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Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals
Volusia Speedway Park | Barberville, Florida
Thursday, February 16, 2023
Race Recap  

SMOOTH MOVE: Bobby Pierce Wins DIRTcar Nationals Last Lap Thriller

Brandon Overton was checking every box to have a perfect night at Volusia Speedway Park on Thursday, even holding the lead when the white flag pointed in his direction. Then came Bobby Pierce.

For the first time all night, Overton saw a car pass him with less than half a mile to go until the checkered flag. After Overton slid himself through the first turn, Pierce sailed underneath the #76 machine and powered ahead down the backstretch.

Hoping to rebound from two bad nights at Volusia with the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series in January, and eager to bring home a golden gator trophy to his girlfriend, Pierce fended off Overton through the final corner as he ran to the finish line.

“The last time we were [at Volusia] for the World of Outlaws races, you know, I didn’t have good showings and couldn’t complete our nights, so we’ve been kind of building on that,” said Pierce, of Oakwood, IL. “We’ve ran all the Features, so far, made all the laps, and it was just fine tuning the race cars after that.

“We needed this win to make up points with [the World of Outlaws]… We got this first night out. If we can knock out another one that would be a big points jump that we’ll gain.”

The victory, coming during the first night of World of Outlaws CASE Late Model action at Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals, is Pierce’s second DIRTcar Nationals win ­– first with the World of Outlaws – and fifth Series win overall.

Bobby Pierce
Bobby Pierce wins second DIRTcar Nationals Feature / Jacy Norgaard Photo

However, Overton didn’t initially leave much hope for anyone to steal the win away from him with the early trajectory of his night. He set Quick Time in Low-E Insulation Qualifying, won the CASE No.1 Engine Oil Heat Race and drew the pole for the 30-lap Feature. Then, he drove away from the 29-car field in the caution-free race.

Pierce drew the fourth starting position, but said he’d rather have a bottom row starting spot. However, he didn’t waste time getting to the bottom lane at the start of the Feature, cruising to second-place by Lap 4.

Current Big Gator championship points leader Tim McCreadie, who started a row behind Pierce in sixth, also made a quick charge to the front. He powered to fourth on the first lap and then second the next lap. His time in the runner-up spot was short lived, though, as Pierce came through to steal it.

The two stayed within striking distance of Overton, even closing in after the halfway point when he got caught in traffic. But once Overton found clean air, he gapped Pierce by more than a second.

With five laps to go and a healthy distance between first and second, Overton’s perfect night was minutes away from being complete. Pierce wasn’t ready to give up, though.

By running the top lane, and getting some assistance from slower cars in front of Overton, Pierce closed within a car length of the #76 car with three laps to go. When flagger Dave Farney showed them the double popsicle sticks, Pierce was on Overton’s bumper going into Turn 1. He stayed there down the backstretch and through Turns 3 and 4.

Looking low before turning into the first corner on the final lap, Pierce was eager to make his move.

Overton slid up the track with a slower car hugging the bottom, opening the door for Pierce to rocket underneath him and get enough grip off the bottom to pull ahead down the backstretch.

Both drivers threw their cars into the final corner, exiting sideways off Turn 4 but Pierce held the advantage at the line with the checkered flag waving.

“I guess now thinking back, when I went to the top that flustered him up,” Pierce said. “I think his crew guys told him I had ran the top and was pretty good, because after that he kept moving up a little and I just kept poking in there on the bottom and I was getting better the lower I got. It was slimy so it had to come in.

“There at the end… one of my crew guys, he’d told me I won here before, just do what I do and a couple times when I messed up I just thought of that really.”

Overton admitted he made the wrong move going into Turn 1 on the final lap, stating it was a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation.

“Should’ve just stayed on the bottom, I made a wrong move,” Overton said. “I tried to arc out and tried to float across and Bobby (Pierce) was down there and blew by me. Just kind of got aggravated. I knew he was closing in… you stay on the bottom, he drives around you on the top or do what I did and he drives around you. It is what it is, we had a good car.”

McCreadie didn’t have enough to enter the battle and had to settle for third – his worst finish of the week. With the DIRTcar Late Models the first three nights of DIRTcar Nationals, he finished second, first and first. His third-place run also helped him further extend his Big Gator points lead to a 25-point advantage over Hudson O’Neal.

Chris Madden, who is the current World of Outlaws CASE Late Model points leader, earned the Fox Factory Hard Charger Award for the race, making his way from 23rd to 15th.

Both points battles continue Friday, Feb. 17, during the $12,000-to-win Feature. The Big Gator championship will be decided at the conclusion of Saturday’s $20,000-to-win main event.

Bobby Pierce vs Brandon Overton
Bobby Pierce looks low to pass Brandon Overton / Jacy Norgaard Photo

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series continues its 2023 season at Volusia Speedway Park, Friday, Feb. 17. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch all the action live on DIRTVision.

RESULTS
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 32-Bobby Pierce[4]; 2. 76-Brandon Overton[1]; 3. 39-Tim McCreadie[6]; 4. 18-Chase Junghans[2]; 5. 1-Hudson O’Neal[7]; 6. 17M-Dale McDowell[3]; 7. 49-Jonathan Davenport[10]; 8. 111-Max Blair[9]; 9. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[14]; 10. 25Z-Mason Zeigler[16]; 11. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[11]; 12. 99-Devin Moran[15]; 13. 40B-Kyle Bronson[17]; 14. 8S-Kyle Strickler[8]; 15. 44-Chris Madden[23]; 16. 8-Brian Shirley[5]; 17. 19R-Ryan Gustin[20]; 18. B5-Brandon Sheppard[25]; 19. 11-Gordy Gundaker[12]; 20. 9-Nick Hoffman[13]; 21. 10-Mike Norris[21]; 22. 18D-Daulton Wilson[18]; 23. 1ST-Johnny Scott[24]; 24. B1-Brent Larson[29]; 25. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr[22]; 26. 96V-Tanner English[26]; 27. 25-Shane Clanton[28]; 28. 22*-Payton Freeman[27]; 29. 5-Mark Whitener[19]

[Read More]
Results  
Feature Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
14+332Bobby Pierce 300.0001Running150$10,000
21-176Brandon Overton 30-0.14529Running146$6,000
36+339Tim McCreadie 30-1.392Running144$3,500
42-218Chase Junghans 30-3.349Running142$2,800
57+21Hudson O'Neal 30-3.635Running140$2,500
63-317MDale McDowell 30-3.669Running138$2,300
710+349Jonathan Davenport 30-4.471Running136$2,200
89+1111Max Blair 30-4.931Running134$2,100
914+520RTRicky Thornton Jr.30-6.778Running132$2,050
1016+625ZMason Zeigler 30-8.929Running130$2,000
1111028Dennis Erb Jr30-10.592Running128$1,600
1215+399Devin Moran 30-12.941Running126$1,400
1317+440BKyle Bronson 30-13.696Running124$1,200
148-68SKyle Strickler 30-13.900Running122$1,100
1523+844Chris Madden 30-15.239Running120$1,050
165-118Brian Shirley 30-15.305Running118$1,000
1720+319RRyan Gustin 30-16.375Running116$1,000
1825+7B5Brandon Sheppard 30-17.396Running114$1,000
1912-711Gordy Gundaker 30-17.403Running112$1,000
2013-79Nick Hoffman 30-17.614Running110$1,000
2121010Mike Norris 30-18.265Running108$1,000
2218-418DDaulton Wilson 30-18.707Running106$1,000
2324+11STJohnny Scott 30-19.618Running104$1,000
2429+5B1Brent Larson 29-1 LapsRunning104$125
2522-399JRFrank Heckenast Jr29-1 LapsRunning104$1,000
2626096VTanner English 29-1 LapsRunning104$1,000
2728+125Shane Clanton 29-1 LapsRunning104$125
2827-122*Payton Freeman 29-1 LapsRunning104$1,000
2919-105Mark Whitener 16-14 LapsDNF104$1,000
FOX Factory Hard Charger: Chris Madden
Last Chance Showdown Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
1105Mark Whitener 100.00010Running0$0
22099JRFrank Heckenast Jr10-0.429Running0$0
330B1Brent Larson 10-0.938Running0$0
44099BBoom Briggs 10-3.360Running100$125
57+220Jimmy Owens 10-5.412Running100$125
65-197Cade Dillard 10-6.216Running100$125
76-199GHunt Gossum 10-8.281Running100$125
811+3C4Freddie Carpenter 10-9.289Running100$125
98-1B2Brian Booze 10-11.569Running100$125
109-125BMike Benedum 10-11.841Running100$125
1113+214RReid Millard 10-16.530Running100$125
1210-26SBlake Spencer 0-10 LapsDNS100$0
1312-112Ashton Winger 0-10 LapsDNS100$0
Last Chance Showdown 2 Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
12+119RRyan Gustin 100.00010Running0$0
21-144Chris Madden 10-0.2231Running0$0
33025Shane Clanton 10-1.485Running0$0
440B5Brandon Sheppard 10-1.808Running0$0
58+322*Payton Freeman 10-5.164Running0$0
613+736Logan Martin 10-6.381Running100$125
75-299TDylan Thompson 10-13.014Running100$125
810+2130Chase Osterhoff 10-13.920Running100$125
912+348Colton Flinner 10-14.678Running100$125
107-3114Jordan Koehler 10-15.205Running100$125
116-501Jason Garver 10-15.205Running100$125
129-301GNevin Gainey 10-15.205Running100$125
1311-254David Breazeale 0-10 LapsDNS100$0
Last Chance Showdown 3 Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
12+110Mike Norris 100.00010Running0$0
23+11STJohnny Scott 10-3.289Running0$0
35+215Donny Schatz 10-5.899Running100$125
47+316Tyler Bruening 10-6.559Running100$125
51-476NBlair Nothdurft 10-7.231Running100$125
64-289Mike Spatola 10-8.733Running100$125
78+130Todd Cooney 10-10.935Running100$125
810+217SSBrenden Smith 10-12.634Running100$125
99014GTrevor Gundaker 10-13.127Running100$125
1011+111BStacy Boles 10-14.132Running100$125
1112+114WDustin Walker 10-14.995Running100$125
126-696VTanner English 10-16.093Running0$0
Heat 1 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
11076Brandon Overton 80.0008Running
23+11Hudson O'Neal 8-1.380Running
32-19Nick Hoffman 8-3.078Running
45+15Mark Whitener 8-5.412Running
54-1B1Brent Larson 8-6.695Running
67+197Cade Dillard 8-7.335Running
76-120Jimmy Owens 8-7.760Running
89+125BMike Benedum 8-9.984Running
98-1C4Freddie Carpenter 8-11.176Running
1010014RReid Millard 7-1 LapsRunning
Heat 2 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
11017MDale McDowell 90.0007Running
23+1111Max Blair 9-0.688Running
35+299Devin Moran 9-1.242Running
44099JRFrank Heckenast Jr9-1.895Running
56+199BBoom Briggs 9-2.725Running
67+199GHunt Gossum 9-3.344Running
78+1B2Brian Booze 9-4.272Running
89+16SBlake Spencer 9-5.145Running
92-712Ashton Winger 7-2 Laps2Running
Heat 3 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
11039Tim McCreadie 80.000Running
22028Dennis Erb Jr8-1.691Running
35+240BKyle Bronson 8-3.521Running
43-144Chris Madden 8-4.722Running
54-125Shane Clanton 8-5.609Running
66099TDylan Thompson 8-8.465Running
79+2114Jordan Koehler 8-9.354Running
87-101GNevin Gainey 8-9.810Running
98-154David Breazeale 0-8 LapsDNF
Heat 4 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
1108Brian Shirley 80.0008Running
24+28SKyle Strickler 8-4.748Running
33020RTRicky Thornton Jr.8-4.960Running
47+319RRyan Gustin 8-5.886Running
52-3B5Brandon Sheppard 8-6.708Running
68+201Jason Garver 8-8.204Running
76-122*Payton Freeman 8-8.661Running
89+1130Chase Osterhoff 8-9.540Running
910+148Colton Flinner 8-10.286Running
105-536Logan Martin 3-5 LapsRunning
Heat 5 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
11032Bobby Pierce 80.0008Running
23+149Jonathan Davenport 8-3.412Running
32-125ZMason Zeigler 8-5.728Running
44076NBlair Nothdurft 8-7.510Running
57+21STJohnny Scott 8-8.000Running
65-115Donny Schatz 8-8.544Running
76-116Tyler Bruening 8-9.540Running
89+114GTrevor Gundaker 8-11.608Running
98-111BStacy Boles 8-12.580Running
Heat 6 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
12+118Chase Junghans 80.0008Running
21-111Gordy Gundaker 8-1.501Running
34+118DDaulton Wilson 8-2.662Running
45+110Mike Norris 8-3.247Running
56+189Mike Spatola 8-4.921Running
67+196VTanner English 8-5.441Running
73-430Todd Cooney 8-6.479Running
88017SSBrenden Smith 8-8.262Running
99014WDustin Walker 8-9.250Running
Qualifying Flight 1 Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
1476Brandon Overton Evans, GA15.9020.000
2817MDale McDowell Chickamauga, GA16.110-0.208
3639Tim McCreadie Watertown, NY16.212-0.310
439Nick Hoffman Mooresville, NC16.223-0.321
51412Ashton Winger Senoia, GA16.230-0.328
6928Dennis Erb JrCarpentersville, IL16.243-0.341
7231Hudson O'Neal Martinsville, IN16.267-0.365
817111Max Blair Centerville, PA16.331-0.429
92044Chris Madden Gray Court, SC16.334-0.432
102B1Brent Larson Lake Elmo, MN16.354-0.452
11199JRFrank Heckenast JrFrankfort, IL16.382-0.480
121925Shane Clanton Zebulon, GA16.457-0.555
13165Mark Whitener Middleburg, FL16.504-0.602
141599Devin Moran Dresden, OH16.520-0.618
152540BKyle Bronson Brandon, FL16.548-0.646
16720Jimmy Owens Newport, TN16.620-0.718
172499BBoom Briggs Bear Lake, PA16.698-0.796
181899TDylan Thompson Paducah, KY16.733-0.831
192697Cade Dillard Robeline, LA16.777-0.875
201099GHunt Gossum Mayfield, KY16.784-0.882
212801GNevin Gainey Ft. White, FL16.833-0.931
225C4Freddie Carpenter Parkersburg, WV16.852-0.950
2322B2Brian Booze Greencastle, PA16.887-0.985
241154David Breazeale Four Corners, MS16.889-0.987
252725BMike Benedum Salem, WV17.009-1.107
26136SBlake Spencer St Augustine, FL17.128-1.226
2712114Jordan Koehler Mount Airy, NC17.128-1.226
282114RReid Millard Jefferson City, MO17.128-1.226
Qualifying Flight 2 Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
1208Brian Shirley Chatham, IL16.1940.000
22132Bobby Pierce Oakwood, IL16.220-0.026
32611Gordy Gundaker St. Charles, MO16.290-0.096
410B5Brandon Sheppard New Berlin, IL16.298-0.104
52325ZMason Zeigler Chalk Hill, PA16.370-0.176
61918Chase Junghans Manhattan, KS16.375-0.181
71320RTRicky Thornton Jr.Adel, IA16.397-0.203
81649Jonathan Davenport Blairsville, GA16.411-0.217
9130Todd Cooney Des Moines, IA16.412-0.218
10278SKyle Strickler Mooresville, NC16.495-0.301
11576NBlair Nothdurft Renner, SD16.544-0.350
12218DDaulton Wilson Fayetteville, NC16.545-0.351
131436Logan Martin West Plains, MO16.640-0.446
14315Donny Schatz Fargo, ND16.645-0.451
15610Mike Norris Sarver, PA16.654-0.460
16722*Payton Freeman Commerce, GA16.662-0.468
172816Tyler Bruening Decorah, IA16.686-0.492
182489Mike Spatola Manhattan, IL16.765-0.571
19819RRyan Gustin Marshalltown, IA16.798-0.604
20121STJohnny Scott Las Cruces, NM16.804-0.610
211596VTanner English Benton, KY16.838-0.644
22401Jason Garver Starke, FL16.890-0.696
23911BStacy Boles Clinton, TN16.897-0.703
241117SSBrenden Smith Dade City, FL17.011-0.817
2518130Chase Osterhoff Kankakee, IL17.278-1.084
262514GTrevor Gundaker St. Charles, MO17.311-1.117
272214WDustin Walker Polk, MO17.356-1.162
281748Colton Flinner Allison Park, PA17.362-1.168
DIRTVision Highlights  
Event Info  

Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals
Thursday, February 16, 2023
Volusia Speedway Park
1500 East State Road 40
Barberville, Florida 32130 

Event Description
Kick off the racing season with two full weeks of racing in Florida at the World's Fastest Half-Mile, Volusia Speedway Park!

Series Racing
World of Outlaws Late Model Series

Support Divisions
Super DIRTcar Series

To Win Amount
$10,000.00

Feature Laps Length
30

Event Schedule
UPDATE: 4:30PM GATE TIME ON FRIDAY

1PM Pit Gates open
5PM Grandstand Gates open
5:15PM Hot Laps/Qualifying
7PM RACING

See Detailed Schedule
*All times Eastern

Event Hashtag
#FLinFeb

Ticket Options  
Options And Prices
TICKETS

Grandstand Type
Bleachers, Chairbacks

Handicapped Seating Location
All Handicap seating is the first rows of each section

Pit Age Requirement
There is no age restriction in the pits. Anyone 17 years of age or younger will need to fill out a minor waiver form and be accompanied by an adult.

Pit Gate Location
East or West side of the Track.

Parking Cost
General Parking Free

Handicapped Parking Location
Handicap parking spots available. All spots are first come first serve.

Camping Availability
electric hookup, non-electric, onsite, sanitary facility, showers

Camping Cost
$30 a day for dry camping, $80 for electric/water/sewer.

Frequently Asked Questions  
Support Divisions
Super DIRTcar Series

To Win Amount
$10,000.00

Type of Grandstand
Bleachers, Chairbacks

Stadium Seating
Stadium seats are allowed as long as they don't conflict with the aisle behind you.

Handicapped Seating
All Handicap seating is the first rows of each section

Handicapped Parking
Handicap parking spots available. All spots are first come first serve.

Pit Age Limit
There is no age restriction in the pits. Anyone 17 years of age or younger will need to fill out a minor waiver form and be accompanied by an adult.

Pit Gate Location
East or West side of the Track.

Personal Coolers
Six-pack maximum cooler size. No alcohol. No glass.

ATMs
1

Credit Card Use
Pit Gate, Ticket Window

Alcohol Sales
Beer is available for purchase at the track.

Smoking Policy
No smoking in the Grandstands.


Parking Cost
General Parking Free

Camping Availability
electric hookup, non-electric, onsite, sanitary facility, showers

Camping Cost
$30 a day for dry camping, $80 for electric/water/sewer.

Track Info  

Volusia Speedway Park
1500 East State Road 40
Barberville, Florida 32130 

Track Phone
(386) 985-4402

Track Email
[email protected]

Track Type
0.500; dirt oval

Sprint Car Track Record
12.569s by Paul McMahan on 2-10-11; 360 Sprint Car: 14.160 sec. by Brenham Crouch on Jan. 27, 2023; Non-Wing: 16.362s by Thomas Meseraull on Feb. 14, 2023

Late Model Track Record
Super: 15.100 sec. by Bobby Pierce on Jan. 19, 2024

Closest Airport
Daytona International Airport

Other Airport
Orlando Sanford

Pit Gate Location
East or West side of the Track.

Track Map
Competitor Info  
Competitor Downloads
 https://www.dirtcarmembers.com/downloads.php

Tire Rules
Must use the same set of 4 tires for Qualifying, Heat Races, and Last Chance Showdowns:
Left Rear/Fronts - Hoosier (90) NLMT1
Right Rear - Hoosier (92) NLMT2, (92) LM20
For the Feature, competitors may use 3 new tires:
Left Rear/Fronts - Hoosier (90) NLMT1, (90) NLMT2, (90) LM20, (90) NLMT3, (90) LM30
Right Rear - Hoosier (92) NLMT2, (92) LM20, (92) NLMT3, (92) LM30
*Grooving and Siping is allowed.
*Flat tire MUST be replaced with a used tire of the same compound and construction to retain starting position.


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