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Lee takes UMP Modified Florida Speedweeks points lead from Tyler Nicely going into East Bay

LAKE CITY, FL – Jan. 29, 2023 – After three runner-up finishes in his last four starts at North Florida Speedway, Lucas Lee is finally a Winternationals Feature winner.

It was one he wanted bad after being passed late while leading on two occasions in this event in the last three seasons. But after 25 trips playing defense around the sandy, 3/8-mile oval, Lee’s bridesmaid curse was broken Sunday night after holding off Justin Haley and Tyler Nicely to bag his first career victory at the track.

“It feels good – a win anywhere is good,” Lee said. “I don’t like seconds, whether it’s 10 years in-a-row or what. I just don’t like them. I’m expected to win, my dad expects me to win, and that’s what we try to do every time we come out.”

Lee, the second-generation racer from Paris, TN, said he and crew member Travis Nored prepared the car in a hurry before an early start time Sunday, which may have contributed to their sixth-quick time in Qualifying after setting Quick Time in the Speedweeks opener on Saturday. Regardless, Lee took the front-row starting spot in his Heat and won, besting NASCAR Cup Series regular Haley to claim P2 on the Feature starting grid.

The outside-lane starting spot played right into Lee’s hands, as he got the jump on polesitter Drake Troutman at the drop of the green and took off.

“It’s a lot easier to look at the flag stand on the outside,” Lee said. “You’re further out there, and you can see better. Down there, you’ve got to worry about hitting the big tires. You’ve gotta watch that and you’re trying to watch the flagman at the same time – it’s a lot more difficult.”

From that point, there was no slowing Lee down. Several caution flags dotted throughout the 25-lap event gave his competition plenty of chances to make a bid for the lead, but all were denied. The toughest of which came from Haley with 10 laps remaining.

Haley had worked his way through the top-five from fifth on the starting grid, using the restarts and high-momentum straightaways to make passes on the way to the head of the field. He cracked the whip and kept pace with Lee in the final laps, nearly getting under him in Turns 3-4 at one point but was unable to make the pass in the end.

“We were better on the long run, and we just kept having those cautions,” Haley said. “We’ll try to figure out how to heat up the right-rear a little quicker and go get ‘em at Volusia.”

Haley, competing in his first North Florida Winternationals, used the weekend test his new car/engine combination before heading to Volusia Speedway Park for the 52nd Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals, Feb. 6-18. A runner-up finish Sunday was great turnaround after spinning in Turn 4 coming to the checkered flag in Saturday’s Feature.

“We had really good dig in our car, good turn, and had a good piece all around,” Haley said. “Happy we came down here to shake it down, and we’ll go next week and see what we got.”

The win now puts Lee in command of the UMP Modified Florida Speedweeks points chase with 11 races still on the schedule. He takes a one-point advantage over Saturday winner Tyler Nicely into the upcoming five-race stretch at East Bay Raceway Park, Jan. 31-Feb. 4, though Lee said he’s not worried about the margin at this point.

“I don’t like points racing – it’ll be what it is at the end,” Lee said. “Tyler’s going to be really hard to beat all the way through. There’s going to be a bunch of us that will be tough to beat all the way through it.”

Lee knows Nicely, who came home third on Sunday, will be among his toughest competitors for the Speedweeks points title, which stretches through the end of the Modified portion of DIRTcar Nationals on February 11.

“Tyler’s going to be tough to beat, period,” Lee said. “Me being points ahead of him right now… I’m a realist; I don’t really think about it being a gap, to be honest.

“I don’t wish anything upon him. We’ve just gotta go out there and not have any DNFs. If he gets one or two, then we’ll capitalize on it. We’ve just gotta keep going.”

UP NEXT

DIRTcar UMP Modified Florida Speedweeks action continues with a trip to East Bay Raceway Park for the 47th annual Winternationals – Tuesday-Saturday, Jan. 31-Feb. 4. Follow DIRTcar Racing on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for live updates throughout the program.

RESULTS

Feature (25 laps) – 1. 12-Lucas Lee [2]; 2. 99-Justin Haley [6]; 3. 25N-Tyler Nicely [4]; 4. 5-Drake Troutman [1]; 5. 8-Jimmy Lennex Jr. [9]; 6. 25W-Allen Weisser [8]; 7. 25A-Jason Altiers [12]; 8. 44-Jeff Parsons [11]; 9. 7-Brad DeYoung [22]; 10. 57-Fletcher Mason [14]; 11. 16c-John Clippinger [10]; 12. 41-Brad Goff [7]; 13. 60-Jim Manka [17]; 14. 96-Kyle Arvin [21]; 15. 4M-Timothy Monroe [20]; 16. 2A-Matt Altiers [5]; 17. 24-Zeke McKenzie [16]; 18. 9PG-Percy Gendreau [18]; 19. 141-Justin Galbreath [13]; 20. 23B-Ethan Boomsma [19]; 21. 97-Mitch Thomas [3]; 22. 2J-Troy Johnson [15]

OCALA, Fla. (January 29, 2023) – Ricky Thornton Jr. found redemption on Sunday night at Bubba Raceway Park – winning the 40-lap Winter Nationals main event for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. The 32-year-old led the last 25 laps of the race to score his first win of the 2023 season after recording two runner-up finishes and a third-place finish at Golden Isles. With the win, Thornton becomes the third different winner in four events this season. Max Blair recorded his best career finish in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series by coming home in second with Ashton Winger taking the third and final Big River Steel Podium spot. Hudson O’Neal was fourth with current point leader Brandon Overton rounding out the top five drivers. Thornton, who started on the outside front row, led the first two laps until yielding the point to pole sitter Devin Moran. Moran then led until he suffered a right front flat tire after a lap 15-restart. Moran would pit to change the tire and rejoin the field. Thornton would pick up the lead again with Earl Pearson Jr. moving into second place and Blair now running in third. A red flag came out for a multi-car incident in turn two with 19 laps complete. After the extended stoppage of action, the race resumed with Thornton still holding the point.  Pearson, who was celebrating his 51st birthday, had his hopes of getting by Thornton for the win end when he suffered a right rear flat tire on lap 26. Blair then picked up the runner-up spot which he held to the finish. “It’s pretty awesome to win here,” said the winner who is now just five points behind Overton in the championship standings. “I love coming to this place. It’s so technical and different compared to all the other places we go to. I got the jump on the start on Devin [Moran]. I felt like I was running as hard as I needed to and then he slid me. He was running way harder than I wanted to go and I thought let him go and I will just keep pace with him. I don’t know what happened to him on that restart he went down into one and it didn’t turn.” “I got the lead back and just kind of held on, under that red my left front went flat,” Thornton added. “Luckily it didn’t put me in the fence. Overall, it was a good night. I had big time flashbacks from the last two nights. My crew guy was telling me that Max [Blair] was getting closer and I thought here we go again. On the last lap I screwed up off two and four. I felt like I was going to put it in the fence and give it away again. Overall, I am good, and we are happy we really have had a good Speedweeks so far.”  Blair overcame his struggles at Golden Isles with a runner-up finish. “We were real competitive all night long. I really faded the last 10 or 12 laps. As a team we really needed a good run, and we got it. It’s a good group of people we are with. I am really, really excited for the future. I think this is going to be a real good fit.” Winger finished third in his first Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series start of the season. “A couple of guys fell out there. I think I had one good restart where I passed three or so guys. I kind of figured out all those guys were jostling for position. I headed into turn one and the car stuck. We were pretty good. Congrats to Ricky for winning on three tires. I felt like we were better the longer we went. One of those cautions kind of killed us.” The winner’s Todd and Vickie Burns, SSI Motorsports-owned, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Big River Steel, Hoker Trucking, Sub-Surface of Indiana, Dyno One Inc., West Side Tractor Sales Company, D&E Outside Services, Certified Inspection Service Company Inc., Sunoco Race Fuels, Bilstein Shocks, and Murty Farms Completing the top ten were Tanner English, Brandon Sheppard, Jonathan Davenport, G.R. Smith, and Devin Moran. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Race Summary Winter Nationals – Night #1Sunday, January 29, 2023Bubba Raceway Park – Ocala, FL Allstar Performance Time TrialsFast Time Group A: Devin Moran / 14.083 seconds (overall)Fast Time Group B: Max Blair / 14.101 seconds Penske Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 99-Devin Moran[1]; 2. 96V-Tanner English[3]; 3. 12-Ashton Winger[2]; 4. 10-Garrett Smith[5]; 5. 3S-Brian Shirley[6]; 6. 1T-Tyler Erb[7]; 7. 81J-Jack Riggs[4]; 8. 5-Mark Whitener[8]; 9. (DNS) 4S-Danny Snyder; 10. (DNS) 22*-Payton Freeman Summit Racing Products Heat Race #2 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 16-Tyler Bruening[2]; 2. 76-Brandon Overton[1]; 3. 25B-Mike Benedum[4]; 4. 99B-Boom Briggs[6]; 5. 18D-Daulton Wilson[5]; 6. 49-Jonathan Davenport[10]; 7. 25C-Shane Clanton[3]; 8. 14W-Dustin Walker[7]; 9. 6-Blake Spencer[9]; 10. (DNS) 23-Chad Walter Simpson Race Products Heat Race #3 (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[2]; 2. 111B-Max Blair[1]; 3. 39-Tim McCreadie[3]; 4. 2-GR Smith[6]; 5. B5-Brandon Sheppard[5]; 6. 58-Garrett Alberson[4]; 7. 89-Logan Roberson[7]; 8. 11-Spencer Hughes[8]; 9. 17SS-Brenden Smith[10]; 10. 18-Chase Junghans[9] AP1 Insurance Heat Race #4 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 46-Earl Pearson Jr[2]; 2. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[1]; 3. 1H-Hudson O’Neal[4]; 4. 20-Jimmy Owens[3]; 5. 76B-Blair Nothdurft[5]; 6. 19M-Wil Herrington[6]; 7. 66C-Matt Cosner[9]; 8. 40B-Kyle Bronson[7]; 9. (DNS) 7-Ross Robinson Fast Shafts B-Main Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 18D-Daulton Wilson[2]; 2. 49-Jonathan Davenport[4]; 3. 1T-Tyler Erb[3]; 4. 25C-Shane Clanton[6]; 5. 14W-Dustin Walker[8]; 6. 6-Blake Spencer[9]; 7. 5-Mark Whitener[7]; 8. 3S-Brian Shirley[1]; 9. (DNS) 81J-Jack Riggs; 10. (DNS) 4S-Danny Snyder; 11. (DNS) 22*-Payton Freeman; 12. (DNS) 23-Chad Walter UNOH B-Main Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. B5-Brandon Sheppard[1]; 2. 76B-Blair Nothdurft[2]; 3. 19M-Wil Herrington[4]; 4. 58-Garrett Alberson[3]; 5. 66C-Matt Cosner[6]; 6. 11-Spencer Hughes[7]; 7. 89-Logan Roberson[5]; 8. 17SS-Brenden Smith[9]; 9. 7-Ross Robinson[11]; 10. 18-Chase Junghans[10]; 11. 40B-Kyle Bronson[8] Winter Nationals – Night #1 Feature Finish (40 Laps):

Race Statistics Entrants: 39Terminal Maintenance & Construction Pole Sitter: Devin MoranLap Leaders: Ricky Thornton, Jr. (Laps 1-2); Devin Moran (Laps 3-14); Ricky Thornton, Jr. (Laps 15-40)Wieland Feature Winner: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Arizona Sport Shirts Crown Jewel Cup Feature Winner: n/aBrandon Ford TV Challenge Feature Winner: n/aMargin of Victory: 1.401 secondsStop-Tech Brakes Cautions: Daulton Wilson (Lap 14); Devin Moran (Lap 15); Ross Robinson (Lap 19); Tyler Bruening, Dennis Erb, Jr., Tim McCreadie, Garrett Smith (Lap 19 restart); Earl Pearson, Jr. (Lap 26)Series Provisionals: Garrett Alberson; Spencer HughesFast Time Provisional: n/aSeries Emergency Provisionals: Ross Robinson; Kyle Bronson; Logan RobersonTrack Provisional: n/aBig River Steel Podium Top 3: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Max Blair, Ashton WingerPenske Shocks Top 5: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Max Blair, Ashton Winger, Hudson O’Neal, Brandon OvertonTodd Steel Buildings Hard Charger of the Race: Brandon Sheppard (Advanced 11 Positions)Wilwood Brakes Lucky 7th Place Feature: Brandon SheppardDeatherage Opticians Lucky 13th Place Feature: Spencer HughesEarnhardt Technologies Most Laps Led: Ricky Thornton, Jr. (28 Laps)Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Brandon OvertonO’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: n/aEtchberger Trucking Fastest Lap of the Race: Ricky Thornton, Jr. (Lap 20 – 14.198 seconds)Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Anthony Burroughs (Ricky Thornton, Jr.)ARP Engine Builder of the Race: Clements Race EnginesMiller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn ChassisDirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Brandon Overton (14.869 seconds)Time of Race: 46 minutes 57 seconds The Big River Steel Chase for the Championship Presented by ARP Point Standings:

OCALA, Fla. (January 29, 2023) – Ricky Thornton Jr. found redemption on Sunday night at Bubba Raceway Park – winning the 40-lap Winter Nationals main event for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. The 32-year-old led the last 25 laps of the race to score his first win of the 2023 season after recording two runner-up finishes and a third-place finish at Golden Isles. With the win, Thornton becomes the third different winner in four events this season. Max Blair recorded his best career finish in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series by coming home in second with Ashton Winger taking the third and final Big River Steel Podium spot. Hudson O’Neal was fourth with current point leader Brandon Overton rounding out the top five drivers. Thornton, who started on the outside front row, led the first two laps until yielding the point to pole sitter Devin Moran. Moran then led until he suffered a right front flat tire after a lap 15-restart. Moran would pit to change the tire and rejoin the field. Thornton would pick up the lead again with Earl Pearson Jr. moving into second place and Blair now running in third. A red flag came out for a multi-car incident in turn two with 19 laps complete. After the extended stoppage of action, the race resumed with Thornton still holding the point.  Pearson, who was celebrating his 51st birthday, had his hopes of getting by Thornton for the win end when he suffered a right rear flat tire on lap 26. Blair then picked up the runner-up spot which he held to the finish. “It’s pretty awesome to win here,” said the winner who is now just five points behind Overton in the championship standings. “I love coming to this place. It’s so technical and different compared to all the other places we go to. I got the jump on the start on Devin [Moran]. I felt like I was running as hard as I needed to and then he slid me. He was running way harder than I wanted to go and I thought let him go and I will just keep pace with him. I don’t know what happened to him on that restart he went down into one and it didn’t turn.” “I got the lead back and just kind of held on, under that red my left front went flat,” Thornton added. “Luckily it didn’t put me in the fence. Overall, it was a good night. I had big time flashbacks from the last two nights. My crew guy was telling me that Max [Blair] was getting closer and I thought here we go again. On the last lap I screwed up off two and four. I felt like I was going to put it in the fence and give it away again. Overall, I am good, and we are happy we really have had a good Speedweeks so far.”  Blair overcame his struggles at Golden Isles with a runner-up finish. “We were real competitive all night long. I really faded the last 10 or 12 laps. As a team we really needed a good run, and we got it. It’s a good group of people we are with. I am really, really excited for the future. I think this is going to be a real good fit.” Winger finished third in his first Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series start of the season. “A couple of guys fell out there. I think I had one good restart where I passed three or so guys. I kind of figured out all those guys were jostling for position. I headed into turn one and the car stuck. We were pretty good. Congrats to Ricky for winning on three tires. I felt like we were better the longer we went. One of those cautions kind of killed us.” The winner’s Todd and Vickie Burns, SSI Motorsports-owned, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Big River Steel, Hoker Trucking, Sub-Surface of Indiana, Dyno One Inc., West Side Tractor Sales Company, D&E Outside Services, Certified Inspection Service Company Inc., Sunoco Race Fuels, Bilstein Shocks, and Murty Farms Completing the top ten were Tanner English, Brandon Sheppard, Jonathan Davenport, G.R. Smith, and Devin Moran. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Race Summary Winter Nationals – Night #1Sunday, January 29, 2023Bubba Raceway Park – Ocala, FL Allstar Performance Time TrialsFast Time Group A: Devin Moran / 14.083 seconds (overall)Fast Time Group B: Max Blair / 14.101 seconds Penske Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 99-Devin Moran[1]; 2. 96V-Tanner English[3]; 3. 12-Ashton Winger[2]; 4. 10-Garrett Smith[5]; 5. 3S-Brian Shirley[6]; 6. 1T-Tyler Erb[7]; 7. 81J-Jack Riggs[4]; 8. 5-Mark Whitener[8]; 9. (DNS) 4S-Danny Snyder; 10. (DNS) 22*-Payton Freeman Summit Racing Products Heat Race #2 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 16-Tyler Bruening[2]; 2. 76-Brandon Overton[1]; 3. 25B-Mike Benedum[4]; 4. 99B-Boom Briggs[6]; 5. 18D-Daulton Wilson[5]; 6. 49-Jonathan Davenport[10]; 7. 25C-Shane Clanton[3]; 8. 14W-Dustin Walker[7]; 9. 6-Blake Spencer[9]; 10. (DNS) 23-Chad Walter Simpson Race Products Heat Race #3 (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[2]; 2. 111B-Max Blair[1]; 3. 39-Tim McCreadie[3]; 4. 2-GR Smith[6]; 5. B5-Brandon Sheppard[5]; 6. 58-Garrett Alberson[4]; 7. 89-Logan Roberson[7]; 8. 11-Spencer Hughes[8]; 9. 17SS-Brenden Smith[10]; 10. 18-Chase Junghans[9] AP1 Insurance Heat Race #4 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 46-Earl Pearson Jr[2]; 2. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[1]; 3. 1H-Hudson O’Neal[4]; 4. 20-Jimmy Owens[3]; 5. 76B-Blair Nothdurft[5]; 6. 19M-Wil Herrington[6]; 7. 66C-Matt Cosner[9]; 8. 40B-Kyle Bronson[7]; 9. (DNS) 7-Ross Robinson Fast Shafts B-Main Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 18D-Daulton Wilson[2]; 2. 49-Jonathan Davenport[4]; 3. 1T-Tyler Erb[3]; 4. 25C-Shane Clanton[6]; 5. 14W-Dustin Walker[8]; 6. 6-Blake Spencer[9]; 7. 5-Mark Whitener[7]; 8. 3S-Brian Shirley[1]; 9. (DNS) 81J-Jack Riggs; 10. (DNS) 4S-Danny Snyder; 11. (DNS) 22*-Payton Freeman; 12. (DNS) 23-Chad Walter UNOH B-Main Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. B5-Brandon Sheppard[1]; 2. 76B-Blair Nothdurft[2]; 3. 19M-Wil Herrington[4]; 4. 58-Garrett Alberson[3]; 5. 66C-Matt Cosner[6]; 6. 11-Spencer Hughes[7]; 7. 89-Logan Roberson[5]; 8. 17SS-Brenden Smith[9]; 9. 7-Ross Robinson[11]; 10. 18-Chase Junghans[10]; 11. 40B-Kyle Bronson[8] Winter Nationals – Night #1 Feature Finish (40 Laps):

Race Statistics Entrants: 39Terminal Maintenance & Construction Pole Sitter: Devin MoranLap Leaders: Ricky Thornton, Jr. (Laps 1-2); Devin Moran (Laps 3-14); Ricky Thornton, Jr. (Laps 15-40)Wieland Feature Winner: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Arizona Sport Shirts Crown Jewel Cup Feature Winner: n/aBrandon Ford TV Challenge Feature Winner: n/aMargin of Victory: 1.401 secondsStop-Tech Brakes Cautions: Daulton Wilson (Lap 14); Devin Moran (Lap 15); Ross Robinson (Lap 19); Tyler Bruening, Dennis Erb, Jr., Tim McCreadie, Garrett Smith (Lap 19 restart); Earl Pearson, Jr. (Lap 26)Series Provisionals: Garrett Alberson; Spencer HughesFast Time Provisional: n/aSeries Emergency Provisionals: Ross Robinson; Kyle Bronson; Logan RobersonTrack Provisional: n/aBig River Steel Podium Top 3: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Max Blair, Ashton WingerPenske Shocks Top 5: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Max Blair, Ashton Winger, Hudson O’Neal, Brandon OvertonTodd Steel Buildings Hard Charger of the Race: Brandon Sheppard (Advanced 11 Positions)Wilwood Brakes Lucky 7th Place Feature: Brandon SheppardDeatherage Opticians Lucky 13th Place Feature: Spencer HughesEarnhardt Technologies Most Laps Led: Ricky Thornton, Jr. (28 Laps)Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Brandon OvertonO’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: n/aEtchberger Trucking Fastest Lap of the Race: Ricky Thornton, Jr. (Lap 20 – 14.198 seconds)Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Anthony Burroughs (Ricky Thornton, Jr.)ARP Engine Builder of the Race: Clements Race EnginesMiller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn ChassisDirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Brandon Overton (14.869 seconds)Time of Race: 46 minutes 57 seconds The Big River Steel Chase for the Championship Presented by ARP Point Standings:

Garcia, Taylor, Milner fight from behind to challenge for GTD PRO class win DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 29, 2023) – Corvette Racing started its 25th season of competition with a runner-up class finish Sunday in the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Antonio Garcia, Jordan Taylor and Tommy Milner teamed up for the second-place GT Daytona (GTD) PRO result in the No. 3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C8.R.After a drive back from two laps down in the middle of the night – due to a flat left-rear tire and a rear brake change – the No. 3 C8.R moved back to not just contention for the Rolex victory but to the lead just before sunrise Sunday morning. The chaotic events of the middle eight hours looked like they would give way with a caution-free run of more than five hours into mid-morning. Taylor drove a double-stint for his final laps in the car and led the class multiple times. At that point and with a little more than three hours to go, Milner took over from Taylor and drove two stints of hard, intense racing that saw the Corvette and two other competitors swap the GTD PRO lead. Milner gave way to Garcia for an even more chaotic final one hour, 45 minutes. The top three cars – the 3 Corvette, the 14 Lexus and 79 Mercedes – swapped back and forth through three full-course caution periods in the span of an hour and 20 minutes before a final 26-minute run to the flag with Garcia coming home second in class. An up-and-down middle eight hours saw Corvette Racing re-emerge from two laps down and back into contention for a class victory as daylight arrived Sunday. The three Corvette Racing drivers  each drove triple-stints through the darkness as they rotated through the C8.R for the second time.  Garcia, who started the race Saturday, worked with the Corvette Racing engineers to improve tire performance through his three stints. By the time he handed over to Taylor a little before the 10-hour mark, the C8.R was in a better state than when Garcia took over as Taylor left the pitlane in the class lead thanks to a solid stop by the Corvette pit crew. Things began to look dire near the 10.5-hour mark when the No. 3 Corvette suffered a left-rear flat tire just before Taylor came on the Turn 1 speedway banking while running second in class. He nursed the car back to pitlane even as the tire came off the wheel before the Corvette made it back to pit entry. The team quickly changed tires but had to stop a lap later to change the Corvette’s rear brakes due to damage from the flat tire. It dropped the No. 3 C8.R to two laps down. Critically, Taylor was able to stay ahead of the GTD PRO leader and not lose another lap before a full-course yellow just before the halfway point of the race. The Corvette Racing crew got a lap back during a pass-around before stopping for fuel and tires, and then the crew changed the front brakes a lap later to return the Corvette to full strength – and the lead lap – with just over 11-and-a-half hours to go. Taylor gave way to Milner from the sixth position in class about an hour later with the Corvette rejoining in fifth. Less than an hour into his opening stint, the race’s eighth full-course caution drew Milner closer to the front. He ran third in class and seven seconds from the lead as the race entered the final eight hours. Corvette Racing’s next event in the WeatherTech Championship is the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on Saturday, March 18.

Photos: Richard Prince, Chevrolet Racing

ANTONIO GARCIA, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R – FINISHED SECOND IN GTD PRO: “P2 at Daytona… it was a bit crazy out there. With the P3 cars ahead of us, it was a lottery especially in turns One and Three. Everybody was getting super crazy. When you have a car with ABS, you can just go for it and that’s what people are doing. But we did all we could. That was all we had. A lot of times, I was very surprised to be where we were. We seemed to be good on fuel, which seemed to be our only chance. We just didn’t have the outright pace.”

JORDAN TAYLOR, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R – FINISHED SECOND IN GTD PRO:“The Rolex 24 is always kind of a stand-alone race for us every year. If you look at our race as a whole, we had some adversity during the night but came from two laps down. Everyone executed well. We were in the hunt most of the way. We didn’t have the outright pace, but it was a true Corvette Racing race where we battled our way back to second. We started with a third-place car and finished second, so that’s a win in our book.”

TOMMY MILNER, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R – FINISHED SECOND IN GTD PRO:“Based on how everything was going in practice and in the Roar, I think P2 in the end is quite good. When you have a chance to fight for the win like that and for us to run up front for so much of the race, to miss it by that much at the end is tough. We knew going in that the Mercedes guys were quick, the Aston was quick, the Lexus was quick. It was a great job by the team to persevere and to keep pushing all throughout the race. My teammates did a great job. We were just missing a little bit of pace at the end. It was a good race for all three of us. We were racing super-hard and pushing super-hard. We just came up a little short.”

Cadillac Racing starts GTP era with stout efforts, reliability of three new race cars

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 29, 2023) — Cadillac Racing began the Grand Touring Prototype era with third-, fourth- and fifth-place finishes in the 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona. Renger van der Zande earned a podium spot, driving the electrified No. 01 Cadillac V-LMDh for the final stint of the mentally- and physically-taxing race on the 3.56-mile, 12-turn Daytona International Speedway road course. He shared the seat with Sebastien Bourdais and Scott Dixon. Earl Bamber, Alex Lyn and Richard Westbrook co-drove the No. 02 Cadillac V-LMDh to fourth place in the season opener of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Pipo Derani, Alexander Sims and Jack Aitken persevered after a pre-dawn incident involving a GTD that necessitated a 25-minute trip to the garage finish fifth. The incident was the lone substantial setback for the new Cadillac prototypes, which only began on-track development in early July.

Questions were answered as teams, drivers and Cadillac engineers continue to learn about the car. Durability: No major mechanical or hybrid unit issues. Engine performance: Powerful. Drivability: Smooth.  “We brought three Cadillacs, which was the most of any brand, and all three took the checkered flag,” GM sports car racing program manager Laura Wontrop Klauser said. “I’d say everyone who has worked on this project, whether it be the engineers at Cadillac, the designers at Cadillac, the engineers at Dallara, Chip Ganassi Racing, Action Express Racing – everyone – should be so proud of everything we’ve accomplished.”

The Cadillac V-LMDh features an all-new Cadillac 5.5-liter DOHC V8 engine developed by GM’s Performance and Racing propulsion team based in Pontiac, Michigan. Cadillac is the only GTP competitor with a naturally aspirated engine. The body, codeveloped by Cadillac Design, Cadillac Racing and chassis constructor Dallara, incorporates key Cadillac V-Series production car design elements. The No. 01 Cadillac V-LMDh and No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-LMDh will next compete March 18 in the Twelve Hours of Sebring on the 3.74-mile, 17-turn Sebring International Raceway. The No. 2 Cadillac V-LMDh will make its FIA World Endurance Championship debut March 17 in the 1000 of Sebring.Cadillac Racing driver quotes No. 01 Cadillac V-LMDh (qualified fourth, finished third) Sebastien Bourdais: “Obviously, didn’t run the perfect race but as close as you can get to it considering it was the first outing in a race for the Cadillac V-LMDh. Honestly, I just didn’t think it was going to take the perfect race and some. I’m really surprised that the competition beat us on performance and everybody ended up having a very clean race. It’s tough to be on the wrong side of things but scoring some good points. All the hard work from Ganassi, Cadillac and Bosch, Dallara and everybody that has been involved in this project has been rewarded with a triple finish. We’ll keep working and thanks for everybody’s hard work.”  Renger van der Zande: ““Yeah, finishing second or third is not what we came for, but hey it’s the first time and we got points for podium to start the season off with Ganassi.  At the end of the day, we didn’t have the pace to win, and we didn’t have the speed on the straights to win. It’s time to collect and see where we can improve as a team. I think it’s a tribute to GM and to Dallara and Ganassi to build a car that lasts for 24 hours. I think that is an amazing thing and yeah, congrats to the winners.” Scott Dixon: “Pretty decent finish and great work by the team and all the partners. That’s a feat in itself. I think coming down toward the end we knew it was going to be a tough fight, especially with the speed of the other cars. It was a fun race and just came up short.” No. 02 Cadillac V-LMDh (qualified fifth, finished fourth)Richard Westbrook: “What a journey for us to get to this point. To run flawlessly for 24 hours in the debut of the Cadillac LMDh is something we can all be proud of. Obviously, there is initial disappointment because we just missed out on the podium and had the potential to win. But listen, we just have so much to be proud of to get the car home without any issues is just a testament to the team, Cadillac, and everyone involved.  We are only going one way and that is forward.” Earl Bamber: “I think just an all-around good job by Chip Ganassi Racing and Cadillac to come out and run 24 hours and have both cars on the lead lap, have both cars with potential to be on the podium. Missed a little bit of pace to Acura and hate we missed out on the podium, but its good points in the championship. Now we can go on to Sebring and WEC.” Alex Lynn: “We are disappointed not to get the win. That’s what you turn up to Daytona to do. The car ran flawlessly. Big congrats to Cadillac for building such a great car and we’ll be back.”No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-LMDh (qualified sixth, finished fifth)Pipo Derani: “It’s just one of those things and one of those races where you have to be there at the end and unfortunately, we got crashed by a GT. It wasn’t major, it was just a touch from the GT. But after two hours after that touch, our rear suspension gave up.  So, really unfortunate there. The team did an amazing job to repair the car and put us back in contention. The car was really quick, so kind of bittersweet because we had a strong enough car to be on the podium, but that’s racing. Looks like we are going to be a strong team and I am looking forward to Sebring. The machine has worked flawless over a 24-hour race, which is incredible.” Alexander Sims: “It’s always disappointing when you get to the end of a long race like that, put in so much effort and don’t get the result you feel you deserve. But that’s the way racing is; it’s sport. There’s one winner and a lot of losers and that’s what makes it so special when you do win. It’s the fierst race we’ve had with this car, a lot of learning has been done and I think already we see where we can make decent improvements on the car side, on my side and that’s just part of building that overall picture to continue through the championship and get the results as we go along.”  Jack Aitken: “To finish fifth after everything that we went through in this race is quite an achievement and I think it goes to show how much attrition was out there as well. It is a shame because we led laps and were running with the leaders at the time. But that’s just bad luck in multi-class racing. We have a lot to be really proud of and it’s just the start of the season, so lots of really promising things happening. It was a great experience and very different from the other 24-hour races that I’ve done. I want to come back and hopefully get on the top step.”

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 29, 2023) — Cadillac V-LMDh cars were running first and third at the 16-hour mark of the 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona on the 3.56-mile Daytona International Speedway road course. Sebastien Bourdais, a two-time Rolex 24 winner, drove the No. 01 Cadillac V-LMDh to the front of the field. Alex Lynn challenged for the lead after the seventh caution period of the race and was running third in the No. 02 Cadillac V-LMDh.The No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-LMDh, running in the lead pack, sustained left-rear suspension damage after contact with a GTD car. Quick work by the crew in the garage returned the hybrid car to the track with Jack Aitken taking over the seat from Pipo Derani. All three Cadillac V-LMDh race cars have led laps in the twice-around-the-clock race. The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season opener is also the debut of the electrified Cadillac entries in the rejuvenated Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class.The race is being broadcast on NBC and its associated channels (all times EST):Today – USA Network, 6 a.m.-12 p.m.              NBC, 12-2 p.m.Flag-to-flag streaming on Peacock Plus and IMSA.com.

Scott Dixon, No. 01 Cadillac V-LMDh: “The last set of tires we kind of missed on the pressures, so that was tough to manage. We’ll keep working at it and see what we can do in the early morning hours.”Alex Lynn, No. 02 Cadillac V-LMDh: “Right now, we’re having a good night. The car is running really good and that’s the main thing. We have an A1 car now with eight hours to go. We’ll just keep our heads down.”

Round 2/13 of UMP Modified Florida Speedweeks goes green Sunday

LAKE CITY, FL – Jan. 28, 2023 – He won last year’s edition of Winternationals at North Florida Speedway, and now, Tyler Nicely has backed it up with his second win at the venue in two seasons.

The opening round of UMP Modified Florida Speedweeks featured a classic battle between two of DIRTcar’s toughest heavyweights right on the front row. Defending Speedweeks champion Lucas Lee turned the fastest lap of the night in Qualifying and won his Heat Race to claim the pole for the Feature, while 2020 Speedweeks champion Nicely kept up him the whole night with a second-best Qualifying lap and a win in Heat Race #2 to start P2.

The green dropped, and Nicely hammered the throttle out of Turn 4. With Lee still to his inside, the two drag raced down the front stretch and into Turn 1. Nicely edged ahead in the outside lane and sealed the pass out of Turn 2 to take the lead.

“I knew that if Lucas started on the pole, I was going to have to get a really good jump to get to the lead and try and dictate my own race,” Nicely said. “We went harder than most other guys on tires, so I knew once I could get out front, I should be okay.”

From that point forward, it was Nicely’s race to lose. Lee gave it everything he had to catch and pass the leader but was unable to give Nicely a serious challenge. Several caution flags scattered throughout the 25-lap Feature presented Lee with multiple opportunities to attempt a pass, but Nicely came prepared and denied him at every turn.

“I was mainly worried about getting a good restart,” Nicely said. “If you don’t get a good restart and you mess-up in Turn 1, you end up getting behind. It could lose you the race.

“I knew Lucas was going to be tough, and Drake [Troutman] was on the outside of me one restart. I didn’t really know what was going on behind me, but I felt like I had a balanced race car.”

Lee’s perseverance actually paid more dividends than what the box scores show. On a Lap 9 restart, young Pennsylvania racer Drake Troutman muscled his Jerry Foster Racing #5 Longhorn Chassis past Lee to take second. Lee didn’t take that lightly, as he returned the favor the very next restart, though he was still not as comfortable with his car as he had hoped for the first race of the season.

“I could turn well; I just didn’t have any traction when I got back in the gas,” Lee said. “We didn’t get any heat in the motors on the start, so my motor was just at 100, and didn’t fire off well.”

Being the first DIRTcar-sanctioned Modified race of the 2023 season anywhere in the country has its significance, especially being part of a 13-race swing through Florida over 15 days. Nicely’s feeling the momentum already and is looking to carry it on to win his second career UMP Modified Speedweeks title.

“Any time you can get a win is awesome, but for the first race out – all your jitters and that kinda go away when you can just knock one off,” Nicely said. “Hopefully, we can take this momentum into East Bay and even Volusia.”

Lee is aware of the stakes as well. Coming in as the defending Speedweeks champion, who beat Nicely last year by over 100 points, he knows his competition is going to be tough throughout the three-week grind.

“Tyler’s gonna be there every night,” Lee said. “We’ve gotta be better than him. We’ve gotta do what we’re supposed to do early in the night, win the Heat Race, and maybe he doesn’t one night.”

UP NEXT

The DIRTcar UMP Modified action continues with the second of two races at North Florida Speedway on Sunday, Jan. 29. Follow DIRTcar Racing on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for live updates throughout the program.

RESULTS

Feature (25 laps) – 1. 25-Tyler Nicely [2]; 2. 12-Lucas Lee [1]; 3. 5-Drake Troutman [4]; 4. 7-Brad DeYoung [19]; 5. 141-Justin Galbreath [8]; 6. 24-Zeke McKenzie [13]; 7. 8-Jimmy Lennex Jr. [11]; 8. 41-Brad Goff [16]; 9. 25A-Jason Altiers [17]; 10. 44-Jeff Parsons [14]; 11. 57-Fletcher Mason [9]; 12. 2J-Troy Johnson [20]; 13. 99-Justin Haley [6]; 14. 40-Kevin Adams [5]; 15. 97-Mitch Thomas [3]; 16. 59-Ronnie Chab [21]; 17. 3-Josh Sandford [22]; 18. 25W-Allen Weisser [7]; 19. 72-Todd Neiheiser [12]; 20. 4-Mike Learman [10]; 21. 16C-John Clippinger [15]; 22. 27-Jason Floyd [18]

WAYNESVILLE, Ga. (January 28, 2023) – Brandon Overton utilized a last lap pass coming off turn number four to barely edge Ricky Thornton Jr. at the finish line. Overton earned a Golden Isles Speedway record $25,000 payday on Saturday night in the final night of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series-sanctioned Super Clean Super Bowl of Racing – presented by ICON Electric Vehicles. Overton’s 0.056 seconds margin of victory at the finish line was one of the closest in series history. For the second night in a row Thornton suffered a late-race heartbreak to come home in second. Tanner English finished third with Brandon Sheppard and Hudson O’Neal completing the top five finishers. For the third night in a row Overton started from the pole and would lead the first 22 laps of the 60-lap event. Thornton, who started fourth, charged by Hudson O’Neal on lap 13 for second and then pursue Overton before grabbing the point from him on lap 23. English, who started on the inside of the fourth row, moved into the runner-up slot behind Thornton on lap 33. A caution for a slowing Daulton Wilson on the frontstretch on lap 34 would bunch the field up. On the restart Overton got back by English for second and set his sights on Thornton. With five laps to go to Thornton was holding a precarious lead over Overton as he was battling with cars at the tail end of the field. Overton started to move to the top of the and close the gap on Thornton as they took the white flag. Overton with the momentum on the top as the duo exited off the final corner would make the winning pass against the outside retaining wall to steal the victory from Thornton. Overton in Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the fifth time in his career at Golden Isles emerged from his car to the cheering fans in his home state. “I got lucky tonight. Last night I stuffed it in the fence. When I sent it in there tonight, I made sure I had the back end pointed out and on the chip. It just worked out. I hate it for Ricky, but that’s what it takes lapped traffic sometimes to play a big part of it. I knew when he [Thornton] passed me I had to stay in second and I had to do a better job of managing my tires. I knew a Hail Mary was all I had. Ricky’s run well this week. I am so happy. I love this stuff.”  “I couldn’t let Kyle [Larson come down and show us up like he did last night,” Overton added. “I just keep playing it back through my head just trying to make sure I didn’t go too soon. I seen the white and I said alright here it is I was going to knock the motor out of it, or I was going to get him. It worked out perfect.”  Thornton ended the week at Golden Isles with a third-place finish and a pair of runner-up finishes to maintain second place in the championship standings behind Overton. “The bottom was really good. I wanted to stay stuck there and I thought I had enough gap to Dennis [Erb Jr.] and then they got to racing in front of him and it kind of slowed my pace down. I knew he [Overton] was going to throw a Hail Mary in three and four. My crew guys were telling me to move up. It was like one of those deals where I tried it once and it about destroyed the car. Congrats to Brandon. It stinks to lose another one here. But the good part is we have good speed going into the next two days at Bubba.” English had his best run of 2023 coming home in third to round out the Big River Steel Podium. “It definitely feels like a win especially against those two guys. They are two of the toughest in the business. We have got to figure out how to get better. It’s feels like a rough month, but it’s only been a few weeks. We are turning it around.” The winner’s Wells and Sons Motorsports-owned, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Garnto Southern, Victory Fuel Flavored Electrolyte Water, Muscle Factory, Clean Way Clearing and Grading, Dirt Mafia, Boswell Oil, R.W. Powell Construction, Penske Racing Shocks, EZ-GO, Earnhardt Technologies, Convenience Lube, H&A Development. Completing the top ten were Tim McCreadie, Jonathan Davenport, Mason Zeigler, Shane Clanton, and Kyle Bronson. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Race Summary Super Clean Super Bowl of Racing FinaleSaturday, January 28, 2023Golden Isles Speedway – Brunswick, GA Allstar Performance Time TrialsFast Time Group A: Brandon Overton / 14.798 seconds (overall)Fast Time Group B: Hudson O’Neal / 14.939 seconds  Penske Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 76-Brandon Overton[1]; 2. 96V-Tanner English[3]; 3. 89J-Jeff Choquette[2]; 4. 16-Tyler Bruening[4]; 5. 01-Jason Garver[6]; 6. 5-Mark Whitener[7]; 7. 19M-Wil Herrington[5]; 8. 6-Blake Spencer[8]; 9. 4S-Danny Snyder[9] Summit Racing Products Heat Race #2 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 99-Devin Moran[1]; 2. 46-Earl Pearson Jr[3]; 3. 2-GR Smith[6]; 4. 40B-Kyle Bronson[4]; 5. 111-Steven Roberts[2]; 6. 20-Jimmy Owens[9]; 7. 18-Chase Junghans[5]; 8. 14W-Dustin Walker[7]; 9. 4-Kale Green[8] Simpson Race Products Heat Race #3 (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 25C-Shane Clanton[2]; 2. 8-Brian Shirley[4]; 3. 76B-Blair Nothdurft[5]; 4. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[3]; 5. 773-Christian Thomas[6]; 6. 2V-Allen Murray[1]; 7. 58-Garrett Alberson[8]; 8. (DNS) 25B-Mike Benedum AP1 Insurance Heat Race #4 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 1H-Hudson O’Neal[1]; 2. 39-Tim McCreadie[3]; 3. 49-Jonathan Davenport[2]; 4. 93-Carson Ferguson[5]; 5. 99B-Boom Briggs[8]; 6. 111B-Max Blair[4]; 7. 114-Jordan Koehler[6]; 8. 78-Matthew Brocato[9]; 9. 21H-Robby Hensley[7] Super Clean Heat Race #5 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[1]; 2. 25Z-Mason Zeigler[2]; 3. 2X-John Henderson[3]; 4. 1T-Tyler Erb[8]; 5. 19R-Ryan Gustin[4]; 6. 26JR-Jimmy Sharpe Jr[5]; 7. 8K-Kyle Strickler[6]; 8. 89-Logan Roberson[9]; 9. 20V-Rece Vaught[7] Lucas Oil Heat Race #6 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. B5-Brandon Sheppard[2]; 2. 10-Garrett Smith[3]; 3. 11-Spencer Hughes[5]; 4. 44D-Dalton Cook[6]; 5. 7-Ross Robinson[8]; 6. 81J-Jack Riggs[7]; 7. 18D-Daulton Wilson[1]; 8. 22*-Payton Freeman[4] Fast Shafts B-Main Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 2 Transfer): 1. 16-Tyler Bruening[1]; 2. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[3]; 3. 5-Mark Whitener[7]; 4. 19M-Wil Herrington[10]; 5. 20-Jimmy Owens[8]; 6. 6-Blake Spencer[13]; 7. 40B-Kyle Bronson[2]; 8. 58-Garrett Alberson[12]; 9. 25B-Mike Benedum[17]; 10. 18-Chase Junghans[11]; 11. 773-Christian Thomas[6]; 12. 111-Steven Roberts[5]; 13. 2V-Allen Murray[9]; 14. (DNS) 01-Jason Garver; 15. (DNS) 14W-Dustin Walker; 16. (DNS) 4S-Danny Snyder; 17. (DNS) 4-Kale Green UNOH B-Main Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 2 Transfer): 1. 93-Carson Ferguson[1]; 2. 1T-Tyler Erb[2]; 3. 19R-Ryan Gustin[5]; 4. 111B-Max Blair[7]; 5. 99B-Boom Briggs[4]; 6. 7-Ross Robinson[6]; 7. 89-Logan Roberson[14]; 8. 44D-Dalton Cook[3]; 9. 78-Matthew Brocato[13]; 10. 8K-Kyle Strickler[11]; 11. 81J-Jack Riggs[9]; 12. 26JR-Jimmy Sharpe Jr[8]; 13. 114-Jordan Koehler[10]; 14. 20V-Rece Vaught[17]; 15. (DNS) 18D-Daulton Wilson; 16. (DNS) 22*-Payton Freeman; 17. (DNS) 21H-Robby Hensley Super Clean Super Bowl of Racing- Night #3 Feature Finish (60 Laps):

Race Statistics Entrants: 52Terminal Maintenance & Construction Pole Sitter: Brandon OvertonLap Leaders: Brandon Overton (Laps 1-22); Ricky Thornton, Jr. (Laps 23-59); Brandon Overton (Lap 60)Wieland Feature Winner: Brandon OvertonArizona Sport Shirts Crown Jewel Cup Feature Winner: n/aBrandon Ford TV Challenge Feature Winner: Brandon OvertonMargin of Victory: 0.056 secondsStop-Tech Brakes Cautions: Shane Clanton, Carson Ferguson, Garrett Smith, Spencer Hughes, Tyler Erb (Initial Start); Brian Shirley, John Henderson, Tyler Bruening, GR Smith (Restart); Devin Moran (Lap 8); Daulton Wilson (Lap 34)Series Provisionals: Garrett Alberson; Daulton WilsonFast Time Provisional: n/aSeries Emergency Provisionals: Ross Robinson; Kyle Bronson; Wil Herrington; Logan Roberson; Jimmy OwensTrack Provisional: n/aBig River Steel Podium Top 3: Brandon Overton, Ricky Thornton, Jr., Tanner English Penske Shocks Top 5: Brandon Overton, Ricky Thornton, Jr., Tanner English, Brandon Sheppard, Hudson O’NealTodd Steel Buildings Hard Charger of the Race: Kyle Bronson (Advanced 16 Positions)Wilwood Brakes Lucky 7th Place Feature: Jonathan DavenportDeathridge Opticians Lucky 13th Place Finisher: Spencer HughesEarnhardt Technologies Most Laps Led: Ricky Thornton, Jr. (37 Laps)Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Brandon OvertonO’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: n/aEtchberger Trucking Fastest Lap of the Race: Brandon Overton (Lap 4 – 15.844 seconds)Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Kent Fegter (Brandon Overton)ARP Engine Builder of the Race: Clements Racing EnginesMiller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn ChassisDirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Ryan Gustin (15.054 seconds)Time of Race: 37 minutes 44 seconds The Big River Steel Chase for the Championship Presented by ARP Point Standings:

CORVETTE RACING AT DAYTONA: Eight-Hour UpdateNo. 3 Corvette C8.R moves toward the front in GTD PRO in opening hours of Rolex 24DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 28, 2023) – Corvette Racing opened the Rolex 24 At Daytona in strong style Saturday as the No. 3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C8.R spent ample time out front during the first eight hours. Antonio Garcia was in the middle of a triple stint in his second round in the GTD PRO challenger. All three drivers – Garcia, Jordan Taylor and Tommy Milner double-stinted in their initial rotations in the Corvette. As the clock moved past the eight-hour mark, Garcia ran fourth in class and fifth of all GTD cars. The No. 3 C8.R started fourth in GTD PRO and 11th among the GTD category. Garcia wasted little time in moving forward and gained eight overall positions and ran third in GTD PRO by the time he made his first stop shy of the one-hour mark. He continued strong pace in the daytime and moved to second in class before he stopped to swap over Taylor. The No. 3 Corvette benefitted from a full-course yellow just after Taylor got in the car, and he moved into the lead shortly after the restart. He drove just shy of eight hours before Milner drove in the race for the first time. The pace of some of the competing cars increased in the dark and colder temperatures but Milner kept the Corvette clean and in contention as the driver rotation began again. Corvette Racing’s next update will come at the 16-hour mark.

Photos: Richard Prince, Chevrolet Racing

ANTONIO GARCIA, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “It’s been good so far. The pace was really good. I don’t know who was starting in every car. It’s tough to judge who was driving and how aggressive you could be. I tried to be careful on the start but lost the right-hand mirror anyway. The pace seems to be really good. I was able to pass people; the infield seems OK and the slipstream seems to be doing the job to get by. Of course once you get to the front, the slipstream goes away and you’re pretty much stuck with that you have. But it looks pretty good but there are many hours to go.”Coming into the race, we didn’t know the pace we would have. At the start, I kind of pushed and was a little bit aggressive. I could get closer and closer to other cars and could pass them. That was something new compared to last year when we were basically just hanging around on the oval. It’s good to know we can pass cars. Let’s see… it’s still too early into the race but we have pace and we are up there. Now it’s time to start tuning everything we have toward tomorrow and let’s see where we are. Tomorrow is a different day and it’s supposed to be hotter so we’ll see where everybody stands.”

JORDAN TAYLOR, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “The stint was OK. I think we were expected pace-wise. We don’t have the outright pace to compete with the top guys. I think we cycled through the front through some strategy and some slower guys getting in the car. We fought to the front in my last stint. The LMP3 cars on the restarts are as we thought. I was able to make some moves and pass some LMP3s to gap myself to the GTD field, and that helped us keep that lead through the stint. The name of the game right now is staying out of trouble, which is difficult in traffic but so far so good.”MORE ON THE OPENING RUN: “So far so good. Antonio was able to get up to P3 in his stint and then we were able to cycle to the lead and stay there for a couple of hours. The competition is tough. We don’t have the fastest car right now, but I think through pit stop cycles and strategy, we can stay out front. There’s a long way to go. Hopefully come tomorrow morning, we’ll be in a good spot.”DEALING WITH GTP TRAFFIC AND COMFORT LEVEL: “It’s not bad. I think most of those guys are somewhat conscious as opposed to previous years with the cars maybe not as reliable. So you can tell they’re a little more hesitant, which is nice for us. The closing rates at places like the Kink are a little faster but nothing too crazy. It’s usually the LMP2s or LMP3s that kind of cause more issues for us.”

TOMMY MILNER, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “The first stint for me went OK. We were close to the front when I got in but dropped back a little bit throughout. My first stint was difficult; the tire pressure was a little too high so that was tricky at first. The second was a lot better. Right now the name of the game is keeping the car in one piece and making sure we get the strategy right. We’ll see how Antonio does in his run. It seems like we were quite quick in the warmer temperatures and maybe not so much in the cooler stints, so we’ll see how it goes through the night.RETURNING TO IMSA: “I’m back with Brian (Hoye) again. I’ve spent a lot of year with Brian as my crew chief so that feels very normal. I’ve been with this program for many years; I think this is my 13th season with Corvette Racing. We have a lot of new faces in some ways but some familiar ones as well. It feels like home no matter who’s on the car and who’s engineering the car. The formula at Corvette Racing is shared among everyone. It doesn’t matter who’s putting on tires, who’s putting in the fuel, who’s engineering or who’s driving. We’re all trying to do the same job, and that’s to put our Corvette out front.”

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 28, 2023) — All three Cadillac V-LMDh race cars have led laps through eight hours of the 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona on the 3.56-mile Daytona International Speedway road course. The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season opener is also the debut of the electrified Cadillac entries in the rejuvenated Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class.The No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-LMDh driven by Jack Aitken led at the eight-hour mark. The No. 02 Cadillac V-LMDh driven by Alex Lynn was running third and the No. 01 Cadillac V-LMDh driven by Renger van der Zande was fifth. None of the new Cadillac race cars, which began on-track development only six months ago, have experienced issues on the mechanical end, with the handling or the MGU. The rear wing assembly on the No. 01 Cadillac V-LMDh had to be changed 4 hours, 26 minutes into the race after it was hit from behind by an LMP3 car. The front-end assembly of the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-LMDh was swapped out in the second hour after contact. The race is being broadcast on NBC and its associated channels (all times EST):Today – Peacock streaming, 8-10 p.m.             USA Network, 10 p.m.-12 a.m.Sunday – Peacock streaming, 12-6 a.m.              USA Network, 6 a.m.-12 p.m.              NBC, 12-2 p.m.Flag-to-flag streaming on Peacock Plus and IMSA.com.

No. 01 Cadillac V-LMDh Sebastien Bourdais: “Tricky conditions, very windy out there. I was at the beginning thinking, ‘it’s alright, not too quick. The track is going to come to us,’ but the track is getting worse and worse and worse. Quite a bit of tire deg. We’re just sliding around so much. Traffic is obviously a huge factor. You’re losing tons of time in traffic but honestly from what we’re seeing early on is probably going to be a game of attrition, so it sounds really crazy to make any irrational decisions and take any chances in traffic although sometimes you’re losing 2 to 5 seconds and you’re really biding your time. But better that than end up stuffed in the wall.” Renger van der Zande: “It’s very tricky on the cold tires, so the warmup is something over the 24 hours that people are going to make mistakes and make a difference on. I’m happy with the Cadillac. We’ve been working on this program so long and we’re finally racing. I’m so proud of Cadillac, Ganassi and everyone involved, and this was the first time I got a real taste of how the car is in the race because you’re still trying stuff. When you’re as a driver in the car you develop so much of the car you’re still looking at what could be better, what could be different while racing. We’re not done with testing yet; I think every program is a little behind. This is the best testing you can do and that’s what we’re doing today.”  Scott Dixon: “Car feels pretty decent, keep it clean and stay on the lead lap. Just keep a steady pace and then the 8 car spun in Turn 5 and we had to go to the outside of him and he got off the brakes and rolled back so I had to stop and then somebody got into the back of us and broke the rear clips so we had to come in and change the rear. The pace seems pretty good, even in that situation the car was totally fine. Maybe a toe link bent or something. Car feels good. Just try to keep up on the track and keep it together.” No. 02 Cadillac V-LMDhEarl Bamber: “It’s been pretty good so far first stint of the race, the first of this new GTP era. It was an awesome race start when you see all those fans out there with the amount of excitement around sports car racing is just great. I just tried to get in a rhythm. Quite new things for us is double stinting tires so I took it easy at the begging to see how that was going to feel out. We did a pretty good double there. It’s just a matter of finding traffic. There’s quite a bit of traffic out there already. We’ll see how we end up in the morning. It’s new regulations and it’s also new for the teams. Every pit stop they’re learning and the strategy they’re learning what to do.” Alex Lynn: “I think it was an interesting stint from us. We played around a lot on our side of the garage with stint life on the tires. It was our first time we had run 17 laps on one set of tires, and that’s a lot around here. Just building our way.” Richard Westbrook: “There are lots of different tire strategies going on right now. We’re trying to be quite frugal with how much we put on new tires. We just did almost a triple on one set. It’s a different rule this year with the tire allocation. You definitely want plenty of tires for the last three or four hours. We’re taking a bit of pain now and hoping to make that time back up come tomorrow when we have lots of new sets of tires. (advantage with double and triple stinting?): “We definitely set the car up that way; we’re good over a double and I think we’re pretty good over a triple as well. I just can’t believe all these cars are still running. It’s a testament to the manufacturers and all the hard work that’s gone into it. It’s a proper race out there and it looks like it’s going to keep going.” No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-LMDhAlexander Sims: “It’s my first-ever stint in a prototype in IMSA and I’m just getting my head around things, how to gauge traffic, how to manage gaps to get a good run out of the corner. It’s early in the race and we just have to stay in it and keep it clean. Looking forward to my next stint after a bit of dinner.” Pipo Derani: “We continue to learn with every stint. It’s quite windy out there and with all the traffic you can’t take any chances this early in the race. The slight contact I had was just good racing though we had to change the nose of the car under yellow. I’m looking forward to getting back in the car.” Jack Aitken: “My first race laps in the new Cadillac V-LMDh and my first on the Daytona road course and it was exciting. So much to learn with the car, with negotiating traffic, with pit stops, with everything really. I am happy with the car and honored to be part of this program. Long way to go, so we’ll see how things shake out.”

BATAVIA, Ohio (January 28, 2023) – The second stop for Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series competitors on a busy Georgia/Florida Speedweeks schedule is Bubba Raceway Park. Team’s will invade the 3/8-mile oval in Ocala, Fla. for two days of complete shows – Sunday and Monday, January 29 and January 30. Each night will include Dirt Draft Hot Laps, Allstar Performance Time Trials, Heat Races, B-Mains, and a 50-lap, $10,000-to-win main event. The pit gates will open at 2:00PM ET each day, followed by general admission gates at 3:00PM ET. The on-track excitement is slated for 5:30PM ET each day with Hot Laps. Bubba Raceway Park began operations in 1952. 2023 marks the 70th year of operation, making it the oldest continuously operating racetrack in the state of Florida. The track operated as clay for 45 years, asphalt for 10 years, and in 2008 converted back to its roots as a clay track again. For more information, please visit www.bubbaracewaypark.com.  Track Information:Bubba Raceway Park Phone Number: (352) 622-9400Location: 9050 N.W. Gainesville Road, Ocala, FL 34482Directions: Directions to Track: I-75 to exit 358, (From south, turn right; from north, turn left) travel east on FL-326 for 0.7 miles, turn left on CR-25A (NW Gainesville Rd), track is 0.9 miles on left.Website: www.bubbaracewaypark.com Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Tire Rule:Must use the same set of 4 tires for Time Trials, Heat Races, and B-Mains:- Left Rear/Fronts – Hoosier (90) NLMT1- Right Rear – Hoosier (92) NLMT2, (92) LM20 For the A-Main, competitors may use 3 new tires:- Left Rear/Fronts – Hoosier (90) NLMT1, (90) NLMT2, (90) LM20, (90) NLMT3, (90) LM30s- Right Rear – Hoosier (92) NLMT2, (92) LM20, (92) NLMT3, (92) LM30s *Can cut and/or sipe any tire.*Flat tire must be replaced with a used tire of the same compound and construction to retain starting position. Bubba Raceway Park Purses:Sunday 1/29 & Monday 1/30 – 1. $10,000, 2. $5,500, 3. $3,500, 4. $2,700, 5. $2,500, 6. $2,300, 7. $2,200, 8. $2,100, 9. $2,050, 10. $2,000, 11. $1,600, 12. $1,400, 13. $1,200, 14. $1,000, 15. $950, 16. $925, 17. $900, 18. $875, 19. $850, 20. $825, 21. $800, 22. $800, 23. $800, 24. $800 = $48,575

WAYNESVILLE, Ga. (January 27, 2023) –  Kyle Larson won a thriller during Friday’s Super Clean Super Bowl of Racing – presented by ICON Electric Vehicles. Larson passed Ricky Thornton Jr. on lap 48 to win the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event at Golden Isles Speedway. Thornton, who led laps 30-47 finished in second to earn his second straight Big River Steel Podium. Brandon Overton came home in third after leading the first 29 laps. Earl Pearson Jr. was fourth and Hudson O’Neal rounded out the top five. Overton was in control from the start of the event, but a caution on lap 10 for a slowing G.R. Smith brought out the first of two cautions in the race. On the restart Overton held the point over O’Neal, Thornton and Larson. Larson moved to second on lap 13 as the second caution came a lap later for a slowing Wil Herrington. The remainder of the race went caution free and proved to be a dog fight among the top three of Overton, Larson, and Thornton. Thornton and Larson went toe-to-toe for second behind Overton as those three drivers were using every inch of the track. Thornton kept his car glued to the bottom clearing Larson for second on lap 28. Then two laps later Thornton made the pass on Overton to take the top spot. When Thornton got by, Overton and Larson then had to battle to stay in the hunt for the win. Larson moved back into second on lap 41 relegating Overton to third. Meanwhile, out front Thornton kept his line as Larson and Overton stayed close. Overton got back by Larson for second on lap 45. Larson never gave up and charged to the outside of the track going by Overton and eventually Thornton on lap 48. Larson then opened up enough of a gap to cross the finish line ahead of Thornton and Overton for his first win of 2023. Larson, in his on-track post celebration ended up nose first into the turn three wall, limped his car to Victory Lane. “I feel bad that I tore up a perfectly good race car. I think this takes the cake as far as an embarrassing moment. I don’t know what to say. I want to say I am sorry to Kevin Rumley. What a race. I was so excited after the race, because that was an awesome race. There were so many moments out there. I almost got by Overton, and I got too cute. I tried to throw a slider into one and two and I should have known I wasn’t going to clear him and that allowed Ricky to get by me and I thought that was the end of the race.” Larson added he thought he had given away the race. “I thought I had taken the best car out there and was going to run third with it. Thankfully we caught traffic and Ricky [Thornton Jr.] was content being the leader running the bottom. It was definitely clean down there and there was a lot of grip. I got by Brandon [Overton] I think once and then got on the cushion and fell back to third. I was mad at myself again. I knew I just had to clear him and was able to run bottom in three and four and then I had to just rip the top in the last few laps and get by Ricky. What a phenomenal race. Gosh that was so fun.” Thornton, who placed third in the season-opener on Thursday night finished one spot better. “I don’t think I could have done anything different in those last few laps. I knew if I would move up, I might have ended up fifth. I didn’t want to move Ross [Robinson] off the bottom, because you don’t really need that in these deals. I will take a second. The crew is all happy. It was another solid night for the team.” Overton, who ended up third was still smiling afterwards despite having his Golden Isles win streak come to an end. “That was a heck of race. It was cleaned up around the bottom. I kept seeing Kyle stick his nose up there and then I see him get kind of stuck and then I said let’s give it a whirl up there and see what happens. It is what it is. You win some and you lose some. We will take it. It was fun so we will go onto to tomorrow and try and put on another show.” The winner’s Rumley Enterprises, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Cornett Racing Engine and sponsor by FloRacing, D&E Marine, Hot Rod Septic, Senior Life Insurance Company, Mega Plumbing of the Carolinas, HendrickCars.com, Valvoline, and VP Fuels. Completing the top ten were Dennis Erb Jr., Daulton Wilson, Devin Moran, Kyle Strickler, and Jonathan Davenport. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Race Summary Super Clean Super Bowl of Racing – Night #2Friday, January 27, 2023Golden Isles Speedway – Brunswick, GA Allstar Performance Time TrialsFast Time Group A: Brandon Overton / 14.932 seconds Fast Time Group B: Ricky Thornton, Jr. / 14.859 seconds (overall) Penske Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 76-Brandon Overton[1]; 2. 2-GR Smith[5]; 3. 8K-Kyle Strickler[4]; 4. 49-Jonathan Davenport[2]; 5. 111B-Max Blair[7]; 6. 19M-Wil Herrington[3]; 7. 21H-Robby Hensley[8]; 8. 114-Jordan Koehler[6]; 9. 4S-Danny Snyder[9] Summit Racing Products Heat Race #2 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 1H-Hudson O’Neal[1]; 2. 25Z-Mason Zeigler[2]; 3. 111-Steven Roberts[3]; 4. 7-Ross Robinson[4]; 5. 10-Garrett Smith[7]; 6. 99B-Boom Briggs[5]; 7. 25B-Mike Benedum[6]; 8. 773-Christian Thomas[8]; 9. 6-Blake Spencer[9] Simpson Race Products Heat Race #3 (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 46-Earl Pearson Jr[2]; 2. 99-Devin Moran[1]; 3. 39-Tim McCreadie[3]; 4. 22*-Payton Freeman[4]; 5. 40B-Kyle Bronson[6]; 6. 89J-Jeff Choquette[5]; 7. 81J-Jack Riggs[7]; 8. 76B-Blair Nothdurft[8] AP1 Insurance Heat Race #4 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[1]; 2. 1T-Tyler Erb[4]; 3. 11-Spencer Hughes[3]; 4. 96V-Tanner English[6]; 5. 19R-Ryan Gustin[5]; 6. B5-Brandon Sheppard[7]; 7. 78-Matthew Brocato[8]; 8. 89-Logan Roberson[2]; 9. (DNS) 01-Jason Garver Super Clean Heat Race #5 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 6K-Kyle Larson[1]; 2. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[3]; 3. 16-Tyler Bruening[2]; 4. 20-Jimmy Owens[4]; 5. 5-Mark Whitener[7]; 6. 18-Chase Junghans[5]; 7. 58-Garrett Alberson[6]; 8. 14W-Dustin Walker[8] Lucas Oil Heat Race #6 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 18D-Daulton Wilson[1]; 2. 93-Carson Ferguson[3]; 3. 8-Brian Shirley[8]; 4. 2X-John Henderson[2]; 5. 26JR-Jimmy Sharpe Jr[4]; 6. 20V-Rece Vaught[5]; 7. 44D-Dalton Cook[7]; 8. 2V-Allen Murray[6] Fast Shafts B-Main Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 2 Transfer): 1. 49-Jonathan Davenport[1]; 2. 7-Ross Robinson[2]; 3. 22*-Payton Freeman[3]; 4. 111B-Max Blair[4]; 5. 10-Garrett Smith[5]; 6. 40B-Kyle Bronson[6]; 7. 99B-Boom Briggs[8]; 8. 21H-Robby Hensley[10]; 9. 773-Christian Thomas[14]; 10. 19M-Wil Herrington[7]; 11. 76B-Blair Nothdurft[15]; 12. 114-Jordan Koehler[13]; 13. 25B-Mike Benedum[11]; 14. 6-Blake Spencer[17]; 15. 81J-Jack Riggs[12]; 16. 4S-Danny Snyder[16]; 17. (DNS) 89J-Jeff Choquette UNOH B-Main Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 2 Transfer): 1. 96V-Tanner English[1]; 2. B5-Brandon Sheppard[7]; 3. 5-Mark Whitener[5]; 4. 2X-John Henderson[3]; 5. 19R-Ryan Gustin[4]; 6. 20-Jimmy Owens[2]; 7. 78-Matthew Brocato[10]; 8. 18-Chase Junghans[8]; 9. 89-Logan Roberson[13]; 10. 58-Garrett Alberson[11]; 11. 26JR-Jimmy Sharpe Jr[6]; 12. 01-Jason Garver[16]; 13. 14W-Dustin Walker[14]; 14. 2V-Allen Murray[15]; 15. 20V-Rece Vaught[9]; 16. (DNS) 44D-Dalton Cook Super Clean Super Bowl of Racing- Night #2 Feature Finish (50 Laps):

Race Statistics Entrants: 51Terminal Maintenance & Construction Pole Sitter: Brandon OvertonLap Leaders: Brandon Overton (Laps 1-29); Ricky Thornton, Jr. (Laps 30-47); Kyle Larson (Laps 48-50)Wieland Feature Winner: Kyle LarsonArizona Sport Shirts Crown Jewel Cup Feature Winner: n/aBrandon Ford TV Challenge Feature Winner: n/aMargin of Victory: 0.921 secondsStop-Tech Brakes Cautions: GR Smith (Lap 10); Wil Herrington (Lap 14)Series Provisionals: Garrett Alberson; Kyle BronsonFast Time Provisional: n/aSeries Emergency Provisionals: Wil Herrington; Logan Roberson; Jordan Koehler; Track Provisional: n/aBig River Steel Podium Top 3: Kyle Larson, Ricky Thornton, Jr., Brandon OvertonPenske Shocks Top 5: Kyle Larson, Ricky Thornton, Jr., Brandon Overton, Earl Pearson, Jr., Hudson O’NealTodd Steel Buildings Hard Charger of the Race: Jonathan Davenport (Advanced 9 Positions)Wilwood Brakes Lucky 7th Place Finisher: Daulton WilsonDeathridge Opticians Lucky 13th Place: Mason ZeiglerEarnhardt Technologies Most Laps Led: Brandon Overton (29 Laps)Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Brandon OvertonO’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: n/aEtchberger Trucking Fastest Lap of the Race: Brandon Overton (Lap 5 – 15.856 seconds)Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Kevin Rumley (Kyle Larson)ARP Engine Builder of the Race: Cornett Race EnginesMiller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn ChassisDirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Jonathan Davenport (14.7735 seconds)Time of Race: 20 minutes 46 seconds The Big River Steel Chase for the Championship Presented by ARP Point Standings:

BATAVIA, Ohio (January 27, 2023) – The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Hot Pit area just got hotter. The Heartbeat Hot Sauce Co. has joined the growing list of marketing partners in 2023 – becoming the title sponsor of the Hot Pit area. Heartbeat Hot Sauce founded in 2015 and based in Thunder Bay, Ontario Canada, offers a variety of Hot Sauce flavors in squeeze bottles that are easy to use and mess free. Fans will have the opportunity to sample Heartbeat Hot Sauce products at select events on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series schedule in 2023. In the meantime, Heartbeat Hot Sauce has distribution across the globe and sells direct to consumers in the United States and Canada by visiting www.heartbeathotsauce.com. The Heartbeat Hot Sauce Hot Pit area is often one of the most dramatic, and at times race altering parts of a Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event. Drivers use the Hot Pit for tire changes, repairing damages, and adjusting their cars to improve performance during an event.  “We’re very excited to have Heartbeat Hot Sauce join the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series as a new, non-automotive related partner. Our fan base is the perfect demographic to meet their marketing objectives. We look forward to working with them and increasing their brand awareness across the country,” stated Wayne Castleberry, Corporate Sales and Marketing for Lucas Oil Motorsports. The 2023 season kicks off with a busy Georgia-Florida Speedweeks – featuring 13 events and three practice nights, at four unique venues, over the course of 17 days. The 2023 Georgia-Florida Speedweeks will run from January 25 through February 11 with visits to Golden Isles Speedway, Bubba Raceway Park, All-Tech Raceway, and East Bay Raceway Park. To learn more about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series visit www.lucasdirt.com. About Heartbeat Hot SauceHeartbeat Hot Sauce Co. was founded in 2015 by a husband-and-wife duo. A hobby of making hot sauce for ourselves at home quickly ignited into a full-fledged production company after word of mouth spread throughout our home town of Thunder Bay and beyond. All of our sauces are made with maximum flavor and balance in mind. Each sauce is bright, bold, healthy, and deliciously unique. We ferment our peppers using traditional methods before we cook them with a few simple, high quality ingredients. We add no water, thickening agents or chemical preservatives of any kind making our sauce as natural as it gets. All of our recipes are proudly developed, cooked, bottled, packaged, and distributed from our dedicated facility in the South Core of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Our goal is to get Heartbeat Hot Sauce in to as many hands as possible, while maintaining our small batch process. For more information visit their website at www.heartbeathotsauce.com.

About Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt SeriesFounded in 2005, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series showcases the talents of the top dirt late model drivers from across the country. In 2023, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will sanction 56 events across 16 states, including some of the biggest marquee events in the industry, providing dirt slinging, sideways, door-to-door racing action lap after lap.  The series receives national exposure through a television package streamed live via MAVTV on FloRacing, with select broadcasts on MAVTV Motorsports Network.   The in your face excitement of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is second to none in motorsports. For more information, including the latest news, tour schedule, driver information, and more, visit the official website at: www.LucasDirt.com.

CLEVELAND, OH (January 27, 2023) — The fields and classes continue to grow for the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod, March 3-5, at Bradenton Motorsports Park. In addition to the most diverse and spectacular collection of Pro Mod racers ever, a select group of Factory Stock competitors will be invited to race for $15,000 winner’s purse in the DH Davies Factory Stock Classic. The invitation-only race will feature backing from Davies, a well-known and respected Factory Stock competitor, as well as associate sponsorship support from HemiTunerPerformance.com, Warren Walcher’s Pine Country and Wesley Motorsports.

“I saw the opportunity to get some Factory Stock guys on the track at a world class event and the Drag Illustrated team was super receptive to the idea,” said Davies, who will once again be competing in the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series in 2023 behind the wheel of his Mopar Drag Pak. “Drag Illustrated is in charge of the invites and I know they are going to put together a killer field of cars from Chevy, Ford and Mopar. It will be a fun and competitive weekend to start the season.”

The DH Davies Factory Stock Classic competitors will have two qualifying sessions on Friday and two qualifying sessions on Saturday. The races will race for the big money on Sunday before a packed house of fans from all over the country.

“Our goal with the World Series of Pro Mod is to make it a destination event as well as a unique racing experience for everyone involved,” said Wes Buck, publisher of Drag Illustrated. “Adding Factory Stock with David Davies’ support was a great opportunity. We loved everything about the Factory Stock cars and drivers. They look great, launch hard and the personalities in that class are super cool. This weekend will be a feast for any racing fan who wants to see cool cars and quick runs.”

For more information about the WSOPM, including a complete list of invited drivers and how to purchase tickets, visit www.WorldSeriesofProMod.com.

WAYNESVILLE, Ga. (January 26, 2023) – Brandon Overton continued his mastery of Golden Isles Speedway – winning Thursday’s Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series season opener. It was the Georgia native’s third consecutive Lucas Oil victory at the 4/10-mile oval after winning the final two nights of the Super Clean Super Bowl of Racing in 2022.   Overton held off a hard-charging Tim McCreadie on the final lap to secure his 15th career Lucas Oil win. McCreadie, the two-time and reigning Lucas Oil National Champion came from the tenth starting spot to finish just .402 seconds behind Overton. Ricky Thornton Jr. was third, with Devin Moran and Daulton Wilson rounding out the top five finishers. Overton led the first circuit before the caution flew with just one lap scored. On the restart Overton would maintain the top spot with Thornton moving to second. Hudson O’Neal, the fastest qualifier of the 50 entrants, was on the move early on moving from seventh to third by lap five. Thornton and O’Neal had a side-by-side duel for a several laps until O’Neal cleared his fellow Indiana racer. Overton was setting a steady pace out front as McCreadie was marching through the field from his outside row five starting position. McCreadie climbed to second around O’Neal on lap 18. The top four with 10 laps remaining were Overton, McCreadie, O’Neal, and Jonathan Davenport. However, a caution for O’Neal and Davenport would fly relegating both to the tail. On the restart Overton began pulling away from McCreadie as Thornton was commanding the third spot. Overton would catch the back of the field in the waning laps as McCreadie tried one last ditch effort coming to the checkered flag falling just short at the finish. Overton in Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the fourth time in his career at Golden Isles said: “When you’re out front like that you are just a sitting duck. You don’t know where to go. My crew did a good job of moving me around. I have lost a lot of races when I have been loose, but I was getting too tight because I couldn’t stay on the bottom. This race car is awesome this is the first night on it.” “I think I was a little rusty qualifying,” Overton added. “I got out and I felt really good, and I found out I was fourth. We made up for it in the heat race and got us a good starting spot and we made the right tire choice. So, everything worked out for us. I hope the fans enjoyed it. We love coming here to race in front of people I grew up with. I am looking forward to the rest of the weekend.” McCreadie, who will be seeking his third straight Lucas Oil title this year came home in the runner-up slot. “I knew if I was going to try and poke him on the outside I had about a lap or maybe a lap and a half to do it because the good racers they can see their guys. There is no shame in running second. We just have to qualify better I messed up and did a bad job qualifying and it put us behind all night long. We passed a lot of fast cars to finish where we did.” Thornton, who finished third in last year’s championship standings rounded out the podium. “It’s a good start to the season. I would give it an A+ for us, we didn’t have any luck here last year. With the misfortune to JD [Davenport] and Hud [O’Neal] we were able to capitalize on that.” The winner’s Wells and Sons Motorsports, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Garnto Southern, Muscle Factory, Victory Fuel Flavored Electrolyte Water, Clean Way Clearing and Grading, R.W. Construction, Boswell Oil, Penske Racing Shocks, EZ-GO, Dirt Mafia, Convenient Lube, H&A Development, and Earnhardt Technologies. Completing the top ten were Ryan Gustin, Tyler Bruening, Brian Shirley, Brandon Sheppard, and Kyle Bronson. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Race Summary Super Clean Super Bowl of RacingThursday, January 26, 2023Golden Isles Speedway – Brunswick, GA Allstar Performance Time TrialsFast Time Group A: Hudson O’Neal / 14.921 seconds (overall)Fast Time Group B: Devin Moran / 15.131 seconds Penske Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 76-Brandon Overton[2]; 2. 1H-Hudson O’Neal[1]; 3. 16-Tyler Bruening[3]; 4. B5-Brandon Sheppard[4]; 5. 96V-Tanner English[6]; 6. 8K-Kyle Strickler[5]; 7. 114-Jordan Koehler[7]; 8. 4-Kale Green[8]; 9. (DNS) 01-Jason Garver Summit Racing Products Heat Race #2 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[1]; 2. 18D-Daulton Wilson[2]; 3. 93-Carson Ferguson[3]; 4. 1T-Tyler Erb[6]; 5. 11-Spencer Hughes[4]; 6. 773-Christian Thomas[5]; 7. 2X-John Henderson[7]; 8. 76B-Blair Nothdurft[8] Simpson Race Products Heat Race #3 (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 25Z-Mason Zeigler[1]; 2. 40B-Kyle Bronson[4]; 3. 2-GR Smith[2]; 4. 78-Matthew Brocato[6]; 5. 14W-Dustin Walker[8]; 6. 99B-Boom Briggs[5]; 7. 111B-Max Blair[3]; 8. 2V-Allen Murray[7] AP1 Insurance Heat Race #4 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 99-Devin Moran[1]; 2. 19R-Ryan Gustin[4]; 3. 89-Logan Roberson[2]; 4. 46-Earl Pearson Jr[3]; 5. 111-Steven Roberts[6]; 6. 58-Garrett Alberson[5]; 7. 6-Blake Spencer[8]; 8. 21H-Robby Hensley[9]; 9. 25B-Mike Benedum[7] Super Clean Heat Race #5 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 8-Brian Shirley[1]; 2. 39-Tim McCreadie[2]; 3. 19M-Wil Herrington[3]; 4. 22*-Payton Freeman[5]; 5. 7-Ross Robinson[6]; 6. 18-Chase Junghans[8]; 7. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[4]; 8. 81J-Jack Riggs[7] Lucas Oil Heat Race #6 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 49-Jonathan Davenport[1]; 2. 10-Garrett Smith[2]; 3. 20-Jimmy Owens[3]; 4. 5-Mark Whitener[4]; 5. 26JR-Jimmy Sharpe Jr[5]; 6. 20V-Rece Vaught[8]; 7. 89J-Jeff Choquette[6]; 8. 4S-Danny Snyder[7] Fast Shafts B-Main Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 2 Transfer): 1. B5-Brandon Sheppard[1]; 2. 1T-Tyler Erb[2]; 3. 96V-Tanner English[4]; 4. 11-Spencer Hughes[5]; 5. 8K-Kyle Strickler[7]; 6. 773-Christian Thomas[8]; 7. 114-Jordan Koehler[10]; 8. 78-Matthew Brocato[3]; 9. 2X-John Henderson[11]; 10. 14W-Dustin Walker[6]; 11. 76B-Blair Nothdurft[14]; 12. 4-Kale Green[13]; 13. (DNS) 99B-Boom Briggs; 14. (DNS) 111B-Max Blair; 15. (DNS) 2V-Allen Murray; 16. (DNS) 01-Jason Garver UNOH B-Main Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 2 Transfer): 1. 46-Earl Pearson Jr[1]; 2. 7-Ross Robinson[5]; 3. 5-Mark Whitener[3]; 4. 22*-Payton Freeman[2]; 5. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[11]; 6. 111-Steven Roberts[4]; 7. 18-Chase Junghans[8]; 8. 58-Garrett Alberson[7]; 9. 20V-Rece Vaught[9]; 10. 89J-Jeff Choquette[12]; 11. 6-Blake Spencer[10]; 12. 26JR-Jimmy Sharpe Jr[6]; 13. 81J-Jack Riggs[14]; 14. 21H-Robby Hensley[13]; 15. 25B-Mike Benedum[16]; 16. 4S-Danny Snyder[15] Super Clean Super Bowl of Racing- Night #1 Feature Finish (40 Laps):

Race Statistics Entrants: 50Terminal Maintenance & Construction Pole Sitter: Brandon OvertonLap Leaders: Brandon Overton (40 Laps)Wieland Feature Winner: Brandon OvertonArizona Sport Shirts Crown Jewel Cup Feature Winner: n/aBrandon Ford TV Challenge Feature Winner: n/aMargin of Victory: 0.402 secondsStop-Tech Brakes Cautions: GR Smith (Lap 2); Jonathan Davenport, Hudson O’Neal (Lap 30); Ross Robinson, Hudson O’Neal, Earl Pearson, Jr., Garrett Alberson, Jordan Koehler (Lap 30 restart)Series Provisionals: Garrett Alberson, Spencer HughesFast Time Provisional: n/aSeries Emergency Provisionals: Tanner English, Jordan KoehlerTrack Provisional: n/aBig River Steel Podium Top 3: Brandon Overton, Tim McCreadie, Ricky Thornton, Jr.Penske Shocks Top 5: Brandon Overton, Tim McCreadie, Ricky Thornton, Jr., Devin Moran, Daulton WilsonTodd Steel Buildings Hard Charger of the Race: Tanner English (Advanced 12 Positions)Wilwood Brakes Lucky 7th Place Finisher: Tyler BrueningEarnhardt Technologies Most Laps Led: Brandon Overton (40 Laps)Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Tim McCreadieO’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: n/aEtchberger Trucking Fastest Lap of the Race: Brandon Overton (Lap 32 – 15.769 seconds)Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Kent Fegter (Brandon Overton)ARP Engine Builder of the Race: Clements Racing EnginesMiller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn ChassisDirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Brandon Sheppard (15.256 seconds)Time of Race: 20 minutes 38 seconds Lucas Oil Championship Point Standings:

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High-performance GT3 racecar focused on customer teams DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Chevrolet today debuted the new Corvette Z06 GT3.R racecar, a year before it makes its competition debut at the 2024 Rolex 24 At Daytona. Making its public debut at Daytona International Speedway ahead of Saturday’s Rolex 24, the Corvette Z06 GT3.R is Chevrolet’s first racecar that fully meets FIA technical regulations for GT3 cars.  Design and development of the mid-engine Z06 GT3.R is a collaboration between GM’s Competition Motorsports Engineering and Pratt Miller Engineering. With an eye specifically toward customer racing, the Z06 GT3.R will be eligible for multiple championships in North America and around the world with a high level of parts and technical support available for its customers. The Corvette Z06 GT3.R will race for the first time as part of the GT Daytona (GTD) PRO category at the 2024 Rolex 24 At Daytona to open next year’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. “The Corvette Z06 GT3.R breaks new ground for Chevrolet and the Corvette Racing program,” said Mark Stielow, director, GM Motorsports Engineering Competition. “This customer-focused racecar leverages learnings from throughout Corvette Racing’s lengthy and successful history, plus the expertise of our Corvette production design, engineering and powertrain teams.”

Track and streetThe Z06 GT3.R is a landmark racing vehicle for Chevrolet. Based on the highly acclaimed mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette Z06 supercar, this new race car takes the level of technology transfer between racing and production to a new level with more shared components and features than ever before.   “Corvette Racing has been an important influence on the design of Corvette production cars for 25 years,” said Tadge Juechter, executive chief engineer, Corvette. “Corvette production and racing teams worked together closely in development to maximize the benefits of a mid-engine design, sharing lessons learned that set both programs up for all-out performance on the track.” The Z06 GT3.R begins its life as an aluminum chassis frame from Chevrolet’s Bowling Green Assembly plant in Kentucky[i]. The frame provides a lightweight yet strong and durable underpinning for both Z06 and Z06 GT3.R. Once in Michigan at Pratt Miller, a purpose-built steel roll cage is welded onto a base plate, which is secured to the chassis. A double-wishbone suspension at the front and rear promotes a higher level of adjustability and fitment of racing-specific tire sizes. This is the same front and rear suspension configuration as on the Z06 production vehicle.  The motorsports engineering team added race springs and dampers, competition-specific rotors, calipers and pads. The Z06 GT3.R rides on 18-inch front and rear wheels — the same as on the C8.R. Advanced aerodynamic strategies also link the road-going Corvette and its GT3 counterpart. Motorsports engineers worked with the GM Design Studio to develop an aero package specific to the Z06 GT3.R to optimize levels of downforce, stability, drag reduction and cooling.   The goal was to design a GT3-spec Corvette that is suitable across different tire specifications, balance-of-performance settings and other customer preferences while not sacrificing performance or drivability on a variety of tracks and racing surfaces. In order to enhance performance of the Z06 and Z06 GT3.R, each uses similar carbon fiber splitters which provide optimal downforce at the front of the vehicles. On the underside of the Z06 GT3.R, a new and purpose-designed carbon fiber diffuser routes air from the front the car toward the rear in order to create an optimal level of overall car stability. The underbody aerodynamic devices work together in complementing the functionality of a new-for-2024 wing that aids in airflow at the rear of the Z06 GT3.R and the creation of downforce for enhanced cornering ability. Aggressive and efficient ducting will move air to cool internal components. Intakes at the front of the Z06 GT3.R draw in air to cool the front brakes. A single, large opening on the hood — a new design philosophy from the C8.R — extracts out air after it moves over the radiator.  From the top of the windshield to the rear of the car, the surface elements of the Z06 stayed intact for the Z06 GT3.R, accentuating the tie between production and racing. Most notable are side air ducts behind the doors — directly inspired by Z06 production road car — that help to cool the engine, transaxle and rear brakes. Corvette production power for Z06 GT3.RThe Corvette Z06 GT3.R will feature a 5.5-liter, flat-plane crankshaft DOHC V-8 engine derived from the production Z06. This engine began on-track development in 2019 with the initial testing of the C8.R, ahead of its use in the production Z06.  The LT6 engine for the GT3.R originates from the Performance Build Center in Bowling Green, the same line on which all production Corvette Z06 engines are built. The 5.5-liter powerplant shares more than 70 percent of its parts with the production Z06 engine, including the crankshaft, connecting rods, cylinder heads, fuel injectors, coils, gaskets and a variety of other sensors.  “Racing continues to play a key role in the development of our production engines,” said Russ O’Blenes, director, Performance and Racing Propulsion Team. “There were valuable lessons learned during the C5-R through C7.R programs that aided in the development of our V-8 engines for production and racing — many dealing with efficiency, materials and light-weighting. The flow of information from Corvette Racing to production engineering and back has helped us build race and street-car engines that are fast, reliable and efficient.”

BATAVIA, Ohio (January 27, 2023) – The most anticipated season in history for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series has arrived. A new record of over six million dollars in combined purse money, bonuses, and a massive point fund of just over one-million dollars alone awaits the elite teams of the nation’s premier national tour.  The 2023 schedule includes 56 events at 32 unique venues across 16 states from January to October. Along with a dirt late model record-high $200,000 championship payout – and six figure payouts for second through fourth in the final championship standings – teams on this year’s tour will be racing for over $4.6 million in A-Main purse money alone along the way. The Big River Steel Chase for the Championship – presented by ARP will culminate with the 43rd Annual Dirt Track World Championship at the famed Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. The first of the Big River Steel Big Four drivers to cross the finish line will be crowned the 2023 National Champion.  In all, there will be $4,606,480 in A-Main purse money, a total of $409,800 in Winners Circle funds over the course of the season to the Top-12 teams with perfect attendance, $1,001,000 awarded at the year-end banquet for championship points, another $96,500 for various awards, $76,402 in non-qualifier purse money throughout the year, $160,300 in B-Main purse money, and an additional $24,700 in event contingency awards for an estimated total of $6,372,182 up for grabs in 2023. The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will kick off the 2023 season and the Big River Steel Chase for the Championship – presented by ARP at Golden Isles Speedway this weekend. A band of the nation’s top dirt late model drivers will converge in Waynesville, Ga. for the Super Clean Super Bowl of Racing, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday January 26, 27, and 28. A complete program is on the docket each night for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, with Thursday’s 40-lap A-Main event paying $10,000-to-win, Friday’s 50-lap A-Main paying $12,000-to-win, and Saturday’s 60-lap finale boasting a Golden Isles Speedway record purse of $25,000 to the winner. Additionally, the 602 and 604 Late Models will compete in a full program each night. The Enduro division joins the racing card on Saturday. The pit gates will open at 2:00PM ET each day, followed by general admission gates at 3:00PM ET. The on-track excitement is slated for 5:30PM ET each day with Hot Laps. A stout field of 50 entrants registered for the opening night, with Brandon Overton taking the victory over Tim McCreadie, Ricky Thornton Jr., Devin Moran, and Daulton Wilson. To purchase tickets or find more information, please visit www.gisdirt.com.  Track Information:Golden Isles SpeedwayPhone Number: (912) 386-0061Location: 101 Speedway Drive, Waynesville, GA 31566GPS Coordinates: 31.236022 -81.756976Directions: I-95 to exit 29, then 13.5 miles west on US 82, then north on CR 229Website: www.gisdirt.com Tire Rule:Must use the same set of 4 tires for Time Trials, Heat Races, and B-Mains:- Left Rear/Fronts – Hoosier (90) NLMT1- Right Rear – Hoosier (92) NLMT2, (92) LM20 For the A-Main, competitors may use 3 new tires:- Left Rear/Fronts – Hoosier (90) NLMT1, (90) NLMT2, (90) LM20, (90) NLMT3, (90) LM30s- Right Rear – Hoosier (92) NLMT2, (92) LM20, (92) NLMT3, (92) LM30s *Can cut and/or sipe any tire.*Flat tire must be replaced with a used tire of the same compound and construction to retain starting position. Super Clean Super Bowl of Racing Purses:Thursday 1/26 – 1. $10,000, 2. $5,500, 3. $3,500, 4. $2,700, 5. $2,500, 6. $2,300, 7. $2,200, 8. $2,100, 9. $2,050, 10. $2,000, 11. $1,600, 12. $1,400, 13. $1,200, 14. $1,000, 15. $950, 16. $925, 17. $900, 18. $875, 19. $850, 20. $825, 21. $800, 22. $800, 23. $800, 24. $800 = $48,575 Friday 1/27 – 1. $12,000, 2. $6,000, 3. $3,500, 4. $2,800, 5. $2,500, 6. $2,300, 7. $2,200, 8. $2,100, 9. $2,050, 10. $2,000, 11. $1,600, 12. $1,400, 13. $1,200, 14. $1,100, 15. $1,050, 16. $1,000, 17. $1,000, 18. $1,000, 19. $1,000, 20. $1,000, 21. $1,000, 22. $1,000, 23. $1,000, 24. $1,000 = $52,800 Saturday 1/28 – 1. $25,000, 2. $10,000, 3. $6,000, 4. $4,000, 5. $3,500, 6. $2,700, 7. $2,500, 8. $2,300, 9. $2,200, 10. $2,100, 11. $2,000, 12. $1,900, 13. $1,800, 14. $1,700, 15. $1,600, 16. $1,500, 17. $1,500, 18. $1,500, 19. $1,500, 20. $1,500, 21. $1,500, 22. $1,500, 23. $1,500, 24. $1,500 = $82,800

Thirteen-race grind begins Jan. 28 at North Florida Speedway

BARBERVILLE, FL – Jan. 26, 2023 – Before the iconic Big Gator trophy is awarded at the 52nd Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park, Feb. 6-18, some of DIRTcar’s most hardcore racers will take the road less traveled and pursue the UMP Florida Modified Speedweeks championship.

The three-week grind compacts 13 races into 15 days, spread across North Florida Speedway in Lake City, East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, and Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville. An overall points tally will be kept, with drivers earning points for their finishes in each Feature to determine the champion after the final race day at Volusia on Saturday, Feb. 11.

A $2,000 check is on the line for the points champion with additional cash bonuses going to the rest of the top-10 points finishers. Past champions include Tyler Nicely, of Owensboro, KY, Oklahoma Modified veteran Jason Hughes and the defending Speedweeks champion from Paris, TN, Lucas Lee.

North Florida Winternationals – Jan. 28-29

North Florida Speedway in Lake City, FL, hosts the kickoff to the 13-race grind with a two-day Winternationals event at the 3/8-mile oval. The track is under new management this year and is set to host its first headline DIRTcar UMP Modified event with new owner/promoter Tom Bell at the helm. Bell, a former UMP Modified racer from Indiana, begins his first full season as head of the track this weekend.

Saturday’s Feature pays $1,000 to the winner with $2,000 going to Sunday’s winner. Past Winternationals Feature winners include Nicely, Illinois regional champion Allen Weisser and local favorite Jason Garver.

East Bay Winternationals – Jan. 31-Feb. 4.

After a day of practice on Monday, the Speedweeks intensity picks up with the start of a five-race trek at East Bay Raceway Park as part of the track’s 47th annual monthlong Winternationals event. Standing as one of the most unique racing venues in the State of Florida, drivers will navigate its one-of-a-kind black clay surface over five-straight nights for increasing grand prizes as the week progresses.

Tuesday and Wednesday’s Features are $1,000-to-win, Thursday and Friday offer $1,500-to-win, while the Saturday finale pays $5,000 to the 75-lap Feature winner. Seventy-five laps stands as one of the longest UMP Modified events run anywhere in the country, adding a unique endurance element to the event, and also includes a planned competition caution for refueling.

The famed “Clay by the Bay” track surface offers another challenge found at few other dirt tracks. Located on the east side of the Hillsborough Bay in Tampa, the nearby water has been shown to soak through the dirt and bleed back up onto the surface during high-tide, changing the track conditions mid-race.

52nd Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals – Feb. 6-11

The final push for the Florida Speedweeks championship goes through the single toughest test in DIRTcar UMP Modified racing. The previous two editions of DIRTcar Nationals featured a roster of over 100 total UMP Modifieds competing over the six-day stretch. A similar, if not larger, car count is expected again this year.

The event format has been completely overhauled for 2023, featuring six separate Features on each of the first five nights of competition. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday’s Features will be lined up by Qualifying laps, while Thursday will set the field according to points accumulated by each driver over the previous three nights. Friday’s field will be split in half for the Gator Qualifier night before the $5,000-to-win Gator Championship event on Saturday.

Read More: Purse Increase, New Format for UMP Modifieds at 52nd DIRTcar Nationals

The driver with the most points at week’s end will be crowned DIRTcar Nationals Big Gator champion and hoist the iconic Big Gator trophy. The Florida Speedweeks champion will also be determined after Saturday night, awarded to the driver with the most points over the three-week series.

For tickets to DIRTcar Nationals, visit DIRTcarNationals.com. If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch the entire week of Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals live on DIRTVision.