World Of Outlaws Late Model SeriesAug 6, 2017 by Victoria Beaver
Don O'Neal Caps Off Wisconsin Late Model Swing With A Big Payday
Don O'Neal Caps Off Wisconsin Late Model Swing With A Big Payday
Don O'Neal's victory in the USA Nationals was his third podium finish in four Wisconsin races.
Don O'Neal wheeled his way to a win in the final night of the 30th Annual World of Outlaws Late Model USA Nationals at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, WI, on Saturday, claiming a $50,000 share of the weekend's $200,000 purse.
O'Neal found a way to thrive in the 100-lap A-Main, which was an impressive effort after his performance in a preliminary feature Friday night. In the 30-lap feature on Friday, O'Neal finished near the back of the pack in 20th after starting 15th.
"Man, I did [have to earn this one]," O'Neal said. "This place is so demanding. It starts off fast early and then it slicks off middle way through the race and then you have to finesse it -- 100 laps are hard here... I'm just glad to get this Peak car in Victory Lane. It's been a long time coming."
O'Neal's turnaround actually came late on Friday. He finished second in his heat, which allowed him to drive in Saturday night's Dash that set the first few rows. He lined up on the outside pole for the big show.
O'Neal, who splits his time between the World of Outlaws and Lucas Oil Late Model Series, has had an impressive turn through the Cheese State after joining the Outlaws tour for the last four races. His first two events ended better than his first turn at Cedar Lake, as he grabbed two podium finishes with a second at Oshkosh (Wisconsin) SpeedZone Raceway and a third at Shawano (Wisconsin) Speedway.
Mike Marlar started on the pole of the 100-lap main and held his lead through lap 53. On the next lap, O'Neal, who worked his way from fourth to second, stole the lead from Marlar. The pole sitter had to immediately defend his position in a hot four-car battle as Jimmy Owens, Brian Shirley, and Shannon Babb all fought to capture the second spot.
Marlar prevailed and was able to briefly reclaim the lead for two laps just after the midway point of the race, but by lap 58 O'Neal made his way back around and was dominant for the final 42 laps. Marlar ended the day second.
O'Neal's excitement for this win stems not only from the $50,000 paycheck but also because he doesn't have the opportunity to race in the event as much as he would like. He missed it for the past two years.
"It means a lot to get this win," O'Neal said. "We have had good race cars here in the past, but we haven't been here in a couple of years. They decided to let us come again this year, and hopefully we will be back next year. I'm just tickled to death."
Marlar fought hard to cut down the lead as O'Neal was pulling away from the field but never had quite enough to reel him back in the fold.
"I'm blessed to be up here [on the podium] and to be able to come up here [to Wisconsin]," Marlar said. "Man, we were close there, but there was just a guy out there causing havoc. He messed me up bad… I had to slam on my breaks and that let Don get by me. Don really raced me hard there. It was a fun race."
Third went to Bobby Pierce, who started mid-pack in 16th and passed 13 cars to claim the final podium finish. The last four cars he passed came with 10 laps to go. If Pierce had been able to find this line and rhythm earlier, he might have had a chance to catch O'Neal and Marlar.
For the Oakwood, IL, native Pierce, 100 laps wasn't enough.
"I fell way back on the start I think to like 20th, and with about 75 to go, I finally started picking off a guy about every five or 10 laps," Pierce said. "With about 40 to go, I think I just started coming on really strong. I didn't even look up at the scoreboard until about 10 [left]… This thing was really digging there at the end. If it was a 120 lap race, I would've liked to see that outcome. I have a second here and third here and a fourth here. I just really want that win one of these days."
Fourth place went to Sheppard with Owens rounding out the top five.
Friday's feature winner Chris Madden never had a chance to pull off a repeat victory as he had a night that was similar to O'Neal's Friday effort. Madden started 15th and fell back for a 21st-place finish.
Feature Top 10 Finishers
1. Don O'Neal
2. Mike Marlar
3. Bobby Pierce
4. Brandon Sheppard
5. Jimmy Owens
6. Dennis Erb, Jr.
7. Scott Bloomquist
8. Frank Heckenast, Jr.
9. Shannon Babb
10. Brian Shirley
O'Neal found a way to thrive in the 100-lap A-Main, which was an impressive effort after his performance in a preliminary feature Friday night. In the 30-lap feature on Friday, O'Neal finished near the back of the pack in 20th after starting 15th.
"Man, I did [have to earn this one]," O'Neal said. "This place is so demanding. It starts off fast early and then it slicks off middle way through the race and then you have to finesse it -- 100 laps are hard here... I'm just glad to get this Peak car in Victory Lane. It's been a long time coming."
O'Neal's turnaround actually came late on Friday. He finished second in his heat, which allowed him to drive in Saturday night's Dash that set the first few rows. He lined up on the outside pole for the big show.
O'Neal, who splits his time between the World of Outlaws and Lucas Oil Late Model Series, has had an impressive turn through the Cheese State after joining the Outlaws tour for the last four races. His first two events ended better than his first turn at Cedar Lake, as he grabbed two podium finishes with a second at Oshkosh (Wisconsin) SpeedZone Raceway and a third at Shawano (Wisconsin) Speedway.
Mike Marlar started on the pole of the 100-lap main and held his lead through lap 53. On the next lap, O'Neal, who worked his way from fourth to second, stole the lead from Marlar. The pole sitter had to immediately defend his position in a hot four-car battle as Jimmy Owens, Brian Shirley, and Shannon Babb all fought to capture the second spot.
Marlar prevailed and was able to briefly reclaim the lead for two laps just after the midway point of the race, but by lap 58 O'Neal made his way back around and was dominant for the final 42 laps. Marlar ended the day second.
O'Neal's excitement for this win stems not only from the $50,000 paycheck but also because he doesn't have the opportunity to race in the event as much as he would like. He missed it for the past two years.
"It means a lot to get this win," O'Neal said. "We have had good race cars here in the past, but we haven't been here in a couple of years. They decided to let us come again this year, and hopefully we will be back next year. I'm just tickled to death."
Marlar fought hard to cut down the lead as O'Neal was pulling away from the field but never had quite enough to reel him back in the fold.
"I'm blessed to be up here [on the podium] and to be able to come up here [to Wisconsin]," Marlar said. "Man, we were close there, but there was just a guy out there causing havoc. He messed me up bad… I had to slam on my breaks and that let Don get by me. Don really raced me hard there. It was a fun race."
Third went to Bobby Pierce, who started mid-pack in 16th and passed 13 cars to claim the final podium finish. The last four cars he passed came with 10 laps to go. If Pierce had been able to find this line and rhythm earlier, he might have had a chance to catch O'Neal and Marlar.
For the Oakwood, IL, native Pierce, 100 laps wasn't enough.
"I fell way back on the start I think to like 20th, and with about 75 to go, I finally started picking off a guy about every five or 10 laps," Pierce said. "With about 40 to go, I think I just started coming on really strong. I didn't even look up at the scoreboard until about 10 [left]… This thing was really digging there at the end. If it was a 120 lap race, I would've liked to see that outcome. I have a second here and third here and a fourth here. I just really want that win one of these days."
Fourth place went to Sheppard with Owens rounding out the top five.
Friday's feature winner Chris Madden never had a chance to pull off a repeat victory as he had a night that was similar to O'Neal's Friday effort. Madden started 15th and fell back for a 21st-place finish.
Feature Top 10 Finishers
1. Don O'Neal
2. Mike Marlar
3. Bobby Pierce
4. Brandon Sheppard
5. Jimmy Owens
6. Dennis Erb, Jr.
7. Scott Bloomquist
8. Frank Heckenast, Jr.
9. Shannon Babb
10. Brian Shirley