{"id":4925,"date":"2023-02-06T13:46:23","date_gmt":"2023-02-06T18:46:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/volusiaspeedwaypark.com\/uncategorized\/what-to-watch-for-ump-modifieds-set-for-six-straight-nights-at-volusias-dirtcar-nationals\/"},"modified":"2023-02-06T14:46:32","modified_gmt":"2023-02-06T18:46:32","slug":"what-to-watch-for-ump-modifieds-set-for-six-straight-nights-at-volusias-dirtcar-nationals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/volusiaspeedwaypark.com\/news\/what-to-watch-for-ump-modifieds-set-for-six-straight-nights-at-volusias-dirtcar-nationals\/","title":{"rendered":"WHAT TO WATCH FOR: UMP Modifieds Set for Six-Straight Nights at Volusia\u2019s DIRTcar Nationals"},"content":{"rendered":"
The single toughest test of endurance in DIRTcar UMP Modified racing hits the half-mile of Volusia Speedway Park<\/a> this week in the 52nd annual Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals<\/a>.<\/p>\n Six-straight days of racing. Over 100 cars expected to compete. All in pursuit of the iconic Big Gator trophy and $5,000 check as winner of the Gator Championship Feature Saturday night.<\/p>\n The event format has been completely overhauled for 2023, featuring six separate Features on each of the first five nights of competition. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday\u2019s Features will be lined up by Qualifying laps, while Thursday will set the field according to points accumulated by each driver over the previous three nights. Friday\u2019s field will be split in half for the Gator Qualifier night before Saturday\u2019s Gator Championship.<\/p>\n Read More: Purse Increase, New Format for UMP Modifieds at 52nd DIRTcar Nationals<\/a><\/p>\n The driver with the most points at week\u2019s end will be crowned the DIRTcar Nationals Big Gator champion and hoist the iconic Big Gator trophy. Drivers will also be earning points toward the UMP Modified Florida Speedweeks championship chase, which crowns its champion after the conclusion of Saturday\u2019s Feature.<\/p>\n To get your tickets, visit DIRTcarNationals.com<\/a>. If you can\u2019t make it to the track, you can watch the entire week of Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals live on DIRTVision<\/a>.<\/p>\n Here are the drivers to watch for and storylines to follow this week:<\/em><\/p>\n NEW GATOR CHAMP<\/strong> \u2013 For the first time in seven years, a driver not named Nick Hoffman will hoist the Big Gator trophy as DIRTcar Nationals UMP Modified champion at the conclusion of the week.<\/p>\n Hoffman, who has not missed a DIRTcar Nationals since his Volusia debut in 2009, won the division\u2019s event points title every year from 2016-2022. This week, however, he will sit on the sidelines, with his focus on his World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model ride, and be a resource to the several Elite Chassis drivers in the field.<\/p>\n Hoffman will also have the Tye Twarog Racing, NOS Energy Drink #9 Super Late Model with him as he prepares for competition during week #2 of DIRTcar Nationals with the DIRTcar Late Models and World of Outlaws. Hoffman recorded finishes of fourth and eighth in his first two starts as a full-time World of Outlaws driver in January at the DIRTcar Sunshine Nationals.<\/p>\n HORNS UP<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0If there\u2019s one driver among the 100-plus UMP Modifieds expected for the week that\u2019s highest amongst the favorites to win the Big Gator trophy, it\u2019s Bakersfield, CA-driver Ethan Dotson.<\/p>\n Dotson, the 24-year-old Longhorn Chassis UMP Modified house driver, won t<\/p>\n