HUDSON O'NEAL & SSI MOTORSPORTS RELEASE EARLY '19 SCHEDULE
(November 15, 2018) Several months into his rehab from season-ending shoulder surgery, Hudson O'Neal released his 2019 season plans today at www.HudsonOneal.com. Hudson and the SSI Motorsports team will once again tackle the entire Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series schedule, as the 2017 series Rookie of the Year will vie for the Championship. Before the Lucas Oil campaign kicks off on February 1-2 at Golden Isles Speedway near Brunswick, Georgia, Hudson plans to start his 2019 season from January 5-13 in the annual 'Wild West Shootout' at Arizona Speedway in Queen Creek, Arizona. The six-race, unsanctioned mini-series will be capped off with a $14,000 to win finale on Sunday, January 13. You can view the latest schedule plans for "The New Deal" by clicking on the SCHEDULE page of the website!!! (Todd Healy Photo)

ON VERGE OF SURGERY; HUDSON O'NEAL SHINES AT FLORENCE!
(August 12, 2018) Hudson O'Neal and SSI Motorsports spent August 8-11 at the venerable Florence Speedway in Union, Kentucky, as the Cincinnati-area speedplant played host to a lucrative four-day stretch of racing action sanctioned by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. In Wednesday's annual 'Ralph Latham Memorial,' Hudson won his heat race in preliminary action and later took the lead on lap six of the rain-shortened feature event. The Martinsville, Indiana rising star then led the remainder of the 25-lap distance to pocket the $12,000 payday ahead of Tyler Erb, Gregg Satterlee, Bobby Pierce, and Josh Richards! On Thursday night in the 'North/South Shootout,' which paid $10,000 to the winner, Hudson won his heat race once again before slipping back to eighth in the caution-free headliner.

At Florence on Friday evening, a double set of heat races with combined passing points were held to help set the lineups for Saturday's $50,000 to win 'North/South 100.' Hudson picked up a victory in his first heat race of the night prior to steering up to second in his final prelim. By virtue of accumulating the most passing points, the "New Deal" earned the rights to the pole position for the start of Saturday's 100-lap crown jewel main event. Hudson, who was competing in his final race of 2018 due to impending shoulder surgery, then led the first seven circuits of the 'North/South 100 before retaking the point from Ricky Weiss on the 89th circuit. He eventually wound up third and on the podium in his season finale behind only victor Weiss and runner-up Tim McCreadie! Complete results from the long week at Florence Speedway can be viewed online at www.lucasdirt.com. (Heath Lawson Photo)

O'NEAL FOURTH IN USA NATIONALS OPENER AT CEDAR LAKE SPEEDWAY!
(August 5, 2018) As the calendar turned to the month of August, the #71 team found themselves near the Minnesota / Wisconsin border at the renowned Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wisconsin on August 2-4 for the 31st Annual 'USA Nationals,' which was sanctioned once again by the World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series. The extended weekend kicked off on Thursday evening with a $6,000 to win preliminary program. Hudson O'Neal timed in fifth fastest in Group A during qualifying before placing third in his stacked heat race. After starting ninth on the grid in the 40-lap feature event, Hudson streaked all the way up to third in the running order before settling for a strong fourth place performance behind only victor Brandon Sheppard, Jonathan Davenport, and Devin Moran!

At CLS on Friday night, a double set of heat races with passing points were held to help set the lineups for Saturday's grand finale, which once again boasted a $50,000 winner's check. Hudson placed third in his first heat race of the evening, while he finished sixth in his final prelim. On Saturday, the Martinsville, Indiana standout unfortunately hit the wall in his B-Main and was unable to make the start in the 100-lap 'USA Nationals' that was eventually won by Brandon Sheppard. Full results from the 'USA Nationals' weekend can be found online by visiting www.woolms.com.

HUDSON O'NEAL TO HAVE SEASON ENDING SURGERY ON AUGUST 15
(August 1, 2018) As some might know, Hudson O'Neal has been having serious shoulder difficulties as of late. Finally deciding to see a specialist, the doctor decided the best path to take is surgery. It is far from Hudson's desired outcome, but unfortunately surgery is the best action to take given the circumstances. After Cedar Lake this weekend, his last race of 2018 will be the 'North/South 100' at Florence Speedway in Union, Kentucky. Hudson will be out for the remainder of the '18 season following the surgery, which will take place on August 15.

Recovery from the shoulder surgery is estimated to be 4-5 months long. Hudson would like to thank the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, SSI Motorsports, sponsors, and all of his amazing fans. Hudson will return to the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series full-time in 2019 with SSI Motorsports. He would like to thank everyone for all of the great support this year and he looks forward to getting this little bump in the road out of the way prior to the 2019 season!!! (Josh James Artwork)

HUDSON O'NEAL FINISHES SEVENTH IN PDC QUALIFYING FEATURE
(July 29, 2018) The 29th edition of the 'Prairie Dirt Classic' took center stage over the July 27-28 weekend at Fairbury American Legion Speedway in downtown Fairbury, Illinois. On Friday night, Hudson O'Neal clicked off the eleventh fastest lap in Group A during World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series qualifying before claiming a seventh place effort in his $2,500 to win qualifying feature. Hudson was then leading his B-Main on Saturday evening before he tangled with a lapped car and eventually wound up eighth in the consolation race. The Martinsville, Indiana youngster was unfortunately not able to transfer into the $30,000 to win 'Prairie Dirt Classic' that was won by Devin Moran. Full results from the action-packed weekend at FALS can be viewed online at www.woolms.com.

HECTIC WEEK IN SOUTH DAKOTA, MINNESOTA, & NEBRASKA
(July 21, 2018) The 'Silver Dollar Nationals' wrapped up tonight at I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Nebraska and all eyes were solely fixated on the whopping $53,000 payday that was on the line in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series biggie. Hudson O'Neal was strong throughout the 80-lap feature event after starting third on the grid, as he raced all over the top five throughout much of the extra-distance affair. At the checkers, Hudson found himself in the fourth spot to finish behind only victor Jonathan Davenport, Ricky Weiss, and Jimmy Owens!

(July 20, 2018) Preliminary action for the 8th Annual 'Silver Dollar Nationals' took place earlier tonight at I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Nebraska with two rounds of heat races providing passing points that set the lineups for Saturday's main event. Hudson O'Neal won his first heat race of the evening over Earl Pearson, Jr., Mason Zeigler, and Brandon Sheppard before finishing third in his final prelim. By virtue of racking up the third most combined passing points during heat race action, Hudson will roll off from the inside of the second row in tomorrow night's $53,000 to win headliner!!!

(July 19, 2018) A trip to I-80 Speedway was next for Hudson O'Neal, as the first night of the huge racing weekend leading into the 'Silver Dollar Nationals' took place tonight in Greenwood, Nebraska. The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series sanctioned the 'Malvern Bank Go 50' and all eyes were fixated on the $10,000 paycheck. Hudson clicked off the fourth quickest lap in Group B during qualifying and later ran second in heat race action. The Martinsville, Indiana youngster then advanced up into the top five during the 50-lap shootout before slipping back to sixth at the checkers behind only victor Jonathan Davenport, Scott Bloomquist, Brandon Sheppard, Chris Simpson, and Darrell Lanigan.

(July 18, 2018) Another $10,000 top prize was up for grabs for SSI Motorsports tonight in a first-ever visit to Jackson Motorplex in Jackson, Minnesota. The pristine Gopher State facility played host to its first Super Late Model race since 1988 and 24 competitors signed into the pit area for the 'Sturdevant's Auto Parts 50.' Hudson O'Neal logged the ninth fastest lap overall during time trials prior to grabbing the fifth transfer spot through his loaded heat race. Unfortunately, Hudson was then involved in a first lap pileup and retired from the 50-lap main event in the twenty-third position.

(July 17, 2018) A very busy week on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series calendar started tonight at Brown County Speedway in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The 2nd Annual 'Bullet Sportswear Shootout' took place and the #71 team vied for the $10,000 winner's check in the Tuesday night special. Hudson O'Neal timed in fifteenth quickest overall during qualifying before placing fifth in heat race action. After starting fifteenth on the grid in the 50-lapper, Hudson blasted up to as high as third in the action-packed event before settling for a solid sixth place feature showing behind only winner Earl Pearson, Jr., Josh Richards, Bobby Pierce, Ricky Weiss, and father Don O'Neal.

HUDSON O'NEAL KNOCKS DOWN PAIR OF TOP TENS IN MIDWEST
(July 15, 2018) The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series took the SSI Motorsports team to a pair of venues in the states of Illinois and Missouri over the July 13-14 weekend for two $12,000 to win throwdowns. On Friday evening in the 'NAPA Know How 50' at Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Illinois, Hudson O'Neal ran fourth in his loaded heat race prior to claiming a solid tenth place effort in the 50-lap headliner. At Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri on Saturday night in the annual 'Diamond Nationals,' Hudson suffered problems in preliminary action, took a provisional to gain access into the 50-lapper, and later blasted all the way up to tenth in the final finishing order of the feature. He still sits eighth in the current version of the LOLMDS point standings. Complete results from both weekend battles can be located by pointing your Internet browser to www.lucasdirt.com.

O'NEAL BATTLES LUCAS STARS AT CHEROKEE SPEEDWAY
(July 8, 2018) A Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series tripleheader in the Southeast was planned for the #71 team from July 5-7, but with a pair of rain-outs at Fayetteville Motor Speedway in Fayetteville, North Carolina and Smoky Mountain Speedway in Maryville, Tennessee, Hudson O'Neal entered one lone showdown at Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, South Carolina on Friday evening. The 20th edition of the 'Grassy Smith Memorial' was held at the legendary speedplant and 30 entrants were on hand to vie for the $12,000 winner's check. Hudson laid down the fastest lap in Group B during qualifying prior to picking up the win in his loaded heat race. After leading lap one of the 50-lap headliner, Hudson was eventually caught up in a lap 37 tangle that resulted in him retiring in the twentieth position. The Martinsville, Indiana standout currently sits eighth in the latest version of the heated LOLMDS point standings following the rainy weekend. Full results can be viewed online at www.lucasdirt.com.

HECTIC FOUR RACE STRETCH WITH LUCAS OIL SERIES IN OHIO
(July 3, 2018) The hectic stretch of racing leading up to the 4th of July holiday wrapped up tonight at Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, Ohio, as the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presided over another $12,000 to win throwdown. In front of a huge crowd at MCS, Hudson O'Neal knocked down the second fastest lap in Group B during qualifying before placing second in heat race action. After starting eighth on the grid in the 50-lap feature event, Hudson stormed past a trio of competitors to claim a strong fifth place effort behind only victor Gregg Satterlee, Darrell Lanigan, Jonathan Davenport, and Josh Richards!

(July 2, 2018) The third round of Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series action in the Buckeye State took the #71 team to Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio tonight for the annual running of the 'Steel Valley 50.' Hudson O'Neal was forced to go to a backup car following qualifying and later finished seventh in his loaded heat race. Following a B-Main triumph, Hudson advanced four positions during the $12,000 to win main event to place fifteenth in the final finishing order of the caution-free affair.

(July 1, 2018) Another $12,000 top prize was on the line for the cars and stars racing with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series tonight at Mansfield Motor Speedway in Mansfield, Ohio. Hudson O'Neal was one of 35 entrants at the pristine facility to compete in the 2nd Annual 'Freedom 50.' Hudson clicked off the fastest lap overall during the qualifying session to earn Fast Time honors before running second in heat race action. The Martinsville, Indiana youngster then started fifth on the grid in the 50-lap headliner and eventually finished right where he started... in the fifth spot behind only victor and father Don O'Neal, Scott Bloomquist, Jimmy Owens, and Earl Pearson, Jr.!

(June 30, 2018) The opening leg of a four-race Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series stretch in the Buckeye State of Ohio kicked off tonight on the banks of the Ohio River at Portsmouth Raceway Park in Portsmouth, Ohio. A strong field of 38 competitors signed into PRP to vie for the $12,000 top prize in the annual running of the 'Independence 50.' Hudson O'Neal unfortunately dropped a driveshaft during qualifying, but later rebounded to grab the fourth transfer spot through his heat race. The "New Deal" then picked off seven competitors during the 50-lapper to bag a solid seventh place feature performance.

HUDSON O'NEAL RECORDS FIRST LUCAS OIL SERIES TRIUMPH!!!
(June 17, 2018) The "New Deal" Hudson O'Neal landed his first career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series triumph over the June 15-16 weekend in the annual 'Clash at the Mag' at Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, Mississippi! On Friday night, Hudson stopped the clock twelfth quickest overall during the qualifying session prior to advancing up to second in his loaded heat race. After starting sixth on the grid in Saturday's 100-lap main event, Hudson hung around the front of the stellar field throughout most of the race before charging for the win late in the distance. The Martinsville, Indiana ace took the lead from Josh Richards on lap 93 and led the final eight circuits of the extra-distance affair. Hudson beat Bobby Pierce, Josh Richards, Scott Bloomquist, and Tim McCreadie to the checkered flag to score the hefty $20,000 windfall! He now finds himself seventh in the latest version of the heated LOLMDS point standings exiting the 'Clash at the Mag.' Full results from Magnolia can be accessed online at www.lucasdirt.com. (Heath Lawson Photo)

O'NEAL NABS TOP FIVES IN DIRT LATE MODEL DREAM PRELIMS!!!
(June 10, 2018) Following their first triumph of 2018, the #71 SSI Motorsports team headed to the famed Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio from June 7-9 for the annual running of the 'Dirt Late Model Dream.' With Thursday's preliminary show wiped out due to rain, both prelims were held throughout the day on Friday. In Friday afternoon's $5,000 to win contest, Hudson O'Neal placed second in his heat race and fifth in the 25-lap headliner, while he ran third in his heat race and fourth in the $10,000 to win program later that evening. At Eldora in the grand finale on Saturday night, Hudson finished sixth in his loaded heat race, third in his B-Main, and twenty-fourth in the final rundown of the 100-lap 'Dirt Late Model Dream,' which once again boasted a whopping $100,000 payday. Complete results from the soggy weekend at the "Big E" can be accessed by clicking on www.eldoraspeedway.com.

HUDSON O'NEAL GRABS $3,000 PAYDAY FOR FIRST TRIUMPH OF 2018!
(June 3, 2018) Hudson O'Neal, of Martinsville, Indiana, claimed his first feature win of the 2018 racing season on Saturday night, June 2 at the legendary Brownstown Speedway in Brownstown, Indiana! Hudson was dominant all evening long in Super Late Model action, as he laid down the fastest lap overall during Ultimate Battle of the Bluegrass Series qualifying, won his heat race, and led all 31 laps in the 'Johnny Wheeler Tribute.' Hudson beat Jason Jameson, Devin Gilpin, Kent Robinson, and Chad Stapleton to the checkered flag to score the $3,000 top prize. In Crate Late Model action at the 1/4-mile fairgrounds oval, Hudson drove a #9 SSI Motorsports entry to a fourth place heat race finish (after getting knocked off the track on the final lap) and a seventh place effort in the headliner. Full results from Brownstown Speedway can be accessed online at www.brownstownspeedway.com. (Mark Schaefer Photo)