The Greatest Dirt Late Model Drivers of All Time
Measuring Greatness on the Clay
Ranking the greatest dirt late model drivers is a debate that has raged in grandstands and garages for decades, and there is no single correct answer. Dirt late model racing has no unified national title the way some sports do, so greatness is measured across many series, crown-jewel events, and eras. Still, a handful of drivers stand out for their combination of race wins, championships, big-event victories, and lasting influence. Here are several names that appear on almost any serious list.
Scott Bloomquist
For many fans, Scott Bloomquist is the definition of dirt late model greatness. Known for his flowing style, his innovative approach to chassis building, and a fierce competitive edge, Bloomquist amassed more than 600 career victories and nine championships over a career spanning several decades. He won three Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series titles, in 2009, 2010, and 2016, along with a World of Outlaws Late Model championship in 2004, and he was inducted into the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame in 2002. Bloomquist died in a plane crash in August 2024, and his passing was mourned across the entire racing community. His impact on car design and driving technique still shapes the sport today.
Billy Moyer
Billy Moyer of Batesville, Arkansas, is one of the most accomplished and durable drivers the sport has ever seen. Racing at a high level across multiple eras, Moyer piled up well over 800 feature wins and a long list of championships, including multiple World of Outlaws Late Model titles dating back to the series' inaugural 1988 season. He is the only driver to win the prestigious World 100 at Eldora Speedway six times, a record that speaks to both his longevity and his ability to win the biggest races. A National Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer, Moyer later turned to building his own chassis, extending his influence well beyond his own driving career.
Jonathan Davenport
If Bloomquist and Moyer represent earlier generations, Jonathan Davenport carries the torch for the modern era. Nicknamed Superman by fans, the Georgia driver built a reputation for spectacular runs in the sport's richest events. Davenport won three Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series championships, in 2015, 2018, and 2019, and his 2015 season is remembered as one of the greatest single years in the history of the class, headlined by a sweep of major crown-jewel races. He later became the all-time winningest driver in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series history, passing Bloomquist atop that list. Davenport's flair for winning when the money and prestige are highest has made him one of the biggest draws in the sport.
Brandon Sheppard
Brandon Sheppard, from New Berlin, Illinois, has rewritten the record book on the World of Outlaws Late Model tour. Driving primarily for the successful Rocket1 Racing operation, Sheppard captured a record five World of Outlaws Late Model Series championships, including three straight from 2017 through 2019 and another title in 2024. He also sits atop the series' all-time wins list, a testament to years of consistency at the national touring level. Sheppard's smooth, calculated style and knack for finishing races have made him a dominant force on one of the two premier late model tours.
Others Who Belong in the Conversation
Any list this short leaves out worthy names, and dirt late model history is deep with talent.
- Bobby Pierce: A star of the current generation who won the 2025 World of Outlaws Late Model Series championship and is a frequent winner of crown-jewel events.
- Josh Richards: A multi-time World of Outlaws Late Model champion who set an early benchmark on the national tour.
- Don O'Neal, Darrell Lanigan, and Earl Pearson Jr.: Series champions and prolific winners who defined the touring scene of their eras.
Why the Debate Endures
Part of what makes dirt late model racing so compelling is that greatness is spread across so many venues and years. A driver might dominate one national tour, another might specialize in winning the richest one-off events, and a third might rack up hundreds of victories at regional tracks. Comparing them means weighing different kinds of achievement against one another. That is exactly why the conversation never ends, and why fans keep gathering to argue about it. The drivers profiled here each answered the question in their own way, and together they tell the story of how dirt late model racing grew into the national spectacle it is today.
