Poll Position presented by Keyser Manufacturing
Top 25: Terbo climbs with Pierce entrenched at No. 1
By Kevin Kovac
DirtonDirt senior writer
Tyler Erb (heathlawsonphotos.com)
With two victories in three national-level starts, Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, Ill., left no doubt that he's worthy of maintaining a unanimous hold on the No. 1 ranking in DirtonDirt's power rankings.
Pierce, 29, received all 10 first-place votes in the Keyser Manufacturing-sponsored Top 25 poll for the second consecutive week after recording a $20,000 triumph in June 10's Shale Crescent Dirt Cup at Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, Ohio, and a $12,000 checkered in Friday's 40-lap opener of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series-sanctioned Racefest Summer Championship at West Virginia Motor Speedway in Mineral Wells. His personal four-race win streak ended with a fourth-place finish in Saturday's 60-lap Racefest finale but it didn't diminish his status as the top-ranked driver for a fourth week in a row.
Hudson O'Neal of Martinsville, Ind., experienced an up-and-down week — fourth at Muskingum County, 23rd in the Racefest opener after a spin in lapped traffic while running second and third in WVMS's finale — but his strength was evident as he gained traction with votes to move up one spot to No. 2.
Nick Hoffman of Mooresville, N.C., slipped one position to No. 3 after starting the week well with a third-place finish at Muskingum County before faltering with ninth- and 12th-place runs at WVMS. Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., whose fourth-place finish in WVMS's Friday feature was his lone top-10 in three starts, stayed at No. 4 while the idle Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., held tight at No. 5.
Buoyed by a $30,000 triumph in WVMS's Racefest finale, Tyler Erb of New Waverly, Texas, made a big leap, vaulting four spots to land at No. 6. He also finished fifth in Muskingum County's unique Lucas Oil-WoO showdown and third in the Racefest opener.
Ethan Dotson of Bakersfield, Calif., also gained multiple spots, rising four positions to No. 18 after stringing together back-to-back fifth-place finishes at WVMS.
Joining the poll at No. 20 was Ashton Winger of Hampton, Ga. ($20,000 sweep of the Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series's Clash at the Mag at Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, Miss.) and No. 25 Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., who captured two of the first three DIRTcar Summer Nationals events of 2026 with wins at the Brownstown (Ill.) Bullring and Fairbury (Ill.) Speedway.
Dropping out of the rankings was Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill, and Trey Mills of St. Augustine, Fla.
Voting is done by a 10-member committee made up of staffers and contributors to determine the Top 25 power rankings: Richard Allen, Bryan Ault, Jeff Broeg, Kelley Carlton, Ryan Delph, Josh James, Kevin Kovac, Kyle McFadden, Mike Ruefer and Kyle Symons. Results are compiled and tabulated by Todd Turner, who serves as a voting alternate along with fellow staffer Aaron Clay.
Rankings appear Tuesdays through mid-November provided at least half of the drivers in the current rankings are in action in the previous week.
1. Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, Ill.
Comment: Runs winning streak to four with triumphs in Dirt Cup and WVMS opener before settling for fourth in Racefest finale. Embarking on extended Upper Midwest trip with WoO. Series points: 1st (WoO); 9th (FloRacing). Previous ranking: 1st (nc)
2. Hudson O'Neal, Martinsville, Ind.
Comment: Finishes of fourth (Dirt Cup) and third (WVMS finale) sandwich bad-luck 23rd in Racefest opener after a spin amid lapped traffic while running second. Lucas Oil action resumes at Smoky Mountain. Series points: 1st (Lucas Oil); 4th (FloRacing). Previous ranking: 3rd (+1)
3. Nick Hoffman, Mooresville, N.C.
Comment: After third-place run in Dirt Cup, loses ground to Pierce in WoO points race with non-contending finishes of ninth and 12th at WVMS. Can't afford to slip further behind in title race as tour heads to Wisconsin. Series points: 2nd (WoO); 2nd (FloRacing). Previous ranking: 2nd (-1)
4. Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, Ill.
Comment: Fourth-place run on Friday at WVMS is lone top-10 finish in visits to Muskingum County and his Rocket1 team's home state. Back at it with Lucas Oil at Smoky Mountain. Series points: 2nd (Lucas Oil); 1st (FloRacing). Previous ranking: 4th (nc)
5. Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, Ga.
Comment: Takes weekend off after visit to Eldora. Contemplating where he'll race next. Series points: None. Previous ranking: 5th (nc)
6. Tyler Erb, New Waverly, Texas
Comment: Strong stretch continues progressively better finishes in three starts with a fifth in Dirt Cup, third in WVMS opener and $30,000 victory in Racefest finale. Continuing on down the road to Badger State with WoO. Series points: 3rd (WoO); 5th (FloRacing). Previous ranking: 10th (+4)
7. Devin Moran, Dresden, Ohio
Comment: Rallies from rear to eighth in Dirt Cup at his family's Muskingum County Speedway after switching to backup car because of engine trouble and then takes weekend off to regroup. He'll be ready for Lucas Oil doubleheader at his car owner Roger Sellers's Smoky Mountain. Series points: 3rd (Lucas Oil); 3rd (FloRacing). Previous ranking: 7th (nc)
8. Brandon Overton, Evans, Ga.
Comment: Enjoys vacation with family in advance of Smoky Mountain's Mountain Moonshine Classic. Series points: 4th (Lucas Oil); 7th (FloRacing). Previous ranking: 6th (-2)
9. Ricky Thornton Jr., Chandler, Ariz.
Comment: Sixth-place finish in DirtCar is lone start of week. Smoky Mountain on tap. Series points: 5th (Lucas Oil). Previous ranking: 8th (-1)
10. Max Blair, Centerville, Pa.
Comment: Logs ninth-place finish in Dirt Cup before spending weekend close to home with runner-up finishes in weekly shows at Lernerville and Stateline. Hits the road again to tackle Smoky Mountain. Series points: 6th (Lucas Oil). Previous ranking: 9th (-1)
11. Garrett Alberson, Las Cruces, N.M.
Comment: Struggles in Dirt Cup before taking a break to gear up for Smoky Mountain. Series points: 7th (Lucas Oil). Previous ranking: 11th (nc)
12. Josh Rice, Crittenden, Ky.
Comment: Contends for Dirt Cup victory before settling for runner-up finish. Adds a seventh in Racefest finale while staying active in advance of Lucas Oil twinbill at Smoky Mountain. Series points: 9th (Lucas Oil); 8th (FloRacing). Previous ranking: 13th (+1)
13. Drake Troutman, Hyndman, Pa.
Comment: Pulls some daring sliders en route to second-place finish in WVMS's Saturday main event. Hauling west for extended WoO trip. Series points: 4th (WoO). Previous ranking: 15th (+2)
14. Tim McCreadie, Watertown, N.Y.
Comment: Steady but quiet week includes top-10s finishes in Dirt Cup and both WVMS features. Briggs Transport team loading up for WoO's Upper Midwest excursion. Series points: 5th (WoO). Previous ranking: 14th (nc)
15. Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa
Comment: Doldrums continue with forgettable outings at Muskingum County (19th) and WVMS (19th and 22nd). Series points: 7th (WoO). Previous ranking: 12th (-3)
16. Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, Ga.
Comment: Reloads with weekend off before likely visit to Smoky Mountain. Series points: None. Previous ranking: 17th (+1)
17. Jason Feger, Bloomington, Ill.
Comment: Busiest time of year begins for veteran as he kicks off DIRTcar Summer Nationals with three top-fives, including a Coles County victory, in first four Hell Tour events. He'll continue chasing Summer Nationals glory in coming weeks. Series points: 2nd (MARS); 2nd (Summer Nationals). Previous ranking: T18th (+1)
18. Ethan Dotson, Bakersfield, Calif.
Comment: Scores consecutive fifth-place finishes at WVMS, building momentum for next WoO swing. Series points: 6th (WoO). Previous ranking: 22nd (+4)
19. Daulton Wilson, Fayetteville, N.C.
Comment: Frustrating week low-lighted by WVMS runs of 22nd on Friday (following two right-front flats) and 24th on Saturday (brought out a late caution). Hopes for better fortunes with WoO in Upper Midwest. Series points: 8th (WoO). Previous ranking: 16th (-3)
20. Ashton Winger, Hampton, Ga.
Comment: Celebrates a $20,000 sweep of Hunt the Front's Clash at the Mag. Series points: 2nd (HTF). Previous ranking: Unranked
21. Zack Mitchell, Enoree, S.C.
Comment: Tallies pair of podium finishes in Hunt the Front's Clash at the Mag. Taking a break to ready for upcoming Southern Nationals. Series points: 1st (Hunt the Front); 7th (Spring Nationals). Previous ranking: T20th (-1)
22. Chris Ferguson, Mount Holly, N.C.
Comment: Makes the haul to WVMS and records sixth- and 10th-place finishes. Smoky Mountain could be on his hit list. Series points: None. Previous ranking: T23rd (+1)
23. Mike Marlar, Winfield, Tenn.
Comment: Keeps hauler at shop for the weekend. Smoky Mountain twinbill in his home state looks enticing. Series points: None. Previous ranking: T20th (-3)
24. Chris Madden, Gray Court, S.C.
Comment: No post-Eldora weekend racing but will be back at it for Smoky Mountain doubleheader. Series points: None. Previous ranking: T18th (-6)
25. Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, Ill.
Comment: Turns back the clock with two wins in first three Summer Nationals events of 2026. Eyeing this weekend's Hell Tour shows at Farmer City and Pevely. Series points: 8th (Summer Nationals). Previous ranking: Unranked
Dropped out: Ryan Unzicker, Trey Mills
Others receiving votes: Gregg Satterlee, Ryan Unzicker, Brian Shirley, Cade Dillard, Dennis Erb Jr., Trey Mills, Tanner English, Mason Zeigler, Kyle Bronson.
