Can You Say Fast? DIRTCar Nationals Night 2 Notes
News and Notes From DIRTcar Nationals Night 2
Story and Photos By:Jim Murdoch/Racersguide.com
Barberville Fla.-For the second straight night the track crew at the ultra-fast Volusia Speedweek Park battled brisk winds and temperatures dipping into the upper 30’s. But the fans who braved another frigid night were rewarded with a dust-free tacky surface and incredible displays of hold-your-breath racing.
It was clear in time trials speeds would approach record levels, when ‘The Buckeye Bullet’ Dave Blaney flat-footed around the big 1/2 mile D-shaped speedway in under 13 seconds with an average speed around 140 mph. Twenty-Six other All-Star Arctic Cat Circuit of Champions 410 Sprints attempted to qualify for the 24 car feature.
Joey Saldana and Blaney led the field to the green flag, but by the halfway point, Blaney was able to take the top spot away from Saldana. Only a few cautions for minor incidents slowed the torrid pace. In the closing laps, Donny Schatz reeled in Blaney in lapped traffic, but the pilot of the #71m Motter Motorsports entry crossed the finish line in first place and collected the $5000 top prize.
57 UMP modifieds competed in a full show of timed dashes, heats, b mains, and a 20-lap feature. For the second straight night Mooresville, NC driver Nick Hoffman scored the $1000 win. He battled NASCAR notables David Stremme, Ty Dillon, and Kenny Wallace to name a few. Wallace, who started deep in the field in 16th, finished in the runner-up position, improving over his third place finish opening night.
The All Stars and UMP modified compete once again tonight as DIRTCar Nationals Speedweeks rolls on in Volusia County.
Gator Bites:
Many folks were wondering why the sprint cars only brought 27 cars this year. In years past car counts often topped 40. A change in format saw the sprint feature take the green before the modified b-mains, and the headline feature was in the books before 10 p.m.
The track stayed fast right until the end of the night, as the roller came out several times to smooth out some rough spots. Despite the intense speeds, there were no major incidents throughout the evening.
NASCAR superstar Kasey Kahne was in the pits watching and helping out his two-car Great Clips 410 sprint car team.
The PA Posse only brought three cars this year to Florida-Greg Hodnett, Doug Eash, and Lucas Wolfe.
Tyler Clem made the move of the night during his UMP modified heat, with a daring three wide move down the backstretch moving from 5th to 3rd, but spun a few laps later, leading to a disappointing night for the 13-year-old Tampa driver.
