Fear The Reaper: Gustin Flashes to Night 4 DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH Victory

From Kellen Burns, DIRTcar Public Relations

Barberville, FL – Feb. 11, 2011 – Ryan Gustin made the most memorable pass of the 40th DIRTcar Nationals by University of Northwestern Ohio on Friday night went he went around NASCAR veteran Ken Schrader in the final corner to claim his first ever DIRTcar Nationals win .

Affectionately known as “The Reaper” to his hometown fans in Marshalltown, Iowa, Gustin was no doubt a dark shadow over Schrader late in the race. First he pulled ahead for a moment with five laps to go before making his race-winning move to the outside of Schrader in turn 3 of the lightning fast Volusia Speedway Park on the final circuit.

“When you can go door-to-door with one of the best in the business that’s exciting,” said an exuberant Gustin in victory lane.

Gustin’s win came just a night removed from nearly trumping another NASCAR star falling just short of Clint Bowyer on Thursday night.

Defending DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH UMP Modified champion Dave Hess Jr. of Waterford, Pa., had his strongest outing of the week by finishing third.  Bobby Kitchen of Columbus, Ohio, was fourth while Scotty Orr of Columbia City, Ind., round out the top five.

Saturday night’s events will kick off the Third Annual Gator Championship, the nation’s only 3-day, $5,000-to-win DIRTcar UMP Modified race.

DIRTcar Nationals by University of Northwestern Ohio; DIRTcar UMP Modifieds; Volusia Speedway Park; Feb. 11, 2011

A-main (20 laps) – 1. Ryan Gustin; 2. Ken Schrader; 3. Dave Hess Jr; 4. Bobby Kitchen; 5. Scotty Orr; 6. Corey Conley; 7. Richie Tosh; 8. Michael Long; 9. Devin Gilpin; 10. Duane Dale; 11. Ty Dillon; 12. Bob Broking; 13. Todd Sherman; 14. Gary Cook Jr; 15. Peyton Taylor; 16. Andy Strait; 17. Brett Korves; 18. Kody Weisner; 19. Justin Coulter; 20. David McWilliams; 21. Nick Hoffman; 22. Ryan Gifford; 23. Joey Jensen; 24. Dale Mathison; 25. Jeff Matthews; 26. Austin Dillon; 27. Jon Henry

Qualifying Group 1 – 1. Chad Kinder; 2. Kyle Bronson; 3. Scotty Orr; 4. Carl McKinney; 5. Bobby Regot; 6. Andy Strait; 7. Tony Anderson; 8. Randle Sweeney; 9. Stan Beadles; 10. Joey Jensen; 11. Mike Wilson; 12. Ronnie Chance; 13. Jim Shipman; 14. Cory Hupp

Qualifying Group 2 – 1. Corey Conley; 2. Jon Henry; 3. Nate Carruth; 4. Ryan Gifford; 5. James Smith; 6. Michael Long; 7. Richie Tosh; 8. Gary Cook Jr; 9. Lawrence Oconnor; 10. Jeff Thomas; 11. Gavin Landers; 12. John Boyd; 13. Jason Davis

Qualifying Group 3 – 1. Ryan Gustin; 2. Bobby Kitchen; 3. Dale Mathison; 4. Buzzie Reutimann; 5. Evan Taylor; 6. Jason MIller; 7. Chris Puskas; 8. Justin Matson; 9. Jamie Lomax; 10. Terry Hansen; 11. Bryce Jewel; 12. Nick Hoffman; 13. Bill Keeler

Qualifying Group 4 – 1. Ken Schrader; 2. Kody Weisner; 3. Duane Dale; 4. Todd Sherman; 5. Kent Corbin; 6. Bob Broking; 7. Mike Spatola; 8. Todd Neiheiser; 9. Garrett Stewart; 10. Dave Baldwin; 11. Dave Jamison; 12. Brandon Smith; 13. Riley Emmel

Qualifying Group 5 – 1. Dave Hess Jr; 2. Jeff Matthews; 3. Justin Coulter; 4. Trista Stevenson; 5. David McWilliams; 6. Brett Korves; 7. Pat McVicker; 8. Dave Wietholder; 9. Bob Gierke; 10. Jeremy Kerzman; 11. Justin Elmer; 12. Kevin Davis; 13. Eric Elmer

Qualifying Group 6 – 1. Ty Dillon; 2. Austin Dillon; 3. Devin Gilpin; 4. Stormy Scott; 5. Peyton Taylor; 6. Terry Hull; 7. Kelby Simmons; 8. Mark Grosvenor; 9. Johnny Broking; 10. Jason Beaulieu; 11. Joe Carr; 12. Kip Hughes; 13. Gary Brooks

Heat 1 – 1. Scotty Orr; 2. Joey Jensen; 3. Andy Strait; 4. Carl McKinney; 5. Kyle Bronson; 6. Tony Anderson; 7. Ronnie Chance; 8. Jim Shipman; 9. Randle Sweeney; 10. Cory Hupp; 11. Mike Wilson; 12. Stan Beadles; 13. Chad Kinder; 14. Bobby Regot

Heat 2 – 1. Ryan Gifford; 2. Corey Conley; 3. Jon Henry; 4. Gary Cook Jr; 5. Richie Tosh; 6. Michael Long; 7. James Smith; 8. Gavin Landers; 9. Lawrence Oconnor; 10. Jeff Thomas; 11. John Boyd; DNS. Jason Davis; DQ. Nate Carruth

Heat 3 – 1. Dale Mathison; 2. Bobby Kitchen; 3. Nick Hoffman; 4. Jason MIller; 5. Chris Puskas; 6. Ryan Gustin; 7. Jamie Lomax; 8. Buzzie Reutimann; 9. Terry Hansen; 10. Evan Taylor; 11. Justin Matson; 12. Bill Keeler; 13. Bryce Jewel

Heat 4 – 1. Ken Schrader; 2. Duane Dale; 3. Todd Sherman; 4. Kody Weisner; 5. Bob Broking; 6. Mike Spatola; 7. Dave Baldwin; 8. Kent Corbin; 9. Dave Jamison; 10. Riley Emmel; 11. Garrett Stewart; 12. Todd Neiheiser; DNS. Brandon Smith

Heat 5 – 1. Jeff Matthews; 2. Dave Hess Jr; 3. Justin Coulter; 4. Brett Korves; 5. David McWilliams; 6. Dave Wietholder; 7. Bob Gierke; 8. Jeremy Kerzman; 9. Kevin Davis; 10. Trista Stevenson; 11. Eric Elmer; 12. Justin Elmer; 13. Pat McVicker

Heat 6 – 1. Devin Gilpin; 2. Austin Dillon; 3. Ty Dillon; 4. Peyton Taylor; 5. Jason Beaulieu; 6. Kelby Simmons; 7. Billy Smith; 8. Mark Grosvenor; 9. Johnny Broking; 10. Gary Brooks; 11. Stormy Scott; 12. Kip Hughes; DNS. Terry Hull; DNS. Joe Carr

B-main 1 – 1. Richie Tosh; 2. Gary Cook Jr; 3. Michael Long; 4. Carl McKinney; 5. Kyle Bronson; 6. Gavin Landers; 7. Nate Carruth; 8. Bobby Regot; 9. Tony Anderson; 10. Ronnie Chance; 11. Mike Wilson; 12. Jeff Thomas; 13. Lawrence Oconnor; 14. John Boyd; 15. Cory Hupp; 16. Randle Sweeney; 17. Jim Shipman; DNS. James Smith; DNS. Scotty Orr; DNS. Chad Kinder; DNS. Jason Davis

B-main 2 – 1. Ryan Gustin; 2. Kody Weisner; 3. Bob Broking; 4. Jamie Lomax; 5. Chris Puskas; 6. Dave Baldwin; 7. Mike Spatola; 8. Evan Taylor; 9. Buzzie Reutimann; 10. Garrett Stewart; 11. Terry Hansen; 12. Bill Keeler; 13. Jason MIller; 14. Dave Jamison; 15. Kent Corbin; 16. Riley Emmel; 17. Bryce Jewel; 18. Justin Matson; DNS. Todd Neiheiser; DNS. Brandon Smith

B-main 3 – 1. Peyton Taylor; 2. David McWilliams; 3. Brett Korves; 4. Stormy Scott; 5. Dave Wietholder; 6. Bob Gierke; 7. Kenny Wallace; 8. Trista Stevenson; 9. Kevin Davis; 10. Jeremy Kerzman; 11. Gary Brooks; 12. Eric Elmer; 13. Kelby Simmons; 14. Mark Grosvenor; 15. Johnny Broking; 16. Jason Beaulieu; DNS. Kip Hughes; DNS. Justin Elmer; DNS. Pat McVicker; DNS. Terry Hull; DNS. Joe Carr

By |2011-02-12T11:26:44-05:00February 12th, 2011|Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Series, Upcoming Events, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off on Fear The Reaper: Gustin Flashes to Night 4 DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH Victory
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Florida’s “Smallest” Traveling Series celebrates 80th Race, Maintains Loyal Following

February 11, 2011

During the 2005 racing season, Phil Harp of Largo, was racing his go-kart regularly with the Tri City Kart Club at Desoto Super Speedway on Sunday afternoons.

At each month’s race, Phil would look up at the empty grandstands, and wonder how much fun it might be, to race in front of fans, as part of the Saturday night stock car program.

Phil Harp – Series Founder/Director

Then, Phil got an idea.  He decided to try and contact a few stock car track promoters, to see if any might schedule a senior champ kart race.  Phil entertained them on the idea of a race class that would average 15-20 drivers, have a devoted following, and was deserving of a chance to run as part of the “big show” with the regular Saturday night classes.

On Thanksgiving weekend of 2005, Desoto Super Speedway in Bradenton, Florida gave Phil a race date.

Phil, who is employed as a plumber, worked the phone hard in the weeks leading up to the race, trying to convince every racer he knew to enter.  Many in the karting community were skeptical.

“When I drove to the track for that first race,  I was nervous.  My biggest fear was that noone would show up”, Phil later said.  “I decided to get there early, before the pit gate opened.  But, when I turned off of Highway 64 onto the track road, I saw a line of trailers already lined up at the pit gate.  I thought wow… those car racers sure get to the track early.  Then, as I got closer, I realized that they were all karters, patiently waiting for the track to open.  You’ve got to get up pretty early in the morning if you expect to beat my guys to the track on race day… karters are a passionate group”, Phil chuckled.

Twenty-six champ karts showed up that night, and a series was born.

Since 2005, the South East Champ Kart Series (SECKS) has traveled to five stock car tracks in Florida including Desoto Super Speedway, Auburndale Speedway, Punta Gorda Speedway, Orlando Speedworld and Citrus County Speedway.   The drivers range in age from 15 years old,  to 74.

On February 26, the series will kick off the 2011 Season by sanctioning it’s  80th race, at Citrus County Speedway, in Inverness.

When asked how the South East Champ Kart Series has continued to average nearly 20 drivers at each event over the past three seasons, despite the tough economy, Phil paused.  “The economy has really hurt most traveling racing divisions, but for us, it probably has helped, as much as hurt.  When I started this, I didn’t think that many car racers would be interested in racing with us.  However, as the economy has soured, my series has become a relatively inexpensive way for car racers to keep their faces visible at the stock car tracks, while they are waiting to find funding for their cars”,  said Phil.

“Another possible reason is that we really try and make our new and part-time racers feel welcomed.   When a new racer comes into our series, I always try to encourage them to pit next to me that first night, so that I can make sure they have all the tools, help and encouragement that they need to make as many laps as possible.  I can remember going to races in my younger days where the only person who spoke to me was the lady who took my money at the pit gate.  That will never happen in my series.  I’m sure some of my drivers get tired of me visiting their pits at each event”, Phil chuckled.

“The part-time racers are also a big key, I think.  In my experience, these racers are often overlooked by promoters.  If you can grow your numbers of part-time racers, and give them reasons to dust off their equipment, it begins to pay big dividends.  It’s a lot easier for a guy with heavy financial or family commitments to race part-time, than to travel the entire series.  One thing we did to encourage the part-timers to race a little more is to award three ‘Track Champions Trophies’, to the drivers who gain the highest points at  Auburndale Speedway, Citrus County Speedway and Punta Gorda Speedway (respectively).  This allows a racer who isn’t able to travel the entire series to pick one track, and try to win a Track Champions Trophy.  The last race of the season  at each track is pretty exciting for the guys who are in contention for the Trophy.  We had one race last year where seven drivers could have won the Track Champions Trophy on the final night.  You’d have thought those guys were racing for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship…. they made Days of Thunder look pretty mild.  They all wanted to win that big Trophy bad”, Phil laughed.

The series races for a cash purse at each event, and has several loyal sponsors who routinely post additional cash and prizes throughout the season.   They include J. Hite Exterminating (Tampa), PBS Sales and Service, Inc. (Tampa), Top Deck Concrete Inc. (Riverview), BS Powerhouse Racing Engines (Zephryhills), Impact Racing Products and AlleyCat Grafix (Palm Bay), among others.

Tim Simmons – 2010 Overall Track Series Champion

“Three of our 17 features during the 2010 season paid the winner $500 cash, or more, to win.   We are proud of that, and those types of payouts are always popular with my guys.  However, in our normal races, we try to keep the payout very flat, so that we can give the guy who finishes deeper in the field a little something extra in his pocket at the end of the night.  I’ve noticed that some drivers can seem pretty disappointed after a feature, because they didn’t have a good finish.  But then, when he finds out that he finished in the money, and that we have some cash waiting for him at the payout table, his mood quickly changes” said Phil.

Chase Fitzgerald – 2010 Triple Crown Champion

“When the series began, I didn’t think we would still be doing this, six years later”, said Phil.  “I owe a lot of the credit to my wife Joan.  She is a registrar, cashier, scorer, and official all rolled into one.  Racers can sometimes get pretty upset after a race, but she always tries to listen to everyone, and treat them with respect when she explains a call.  She is a big reason why our guys keep coming back to race with us, even after a bad night.  Every racing series needs a Joan Harp”.

“The track promoters and their staff have also been great to the champ kart group, and they always make us feel welcomed.  Critter, Rex, Greg, Rick, and all of their track staff… they are always patient with our guys, and make us feel just as important as the car divisions”, remarked Phil.

NEXT RACE: Saturday night, February 26, 2011

Location: Citrus County Speedway,  Inverness, FL

Track Website: www.CitrusCountySpeedway.com

Time: Racing starts at 6pm!

SECKS Series Website:  www.NewSecksRacing.com

By |2011-02-12T10:00:04-05:00February 12th, 2011|DeSoto Speedway, Featured, Series|Comments Off on Florida’s “Smallest” Traveling Series celebrates 80th Race, Maintains Loyal Following
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Clanton Anxious To Start Season Strong In 40th Annual DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH At Volusia Speedway Park

From Kevin Kovac, World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Star Was Still Recovering From Serious Thumb Infection During Last Year’s DIRTCar Nationals

BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 10, 2011 – When Shane Clanton arrives at Volusia Speedway Park on Monday (Feb. 14) for the start of the dirt Late Model portion of the DIRTcar Nationals by University of Northwestern Ohio, he’ll be thinking only about chasing checkered flags and the World of Outlaws Late Model Series championship.

Compared to his mindset heading into the 2010 edition of the mid-winter racing extravaganza, it’s a welcomed relief.

“Last year it was kind of scary for me about this time,” Clanton said last week while preparing for six straight nights of Florida full-fender action that features the season-opening WoO LMS events on Feb. 17 and 19. “I was in the hospital and I didn’t even know if I’d be able to get to Volusia.”

Clanton, 35, of Fayetteville, Ga., made it to the half-mile oval last year, but without his familiar RSD Enterprises No. 25. Unable to race competitively while still recovering from the major health issue that put him in an Atlanta-area hospital bed for eight days, he made the trip merely to start the week’s pair of WoO LMS A-Mains in teammate Tony Knowles’s car using emergency provisional spots, allowing him to salvage last-place points each night.

The lead-up to last year’s DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH was simply horrifying for Clanton, whose focus on the Sunshine State meet ceased abruptly after he suffered a minor cut on his left thumb while working in his shop on Jan. 26, 2010. His finger swelled at an alarming pace the next day so he visited a hospital emergency room; he was immediately admitted for treatment of what was diagnosed as a serious strep infection that had poisoned his blood and was literally eating away at the flesh of his thumb. Doctors told Clanton that if he hadn’t sought medical attention the night of Jan. 27 – the eve of his son Ryan’s seventh birthday – he likely “would’ve been dead in another 10 hours.”

When Clanton signed in for last year’s WoO LMS lidlifter at Volusia, he still had a PICC line in his left arm (so he could receive IV bags of powerful antibiotics every eight hours to combat the strep bacteria in his bloodstream) and gauze wrapped around his mangled left thumb (he had already undergone several surgeries to help eliminate the infection). His only appearance on the racetrack during the DIRTcar Nationals was for the pace laps of the tour’s 50-lap A-Mains; he pulled off as the races began and was credited with finishes of 29th and 30th, sending him home tied for 29th in the points standings.

Saddled with a 112-point deficit in the points race after just two events, Clanton’s championship hopes were effectively dashed before the season had barely begun. He opted to remain a WoO LMS regular, however, after doctors deemed his bloodstream clear of the strep bacteria (he had time to recover with the tour off following Volusia until mid-March) and he put together a respectable campaign, winning three times (including the Firecracker 100 at Pennsylvania’s Lernerville Speedway) and finishing sixth in the points standings.

“We considered not running the series last year after I got hurt because we fell so far behind, but I’m glad we did it,” said Clanton, whose left thumb was left disfigured by the ravages of the infection. “We had a pretty good season and we learned a lot of stuff during the year that should put us further ahead than we would’ve been right now with this new car.”

Yes, Clanton is diving into 2011 with brand-new equipment. He’s made a dramatic change in his racing program, parking the Rocket Chassis machines he’s run since becoming a WoO LMS regular in 2005 in favor of a collaborative chassis-building deal with fellow Georgian Marshall Green, a former Dirt Track World Championship winner who is retired as a driver.

Green, who owns a machine shop and assists his in-laws in the operation of Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, Ga., suggested last summer that he and Clanton should work together on a car and Clanton was intrigued. Clanton has enjoyed plenty of success with his Ronnie Dobbins-owned Rocket cars, including a triumph in the 2008 World 100 at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway, but his increasingly deep conversations with Green convinced him that a partnership might just be for the best.

“I’ve known Marshall for a while, but about a year-and-a-half ago we crossed paths when I went to Dixie a couple times and we started talking more,” said Clanton, who built his own cars when he ran Limited Late Models early in his career and also briefly drove GRT chassis before connecting with Rocket. “About halfway through last year he said, ‘Why don’t we build a race car?’

“The main thing is, I’ve never been able to do to my Rocket car what all of the so-called Rocket people are doing. I’ve always done something a little bit different, basically because of my driving style. Me and Marshall talked about that, and we saw that his setup book versus my setup book look real similar as far as things we’ve done for different track conditions, so things kind of evolved from there. We got to talking about how we do different things than most people in the country, so we figured, Why not get together and build a car ourselves?”

The construction of their first dirt Late Model – dubbed a Capital Race Cars Chassis – began in Green’s shop last July. Progress was slow but steady before picking up after Clanton’s racing schedule ended in November, and Clanton will head to Volusia with two of the cars in his team’s trailer.

“It’s been an ongoing process because with me racing I couldn’t go up there (to Green’s shop at Dixie Speedway) all the time,” said Clanton. “I’ve been involved every step of the way – everything from the first piece of tubing ordered to where it is today.

“You’re always out to better yourself, and that’s what I think I can do with this deal. We feel like we’ll be able to better ourselves by being able to change things on the jig. If we want to move something a half-inch or so, we got a jig right here now to do it versus having to cut a Rocket apart and change something here or change something there that we want to try.

“I’m real excited to get started,” concluded Clanton, who noted that while he’s on the road this year Green will be in the shop building more cars, bumpers and other necessary pieces. “I can’t wait for the first race at Volusia. We’ve worked hard to be in the position we are, so hopefully everything works out and we’ll contend for a (WoO LMS) championship.”

Clanton is optimistic about getting off to a strong start at Volusia, a track that has provided him an ample share of frustration over the years. He’ll have three nights of DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned Late Model action (30-lap A-Mains paying $7,000 to win on Feb. 14, 15 and 16) to use as tune-ups for the 50-lap, $10,000-to-win WoO LMS events on Thurs., Feb. 17, and Sat., Feb. 19, as well as a 40-lap, $10,000-to-win DIRTcar UMP show on Fri., Feb. 18.

“I’ve always liked Volusia,” said Clanton, whose career-best WoO LMS points finish is second, in 2006. “It’s one of my favorite tracks we go to all year, and I’ve been real fast there. It just seems like something always bites me. I’ve been top-five, top-three, and something happens.

“Hopefully this year we turn the page, have a little bit of luck on our side and we can win one of the Outlaw nights to start the year off in the right direction.”

In DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH competition at Volusia since 2005, Clanton has a top WoO LMS finish of third, in the first half of the ’05 doubleheader. He also owns solid finishes of fifth (second 2005 event), sixth (2009 finale) and seventh (2007 finale and 2009 opener). What’s more, in 2008 he was a serious contender in both WoO LMS A-Mains but headed home with nothing to show for his efforts – he finished 21st in the opening event after breaking a left-rear axle while leading on lap 30, then placed 24th in the finale because a broken left-rear wheel knocked him out after he had advanced from the 10th starting spot to fourth.

The DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH is a 12-night short-track blockbuster just a half-hour drive from Daytona Beach that kicked off on Feb. 8 and runs through Feb. 19. Joining the Late Models on the meet’s remaining schedule are the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series (Feb. 11-13); the O’Reilly All-Star Sprint Car Series (Feb. 10); the Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds (Feb. 16-19); and the UMP Modifieds (Feb. 10-15).

Pit gates open at 1 p.m., grandstand gates are unlocked at 5 p.m. and racing is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. each day of the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, which boasts a ‘Free Pit Pass With Every Ticket’ offer that allows fans to sign into the pits for an up-close-and-personal view of the race teams each night.

Additional information on the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH is available by logging on to www.DIRTcarNationals.com or calling 386-985-4402.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

By |2011-02-11T12:57:10-05:00February 11th, 2011|Featured, Front Page News, Upcoming Events, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off on Clanton Anxious To Start Season Strong In 40th Annual DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH At Volusia Speedway Park
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ENCORE PERFORMANCE: Bowyer, Swindell win for second consecutive night

BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 10, 2011 – For the second consecutive night at the 40th Annual DIRTcar Nationals By University of Northwestern Ohio at Volusia Speedway Park, Clint Bowyer in a DIRTcar UMP Modified and Sammy Swindell in a Sprint Car took the checkered flags.

Bowyer started 17th in the DIRTcar UMP Modified main event and weaved through the field. He worked past Ken Schrader, then Ty Dillon and set his sights on leader Austin Dillon, whose motor then let go. Bowyer finally motored past Ryan Gustin and held on to win for the second consecutive night. Gustin was second with Ty Dillon, Schrader and Jon Henry rounding out the Top 5.

Like Bowyer, Swindell again found his way to the front of the O’Reilly Auto Parts All Star Circuit of Champions main event for the second night in a row. Swindell worked his way around Stevie Smith on Lap 20 and held him off to the checkered flag. Kasey Kahne Racing’s Cody Darrah was on the pole and finished third with Dale Blaney and Kraig Kinser rounding the Top Five.

Earlier in the night, Kasey Kahne Racing’s Paul McMahan got the Sprint Car event off to a fast start when he broke a four-year-old track record in qualifying by turning a lap in 12.569 seconds at 143.209 mph. The previous mark was 12.948 seconds. The standard for speed on a half-mile dirt oval had been Tony Stewart’s Eldora Speedway, where Craig Dollansky established the record of 12.707 seconds in 2002.

For more information, go to http://www.DIRTcarNationals.com or follow the event on Twitter @DIRTcarNats.

DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH UMP Modified 20-lap A-main finish (Starting position in parenthesis): 1. Clint Bowyer (17); 2. Ryan Gustin (8); 3. Ty Dillon (5); 4. Ken Schrader (6); 5. Jon Henry (4); 6. Gary Cook Jr (10); 7. Todd Sherman (16); 8. Stormy Scott (3); 9. Dave Hess Jr (20); 10. Scotty Orr (18); 11. Bobby Regot (21); 12. Chris Puskas (13); 13. Dave Wietholder (26); 14. Bob Broking (25); 15. Kyle Bronson (11); 16. Mike Spatola (1); 17. Nate Carruth (9); 18. Austin Dillon (2); 19. Chad Kinder (7); 20. Kenny Wallace (27); 21. Dave Baldwin (24); 22. Terry Hull (12); 23. Bobby Kitchen (19); 24. Randle Sweeney (15); 25. Brett Korves (23); 26. Duane Dale (22); 27. Joey Jensen (14).

DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car Series 30-lap A-main Finish (Starting position in parenthesis): 1. Sammy Swindell (4); 2. Stevie Smith (2); 3. Cody Darrah (1); 4. Dale Blaney (5); 5. Kraig Kinser (6); 6. Joey Saldana (17); 7. Sam Hafertepe Jr. (12); 8. Daryn Pittman (7); 9. Jason Meyers (15); 10. Donny Schatz (22); 11. Danny Lasoski (8); 12. Greg Hodnett (21); 13. David Gravel (9); 14. Lucas Wolfe (19); 15. Tyler Walker (24); 16. Paul McMahan (11); 17. Brad Sweet (16); 18. Fred Rahmer (14); 19. Greg Wilson (20); 20. Lance Dewease (3); 21. Aaron Ott (23); 22. Bronson Maeschen (18); 23. Chad Kemenah (10); 24. Spud Gustin (13).

By |2011-02-11T12:36:18-05:00February 11th, 2011|Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Series, Upcoming Events, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off on ENCORE PERFORMANCE: Bowyer, Swindell win for second consecutive night
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Weather postpones Thursday’s event at East Bay

Tampa – Fl, – February 10, 2011 – With the track just about ready for hot laps, another rain hit East Bay and forced cancellation of Thursday’s event. Even the efforts of an airboat, it became impossible to get the track race ready. However, with 2 dates to make-up, the following schedule is in effect. For the first time in 35 years of Winternationals, East Bay will run a Double-Double. Monday’s rain out will be made up Friday at noon with Friday’s regular show to follow at 7:00 p.m. Thursday’s event will be run Saturday at noon with the big $12,000 to win 75-Lap Feature with racing at 7:00 p.m. Saturday night. For further information, check the website www.eastbayracewaypark.com or please feel free to contact the office at 813-677-7223.

By |2011-02-11T00:49:12-05:00February 11th, 2011|East Bay Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Upcoming Events|Comments Off on Weather postpones Thursday’s event at East Bay
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New Smyrna Announces New Make Up Date For Pete Orr Memorial Race

Due to a scheduling conflict, the Pete Orr Memorial  has been rescheduled to Saturday, March 26, 2011 at New Smyrna Speedway.

Also on the schedule for the 2011 Season Opener on March 26th are the Limited Late Models, Modifieds, Pro-Trucks, Mini-Stocks and Strictly Stocks.

By |2011-02-10T13:35:44-05:00February 10th, 2011|Featured, New Smyrna Speedway, Upcoming Events|Comments Off on New Smyrna Announces New Make Up Date For Pete Orr Memorial Race
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Hendry County Adds To Show

By Racin Jason Beckner

I can’t wait to see everyone this weekend. It’s going to be a lot of fun and I have been ready to get back to some racing.

We have been talking to some of you drivers and we are going to add 3 classes to the show this Saturday night. Now don’t freak out guys and girls. This will be a non-points race. This will be a trophy dash for Limited Wing Sprints, Limited Late Model Sportsman, and V-8 Bombers Friday and Saturday. Great way to get ready for the season and shake down your new stuff and your old stuff. Let’s go racing boys!

I have some nice trophies for the dash races that would look really good in your shop.

By |2011-02-10T09:11:26-05:00February 10th, 2011|Featured, Hendry County Park, Upcoming Events|Comments Off on Hendry County Adds To Show
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Racers Ready For Ocala’s Battle Between the Coasts

by BJ Cavin- Ocala Speedway Media

OCALA, FL-  Dirt racing fans will have something extraordinary to cheer about this weekend as many of the top dirt late model racers in the nation converge on the toughest 3/8ths mile in the southeast for “The Battle Between The Coasts.”  This event will be another first for Florida’s oldest and most historic speedway, and the second scheduled event in Ocala Speedway’s February Winternationals for 2011.

This rare Sunday night dual race event at Ocala Speedway will pay $8000 to the winner, and is strategically scheduled on what had been a day off between Speedweeks events at East Bay Raceway, and at Volusia Speedway Park.  And since the top late model racers in the country didn’t come to Florida to take time off, most of the top names have said that they plan to use the Sunday night race to find out what makes Ocala’s odd layout so challenging, and get a fair shot at making some money as well.  And because the “Battle Between The Coasts” is scheduled between the other Speedweeks events which feature racers from both of America’s top dirt late model touring series, racers from both the World of Outlaws Late Models and from the Lucas Oil Series will be free to come to Ocala to take on the track and each other.

In addition to exceptional late model action, Ocala Speedway’s own V8 Thunder Stock Division will take to the clay in a unique preseason exhibition that pays $500 to the victor.  Astor Recycling has come on board for this event as a sponsor, allowing the purse for this race to pay out more through the field, which will benefit all of the racers no matter where they might finish or how their fortunes might go in the feature event.  And as Ocala’s race fans already know, the V8 Thunder Stocks at Ocala Speedway are the most competitive division during the regular season, and racers are not afraid to use fenders, bumpers, or the wall, in their efforts to get to the front of the pack.

Ocala Speedway will open the grandstand gates at 4PM this Sunday afternoon, with racing action scheduled to begin at 7PM.  Admission for adults is $25, with kids aged 5 to 16 admitted for just $12.  Children 4 and under are free.  Racers that have informed Ocala Speedway of their intentions to race include Scott Bloomquist, Earl Pearson Jr, Josh Richards, Russ King, Darrell Lanigan, Clint Smith, Justin Ratliff, Frank Heckenast Jr, Mike Marlar, Brad Neap, Jonathan Davenport, Chub Frank, Rick “Boom” Briggs, and Shane Clanton, just to name a few.  Race organizers are expecting upwards of 50 top late model teams to be on hand for this event, depending on their fortunes during racing at East Bay during the week.

For additional information, plus directions to the track and more, please visit America’s Dirt Track online at www.OcalaSpeedway.com, or call the speedway at 352-622-9400.

By |2011-02-10T08:22:54-05:00February 10th, 2011|Bubba Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Upcoming Events|Comments Off on Racers Ready For Ocala’s Battle Between the Coasts
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Bowyer, Swindell Power to Volusia Victories Wednesday Night

PHOTO: Clint Bowyer held off Ken Schrader Wednesday for his first DIRTcar UMP Modified victory at Volusia Speedway Park.

BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 9, 2011 – Racing legend Sammy Swindell powered to victory Wednesday night in the Sprint Car opener at the 40th Annual DIRTcar Nationals By University of Northwestern Ohio at Volusia Speedway Park.

Swindell weaved to the front and worked past Kraig Kinser to grab the lead on Lap 7 of the 30-lap main event. Then the three-time World of Outlaws champion held off teammate Craig Dollansky to the checkered flag. Rising star David Gravel was third followed by Daryn Pittman and Greg Wilson.

NASCAR superstar Clint Bowyer started on the outside pole of the DIRTcar UMP Modified feature event that followed the Sprint Car race and held off Ken Schrader for the first victory of his career at Volusia Speedway Park. Schrader tried to close the gap on a green-white-checkered finish but had to settle for second with Joey Kramer third followed by Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Dillon with Jason Miller rounding out the top five.

For more information, go to http://www.DIRTcarNationals.com or follow the event on Twitter @DIRTcarNats.

DIRTcar UMP Modified 20-lap A-main finish (Starting position in parenthesis): 1. Clint Bowyer (2); 2. Ken Schrader (5); 3. Joey Kramer (4); 4. Austin Dillon (12); 5. Jason Miller (10); 6. Bobby Kitchen (1); 7. Kenny Wallace (6); 8. Richie Tosh (9); 9. Dave Hess Jr (23); 10. Nate Carruth (7); 11. Michael Long (15); 12. Corey Conley (20); 13. David McWilliams (13); 14. Duane Dale (11); 15. Jamie Lomax (3); 16. Ty Dillon (26); 17. Devin Gilpin (18); 18. Todd Neiheiser (8); 19. Chris Puskas (28); 20. Dale Mathison (17); 21. Jon Henry (21); 22. Rob Penney (14); 23. Ryan Gustin (16); 24. Kevin Davis (22); 25. Bob Gierke (24); 26. Scotty Orr (19); 27. Andy Strait (25); 28. Gary Cook Jr (27).

All Star Sprint Car Series Statistical Report, Volusia Speedway Park, Feb. 9, 2011

A-main (30 laps) – Starting Position [#]: 1) 1-Sammy Swindell[9]  2) 7-Craig Dollansky[17]  3) 89G-David Gravel[4]  4) 27-Daryn Pittman[7] [5) W20-Greg Wilson[6]  6) 1Z-Stevie Smith[5] [7) 14-Jason Meyers[10] 8) 83X-Tim Shaffer[13] [9) 51-Fred Rahmer[11] [ 10) 2-Dale Blaney[3]  11) 15-Donny Schatz[15]  12) 30C-Lance Dewease[21]  13) 9-Joey Saldana[19]  14) 14Z-Jessica Zemken[8]  15) 11-Steve Kinser[24] 16) 17-Tyler Walker[20]  17) 22-Brian Ellenberger[22]  18) 2B-Ben Gregg[23]  19) 5W-Lucas Wolfe[14]  20) 7S-Jason Sides[16]  21) 6-Kraig Kinser[2] [22) 63-Chad Kemenah[12]  23) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.[1]  24) 83-Paul McMahan[18]

Qualifying (Best time of two laps): 1) 1Z-Stevie Smith 13.525 2) 51-Fred Rahmer 13.607 3) 63-Chad Kemenah 13.609 4) 6-Kraig Kinser 13.639 5) 83X-Tim Shaffer 13.677 6) 89G-David Gravel 13.727 7) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr. 13.746 8) 4-Danny Smith 13.772 9) W20-Greg Wilson 13.777 10) 2-Dale Blaney 13.777 11) 27-Daryn Pittman 13.859 12) 14Z-Jessica Zemken 13.868 13) 1-Sammy Swindell 13.885 14) 14-Jason Meyers 13.932 15) 5W-Lucas Wolfe 13.940 16) 15-Donny Schatz 13.940 17) 7S-Jason Sides 13.964 18) 24-Terrt McCarl 14.005 19) 7-Craig Dollansky 14.011 20) 83-Paul McMahan 14.017 21) 9-Joey Saldana 14.020 22) 17-Tyler Walker 14.021 23) 30C-Lance Dewease 14.034 24) 22-Brian Ellenberger 14.042 25) 2B-Ben Gregg 14.107 26) 11-Steve Kinser 14.127 27) O4-Cap Henry 14.137 28) 1J-Bronson Maeschen 14.148 29) 91-Cody Darrah 14.191 30) 25-Aaron Ott 14.237 31) 55-Chad Layton 14.279 32) 39-Greg Hodnett 14.313 33) 49-Brad Sweet 14.329 34) 33-Danny Lasoski 14.356 35) 7M-Mark Smith 14.492 36) 80-Spud Gustin 14.514 37) 3-Pete Miller 15.033 38) P51-Jeff Carlson 15.328 39) 6N-Brad Wickam 15.404

Heat 1 (8 Laps, top 5 finishers transferred to A-feature): 1) 7S-Jason Sides[2] 2) 1-Sammy Swindell[3] 3) 9-Joey Saldana[1] 4) 1Z-Stevie Smith[6] 5) W20-Greg Wilson[4] 6) 83X-Tim Shaffer[5] 7) 91-Cody Darrah[8] 8) 2B-Ben Gregg[7] 9) 3-Pete Miller[10] 10) 49-Brad Sweet[9]

Heat 2 (8 Laps, top 5 finishers transferred to A-feature): 1) 17-Tyler Walker[1] 2) 2-Dale Blaney[4] 3) 14-Jason Meyers[3] 4) 11-Steve Kinser[7] 5) 89G-David Gravel[5] 6) 24-Terrt McCarl[2] 7) 51-Fred Rahmer[6] 8) 25-Aaron Ott[8] 9) 33-Danny Lasoski[9] 10) P51-Jeff Carlson[10]

Heat 3 (8 Laps, top 5 finishers transferred to A-feature): 1) 7-Craig Dollansky[2] 2) 30C-Lance Dewease[1] 3) 27-Daryn Pittman[4] 4) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.[5] 5) 5W-Lucas Wolfe[3] 6) 7M-Mark Smith[9] 7) 55-Chad Layton[8] 8) 63-Chad Kemenah[6] 9) O4-Cap Henry[7] 10) 6N-Brad Wickam[10]

Heat 4 (8 Laps, top 5 finishers transferred to A-feature): 1) 83-Paul McMahan[2] 2) 22-Brian Ellenberger[1] 3) 14Z-Jessica Zemken[4] 4) 6-Kraig Kinser[6] 5) 15-Donny Schatz[3] 6) 4-Danny Smith[5] 7) 39-Greg Hodnett[8] 8) 1J-Bronson Maeschen[7] 9) 80-Spud Gustin[9]

Dash (6 laps, finishing order determined first 6 starting positions of A-feature): 1) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.[1] 2) 6-Kraig Kinser[2] 3) 2-Dale Blaney[6] 4) 89G-David Gravel[3] 5) 1Z-Stevie Smith[5] 6) W20-Greg Wilson[4]

B-main (12 laps, top 4 finishers transferred to A-feature): 1) 51-Fred Rahmer[1]  [] 2) 63-Chad Kemenah[2]  [] 3) 83X-Tim Shaffer[3]  [] 4) 2B-Ben Gregg[6]  [] 5) 25-Aaron Ott[10]   6) 4-Danny Smith[4]   7) O4-Cap Henry[7]   8) 55-Chad Layton[11]  [9) 33-Danny Lasoski[14]   10) 91-Cody Darrah[9]  11) 7M-Mark Smith[15]   12) 1J-Bronson Maeschen[8]   13) 39-Greg Hodnett[12]   14) 49-Brad Sweet[13]  15) 3-Pete Miller[17]   16) 6N-Brad Wickam[19]   17) 80-Spud Gustin[16]   18) 24-Terry McCarl[5]

By |2011-02-10T08:37:56-05:00February 10th, 2011|Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Series, Upcoming Events, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off on Bowyer, Swindell Power to Volusia Victories Wednesday Night
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