BARBERVILLE, FL — Feb. 11, 2019 — Kyle Strickler survived a wild finish to win the DIRTcar Nationals Gator Championship Monday night at Volusia Speedway Park.
David Stremme jumped out to a quick lead, but Strickler charged to the point on Lap 8 and then pulled away until he caught the back of the field with five to go in the 30-lap, $5,000-to-win showcase for DIRTcar UMP Modifieds.
In heavy lapped traffic, Strickler went to the top in a move that nearly cost him the lead. Stremme closed fast on the bottom as they split lapped cars. Stremme tried to get Strickler going into Turn 1, but Strickler had enough momentum to stay out front, then a lap later dive between two cars again going into Turn 1, which proved to be the winning move as he was able to fend off Stremme to the checkered flag.
“They were two-wide in front of me and I went to the top to try to blast around them on the cushion and I saw the nose on the 35 (Stremme) so I knew I had to get going,” said Strickler, of Mooresville, NC. “I couldn’t go to the top again and make that mistake. Then I saw an opening and in big races like this you’ve got to take big chances. I knew I had to shoot the gap and make an aggressive move there. That could have cost us right there.”
A couple years into a tense rivalry spurred by beating and banging between Strickler and Stremme in big races — including the first two nights at this year’s DIRTcar Nationals — it seemed fitting the biggest DIRTcar UMP Modified race of the event came down to those two racers.
“We got involved in a bunch of dumb stuff early in the week,” Strickler said. “We still might not like each other, but that’s what we’re here to do is race like that for the fans. I’m glad we got all that out of our system and it all works out when you do what you’re supposed to do.”
Nick Hoffman, who finished sixth on Monday night, earned the most points over the course of six DIRTcar Nationals UMP Modified events to clinch the overall event championship for the fourth time in his career.
DIRTcar Late Models: The DIRTcar Late Models kicked off the second week of racing at Volusia with 2018 World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series champion Mike Marlar blasting to the lead with 8 laps to go and holding off a veritable list of all-star caliber racers to win. Darrell Lanigan was second with Scott Bloomquist in third. In fact, the top six finishers are all former World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series champions.
DIRTcar Nationals Race Report; Volusia Speedway Park; Feb. 9, 2019
DIRTcar UMP Modified (30 laps): 1. Kyle Strickler ($5,000), 2. David Stremme, 3. RC Whitwell, 4. Lucas Lee, 5. Justin Allgaier, 6. Nick Hoffman, 7. Brian Ruhlman, 8. Taylor Cook, 9. Tyler Nicely, 10. Ryan Ayers, 11. Will Krup, 12. Allen Weisser, 13. Michael Altobelli Jr., 14. Zeke McKenzie, 15. Shon Flanary, 16. David Wietholder, 17. Trey Harris, 18. Curt Spalding, 19. Jason Beaulieu, 20. Brandon Green, 21. David Reutimann, 22. Tyler Evans, 23. Kenny Wallace, 24. Ray Bollinger, 25. Gordy Gundaker, 26. Brendan Rassell, 27. Ryan Cripe, 28. Steve Meyer Jr.
DIRTcar Late Models (30 laps): 1. Mike Marlar ($7,000), 2. Darrell Lanigan, 3. Scott Bloomquist, 4. Josh Richards, 5. Shane Clanton, 6. Tim McCreadie, 7. Chase Junghans, 8. Dale McDowell, 9. Mike Norris, 10. Brandon Overton, 11. Brandon Sheppard, 12. Devin Moran, 13. Kyle Bronson, 14. Tanner English, 15. Chris Madden, 16. Cade Dillard, 17. Ricky Weiss, 18. Jason Jameson, 19. Boom Briggs, 20. Tyler Bruening, 21. Kyle Hardy, 22. Kent Robinson, 23. Don O’Neal, 24. Brian Shirley.