Three-Time Defending DIRTcar Nationals Champ Nick Hoffman Grabs First Win Of 2019

Story By: MATT PRIEUR / DIRTCAR – DELEON SPRINGS, FL – The DIRTcar UMP Modifieds continued their marathon week-long stretch of events at Volusia Speedway Park with the third night of the 48th annual DIRTcar Nationals.

The half-mile, high-banked dirt oval located west of Daytona Beach had seen 95 teams make at least one appearance within the first two days for the Ironmen of the DIRTcar Nationals. On the third night of competition that number swelled again to 102 teams on hand.

When the checkered flag flew, three-time defending DIRTcar Nationals Champion Nick Hoffman survived a ferocious charge from a hard-charging Kyle Strickler and pole-sitter David Stremme to win his first Feature of 2019.

“We really had a good shot tonight, even with Kyle (Strickler) and David (Stremme) right there with me. I wanted to see what they had. Strickler blew my doors off earlier, but I was able to get back by him. There was a lot of guys who were really strong. Lucas (Lee) was good too,” said the 26-year-old driver, originally from Belleville, IL who now calls Mooresville, NC home.

“I just tried to bide my time there early in the race, trying to keep the tires underneath me. I got really rolling there in the middle and just got so much traction off the corners. Second sucks man. I didn’t want to finish there anymore, so I just got up on the wheel, and here we are,” added the driver of the popular #2 Fox Shox / Elite Chassis machine who started the week off with a pair of runner-up showings to start the week.

Stremme and Hoffman led the 28-car field to Chief Starter Dave Farney’s for their highly anticipated feature. Hoffman zipped out to the early race lead, but that was short-lived as Stremme charged back by to take the point on the second lap. Fifth-starting Lucas Lee emerged from the pack and slipped past both Hoffman and then Stremme to take over the top spot with Stremme and Hoffman in tow. Soon, Strickler, who started 11th, joined the trio up front as the crossed flags signal was given.

With the laps counting down, Stremme mounted a charge back at Lee and overtook him with just five laps to go. He brought Hoffman, Strickler and former NASCAR competitor David Reutimann with him as all four got by Lee. Hoffman looked high and low, trying to figure out a way back around Stremme and was able to do so with just three laps to go for the fourth lead change of the race. Strickler got by Stremme and tried in vain to catch Hoffman. However, Hoffman was up to the challenge and would hang on for his first DIRTcar Nationals Feature win of 2019 and extended his streak of winning a Feature at Volusia in February to five years.

Strickler settled for second with Stremme, Reutimann and Lee completing the top five. RC Whitwell recorded his best finish of the week with a sixth after starting 20th while Curt Spalding grabbed his best finish of the week and his third top 10 in three starts with a seventh. Brian Ruhlman finished eighth as Chase Collins made the most of his first feature start of the week to finish ninth as two-time NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Champion, Matt Crafton secured his best finish of the week by rounding out the top 10.

Reutimann out-timed the 91-car field who participated during the night with an 18.631 in Qualifying and won his Heat Race. Lee, Hoffman, Ruhlman, Stremme, Spalding, Tyler Evans and Mike Altobelli Jr., also picked up Heat Race triumphs. Brandon Green, Garret Stewart, Zeke McKenzie and Tyler Nicely were the winners of the four Last Chance Showdowns.

One of the most popular nights during the DIRTcar Nationals is the highly anticipated Quad-15s night for the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds on Friday, February 8. Every Modified team on the grounds will race in a Feature for a chance to win a coveted Gator. Then on Saturday & Sunday, February 9-10, the pivotal Big Gator Championship Qualifier Nights will begin setting the field for the 15th annual Big Gator Championship on Monday, February 11. Also, on Friday, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will move in with their 2019 season opener and their first of three nights in a row at Volusia.

For more information about the remaining nine days of the 48th annual DIRTcar Nationals and to order tickets, please call: 1 (844) DIRT-TIX or log onto the event website at: dirtcarnationals.com You can also follow the DIRTcar UMP Modified portions of the DIRTcar Nationals throughout race week by visiting the DIRTcar Racing Social Media outlets. Just search for “DIRTcar Racing” on both Facebook and Twitter as well as the DIRTcar Nationals Twitter page for the very latest updates from Volusia Speedway Park and the 48th annual DIRTcar Nationals.

HIGHLIGHTS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT2RgEf0ikM&feature=youtu.be

RESULTS:

DIRTcar Nationals Night 3 @ Volusia Speedway Park 2/7/2019
Results – All Classes

Modifieds Feature

Driver Nbr
—————————— —–
1. Nick Hoffman 2H
Mooresville, Nc.
2. Kyle Strickler 8
Mooresville, Nc.
3. David Stremme 35
Mooresville, Nc.
4. David Reutimann 00D
Sherrills Ford, Nc.
5. Lucas Lee 40B
Paris, Tn.
6. Rc Whitwell 96T
Longdale, Ok.
7. Curt Spalding 5CS
Watervliet, Mi.
8. Brian Ruhlman 49
Clarklake, Mi.
9. Chase Collins 2×4
Jacksonville, Fl.
10. Matt Crafton 88
Mooresville, Nc.
11. Ray Bollinger 77
Kewanee, Il.
12. Tyler Evans 17T
Mineral Wells, Wv.
13. Justin Allgaier 7
Springfield, Il.
14. Garret Stewart 67
Leesburg, Fl.
15. Allen Weisser 25w
Peoria, Il.
16. Shon Flanary 98
Surgoinsville, Tn.
17. Will Krup 19K
Mt Carmel, Il.
18. Tyler Nicely 25
Owensboro, Ky.
19. Michael Altobelli Jr. 95
Saxton, Pa.
20. Ryan Ayers 6A
Concord, Nc.
21. David Wietholder 05
Liberty, Il.
22. Jason Beaulieu 90
Campbell River, Bc.
23. Todd Neiheiser 72
Panama City, Fl.
24. Zeke McKenzie 24z
Claypool, In.
25. Will Long 45L
Clayton, Nc.
26. Brandon Green 51
Walton, Ky.
27. Dave Baldwin 6B
Perrysville, In.
28. Ryan Thomas T9
Brownstown, In.

Modifieds B-Feature 1

Driver Nbr
—————————— —–
1. Brandon Green 51
Walton, Ky.
2. Brad Waits 24
Rochester, Mn.
3. Scott Green 25G
Derby, Ks.
4. Paul Miles 28M
Owensboro, Ky.
5. Ken Schrader 9
Concord, Nc.
6. Jason Garver 27G
Starke, Fl.
7. Christopher Smith 88s
Brewton, Al.
8. Joey Miller 15
Lakeville, Mn.
9. Gary Bentley A-1
St Charles, Mo.
10. Scott Fritz 01
Erie, Pa.
11. Scotty Kincaid 12K
Rising Sun, In.
12. Johnny Collins 54c
Jacksonville, Fl.
13. Mikey Kopka 90K
Astor, Fl.
14. Jesse Rupe 11R
Sophia, Wv.
15. Justin Haley 11
Mooresville, Nc.
DNS Ryan Cripe 23
North Manchester, In.
DNS Patrick Vareika 51v
Deltona, Fl.
DNS Christian Thomas 7CT
Wake Forest, Nc.

Modifieds B-Feature 2

Driver Nbr
—————————— —–
1. Garret Stewart 67
Leesburg, Fl.
2. Bobby Regot 4uw
St. Peters, Mo.
3. Hunter Gustafson 15G
Howey In The Hills, Fl.
4. Bryan Foy 7F
Lacombe, La.
5. Hunt Gossum 99
Mayfield, Ky.
6. Buzzie Reutimann 00
Zephyrhills, Fl.
7. Jonathan Taylor 5T
Saltsburg, Pa.
8. Dale Kelley 22K
Plant City, Fl.
9. Ryan Fowler 6F
Pace, Fl.
10. John E Baker 22J
French Lick, In.
11. Gene Nicholas 11N
Lowell, Ar.
12. Zane Oedewaldt 11Z
Hanna City, Il.
13. Bill Lewis 118L
Fountain City, In.
14. Jesse Strange 85E
Marion, In.
15. Ken Mihalik 33
Port St Lucie, Fl.
16. Colin Green 52
Walton, Ky.
17. Larry Mott 06Z
Leesburg, Fl.
DNS Johnny Broking 45J
Grand Rapids, Mn.

Modifieds B-Feature 3

Driver Nbr
—————————— —–
1. Zeke McKenzie 24z
Claypool, In.
2. Taylor Cook 21c
Stanley, Nc.
3. Trey Harris 57
Hillsboro, Mo.
4. Austin Holcombe 8A
Elm City, Nc.
5. Larry Burkins 54
St. Augustine, Fl.
6. Evan Taylor 7JT
Saltsburg, Pa.
7. Dylan Browning 6DB
Jacksonville, Fl.
8. Chad Roush 32
Reedsville, Oh.
9. Robert Poole 25p
Sherrills Ford, Nc.
10. Michael McGee 11m
Mayville, Ny.
11. Jake Gibbon 1G
Cleveland, Nc.
12. Tyler Davis. 65
Haysville, Ks.
13. Mike Learman 4L
Woodstock, Il.
14. Bobby Miles 27
Owensboro, Ky.
15. Mark Enk 40
St Ann, Mo.
16. Matt Altiers 2A
Lewis Center, Oh.
17. Brian Shaw 14s
Robinson, Il.
18. Josh Harris 22
Utica, Ky.

Modifieds B-Feature 4

Driver Nbr
—————————— —–
1. Tyler Nicely 25
Owensboro, Ky.
2. Brad Goff 41
Zanesville, Oh.
3. Jason Gross 12
Cushing, Wi.
4. Kenny Wallace 36
Imperial, Mo.
5. Brendan Rassell 1
Woonsocket, Sd.
6. David Taylor 14
Fayettville, Nc.
7. Steve Meyer Jr. 1A
Staunton, Il.
8. Will Norris 71n
Bells, Tn.
9. Mark Beard 28
Mt. Pleasant, Mi.
10. Jeff Thomas 07
Petaluma, Ca.
11. Joey Lee 662
Farina, Il.
12. Zac Oedewaldt Z1
Hanna City, Il.
13. Joe Graf Jr 17
Mahwah, Nj.
DNS Jim Shipman 77s
Bridgeport, Il.
DNS Drake Troutman 7T
Hyndman, Pa.
DNS Gordy Gundaker 11G
St Charles, Mo.

Modifieds Heat 1

Driver Nbr
—————————— —–
1. David Reutimann 00D
Sherrills Ford, Nc.
2. Chase Collins 2×4
Jacksonville, Fl.
3. Matt Crafton 88
Mooresville, Nc.
4. Jesse Rupe 11R
Sophia, Wv.
5. Johnny Collins 54c
Jacksonville, Fl.
6. Christopher Smith 88s
Brewton, Al.
7. Justin Haley 11
Mooresville, Nc.
8. Gary Bentley A-1
St Charles, Mo.
9. Jason Garver 27G
Starke, Fl.
10. Scott Fritz 01
Erie, Pa.
11. Joey Miller 15
Lakeville, Mn.
DNS Christian Thomas 7CT
Wake Forest, Nc.

Modifieds Heat 2

Driver Nbr
—————————— —–
1. Lucas Lee 40B
Paris, Tn.
2. Dave Baldwin 6B
Perrysville, In.
3. Jason Beaulieu 90
Campbell River, Bc.
4. Ryan Cripe 23
North Manchester, In.
5. Brandon Green 51
Walton, Ky.
6. Brad Waits 24
Rochester, Mn.
7. Ken Schrader 9
Concord, Nc.
8. Scott Green 25G
Derby, Ks.
9. Paul Miles 28M
Owensboro, Ky.
10. Scotty Kincaid 12K
Rising Sun, In.
11. Patrick Vareika 51v
Deltona, Fl.
12. Mikey Kopka 90K
Astor, Fl.

Modifieds Heat 3

Driver Nbr
—————————— —–
1. Nick Hoffman 2H
Mooresville, Nc.
2. Kyle Strickler 8
Mooresville, Nc.
3. Shon Flanary 98
Surgoinsville, Tn.
4. Colin Green 52
Walton, Ky.
5. Garret Stewart 67
Leesburg, Fl.
6. Bobby Regot 4uw
St. Peters, Mo.
7. Jonathan Taylor 5T
Saltsburg, Pa.
8. Bryan Foy 7F
Lacombe, La.
9. Hunt Gossum 99
Mayfield, Ky.
10. Bill Lewis 118L
Fountain City, In.
DNF. Ken Mihalik 33
Port St Lucie, Fl.
DNF. Jesse Strange 85E
Marion, In.

Modifieds Heat 4

Driver Nbr
—————————— —–
1. Brian Ruhlman 49
Clarklake, Mi.
2. Ryan Ayers 6A
Concord, Nc.
3. Rc Whitwell 96T
Longdale, Ok.
4. Buzzie Reutimann 00
Zephyrhills, Fl.
5. Ryan Fowler 6F
Pace, Fl.
6. Hunter Gustafson 15G
Howey In The Hills, Fl.
7. Larry Mott 06Z
Leesburg, Fl.
8. Zane Oedewaldt 11Z
Hanna City, Il.
9. Gene Nicholas 11N
Lowell, Ar.
10. John E Baker 22J
French Lick, In.
DNF. Johnny Broking 45J
Grand Rapids, Mn.
DNS Dale Kelley 22K
Plant City, Fl.

Modifieds Heat 5

Driver Nbr
—————————— —–
1. David Stremme 35
Mooresville, Nc.
2. Todd Neiheiser 72
Panama City, Fl.
3. David Wietholder 05
Liberty, Il.
4. Austin Holcombe 8A
Elm City, Nc.
5. Taylor Cook 21c
Stanley, Nc.
6. Larry Burkins 54
St. Augustine, Fl.
7. Dylan Browning 6DB
Jacksonville, Fl.
8. Robert Poole 25p
Sherrills Ford, Nc.
9. Chad Roush 32
Reedsville, Oh.
10. Michael McGee 11m
Mayville, Ny.
11. Mike Learman 4L
Woodstock, Il.
12. Matt Altiers 2A
Lewis Center, Oh.

Modifieds Heat 6

Driver Nbr
—————————— —–
1. Curt Spalding 5CS
Watervliet, Mi.
2. Allen Weisser 25w
Peoria, Il.
3. Will Krup 19K
Mt Carmel, Il.
4. Zeke McKenzie 24z
Claypool, In.
5. Trey Harris 57
Hillsboro, Mo.
6. Evan Taylor 7JT
Saltsburg, Pa.
7. Josh Harris 22
Utica, Ky.
8. Brian Shaw 14s
Robinson, Il.
9. Jake Gibbon 1G
Cleveland, Nc.
10. Mark Enk 40
St Ann, Mo.
11. Tyler Davis. 65
Haysville, Ks.
12. Bobby Miles 27
Owensboro, Ky.

Modifieds Heat 7

Driver Nbr
—————————— —–
1. Tyler Evans 17T
Mineral Wells, Wv.
2. Justin Allgaier 7
Springfield, Il.
3. Ray Bollinger 77
Kewanee, Il.
4. Brad Goff 41
Zanesville, Oh.
5. Jason Gross 12
Cushing, Wi.
6. Brendan Rassell 1
Woonsocket, Sd.
7. Will Norris 71n
Bells, Tn.
8. Jim Shipman 77s
Bridgeport, Il.
9. Zac Oedewaldt Z1
Hanna City, Il.
10. Mark Beard 28
Mt. Pleasant, Mi.
DNS Drake Troutman 7T
Hyndman, Pa.

Modifieds Heat 8

Driver Nbr
—————————— —–
1. Michael Altobelli Jr. 95
Saxton, Pa.
2. Ryan Thomas T9
Brownstown, In.
3. Will Long 45L
Clayton, Nc.
4. Steve Meyer Jr. 1A
Staunton, Il.
5. Tyler Nicely 25
Owensboro, Ky.
6. Kenny Wallace 36
Imperial, Mo.
7. Joe Graf Jr 17
Mahwah, Nj.
8. David Taylor 14
Fayettville, Nc.
9. Jeff Thomas 07
Petaluma, Ca.
10. Joey Lee 662
Farina, Il.
DQ Gordy Gundaker 11G
St Charles, Mo.

Modifieds Qualifying 1

Driver Nbr
—————————— —–
1. David Reutimann 00D
Sherrills Ford, Nc.
2. Jesse Rupe 11R
Sophia, Wv.
3. Chase Collins 2×4
Jacksonville, Fl.
4. Matt Crafton 88
Mooresville, Nc.
5. Jason Garver 27G
Starke, Fl.
6. Justin Haley 11
Mooresville, Nc.
7. Christopher Smith 88s
Brewton, Al.
8. Gary Bentley A-1
St Charles, Mo.
9. Johnny Collins 54c
Jacksonville, Fl.
10. Joey Miller 15
Lakeville, Mn.
11. Scott Fritz 01
Erie, Pa.
12. Christian Thomas 7CT
Wake Forest, Nc.

Modifieds Qualifying 2

Driver Nbr
—————————— —–
1. Dave Baldwin 6B
Perrysville, In.
2. Jason Beaulieu 90
Campbell River, Bc.
3. Brandon Green 51
Walton, Ky.
4. Lucas Lee 40B
Paris, Tn.
5. Scott Green 25G
Derby, Ks.
6. Ryan Cripe 23
North Manchester, In.
7. Ken Schrader 9
Concord, Nc.
8. Brad Waits 24
Rochester, Mn.
9. Patrick Vareika 51v
Deltona, Fl.
10. Scotty Kincaid 12K
Rising Sun, In.
11. Mikey Kopka 90K
Astor, Fl.
12. Paul Miles 28M
Owensboro, Ky.

Modifieds Qualifying 3

Driver Nbr
—————————— —–
1. Shon Flanary 98
Surgoinsville, Tn.
2. Nick Hoffman 2H
Mooresville, Nc.
3. Kyle Strickler 8
Mooresville, Nc.
4. Colin Green 52
Walton, Ky.
5. Jonathan Taylor 5T
Saltsburg, Pa.
6. Garret Stewart 67
Leesburg, Fl.
7. Bobby Regot 4uw
St. Peters, Mo.
8. Bryan Foy 7F
Lacombe, La.
9. Ken Mihalik 33
Port St Lucie, Fl.
10. Jesse Strange 85E
Marion, In.
11. Bill Lewis 118L
Fountain City, In.
12. Hunt Gossum 99
Mayfield, Ky.

Modifieds Qualifying 4

Driver Nbr
—————————— —–
1. Brian Ruhlman 49
Clarklake, Mi.
2. Rc Whitwell 96T
Longdale, Ok.
3. Johnny Broking 45J
Grand Rapids, Mn.
4. Ryan Ayers 6A
Concord, Nc.
5. Buzzie Reutimann 00
Zephyrhills, Fl.
6. Hunter Gustafson 15G
Howey In The Hills, Fl.
7. Ryan Fowler 6F
Pace, Fl.
8. Zane Oedewaldt 11Z
Hanna City, Il.
9. Larry Mott 06Z
Leesburg, Fl.
10. Gene Nicholas 11N
Lowell, Ar.
11. John E Baker 22J
French Lick, In.
12. Dale Kelley 22K
Plant City, Fl.

Modifieds Qualifying 5

Driver Nbr
—————————— —–
1. Taylor Cook 21c
Stanley, Nc.
2. David Stremme 35
Mooresville, Nc.
3. Austin Holcombe 8A
Elm City, Nc.
4. Todd Neiheiser 72
Panama City, Fl.
5. Dylan Browning 6DB
Jacksonville, Fl.
6. Chad Roush 32
Reedsville, Oh.
7. David Wietholder 05
Liberty, Il.
8. Matt Altiers 2A
Lewis Center, Oh.
9. Michael McGee 11m
Mayville, Ny.
10. Larry Burkins 54
St. Augustine, Fl.
11. Mike Learman 4L
Woodstock, Il.
12. Robert Poole 25p
Sherrills Ford, Nc.

Modifieds Qualifying 6

Driver Nbr
—————————— —–
1. Curt Spalding 5CS
Watervliet, Mi.
2. Allen Weisser 25w
Peoria, Il.
3. Trey Harris 57
Hillsboro, Mo.
4. Zeke McKenzie 24z
Claypool, In.
5. Will Krup 19K
Mt Carmel, Il.
6. Josh Harris 22
Utica, Ky.
7. Evan Taylor 7JT
Saltsburg, Pa.
8. Jake Gibbon 1G
Cleveland, Nc.
9. Brian Shaw 14s
Robinson, Il.
10. Bobby Miles 27
Owensboro, Ky.
11. Mark Enk 40
St Ann, Mo.
12. Tyler Davis. 65
Haysville, Ks.

Modifieds Qualifying 7

Driver Nbr
—————————— —–
1. Tyler Evans 17T
Mineral Wells, Wv.
2. Ray Bollinger 77
Kewanee, Il.
3. Justin Allgaier 7
Springfield, Il.
4. Brendan Rassell 1
Woonsocket, Sd.
5. Brad Goff 41
Zanesville, Oh.
6. Jason Gross 12
Cushing, Wi.
7. Zac Oedewaldt Z1
Hanna City, Il.
8. Mark Beard 28
Mt. Pleasant, Mi.
9. Will Norris 71n
Bells, Tn.
10. Jim Shipman 77s
Bridgeport, Il.
11. Drake Troutman 7T
Hyndman, Pa.

Modifieds Qualifying 8

Driver Nbr
—————————— —–
1. Michael Altobelli Jr. 95
Saxton, Pa.
2. Ryan Thomas T9
Brownstown, In.
3. David Taylor 14
Fayettville, Nc.
4. Gordy Gundaker 11G
St Charles, Mo.
5. Kenny Wallace 36
Imperial, Mo.
6. Tyler Nicely 25
Owensboro, Ky.
7. Steve Meyer Jr. 1A
Staunton, Il.
8. Joey Lee 662
Farina, Il.
9. Jeff Thomas 07
Petaluma, Ca.
10. Will Long 45L
Clayton, Nc.
11. Joe Graf Jr 17
Mahwah, Nj.