Busiest division at Volusia Speedway Park boasts the highest car count on the property with 95 teams
DELEON SPRINGS, FL — Feb. 6, 2019 — After a stellar field of 91 teams made the trip south for opening night, the car count bulged to 95 total entries at the legendary half-mile high-banked dirt oval on Night Two of the 48th annual DIRTcar Nationals. Taylor Cook made the most of his first appearance of the week by passing three-time defending DIRTcar Nationals Champion Nick Hoffman on the white flag lap to secure his first career feature win in the DIRTcar Nationals.
“I knew we had a really good car, and I knew that I could hold my own line through the traffic and try to make something happen. Plus, I had the safe benefit of being behind him (Hoffman) to see what he was doing, where he was going. I knew that if it played out just right, we’d win this thing,” an emotional Cook stated in Victory Lane after climbing from his #21 High Octane Wraps & Apparel / Team Harris Auto Racing machine. “I can’t thank my family enough for this. We worked our butts off all winter. To come out on our first night of the new season and win the biggest race of my career, to win this in front of a field of cars like this, when someone like Nick finishes second, this is truly special,” the 25-year-old offered.
Perennial contenders, David Stremme and Kyle Strickler started on the front row of the massive 28-car field, and once Dave Farney’s green flag flew, the battle commenced immediately between the two rivals. It didn’t take long for something to happen; on lap two, the two battlers collided sending both up into the turn one wall. Opening night feature winner Michael Long, who was right behind the two combatants, had nowhere to go and slammed into both drivers. All three were done for the night. This gave the lead to Hoffman, who tried to immediately pull away from the rest of the field.
Brian Ruhlman, who started fourth, and Cook, who started seventh, worked their way up to the second and third spots and began chasing down the race leader, Hoffman. With five laps to go, Cook, originally from Sylvania, OH and now calling Stanley, NC home, maneuvered his way by Ruhlman and set his sights on Hoffman for the race lead. With three laps to go, Cook pulled up to Hoffman and in the midst of traffic, an epic battle ensured.
As the white flag flew, Cook dove underneath Hoffman to take the lead, but Hoffman wasn’t giving up and charged back at Cook. With the checkered flag in the air, Cook was able to put just enough real estate between himself and Hoffman to secure his first career DIRTcar Nationals feature win.
Hoffman settled for second for the second night in a row after starting fifth, taking over the DIRTcar Nationals points lead. Ruhlman finished off the podium finishers in third as Will Krup and Zeke McKenzie completed the top five. RC Whitwell finished sixth after starting 14th, while Jason Beaulieu was seventh. Lucas Lee, Curt Spalding and Allen Weisser, from 16th, finished off the final top 10.
Strickler was the fastest of 95 DIRTcar UMP Modifieds on hand with a lap measured at an 18.437 = 97.630mph and won his heat race. Krup, McKenzie, Ruhlman, Cook, Long, Strickler, Hoffman and Stremme also scored heat race triumphs while Johnny Broking, Will Long, Garret Stewart and Ryan Thomas each bagged Last Chance Showdown checkered flags.
The 48th annual DIRTcar Nationals continues for the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds for the third of seven straight nights (10 Features total) on Thursday, February 7. The third $1,000 payday in three nights await the teams before their widely popular Quad-15s night on Friday, February 8. The Ollie’s Bargain Outlet All-Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars presented by Mobil 1 return for their final night of competition on Thursday before the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series takes over for three nights in a row starting on Friday.
For more information about the 48th annual DIRTcar Nationals and to order tickets, call: 1 (844) DIRT-TIX or visit dirtcarnationals.com . Follow the DIRTcar UMP Modified portions of the DIRTcar Nationals throughout race week by visiting the DIRTcar Racing Social Media outlets. Just search for “DIRTcar Racing” on both Facebook and Twitter as well as the DIRTcar Nationals Twitter page for the very latest updates from Volusia Speedway Park and the 48th annual DIRTcar Nationals.
HIGHLIGHTS
RESULTS
Modifieds Feature
Driver Nbr
------------------------------ -----
1. Taylor Cook 21c
Stanley, Nc.
2. Nick Hoffman 2H
Mooresville, Nc.
3. Brian Ruhlman 49
Clarklake, Mi.
4. Will Krup 19K
Mt Carmel, Il.
5. Zeke McKenzie 24z
Claypool, In.
6. Rc Whitwell 96T
Longdale, Ok.
7. Jason Beaulieu 90
Campbell River, Bc.
8. Lucas Lee 40B
Paris, Tn.
9. Curt Spalding 5CS
Watervliet, Mi.
10. Allen Weisser 25w
Peoria, Il.
11. Johnny Broking 45J
Grand Rapids, Mn.
12. Tyler Nicely 25
Owensboro, Ky.
13. Ryan Thomas T9
Brownstown, In.
14. Ryan Ayers 6A
Concord, Nc.
15. Gordy Gundaker 11G
St Charles, Mo.
16. Garret Stewart 67
Leesburg, Fl.
17. Kenny Wallace 36
Imperial, Mo.
18. David Reutimann 00D
Sherrills Ford, Nc.
19. Shon Flanary 98
Surgoinsville, Tn.
20. Justin Allgaier 7
Springfield, Il.
21. Matt Crafton 88
Mooresville, Nc.
22. Johnny Collins 54c
Jacksonville, Fl.
23. Christopher Smith 88s
Brewton, Al.
24. Kyle Strickler 8
Mooresville, Nc.
25. David Stremme 35
Mooresville, Nc.
26. Michael Long 18x
Fowler, Il.
27. Troy Johnson 2J
Sugar Grove, Pa.
28. Will Long 45L
Clayton, Nc.
Modifieds Last Chance Showdown 1
Driver Nbr
------------------------------ -----
1. Johnny Broking 45J
Grand Rapids, Mn.
2. Michael Altobelli Jr. 95
Saxton, Pa.
3. Mike Learman 4L
Woodstock, Il.
4. Ryan Cripe 23
North Manchester, In.
5. Michael McGee 11m
Mayville, Ny.
6. Steve Meyer Jr. 1A
Staunton, Il.
7. Chad Roush 32
Reedsville, Oh.
8. John E Baker 22J
French Lick, In.
9. Gene Nicholas 11N
Lowell, Ar.
10. Joey Miller 15
Lakeville, Mn.
11. Joe Graf Jr 17
Mahwah, Nj.
12. Scotty Kincaid 12K
Rising Sun, In.
13. Joey Lee 662
Farina, Il.
14. Brandon Green 51
Walton, Ky.
15. Larry Burkins 54
St. Augustine, Fl.
DNS Dylan Browning 6DB
Jacksonville, Fl.
DNS Paul Miles 28M
Owensboro, Ky.
DNS Christian Thomas 7CT
Wake Forest, Nc.
Modifieds Last Chance Showdown 2
Driver Nbr
------------------------------ -----
1. Will Long 45L
Clayton, Nc.
2. Todd Neiheiser 72
Panama City, Fl.
3. Brendan Rassell 1
Woonsocket, Sd.
4. David Taylor 14
Fayettville, Nc.
5. Ryan Fowler 6F
Pace, Fl.
6. Mark Beard 28
Mt. Pleasant, Mi.
7. Jeff Thomas 07
Petaluma, Ca.
8. Bryan Foy 7F
Lacombe, La.
9. Patrick Vareika 51v
Deltona, Fl.
10. Rick Weitekamp 89w
Springfield, Il.
11. Gary Bentley A-1
St Charles, Mo.
12. Mikey Kopka 90K
Astor, Fl.
13. Larry Mott 06Z
Leesburg, Fl.
14. Justin Haley 11
Mooresville, Nc.
DNS Levi Kissinger 12x
Mt Vernon, In.
DNS Colin Green 52
Walton, Ky.
DNS Jessie Hoskins 71H
Longdale, Ok.
DNS Hunt Gossum 99
Mayfield, Ky.
Modifieds Last Chance Showdown 3
Driver Nbr
------------------------------ -----
1. Garret Stewart 67
Leesburg, Fl.
2. Ken Schrader 9
Concord, Nc.
3. Buzzie Reutimann 00
Zephyrhills, Fl.
4. Josh Harris 22
Utica, Ky.
5. Brad Waits 24
Rochester, Mn.
6. Chase Collins 2x4
Jacksonville, Fl.
7. Robert Poole 25p
Sherrills Ford, Nc.
8. Brad Goff 41
Zanesville, Oh.
9. Bill Lewis 118L
Fountain City, In.
10. Mark Enk 40
St Ann, Mo.
11. Jesse Strange 85E
Marion, In.
12. Zane Oedewaldt 11Z
Hanna City, Il.
13. Ken Mihalik 33
Port St Lucie, Fl.
DNS Bobby Miles 27
Owensboro, Ky.
DNS Scott Fritz 01
Erie, Pa.
DNS Robbie Eilers 14E
Highland, Il.
Modifieds Last Chance Showdown 4
Driver Nbr
------------------------------ -----
1. Ryan Thomas T9
Brownstown, In.
2. Tyler Evans 17T
Mineral Wells, Wv.
3. David Wietholder 05
Liberty, Il.
4. Ray Bollinger 77
Kewanee, Il.
5. Trey Harris 57
Hillsboro, Mo.
6. Drake Troutman 7T
Hyndman, Pa.
7. Hunter Gustafson 15G
Howey In The Hills, Fl.
8. Bobby Regot 4uw
St. Peters, Mo.
9. Matt Altiers 2A
Lewis Center, Oh.
10. Jake Gibbon 1G
Cleveland, Nc.
11. Will Norris 71n
Bells, Tn.
12. Zac Oedewaldt Z1
Hanna City, Il.
13. Jason Garver 27G
Starke, Fl.
DNS Jason Gross 12
Cushing, Wi.
DNS Jesse Rupe 11R
Sophia, Wv.
DNS Dave Baldwin 6B
Perrysville, In.
Modifieds Heat 1
Driver Nbr
------------------------------ -----
1. Will Krup 19K
Mt Carmel, Il.
2. Jason Beaulieu 90
Campbell River, Bc.
3. Troy Johnson 2J
Sugar Grove, Pa.
4. Steve Meyer Jr. 1A
Staunton, Il.
5. Brandon Green 51
Walton, Ky.
6. Chad Roush 32
Reedsville, Oh.
7. Michael McGee 11m
Mayville, Ny.
8. Gene Nicholas 11N
Lowell, Ar.
9. John E Baker 22J
French Lick, In.
10. Joe Graf Jr 17
Mahwah, Nj.
11. Joey Miller 15
Lakeville, Mn.
DNS Christian Thomas 7CT
Wake Forest, Nc.
Modifieds Heat 2
Driver Nbr
------------------------------ -----
1. Zeke McKenzie 24z
Claypool, In.
2. Curt Spalding 5CS
Watervliet, Mi.
3. Tyler Nicely 25
Owensboro, Ky.
4. Ryan Cripe 23
North Manchester, In.
5. Michael Altobelli Jr. 95
Saxton, Pa.
6. Johnny Broking 45J
Grand Rapids, Mn.
7. Larry Burkins 54
St. Augustine, Fl.
8. Dylan Browning 6DB
Jacksonville, Fl.
9. Mike Learman 4L
Woodstock, Il.
10. Paul Miles 28M
Owensboro, Ky.
11. Joey Lee 662
Farina, Il.
12. Scotty Kincaid 12K
Rising Sun, In.
Modifieds Heat 3
Driver Nbr
------------------------------ -----
1. Brian Ruhlman 49
Clarklake, Mi.
2. Lucas Lee 40B
Paris, Tn.
3. Ryan Ayers 6A
Concord, Nc.
4. Ryan Fowler 6F
Pace, Fl.
5. Todd Neiheiser 72
Panama City, Fl.
6. Levi Kissinger 12x
Mt Vernon, In.
7. Colin Green 52
Walton, Ky.
8. Brendan Rassell 1
Woonsocket, Sd.
9. Jeff Thomas 07
Petaluma, Ca.
10. Bryan Foy 7F
Lacombe, La.
11. Jessie Hoskins 71H
Longdale, Ok.
12. Mikey Kopka 90K
Astor, Fl.
Modifieds Heat 4
Driver Nbr
------------------------------ -----
1. Taylor Cook 21c
Stanley, Nc.
2. David Reutimann 00D
Sherrills Ford, Nc.
3. Gordy Gundaker 11G
St Charles, Mo.
4. Gary Bentley A-1
St Charles, Mo.
5. Justin Haley 11
Mooresville, Nc.
6. Will Long 45L
Clayton, Nc.
7. David Taylor 14
Fayettville, Nc.
8. Rick Weitekamp 89w
Springfield, Il.
9. Patrick Vareika 51v
Deltona, Fl.
10. Mark Beard 28
Mt. Pleasant, Mi.
11. Larry Mott 06Z
Leesburg, Fl.
DNS Hunt Gossum 99
Mayfield, Ky.
Modifieds Heat 5
Driver Nbr
------------------------------ -----
1. Michael Long 18x
Fowler, Il.
2. Kenny Wallace 36
Imperial, Mo.
3. Matt Crafton 88
Mooresville, Nc.
4. Buzzie Reutimann 00
Zephyrhills, Fl.
5. Robert Poole 25p
Sherrills Ford, Nc.
6. Brad Waits 24
Rochester, Mn.
7. Zane Oedewaldt 11Z
Hanna City, Il.
8. Bobby Miles 27
Owensboro, Ky.
9. Bill Lewis 118L
Fountain City, In.
10. Scott Fritz 01
Erie, Pa.
11. Robbie Eilers 14E
Highland, Il.
Modifieds Heat 6
Driver Nbr
------------------------------ -----
1. Kyle Strickler 8
Mooresville, Nc.
2. Rc Whitwell 96T
Longdale, Ok.
3. Christopher Smith 88s
Brewton, Al.
4. Garret Stewart 67
Leesburg, Fl.
5. Ken Schrader 9
Concord, Nc.
6. Josh Harris 22
Utica, Ky.
7. Chase Collins 2x4
Jacksonville, Fl.
8. Jesse Strange 85E
Marion, In.
9. Mark Enk 40
St Ann, Mo.
10. Ken Mihalik 33
Port St Lucie, Fl.
11. Brad Goff 41
Zanesville, Oh.
Modifieds Heat 7
Driver Nbr
------------------------------ -----
1. Nick Hoffman 2H
Mooresville, Nc.
2. Johnny Collins 54c
Jacksonville, Fl.
3. Shon Flanary 98
Surgoinsville, Tn.
4. Ryan Thomas T9
Brownstown, In.
5. Ray Bollinger 77
Kewanee, Il.
6. Bobby Regot 4uw
St. Peters, Mo.
7. Zac Oedewaldt Z1
Hanna City, Il.
8. Jason Gross 12
Cushing, Wi.
9. Jake Gibbon 1G
Cleveland, Nc.
10. Jesse Rupe 11R
Sophia, Wv.
11. Matt Altiers 2A
Lewis Center, Oh.
Modifieds Heat 8
Driver Nbr
------------------------------ -----
1. David Stremme 35
Mooresville, Nc.
2. Allen Weisser 25w
Peoria, Il.
3. Justin Allgaier 7
Springfield, Il.
4. Tyler Evans 17T
Mineral Wells, Wv.
5. David Wietholder 05
Liberty, Il.
6. Trey Harris 57
Hillsboro, Mo.
7. Drake Troutman 7T
Hyndman, Pa.
8. Jason Garver 27G
Starke, Fl.
9. Hunter Gustafson 15G
Howey In The Hills, Fl.
10. Will Norris 71n
Bells, Tn.
DNS Dave Baldwin 6B
Perrysville, In.
Modifieds Qualifying 1
Driver Nbr
------------------------------ -----
1. Will Krup 19K
Mt Carmel, Il.
2. Troy Johnson 2J
Sugar Grove, Pa.
3. Brandon Green 51
Walton, Ky.
4. Jason Beaulieu 90
Campbell River, Bc.
5. Chad Roush 32
Reedsville, Oh.
6. Steve Meyer Jr. 1A
Staunton, Il.
7. Gene Nicholas 11N
Lowell, Ar.
8. Joe Graf Jr 17
Mahwah, Nj.
9. Michael McGee 11m
Mayville, Ny.
10. Joey Miller 15
Lakeville, Mn.
11. John E Baker 22J
French Lick, In.
DNS Christian Thomas 7CT
Wake Forest, Nc.
Modifieds Qualifying 2
Driver Nbr
------------------------------ -----
1. Curt Spalding 5CS
Watervliet, Mi.
2. Zeke McKenzie 24z
Claypool, In.
3. Michael Altobelli Jr. 95
Saxton, Pa.
4. Tyler Nicely 25
Owensboro, Ky.
5. Ryan Cripe 23
North Manchester, In.
6. Johnny Broking 45J
Grand Rapids, Mn.
7. Dylan Browning 6DB
Jacksonville, Fl.
8. Larry Burkins 54
St. Augustine, Fl.
9. Mike Learman 4L
Woodstock, Il.
10. Paul Miles 28M
Owensboro, Ky.
11. Joey Lee 662
Farina, Il.
12. Scotty Kincaid 12K
Rising Sun, In.
Modifieds Qualifying 3
Driver Nbr
------------------------------ -----
1. Brian Ruhlman 49
Clarklake, Mi.
2. Ryan Ayers 6A
Concord, Nc.
3. Lucas Lee 40B
Paris, Tn.
4. Levi Kissinger 12x
Mt Vernon, In.
5. Ryan Fowler 6F
Pace, Fl.
6. Bryan Foy 7F
Lacombe, La.
7. Colin Green 52
Walton, Ky.
8. Jeff Thomas 07
Petaluma, Ca.
9. Todd Neiheiser 72
Panama City, Fl.
10. Brendan Rassell 1
Woonsocket, Sd.
11. Jessie Hoskins 71H
Longdale, Ok.
Modifieds Qualifying 4
Driver Nbr
------------------------------ -----
1. David Reutimann 00D
Sherrills Ford, Nc.
2. Taylor Cook 21c
Stanley, Nc.
3. Gordy Gundaker 11G
St Charles, Mo.
4. David Taylor 14
Fayettville, Nc.
5. Will Long 45L
Clayton, Nc.
6. Gary Bentley A-1
St Charles, Mo.
7. Rick Weitekamp 89w
Springfield, Il.
8. Mark Beard 28
Mt. Pleasant, Mi.
9. Patrick Vareika 51v
Deltona, Fl.
10. Larry Mott 06Z
Leesburg, Fl.
11. Justin Haley 11
Mooresville, Nc.
DNS Hunt Gossum 99
Mayfield, Ky.
Modifieds Qualifying 5
Driver Nbr
------------------------------ -----
1. Michael Long 18x
Fowler, Il.
2. Matt Crafton 88
Mooresville, Nc.
3. Robert Poole 25p
Sherrills Ford, Nc.
4. Buzzie Reutimann 00
Zephyrhills, Fl.
5. Kenny Wallace 36
Imperial, Mo.
6. Brad Waits 24
Rochester, Mn.
7. Robbie Eilers 14E
Highland, Il.
8. Scott Fritz 01
Erie, Pa.
9. Bobby Miles 27
Owensboro, Ky.
10. Zane Oedewaldt 11Z
Hanna City, Il.
11. Bill Lewis 118L
Fountain City, In.
Modifieds Qualifying 6
Driver Nbr
------------------------------ -----
1. Kyle Strickler 8
Mooresville, Nc.
2. Rc Whitwell 96T
Longdale, Ok.
3. Brad Goff 41
Zanesville, Oh.
4. Ken Schrader 9
Concord, Nc.
5. Josh Harris 22
Utica, Ky.
6. Christopher Smith 88s
Brewton, Al.
7. Chase Collins 2x4
Jacksonville, Fl.
8. Garret Stewart 67
Leesburg, Fl.
9. Jesse Strange 85E
Marion, In.
10. Ken Mihalik 33
Port St Lucie, Fl.
DNS Mark Enk 40
St Ann, Mo.
Modifieds Qualifying 7
Driver Nbr
------------------------------ -----
1. Jesse Rupe 11R
Sophia, Wv.
2. Shon Flanary 98
Surgoinsville, Tn.
3. Nick Hoffman 2H
Mooresville, Nc.
4. Ryan Thomas T9
Brownstown, In.
5. Zac Oedewaldt Z1
Hanna City, Il.
6. Jason Gross 12
Cushing, Wi.
7. Johnny Collins 54c
Jacksonville, Fl.
8. Matt Altiers 2A
Lewis Center, Oh.
9. Ray Bollinger 77
Kewanee, Il.
10. Bobby Regot 4uw
St. Peters, Mo.
11. Jake Gibbon 1G
Cleveland, Nc.
Modifieds Qualifying 8
Driver Nbr
------------------------------ -----
1. David Stremme 35
Mooresville, Nc.
2. Tyler Evans 17T
Mineral Wells, Wv.
3. Allen Weisser 25w
Peoria, Il.
4. David Wietholder 05
Liberty, Il.
5. Drake Troutman 7T
Hyndman, Pa.
6. Justin Allgaier 7
Springfield, Il.
7. Jason Garver 27G
Starke, Fl.
8. Will Norris 71n
Bells, Tn.
9. Hunter Gustafson 15G
Howey In The Hills, Fl.
10. Dave Baldwin 6B
Perrysville, In.
DNS Trey Harris 57
Hillsboro, Mo.
