By Tom Skibinski, DIRT NorthEast PR Director
WEEDSPORT, NY - With days growing shorter and temperatures continuing to plummet throughout the Northeast, race enthusiasts are already looking forward to the annual pilgrimage to Florida and the start of DIRT MotorSports’ 31st consecutive season of operation. The 36th Annual DIRTcar Nationals presented by Mopar Speed Shop at Volusia Speedway Park in February is highlighted by the 10th straight trip to the Sunshine State for the big-block Modified contingent.
The Florida Tour at Volusia will feature the mighty Advance Auto Parts Big-Blocks from the Northeast during the week leading up to the Daytona 500 (Feb. 18). The schedule once again includes three 30-lap main events with a 50-lap finale closing out the trip. DIRT Tour '07 marks the 22nd trek to Florida for Northeastern Modified teams since 1978 and it will be DIRT's 15th visit to Volusia since staging its inaugural event in 1982.
"We’re excited to be heading south to begin another season, and after a month away from the track so are a lot of racers and their fans,” said Cory Reed, DIRT MotorSports Director of Series & Track Sanctioning. “Volusia is recognized as one of the premier dirt track facilities in the southeast and it’s always a great place to showcase our Modified teams to the rest of the country. Last year the points title was decided on the final night of racing, and with many of the top teams already making travel plans the competition should be just as fierce when the first green flag falls.”
On June 30, 2005 DIRT officially completed the purchase of Volusia Speedway Park, an acquisition that included the current 1/2-mile semi-banked clay oval, the former 3/8-mile semi-banked asphalt oval and a 1/8-mile banked clay go-kart track which will be the site of the upcoming DIRTkart World Championships, Dec. 27-Jan. 1.
Located a half-hour from Daytona Beach, this famed facility has seating for nearly 10,000 fans. The track is a popular venue for the World of Outlaws and UMP series as well as a variety of other classes. Coming up in February, the World of Outlaws (Feb. 9-11) and World of Outlaws Late Models (Feb. 15 & 17) will join the Advance Auto Parts Big-Blocks (Feb. 14-17) in kicking off their own race seasons. DIRT-sanctioned UMP Late Models (Feb. 12-14) and UMP Open-Wheel Modifieds (Feb. 6-13) add to the 12-day DIRT MotorSports marathon down south with three straight nights of All-Star Sprint Circuit of Champions (Feb. 5-8) specials opening up the month.
Super reserved ticket packages for the DIRTcar Nationals remain available for Sprints, Late Models and Big-Blocks, with each including a free gift when ordering. A six-race Sprint Week (Feb. 6-11) ticket and each six-race Late Model (Feb. 12-17) ticket costs $160 while a four-race Big-Block (Feb. 14-17) ticket goes for $120.
Among the tour record 57 DIRT Modified drivers who competed at Volusia last February, all-time Florida Tour champion Brett Hearn overcame a seemingly insurmountable 30-point deficit on the last night to capture an unprecedented sixth Winter Nationals title after opening night winner Jimmy Horton blew a motor with 17 circuits left in the 50-lap finale. Points runner-up Tim Fuller won the second 30-lapper before Hearn claimed the last two main events to close out the Advance Auto Parts mini-series.
Fans and race teams already planning to attend Volusia Speedway Park (386/985-4402) are encouraged to contact the track public relations offices for area hotel/motel accommodations. Reserved motorhome camping (up to 40 feet) is available at Volusia for only $20 per night. Volusia Speedway Park www.volusiaspeedwaypark.com is located 15 miles west of Daytona Beach on State Road 40 in Barberville, Fla. Mail is received at: 1500 E. Highway 40, DeLeon Springs, FL 32130.
For additional information, contact the DIRT MotorSports NorthEast Office (315/834-6606) during normal business hours or log into the DIRT homepage at www.dirtmotorsports.com to find out more about the entire circuit.
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