Summer is among us, and Volusia Speedway Park is kicking it off with the return of the “Fab 5” for the Firecracker Classic, June 14.
The track’s five star divisions – DIRTcar UMP Modifieds, 604 Late Models, 602 Late Models, Factory Stocks, and 3/4 Modifieds – will bring a night’s worth of action to the “World’s Fastest Half Mile.”
It’ll mark the third time this season that the five divisions compete on the same night, as Florida’s local talent continues their battle for the track championship.
Gates open at 4 p.m. (ET), with Hot Laps commencing at 6 p.m. General admission tickets will be $15. Military and First Responders at $12. Kids 12 years old and under are free.
FIRECRACKER CLASSIC INFO
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Here are the top storylines to follow:
604 LATE MODELS: The 604 Late Models return after a month off, and Trynt Lloyd, of Jacksonville, FL will continue his quest for his first track title. He won the division’s last race at Volusia in April and currently holds a 15-point lead over Fruitland Park, FL’s Garret Stewart.
However, Stewart, a DIRTcar UMP Modified track champion at Volusia, is finding his groove in his transition to Late Models and has finished in the top five in both 604 Late Model races at the track this year.
There have been two different winners in the first two 604 Late Model points events this year. Will that trend continue during the Firecracker Classic?
602 LATE MODELS: Like the 604 Late Models, the 602s are back in action but with an even tighter points battle.
Donnie Chappell, of St. Augustine, FL, won the last 602 Late Model event in April – his first in at Volusia in over two years – and is currently tied for the division point lead with Jason Garver, of Starke, FL. Chappell has yet to finish worse than fourth and Garver has yet to finish worse than third, so far, this season.
But Austin Leamon, of Lithia, FL, and Brandon Yates, of Ruskin, FL, are hot on their heels, sitting 10 and 20 points behind the leader, respectively. Both have also finished inside the top five in each race this year.
Currently, Bubba Roling, of Clay Hill, FL, and Chappell are the only two drivers to score a win with the 602 division in the first two points races of the season.
DIRTCAR UMP MODIFIEDS: There was no rest for the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds as they helped highlight the Top Gun Classic last month and saw 2024 track champion Seth Geary, of Gibsonton, FL, claim his second win of the points season.
Geary and current division points leader Jason Garver, of Starke, FL, are currently the only two drivers with a win this season. Garver enters the Firecracker Classic with a 15-point lead over Dillon Buhr, of Jacksonville, FL and a 24-point lead over Geary in third.
While Buhr has yet to win, he’s currently the only driver along with Garver to finish in the top five in all three points events.
FACTORY STOCKS: Garver has not only been impressive in a DIRTcar UMP Modified, but also the Factory Stock division. He has two wins in the division, so far, including a win during the last race at the Top Gun Classic.
But despite having two wins this season, he currently sits third in points, 22 points behind leader Willy “The Kid” Cuddy, of Christmas, FL. Cuddy has one win this year and is tied for the points lead with 2024 track champion Patrick Thomas, of Oveido, FL.
The three drivers have put a stranglehold on the podium at each event this year. Will they continue that trend or will a new contender step up during the Firecracker Classic?
3/4 MODIFIEDS: The 3/4 Modified division produced a first-time winner during its last race in May, with current division points leader Ethyn Hwan, of DeLand, FL, grabbing the Top Gun Classic win.
He currently leads Jonathan Layerd, of Ocala, FL, by 25 points. Both are currently the only two drivers to finish inside the top five in points events this year.
Chase Cooke, of Orlando, FL – who currently sits third in points –- has shown promise this season with a top 10 finish in each race so far and season-high third-place run during the Top Gun Classic.
For more information about the Firecracker Classic and the full Volusia Speedway Park calendar, CLICK HERE.