Fast Talk presented by MD3 and Five Star Bodies
Fast Talk: Recapping a weekend of desert action
With Ricky Thornton Jr. and Hudson O’Neal winning the opening Rio Grande Waste Services Wild West Shootout events, our roundtable checks in for the weekly feature presented by MD3 and Five Star Race Cars Bodies (edited for clarity and length; complete WWS coverage):
Discuss a Wild West Shootout winner.
Kevin Kovac, DirtonDirt senior writer: You know how James Essex likes to say “Ricky Thornton’s doing Ricky Thornton things” when he’s announcing races? Well, that would succinctly sum up RTJ’s one (and apparently done) start Saturday at Central Arizona Raceway. Jumping into an Adam Family Motorsports car for the miniseries opener before heading off to the Chili Bowl, he looked like he was driving his usual Koehler Motorsports entry as he outdueled Hudson O’Neal for the 50-lap win. How many drivers have the talent to pull off a victory over a top-notch field in one-off start with an unfamiliar team? Thornton is among the select few.
Todd Turner, DirtonDirt managing editor: I love that Ricky Thornton Jr. went all-in on his only scheduled miniseries showing, grabbing a lucrative ($38,000!) victory in his guest appearance with the Adam Family Motorsports team. While he clearly wants to focus his full attention on the Chili Bowl, I suspect that Casa Grande will be dancing in the back of his mind, especially considering the finale gives him another crack at $25,000 (and potentially another $25,000 in lap money). Come on back Ricky!
Kyle McFadden, DirtonDirt staff reporter: Hudson O’Neal may very well be the man to beat at Casa Grande aboard Kevin Rumley’s potent No. 6, as the duo now boasts three wins and five runner-up finishes over their last six starts together. You could argue Ricky Thornton Jr. outsmarted O’Neal for Saturday’s victory, but even RTJ admitted he didn’t have the better car. On Sunday, it was clear O’Neal had learned from Saturday’s shortcomings, particularly on restarts that ultimately cost him the race. Good luck to everyone else trying to keep pace with O’Neal and Rumley the remainder of the week.
Aaron Clay, DirtonDirt weekend editor: Hudson O’Neal has been fast aboard Kevin Rumley’s No. 6 Rumley Engineering Longhorn. Not only did Huddy hang with Ricky Thornton Jr. in Saturday’s opener, leading 24 laps and collecting more than $22,000 for his runner-up finish, but he backed that up by leading the final 30 laps of Sunday’s second round and securing the $10,000 payday. Even more concerning for O'Neal's competition, when interviewed in Sunday's victory lane, Hudson said each night offered differing track conditions and he praised Rumley for how fast the car has been, given the two different scenarios.
Pick a driver your certain will win one of the final four races.
Turner: Jonathan Davenport. His first two outings, retiring early and then fading to fifth from a polesitting start, are far below his standards, and the Double L Motorsports team rarely fails to make the most of more opportunities to succeed (reference last year’s Dream at Eldora). Davenport’s nine miniseries victories have come in batches of three at three tracks (Tucson, Arizona Speedway and Vado), and certainly he’d like to win three more at a fourth track. Hudson O’Neal, Bobby Pierce, Mike Marlar and Garrett Alberson will be among his toughest competition trying to keep Davenport winless.
Clay: Ryan Gustin has shown plenty of speed during the first weekend of action aboard Todd Cooney’s Infinity Race Car. Gustin was hampered by a deck-height violation in Saturday’s opener, penalizing him six spots in the qualifying rundown, only to charge from his 18th starting spot to a fourth-place finish. He followed that up with an eighth-place effort in Sunday’s second round, which was impressive, since he pitted from fourth with a flat left-rear tire on lap 32 (of 40). If Gustin and his team can minimize issues, then I could certainly see them ending the night in victory lane.
McFadden: We’d all be shocked if Bobby Pierce doesn’t leave Casa Grande with at least a trip to victory lane. Saturday night, they simply missed the setup. Drawing a late qualifying spot, 18th of 23 in Group A, on a gritty desert surface that slicks off quickly put Pierce behind from the outset. But on Sunday, qualifying second-to-last didn’t faze him, as he timed fourth in his group. While a few restarts didn’t go his way in the 40-lap feature, I saw the bigger takeaway: Pierce is back up to speed, and that’s bad news for the rest of the field.
Kovac: There are several worthy choices here going off the opening weekend, but how could I go with anyone but Bobby Pierce? He’s the all-time winningest driver in Wild West Shootout action, of course, and after a non-contending off night in Saturday’s opener he brought out a new car and rebounded to run up front on Sunday, leading the feature’s first 10 laps and finishing third. It seems hard to imagine that, with six nights to figure out a new track, Pierce won’t reach victory lane.
Has Central Arizona lived up to the billing as a worthy host for the miniseries return to Arizona?
McFadden: Too early to tell. I can say this, each time cars hit the track, the racing gets better, in my opinion. For starters, there’s been multiple lead changes both nights, so let’s take that a win right there. A top and bottom have groove been there throughout the duration of each feature, so count that as another win. Obviously, tires are an issue, but you’ve gotta expect that when racing in the gritty, abrasive desert. I think Casa Grande is only scratching the surface of its potential, and I’m excited to see what it can produce when I arrive Wednesday to cover the final four races.
Clay: The cold and windy weather hasn't been inviting for the locals. The weekend provided colder than usual weather in the Southwest. However, the on-track action has been hot, with numerous lead changes and a healthy amount of passing each night. There’s still a sense of unknown with this venue, but I’d say the opening weekend was an overall success and I’m confident the track surface will continue to improve nightly, as teams and track officials gain experience throughout the week-long event.
Kovac: Central Arizona has a high standard to live up to after so many great races were contested over the past four years at Vado Speedway Park, one that will likely be impossible to match. But the track has produced some better-than-expected racing so far and I think it will get even more entertaining over the ensuing nights as the track-prep crew becomes more familiar with the surface. The crowds have been better than at Vado as well — especially Saturday’s turnout — even with cold, windy conditions prevailing. It’s also a nice, updated facility with plenty of pit parking, which I’d say makes it a solid choice to serve as the event’s long-term home.
Turner: This might be better to ask later as attendees enjoy forecasts for warmer weather the rest of the miniseries — last year snow was on the way in Vado, N.M. — so for weather alone, it’s probably a big yes for most folks. The track’s significant upgrades since the last miniseries visit (2013) have also been well received. I will say that, while it’s an impressive field of cars, I’m a little surprised there haven’t been 50 or more cars. I suspect next year at Central Arizona will see an uptick.
Anything in Arizona surprised you?
Clay: This may be a bit controversial, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the crowd sizes each of the first two nights of the opening weekend. Obviously, the weather has been slightly less than cooperative, but a healthy amount of Arizona faithful have shown up. I know the upcoming weeknight shows (Wednesday and Friday) can present a challenge for some working folks to attend, but I’m hopeful we’ll see sellout, standing-room only crowds enjoying nicer weather on the final weekend of the miniseries return to the Grand Canyon State.
Kovac: I’d have to say the speeds being turned at Central Arizona. The track is actually bigger and faster than I expected. Many teams and drivers, in fact, have offered the same thoughts. The place’s D-shaped layout and corner banking allow drivers to carry plenty of speed through the corners. As a result, it’s probably a little harder on engines and equipment than everyone thought it would be.
McFadden: I would have totally thought that Bobby Pierce, Jonathan Davenport and/or Brandon Sheppard would have won at least one of the opening two programs. So that’s surprising to see their slower starts, especially Sheppard having engine troubles Saturday and a tire issue Sunday. Pierce, as I said above, looks like he righted the ship from Saturday’s non-factor showing. Davenport still doesn’t look his best yet, and Sheppard is still trying to crack the top-10. Some things to definitely watch for Wednesday.
Turner: That Jonathan Davenport hasn’t won and that Brandon Sheppard hasn’t contended. Also that Jake O’Neil had a flat tire in the opener and rallied up to third before losing a left-rear wheel. And perhaps less of a surprise, but sorry to see Oregon’s Collen Winebarger hasn’t entered at Central Arizona after such a solid showing last year at Vado, leading half of one feature and rallying to fifth in another.
Any other recent news or happenings catch your eye?
Kovac: I always thought Tyler Erb would eventually run a national tour again. I mean, he just turned 29 years old, so he has plenty of racing years ahead of him. But I can’t say I expected his announcement that he’ll return to points-chasing this season on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, the circuit he ran from 2016-18 before moving to the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series from 2019-23. He’s enjoyed his self-proclaimed “Fun Tour” schedule of the past two years that’s been anchored by DIRTcar Summer Nationals action, but he feels it’s time to get back on the national series. The WoO slate does seem to have more than a half-dozen Southeastern tracks on it — and Erb has never been shy about saying there aren’t many tracks he really likes in the region — but it’s also jammed with plenty of Midwest ovals that will be right in Terbo’s wheelhouse.
Clay: Following Kevin’s answer, I’m looking forward to seeing Erb’s WoO run. Not only is a series more fun to cover when Terbo is a regular competitor, but I’m hoping he’ll step up as one of Bobby Pierce’s biggest challengers for the season-long points championship. By the time November rolls around, I could see Erb securing 10-plus feature victories, hopefully setting up a showdown between himself and Pierce at the season-ending World Finals in Charlotte.
McFadden: Carson Ferguson appearing in Fox’s new reality television show premiering noon EST on Jan. 25 titled “Ram: Race For The Seat” is quite exciting for our sport. For those who don’t know, Ferguson’s competing among 15 short-track racers vying for ride opportunities with Kaulig Racing’s newly launched NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series program backed by Dodge’s Ram brand. It’s worth noting that Ferguson and Paylor Motorsports remain committed to the full Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series schedule this year, so don’t worry, even should Ferguson earn some seat time in NASCAR, it won’t affect his Lucas Oil commitments.
Turner: I realize that Jonathan Davenport has appeared in virtually all my answers, but his team’s decision to drop off the Lucas Oil circuit and run an independent schedule is intriguing. Such a move paid off in 2022, Davenport's previous independent season when the Double L team collected $2 million in earnings (despite no national touring postseason cash). But with Lucas Oil and the WoO points payouts more lucrative than ever, he’ll have to rack up some big paydays to make the ledger play out in his favor. I’ve always been a fan of the “outlaw-style” schedules — and personal reasons of time with family play into J.D.’s decision — so we’ll see if his move is an outlier or becomes more popular in coming seasons.
