RPW Column: T-Mac Feels Tire Selection Cost Him WoO ‘Last Call’ Opener Win At Charlotte

RPW Column By: BOBBY CHALMERS / RPW – CONCORD, NC – Tim McCreadie knows what it’s like to compete in both dirt Late Models and DIRT Modifieds.

Running a Late Model is way different than a Modified, especially with tire selection. Where you only have three different compound choices on a Big Block or Small Block Modified to select from, there are plenty of options in the Late Model world.

In his eyes, that’s what cost McCreadie a shot at victory in the World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Last Call’ event at the Dirt Track at Charlotte on Wednesday night.

“It’s a shame,” McCreadie said. “I shouldn’t be able to pick these tires because I’ve been wrong two weeks in a row. Last week we went way too hard and tonight we went in the middle and got beat by two guys who had different rubber on than we did.”

McCreadie timed fourth quickest in his group for qualifying. He won his heat race and drew the pole for the main event. While he never led the event, he ran up front the entire time. However, he came up just short of taking the checkers, finishing behind winner Brandon Overton and second place Dennis Erb Jr.

“It’s a little mind-numbing but we’ll go back to work for this Bilstein / Longhorn car,” he said. “I can’t thank everyone enough who’s gotten us here. It’s not easy so you take advantage when you’re up front.”

Track conditions played a factor in the outcome of the race on Wednesday night, just as it normally does at the Dirt Track at Charlotte. McCreadie felt like he made the right decisions to put his car in victory lane, but apparently that wasn’t the case.

“It’s been a no-brainer for nearly half a decade on what right rear tire to put on here,” he said. “I just think drivers get wrapped up in a lot of things. You know, there’s no cars here. There’s not as much racing on the track…A, B & C and then you don’t put the right rear tire that 76 has on.”

The Watertown, NY driver was quick to tip his cap to the winner for making the right selection and being as dominant as he was.

“Hat’s off to those guys,” he said. “I know that Brandon, it takes a big move to do that. It’s a really hard step of a tire and congrats to Dennis for second. We’ll go get them tomorrow.”

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series will close out their 2020 racing season with one more night at the Dirt Track at Charlotte on Thursday evening. Then, the WoO Sprint Cars come in for two nights of action to put a cap on their 2020 campaign.