Column: Annual Gator Hunt Kicks Off 2026 Season For Super DIRTcar Series at Volusia
Column By: MIKE WARREN / SUPER DIRTCAR SERIES – BARBERVILLE, FL – Only one month remains until the best Big Block Modified drivers in the country bring a “Shower of Big Block Power” to fans at Volusia Speedway Park.
The Super DIRTcar Series kicks off 2026 with its annual trip to Florida during Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals at the Barberville, FL track, Feb. 11-14. Four nights of action for the Beasts of the Northeast will determine who takes home the coveted Big Gator Championship trophy.
While the event won’t count toward the 2026 championship, it serves as a momentum builder before the points season commences at Georgetown Speedway on March 28.
Reigning Big Gator champion Alex Yankowski won his first event title in 2025, scoring a win on night two and holding off a charge from three-time and defending Series champion Mat Williamson. Joining Yankowski as Feature winners in Florida last season were Matt Sheppard, Peter Britten, and Erick Rudolph – who picked up his first win at the track.
Larry Wight currently holds the title of most Big Gator titles (three: 2015, 2019, and 2020), but Williamson and Sheppard have the chance this year to tie him.
The Super DIRTcar Series will be joined by the DIRTcar Late Models on Wednesday, Feb. 11, and then the World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision, Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 12-14.
KEY INFO:
Date: Wednesday-Saturday, Feb. 11-14
Schedule
Wednesday, Feb. 11
4:00pm – Grandstand Gates Open
5:30pm – Hot Laps
Thursday, Feb. 12
4:00pm – Grandstand Gates Open
5:30pm – Hot Laps
Friday, Feb. 13
4:00pm – Grandstand Gates Open
5:30pm – Hot Laps
Saturday, Feb. 14
4:00pm – Grandstand Gates Open
5:30pm – Hot Laps
Super DIRTcar Series Big Gator Winners:
2025 – Alex Yankowski
2024 – Mat Williamson
2023 – Mat Williamson
2022 – Jimmy Phelps
2021 – Max McLaughlin
2020 – Larry Wight
2019 – Larry Wight
2018 – Tim McCreadie
2017 – Brett Hearn
2016 – Matt Sheppard
2015 – Larry Wight
2014 – Stewart Friesen
2013 – Danny Johnson
2012 – Matt Sheppard
Super DIRTcar Series Volusia Feature Winners:
Feb. 14, 2005- Brett Hearn
Feb. 15, 2005 – Andy Bachetti
Feb. 16, 2005- Billy Decker
Feb. 18, 2005- Jamie Mills
Feb. 15, 2006- Jimmy Horton
Feb. 16, 2006 – Tim Fuller
Feb. 17, 2006- Brett Hearn
Feb. 18, 2006- Brett Hearn
Feb. 14, 2007 – Danny Johnson
Feb. 16, 2007- Tim Fuller
Feb. 17, 2007- Danny Johnson
Feb. 13, 2008- Billy Pauch
Feb. 14, 2008 – Brett Hearn
Feb. 15, 2008- Dale Planck
Feb. 16, 2008 – Jimmy Horton
Feb. 11, 2009- Pat Ward
Feb. 12, 2009- Pat Ward
Feb. 13, 2009- Jamie Mills
Feb. 14, 2009- Brett Hearn
Feb. 10, 2010- Stewart Friesen
Feb. 11, 2010- Matt Sheppard
Feb. 13, 2010- Matt Sheppard
Feb. 16, 2011- Stewart Friesen
Feb. 17, 2011-Matt Sheppard
Feb. 18, 2011-Brett Hearn
Feb. 19, 2011- Stewart Friesen
Feb. 23, 2012- Danny Johnson
Feb. 24, 2012- Alan Johnson
Feb. 24, 2012- Matt Sheppard
Feb. 25, 2012- Rob Bellinger
Feb. 20, 2013- Danny Johnson
Feb. 21, 2013- Stewart Friesen
Feb. 22, 2013- Rick Laubach
Feb. 24, 2013- Brett Hearn
Feb. 19, 2014- Justin Haers
Feb. 20, 2014- Stewart Friesen
Feb. 22, 2014- Matt Sheppard
Feb. 18, 2015- Brett Hearn
Feb. 19, 2015- Stewart Friesen
Feb. 20, 2015- Rick Laubach
Feb. 21, 2015- Neal Williams
Feb. 17, 2016- Tim Fuller
Feb. 18, 2016- Matt Sheppard
Feb. 19, 2016- Rick Laubach
Feb. 20, 2016- Brett Hearn
Feb. 24, 2017- Justin Haers
Feb. 25, 2017 – Brett Hearn
Feb. 15, 2018- Tyler Siri
Feb. 15, 2018- Tim McCreadie
Feb. 16, 2018 – Matt Sheppard
Feb. 17, 2018- Tim McCreadie
Feb. 13, 2019- Billy Decker
Feb. 14, 2019 – Matt Sheppard
Feb. 15, 2019- Larry Wight
Feb. 16, 2019- Stewart Friesen
Feb. 11, 2020 – Mat Williamson
Feb. 12, 2020 – Larry Wight
Feb. 13, 2020 – Larry Wight
Feb. 14, 2020 – Larry Wight
Feb. 15, 2020 – Mat Williamson
Feb. 9, 2021 – Stewart Friesen
Feb. 10, 2021 – Stewart Friesen
Feb. 11, 2021 – Max McLaughlin
Feb. 12, 2021 – Michael Maresca
Feb. 15, 2022- Stewart Friesen
Feb. 16, 2022 – Peter Britten
Feb. 17, 2022 – Mat Williamson
Feb. 18, 2022 – Max McLaughlin
Feb. 19, 2022 – Jimmy Phelps
Feb. 15, 2023 – Max McLaughlin
Feb. 16, 2023 – Mat Williamson
Feb. 18, 2023 – Mat Williamson
Feb. 14, 2024 – Matt Sheppard
Feb. 15, 2024 – Mat Williamson
Feb. 16, 2024 – Matt Sheppard
Feb. 12, 2025 – Matt Sheppard
Feb. 13, 2025 – Alex Yankowski
Feb. 14, 2025 – Peter Britten
Feb. 15, 2025 – Erick Rudolph
