2015 DIRTcar Nationals Notebook Day Two

By: Brooklyn Kennedy

-After night one of the Late Models at Volusia, I have a new found appreciation for them. They were fast and inches away from the inside wall all night long. The speeds were incredible and they put on a great show.

-Donny Schatz stayed at Volusia after the World of Outlaw Sprints left for home, to race his Late Model. Night one for Schatz was a huge disappointment as he ran back of the pack all night long and failed to qualify. After looking like he had a handle on the Late Model at the end of last season, it was disappointing watching him struggle so immensely.

-The best battle of the Late Model feature was definitely between Scott Bloomquist and Tim McCreadie. They fought for 4th and 5th positions for more than half of the event. McCreadie ended up finishing higher than Bloomquist but caught fire right after the checkered flag flew.

-Speaking of Scott Bloomquist, if that last restart hadn’t happened he would have finished much higher. He made a rare mistake spinning his tires and falling backwards quickly.

-I was really looking forward to watching Tyler Clem race his Late Model. Unfortunately Lady Luck didn’t want me to see it. He held his own in his heat race but broke on the last lap. He was unable to fix the problems to get back out and compete in the B Main. Tyler became the youngest driver at age 12 to ever qualify for a World of Outlaw Late Model event the other night at his home track Bubba Speedway.

-Rick Eckert had a troubling first night. He flipped going into turn 1 and suffered heavy damage. The crew was busy attempting to get the car completely put back together in time for tomorrow night’s racing.

-It was humbling to watch Kenny Wallace working on his UMP Modified all throughout the night. He didn’t leave the heavy crew work to others but instead was right up in the chassis making adjustments before the feature. It must have paid off as he finished a solid 5th at the checkered flag.

-Austin and Ty Dillon put on a great show during the UMP Modified feature. While Austin came away with the win and the championship, it looked for a few laps that Ty was going to play spoiler. Austin had trouble navigating lapped traffic and Ty took advantage, bumping Austin in turns 3 and 4 at one point.

-I was able to watch the night’s action from the infield. There is nothing like getting to see the racing action so close up. The Late Models were inches away from the inside wall and to feel the speed was incredible.

-As I said yesterday I was curious how the crowd would hold with the World of Outlaw Sprints not on the schedule. The crowd on Monday night was great. Only a few bottom rows of bleachers were open in the grandstands closest to turn 4. I believe the 60 degree weather and lack of racing competition helped make the night an attendance success.

-The weather for Tuesday night’s events looks grim. This would cancel the second night of racing for the DIRTcar Late Models and the triple 20s for the UMP Modifieds.