{"id":49464,"date":"2025-02-11T00:32:36","date_gmt":"2025-02-11T05:32:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dirtcar.com\/?p=49464"},"modified":"2025-02-11T00:34:05","modified_gmt":"2025-02-11T05:34:05","slug":"hoffman-grabs-25th-gator-to-open-late-model-week-at-dirtcar-nationals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dirtcar.com\/divisions\/dirtcar-late-models\/hoffman-grabs-25th-gator-to-open-late-model-week-at-dirtcar-nationals\/","title":{"rendered":"Hoffman Grabs 25th Gator to Open Late Model Week at DIRTcar Nationals"},"content":{"rendered":"
Many drivers who make the trek south to Barberville, FL each February dream of hoisting just one Gator Trophy.<\/p>\n
And then there\u2019s Nick Hoffman, who snagged the reptilian award for the 25th time in his career in Monday\u2019s DIRTcar Late Model Feature at Volusia Speedway Park.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s awesome, especially to start the week this way,\u201d Hoffman said. \u201cIt\u2019s so tough to come down here, this is one of the toughest fields we see all year. To stand on the top step of the podium is pretty cool.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoffman started the race on the outside of polesitter Cade Dillard and fell in line behind the No. 97 for the opening circuits.<\/p>\n
As the race progressed, the bottom of the track became the preferred groove, with Dillard and most of the field opting to hug the inside wall around the \u201cWorld\u2019s Fastest Half Mile.\u201d That opened the door for Hoffman to ride the cushion and get side-by-side with Dillard for the top spot.<\/p>\n
\u201cI let Cade get out front there and control the pace for a little bit,\u201d Hoffman said. \u201cOnce we got close to lap traffic, it was time for me to go. Felt like our car was really good, very maneuverable where I could kind of go anywhere and make speed.\u201d<\/p>\n
After taking the crossed flags in the 25-lap affair, Hoffman cleared Dillard entering Turn 1 and never let go of the top spot. The win was his second Late Model win during Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals<\/em> in as many years to go along with 23 DIRTcar UMP Modified victories in the event, expanding his Gator collection that was already the largest of any driver in any division.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel like I just know what to expect out of my car here,\u201d Hoffman said regarding the reasons behind his Volusia success. \u201cI know what it should feel like to be good, and I feel like that\u2019s translated from the Modified to the Late Model. Knowing what I need to do to make raw speed, I\u2019m just good at big, sweeping \u00bd-miles. It\u2019s something that I\u2019ve always been good at. Finally got this thing where it steers and I can maneuver wherever I want, I feel like that\u2019s the most important thing about this place.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Thrill From Mooresville\u201d didn\u2019t go unchallenged in the late stages of the race though, as Ricky Thornton Jr. got within a car length of the No. 9 but was unable to make the pass in traffic. His runner-up effort was still a stark contrast from his Sunshine Nationals<\/em> results, as Thornton missed the Feature on Friday night before finishing 19th on Saturday.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel like there\u2019s a little bit of an area where we can be a little bit better, but I feel like we\u2019ve gained a lot of speed since we were here last month,\u201d Thornton said. \u201cI thought I had a shot for a minute in traffic, I kind of figured whoever got past the two lap cars and got out was just going to take off, and I couldn\u2019t even see him at the checkers.\u201d<\/p>\n Coming home in third was Jonathan Davenport, who is now three-for-three in Volusia podiums in 2025 after finishing second on both nights of Sunshine Nationals<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe got to second one time, and as soon as we got to second, I pushed out of the bottom there and let two more back by me,\u201d Davenport said. \u201cWe were definitely going back and forth through the lap cars there. Every time I\u2019d get a good run, I\u2019d run up right behind a lap car and have to maneuver around them. But I\u2019m sure that\u2019s what everyone else was doing too.\u201d<\/p>\n Max Blair drove from ninth to fourth to collect the Hard Charger Award, while Ryan Gustin completed the top five.<\/p>\n RACE NOTES:<\/p>\n Austin Smith laid down the overall fastest lap in Hot Laps.<\/p>\n Cade Dillard collected the Quick Time Award for going fastest overall in Qualifying.<\/p>\n Cade Dillard, Nick Hoffman, Mike Marlar, Ricky Thornton Jr., Jonathan Davenport and Ryan Gustin won the six Heat Races.<\/p>\n Three Last Chance Showdowns were won by Brent Larson, Mark Whitener and Tyler Erb.<\/p>\n UP NEXT: Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals<\/em> continues on Tuesday night with another full program for the DIRTcar Late Models. Get your tickets by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n