Weekly Notebook presented by FK Rod Ends
Notes: Indiana rookie finding Crate success
By Todd Turner
DirtonDirt managing editor
Brent McMillan (Ryan Roberts photos)
After a half-dozen seasons in the factory stock division, Brent McMillan was excited to make the jump to Crate Late Models in 2025. And to find himself now racing against standout drivers in that higher-profile division, “it’s kind of surreal” lining up against the region’s best.
So to win June 20’s feature at Circle City Raceway in Indianapolis, Ind., was special amid a season that includes three victories in his first nine Crate Late Model starts.
“The highlight of this year has been the win at Circle City because we beat the Who’s Who of Crate racing in this area,” said the 31-year-old McMillan of North Vernon, Ind., about facing off against Tyler Cain, Trent Green and other Crate Late Model veterans. "It's a good feeling when you pull up next to those guys, because they are who you're there to beat.”
Running second most of the race, he used the low groove to lead the last seven laps at the quarter-mile oval.
"Those guys were kind of, I guess, the wily veterans of the class, and they had kind of got me on a couple restarts and at one point, Tyler Cain showed me the bottom and I was able to reset myself under a caution,” McMillan recalled. “We had a restart and I knew what I needed to do — I just had to make my hands and feet work to do it.”
Successfully manipulating the steering wheel and the pedals lifted his No. 20 Longhorn Chassis to victory in his pursuit of the rookie title on the Indiana Crate Late Model Series. McMillan, last season’s factory stock champion at Brownstown (Ind.) Speedway and second in overall DIRTcar points, also has Crate Late Model victories in 2025 at Clarksville (Tenn.) Speedway in his season opener and at I-65 Speedway in Scottsburg, Ind.
It’s been a satisfying season for the driver who grew up spectating at Brownstown and “wasn’t able to start racing until I was able to afford it myself.”
He found success in the factory stocks building his own cars, engines, bodies, transmissions and rear ends, but he jumped at the chance to move up to Crate Late Models with the addition of sponsorship from MAKS Plastics.
“Growing up and going to the racetrack, especially like Brownstown Speedway in this area, Late Models was the headliner,” McMillan said. "So as a kid and as growing up you always wanted to race the best cars, the fastest cars, so a dream of mine was to run Late Models and we just found ourselves in a spot to where we could we could do so.”
It didn’t take McMillan long to find victory lane as he won his first start, capturing the Crate Late Model portion of March’s Tuckassee Toilet Bowl Classic at Clarksville. Was he surprised at his early success?
“Yes and no. I was surprised to be that fast to start out, but also I expect us to be running up front at the same time,” he said. “My transition from driving the stock cars to the Late Model didn't take me as long as what I thought it would, so it was a little surprising to roll out with speed right out of the gate.”
He did find that he had to “drive way harder,” in the Crate Late Model. “They have way more sidebite and they have way more overall traction, so you just have to drive them so much harder than you would a stock car.
"Especially a Crate Late Model, basically you can't take any laps off. I was used to in the stock car, I was able to race a guy for a couple laps and pass them and go on. You didn't have to go wide open at the drop of the green. You had some time. But the Crate deal, you basically have to go as soon as you can get it, because once you guys get strung out, it's hard to pass.”
Along with support of his wife Paula, family and crew members, McMillan benefits from the expertise of racer Justin Shaw of SuperHeat Solutions as a racing consultant and advice from Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series regular Hudson O’Neal.
McMillan’s 2021 Longhorn Chassis is a car Shaw had driven in 2024, so “it was kind of proven and Justin had a pretty solid base package on it already,” McMillan said.
With Shaw and O’Neal in his corner, “you know that you’re getting good information,” McMillan added. “And a lot of these, these race cars, for me was the adjusting to the driving and it was good to have someone like Hudson and Justin that have adjusted to them and has kind of evolved with the sport to where it is now to be able to tell me what I need to be doing and what not to do.”
McMillan, who works as the operations manager at Madison, Ind.’s Old Oaks Outfitters, got acquainted with O’Neal through hunting more than racing, and said the former Lucas Oil Series champion has “helped me tremendously trying to help me understand what I need in the race car and how to get the feel that I'm looking for.”
Old Oaks Outfitters has six employees and provides 14,000 acres of deer and turkey hunting grounds. McMillan has worked there since 2017 so, along with racing, he’s an expert hunter. A better hunter than the 24-year-old O’Neal?
"I think I'm probably a little better hunter and he's probably a little better race car driver, we'll say that,” McMillan said with a chuckle. “He’s a very good person just to share space with.”
With three victories and solid showings in trips to tracks including Smoky Mountain Speedway in Maryville, Tenn., Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway and Windy Hollow Speedway in Owensboro, Ky., McMillan hopes to add more success in the second half of the season, including his coveted rookie title.
“We feel like we have a really good package,” McMillan said. “We just have to put full nights together and I think we’ll be OK."
Weekly highlights
• Winning his debut at Hidden Valley Speedway in Clearfield, Pa., Ken Schaltenbrand of Sarver, Pa., collected $3,000 in July 4’s Shawn “Sheetz” McGarvey Memorial for Super Late Models.
• Portland, Ore.’s Joey Tanner swept July 4-5 Super Late Model action during the Firecracker 100 weekend at Willamette Speedway in Lebanon, Ore.
• During a three-race holiday weekend, Brandon Thirlby of Traverse City, Mich., collected two Super Late Model victories at Merritt Speedway in Lake City, Mich., on July 4-5.
• Winning July 5 at Natural Bridge (Va.) Speedway, Logan Roberson of Waynesboro, Va., earned $2,500 in the Freedom 40 for Limited Late Models.
• In a doubleheader weekend July 4-5 at Clayhill Motorsports Park in Atwood, Tenn., Cory Balker of Paducah, Ky., swept 602 Crate Late Model features.
• Nick Thrash of Meridian, Miss., won back-to-back Crate Late Model features July 4-5 at his hometown Whynot Motorsports Park.
• Unable to return to his Tennessee-based Super Late Model operations because of issues crossing the U.S. border, Canadian standout Ricky Weiss of Headingley, Manitoba, on July 4-5 swept the GVE Deere Run for $1,500 and $2,500 victories.
First things first
Recent first-time occurrences at the dirt track:
• Modified standout Tyler Wolff of Fayetteville, Ark., notched his first Late Model victory July 3 at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo. He followed that the next night with a Nutrien Ag Solutions POWRi Revival Super Dirt Series victory at Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas.
• Winning July 4 at Attica (Ohio) Raceway Park, Gregg Haskell of Chatham, Ontario, earned his first stateside victory. The 49-year-old Haskell, who has more than 50 victories in Canada, led all 25 caution-free laps.
• Driving a Tom Dusen-owned entry, Jim Beltz of Kent City, Mich., notched his first Late Model victory in his first division start July 4 at Mid-Michigan Raceway Park in Fenwick, Mich.
Weekly news briefs
• Late Models entering July 19’s Mahder Memorial at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis., will receive two free pit passes and have their $150 entry fee covered thanks to sponsors, fans, drivers and supporters of the Mahder family. The $10,555-to-win event has drawn pre-entries from more than 60 drivers.
• Citing low car counts a single profitable event in 2025, Revolution Park owners David and Misti Smith announced plans to suspend the Monroe, La., track's original schedule after July 11-12's Clash at the Bayou. The Smiths, who bought the track in December, plan four more events the remainder of the season but won’t announce those until within a week of the race. Smith said “we have tried everything we can to get cars” for events at the track that had been closed since 2022. The track’s weekly Crate Racin’ USA division for 604 Crate Late Models averaged 7.8 cars over eight events with a high of 13 entrants on the Fourth of July.
• North Georgia Speedway in Chatsworth, Ga., is mourning the June 28 passing of John Hale a Ooltewah, Tenn., a longtime track official who also worked on the fire rescue team at the former Boyd’s Speedway in Ringgold, Ga. “He truly did any job necessary to make North Georgia Speedway run smooth,” according to a statement on the North Georgia Facebook page. “His vibrant spirit and infectious laughter will be deeply missed by all who knew him.” The track’s 50-50 drawing on July 11 will go toward Hale’s funeral expense. Donations can also be dropped off at Brindle Brothers Auto Parts in Chatsworth. Also, see the track’s Facebook page for a link to the family’s GoFundMe and Venmo accounts.
• A Limited Late Model driver who drove the wrong way around Port Royal (Pa.) Speedway and rammed a competitor’s car in retaliation during a June 28 feature race has been suspended from competition at the half-mile oval through 2026. Taylor Farlling, 27, of Newville, Pa., must also pay an unspecified fine and meet with the track’s race committee before being reinstated for potential competition at the track in 2027. "The track has to do what they have to do; no hard feelings on my end,” Farlling said in a statement provided to DirtonDirt. “I lost my composure and let my emotions take over. The incident after the wreck is completely on me.” Two other Pennsylvania tracks, York Haven’s BAPS Motor Speedway and Mill Hall’s Clinton County Speedway, announced support of Port Royal’s suspension and won’t allow Farlling to compete at the tracks until 2027.
• Placerville (Calif.) Speedway will allow Limited Late Models to run four-barrel carburetors beginning July 12 to test the possibility of allowing them regularly.
• Saying every 2025 event has lost money, Mountain Motor Speedway promoters Darren Slone and Rick Noble announced the Isom, Ky., track’s closure. The announcement to turn the lease of the 3/8-mile oval back to owner Kim Maggard comes two days after an American All-Stars Series Crate Late Model event won by Tyler Hoy and two weeks after a $5,000 Ultimate Heart of America Series event for Super Late Models won by Derek Fisher. Promoters primarily opened the track in the spring of 2024 because the nearest eastern Kentucky ovals weren’t operating, but because that has changed, they said their initial mission was fulfilled.
• Lake City’s North Florida Speedway has announced details for July 25-26’s Summer Slam. The two-day program includes a $1,509-to-win event for 602 Crate Late Models on Friday and a $2,509-to-win event for Limited Late Models/604 Crate Late Models on Saturday. (The $3,009-to-win Don Conner Memorial for factory stocks tops the weekend card).
• A $2,500 bonus has been posted for any Super Late Model racer who can sweep July 12-13’s special events at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway and Winchester (Va.) Speedway, providing the possibility of a $13,000 weekend for a single driver. The bonus was posted by Larry and Lisa Royston of Larry Royston Septic Service and Martin’s Pumping Service. To claim the bonus, a driver must win Saturday’s $5,000-to-win Frank Sagi Tribute at Hagerstown and Sunday’s $6,091-to-win makeup of the Jimmy Spence Memorial at Winchester.
• Water truck driver and Mudlick Valley Raceway worker Robbie Reeves faces a lengthy recovery from back surgery and the track is looking forward to his return.
• Crossville (Tenn.) Speedway hosted a Fourth of July program despite problems with its water system used to refill the water truck. The track reported that overnight ahead of the event, someone had apparently broken into the property and drilled holes into the pipes at the rear of the pump house. Temporary repairs allowed the event to continue but a costly and more permanent fix will be required, according to the track. The track offered an unspecified cash reward for information about who was responsible for the damage. In other news, the Crossville track is mourned the recent passing of Angie Wantz, the wife of track announcer Doug Wantz.
• Ponderosa Speedway in Junction City, Ky., has purchased the 7-acre trailer park adjacent to the track with plans to develop into RV sites, short-term rentals and residential spots. See the Facebook page to reserve concrete slabs and full electric hookups for racing events.
Weekly points
DIRTcar (Supers): Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., has 1,938 points to lead Tyler Erb (1,822) and Dennis Erb Jr. (1,705).
IMCA (Limiteds): Kale Kosiski of Ralston, Neb., has 730 points in overtaking Curtis Glover (725) with Zach Zeitner (721) in third.
USRA (Limiteds): Lucas Peterson of Stockholm, Wis., has 2,815 points to lead Cade Nelson (2,781) and Jason McFadden (2,522).
WISSOTA (Limiteds): Tyler Peterson of Hickson, N.D., has 1,100 points to lead rookie Devin Fouquette (916) and Kevin Burdick (916).
American All-Stars (Crates): Ronnie Martin Jr. of Buena Vista, Va., has 398 points to lead Justin Williams (389) and Darren Slone (342).
Crate Racin’ USA (602 Crates): Brett White of Kosciusko, Miss., has 693 points to lead Devin Whatley (651) and Cody Parsons (618).
Crate Racin’ USA (604 Crates): Ben Davis of Poplarville, Miss., has 651 points to lead Sid Scarbrough (635) and rookie Brody Williams (562).
DIRTcar (Crates): Denny Woodworth of Mendon, Il., has 907 points to lead Chase Wilson (794) and Ryan Miller (791).
RUSH (Crates): Davin Kaiser of Winchester, Va., has 1,273 points to lead Jeremy Wonderling (1,265) and Tom Snyder Jr. (1,245).
Ultimate (Crates): Chandi Currence of Clarksburg, W.Va., has 291 points too lead Kolbe Kimbrew (232) and Garret Paugh (206).
Upcoming weekly specials
Among non-touring and independent special events coming up for Late Models at dirt tracks around the country:
Brown County Speedway, Aberdeen, S.D (July 11-12): On the undercard of Andy Daly Super Stock Special, Late Models chase $1,000- and $2,012-to-win purses during the doubleheader weekend.
Fairbury (Ill.) Speedway (July 12): The Richard Craven Memorial pays $5,012-to-win for Super Late Models topping a four-division program in a FALS Cup event sponsored by CR Towing & Recovery of Joliet, Ill.
Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway (July 12): The Frank Sagi Tribute pays $5,000-to-win for Super Late Models in honoring the longtime track announcer. Booper Bare, Barry Klinedinst and Dave Wilt will also be honored. Sponsors are covering Super Late Model driver pit passes.
County Line Raceway, Elm City, N.C. (July 12): The Fast Five Late Model Challenge event pays $3,000-to-win in the fourth miniseries event; five divisions are on the undercard.
191 Speedway, Campton, Ky. (July 12): The J.C. Sent and Doug Stacy Memorial pays $3,000-to-win for Super Late Models; undercard divisions weren’t announced.
Winchester (Va.) Speedway (July 13): The makeup of the $6,091 Jimmy Spence Memorial for Super Late Models will start from scratch after the June 28 rainout.
