National Tours in 2017

**kazual** · 11-07-2016, 10:21 AM

This is not a this circuit is better than the other discussion. But would Dennis Erb consider WOO? UMP/WRG oriented and he may work within the tire regs better. That and qualifying format could benefit him with the top 8 redraw, he doesn't always seem to be a good time trial guy in Lucas events and often starts back half of his heat. WOO may be more travel miles but tend to think he would have more top 5 finishes there than in LOOLMS. Just a WAG.

**TUTY** · 11-07-2016, 10:22 AM

Looks about right.

**TheHeadHunter** · 11-07-2016, 10:45 AM

I don't really think you can say the WoO has more travel miles.. It really depends on who runs and where they are from..

**W2Racing09** · 11-07-2016, 10:56 AM

Originally posted by W2Racing09 View Post

I just wanted to make a list of the drivers for each tour in 2017 that I will update over time. Right now this is just the 2016 Drivers minus the ones we know for sure are not planning to run the series at this point. Please post to let me know if you know for sure of a driver planning to run, or planning to drop off.

LOLMDS
0 - Scott Bloomquist
39 - Tim McCreadie
B5 - Brandon Sheppard
5 - Don O'Neal
28E - Dennis Erb Jr
15L - Darrell Lanigan
1 - Earl Pearson Jr
20 - Jimmy Owens
777 - Jared Landers
15F - Steve Francis
75 - Colton Flinner

Dropped from Tour
6 - Jonathan Davenport

World of Outlaws
1 - Josh Richards
25 - Shane Clanton
7 - Rick Eckert
21JR - Billy Moyer Jr
C9 - Steve Casebolt
18 - Eric Wells
1* - Chub Frank
3S - Brian Shirley
99JR - Frank Heckenast
14M - Morgan Bagley
91 - Tyler Erb
2C - Joey Coulter
99B - Boom Briggs
18C - Chase Junghans

Dropped from Tour
76 - Brandon Overton

There are a lot of WoO drivers I am concerned about. I have no inside info on any of it of course but how much longer are guys like Chub Frank and Boom Briggs going to stick it out on the WoO? What about drivers like Eckert, Bagley, and Coulter as well? I can see a lot of guys making a good amount of progress (Tyler Erb at start of season vs. Tyler Erb at end of season... Night and day. Also have seen Wells, Junghans, and Moyer Jr make huge gains this season).

For the LOLMDS I think that core of guys is pretty solid, although I obviously question whether Flinner will continue next season.

Thanks,
Jeff.

**W2Racing09** · 11-07-2016, 10:59 AM

I think the amount of travel miles is slowly closing, now with LOLMDS going up to Deer Creek for instance in addition to their Nebraska trip. I think if you are based South of the Mason-Dixon line the LOLMDS is a better option, and if you are located near the line, or North of it the WoO might be the better bet.

Thanks,
Jeff.

**Josh Bayko** · 11-07-2016, 11:49 AM

I don't think those lists will look the same after Florida. I don't expect major changes, but there will surely be some changes. Plus, both tours will pick up a RoY contender or two each, too.

**dalemcfan** · 11-07-2016, 12:50 PM

Is Overton for sure dropping off WoO or waiting to see where they are after SpeedWeeks? Has anyone heard if WoO is going to Screven to start their year again? When we were in Charlotte for the World Finals one of the guys I went with thought he heard the announcer say that WoO was starting their year at Volusia. Hope Screven gets some WoO races and that they are different weekends than when Lucas is at Golden Isles like it was last year.

**Bubstr** · 11-07-2016, 02:24 PM

I always thought that a certain amount was locked in to each series. That's what they do. The rest use a formula to suck them in to a series. First I call, run the flag up and see who salutes, are they up in the points after Speed weeks, then Do they have book on that series tracks. The last can be a deal breaker for even great drivers and teams. Someone has to have those set up notes. The last is, are they equipped to go. Good hauler, two cars, 3 motors and a pair and a spare of all parts. Then there is the biggest factor. Is the driver, crew and their support willing to go on the road. A lot think they are, until they taste the bologna sammiches, they eat, because everyone is too worn out to cook something good to eat.

**zyoung25** · 11-07-2016, 02:30 PM

I heard Donald Bradshear was looking to try the WoO next year.

**W2Racing09** · 11-07-2016, 02:34 PM

Originally posted by dalemcfan View Post

Is Overton for sure dropping off WoO or waiting to see where they are after SpeedWeeks? Has anyone heard if WoO is going to Screven to start their year again? When we were in Charlotte for the World Finals one of the guys I went with thought he heard the announcer say that WoO was starting their year at Volusia. Hope Screven gets some WoO races and that they are different weekends than when Lucas is at Golden Isles like it was last year.

I don't think they have ruled it out, but I would rather not list them if they are waiting until after Speedweeks to decide. I think a lot of drivers would stick around if they were doing good in points even if they had no chance at all. (For instance, if someone like Kyle Bronson was leading WoO LM points following Volusia I would bet he would be at Farmer City in March too)

Thanks,
Jeff.

**Bubstr** · 11-07-2016, 02:35 PM

Originally posted by kazual View Post

This is not a this circuit is better than the other discussion. But would Dennis Erb consider WOO? UMP/WRG oriented and he may work within the tire regs better. That and qualifying format could benefit him with the top 8 redraw, he doesn't always seem to be a good time trial guy in Lucas events and often starts back half of his heat. WOO may be more travel miles but tend to think he would have more top 5 finishes there than in LOOLMS. Just a WAG.

Good guess, but I think we will see Erb stay in Lucas series, just because he is way better on East Bay track than Volutia Co. Lucas gives him a head start each year. He also has good notes on the Lucas tracks. I always thought of Erb as a Journeyman Racer. Works hard to get the job done and does nothing to hurt his chances. Not Flashy, just gets the job done.

**W2Racing09** · 11-07-2016, 02:36 PM

Originally posted by zyoung25 View Post

I heard Donald Bradshear was looking to try the WoO next year.

I think a lot of regional guys see what racing on these tours has done for drivers like Moyer Jr, Tyler Erb and Brandon Overton over the past few seasons. Racing against the best of the best every week will help anyone's driving career. Bradshear is a clean driver (from what I've seen) whom I think would be a great addition to the series.

**PennDirt** · 11-08-2016, 05:42 PM

#nicknamesmatter

Originally posted by W2Racing09 View Post

.... how much longer are guys like Chub Frank....

If his merch still has a cult-like following, it'd be hard to pass on that revenue. Doing laps around the homestead only would be quite the financial sacrifice. Without a doubt, he's one of the top merch movers in the industry and even with a stagnant win ratio over the last decade, it hasn't been a real death blow to his fan base.

Of course, the road can grow weary at anytime for anyone, so who's to say? He might be at that point. I'm hearing about part-time racing more and more all the time around these parts.

**bleedblue55** · 11-08-2016, 06:32 PM

Originally posted by dalemcfan View Post

Is Overton for sure dropping off WoO or waiting to see where they are after SpeedWeeks? Has anyone heard if WoO is going to Screven to start their year again? When we were in Charlotte for the World Finals one of the guys I went with thought he heard the announcer say that WoO was starting their year at Volusia. Hope Screven gets some WoO races and that they are different weekends than when Lucas is at Golden Isles like it was last year.

The Opening WOO race at Screven last year was not run the same week as Golden Isles. Screven was a week later and actually went up against East Bay. Josh Richards ran Golden Isles and East Bay thru the week before heading up to Screven for the weekend and then returning for Volusia. Screven and Golden Isles were on the same weekend in previous years as I would alternate between the two every year.

National Tours in 2017

National Tours in 2017

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