Fresh off a near-perfect run with 18 out of 19 race nights completed at Volusia Speedway Park in 2025, the track is set for a new beginning of the year-long points chase.
The season-opening Spring Fling features the “Fab 5” divisions that will chase a “World’s Fastest Half Mile” championship, starring the 604 Late Models, 602 Late Models, DIRTcar UMP Modifieds, 3/4 Modifieds, and Factory Stocks.
Wheels begin rolling on Friday night, March 21, with a Test & Tune session for all cars that visit Volusia. After the completion of the session, the 2024 champions will be honored and celebrated at the Speedway’s bar (located by the kart track).
The racing officially begins on Saturday, March 22, with the “Fab 5” on full display to start down the road of collecting points toward the class championships.
Here are the top storylines to look out for:
Reigning Champs Shine: A new year of racing has multiple reigning champions looking to repeat their title-chasing success from 2024.
Astor, FL’s Mikey Kopka won his first career 604 Late Model title driving the No. 721 for 2022 track champion Joe Kump. With the title, Kopka joins Dustin Carter as the only driver to sweep the two dirt Late Model divisions in the 2020s.
Timmy Hogan reached the mountaintop of the 3/4 Modifieds after multiple instances of heartaches took him out of contention in previous years. While the Lake Helen, FL veteran is not primarily focused on repeating the feat this season, he has not stopped competing with dual podium finishes earned in the Bike Week Jamboree.
Kale VanSickle made it known that he’s a young force to be reckoned with, as the 15-year-old NASCAR Youth Series alumni won three Features and six top-fives for the 2024 602 Late Model title. The Jacksonville, FL gasser will contend in both Late Model divisions in 2025 as he continues to rise the ranks.
Mechanical troubles dashing Seth Geary’s hopes of winning the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds title in 2022 and 2023 fueled his motivation to dominate the 2024 season. “Big Red” delivered on that goal with five Feature wins, six podiums, and an average finish of 3.86 for the Gibsonton, FL driver’s first track title.
Patrick Thomas completed his transition from pavement racing to Factory Stock competition in 2024, winning his first Factory Stock track title. The Oviedo, FL native only won once in 2024 but finished inside the top five in every Feature race to claim the hardware.
Hopke’s Broomstick Jamboree: At the start of the month, Dalton Hopke joined Hogan as the only driver to sweep the 3/4 Modifieds portion of the World of Outlaws Bike Week Jamboree, with a late pass on a restart on Sunday, then a dominating Monday night with every lap led.
The Jacksonville, FL native won his first two career Features at Volusia in 2023, but mechanical troubles doused any chance for Hopke to compete for the track title.
His sweeping return to Volusia Victory Lane has the driver of the No. H1 Modified set for his first serious crack at the 3/4 Modified championship.
Keep On Roling: Clay Hill, FL driver Bubba Roling put his name on the talent map when he captured the first Sunshine Nationals surfboard trophy with every lap led in the 602 Late Model finale’s Feature.
Roling is a familiar face to those who visit the “World’s Fastest Half Mile” weekly, as the 17-year-old hotshot picked up 2024 track wins in his two lone starts at the Father’s Day Weekend Special and Labor Day Classic.
With the January win, and picking up his second 602 Late Model win of the year at All-Tech Raceway, Roling has an opportunity to expand on his mark in Barberville with his first track title entering the Spring Fling.
For more information about the Spring Fling weekend and the full Volusia Speedway Park calendar, CLICK HERE.