by Don Martin                    6.3.2019

Below are the STLRacing.com Top 25 Dirt Late Model Rankings as we enter the 25^th Annual Dream at Eldora Speedway.   This past weekend Brandon Sheppard and Jonathon Davenport continued their winning ways.   Sheppard picked up the World of Outlaw win at Lancaster while Davenport picked up a preliminary win at Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, Mississippi.   These two are clearly shoulders above everyone at this time.

It was nice to see Josh Richards pick up a preliminary win at Magnolia, and how about Tim McCreadie racking up three-runner up spots.    Tim seems to be picking up some momentum entering the Dream.   Don’t forget he won the World 100 last year at Eldora in dominant fashion.

Ross Bailes, Brandon Overton, and Ricky Weiss continue to be contenders each week.  Yes I know Overton and Bailes both are racking up good finishes in familiar territory but they are still getting the job done.   It is obvious Barry Wright must have a good car because Bailes has won Lucas and World of Outlaw events.

Mike Marlar won the Magnolia 100 last weekend and bolted his way into the Top 10 in the rankings.   Marlar is one of the most talented drivers in the country and can line up just about anywhere in the country.

25^th Annual DREAM 100 – Preview

 This week is one of the biggest races of the year and Eldora is the place to be for the 25^th Annual Dream 100.   The event kicks off Thursday and Friday with a pair of $10,000 to win feature events each night.   Saturday feature this year will pay $125,000 to win.

You can expect anywhere between 80-100 late models on the property including the return of Scott Bloomquist.   Zero has made the show 21 out of 24, and has won the race a staggering 8 times including 2 runner-ups.    Everyone like him or hate him has to be curious of what to expect this week.    The guy has not been in a race car since Daytona Speedweeks back in February.

Darrell Lanigan stats are crazy 19 Dream starts – 1 win and 7 Podium finishes for the Union, Kentucky driver.

I have put some notes next to each of the drivers in our Top 25 in regards to Dream history.

STLRacing.com Top 25 Super Dirt Late Model Rankings 2019                        6.3.2019

1              Brandon Sheppard          3 Dream Starts best finish 2nd.

2              Jonathan Davenport        9 Dream starts has won the event 1 time

3              Tyler Erb                              1 Dream Start

4              Jimmy Owens                    12 Dream starts – 1 win

5              Bobby Pierce                     3 Dream starts

6              Ross Bailes                          looking for first Dream start

7              Brandon Overton             made the Dream 3 out of 4.

8              Ricky Weiss                         1 Dream Start.

9              Earl Pearson Jr.                 10 Dream starts best finish 2^nd.

10           Mike Marlar                       8 Dream starts only has one top 10 finsih.

11           Dale McDowell                  16 Dream starts – 2 podium finishes

12           Josh Richards                     8 Dream starts best finish 2^nd.

13           Devin Moran                      made 5 out of last 6 Dreams.

14           Michael Page                     1 Dream Start

15           Tim McCreadie                  10 Dream feature starts – 2 top 10’s

16           Chase Junghans                looking for first Dream Start

17           Hudson O’Neal                 1Dream Start

18           Chris Madden                    13 Dream Starts – 2 top 5’s

19           Don O’Neal                         14 Dream Starts – 1 win

20           Brian Shirley                       5 Dream Starts

21           Donald McIntosh             Looking for his first Dream start

22           Rick Eckert                          10 Dream Starts – 1 win

23           Mason Zeigler                   4 Dream starts

24           Darrell Lanigan                  19 Dream starts – 1 win and 7 podium finishes.

25           Scott Bloomquist              21 Dream Starts and 8 wins.

Other notable Dream past contenders

Shannon Babb   14 Dream Starts

Brian Birkhofer  10 Dream starts finished 2^nd twice.

Shane Clanton   12 Dream starts with 1 win.

Dennis Erb Jr.     8 Dream Starts 1 win.

Jimmy Mars        11 Dream Starts 1 win

Billy Moyer         17 Dream Starts 1 win

Kent Robinson 6 Dream Starts

Scott James        7 Dream Starts

Chris Simpson    5 Dream Starts

Jeep Van Wormer – 11 Dream Starts

Steve Casebolt  6 Dream Starts – 1 win

Matt Miller         11 Dream Starts- 1wn

Gregg Satterlee- 3 Dream Starts

STLRacing.com Dream pick for 2019 is Newport Nightmare Jimmy Owens !!