On a day that honored one of Florida’s legendary racing families, the 10th Anniversary Emil & Dale Reutimann Memorial was packed full of racing from Volusia Speedway Park’s top six divisions.
Jason Garver, Steven Powers, Tyler Clem, Nick Hoffman, Jimmy Wagner and Blake Clouser picked up the Feature wins.
To read more about Nick Hoffman’s DIRTcar UMP Modified Reutimann Memorial Feature victory, click here.
602 Late Models
Jason Garver had an eventful night at Volusia, racing in every Feature race at the Reutimann Memorial.
Starting off the night, he let his #01 602 Late Model run a reign of dominance, leading every lap, but having to fend off last Saturday’s Veterans Day Classic winner Kole Platt in order to claim back-to-back Reutimann Memorial Feature victories in the division.
Platt finished a close second place after riding all over Garver’s bumper in the 20-lap Feature race. Then, when the Callahan, FL driver had his chance, a slip in turn 2 let Garver run away with the win. Nonetheless, Platt has a lot to look forward to in 2024, when the Sunshine Nationals begin in January.
Rounding out the division’s podium was DeLeon Springs, FL’s Donnie Birdwell, who was never able to catch the leaders but was able to fend off the pack of 602 Late Models behind him. Closing out the night’s top five finishers were Palm Bay, FL’s Jason Papp, and 2023 track champion Austin Leamon.
3/4 Modifieds
Following the 602 Late Models, the 3/4 Modifieds provided the action fans have come to expect with the division.
The Feature began with Lake Helen, FL father-son duo of Steven Powers and Timmy Hogan taking the lead respectively at the start of the Feature. Then, #26L of Colton Lane took the lead and began to fly away from the rest of the field. He ran a second faster than Hogan and Powers and looked to join the list of winners at Volusia.
Suddenly, the Pierson, FL native’s motor expired with four laps to go – opening the door for Powers or Hogan to battle it out for the win.
On the restart, Powers jumped out to the lead, having held off many last-gasp charges from Hogan to cross the line as a Feature winner, getting to the line as a winner for the first time, with his dad, Hogan, finishing in second place.
Completing the night’s podium was DeLand, FL’s Ethyn Hwan, who earned his first career podium at Volusia in the 3/4 Modifieds. Finishing inside the top five includes Palm Coast, FL’s Logan Malone, and DeLand, FL’s Nathyn Hwan.
604 Late Models
Like the 3/4 Modifieds Feature race, the 604 Late Models provided twists and turns that saw a familiar face in a new place.
At the start of the 20-lap Feature, Tyrone, GA’s Jody Knowles controlled the early portion of the Feature with lots of company on his tail. Among those included Fruitland Park, FL’s Garret Stewart and Starke, FL’s Jason Garver. However, St. Petersburg, FL’s Tyler Clem joined the field of 604 Late Models on Saturday with Big Frog Motorsports.
Using techniques he used while racing a Sprint Car at Volusia, he was able to crisscross Knowles for the lead. Never relinquishing the lead again, Clem earned his first Reutimann Memorial Feature win after the last 360 days provided a Battle in Barberville win, Germfree Southern Sprint Car Shootout win, and a Reutimann Memorial win.
Garver was able to finish in second, marking his second top-three Feature result on the night. Knowles dropped back to third place in the results after a late move by Garver, but put up a valiant effort with his first podium.
The Feature’s top five finishers include Stewart, and Oak Hill, FL’s Rob Pitcher.
Pick Your Part Street Stocks
Jimmy Wagner took home the feature win in dominating fashion, leading every lap en route to his third win of 2023.
Wagner, from Dade City, FL, was excited to earn his first Reutimann Memorial Feature victory after many chances prior to Saturday night.
Finishing second was Palatka, FL’s Jerrid Bennett, who tried to muster a comeback towards Wagner, but never came to fruition.
Sorrento, FL’s Jonathan Croson finished third after having to fend off his teammate, Bubba Christian from getting around Croson’s #94C. Christian finished fourth, the last-place car in the 15-lap Feature race.
Thunder Stocks
Closing out the 10th Anniversary Emil & Dale Reutimann Memorial was the Thunder Stocks, with 15 laps of close racing all around.
In just his third career start, Blake Clouser earned his first career Volusia Speedway Park win. Clouser, the local standout from Lake Helen, FL, snagged the lead from Jason Garver after lap traffic held him up. In a three-wide move, Clouser ripped the high line around the half-mile track, clearing Garver en route to the win.
Garver came home second, his third podium finish on the Reutimann Memorial night. Completing the Feature’s podium was Christmas, FL’s Will Cuddy, his first of 2023 at Volusia.
Closing out the night’s top five Feature results were the Daytona Beach, FL natives of Joe Belkey and Ron Adams finishing fourth and fifth respectively.
Up Next
The next race on Volusia Speedway Park’s schedule is the Battle in Barberville, December 1-2. The weekend will feature the 360 Sprint Cars, DIRTcar UMP Modifieds and 3/4 Modifieds drivers looking to close 2023 on a high note.
If you can’t make it to the track, watch the action live on DIRTVision – available either online or through the DIRTVision app.
For the latest on Volusia Speedway Park, follow on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, and at VolusiaSpeedwayPark.com.
About Volusia Speedway Park
Volusia Speedway Park, The World’s Fastest Half Mile, is a 0.5-mile dirt track located in DeLeon Springs, Florida. VSP is home to the most prestigious dirt racing events, such as the Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals, Germfree Southern Sprint Car Shootout, Sunshine Nationals, and the Emil & Dale Reutimann Memorial. The track hosts weekly races year-round with divisions of Dirt Late Models, Modifieds & Stock Cars. The track also hosts dirt karting races at the facility. For more information, visit VolusiaSpeedwayPark.com.