: Steady but surprisingly quiet weekend (sixth, seventh) at Mississippi Thunder, a track where he’s excelled in past. Illinois Speedweek comes up next. Series points: 3rd (WoO). Previous ranking: 9th (-2)
12. Ethan Dotson, Bakersfield, Calif.
Comment: Starts Dairyland Showdown with seventh-place finish but retires early from finale due to battery cable problem. Staying in Midwest for Illinois Speedweek. Series points: 6th (WoO). Previous ranking: T12th (nc)
13. Drake Troutman, Hyndman, Pa.
Comment: Improves during Dairyland Showdown twinbill, going from 13th in opener to eighth in finale. He’ll tackle the full Illinois Speedweek schedule. Series points: 4th (WoO). Previous ranking: T12th (-1)
14. Brian Shirley, Chatham, Ill.
Comment: After engine woes knock him out Friday, rebounds in Mississippi Thunder’s headliner to finish fourth. Ready to enjoy racing on home front during Illinois Speedweek. Series points: 8th (WoO). Previous ranking: 15th (-1)
15. Mike Marlar, Winfield, Tenn.
Comment: Idle weekend leads into busy stretch of competition on Illinois Speedweek. Series points: None. Previous ranking: 14th (-1)
16. Max Blair, Centerville, Pa.
Comment: Mississippi Thunder weekend brings frustration with also-ran finishes of 17th and 19th. Six straight nights of action on tap with three FloRacing Night in America shows in Illinois and then a weekend back home at Tri-City, Stateline and Eriez. Series points: 9th (WoO). Previous ranking: 17th (+1)
17. Daulton Wilson, Fayetteville, N.C.
Comment: Knocked from top 10 at Circle City by slap of wall on a mid-race restart and finishes 21st. He’ll run the full Illinois Speedweek slate. Series points: 7th (Lucas Oil). Previous ranking: 16th (-1)
18. Cory Hedgecock, Loudon, Tenn.
Comment: No racing for weekend after Hunt the Front rainouts. Looks toward Schaeffer’s Spring Nationals doubleheader in Kentucky. Series points: T2nd (Hunt the Front). Previous ranking: T20th (+2)
T19. Cody Overton, Evans, Ga.
Comment: Notches pair of 14th-place finishes at Mississippi Thunder in his car owner’s home state. Set to tackle FloRacing Night in America portion of Illinois Speedweek. Series points: 7th (WoO). Previous ranking: 19th (nc)
T19. Josh Rice, Crittenden, Ky.
Comment: Retires from Circle City feature after contact with wall on restart and brake line failure, then rainout at Florence steals his shot to battle Lucas Oil stars on home turf. He’ll head to Spring Nationals shows in Bluegrass State. Series points: 2nd (Northern Allstars). Previous ranking: 19th (-1)
21. Zack Mitchell, Enoree, S.C.
Comment: Flat tire late in Sunday’s postponed feature at Cherokee punts him from top-five but he salvages 10th-place finish. Series points: 1st (Hunt the Front). Previous ranking: T20th (+1)
22. Tim McCreadie, Watertown, N.Y.
Comment: Gains badly-needed momentum with two contending runs at Mississippi Thunder, finishing fourth in opener and fifth on Saturday in second weekend behind wheel of new Longhorn Chassis. Hoping for more success during Illinois Speedweek. Series points: 5th (WoO). Previous ranking: Unranked
23. Ricky Weiss, Headingley, Manitoba
Comment: Hunt the Front rainouts keep him in the shop. Next scheduled starts on May 16-17 with HTF at Sugar Creek and Smoky Mountain. Series points: 4th (Hunt the Front). Previous ranking: 22nd (-1)
24. Carson Ferguson, Lincolnton, N.C.
Comment: Places 10th at Circle City. Busy week ahead with five nights of action in Illinois. Series points: 10th (Lucas Oil). Previous ranking: 23rd (-1)
25. Jimmy Owens, Newport, Tenn.
Comment: No racing thanks to Hunt the Front rainouts. Next competition to be determined. Series points: 6th (Hunt the Front). Previous ranking: 24th (-1)
Dropped out: Dalton Cook
Others receiving votes: Dale McDowell, Gregg Satterlee, Dalton Cook, Joseph Joiner, Sam Seawright, Cade Dillard, Ashton Winger, Rick Eckert, Rusty Schlenk, Ben Watkins, Dennis Erb Jr., Jadon Frame, Jason Feger, Tanner English.
