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Poll Position: Bloomquist back on top of rankings
Welcome to one of the newest DirtonDirt.com features, Poll Position, as DirtonDirt.com staffers Michael Rigsby, Todd Turner and Joshua Joiner rank the nation's top 25 Dirt Late Model racers by consensus. Future rankings will appear every Tuesday at DirtonDirt.com:
1. Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, Tenn.
Comment: Regained momentum and Lucas Oil points lead with weekend sweep in Virginia. Series points: First (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 2nd (+1)
2. Jimmy Owens, Newport, Tenn.
Comment: Took a major points hit when a controversial tangle with Bloomquist knocked him out of Friday’s race at Winchester. Series points: Second (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 1st (-1)
3. Josh Richards, Shinnston, W.Va.
Comment: The way things are going, rain could be the only thing to stop him from claiming his third World of Outlaws championship. Series points: Second (World of Outlaws). Last week's ranking: 3rd (nc)
4. Darrell Lanigan, Union, Ky.
Comment: Runner-up to Richards’s dominant victory at I-55. Series points: Third (World of Outlaws). Last week's ranking: 4th (nc)
5. Don O'Neal, Martinsville, Ind.
Comment: Three-time Jackson 100 winner heads to Brownstown looking to bounce back from a less-than-impressive weekend in Virginia. Series points: Third (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 5th (nc)
6. Steve Shaver, Vienna, W.Va.
Comment: His dominance of Virginia Motor’s major events came to end with a seventh-place finish Sunday. Series points: None. Last week's ranking: 6th (nc)
7. Eddie Carrier Jr., Salt Rock, W.Va.
Comment: The Express kept rolling with a $5,000 victory in Skyline Speedway‘s Harvest 50. Series points: Second (O'Reilly All Stars). Last week's ranking: 7th (nc)
8. Billy Moyer, Batesville, Ark.
Comment: Will attempt to turn things around in this weekend’s Magnolia State 100 at Columbus after missing I-55 feature. Series points: None. Last week's ranking: 8th (nc)
9. Chris Madden, Gray Court, S.C.
Comment: Took the weekend off even with $5,000 on the line at his home track. Series points: First (Southern Nationals). Last week's ranking: 9th (nc)
10. Rick Eckert, York, Pa.
Comment: Feeling the pressure after his WoO points lead was trimmed to just 16 points with five races remaining. Series points: First (World of Outlaws). Last week's ranking: 10th (nc)
11. Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, Ill.
Comment: Topped I-55 time trials, but could only muster a 10th-place finish in the main event. Series points: First (Summernationals). Last week's ranking: 11th (nc)
12. Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine, Iowa
Comment: Plans to hit the rescheduled Prairie Dirt Classic at Fairbury before heading to Knoxville. Series points: None. Last week's ranking: 12th (nc)
13. Jimmy Mars, Menomonie, Wis.
Comment: After finishing fifth at I-55, Mars will enter this weekend’s Punky Manor at his hometown track. Series points: None. Last week's ranking: 13th (+1)
14. Scott James, Lawrenceburg, Ind.
Comment: Picked up a $2,000 victory in Florence’s season championship race. Series points: Second (Summernationals). Last week's ranking: 13th (-1)
15. Tim McCreadie, Watertown, N.Y.
Comment: Eighth-place finish at I-55 marked his first top 10 in a WoO points paying event since July. Series points: Fourth (World of Outlaws). Last week's ranking: 15th (nc)
16. Steve Francis, Ashland, Ky.
Comment: Came up just short of his first victory of the season in Sunday’s rain-shortened feature at VMS. Series points: Fourth (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 16th (nc)
17. Brady Smith, Solon Springs, Wis.
Comment: Continued his hot streak with a $5,000 victory in Cedar Lake’s Legendary 100 finale. Series points: None. Last week's ranking: 21st (+4)
18. Jason Covert, York Haven, Pa.
Comment: Regional standout posted a pair of top-10 finishes in Lucas Oil’s Virginia doubleheader. Series points: First (Three State Flyers). Last week's ranking: 17th (-1)
19. Jared Landers, Batesville, Ark.
Comment: Lucas Oil’s top rookie is doing his best to hold off Earl Pearson Jr. for the fifth spot in points. Series points: Fifth (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 18th (-1)
20. Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, Ga.
Comment: Still winless on Lucas Oil tour after posting his third runner-up finish at Winchester. Series points: 11th (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 20th (nc)
21. Jared Hawkins, Fairmont, W.Va.
Comment: Couldn’t crack the top 10 on either night of the Pittsburgher weekend at PPMS. Series points: None. Last week's ranking: 19th (-2)
22. Chad Simpson, Mount Vernon, Iowa
Comment: Finally got back to victory lane with his fourth Yankee Dirt Track Classic victory. Series points: First (Corn Belt Clash). Last week's ranking: 22nd (nc)
23. John Blankenship, Williamson, W.Va.
Comment: Will look to improve on his 15th-place finish in last year’s Jackson 100 this weekend at Brownstown. Series points: Eighth (Lucas Oil). Last week's ranking: 23rd (nc)
24. Jeep Van Wormer, Pinconning, Mich.
Comment: The 2011 season could be over for Van Wormer, who currently doesn’t have any more events listed on his website. Series points: none. Last week's ranking: 24th (nc)
25. Klint Byars, Carrollton, Miss.
Comment: Can he back up his impressive MSCCS season with a strong run in this weekend’s Magnolia State 100? Series points: First (MSCCS). Last week's ranking: 25th (nc)
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Kelly Boen, Jonathan Davenport, Jason Feger, Ray Moore, Jon Henry.
Correction: Fixes Richards gunning for his third WoO title.
