{"id":6499,"date":"2024-11-20T18:04:06","date_gmt":"2024-11-20T22:04:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/volusiaspeedwaypark.com\/?p=6499"},"modified":"2024-11-20T18:04:06","modified_gmt":"2024-11-20T22:04:06","slug":"what-to-watch-for-11th-reutimann-memorial-to-feature-past-winners-volusia-weekly-talent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/volusiaspeedwaypark.com\/news\/what-to-watch-for-11th-reutimann-memorial-to-feature-past-winners-volusia-weekly-talent\/","title":{"rendered":"WHAT TO WATCH FOR: 11th Reutimann Memorial to Feature Past Winners, Volusia Weekly Talent"},"content":{"rendered":"
A special field of DIRTcar UMP Modifieds are headed to Volusia Speedway Park for the 11th annual Emil & Dale Reutimann Memorial<\/em> this Thursday\u2013Saturday, Nov. 21\u201323, chasing a win in one of the most prestigious Modified events of the year.<\/p>\n A $10,000 grand prize and the signature Crystal Tractor trophy await the winner of the 50-lap main event Saturday night \u2014 held in memory of Emil Reutimann Jr, Dale Reutimann and family friend Gordon Stone, who were victims of a drunk driving crash while traveling to a race in September 1973.<\/p>\n The program begins with a practice session for all divisions on Thursday, Nov. 21. Hot Lap\/Qualifying and Showdown Features for the UMP Modifieds highlight Friday\u2019s program alongside a full show for 602 Late Models, Crown Vics and Thunder Stocks. Modified redraw, Last Chance Showdowns and the 50-lap main event are on-tap for Saturday, while DIRTcar Pro (604) Late Models and 3\/4-Modifieds support the show.<\/p>\n Tickets for Friday and Saturday will be on sale at the gate or in advance at\u00a0VolusiaSpeedwayPark.com<\/a>. If you can\u2019t be at the track, stream every lap live on\u00a0DIRTVision<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Here are the drivers to watch and storylines to follow this weekend:<\/em><\/p>\n BEAK BUILT SPECIAL<\/strong> \u2014 2022 Reutimann Memorial winner Ethan Dotson returns to Volusia in a DIRTcar UMP Modified this weekend, piloting a specially prepared Beak Built Chassis.<\/p>\n Dotson, the 25-year-old Super Late Model talent from Bakersfield, CA, has been tapped to drive David Reutimann\u2019s personal UMP Modified in the race that honors the famed racing family. Reutimann founded the Beak Built Chassis company in his post-NASCAR career and will have multiple cars in the field over the weekend \u2014\u00a0including his father and 2022 Volusia UMP Modified track champion, 83-year-old Buzzie Reutimann.<\/p>\n Read Also: Ethan Dotson to Race David Reutimann\u2019s UMP Modified in 11th Reutimann Memorial at Volusia<\/a><\/p>\n Dotson attended the 2023 Reutimann Memorial and was one of the early frontrunners after setting quick time over all 49 entrants. However, terminal mechanical failure struck him on the opening lap of his Showdown Feature, putting an early end to his chances for a repeat before completing a single lap of racing.<\/p>\n BIG GATOR, LITTLE TRACTOR<\/strong> \u2014 Kyle Strickler was victor of the 2018 Reutimann Memorial at Ocala Speedway but has now turned his attention to winning a second Crystal Tractor trophy this weekend at Volusia.<\/p>\n Strickler, the 2023 Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals<\/a> UMP Modified Big Gator champion from Mooresville, NC, is coming off a headline UMP Modified victory in the World Short Track Championship<\/em> finale at The Dirt Track at Charlotte three weeks ago<\/a>, topping a field of 38 cars to claim the $4,000 grand prize and his fourth career win in the event. That night, he was driving a brand-new Elite Chassis built by brand owner Nick Hoffman \u2014\u00a0a two-time Reutimann Memorial winner (2021, 2023).<\/p>\n Strickler has pre-entered into this weekend\u2019s events and will compete for a record-tying second Reutimann Memorial win with the new car. He last entered the event in 2021, when he retired early to a 25th-place finish after starting fifth on the grid.<\/p>\n FLORIDA\u2013GEORGIA LINK<\/strong> \u2014\u00a0Two years ago, Ashton Winger made his UMP Modified debut at Volusia and had a strong showing in the 2022 Reutimann Memorial, winning a Showdown Feature<\/a>, starting on the outside pole of the Feature and holding on to finish second driving the Mathews Motorsports #33.<\/p>\n The 24-year-old from Hampton, GA, will team with car owner Jeff Mathews, of Brandon, FL, for this weekend\u2019s events. Mathews is a past winner of the Reutimann Memorial, taking the checkered flag in 2017 when the race was held at Ocala Speedway in Ocala, FL.<\/p>\n Since joining the Mathews stable at the end of the 2022 season, Winger has been strong in the Mathews Motorsports No. 12 Super Late Model, winning three DIRTcar-sanctioned Features in 2024 and capturing eighth place in the national points standings<\/a>.<\/p>\n TRACK CHAMP<\/strong> \u2014 Seth Geary dominated the weekly UMP Modified scene at Volusia in 2024, capturing the track championship on the strength of five wins and six top-fives in seven races<\/a>.<\/p>\n