BARBERVILLE, FL — Feb. 9, 2019 — Daryn Pittman and Christopher Bell waged an epic back-and-forth battle Saturday night at jam-packed Volusia Speedway Park’s DIRTcar Nationals, with Pittman making his final charge with two to go for his second consecutive World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series victory to start the season.
Bell, a NASCAR Xfinity star and three-time Chili Bowl winner, led the first 18 laps before Pittman slid to the front on lap 19. Bell dove back in front a lap later then the two exchanged slidejobs for the lead on laps 26 and 27. Pittman regained the lead on Lap 28 and held off Bell to the checkered flag to complete the second caution-free 30-lap feature in a row.
Pittman, of Owasso, Okla., switched to the legendary Roth Motorsports #83 during the offseason. His victory on Saturday night was the 83rd of his World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car season. The last time Pittman switched rides was in 2013, when he dominated the DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia for Kasey Kahne Racing and powered his way to the season-long championship.
“That was a hell of a race! That was a lot of fun,” Pittman said. “Christopher Bell is a hell of a talent. I can’t beat him in a midget, but I love racing with him. I’m a big fan. For as little as he races these cars, he’s good.”
Bell was trying to win his fifth race and first at Volusia.
“It sucks to lose them like that, but Pittman ran a perfect race,” Bell said. “I don’t really know what I could have done any different. That’s something I’m going to be proud of when I get down the road. It really sucks to get beat at the end. This place is a ton of fun, I love this racetrack.”
Tony Stewart Racing’s Donny Schatz was third, Kasey Kahne Racing’s Brad Sweet was fourth and multi-time Knoxville Raceway champion Brian Brown was fifth.
DIRTcar UMP Modifieds: The first of two nights of qualifying races for Monday’s Gator Championship event wound up falling to rain with heat races completed shortly after the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series feature was completed. Two Last Chance Showdowns and the feature will be run on Monday ahead of the regularly scheduled races.
DIRTcar Nationals continues tomorrow with the final night of World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series action at Volusia Speeway. For more information and tickets visit DIRTcarNationals.com.
DIRTcar Nationals Race Report; Volusia Speedway Park; Feb. 9, 2019
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series (30 laps): 1. Daryn Pittman ($10,000), 2. Christopher Bell, 3. Donny Schatz, 4. Brad Sweet, 5. Brian Brown, 6. David Gravel, 7. Aaron Reutzel, 8. Logan Schuchart, 9. Jason Sides, 10. Carson Macedo, 11. Lucas Wolfe, 12. Tim Shaffer, 13. Sheldon Haudenschild, 14. Cory Eliason, 15. Kraig Kinser, 16. Parker Price-Miller, 17. Paul McMahan, 18. Spencer Bayston, 19. Shane Stewart, 20. Kasey Kahne, 21. Cale Conley, 22. Brent Marks, 23. Brock Zearfoss, 24. Shane Golobic, 25. Ian Madsen, 26. Jacob Allen; Lap Leaders: Christopher Bell 1-18, 20-25, 27; Daryn Pittman19, 26, 28-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 1S-Logan Schuchart[+11]
Qualifying – 1. 71-Parker Price-Miller, 12.849; 2. 83-Daryn Pittman, 13.011; 3. 21-Brian Brown, 13.013; 4. 2-Carson Macedo, 13.015; 5. 39-Christopher Bell, 13.065; 6. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.073; 7. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.126; 8. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 13.147; 9. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.151; 10. 5W-Lucas Wolfe, 13.151; 11. 70X-Spencer Bayston, 13.162; 12. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.173; 13. 9-Kasey Kahne, 13.176; 14. 26-Cory Eliason, 13.217; 15. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.222; 16. 7K-Cale Conley, 13.24; 17. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.248; 18. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.249; 19. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 13.266; 20. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.292; 21. 41-David Gravel, 13.319; 22. 70-Brock Zearfoss, 13.329; 23. 13-Paul McMahan, 13.347; 24. 5-Shane Stewart, 13.389; 25. 17W-Shane Golobic, 13.426; 26. 33M-Mason Daniel, 13.532; 27. 48-Danny Dietrich, 13.6; 28. K4-Chad Kemenah, 13.641; 29. 47-Brant O’Banion, 13.817; 30. 19-Brent Marks, 4.63126157407407E-03; 31. 84-Tom Harris, NT