BARBERVILLE, Fla. – Feb. 16, 2011 – Stewart Friesen powered to the inside of Brett Hearn on the final lap and surged to the checkered flag on Wednesday night in the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified opener of 40th DIRTcar Nationals by University of Northwestern Ohio for the second victory of his career at Volusia Speedway Park.

Friesen, the 2010 Super DIRT Week Big-Block Modified champion, kept chipping away at Hearn’s lead, finally getting the front end of his car to the inside of Hearn’s as they came to the white flag. Friesen then held his line into Turns 1 and 2 and drove into the lead down the backstretch and held off a final corner charge by Hearn. Danny Johnson motored from seventh to finish third while Matt Sheppard and Tim Fuller rounded out the top five.

In DIRTcar Late Model action, Jimmy Mars passed Jason Feger with 14 laps to go and raced to his first victory at Volusia Speedway Park since 2000. Scott Bloomquist wound up third.

“Last night we gave one up on the restart, so I was sure hoping we wouldn’t have another one (late in the race),” said Mars, of Menomonie, Wis. “But the car was just stuck like suction cups out there. I’m telling you, this thing was unbelievable.”

On Thursday night, the World of Outlaws Late Model Series kicks off its eighth season at Volusia Speedway Park in conjunction with the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds. Two-time and defending series champion Josh Richards is attempting to win his fifth consecutive season opener.

For more information on DIRTcar Racing, visit http://www.DIRTcar.com. For more on the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, go to http://www.DIRTcarNationals.com or follow the event on Twitter @DIRTcarNats.

DIRTcar Nationals by University of Northwestern Ohio; Volusia Speedway Park; Feb. 16, 2011

Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds
A-Main (30-Laps) – 1. Stewart Friesen; 2. Brett Hearn; 3. Danny Johnson; 4. Matt Sheppard; 5. Tim Fuller; 6. Bobby Varin; 7. Rich Scagliotta; 8. Mario Clair; 9. Rob  Bellinger; 10. Jimmy Horton; 11. Willy Decker; 12. Jeremy Markle; 13. Darwin Greene; 14. Tim Currier; 15. Rick Laubach; 16. Andy Bachetti; 17. Chris Higgins; 18. Billy VanIngwegen; 19. Kevin Bates; 20. Ray Swinehart; 21. Dave Rauscher; 22. Tim Kerr; 23. Mike Iles; 24. Danny Hieber; 25. Danny Varin; 26. Matt DeLorenzo.