February 2012 Archives

Bellinger Bests Finale

May 27, 2020February 26, 2012 by DIRTcar Racing

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Bellinger Picks Up Volusia Win in Tight Battle to Cap Event

Sheppard charges from back to win UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit title

BARBERVILLE, Fla. — Feb. 25, 2012 — There were slide jobs, traffic jams and a little wheel banging as the 41^st annual UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment concluded with an electric feature.

Rob Bellinger outlasted a handful of drivers, including a hard-charging Matt Sheppard, to claim the 50-lap Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified main event in front of a packed crowd at Volusia Speedway Park on a chilly Saturday night.

2/24/2012 – Volusia Speedway Park #2

May 27, 2020February 25, 2012 by DIRTcar Racing

BARBERVILLE, Fla. – Feb. 24, 2012 – Two-time defending Super DIRTcar Series champion Matt Sheppard snared his first victory of the season Friday night in an epic battle with upstart Larry Wight in front of a packed crowd at Volusia Speedway Park. The duo swapped the lead numerous times throughout the 30-lap feature and each took advantage of the other’s miscue during a pair of late-race cautions.

Sheppard Wins Thriller

May 27, 2020February 25, 2012 by DIRTcar Racing

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Sheppard Outlasts Wight in Epic Volusia Finish

Two-time defending series champ wins UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit race for third straight year

BARBERVILLE, Fla. — Feb. 24, 2012 — It couldn’t have been more exciting if it was scripted.

Two-time defending Super DIRTcar Series champion Matt Sheppard snared his first victory of the season Friday night in an epic battle with upstart Larry Wight in front of a packed crowd at Volusia Speedway Park. The duo swapped the lead numerous times throughout the 30-lap feature and each took advantage of the other’s miscue during a pair of late-race cautions.

“It would have been more exciting for me if it was less exciting,” Sheppard said. “Wow, what a race.

“Heck of a race with Larry Wight. We were trading back and forth, side by side. It was a lot of fun.”

2/24/2012 – Volusia Speedway Park #1

May 27, 2020February 24, 2012 by DIRTcar Racing

BARBERVILLE, Fla. – Feb. 24, 2012 – Alan Johnson was lucky and good on Friday afternoon at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., where the veteran was awarded the pole position in the redraw for the feature and then survived a challenging track to record the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds victory at the 41^st annual UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment.

Alan Johnson Wins Afternoon Race

May 27, 2020February 24, 2012 by DIRTcar Racing

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Alan Johnson Cruises to Afternoon Victory at Volusia

Leads all 20 laps to win UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit midday race

BARBERVILLE, Fla. — Feb. 24, 2012 — Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.

Alan Johnson was both on Friday afternoon at Volusia Speedway Park, where the veteran was awarded the pole position in the redraw for the feature and then survived a challenging track to record the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified victory at the 41^st annual UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment.

2/23/2012 – Volusia Speedway Park

May 27, 2020February 24, 2012 by DIRTcar Racing

BARBERVILLE, Fla. – Feb. 23, 2012 – Danny Johnson fought off Brett Hearn, Tim Fuller and Alan Johnson to win the first night of action for the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds Thursday during the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment at Volusia Speedway Park.

Danny Johnson Sweeps Opener

May 27, 2020February 24, 2012 by DIRTcar Racing

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Johnson Sweeps Big-Block Modified Opener at Volusia

Veteran wins first UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit feature since ’07

BARBERVILLE, Fla. — Feb. 23, 2012 — Thursday was a dominant night for Danny Johnson; it just took a little longer to get over than he wanted.

“It seemed like a long race for me,” he said with a grin. “When you’re leading a race it seems like it takes forever to get over with. But when you’re in the back going to the front it seems like 30 laps goes in a hurry.”

The veteran from Rochester, N.Y., led all 30 laps to claim the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds opener at the 41^st annual UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment at Volusia Speedway Park.

Volusia Action

May 27, 2020February 24, 2012 by DIRTcar Racing

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Super Matt’s night at UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit

BARBERVILLE, Fla. – Feb. 23, 2012 – Matt Sheppard received his champion’s ring tonight during opening ceremonies at the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment at Volusia Speedway Park. Click the video above to ride along with Sheppard during hot laps.

Click DIRTVision.com to listen or watch tonight’s action.

Follow along with the action on Twitter at Twitter.com/DIRTcarNats or Twitter.com/SuperDIRTcar.

Check back later tonight for a full report from tonight’s action. The Super DIRTcar Series will run a doubleheader on Friday after Wednesday’s program was postponed by rain. For all the latest from the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit, click DIRTcarNationals.com.

Contact: World Racing Group

Chris Dolack, VP Media/PR

704-467-7643 • cdolack@dirtcar.com

BROTHER ACT: Ty Dillon Edges Brother for UMP Modified Crown at UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit

Austin Dillon wins one of three A-mains; Billy Moyer earns late model victory

BARBERVILLE, Fla. — Feb. 21, 2012 — Another huge night of racing Tuesday at Volusia Speedway Park wrapped up with Ty and Austin Dillon celebrating their triumphs at the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment at Volusia Speedway Park.

After eight nights of UMP Modified competition at the two-week event, Ty Dillon edged his brother Austin by 25 points and Kenny Wallace by 27 points for the overall championship following a triple header on Tuesday to wrap up the event. Austin won the finale while Mike Wedelstadt and Tyler Carpenter won the other two A-mains.

“It feels great,” said Ty Dillon, the 19-year-old grandson of legendary NASCAR car owner Richard Childress. “Me and Austin and Team Dillon Racing have been coming down here for quite a few years in our young racing career. We’ve been down here every year since we’ve been racing. We fought so hard. We’ve won a couple of races. This year it finally paid off. Me and Austin got a win and we finally got the Gator championship.

“The track has been great every night since we’ve been here. Volusia has done an awesome job preparing the track. It’s been really racy and we’ve been having a fun time. It’s really put it in the drivers’ and crews’ hands. The fans have been great, it’s been an awesome week and no better way to kick off the year than to win the Gator championship.”

Austin Dillon, 21, was a contender every night of UMP Modified competition, leading up to the final night when the field was split into thirds.

“It was cool because it was the top 20 in points in that race,” he said of his A-main that included Kenny Wallace and Ken Schrader. “That was the toughest competition out here. Starting eighth it makes it even better. We were really able to drive up through there and move was able to move around. We gained constantly all week on the car and how it drove. Tonight it really showed. I think going into next year we got something to go after these guys with.”

In DIRTcar Late Model action, legendary Billy Moyer started on the front row for the 30-lap feature and held the field at bay. Darrell Lanigan was second with Steve Francis, Rick Eckert and Dennis Erb Jr. rounding out the top five.

Finally, 32 Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds moved into Volusia on Tuesday for three practice sessions before four straight nights of racing. Two-time champion Matt Sheppard led the pack that also included seven-time champion Brett Hearn and defending UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit champion Stewart Friesen.

For more information and updates on the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment, click DIRTcarNationals.com or follow on Twitter at Twitter.com/DIRTcarNats.

UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment Statistical Report; Volusia Speedway Park; Barberville, Fla.; Feb. 21, 2012

DIRTcar UMP Late Model 30-Lap A-Main Finish (Finish Pos./Car No./Driver): 1. (21) Billy Moyer; 2. (29) Darrell Lanigan; 3. (15) Steve Francis; 4. (24) Rick Eckert; 5. (28e) Dennis Erb Jr.; 6. (28M) Jimmy Mars; 7. (18) Shannon Babb; 8. (39) Tim McCreadie; 9. (15) Jonathan Davenport; 10. (99Jr.) Frankie Heckenast Jr.; 11. (18w) Eric Wells; 12. (11) Tyler Reddick; 13. (23) John Blankenship; 14. (14M) Morgan Bagley; 15. (1*) Chub Frank; 16. (5) Jared Landers; 17. (20) Jimmy Owens; 18. (25z) Morgan Bagley; 19. (3s) Brian Shirley; 20. (21Jr) Billy Moyer Jr.; 21. (25F) Jason Feger; 22. (b5) Brandon Sheppard; 23. (0) Scott Bloomquist; 24. (1d) Don O’Neal; 25. (91) Billy Decker.

DIRTcar UMP Modifieds

Triple 20 #1 Finish (20 Laps) – 1. (8C) Tyler Carpenter; 2. (66H) Wayne Hammond; 3. (’01) Chris Puskas; 4. (41G) Matt Goulden; 5. (d4) Dave Jamison; 6. (1F) Travis Fleshman; 7. (66) Dale Murray; 8. (10) Scott Mooers; 9. (11P) Charlie Phillips; 10. (d48) Derek Groomer; 11. (15R) Rich Robinson Jr; 12. (6b) Dave Baldwin; DNS 77g) Gavin Landers; DNS 81) Lawrence Sprague.

Triple 20 #2 Finish (20 Laps) – 1. (77) Mike Wedelstadt; 2. (67) Garrett Stewart; 3. (’00) Kody Weisner; 4. (17X) Richard Michael Jr; 5. (22T) Tony Anderson; 6. (’05) Dave Wietholder; 7. (15b) Dave Baker; 8. (26) Bob Gierke; 9. (16) Travis Dickson; 10. (92) Joel Watson; 11. (35) David Stremme; 12. (2) Josh Ulrich; 13. (47) Collin Thirlby; 14. (11) Richie Tosh.

Triple 20 #3 Finish (20 Laps) – 1. (3) Austin Dillon; 2. (41) Ty Dillon; 3. (1G) Devin Gilpin; 4. (40b) Kyle Bronson; 5. (9) Kenny Schrader; 6. (36) Kenny Wallace; 7. (90) Jason Beaulieu; 8. (44) Dave Hess Jr; 9. (7b) Jeff Babcock; 10. (18M) David McWilliams; 11. (‘0) Mark Dickson; 12. (115) Brandon Smith; 13. (18C) Matt Cooper; 14. (65) Todd Sherman.

UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment DIRTcar UMP Modified Top Five Point Standings

1. (41) Ty Dillon 461; 2. (3) Austin Dillon 436 (-25); 3. (36) Kenny Wallace 434 (-27); 4. (9) Kenny Schrader 395 (-66); 5. (40) Kyle Bronson 371 (-90).

NAPA Super DIRT Week Title Sponsor

May 27, 2020February 24, 2012 by DIRTcar Racing

NAPA Auto Parts representative George Shakelton helps announce title sponsorship of NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week on Thursday night during the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment.

NAPA Auto Parts Becomes Title Sponsor of Super DIRT Week

41st running of DIRTcar Racing’s premier event continues to grow

CONCORD, N.C. – Feb. 23, 2012 – DIRTcar Racing is pleased to announce NAPA Auto Parts will be title sponsor of Super DIRT Week XLI in October.

NAPA Auto Parts has more than 6,100 stores nationwide, with over 100 stores surrounding the Central New York territory, the home to NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week centered at the New York State Fairgrounds, Oct. 3-7, in Syracuse.

SDW Event of Year

May 27, 2020February 23, 2012 by DIRTcar Racing

Super DIRT Week Named Outstanding Annual Short Track Event

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Feb. 23, 2012 – National Speedway Directory presented the National Speedway Directory Award for the Outstanding Annual Short Track Event to Super DIRT Week XL at the New York State Fairgrounds.

Super DIRT Week’s concrete walls and hard-clayed surface has pushed man and machine to the limit. For more than 40 years it has been a spectacle with race fans sitting through sun, freezing temperatures, rain, or even snow to cheer on their favorite drivers.