The coronavirus pandemic has done a number on the Dirt Late Model landscape this season. First, a nearly seven-week hiatus because of the nationwide shutdown. Now, as parts of the country begin to slowly reopen, there’s a hodgepodge of unsanctioned and national touring events popping up on the slate in far-flung regions, keeping drivers who are eager to compete on their toes.

It’s hardly the schedule they envisioned, but one they must adjust to if they’re going to race.

“If there was stuff that paid money like this, then we’d just stayed right around home,” said Ross Robinson, who made the 16-hour haul from his Georgetown, Del., home to compete in Saturday’s Karl Chevrolet 50 at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55. “The plans this year was to branch out and do more stuff like this when it made sense. But with everything back home … everything is so uncertain. They say a timeline, but it changes everyday it seems like. Luckily everybody that supports me, everybody that’s with me right now, and people back home (said), let’s just go, try to learn and have a good time and just go race.”

Drivers have gone from zero races just two weeks ago, to the possibility of four events in a seven-day span — if they want to travel. Senoia (Ga.) Raceway hosted a $5,000-to-win event on May 8. Saturday’s Karl Chevrolet 50 paid $7,000-to-win, and the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series has a pair of $7,000-to-win midweek events set for Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo., on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Promoters have been able to deftly maneuver events to states with more relaxed coronavirus restrictions and drivers like Brandon, Fla.’s Kyle Bronson have taken advantage. Bronson, a Lucas Oil Series regular, finished third last week at Senoia and was fifth Saturday at I-55.

“We just needed to be able to race and make some money here,” Bronson said. “This is a brand new car that we raced the other night, Thursday night (at Senoia). That was on the way, so we kinda stopped by there and raced. The main reason we’re getting to come to (Pevely) is because we had to head to Wheatland next week anyway. So while we was out, it’s nice to be able to race five or six races.”

Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., made light of the situation, but is among the drivers thankful there’s anywhere to race right now. Erb, who finished 13th Saturday, will travel to Wheatland this week and then return to Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on May 15-16 for back-to-back World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series events, a $6,000-to-win show on Friday and a $10,000-to-win program on Saturday.

“We had to jump the border just to get out of Illinois,” said Erb, only half-jokingly. “We’re all locked up. It ain’t gonna be nothing like we planned, that’s for sure.”

Indeed. The current state of scheduling has drivers updating their GPS systems and digging those faded Rand McNally atlases from under the truck seat.

“We went up north last week (to Mississippi Thunder Speedway in Fountain City, Wis.),” said Tony Jackson Jr. of Lebanon, Mo. “You know we hadn’t even raced at all this year, so we went up there and now we’re back here (at Pevely). This is closer to the house. I feel like a lot of people are wanting to race and races are paying more. I think a lot of guys would be willing to go anywhere right now.

“You definitely have to be open. I’m fortunate I’ve got a couple of really good guys who work for me and I’ve got really good employees back at my other business, so that allows me to be able to go. Definitely on the spur of the moment you gotta be ready to leave.”

Robinson said he’s equally as lucky. He works at Georgetown’s Stockley Material, which is one of his primary sponsors, so he knows his boss will cut him a little slack.

“Luckily my boss is very flexible with me with taking off,” Robinson said. “Him and his family are the main reason I’m able to come out here and do a lot of this, them and our good friends. Luckily John (Lobb) and his son Mason and John (Scott) and his son Ben were able to come out here with me. With both of their schedules being flexible and with things going on, it all worked out where we were able to come out here and have some fun and learn.

“We’ll just have to keep playing it week by week. Obviously we can’t be gone a week all the time with work and everything at home with everybody. But I would say I’m sure it’s gonna be pick and chose the rest of the year because everything is state by state and town by town.”

Robinson doesn’t see anything changing anytime soon.

“The beaches are a big thing back home and there’s no timetable of them opening up,” he said. “That’s a major revenue for the state and tourism stuff, so I would say until that stuff is OK'd, I’m sure motorsports stuff is probably gonna be on hold until then too and that’s just in Delaware. We’re all living in a time that I don’t think we seen coming and don’t think we’ll ever see again, I hope. Luckily this (trip to Missouri) was able to happen and I’m lucky to have the support I have to be able to just pack up and leave for a week to just come out here and do this kinda stuff.”