Hudson O’Neal of Hope won two Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series feature events in Missouri last weekend. Tonight, he will be racing at Brownstown Speedway in the 42nd Annual Hoosier Dirt Classic paying $10,000 to win.
Submitted photo
Hudson O’Neal of Hope won twice last weekend during the 33rd Annual Show Me 100 weekend at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri.
O’Neal won the Cowboy Classic May 22, the Tribute to Don and Billie Gibson May 23, and then he finished third in the $75,000 to win Show-Me 100 May 24. All three races were sanctioned by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, where O’Neal currently sits fourth in points.
O’Neal will return to his home track tonight at Brownstown Speedway for the 42nd Annual Hoosier Dirt Classic paying $10,000 to win. The event will be sanctioned by the Northern Allstars Late Model Dirt Series Powered by Sunoco Race Fuels. Also racing tonight will be the northern Allstars Modifieds, pure stock, hornets and crown vics.
Gates will open at 3 p.m., with hot laps at 6 p.m.
Lewis gets first win at Brownstown
Memorial Day weekend is a big racing weekend in Indiana, with five racing divisions on hand for “Saturday Night Racing” May 24 at Brownstown Speedway. One driver got his first-ever Brownstown win, while three more drivers picked up their first wins of the year.
Skyller Lewis of Brownstown got his first ever Brownstown win in Boss Construction Indiana Pro Late Model feature action. Lewis jumped to the early lead and held a comfortable margin until a mid-race caution bunched the field. On the restart, it was no problem for Lewis as he once again stretched out his lead to get his first win by leading flag to flag. Tyler Cain, Patrick Shumaker, Brent McMillan and Caleb Schryer followed Lewis at the finish.
Pewter Hall Super Stock feature action saw Colton Sullivan lead the first 13 laps before dropping out with mechanical issues. Greg Amick of Spraytown had worked his way to second from his sixth starting spot, took over the lead and went on to score his first win of the year. Amick got the win over Isaiah Sasser, Jeremy Helton, Trey Chastain and Zach Sasser.
Blake Hull of Butlerville found Victory Lane once again in Bearded Hobo Brewery & Pub Pure Stocks. Dalton Fleenor led the first eight laps of the feature event before Blake Hull took over the lead to record win No. 5 for 2025. J.T. Huffman, Josh Turner, Dalton Fleenor and A.J. Wilson completed the top five.
Todd Cain of Columbus went to the front by Lap 2 from his sixth starting spot in Miller’s Pest Control Crown Vics and led the rest of the way to get his first feature win of the year. A caution near halfway allowed the field to catch up to Cain, but he held off all challengers for the win. Matt Weston, Aaron Seay, Matt Cranmer and Ryan Woods trailed Cain at the checkers.
In the NAPA of Brownstown Hornet feature, Mark Bechelli, Jeremy Shemwell and Curtis Roccia all led during the race. Curtis Roccia of Columbus was the final leader of the race to park in Victory Lane for the first time in 2025. Roccia had to fight for the win as second-through-fifth running Shannon Walp, Marshall Claycamp, Jeremy Shemwell and James Simmons were all within striking distance during the final stages of the race.
This week in racing history
From 60 years ago in 1965 at Brownstown, Sherm McElfresh won the figure-8 feature race over Jim Reichenba, Gene Sutton, Chuck Terry and Don Cockerham.
Also from 1965 at Twin Cities, Doc Jewell won the feature race.
From 60 years ago at Lawrenceburg, Bill Dugger won the super-modified feature and Ross Smith took the stock car feature race.
From 1965 at Bedford Speedrome, J.B. Branum won the stock car feature and Bill Hobbs took the figure-8 main event.
From 50 years ago in 1975 at Haubstadt, Cliff Cockrum won the sprint car feature, and Tom Helfrich took the late model main event.
From 40 years ago in 1985 at Brownstown, Paul Shafer won the late model feature over Don Hobbs, John Gill, Barry Magers and Gerald Dixon. Rick Hines won the modified street stock feature over Mike Jewell, Steve Trabue, Billy Filburn and Mike Bechelli.
Also in 1985 at Bloomington, Ernie Barrow won the late model feature over John Davis, Doug Ault, Greg Ault and Dr. Tom Black. Andy Hillenburg won the sprint car feature over Randy Kinser and Mike Bowling. Denny Campbell took the street stock feature over Ray Humphrey, Fred Hostetler and Buck Turpin.
From 40 years ago at Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville, Paul Crockett won the late model feature over Dusty Chapman and Ernie Barrow.
From 1985, the Columbus Kart Club winners were Chris Simpson, Chris Coers, Don Hudson, Bob McClure, Josh Ritter and Sam Wheeler.
From 40 years ago at Lawrenceburg Speedway, Troy Link won his first career sprint car feature over Gary Gray, Allen Barr, Greg Staab and Denny Martini. Gary Herbert won the late model feature over Bill Rose, Ross Smith, Len Spille and Tom Wieck. Bob Smith won the sportsman feature over Dale Matheny, Chandler Southerland, Joe Burdette and Mike Hoid.
From 30 years ago in 1995 at Brownstown, John Gill won the Kenny Simpson Memorial for late models over Don O’Neal, Doug McCammon, Dick Phillips and C.J. Rayburn. Matt Boknecht won the street stock feature over Randy Petro, Earl Plessinger, Jeff Wilson and Steve Hunt. John Davis won the modified feature over Gary Burton, Scott Patman, Brad Barrow and Todd Gilpin.
From 20 years ago in 2005 at Brownstown, Mike Jewell won the Hall of Fame Classic for late models over Rohn Moon, Steven Godsey, Cody Mahoney and Steve Barnett. Greg Johnson won the modified feature over Donnie Adams, Lee Hobbs, Rick Hines and Jim Hume. Bub Cummings won the bomber feature over Clifton Barron, Darrell Burton, Roger Reichenbaker and Doug Klyn.
From 2005 at Twin Cities, Randy Petro won the super stock feature over Randy Moore, Joe Johnson, Tim Clark and Rob Wilson. Randy Gilland won the pure stock feature over Willie Sallee, Nelson Gingery, Dewayne Palmer and Mickey Hines.
Upcoming local racing schedule
Tonight: Brownstown Speedway – 42nd Annual Hoosier Dirt Classic – $10,000 to win for the Northern Allstars Late Models, plus Northern Allstars Modifieds, pure stocks, hornets and crown vics. For more information, visit brownstownspeedway.com
Tonight: Paragon Speedway – sprints, Kenyon Midgets, bombers, super stocks and hornets. For more information, visit paragonspeedway.com
James Essex writes a motorsports notebook for The Republic. Send comments to sports@therepublic.com
