High Bank Holdup Weekend Rained Out

FULTON, NY – April 26, 2019 – Anticipated steady rain on Friday coupled with forecasted temperatures on Saturday in the 30s and 40s with gusty winds has forced Fulton Speedway staff, in conjunction with Super DIRTcar Series officials, to cancel the ‘High Bank Holdup Weekend’ Friday and Saturday, April 26-27. No rescheduled dates for either event have been scheduled at this time for either the DIRTcar Sportsman Modified Series: Central Region season opener or the High Bank Holdup 100.

The Super DIRTcar Series returns to action on Tuesday, May 7 for the Ultimate Outlaw 100 at Outlaw Speedway in Dundee, NY. Come out and see the stars like defending Series Champion Matt Sheppard, defending NAPA Super DIRT Week Champion Larry Wight, and many more.

If you can’t make it to the race track, our partners at FloRacing have you covered with live HD streaming video.

Stay tuned to SuperDIRTcarSeries.com, Twitter, and Facebook for news and notes.

— DIRTcar PR

By |2019-04-27T05:07:06-04:00April 27th, 2019|Racing News, Regional, Super DirtCar Series|Comments Off on High Bank Holdup Weekend Rained Out

Strength in Numbers

Over a million reasons to be part of the Super DIRTcar Series in 2019

CONCORD, NC — March 21, 2019 — 2019 is officially the year of the Big-Block Modified. The Super DIRTcar Series and its tracks are proud to present a massive $1.25 million in prize money for Series competitors throughout the year.

The record-breaking Super DIRTcar Series cash prizes are spread throughout the season — $877,000 in race purses, $123,000 in the Championship point fund, $205,000 at NAPA Super DIRT Week, and over $20,000 in contingency sponsor cash bonuses.

The crown jewel of the Super DIRTcar Series is, of course, NAPA Super DIRT Week at Oswego Speedway. The 48th action-packed autumn classic runs Wednesday to Sunday, October 8-13 2019. Sunday’s Billy Whittaker Cars 200 caps off the greatest week in DIRTcar racing with the $50,000-to-win finale. The total purse for the week, including the Friday Night Lights Triple Qualifiers, is $205,000.

There are eight NAPA Super DIRT Week Qualifiers peppered throughout the 2019 schedule, and all of them pay at least $10,000-to-win. The Series returns to Can-Am Speedway on Saturday, April 13 to kick-off the points-paying season with the Thunder in the Thousand Islands 100 $10,000-to-win lid lifter.

On Tuesday, June 25, Brett Hearn’s The Big Show XI returns to Albany-Saratoga Speedway. The 100-lap Feature pays out $11,111 to the winner along with a guaranteed start in the Billy Whittaker Cars 200. Less than a week later, the newly dubbed Plattsburgh Airborne Speedway, hosts the Series for another $10,000-to-win NAPA Super DIRT Week Qualifier on Monday, July 1.

July is the month of the money as it includes four $10,000-to-win 100-lap Features. After Plattsburgh, the Orange County Fair Speedway hosts the Battle on the Midway 100 on Thursday, July 18. Then Weedsport Speedway’s Hall of Fame 100 brings the Series to the historic track on Sunday, July 28. Finally, July’s four-crown finale is a 100-lapper on the prestigious Eldora Speedway high banks in support of the Gander Mountain NASCAR Truck Series rounds out the month.

Lebanon Valley Speedway’s annual Mr. DIRT Track USA pays $17,500 to the winner on Saturday, August 31. The final NAPA Super DIRT Week Qualifier falls takes place Saturday, September 14 at Mohawk International Raceway with the Mohawk 100. All other Super DIRTcar Series races pay out a minimum of $7,500 to the winner and at least $500 to start the race.

None of this would be possible without the support of our highly professional DIRTcar Big-Block Modified drivers, passionate and hard-working track owners and promoters, and sponsors. VP Race Fuels and Hoosier Racing Tire provide excellent support for our racers throughout the year. Contingency sponsors include: ASI Racewear, Bicknell Racing Products, Billy Whittaker Cars & Trux, Dig Safely, Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams,DART, Fox Shox, Intercomp, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, and Wrisco (Exclusive Racing Aluminum); along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Beyea Headers, FireAde, Racing Electronics and TNT Rescue.

For the latest Super DIRTcar Series news, make sure to follow on Facebook, Twitter and at SuperDIRTcarSeries.com.

By |2019-03-22T03:27:07-04:00March 22nd, 2019|Racing News, Regional, World of Outlaws|Comments Off on Strength in Numbers

Winter Freeze IX, Night Two Goes to the Second Georgian in Two Races

SYLVANIA, GA – Feb. 9, 2019 – Georgia native Shane Clanton broke a year-and-a-half winless streak by dominating the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series 50-lap Feature Saturday night at Screven Motor Speedway.

Clanton, the 2015 Series champion from Zebulon, GA, had gone 51 races without a win before earning his fourth victory at Screven and 43rd all-time in World of Outlaws competition, holding off Kyle Hardy and Chase Junghans to the checkered flag.

According to “The Georgia Bulldog” himself, going winless last season never actually bothered him as much as most fans thought it would have. In fact, he used the dry spell as fuel to get better. Now that the monkey is off of his back, Clanton will look to build on this momentum as the current points leader heading into Volusia, where he has been so dangerous in past years with five wins since 2015.

“It feels real good,” Clanton said. “To go almost a year and a half… like I said at the banquet [last year], it just makes you mad. And the guy who wins, it just makes him more determined to come back and win again, and that’s what we’ve done. We’ve worked awful hard over the winter to build a new racecar here.”

In what was almost a perfect night, Clanton qualified second overall out of 39 cars, won his heat race and redrew the pole for the Morton Buildings Feature. Taking the lead on lap 1, he faced several long strings of lapped traffic, as the race’s first caution didn’t fly until lap. But Clanton was able to handle the pressure from those behind him, much like all great veterans of the sport do.

“I guess it’s lucky to get number one but I think our car was good enough to pass a couple of cars,” Clanton said with the biggest smile on his face. “I was just biding my time, trying not to get into too much lapped traffic, just didn’t want to get myself in a bind. We rode a long way, and to come up with the win, it’s pretty special.”

And how special it was for Clanton and the Capital Chassis stable this weekend, with Chris Madden putting his Capital on the podium in Friday night’s race and a top-10 on Saturday. Clanton said Madden’s help has been and will continue to be instrumental in Capital’s success on the tour this season.

“I’ve had some help when Chris came along after Charlotte [last year] and we went and tested my car, then we built this car,” Clanton said. “We’ve changed some things on it and evidently we’re going in the right direction, so that’s the good thing.”

Another special finish came right behind Clanton – the Viper Motorsports entrant of Rookie contender Kyle Hardy. The Virginian had a solid night on Friday, coming from 17th to finish 11th after winning his Late Chance Showdown. But Saturday night was a much different story, as he set fast time in Group B, won his heat and redrew third.

Hardy made the pass for second around Jason Covert on lap 12 and chased Clanton down the rest of the way but was never able to make the pass. However, he held his own through lapped traffic, staying right with Clanton the entire way and closing a two-second gap before the lap 45 caution. Overall, a great showing by the new Barry Wright Race Cars house driver.

“It turned out to be great,” Hardy said. “We’ve got a greatly prepared car by Lance and Barry Wright, and that means the world. We ran decent last night, wasn’t the greatest, but second place tonight was, by far, great for us.”

After the 11th-place on Friday night and the runner-up finish on Saturday, Hardy now leads in Rookie points by 20 markers over Ricky Weiss, who fell back to 15th in Saturday’s Feature. This gives him a big boost of confidence, heading into Volusia for the DIRTcar Nationals.

“Absolutely, it’s a huge boost of confidence,” Hardy said with a grin. “We didn’t have two bad nights, we had a decent and a great night. We’re just super happy about it and ready to get going.”

Hardy’s previous experience at Screven played right into his favor on Saturday night, as his three prior starts seemed to give him the edge over his fellow Rookie competitors.

“It definitely helped, I’ve raced here three times before and it was the fifth time over the weekend, so it turned out to be great,” Hardy said.

In what should have been another Rookie in the top five, Cade Dillard seemed to have a great fourth-place run going before tangling with Jason Covert in turn three with just two laps remaining. Dillard was obviously disappointed by the incident and the resulting 19th-place finish, but it gave him plenty to build off of heading into Volusia next week and was a great rebound, just one night after having to fight for a 14th-place run after taking a provisional.

“I had a good car in the feature,” Dillard said. “I was just riding, trying to stay out of trouble. Had a chance there at the end, got under [Covert], I’d say nearly nose-to-nose with him. I’m not sure if he didn’t see us there or saw us and just turned left… Unfortunately, it killed our good run for us.”

Up Next…
The 48th Annual DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park is the site of the next four Series races, Feb. 13-16. Two DIRTcar Late Model shows will preceed the Outlaws invasion on Monday and Tuesday. Get you tickets now and don’t miss this exciting event by clicking here, or order your Late Model Fast Pass on DIRTVision and watch every lap LIVE!

Abbreviated results (click here for full results)

Morton Buildings Feature (50 Laps) 1. 25-Shane Clanton [1][$10,000]; 2. 36v-Kyle Hardy [3][$5,000]; 3. 18-Chase Junghans [4][$3,000]; 4. 1-Brandon Sheppard [6][$2,500]; 5. 72-Mike Norris [8][$2,000]; 6. 3s-Brian Shirley [10][$1,700]; 7. 29-Darrell Lanigan [9][$1,400]; 8. 2x-John Henderson [11][$1,300]; 9. 44-Chris Madden [13][$1,200]; 10. 1D-Brent Dixon [12][$1,100]; 11. 28-Dennis Erb [16][$1,050]; 12. 2-Brandon Overton [17][$1,000]; 13. 99jr-Frank Heckenast [20][$950]; 14. 1x-Chub Frank [15][$900]; 15. 7-Ricky Weiss [14][$850]; 16. 9-Billy Moyer [22][$800]; 17. B1-Brent Larson [23][$770]; 18. 72c-Jason Covert [2][$750]; 19. 97-Cade Dillard [5][$730]; 20. 6-Blake Spencer [24][$700]; 21. 27+1-Tyler Carpenter [19][$700]; 22. 6m-Mike Marlar [18][$700]; 23. 22x-G.R. Smith [25][$110]; 24. 58-Ivedent Lloyd [7][$700]; 25. 99B-Boom Briggs [21][$700] – Hard Charger Award: 99jr-Frank Heckenast[+7] – Lap Leaders – Shane Clanton – 50 Laps

Qualifying Flight-A: 1. 72c-Jason Covert, 14.558; 2. 25-Shane Clanton, 14.572; 3. 44-Chris Madden, 14.607; 4. 1-Brandon Sheppard, 14.688; 5. 29-Darrell Lanigan, 14.721; 6. 2x-John Henderson, 14.729; 7. 2-Brandon Overton, 14.829; 8. B1-Brent Larson, 14.867; 9. 58-Ivedent Lloyd, 14.876; 10. 42-Cla Knight, 14.935; 11. 22x-G.R. Smith, 14.945; 12. 1x-Chub Frank, 14.961; 13. 6-Blake Spencer, 14.991; 14. 8-Matt Sponaugle, 15.123; 15. 27+1-Tyler Carpenter, 15.18; 16. O-Ryan Scott, 15.233; 17. 99B-Boom Briggs, 15.271; 18. 27-Joe Denby, 15.354; 19. J8-Jadon Frame, 15.441; 20. 0K-Freddie Carpenter, 15.739

Qualifying Flight-B: 1. 36v-Kyle Hardy, 14.622; 2. 18-Chase Junghans, 14.625; 3. 72-Mike Norris, 14.652; 4. 97-Cade Dillard, 14.652; 5. 3s-Brian Shirley, 14.679; 6. 1D-Brent Dixon, 14.692; 7. 7-Ricky Weiss, 14.72; 8. 28-Dennis Erb, 14.745; 9. 99jr-Frank Heckenast, 14.849; 10. 6m-Mike Marlar, 15.004; 11. 16-Tyler Bruening, 15.045; 12. 77-Brian Connor, 15.045; 13. 9-Billy Moyer, 15.058; 14. 53-Ray Cook, 15.071; 15. 24D-Michael Brown, 15.08; 16. 83-Scott James, 15.15; 17. 11B-Stacy Boles, 15.223; 18. C9-Steve Casebolt, 15.412; 19. 25h-Chuck Hummer, 17.722

—World Racing Group Press Release

By |2019-02-13T05:57:54-05:00February 13th, 2019|Late Models, National, Racing News, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off on Winter Freeze IX, Night Two Goes to the Second Georgian in Two Races

Two Last Chance Showdowns & Feature will start the show on Monday, February 11

DELEON SPRINGS, FL — Feb. 9, 2019 — The DIRTcar UMP Modifieds were to race in the first of two Big Gator Championship Qualifier Nights on Saturday, February 9 at Volusia Speedway Park. It was to be Night #5 of the 48th annual DIRTcar Nationals for the Ironmen of the DCN. Half of the 104 teams that had competed in the DIRTcar Nationals through the first four nights got through their Heat Races with threatening skies all around the half-mile high-banked dirt oval in DeLeon Springs, FL.

As post-race ceremonies were happening on the front stretch at the conclusion of the World of Outlaw NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Feature, Mother Nature made her second appearance of the night. Unfortunately, enough moisture had fallen and continued to drench the facility, forcing DIRTcar Racing & DIRTcar Nationals Officials to postpone the two Last Chance Showdowns and Feature for the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds to Monday, February 11.

Prior to, and in between rain delays, Lucas Lee scored his first Fast Qualifier award of the week with an 18.358 = 98.050mph and he won his Heat Race. Ryan Fowler, Brandon Green and David Stremme picked up the other Heat Race triumphs. In the Redraw of the Heat Race winners, Stremme and Lee drew the front row with Fowler and Green drawing the third and fourth spots.

The second half of the field, those who did not participate on Saturday night, will take over for the second (now first) Big Gator Championship Qualifier Night on Sunday, February 10. The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will race in their final night at Volusia also on Sunday to complete Sprint Car Week at the DCN and crown the first 2019 DCN Big Gator Championship.

Then on Monday, February 11, the show will start with the conclusion of Saturday’s program for the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds with two Last Chance Showdowns and a 20-Lap Feature. Once those are over, DCN Late Model Week begins at Volusia with the first of two nights of action for the DIRTcar Super Late Models. It’s also the 15th annual Big Gator Championship Night and the crowning of the 2019 DCN Big Gator Champion for the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds.

The World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series take over on the Late Model side starting on Wednesday, February 13 while the Super DIRTcar Big Block Modified Series take over for the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds starting on Tuesday, February 12.

For more information about the remaining seven nights of the 48th annual DIRTcar Nationals and to order tickets, please call: 1 (844) DIRT-TIX or log onto the event website at: dirtcarnationals.com

You can also follow the DIRTcar UMP Modified portions all week long, as well as the DIRTcar Super Late Model portion of the DCN starting on Monday throughout race week by visiting the DIRTcar Racing Social Media outlets. Just search for “DIRTcar Racing” on both Facebook and Twitter as well as the DIRTcar Nationals Twitter page at: @DIRTcarNats for the very latest updates from Volusia Speedway Park and the 48th annual DIRTcar Nationals.

Last Chance Showdown Starting Lineups

Big Gator Championship Qualifier 1 Feature Starting Line-Up

Row 1: 35 David Stremme – 40b Lucas Lee
Row 2: 6f Ryan Fowler – 51 Brandon Green
Row 3: 7 Justin Allgaier – 2h Nick Hoffman
Row 4: 98 Shon Flannery – 90 Jason Beaulieu
Row 5: 22k Dale Kelley – 17t Tyler Evans
Row 6: 41 Brad Goff – 5cs Curt Spalding
Row 7: 1 Brenden Rassel – 14s Steve Stevenson9
Row 8: 4uw Bobby Regot – 95 Michael Altobelli Jr.
Row 9: 15 Joey Miller – 05 David Wietholder
Row 10: 36 Kenny Wallace – 00d David Reutimann
Row 11: LCS 1 Winner – LCS 2 Winner
Row 12: LCS 1 Runner-Up – LCS 2 Runner-U

By |2019-02-10T05:08:30-05:00February 10th, 2019|National, Racing News, Volusia Speedway Park, World of Outlaws|Comments Off on

RACE REPORT: Daryn Pittman Powers to Opening Night Victory at Volusia Speedway Park

BARBERVILLE, FL — Feb. 8, 2019 — The largest Friday night crowd in DIRTcar Nationals history witnessed Daryn Pittman win a caution-free thriller in the World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series opener at Volusia Speedway Park’s DIRTcar Nationals. Pittman, who led two sprint car races this week at Volusia only to finish second, reversed his fortune Friday when he chased down Shane Stewart with five laps to go and held him off to the checkered flag. NASCAR Xfinity star Christopher Bell raced to a third-place finish, completing the Outlaws’ first all Oklahoma-native podium in the series’ 41-year history.

NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 Laps): 1. 83-Daryn Pittman [3][$10,000]; 2. 5-Shane Stewart [1][$5,500]; 3. 39-Christopher Bell [2][$3,200]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$2,800]; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [10][$2,500]; 6. 41-David Gravel [17][$2,300]; 7. 21-Brian Brown [4][$2,200]; 8. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [6][$2,100]; 9. 2-Carson Macedo [8][$2,050]; 10. 26-Cory Eliason [11][$2,000]; 11. 87-Aaron Reutzel [12][$1,500]; 12. 1S-Logan Schuchart [14][$1,200]; 13. 71-Parker Price-Miller [16][$1,100]; 14. 13-Paul McMahan [13][$1,050]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [23][$1,000]; 16. 70X-Spencer Bayston [7][$900]; 17. 18-Ian Madsen [9][$800]; 18. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [25][$]; 19. 17W-Shane Golobic [19][$800]; 20. 7S-Jason Sides [22][$800]; 21. 7K-Cale Conley [21][$800]; 22. 19-Brent Marks [26][$]; 23. 70-Brock Zearfoss [15][$800]; 24. 1A-Jacob Allen [24][$800]; 25. 33M-Mason Daniel [20][$800]; 26. 49X-Tim Shaffer [18][$800]; Lap Leaders: Shane Stewart 1-15, Daryn Pittman 16-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 41-David Gravel[+12]

Qualifying : 1. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.024; 2. 83-Daryn Pittman, 13.097; 3. 70X-Spencer Bayston, 13.11; 4. 39-Christopher Bell, 13.121; 5. 2-Carson Macedo, 13.133; 6. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.188; 7. 21-Brian Brown, 13.225; 8. 1K-Kyle Larson, 13.238; 9. 13-Paul McMahan, 13.302; 10. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.309; 11. 26-Cory Eliason, 13.341; 12. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.405; 13. 5-Shane Stewart, 13.433; 14. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.439; 15. 7K-Cale Conley, 13.441; 16. 33M-Mason Daniel, 13.52; 17. 41-David Gravel, 13.501; 18. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 13.535; 19. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.552; 20. 5W-Lucas Wolfe, 13.598; 21. 9-Kasey Kahne, 13.601; 22. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.634; 23. 17W-Shane Golobic, 13.706; 24. 71-Parker Price-Miller, 13.752; 25. 19-Brent Marks, 13.77; 26. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.771; 27. 48-Danny Dietrich, 13.786; 28. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 13.859; 29. J4-John Garvin, 13.875; 30. 84-Tom Harris, 13.898; 31. 70-Brock Zearfoss, 14.055; 32. K4-Chad Kemenah, 14.079; 33. 47-Brant O’Banion, 14.259

Heat #1 (8 Laps) – Top 5 Transfer: 1. 2-Carson Macedo [2]; 2. 5-Shane Stewart [4]; 3. 18-Ian Madsen [1]; 4. 13-Paul McMahan [3]; 5. 41-David Gravel [5]; 6. 9-Kasey Kahne [6]; 7. 19-Brent Marks [7]; 8. 47-Brant O’Banion [9]; 9. J4-John Garvin [8]

Heat #2 (8 Laps) – Top 5 Transfer: 1. 49-Brad Sweet [2]; 2. 83-Daryn Pittman [1]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [4]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3]; 5. 49X-Tim Shaffer [5]; 6. 7S-Jason Sides [6]; 7. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [7]; 8. 84-Tom Harris [8]

Heat #3 (8 Laps) – Top 5 Transfer: 1. 70X-Spencer Bayston [1]; 2. 21-Brian Brown [2]; 3. 26-Cory Eliason [3]; 4. 70-Brock Zearfoss [8]; 5. 17W-Shane Golobic [6]; 6. 1A-Jacob Allen [5]; 7. 7K-Cale Conley [4]; 8. 48-Danny Dietrich [7]

Heat #4 (8 Laps) – Top 5 Transfer: 1. 39-Christopher Bell [1]; 2. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [5]; 3. 87-Aaron Reutzel [7]; 4. 71-Parker Price-Miller [6]; 5. 33M-Mason Daniel [4]; 6. K4-Chad Kemenah [8]; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser [3]

DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash (6 Laps): 1. 5-Shane Stewart [2]; 2. 39-Christopher Bell [1]; 3. 83-Daryn Pittman [5]; 4. 21-Brian Brown [3]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [4]; 6. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [6]; 7. 70X-Spencer Bayston [8]; 8. 2-Carson Macedo [7]

Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) – Top 4 Transfer: 1. 7K-Cale Conley [2][-]; 2. 7S-Jason Sides [5][-]; 3. 11K-Kraig Kinser [1][-]; 4. 1A-Jacob Allen [3][-]; 5. 9-Kasey Kahne [4][-]; 6. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [7][-]; 7. 19-Brent Marks [6][$300]; 8. 48-Danny Dietrich [8][$250]; 9. 84-Tom Harris [10][$225]; 10. 47-Brant O’Banion [12][$200]; 11. K4-Chad Kemenah [11][$200]; 12. J4-John Garvin [9][$200]; 13. 1K-Kyle Larson [13][$200]

SEASON WINNERS:

  • Daryn Pittman: 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb 8)
By |2019-02-09T19:45:46-05:00February 9th, 2019|National, Racing News, Sprint Cars, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off on RACE REPORT: Daryn Pittman Powers to Opening Night Victory at Volusia Speedway Park

Three-Time Champion Nick Hoffman Leads Stellar Field of Modifieds to Florida

BARBERVILLE, FL – Jan. 25, 2019 – As usual, the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds will kick off 12 straight nights of racing at Volusia Speedway Park on Tuesday, Feb. 5. The busiest division in Florida during the month of February, and perhaps the most competitive of all, will take on the legendary half-mile, high-banked dirt oval for seven straight nights from February 5-11. The UMP Modifieds will race in 10 total features in the chase for the 2019 DIRTcar Nationals title while celebrating their 15th year at the event. 

Over the past 14 years, the UMP Modified division has produced 46 different feature winners along with 10 different champions. Car counts have averaged in the 70s with 111 feature races conducted. Only three drivers have captured more than one championship, and it wasn’t done for the first time until 2013, when NASCAR legend Ken Schrader accomplished the feat. 

No driver, though, has been more successful at DIRTcar Nationals than three-time defending Champion Nick Hoffman. The 26-year-old has ascended to the status of “Best Gator” with a record 14 wins. The Mooresville, NC resident scored his first ever DIRTcar Nationals feature on February 20, 2012, the inaugural Gator Championship night, and the first of what would be three Gator Championship night wins for him. 

Single victories in 2013 and 2015 set the stage for the past three seasons of domination by the driver originally from Belleville, Illinois. Four feature wins each in both 2016 and 2017, as well as three more in 2018 have propelled the driver of the popular #2 Elite Chassis entry to the last three DIRTcar Nationals titles.

“Man, this is so awesome. To win a Big Gator is pretty special no matter how many times you do it,” said Hoffman on stage at Volusia in 2018 after winning his third consecutive DIRTcar Nationals title. “These championships are so hard to come by, and to be able to do it three years in a row says a lot about this car and this team. There’s so many people that make this happen, and I truly can’t thank everyone enough.” 

Hoffman stands alone as a three-time DIRTcar Nationals champion in his division. Only Schrader (2008 & 2013) and NASCAR shoe Ty Dillon (2012 & 2014) have more than one DIRTcar Nationals title. Seven other drivers have single championships. 

The 2018 battle for the Big Gator was a good one between Hoffman and Kyle Strickler. On opening night, NASCAR star David Stremme ended a winless streak that stretched back to 2015 with his second career DIRTcar Nationals victory. Hoffman responded by winning the next two nights. A pair of first-time feature winners emerged in Larry Mott and Frank Paladino; Tyler Nicely ended a two-year drought with a feature win; and Strickler closed out the busy schedule ending another three-year winless streak with his first Gator since 2015. 

Big Gator Qualifier nights would see Nicely strike first with his second feature win of the week and third of his career, while Hoffman bagged win #3 and career victory #14 the next night. On the final night of competition, Strickler stopped Hoffman’s bid for a third straight Gator Championship night win by scoring the final night feature payday, his second feature win of the week and fourth overall of his career. However, Hoffman had accumulated enough points over the seven straight nights of racing to secure his third straight overall championship. 

Heading into the 48th annual DIRTcar Nationals, Hoffman will once again lead the charge, with plenty of competition from two-time 2018 feature winners Strickler and Nicely. With a single win in 2018, Stremme will look to add to his totals and chase after his first DIRTcar Nationals title, while Clarklake, MI veteran Brian Ruhlman, who went winless in 2018 after collecting single victories in 2017 and 2016, works to end a mini-slump and compete for his first championship at Volusia. 

Two former NASCAR stars who always make life difficult for the UMP Modified contingent are Schrader and Kenny Wallace. Schrader has two career victories at the DIRTcar Nationals, but it’s been a long time — six years to be exact — since the two-time DIRTcar Nationals Champion (2013 & 2008) took the checkered flag. It’s been even longer for Wallace. After his three-win year of 2012, the Arnold, MO veteran has gone winless at Volusia but is still tied for seventh all-time in career DIRTcar Nationals feature wins with four. He shares that mark with Strickler.  

NASCAR Xfinity Series star Justin Allgaier also has a single win at Volusia in 2016, and he would love to snap that skid as his Daytona schedule allows. Two-time NASCAR Gander Mountain Truck Series Champion Matt Crafton has made infrequent appearances at Volusia over the years and is still in search of his first Gator. So is Stanley, NC rising star Taylor Cook, a two-time winner in the Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals, as that elusive first Volusia victory has also, so far, eluded him. 

After DIRTcar Nationals, the UMP Modified teams turn their attention to the remainder of the 2019 racing season and the widely popular Summit Modified Nationals.

Tickets for the 48th Annual DIRTcar Nationals can be purchased here.

By |2019-01-26T17:35:00-05:00January 26th, 2019|Racing News, Upcoming Events, Volusia Speedway Park, World of Outlaws|Comments Off on Three-Time Champion Nick Hoffman Leads Stellar Field of Modifieds to Florida

World of Outlaws Return to Texas with Early Season Stops at Cotton Bowl and LoneStar

CONCORD, NC – January 24, 2019 – The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will return to Texas for a pair of crucial early season races at Cotton Bowl Speedway Friday, February 22nd and LoneStar Speedway on Saturday, February 23rd. With the addition of a new title sponsor and new driver and team combinations, The Greatest Show on Dirt will have a new look in 2019, both on and off track, making the February races that much more important as teams attempt to establish momentum for the 2019 season.

The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will make its third visit in its 41-year history to Cotton Bowl Speedway in Paige, TX with Brad Sweet scoring the inaugural win at the semi-banked 3/8th oval in 2016 and David Gravel sweeping the program, including setting a new track record, a year ago. While Sweet will return in 2019 to his Kasey Kahne Racing No.49, Gravel begins a new adventure this season taking over the reins of the Jason Johnson Racing No.41.

“We were really good at Cotton Bowl last year and hopefully that translates this time around. Everyone wants to get a good start to the season, especially this year. These early season races are where we establish momentum and I’m looking forward to what the JJR team can do right out of the gate,” Gravel said in anticipation of returning to Cotton Bowl.

The following night the Series will trek to Kilgore, TX for its 13th appearance at LoneStar Speedway, dating back to 1984. 10-time Series Champion Donny Schatz is the most recent winner after last year’s event at the 1/3rd-mile high-banked oval was rained out.

A strong car count is expected for both Texas races. In addition to the 13 full-time World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series regulars, Kasey Kahne, Terry McCarl, Mason Daniel and a cast of others have both Cotton Bowl and LoneStar Speedway on their schedules. It certainly wouldn’t be a surprise to see Texas natives 2018 All-Star Champion Aaron Reutzel and 2018 ASCS Gulf South Champion Channin Tankersley make an appearance as well.

The Greatest Show on Dirt will return to Texas for the final time in 2019 at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, TX. Tickets for both Cotton Bowl Speedway and LoneStar Speedway are on sale now. If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com

By |2019-01-25T22:16:06-05:00January 25th, 2019|Racing News, Sprint Cars, Upcoming Events|Comments Off on World of Outlaws Return to Texas with Early Season Stops at Cotton Bowl and LoneStar

Brad Sweet Storms To $20,000 Placerville Payday

PLACERVILLE, Calif. – Brad Sweet cashed his own $20,000 check on Wednesday night at Placerville Speedway, passing Rico Abreu early and then holding off Sheldon Haudenschild on a green-white-checkered restart to win the 49er Gold Rush Classic presented by Riebes NAPA Auto Parts.

By |2018-09-13T07:11:22-04:00September 13th, 2018|National, Racing News, Sprint Cars|Comments Off on Brad Sweet Storms To $20,000 Placerville Payday

Donny Schatz Ready for Home State Races at River Cities Speedway and Nodak Speedway

MINOT, ND — June 14, 2018 —Even after 20-plus years on the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series tour, Donny Schatz still circles all of the dates in his home state of North Dakota on his calendar each season. Again in 2018, the nine-time and defending series champion will lead the series into his home state on two separate occasions.

The first of those is this weekend as the Outlaws invade River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks on Friday, June 15 for the 1st Leg of the Gerdau Recycling Northern Tour. The series then heads to Schatz’s hometown of Minot on Sunday, June 17 for the Gerdau Recycling Magic City Showdown Presented by Schatz Crossroad and Fastlane Car Wash, which serves as the Grand Finale of Minot’s Ribfest.

“You always look forward to getting to race close to home,” said Schatz. “You get to sleep in your own bed. See all the local fans, friends and family. It’s the highlight of the year for me. I can’t wait. We are pretty lucky that we get to go home twice. We race there in June and August.”

When quizzed about all of his past success in his home state, Schatz defers credit to the Tony Stewart Racing team for whom he drives, led by crew chief Ricky Warner, along with Steve Swenson and Brad Mariscotti. Schatz has won at each and every track in North Dakota that the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series has raced at over the years.

“Being close to home helps a person’s confidence,” he noted. “I think a lot of it has to do with this race team. They unload every night with a solid race car. That place has been very good to us. Once you start winning at a place, you can start playing around and learning little things. We’ve learned a lot of little things over the years. Hopefully, we can make something work that we haven’t before and learn even more.”

Schatz leads all drivers at River Cities Speedway with nine wins in World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series competition. He was victorious at the track last August and has won six of the last eight races contested by the series at the high-banked three-tenths-mile. Schatz has finished in the top-ten in all previous 21 races for the Outlaws at River Cities Speedway.

“From a driver’s perspective, I think you look at a place where you have a track surface that has two or three grooves and you can pass cars and it’s one of those places that is like that,” explained Schatz. “You can run across the top and turn down and there is a bottom. It always gives a guy an opportunity to go where the car in front of you isn’t and be able to pass. There are very few places that have that much room to move around on the race track. I think that’s probably the biggest key, because there are so many grooves and you can move around on the race track.”

Schatz began attending races at Nodak Speedway as a child and his family’s business, Schatz Crossroads Truck Stop, has been a big supporter of the track over the years. The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series made their debut at the three-eighths-mile in 2006 and has raced at the track in 11 of the last 12 years.

“It’s huge for Minot to have a World of Outlaws race,” said Schatz. “The Nodak Race Club has been around for ages. It’s cool to see that history and heritage. That’s where I was born. For me, that’s where I first got to sit in the seats and watch sprint cars, modifieds and late models go around. That’s really where the love for racing started. It gives you goosebumps when you go back and get to see that. I still get those goosebumps today.”

Schatz has had his fair share of success at Nodak Speedway as well. He picked up his first win at the track with the Outlaws in 2012 and ripped off five straight wins, before finishing second at the track last year. Schatz has 11 top-ten finishes in the previous 12 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series races at Nodak Speedway, with nine of those being top-five finishes.

“That place has been tricky,” he noted. “When they put the new grandstand up, it changed the whole front stretch off turn four. We look forward to those tricky tracks because often times we can make something happen in ways other guys can’t. We’ve won on both configurations. It’s pretty neat to come off turn four and see that big grandstand and know there are a lot of people pulling for you. That gives you a little extra motivation to go fast.”

Despite all of his success at River Cities Speedway and Nodak Speedway, Schatz doesn’t see it as any added pressure. He and his race team approach each race night the same way and the bar has been set very high, as they have started the season off with 10 wins in the first 27 races. Schatz is the current series point leader as he chases his 10thchampionship.

“It’s not about pressure,” said Schatz. “We have fun out here, but at the end of the day, we have high expectations to win races. That’s what we are going to try to do. If that’s what pressure brings us, then that’s what we are looking forward to.”

Tickets for the 1st Leg of the Gerdau Recycling Northern Tour for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series events at River Cities Speedway on Friday, June 15 can be purchased online at slspromotions.ticketforce.com or by calling 815-344-2023. Tickets can also be purchased at the River Cities Speedway track office, area ticket outlets and at the track on race day.

By |2018-06-15T13:04:25-04:00June 15th, 2018|National, Sprint Cars, Upcoming Events|Comments Off on Donny Schatz Ready for Home State Races at River Cities Speedway and Nodak Speedway

Donny Schatz Pockets $40,000 with AGCO Jackson Nationals Win

JACKSON, MN – June 9, 2018 – When big money is on the line, Donny Schatz and the Tony Stewart Racing No.15 team find an extra gear and that was the case on the final night of the AGCO Jackson Nationals at Jackson Motorplex. Schatz came from seventh and prevented a Jason Johnson sweep of the weekend, overtaking the Eunice, LA native on Lap 18 to capture the $40,000 prize. Johnson was resilient but settled for second with Brian Brown completing the podium.

After winning the first two nights of the AGCO Jackson Nationals, Jason Johnson won the Sears Craftsman Dash, earning the pole for the 40-lap Feature.

The Feature got off to a bumpy start with Ian Madsen bicycling in turn one and coming to a stop with rear end damage. Jason Johnson got the jump on the start and led the opening two laps before the lone Red Flag on the evening flew after Daryn Pittman received contact while running in the top five and slowed significantly into turn one leaving Cory Eliason nowhere to go, ending both of their evenings.

On the ensuing restart, Donny Schatz charged up to second only to be negated by a caution for Brad Sweet, who came to a stop backwards in turn two while running third. Sweet was able to make repairs and return to the rear of the field.

When action resumed, Johnson continued to lead as Schatz disposed of Brian Brown for second and set his eyes on Johnson.

Johnson continued to set a torrid pace on the cushion and reached lapped traffic by Lap 8. The majority of the slower cars were on the cushion, slowing Johnson’s pace and allowing the Nine-Time Series Champion to close in. Schatz began reeling in Johnson and made his move underneath for the lead on Lap 18. Once he took command, it was clear Schatz was the class of the field.

The final caution of the night flew on Lap 24, bunching the field together, putting Johnson on Schatz bumper. Schatz motored away on the restart and was proficient in traffic.

Johnson stayed with Schatz as the duo navigated traffic as rubber became more prominent on the racing surface. Johnson took a brief look underneath Schatz entering turn one with less than 5 laps to go and continued to close back in, crossing the line .637 seconds behind the Fargo, ND driver.

Schatz, who described himself as non-existent during the first two nights, came into the evening 11th in Jackson Nationals points and started the Feature from 7th.

This race team is what the difference is,” Schatz said in Victory Lane when prompted about the improvement throughout the weekend. “We changed up a lot of little things and I felt as good as I have all weekend during Hot Laps tonight and it showed then and now,” Schatz added.

This is awesome. The improvements here to the facility, grandstands and racing surface are amazing,” Schatz said after the race.

Jason Johnson finished second in the big one but established a new level of speed for his team during the AGCO Jackson Nationals. “When it comes to big races, Donny isn’t going to make any mistakes. Hats off to the track crew all weekend dealing with all the rain and thanks to everyone in the stands for sticking it out,” Johnson said.

Brian Brown completed the podium and echoed both Schatz and Johnson’s statements about the job Jackson Motorplex did this weekend. “This is an awesome event, they gave us a great track all weekend. We were pretty good,” Brown said before thanking the large Jackson crowd.

David Gravel finished fourth with Logan Schuchart completing the top five. Dominic Scelzi scored KSE Hard Charger honors coming from the Last Chance Showdown to finish 14th, although it was Brad Sweet putting on the passing clinic, charging back to seventh after going to the rear on Lap 2.

The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season with a doubleheader in North Dakota starting Friday at River Cities Speedway and concluding Sunday at Nodak Speedway in Minot, ND. If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to watch every lap LIVE on DIRTVision.com!

ABBREVIATED RESULTS FROM JACKSON MOTORPLEX, JUNE 9, 2018 (evening)

Feature (40 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [7][$40,000]; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [1][$20,000]; 3. 21-Brian Brown [2][$12,000]; 4. 5-David Gravel [4][$9,000]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [9][$8,000]; 6. 3-Tim Kaeding [6][$7,000]; 7. 49-Brad Sweet [3][$6,500]; 8. 2-Shane Stewart [13][$6,000]; 9. 7S-Jason Sides [8][$5,500]; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen [10][$5,000]; 11. 12-Lynton Jeffrey [11][$4,000]; 12. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier [17][$3,700]; 13. 11K-Kraig Kinser [20][$3,600]; 14. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [22][$3,500]; 15. 19-Brent Marks [23][$3,400]; 16. 2M-Kerry Madsen [12][$3,300]; 17. 55-Brooke Tatnell [15][$3,200]; 18. 83H-Justin Henderson [21][$3,100]; 19. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg [16][$3,000]; 20. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [14][$3,000]; 21. 2KS-Austin McCarl [24][$3,000]; 22. 9-Daryn Pittman [5][$3,000]; 23. 83-Cory Eliason [19][$3,000]; 24. 18-Ian Madsen [18][$3,000]; Lap Leaders: Jason Johnson 1-17, Donny Schatz 18-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 41S-Dominic Scelzi[+8]

Qualifying: 1. 41-Jason Johnson, 697; 2. 49-Brad Sweet, 678; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman, 677; 4. 21-Brian Brown, 633; 5. 3-Tim Kaeding, 624; 6. 5-David Gravel, 620; 7. 12-Lynton Jeffrey, 616; 8. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 612; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 605; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen, 605; 11. 15-Donny Schatz, 603; 12. 7S-Jason Sides, 595; 13. 2-Shane Stewart, 584; 14. 18-Ian Madsen, 580; 15. 83-Cory Eliason, 578; 16. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 562; 17. 83H-Justin Henderson, 556; 18. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 538; 19. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 529; 20. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg, 528; 21. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier, 525; 22. 2KS-Austin McCarl, 524; 23. 24-Terry McCarl, 521; 24. 19-Brent Marks, 499; 25. O9-Matt Juhl, 490; 26. 64-Scotty Thiel, 461; 27. 55-Brooke Tatnell, 433; 28. W20-Greg Wilson, 426; 29. 7-Carson McCarl, 420; 30. 16-Travis Whitney, 420; 31. 7W-Tasker Phillips, 414; 32. 13-Clyde Knipp, 406; 33. 17B-Bill Balog, 394; 34. 14-Jody Rosenboom, 367; 35. 9X-Paul Nienhiser, 342; 36. 20-Brant O’Banion, 340; 37. 4X-Eric Schulz, 326; 38. O5-Colin Smith, 317; 39. 14K-Tori Knutson, 311; 40. 23W-Scott Winters, 222; 41. 19L-R.J. Johnson, 201; 42. 19P-Paige Polyak, 190

By |2018-06-15T12:58:10-04:00June 15th, 2018|National, Racing News, Sprint Cars|Comments Off on Donny Schatz Pockets $40,000 with AGCO Jackson Nationals Win