Jan 24, 20213 min read

Michigan Native Dorer Bags Florida Fest; Larson Dominates Lucas Late Models

Quincy, MI (Sunday, January 24, 2020) - What many consider the first night of the 2021 Speedweeks is in the books after a pair of thrilling Super Late Models races graced the sunshine state. For asphalt, Showtime Speedway in Pinellas Park, Florida offered up $15,000 to the winner of the first-ever Florida Fest. Some 175 miles north, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series offered up their own chance at $15K for the season opener from All-Tech Raceway.

A native of Coldwater, Michigan, Steve Dorer spends a majority of his time living and racing in the sunshine of Florida. However, his association with the mitten state may have been what he needed to go to victory lane Saturday night. Heading into the weekend, Dorer announced he would be turning in the wheel on his Racecar Engineering number 10 to climb in the FLF Race Cars number 90.

Owned by Tim Curry and headquartered in Allegan, Michigan, Dorer is no stranger to t FLF Race Cars and how they perform; which was evident on Saturday. Dorer busted out of the gate showing speed during qualifying, going to the top of the board with a 13.778 second lap time. His time was nearly full tenth-of-a-second faster than Jett Noland who qualified second. In race trim, Dorer retook the lead with around 40 laps remaining and held on for the lucrative win. He bested hometown driver, Stephen Nasse and Kyle Plott for the win.

At All-Tech Raceway in Lake City, Florida, a dry-slick race track welcomed nearly 60 drivers who hoped for a spot in the field of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series season opener. Mike Marlar, who announced he will be searching for a Late Model Dirt Series championship in 2021, put his name on the top of the overall qualifying board with a 17.793-second lap.

Once the field was trimmed down to 25 starters, 50 laps were put up as Tyler Erb and Brandon Overton led the field to the green flag, and Erb jumped out to the early lead. It was quickly clear, though, that Erb did not have the car to beat, as he struggled to keep his Best Performance Number 1 pinned to the inside of the raceway. Instead, Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals Champion, Kyle Larson was on a charge from his sixth starting spot.

After handily winning his heat race earlier in the night, Larson believed he would be good in the feature, and he all but called his shot. Larson quickly moved into the top five and began chasing down Erb just moments into the contest. On lap 15, Larson powered by the outside of Erb through lap traffic to snag the lead at the flag stand. Into turn one, Erb threw a slide job on Larson to retake the lead momentarily, however, Larson turned left and drove right back by the New Waverly, Texas native and never looked back. In the end, Larson bested the field by over 15-seconds, en route to his second career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory. Devin Moran and Marlar finished out the podium.

The Late Model Dirt Series now moves to East Bay Raceway Park where they will spend the next seven consecutive days before finishing Speedweeks at Bubba Raceway Park.