Nick Hoffman Denies Daulton Wilson to Win World of Outlaws Return to East Alabama

Hoffman wrestles lead late to claim fourth World of Outlaws victory of 2026 season

Mar. 28, 2026 at 11:33am

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the dynamic action and competition of a World of Outlaws Late Model race, with sharp planes of color and motion representing the cars and drivers.A cubist interpretation of the intense battle for the lead between Nick Hoffman and Daulton Wilson at the World of Outlaws' return to East Alabama Motor Speedway.Phenix City Today

In his first visit to East Alabama Motor Speedway, Nick Hoffman wasted no time making Phenix City, AL feel like home, as he wrestled the lead away from Daulton Wilson with three laps remaining to win his fourth World of Outlaws Late Model Series race of 2026. Wilson led for most of the 40-lap contest, but Hoffman's presence behind him never wavered, and he was ready to pounce when the opportunity came, slipping by on the bottom after Wilson jumped the cushion in Turns 3 and 4.

Why it matters

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series' return to East Alabama Motor Speedway after a 20-year absence marked a significant event for the series and the local racing community. Hoffman's victory highlighted his continued dominance on the circuit, while Wilson's strong performance demonstrated his potential to earn his first career World of Outlaws win.

The details

Hoffman challenged Wilson down low going into Turn 1 lap after lap, but Wilson held strong on the top each time. Between lap traffic, restarts, and anything else East Alabama threw at him, it appeared nothing could keep Wilson out of the lead. But Hoffman's presence behind him never wavered, and that meant he was ready to pounce when the opportunity came. Coming to the two-to-go signal, Wilson jumped the cushion in Turns 3 and 4, leaving enough room for Hoffman to slip by on the bottom.

  • The World of Outlaws Late Model Series' return to East Alabama Motor Speedway was the first race at the track in 20 years.
  • Hoffman claimed his fourth World of Outlaws victory of the 2026 season with this win.

The players

Nick Hoffman

A driver from Mooresville, NC who won his fourth World of Outlaws Late Model Series race of the 2026 season at East Alabama Motor Speedway.

Daulton Wilson

A driver who led most of the 40-lap race but ultimately finished second, continuing his recent hot streak with five straight top-10 finishes.

East Alabama Motor Speedway

The Phenix City, AL racetrack that hosted the World of Outlaws Late Model Series for the first time in 20 years.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series

The premier dirt late model racing series that returned to East Alabama Motor Speedway for the first time in two decades.

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What they’re saying

“For me, I've raced at so many new racetracks across the country, I don't know what to expect as far as perfect. Here, you just kind of go back to your notebook, look at places that are similar and try and circle those. They did a great job, can't believe I've never been here before. It's only five and a half hours from the house for me, just never been here.”

— Nick Hoffman, Driver

“There late in the race, after that last restart, I got him to where he committed to that top. I just kept bombing it in there just to show him my nose in [Turns] 1 and 2 thinking maybe he would peel off that top a little bit in [Turns] 3 and 4 and he never did. I just pressured him enough to have him make a mistake there. I knew he would be pretty good here, this track is pretty similar to Fayetteville [Motor Speedway], which is what he grew up on.”

— Nick Hoffman, Driver

“I was leading going down the back straightaway and all my warning lights came on. I just lifted and went down there and missed the racetrack. We've got to figure out what's going on there, that kind of sucks.”

— Daulton Wilson, Driver

What’s next

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision heads to Georgia for the Billy Clanton Classic at Senoia Raceway on Saturday, March 28.

The takeaway

This race highlighted the continued dominance of Nick Hoffman on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series circuit, as well as the potential of up-and-coming driver Daulton Wilson to earn his first career series victory. The return of the World of Outlaws to East Alabama Motor Speedway after a 20-year absence also demonstrated the series' commitment to expanding its reach and engaging new racing communities.