CONCORD, N.C. — Scott Bloomquist is back. Back to the top of the leaderboard with the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series alongside Brandon Overton, who were both fastest on Low-E Insulation Qualifying Night at The Dirt Track at Charlotte.
Bloomquist, the 59-year-old National Dirt Late Model Hall-of-Famer, laid down a lap of 15.648 seconds in Wednesday’s second qualifying session, earning him the Simpson Race Products Quick Time Award and putting him on the pole for Friday’s first heat race.
“It makes me feel pretty good, really,” Bloomquist said.
It’s been tough sledding for the former World of Outlaws champion this year, as effects from multiple health issues have kept him sidelined for nearly the entire season. Last month, Bloomquist made public his plans to return to the seat for the first time since early January, piloting a Team Zero Race Car owned by former Florida racer Devin Jones.
In only their second race weekend together, against a deep roster of the nation’s best dirt late model racers, Bloomquist sent an early, strong message to all 73 other competitors in the pit area – he’s still here, still capable, and still giving it everything he’s got in pursuit of victory.
“I’m absolutely sure we’re going to be able to contend – I’ve never had a doubt,” Bloomquist said. “I go to a race to win it. I felt like we came here and did everything we could do to win this race.”
On the pole for Thursday’s fourth heat is Brandon Overton, who also collected a Simpson Race Products Quick Time Award with his best lap of 15.091 in Group B of the first qualifying session.
Overton, 32, has grown to be one of dirt Late Model racing’s most dominant drivers since his days as the 2015 World of Outlaws Rookie of the Year, with several high-profile event wins over the past three seasons. But he and Wells Motorsports have experienced cooler temperatures in 2023 with limited success on the national Late Model scene compared to years previous. Still, he and the team continue the fight and feel good about their chances this weekend.
“We need a good run – for my team and all our supporters,” Overton said. “It ain’t no secret we haven’t done as good as we have the last couple years, so to end it off strong here would be nice for all of us.”
Other notable qualifying efforts include a Group-A quick time from Mike Marlar in the Thursday session, turning a best lap of 15.117.
Dale McDowell claimed the pole of heat four on Friday with a quick time in Group B, turning a lap of 15.696. The veteran racer seeks his first Series victory of the year and first with the Outlaws at The Dirt Track this weekend.
By taking the green flag in Wednesday qualifying, Bobby Pierce has mathematically clinched the 2023 World of Outlaws points championship in his first season as part of the national tour’s full-time roster. However, he’ll have some work to do in his Heats on both nights, qualifying 12th in the Thursday session and 14th in the Friday session as he vies for his first career win at The Dirt Track.
Fellow first-year Series full-timer Nick Hoffman has also clinched his special honor, officially locking up the 2023 Germfree Rookie of the Year Award. He’ll have a front-row starting spot for each of his heats after a fifth-best lap in his Thursday qualifying session and a runner-up to McDowell’s lap in Friday’s session.