Blaney Scores All Star Victory At DIRTcar Nationals Opening Night

Dave Blaney Wins All Star Circuit of Champions Feature at DIRTcar Nationals

Story By:Aaron Feidler/WoO Series Media                                              Photos By:Paul Arch/Racersguide.com

BARBERVILLE, Fla. – Dave Blaney held off Donny Schatz to score the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions feature win on Wednesday night at DIRTcar Nationals.

Blaney, a former NASCAR driver and the 1995 World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series champion, started the 30-lap feature at Volusia Speedway Park in the second position and battled with polesitter Joey Saldana early. Blaney took the lead and had to contend with Schatz who charged forward from a sixth place starting position.

The two drivers battled in lapped traffic with Schatz getting around Blaney at one point for the lead. After a restart, Blaney pulled ahead in clean air and built a sizable lead over Schatz. It was Blaney’s 47th career All Star victory.

“If I could just not make a mistake I felt like I had a fair chance,” Blaney said. “We did get fortunate with that caution, the driver was wearing out a little bit, and I can’t believe we won this race.

I’m thrilled to be driving for Dan Motter. I was really glad we were out here and competitive tonight and in the hunt. Then to win it is awesome. I can’t thank my guys enough and Dan for putting this together.”

In the 30-lap DIRTcar UMP Modified feature, Nick Hoffman made it two wins in a row, battling former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver David Stremme early and holding off other NASCAR notables Ty Dillon and Kenny Wallace through the feature.

Wallace kept Hoffman within striking distance but was never able to get close enough to complete a pass for the lead.

“[Kenny Wallace] is tough everywhere we go. I knew he would race us clean when I looked up at the scoreboard and saw he was in second. They told me in the infield to hustle it for three more laps at the end, so I gave it everything I had,” Hoffman said. “Everything held together and we got us another Gator (trophy).”

Nightly doubleheaders at Volusia run through Sunday, Feb. 20. The Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions and DIRTcar UMP Modifieds return on Thursday for night three of DIRTcar Nationals.

For more information and updates on the DIRTcar Nationals, clickDIRTcarNationals.com or follow on Twitter at @DIRTcarNats.

DIRTcar Nationals Statistical Report; Feb. 10, 2016; Volusia Speedway Park; Barberville, Fla.

Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions A-Main (30 Laps) – 1. 71M-Dave Blaney ($5,000), 2. 15-Donny Schatz, 3. 83-Joey Saldana, 4. 27-Greg Hodnett, 5. 1S-Sammy Swindell, 6. 1-Dale Blaney, 7. 1Z-Lucas Wolfe, 8. 2-Shane Stewart, 9. 10H-Chad Kemenah, 10. 17W-Bryan Clauson, 11. 41-Jason Johnson, 12. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13. 70-Danny Holtgraver, 14. 7-Paul McMahan, 15. 5-David Gravel, 16. 29-Kerry Madsen, 17. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 18. 59-Austin McCarl, 19. 8M-TJ Michael, 20. 07-Doug Esh, 21. 7S-Jason Sides, 22. 4-Danny Smith, 23. 71A-RJ Johnson, 24. 49-Brad Sweet.

DIRTcar UMP Modified A-Main (20 Laps) – 1. 2-Nick Hoffman ($1,000), 2. 36-Kenny Wallace, 3. 90-Jason Beaulieu, 4. 41-Ty Dillon, 5. 35-David Stremme, 6. 33-Jeff Matthews, 7. Z8-Max McLaughlin, 8. 77-Ray Bollinger, 9. 72-Todd Neiheiser, 10. D4B-Jackie Boggs, 11. 72X-Brian Papiez, 12. K9-Will Krup, 13. 54-Larry Burkins, 14. 51-Brandon Green, 15. 56-Tyler Nicely, 16. 12H-Mike Hansen, 17. 27-Michael Turner, 18. 1S-Brian Shaw, 19. 64-Billy Workman Jr, 20. 101-Jesse Wisecarver, 21. 96-Cory Daugherty, 22. 77S-Stephen Schnapf, 23. 10Y-Trent Young, 24. 10-A.J-Fike.

DIRTcar Nationals Day-by-Day Schedule (Grandstands open at 5 p.m.)
Thursday, Feb. 11 – Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions Sprints & UMP Modifieds
Friday, Feb. 12 – World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series & UMP Modifieds
Saturday, Feb. 13 – World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series & UMP Modified Gator Qualifying 1
Sunday, Feb. 14 – World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series & UMP Modified Gator Qualifying 2
Monday, Feb. 15 – DIRTcar Late Models & UMP Modified Gator Championship
Tuesday, Feb. 16 – DIRTcar Late Models & UMP Modified Triple 20’s
Wednesday, Feb. 17 – DIRTcar Late Models Swamp King Champ & Super DIRTcar Series
Thursday, Feb. 18 – World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series & Super DIRTcar Series
Friday, Feb. 19 – World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series & Super DIRTcar Series
Saturday, Feb. 20 – World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series & Super DIRTcar Series

2016 DIRTcar Nationals is supported by Budweiser, Daytona Harley-Davidson, Hampton Inn-Palm Cost, Ring Power CAT, and Safety-Kleen. The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series and World of Outlaws Craftsman® Late Model Series is brought to fans by official partners: Bad Boy Buggies (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Lincoln Welder (Official Welder), and VP Racing Fuel (Official Racing Fuel). Additional support is provided by Arizona Sport Shirts (Official Apparel Company of WoO Late Model), DirtonDirt.com (WoO Late Model Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award-WoO Late Model), and Chevrolet Performance. Contingency sponsors include: ASI, Beyea Headers, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Butlerbuilt, Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, Fox Shocks, JE Pistons, JRI Shocks, KSE Racing Products, Mobil 1, MSD Performance, Penske Racing Shocks, Ohlins Shocks, QA1, QuarterMaster, Sweet Manufacturing, Superflow Dynos and Wrisco Aluminum Manufacturer. Sponsors include: Capital Race Cars, Club 29 Chassis, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Motorsports Safety Systems, Racing Electronics, Rocket Chassis, S&S Volvo, and TNT Rescue.