Homegrown Pennsylvania Possie member Max Blair (# 111) of Centerville, a Crate Late Model standout, shocked and awed (and likely ticked off some) of the Super Late Model world Thursday after making contact with race leader Brandon Sheppard with two laps remaining in the first of two 25 lap preliminaries for the "Firecracker 100" at Lernerville Speedway.
Sheppard, one of the 3 Hottest Racers in America, finished a dismal 22nd after Blair's contact, whilst Blair went on to lead the final two circuits and take the $6,000 payday. Tennessean Scott Bloomquist would finish 4th in the World of Outlaws Late Model series event that culminates Saturday with a $30,000 payday on the line.
Dirtvision is broadcasting the weekends races for subscribers or fans can catch the finale Saturday night live on the CBS Sports Network.
In Tennessee Friday brings the Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model series to Seymour's 411 Motor Speedway just outside of Knoxville. The $12,000 to-Win feature along with Saturday's Talladega (AL) Short Track race can be seen live on Lucas Oil Racing TV for Special Subscribers only.
Chickamauga's Dale McDowell is running the event in Alabama and expected to be one of the weekends top contenders. McDowell just finished 2nd recently at Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, TN last Saturday.
No tracks will be running Friday night with the LODLMs in Knoxville, but Saturday Wartburg (TN) Speedway is racing as is Mountain View Raceway in Dayton/Spring City just north of Chattanooga and I-75 Raceway in Sweetwater.
Fort Payne (AL) Motor Speedway is a week away from its 13th annual "Firecracker 50" Super Late Model special event, so this Saturday will be a full regular show with SLM's getting one last test n' tune race before the $4,000 to-Win 50 lapper Saturday night, July 4.
Last year's winner was Chatsworth's Aaron Ridley. Reigning UCRA champion Jesse Lowe of Crossville has sold his new Longhorn Late Model to neighbor Michael Smith. Lowe will be returning to racing possibly as early as later this season with a new 5jMotorsports team.