The 2026 season signaled the start of a new chapter for both Daulton Wilson and Big Frog/Viper Motorsports.
For Wilson, it’s the next phase of his driving career after a four-year run with JRR Motorsports came to an end last fall. And not only was the Big Frog team taking on a new driver, they were also stepping up to full-time competition with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision after running a regional-based schedule in the southeast in recent seasons.
With 10 World of Outlaws races in the books, the pairing has already started to click. For proof, look no further than Wilson’s first podium of the year at Hendry County Motorsports Park in February, or his back-to-back sixth-place runs last weekend at Volunteer Speedway and Smoky Mountain Speedway.
“We definitely knew that there were going to be some growing pains,” Wilson said. “Trying to get everything together, the group of people together, equipment, and just everything that it takes to go from not only putting a new team together, but to go from a regional deal to a national deal. We definitely knew that it was going to take some time, and I think we’re progressing like we feel like we need to.”
Prior to the start of the season, one thing that excited the Fayetteville, NC native about becoming a full-time World of Outlaws competitor was the prospect of shaking up his schedule for the first time in several years. He’s gotten exactly what he asked for early on as the tour has traveled to several tracks where Wilson has a thin notebook of experience to lean on, making his recent performance gains even more impressive.
“What’s crazy is, it’s close to home geographically, I guess you could say,” Wilson said. “But Bulls Gap last weekend, I’ve only been there probably three times. Smoky Mountain, I’ve always struggled there, and then Magnolia [Motor Speedway] this week, I’ve never even been to Magnolia. Then East Alabama [Motor Speedway], Senoia [Raceway], I’ve only been once apiece. Even though it’s closer to home, it’s still not like it’s local racing for me. It’s still a lot of new places.
“Luckily, I’ve got a good group where they’ve been racing and they’ve had success at these places. Places that I’m new to, they’re not necessarily. Really, it’s a good fit where we all kind of complement each other pretty good.”
Maintaining a level of consistency in unfamiliar territory has been the main focus for Wilson and team, especially early in the season when several other teams throughout the pits are still acclimating themselves to changes made over the winter. Those efforts are paying off so far, as Wilson sits seventh in Series points in the midst of a tight pack of drivers in the back half of the top 10. Wilson has also already amassed a triple-digit lead in the MD3 Rookie of the Year standings.
“Just continue to compete and be in that Redraw, and if you’re up front every night, things are going to go your way,” Wilson said. “Right now, the consistency there is a big deal. We don’t want to run fifth one night and 20th the next night. Just trying to be consistent and continue to get our equipment where it needs to be, then I think the wins will come.”
Wilson and the rest of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision will resume the 2026 season at Magnolia Motor Speedway on Friday and Saturday, March 20-21. Get your tickets in advance by clicking here.
Want to watch the World of Outlaws? Stream every lap live on DIRTVision.