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Brandon Overton wins globe in 51st World 100 at Eldora

Last weekend at Eldora Speedway Brandon Overton added a coveted World 100 title to his resume. The Georgia racer streaked to the $54,000 triumph in the 51st running of the event on Thursday night. With the victory he became only the eighth driver in history to win both the Dirt Late Model Dream and the World 100. (Jacy Norgaard photo)

Additionally, he won a $10,000 prelim on Friday night, and led laps in Saturday’s 50th annual World 100 finale before finishing third.

For Overton it was a dream come true, several years in the making.

“Me and Heather (Brandon’s fiancée) used to sit up there (in the stands), when, hell, I couldn’t event make the race and she used to tell me, ‘Don’t worry about it, we’re going to get ‘em one day’. Tonight we did it, and it means everything to have her here with me to enjoy this one,” Overton said in Victory Lane Friday night as his eyes filled with tears. “This car has been so good, and even when Dale (McDowell) passed me in the feature, I knew we could get back to the lead, so I didn’t panic.

“It obviously means a lot to me to win this race, but even more to be able to win it for David and Eric (Wells), that’s really a great feeling. Those guys have given me everything I need to be successful. I thank them and everyone who supports this team.”

Bringing to life the 51st annual World 100, Wells Motorsports and Brandon Overton visited the famed Eldora Speedway (Rossburg, Ohio) on Wednesday afternoon as the two-day show came to life with a pair of $10,000-to-win preliminary features.

With a stacked field of 80 Late Models jammed into the pit area, Brandon’s third-place finish in his heat race pinned him 12th on the starting grid for the A-Main. Coming one spot shy of a Top 5, Overton charged forward six spots in the 25-lapper to register a sixth-place finish.

With preliminary results from Wednesday setting the grid for heat races on Thursday, Overton outdueled fellow-front row starter Scott Bloomquist in the 15-lapper to pick up the win.

Earning the third-starting position for the 100-lap main event, Brandon began challenging early pacesetter Ricky Thornton Jr. on the 20th circuit and eventually stole the top spot four laps later. Setting the pace for the next 45 circuits, Overton briefly lost the lead to a charging Dale McDowell on lap 70 but regained the top spot on the ensuing circuit. He held off Tim McCreadie’s late-race charge to capture his 23rd win of the season and a $54,000 prize. McCreadie, McDowell, Hudson O’Neal, and Jonathan Davenport completed the Top-5 finishers.

Another round of preliminary features were on the docket on Friday night as the 50th annual World 100 kicked off. Overton gained three spots in his heat race to register a second-place finish. Leading flag-to-flag in the 25-lap feature, Brandon cruised to his 24th win of the season, which came ahead of Jimmy Owens, Kyle Bronson, Ricky Thornton Jr., and Dale McDowell. He won by a 3.734-second margin to claim the $10,000.

Rolling off second in his heat race on Saturday evening, Brandon streaked to a convincing 20-lap victory, which positioned him fourth on the starting grid for the $53,000-to-win main event. After leading laps 40-55, Overton was unable to hold off Jonathan Davenport in the 100-lapper. He followed Davenport and Mike Marlar across the line with Tim McCreadie and Chris Ferguson rounding out the Top-5.

"First off, congrats to J.D. (Jonathan Davenport) and Mikey (Marlar). They did a good job. We was alright until the brown (patches on the surface) left, then I just got way too tight. I couldn't turn. It is what it is. Hell, I can't win 'em all, you know?" Overton said after Saturday’s finale. "It's an unreal feeling to be here all week knowing you've gotta chance to win both these things, and I said I'll come back and get 'em again."

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