COPPER HILL, VA :: As we approach the midseason, we take a look at the top drivers in racing with the return of our RACE22.com Power Rankings. For this edition, we take a look at the Limited Late Model drivers all across the region.
Honorable Mention: Motor Mile Tech Inspectors
Motor Mile Speedway’s tech inspectors are undefeated on the season. In two races run for the Limited Sportsman division at Motor Mile, both races have been decided in the tech shed after the race. The first race went to Scott Lancaster after Bryan Reedy and Karl Budzevski were disqualified. The second race of the year went to Daryn Cockram after Preston McGhee was disqualified. I’m beginning to think Motor Mile’s tech inspectors could find the missing Lois Lerner documents.
15. Daryn Cockram
Daryn Cockram has run at three different tracks this season. On May 31st, he inherited his first win of the season just days after scoring a podium finish in the Memorial Day Classic at Franklin County Speedway. In his most recent appearance at South Boston Speedway, Cockram scored a strong second place finish. Cockram’s been a threat everywhere he travels as of late.
14. Daniel Moss
Moss has two wins on the season at South Boston and one of those wins was enough to lock him in to the Mischa Sell Memorial at Ace Speedway. Moss is proving to be a threat at South Boston and sits within striking distance in the track’s Limited Sportsman championship standings.
13. Averitt Lucas
Averitt Lucas sits 13th in our power rankings with at least two wins on the season at Florence Motor Speedway in South Carolina. Lucas won the track championship last year but he’s certainly facing some tough competition from Christian PaHud this year.
12. Brandon Baker
Brandon Baker’s been off to a solid start at Orange County Speedway where he’s scored two wins on the season and sits atop the standings in the Limited Sportsman division with a slim points lead over Chuck Lawson.
11. Haley Moody
Haley Moody has picked up where she left off last season when she was standing in victory lane at Myrtle Beach. She has set the fast lap in qualifying countless times at Southern National, has one win, sits atop the points standings and deserves more wins than she has credit for. It’s very likely that she will win more races this year and look for her to climb up the rankings as the season progresses.
10. JD Eversole
JD Eversole sits second in points at South Boston Speedway where he has two wins on the season. Eversole is consistent every race and is always a threat to win. Look for Eversole to continue to make gains on Trey Crews.
9. Rusty Daniels
Another driver locked in to the Mischa Sell Memorial is Rusty Daniels. Daniels has wins at Southern National Motorsports Park and East Carolina Motor Speedway. Daniels sits sixth in the standings at Southern National and fourth at East Carolina.
8. Bradley McCaskill
Bradley McCaskill has also scored victories at two different tracks this season. McCaskill has visited victory lane at Dillon Motor Speedway in South Carolina and East Carolina Motor Speedway in North Carolina. Bradley hasn’t been afraid to travel either – he’s also recorded a handful of podium finishes at Wake County Speedway in Raleigh.
7. Christian PaHud
PaHud picked up a big win at Myrtle Beach Speedway last year and finished the championship season in the Southeast Limited Late Model Series in a statistical tie with Clay Jones. PaHud has picked up where he left off scoring three wins on the season, so far, at Florence Motor Speedway. PaHud was also a finalist in the PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge and got to go to Charlotte in hopes of obtaining sponsorship to make a start in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series. We’re not done hearing about PaHud this year and he could climb the ladder in the Power Rankings.
6. Ryan Robertson
Ryan Robertson sits atop the standings at Bowman Gray Stadium in North Carolina. He picked up the win in the biggest Sportsman race of the year at the track by virtue of the disqualification of Derek Stoltz. It’s going to be a tall task for Robertson to continue to hold on to the points lead. They don’t call the place the Madhouse for a reason. It is, however, a certainty that Robertson will win more races this season.
5. Dylon Wilson
Dylon Wilson has wins at multiple tracks this season. Wilson has scored victories at Hickory Motor Speedway and Wake County Speedway. Wilson’s wins at two difficult bullrings have showcased his talent and he’s proven to be a standout talent in the Limited Late Model division.
4. Boo Boo Dalton
Boo Boo Dalton is another driver who’s picked up wins at multiple venues in 2014. Dalton has scored victories at Ace Speedway where he’s always tough and at Caraway Speedway just outside of Asheboro, North Carolina. Dalton’s a tough driver who knows how to win. Keep an eye on him because it’s likely he’ll have plenty more visits to victory lane before the season concludes.
3. Dexter Canipe, Jr.
Dexter Canipe, Jr. has four wins on the season at Hickory Motor Speedway where he has been absolutely dominant in the Limited Late Models. Canipe isn’t in championship contention at Hickory so he only has one goal – win races. Canipe will continue to be tough to beat at Hickory.
2. Andrew Grady
We could certainly make the case for Andrew Grady to be atop this list. He’s won at Wake County,he’s won at Southern National and he’s always tough to beat. Grady has four wins on the season between the two tracks. Grady is young, talented, has a fast car and will certainly be around for a while so keep an eye on Grady.
1. Derek Stoltz
You either love the guy or you hate him. We’re talking about “Primetime”, Derek Stoltz. Stoltz has four wins on the season at Bowman Gray Stadium and, in terms of power, he’s certainly flexed his muscle this year and shown more raw power than anyone. After being stripped of his win in the Whelen 100, Stoltz promised to come back stronger than ever and that he did. Stoltz made quick work of getting to the lead in the very next race and crushed the field en route to victory. He won again this past Saturday night. Stoltz is, no doubt, the most talked about driver in the Limited Late Model ranks. Stoltz will continue to pick up the wins and, win or lose, he’ll continue to be the most talked about driver in this division.
So, that’s the list of the top drivers in the Limited Late Model ranks. Often times, the Limited Late Models race in the shadows of the Late Model Stock Cars, but they also put on a thrilling show. The Limited Late Model races are often times the most entertaining race of the night you’ll see at many racetracks.
