DirtonDirt Dispatches
Dispatches: Kansas trip promising for WoO rookie
Jake Timm (Austin Bumgarner photo)
Among the latest notes and quotes from around Dirt Late Model racing during the last weekend in September (look for Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series coverage from Brownstown Speedway’s Jackson 100 weekend elsewhere). Also find a listing of live-streaming video from specials around the country:
Familiar terrain
World of Outlaws Real American Beer Late Model Series rookie Jake Timm of Winona, Minn., has competed at plenty of first-time tracks this season, but that changes the first weekend in October with the national tour traveling to Kansas for races at Humboldt Speedway and Park City’s 81 Speedway.
During his United States Modified Touring Series career, the 28-year-old Timm has competed at the Kansas tracks several times, scoring a USMTS victory last season at Humboldt and posting five career podium finishes at 81.
Timm’s 2024 victory at Humboldt came from the 14th starting spot after struggling in prelims.
“Things just kept falling our way,” Timm said. “We had a really good car and I was able to march my way up through there in the heat and the feature. The last few laps were just really fun. I had to chase down the leader a ways, and then I caught him and passed him, but then the third-place car ended up going around both of us. Slid him on the last corner for the win. It was fun. It was pretty exciting. I think I only had the lead for that one lap.”
Timm has made seven modified starts at 81 Speedway, and while he hasn’t won, he’s finished second or third on five occasions at the track that years ago was the de facto home track for Late Models on the National Championship Racing Association.
“That place can be tricky,” Timm said. “I feel like it’s been a pretty different track almost every time I’ve been there. It generally gets a little bit of character to it, which can make it tricky and really changes the lines from one night to another. It seems like it’s not super-consistent, so every night is kind of its own.
“Obviously, there’s lines that work better than others usually, but some character and stuff can kind of get in the way sometimes. I’m excited to go there for sure, because I’ve got quite a few laps around it compared to most running the tour.”
Timm, 13th in WoO points, has four top-10 finishes and is still laying the foundation for his Late Model future.
“It’s discouraging at times, that’s for sure,” Timm said. “The guys are so good, if you’re off just a touch, it looks like a lot. We’ve just been trying to build our notebook and learn as much as we can, so when we go back next year, we give ourselves a better chance. It’s definitely frustrating at times, but when you have a decent run, it makes it feel that much better. It’s a balancing act, and we’re just out here trying to get better each and every race.” — Spence Smithback
Streaming schedule
Among upcoming Dirt Late Model special and sanctioned events available via live streaming:
Friday, Sept. 26
• Red Clay Classic at ABC Raceway in Ashland, Wis. (Dirt Race Central)
• Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series at Brownstown (Ind.) Speedway (FloRacing)
• Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series at Southern Raceway in Milton, Fla. (Hunt the Front TV)
• Malvern Bank West Series at Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kan. (Dirt Crown TV)
• Nutrien Ag Revival Super Dirt Series at Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, Mo. (Start2Finish TV)
Saturday, Sept. 27
• Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Jackson 100 at Brownstown (Ind.) Speedway (FloRacing)
• Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series at Southern Raceway in Milton, Fla. (Hunt the Front TV)
• Bernheisel Racing Components Fall Clash at Potomac Speedway in Budds Creek, Md. (FloRacing)
• Malvern Bank West Series at U.S. 36 Raceway in Osborn, Mo. (Dirt Crown TV)
• Nutrien Ag Revival Super Dirt Series at Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, Mo. (Start2Finish TV)
• Tri-State Late Model Series at Park Jefferson (S.D.) Speedway (IMCA TV)
Sunday, Sept. 28
• Road to the Dome Invitational at Coles County Speedway in Mattoon, Ill. (FloRacing)
