Lanich is ready to defend his home turf this weekend as track champion (Chris Anderson Photo)
BARBERVILLE, FL – Dalton Lanich enters the 10th Anniversary Emil & Dale Reutimann Memorial, riding the biggest wave of confidence and momentum in his career.
The Bunnell, FL driver was crowned 2023 DIRTcar UMP Modified track champion at Volusia Speedway Park, after scoring two wins and beating Josh Sanford by one point.
Now, he’ll try to translate that into his first Emil & Dale Reutimann Memorial (Nov. 17-18) win at The World’s Fastest Half Mile – worth $10,000 on Saturday.
“(The Reutimman) is a big deal,” Lanich said. “I had a good showing last year in the Reutimann and I only made it half a lap. Just got tied up and this year I’m really trying to get the ‘W’ in the Reutimann.
“I would like (the win). It’s a lot of money too. To get one for the locals and keep it in Florida would mean a lot. I sponsored a couple of laps in the Reutimann, I love (Joy and Buzzie Reutimann), they’re such great people. I don’t want to say I’m here to win it, but I know I’ll be at the front.”
This year will mark his fourth attempt at winning the Reutimann – second at Volusia. And this year, he’ll enter wearing the biggest crown as the track’s newest Modified champion.
“It feels real nice,” Lanich said. “Getting this Elite Chassis rolling good around here, and I only live 30 minutes away so it’s nice to race here every week. Getting the championship, not the way I wanted to with the rain, but hey, I’ll take it. It’s a lot of hard work to get these things.”
Lanich’s road to winning the 2023 title started after he bought an Elite Chassis from Larry Burkins in late 2022 and then piloted it to a win in last year’s inaugural Battle in Barberville.
“Battle in Barberville was my second race with the car,” Lanich said “I started feeling it out more, getting faster and faster by racing at more tracks. I’m comfortable here when I get in the car and on the track, so as long as I get it close, I can be really good.”
By winning the Volusia track championship, Lanich was invited to race in the World Short Track Championship at The Dirt Track at Charlotte in October, which featured more than 40 of the best DIRTcar UMP Modified drivers in the country. While the track’s red clay surface is vastly different than Volusia’s Florida clay, Lanich said the lessons learned were worth the trip.
“I went from 13th to eighth and then I fell back to 13th, but I was so happy to run with those guys and those are the best throughout the United States,” Lanich said. “That was a big learning experience. I’m happy I went up there to race.”
He’ll get to put that experience to the test during the Reutimann Memorial, which also attracts the biggest names in DIRTcar UMP Modified racing. Drivers will Hot Lap/Qualify and then run four 15-lap Showdown Features on Friday, Nov. 17 – the top five from each transfer to Saturday’s Feature. Then, the field will compete for the $10,000 payday, and iconic toy tractor, in Saturday’s 50-lap main event.
The 10th Anniversary Emil & Dale Reutimann Memorial at Volusia Speedway Park will be Friday-Saturday, Nov. 17-18, For tickets, CLICK HERE.
If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch every lap live on DIRTVision – either with the DIRTVision App or at DIRTVision.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.