Wrecks are common in dirt late-model racing. On most occasions, it’s just bad luck. Just like, on August 9, 2025, at Florence Speedway during the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series semifeature, when veteran Mike Marlar was dancing his way through traffic on lap 11 before bumping into a lapped machine. The contact sent Marlar into the wall, ending his night; yet even in defeat, his calm nod, “nothing personal…just a bad racing deal,” reminded everyone how much grit, respect, and pragmatism define this sport.

But what happens when a driver admits it wasn’t just a racing deal? A few nights later, on Friday, August 15, at Batesville Motor Speedway, Cade Dillard and Garrett Alberson collided while battling for the lead on a lap-eight restart during the Nutrien Ag Solutions Topless 100 we

See Full Page