Zach Hiser
- Jan 25, 2021
- 2 min read

Lucas at East Bay Starts Tonight

Stretch of Eight races in 10 Days Begins Monday

Quincy, MI (Monday, January 25, 2021) - Speedweeks is officially underway for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. After one night of racing, fans are already geared up for a grueling stretch of races that spans across the next 10 days at two different race tracks. The big question is, who leaves Speedweeks with momentum into the 2021 season?

A new face committed to the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series in 2021 is that of Winnfield, Tennessee's, Mike Marlar. A regular name in Late Model racing and a former competitor with the World of Outlaws Late Models, Marlar is searching for a Lucas title in 2021. He began strong at All-Tech Raceway when he set the overall fast time for the night, and brought home a podium finish at the end of 50 laps.

Other Lucas regulars will also be on the hunt for the Championship honors, including 2020 champion, Jimmy Owens. Owens sported the iconic orange spoiler for a large portion of the 2020 campaign, a signal that he is the championship points leader. A charge through the field from his 13th starting spot proves he's ready to defend the title, after he drove his way to a fourth-place finish at All-Tech Raceway.

Of course, the driver that most are watching closely is the three-time and back-to-back Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Champion, Johnathan Davenport. The Blairsville, Georgia driver collected his first series Championship in 2015, before being a runner up in 2016 to Josh Richards, and returning to his Champion status in 2018 and 2019. Davenport is also fresh off his Wild West Shootout wins in Arizona earlier this month. Davenport earned the Hard Charger Award at All-Tech Raceway on Saturday, going from 18th to 8th in 50 laps.

The next 10 days will be the true test of a champion when the stars of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series contest eight races in 10 days at two tracks. Tonight (Monday), the Winternationals begin at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, Florida. In 2020, Devin Moran, Tim McCreadie, Brandon Shepard, and Mason Zeigler found victory lane at East Bay. Shepard was the only driver to collect multiple wins at East Bay, going three-for-six in last year's Speedweeks. In fact, Shepard and McCreadie were the only driver to collect multiple wins during the entire 2020 Speedweeks including Golden Isle, East Bay, and All-Tech. One of the thrilling parts of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and Florida Speedweeks is the anticipation of who could win at any given moment.