DirtonDirt Dispatches
Dispatches: Wilson takes leap with Big Frog team
Daulton Wilson (Austin Bumgarner photo)
Among the latest notes and quotes from Late Model action, including this weekend’s World of Outlaws Late Model Series action at Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, Miss., and Schaeffer's Spring Nationals competition in South Carolina (look elsewhere for Northern Allstars coverage from Florence Speedway in Union, Ky.):
Wilson’s solid start
The 2026 season signaled the start of a new chapter for both Daulton Wilson and Big Frog-Viper Motorsports.
For the 28-year-old Fayetteville, N.C., driver, it’s the next phase of his driving career after a four-year run with Kentucky-based JRR Motorsports came to an end last fall. And not only was the Ocala, Fla.-based Big Frog team taking on a new driver, they were also stepping up to full-time competition with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series after primarily running regional events the Southeast.,
With 10 WoO races in the books, the pairing has already started to click. For proof, look no further than Wilson’s first podium of the year in February at Hendry County Motorsports Park in Clewiston, Fla., or his back-to-back sixth-place runs last weekend at Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tenn., and Smoky Mountain Speedway in Maryville, Tenn.
“We definitely knew that there were going to be some growing pains,” Wilson said. “Trying to get everything together, the group of people together, equipment, and just everything that it takes to go from not only putting a new team together, but to go from a regional deal to a national deal. We definitely knew that it was going to take some time, and I think we’re progressing like we feel like we need to.”
One thing that excited Wilson was a switch to the WoO circuit after four seasons on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. He’s competed at tracks where Wilson has a thin notebook of experience to lean on, making his recent performance gains even more impressive as the series heads to weekend action at Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, Miss.
“What’s crazy is, it’s close to home geographically, I guess you could say,” Wilson said. “But Bulls Gap last weekend, I’ve only been there probably three times. Smoky Mountain, I’ve always struggled there, and then Magnolia this week, I’ve never even been to Magnolia. Then East Alabama (Motor Speedway in Phenix City), Senoia (Raceway in Georgia), I’ve only been once apiece. Even though it’s closer to home, it’s still not like it’s local racing for me. It’s still a lot of new places.
“Luckily, I’ve got a good group where they’ve been racing and they’ve had success at these places. Places that I’m new to, they’re not necessarily. Really, it’s a good fit where we all kind of complement each other pretty good.”
Maintaining a level of consistency in unfamiliar territory has been the main focus for Wilson and team, especially early in the season when several other teams throughout the pits are still acclimating themselves to changes made over the winter. Those efforts are paying off so far, as Wilson sits seventh in Series points amid a tight pack of drivers in the back half of the top 10. Wilson has amassed a triple-digit lead in the MD3 Rookie of the Year standings.
“Just continue to compete and be in that redraw, and if you’re up front every night, things are going to go your way,” Wilson said. “Right now, the consistency there is a big deal. We don’t want to run fifth one night and 20th the next night. Just trying to be consistent and continue to get our equipment where it needs to be, then I think the wins will come.” — Spence Smithback
Streaming schedule
Among upcoming Dirt Late Model special and sanctioned events available via live streaming:
Friday, March 20
• World of Outlaws Late Model Series at Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, Miss. (DIRTVision)
• Southern All Stars-Schaeffer’s Spring Nationals at Modoc (S.C.) Speedway (FloRacing)
• Ultimate Southeast Series at Blackwater Speedway in Baker, Fla. (Pit Row TV)
• American Crate Late Model Series at Sabine Speedway in Many, La. (RaceON)
Saturday, March 21
• World of Outlaws Late Model Series at Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, Miss. (DIRTVision)
• Southern All Stars-Schaeffer’s Spring Nationals at Cherokee (FloRacing and Hunt the Front TV)
• Northern Allstars Late Model Series at Florence Speedway in Union, Ky. (Hunt the Front TV)
• Ultimate Southeast Series at Blackwater Speedway in Baker, Fla. (Pit Row TV)
• Fifth annual Mark Batten Memorial at County Line Raceway in Elm City, N.C. (Sports Action TV)
• Port Royal (Pa.) Speedway Super Late Models (FloRacing)
• DIRTcar Super Late Models at Pittsburgh’s Pa. Motor Speedway (Dirt TV)
• American Crate Late Model Series at Boothill Speedway in Greenwood, La. (RaceON)
Sunday, March 22
• Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Ala. (Hunt the Front TV)
