A record number of dirt late models rolled into at Lernerville Speedway last night, including a group known as "The Dirty Dozen" from the newly formed World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

More than 65 cars challenged for a spot in the 50-lap, 24-car feature that was worth $10,000 to the winner. The 12 drivers who make up the Outlaws series, a sister series to the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, are some of the best in the country.

"These guys are real racers," said David Scott, one of Western Pennsylvania's top racers who has four victories this season, including two at Lernerville.

One of the most recognizable regional stars in the Outlaws series, which was making its Western Pennsylvania debut, is Chub Frank, a STARS series champion and former winner of the Pittsburgher 100 at Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway. He believes this group of drivers might be the best combination of dirt late model racers ever assembled.

"As a series, yes, that's probably the truth," said Frank, of Sugar Grove, Pa. "There's still a handful more, and they're all here tonight. The fans are getting their money's worth tonight because they're getting probably the best drivers in the country tonight."

One of the most intimidating racers in the dirt world is Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn. A winner of five Xtreme Series championships as well as several big-purse events, Bloomquist, 40, believes this series achieved one of its main goals by attracting the top national drivers.

One driver who is doesn't believe this series has re-energized late model racing on a national level is Donnie Moran, who competes in the Xtreme Dirt Late Model Series. Moran won the largest payout in dirt late model history when he captured $1 million at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, three seasons ago.

"It's a good series," Moran said. "The Xtreme is a good series. There's a couple of other good series. I don't think it pumped any life into anything, it's just what people want it to be. It's good for the dirt late model sport. It will give the dirt late model drivers more opportunities to make a better living."

And that is ultimately what the Outlaws series is about. Often times, the winner of touring series events collects a large cash prize while those who finish second and beyond don't pocket much for their efforts. Every driver who started the feature last night was guaranteed $700, a prize many who compete on only the local level never see.

If last night was any indication, the series, which returns to Lernerville in August, will be a huge success.

Frank had not raced at Lernerville Speedway since 1994, but he had just enough experience to charge through lapped traffic and pick off Dale McDowell and Brian Birkhofer for his first World of Outlaws Late Model Series victory last night.

"I didn't think I was going [to catch them]," Frank said. "But when you see that you're catching them, you have to hit your marks and not make a mistake."

McDowell, of Chickamaugua, Ga., was leading with six laps to go when he caught the rear of the field. Over the course of the 50-lap feature, the track became slick, causing McDowell, the series points leader who had never before raced at Lernerville, to lose traction. Frank knew the track would change and had properly prepared his car. With three laps to go, Frank darted to past McDowell under the flag stand and drove off with the lead as McDowell and Steve Francis raced side-by-side behind him. Francis wound up second and McDowell third. Frank's victory was worth $10,000.

David Scott, of Garland, Pa., finished seventh, the best of any of the regular Lernerville drivers.

"This one here, being the World of Outlaws and it's a new deal and especially because it's here in Pennsylvania at Lernerville, if it isn't first it definitely [ranks] second," said Frank, 42, who lost two motors when his raceshop was damaged in a fire earlier this year.

McDowell believes he will be ready for the track when the series returns to Lernerville in August.

"If I was in the open, I was OK, but when I was in the lapped traffic I couldn't steer as well as those guys," McDowell said. "I feel like that was the key."