9. Topless 100
Some might not agree with this race's ranking, expecting it to be placed higher on the list but a personal bias of the writer plays into it as topless racing has never been a particular favorite of mine. But the Topless 100 absolutely does meet the criteria of purse, history and venue.
Like so many other events in this form of motorsports, this Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series-sanctioned race has received a boost in its winner's share payout having increased from $40,000 just a couple of years ago to its current $50,000 reward for the first driver to cross the finish line.
A look through past results confirms this event's history dating back to 1993 with former winners including legendary names such as Scott Bloomquist, Billy Moyer, Freddy Smith, Jimmy Owens, Jonathan Davenport and Dale McDowell, who in 2023, scored his second triumph.
This race has always been contested at the Batesville Motor Speedway in Arkansas which meets the standard of a top venue within the sport.
8. Show-Me 100
Some might argue that this Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series-sanctioned race lost some of its stature when it moved from the West Plains Speedway to its current home at the Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri after 2009 but this writer disagrees with that stance.
Like the Firecracker 100 and the Topless 100, the Show-Me 100 saw a bump in its purse as the 2021 winner earned $30,000 but now the victor takes home a paycheck valued at $50,000 matching most of the other races listed within this piece.
This race has history behind it having been contested since 1993 with the likes of Bloomquist, Moyer, Smith, Owens and Davenport having pulled into victory lane.
In my opinion, the venue is what elevates this race's status. While it may not necessarily be counted among the most historic, Lucas Oil Speedway is one of the premier facilities within the sport. This form of racing needs a few elite venues that can serve as showplaces in the same way that modern Major League Baseball stadiums offer a contrast to the more historic sites such as Fenway Park and Wrigley Field.
7. Knoxville Late Model Nationals
Speaking of historic venues, few can top that of the Knoxville Late Model Nationals. But if there is any problem with this race, it is the fact that the site is more historic for another form of dirt racing other than Late Models. The Knoxville Raceway is the 'Sprint Car Capital of the World' which is clearly evident in that the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum sits adjacent to the track itself.
Beginning in 2021, this Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series-sanctioned event also received a bump in its payout going from $40,000 to a $50,000-to-win pay structure matching that of the other races already mentioned in this piece.
The Knoxville Late Model Nationals only date back to 2004 which leaves it out of a bit of the history involved in this form of motorsports, but as stated earlier, this is an historic venue for racing. In the same way that NASCAR, and even Formula 1, have wanted to race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway despite the fact that neither would be that venue's biggest event, other forms of dirt racing need a presence at the Knoxville(IA) Raceway.
6. USA Nationals
Being held at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wisconsin may keep this World of Outlaws CASE Construction Late Model Series-sanctioned race from getting all of the credit it deserves as a major Dirt Late Model event because it takes place a bit off the beaten path. But like the others on this list, it has a big purse, tradition and a great venue behind it.
Unlike those mentioned earlier in this piece, this race has a much longer history of paying $50,000 to its winner with that practice dating back to 2006. That fact alone elevates the USA Nationals above many others that might have been in consideration for this ranking.
The historic nature of this event is certainly there as it dates back to 1998 and has featured many of the biggest names in the sport's history to hoist the winner's trophy. As has been frequently the case in these crown jewel shows, the creme has risen to the top with winners named Bloomquist, Moyer, Davenport, Owens and McDowell listed.
And the venue, which has been the only site in which this race has been held, certainly fits the bill of a top facility.
5. Prairie Dirt Classic
With each of the races already named, the criteria of purse, history and venue have been considered. In the case of the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Late Model Series-sanctioned Prairie Dirt Classic, atmosphere could be another measure that adds to the prestige of this race. Even when viewed from afar, it is easy to see that the energy surrounding the Faribury(IL) Speedway is charged from the time when cars first roll onto the track until the time when the checkered flag waves, if not beyond.
As with several others, 2021 was the year in which the PDC began to reward its winner with a $50,000 payout. However, the recent addition of lap leader bonuses have significantly added to the cash prize with Brandon Shepperd receiving $100,000 in 2022 and Ricky Thornton Jr. taking over $60,000 away from the track this past season.
While this race was largely a Midwestern-based affair for the first several years of its existence, which dates all the way back to 1990, its recent history has incorporated some of the sport's biggest names into the mix. Sheppard and Davenport have been joined by the likes of Tim McCreadie, Josh Richards and even NASCAR star Kyle Larson as winners. And more, Bob Pierce and Billy Moyer dominated the PDC during its early history.
As stated earlier, the atmosphere at Fairbury also contributes to the mystic of this bullring venue's status among the top facilities to host a major Dirt Late Model race.
4. North-South 100
Like the USA Nationals, the North-South 100 held since 1983 at Kentucky's Florence Speedway has a long tradition of doling out $50,000 to its champion. That began back in 2003. And now, the winner is awarded a hefty $75,000 for his efforts.
The numbers stated above attest to the traditional aspect of this Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series-sanctioned race as it dates back more than 40 years and continues to carry on the longstanding practice of financially rewarding it winners. And like most of the races already mentioned, the biggest names have won here with Bloomquist, Owens and Davenport among the past champions.
To add even more to the history, the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame sits on the grounds of Florence Speedway with its induction ceremony for new members taking place each August before the big race.
In many ways like the Prairie Dirt Classic, the atmosphere at this track on race day is a charged one with the large crowd making enough noise to sometimes be heard over the sound of the roaring engines. That fact alone makes Florence a worthy venue for such a big event.
3. Dirt Track World Championship
As stated before regarding my position on the Topless 100 being knocked down a bit on my list due to the fact that I have never been one to really take to topless racing, my opinion of the position for the Dirt Track World Championship may not be a popular one among some as well. In my opinion, the fact that this race, which has for a while been the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series finale, now serves as the Chase for the Championship deciding event actually elevates its status.
And more, the race was moved for the first time in 2023 to the Eldora Speedway. Although the DTWC has been held at multiple tracks throughout its existence, no other place could better serve as a venue for a winner-take-all title fight than the Rossburg, Ohio showplace.
The tradition surrounding this $100,000-to-win Carl Short-promoted affair is an extensive one. Dating back to 1981, only a few races can match its history within the sport. Bloomquist, Freddy Smith, Owens and the race's all-time winner in the person of Sheppard(5) are listed among its top finishers.
And as stated before, this race was moved last season to Eldora. Nothing more needs to be said regarding the venue than that.
2. Dirt Late Model Dream
It's no mere coincidence that the top-three events on this list are all held at the Eldora Speedway. Quite simply, that Earl Baltes-created and Tony Stewart-owned track is the premiere Dirt Late Model racing venue on the planet.
This race was ground breaking back at its beginning in 1994 when it offered a six-figure payout to its winner. It has carried on that tradition ever since with the 2023 victor(Davenport) earning $129,000.
Winning the Dream makes any Dirt Late Model driver a "somebody" and the top somebodies in the sport have done exactly that. Freddy Smith won it first and he has been joined by Bloomquist, Moyer, Davenport, Owens, McDowell and Don O'Neal to have taken home the big check that, in most years, proves to be the biggest payday of the season.
1. World 100
It doesn't pay the most but the World 100 is the premier Dirt Late Model race on the schedule and it is held at the premier Dirt Late Model venue. The Globe Trophy presented to the winner is the most coveted prize in this form of motorsports.
If the winner of the Dirt Late Model Dream becomes a "somebody", the winner of this race immediately reaches legendary status. Anyone who triumphs in this race will forever be introduced as a World 100 winner.
With that being said, the legends have turned victory lane at Eldora Speedway following victories here into their personal playgrounds. Bloomquist, Moyer, Jeff Purvis, Owens and Davenport are just a few of this prestigious race's former champions.
The World 100 has a big payout, but most of all, it has the greatest tradition and the top venue in the sport. When this list was being compiled, there was never a doubt as to which race would be listed as No. 1.
There it is, my list of the top-10 biggest Dirt Late Model races. Feel free to agree or disagree on the new MotorsportsReport.net page on Facebook or by tagging @RichardAllenMSR on X(Twitter). The MotorsportsReport.net website will be coming soon. 
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