Photography: John Force Racing / Auto Imagery / Gary Nastase

PROCK, BECKMAN GO 1-2 ON FIRST DAY AT BRADENTONBrittany Takes Monster Chevy to Provisional No. 2 Spot at PRO Superstar Shootout

BRADENTON, Fla. (Feb. 5, 2025) – Three months after winning the NHRA Mission Foods Championship in his first season in a nitro Funny Car, Austin Prock showed no signs of a sophomore swoon Thursday as he powered the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS to the provisional No. 1 qualifying position for Saturday’s second PRO Superstar Shootout at Bradenton Motorsports Park. The 29-year-old son of Cornwell crew chief Jimmy Prock stopped the timers in 3.816 seconds at 332.84 miles per hour, just a couple of ticks off the track record-topping 3.805 he put on the board during testing on Wednesday.  Second best Thursday was JFR teammate “Fast Jack” Beckman, who coaxed the also brand-new PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevy to a time of 3.836 seconds at 329.99 mph. Not to be outdone, two-time Top Fuel World Champion Brittany Force also turned in a stellar opening day performance, qualifying her Monster Energy Chevrolet No. 2 behind only defending event champion Doug Kalitta.  Kalitta grabbed the top spot at 3.658 seconds, 332.84 mph with Brittany just a couple of clicks behind at 3.675, 334.15 mph. “Pretty solid start to qualifying,” said the second youngest of John Force’s racing daughters.  “Car went right down the racetrack and it did exactly what we wanted it to do.  So, we feel really good going into tomorrow.  Now we can really push and see what we can get away with going into race day.” Three rounds of qualifying Friday will set the eight-car lineups for Saturday eliminations in the biggest drag race outside of the Mission Series. “We backed it down a little,” Prock said of a run that was quickest at every increment.  “It’s tough to say that when you run 3.81, but we just wanted to make sure it went down the racetrack and it was a nice, safe run to get us locked in the show.  That way we can have three opportunities to learn tomorrow.  “We have a morning session, an afternoon session and an evening session, so a lot to be learned and we’re in a good place to do that,” said the man who won the inaugural Superstar Shootout in his very first race as a Funny Car driver.  “Really proud of this team,” he continued.  “That was quite the hectic run. When we closed the body for the burnout, the windshield was completely fogged over.  I couldn’t see on the burnout (but) they wiped it off and it was about fifty or sixty percent cleared up when I was staging.  I was going to stand on the gas regardless.  It’s not the first time I’ve driven with a fogged windshield. “This racetrack has a lot of grip, and if you do a little hack-sawing on the wheel, it can take it most of the time. So, I got it down there.  It wasn’t the prettiest, but definitely locked us in at No. 1.” Beckman, making his first competitive appearance in the Shootout after serving as the color commentator at last year’s event, also was pleased with the first few runs he has made in the PEAK Chevy as he prepares to chase the championship over the course of an entire season for the first time since 2020. “So cool,” said the 2012 NHRA Funny Car champ.  “Thursday. Night session.  Last pair of Funny Cars, the No. 1 and 2 cars in the country last year and we go to No. 1 and 2 in qualifying. Our PEAK Chevy SS was awesome. It did everything we wanted it to do and there’s more in it for tomorrow night.” For Brittany, Thursday’s performance was particularly important.  A year ago, she posted a quick time in testing, just as she did this year, but in 2024 she wasn’t able to repeat during qualifying and ultimately failed to make the starting lineup.  She and crew chiefs David Grubnic and John Collins were determined not to follow that same path this time around.   “We want to obviously redeem ourselves from last year,” Grubnic said.  “We want to keep the momentum going on how we finished the season.  So, for right now, we just have to make sure we keep crossing our T’s and dotting our I’s.”

OCALA, FL (February 6, 2025) – Jonathan Davenport secured his second consecutive Wieland Winter Nationals feature on Thursday night at Ocala Speedway, as the three-time Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion fended off Brandon Overton to capture the $10,000 victory. The final results will show that Davenport led all 40 laps, but Overton caught up to Davenport as they approached the white flag. However, he could never pass him to steal the win from his fellow Georgian, who triumphed by 0.538 seconds at the finish line. Kyle Bronson achieved his best series finish of the year, taking third, followed by Brandon Sheppard and Devin Moran, who rounded out the top five drivers. In Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the 85th time in his career, Davenport also was victorious at Ocala for the fifth time in his career, the most all-time for any late model driver during Speedweeks at the egg-shaped track. “He (Overton) made me more worried than I should have been. I didn’t know he was coming like that at the very end. It was kind of slimy around the bottom, so he just kept chasing it down and blowing it out. That was why I didn’t think we could move, and since I was in the front, I couldn’t tell what everyone else was doing. Once I got to the lapped cars, I didn’t think I could pass any on the outside. I think they finally rolled in a little of that slime through one and two. It was a little better through the middle, but it was kind of bumpy. As long as your car wouldn’t bounce too badly, I guess that was why he got that good run. Other than that, I was just blocking.” Overton, in his return to the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series in 2025, was the third different driver to run second during the 40-lap race, joining Sheppard and Bronson in that category. “I I felt like I was doing everything I could. I almost made a move on him there, but I just got my right rear quarter-panel in the wall and couldn’t get low enough to take the lead. It was an awesome race. If the fans didn’t enjoy that, they might as well stop coming. The wins are on the way. I feel like I have the best crew in the business. I just want to win one; I mean, we’re really close to winning one.” Bronson, looking for his first series win since taking the Silver Dollar Nationals in 2021, regained the third position on lap 33 to round out the Big River Steel Podium.               “It definitely feels good to get a good finish. I have been down on myself a little bit. We’ve got everything we need to win; we just need to put the right pieces in the right places and go after it.” The winner’s Double L Motorsports Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Nutrien Ag Solutions, Dyna-Gro Seed, ASC Warranty, Mark Martin Automotive, and Mega Plumbing of the Carolinas. Completing the top ten were Spencer Hughes, Ross Robinson, Tyler Bruening, Tanner English, and Dillon McCowan. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Race Summary Wieland Winter Nationals | Night 3Thursday, February 6, 2025Ocala Speedway – Ocala, FL Allstar Performance Time TrialsFast Time Group A: Jonathan Davenport | 14.246 seconds Fast Time Group B: Ricky Thornton, Jr. | 14.181 seconds (overall) Penske Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 49-Jonathan Davenport[1]; 2. 19M-Spencer Hughes[2]; 3. 22*-Drake Troutman[3]; 4. 96-Tanner English[4]; 5. 5-Mark Whitener[6]; 6. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[7]; 7. 18D-Daulton Wilson[5]; 8. 93-Carson Ferguson[11]; 9. 60-Dan Ebert[9]; 10. 55C-Chad Mahder[12]; 11. 28B-Carson Brown[8]; 12. 81-Jason Riggs[10] Summit Racing Products Heat Race #2 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 1-Brandon Sheppard[2]; 2. 99-Devin Moran[3]; 3. 58-Garrett Alberson[1]; 4. 7-Ross Robinson[4]; 5. 16-Tyler Bruening[7]; 6. 11-Austin Smith[5]; 7. 17SS-Brenden Smith[9]; 8. 15K-Wil Herrington[8]; 9. 24-Tyler Wyant[11]; 10. C4-Freddie Carpenter[10]; 11. 18-Chase Junghans[6] Cool-It Thermo-Tec Heat Race #3 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 40B-Kyle Bronson[2]; 2. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[1]; 3. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[3]; 4. 9-Tim McCreadie[6]; 5. 79-Donald McIntosh[4]; 6. 99B-Boom Briggs[5]; 7. 1T-Tyler Erb[7]; 8. 81J-Jack Riggs[8]; 9. 57-Matt Tifft[10]; 10. 09-Michael Leach[9]; 11. 000-Matt Nailor[11] Simpson Race Products Heat Race #4 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 76-Brandon Overton[2]; 2. 3S-Brian Shirley[1]; 3. 8-Dillon McCowan[4]; 4. 71-Hudson O’Neal[5]; 5. 76N-Blair Nothdurft[3]; 6. 111-Max Blair[7]; 7. 6-Clay Harris[8]; 8. 20-Jimmy Owens[6]; 9. 93L-Cory Lawler[9]; 10. 32J-Jason Jack[10]; 11. (DNS) 17Z-Seth Zacharias Fast Shafts B-Main Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 5-Mark Whitener[1]; 2. 16-Tyler Bruening[2]; 3. 15K-Wil Herrington[8]; 4. 60-Dan Ebert[9]; 5. 11-Austin Smith[4]; 6. C4-Freddie Carpenter[12]; 7. 55C-Chad Mahder[11]; 8. 18-Chase Junghans[14]; 9. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[3]; 10. 18D-Daulton Wilson[5]; 11. 17SS-Brenden Smith[6]; 12. 93-Carson Ferguson[7]; 13. 24-Tyler Wyant[10]; 14. (DNS) 28B-Carson Brown; 15. (DNS) 81-Jason Riggs UNOH B-Main Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 76N-Blair Nothdurft[2]; 2. 79-Donald McIntosh[1]; 3. 1T-Tyler Erb[5]; 4. 99B-Boom Briggs[3]; 5. 111-Max Blair[4]; 6. 6-Clay Harris[6]; 7. 93L-Cory Lawler[10]; 8. 20-Jimmy Owens[8]; 9. 57-Matt Tifft[9]; 10. 17Z-Seth Zacharias[14]; 11. 32J-Jason Jack[12]; 12. 000-Matt Nailor[13]; 13. 09-Michael Leach[11]; 14. (DNS) 81J-Jack Riggs Wieland Winter Nationals | Night 3 Feature Finish (40 Laps): Pos – Start – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Earnings1 – 1 – 49 – Jonathan Davenport – Blairsville, GA – $10,0002 – 4 – 76 – Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – $5,5003 – 2 – 40B – Kyle Bronson – Brandon, FL – $3,5004 – 3 – 1 – Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – $2,7005 – 7 – 99 – Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – $2,5006 – 5 – 19M – Spencer Hughes – Meridian, MS – $2,3007 – 15 – 7 – Ross Robinson – Georgetown, DE – $2,2008 – 18 – 16 – Tyler Bruening – Decorah, IA – $2,1009 – 13 – 96 – Tanner English – Benton, KY – $2,05010 – 12 – 8 – Dillon McCowan – Urbana, MO – $2,00011 – 23 – 111 – Max Blair – Centerville, PA – $1,60012 – 10 – 22 – Daniel Hilsabeck – Earlham, IA – $1,40013 – 21 – 1T – Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – $1,20014 – 6 – 20RT – Ricky Thornton Jr – Chandler, AZ – $1,00015 – 17 – 76N – Blair Nothdurft – Renner, SD – $95016 – 25 – 71 – Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – $92517 – 19 – 79 – Donald McIntosh – Dawsonville, GA – $90018 – 27 – 93 – Carson Ferguson – Lincolnton, NC – $17519 – 22 – 18D – Daulton Wilson – Fayetteville, NC – $85020 – 11 – 58 – Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – $82521 – 20 – 15K – Wil Herrington – Hawkinsville, GA – $80022 – 8 – 3S – Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – $80023 – 16 – 5 – Mark Whitener – Middleburg, FL – $80024 – 24 – 60 – Dan Ebert – Lake Shore, MN – $10025 – 9 – 22* – Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – $80026 – 14 – 9 – Tim McCreadie – Watertown, NY – $80027 – 26 – 17SS – Brenden Smith – Dade City, FL – $100 Race Statistics  Entrants: 45Victory Fuel Pole Sitter: Jonathan DavenportMD3 Lap Leaders: Jonathan Davenport (Laps 1-40)Hellraizer Jacks Halfway Leader: Jonathan DavenportWieland Feature Winner: Jonathan DavenportMargin of Victory: 0.538 secondsColtman Farms Racing Cautions: Drake Troutman (Lap 2); Brenden Smith (Lap 12); Dan Ebert (Lap 17); Tim McCreadie (Lap 18); Mark Whitener, Dan Ebert, Daulton Wilson, Ricky Thornton, Jr., Brian Shirley, Garrett Alberson (Lap 32)Series Provisionals: Daulton Wilson; Max BlairFast Time Provisional: n/aEmergency Provisional: Brenden Smith; Carson Ferguson; Dan EbertTrack Provisional: n/aBig River Steel Podium Top 3: Jonathan Davenport, Brandon Overton, Kyle BronsonPenske Shocks Top 5: Jonathan Davenport, Brandon Overton, Kyle Bronson, Brandon Sheppard, Devin MoranPEM 4th Place Feature: Brandon SheppardDMI Rearends 5th Place Feature: Devin MoranWilwood Brakes Lucky 7th Place Feature: Ross RobinsonWehrs Machine 11th Place Feature: Max BlairDeatherage Opticians Lucky 13th Place Feature: Tyler ErbMD3 24th Place Feature: Dan EbertHoker Trucking Hard Charger of the Race: Max Blair (Advanced 12 Positions) MD3 Most Laps Led: Jonathan Davenport (40 Laps)Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Brandon SheppardMidwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Devin Moran Pro Fabrication Headers Fastest Lap of the Race: Jonathan Davenport (Lap 3 | 14.676 seconds)Slicker Graphics Slickest Move of the Race: Brandon OvertonHard Luck Award: Daulton WilsonOuterwears Crew Chief of the Race: Cory FostvedtARP Engine Builder of the Race: Clements Racing EnginesMiller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn ChassisDirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Brian Shirley (14.324 seconds)Time of Race: 25 minutes 38 seconds Big River Steel Chase for the Championship Presented by ARP Point Standings:Pos – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Points – Earnings1 – 99 – Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 1090 – $34,8002 – 49 – Jonathan Davenport – Blairsville, GA – 1045 – $37,6003 – 76 – Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – 980 – $19,2504 – 18D – Daulton Wilson – Fayetteville, NC – 965 – $18,1755 – 1T – Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – 965 – $14,9006 – 1 – Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 945 – $12,4507 – 20RT – Ricky Thornton Jr – Chandler, AZ – 940 – $29,2008 – 111 – Max Blair – Centerville, PA – 935 – $15,9509 – 16 – Tyler Bruening – Decorah, IA – 895 – $19,10010 – 19M – Spencer Hughes – Meridian, MS – 870 – $9,60011 – 58 – Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 860 – $12,65012 – 40B – Kyle Bronson – Brandon, FL – 825 – $9,60013 – 71 – Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – 790 – $11,92514 – 9 – Tim McCreadie – Watertown, NY – 780 – $12,55015 – 20 – Jimmy Owens – Newport, TN – 770 – $9,45016 – 93 – Carson Ferguson – Lincolnton, NC – 765 – $8,97517 – 79 – Donald McIntosh – Dawsonville, GA – 745 – $4,80018 – 22 – Daniel Hilsabeck – Earlham, IA – 710 – $4,70019 – 22* – Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – 705 – $11,15020 – 7 – Ross Robinson – Georgetown, DE – 700 – $8,30021 – 6 – Clay Harris – Jupiter, FL – 680 – $5,42522 – 76N – Blair Nothdurft – Renner, SD – 645 – $3,17523 – 3S – Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 600 – $4,72524 – 60 – Dan Ebert – Lake Shore, MN – 595 – $2,45025 – 93L – Cory Lawler – Hanover, PA – 595 – $3,07526 – 28 – Dennis Erb Jr – Carpentersville, IL – 585 – $3,55027 – 17SS – Brenden Smith – Dade City, FL – 570 – $3,300

 

Pro Stock
Dallas Glenn, 6.515 sec at 210.28 mph

Pro Stock Provisional No. 1 Qualifier Dallas Glenn, photo for media use only Krista Zivcic

“These guys have been wearing out the dyno over there in the engine shop, and I’ve been driving all over the country, picking up trailers and testing and getting new people licensed. So that feels really good. After a long week of testing, we thought we had something good. We were just kind of babying everything. We learned a few things through testing and tried to go out there and lay a great one down. I don’t know if it’ll hold up for tomorrow, but it’s going to make it tough. And I’d rather be on top, looking down than looking up.”

“We work all winter long, and this event is the perfect opportunity to see what we worked on, see how it works against everybody else. It’s kind of like that first test for Formula One. Everybody kind of gets to see what their hard work is and what they need to make tweaks on. Pro Stock is so competitive, we want to come out swinging at every moment, because if you don’t, then you’re just going to end up with a big mountain to climb.” 

“We see some new fans here that we don’t normally see because we are a little farther south here from Gainesville, where we start the NHRA season in March. We had an autograph session earlier and I got to meet a lot of nice people. We signed some autographs and it was a lot of fun.” 

Funny Car
Austin Prock, 3.816 sec at 332.84 mph

Funny Car Provisional No. 1 Austin Prock, photo for media use only by Krista Zivcic

“We’ve been making some really good runs here in testing the last few days and you want to make sure you’re solidified in the show on that first qualifying run. That way you can try some things tomorrow when it’s cool out in the middle of the day and then in the evening. Really proud of the team. It was definitely a hectic run. They dropped the body for the burnout, and it was completely fogged over. I needed a defrost button in the Chevrolet SS, but those don’t exist in nitro racing. My guys have the windshield a quick wipe, and it definitely helped. It got about half of it off. Staging was a little interesting. At about 150 feet out, it cleared right up. It got a little inside down at the finish line, which is uncharacteristic of me, but it was good enough for number one qualifier. I definitely had my hands full.”

“Last year, we tested for two days prior to Thursday and never once made it past the Christmas tree and Thursday morning, you know, all the stars lined up in this Cornwall Tools pit and made a full pull on five or six cylinders. I think we ended up number three on Thursday night here. So we are two spots better this year, and definitely a lot more confidence in my driving.”
“A lot of the fans that came out last year are here again. Some of them have been saying, ‘Man, last year, you’re signing Robert Hight’s hero cards. Some of are coming up and saying, “Nice to see ya champ. We called it from the get go.’ After they saw us win the Shootout, they were like, ‘That kid’s going all the way.’ So it’s been cool to meet up with the fans again, and it’s been a long three months being away from the racetrack, being away from the fans, this is definitely my happy place. I know this place is gonna be packed.”

Top Fuel
Doug Kalitta, 3.658 sec at 332.84 mph

Top Fuel Provisional No. 1 Qualifier Doug Kalitta, photo for media use only by Krista Zivcic

“We’re hungry to try to win this race again. It was fun last year. We had Applied Innovations on our race car last year, and they’re back with us all weekend again. Crew Chief Alan (Johnson) and Mac (Savage), and all these guys working on my car they’re all hungry to do the same. We’ve been working real hard all the winter long.” 

“We finished in second last year and we battled to the end. It was all we could do. We’re hungry again, for sure, this year. This is a great opportunity with these guys and this Applied Innovations team. I’m really excited.” 

“Today was good. SCAG hosted an autograph session we had a great turnout for that. There were quite a few people here tonight. For the first night of the SCAG PRO Superstar Shootout I’m pretty happy. We appreciate everyone coming out on a Thursday and we expect big crowds the next two days.”

Posted on behalf of Turner Racing   DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 31, 2025) – Turner Racing Honda presented by Mission Foods is excited to announce a two-rider AFT Singles presented by KICKER lineup featuring Trevor Brunner and Walker Porter, along with continued support of Trent Lowe in the Mission AFT SuperTwins class for the 2025 Progressive American Flat Trackseason.  Brunner returns to the squad where he kicked off his professional career and earned his maiden Progressive AFT season following a Rookie of the Year campaign that saw him earn 11 top-tens in premier-class duty. The Indiana native returns to AFT Singles competition aboard a Honda CRF450R with championship aspirations and for good reason. He’s one of the most decorated riders in class history, boasting nine-career race wins, four top-five championship finishes, and the distinction of being one of just four racers to ever secure a Grand Slam of victories (Mile, Half-Mile, TT, and Short Track) in AFT Singles competition.  Rookie phenom Porter joins Turner Racing the same way Brunner did in 2020 – as the reigning Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award recipient. The youngster from Alabama will now look to make the same seamless transition as Brunner and similarly back up his sterling amateur career with a Rookie-of-the-Year professional debut season aboard a Turner Racing Honda CRF450R.  The team will also partner with Big Red SuperTwins to field Trent Lowe in Mission AFT SuperTwins aboard a Honda Transalp 750. Lowe graduates from the AFT Singles class following a six-year run in the category, the last two of which saw him claim two victories and eight podiums while competing for Turner Racing Honda.  The team will be managed by Kenny Coolbeth and Nick Henderson with mechanics Mack McCormick and Michael Preston along with suspension by Steve Beattie with TwentySix Suspension.  Trevor Brunner #21:  “Mike Turner reached out after the season was over and asked me to come back and partner up for the upcoming season. I had a lot of success in my first two pro seasons with the team and Mike really wanted to get the band back together. I’m excited to be back on the Hondas and my goal and the teams’ goal is the championship.”  Walker Porter #100:   “As a kid I always wanted to race for Turner Racing, and now my dream has come true. I started racing Hondas last year for the Turner Racing Amateur team, and I really liked them. My goal last year was to win the Horizon Award and then start competing against the pros at all our races to get ready for this season. I don’t get to race my first race until I turn 16 in May. Until then I’m training with my teammates and racing the pro classes at all the non-AFT races. After that, I will join the series and go after the Rookie of the Year title.”  Trent Lowe #48:   “I’m excited to move up to the Twins class with Turner Racing. It will be my and the team’s first time competing for a full season in the class. I think we have a real chance to fight for wins and podiums and earn Rookie of the Year. We have already started testing and developing the bike to build on where we left off last year. The whole team is working hard to come out of the box strong next year.”  Team Owner Mike Turner:   “It’s great to bring Kenny and Trevor back aboard while adding Nick Henderson to the mix. It’s going to be exciting to see what Walker can do after spending last year helping develop him in amateur competition. We’re also really excited to get involved with Trent, Mike, Steve, and Al Lamb on the twin. We lost my father, Mike Turner, Sr., last year and that has us focused on doing everything possible to make sure we come out swinging this year. He was the motivation for me to start this team with my brothers in the first place, and he truly loved the sport more than anyone. The team is dedicating this season to him.”  Castrol, the Official Oil of Turner Racing Honda returns along with Mission Foods as Title Sponsor. Also sponsoring the team are United Rentals, Helmet House, Vortex, Motion Pro, Phoenix Handlebars, RP Race, Guts Seats, Cortech, Shoei, Sidi, FastHouse, 100%, Team Masonry, and most importantly, Roof Systems of Dallas, Texas.

BARBERVILLE, FL (Jan. 30, 2025) — Sprint Cars have hit the racetrack once again in the United States, and Justin Peck and Rudeen Racing were the first to taste victory in the first main event of the new year Thursday night at Volusia Speedway Park.

The newly formed driver–team pairing kicked off their new partnership in dominant fashion, winning the American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) National Tour season opener — as part of the 54th edition of Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals — by leading all 25 laps of the Feature to collect the $3,000 grand prize.

More commonly seen on the national 410 Sprint Car circuit, the Washington-based team brought the 360 engine out to get their operation rolling before competition begins with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series next week. Though Rudeen first had Peck driving the team car at the conclusion of 2024, Peck expressed great confidence in he and the team’s capability so early on into their partnership.

“I knew we had speed in the 410 ranks, and I think we just had enough confidence knowing that if we just stick on the program we’re doing and keep building our notebook together that we were gonna be pretty fast,” Peck said. “Thankfully, we were right, and we came here with a lot of speed right out of the box. We had to tweak on it a little bit here and there to gain that little bit extra it takes to win races like this.”

After turning the fastest Qualifying lap in his group, a fourth-to-first drive to win Heat Race 3 and a runner-up effort in the Dash, Peck took the lead from the outside pole on the opening lap of the Feature and never lost focus. The 27-year-old from Monrovia, IN, held off 20-year-old Emerson Axsom and five-time ASCS National Tour champion Sam Hafertepe Jr. for all 25 laps on the fast 1/2-mile — to which he gave much credit to the car underneath him.

“I had a good enough racecar there; I probably would’ve been okay even if the track did change,” Peck said. “Even in that condition, I could run in the dirty stuff, I could run in the slick, I could kinda run through the grip. All-in-all, my car was pretty good.”

Though he was never considerably challenged for the lead, Peck was forced to deal with pressure from Axsom on multiple restarts and in his drives through lapped traffic.

“It’s such a big, fast track, and the 360 stuff doesn’t have as much [horsepower] as a 410 would, so when you get your momentum broken, it’s so hard to get it back together,” Peck said. “Me being up front, I’m full-bore, wide open, ready to rip, and those guys that are mid-pack toward the back are all racing each other and all breaking momentum all the time. Then I get to them, and I have to break my momentum, and it just allows everybody coming behind you to be right up on you right away.”

“I felt like the only chance I had at [Peck] was in traffic,” Axsom said. “It was honestly a little bit nerve-wracking myself because the traffic guys were so off the pace, I didn’t want to put myself in a bad spot and wreck myself or wreck him. So, I was trying to be patient in traffic. I figured one of the runs would go long enough that I could get a run, and I think I was just a little bit too patient.”

Axsom started fourth on the grid and made the pass for second on the opening lap. He chased Peck closely for all 25 laps but was unable to get close enough to make a move for the top spot and settled for runner-up.

“It made it tough to get around Justin there without a little bit of traffic,” Axsom said. “And every time we did get to traffic, the yellow got brought out.”

From sixth on the starting grid, Hafertepe passed his way to third in the opening two circuits but chased Axsom and Peck until the checkered flag. However, he was positive about his result, standing as the highest-finishing driver on the full-time ASCS roster.

“I was really happy with our racecar; this is the first time we’ve been on a Triple X racecar,” Hafertepe said. “We just switched a lot of things from last year to this year. Wings, cars, and to come out the first night and to have the speed we had initially is great.

“Honestly, there were times in the Feature I thought we were gonna be able to have a chance to win the race if lapped traffic would’ve played out for us, but the cautions came, and that’s part of the game sometimes.”

Austin McCarl earned the race’s Hard Charger honor in his drive from 14th on the grid to finish fifth.

Axsom earned Quick Time honors for his best Qualifying lap of 14.165 seconds. Matt Covington won Heat 1, Hank Davis won Heat 2, Peck won Heat 3, Blake Hahn won Heat 4 and Hafertepe won Heat 5. The Smith Titanium Last Chance Showdown was won by Tyler Clem.

UP NEXT

The ASCS National Tour continues action at Volusia Friday, January 31, in the second race day of the 54th DIRTcar Nationals, with another $3,000-to-win program scheduled.

Tickets for DIRTcar Nationals are on sale by clicking here and will also be available at the gate upon arrival. If you can’t make it to the track, stream every lap live on DIRTVision.

ABBREVIATED RESULTS (view all here)

Feature (25 Laps): 1. 26-Justin Peck[2]; 2. 27A-Emerson Axsom[4]; 3. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr[6]; 4. 20-Brady Bacon[5]; 5. 88M-Austin McCarl[14]; 6. 21-Brian Brown[10]; 7. 2C-Cole Macedo[11]; 8. 51T-Scotty Thiel[8]; 9. 95-Matt Covington[9]; 10. 48D-Danny Dietrich[19]; 11. 52-Blake Hahn[7]; 12. 44-Chris Martin[16]; 13. 36-Jason Martin[12]; 14. 13P-Daison Pursley[18]; 15. 4P-Chase Moran[17]; 16. 6G-Bryan Gossel[13]; 17. 63-Josh Weller[20]; 18. UK97-Ryan Harrison[23]; 19. 4-Cameron Martin[15]; 20. 6S-Tyler Clem[21]; 21. 0-Glenn Styres[22]; 22. 16H-Hank Davis[1]; 23. 7-Jordan Thomas[3]; 24. 2-Whit Gastineau[24]

BARBERVILLE, FL (January 30, 2025) – After five years of being neglected a second Gator trophy, Curt Spalding was not going to be denied another on Thursday night.

The Watervliet, MI driver commanded all 20 laps of the opening DIRTcar UMP Modifieds Feature while fending off former marquee winners at the Barberville, FL racetrack.

Spalding and Shirleysburg, PA driver George Dixon brought the field of 24 UMP Modifieds to the green flag, with the two competitors immediately going to battle for the lead in the opening stages.

Dixon used the bottom lane in Turn 1 to attempt a slide job around Spalding, but could not hold traction and slipped up the track – creating a one-second gap for Spalding to take full advantage.

A caution at the halfway point of the Feature erased Spalding’s gap and created new opportunities for the top UMP Modified drivers to contend for the Feature win, including Kyle Strickler, David Stremme, and Michael Altobelli.

On the restart, Strickler took over second place from Dixon, then used the high line of the track to slice down to the bottom of the turns to trim the lead interval of Spalding’s No.5CS Lethal Chassis.

Spalding continued to roll through the bottom of the track while Dixon and Strickler’s door-banging fight for second place solidified Spalding’s second-career Gator trophy – his first since 2020.

“For sure, I could hear them,” Spalding said. “But, I never saw them. I don’t know if they got that close enough, but we did everything we could. We were on a little different deal here. I gotta thank my son, Tyler, I didn’t even know what he was doing on shocks and I said ‘Uh, where are we at on this?’ And he said ‘Don’t worry about it, you’re gonna like them.’ Sure enough, his little shock business is helping propel us up here.”

Strickler finished second after Dixon spun through Turns 3 and 4 from a slide into the cushion. While the Mooresville, NC driver is now the current UMP Modified Speedweeks points leader, he does not like coming short of a Gator trophy.

“First off, congrats to Curt,” Strickler said. “He supported this deal for a long time, and he was smarter than us. He went with a softer tire and every time I got alongside, the caution would come out. It is what it is, I hate to be negative, but second sucks. I felt like we really had a good racecar and can’t thank everybody enough that puts this deal together.”

Stremme, of Mifflintown, PA, came home with the podium finish as a beneficiary to Dixon’s spin on the final lap. The Lethal Chassis owner showed an effort that saw him race inside the top five throughout the 20-lap Feature.

“I just thought it was hard racing,” Stremme said. “I was watching them, it’s so hard to pass because they are so dirty and we had to work on our car a little bit. I was a little too free, but pretty happy with everything. I’m just proud of all the efforts, a lot of our (Elite Chassis) customers are running well, but it’s a long week. We got a lot of work to do still.”

Owensboro, KY’s own Cole Falloway finished in fourth. Altobelli, of Saxton, PA, rounded out the opening night’s top-five finishers.

Up Next: The DIRTcar UMP Modifieds return to Volusia Speedway Park for the second night of racing with the American Sprint Car Series at the Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals on Friday, January 31. Tickets are available here:

DIRTCAR NATIONALS TICKETS

If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch all the action live on DIRTVIsion – either online or by downloading the DIRTVision App.

Feature (20 Laps): 1. 5CS-Curt Spalding[1]; 2. 8S-Kyle Strickler[4]; 3. 35-David Stremme[6]; 4. 66-Cole Falloway[12]; 5. 35A-Michael Altobelli[3]; 6. 97-Mitch Thomas[5]; 7. 45H-Kyle Hammer[11]; 8. 777-Trevor Neville[17]; 9. 77-Ray Bollinger[13]; 10. 05-David Wietholder[16]; 11. 51-Dalton Lanich[7]; 12. 24-Zeke McKenzie[20]; 13. 19-Dustin Sorensen[23]; 14. 114-Jordan Koehler[18]; 15. 25-Greg Belyea[22]; 16. 17C-Coleman Evans[8]; 17. 27-Michael Turner[14]; 18. 77D-George Dixon[2]; 19. 27G-Jason Garver[19]; 20. 316-Stephen Pedulla[10]; 21. 36-Kenny Wallace[24]; 22. 18-Miles Beaulieu[21]; 23. (DNF) 12L-Lucas Lee[9]; 24. (DNF) 5-Jonathan Taylor[15]

LAKE CITY, FL (January 30, 2025) – Ricky Thornton Jr., the defending Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion, seized the opportunity created by race leader Devin Moran’s flat tire on the final lap to triumph in the 40-lap Wieland Winternationals opener on Thursday night at All-Tech Raceway. Moran, who led a race-high 34 laps, had a tire going down in the final two laps, which allowed Thornton to pass him on lap 39 as he went on to secure his first win of the season. Max Blair edged past Daulton Wilson on the final lap, as they rounded out the Big River Steel podium, taking second and third place at the finish. Moran limped across the line in fourth, with Tyler Erb completing the top five drivers. Moran jumped to the lead at the start of the race and maintained it for the first 12 laps until Shane Clanton passed him on lap 13. Clanton would then lead Moran for four more laps until Moran surged back ahead for the lead on lap 18. Clanton remained solid in second until a flat tire on lap 29 ended his chances for the win. A lap 30 restart saw Thornton charge from fourth to second as he pressured Moran for the race lead. However, Thornton slipped back when he got too high in turn two on lap 33 and hit the wall. He recovered, and Moran’s flat tire opened the door for Thornton, who entered the All-Tech race as the only driver to have won more than once in the last seven Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing appearances at the track, allowing him to go to the winner’s circle for the third time there. In Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the 43rd time in his career, and for the third time at All-Tech, Thornton claimed victory for the first time in 2025. “I I had a good run on that last restart. I got under Daulton for second as we entered turn three; we bumped a little, but nothing too serious. Then I got to Devin, as I mentioned, and I knew his crew guy would move him up. I actually didn’t even see him [Moran] well enough to notice that he had a right-rear flat. We got to the top of turn three, and he was three-wheeling it. As we approached the white flag, I thought it really stinks for him, but I guess someone’s misfortune was good for us and we’ll take it it.” Blair, who started 10th, surged to the front in the final circuits, claiming the runner-up spot. “I want to be up there where he [Thornton] is. We have been good since the end of last year. The track fit our driving style tonight. We’ll come back tomorrow and try to finish one spot better.” Wilson, who led the most laps at Golden Isles two weeks ago, stayed in the top four for most of the race and came home in third. “We were good at Golden Isles and not so good last weekend. I thought I had a real shot at winning tonight.” The winner’s Bobby and Jessica Koehler-owned Koehler Motorsports Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Ultimate Towing and Recovery, Hoker Trucking, Coltman Farms Racing, Elite Ready Mix, Capital Waste, Bilstein Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Certified Inspection Services Company, Inc., and EMD Wraps. Jonathan Davenport, Donald McIntosh, Jimmy Owens, Tim McCreadie, and Hudson O’Neal completed the top ten. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Race Summary Wieland Winter Nationals | Night 1Thursday, January 30, 2025All-Tech Raceway – Lake City, FL Allstar Performance Time TrialsFast Time Group A: Devin Moran | 18.924 seconds (overall)Fast Time Group B: Donald McIntosh | 18.999 seconds  Penske Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 99-Devin Moran[1]; 2. 18D-Daulton Wilson[3]; 3. 93-Carson Ferguson[2]; 4. 31-Tyler Millwood[4]; 5. 58-Garrett Alberson[5]; 6. 49-Jonathan Davenport[6]; 7. 22*-Drake Troutman[12]; 8. 17SS-Brenden Smith[8]; 9. 7-Ross Robinson[10]; 10. 28B-Carson Brown[9]; 11. 17Z-Seth Zacharias[11]; 12. 43-Derrick Stewart[7] Summit Racing Products Heat Race #2 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 11-Shane Clanton[1]; 2. 1T-Tyler Erb[2]; 3. 74X-Ethan Dotson[4]; 4. 19M-Spencer Hughes[5]; 5. 40B-Kyle Bronson[7]; 6. 24D-Michael Brown[3]; 7. 10-Joseph Joiner[6]; 8. 81M-Dale McDowell[8]; 9. 23-Beckham Malone[10]; 10. 09-Michael Leach[9]; 11. 109-Nicholas Johnson[11]Cool-It Thermo-Tec Heat Race #3 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 79-Donald McIntosh[1]; 2. 9-Tim McCreadie[4]; 3. 111-Max Blair[2]; 4. 71-Hudson O’Neal[5]; 5. 99B-Boom Briggs[3]; 6. 1-Brandon Sheppard[9]; 7. 19R-Ryan Gustin[8]; 8. 5-Mark Whitener[11]; 9. 6-Clay Harris[6]; 10. 60-Dan Ebert[10]; 11. 157-Mike Marlar[7] Simpson Race Products Heat Race #4 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 16-Tyler Bruening[1]; 2. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[2]; 3. 59-Trey Mills[3]; 4. 76-Brandon Overton[6]; 5. 20-Jimmy Owens[5]; 6. 76N-Blair Nothdurft[4]; 7. 3S-Brian Shirley[8]; 8. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[10]; 9. 388-Jackson Hise[7]; 10. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[9]; 11. 93L-Cory Lawler[11] Fast Shafts B-Main Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 49-Jonathan Davenport[3]; 2. 22*-Drake Troutman[5]; 3. 58-Garrett Alberson[1]; 4. 10-Joseph Joiner[6]; 5. 81M-Dale McDowell[8]; 6. 23-Beckham Malone[10]; 7. 17SS-Brenden Smith[7]; 8. 24D-Michael Brown[4]; 9. 28B-Carson Brown[11]; 10. 40B-Kyle Bronson[2]; 11. 7-Ross Robinson[9]; 12. 109-Nicholas Johnson[14]; 13. 43-Derrick Stewart[15]; 14. 17Z-Seth Zacharias[13]; 15. 09-Michael Leach[12]UNOH B-Main Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 20-Jimmy Owens[2]; 2. 1-Brandon Sheppard[3]; 3. 19R-Ryan Gustin[5]; 4. 99B-Boom Briggs[1]; 5. 5-Mark Whitener[7]; 6. 3S-Brian Shirley[6]; 7. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[8]; 8. 76N-Blair Nothdurft[4]; 9. 388-Jackson Hise[10]; 10. 6-Clay Harris[9]; 11. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[12]; 12. 157-Mike Marlar[13]; 13. 60-Dan Ebert[11]; 14. 93L-Cory Lawler[14] Wieland Winter Nationals | Night 1 Feature Finish (40 Laps): Pos – Start – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Earnings1 – 8 – 20RT – Ricky Thornton Jr – Chandler, AZ – $10,0002 – 10 – 111 – Max Blair – Centerville, PA – $5,5003 – 5 – 18D – Daulton Wilson – Fayetteville, NC – $3,5004 – 1 – 99 – Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – $2,7005 – 7 – 1T – Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – $2,5006 – 17 – 49 – Jonathan Davenport – Blairsville, GA – $2,3007 – 2 – 79 – Donald McIntosh – Dawsonville, GA – $2,2008 – 18 – 20 – Jimmy Owens – Newport, TN – $2,1009 – 6 – 9 – Tim McCreadie – Watertown, NY – $2,05010 – 14 – 71 – Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – $2,00011 – 22 – 19R – Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IA – $1,60012 – 4 – 16 – Tyler Bruening – Decorah, IA – $1,40013 – 20 – 1 – Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – $1,20014 – 9 – 93 – Carson Ferguson – Lincolnton, NC – $1,00015 – 13 – 31 – Tyler Millwood – Kingston, GA – $95016 – 12 – 59 – Trey Mills – St. Augustine, FL – $92517 – 15 – 19M – Spencer Hughes – Meridian, MS – $90018 – 21 – 58 – Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – $87519 – 16 – 76 – Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – $85020 – 24 – 6 – Clay Harris – Jupiter, FL – $82521 – 3 – 11 – Shane Clanton – Zebulon, GA – $80022 – 11 – 74X – Ethan Dotson – Bakersfield, CA – $80023 – 19 – 22* – Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – $80024 – 23 – 7 – Ross Robinson – Georgetown, DE – $80025 – 25 – 40B – Kyle Bronson – Brandon, FL – $100 Race Statistics  Entrants: 45Victory Fuel Pole Sitter: Devin MoranLap Leaders: Devin Moran (Laps 1-12); Shane Clanton (Laps 13-17); Devin Moran (Laps 18-39); Ricky Thornton, Jr. (Lap 40)Hellraizer Jacks Halfway Leader: Devin MoranWieland Feature Winner: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Margin of Victory: 0.963 secondsColtman Farms Racing Cautions: Shane Clanton (Lap 29)Series Provisionals: Ross Robinson; Clay HarrisFast Time Provisional: n/a Emergency Provisional: Kyle BronsonTrack Provisional: n/aBig River Steel Podium Top 3: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Max Blair, Daulton WilsonPenske Shocks Top 5: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Max Blair, Daulton Wilson, Devin Moran, Tyler ErbPEM 4th Place Feature: Devin MoranDMI Rearends 5th Place Feature: Tyler ErbWilwood Brakes Lucky 7th Place Feature: Donald McIntoshWehrs Machine 11th Place Feature: Ryan GustinDeatherage Opticians Lucky 13th Place Feature: Brandon SheppardMD3 24th Place Feature: Ross RobinsonHoker Trucking Hard Charger of the Race: Jonathan Davenport (Advanced 11 Positions) MD3 Most Laps Led: Devin Moran (34 Laps)Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Tyler BrueningPro Fabrication Headers Fastest Lap of the Race: Devin Moran (Lap 1 | 17.9351 seconds)Slicker Graphics Slickest Move of the Race: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Hard Luck Award: Devin MoranOuterwears Crew Chief of the Race: Nathan SlettoARP Engine Builder of the Race: Clements Racing EnginesMiller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn ChassisDirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps:  Jonathan Davenport (18.564 seconds)Time of Race: 17 minutes 09 seconds Big River Steel Chase for the Championship Presented by ARP Point Standings:Pos – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Points – Earnings1 – 16 – Tyler Bruening – Decorah, IA – 430 – $13,4002 – 99 – Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 430 – $5,5003 – 49 – Jonathan Davenport – Blairsville, GA – 430 – $8,3004 – 111 – Max Blair – Centerville, PA – 420 – $7,6005 – 18D – Daulton Wilson – Fayetteville, NC – 400 – $5,5006 – 20 – Jimmy Owens – Newport, TN – 390 – $4,4007 – 1T – Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – 380 – $4,1008 – 20RT – Ricky Thornton Jr – Chandler, AZ – 375 – $11,1009 – 1 – Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 360 – $3,40010 – 76 – Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – 355 – $4,35011 – 79 – Donald McIntosh – Dawsonville, GA – 330 – $2,30012 – 9 – Tim McCreadie – Watertown, NY – 325 – $3,05013 – 58 – Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 325 – $2,92514 – 3S – Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 315 – $2,60015 – 19R – Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IA – 310 – $2,60016 – 93 – Carson Ferguson – Lincolnton, NC – 310 – $2,00017 – 71 – Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – 305 – $3,00018 – 22* – Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – 290 – $2,00019 – 40B – Kyle Bronson – Brandon, FL – 285 – $1,20020 – 74X – Ethan Dotson – Bakersfield, CA – 280 – $1,85021 – 19M – Spencer Hughes – Meridian, MS – 265 – $1,00022 – 7 – Ross Robinson – Georgetown, DE – 260 – $1,80023 – 28 – Dennis Erb Jr – Carpentersville, IL – 260 – $1,50024 – 6 – Clay Harris – Jupiter, FL – 255 – $92525 – 59 – Trey Mills – St. Augustine, FL – 255 – $1,02526 – 5 – Mark Whitener – Middleburg, FL – 240 – $1,10027 – 17SS – Brenden Smith – Dade City, FL – 230 – $20028 – 60 – Dan Ebert – Lake Shore, MN – 225 – $20029 – 23 – Beckham Malone – Rock Hill, SC – 215 – $20030 – 76N – Blair Nothdurft – Renner, SD – 215 – $20031 – 9 – Michael Leach – Sun River, MT – 205 – $1,10032 – 22 – Daniel Hilsabeck – Earlham, IA – 205 – $20033 – 388 – Jackson Hise – Ocala, FL – 185 – $20034 – 93L – Cory Lawler – Hanover, PA – 185 – $20035 – 17Z – Seth Zacharias – Vestal, NY – 175 – $20036 – 99B – Boom Briggs – Bear Lake, PA – 170 – $100

INDIANAPOLIS (January 30, 2025) — Race fans who can’t make it to Bradenton Motorsports Park for the 2nd annual SCAG Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout, February 6-8, will be able to catch every minute of on-track action as well as comprehensive coverage from the pits, starting line and the top end on FloRacing. 

The talent line up for the broadcast was announced at the end of 2024 with two of the most knowledgeable and personable motorsport personalities, Jamie Howe and Mike Dunn, lined up to call all the action from the FloRacing broadcasting center. In the pits and at the top end FloRacing’s Courtney Enders will be joined by nitro Funny Car veteran Tommy Johnson Jr. The quartet of drag racing experts have over a century of combined motorsports announcing and driving experience and will deliver top-tier coverage to FloRacing viewers.



“We were so excited to be a part of history last year with this event and are planning on taking things to an even higher level this year. From production to on air-talent we feel confident the audience will feel the same way,” said FloRacing General Manager Michael Rigsby. “The stars of drag racing showed that at any time and any place, they could put on a great show, and they did just that. Having them showcase their talents on FloRacing is super impactful for us and we look forward to doing it again!”

FloRacing will livestream all qualifying and elimination rounds with pit coverage and top end coverage following all the developments from the Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock competitors. FloRacing will have unfettered access to drivers, crew chiefs and owners as teams battle to make the show. They will also be positioned at the top end throughout qualifying and eliminations to capture the emotions and reactions from all the teams.

The event will feature autograph sessions, driver Q&A’s and additional fan-friendly entertainment elements. Tickets can be purchased here.

FloRacing fans are encouraged to watch the SCAG Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout on the updated FloSports Connected TV app, which features enhanced discoverability and streaming capabilities, providing the ultimate viewing experience on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV devices. The service will also be available on the web and for download on mobile devices (iOS and Android) via the FloSports app.  Archived footage will also be available from the event in FloRacing’s video library that is available to all subscribers for the duration of their subscription.

To watch all this race and gain access to more than 1,000 races annually, subscribe to FloRacing by visiting https://www.floracing.com/.

ABOUT THE PRO SUPERSTAR SHOOTOUT

On February 6-8, 2025, the Professional Racers Owners Organization (PRO) in collaboration with Bradenton Motorsports Park, will host the 2nd annual SCAG Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout. The 2024 inaugural event took the motorsports world by storm with incredible side-by-side racing, a unique chip draw elimination format, record-setting speeds and a fan-friendly atmosphere.

ABOUT PRO

The Professional Racers and Owners Organization (PRO) acts as the liaison for NHRA Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock teams with the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) and other motorsports entities. Composed of professional drivers and team owners representing a broad spectrum of competitors, PRO acts as the unified voice to protect the interest of their members with regards to safety, rules, competition, sponsorship and specialty events.


ABOUT FLOSPORTS

Founded in 2006, FloSports is a global independent sports media company delivering live events, award winning original content, always-on social experiences, and comprehensive sports data solutions to passionate and underserved sports communities interested in more than 25 different sports. Its portfolio includes the top destinations for avid fans seeking comprehensive live and on-demand access for the sports they love: motorsports (FloRacing), hockey (FloHockey), wrestling (FloWrestling), Jiu-Jitsu (FloGrappling), Track & Field (FloTrack and MileSplit), cheer (FloCheer and Varsity), a variety of NCAA sports (FloCollege), and more. 

Strategic partnerships with NASCAR, USA Wrestling, AHL, Wanda Diamond League, ECHL, Tour de France, 12 NCAA Conferences, and others, fuel more than 40,000 live events streamed annually across the globe and accessed via monthly or annual subscriptions. For more information, please visit: flosports.tv.

CONCORD, NC (January 30, 2025) – Entering his second season with the World of Outlaws Late Models, Cody Overton’s primary objective was simply to continue building.

After a 2024 season that included eight top 10s and a third-place finish in the MD3 Rookie of the Year standings, he knew there was still plenty of room for improvement on his way to becoming a serious title contender.

So, when Overton was informed after Saturday’s DIRTcar Sunshine Nationals finale that he was leading the points standings, he couldn’t help but think there must have been a mistake.

But there wasn’t. Thanks to his first-career podium on Friday night and a 11th-place run on Saturday, “Lil’ Sexy” sits as the man to beat by four points over reigning champion Brandon Sheppard and Rookie of the Year contender Ethan Dotson.

“I don’t know, it’s just awesome,” Overton said. “I thought this year was going to be a really good year. Just got to keep up with it and keep going and try not to think about it much.”

Overton began his 2025 campaign with a performance more reminiscent of a seasoned veteran than someone still learning the ropes of full-time Super Late Model racing. On a night when track conditions remained unpredictable from start to finish and few cars made it back to the hauler unscathed, Overton kept his nose clean and drove from 23rd to third in the 35-lap affair.

There appeared to be plenty more where that came from early in Saturday’s program, as Overton qualified second and won his Heat Race, but then faded to 11th in the Feature. It was a valuable learning opportunity for the Thomson, GA driver heading into his return to Volusia Speedway Park for Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals (Feb. 13-15).

“Just missed it a little bit,” Overton said of his approach entering the Saturday Feature. “Just kind of over-tightened up early. Which I thought I was going to be better late, but I thought it would blow off a lot faster than that, so I don’t know. It’s just our new car, just got to go through the cycles and learn it.”

If Overton’s year-over-year improvement mimics his Volusia gains – his third-place result on Friday was his first Super Late Model top 10 at the track – he could find himself much higher up the points table come World of Outlaws World Finals in November compared to last year. Fortunately for him, there are plenty of opportunities for growth. Out of 32 tracks on this year’s schedule, Overton has a notebook on 24 of them, whereas last season he was flying blind more often than not.

Armed with a list of dos and don’ts at each track and a full year of experience at the national level, Overton sees no reason why he can’t make drastic improvements in every statistical category in 2025 and scratch “win a World of Outlaws race” off his to-do list.

“I feel a lot better, definitely,” Overton said regarding his optimism towards this year compared to the start of his rookie season. “I feel way more confident. It’s going to have its ups and it’s going to have its downs, I know that. Just got to see how the year goes.”

The 2025 World of Outlaws Late Models season resumes at Volusia Speedway Park at Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals, Feb. 13-15. To get tickets, click here.

If you can’t make it to the track, stream every lap live on DIRTVision.

Winston-Salem, North Carolina February 1-2, 2025

RETURNING TO THE ROOTSNASCAR will turn the page on the next chapter of its annual preseason exhibition event with the sport’s premier series making its return to the historic short-track of Bowman Gray Stadium. The North Carolina quarter-mile venue has a deep-rooted history in motorsports, including holding a staple spot on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule from 1958-1971. Nearly 55 years later, the division will make its much anticipated return to track famously known as “The Madhouse” to kick off the 2025 season. Among the 39-driver entry list includes 16 drivers representing seven different Chevrolet organizations:

Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletAustin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing ChevroletKyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletJustin Haley, No. 7 Spire Motorsports ChevroletKyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing ChevroletChase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletTy Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing ChevroletAJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing ChevroletWilliam Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletRicky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Hyak Motorsports ChevroletAlex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletBurt Myers, No. 50 Team AmeriVet ChevroletMichael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports ChevroletCarson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports ChevroletShane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletDaniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

Chevrolet at the ClashThe Bowtie brand is the winningest manufacturer in the Clash’s 46-race history with 22 victories – a record more than double the next leading manufacturer, Ford, with 10. Among those wins includes six straight recorded between 2005 and 2010 – a statistic that has earned Chevrolet the longest streak of Clash wins collected by a single manufacturer. Only six times in the event’s history has the Clash winner gone on to win the Daytona 500, with career Chevrolet driver Jeff Gordon representing the Bowtie brand on that elite list (1997).

Clash Stats in the Next Gen EraThe start of NASCAR’s Next Gen era also marked a pivotal moment in Clash history, with the location moving from its longstanding tenure at the “World Center of Racing” to the center of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The three-year stint at the famed Southern California venue saw just three drivers earn a trio of top-10 finishes, led by Team Chevy’s Kyle Busch, who placed on the podium in all three events. Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson and William Byron shared similar success on the quarter-mile circuit, with Larson collecting three top-fives and Byron scoring three top-10s.

NEXT GEN: YEAR FOURChevrolet is coming off yet another season atop the wins leaderboard in the NASCAR Cup Series, with eight drivers from four different Chevrolet organizations earning a combined 15 victories. The feat keeps the Bowtie brand as the winningest manufacturer in the Next Gen era, also leading its competitors with 18 wins in 2023 and 19 wins in 2022. Last season also marked the second consecutive season – and sixth time in history – that Chevrolet swept all three Manufacturer Championships in the NASCAR national ranks, with drivers from each full-time Chevrolet organization contributing points towards its third consecutive title in NASCAR’s premier series.

NEW TO THE LINEUP

Spire Motorsports will see two new full-time drivers added to its 2025 NASCAR Cup Series lineup. Jumping into the seat of the No. 7 Chevrolet in the closing races of the 2024 season, Justin Haley will return to the entry to compete in his fourth campaign in the series. The 25-year-old Indiana native already has success with Spire Motorsports, with the young driver earning the organization’s first win in NASCAR’s top division at Daytona International Speedway in July 2019. Haley’s No. 7 Chevrolet team will be led by veteran crew chief Rodney Childers. The series’ winningest active crew chief has 40 NASCAR Cup Series wins on his resume, as well as a championship title that he earned under the Chevrolet banner with Kevin Harvick in 2014.

Also joining the Bowtie brigade this season includes the driver and crew chief pairing of Michael McDowell and Travis Peterson. McDowell brings 17 years of experience and over 500 starts in NASCAR’s premier series to the Chevrolet organization. The 40-year-old Arizona native is a two-time NASCAR Cup Series winner, with his first coming in the 2021 Daytona 500. McDowell isn’t a stranger to getting behind the wheel of a Chevrolet-powered machine, with the driver spending two seasons in the driver’s seat for Leavine Family Racing (2016-2017). This year will mark the third season together for the driver-crew chief pairing, with Peterson leading McDowell to his most recent win at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course (2023), as well as a series-leading six pole winning efforts last season.

Kaulig Racing will also see two familiar faces in its 2025 NASCAR Cup Series driver lineup. AJ Allmendinger will make the transition back up to the sport’s top division to pilot the No. 16 Chevrolet entry for the organization. The 43-year-old California native joined Kaulig Racing in 2019, competing part-time for two seasons before enduring his first full-time campaign in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2021. In that same season, Allmendinger also took Kaulig Racing on its first trip to victory lane in the NASCAR Cup Series at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course. The Chevrolet driver is coming off a strong ending to the 2024 season with an appearance in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Four.

Also making the jump back up to the NASCAR Cup Series is Ty Dillon, who will contest his seventh full-time season in the division behind the wheel of the No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet. The 32-year-old North Carolina native is a four-time winner in the NASCAR national ranks, with each victory earned behind the wheel of a Chevrolet (three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series wins and one NASCAR Xfinity Series win).

BOWTIE BULLETS:·       Active Chevrolet drivers with a NASCAR Clash win: Kyle Busch – two wins (2021, 2012)  ·       In 46 NASCAR Cup Series Clash races, Chevrolet has earned a series-leading 22 victories – a record more than double the next leading manufacturer, Ford, with 10.  ·       Chevrolet holds the series’ record for the most consecutive Clash wins by a single manufacturer with six straight – recorded from 2005 to 2010.  ·       In the Next Gen era, only three drivers have earned three straight top-10 results in the Clash – all of which come from the Chevrolet camp (Kyle Busch – three top-three finishes; Kyle Larson – three top-five finishes; and William Byron – three top-10 finishes).  ·       In 108 points-paying races in the Next Gen era, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 52 victories – a winning percentage of 48.1%.  ·       With its 43 NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Championships, 33 NASCAR Cup Series Driver Championships, and 866 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title as the winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.

TUNE-IN:Cook Out Clash at Bowman GrayBowman Gray Stadium Saturday, February 1 Practice and Qualifying at 6:10 p.m. ET(FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90) Heat Races at 8:30 p.m. ET(FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90) Sunday, February 2Last Chance Race at 6 p.m. ET(FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90) Cook Out Clash Main Event at 8 p.m. ET(FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

QUOTABLE QUOTES:Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletWhat are your thoughts on the the Clash at Bowman Gray?“I’ve been in the stands before as a fan but haven’t race there before. It should be wild. It’s sold-out, it’s a unique place, has a lot of history in this sport and it’s cool we’re getting the opportunity to race there. It’s a such a small track with a bunch of us trying to make the main event, so I’m sure there will be a lot of excitement on the track.” Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletLarson on what to expect at Bowman Gray Stadium: “I’m sure it’ll be tough to pass this weekend. I hope we can give the fans the kind of exciting racing they’re used to seeing on a Saturday night in the summer. I’m sure the energy will be high in the stands – and be crazy on the track, too.” Justin Haley, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet“I’ve been counting down the days to get back behind the wheel, and I’m excited to head to Bowman Gray in the No. 7 FOE Chevrolet. Rejoining Spire Motorsports last September was a huge step for me, and we’ve been building something strong since then. We finished 2024 with a lot of momentum, and I’m ready to keep that going. Bowman Gray is such a unique and exciting track, and having the Cup cars there for the first time is going to be something special. I’m ready to get to work and put on a show for the fans.” Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletElliott on heading to Bowman Gray Stadium for the Clash: “I think that it’s probably going to be very similar to what the Clash was from a viewing standpoint or a fan standpoint. It logistically makes way more sense. I think having it out there in Los Angeles was a great thought. I commend them for the effort in doing it. But I think the shine wore off of it after the first year. I think that the (Bowman Gray) Stadium is a place that has some historical value from a NASCAR presence perspective. And they have weekly shows, and they have these modified races up there and other classes too. And I just think that people are going to be really excited for it. I think that that’s going to last more than a year, in my opinion. I could be totally wrong, and (I’m) not knocking the folks that came out to the Clash (in LA) every year either, because there were still a good number, but certainly not quite like it was that first year. So, hopefully it just carries the energy a little further before they have to switch it up again.” Ty Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet“I’m so excited to be able to race in my hometown. I grew up in Winston-Salem, so as a kid and teenager, I spent a lot of races sitting in the grandstands at Bowman Gray Stadium, watching some of the local heroes like Burt Myers and Tim Brown, Junior Miller, all those guys, who a few of them are going to be competing against us. It’s so cool to race a stock car, not only, but a NASCAR Cup car around small Bowman Gray Stadium. It’s going to be an exciting event. It’s our first race with Sea Best, so looking forward to putting on a show, having fun for the Clash and holding nothing back at the Madhouse.” AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet“Bowman Gray is a big part of NASCAR history so I’m looking forward to going out there and getting back in the flow of driving the No. 16 Chevy. With The Clash as an exhibition event, we’re going out there to hopefully win, but more importantly, I’m focusing on the opportunity to work with Trent [Owens] and the No. 16 team before we head to Daytona.” William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletByron on the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium: “The track is even smaller than the Coliseum, so I’ll be interested to see if that expands at all for us, if they move some things around. But I think that it’s just a really tight quarters race track and it’s going to create some bumping and banging naturally because that’s the only way to pass.  I feel like the fan base is a lot more traditional, so there’ll be a lot of passionate race fans. So, I’m sure if you move someone out of the way or if you get wrecked, you’ll hear about it. So it’ll be fun to see how the fan interaction is for sure.” Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet“Bowman Gray should be fun. Those fans will definitely tell you who their favorite drivers are and the ones that aren’t their favorite drivers. The atmosphere is definitely going to be intense. When it comes to a track that I’ve never been to, the only thing that we can really do to prepare is going to Sim. Then, we just watch film of past races there to see what line people use, how to pass, and other small details. No one really knows what to expect until we get the cars out on track during practice on Saturday.” Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletBowman on Bowman Gray Stadium: “Obviously, it’s a really small place about like the Coliseum, probably similar size, maybe a little bit narrower – excited how close that is. I’ve raced there, but I’ve also sat in the stands there and the atmosphere there is unlike anywhere else we go. I’ve never seen the pace car driver get flipped off anywhere except for there. So, pretty excited to go there and get to run a Cup car. It’s going to be a lot of fun.” Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports ChevroletTalk about the Clash and what makes it important:   “Headed to Bowman Gray is going to be special. This track has so much history and shows how far we have come in 75+ years. That said, I am excited to be back on track with a new team and a new chapter in my career. The Clash has always been a great way to work our way back into things, and we have done a consistent job making the main event the last three years at the Coliseum. I am excited to start the 2025 season with a new team, manufacturer, and partner.”  What are you looking forward to this season? “There has been a lot of change this offseason, and Spire has been super helpful in integrating me into their system. There has been a lot to learn, and I am enjoying the process of everything; it is going to be a slow build while our team gets the hang of things, but I am excited to see where we can be as the season goes on. We have been very upfront about our goals, we want to win races and make the playoffs, and I think this has been my best opportunity to make that happen.” Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet“I’ve been ready to go back racing since November, so I’m pretty pumped to get to Bowman Gray and be back behind the wheel of the Delaware Life Chevrolet. We ended 2024 on a high note with the Rookie of the Year title and we’re in a good position to build on that right from the start. Bowman Gray always puts on an exciting race, and I really think that will be true with the Cup cars on track at the Madhouse for the first time.” Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletBowman Gray Stadium is a new track for the NASCAR Cup Series this year. What’s something that stands out to you about this track as you head into your first Clash Weekend?“I don’t know much about the track, but I’ve been watching some videos on YouTube and it looks like the racing is pretty intense, but that’s all short track racing in this cup car. I’m looking forward to seeing what the Bowman Gray excitement is all about and finally getting on track with my No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet. It would be epic to advance to the main event with this new team, so hoping we can accomplish that!” Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletWhat are your thoughts on your 2025 Clash?“This going to be pretty wild. It’s been a long time since I raced at Bowman Gray. If you haven’t seen a race there you don’t know what you are missing. There is as much action in the stands as there is on the track with the fans really getting into it. I think the fans fight as much as the drivers. I think this is going to be a fun way to start the season. I hope we can put the Freeway Chevrolet at the front of the field. Winning there would be really special.”

Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series Statistics Manufacturer Championships:Total (1949-2024): 43First title for Chevrolet: 1958Highest number of consecutive titles: 13 (2003-15)Most recent: 2024 Years Won: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Driver Championships:Total (1949-2024): 33First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)Highest number of consecutive titles: 7 (2005-11)Most recent: Kyle Larson (2021) Years Won: 1957, 1960, 1961, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021 Event Victories:Record for total race wins in single season: 26 (2007)                CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:Total Chevrolet race wins: 866 (1949 to date)Poles won to date: 753Laps led to date: 252,711Top-fives to date: 4,369Top-10s to date: 9,007                                                                                                          Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:                    General Motors: 1,200           Chevrolet: 866           Pontiac: 154           Oldsmobile: 115           Buick: 65            Ford: 840                                                                      Ford: 740           Mercury: 96           Lincoln: 4            Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467           Dodge: 217           Plymouth: 191           Chrysler: 59            Toyota: 189

BARBERVILLE, FL (January 29, 2025) – The DIRTcar UMP Modifieds celebrate 20 years of competition at Volusia Speedway Park with more races than ever before at the Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals in 2025. 

The two weeks of action open with three nights for the Modifieds alongside the American Sprint Car Series on Jan. 30-Feb. 1. Those Features count towards the overall UMP Modified Speedweeks points but do not count towards the event’s Big Gator Championship points. 

Modified competitors will follow the “Every Lap Matters” format, with this Thursday’s and Friday’s Feature races paying $1,200-to-win and $120-to-start. Saturday’s Heat races will line up based on points accumulated from the previous night’s shows to cement the 24-car field gunning for a $2,500 payday. 

Then, the hunt for the Big Gator begins on Monday, Feb. 3, and runs through Saturday, Feb. 8. Split Feature races of six make up Monday-Friday, paying $1,000-to-win and $125-to-start. 

In line with the 2024 event’s format, Friday’s Gator Qualifiers return with Features lining up staggered according to overall weekly points with a four-car inversion. The top three in each race will clinch a spot in Saturday’s Gator Championship Feature. 

Championship Saturday has the UMP Modifieds set for Last Chance Showdowns, and the top 12 drivers in the Feature will redraw for their starting position. The Gator Championship will be 30 laps, paying $5,000-to-win and rewarding the prestigious Big Gator title to the points champion. 

Joining the UMP Modifieds for the second week of DIRTcar Nationals action will be the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars from Feb. 5-8. 

DIRTCAR NATIONALS TICKETS 

WATCH LIVE ON DIRTVISION 

Here are the top storylines to look out for: 

High On Sunshine: Kyle Strickler began his Modified Speedweeks with a bang by winning the first night at Ocala Speedway driving a No.33S machine for Brandon, FL-based Jeff Mathews Motorsports, then followed it up with a third-place result on Friday night. 

The last night at Ocala is one that the Mooresville, NC driver wants to forget, with a broken left axle forcing his retirement from the Feature. However, the “High Side Tickler” sits third in Speedweeks standings — 29 markers back from current points leader Devin Dixon. 

Strickler enters DIRTcar Nationals with a stacked resume at Volusia — winning 14 Golden Gators, a Big Gator title in 2023, two World of Outlaws Late Model Features, and the Emil and Dale Reutimann Memorial in November. 

READ MORE: Kyle Strickler Motivated to Win UMP Modified Speedweeks, Big Gator Championships in 2025  

Nicely’s Gator Catch: Tyler Nicely reached the peak of Volusia Speedway Park accolades with his first Big Gator title in 2024 after 10 years of coming up shy of the career-defining mark.

The Owensboro, KY driver has had his fair share of visits to Volusia Victory Lane, winning 11 Golden Gators and a 2019 Reutimann Memorial win. 

Nicely has one missing DIRTcar Nationals trophy piece he’s racing to add in 2025: a win in the UMP Modified Gator Championship Feature. 

Star-Power Galore: Volusia Speedway Park’s marquee event brings the best drivers to the “World’s Fastest Half Mile” with varying driver expertise from pavement to dirt. 

Reigning NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Justin Allgaier from Riverton, IL, is chasing his fourth Golden Gator trophy in 2025. In celebrating the 2021 Gator Championship winner’s groundbreaking achievement, there will be a celebration for him with an autograph session and a special opening ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 4. 

Kenny Wallace won his first career NASCAR national tour event at Volusia in 1991 driving a No. 36 Busch Series Pontiac. Fast forward 34 years and the St. Louis, MO native will once again return in a Nick Hoffman-prepared Elite Chassis, one that saw “The Hermanator” win his fifth Golden Gator — the first since 2012 — last season. 

Ken Schrader visited Victory Lane at Volusia for the first time in 11 years when he claimed his Golden Gator trophy in 2024. The Fenton, MO driver is back once again in his No. 9 Federated Auto Parts Modified to go after his second-career Big Gator championship. 

Representing the current and former NASCAR talent that competes annually in the division includes 2019 Reutimann Memorialwinner David Stremme, three-time Truck Series champ Matt Crafton, and former Truck Series racer Austin Wayne Self, among others. 

McKinney’s Moment: Mike McKinney reached the pinnacle of UMP Modified racing in 2024 with his first career Summit Modified Nationals championship. 

The Hell Tour campaign saw the Plainfield, IL native win seven Features and earn 12 top-fives, and 16 top-10s for his first Modified championship. 

Volusia Speedway Park acts as McKinney’s Achilles heel, as the pilot of the No. 96M Longhorn Chassis has yet to score a Golden Gator trophy, or the Big Gator title. His best finish to date is two second-place results in 2021 and 2024. 

The current top-10 in DIRTcar UMP Modifieds Speedweeks points consist of: 

1. Devin Dixon – 205 points
2. Brad Deyoung – 180 points
3. Kyle Strickler – 176 points
4. Jason Garver – 161 points
5. Todd Neiheiser – 146 points
6. Cole Czarneski – 145 points
7. Cole Falloway – 136 points
8. Glenn Styres – 128 points
9. Pete Brunton – 123 points
10. Kyle Wiggins – 120 points

If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch all the action live on DIRTVIsion – either online or by downloading the DIRTVision App. 

CONCORD, NC (Jan. 29, 2025) – ALT Sports Data Inc., the San Diego-based leader in trading and consumer data for action, motor, alternative, and emerging sports, and World Racing Group announced a landmark partnership today. This collaboration will enable regulated sports betting on premier dirt track racing properties, including the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, the American Sprint Car Series, and the Super DIRTcar Series.

Through this partnership, ALT Sports Data will leverage official data feeds to deliver pre-race and live betting products to sportsbooks worldwide. ALT Sports Data will utilize the World of Outlaws official data to offer up-to-the-minute odds and an array of traditional wagers and prop bets, designed to enhance fan engagement and expand the global reach of dirt track racing.

“This partnership represents a significant step forward in our mission to redefine fan engagement in some of the world’s most iconic and exciting sports,” said Todd Ballard, Co-Founder and CMO of ALT Sports Data. “World Racing Group’s dirt track properties are iconic within the motorsports community, and we are excited to bring innovative betting markets to their passionate fan base. By integrating sports betting, we aim to create deeper connections, attract new audiences, and drive the continued growth of these series.”

World Racing Group (WRG) is the preeminent sanctioning body in dirt track racing, overseeing some of the most iconic events in the sport. The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Late Model Series represent the pinnacle of grassroots racing, showcasing elite drivers and thrilling action at tracks across North America. The Super DIRTcar Series further solidifies WRG’s commitment to dirt track excellence, bringing together the top drivers in Big Block Modified racing. Together, these properties attract millions of fans annually, creating an electrifying motorsports experience.

“Our goal is to continue to move the needle by providing our fans more ways to be part of our events,” World Racing Group Chief Media & Marketing Officer Charlie Mellilo said. “Working with ALT Sports Data, we are providing fans another way to be involved. The excitement at the track is incredible, and this provides a way for fans at the track and at home to be even more engaged. It is all about expanding our relationship with the race fan, and the team at ALT Sports Data have proven they can help us do exactly that.”

This partnership underscores the growing intersection between motorsports and sports betting, as dirt track racing continues to captivate new audiences. By integrating betting into the fan experience, ALT Sports Data and World Racing Group aim to elevate the profile of these series and foster deeper connections between fans and the sport.

Betting will be available in jurisdictions where approved starting with the first night of World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car action at Volusia Speedway Park’s Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals on Wednesday, Feb. 5.

Visit NXTBets.com/playdirtcar to see offers and availability in your area.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 29, 2025) – Tickets for the Lima Half-Mile I & II, Rounds 7 and 8 of the 2025 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, are now available for purchase.  Always coveted as among the most challenging and prestigious victories that can be earned in any given season, this year’s doubleheader edition of the fabled race to be held on Friday, June 27, and Saturday, June 28, at the Allen County Fairgrounds, in Lima, Ohio, carries extra significance.  Friday’s Lima Half-Mile I will mark the highly anticipated debut of the innovative Mission Triple Challenge format, in which the event’s overall winner will be determined by three successive races of increasing distance, importance, stakes, and excitement.  Saturday’s Lima Half-Mile II will feature the classic format, while both days will see the pea-gravel cushion test the upper limits of the world’s elite motorcycle dirt trackers physical and strategic capabilities.  Ten-time Grand National Champion Jared Mees will oversee the activities in the role of co-promoter alongside his wife and fellow racer, Nichole, as the current crop of Mission AFT SuperTwins contenders battle to assume his vacated throne. Last year’s dominant victor, Dallas Daniels, three-time Lima winner, Briar Bauman, and two-time Lima winner Brandon Robinson, rank as but three of a large contingent of potential winners who will enter the weekend determined to make history.  Fans can save $10 by purchasing their tickets in advance with prices slated to return to their standard rate on Wednesday, June 25. If you act now, General Admission tickets are $35 each night with Reserved tickets $40 and Premier Reserved $45. Meanwhile, fans who purchase the two-day ticket save an additional $5 (two-day General Admission: $65/two-day Reserved: $75/two-day Premier Reserved: $85).  Camping is also available at the Allen County Fairgrounds on a first-come, first-served basis. Tent Camping is free while RV/Trailer Camping, including water and electric hook-ups, is $50 per night (cash only).  To purchase Lima Half-Mile I tickets, click HERE.    To purchase Lima Half-Mile II tickets, click HERE.   And to save $5 by purchasing Friday and Saturday tickets together for the Lima Half-Mile I & II, click HERE.  Gates will open for fans at 2:30 p.m. ET (11:30 a.m. PT) with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 6:40 p.m. ET (3:40 p.m. PT) on both days. For more information, ticket purchases, and updates, visit LimaHalf-Mile.com or call 419-991-1491   For more information on Progressive AFT visit AmericanFlatTrack.com.

BARBERVILLE, FL (January 29, 2025) – Kyle Strickler has four titles he’ll be chasing at Volusia Speedway Park in February and his chances for one of them recently got an unexpected boost. 

The Mooresville, NC driver didn’t plan on running the opening portion of DIRTcar’s UMP Modified Florida Speedweeks – a 15-race trek across the “Sunshine State” – this month but when Jeff Mathews couldn’t compete during the fourth race of the stretch at Ocala Speedway, Strickler jumped in his car.  

He originally traveled south to assist former NASCAR Truck Series driver Austin Wayne Self in preparing for Ocala. Then, he found himself in Mathews’ No. 33 Elite Chassis, winning that night. And he didn’t stop there. Strickler drove Mathews’ backup car the next two nights, scoring a podium finish the first night but then suffering a DNF the last. 

“It was kind of unexpected because we went to help Austin Wayne Self for practice on Wednesday,” Strickler said. “Jeff wasn’t able to make it, so I jumped in the car which was very similar because he runs Elite cars. We made a few adjustments and picked up the win on Thursday, then drove his backup on Friday and Saturday when he showed up (to Ocala). I thought we were gonna be decent (on Saturday), but we broke a left axle toward the end. 

“We left Ocala and drove back home in North Carolina, so we’re getting all my stuff ready to bring the Late Model and Modified down to Volusia. We’ll run the whole thing, so the first few days at the start, all the next week, and then stick around for all of Late Model week.” 

With some extra Speedweek points in his back pocket, Strickler enters the 54th Annual Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals set to chase another Speedweek title, the DIRTcar UMP Modified Gator Championship, the DIRTcar UMP Modified Big Gator title, and the Super Late Model Big Gator title. The latter is still on his list of trophies to secure. 

Strickler has amassed 17 victories at Volusia – 14 during DIRTcar Nationals with the UMP Modifieds (second-most all-time), two with the World of Outlaws Late Models, and one from the Emil and Dale Reutimann Memorial. 

He earned his first Big Gator trophy in 2023 with the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds. 

“I really enjoy going to Volusia,” Strickler said. “It’s one of the places where if you know how to get around it and know the track surface, you can have a lot of success there. I remember going there years ago and struggling, but really wanting to do well there. We finally got to the point where it became one of my favorite places to go, and I really enjoy all three weeks. Anytime they race at Volusia, I try to get down and make it there. 

“We got a really good package, it fits my driving style, and the track surface is ever-changing, similar to (Ocala Speedway). It seems like a lot of the Florida racetracks now get extremely slick in the middle, with grip on the top or the bottom it seems. It makes for a really technical racetrack where you have to use your head as a driver, so I feel it fits me really well.” 

One change that helped him adapt to the track more was when a new load of clay was placed on the track in 2022. It turned the “World’s Fastest Half Mile” from a flat-out track to a more technical one, according to Strickler. 

“Volusia used to be a motor killer,” Strickler said. “It would be a heavy, hammer down all the time track, and it would never really slick up. The last couple of years, it seems like it’s a really fast East Bay and it’s way more technical than it used to be. I feel like that makes it way different than anywhere else in the country. They don’t have grip in the areas you know like the cushion, or sometimes it’s a mud ringer on the bottom and it’s such a huge difference. Between the track conditions making it so fast, it can be super slick and slow throughout the night. 

“The track surface is completely opposite end of the spectrum at the same time, on the same racetrack. You don’t usually see that, so it’s really about adjusting the car to keep up with the track’s changing conditions. It’ll change lap to lap so that makes it extremely technical and even more challenging.” 

Strickler, Nick Hoffman, Kyle Bronson, and Ryan Gustin are among four drivers who have won a DIRTcar Nationals Gator trophy in both a UMP Modified and Super Late Model.  

Knowing the challenge of switching from a Modified to a Late Model since 2020, the transition has become seamless for the “High Side Tickler” with the added perks of driving a Late Model compared to a UMP Modified. 

“It’s easier for the Mod guys to get into the Late Model there because you have so much grip and good information with the manufacturers and shock companies,” Strickler said. “The Modified is a lot more driver dependent, so it definitely helps to have laps all week leading up to the Late Model because once I’m in it, you’re going faster, and the Late Models drive like a Cadillac. You have better brakes, and way more grip, so everything gets multiplied. 

“Racing Modifieds in the previous week to lead up to the Late Model helps switch the focus over and kind of get acquainted with where you need to be for the time spent there. I feel it’s harder going from the Late Model to the Modified because you’re expecting things from a Modified that you get in a Late Model that aren’t there. It’s nicer to prepare with the Modified for Volusia than with a Late Model first.” 

Strickler goes after his second DIRTcar UMP Modified Florida Speedweeks and Big Gator title at the Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals, Jan. 29-Feb. 8. Then he’ll compete with the DIRTcar Late Models and World of Outlaws Late Models, Feb. 10-15. 

DIRTCAR NATIONALS TICKETS 

If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch all the action live on DIRTVIsion – either online or by downloading the DIRTVision App.  

ARTICLE:https://dirtcar.com/dirtcar-ump/kyle-strickler-motivated-to-win-ump-modified-speedweeks-big-gator-championships-in-2025/

EVENT INFO:https://dirtcarnationals.com/
TRACK INFO:https://volusiaspeedwaypark.com/ 

FAN 101: https://about.dirtcar.com/

Hafertepe begins quest for record-breaking sixth title, 410 invaders McCarl, Dietrich, Brown expected

BARBERVILLE, FL (Jan. 28, 2025) — The American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) National Tour begins its 34th consecutive season of competition this weekend with a debut at one of the fastest dirt tracks in the country — Volusia Speedway Park.

The nation’s premier 360 Sprint Car series kicks off the 54th edition of Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals with three complete shows this Thursday–Saturday, Jan. 30–Feb. 1, with back-to-back $3,000-to-win Features on Thursday and Friday before the $12,000-to-win finale on Saturday. DIRTcar UMP Modifieds will support the program over all three days.

Each night of competition will award participating drivers points in the DIRTcar Nationals Big Gator points championship. The driver with the most points at the conclusion of the final night of racing will be crowned DIRTcar Nationals champion of the division and hoist the iconic Big Gator trophy.

Drivers will also earn points toward the season-long ASCS National Tour championship standings. Details on how those points will be calculated and information on the “drop” race can be viewed by clicking here. Drivers should also note all information listed in the competitor guide at the link below.

VOLUSIA COMPETITOR GUIDE

Tickets for each night of the 54th Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals are on sale now by clicking here and will also be available at the gate on race day. If you can’t be at the track, stream every lap live from all 41 races of the 2025 ASCS National Tour live on DIRTVision.

Here are the drivers to watch and storylines to follow this weekend:

CHASING HISTORY — This season, ASCS National Tour history is within the grasp of Sam Hafertepe Jr.

The 39-year-old from Sunnyvale, TX, begins his quest toward a record-breaking sixth Tour championship at Volusia. He and fellow five-time Tour champion Jason Johnson are currently tied for the most points titles in Tour history and are also separated by one on the all-time Feature wins — Johnson with 79, Hafertepe with 78.

One year ago, Hafertepe scored the win on the opening night of the United Sprint Car Series (USCS)-sanctioned Germfree Southern Sprint Car Shootout at Volusia, marking his first career win at the Florida 1/2-mile. He then followed that up with finishes of second and third, giving him the best average finish of any driver in the event.

Hafertepe was a winner of 12 National Tour races in 2024 — most of any driver. Should he reach Victory Lane once more this weekend, he’ll tie Johnson for second on the all-time wins list.

THE BIG UNIT — Austin McCarl headlined the 410 Sprint Car invaders in the winter 360 Sprint Car events at Volusia last January and will be among the favorites again this weekend as a pre-entered driver.

McCarl, 32, of Altoona, IA, finished second to Hafertepe on the opening night of the 2024 Southern Sprint Car Shootout, and then backed that up with a win the next night before capping the weekend with a fourth-place finish on Saturday. Three weeks later, he was back in Victory Lane at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, FL, in a USCS-sanctioned event.

The two-time Knoxville Raceway 410 Sprint Car track champion made only two appearances with the Tour in 2024, notching a third-place finish at Lakeside Speedway in July and another third-place effort at the 360 Knoxville Nationals in August. He was also a 360 winner in weekly competition at the 1/2-mile of Knoxville last July.

POSSE INVADES — Danny Dietrich is another of the many 410 Sprint Car invaders coming to Volusia early to compete with ASCS, representing his Pennsylvania Sprint Car racing home.

Dietrich, 36, of Gettysburg, PA, will enter his Weikert’s Livestock Inc, Travis Racing Engines-powered Maxim Chassis No. 48 at Volusia this weekend for his first-ever ASCS appearance outside of the 360 Knoxville Nationals. He raced Volusia for the first time with a 360 engine in the car last year on the final two nights of Southern Sprint Car Shootout, garnering back-to-back fifth-place finishes.

The “PA Posse” standout has been a DIRTcar Nationals entrant every year since 2017 with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars and has plenty of laps around Volusia’s fast, 1/2-mile confines in his regular 410 Sprint Car. As one of the most experienced racers in the pits, he’ll be among the favorites for his first Big Gator trophy this weekend.

FROM KNOXVILLE WITH LOVE — Five-time Knoxville Raceway track champion Brian Brown is kicking off his 2025 season with the National Tour this weekend.

Brown, 46, of Higginsville, MO, is set to pilot the Brian Brown Racing, Caseys/FVP No. 21 at all three ASCS races, trying for his first National Tour win since his triumph in the 2023 360 Knoxville Nationals.

While he’s never won at Volusia, Brown has come close, posting six top-five finishes in his career in the 410 ranks against the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, including a best finish of third in 2023.

JERSEY BOY — Davie Franek is one of multiple Northeastern 360 Sprint Car regulars making the trip south to race Volusia this weekend. Though he sticks mainly to tracks in his region throughout the regular season, Franek has had past success in Florida.

The 37-year-old from Wantage, NJ, was runner-up to Tyler Clem in the 2023 Southern Sprint Car Shootout finale — a career-best finish at Volusia. Later on, in USCS Winter Heat competition, Franek went on to wins at Hendry County Motorsports Park (Clewiston, FL), Hattiesburg Speedway (Hattiesburg, MS) and Magnolia Motor Speedway (Columbus, MS).

The two-time Patriot Sprint Tour and United Racing Club champion posted two top-10 finishes at Volusia last January, and will be among the contenders for his first Volusia win this weekend.

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (January 28, 2025) – HendrickCars.com, the online home of Charlotte-based Hendrick Automotive Group, the country’s largest privately-held auto retail organization, today announced an extension of its drag racing partnership with John Force Racing and its three World Championship-winning drivers: Brittany Force, Austin Prock and Jack Beckman.  Cornerstone of the endeavor is primary sponsorship of Brittany Force, the two-time Top Fuel World Champion and first woman to win a four-wide race, at both NHRA tour events contested this year at ZMax Dragway – the original 4Wide Nationals (April 26-28) and the newly-minted Carolina 4Wide Nationals, second race in the Countdown to the Championship (Sept. 20-22).  Beyond its star turn with Brittany at ZMax, HendrickCars.com will serve as major associate sponsor on her national record-holding dragster for the other 18 events in the Mission Foods series.  Additionally, HendrickCars.com will assume the role of major associate sponsor on the Chevrolet SS driven to the 2024 World Championship by the 29-year-old Prock, and again will be an associate on the companion Chevrolet driven by Beckman on behalf of recovering JFR founder and CEO John Force.  “It’s an honor and a pleasure to work with Rick Hendrick and HendrickCars.com on this partnership,” Force said. “I’ve known Rick a long time. He sets the standard when it comes to excellence and success in motorsports. I’m excited for my daughter and hope our teams can bring home a few ‘Wally’ winner’s trophies for HendrickCars.com.  “I’m honored to be teamed up once again with HendrickCars.com,” said Brittany Force, winner of last October’s NHRA Nevada Nationals at Las Vegas, “and we’re looking forward to celebrating a victory in their hometown.”  The JFR collaboration gives HendrickCars.com an across-the-board World Championship presence in an NHRA series in which it also sponsors six-time and reigning NHRA Pro Stock Champion Greg Anderson and his Chevrolet. John Force and Anderson are the only pro drivers in the sport to have won as many as 100 tour events.  While Hendrick is known for his success in the NASCAR series in which Hendrick Motorsports drivers have won a record 312 events and 14 Cup championships, he actually traces his competitive roots to drag racing.    “I’ve had a lifelong passion for drag racing. It’s how I first fell in love with motor sports, going to the local dragstrip with my dad.” said the chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group. “I’ve been a fan of John and his family for a long time, and our company is proud to partner with everyone at John Force Racing. They’re terrific representatives of HendrickCars.com, and we look forward to another exciting season.”

Posted on behalf of A1R Racing  DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 28, 2025) – A1R Racing is excited to announce an expanded, two-rider squad for the 2025 Progressive American Flat Track season, featuring veteran Aidan RoosEvans and the talented Bronson Pearce.  Last season, the team significantly increased its effort while making the switch to Yamaha equipment. Those moves paid off, most notably via a career-best AFT Singles presented by KICKER Main Event finish of fourth for RoosEvans at the Senoia Short Track.   A 14-time motorcycle dirt track amateur national champion, RoosEvans has made his presence felt near the front of the pack on multiple occasions since returning his focus to two-wheeled racing following a decorated auto racing career, which included taking Warrior Region ASCR Rookie of the Year honors in 2018. The versatile O’Fallon, Illinois, native will pull double duty in 2025, adding a limited four-wheeled schedule alongside his preexisting motorcycle racing slate.  Meanwhile, Pearce joins the Progressive AFT tour full time after previously establishing himself as one of the nation’s elite Supermoto pilots, racking up numerous victories and accolades in national and international competition. The Bakersfield, California, native has already proven those skills translate neatly to dirt track racing, a fact that was made most evident with his fifth-place finish at last year’s Sturgis TT.   Backed by Yamaha again in 2025, A1R will support RoosEvans and Pearce with a full complement of crew and employees, including multiple mechanics, coaches, and more.  A1R Team Manager Derek Arnett said, “We come into the 2025 season hungry, armed with a ton of talent and motivation and eager to reach new heights. Aiden and Bronson have both proven they can race inside the top five. Now it’s our aim to do that with regularity. We’re putting in a huge effort this offseason to make that goal a reality.”  RoosEvans said, “When I hopped back on a Yamaha last year, I felt right back at home. With their backing and that of our other great partners, I feel like we have what it takes to battle for podiums. I’m also excited to step back into the car racing world a little bit. Progressive AFT will remain our priority, but we’ll also work in some four-wheeled action. Stay tuned for more announcements on that front.”  2025 A1R Racing Partners:  A1R racing sponsors include Yamaha, FRA Trust, Supporting Our Heroes Foundation, ATVs & More, BluCru, Hinson, GYTR, SIM, Kelso Auto Body, and 6D Helmets.

Texan driver, Canadian team combination can break tie with Jason Johnson for most championships

CONCORD, NC (Jan. 27, 2025) — History is within Sam Hafertepe Jr.’s grasp. A sixth American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) National Tour championship this year would give him the most in Series history, and he’s committed to the pursuit.

The 39-year-old from Sunnyvale, TX, has renewed his partnership with Hill’s Racing to contest the entire 41-race schedule, starting this Thursday–Saturday, Jan. 30–Feb. 1, at Volusia Speedway Park in the opening nights of the 54th Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals. Hafertepe will again pilot his familiar Townline Variety, Fischer Racing Engines-powered Triple X Chassis No. 15H in his eighth consecutive season as part of the Ontario-based Hill’s Racing team.

“This year, we are committed, and we’ve found what fits the race team and me personally,” said Hafertepe, the 2016–2020 National Tour champion. “I think with that, it gives us a little more clarity going into the year that we’re all on the same page and we’re all trying to achieve the same goals. At the end of the day, that’s a recipe for success.”

Hafertepe is currently tied with fellow five-time champion Jason Johnson for the most National Tour points titles all-time, and only one Feature win away from tying the late Louisianan in wins with 79. Two more Feature wins will give Hafertepe sole possession of second place on the all-time National Tour wins list, behind only Gary Wright with 127.

With his veteran status in both the 360 and 410 Sprint Car ranks, Hafertepe has proven his ability to compete with the best around the country. But he’s chosen to stay with ASCS in pursuit of history, even as the National Tour begins a new chapter in its own history books with its new direction under World Racing Group.

“If they’re all in, I’m all in, and I’m prepared to be behind them 100 percent,” Hafertepe said. “I think they’re doing the right things, and I think it could be an improvement from what we’ve seen before from ASCS. I’m all for it as long as we keep trending in the right direction, and we keep growing ASCS. I think it’ll be good going long-term.”

Despite winning a chart-topping 12 Feature races on the National Tour in 2024, Hafertepe fell 146 points short of a sixth championship to first-time titlist Seth Bergman. However, when the season began, Hafertepe and Hill’s Racing were planning on a mixed slate of 410 and 360 Sprint Car races and thus were not planning on racing for a specific championship.

After some consideration, the driver and team settled on returning to the full-time 360 circuit. But in hindsight, Hafertepe admitted it was not the most ideal way to make a run for a championship.

“We were kinda in between wanting to do 410 and 360s, and we really weren’t geared up to go full-time 360 but kinda still went after it,” Hafertepe said. “I think in June, we decided we’d just try and finish out the season.

“It just felt like we had the wrong approach to start the year. I’ve never really started the year half-assed, as I would say — that’s kinda how we started it last year.”

But 2025 will be different. Hafertepe and Hill’s have a more direct plan for the season, which will help their organization before hitting the road to Volusia.

“I think our preparation for this year will be so much better than we had last year,” Hafertepe said. “When you’re not fully committed to something initially, there’s a lot of things that are undone and a lot of things that aren’t the right direction. We’ve buttoned up all those things.”

While 12 Feature wins was enough to boost Hafertepe to second place in the championships standings last year, a bit of inconsistency at times hurt his points total to Bergman — posting nine results of 13th or worse. Consistency is key to winning season-long points titles, and Hafertepe is looking for more of that in 2025.

“Coming into this year and having the full commitment and knowing exactly what is on our plate will prepare our race team to get rid of the inconsistencies, get rid of the nights that we had problems and fix those nights,” Hafertepe said. “We hope that will propel us to being the champions at the end of the year.”

Hafertepe begins his quest for a history-making sixth ASCS National Tour championship in the 2025 season opener at Volusia Speedway Park during the opening nights of Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals — Thursday–Saturday, Jan. 30–Feb. 1.

For tickets, CLICK HERE. If you can’t be there, stream every lap of ASCS National Tour action live all season on DIRTVision.

Texan driver, Canadian team combination can break tie with Jason Johnson for most championships

CONCORD, NC (Jan. 27, 2025) — History is within Sam Hafertepe Jr.’s grasp. A sixth American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) National Tour championship this year would give him the most in Series history, and he’s committed to the pursuit.

The 39-year-old from Sunnyvale, TX, has renewed his partnership with Hill’s Racing to contest the entire 41-race schedule, starting this Thursday–Saturday, Jan. 30–Feb. 1, at Volusia Speedway Park in the opening nights of the 54th Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals. Hafertepe will again pilot his familiar Townline Variety, Fischer Racing Engines-powered Triple X Chassis No. 15H in his eighth consecutive season as part of the Ontario-based Hill’s Racing team.

“This year, we are committed, and we’ve found what fits the race team and me personally,” said Hafertepe, the 2016–2020 National Tour champion. “I think with that, it gives us a little more clarity going into the year that we’re all on the same page and we’re all trying to achieve the same goals. At the end of the day, that’s a recipe for success.”

Hafertepe is currently tied with fellow five-time champion Jason Johnson for the most National Tour points titles all-time, and only one Feature win away from tying the late Louisianan in wins with 79. Two more Feature wins will give Hafertepe sole possession of second place on the all-time National Tour wins list, behind only Gary Wright with 127.

With his veteran status in both the 360 and 410 Sprint Car ranks, Hafertepe has proven his ability to compete with the best around the country. But he’s chosen to stay with ASCS in pursuit of history, even as the National Tour begins a new chapter in its own history books with its new direction under World Racing Group.

“If they’re all in, I’m all in, and I’m prepared to be behind them 100 percent,” Hafertepe said. “I think they’re doing the right things, and I think it could be an improvement from what we’ve seen before from ASCS. I’m all for it as long as we keep trending in the right direction, and we keep growing ASCS. I think it’ll be good going long-term.”

Despite winning a chart-topping 12 Feature races on the National Tour in 2024, Hafertepe fell 146 points short of a sixth championship to first-time titlist Seth Bergman. However, when the season began, Hafertepe and Hill’s Racing were planning on a mixed slate of 410 and 360 Sprint Car races and thus were not planning on racing for a specific championship.

After some consideration, the driver and team settled on returning to the full-time 360 circuit. But in hindsight, Hafertepe admitted it was not the most ideal way to make a run for a championship.

“We were kinda in between wanting to do 410 and 360s, and we really weren’t geared up to go full-time 360 but kinda still went after it,” Hafertepe said. “I think in June, we decided we’d just try and finish out the season.

“It just felt like we had the wrong approach to start the year. I’ve never really started the year half-assed, as I would say — that’s kinda how we started it last year.”

But 2025 will be different. Hafertepe and Hill’s have a more direct plan for the season, which will help their organization before hitting the road to Volusia.

“I think our preparation for this year will be so much better than we had last year,” Hafertepe said. “When you’re not fully committed to something initially, there’s a lot of things that are undone and a lot of things that aren’t the right direction. We’ve buttoned up all those things.”

While 12 Feature wins was enough to boost Hafertepe to second place in the championships standings last year, a bit of inconsistency at times hurt his points total to Bergman — posting nine results of 13th or worse. Consistency is key to winning season-long points titles, and Hafertepe is looking for more of that in 2025.

“Coming into this year and having the full commitment and knowing exactly what is on our plate will prepare our race team to get rid of the inconsistencies, get rid of the nights that we had problems and fix those nights,” Hafertepe said. “We hope that will propel us to being the champions at the end of the year.”

Hafertepe begins his quest for a history-making sixth ASCS National Tour championship in the 2025 season opener at Volusia Speedway Park during the opening nights of Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals — Thursday–Saturday, Jan. 30–Feb. 1.

For tickets, CLICK HERE. If you can’t be there, stream every lap of ASCS National Tour action live all season on DIRTVision.

(1/27/25 – Jim Allen) Auburn, CA … The Northern Auto Racing Club has experienced a busy off-season in preparation for the highly anticipated 29-event NARC 410 Sprint Car Series campaign in 2025. This involved enacting various rule modifications and updates, with a significant focus on enhancing driver safety and well-being in sprint car racing.Many of the rule modifications align with those of the High Limit and World of Outlaw series, ensuring consistency across the racing series. A summary is outlined in the accompanying notes.In addition, the NARC Advisory Board agreed to implement a new CAP (Competitive Advantage Program) Insurance policy for all drivers competing on this season’s tour. This $500,000 excess accident medical insurance policy activates after other insurance options are exhausted. The driver membership fees will increase to include the cost of the policy, with a discount for memberships processed before March 1st.Medical insurance and costs reached viral status in 2024 with major accidents and injuries involving NARC-member drivers Chase Johnson, Angelique Bell, Dominic Scelzi, and Justyn Cox. Johnson and Cox were injured at non-NARC events. This policy covers all sprint car events a driver decides to compete in in the United States, not just NARC shows.Similar mandatory type policies are already in effect with several other sanctioning bodies and tracks.“Most drivers don’t realize that track medical insurance provides marginal coverage at best,” states series board member Brent Kaeding. “Depending on the track, it’s between $15,000 and $50,000 total, which barely covers an ambulance ride and one night in an ICU (Intensive Care Unit.) It’s enough to bankrupt about any household.”Injured driver Chase Johnson also spoke in favor of the policy.“This is a good thing for all of the NARC drivers,” said Johnson, who suffered a rehabilitating back injury at a High Limit event at Chico in August. “I’m proof that you can’t have enough insurance in a bad situation.”In other series news, NARC announced that Andrew Kunas will be the official NARC announcer for the 2025 season. With 16 years of experience announcing for the ASCS Frontier Region and various tracks in the Pacific Northwest, the veteran is a valuable addition to the NARC staff.Membership and insurance applications can be found at https://wp.me/P8HUv9-iG.RULE SUMMARYFIRE SUPPRESSION:The Lifeline Fire Suppression system (and others) must be recertified every two years. This requires inspection of O-Rings, piston, bottle, bladder, and a tank refill.  The cost is $230 at Kaeding Performance.CAR:A removable wicker bill, maximum height of 1 1/2 inches (1.5”), may be mounted on the rear edge of the top wing center foil. Wicker bill must be 90 degrees to the top of the center foil. Built-in wicker bills or gurney lips will not be permitted.One (1) in-car shock adjuster is permitted in the cockpit.Any header that is not straight out the back of the car with or without a muffler must be welded when the bend connects to the header and to the muffler.An “In-axle tire inflation system” that is attached to a bleeder is legal. No remote/data changing is allowed.SEATS:The Northern Auto Racing Club highly recommends the use of a seat insert to increase the safety of the driver.The seat should be mounted in four places to the chassis with minimum 3/8” steel bolt and nut. It is highly recommended that mounting bolts do not exceed 3.5” in total length. Grade 8 steel bolts are highly recommended. Mounting holes in seat must have a 1.5” diameter mounting plate with a minimum thickness of .060”.OTHER:Cars are not allowed to “break traction” at any time during a caution period unless directly authorized by the Director of Competition over the radio. Any cars that do so may be moved to the back of the starting grid.Cars involved in a race stoppage during the semi or main event that go to the work area will be given two minutes to make repairs once they reach the work area. This rule no longer applies once the semi or main reach the halfway point, or curfew issues come into play. There is no allotted repair time provided during the heat races.If a car goes to their pit area instead of the designated work area during the semi or main, there is no two-minute time clock because we have no way to check your status. The car can return to competition at an appropriate time. There is no “courtesy time.” https://wp.me/p8HUv9-2Zb