Hail to the King: Kinser Holds Off Pittman at DIRTcar Nationals

Legendary racer kicks off ‘Salute to the King’ tour with thriller at Volusia

021614_KINSER_WRAPBARBERVILLE, Fla. – Steve Kinser might be winding down his career this season with the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series, but on Sunday night at the DIRTcar Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment Kinser was wound up in a huge victory celebration after he won a thriller in front of a packed house at Volusia Speedway Park.

Kinser showed his competitive fire still burns when he and defending series champion Daryn Pittman waged an incredible duel over the final eight laps before Kinser slid to the lead and grabbed the checkered flag for the 577th feature victory in his hall-of-fame career.

Coming off a restart with 22 laps down, Kinser chose the high side in his Tony Stewart Racing Bad Boy Buggies ride while Pittman settled into the bottom line in his Kasey Kahne Racing Great Clips car. Pittman charged out quickly and reclaimed the lead as Kinser dove to the bottom in turn one and tried to slide in front. The two traded slide jobs, Kinser wouldn’t be denied and by lap 24 he was back in front.

“I didn’t know where to go on the restart and I decided to take the top line and just carry some speed and just have it,” said Kinser, 59, of Bloomington, Ind. “He beat me out of there and it was a good race. You hate to lose one on the restart. I didn’t think anyone could pass me when I had a clear track. It doesn’t matter, we got the win that’s all that counts.” (more…)

By |2014-02-17T17:14:52-05:00February 17th, 2014|Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Sprint Cars, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off on Hail to the King: Kinser Holds Off Pittman at DIRTcar Nationals

Schatz Strikes, Dillon Repeats on Huge Night at DIRTcar Nationals

Tony Stewart Racing driver pushes from 11th to win at DIRTcar Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment

021514_DCN_SCHATZ_VLweb

BARBERVILLE, Fla. – Feb. 15, 2014 – It was only the second World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series race of the season on Saturday night at Volusia Speedway Park, but Donny Schatz looks like he’s in midseason form after charging from 11th to victory in front of packed grandstands at the DIRTcar Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment.

Then in the DIRTcar UMP Modified nightcap, Ty Dillon motored his way to victory lane for second consecutive night, putting himself in prime position for a shot at Monday’s Gator Championship.

But Saturday night belonged to Tony Stewart Racing’s Schatz. Just when it looked like Kasey Kahne Racing’s Cody Darrah was cruising toward victory in the 30-lap main event, Schatz took off, eventually passing last year’s World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series champion Daryn Pittman for second, then charging past Darrah for the win.

“It was a lot of fun, you kind of had to pass everywhere,” said Schatz, the five-time series champion from Fargo, N.D. “We didn’t have the greatest night (Friday) night, but you’ll have that in racing. It’s how quick you rebound, came back today with had an awesome race car and got ourselves qualified well. Every time we made changes we went the right direction. It was a fun race, it was awesome and fast. Sometimes I didn’t know where I was going to end up. I don’t know anybody who doesn’t come to the race to win, but we were extra hungry leaving here (Friday) night, we felt like we had a decent run from the back. It just wasn’t very good and we were a long ways off on balance. Those guys are what make that car fast and I get the fun job.” (more…)

By |2014-02-17T16:53:33-05:00February 17th, 2014|Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Sprint Cars, Super DirtCar Series, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off on Schatz Strikes, Dillon Repeats on Huge Night at DIRTcar Nationals

Brad Sweet, Ty Dillon Win DIRTcar Nationals Thrillers at Volusia

Sweet captures World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series opener, Dillon holds off his brother to grab DIRTcar UMP Modified feature

021414_DCN_SP_VLgraphic_600x400BARBERVILLE, Fla. – Brad Sweet powered his Kasey Kahne Racing car to victory in the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series season opener on Friday night at the DIRTcar Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment at Volusia Speedway Park while Ty Dillon held off his brother, Austin, over the final three laps to win the DIRTcar UMP Modified feature.

Sweet, who is going to race full-time with the Outlaws in 2014, showed he’ll be a championship contender by surging past Paul McMahan in the first corner with two laps to go for the victory after McMahan and Tim Shaffer battled each other for the first 28 laps in the 30-lap A-main. Australian Kerry Madsen joined the mix and finished third behind Sweet and McMahan.

“It’s always good to start off with a win,” said Sweet, of Grass Valley, Calif. “These races are tough to win. I mean you can win the first race out and not win another one the rest of the year, to get the first one under our belt this quick and feel this good with our car and get a new team together like this and be fast out of the gate quick is a good sign. You always want to start the year out strong. It’s a bit more important this year to be consistent where last few years we would race with these guys and if we had a bad night it was just a bad night, it didn’t hurt us in the points. Now we’ve got to pay attention to that a little bit and be a little more consistent.” (more…)

By |2014-02-15T14:43:23-05:00February 15th, 2014|Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Sprint Cars, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off on Brad Sweet, Ty Dillon Win DIRTcar Nationals Thrillers at Volusia

Bronson Edges Dillon for DIRTcar Nationals UMP Modified Victory

Saldana holds off McMahan in sprint cars during 12-day event at Volusia

021314_webgraphicBARBERVILLE, Fla. – Feb. 13, 2014 – Kyle Bronson edged Ty Dillon, and Joey Saldana held off Paul McMahan, during the DIRTcar Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment on Thursday night at Volusia Speedway Park.

As the early leaders in the 20-lap DIRTcar UMP Modified feature found trouble, Bronson kept pushing to the front, eventually moving to the high side of the half-mile oval and edging NASCAR Nationwide driver Ty Dillon by 0.28 at the checkered flag.

“He went with a harder tire and I figured they would be better on the longer runs, but I think my softer tire worked better on the shorter run,” said Bronson, of Brandon, Fla. “Everybody acts like they’ve been given everything, but I’ve raced with them and they’re the best in the business, they should have been in NASCAR a long time ago.”

Earlier in the night, World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series regular Saldana showed off some newfound horsepower as he led the UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions main event from wire-to-wire, topping his good friend, McMahan, in the process. Saldana and his Motter Motorsports team came together quickly before last season and struggled early. Now a year under their belts, Saldana has been one of the fastest cars on the track this February. (more…)

By |2014-02-15T14:23:19-05:00February 15th, 2014|Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Super DirtCar Series, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off on Bronson Edges Dillon for DIRTcar Nationals UMP Modified Victory

Strong Storm Forces Volusia Speedway Park to Cancel Wednesday Night’s DIRTcar Nationals Action

UNOH All Star Sprint Cars, DIRTcar UMP Modifieds Return to Action Thursday

2014_DIRTcarNatsBARBERVILLE, Fla. — Feb. 12, 2014 — A strong, late afternoon thunderstorm with dangerous winds has forced Volusia Speedway Park officials to cancel Wednesday night’s action at the DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment.

Fans who purchased a ticket for Wednesday night’s races can exchange its value for another ticket during the remaining 10 days of the event.

Racing returns Thursday night at Volusia with UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars and DIRTcar UMP Modifieds. The World of Outlaws STP Sprint Cars will join the UMP Modifieds beginning Friday. On Monday, DIRTcar Late Models will begin competing at Volusia followed by Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds and World of Outlaws Late Models.

For more information and updates on the DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment, clickDIRTcarNationals.com or follow on Twitter at Twitter.com/DIRTcarNats.

By |2014-02-13T01:04:51-05:00February 13th, 2014|Featured, Front Page News, Racing News, Super DirtCar Series, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off on Strong Storm Forces Volusia Speedway Park to Cancel Wednesday Night’s DIRTcar Nationals Action

Strickler Tops NASCAR Stars In DIRTcar Nationals Thriller

Austin Dillon, Kenny Wallace pace field early during Volusia opener

021114_DCN_Graphic_600x400BARBERVILLE, Fla. — Feb. 11, 2014 — On a night when NASCAR superstars invaded Volusia Speedway Park to race DIRTcar UMP Modifieds, it was Kyle Strickler battling back against Jeff Babcock on Tuesday to claim the first victory of the 43rd Annual DIRTcar Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment.

Austin Dillon and Kenny Wallace paced the field early in the 20-lap main event, but Strickler and Babcock worked their way to the front, swapped the lead back and forth before Strickler finally powered to the lead for good with two laps to go in the opener of the 12-night event.

“Usually on a racetrack this fast you don’t see racing that good,” said Strickler, of Mooresville, N.C. “Jeff and I hung out at Eldora and he’s a hell of a racer. I knew he would race me clean. This is probably one of the fastest racetracks I’ve raced on. It’s an amazing feat for us to come down here and do this well right off the bat.
As fast as Dillon and Wallace were early in the A-main, it was impressive the way Strickler and Babcock continued to push forward.

“They put their race suits on just like we do,” Strickler said. “The stuff they do on Sunday is completely different. I commend those guys for coming out, Kenny Wallace, Ken Schrader, the Dillons. If you look at the speed charts they were way out in front of us in the beginning, but the track came to us, the car came to me.” (more…)

By |2014-02-12T16:49:15-05:00February 12th, 2014|Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Super DirtCar Series, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off on Strickler Tops NASCAR Stars In DIRTcar Nationals Thriller

‘Salute to the King’ plus Pittman’s title defense kick off Friday at Volusia Speedway Park

WoO_STP_SC_LOGO_SHADED_300-copyBARBERVILLE, Fla. – Feb. 10, 2014 – The World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series kicks off the 2014 season onFeb. 14 during the DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment at Volusia Speedway Park.

This also marks the beginning of Steve Kinser’s “Salute to the King” tour marking the 20-time champion’s final run at a series title. Four of Kinser’s 576 World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series A-main victories have come at Volusia, including two in 2011.

Last season’s eventual champion, Daryn Pittman, earned the victory on opening night at Volusia in his Kasey Kahne Racing Great Clips car. This time around, Pittman will begin his title defense on the fastest half-mile dirt oval in the country.

The World of Outlaws STP Sprint Cars compete Friday (Feb. 14), Saturday (Feb. 15) and Sunday (Feb. 16) for three nights in the 12-night DCN line up with the World of Outlaws Late Models, the Super DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds and UMP DIRTcar Modifieds.

WHEN· Friday through Sunday, Feb. 14-16, at Volusia Speedway Park. Grandstands open at 5 p.m. nightly with hot laps and qualifying at 6 p.m. and racing at 7:30 p.m.

WHERE· Volusia Speedway Park is located just 15 miles west of Ormond Beach on S.R 40. From I-95, take exit 268 west on State Rd. 40. From Highway 17, take S.R. 40, 5 miles east of Barberville. Click on the link for a map (http://goo.gl/maps/9BH8h) (more…)

By |2014-02-10T19:23:41-05:00February 10th, 2014|Featured, Front Page News, Racing News, Sprint Cars, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off on ‘Salute to the King’ plus Pittman’s title defense kick off Friday at Volusia Speedway Park

DIRTcar Nationals ‘Six Pack Challenge’ Voting Closes

Six Super DIRTcar Series, six DIRTcar UMP Modified Drivers Entered into Special Races During the Two-Week Event Feb. 11-22 at Volusia Speedway Park

BARBERVILLE, Fla. – Feb. 4, 2014 – Voting has closed in the DIRTcar Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment “Six Pack Challenge” with six Super DIRTcar Series drivers and six DIRTcar UMP Modified drivers earning positions to compete in the special six-lap dashes during the Feb. 11-22 event at Volusia Speedway Park.

Drivers eligible to compete in the DIRTcar UMP Modified Six Pack Challenge on Tuesday, Feb. 18, are Jeff Babcock, Steven Brooks, Matt Westfall, Kody Weisner, Kenny Wallace and Nate Zimmer.

Drivers eligible to race in the Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Six Pack Challenge on Friday, Feb. 21, include Peter Britten, Mario Clair, J.R. Heffner, Bruno LaPage, Dave Rauscher and Matt Sheppard.

The two Six Pack Challenge races are six-lap dashes worth $500-to-win and $100-to-start.

Voting was closed ahead of schedule when officials determined electronic “vote bots” were being employed to manipulate the contest. Without a way to create a fair and level process once the voting was compromised on behalf of several drivers, some unknowingly, officials decided to cut short the contest on Tuesday and revert to totals from before the manipulation was detected. (more…)

By |2014-02-05T00:32:28-05:00February 5th, 2014|Featured, Front Page News, Super DirtCar Series, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off on DIRTcar Nationals ‘Six Pack Challenge’ Voting Closes

UNOH All Stars to Kick Off 2014 Tour in The Sunshine State

UNOH LogoCAMARGO, IL. (Tuesday, January 7, 2014) – The University of Northwestern Ohio All Star Circuit of Champions will warm up the frigid winter with hot racing action in the south to kick off the 2014 season. There will be five events scheduled for Florida in February with a minor adjustment to the original schedule – a third race has been added at Bubba Raceway Park and is being substituted for the originally scheduled Screven Motor Speedway event.

It all kicks off with three straight nights of racing at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Florida. The Thursday, Feb. 6 event will pay $3,000 to the winner while Friday, Feb. 7 will pay $4,000 and the finale on Saturday, Feb. 8 paying $7,000 to win. The southern events – all part of the UNOH All Stars’ Eastern Region points – will wrap up at Volusia Speedway Park on Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 12 and 13, each paying $5,000 to win.
 
“The scheduling move makes it more convenient for the fans and race teams. We are excited to kick off our season at two of Florida’s premiere dirt tracks,” said Guy Webb, President of the UNOH All Stars.
 
Last year, of the 5 events scheduled, only the two events at Bubba Raceway Park were contested as rain claimed the other three races. Donny Schatz swept both events at the Ocala speedplant. (more…)
By |2014-01-13T18:42:34-05:00January 13th, 2014|Artic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions, Bubba Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News, Racing News, Upcoming Events, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off on UNOH All Stars to Kick Off 2014 Tour in The Sunshine State

UDLMS Scott Thompson Memorial Results from Volusia Speedway Park 10-5-13

Scott Thompson Memorial UDLMS Feature Event

Ivedent Lloyd, Jr Celebrates in Victory Lane. Photo Courtesy: Rick's Dark Room

Ivedent Lloyd, Jr Celebrates in Victory Lane. Photo Courtesy: Rick’s Dark Room

1. Ivedent Lloyd #21
2. Donnie Chappell #25
3. Mark Whitener #58
4. Rich Pratt # 0
5. Darrell Padgett #46p
6. Bo Allen #71
7. Ryan VanSickle #3r
8. Stanton Mills #14
9. David Shugart #1
10. Blaise Hetznecker #174
11. Matt Hartley #11
12. Frank Sharpe #j17
13. Travis Staats #1ar
14. Cheyenne Cox #c20
15. C.J. Waldron #21w
16. Driver unknown #41k
17. Hamp Conley #46c
18. Kyle VanSickle #3k
19. David Clegg #07
Jason Fitzgerald #7 DNS
Winn Ingersoll #77 DNS

Modifieds – 10-5-13

1. Ronnie Chance #7s
2. Dalton Lanich #51
3. Shawn Daugharty #00
4. Larry Burkins #54
5. Scott Mooers #10
6. Garrett Stewart #67
7. Reed Withers #42
8. Jerry Morgan #21j
Chuck Gustafson #15 DNS (more…)

By |2013-10-07T14:46:34-04:00October 7th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, United Dirt Late Model Series, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off on UDLMS Scott Thompson Memorial Results from Volusia Speedway Park 10-5-13