BARBERVILLE, FL — March 19, 2020 — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has banned gatherings in Florida larger than 10 people for the next 30 days, which has led Volusia Speedway Park to cancel its events on March 28 and April 11.
The Speedway will now focus on Saturday, April 25, as its 2020 season opener with DIRTcar UMP Modifieds, 602 Late Models, Street Stocks and 3/4 Mods.
Karting at Volusia is set to open Saturday, April 18, with its first points race.
Steve Nace Racing brings the AMA All Star National Flat Track Series and the AMA Amateur and Vintage National series to Volusia Speedway Park March 8 through March 11.
Sunday, March 8, it’s the AMA All Star National Flat Track Series on the half mile. Gates and registration open at 10 a.m., practice begins at noon and racing at 2 p.m.
On Monday, March 9, it’s the AMA Amateur and Vintage National on the half mile. Gates open at 8 a.m. with sign ups between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., practice at 10 a.m. immediately followed by racing.
Tuesday, March 10, is the AMA Amateur and Vintage National short track. Gates open at 8 a.m. with sign ups between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., practice at 10 a.m. immediately followed by racing.
The Volusia action concludes on Wednesday, March 11, with the AMA All Star National Flat Track Series TT. Gates and registration open at 10 a.m., practice begins at noon and racing at 2 p.m.
For more details, go to stevenaceracing.com or call 270-442-7532.
Owens Three-Peats, Williamson Picks Up Second Win at Volusia Speedway Park
Wight in Super DIRTcar Series, Sheppard in Late Model claim DIRTcar Nationals Big Gator titles
BARBERVILLE, FL — Feb. 15, 2020 — For the third consecutive night, Jimmy Owens captured the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series main event at Volusia Speedway Park’s DIRTcar Nationals presented by Bozard Ford.
After a series of drivers battled for the lead early in the Feature on Saturday night, it was Kyle Bronson who emerged to set a blistering pace on the top side of the half-mile dirt oval. Owens managed to keep up with Bronson, and with 11 to go in traffic slid to the lead exiting Turn 4 and pulled away. Ricky Weiss followed Owens a couple laps later as Bronson’s machine just couldn’t maintain its momentum.
Owens, who had never won at Volusia until this week, finishes the DIRTcar Nationals on a three-race win streak.
“We set the car up for late in the race,” said Owens, of Newport, Tenn. “We were debating on changing it, not changing it. We had it jacked up and down two or three times and finally we just said let’s go with what we started with. It worked, we just bided our time and used patience and I knew once the track slicked off it would come to us.”
Weiss was second with Bronson, Darrell Lanigan and Brandon Sheppard rounding out the top five. For Sheppard, it was just enough to claim his second DIRTcar Nationals Late Model Week Big Gator Championship in as many years.
“It’s been a great speed weeks for us,” said Sheppard, of New Berlin, Ill. “We’ve been fast every night, we’ve been in contention every night. I wish we had a few more nights left. I think we got the car a little bit better tonight for Feature time, and in the Feature there it was about the best I’ve felt in the past couple of days. It’s good to leave here knowing that we got the car a little bit better before we left. … We’re definitely fortunate to get this Gator Championship, it feels really good.”
In the Super DIRTcar Series finale at Volusia, Mat Williamson charged to his second victory of the week, bookending the event with his win on Tuesday night. Williamson jumped out front on the initial start, held off Jimmy Phelps on a restart with 17 laps down and cruised to victory over Phelps, Matt Sheppard, Billy Dunn and Billy Decker.
Larry Wight, who won three consecutive Features during the week, finished sixth on Saturday night, good enough to clinch his third Big Gator Trophy (2015, 2019, 2020) as the Super DIRTcar Series champion at the DIRTcar Nationals presented by Bozard Ford.
“I think it’s a combination of good preparation, good car, good motor and a phenomenal crew, and having the family to back all that up and allow us to put in the hours and time at the track to come down here,” said Wight, of Phoenix, N.Y, who has won four of the past seven Super DIRTcar Series races going back to 2019. “The track kind of threw us for a loop tonight, we didn’t think it was going to get as slick. We thought the top would be better, so we tried to get the car freed up versus [Friday] night. I guess we should have left it just left it a little bit snugger.”
DIRTcar Nationals Race Report; Volusia Speedway Park; Feb. 15, 2020
World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series (50 Laps): 1. 20-Jimmy Owens [2][$10,000]; 2. 7-Ricky Weiss [3][$5,000]; 3. 40B-Kyle Bronson [7][$3,000]; 4. 29v-Darrell Lanigan [4][$2,500]; 5. 1-Brandon Sheppard [11][$2,000]; 6. 8-Kyle Strickler [1][$1,700]; 7. 0-Scott Bloomquist [13][$1,400]; 8. 25-Shane Clanton [9][$1,300]; 9. 39-Tim McCreadie [15][$1,200]; 10. 25z-Mason Zeigler [10][$1,100]; 11. 0M-Chris Madden [23][$1,050]; 12. 2e-Rick Eckert [16][$1,000]; 13. 6T-Tyler Erb [12][$950]; 14. 3s-Brian Shirley [17][$900]; 15. 28-Dennis Erb [14][$850]; 16. B1-Brent Larson [28][$110]; 17. 18-Chase Junghans [19][$770]; 18. 76-Brandon Overton [21][$750]; 19. 12-Ashton Winger [24][$730]; 20. 97-Cade Dillard [18][$700]; 21. 66c-Matt Cosner [26][$110]; 22. 4G-Kody Evans [27][$110]; 23. 99B-Boom Briggs [25][$110]; 24. 5-Mark Whitener [6][$700]; 25. 22-Gregg Satterlee [20][$700]; 26. 157-Mike Marlar [8][$700]; 27. 17M-Dale McDowell [22][$700]; 28. 49-Jonathan Davenport [5][$700]; 29. 6-Blake Spencer [29][$110]. Lap Leaders: Kyle Strickler – 1, Darrell Lanigan – 2-7, 9-14, Jonathan Davenport – 8, Kyle Bronson – 15-39, Jimmy Owens – 40-50. KSE Hard Charger Award: 0M-Chris Madden [+12].
Super DIRTcar Series (50 laps): 1. 88-Mat Williamson [2][$5,000]; 2. 98H-Jimmy Phelps [1][$2,500]; 3. 9S-Matt Sheppard [4][$1,500]; 4. 49-Billy Dunn [5][$1,000]; 5. 91-Billy Decker [7][$800]; 6. 99L-Larry Wight [3][$700]; 7. 42P-Pat Ward [10][$650]; 8. 4-Andy Bachetti [19][$600]; 9. 25R-Erick Rudolph [11][$550]; 10. 19-Tim Fuller [15][$500]; 11. 20-Brett Hearn [23][$475]; 12. 44-Stewart Friesen [6][$450]; 13. 7MM-Michael Maresca [8][$425]; 14. 44P-Anthony Perrego [16][$400]; 15. 19M-Jessey Mueller [9][$375]; 16. 21A-Peter Britten [24][$350]; 17. 30-Ronnie Johnson [21][$325]; 18. 3-Justin Haers [18][$300]; 19. 23-Kyle Coffey [13][$300]; 20. 111-Demetrios Drellos [28][$300]; 21. 83-Brian Swartzlander [12][$300]; 22. 46-Jeremy Smith [14][$300]; 23. 32-Jim Rasey [25][$300]; 24. 8-Rich Scagliotta [26][$300]; 25. 1G-Darwin Greene [17][$300]; 26. 30M-JoJo Watson [22][$300]; 27. 1-Billy Pauch [20][$300]; 28. 7-Rick Laubach [27][$300]. KSE Hard Charger Award: 20-Brett Hearn [+12].
Larry Wight and his daughter, Audrey, celebrate Wight’s third Super DIRTcar Series win in a row. (Joe Grabianowski photo)
Wight Scores Third Consecutive Super DIRTcar Series Gator at DIRTcar Nationals
Owens goes back-to-back at Volusia World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models Features
BARBERVILLE, FL — Feb. 14, 2020 — For the third consecutive night, Larry Wight put on a thrill show at the DIRTcar Nationals presented by Bozard Ford, winning his third Gator Trophy of the week in the Super DIRTcar Series Feature at Volusia Speedway Park.
After winning from the front row the past two nights, Wight launched from the seventh position Friday and worked his way toward the front while teammate Billy Decker showed the way for the first 26 laps. Then with four to go, Decker would not budge off the bottom of the track and got pinned behind Kyle Coffey, who was trying everything he could to stay on the lead lap. Wight jumped top side and blasted around Decker and into the lead, powering away for his third win of the week.
“He got stuck behind the lapped cars, I have to make sure I give Kyle Coffey a beer for that one,” said Wight, of Phoenix, N.Y. “[Decker] didn’t move up in time and we were able to get the top. I thought after I messed up the first time going after it Billy would have taken the top away from me, but he left me just enough room so I could enter above the cushion and cut down, luckily the car turned just enough for it.”
In the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series main event, Jimmy Owens went back-to-back, winning the second Volusia Feature of his career in as many nights. It wasn’t easy, though, as Kyle Bronson surged forward from 15th to overtake Owens in heavy traffic just as the caution waved with five to go.
The field was reset with Owens, of Newport, Tenn., back in front, giving him a clear track to hold off Bronson to the checkered flag. Darrell Lanigan raced from eighth to third with Brandon Sheppard and Brandon Overton rounding out the top five.
2020 VOLUSIA SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED: Before racing began on Friday night, Volusia Speedway Park track officials announced the track’s full 2020 schedule, beginning with Bike Week events on March 8 and running through the Corbin 75 on Dec. 5. A full schedule of events is posted at https://volusiaspeedwaypark.com/schedule/2020-schedule-flyer/.
DIRTcar Nationals Race Report; Volusia Speedway Park; Feb. 14, 2020
World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series (40 Laps): 1. 20-Jimmy Owens [1][$10,000]; 2. 40B-Kyle Bronson [15][$5,000]; 3. 29v-Darrell Lanigan [8][$3,000]; 4. 1-Brandon Sheppard [5][$2,500]; 5. 76-Brandon Overton [10][$2,000]; 6. 0-Scott Bloomquist [11][$1,700]; 7. 7-Ricky Weiss [12][$1,400]; 8. 18-Chase Junghans [3][$1,300]; 9. 28-Dennis Erb [9][$1,200]; 10. 14-Josh Richards [17][$1,100]; 11. 2e-Rick Eckert [14][$1,050]; 12. 97-Cade Dillard [18][$1,000]; 13. 66c-Matt Cosner [21][$950]; 14. 8-Kyle Strickler [22][$900]; 15. B1-Brent Larson [25][$150]; 16. 99B-Boom Briggs [23][$800]; 17. 12-Ashton Winger [7][$770]; 18. 0M-Chris Madden [6][$750]; 19. 4G-Kody Evans [24][$730]; 20. 6-Blake Spencer [16][$700]; 21. 6T-Tyler Erb [19][$700]; 22. 5-Mark Whitener [2][$700]; 23. 3s-Brian Shirley [13][$700]; 24. 72-Michael Norris [4][$700]; 25. 36-Logan Martin [20][$700]; 26. 21-Ivedent Lloyd [26][$110]. Lap Leaders: Mark Whitner – 1-14, 17-18, Jimmy Owens – 15-16, 19-40. KSE Hard Charger Award: 40B-Kyle Bronson [+13].
Super DIRTcar Series (30 laps): 1. 99L-Larry Wight [7][$3,000]; 2. 91-Billy Decker [2][$1,500]; 3. 88-Mat Williamson [9][$1,000]; 4. 44P-Anthony Perrego [13][$800]; 5. 98H-Jimmy Phelps [8][$700]; 6. 4-Andy Bachetti [5][$650]; 7. 9S-Matt Sheppard [3][$600]; 8. 111-Demetrios Drellos [10][$550]; 9. 49-Billy Dunn [19][$500]; 10. 19-Tim Fuller [15][$450]; 11. 7-Rick Laubach [1][$400]; 12. 25R-Erick Rudolph [20][$375]; 13. 42P-Pat Ward [25][$350]; 14. 83-Brian Swartzlander [14][$325]; 15. 3-Justin Haers [11][$300]; 16. 19M-Jessey Mueller [17][$275]; 17. 46-Jeremy Smith [26][$250]; 18. 7MM-Michael Maresca [6][$250]; 19. 32-Jim Rasey [22][$250]; 20. 20-Brett Hearn [12][$250]; 21. 21A-Peter Britten [4][$250]; 22. 23-Kyle Coffey [18][$250]; 23. 30-Ronnie Johnson [23][$250]; 24. 6D-Dillon Steuer [24][$250]; 25. 1-Billy Pauch [16][$250]; 26. 30M-JoJo Watson [21][$250]. KSE Hard Charger Award: 42P-Pat Ward[+12]
Robust 2020 Schedule Featuring Wide Variety of Car Classes and Special Events Sets Course for Volusia Speedway Park
As the DIRTcar Nationals presented by Bozard Ford winds down, the focus at Volusia Speedway Park turns to the 2020 season. Track officials announced Friday a robust schedule kicking off March 8 during Bike Week and running through Dec. 5.
There are 35 race nights scheduled, including events at Volusia’s kart track. Florida Late Models, UMP Modifieds, 602 Late Models, Street Stocks, Compact 4s, Thunder Stocks and 3/4-Modifieds make up the backbone of the 2020 schedule along with several special events throughout the year, including five appearances by the Top Gun Sprint Series.
(Click to download a printable version of the schedule)
“We are extremely proud of the schedule we’ve put together for the 2020 season,” said Volusia Speedway Park GM James Sawyer. “There is a great mix of car classes and special events every month to keep our fans and competitors excited and entertained at Volusia all year long. With our new seating and all of the improvements and investment that has gone into Volusia, I know the energy level will be at an all-time high.”
Steve Nace Racing brings the AMA National Flat Track Series back to Volusia on March 8-11 during Daytona Beach’s Bike Week, setting the stage for the Volusia Speedway Park season opener on Saturday, March 14.
Two special events — the Gator 30 for Pro Late Models on March 28 and the Florida Late Model Challenge Series with the Top Gun Sprints on April 11 — kick the season into high gear.
UMP Modifieds return April 25 followed May 9 by a special Mother’s Day Weekend Thunder Stock race.
Memorial Day Weekend, May 22-24 will be busy with special Florida Late Model and UMP Modified 30-laps Features on the half-mile while the Kart Track opens up with a two-day event complete with a DJ and party.
The special Powell Memorial June 5-6 featuring a 67-lap Pro Late Model race and the Florida Pro Truck Challenge Series on June 20 help get the summer started, while July includes a mix of events at the Kart Track as well as the Half Mile, including Top Gun Sprints on July 4 and the Summer Sizzle featuring UMP Modifieds on July 25.
A mix of Florida Late Models and Sprint Car events top the August event schedule, with a huge Labor Day Weekend event Sept. 5-7 that includes UMP Modifieds, Florida Late Models, Street Stocks, Compact 4s, 602 Late Models, Thunder Stocks and 3/4-Modifieds.
The season winds down with a 40-lap Street Stock event Sept. 19, Top Gun Sprints on Oct. 17 and 602 Late Models on Nov. 14.
Finally, two marquee race weekends close out the year. First is the two-night Reutimann Memorial Nov. 20-21 featuring the Florida Late Model Challenge Series, UMP Modifieds, the Top Gun Sprints and Street Stocks. Then, Dec. 4-5 is The Corbin 75 with Florida Late Models, Street Stocks, 602 Late Models, Compact 4s and a 75-lap Thunder Stock Feature to checker the season.
In 2020 there will be Senior Pricing for everyone. General Admission is only $10, with kids 12-and-under FREE. Pits are $25 for DIRTcar Members or $30 for Non Members.
For select special events noted on the schedule, a One-Day General Admission ticket is $20 and a Two-Day General Admission ticket is $30. Kids 12-and-under are still FREE. One-day pit prices are $30 for DIRTcar Members, $35 for Non Members. Two-day pit prices are $45 for DIRTcar Members and $55 for Non Members.
| DATE | EVENT |
| March 8 – 11 | BIKE WEEK Motorcycle Event: Speedway all days plus March 10th Kart Track Event |
| March 8 & 11 | AMA All Star National Flat Track Series |
| March 9 & 10 | AMA Amateur & Vintage National |
| (For more information visit www.stevenaceracing.com) | |
| March 13 | OPEN PRACTICE |
| All Classes (Gates open at 4:00 pm; Practice 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm) | |
| (FREE General Admission) | |
| March 14 | SEASON OPENER |
| Florida Late Models, UMP Modifieds,602 Late Models, Compact 4s FEATURE, Street Stocks, Thunder Stocks FEATURE | |
| March 28 | *GATOR 30 |
| PRO LATE MODELS 30 laps, 602 Late Models, Street Stocks, 3/4 Mods | |
| April 11 | *Spring Fling |
| Florida Late Model Challenge Series | |
| Top Gun Sprints, Thunder Stocks, Compact 4s | |
| April 25 | BIG DOG 30 |
| UMP Modifieds 30 Laps | |
| 602 Late Models, Street Stocks, 3/4 Mods | |
| May 9 | Dennis North Memorial – Mother’s Day Weekend |
| Thunder Stocks 38 laps | |
| Florida Late Models, 602 Late Models, Compact 4s | |
| May 22 – 23 | *Memorial Day Weekend |
| FLORIDA LATE MODELS 30 LAPS & UMP MODIFIEDS 30 LAPS | |
| (Friday Qualifying Heats, Saturday Features) | |
| FRIDAY – Thunder Stocks, Compact 4s | |
| SATURDAY – 602 Late Models, Street Stocks, 3/4 Mods | |
| May 23 & 24 | KART TRACK ALL CLASSES 2 DAY SHOW |
| (Reserved Camping Available) DJ & PARTY | |
| June 5 & 6 | *POWELL MEMORIAL |
| PRO LATE MODELS 67 Laps | |
| (Friday Qualifying Heats, Saturday Features) | |
| FRIDAY – Thunder Stocks, Compact 4s | |
| SATURDAY – Street Stocks, 602 Late Models | |
| (Reserved Parking & Camping available) | |
| June 20 | *FLORIDA 30 |
| FLORIDA PRO TRUCK CHALLENGE SERIES 30 laps | |
| UMP Modifieds, 602 Late Models , 3/4 Mods | |
| July 3 & 4 | *KARTS / CARS SHOWDOWN |
| FLORIDA LATE MODEL CHALLENGE SERIES | |
| (Friday Qualifying Heats, Saturday Features) | |
| FRIDAY – Thunder Stocks, Compact 4s | |
| SATURDAY – TOP GUN SPRINT SERIES, Street Stocks, 602 Late Models | |
| July 4 & 5 | KART TRACK All Classes 2 day show |
| July 25 | Summer Sizzle |
| UMP MODIFIED 30 | |
| Florida Late Models, Street Stocks, 3/4 Mods | |
| Aug. 8 | Hot Nights FLORIDA LATE MODELS |
| UMP Modifieds, 602 Late Models, Compact 4’s | |
| Aug. 22 | Heat Wave FLORIDA LATE MODELS |
| 602 Late Models, Thunder Stocks, Compact 4s | |
| Aug. 28 | *VOLUSIA TOP GUN Shootout |
| TOP GUN SPRINT SERIES | |
| Florida Late Models, Street Stocks , 3/4 Mods | |
| Sept. 4 | Test & Tune (FREE General Admission) |
| Sept 5 – 7 | *LABOR DAY CHAMPIONSHIPS |
| UMP MODIFIEDS 30 LAPS | |
| (Friday Qualifying Heats, Saturday Features) | |
| FLORIDA LATE MODELS 30 LAPS | |
| (Friday Qualifying Heats, Saturday Features) | |
| FRIDAY – Street Stocks, Compact 4’s | |
| SATURDAY – 602 Late Models, Thunder Stocks, 3/4 Mods | |
| (Reserved Camping & Parking Available) | |
| Sept. 7 | Kart Track – All Classes, J.R.1 , J.R.2, Lights, Medium, S.-Heavy, Heavy 30 laps |
| Sept. 19 | Volusia 40 |
| STREET STOCKS 40 LAPS, Florida Late Models, 602 Late Models, 3/4 Mods | |
| Oct. 17 | *Fall Classic |
| TOP GUN SPRINT SERIES, 602 LATE MODELS | |
| Thunder Stocks , Street Stocks, Compact 4’s | |
| Nov. 14 | Cool Nights |
| 602 LATE MODELS 30 LAPS | |
| UMP Modifieds, Thunder Stocks, Compact 4’s, 3/4 Mods | |
| Nov. 19 | Test & Tune (FREE General Admission) |
| Nov. 20 & 21 | *Reutimann Memorial – 2 BIG Nights |
| FLORIDA LATE MODEL CHALLENGE SERIES | |
| (Friday Qualifying Heats, Saturday Features) | |
| UMP MODIFIEDS 40 LAPS | |
| (Friday Qualifying Heats, Saturday Features) | |
| SATURDAY – TOP GUN SPRINT SERIES, STREET STOCKS | |
| (Reserved Camping & Parking Available) | |
| Dec. 4 & 5 | *The Corbin 75 |
| Florida Late Models, Street Stocks, 602 Late Models, Compact 4s | |
| THUNDER STOCKS 75 Laps |
Jimmy Owens shows off the first Gator Trophy of his career after winning on Thursday night. (Jim DenHamer photo)
Owens Finally Adds Volusia DIRTcar Nationals Gator to Trophy Case
For second consecutive night, Wight dominates Super DIRTcar Series
BARBERVILLE, FL — Feb. 13, 2020 — Jimmy Owens has won almost 600 races in his career, including nearly every big Dirt Late Model race out there, but it took until Thursday night for him to earn his first Gator Trophy at Volusia Speedway Park’s DIRTcar Nationals presented by Bozard Ford.
Owens, of Newport, Tenn., dominated the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series main event, leading all 40 laps while behind him a furious battle was on to challenge him. A caution with 9 laps to go set up a shootout to the finish, but Owens was so strong he simply pulled away. A who’s who of star racers chased Owens to the checkered flag, with Dale McDowell second followed by Josh Richards, Jonathan Davenport and Mike Marlar.
“I tell you we’ve been close all week, we’ve been steadily getting better each night here,” Owens said. “This car was just phenomenal tonight. I’ve been coming down here for years and I don’t think I’ve ever won a Late Model race, let alone I don’t think I’ve won two heats in a week.”
For the second consecutive night, Larry Wight held off Stewart Friesen to capture the Super DIRTcar Series Feature. Wight started on the outside of the front row and quickly took command of the 30-lap race on the high side of the track. With only one caution Wight, of Phoenix, N.Y., held Friesen and the rest of the field at bay to win his third Gator Trophy and second in as many days.
“This car has just been on a rail,” Wight said. “We put the same setup in as [Wednesday] night and it was still glued to the track. Hopefully we can keep it going for the rest of the week. The car is good enough to where I don’t even need to run the cushion. Any time you’ve got Stewie right behind you, you definitely don’t want to see a restart. He’s a phenomenal restarter and he’s usually able to make stuff happen. The farther I can keep him behind me the better.”
DIRTcar Nationals Race Report; Volusia Speedway Park; Feb. 13, 2020
World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series (40 Laps): 1. 20-Jimmy Owens [2][$10,000]; 2. 17M-Dale McDowell [4][$5,000]; 3. 14-Josh Richards [12][$3,000]; 4. 49-Jonathan Davenport [14][$2,500]; 5. 157-Mike Marlar [3][$2,000]; 6. 1-Brandon Sheppard [1][$1,700]; 7. 40B-Kyle Bronson [5][$1,400]; 8. 0M-Chris Madden [13][$1,300]; 9. 29v-Darrell Lanigan [8][$1,200]; 10. 15-Donny Schatz [9][$1,100]; 11. 7-Ricky Weiss [23][$1,050]; 12. 25-Shane Clanton [10][$1,000]; 13. 0e-Rick Eckert [21][$950]; 14. 28-Dennis Erb [24][$900]; 15. 1st-Johnny Scott [22][$850]; 16. 18-Chase Junghans [20][$800]; 17. 6T-Tyler Erb [15][$770]; 18. 12-Ashton Winger [26][$750]; 19. 0-Scott Bloomquist [17][$730]; 20. 3s-Brian Shirley [6][$700]; 21. B1-Brent Larson [29][$110]; 22. 99B-Boom Briggs [27][$110]; 23. 39-Tim McCreadie [11][$700]; 24. 97-Cade Dillard [25][$700]; 25. 4G-Kody Evans [7][$700]; 26. 66c-Matt Cosner [28][$110]; 27. 25w-Allen Weisser [16][$700]; 28. 22-Gregg Satterlee [18][$700]; 29. 6-Blake Spencer [30][$110]; 30. 5-Mark Whitener [19][$700]. KSE Hard Charger Award: 7-Ricky Weiss [+12].
Super DIRTcar Series (30 laps): 1. 99L-Larry Wight [2][$3,000]; 2. 44-Stewart Friesen [5][$1,500]; 3. 25R-Erick Rudolph [4][$1,000]; 4. 7MM-Michael Maresca [3][$800]; 5. 20-Brett Hearn [7][$700]; 6. 91-Billy Decker [12][$650]; 7. 9S-Matt Sheppard [8][$600]; 8. 44P-Anthony Perrego [10][$550]; 9. 49-Billy Dunn [18][$500]; 10. 111-Demetrios Drellos [6][$450]; 11. 98H-Jimmy Phelps [11][$400]; 12. 21A-Peter Britten [19][$375]; 13. 42P-Pat Ward [14][$350]; 14. 7-Rick Laubach [1][$325]; 15. 88-Mat Williamson [15][$300]; 16. 19M-Jessey Mueller [9][$275]; 17. 30-Ronnie Johnson [22][$250]; 18. 19-Tim Fuller [21][$250]; 19. 23-Kyle Coffey [17][$250]; 20. 46-Jeremy Smith [13][$250]; 21. 83-Brian Swartzlander [20][$250]; 22. 3-Justin Haers [16][$250]; 23. 32-Jim Rasey [24][$250]; 24. 4-Andy Bachetti [25][$250]; 25. 48T-Dave Rauscher [26][$250]; 26. 1-Billy Pauch [23][$250]. KSE Hard Charger Award: 49-Billy Dunn [+9].
Larry Wight celebrates after winning the Super DIRTcar Series Feature on Wednesday night. (Chris Owens photo)
Sheppard Declared World of Outlaws Winner at Volusia After Erb Penalized
Wild night at DIRTcar Nationals had everything from door-banging to late-race passes for wins
BARBERVILLE, FL — Feb. 12, 2020 — A wild night of racing Wednesday at Volusia Speedway Park’s DIRTcar Nationals presented by Bozard Ford took another strange turn afterward.
Dennis Erb Jr. raced to the checkered flag in the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series Feature after Mark Whitener and Brandon Overton knocked each other out of the race in a door-to-door battle for the lead with seven laps to go. However, after the victory lane celebration, Erb failed to report to postrace inspection and was penalized to last place, handing the win to defending champion Brandon Sheppard for his first Series victory of the season.
Whitener was on point from the drop of the green flag, but seven different drivers swapped positions two through five until Whitener and Overton started slamming into each other trying to move to the lead. First, they hit in the middle of the backstretch, then crossed over in Turns 3 and 4 with Whitener on the inside sliding up the track and knocking Overton over the cushion, bringing both cars to stop as Erb and Brandon Sheppard shot by on the bottom.
Erb rolled the low groove on the restart with Sheppard blasting around the top. Erb’s inside position was just enough to edge Sheppard by a nose at the checkered flag for what appeared to be his first win of the season until he missed going to postrace inspection and was penalized, gifting the victory to Sheppard.
All that excitement set the stage for the Super DIRTcar Series event, where Larry Wight narrowly held off Stewart Friesen.
Defending DIRTcar Nationals champion Wight found a home on the top side of the track while Friesen was moving up and down trying to close the gap. With nine laps to go in heavy traffic, Friesen closed right on Wight. With three to go Friesen peeked to the inside of Wight exiting Turn 4, but Wight had enough momentum to power off the corner and hold off Friesen to the finish.
Series champion Mat Williamson was third followed by former NAPA Super DIRT Week winners Brett Hearn and Billy Dunn.
DIRTcar Nationals Race Report; Volusia Speedway Park; Feb. 12, 2020
World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series (40 Laps): 1. 1-Brandon Sheppard [8][$10,000]; 2. 29v-Darrell Lanigan [7][$5,000]; 3. 14-Josh Richards [13][$3,000]; 4. 20-Jimmy Owens [6][$2,500]; 5. 3s-Brian Shirley [10][$2,000]; 6. 25-Shane Clanton [9][$1,700]; 7. 39-Tim McCreadie [5][$1,400]; 8. 49-Jonathan Davenport [12][$1,300]; 9. 40B-Kyle Bronson [17][$1,200]; 10. 18-Chase Junghans [14][$1,100]; 11. 17M-Dale McDowell [16][$1,050]; 12. 157-Mike Marlar [3][$1,000]; 13. 25z-Mason Zeigler [22][$950]; 14. 12-Ashton Winger [15][$900]; 15. 0e-Rick Eckert [26][$850]; 16. 4G-Kody Evans [23][$800]; 17. 97-Cade Dillard [19][$770]; 18. 0M-Chris Madden [20][$750]; 19. 0-Scott Bloomquist [25][$730]; 20. 7-Ricky Weiss [11][$700]; 21. 99B-Boom Briggs [21][$700]; 22. 66c-Matt Cosner [27][$700]; 23. 6-Blake Spencer [29][$110]; 24. 5-Mark Whitener [4][$110]; 25. B1-Brent Larson [28][$700]; 26. 76-Brandon Overton [2][$110]; 27. 2s-Stormy Scott [24][$700]; 28. 21-Ivedent Lloyd [30][$700]; 29. 72-Michael Norris [18][$110]; 30. 28-Dennis Erb [1][$700]. Lap Leaders: Brandon Overton – 28; Mark Whitner – 3-27, 29-32; Dennis Erb – 1-2, 33-40. KSE Hard Charger Award: 0e-Rick Eckert [+10].
Super DIRTcar Series (30 laps): 1. 99L-Larry Wight [2][$3,000]; 2. 44-Stewart Friesen [4][$1,500]; 3. 88-Mat Williamson [8][$1,000]; 4. 20-Brett Hearn [1][$800]; 5. 49-Billy Dunn [5][$700]; 6. 25R-Erick Rudolph [6][$650]; 7. 91-Billy Decker [16][$600]; 8. 44P-Anthony Perrego [9][$550]; 9. 4-Andy Bachetti [3][$500]; 10. 21A-Peter Britten [12][$450]; 11. 1-Billy Pauch [10][$400]; 12. 30-Ronnie Johnson [14][$375]; 13. 19-Tim Fuller [19][$350]; 14. 42P-Pat Ward [21][$325]; 15. 19M-Jessey Mueller [22][$300]; 16. 111-Demetrios Drellos [17][$275]; 17. 3-Justin Haers [11][$250]; 18. 98H-Jimmy Phelps [13][$250]; 19. 9S-Matt Sheppard [15][$250]; 20. 23-Kyle Coffey [24][$250]; 21. 46-Jeremy Smith [20][$250]; 22. 83-Brian Swartzlander [18][$250]; 23. 48T-Dave Rauscher [25][$250]; 24. 7-Rick Laubach [7][$250]; 25. 7MM-Michael Maresca [23][$250]; 26. 6D-Dillon Steuer [26][$250]. KSE Hard Charger Award: 91-Billy Decker [+9].
Tim McCreadie celebrates his victory on Tuesday night at the DIRTcar Nationals presented by Bozard Ford. (Chris Owens photo)
McCreadie Edges Sheppard in DIRTcar Late Model Thriller
Super DIRTcar Series champ Williamson holds off Rudolph
BARBERVILLE, FL — Feb. 11, 2020 — Tim McCreadie won a furious DIRTcar Late Model battle with Brandon Sheppard Tuesday night at Volusia Speedway Park’s DIRTcar Nationals presented by Bozard Ford, halting Sheppard’s five-race win streak at the event.
McCreadie and Sheppard started side-by-side on the front row and put on a wheel-to-wheel clinic for 30 laps. McCreadie wound up his machine on the top side as Sheppard kept pace on the bottom. Kyle Bronson entered the picture late to keep the pressure on Sheppard, who moved up and down on track trying to find a line past McCreadie.
A caution with 10 to go gave McCreadie clear track, but Sheppard still threw everything he had at him in the final two corners before coming up just a half-second short at the checkered flag. Bronson was third with Dennis Erb Jr. and Jonathan Davenport rounding out the top five.
The Super DIRTcar Series kicked off its portion of the DIRTcar Nationals with defending Series champion Mat Williamson holding off Erick Rudolph, who nearly pulled even with Williamson just as a caution waved on Lap 13. Williamson darted back to the lead on the restart while Anthony Perrego mounted a charge and nearly got Rudolph. Stewart Friesen charged from 19th to finish fourth with Larry Wight completing the top five.
DIRTcar Nationals Race Report; Volusia Speedway Park; Feb. 11, 2020
Super DIRTcar Series (30 laps): 1. 88-Mat Williamson [1][$3,000]; 2. 25r-Erick Rudolph [9][$1,500]; 3. 44P-Anthony Perrego [5][$1,000]; 4. 44-Stewart Friesen [19][$800]; 5. 99L-Larry Wight [10][$700]; 6. 91-Billy Decker [8][$650]; 7. 9S-Matt Sheppard [3][$600]; 8. 49-Billy Dunn [7][$550]; 9. 42P-Pat Ward [16][$500]; 10. 3-Justin Haers [13][$450]; 11. 21a-Peter Britten [11][$400]; 12. 20-Brett Hearn [2][$375]; 13. 7-Rick Laubach [6][$350]; 14. 98H-Jimmy Phelps [14][$325]; 15. 1-Billy Pauch [15][$300]; 16. 83-Brian Swartzlander [25][$275]; 17. 7MM-Michael Maresca [4][$250]; 18. 19-Tim Fuller [18][$250]; 19. 19m-Jessey Mueller [21][$250]; 20. 23-Kyle Coffey [23][$250]; 21. 30-Ronnie Johnson [12][$250]; 22. 46-Jeremy Smith [17][$250]; 23. 5-Matthew Stangle [22][$250]; 24. 48T-Dave Rauscher [26][$250]; 25. 6D-Dillon Steuer [20][$250]; 26. 4-Andy Bachetti [24][$250]. KSE Hard Charger Award: 44-Stewart Friesen [+15].
DIRTcar Late Model Feature (30 Laps): 1. 39-Tim McCreadie [1][$7,000]; 2. 1-Brandon Sheppard [2]; 3. 40B-Kyle Bronson [3]; 4. 28-Dennis Erb [4]; 5. 49-Jonathan Davenport [10]; 6. 157-Mike Marlar [16]; 7. 17M-Dale McDowell [8]; 8. 29v-Darrell Lanigan [12]; 9. 7-Ricky Weiss [9]; 10. 72-Michael Norris [11]; 11. 20-Jimmy Owens [22]; 12. 76-Brandon Overton [5]; 13. 3s-Brian Shirley [6]; 14. 0M-Chris Madden [15]; 15. 97-Cade Dillard [13]; 16. 2s-Stormy Scott [14]; 17. 18-Chase Junghans [26]; 18. 0e-Rick Eckert [18]; 19. 14-Josh Richards [23]; 20. 8-Kyle Strickler [19]; 21. 25-Shane Clanton [20]; 22. 15-Donny Schatz [21]; 23. 31-Tyler Millwood [24]; 24. 36-Logan Martin [7]; 25. 5-Mark Whitener [17]; 26. 25w-Allen Weisser [25]. KSE Hard Charger Award: 20-Jimmy Owens [+11].
Spencer Hughes Stuns UMP Modifieds at DIRTcar Nationals to Swipe $5K Gator
Hoffman clinches fifth consecutive event crown; Brandon Sheppard tops Late Models
BARBERVILLE, FL — Feb. 10, 2020 — On a night when Nick Hoffman and Kyle Strickler were expected to go wheel-to-wheel for the biggest UMP Modified prize in Florida, it was 19-year-old Spencer Hughes who stunned them all on a green-white-checkered finish to win the Gator Championship race Monday at Volusia Speedway Park’s DIRTcar Nationals presented by Bozard Ford.
Hoffman and Strickler, who each won their qualifying races over the weekend, wound up starting side-by-side in row five. Polesitter Jason Hughes charged out early with Spencer Hughes giving chase. A wild incident on Lap 21 saw Strickler and David Stremme try to squeeze through a tight gap between Michael Altobelli on the bottom of the track and the slowing car of Tyler Nicely at the top. Strickler got the worst of it when he made heavy contact with Nicely, damaging his front end so severely he was ultimately forced out of the race.
The Feature went green nearly the entire remaining 21 laps, but the caution flag waved again just as Jason Hughes had his eyes on the checkered flag coming off Turn 4. On the ensuing Green-White-Checkered finish, Spencer Hughes swept past Jason Hughes and held on to win the $5,000 Gator Championship race.
The event concludes the UMP Modified portion of the DIRTcar Nationals. Hoffman survived with a severely beat up car to finish fifth, which was enough for him to clinch his fifth consecutive DIRTcar Nationals UMP Modified Championship thanks to his two victories and six top-five finishes in six nights of racing.
“We had a really good week,” said Hoffman, of Mooresville, NC. “I think I jinxed myself today as we hadn’t used our spare nose all week, then we wiped it out on the last lap of the whole week. It was very eventful tonight, though. Definitely not the way we wanted it to go. Starting 10th, I probably had the best car to win the race but wasn’t able to show it. Then we bit the front-end early running into Kyle (Strickler) and then it wasn’t steering like I needed it to, so we just tried to stay out of trouble.”
For the first time in this year’s event, Dirt Late Models hit the track with Brandon Sheppard picking up right where he left off at the 2019 DIRTcar Nationals … in victory lane. Sheppard, who won the final four nights of last year’s event, dominated the kickoff to Late Model Week at the DIRTcar Nationals to lead an all-Illinois podium with Brian Shirley and Dennis Erb Jr.
Sheppard, of New Berlin, Ill., was smooth on three restarts from cautions, never allowing anyone to rattle him as he seeks his second straight DIRTcar Nationals championship this week.
DIRTcar Nationals Race Report; Volusia Speedway Park; Feb. 9, 2020
DIRTcar UMP Modified ‘Gator Championship’ (30 laps): 1. 11H-Spencer Hughes [2][$5,000]; 2. 12H-Jason Hughes [1][$2,000]; 3. 95-Michael Altobelli [14][$1,250]; 4. 23-Ryan Cripe [8][$1,000]; 5. 2-Nick Hoffman [10][$800]; 6. 18L-Michael Long [17][$700]; 7. 35-David Stremme [5][$600]; 8. 96M-Mike McKinney [12][$575]; 9. 7JA-Justin Allgaier [3][$550]; 10. K19-Will Krup [25][$525]; 11. 77-Ray Bollinger [16][$500]; 12. 36-Kenny Wallace [13][$500]; 13. 5-Curt Spalding [21][$500]; 14. 3L-Jeff Leka [6][$500]; 15. 75-Terry Phillips [22][$450]; 16. OOD-David Reutimann [23][$425]; 17. 7-Drake Troutman [18][$400]; 18. 7CT-Christian Thomas [20][$375]; 19. 99M-Mike Mullen [28][$350]; 20. 99-Hunt Gossum [11][$300]; 21. 67-Garret Stewart [19][$300]; 22. 7A-Shane Sabraski [26][$300]; 23. 52-Colin Green [24][$300]; 24. 90-Jason Beaulieu [29][$300]; 25. 88-Matt Crafton [30][$300]; 26. 12L-Lucas Lee [15][$300]; 27. 22-Dale Kelley [31][$300]; 28. 8KS-Kyle Strickler [9][$300]; 29. 25-Tyler Nicely [4]; 30. 45J-Johnny Broking [27]; 31. 49-Brian Ruhlman [7][-]; 32. 65-Todd Sherman [32][-]. KSE Hard Charger Award: K19-Will Krup [+15].
DIRTcar Late Model Feature (30 Laps): 1. 1S-Brandon Sheppard [2][$7,000]; 2. 3S-Brian Shirley [5]; 3. 28-Dennis Erb, [8]; 4. 39-Tim McCreadie [1]; 5. 5-Mark Whitener [11]; 6. 0M-Chris Madden [4]; 7. 72-Michael Norris [3]; 8. 29V-Darrell Lanigan [14]; 9. 7W-Ricky Weiss [6]; 10. 76B-Brandon Overton [22]; 11. 97-Cade Dillard [20]; 12. 20-Jimmy Owens [17]; 13. 12-Ashton Winger [9]; 14. 15-Donny Schatz [7]; 15. 17M-Dale McDowell [10]; 16. 99B-Boom Briggs [16]; 17. O-Rick Eckert [18]; 18. 40B-Kyle Bronson [13]; 19. 21-Ivedent Lloyd, [15]; 20. 25Z-Mason Zeigler [23]; 21. 16B-Tyler Bruening [12]; 22. 6-Blake Spencer [24]; 23. OOO-Kyle Lear [19]; 24. 89-GR Smith [21]. KSE Hard Charger Award: 76B-Brandon Overton[+12].
Schuchart Wins DIRTcar Nationals Sprint Car Finale, Sweet Crowned Champ
Strickler captures second UMP Modified Gator Championship qualifier
BARBERVILLE, FL — Feb. 9, 2020 — Logan Schuchart became the third different winner in three World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Features when he powered to victory on Sunday night in Volusia Speedway Park’s DIRTcar Nationals presented by Bozard Ford.
It took Schuchart, of Hanover, Pa., just one lap to slide past Daryn Pittman and pull away with the lead. Pittman gave chase before Cory Eliason darted past Pittman and set his sights on Schuchart. But with one lap to go, Eliason’s motor went up in smoke creating a green-white-checkered finish.
Schuchart again shot out quickly and easily motored to the checkered flag. Pittman was second with Brad Sweet third. Sweet’s run in his NAPA-sponsored Kasey Kahne Racing machine was more than enough to clinch his second DIRTcar Nationals Sprint Car Week championship, marking the first time he’s accomplished the feat since 2016.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Sweet, who said he’s going to spend the rest of the week at Disney World with his wife and daughter. “I thought we had a lot of different tracks all week. The NAPA car was fast on all the different conditions, but we’ll take that.”
A split DIRTcar UMP Modified field running a qualifier for Monday’s $5,000-to-win Gator Championship event saw Kyle Strickler win for the seventh time of his career at Volusia and the second time in the past five days. Strickler had opened a sizable advantage when the caution flew with one to go, bunching the field, but also giving him clear track. Strickler quickly powered back off the corner as Tyler Nicely tried to stay with him to no avail. Nicely wound up second with NASCAR Xfinity star Justin Allgaier in third.
DIRTcar Nationals Race Report; Volusia Speedway Park; Feb. 9, 2020
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Feature (30 laps): 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [2][$10,000]; 2. 83-Daryn Pittman [1][$5,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$3,200]; 4. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [18][$2,800]; 5. 2-Carson Macedo [3][$2,500]; 6. 41-David Gravel [7][$2,300]; 7. 15-Donny Schatz [9][$2,200]; 8. 9-James McFadden [16][$2,100]; 9. 7-Shane Stewart [6][$2,050]; 10. 87-Aaron Reutzel [14][$2,000]; 11. 48-Danny Dietrich [12][$1,500]; 12. 1A-Jacob Allen [8][$1,200]; 13. 18-Ian Madsen [17][$1,100]; 14. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [13][$1,050]; 15. 21-Brian Brown [10][$1,000]; 16. 57-Kyle Larson [21][$900]; 17. 2M-Kerry Madsen [15][$800]; 18. 14-Tim Shaffer [24][$800]; 19. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [23][$800]; 20. 15K-Chad Kemenah [19][$800]; 21. 4-Terry McCarl [20][$800]; 22. 7S-Jason Sides [26][$]; 23. 33M-Mason Daniel [27][$]; 24. 26-Cory Eliason [4][$800]; 25. 15H-Sam Hafertepe [22][$800]; 26. J4-John Garvin [11][$800]; 27. 11K-Kraig Kinser [25]. Lap Leaders: Daryn Pittman 1, Logan Schuchart 2-30. KSE Hard Charger Award: 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[+14].
DIRTcar UMP Modified Feature (20 Laps): 1. 8KS-Kyle Strickler [2][$700]; 2. 25-Tyler Nicely [1][$600]; 3. 7JA-Justin Allgaier [4][$400]; 4. 23-Ryan Cripe [9][$350]; 5. 35-David Stremme [7][$300]; 6. 96M-Mike McKinney [27][$275]; 7. 95-Michael Altobelli [5][$250]; 8. 77-Ray Bollinger [3][$225]; 9. 7-Drake Troutman [12][$200]; 10. 7CT-Christian Thomas [8][$200]; 11. 7A-Shane Sabraski [15][$175]; 12. 99M-Mike Mullen [22][$140]; 13. 75-Terry Phillips [26][$130]; 14. 52-Colin Green [14][$125]; 15. 24D-Travis Dickson [29][$125]; 16. A1-Gary Bentley [20][$125]; 17. 9-Sheldon Creed [23][$125]; 18. 4UW-Bobby Regot [24][$125]; 19. 5F-Jerry Foster [25][$125]; 20. O7-Curtis King [28][$125]; 21. 24-Zeke McKenzie [11][$125]; 22. 97-Mitch Thomas [17][$125]; 23. 8-Steve Stevenson [21][$125]; 24. 2A-Donnie Moran [16][$125]; 25. 11-Jesse Rupe [18][$125]; 26. 8A-Austin Holcombe [13][$100]; 27. 1M-Curt Myers [10][$100]; 28. O5-Dave Wietholder [19][$100]; 29. 90-Jason Beaulieu [6][$100]; 30. 88-Matt Crafton [30][$100]. KSE Hard Charger Award: 96M-Mike McKinney[+21].