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

DAVENPORT BACK IN VICTORY LANE AT EAST BAY

TAMPA, FLA (February 8, 2019) – Jonathan Davenport grabbed the lead from Tyler Erb on lap 38 and led the rest of the way to score his second win in the Wrisco Industries Winternationals presented by Lucas Oil.

Erb entered the event with two wins during the week and bolted to the lead at the start of the 50-lap main event. Erb held the lead until Davenport forged ahead with twelve laps remaining. Erb’s Best Performance Motorsports, Rocket crossed the stripe in second followed by Earl Pearson Jr. in the Ronnie and Terri Stuckey-owned, Lucas Oil Products, Black Diamond Race Car.

Completing the top five were Scott Bloomquist in the STEEL-IT, Sweet-Bloomquist entry, and Devin Moran in the Big River Steel, Dunn-Benson Ford, Rocket.

Davenport made his way to Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the 38th time in his career, joined by his son Blane. “I just want to thank all of the fans for coming out tonight. Knowing that tonight was a point race, we really wanted to put on a good show. We have had a really good car here the last three nights. When I turned under Erb to get the lead he left me some room there where there was some brown on the race track. Congrats to him [Erb] and Earl [Pearson] for both putting on a good run tonight as well.”

“We have such a great race team,” Davenport added. “Thanks to Lance Landers for putting this together. Thanks to my crew: Jason, Tyler and Lance they do such a great job. Gavin [Landers] is here this week and Brewster back at the t-shirt trailer. The track has been racy all week. This is what we love doing. We come down here to compete and mix it up with everybody and you never know who is going to win.”

“It was crazy when the bottom kind of died there,” said Erb. “The top got faster in one and two. I just went up top and out of a lucky chance I could run there. We got to three-wide for the lead and that’s when JD got by me. Congratulations to JD and his team, they had a great car, Earl did too. We will take second tonight, it was another podium finish for the team, and we will come back tomorrow night.”

Pearson was runner-up to Hudson O’Neal on Thursday night and took third behind Davenport and Erb tonight. “This is all for the guys here they have worked their tails off during the winter. We went to Arizona to try some stuff out there. My Black Diamond Chassis has been really good since we have come down here. It has been a very good week for us, and we will keep digging.”

The winner’s Lance Landers Motorsports, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Cornett Racing Engine and sponsored by: Nutrien Ag Solutions, ASC Warranty, Spartan Mowers, Penske Racing Shocks, Valvoline, and Mega Plumbing of the Carolinas. His crew chief is Jason Durham.

Completing the top ten were Tim McCreadie, Billy Moyer, Jr., Jason Jameson, Mike Benedum, and Jeff Mathews.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Friday, February 8th, 2019
Wrisco Industries Winternationals presented by Lucas Oil
East Bay Raceway Park – Tampa, Fla.

Miller Welders Time Trials
Fast Time Group A: Scott Bloomquist / 14.525 seconds (overall)
Fast Time Group B: Earl Pearson Jr. / 14.880 seconds

Penske Race Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Jonathan Davenport, Scott Bloomquist, Austin Hubbard, Billy Moyer, Jr., Kyle Bronson, Stormy Scott, Dan Stone, Jeff Mathews, Tyler Carpenter, Vic Hill, Michael Lake, Morgan Bagley

FK Rod Ends Heat Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Tyler Erb, Mike Benedum, Devin Moran, Justin Williams, Devin Dixon, Jonathan Rowan, Blair Nothdurft, Tim Dohm , Johnny Pursley, Joey Moriarty, Kerry King

Simpson Race Products Heat Race #3 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Earl Pearson, Jr., Jimmy Owens, Tim McCreadie, Don O’Neal, Ryan King, Terry Casey, Gregg Satterlee, Jason Jameson, Allen Murray, Greg Oakes, Colton Horner, Geoff Carey

Lucas Oil Products Penetrating Oil Heat Race #4 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Colton Flinner, Tanner English, Josh Richards, Hudson O’Neal, Austin Rettig, Matt Cosner, Rusty Schlenk, Chad Stapleton, Shanon Buckingham, Freddie Carpenter, Joel Callahan

Lucas Oil Products Red “N” Tacky Spray Grease B-Main #1 Finish (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Stormy Scott, Kyle Bronson, Devin Dixon, Tim Dohm , Jonathan Rowan, Jeff Mathews, Johnny Pursley, Tyler Carpenter, Joey Moriarty, Kerry King, Dan Stone, Blair Nothdurft, Vic Hill-DNS, Michael Lake-DNS, Morgan Bagley-DNS

FAST Shafts B-Main #2 Finish (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Terry Casey, Ryan King, Jason Jameson, Gregg Satterlee, Austin Rettig, Chad Stapleton, Matt Cosner, Rusty Schlenk, Joel Callahan, Greg Oakes, Allen Murray, Freddie Carpenter, Shanon Buckingham, Geoff Carey, Colton Horner-DNS

DirtOnDirt.com Strawberry Dash Finish: Austin Rettig, Chad Stapleton, Allen Murray, Joey Moriarty, Tyler Carpenter, Joel Callahan, Dan Stone, Kerry King, Freddie Carpenter, Jonathan Rowan, Colton Horner, Rusty Schlenk

Lucas Oil Feature Finish (50 Laps):

FINISH START CAR # DRIVER NAME HOMETOWN EARNINGS
1 1 49 Jonathan Davenport Blairsville, GA $12,000
2 3 1T Tyler Erb New Waverly, TX $5,500
3 2 1 Earl Pearson, Jr. Jacksonville, FL $3,600
4 5 0 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN $2,750
5 11 1M Devin Moran Dresden, OH $2,250
6 10 39 Tim McCreadie Watertown, NY $1,800
7 13 21 Billy Moyer, Jr. Batesville, AR $1,500
8 22 12J Jason Jameson Lawrenceburg, IN $1,300
9 7 25B Mike Benedum Salem, WV $1,200
10 25 33 Jeff Mathews Brandon, FL $1,100
11 16 71 Hudson O’Neal Martinsville, IN $1,075
12 12 14 Josh Richards Shinnston, WV $1,050
13 15 89 Justin Williams Concord, VA $1,025
14 21 313 Devin Dixon Apollo Beach, FL $1,000
15 9 11H Austin Hubbard Bridgeville, DE $1,000
16 6 20 Jimmy Owens Newport, TN $1,000
17 20 1Gk Ryan King Seymour, TN $1,000
18 26 94 Austin Rettig Sikeston, MO $1,000
19 17 2s Stormy Scott Las Cruses, NM $1,000
20 8 116 Tanner English Benton, KY $1,000
21 19 40B Kyle Bronson Brandon, FL $1,000
22 14 5 Don O’Neal Martinsville, IN $1,100
23 23 22 Gregg Satterlee Indiana, PA $1,000
24 24 6T Tim Dohm Cross Lanes, WV $1,000
25 18 942 Terry Casey New London, WI $1,000
26 4 48 Colton Flinner Allison Park, PA $1,000

Race Statistics
Entrants: 46
Lap Leaders: Jonathan Davenport (Laps 1 – 14); Tyler Erb (Laps 15 – 37); Jonathan Davenport (Lap 38 – 50)
Wrisco Feature Winner: Jonathan Davenport
Margin of Victory: 1.933 seconds
Cautions: Colton Flinner (Lap 6); Ryan King (Lap 10); Josh Richards (Lap 36); Hudson O’Neal (Lap 37); Kyle Bronson, Hudson O’Neal (Lap 39); Tanner English (Lap 45); Stormy Scott (Lap 46)
Series Provisional: Gregg Satterlee
Miller Welders Fast Time Provisionals: Tim Dohm
Wrisco Industries Winternationals Provisional: Jeff Mathews
DirtOnDirt.com Strawberry Dash Provisional: Austin Rettig
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Jeff Mathews (Advanced 15 Positions)
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Earl Pearson Jr.
Allstar Performance Power Move of the Race: Jason Jameson
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Tyler Erb
Eibach Springs Rookie of the Race: *Rookie of the Race will begin after April 1st.*
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Cornett Racing Engines
Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn Chassis
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Jason Durham (Jonathan Davenport)
Dirty Girl Racewear Fastest Lap of the Race: Jonathan Davenport (Lap #50 – 14.772 seconds)
Hot Rod Processing Tough Break of the Race: Don O’Neal
STEEL-IT Most Laps Led: Jonathan Davenport (27 Laps)
PFC Brakes Pole Award: Jonathan Davenport
Time of Race: 42 minutes 36 seconds

Lucas Oil Championship Point Standings:
POS CAR # DRIVER NAME HOMETOWN POINTS EARNINGS
1 1 Earl Pearson, Jr. Jacksonville, FL 720 $30,150
2 49 Jonathan Davenport Blairsville, GA 710 $31,075
3 1T Tyler Erb New Waverly, TX 690 $36,550
4 0 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN 635 $9,675
5 1M Devin Moran Dresden, OH 560 $8,025
6 14 Josh Richards Shinnston, WV 540 $10,900
7 39 Tim McCreadie Watertown, NY 525 $7,125
7 5 Don O’Neal Martinsville, IN 525 $8,600
9 12J Jason Jameson Lawrenceburg, IN 515 $4,800
10 71 Hudson O’Neal Martinsville, IN 470 $11,000
11 20 Jimmy Owens Newport, TN 440 $6,725
11 22 Gregg Satterlee Indiana, PA 440 $6,500
13 21 Billy Moyer, Jr. Batesville, AR 425 $3,750
13 40B Kyle Bronson Brandon, FL 425 $7,825
15 33 Jeff Mathews Brandon, FL 415 $3,800
16 1Gk Ryan King Seymour, TN 410 $4,450
16 1S Brandon Sheppard New Berlin, IL 410 $9,400
18 89 Justin Williams Concord, VA 405 $1,625
19 66c Matt Cosner Ridgeley, WV 390 $3,000
20 50 Shanon Buckingham Morristown, TN 385 $2,975
*Results are unofficial until Close of Business on the Tuesday following Race Day*

By |2019-02-09T19:47:51-05:00February 9th, 2019|East Bay Raceway Park, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, Racing News|Comments Off on DAVENPORT BACK IN VICTORY LANE AT EAST BAY

DAVENPORT STRIKES AT EAST BAY

TAMPA, FLA. (February 6, 2019) – The defending Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion, Jonathan Davenport survived a torrid battle with Brandon Sheppard to register his first series win of 2019 on Wednesday night at East Bay Raceway Park.

Davenport took the lead from Sheppard on lap 26 and then held off Tyler Erb to win the Wrisco Industries Winternationals presented by Lucas Oil. It was Davenport’s fifth-career win at the “Clay by the Bay” and the 37th Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory of his career.

Erb’s Best Performance Motorsports, Rocket entered the event winning three of the first four events of the season and was looking for his third straight victory at East Bay. Josh Richards came from the 23rd starting spot in the Clint Bowyer Racing, Peak Antifreeze and Coolant, Rocket to place third. Brandon Overton finished fourth after starting 18th. Sheppard rounded out the top five.

A former Lucas Oil Rookie of the Year, Colton Flinner earned the first PFC Brakes Pole Award of his career and led the first eight laps of the main event before yielding to Brian Shirley on the ninth circuit.

Davenport started fifth and kept pace with the leaders before charging to the point on the twelfth circuit. Davenport held the lead until Sheppard move ahead on lap 24. Davenport quickly fought back, passing Sheppard on lap 26 to take the lead for the final time.

“I definitely wanted to see that last caution,” said Davenport. “I was getting into lapped traffic and everybody was on the bottom going into one and two. Everybody out there earned their paycheck tonight. This is the slickest place in the world. When I went into three and four, I just put it on the floor. I can’t thank my crew enough. We all put our heads together. We went back through our notes to see what we were missing on the set-up and their hard work paid off.”

Erb maintained his solid start to the season with a second-place finish. “Not winning that heat race and starting eighth probably hurt us tonight. Those restarts were wild. I was on the outside everytime and I didn’t want to be there. We had a good race going. I hated to see that caution once I got past Sheppard. I could tell that JD’s [Jonathan Davenport’s] crew was telling him to run down the middle. It was a really great night. Good job to JD, Josh [Richards], and Sheppy [Sheppard]. It was a crazy and exciting race for sure.”

Richards overcame issues in his heat race and rebounded with a strong third-place run. “We had a long night. The motor hadn’t been running right. We have had some fuel problems the last few days. I told the crew something wasn’t right. We made a change right before the feature and I was just going to ride around there and it started going pretty good. We had a shot at the lead, but I’m happy to finish third.”

The winner’s Lance Landers Motorsports, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Cornett Racing Engine and is sponsored by: Nutrien Ag Solutions, Spartan Mowers, ASC Warranty, Penske Racing Shocks, Valvoline, and Mega Plumbing of the Carolinas.

Completing the top ten were Kyle Bronson, Earl Pearson Jr., Brian Shirley, Don O’Neal, and Devin Moran.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Wednesday, February 6th, 2019
Wrisco Industries Winternationals presented by Lucas Oil
East Bay Raceway Park – Tampa, Fla.

Miller Welders Time Trials
Fast Time Group A: Colton Flinner / 14.526 seconds
Fast Time Group B: Brian Shirley / 14.273 seconds (overall)

Penske Race Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Colton Flinner, Billy Moyer, Earl Pearson, Jr., Colton Horner, Tim McCreadie, Matt Cosner, Devin Dixon, John Tweed, Jason Jameson-DNS

FK Rod Ends Heat Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Don O’Neal, Morgan Bagley, Gregg Satterlee, Greg Oakes, Hudson O’Neal, Shanon Buckingham, Freddie Carpenter, Joey Moriarty, Rusty Schlenk

Simpson Race Products Heat Race #3 Finish (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Jonathan Davenport, Scott Bloomquist, Stormy Scott, Josh Richards, Justin Williams, Allen Murray, Austin Rettig, Joe Denby

Lucas Oil Products Penetrating Oil Heat Race #4 Finish (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Brian Shirley, Tyler Erb, Mike Benedum, Kyle Bronson, Michael Lake, Dan Stone, Vic Hill, Devin Gilpin, Kerry King

Wrisco Industries Heat Race #5 Finish (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Brandon Sheppard, Jimmy Owens, Ryan King, Jeff Mathews, Terry Casey, Joel Callahan, Blair Nothdurft, Tim Dohm , Geoffrey Carey

GEICO Heat Race #6 Finish (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Tanner English, Dennis Erb, Jr., Brandon Overton, Billy Moyer, Jr., Austin Hubbard, Devin Moran, Jonathan Rowan, Tyler Carpenter

Lucas Oil Products Red “N” Tacky Spray Grease B-Main #1 Finish (12 Laps, Top 2 Transfer): Tim McCreadie, Colton Horner, Greg Oakes, Matt Cosner, Shanon Buckingham, Rusty Schlenk, Freddie Carpenter, Joey Moriarty, Allen Murray, Devin Dixon, Joe Denby, Hudson O’Neal, Justin Williams, John Tweed, Austin Rettig, Josh Richards-DNS, Jason Jameson-DNS

FAST Shafts B-Main #2 Finish (12 Laps, Top 2 Transfer): Kyle Bronson, Billy Moyer, Jr., Michael Lake, Austin Hubbard, Terry Casey, Devin Moran, Jeff Mathews, Joel Callahan, Dan Stone, Vic Hill, Tyler Carpenter, Blair Nothdurft, Jonathan Rowan, Kerry King, Devin Gilpin, Geoffrey Carey, Tim Dohm-DNS

DirtOnDirt.com Strawberry Dash Finish: Matt Cosner, Rusty Schlenk, Terry Casey, Joel Callahan, Freddie Carpenter, Michael Lake, Dan Stone, Blair Nothdurft, Joey Moriarty, Greg Oakes, Vic Hill, Shanon Buckingham, Devin Dixon

Lucas Oil Feature Finish (40 Laps):

FINISH START CAR # DRIVER NAME HOMETOWN EARNINGS
1 5 49 Jonathan Davenport Blairsville, GA $7,000
2 8 1T Tyler Erb New Waverly, TX $3,500
3 23 14 Josh Richards Shinnston, WV $2,000
4 18 2 Brandon Overton Evans, GA $1,500
5 4 1S Brandon Sheppard New Berlin, IL $1,400
6 20 40B Kyle Bronson Brandon, FL $1,300
7 13 1 Earl Pearson, Jr. Jacksonville, FL $1,200
8 2 3s Brian Shirley Chatham, IL $1,100
9 3 5 Don O’Neal Martinsville, IN $1,000
10 24 1M Devin Moran Dresden, OH $950
11 15 22 Gregg Satterlee Indiana, PA $900
12 9 14m Morgan Bagley Gladewater, TX $850
13 22 21 Billy Moyer, Jr. Batesville, AR $800
14 12 28 Dennis Erb, Jr. Carpentersville, IL $750
15 19 39 Tim McCreadie Watertown, NY $725
16 7 9 Billy Moyer Batesville, AR $700
17 21 56JR Colton Horner Katy, TX $700
18 25 33 Jeff Mathews Brandon, FL $700
19 1 48 Colton Flinner Allison Park, PA $650
20 11 0 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN $625
21 16 1Gk Ryan King Seymour, TN $625
22 10 20 Jimmy Owens Newport, TN $600
23 14 25B Mike Benedum Salem, WV $600
24 6 116 Tanner English Benton, KY $600
25 17 2s Stormy Scott Las Cruses, NM $600
26 26 66c Matt Cosner Ridgeley, WV $600

Race Statistics
Entrants: 52
Lap Leaders: Colton Flinner (Laps 1 – 8); Brian Shirley (Laps 9 – 11); Jonathan Davenport (Laps 12 – 23); Brandon Sheppard (Laps 24 – 25); Jonathan Davenport (Laps 26 – 40)
Wrisco Feature Winner: Jonathan Davenport
Margin of Victory: 1.551 seconds
Cautions: Earl Pearson Jr., Stormy Scott (Lap 19); Tanner English (Lap 21); Jimmy Owens, Mike Benedum (Lap 22); Colton Flinner (Lap 25); Billy Moyer Jr. (Lap 27); Ryan King (Lap 30); Colton Horner (Lap 37)
Series Provisionals: Josh Richards, Devin Moran
Wrisco Industries Winternationals Provisional: Jeff Mathews
DirtOnDirt.com Strawberry Dash Provisional: Matt Cosner
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Josh Richards (Advanced 20 Positions)
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Earl Pearson Jr.
Allstar Performance Power Move of the Race: Billy Moyer Jr.
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Jonathan Davenport
Eibach Springs Rookie of the Race: *Rookie of the Race will begin after April 1st.*
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Cornett Racing Engines
Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn Chassis
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Anthony Burroughs (Josh Richards)
Dirty Girl Racewear Fastest Lap of the Race: Tyler Erb (Lap #9 – 15.491 seconds)
Hot Rod Processing Tough Break of the Race: Jimmy Owens
STEEL-IT Most Laps Led: Jonathan Davenport (27 Laps)
PFC Brakes Pole Award: Colton Flinner
Time of Race: 36 minutes 39 seconds

*Results are unofficial until Close of Business on the Tuesday following Race Day*

For the latest breaking news concerning the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, including the latest series standings, 2019 tour schedule, driver information, and more visit the official website at: www.lucasdirt.com.

By |2019-02-07T13:43:59-05:00February 7th, 2019|East Bay Raceway Park, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, National, Racing News|Comments Off on DAVENPORT STRIKES AT EAST BAY

TYLER ERB SCORES EAST BAY OPENER

TAMPA, FLA. (February 4, 2019) – Tyler Erb scored his second Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win of the season in the opening night of the Wrisco Industries Winternationals presented by Lucas Oil on Monday Night at East Bay Raceway Park.

Erb started on the pole of the main event but did not take the lead until the thirteenth circuit. He was one of four different race leaders, others being Jonathan Davenport, Josh Richards, and Brandon Sheppard. Erb won the thrilling opener by just nine-tenths of a second – holding off Josh Richards, Brandon Sheppard, Austin Hubbard and Don O’Neal en route to his first ever win at the “Clay by the Bay.”
Defending series champion Jonathan Davenport bolted to the lead at the start of the race and led the first eight laps. Richards then forged ahead for one lap, before Sheppard took command of the race for two circuits. Erb then charged around Sheppard to take the lead for good on lap 13 and pulled away enough to thwart any efforts by Richards and Sheppard.
Richards’ Clint Bowyer Racing, Peak Antifreeze and Coolant, Rocket and Sheppard’s Mark Richards Racing, Valvoline, Rocket battled hard for second in the last 15 laps of the race to join Erb on the podium, with Richards just edging Sheppard at the finish.
The Young Texan [Erb] was elated with his second win of 2019 on the tour. “I am super-excited to get this opportunity to work with Randall Edwards, Eric, and Kelly. This is a dream come true for me. I have been dreaming of this chance for a long time and to finally get to this point is very satisfying, but you have to stay hungry. We still have a lot of racing left this year, but we couldn’t ask for a better start to the season.”
“Thanks to Brian at Integra, Wayne Childress at New Point Lighting, Billy Franklin at Franklin Enterprises, Mark Richards at Rocket Chassis, Steven Roberts of Roberts Bee Company, and all of our product sponsors. I’d also like to say a big thanks to the fans who are here and those that watched the broadcast.”
“It feels really great to win here at East Bay! This is such an historic track. I led two or three races here last year but let them slip away. I could feel Josh underneath me in three and four and I knew that if I lost the race, it wasn’t going to be because of a lack of effort.”
Richards recorded his best finish of the season with his second-place run. “Tyler did a great job out there. I want to thank all the guys who work so hard on the car to get us up front. We had a pretty good car and we made a couple of changes. It was really maneuverable out there. We have been up front in every race so far this year and we can’t complain about that.”
Sheppard, who entered the night with three-career wins at East Bay, finished third. “We had a strong car all night long. It was fun to drive out there on this track tonight. If they have the track like this every night this week, it will be a whole lot of fun. I am sure it was a good show for the fans as well.”

The winner’s Eric and Kelly Brock owned, Rocket Chassis is powered by a Durham Racing Engine and sponsored by: Best Performance Motorsports, Roberts Bee Company, New Point Lighting and Design, Bazell Race Fuels, Sunoco, Franklin Enterprises, Valvoline, Keyser and KBC Graphix.

Completing the top ten were Billy Moyer, Chase Junghans, Jonathan Davenport, Kyle Bronson and Hudson O’Neal.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Monday, February 4th, 2019
Wrisco Industries Winternationals presented by Lucas Oil
East Bay Raceway Park – Tampa, Fla.

Miller Welders Time Trials
Fast Time Group A: Kyle Bronson / 15.036 seconds (overall)
Fast Time Group B: Brian Shirley / 14.996 seconds

Penske Race Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Tyler Erb, Austin Hubbard, Kyle Bronson, Billy Moyer, Jr., Zack Dohm, Tim McCreadie, Matt Cosner, Terry Casey, Dan Stone

FK Rod Ends Heat Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Hudson O’Neal, Don O’Neal, Jason Jameson, Stormy Scott, Allen Murray, Blake Spencer, Tanner English, Joel Callahan, Chuck Hummer

Simpson Race Products Heat Race #3 Finish (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Josh Richards, Billy Moyer, Joey Moriarty, Justin Williams, Ryan King, Colton Flinner, Bob Geiger, Jonathan Rowan, Tim Dohm

Lucas Oil Products Penetrating Oil Heat Race #4 Finish (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Jonathan Davenport, Devin Moran, Scott Bloomquist, Brandon Overton, Colton Horner, Brian Shirley, Morgan Bagley, Rusty Schlenk, Kerry King

Wrisco Industries Heat Race #5 Finish (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Brandon Sheppard, Gregg Satterlee, Freddie Carpenter, Jeff Mathews, Devin Dixon, Shanon Buckingham, Blair Nothdurft, Joe Denby, Devin Gilpin

GEICO Heat Race #6 Finish (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Chase Junghans, Jimmy Owens, Dennis Erb, Jr., Tyler Carpenter, Earl Pearson, Jr., Vic Hill, Mike Benedum, John Tweed

Lucas Oil Products Red “N” Tacky Spray Grease B-Main #1 Finish (12 Laps, Top 2 Transfer): Tim McCreadie, Stormy Scott, Billy Moyer, Jr., Ryan King, Allen Murray, Tanner English, Dan Stone, Justin Williams, Joel Callahan, Matt Cosner, Zack Dohm, Blake Spencer, Chuck Hummer, Bob Geiger, Colton Flinner, Terry Casey, Jonathan Rowan-DNS, Tim Dohm-DNS

FAST Shafts B-Main #2 Finish (12 Laps, Top 2 Transfer): Brandon Overton, Tyler Carpenter, Earl Pearson, Jr., Colton Horner, Devin Dixon, Brian Shirley, Jeff Mathews, Blair Nothdurft, Vic Hill, Rusty Schlenk, Kerry King, Mike Benedum, John Tweed, Shanon Buckingham, Morgan Bagley, Joe Denby, Devin Gilpin-DNS

DirtOnDirt.com Strawberry Dash Finish: Billy Moyer Jr., Allen Murray, Devin Dixon, Justin Williams, Jeff Mathews, Dan Stone, Rusty Schlenk, Vic Hill, Blair Nothdurft, John Tweed, Zack Dohm, Colton Horner, Joel Callahan, Kerry King, Ryan King, Chuck Hummer

Lucas Oil Feature Finish (30 Laps):

FINISH

START

CAR #

DRIVER NAME

HOMETOWN

EARNINGS

1

1

1T

Tyler Erb

New Waverly, TX

$5,000

2

5

14

Josh Richards

Shinnston, WV

$3,000

3

4

1S

Brandon Sheppard

New Berlin, IL

$2,000

4

7

11

Austin Hubbard

Bridgeville, DE

$1,500

5

9

5

Don O’Neal

Martinsville, IN

$1,000

6

11

9

Billy Moyer

Batesville, AR

$800

7

6

18J

Chase Junghans

Manhattan, KS

$750

8

2

49

Jonathan Davenport

Blairsville, GA

$700

9

13

40B

Kyle Bronson

Brandon, FL

$650

10

3

71

Hudson O’Neal

Martinsville, IN

$600

11

23

1

Earl Pearson, Jr.

Jacksonville, FL

$550

12

8

1M

Devin Moran

Dresden, OH

$500

13

19

39

Tim McCreadie

Watertown, NY

$500

14

10

22

Gregg Satterlee

Indiana, PA

$500

15

18

28

Dennis Erb, Jr.

Carpentersville, IL

$500

16

25

116

Tanner English

Benton, KY

$500

17

22

27+1

Tyler Carpenter

Parkersburg, WV

$500

18

17

51M

Joey Moriarty

Phoenix, AZ

$500

19

21

2s

Stormy Scott

Las Cruses, NM

$500

20

15

12J

Jason Jameson

Lawrenceburg, IN

$500

21

16

0k

Freddie Carpenter

Parkersburg, WV

$500

22

26

21

Billy Moyer, Jr.

Batesville, AR

$500

23

20

2

Brandon Overton

Evans, GA

$500

24

12

20

Jimmy Owens

Newport, TN

$500

25

24

3s

Brian Shirley

Chatham, IL

$500

26

14

0

Scott Bloomquist

Mooresburg, TN

$500

Race Statistics
Entrants

: 53
Lap Leaders: Jonathan Davenport (Laps 1 – 8); Josh Richards (Lap 9); Brandon Sheppard (Laps 10 – 12); Tyler Erb (Laps 13 – 30)
Wrisco Feature Winner: Tyler Erb
Margin of Victory: 0.918 seconds
Cautions: Tyler Carpenter (Lap 1)
Series Provisional: Earl Pearson Jr.
Miller Welders Fast Time Provisional: Brian Shirley
Wrisco Industries Winternationals Provisional: Tanner English
DirtOnDirt.com Strawberry Dash Provisional: Billy Moyer Jr.
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Earl Pearson Jr. (Advanced 12 Positions)
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Earl Pearson Jr.
Allstar Performance Power Move of the Race: Billy Moyer
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Tyler Erb
Eibach Springs Rookie of the Race: n/a
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Durham Race Engines
Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: Rocket Chassis
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Randall Edwards (Tyler Erb)
Dirty Girl Racewear Fastest Lap of the Race: Josh Richards (Lap #9 – 15.832 seconds)
Hot Rod Processing Tough Break of the Race: Devin Gilpin
STEEL-IT Most Laps Led
: Tyler Erb (18 Laps)
PFC Brakes Pole Award: Tyler Erb
Time of Race: 10 minutes 55 seconds

By |2019-02-05T11:40:53-05:00February 5th, 2019|East Bay Raceway Park, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, National, Racing News|Comments Off on TYLER ERB SCORES EAST BAY OPENER

NICK NERI OUTLASTS SUPER LATE MODEL FIELD AT AUBURNDALE SPEEDWAY

It was a chilly night for race fans at Auburndale Speedway Saturday but some good, hot racing kept most of them from thinking just how cold it was in the grandstands.

The Super Late Models were the feature attraction and, although just eleven showed up to do battle, battle they did in a race that had several twists and turns.

Palmetto’s Nick Neri led a very close field in time trials with a lap of
13.629 seconds just ahead of the 13.656 lap of Jon Guy and Jesse Dutilly’s lap of 13.685. Neri drew a six for the inversion placing Becca Monopoli on the pole for the 100-lap chase flanked by local shoe Ron Lofquist.

The start would not be a good one, though. Going into turn one, Dutilly had to check up a bit and was hit by third starter Steven King sending Dutilly’s machine hard into the turn one wall. Dutilly was none the worse for wear himself but his car was badly damaged and he actually walked the full length of the track from turn one to turn four where King was parked under the red flag. Dutilly had some “choice words” for King then walked back to the pit area.

When the race finally got started, Monopoli zipped out front only to see the caution fly on lap three for a Paul White spin off turn four. King got the jump on Monopoli after the restart, took the top spot and began to pull away from the field. Lofquist began to fall back losing third to Guy on lap six and fourth a lap later to George Gorham, Jr. Neri was moving forward after a slow start taking fourth from Gorham on the 18th lap while Guy breezed by Monopoli for second on lap 22. By now King was racing in a different zip code and looked to have the field covered. King’s big lead was erased on lap 45 when the caution came out although there was no incident or debris on the track.

During the driver’s meeting the competitors had been told that if 40 green flag laps were run consecutively that a “competition caution” would be thrown.
This would prove to be King’s eventual undoing after his early dominant performance. Guy blasted to the front on the restart while Neri got by Monopoli for third. The lead trio then began to put on a great nose-to-tail show for the fans with no one willing to give an inch while Matt McCrary charged by Monopoli (who was out of brakes) for fourth on lap 74 just before the two leaders, Guy and King, got together coming off turn two with both being sent to the rear for the restart.

Neri was now the leader and he clearly had the fastest car on the speedway as he pulled away from now second place McCrary. The final yellow flag flew on lap 88 as White went into a spin courtesy of King while Guy also spun to keep from being involved. King dropped out at this point.

Neri easily led the final 12 circuits to score his first career Auburndale Speedway victory while McCrary’s steady driving netted him a nice runner-up finish. Despite running most of the race with no brakes, Monopoli took third spot followed by Guy and White. Lofquist was sixth and Charles Kopach seventh, the last two cars still running as all seven finishers were on the lead lap at the end. King was credited with eighth ahead of Gorham, David King and Dutilly.

Chris Spring began defense of his 2018 Modified Mini Stock title by winning a hard fought 25 lap feature. Spring won the first heat but it was second heat winner Mike Rudder who took the early lead before he and Spring bounced off each other and spun out on lap 16. Spring continued but Rudder was done for the night.

Bryton Prevatt took over the lead and the race would then become a great battle between Prevatt, Mike Kerrivan and Spring who made a late charge to put his “Black Duece” in victory lane. Kerrivan was a close second over Prevatt, Kenny Nurse, Jr. and Clint Holmes. Jimmy McLeod took sixth with Jimmy Wood seventh and the last car still running. Rachelle Rudolph was eighth, victim of two blow right rear tires. Rudder was credited with ninth and Kelly Hahn was tenth after dropping out early. Mike Prevatt and Donnie Ezell did not start.

2018 V-8 Bomber champion James Wright III won the heat race which earned him pole position for the 25 lap feature. That was pretty much all she wrote as Wright led all the way to take the win and start defense of his title. “We are going to try and take another championship although I will probably miss a couple of nights this year,” said Wright in victory lane. “I was in Alabama working all week and my dad worked on this car all week and it was really running great in the cold weather,” he said.

Jody Gill debuted his new “K-9” Camaro with a fine second place finish. Gill, who is a local K-9 police officer, had been credited earlier in the week as he and his dog captured a man suspected in a string of local bank robberies.
Danny Burchfield took home third spot ahead of Phil Ellis and Roy “Bubba”
Healey. Ronnie Abney, Jr, was sixth followed by Brandon Love, Jimmy McLeod, Kyle Case, Jesse Killinger and Travis Todd who was the only driver unable to finish.

The 25 lap Legend Car feature was a real barn-burner that saw several cautions and numerous lead changes before Noah “Little Gator” Cornman took over on lap
22 and raced to a popular victory. “That was an awesome race,” said Cornman in victory lane and his comments were echoed by second place Jarrett Wagman who also led many laps before having to settle for the runner-up spot.
Defending track champion Jim Smith claimed third spot while Brandon Taylor took fourth ahead of Ryan DiVagno and Brandon Hershey. Seth Adams was running third as the white flag came out but his car developed problems and he ended up seventh. Kyle Pitts took over Bob Wilson’s car for the night but he dropped out early and was credited with eighth. Wagman won the heat race.

Maria Martins took the lead on lap ten and went on to win the 20-lap Mini Cup feature race. The young lady driver also won on opening night last year then was shut out the rest of the season, mostly due to a series of mechanical failures. “I don’t want a repeat of last year,” she said after taking the victory. “We want to win more races this year and hopefully the championship too,” she said.

Veteran Russell Bush came home second followed by 2018 Mini Cup champion Douglas Herrin, Jr. who came back from a big heat race wall-banger to get a podium finish. Heat winner Bryton Horner was fourth followed by Clay Samuels and Wilson Martins, Jr.

Driving a “throw-back” Dale Earnhardt black #3 Mini Stock similar to the one his dad drove in the class a few years back, Chris Narramore, Jr. won the Q Mini Stock heat then easily captured the feature race that was combined with the Scrambler class. Freddie Martin kept things close but had to settle for second over David McCaig, Oscar Coulter, Colin Hardin, William Kerns and Guy Kolmel.

The Daytona Antique Auto Racing Association was also in the house and the DAARA Sprint Cars put on their usual great show with Robert Campbell of Tarpon Springs leading most of the way to score the victory in his beautiful midnight blue creation. “My uncle Steve Campbell restored this car from the ground up and boy is it a pleasure to drive,” said Campbell. “My dad (long-time Sprint Car owner Harry Campbell) never let us kids drive his cars since he had some really good drivers in the seat (the likes of Dave Scarborough, Frank Riddle and Jan Opperman), so it’s really cool to get to be behind the wheel of one of these things now,” he continued.

Duane LeCornu made his Sprint Car debut in a “new” restored car and drove to an impressive second over veteran Sprint Car shoe Stan Butler. “Guess we are gonna have to get some new tires to keep up with these guys,” joked Butler after the race. Merle Strickland took fourth with Chris Hahn, Bob Wolpert, Louis Brashear and John Parrish rounding out the finishers.

The DAARA Stock Car feature fell to Cush Revette, Jr. of Tampa who was driving his Bobby Allison tribute car 1955 Chevy #312. Heat winner Steve Slaughter brought his coach-bodied Modified home a close second. Steve Parrish took third in a six-cylinder-powered Modified ahead of Darren Nichols, Richie Iversen, David Glenn, Ken Jeffres and Dan Hayes.

By |2019-01-29T15:38:36-05:00January 29th, 2019|Auburndale Speedway, Local, Racing News|Comments Off on NICK NERI OUTLASTS SUPER LATE MODEL FIELD AT AUBURNDALE SPEEDWAY

LUCAS LEE SCORES BIG WITH FIRST CAREER WINTERNATIONALS VICTORY

The lessons learned on Friday night paid big dividends for Tennessee racer Lucas Lee, who outpaced the 24-car field in the 75-lap Modified A-Main to close off week one of the 43rd annual Winternationals.

Lee had struggled to start the week, but went back to basics before the Friday night event. The result was a second place run to Kyle Bronson and some valuable lessons from the 30-lap main. Regretfully, the early week struggles took their toll as Lee ended up missing the top six in points who were locked into the feature…by just one point.

Lee would win his heat race to earn the seventh starting spot, but by lap 10 he had moved to fourth. Polesitter Ivedent Lloyd Jr. rocketed off to a big lead in the early stages, leaving Wednesday feature winner Bryan Bernhardt and Wisconsin’s Kevin Adams to fight it out behind him. Lee was able to pick his way past the duo to move into second. With 20 laps down, Lee reeled in Lloyd and sat ready to make the move. Lloyd had an issue on a lap 24 restart, but Lee had been passed by fellow Tennessee speedster Shon Flanary who gained the lead. The lead would be short lived as Lee swept back on lap 40, just before the fuel break.

Lee’s first challenge in the next segment would come from Devin Dixon, who was making a bid to be the first driver to win a final night of Modified racing in Winternationals. The 2006 & 2012 champion would lead a single lap with Lee getting back out front. From there, the eventual winner would stretch out and never see another challenge.

“We just rode it out for the first half,” said Lee in Victory Lane. “Devin (Dixon) showed us a little bit and Buzzy (Adams) showed us some and we were able to get it moving. We had a good car now that we finally figured it out and I listened to what the crew guys were saying. They’re pretty and I’m glad we could get the win.”

Despite a 21st place finish in the final event, two-time feature winner Kyle Bronson would capture the overall points.

Mike Potosky and Jimmy Lennex won their respective B mains. Heat race winners were Lee, Roger Crouse, Mavrick Varnadore and Dale Kelley.

Alabama’s Richie Stephens scored his third consecutive feature event in Street Stocks, outdueling Dennis Williams in the 40-lap feature. Stephens, who left immediately after the feature to head home to the National 100, was the early leader but lost the position on a restart to Williams. Stephens was able to get back up front on lap 28, but Williams had one more run. Stephens settled in and left Williams to battle Shan Smith and Scotty Kay as the three would trade spots through the final laps.

The 43rd annual Winternationals will continue on Jan. 31 with Stingray Performance Crate Late Models, Top Gun Sprints and V-8 Warriors/Thunderstocks squaring off for three nights.

Saturday – Jan. 26

MODIFIEDS

A-MAIN: Lucas Lee (12), Devin Dixon (313), Phillip Cobb (03), Mavrick Varnadore (4), Jimmy Lennex (8), Kevin Adams (40), Doug Horton (33H), Shon Flanary (98), Gordy Gundaker (11), Curt Myers (1M), Eric Moon (18). Steve Meyer Jr. (1A), Dale Kelley (22), Jeff Mathews (33), Roger Crouse (15), Ivedent Lloyd Jr. (311), Bryan Bernhardt (B69), KC Burdette (44KC), Michael Turner (127), Devin Moran (2A), Kyle Bronson (1B), Mike Potosky (M20), Bill Roberts (5R), Shane Burrows (70B)

B-MAIN: Mike Potosky (M20), Doug Horton (33H), Patrick Hoffman (308), Chris Wilson (17), Michael Cherry (17C), Seth Geary (7G), Tom Sigler (19), Pat Passanise (19P), Nathan Huffingham (N8), Dennis Haven (96), Drew Bender (29B), Roger Jackson (1J), Brett Kennard (5M), Phillip Cobb (03)

B-MAIN: Jimmy Lennex (8), Bill Roberts (5R), Chad Williamson (96c), Brad Goff (41), Dustin Thayer (10T), Eric Moon (18), Chad Roush (32), Brad DeYoung (7), Corey Partin (99), Dean Noseworthy (60X), Joey Lee (662), Jayson Good (85)

POINTS: Kyle Bronson – 261, Kevin Adams – 243, Devin Dixon – 242, Lucas Lee – 226, Bryan Bernhardt – 224

STREET STOCKS

A-MAIN: Richie Stephens (69S), Shan Smith (90), Scotty Kay Jr. (69K), Dennis Williams (24), Justin Rodgers (95), Brian Morgan (9), Tim Powers (44), John Bradley (57), Jason Harrison (69H), Henry Burnside (31), Chris Combs (14), Jim Baker (69X), Rich Livernois (71), Josh Sigler (19), Thomas Pratt (22), Robert Tyler (99), Joel Andrews (56)

POINTS: Richie Stephens – 124, Scotty Kay Jr. – 104, Dennis Williams – 96, Tim Powers – 96, Shan Smith – 95

By |2019-01-27T05:40:56-05:00January 27th, 2019|East Bay Raceway Park, Local, Racing News|Comments Off on LUCAS LEE SCORES BIG WITH FIRST CAREER WINTERNATIONALS VICTORY

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

BRONSON BLASTS TO WINTERNATIONALS WIN

For the second consecutive night, a home state racer stood in Victory Lane after the Modified main event at East Bay Raceway Park’s 43rd annual Winternationals.

Fast qualifier Kyle Bronson, who also earned the honor on opening night, backed up his achievement with a stellar victory in the 30-lap A main. The road to victory was far from an easy one.

For the second night, Bronson drew an inversion of four, putting the fast qualifiers in the second row for their heat races. In Bronson’s case, it meant he would barely qualify for the A-main and that meant a starting spot of 19th for the feature.

The main stayed green for the first nine laps before a number of cautions started to appear. Early race leader Phillip Cobb saw his advantage wiped out by a charging Devin Dixon, who shot to the front on lap five. Wednesday night winner Bryan Bernhardt slipped to second on the next lap to become the challenger to Dixon. While those two were running steady laps, position battles were found all throughout the field. Bronson worked into the top 10 by the mid-race point and then moved to the high side for his assault on the lead packs. In short order, Bronson found himself dueling with Ivedent Lloyd Jr. for third, a battle that stretched over six laps before Bronson could move on. With four laps to go, Bronson, who stayed committed to the rim-riding all around the track, swept out front as Dixon soldiered on at the bottom. Bronson was able to break clear and cruised on to the win.

“We had a good car tonight and that really helps your confidence,” said Bronson. “Drawing that 4 made it really difficult for us, but our guys are working their tails off to get this car to be good. It drove like a dream. When I was able to get close to the front, I could smell. It’s good to win and I want to get what I can to put myself in a good position to do well the rest of the week.”

Shon Flanary and Eric Moon earned starting spots in the A by winning the 12-lap B features. Heat races were won by Lloyd, Wesley Duboise, Cobb, Dale Kelley and Curt Myers.

Alabama racer Richie Stephens became the one to beat in the 15-lap Street Stock main, going wire to wire for the victory. Heats were captured by Scotty Kay Jr. and 2018 East Bay Street Stock champion John Bradley.

Night #3 of the 43rd annual Winternationals will serve as a crucial contest for a number of Modified racers who are seeking one of the six guaranteed starting spots for the 75-lap finale. Points will be added up after the feature, so a good finish could vault a driver into a better place.

THURSDAY – Jan. 24

MODIFIEDS

A-MAIN: Kyle Bronson (1B), Devin Dixon (313), Kevin Adams (40), Bryan Bernhardt (B69), Ivedent Lloyd Jr. (311), Jeff Mathews (33), Phillip Cobb (03), Bill Roberts (5R), Brad Goff (41), Mike Potosky (M20), Chad Williamson (96c), Jimmy Lennex (8), Eric Moon (18), Shane Burrows (70B), Doug Horton (33H), Wesley Duboise (12), Curt Myers (1M), Roger Crouse (15), Lucas Lee (12L), Dale Kelley (22), Shon Flanary (98), Patrick Hoffman (308), KC Burdette (44KC), Mavrick Varnadore (A1)

B-MAIN 1 (Top 2 Transfer): Shon Flanary (98), Patrick Hoffman (308), Chris Smith (88), Michael Turner (127), Steve Meyer Jr. (1A), Corey Partin (99), Chad Roush (32), Nathan Huffingham (N8), Dean Noseworthy (60X), Brad DeYoung (7), Chris Wilson (17), Gary Bentley (A-1), Tim Prince (6P). DNS – Dustin Thayer (10T), Dave Baldwin (6B), Gordy Gundaker (11)

B-MAIN 2 (Top 2 Transfer): Eric Moon (18), KC Burdette (44KC), Seth Geary (7G), Jayson Good (85), Bill Howard (47), Drew Bender (29B), Matt Altiers (2A), Tom Sigler (19), Brett Kennard (5M), Gary Eicher (29), Roger Jackson (1J), Kenny Carlson (21c), Dennis Haven (96), Joey Lee (662)

STREET STOCKS

A-MAIN: Richie Stephens (69S), John Bradley (57), Scotty Kay Jr. (69K), Justin Rodgers (95), Tim Powers (44), Brian Morgan (9), Jim Baker (69x), Josh Sigler (19), Shan Smith (90), Thomas Pratt (22), Ca;vin Cook (69C), Chris Combs (14), Dennis Williams (24), Henry Burnside (31), Joel Andrews (56), Richard Livernois Sr. (71), Rob Brillhart (77B), Robert Tyler (99), Jason Harrison (69H)

By |2019-01-25T22:57:09-05:00January 25th, 2019|East Bay Raceway Park, Local, Racing News|Comments Off on BRONSON BLASTS TO WINTERNATIONALS WIN

NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION SET FOR SATURDAY NIGHT AT AUBURNDALE SPEEDWAY

It’s once again that time of year as Auburndale Speedway switches from the regular stock car racing format to the craziness of the “Night of Destruction II” this Saturday night.

As always, the School Bus Figure-8 race will highlight the wide variety of events that will take place. Also highlighting the evening will be a first-ever RV-Camper Demolition Derby along with a Front Wheel Drive Demo Derby, Chain Race, Flag Pole Race, Skid Car Race, Motorcycle stunts and a whole lot more.

Grandstand gates will be opening at 3 pm at which time the band Aggie Road and Joey Foley will perform on the front stretch through 6 pm. Then it’s time for 45 minutes of school bus rides around the track for the fans. There will also be a bounce house/slide for the kids in operation from 3-6 pm. Regular concessions will be available along with other specialty vendors, so plenty of great food and drink will be available.
Adult admission is $20 with kids 5-12 $10. All kids 4 and under are free. Pit passes are $30. Parking will be $5 and a different parking pattern will be used this time, so make sure to watch for the signs and attendants that will help you get parked quickly and safely. Fans are asked to get to the speedway as early as possible to avoid the long lines close to time of the event.

By |2018-11-06T22:48:44-05:00November 6th, 2018|Auburndale Speedway, Local, Racing News|Comments Off on NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION SET FOR SATURDAY NIGHT AT AUBURNDALE SPEEDWAY

JOSH TODD OUT-RUNS SUPER LATE MODEL FIELD

STEVEN O’STEEN INHERITS STREET STOCK WIN AT AUBURNDALE SPEEDWAY

For the first time in recent memory Auburndale Speedway began its racing program Saturday evening with not a cloud in the sky and once the sun set it was a beautiful night for racing.  The pits were jammed with the largest car count of the year and the race teams performed in front of the biggest crowd of the season next to the Night of Destruction.

All in all it would be a late night for everyone.  Hot laps were delayed for nearly a half-hour when one of the Legend Cars soaked the track in fluid and that meant all qualifying would be delayed until just after 7 pm.  Five and a half hours later, the remaining fans (and there were quite a few who stuck out all the way to the end) headed to their cars just before 12:30 am although no one was complaining after the great action they witnessed.

The “Fall Fling” 125 for the Super Late Models, rained out two weeks previous, was added to the Faith and Family night program and 17 race teams were on hand to do battle.  Qualifying saw Steven King as the big surprise as the fourth generation racer tripped the clocks at 13.680 seconds topping the 16.720 lap turned in by Josh Todd who was just three-one-thousandths of a second quicker than Auburndale Super-8 Late Model Series point leader Chris Fontaine.  Matt McCrary and Jett Noland were fourth and fifth quick.

King’s pill draw luck wasn’t very good as he drew a ten to invert over half the field for the start and it would be just part of a very “eventful” evening for him that eventually would turn out OK.  When all was said and done, Kevin Macy, driving a team car to Todd’s, would start on the pole with veteran driver Charles Kopach starting second in his brand-new machine.

Macy zipped out to an early lead as Kopach got trapped on the high side and fell back.  Macy held the point until Steven King was sent spinning in turn four off the bumper of Cody Martell to bring out the caution on lap five.

Both drivers restarted at the tail of the field as Jamie King dropped out with problems early.

Roger Blevins was behind the wheel of veteran owner Rick Newton’s #01 machine and he showed his strength by taking over the top spot from Macy just after the green reappeared.  Blevins was looking good as the faster qualifiers were diligently working their way toward the front of the pack.  Brandon “Bones”

Duschscherer was hugging the inside line and slipped by Blevins for the lead on lap 16 bringing a high-flying Todd with him.  Lap 19 saw the second yellow flag of the race as Macy went for a wild spin off turn four courtesy of Matt McCrary.  Both took a trip to the rear of the restart line-up.

On the restart Ft. Pierce driver Jeff Johnston, make his first career Super Late Model start, spun going into turn one to keep the caution out.

Johnston’s dad, Chet Johnston, was a regular Late Model competitor for many years all over Central Florida.  Johnston had veteran driver Henry Shepherd as his crew chief as they were working the bugs out of both their new car and new driver.

Duchscherer was holding strong up front as the battle for second was a great one only to be slowed again as Macy spun again in turn four on lap 27.

Several cars took evasive action to miss the spinning car and Steven King was forced to pit to have a loose fender pulled from his racer.

On the restart, Blevins snuck back by Todd for second and brought Fontaine along with him.  Lap 36 saw the yellow back out again for a three car melee in turn four involving Noland, Kopach and Brian Dorer.  All continued but Joe Boyd, running fifth at the time, suddenly headed pit side for a check of his machine while Alexa Anderson’s car stalled and she need a push to the pits.

Both Boyd and Anderson were able to return to the fray, though.

Todd used the restart to charge back into second place and he began stalking leader Duchscherer.  Action was slowed again for a Noland spin in turn two.

Fast qualifier Steven King, despite all his problems, had now worked his way up to sixth for the restart.

Again things got crazy behind the leader as Blevins raced back into second bringing McCrary with him relegating Todd to fourth.

Lap 48 saw Johnston spin in turn three and the following restart was negated when Kopach looped his mount in turn two as well.  The restart was not a good one for Blevins as he slipped high and quickly found himself all the way back in sixth.  Todd zoomed by Fontaine for third spot as Duchscherer and McCrary ran one-two.

At the half-way mark it was Duchscherer leading McCrary, Todd, Fontaine, Noland, Blevins, Steven King, Dorer, David King and Alexa Anderson.  Ten laps later Johnston spun again in turn one and backed into the wall ending his night.  Also now out of the race were Boyd, Kopach and Kendall Anderson.

With 50 laps to go only ten cars were left on the track although all ten would eventually make it to the finish.  Todd slipped by McCrary for second on lap

77 as the field settled into some green flag racing.  The next caution would come out on lap 94 for Dorer’s spin on the back stretch.

Todd got by Duchscherer for the lead just after the restart and was just a nose in front when the caution was out again for a spinning David King in turn two.  The restart saw Fontaine go for a spin off the bumper of Steven King with both going to the back of the field for the restart.

At this point Todd began to check out slowed only by Alexa Anderson’s slow spin in turn one on lap 113.  Todd again pulled away on the restart and took the checker several car lengths ahead of Duchscherer with McCrary third.

Blevins ended his strong night with a great fourth place finish while Steven King rebounded from his crazy race to get fifth spot.  Noland took the sixth just in front of Fontaine with Dorer, Alexa Anderson and David King rounding out the top ten as the only cars running at the end.  Taking eleventh through 17th, all DNF’s, were Johnston, Kopach, Kendall Anderson, Boyd, Macy, Martell and Jamie King.

“I can’t say enough about my team and all the hard work they’ve put in to get us here,” said Todd.  “And to be here with my buddies Bones (Duchscherer) and Matt (McCrary) all on the front stretch after this race is really cool,” Todd continued.  McCrary seconded Todd’s thoughts.  “All three of us meet for lunch a few times a week and it’s just really neat to be up here after running 1-2-3” he said.  All three are local home-grown Auburndale Speedway drivers who basically grew up at the track and have worked their way up through several lower classes to earn their Super Late Model rides.

The other big race of the night was a 50-lap contest for the “Outlaw” Street Stocks running under the rules used by the former Sunshine State Challenge Series.  A bit of a disappointing field of eleven cars signed in but they were all quality machines and put on quite a show.

Cody Stickler, driving the Richie Smith #42 hot rod, set quick time at 14.744 seconds, over a tenth of a second faster than second and third place qualifiers Richard Elkins, Jr. and track Street Stock point leader Steven O’Steen.  The top six in time trials were inverted for the start with pole sitter Ross Francisco taking the early lead.  Francisco was looking very strong until his machine suddenly quit during the ninth lap and he slowed to a stop on the back stretch to bring out the yellow flag.

Danny Caylor inherited the lead and was setting a good pace with O’Steen moving into second just before Elkins went into a spin after tangling with Bobby Mobley.  Mobley dropped out after the altercation.  Stickler, who had taken a $200 challenge to start the race from the rear of the grid, slipped into second on the restart and began to put the pressure on Caylor, finally taking the point on lap 20.

From there the race ran all the way to the checker under green with O’Steen taking over second on lap 24.  O’Steen did his best to close on the fleet Stickler even slapping the wall a couple of times during his pursuit.  In the end Stickler was just too strong and he took the apparent win by a large margin over O’Steen.  However both Stickler and apparent third place finisher Kenny Gibson were disqualified in tech for illegal shocks.

That handed the win to O’Steen with Caylor ending up with second and Devin McLeod third.  Rounding out the finishers were Elkins, John Smith, Gilbert Corbin, Todd Brown, Mobley and Francisco.

The Legend Cars were out in force with 17 cars needing a pair of heat races to set the field for their 25-lap feature.  After the heat race wins were taken by Jim Smith and Seth Adams it was Smith taking the feature lead from his pole starting position.

This race would see a number of caution flags, one for a wild front stretch altercation that eliminated both of the Little Gator Motorsports cars driven by Jade Hubert and Noah Cornman.

Smith held sway until lap 18 when Adams got under him for the point and he never looked back from there in scoring his fourth win in a row here after getting a late start on the season.  A late scramble saw 15-year-old Jarrett Wagman come home with the second spot in just his sixth start in a Legend Car and second race at Auburndale.  Point leader Smith held on for third ahead of Devin McLeod who gave Bob Wilson’s car a great run to the front.  Fifth went to Taylor Hosford trailed by Alan Heifnar, Kyle Pitts, Christian Baker, Mitch Verhaagh and Dylan Brewer who was making his first-ever start here.  Rounding out the finishers were Brandon Hershey, Rusty Mallett, Jeremy Condrey, Cale Nolen, Cornman, Hubert and Chris Hamm.

Danny Burchfield led the first 16 laps of the V-8 Bomber feature before giving way to David Purvis who led until lap 22 before heat winner James Wright III took over the point.  But shortly thereafter Wright and Purvis tangled up and had to go to the rear of the restart grid.  That put Burchfield back in the lead and he drove his way to his first win of the season.

Purvis and Wright rebounded to finish second and third ahead of Jody Gill, Brian Harbin, Ronnie Abney, Jimmy McCloud and Travis Todd.

Keith Cantrill led all the way to win the Scrambler feature race, his second win of the year, holding off Chuckie Harrison and Fred Wilson.  David Williams took fourth trailed by Danny Burchfield, Jr., Reggie Ware II, Zach Ware, Brian Conger and heat winner Dennis Dean who dropped out early with engine trouble.

When Chris Narramore, Sr. had late engine woes, his son Chris Narramore, Jr.

caught and passed him for the lead and the victory, his eighth of the season.

The elder Narramore held on for second over Bruce Cozad and Freddy Martin.

David McCaig and Jason Sopczak were unable to start the feature.  Narramore, Sr. won the heat race.

Russell Bush grabbed the lead from Douglas Herrin, Jr, on lap 14 and went on to win his first Mini Cup feature of the year.  A late charge by Maria Martins gave her the second spot over Herrin, heat winner Brey Holmes, Wilson Martins, Easton Bush and Bill Rychel.

By |2018-10-03T14:45:29-04:00October 3rd, 2018|Auburndale Speedway, Local, Racing News|Comments Off on JOSH TODD OUT-RUNS SUPER LATE MODEL FIELD