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World Racing Group

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(Redirected from United Midwestern Promoters)
For WRG sanctioned race series, see WoO Sprint Cars, WoO Late Models, Super DIRTcar, and Super Dirt Week.
World Racing Group
SportDirt track racing
JurisdictionUnited States
Canada
AbbreviationWRG
Founded2003
Regional affiliationUnited States
HeadquartersConcord, North Carolina
PresidentBrian Carter
Official website
worldracinggroup.com

World Racing Group, Inc. (WRG) is a licensing, sanctioning and promotional organization aligned with oval dirt track auto racing. Through its World of Outlaws and DIRTcar brands, WRG supports individual races and racetracks, and also operates national touring series.

Overview

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World Racing Group sanctions local and regional dirt track racing events in the United States and Canada under the DIRTcar Racing brand. WRG also produces and broadcasts its races on the company's streaming platform, DIRTVision. Additionally, WRG owns and operates Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville FL, and presents several national touring series: World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, World of Outlaws Late Model Series, Super DIRTcar Series, Xtreme DIRTcar Series, Xtreme Outlaws Midget Series, DIRTcar Summer Nationals, and American Sprint Car Series.[1][2]

History

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Norman, Oklahoma businessman Paul Kruger purchased the financially troubled World of Outlaws touring series in 2001, and took the company public in October 2003 as Boundless Motorsports Inc.[3] Kruger proceeded to purchase Dirt Motorsports, a New York state based sanctioning and promotional company that operated touring series, as well as owned or controlled management of the Canandaigua Speedway, Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown NY, Rolling Wheels Raceway in Elbridge NY, and the Weedsport Speedway.[4] The assets included the video production company DIRT-TV.[5] Boundless soon introduced a national touring series for Late Models, acquired the United Midwestern Promoters/Xtreme Dirt Car Series (UMP) and the Mid America Racing Series (MARS), as well as purchased the Lernerville Speedway in Sarver PA, and the Volusia Speedway Park.[3][6][7][8]

In 2007 the company was restructured to do business as the World Racing Group, and a new management team was bought in to replace Kruger.[9][10] As part of the make-over UMP was rebranded as DIRTcar and referred to as DIRTcar Midwest division, while the New York based operations became DIRTcar Northeast.[11] By 2009, WRG had divested from ownership of MARS (later rebranded the Midwest Auto Racing Series), although it continued to sanction the series with DIRTcar.[12][13][14] In another change to its business model, between 2013 and 2015 WRG sold off its racetracks, retaining only the Barberville, Florida facility.[15][16][17]

In 2021 WRG unveiled the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series and Xtreme Outlaw Sprint Car Series.[18] In 2024 WRG added the American Sprint Car Series to its portfolio; the national series for 360 sprint cars had been founded by Emmett Hahn in 1992.[19]

DIRTcar Northeast

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The groundwork for DIRT Motorsports began in 1970 when Glenn Donnelly bought the 3/8 mile Weedsport Speedway, located 26 miles from Syracuse, New York. Donnelly joined forces with other speedway promoters to form Drivers Independent Race Tracks (DIRT) with the idea of bringing rules uniformity and increased sponsorship to modified stock car racing at Upstate New York dirt tracks.[20]

Donnelly sold the organization to Boundless Motorsports in 2003, and within two years Boundless took DIRT Motorsports, Inc. as its corporate name and began doing business as World Racing Group.[9][10] The former Donnelly organization then became known as DIRT Northeast, and later DIRTcar Northeast.[11]

Further information: Super DIRTcar Series and Super Dirt Week

DIRTcar Midwest

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Brennan Poole in a UMP Modified at Houston Raceway Park in 2008.

United Midwestern Promoters was a short track motor racing sanctioning body in the United States created in 1984 by Bob Memmer. Memmer redefined the landscape of Late Model racing, putting in place a standardized package of technical specifications to govern some of the biggest Late Model races in the country.[11][21]

In late 2002, the organization was bought by Ken Schrader, Bob Sargent, Robert Lawton and Howard Commander. In late 2004, UMP merged with Doug Bland's Xtreme Dirt Car Series and was bought by WRG.[3][22]

In 2007 WRG rebranded UMP as DIRTcar, referring to it as DIRTcar Midwest division to distinguish it from WRG's New York operations.[11]

UMP/DIRTcar Late Model National champions

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A UMP Late Model

Year: Champion,[23] Hometown

  • 1984 Gary Webb; Blue Grass, Iowa
  • 1985 Gary Webb; Blue Grass, Iowa
  • 1986 John Gill; Mitchell, Indiana
  • 1987 John Gill; Mitchell, Indiana
  • 1988 Jim Curry; Norman, Indiana
  • 1989 Jim Leka; Buffalo, Illinois
  • 1990 Bob Pierce; Danville, Illinois
  • 1991 Kevin Claycomb; Vincennes, Indiana
  • 1992 Kevin Weaver; Gibson City, Illinois
  • 1993 Randy Sellars; Mayfield, Kentucky
  • 1994 Ed Dixon; Washington, Missouri
  • 1995 Tony Izzo Jr.; Bridgeview, Illinois
  • 1996 Donnie Tudor; Shawneetown, Illinois
  • 1997 Randy Korte; Highland, Illinois
  • 1998 Mark Faust; Breese, Illinois
  • 1999 Ed Dixon; Washington, Missouri
  • 2000 Ed Dixon; Washington, Missouri
  • 2001 Rodney Melvin; Benton, Illinois
  • 2002 Terry English; Benton, Kentucky
  • 2003 Rodney Melvin; Benton, Illinois
  • 2004 Rodney Melvin; Benton, Illinois
  • 2005 Rodney Melvin; Benton, Illinois
  • 2006 Randy Korte; Highland, Illinois
  • 2007 Dennis Erb Jr.; Carpentersville, Illinois
  • 2008 Dennis Erb Jr.; Carpentersville, Illinois
  • 2009 Jason Feger; Bloomington, Illinois
  • 2010 Rusty Schlenk; Jackson, Michigan
  • 2011 Ryan Unzicker; El Paso, Illinois
  • 2012 Brian Shirley; Chatham, Illinois
  • 2013 Brandon Sheppard; New Berlin, Illinois
  • 2014 Bobby Pierce; Oakwood, Illinois
  • 2015 Bobby Pierce; Oakwood, Illinois
  • 2016 Bobby Pierce; Oakwood, Illinois[24]
  • 2017 Rusty Schlenk; McClure, Ohio[25]
  • 2018 Rusty Schlenk; McClure, Ohio[26]
  • 2019: Brian Shirley; Chatham, Illinois[27]
  • 2020: Brian Shirley; Chatham, Illinois[28]
  • 2021 Bobby Pierce; Oakwood, Illinois[29]
  • 2022 Bobby Pierce; Oakwood, Illinois[30]
  • 2023 Jason Ferger; Bloomington, Illinois[31]
  • 2024 Jason Ferger; Bloomington, Illinois[32]

UMP/DIRTcar Summer Nationals Champions

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Year: Champion,[33] Hometown

  • 1986: John Gill, Mitchell, IN.
  • 1987: Rick Standridge, Divernon, IL.
  • 1988: Pete Parker, Kaukauna, WI.
  • 1989: John Gill, Mitchell, IN.
  • 1990: Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, TN.
  • 1991: Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, TN.
  • 1992: Bob Pierce, Danville, IL.
  • 1993: Billy Moyer, Batesville, AR.
  • 1994: Billy Moyer, Batesville, AR.
  • 1995: Bob Pierce, Danville, IL.
  • 1996: Billy Moyer, Batesville, AR.
  • 1997: Rick Aukland, Fargo, ND.
  • 1998: Rick Aukland, Fargo, ND.
  • 1999: Billy Moyer, Batesville, AR.
  • 2000: Kevin Weaver, Gibson City, IL.
  • 2001: Billy Moyer, Batesville, AR.
  • 2002: Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, TN.
  • 2003: Billy Moyer, Batesville, AR.
  • 2004: Don O'Neal, Martinsville, IN.
  • 2005: Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL.
  • 2006: Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL.
  • 2007: Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL.
  • 2008: Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL.
  • 2009: Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL.
  • 2010: Jason Feger, Bloomington, IL.
  • 2011: Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL.
  • 2012: Brian Shirley, Chatham, IL.
  • 2013: Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL.
  • 2014: Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL.
  • 2015: Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL.
  • 2016: Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL.
  • 2017: Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL
  • 2018: Brian Shirley, Chatham, IL.
  • 2019: Brian Shirley, Chatham, IL.
  • 2020: Brian Shirley, Chatham, IL.
  • 2021: Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL.
  • 2022: Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL
  • 2023: Ashton Winger, Senoia, GA
  • 2024: Tyler Erb, Magnolia, TX

References

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  1. ^ Woelbing, Grace (November 28, 2023). "World Of Outlaws Faces 'Competitive Environment'". Speed Sport. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  2. ^ Ghosh, Nilavro (March 3, 2024). "Kyle Larson's business rival unveils World of Outlaws' vast catalog that upholds the passion for dirt racing". EssentiallySports. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Mecoy, Don (September 14, 2005). "DIRT Motorsports Inc". The Oklahoman. Oklahoma City OK. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  4. ^ "Boundless acquires Rolling Wheels Raceway Park". Motorsport.com. June 2, 2004. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  5. ^ Swanson, Buffy (June 2024). "Hall of Fame to Honor DIRT-TV Host Doug Logan". My Race News. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  6. ^ "Xtreme Dirt Series Merges with UMP". Motorsport. August 14, 2004. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  7. ^ "Boundless buys Mid-America". The Journal Record. Oklahoma City OK. December 20, 2004. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  8. ^ Godwin, Kelly (January 20, 2020). "World Racing Group takes control of Volusia Speedway Park". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Daytona Beach FL. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Fisher, Rob (January 22, 2007). "Dirt Motorsport-The Power of Dirt". Motor Trend. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  10. ^ a b "World Racing Group Reports $8.1 Million Third Quarter Revenue". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. September 30, 2007. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  11. ^ a b c d "Part II: Vision & Leadership in UMP to DIRTcar". Dirt Track Digest. May 26, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  12. ^ "O'Reilly MARS DIRTcar Series opens 10th Season at Clarksville Speedway". DIRTcar Racing. March 5, 2009. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  13. ^ Dearing, J (November 23, 2016). "MARS Series sold to group led by Clarksville Speedway promoter William Scogin". St. Louis Racing News. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  14. ^ "Matt Curl, Jonathan Clayton Driving MARS Late Model, New Modified Championship into Future" (Press release). February 23, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2025 – via Horsepower Happenings.
  15. ^ Elkins, Doug (March 20, 2014). "DIRTCar confirms Rolling Wheels Raceway is 'in middle of a real estate transaction'". The Post-Standard. Syracuse NY. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  16. ^ Elkins, Doug (July 14, 2014). "New era of racing arrives at Weedsport under new owner Al Heinke". The Post-Standard. Syracuse NY. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  17. ^ "New Owners For Lernerville Speedway". Performance Racing Industry. May 13, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  18. ^ "World Racing Group announces creation of Xtreme Outlaw midgets & non-wing sprint cars". Dirt Track Digest. December 11, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  19. ^ "World Racing Group Acquires ASCS". Speed Sport. December 11, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  20. ^ "Glenn Donnelly". Eastern Motorsports Press Association. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  21. ^ Beaver, Dan (July 28, 2017). "Why Dirt Late Models Look That Way". FloRacing. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  22. ^ "Xtreme Dirt Series Merges with UMP". Motorsport. August 14, 2004. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  23. ^ "Past U.M.P. DIRTcar Late Model National Champions". DIRTcar Racing. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  24. ^ "A Piercing Drive: Bobby Pierce's Accomplishments Belie His Age". Dirt Track Digest. April 28, 2020. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  25. ^ "2017 Late Model series and track champions". Dirt on Dirt. December 15, 2017. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  26. ^ "2018 Late Model series and track champions". Dirt on Dirt. December 12, 2018. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  27. ^ DeLucia, Jordan (January 13, 2020). "DIRTcar 2019 Champions Crowned In Springfield, IL At Annual Awards Banquet". Race Pro Weekly. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  28. ^ "2020 DIRTcar National Points Champions Shine Bright". Dirt Track Digest. November 18, 2020. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  29. ^ "2021 Late Model series and track champions". Dirt on Dirt. December 31, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  30. ^ "39th DIRTcar Banquet Honors Champions, Special Award Winners". Speed Sport. January 16, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  31. ^ "National Champions Clean-Up in DIRTcar Fall Nationals Finale at Lincoln". Dirt Track Digest. October 1, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  32. ^ DeLucia, Jordan (November 13, 2024). "2024 National DIRTcar Points Champions to be Honored". DIRTcar Racing. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  33. ^ "UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals". The Third Turn. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
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