Column By: STEPHEN DURHAM / RPW – BARBERSVILLE, FL – It is February, meaning one thing…DIRTcar Nationals!
So what can we expect this year in Florida? Year 2021 saw a familiar face in victory lane in back to back nights, with NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Stewart Friesen opening the week up last year. Then the young hot shoes of Mad-Max McLaughlin and Mike Maresca finished the week victorious.
Who will come out victorious this year, with the chance of bringing home a gator? The common prediction would be Friesen, Defending 2021 Super DIRTcar Series Champion Matt Sheppard, or “Money” Matt Williamson, who finished off 2021 on a strong note.
There are a couple of drivers you have to keep an eye on though this, when Dave Farney drops the green flag on the 2022 season.
First driver that comes to mind is Adam Pierson of Bradford,Vermont, who began to gain some attention late in the 2021 season. His first big block modified win at “The Great Race Place” of Albany-Saratoga Speedway in September. Pierson also made 8 starts on the Super DIRTcar Series tour, his best finish coming Super Dirt Week at Brewerton, coming home seventh.
“We’ve never been down to Volusia with a big block, but if we can keep the momentum going from last year, we feel pretty confident going there,” explains Pierson.
Another driver who is familiar to the Super DIRTcar Series, is that of Mad-Max Mclaughlin, who has rejoined forces with Heinke-Baldwin Racing for the 2022 campaign. Mclaughlin finished the 2021 season 5th in points, with 6 top 5s and 9 top 10s, and oh he also won at Volusia last February.
“Im ready to go! We have been working hard in the shop all off-season, and I can’t wait to see what we have when we unload in Florida,” a very excited Mclaughlin says.
Peter Britten is the next driver to highlight, he reigns out of Australia and showed speed and consistency in the 2021 season on the Super DIRTcar Series, posting a win at Land of Legends Speedway on the tour, 6 top 5s, and 12 top 10s for the season. He also showed the speed in Florida, taking home a pair of top 5s, and a runner up finish to Stewart Friesen last February on the opening night.
Mike Mahaney is another driver that needs to be noted to bring speed at Volusia. Mahaney showed speed in 2021, getting his first Super DIRTcar Series win at Albany-Saratoga in September. Mahaney finished the season with 5 top 5s and 10 top 10s of the 17 races he was apart of.
Forty-one drivers drivers were at Volusia Monday night for DIRTcar Nationals practice, with the quickest time coming from Demetrios Drellos. Rounding out those top five quickest were Steve Bernard, Jim Britt, Peter Britten, and Darren Smith.
Other drivers that will be at Volusia, competing for the coveted Gator, will be the usual suspects, Stewart Friesen, defending Super DIRTcar Series Champion Matt Sheppard, and 2021 Billy Whittaker Cars 200 winner Matt Williamson.
The big block modifieds hit the track for tonight to kick off the DIRTcar National at Volusia, with racing the rest of the week and into Saturday. Catch all the racing at Dirtvision!