At last. After two formative seasons with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series defined by growing pains and nine runner-up finishes, Daulton Wilson emerged Saturday at East Bay Raceway Park as the breakthrough touring winner he’s always sought to be.

It was the end of an era for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series at East Bay Raceway Park on Saturday, as the last-ever Wieland Winternationals race ran course at third-mile oval in its final season of operations.

Daulton Wilson must face the hard questions. Since he buzzed off his poofy hair and the very look that’s earned him the nickname Big Perm, is he afraid he’s going to lose the moniker if the hair doesn’t grow back quick enough?

Daulton Wilson’s day is coming. Of the countless competitors that have never won a Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series feature, the developing Fayetteville, N.C., driver has vaulted to the top of that waiting list this summer, particularly over the Labor Day weekend.

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series enters a brave new world when it kicks off the 2023 season Thursday at Golden Isles Speedway near Brunswick, Georgia. A new year will bring both new and familiar faces to the series this season.