(June 19, 2024) Quincy, IL – Max McLaughlin, in his first year as a full-time Late Model racer, captured his first DIRTcar Summer Nationals Feature win on Wednesday night at Adams County Speedway. Just five races into his debut season on the Hell Tour, the 24-year-old from Mooresville, NC, clinched the $5,000 grand prize.
Early Move for the Lead
Starting from fourth on the grid, McLaughlin quickly made his way to the front, opting to ride the high side of the 1/4-mile track. He moved into second place on the opening lap, setting up a battle with polesitter Daryn Klein. McLaughlin found his momentum around the outside and overtook Klein on Lap 6, leading the remainder of the race.
“I had to try to figure out where to carry good momentum,” McLaughlin said. “I was able to sneak by Klein there in the middle.”
Fending Off a Champion
As the race progressed, McLaughlin faced a formidable challenge from 2010 Summer Nationals champion Jason Feger. Like McLaughlin, Feger utilized the outside line to pass Klein and began closing in on the leader. With just two laps remaining, Feger nearly pulled even with McLaughlin down the backstretch. However, McLaughlin managed to hold off the defending DIRTcar Late Model national champion and secure his first Hell Tour victory.
“This car has been really good and we tried some new stuff tonight and obviously it worked pretty good,” McLaughlin said. “I didn’t know where to really run in (Turns) 1 and 2 and Feger was getting me pretty good and I saw him peaking his nose. Hats off to him for racing me clean.”
Looking Ahead
With his first Hell Tour win under his belt, McLaughlin and the Team 22 Inc. team will head to Summertown, TN, for the next World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series race at ThunderHill Raceway Park on Thursday. McLaughlin is also vying for the Rookie of the Year title in the series.
“Hopefully we can carry the momentum into the World of Outlaws weekend,” McLaughlin said.
Upcoming Event
The DIRTcar Summer Nationals will continue at Spoon River Speedway on Thursday, June 20. Fans can purchase tickets at the gate or watch all the action live on DIRTVision.
Abbreviated Results
- Feature (30 Laps):
- 22*-Max McLaughlin[4]
- 25-Jason Feger[3]
- 15-Clayton Stuckey[8]
- 10K-Daryn Klein[1]
- 22R-Will Roland[7]
- 29-Spencer Diercks[5]
- 1-Tyler Erb[14]
- 21-Billy Moyer Sr[9]
- 8-Dillon McCowan[12]
- 25W-Allen Weisser[11]
- 38J-Jake Little[15]
- 1ST-Justin Reed[13]
- 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr[16]
- 33F-Rickey Frankel[17]
- 58-Tyler Clem[18]
- 14JR-Trey Mills[19]
- 26M-Bob Gardner[20]
- 30-Mark Voigt[22]
- 33-Kye Blight[10]
- 11-Darin Weisinger Jr[21]
- 51-Matt Furman[6]
- 10-Garrett Smith[2]
