Hudson O’Neal recorded the biggest win of his racing career on Saturday Night at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri.
The third-generation racer picked up the $30,000 first place prize in the 29th Annual Show-Me. The event was sanctioned by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and the Lucas Oil Midwest Latemodel Racing Association.
The 20-year-old Indiana native took the lead on lap 68 from series point leader Tim McCreadie and marched away to win the first crown jewel event of the 2021 season. In a competitive race that saw five different race leaders, O’Neal crossed the finish line in jubilant fashion for his third LOLMDS win of the season and the tenth of his career.
Brandon Sheppard made a late-race charge to finish second behind O’Neal. Josh Richards took the third spot with McCreadie and Zebulon, Georgia’s Shane Clanton rounding out the top five drivers.
Richards started on the pole and led the first 4 laps of the race before yielding to Clanton on the fifth circuit. Clanton then held the point until four-time Show-Me 100 winner Jimmy Owens took over the lead. McCreadie took charge on lap 41 and he led until O’Neal passed him with 32 laps remaining.
O’Neal emerged from his car with tears streaming down his face after the 100-lap thriller. He joined his father, Don as the only father-son combo to win the Memorial Day Weekend tradition that began in 1993.
“I looked up at the board with about 18 to go and my signal guy, Eric Webber, was telling me they were closing a little bit,” said O’Neal. “I didn’t drive the greatest the last 20 laps by any means, but it was just good enough. I knew we had a racecar that could win this thing earlier in the weekend. My dad called and gave me some words of encouragement that we could do this. I just wanted to drive my own race. I don’t think we will leave this place tonight. We will be celebrating this for sure.”
Completing the top ten were Mike Marlar, Ricky Thornton Jr., Jimmy Owens, Kyle Bronson, and Brian Shirley.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Lucas Oil Speedway – Wheatland, MO
Show Me 100 – May 29, 2021
| Pos | Start | Car # | Competitor | Hometown | Pay |
| 1 | 5 | 71 | Hudson O’Neal | Martinsville, IN | $32,200 |
| 2 | 3 | B5 | Brandon Sheppard | New Berlin, IL | $15,000 |
| 3 | 1 | 14 | Josh Richards | Shinnston, WV | $11,800 |
| 4 | 2 | 39 | Tim McCreadie | Watertown, NY | $10,300 |
| 5 | 4 | 25 | Shane Clanton | Zebulon, GA | $7,700 |
| 6 | 15 | 157 | Mike Marlar | Winfield, TN | $6,700 |
| 7 | 9 | 20RT | Ricky Thornton, Jr. | Adel, IA | $6,300 |
| 8 | 7 | 20 | Jimmy Owens | Newport, TN | $5,000 |
| 9 | 11 | 40B | Kyle Bronson | Brandon, FL | $4,450 |
| 10 | 14 | 3S | Brian Shirley | Chatham, IL | $2,600 |
| 11 | 10 | 32 | Bobby Pierce | Oakwood, IL | $2,500 |
| 12 | 16 | 99JR | Frank Heckenast, Jr. | Frankfort, IL | $2,475 |
| 13 | 13 | 2S | Stormy Scott | Las Cruces, NM | $3,650 |
| 14 | 20 | 0E | Rick Eckert | York, PA | $2,425 |
| 15 | 19 | 49 | Jonathan Davenport | Blairsville, GA | $4,700 |
| 16 | 17 | 1 | Earl Pearson, Jr. | Jacksonville, FL | $3,675 |
| 17 | 22 | 56JR | Tony Jackson, Jr. | Lebanon, MO | $2,350 |
| 18 | 25 | 1T | Tyler Erb | New Waverly, TX | $4,525 |
| 19 | 27 | 59 | Garrett Alberson | Shreveport, LA | $2,300 |
| 20 | 21 | 36 | Logan Martin | West Plains, MO | $2,250 |
| 21 | 28 | 91P | Jason Papich | Nipomo, CA | $2,200 |
| 22 | 6 | 0 | Scott Bloomquist | Mooresburg, TN | $2,150 |
| 23 | 18 | 18B | Shannon Babb | Moweaqua, IL | $2,100 |
| 24 | 29 | 93 | Mason Oberkramer | Broseley, MO | $2,050 |
| 25 | 12 | 19R | Ryan Gustin | Marshalltown, IA | $2,000 |
| 26 | 24 | 12C | Scott Crigler | Alton, MO | $2,000 |
| 27 | 26 | 21 | Billy Moyer, Jr. | Batesville, AR | $2,500 |
| 28 | 8 | 22F | Chris Ferguson | Mt. Holly, NC | $2,000 |
| 29 | 23 | 66C | Matt Cosner | Ridgeley, WV | $2,000 |
| 30 | 31 | 25S | Chad Simpson | Mt. Vernon, IA | $2,000 |
| 31 | 32 | 15L | Payton Looney | Republic, MO | $2,000 |
| 32 | 30 | 49T | Jake Timm | Winona, MN | $2,000 |
