The top dirt late models across the country are ranked following Jonathan Davenport’s $30,000 Blue Gray 100 victory at Cherokee Speedway and the World of Outlaws Late Models doubleheader at Modoc Speedway.

These rankings focus on who is hot right now, based primarily on each driver’s last five starts rather than season-long points or reputation.

1. Jonathan Davenport

Jonathan Davenport turned up the heat this past weekend all the while enjoying some southern comfort. Davenport started the weekend off at Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tennessee on Thursday where he came up about an inch short in a photo finish to Jimmy Owens during the FloRacing Night in America Series race. He then followed that up with a strong third place finish at Modoc Speedway. On Saturday night, everything came together and he got the win. He then concluded his weekend with his biggest payday, a $30,000 win in the Blue Gray 100 with the Southern All Stars at Cherokee Speedway.

In his last five races, Davenport has an average finish of 2.4.

Davenport will take this upcoming weekend off, but will be back in action to conclude the World of Outlaws Late Models season at The Dirt Track at Charlotte for World Finals from November 4-7.

Previous position: 8th.

2. Ricky Thornton Jr.

Ricky Thornton Jr. sat idle this past weekend in his late model opting to run in a Non-Wing Sprint Car at Central Arizona Raceway for the Western World Championships. 

Thornton dominated the conclusion of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series earlier in the month. He finished fifth at the Pittsburgher and then swept both nights of The Clash on Wabash at Eldora Speedway. He followed that up with a preliminary feature win at West Virginia Motor Speedway for the Dirt Track World Championship and then won the 100-lap race last Sunday. Over his last five races he has 4 wins, 5 Top 5s, and 5 Top 10s. His average finish is 1.8.

Thornton is expected to be back in his late model for two nights at Portsmouth Raceway Park with the American Late Model Iron-Man Series on October 30-31st. The Saturday night race pays $50,000. He also has the World Finals on his calendar for November 4-7.

Previous position: 1st.

3. Brandon Sheppard 

Brandon Sheppard competed in the FloRacing Night in America Series race at Volunteer Speedway on Thursday night, where he brought it home in 7th. It continued a top 10 streak that goes all the way back to the beginning of September.

Sheppard had very good finishes to conclude the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series season and secure the championship at West Virginia Motor Speedway for the Dirt Track World Championship. He finished 6th in the Pittsburgher, 2nd and 6th at Eldora for the Clash on the Wabash, a 3rd in preliminary action for the DTWC, and then a second in the DTWC. He has an average finish of 4th in his last five races.

The Rocket1 team will be back in action for the World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte from November 4-7 and then will conclude the Flo Series with the Peach State Classic doubleheader at Senoia on November 13-14. Sheppard currently leads the points standings by 9 points over Hudson O’Neal.

Previous position: 2nd.

4. Hudson O’Neal 

Hudson O’Neal had a very solid week with two podium finishes and a top 10. He started it out with a third place finish at Volunteer Speedway and narrowed Sheppard’s points lead to just nine points with two races left. He then followed it up with a solid 6th place finish at Modoc Speedway in the No. 6 K&L Rumley Enterprises car. On Saturday night, he improved to get on the podium with a third place finish.

While he did not make it to victory lane, he was finally able to get some solid finishes with the speed he’s been showing over the last month. In his last five starts, O’Neal has an average finish of 4.2 and that includes his 8th place finish in the Dirt Track World Championship. He was leading much of the race, but saw his night get derailed when he mud clod smashed in his right front flopper and injuring the car.

O’Neal is expected to be in action next at The Dirt Track at Charlotte for the World Finals in the No. 6 K&L Rumley Enterprises car.

Previous position: 5th.

5. Bobby Pierce

Bobby Pierce was the show during the World of Outlaws doubleheader at Modoc Speedway. After a rough start to October, Pierce put together a solid fifth place run at Volunteer Speedway on Thursday night with the Flo Series. He then put together a herculean run from 20th on Friday night at Modoc Speedway to finish second right behind Cody Overton. Things looked like they were falling Pierce’s way on Saturday night when he had a much better qualifying run, but unfortunately, he had issues with an oil belt line in his heat race and he eventually had to race his way through a B-Main and start 21st. He then repeated his performance from Friday night and looked like he might get the win in the closing laps as he hounded Jonathan Davenport, but unfortunately the oil belt issue struck again and his night was ended with five to go. He ended up with an 18th place finish.

While Pierce’s average finish over his last five starts is a 9.6, he had incredible speed especially at Modoc and was a threat to win both nights. He also showed that speed at Eldora Speedway during the Clash on the Wabash, but unfortunately cut a tire in the B-Main and his night ended.

Pierce and his team plan to regroup after the mechanical issues and will be back in action with the Outlaws for World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte from November 4-7. Pierce has a 76 point lead over Nick Hoffman.

Previous position: Not listed.

6. Devin Moran

Devin Moran’s only race this past week was the FloRacing Night in America Series race at Volunteer Speedway, where he finished 15th. However, he was running in the top 5, but unfortunately blew a tire with five laps left.

Earlier this month, he dominated the Pittsburgher in Lucas Oil competition and pushed Brandon Sheppard to his limit as he chased him for the championship. He finished 2nd and 3rd at Eldora during the Clash on the Wabash and had two third place finishes at the Dirt Track World Championship. Even with the disappointing 15th place finish, he still has an average finish of 5.2 and a median finish of 3rd.

Moran’s next scheduled race is World Finals at the Dirt Track at Charlotte from November 4-7.

Previous position: 3rd.

7. Nick Hoffman

Nick Hoffman had an engine issue that ended his night at Volunteer Speedway on Thursday with the FloRacing Night in America Series. To make matters worse when he was trying to exit the track, he got into the mud and looped it. He ended up with a 23rd finish.

He rebounded at Modoc Speedway with a brand new car, one he was planning to debut at the World Finals. He put together two solid fifth place finishes and with Pierce’s misfortune on Saturday night, he narrowed the gap in the championship battle to 76 points.

He has a 10th place average finish over his last five races with a median finish of 7th.

Hoffman is next in action at the World Finals at the Dirt Track at Charlotte from November 4-7.

Previous position: 4th.

8. Cody Overton

Cody Overton took home his first ever World of Outlaws win at Modoc and was in contention for a second on Saturday night. Unfortunately he suffered a brake issue while leading and got into the wall ending his night with a 26th place finish.

It was no surprise to see Overton’s speed, he’s been very good throughout the month of October aside from the Clash on the Wabash, where he failed to make both races. But before that he won three in a row. He swept both nights at Swainsboro with the Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series at the end of September and then followed that up with a Southern Thunder win at Modoc.

In his last five A-Main starts, he has an average finish of 6th and a median of 1st.

Overton does not have anything on his calendar to conclude the season.

Previous position: Not listed.

9. Ashton Winger

Ashton Winger was in action at Whynot Motorsports Park this past weekend and he finished 2nd in his preliminary feature on Friday night and followed that up with another second during the Fall Classic finale on Saturday night.

Earlier this month he won the Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series championship after the races at I-75 Raceway got rained out. Before that he finished 4th at Modoc Speedway with the Southern Thunder series and had a 12th and 3rd with Hunt the Front at Swainsboro.

His average finish in his last five is 4.6 with a median finish of third. 

Winger does not have anything on his calendar at this time to conclude the season.

Previous position: Not listed.

10. Dallon Murty

Dallon Murty took home the win in the $20,000 to-win MLRA race at West Liberty Raceway on Saturday night to top off an outstanding conclusion to the month of October.

He won a pair of local races at Mason City Motor Speedway on October 17-18 and finished 3rd and 2nd at Lucas Oil Speedway to conclude the MARS Racing Series season. Before that he finished 4th and 11th with the Outlaws at I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park to conclude September. His average finish in his last five starts is 1.6. 

Murty is expected to be in action at the Gateway Dirt Nationals from December 3-5.

Previous position: Not listed.

NEXT: What Drivers Said After Night 1 Of The World Of Outlaws Late Model Race At Modoc Speedway