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Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals
Volusia Speedway Park | Barberville, Florida
Thursday, February 15, 2024
Race Recap  

THE THRILL IN BARBERVILLE: Nick Hoffman Makes Last Lap Pass For World of Outlaws Win at DIRTcar Nationals 

Hoffman picks up his first Late Model gator with a last lap pass on Chris Madden

 

Nick Hoffman spent most of his career as Volusia Speedway Park’s most successful DIRTcar UMP Modified driver, winning seven consecutive Big Gator titles from 2016 to 2021. On Thursday night, he took the next step in trying to do the same in a Late Model.

The Mooresville, NC driver resorted back to his Modified ways in the 35-lap, $12,000-to-win Feature, scoring his first Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals golden gator with the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models – his 23rd DIRTcar Nationals win overall.

“I made (Volusia) my home by running the bottom and middle,” Hoffman said. “It’s how I won so many gators here in a Modified and it fit my style tonight to make speed and make circles and it was exactly like the Modified.”

Winfield, TN’s Mike Marlar and Gray Court, SC’s Chris Madden led the stacked 30-car field to the initial Gorsuch Performance green flag. Marlar first claimed the lead until he slipped over the cushion in Turn 2 – opening the door for Martinsville, IN’s Ricky Thornton Jr. to take the lead.

Three laps later, Thornton copied Marlar by jumping the cushion in the same corner, surrendering the lead to “The Winfield Warrior.”

Marlar held the hungry field at bay for half of the race until lap traffic hindered him, causing Marlar to lose the lead once more – this time to Madden.

Madden used the high line predominantly to hold his lead, fighting new contenders for the win in Hoffman and Oakwood, IL’s Bobby Pierce.

Hoffman, using the bottom line, continued to inch closer to “Smokey” for the Feature win while Pierce was stuck behind Madden on the high line.

After missing a mark with three to go, Hoffman’s chances of winning seemed distant. But his determination persisted. Driving with “human horsepower” mentality, he threw his NOS Energy Drink #9 car into each corner, cutting tenths off Madden’s lead every time he returned to the throttle.

On the final lap of the Feature, Hoffman kept his right foot planted while entering Turn 1, propelling him side by side with Madden of Turn 2. When they reached the final corner, he dove low and allowed his car to drift high, hoping he’d drove in hard enough to clear Madden.

The answer was, yes. Hoffman cleared Madden by the center of the corner and held the lead to the checkered flag for his second career World of Outlaws win.

Hoffman joins Kyle Strickler, Ryan Gustin and Kyle Bronson as the only drivers to win a DIRTcar Nationals gator in both a DIRTcar UMP Modified and Late Model.

“It’s unreal,” Hoffman said. “With about two or three to go, I made a mistake and the wheel spun down the straightaway and I thought I screwed this deal up and I got the momentum back rolling and in the last two (laps) I drove super hard and could notice Chris was getting pretty tight across one and two and he couldn’t make a whole lot of speed. That allowed me to get to him at the white and in (Turn) three, I bombed her off in there just made sure I was clear of Chris.

“At that point, I was gonna cross whether I was clear or not. The car was so good. I wasn’t sure if I would even get there because Bobby was on the top and on the restarts, I was worried about him clearing me and taking my line, but it worked out perfect.”

Madden came across the line to finish in second after a night that saw him win the Simpson Quick Time Award and lead 15 laps of the Feature.

“It was a good race,” Madden said. “We just got to where we couldn’t steer through (Turns) one and two and couldn’t carry the speed. Nick was able to run around the bottom there and got some speed and got us to the checkered.”

Pierce closed out the night’s top-three finishers, hoping to have stayed in second place to have a chance at winning when he had been clearly ahead of Hoffman.

“It was really tough out there,” Pierce said. “I told the guys that I put myself in a situation where I was constantly in dirty air. I wish that when I got to second that I could have held Nick off. The one time I really got by him, a caution came out. That was tough and I feel like I was burning my stuff up there constantly in battle.

“With Madden, sometimes I got really close to him, and I got more dirty air, so I was kind of stuck in this air pocket and that’s tough. Some of the hardest racing right there is when you’re in that dirty air and you got two guys running there. The track is super tricky as it is. It’s as tough as it gets. For us to finish third, I’m pretty happy with it.”

Thornton ended up in fourth after having to climb his way back from the early deficit. Daulton Wilson, of Fayetteville, NC, rounded out the night’s top-five finishers.

Centerville, PA’s Max Blair picked up the FOX Factory Hard Charger award after picking up eight spots to finish 12th in the tough field of 30 Late Models.

After tonight’s Feature, Pierce now holds the Series points standings, two points ahead of New Berlin, IL’s Brandon Sheppard and 16 points ahead of Hoffman and Madden, respectively.

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws CASE Late Models invade Volusia Speedway Park for two more nights of racing from the 53rd Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals, Feb. 16-17.

Adjustments have been made to the purse, as the Series will now race for 40 laps and $16,000-to-win to insure drivers leave with a healthy payday if weather hinders the weekend. For more information and tickets, visit DIRTcarNationals.com.

If you can’t make it to the track, watch every lap live on DIRTVision – available either online or through the DIRTVision App.

CASE Late Models Feature (35 laps):

  1. 9-Nick Hoffman[4]; 2. 44-Chris Madden[2]; 3. 32-Bobby Pierce[6]; 4. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[3]; 5. 18D-Daulton Wilson[7]; 6. 157-Mike Marlar[1]; 7. B5-Brandon Sheppard[9]; 8. 99-Devin Moran[10]; 9. 16-Tyler Bruening[5]; 10. 97-Cade Dillard[14]; 11. 39-Tim McCreadie[15]; 12. 111-Max Blair[20]; 13. 1T-Tyler Erb[13]; 14. 5-Mark Whitener[17]; 15. 3S-Brian Shirley[18]; 16. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[22]; 17. 1-Hudson O’Neal[12]; 18. 18-Chase Junghans[19]; 19. 97C-Cody Overton[27]; 20. 40B-Kyle Bronson[25]; 21. 19-Dustin Sorensen[21]; 22. B1-Brent Larson[28]; 23. 114-Jordan Koehler[8]; 24. 30-Todd Cooney[29]; 25. 22*-Max McLaughlin[11]; 26. 17M-Dale McDowell[23]; 27. 12-Ashton Winger[24]; 28. 19R-Ryan Gustin[26]; 29. 20-Jimmy Owens[16]; 30. 14W-Dustin Walker[30]
[Read More]
Results  
Feature Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
14+39Nick Hoffman 00.000Running150$12,000
22044Chris Madden 0-0.208Running146$6,000
36+332Bobby Pierce 0-2.101Running144$4,000
43-120RTRicky Thornton Jr.0-2.775Running142$3,250
57+218DDaulton Wilson 0-4.118Running140$3,000
61-5157Mike Marlar 0-5.125Running138$2,750
79+2B5Brandon Sheppard 0-5.694Running136$2,500
810+299Devin Moran 0-6.921Running134$2,300
95-416Tyler Bruening 0-7.024Running132$2,200
1014+497Cade Dillard 0-7.391Running130$2,100
1115+439Tim McCreadie 0-7.960Running128$2,000
1220+8111Max Blair 0-8.216Running126$1,800
131301TTyler Erb 0-10.222Running124$1,600
1417+35Mark Whitener 0-11.407Running122$1,500
1518+33SBrian Shirley 0-13.613Running120$1,300
1622+628Dennis Erb Jr0-13.983Running118$1,200
1712-51Hudson O'Neal 0-14.017Running116$1,100
1819+118Chase Junghans 0-14.177Running114$1,000
1927+897CCody Overton 0-15.159Running112$1,000
2025+540BKyle Bronson 0-15.407Running110$1,000
2121019Dustin Sorensen 0-16.117Running108$1,000
2228+6B1Brent Larson 0-17.489Running106$1,000
238-15114Jordan Koehler 0-19.345Running104$1,000
2429+530Todd Cooney 0-1.899Running104$1,000
2511-1422*Max McLaughlin 0401.138Running104$1,000
2623-317MDale McDowell 0568.235Running104$1,000
2724-312Ashton Winger 0624.360Running104$1,000
2826-219RRyan Gustin 0810.557Running104$1,000
2916-1320Jimmy Owens 0829.281Running104$1,000
3030014WDustin Walker 0816.000Running104$1,000
FOX Factory Hard Charger: Max Blair
Last Chance Showdown Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
16+518Chase Junghans 00.000Running150$0
22028Dennis Erb Jr0-2.129Running146$0
34+189Mike Spatola 0-4.068Running144$0
43-1174Ethan Dotson 0-4.764Running142$0
510+51ZLogan Zarin 0-7.547Running140$0
61-511BStacy Boles 0-9.693Running138$0
78+114JRJason Fitzgerald 0-10.978Running136$0
87-111Austin Smith 0-13.051Running134$0
95-47Drake Troutman 0-13.154Running132$0
109-119RRyan Gustin 0251.433Running130$0
Last Chance Showdown 2 Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
12+1111Max Blair 00.000Running150$0
23+117MDale McDowell 0-2.283Running146$0
31-26JRParker Martin 0-3.558Running144$0
44030Todd Cooney 0-5.055Running142$0
56+122Daniel Hilsabeck 0-6.450Running140$0
610+466CMason Zeigler 0-8.225Running138$0
75-225Mike Benedum 0-9.352Running136$0
880B2Brian Booze 0-10.434Running134$0
99014WDustin Walker 0-14.299Running132$0
107-317ZSeth Zacharias 040.686Running130$0
Last Chance Showdown 3 Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
11019Dustin Sorensen 00.000Running150$0
22012Ashton Winger 0-3.818Running146$0
35+299TTanner English 0-4.427Running144$0
48+497CCody Overton 0-8.231Running142$0
56+123David Breazeale 0-8.626Running140$0
64-2B1Brent Larson 0-10.801Running138$0
73-44Amanda Robinson 0-11.499Running136$0
89+120TCTristan Chamberlain 0-12.692Running134$0
97-240BKyle Bronson 074.308Running132$0
1010076Blair Nothdurft 074.308Running130$0
Heat 1 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
11044Chris Madden 00.000Running
23+118DDaulton Wilson 0-1.320Running
35+21TTyler Erb 0-4.118Running
46+211BStacy Boles 0-8.154Running
54-1174Ethan Dotson 0-9.013Running
68+27Drake Troutman 0-9.690Running
77011Austin Smith 0-11.454Running
82-619RRyan Gustin 0-28.295Running
Heat 2 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
1109Nick Hoffman 00.000Running
220B5Brandon Sheppard 0-1.365Running
34+139Tim McCreadie 0-3.555Running
43-128Dennis Erb Jr0-5.215Running
55089Mike Spatola 0-7.499Running
67+118Chase Junghans 0-8.436Running
78+114JRJason Fitzgerald 0-11.075Running
86-21ZLogan Zarin 0-12.251Running
Heat 3 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
11020RTRicky Thornton Jr.00.000Running
22022*Max McLaughlin 0-2.256Running
34+15Mark Whitener 0-4.724Running
46+26JRParker Martin 0-7.172Running
53-217MDale McDowell 0-7.547Running
65-125Mike Benedum 0-8.739Running
77017ZSeth Zacharias 0-9.720Running
88014WDustin Walker 0-12.181Running
Heat 4 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
12+132Bobby Pierce 00.000Running
21-1114Jordan Koehler 0-1.462Running
33097Cade Dillard 0-3.343Running
440111Max Blair 0-7.525Running
56+130Todd Cooney 0-9.283Running
65-122Daniel Hilsabeck 0-10.315Running
78+1B2Brian Booze 0-11.848Running
87-166CMason Zeigler 0-13.127Running
Heat 5 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
11016Tyler Bruening 00.000Running
22099Devin Moran 0-0.859Running
33020Jimmy Owens 0-2.278Running
45+119Dustin Sorensen 0-4.713Running
54-14Amanda Robinson 0-6.757Running
66099TTanner English 0-7.368Running
78+140BKyle Bronson 0-8.582Running
87-120TCTristan Chamberlain 0-10.832Running
Heat 6 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
12+1157Mike Marlar 00.000Running
21-11Hudson O'Neal 0-0.381Running
3303SBrian Shirley 0-1.963Running
45+112Ashton Winger 0-3.691Running
56+1B1Brent Larson 0-4.835Running
67+123David Breazeale 0-5.506Running
78+197CCody Overton 0-6.198Running
84-476Blair Nothdurft 0142.423Running
Qualifying Flight 1 Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
11644Chris Madden Gray Court, SC15.2900.000
219Nick Hoffman Mooresville, NC15.319-0.029
32020RTRicky Thornton Jr.Adel, IA15.371-0.081
42319RRyan Gustin Marshalltown, IA15.412-0.122
515B5Brandon Sheppard New Berlin, IL15.479-0.189
61222*Max McLaughlin , 15.517-0.227
7318DDaulton Wilson Fayetteville, NC15.522-0.232
81328Dennis Erb JrCarpentersville, IL15.597-0.307
91717MDale McDowell Chickamauga, GA15.605-0.315
1011174Ethan Dotson Bakersfield, CA15.615-0.325
11639Tim McCreadie Watertown, NY15.713-0.423
12145Mark Whitener Middleburg, FL15.759-0.469
13181TTyler Erb New Waverly, TX15.777-0.487
141989Mike Spatola Manhattan, IL15.855-0.565
151025Mike Benedum Salem, WV15.883-0.593
16811BStacy Boles Clinton, TN15.917-0.627
17221ZLogan Zarin Moon Twp., PA15.932-0.642
1876JRParker Martin Miledgeville, GA16.001-0.711
19911Austin Smith Rome, GA16.010-0.720
202118Chase Junghans Manhattan, KS16.044-0.754
21217ZSeth Zacharias Oswego, NY16.070-0.780
2257Drake Troutman Hyndman, PA16.097-0.807
232414JRJason Fitzgerald Middleburg, FL16.200-0.910
24414WDustin Walker Polk, MO16.582-1.292
Qualifying Flight 2 Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
116114Jordan Koehler Mount Airy, NC15.4850.000
21916Tyler Bruening Decorah, IA15.517-0.032
311Hudson O'Neal Martinsville, IN15.525-0.040
41532Bobby Pierce Oakwood, IL15.558-0.073
52399Devin Moran Dresden, OH15.566-0.081
69157Mike Marlar Winfield, TN15.602-0.117
7297Cade Dillard Robeline, LA15.631-0.146
81720Jimmy Owens Newport, TN15.694-0.209
963SBrian Shirley Chatham, IL15.716-0.231
1021111Max Blair Centerville, PA15.808-0.323
11134Amanda Robinson , 15.821-0.336
12376Blair Nothdurft Renner, SD15.834-0.349
132022Daniel Hilsabeck Earlham, IA15.861-0.376
141019Dustin Sorensen Rochester, MN15.869-0.384
15512Ashton Winger Senoia, GA15.887-0.402
16430Todd Cooney Des Moines, IA16.013-0.528
171499TTanner English Benton, KY16.040-0.555
1822B1Brent Larson Lake Elmo, MN16.081-0.596
191866CMason Zeigler Chalk Hill, PA16.108-0.623
20720TCTristan Chamberlain Richmond, IN16.172-0.687
211223David Breazeale Four Corners, MS16.238-0.753
2224B2Brian Booze Greencastle, PA16.561-1.076
231140BKyle Bronson Brandon, FL16.561-1.076
24897CCody Overton Evans, GA16.054-0.569
Hot Laps Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
12319RRyan Gustin Marshalltown, IA15.4420.000
2318DDaulton Wilson Fayetteville, NC15.483-0.041
311174Ethan Dotson Bakersfield, CA15.498-0.056
4145Mark Whitener Middleburg, FL15.593-0.151
51644Chris Madden Gray Court, SC15.607-0.165
619Nick Hoffman Mooresville, NC15.800-0.358
7639Tim McCreadie Watertown, NY15.810-0.368
81222*Max McLaughlin , 15.849-0.407
91328Dennis Erb JrCarpentersville, IL15.985-0.543
10911Austin Smith Rome, GA16.003-0.561
111025Mike Benedum Salem, WV16.008-0.566
12181TTyler Erb New Waverly, TX16.010-0.568
132020RTRicky Thornton Jr.Adel, IA16.225-0.783
142118Chase Junghans Manhattan, KS16.257-0.815
1576JRParker Martin Miledgeville, GA16.310-0.868
16221ZLogan Zarin Moon Twp., PA16.325-0.883
1757Drake Troutman Hyndman, PA16.422-0.980
1815B5Brandon Sheppard New Berlin, IL16.520-1.078
191989Mike Spatola Manhattan, IL16.625-1.183
20414WDustin Walker Polk, MO16.652-1.210
21217ZSeth Zacharias Oswego, NY16.880-1.438
222414JRJason Fitzgerald Middleburg, FL16.907-1.465
23811BStacy Boles Clinton, TN17.692-2.250
241717MDale McDowell Chickamauga, GA17.692-2.250
Lock-In Hot Laps Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
115+1432Bobby Pierce 00.000Running0$0
217+1520Jimmy Owens 0-0.261Running0$0
323+2099Devin Moran 0-0.313Running0$0
41-31Hudson O'Neal 0-0.322Running0$0
516+11114Jordan Koehler 0-0.328Running0$0
621+15111Max Blair 0-0.368Running0$0
72-597Cade Dillard 0-0.404Running0$0
814+699TTanner English 0-0.431Running0$0
95-412Ashton Winger 0-0.511Running0$0
1011+140BKyle Bronson 0-0.512Running0$0
1118+766CMason Zeigler 0-0.580Running0$0
124-830Todd Cooney 0-0.599Running0$0
131304Amanda Robinson 0-0.625Running0$0
143-1176Blair Nothdurft 0-0.654Running0$0
159-6157Mike Marlar 0-0.656Running0$0
167-920TCTristan Chamberlain 0-0.698Running0$0
1710-719Dustin Sorensen 0-0.767Running0$0
1820+222Daniel Hilsabeck 0-0.875Running0$0
1922+3B1Brent Larson 0-0.914Running0$0
2012-823David Breazeale 0-0.985Running0$0
216-153SBrian Shirley 0-1.114Running0$0
2219-316Tyler Bruening 0-1.154Running0$0
2324+1B2Brian Booze 0-1.259Running0$0
248-1697CCody Overton 0-1.476Running0$0
DIRTVision Highlights  
Event Info  

Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals
Thursday, February 15, 2024
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!

Week 1: World of Outlaws Sprint Cars and DIRTcar UMP Modifieds
Week 2: World of Outlaws Late Models, DIRTcar Late Models, Super DIRTcar Series, USAC Non-Wing Sprint Cars


World of Outlaws Sprint Cars & Late Models: $12K, $12K, $20K to win!

Series Racing
World of Outlaws Late Model Series

Support Divisions
Super DIRTcar Series

Event Schedule
1PM Pit Gates open
4PM Grandstand Gates open
5:30PM Hot Laps/Qualifying
6:50PM Opening Ceremonies
Racing to follow

See Detailed Schedule
*All times Eastern

Event Hashtag
#FLinFeb

Related Documents
 https://dirtcarnationals.com/

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

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  

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