Hoffman Wheels to UNOH DIRTcar Nationals by Summit Victory Friday Night

Defending Gator Champion Holds off Charging Florida Native Kyle Bronson to Claim Modified Money
BARBERVILLE, Fla. – Feb. 15, 2013 – Nick Hoffman inherited the lead after Matt Cooper of McKenzie, Tenn., had mechanical issues on lap 11, and drove to his first win of the 2013 UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment on Friday night at Volusia Speedway Park.

“I got a pretty good draw and I’m not usually good at the draw deal, said Hoffman, of Mooresville, N.C. “Cooper got the jump on me and he was running right through the middle, but once I found the cushion I knew we’d be in pretty good shape. It was just hard to keep control of it and hit your marks every lap.”

Hoffman, who drew the pole position for the 20-lap main event, battled side-by-side with Kyle Bronson of Brandon, Fla., for the victory with Bronson finishing second. Bronson started 10th and charged to third in only four laps. Bronson also finished as the runner-up to Rodney Sanders on Tuesday’s opening night of the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals.

“We got pretty lucky he showed me the top,” Hoffman said. “The next restart I just went up top and blazed the cushion and I felt like it was pretty much game over after that.”

Dale Mathison of Clearwater, Minn., finished third for the second consecutive time during his 2013 UNOH DIRTcar Nationals. NASCAR Nationwide driver Justin Allgaier of Springfield, Ill., finished fourth and Kelly Shryock of Fertile, Iowa, rounded out the top five.

Austin Dillon of Welcome, N.C., Tyler Nicely of Owensboro, Ky., Dave Wietholder of Liberty, Ill., and Bart Hartman of Zanesville, Ohio claimed B-Main victories.

There were 82 DIRTcar UMP Modifieds on hand for the first of eight nights of competition. Saturday night’s racing program will feature the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series as well as the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds.