Paul Wilmoth Jr and car owner Eric Hudkins have parted ways

[whitey2r]

"It's mutually decided that Paul Wilmoth Jr and car owner Eric Hudkins have parted ways. Citing lack of performance for the cause of the split, Wilmoth remains optimistic.

“I’ve been racing a long time and know there are ups and downs. This year has certainly been on the down side. The bottom line is that we haven’t performed. After Screven, I thought we were onto something, however that wasn’t the case. The split was completely mutual. Eric’s friendship with me is something I value more than racing.” Wilmoth continued.

“As of right now, I don’t have any plans. I ran my brother’s car at the Earl Hill Memorial and I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do. My shock business Quicktime Suspension is very busy at the moment, so that’s my main focus. I’m just going to see how things go and wait for something to open up.”

http://www.paulwilmoth.com/new/

[dirtdobber45]

Another sad story of the day hate it for the guy

[WVdirtguy1]

I wonder what really happened he was at Tyler County Thursday night and didn't finish not sure why. Saturday he was no longer the driver Mike Benedum was in the car and he was in his brother car. It just seems like a very abrupt move after investing so much in a guy even if the results weren't that great to start the year. I would bet there is more to the story.

[W2Racing09]

Has to be more to the story, nobody is that crazy to expect results that fast with a new team. How many races under their belt? 10-15? 80% of which were against 30-40 of the top cars in the country.

Thanks,
Jeff.

[Pennsboro23]

Seen this coming a mile away.

[zyoung25]

I haven't ever heard of Hudkins? I know when Paul first got in this car about halfway through the season last year, they traveled a good bit it seemed like. Whoever the guy is, he must not be scared to spend money. The first I remember seeing them somewhere, they had a single car trailer with a dually, that got replaced by a fairly new double stack blue rig. He also hired one of the best wrench's out there in Austin.

Paul's always been pretty good around ohio/wv area, but I never thought see him out on a tour. They probably should've stayed closer to home for a year, then maybe try the road scene out.

It was my favorite looking car out there today, sad to see it come to such a quick halt.

[Pennsboro23]

Per DirtonDirt article, Hudkins will name a new driver in the coming days, says he wants to do a lot of racing. Some drivers around the area that come to mind are Mike Benedum who finished 4th at Tyler County's Earl Hill Memorial last Saturday night. Jared Hawkins would be a great fit in that ride in my opinion.

[castone]

Was watching for the pretty blue hauler to come down the road April 8th WoO at Duck River, but Paul was a no show!

[Drop Shock]

I heard that blue hauler they were using this year was Benedum's big blue hauler, which may explain why he was in the ride 2 days after Wilmoth raced it. I'd say Jared Hawkins would be this guys best bet. Zack Dohm and Tyler Carpenter are a couple of other young WV guys that could do well in that ride.

[Josh Bayko]

If it were my money, I'd go with Jared Hawkins. He's a great young shoe.

[WVdirtguy1]

It was Benedums hauler. Im surprised he would have anything to do with Hudkins given their past. Pennsboro 23 how did you see it coming a mile away Im guessing all the DNQ's? It seemed like they were fast the first few shows and just slowly dropped off. Ill be curious to see who he picks and how long they make it in the car.

[GEAR_HEAD]

If he wants to have success in that car he needs a driver more versatile than Wilmoth. Wilmoth has never been able to run big tracks like Eldora or PPMS. He is a short track specialist. As much as I'd like to see Jared Hawkins in a top notch ride it's the same deal with him. Zack Dohm also. If I were a car owner I'd rather have Jacob Hawkins in the car. He has had success on big tracks and small tracks.

[Pennsboro23]

It was Benedums hauler. Im surprised he would have anything to do with Hudkins given their past. Pennsboro 23 how did you see it coming a mile away Im guessing all the DNQ's? It seemed like they were fast the first few shows and just slowly dropped off. Ill be curious to see who he picks and how long they make it in the car.

Been saying it on here since they geared up for the WoO. Paul isn't good enough to run a national tour. I've watched him run since I started going racing. At one point in his career he was as good as they come around the mov but he hasn't won the races like he use to for 5-6 years now. It didn't make sense for them to run nationally, he could have picked and chose races within 3-4 hours and ran a more regional schedule and been pretty successful but not on the WoO scene.

Gearhead, Jared is one of the best regional drivers around the area. He is a better wheel man that Paul imo. Jared is fast everywhere he goes. Can't go wrong with Jake either but I think he is more focused on the modified.

[MWestfallfan54]

May be a little biased, but Matt Westfall would be an excellent choice for the Dream and World 100.

[bleedblue55]

If he wants to have success in that car he needs a driver more versatile than Wilmoth. Wilmoth has never been able to run big tracks like Eldora or PPMS. He is a short track specialist. As much as I'd like to see Jared Hawkins in a top notch ride it's the same deal with him. Zack Dohm also. If I were a car owner I'd rather have Jacob Hawkins in the car. He has had success on big tracks and small tracks.
Jake ain't going anywhere. Has a new XR1 on the way via his modified team.

[Aluminium Block]

Been saying it on here since they geared up for the WoO. Paul isn't good enough to run a national tour. I've watched him run since I started going racing. At one point in his career he was as good as they come around the mov but he hasn't won the races like he use to for 5-6 years now. It didn't make sense for them to run nationally, he could have picked and chose races within 3-4 hours and ran a more regional schedule and been pretty successful but not on the WoO scene.Gearhead, Jared is one of the best regional drivers around the area. He is a better wheel man that Paul imo. Jared is fast everywhere he goes. Can't go wrong with Jake either but I think he is more focused on the modified.Nothing against Hawkins but he fared about the same as Wilmoth when he tried WoO a few years ago.

[Pennsboro23]

Nothing against Hawkins but he fared about the same as Wilmoth when he tried WoO a few years ago.

Jared never attempted to run the WoO. They tossed around the idea and went to Florida to run but didn't go through with it. Jared has had good equipment but nothing like what Wilmoth had this year. Give Jared the chance and he will shine. He's won a 20,000 outlaw race already, he also had a strong run going at Cedar lake a few years back before bad luck hit him, and that was the first time he had ever seen the track. Give him the equipment, and he will perform.

[zyoung25]

The only thing that worries me about either of those Hawkins boys being in that car.....those Sweet/Bloomquist cars don't really fit their style. But I do think they are good enough to adjust, if given time of course.

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

The only thing that worries me about either of those Hawkins boys being in that car.....those Sweet/Bloomquist cars don't really fit their style. But I do think they are good enough to adjust, if given time of course.
If they work for Bloomer and Landers, I think they can work for about anyone.

[WVdirtguy1]

When Wilmoth had his best years he was driving a Rocket I wonder why he would make a change if he was doing so well with them. I think it hard to say who will or wont do well at the top level just have to take someone that has the potential and see what happens. It seems like a driver has to be aggressive but calculated and be willing to make a risky move. It seems like one move makes or breaks a lot of the woo or lucas races.

[00Hdmn]

Nothing against Hawkins but he fared about the same as Wilmoth when he tried WoO a few years ago.

If you would have really watched Hawkins during his stint with Bobby Lake you would take back your comments..... He DOMINATED the black diamond and would have won the USA Nationals if Richards wouldn't have came down on him on around lap 75 and knocked the right front off the car. I will try and find that video and post it. He was coming to the front and had the right tires on, it was his race until that moment.

[Barbecueboy]

If you would have really watched Hawkins during his stint with Bobby Lake you would take back your comments..... He DOMINATED the black diamond and would have won the USA Nationals if Richards wouldn't have came down on him on around lap 75 and knocked the right front off the car. I will try and find that video and post it. He was coming to the front and had the right tires on, it was his race until that moment.

Richards chopped somebody's nose off????

Eeeegadz.

[old fan]

running a tour is a tough deal they should've given either driver some more time

[WVdirtguy1]

I agree but when the money is going out and nothings coming in people make rushed decisions. Any word on who Hudkins is putting in the car? My bet is Benedum not saying that's who I would pick but just that it wouldn't surprise me.

[00Hdmn]

Richards chopped somebody's nose off????

Eeeegadz.

No actually it was a squabble on a restart and it was just a bad deal (no one at fault Hawkins just got the bad end of it). I tried to find the race on you tube but couldn't find it. Richards went on to win. Should have been like 2012/2013 USA national's I think.

[chupp n bloomer fan]

No actually it was a squabble on a restart and it was just a bad deal (no one at fault Hawkins just got the bad end of it). I tried to find the race on you tube but couldn't find it. Richards went on to win. Should have been like 2012/2013 USA national's I think.2011. But I cannot access it on DoD, none of the old ones are playing. Wether they have a P next to them or not.

[00Hdmn]

2011. But I cannot access it on DoD, none of the old ones are playing. Wether they have a P next to them or not.

Yeah I found it on there but I don't think I can put a DoD video on here. Its was one heck of a race. Another point on Hawkins is like last year he only raced around 10 times in a late model and had something like 6 special event wins including the 10k to win Jim Dunn. Dude is smooth and easy on equipment.

[00Hdmn]

Yeah I found it on there but I don't think I can put a DoD video on here. Its was one heck of a race. Another point on Hawkins is like last year he only raced around 10 times in a late model and had something like 6 special event wins including the 10k to win Jim Dunn. Dude is smooth and easy on equipment.

I miss spoke...Richards and Birky got into it and Hawkins was the innocent bystander. Just watched the video.

[let-r-eat]

Both of the Hawkins boys are good. Flip a coin on that one. I hate it for Wilmoth but he really hasn't been the same since he hurt his back.

There is some good young racers out there for sure. I don't think many have the all around skills to make it. Success is about much more than driving.

[zyoung25]

Benedum was in the car again at atomic tonight.

[00Hdmn]

Benedum was in the car again at atomic tonight.

Where did he finish?

[wvkidrocketfan]

third in his heat, 9th in the main per FB

[WVdirtguy1]

I can't say Benedum is a step up from Wilmoth if he planned to put him in the car he should have just stayed with Wilmoth. The car seemed to do the same at Atomic that it did down in Florida started out pretty fast and when the track slicked over the car went away with it. In FL Paul was very fast in qualifying most nights but as the evening went on it seemed the car would fall off seemed like it lacked forward bite. I wonder if the cause is bad tire selection and or grooving, car set up or driver?

[Pennsboro23]

I can't say Benedum is a step up from Wilmoth if he planned to put him in the car he should have just stayed with Wilmoth. The car seemed to do the same at Atomic that it did down in Florida started out pretty fast and when the track slicked over the car went away with it. In FL Paul was very fast in qualifying most nights but as the evening went on it seemed the car would fall off seemed like it lacked forward bite. I wonder if the cause is bad tire selection and or grooving, car set up or driver?

You're right, not much difference in Benedum and Wilmoth. Both good local drivers, but not much more than that. If Hudkins wants to be successful he is going to have to find a stout regional guy like Hawkins, Dohm, Miley etc. or an young up and comer like Zack Dohm, Tyler Carpenter, etc.

[WVdirtguy1]

I would be curious about a guy from I believe Delaware Austin Hubbard he seems like a good young driver with potential as well.

[Russell W]

Hubbard drove on the national lvl for Dale Beitler for a year or two. Was consistent but didn't set the world on fire. Given a second chance and the right car I think he would do well though

[Barbecueboy]

Hubbard drove on the national lvl for Dale Beitler for a year or two. Was consistent but didn't set the world on fire. Given a second chance and the right car I think he would do well though

Guy is fearless..........I like watching him race.

[00Hdmn]

Anyone have any insight into this as who will be in the cars the rest of the year?

[Pennsboro23]

Anyone have any insight into this as who will be in the cars the rest of the year?

Haven't heard any news.

[WVdirtguy1]

Looks like that move booting Wilmoth is working out great for Hudkins. Benedum's first Woo/Lucas race DNQ hahahaha!

[fongu]

Hawkins need a chance in this ride.

[WVdirtguy1]

I would like to see Brent Trimble in a super late model he's dominant in a modified that's for sure.

[00Hdmn]

I would like to see Brent Trimble in a super late model he's dominant in a modified that's for sure.

He is at the local level but past that he hasn't proved anything, needs to step out a little IMO.

[WVdirtguy1]

I agree. He shows the potential that he could do well if give the opportunity.

[WVRACEFAN]

Tremble is good at elkins that's about it. And as long as you start in the front row at elkins & can hold your line you have a chance to win very little passing.

[00Hdmn]

Tremble is good at elkins that's about it. And as long as you start in the front row at elkins & can hold your line you have a chance to win very little passing.

Agreed..... I think if they would make the track about 10' wider Elkins wouldn't be that bad but that will never happen, the owner doesn't really put any money into it and we are lucky the Skidmores even run the place.

[WVdirtguy1]

I always liked Interstate 79 and held a hope that it would reopen until the Fn auto action flattened and paved over it. Someone needs to build a new track in that general area. Good central location and easy access. But I know that will probably never happen. I agree with making Elkins wider that's the problem with the tracks I get to frequent now that I had to move from WV, Delaware International Speedway if they would widen it 10-15 and add some banking they could have something great. It seems its nearly impossible for the late models to pass in the turns without hitting each other or running over the tires on the inside of the turn.