Hall of Famer Delmas Conley Unfortunately Passes Away at Age 79
(January 4, 2022) Delmas Conley, the patriarch of the talented southern Ohio racing clan who won more Super Late Model races in his 70s than most drivers do in a career, died Tuesday afternoon, according to team publicist Ryan Delph. The 79-year-old Wheelersburg, Ohio, resident who owned and operated Conley Trucking had been hospitalized with cancer since mid-December.

The ageless wonder inducted into the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame in 2003 tallied 561 career feature victories over seven decades of racing as one of the state's all-time winningest drivers, scoring numerous track championships and capturing major events that included the Beckley USA 100 at Beckley (W.Va.) Motor Speedway, the Southern 100 at his hometown Southern Ohio Speedway, Portsmouth (Ohio) Raceway Park's Cornett Clash and Eldora Speedway's Johnny Appleseed Classic.

Conley's famed red No. 71 — his also successful sons Rod Conley (71R) and R.J. Conley (71C) drove near identical cars for Conley Motorsports alongside their father at many of the same tracks — was popular as Dirt Late Model racing moved from the early to modern era, but he was later even more popular among older spectators as he became the sport's fastest septuagenarian.

"I never feel like I’m an older guy,” Conley said after a 2012 victory. "Everybody puts a lot of emphasis on age, and age is a factor, without a doubt, but it’s what you feel and what you want to do. If I didn’t feel like I could drive a race car, I wouldn’t get in it. If I didn’t feel like I could be competitive, I wouldn’t race.”

Conley's career included track championships at Southern Ohio, Beckley, Atomic, Portsmouth and Checkered Flag Speedway near Ashland, Ky. He was a nine-time starter of the World 100 (best finish of seventh in 1991 and '94) and a six-time starter of the Dirt Track World Championship (best finish of ninth in 1987) and fourth-place finisher in 1980's Hillbilly 100 at I-79 Speedway in Shinnston, W.Va. His 561st and final victory came Aug. 7 at Portsmouth.

“I never want to retire," Conley said in the 2012 interview, adding he arose for work at 5 a.m. daily. "I’m a firm believer that if you retire and shut it down, you just rust. If I live to be 80, I want to be going at 80. If I live to be 90, I want to be doing something at 90. I want to be productive.” (Rick Schwallie Photo - Story by DirtonDirt.com)

Delmas and R.J. Conley Diecast Cars Now Available Online!
(October 18, 2021) If you are a diecast car collector or a fan of Delmas and R.J. Conley, be sure to view and purchase BRAND NEW stock through our online store, which is available safely and securely at www.olddirtshirts.com/collections/delmas-conley! These 1:24 scale ADC diecast cars are new in box, never been opened, and have all original packaging. We appreciate your support of Conley Motorsports, Inc.!

Conley Motorsports, Inc. Closes Out 2021 Campaign in $100k DTWC
(October 17, 2021) The Conley Motorsports, Inc. (CMI) team was in the pit area at Portsmouth Raceway Park on October 15-16 for the 41st edition of the 'Dirt Track World Championship.' The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series grand finale at the nearby Portsmouth, Ohio facility once again boasted a hefty $100,000 payday. Following a washout of Friday's preliminary events at PRP, the entire crown jewel spectacular was contested at the 3/8-mile oval on Saturday.

R.J. Conley timed in twenty-fourth quickest in Group B prior to running fourth in his stacked heat race and fifth in his B-Main. Rod Conley, on the other hand, laid down the twenty-sixth fastest lap in Group B before placing seventh in his heat race and ninth in his B-Main. Both brothers were unfortunately not able to transfer into the 100-lapper, but did compete in the Jim Dunn Memorial for Non-Qualifiers. R.J. finished seventh in the $3,000 to win contest, while "Hot Rod" was one spot behind in eighth at the completion of the 25-lap race. Complete results from the season-ending DTWC weekend can be obtained by clicking on www.lucasdirt.com.

Rod Conley Rebounds for Top Five in Racefest World Championship Finale
(October 11, 2021) Wheelersburg, Ohio ace Rod Conley and his #71r team invaded West Virginia Motor Speedway in Mineral Wells, West Virginia on October 9-10 for the 'Racefest World Championship' weekend, which was co-sanctioned by the Valvoline Iron-Man Late Model Series and the Zimmer's United Late Model Series. On Saturday evening in the $5,000 to win weekend opener, Rod placed fifth in his stacked heat race, but motor issues during the 25-lap feature forced him to retire early in the sixteenth position.

At the sprawling 5/8-mile speedplant on Sunday in the finale, which boasted a hefty $15,000 top prize, Rod ran third in his heat race and later started the 35-lapper from the inside of the third row. "Hot Rod" then climbed to as high as third in the running order with his back-up car before slipping back to fifth at the checkers to finish behind only victor Devin Moran, Max Blair, Colten Burdette, and Michael Chilton! Full results from WVMS can be accessed online at www.wvmotorspeedway.com. (Zach Yost Racing Photography)

R.J. Conley Runner-Up in Atomic Blast; Rod Conley Earns Top Five Finish!
(October 3, 2021) Brothers Rod and R.J. Conley made the trek north to Atomic Speedway in Alma, Ohio on Saturday evening, October 2 for the running of the unsanctioned 'Atomic Blast.' R.J. clicked off the second fastest lap during the Super Late Model qualifying session before securing a victory in his heat race. After rolling off from the outside of the front row and leading the first seventeen circuits of the 25-lap headliner, R.J. was passed on a restart and was forced to settle for a strong runner-up performance behind only $3,000 victor Steve Casebolt. Rod also sported a fast racecar, as he timed in sixth quickest during qualifying, placed second in his heat race, and climbed two spots during the 25-lapper to land in the fourth finishing position in the 'Atomic Blast.' Full results from Atomic Speedway can be viewed online by clicking on www.atomicspeedway.net.

Rod Conley Lands on Podium at Atomic Speedway; R.J. Suffers Mechanical Woes
(September 19, 2021) The Conley Motorsports, Inc. (CMI) teams were in action at two different southern Ohio venues on Saturday, September 18. Rod Conley and his #71r team invaded Atomic Speedway in Alma, Ohio for the 'TC/Chaney Memorial,' which shelled out a $3,099 winner's check for the Super Late Models. Rod laid down the sixth quickest lap during the qualifying session before placing second in his heat race. After rolling off from the outside of the third row in the 25-lap headliner, "Hot Rod" streaked past a trio of competitors to land on the podium in third behind only race winner Jared Hawkins and runner-up Colten Burdette!

Delmas and R.J. Conley headed to the nearby Portsmouth Raceway Park in Portsmouth, Ohio on Saturday evening for a weekly show, as they both vied for a $2,000 top prize. R.J. timed in second fastest during Super Late Model qualifying and later won his heat race. He was then running in the second spot during the feature when rear-end issues forced him to retire in the tenth position. Delmas, on the other hand, qualified eleventh fastest in time trials, ran fifth in his heat race, and later placed fourteenth in the A-Main after a bout with the front stretch wall. Complete results from both Atomic and PRP can be found by clicking on www.atomicspeedway.net and www.portsraceway.com.

Rod Ninth in River Days Rumble; R.J. Breaks Rim After Running in Top Five
(September 5, 2021) Brothers Rod and R.J. Conley represented Conley Motorsports, Inc. (CMI) on Saturday evening, September 4 at the nearby Portsmouth Raceway Park in Portsmouth, Ohio. The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series invaded PRP to sanction the annual running of the 'River Days Rumble' and 29 competitors were in the pit area to vie for the $15,000 winner's check. R.J. grabbed the third transfer spot through his loaded heat race and later started the 50-lap main event from the outside of the sixth row. The Wheelersburg, Ohio ace then vaulted up inside of the top five during the contest, but unfortunately drew a caution flag on lap 35 due to a broken left rear rim. R.J. was officially relegated to a twelfth place effort in this year's edition of the 'River Days Rumble.'

Rod, on the other hand, ran sixth in his heat race prior to placing fifth in the B-Main. The veteran driver of the #71r then rolled off from the inside of the eleventh row in the 50-lapper and blitzed all the way up to fifth at one point in the race. Even though he suffered drivetrain problems on the final circuit, "Hot Rod" was still able to record a respectable ninth place performance against the national touring stars. Complete results from Portsmouth Raceway Park can be viewed online by clicking on www.lucasdirt.com. (Heath Lawson Photo)

Rod Conley Pulls Off Last Lap Pass at Atomic for Second Win of 2021 Season!
(August 29, 2021) Rod Conley, of Wheelersburg, Ohio, registered his second feature win of the 2021 campaign in exciting fashion on Saturday evening, August 28 at Atomic Speedway in Alma, Ohio! After timing in second fastest overall during Super Late Model qualifying and winning his heat race, Rod sported a fast racecar during the unsanctioned headliner. "Hot Rod" ultimately led only the final circuit, but he claimed the $3,000 winner's check over a top five that included Travis Carr, Chad Smith, Chris Lockhart, and Jarrod Cassley!

The #71r team was also in action on Friday night, August 27 at Moler Raceway Park in Williamsburg, Ohio. The Valvoline Iron-Man Late Model Series sanctioned the annual running of the 'Ike Moler Memorial' and a $4,000 top prize was up for grabs. Rod placed fourth in his heat race during preliminary action and battled for a top five showing in the 40-lap main event. At the checkers, Rod was paid for a solid sixth place effort at MRP. Full results from both weekend shows in the Buckeye State can be viewed online at www.mrpracewaypark.com and www.atomicspeedway.net. (Tyler Carr Photo)

R.J. Conley Leads Majority of Boone Coleman Gator 50; Lands on Podium!
(August 22, 2021) The Conley Motorsports, Inc. (CMI) team was out in full force at the nearby Portsmouth Raceway Park in Portsmouth, Ohio on Saturday night, August 21. The annual running of the 'Boone Coleman Gator 50' at PRP boasted a $5,000 winner's check for the ground-pounding Super Late Models. R.J. Conley led the charge for the team, as he laid down the fifth quickest lap overall during qualifying prior to securing a victory in the fast dash. R.J. then started the 50-lap main event from the pole position and led the first 45 circuits of the race, but issues with lapped traffic caused his #71c machine to slip back to third at the checkers behind only victor Devin Gilpin and runner-up Josh Rice.

His brother Rod Conley timed in eleventh fastest during time trials and later placed second in heat race action. After rolling off from the inside of the fifth row in the 'Boone Coleman Gator 50,' Rod fought hard to stay inside of the top ten and eventually brought his #71r car home in the eighth position. Delmas Conley, the patriarch of the Conley racing clan, unfortunately missed out on transferring into the $5,000 to win main event after placing eighth in both his heat race and the B-Main. Complete results from the unsanctioned program can be accessed online by clicking on www.portsraceway.com.

Ageless Delmas Conley Wins $2,000 at Portsmouth; Rod Fourth at WVMS!
(August 8, 2021) Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer Delmas Conley - at 79 years young - can still get the job done behind the wheel, as proved by his win on Saturday evening, August 7 at the nearby Portsmouth Raceway Park in Portsmouth, Ohio! Delmas qualified only eighth fastest overall during Super Late Model time trials, but advanced past three cars during his heat race to score the prelim triumph. The Wheelersburg, Ohio ageless wonder then rolled off from the outside of the front row in the weekly 25-lap main event and drove to the point past track point leader Brandon Fouts on the seventeenth circuit. Delmas then drove away from the field to bag the $2,000 top prize for his 561st career victory over a top five that included runner-up Fouts, Travis Carr, Clint Keenan, and Kevin Wagner!

His son Rod Conley was also in action over the weekend, as he took his #71r machine to the sprawling West Virginia Motor Speedway in Mineral Wells, West Virginia on Friday night, August 6. An unsanctioned contest was held at WVMS and a $10,000 payday was up for grabs. Rod ran third in his heat race and later started the 30-lapper from the inside of the third row. "Hot Rod" then vaulted up to as high as second in the running order before eventually placing fourth at the checkers behind only victor Devin Moran, Colten Burdette, and Ryan Montgomery. Complete results from both area facilities can be viewed online at www.wvmotorspeedway.com and www.portsraceway.com. (Firehouse Photography)

Rod Conley Wins Heat; Finishes Fourth in Dust Buster 30 at Moler!
(July 31, 2021) Rod Conley, of Wheelersburg, Ohio, was the lone Conley Motorsports, Inc. (CMI) driver in action this weekend, as he ventured to Moler Raceway Park in Williamsburg, Ohio on Friday night, July 30 for the unsanctioned 'Dust Buster 30.' Rod qualified well and later won his heat race in preliminary action at the Buckeye State oval. After starting the 30-lapper towards the front, "Hot Rod" wound up placing fourth at the checkers behind only $3,000 victor Josh Rice, Steve Casebolt, and James Rice. Complete results from last night at MRP can be accessed online at www.mrpracewaypark.com.

Delmas Conley Lands on Podium at PRP; Sons Finish in Top Ten at Zanesville
(July 25, 2021) Conley Motorsports, Inc. (CMI) was out in full force over the July 23-24 weekend in their home state of Ohio. Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer and ageless wonder Delmas Conley posted the best finish of the weekend on Saturday evening at the nearby Portsmouth Raceway Park in Portsmouth, Ohio. A $2,000 winner's check was up for grabs for the ground-pounding Super Late Models in a special 'Jackie Boggs Night for the Kids' program. Delmas timed in only eleventh fastest during the qualifying session before blasting past four competitors in his heat race to finish second. After climbing up to as high as second in the running order of the A-Main, the Wheelersburg, Ohio ace settled for third at the checkers behind only race winner Shannon Thornsberry and runner-up Nick Bocook.

His sons Rod and R.J. Conley were also in competition over the weekend in the Buckeye State. Rod traveled to Hilltop Speedway in Millersburg, Ohio on Friday night for the $10,000 to win 'Jeff Norris Memorial' and eventually earned a twelfth place performance in the unsanctioned contest. Both drivers were then in the pit area on Saturday at Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, Ohio to vie for another $10,000 top prize in the annual running of the 'Jim Dunn Memorial.' R.J. qualified well, won his heat race, and ran second early in the 40-lapper until issues in lapped traffic caused spoiler/quarter panel damage and helped relegate him to a ninth place showing. "Hot Rod" placed fourth in his heat race, but was on the move during the 'Jim Dunn Memorial' by climbing past nine competitors en route to a strong sixth place effort. Full results from all three racetracks can be found online at www.portsraceway.com, www.hilltopspeedway.org, and www.muskingumcountyspeedway.com.

Conley's Battle Lucas Oil Series Foes at Portsmouth and Zanesville
(July 4, 2021) The Conley Motorsports, Inc. (CMI) teams were in action with the ultra-competitive Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series in their home state of Ohio on July 2-3. On Friday at Portsmouth Raceway Park in Portsmouth, Ohio, a $12,000 top prize was up for grabs in the annual 'Independence 50.' R.J. Conley placed seventh in his loaded heat race before climbing seven spots during the course of the 50-lap main event to claim a respectable twelfth place showing against the stout national field. His brother Rod Conley was close behind in finishing eighth in his heat race and thirteenth in the 'Independence 50.'

Rod and his #71r team then made the trip north to Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, Ohio on Saturday evening for the 'Prime Solutions 50.' The largest-paying event in the storied history of the Moran family-owned oval boasted a $15,000 winner's check. Unfortunately, Rod was unable to transfer into the 50-lapper after running seventh in both his heat race and his B-Main. Full results from both Independence Day holiday weekend races can be accessed online at www.lucasdirt.com.

Rod Conley Wins Atomic 100 Grand Finale Worth a $12,000 Payday!!!
(June 27, 2021) Rod Conley, of Wheelersburg, Ohio, picked a fine time to record his first victory of the 2021 racing season, as he bolted from his thirteenth starting spot on Saturday, June 26 to win his second career 'Atomic 100' title at Atomic Speedway in Alma, Ohio! After failing to transfer into Friday night's $4,000 to win opener, Rod turned up the heat on the competition in Saturday's show, which was sanctioned by the Valvoline Iron-Man Late Model Series. "Hot Rod" placed fourth in his stacked heat race, but worked the middle and bottom grooves of the 3/8-mile oval to perfection in the 60-lap headliner. Rod grabbed the point from race-long leader Devin Moran on lap 49 and led the remainder of the distance to pocket the $12,000 windfall ahead of Devin Gilpin, Tyler Erb, Jared Hawkins, and Dustin Nobbe!

The #71c team and R.J. Conley were also in action during the 'Atomic 100' doubleheader over the weekend at Atomic Speedway. R.J. picked up a pair of heat race triumphs in preliminary action, but wound up finishing twelfth in Friday's feature and seventh in Saturday's finale. The patriarch of Conley Motorsports, Inc. - Delmas Conley - also made his 2021 season debut on Saturday evening at the nearby Portsmouth Raceway Park in Portsmouth, Ohio. The ageless Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer laid down the eighth quickest lap in Super Late Model qualifying, placed third in his heat race, and later moved up to finish fourth in the $2,000 to win main event to trail only victor Brandon Fouts, Kirk Phillips, and Nathon Loney! Complete results from both southern Ohio facilities can be viewed online at www.atomicspeedway.net and www.portsraceway.com. (Ryan Roberts Photography)

R.J. and Rod Conley Finish Inside of Top Five in Charlie Swartz Classic!
(June 20, 2021) R.J. and Rod Conley made their way to Portsmouth Raceway Park in Portsmouth, Ohio on Saturday, June 19 for the unsanctioned 'Charlie Swartz Classic.' A 40 car Super Late Model field converged at PRP to vie for the $5,000 winner's check. R.J. was quick right out of the box, as the Wheelersburg, Ohio ace posted the fourth fastest lap overall during the qualifying session before placing third in the fast dash. He then ran amongst the leaders throughout the 40-lap main event - despite driving a tight racecar - and eventually earned a solid third place podium effort behind only victor Josh Bocook and runner-up Kody Evans!

His brother Rod Conley also landed in the top five during the 'Charlie Swartz Classic.' Rod laid down the fifteenth quickest lap overall during time trials prior to finishing second in his heat race. After rolling off from the inside of the sixth row in the 40-lapper, "Hot Rod" steered past six competitors during the contest to land in the fifth finishing position. Compete results from the southern Ohio venue can be located by pointing your web browser to www.portsraceway.com.

R.J. Conley Lands in PRP Victory Lane; Finishes Third in 4B4EVER 40!
(June 7, 2021) The #71c team and driver R.J. Conley landed in victory lane for the first time in 2021 in only their second start on Saturday night, June 5 at the nearby Portsmouth Raceway Park in Portsmouth, Ohio! R.J. timed in third fastest overall during Super Late Model qualifying and ran second in his heat race before leading the second half of the weekly 25-lap feature event. The Wheelersburg, Ohio ace drove away from the field in the waning laps to collect the $2,000 top prize over a top five that consisted of runner-up Brandon Fouts, Nick Bocook, Mike Hildebrand, and Shannon Thornsberry!

On Sunday, June 6, Conley Motorsports, Inc. was in the pit area at Brushcreek Motorsports Complex in Peebles, Ohio for the unsanctioned '4B4EVER 40.' R.J. finished second in heat race action before driving to a stellar third place podium performance in the $10,000 to win headliner behind only victor Tyler Erb and runner-up Billy Moyer, Jr. His brother Rod Conley was also in action at Brushcreek on Sunday and he also ran second in his respective heat race prior to knocking down a strong fifth place feature finish.

Earlier in the busy weekend, "Hot Rod" and his #71r team competed in the inaugural running of the 'Historic 100' at the sprawling West Virginia Motor Speedway in Mineral Wells, West Virginia. On Friday in the $10,000 to win weekend opener at WVMS, Rod placed fourth in his heat race and later streaked past six competitors during the 30-lapper to land in the sixth finishing position. A $25,000 paycheck was then up for grabs in the 'Historic 100' grand finale on Saturday evening, but Rod, who had climbed up to as high as second briefly in the 50-lap headliner, lost a motor late in the distance to wind up tenth in line at the payout window. Full results from each of these races can be found online at www.wvmotorspeedway.com, www.portsraceway.com, and www.brushcreekmotorsports.com. (Firehouse Photography)