DOWNTOWN DREAM: Brown Scores First Career World of Outlaws Win at Cherokee

March is known for magical upsets, especially in College Basketball. Michael Brown decided to bring that magic to the racetrack Friday night at Cherokee Speedway.

The Lancaster, SC driver seized an opportunity in traffic, muscling under Ryan Gustin and holding on for his first World of Outlaws CASE Construction Late Model Series win.

Brown’s triumph was a moment he dreamed of that finally became a reality, bringing his home state fans to their feet.

“I’ve always dreamed of doing this,” Brown said. “It’s a surreal moment. I got to thank everybody that’s behind me to get me here. It’s awesome and I’m damn sure going to enjoy it.”

“Downtown” celebrated as though a weight came off his shoulders in Victory Lane. He quickly climbed to the roof of his car, checkered flag in hand, fist-pumping the air with authority as confetti blew through the Carolina sky.

Brown’s knowledge of Cherokee’s red clay surface played a role in earning that celebration. After Gustin moved past Max Blair in traffic, Brown saw an opening on the inside where he dove under “The Reaper” to take the lead in Turn 2.

The South Carolinian wasn’t challenged again, adding $10,000 to his bank account. While the victory is Brown’s first World of Outlaws triumph, it’s his second career Drydene Xtreme DIRTcar Series win, his first coming in December 2020 at Lavonia Speedway.

Brown’s win continues a year of celebration in 2022. It’s his first trip to Victory Lane since adding a new chapter to his life.

“The first race as a dad to get a win, it’s pretty badass,” Brown said.

While Brown celebrated the thrill of victory for the first time, he snatched it away from “The Reaper.”

Ryan Gustin crossed the line second, his first top-five of 2022. Once again, a World of Outlaws Victory Lane trip eluded the Marshalltown, IA driver who led a few laps before Brown snuck underneath him.

Despite letting the win slip away, Gustin is confident in his chances to find Victory Lane before the weekend is over.

“I slipped up a little bit and let him get under me,” Gustin said. “Anytime you can run good on the first night always boosts the confidence up heading into the final night.”

Pole-sitter Max Blair, the rookie of the race, finished third.  It’s the Centerville, PA driver’s second consecutive top-five.

Blair also extended his lead in the battle for Rookie of the Year—20 points ahead of Tanner English, who finished eighth. He felt his lack of experience on a red clay surface hurt his chances of finding World of Outlaws Victory Lane for the fourth time.

“This isn’t something I’ve raced on much,” Blair said. “I just didn’t really know what to do with those lap cars and obviously made the wrong choice.”

Dennis Erb Jr. finished fourth, his third top-five of the season. The Carpentersville, IL driver leads the World of Outlaws points standings after seven races—18 points ahead of defending champion Brandon Sheppard, who finished sixth.

Erb stated he was happy to keep his consistency rolling in the early part of the season.

“To move up a couple of spots and finish fourth is a good night for us,” Erb said. “I was hoping we could get a few more spots, but we just fell in line, and that was about all we had.”

Daulton Wilson, from Fayetteville, NC, rounded out the top five.

In one of the oddest Feature finishes of the season for the Drydene Xtreme DIRTcar Series regulars, the chase for the 2021-22 Series crown tightened by a single point.

Points leader Ben Watkins took a 16-point advantage into the Feature, lining up 12th on the starting grid – directly behind the man chasing him down for the title, Ross Bailes. The two held their general positions in the pack through the first half of the race; Bailes riding 8th and Watkins in 9th just after halfway. That’s when things got interesting.

Under caution with 28 laps complete, Bailes suddenly ducked down pit road for what eventually became an extended stop. The crew found a loose axle cap with the rear axle coming out and were forced to repair it, forcing them down a lap to the field once Bailes returned to the track.

Back inside the top-10, Watkins had moved up to seventh and looked promising to bag the solid finish and vital championship points. But with three laps remaining, the rear-end gave out on his Sandwood Racing #16W as he slowed down the backstretch and pulled off the track in Turn 4.

Watkins was scored as a DNF in 22nd position, Bailes one lap down in 21st. That one spot in the finishing order equates to a single-point difference in the standings, putting Bailes only 15 points back of Watkins with one race left to decide the champion.

The World of Outlaws CASE Late Models and Drydene Xtreme DIRTcar Series return to Cherokee Speedway on Saturday, March 26, for night two of the Rock Gault Memorial. For Tickets:CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action live on DIRTVision – either online on with the DIRTVision App.

CASE Construction Feature (40 Laps): 1. 24D-Michael Brown[3]; 2. 19R-Ryan Gustin[2]; 3. 111V-Max Blair[1]; 4. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[6]; 5. 18D-Daulton Wilson[8]; 6. 1-Brandon Sheppard[4]; 7. 88-Trent Ivey[9]; 8. 81E-Tanner English[11]; 9. 1R-Josh Richards[18]; 10. 20H-Bryson Harper[14]; 11. 11H-Spencer Hughes[15]; 12. 99B-Boom Briggs[17]; 13. B1-Brent Larson[23]; 14. 71-Hudson O’Neal[21]; 15. 45-Kyle Hammer[19]; 16. 421-Anthony Sanders[25]; 17. 1D-Brent Dixon[16]; 18. 16-Tyler Bruening[7]; 19. 11-Gordy Gundaker[22]; 20. 18E-Ethan Wilson[26]; 21. 79-Ross Bailes[10]; 22. 16W-Ben Watkins[12]; 23. 42-Cla Knight[20]; 24. 57-Zack Mitchell[5]; 25. 121-Pearson Williams[13]; 26. 93-Carson Ferguson[24] FOX FACTORY HARD CHARGER:Brent Larson [+10]

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Rock Gault Memorial
March 25, 2022 to March 26, 2022
Cherokee Speedway
153 Speedway Rd
Gaffney, SC 

Event Description
“The Place Your Mama Warned You About” returns to the schedule in March for the second annual Rock Gault Memorial. The two-night weekend will see the World of Outlaws take on the Southeast Super Late Model stars of the Drydene Xtreme DIRTcar Series for a shot at the $20,000 grand prize on Saturday, March 26.

Series Racing
Xtreme DIRTcar Series, World of Outlaws Late Model Series

To Win Amount
$10,000.00

Feature Laps Length
40

Event Schedule
FRIDAY:
2 PM Pit Gates open
4 PM Grandstand Gates open
6:30 PM Drivers Meeting
7 PM Hot Laps/Qualifying
8 PM Opening Ceremonies

SATURDAY:
2 PM Pit Gates open
4 PM Grandstand Gates open
6 PM Drivers Meeting
6:30 PM Hot Laps/Qualifying
7 PM Opening Ceremonies
*All times Eastern

Ticket Phone
(864) 489-1969

Options And Prices
2-Day GA: $55
Single Day GA: $30
Single Day GA (12 and under): FREE


Discounts
None

Grandstand Type
Concrete

Family Section Location
Flagstand to turn 4

Handicapped Seating Location
Top Row of frontstrech

Pit Pass Price
2-Day: $75; Single Day: $40

Pit Age Requirement
NO age restriction for pits. 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent/ guardian.

Pit Gate Location
Turn 1 side of the facility

Handicapped Parking Location
25 spots up in front parking

Camping Availability
non-electric, onsite

Camping Cost
free

To Win Amount
$10,000.00

Type of Grandstand
Concrete

Stadium Seating
Stadium seats are allowed

Handicapped Seating
Top Row of frontstrech

Handicapped Parking
25 spots up in front parking

Pit Age Limit
NO age restriction for pits. 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent/ guardian.

Pit Gate Location
Turn 1 side of the facility

Personal Coolers
Yes, Coolers are permitted

Credit Card Use
Concessions, Ticket Window

Alcohol Sales
Yes - No glass bottles

Smoking Policy
No

Family Section
Flagstand to turn 4

Camping Availability
non-electric, onsite

Camping Cost
free

Cherokee Speedway
153 Speedway Rd
Gaffney, SC 

Track Phone
(864) 489-1969

Ticket Phone
(864) 489-1969

Track Email
[email protected]

Track Size & Type
0.375;

Late Model Track Record
14.411 seconds by Daulton Wilson on 11/2/21

Late Model Track Record
14.411 seconds by Daulton Wilson on 11/2/21

Closest Airport
Greenville/Spartanburg

Other Airport
Charlotte

Pit Gate Location
Turn 1 side of the facility

Track Map

Competitor Downloads
 https://www.dirtcarmembers.com/downloads.php

Competitor Info
(Hoosier 1350) (American Racer 48) (4) corners
(Hoosier 70) (American Racer 56) Right Rear Option
*You MUST Qualify, Heat Race, and LCS on the same tires. You can change 2 tires for the Feature.