The season is halfway over, and the point battles remain close. That means the intensity is about to ramp up for the “Fab 5” competitors, starting with the Summer Sizzler in July.
The event, on Saturday, July 11, brings the 604 Late Models, 602 Late Models, DIRTcar UMP Modifieds, Factory Stocks, and 3/4 Modifieds back to “The World’s Fastest Half Mile” for another full night of racing action and points collecting.
EVENT INFO:
Times – Gates open at 4 p.m. (ET) with Hot Laps scheduled for 6 p.m.
Tickets – $15 for General Admission / Kids 12 and under are free (sold at track on race day)
THE “FAB 5”
604 Late Models – The 604 Late Models have seen two different winners in the first two races of the season – Blake Clouser, of Lake Helen, FL and current division points leader Garret Stewart, of Fruitland Park, FL. Stewart is currently the only driver to have finished inside the top five in both events and holds a 31-point lead over Derike Bennett, of Jacksonville, FL. Before rain ended the night early on June 13, Jason Garver, of Starke, FL, was battling for the lead in the opening laps. He is currently 34 points back from Stewart.
602 Late Models – Jason Garver, the reigning track champion in the 602 division, has picked up where he left off last year, still sitting atop the points standings. He opened the championship season with a win in March and then finished second to Austin Leamon, of Lithia, FL, in April. Garver holds a slim five-point lead over Leamon heading into the Summer Sizzler. The next closest contender is Brandon Yates, who sits third in points, 32 points back from the lead.
DIRTcar UMP Modifieds – Jeff Scofield, of Plant City, FL, has been the class of the Modified field, so far, this year, having won both track events in March and April. That’s helped propel him to a 25-point lead over reigning division champion Jason Garver.
During the June Firecracker Showdown, Garver won his Heat Race, but Scofield was set to start from the pole for the 20-lap Feature. Rain put a pause on that race, which will now take place during the Labor Day Classic weekend on Thursday, Sept. 3.
Factory Stocks – The most interesting points battle currently sits with the Factory Stocks as Willy “The Kid” Cuddy, of Christmas, FL, and Tanner Thomas, of Oviedo, FL, are tied for the points lead – both having finished in the top five in the first two races. Dustin Turnage, of Vero Beach, FL, sits behind them, third in points, 12 points back.
The two winners this year are further back. Camden Harp, of Portal, GA, who won the season-opening event, sits ninth in points, having only run the one race so far. Mike Tovet, of Seville, FL, is fifth in points, 23 points behind the leaders.
3/4 Modifieds – Doesn’t matter when it comes to good racing and championship battles. The 3/4 Modified division currently has one of the tightest, most widespread battles, with the top four in championship points separated by less than 20 points.
Colton Lane, of Pierson, FL, won the most recent race in April and holds a 10-point lead over Ethyn Hwan, of DeLand, FL. Both are currently the only two drivers with top-five finishes in the first two races. Logan Malone, of Palm Coast, FL is third in points, 12 points back, and Jesse Powers, of Port Orange, FL, is 18 points back in fourth.
View the full points standings
If you can’t be at the track, how can you watch Volusia Speedway Park from home? Live on DIRTVision.