McDowell Scores Popular Victory in Mountain Moonshine Classic at Smoky Mountain

Dale McDowell led all 60 laps of the Mountain Moonshine Classic on Saturday night at Smoky Mountain Speedway, earning a popular hometown victory and collecting $30,000 for his 11th career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win.

The victory was McDowell’s first Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series triumph triumph since winning the Topless 100 in 2023 and his first Series victory at Smoky Mountain Speedway since 2016.

Devin Moran charged from seventh to finish second after passing Friday night winner Brandon Sheppard on lap 45. Moran closed the gap in the closing laps but crossed the finish line 1.113 seconds behind McDowell. Sheppard rounded out the Big River Steel podium in third after finishing second for the first 44 laps of the race.

Jake O’Neil recorded the best Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series finish of his career with a fourth-place effort after running inside the top five throughout the event. Chris Madden completed the top five.

With his third-place finish, Sheppard trimmed Hudson O’Neal’s championship lead to just 20 points heading into next weekend’s event at Lernerville Speedway.

McDowell’s victory was his 13th overall win at Smoky Mountain Speedway since 2008 and came in front of a home-state crowd.

“I anticipated that second start and wasn’t sure where the grip was going to be,” McDowell said in Lucas Oil Victory Lane. “Things just kind of fell our way. The car was really good, and the guys have worked hard on it. I’ve given them some feedback, and sometimes it’s probably wrong, but they keep working at it.”

“It was an awesome night to win close to home. Like Kyle Busch said, you never know when the last one is going to be, so I’m sure glad to get one here. Shane made a few changes from Friday night, and the car was balanced really well. I was able to pick my way through traffic and guide it where I needed to go.”

Moran made a late charge after overtaking Sheppard but couldn’t quite reel in the veteran leader.

“Dale McDowell is Dale McDowell for a reason,” Moran said. “I’m ready for him to retire. When he got to traffic, I felt like I had a really good run. I was pushing hard and probably overheated the right rear tire trying to get there. Once I got to him and slid it, that pretty much hurt my chances. Still, coming from seventh to finish second isn’t bad.”

Sheppard believed the race was decided in the opening laps.

“The initial start is what lost the race for us,” Sheppard said. “I saw Dale rolling a little bit and was waiting to go, but I got lifted from behind and couldn’t launch like I needed to. Once he got out front, we were hoping traffic or a restart would give us an opportunity. I had a good restart and got by Madden, but on the next one I got too close to Dale entering turn one, lost the air on the nose, and Devin got by me.”

McDowell’s winning Shane McDowell Racing Team Zero Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and backed by Reece Monument Company, Remtek Enterprises, Otterly Baths, AAA General Contracting, Ace Doran Hauling & Rigging, Klotz Synthetic Lubricants, Mark IV, M&S Motors, Jason Wright Excavating, Black Rock Enterprises, BSI Well Service, Northeastern Fabrication, and Campbell Insulation.

Completing the top ten were Carson Ferguson, Max Blair, Kyle Bronson, Sam Seawright, and Dillon McCowan.