Weekly Notebook presented by FK Rod Ends
Notes: Senoia standout plotting his WoO debut
By Todd Turner
DirtonDirt managing editor
Payton Stevenson (praterphoto.com)
Payton Stevenson has carved out a solid start to his career in Late Model-style cars, scoring 30 feature victories and capturing two track titles over six seasons. The 21-year-old High Falls, Ga., driver has a current streak of three Limited Late Model victories in a row at Senoia (Ga.) Raceway, adding to his points lead in his quest for a third championship.
Stevenson's success begs the question: What does his Late Model future look like?
"I'm hoping I will find that out this weekend,” Stevenson said.
Indeed this weekend’s action at Senoia marks a key point in Stevenson’s career as he plans on entering a brand new Mike Youniger-owned Rocket Chassis XR1.2 in Saturday’s World of Outlaws Real American Beer Late Model Series competition, his debut in the high-profile Super Late Model division.
“We're gonna give it our best shot,” said Stevenson, who has five Limited victories at Senoia this season and an 82-point lead in division points with two races remaining. “I can't even sleep at night I’m so excited.”
Stevenson, whose father Bill formerly raced and stepped away after a violent crash in the 602 Crate Late Model division at Senoia, got his start as a 16-year-old in the 602 Crate Late Model division in 2020, capturing the division title at Senoia the next season with two victories and 13 top-five finishes in 15 starts. Two years later, Stevenson captured the 604 Crate Late Model title at Penton (Ala.) Raceway and this year he’s still utilizing a 604 crate powerplant in his pursuit of the Limited title at Senoia. Stevenson estimates the engine produces 200 less horsepower than competitors with standard engines, but he’s unfazed.
“We’ve just got a really good race car right now,” Stevenson said. “I think it has a lot to do with the race car, but when the track slows down a lot, I'm able to get grip on the racetrack while the big motors, they can't get no grip.
"I think my biggest disadvantage is qualifying when there's still moisture on the track for sure. But as the track slicks off, it really comes to us.”
The support of his crew, family, his fiancee Sarah Barrett slinging merch, and former World of Outlaws standout Clint Smith, who prepares Stevenson’s equipment, puts him in the position to make the jump to Super Late Models. Youniger, the car owner formerly of Stockbridge, Ga., who now lives in Chipley, Fla., is “practically brothers” with Stevenson’s father and typically watches via streaming.
“I feel like we make a pretty good team between Mike and Clint and me,” Stevenson said. “I think we'll be just fine running with the World of Outlaws guys this weekend.
“We’re going to try to take (the new car) to Penton just to shake the car down, make sure everything's nice and snug, no oil leaks, motor's running good. And then we're gonna take it on to Senoia on Saturday.”
Stevenson’s support from Smith, a 12-time WoO winner, and Ashton Winger of Hampton, Ga., a former WoO racer also close with Smith, buoys Stevenson.
When Smith offers racing knowledge, “it’s a time you need to shut up and listen. He gives some good advice. Man, I don't think I'd be succeeding as much as I did this year if it wasn't for Clint and all his help and his advice.
“And oh man, some of the stories he has are awesome about his touring days. I think he might be more excited about me debuting the Super Late Model this weekend than I am.”
The 25-year-old Winger, who also came up through the ranks winning at Senoia, has helped instill confidence in Stevenson.
“Just telling me I need to stay calm. It's just another day, it's just another race,” said Stevenson, who works part-time at his brother’s HVAC business. “These guys put their pants on one leg at a time just like you do, and, he’s just helping me keep confidence in myself.”
Stevenson says his patience and throttle control are two of his best attributes behind the wheel.
“I would say one of my best skills is being very patient behind the wheel. Keeping my equipment very clean throughout the whole race and being patient and going when I need to go, and hitting the brakes when I need to be hitting the brakes,” he said. “And I think I'm pretty good at slick tracks and I've got a very good understanding on throttle control. And I think that helps me out a lot and I think that'd be a really good advantage this weekend if the track will blow off and slick off. I think that would definitely help me out a lot.”
With home-track familiarity, Stevenson believes he’s ready to face WoO touring regulars including Bobby Pierce, Nick Hoffman, Ryan Gustin, Brian Shirley, Dennis Erb Jr. and more. Stevenson’s goal?
"I wanna say it's the same as everybody else's goal racing this weekend — to go out there and try to win,” he said, then adding that he’d be happy to be competitive.
"Definitely since I have home-track advantage, I definitely feel like going top-five, or, shoot, maybe even top-eight, that would be very awesome. I would definitely be super happy with that. I just hope we got everything nice and snug and tidy and she's gonna run like a dream.”
And if it doesn’t go well?
“There's always that ‘What if?’ what if we don't make it, you know?” he said. “But at the end of the day if we don't make it, we’ll just bow our heads and go back to the shop and keep on working and we'll try the next one.”
Stevenson hopes to leave local racing behind with an eye on becoming a regional and then national touring driver.
“If everything goes well at the end of this year with the Super car, we plan on, grabbing up a couple more motors and getting a stacker and toterhome (rig) and maybe running a tour next year. We ain't quite decided on which tour yet, but we definitely want to start touring next year if everything goes good at the end of this year,” he said. "We'll probably start off with a regional tour and kind of get our feet wet with touring a series and making sure when we get there, we have everything we're gonna need a tour, and then two years from now, hopefully we'll be national touring. That's the goal.”
Weekly highlights
• Winning Northern Nationals features, Kevin Eder of Cameron, Wis., and James Giossi of Hudson, Wis., earned $2,500 apiece for Late Model victories Sept. 5-6 at Gondik Law Speedway in Superior, Wis.
• Wrapping up the track’s Limited Late Model title, Lane Snook of Mifflintown, Pa., led the final six laps Sept. 5 at Port Royal (Pa.) Speedway for his 16th overall victory of the season.
• Hometown driver Jeff Erickson Jr. earned a $2,000 Super Late Model victory in Sept. 6’s Rolling Thunder program at Thunderbird Raceway in Muskegon, Mich.
• On a weekend off from the World of Outlaws Real American Beer Late Model Series, Cody Overton of Evans, Ga., swept Sept. 6’s 604 and 602 Crate Late Model features at Senoia (Ga.) Raceway.
First things first
Recent first-time occurrences at the dirt track:
• Winning Sept. 7 at North Alabama Speedway in Tuscumbia, 12-year-old Raeann Gibbs of Weaver, Ala., notched her first 602 Crate Late Model victory.
• Cam Panitzke of Lonsdale, Minn., won Sept. 6 at Mississippi Thunder Speedway in Fountain City, Wis., for his first Late Model victory in USRA-sanctioned action.
Weekly news briefs
• Jimmy Goslee, a six-time Late Model champion at Delaware dirt tracks, died Sept. 5 at his Galestown, Md., home. He was 67. The driver of the No. 66 car known as “Gentleman Jim” was a two-time champion at Georgetown Speedway and won titles at U.S. 13 Speedway (now Delaware International Speedway) in 1978-80 and ’82.
• New track owner Mike Hurley plans on Oct. 11 to unveil the 3/8-mile layout of West Virginia Motor Speedway in Minerals, W.Va., with a $5,000-to-win Super Late Model event. The shorter, guardrail-enclosed configuration rests just in front of the hillside grandstands within the original 5/8-mile layout. “This is a milestone moment for West Virginia Motor Speedway,” Hurley said. “We’ve put countless hours and resources into building a new short track that will deliver close, competitive racing to keep the fans engaged in the action.” Hurley is also set on Sept. 13 to host the first event at Elkins Speedway in Kerens, W.Va. under his ownership with a program including Super and Crate Late Models. Hurley also announced he’ll provide camping areas at Elkins with additional acreage as part of his purchase.
• The Matt Tifft-owned Mansfield (Ohio) Speedway next season plans a May 2 reopening with a $5,000-to-win Super Late Model event among races on the card.
• Tennessee National Raceway in Hohenwald, Tenn., has scheduled the Mark Fields Memorial for unsanctioned Super Late Models on Oct. 4. The race pays $6,026-to-win.
• Thunder Mountain Speedway near Corbin, Ky., will host a $2,000-to-win Clash on the Mountain Crate Late Model event on Sept. 13 while inducting this year’s class to the track’s hall of fame. This year’s inductees: Denny Davis, Russell Mayne, Benny Parker, Cecil Stewart and Ron Patterson.
• Duck River Raceway Park in Wheel, Tenn., announced that Sept. 26-27’s Big Deal for 602 Crate Late Models will have a $2,000-to-win opening night program with a $10,000-to-win finale.
• 201 Speedway in Sitka, Ky., is seeking a male-female duo to work at the track as bathroom attendants. Applicants should email 201speedwaynation@gmail.com.
• Larry Green of Midland City, Ala., who owned and operated Dothan Motor Speedway in Cottonwood, Ala., from the late 1990s until early this season, died Sept. 5 at the age of 79.
• Citing low car counts and attendance and competition from high school football, Monett (Mo.) Motor Speedway has prematurely ended its season. The track had already cancelled Aug. 29 and Sept. 5 events.
• In a Sept. 25 practice night for street stocks, Windy Hollow Speedway near Owensboro, Ky., will pay $500, $300 and $200 for the drivers turning the fastest timed laps. No grandstand admission.
• BAPS Motor Speedway in York Haven, Pa., announced that Sept. 20’s event will be preceded by a catered dinner for the track’s media, photographers and push truck drivers. The event is sponsored by Sprintcarunlimited.TV & Dirt Track Digest. “I think it’s important to show our appreciation to the media for their efforts throughout the season,” general manager Kolten Gouse said. “If not for photographers, writers, and people who talk about BAPS Motor Speedway, we wouldn’t be able to have a successful event.”
• Western Kentucky Speedway in Nebo, Ky., will be under new ownership after the Sept. 13 event. Cole Huggins and Robert Tosh say the property will continue as a racetrack but declined to reveal the new owners. The track has occasionally run 602 Crate Late Model events in recent seasons.
Weekly points
DIRTcar (Supers): Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., has 2,437 points to lead Tyler Erb (2,256) and Bobby Pierce (2,164).
IMCA (Limiteds): Zach Zeitner of Bellevue, Neb., has 785 points to lead Logan Veloz (781) and Kale Kosiski (772).
USRA (Limiteds): New leader Cade Nelson of Hermantown, Minn., has 5,924 points to lead Lucas Peterson (5,794) and Jason McFadden (5,400).
WISSOTA (Limiteds): Tyler Peterson of Hickson, N.D., has 1,635 points to lead Chad Becker (1,580) and Dave Mass (1,553).
American All-Stars (Crates): A.J. Hicks of Willard, Ky., has 560 points to lead Ronnie Martin Jr. (550) and Justin Williams (546).
Crate Racin’ USA (602 Crates): Brett White of Kosciusko, Miss., has 696 points to lead Devin Whatley (689) and Chace Pennington (687).
Crate Racin’ USA (604 Crates): David Williamson of Seminary, Miss., has 693 points to lead Brady Walton and Chris McElhenney, tied at 681 points apiece.
DIRTcar (Crates): Denny Woodworth of Mendon, Ill., has 1,403 points to lead Dakota Ewing (1,345) and Chase Wilson (1,247).
RUSH (Crates): Jason Genco of Frewsburg, N.Y., has 1,334 points to lead Jeremy Wonderling (1,328) and Breyton Santee (1,320).
Ultimate (Crates): Chandi Currence of Clarksburg, W.Va., has 493 points to lead Kolbe Kimbrew (490) and Noah Whited (387).
Upcoming weekly specials
Among non-touring and independent special events coming up for Late Models at dirt tracks around the country:
Cedar Lake Speedway, New Richmond, Wis. (Sept. 11-13): The Legendary 100 includes Late Models each night with a $3,000-to-win finale.
Tri-City Speedway, Granite City, Ill. (Sept. 12): DIRTcar-sanctioned Crate Late Models chase a $2,000-to-win purse in topping a five-division card.
Stateline Speedway, Busti, N.Y. (Sept. 12-13): The Fall Brawl opens with a $3,000-to-win Super Late Model event with a $10,318-to-win finale out of a weekend purse of more than $100,000.
Crystal (Mich.) Motor Speedway (Sept. 12-13): The Great Lakes Nationals pay $4,000-to-win for the Super Late Model division (modified chase a $5,000 purse).
Harris Speedway, Rutherfordton, N.C. (Sept. 12-13): The Chuck Sparks Memorials includes the Chevrolet Performance 525 Nationals with a $5,000 winner’s prize up for grabs.
I-55 Federated Raceway Park, Pevely, Mo. (Sept. 12-13): The Pepsi Nationals includes two nights of action for several divisions, including $2,000- and $3,000-to-win Super Late Model events.
Selinsgrove (Pa.) Speedway (Sept. 13): The Sand Hill Thrill includes a $10,000-to-win Selinsgrove Ford Super Late Model National Open.
U.S. 30 Speedway, Columbus, Neb. (Sept. 13): The second day of the 29th annual Abe Lincoln Memorial pays $1,515-to-win for IMCA Late Models.
Boone County Raceway, Albion, Neb. (Sept. 14): The Ray Haase Memorial presented by RTC3 Transportation pays $8,502-to-win for IMCA Late Models.
Bradford Speedway, Rew, Pa. (Sept. 14): The King of the Ring pays $4,000-to-win for Super Late Models, thanks to extra support from Close Racing Supply.
