Weedsport, NY – November 28, 2010 – The distance will not match that covered decades earlier in the epic adventure ‘Around The World In 80 Days,’ yet in exactly 80 more days the mighty Big-Block Modifieds from the Northeast will be trackside more than 1,000 miles away from their home base to open a brand new season.
The 40th Florida DIRTcar Nationals By University of Northwestern Ohio at Volusia Speedway Park, Feb. 8-19, 2011, will be highlighted by the annual pilgrimage south to the Sunshine State for the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds.
The stars and cars from the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and the All-Star Circuit of Champions get the action started with DIRTcar UMP Modifieds during the first week of racing. Then on the second week, World of Outlaws Late Models and Big-Block Modifieds from the Super DIRTcar Series race to the checkered flag to complete 12 thrilling nights of intense high-speed action, including double features every night.
The Free Fan Pit Pass will be back in 2011, giving fans a unique experience to see the drivers and crews up close as they prepare to tackle one of dirt track racing’s biggest and fastest ovals — all for the same price as general admission. Plus, off the track, don’t miss the DIRTcar Nationals Midway — a race fan’s mega mall right behind the main grandstands with the newest apparel and souvenirs plus a wide variety of food from steak to pork chops to ice cream. There’s definitely something for everybody at the DIRTcar Nationals.
Florida DIRTcar Nationals 2011 at Volusia officially kicks off DIRTcar Racing’s 36th consecutive season of operation with the Northeastern Modifieds in action for the 14th straight year during the week leading up to the Daytona 500 (Feb. 20). The schedule begins with three 30-lap main events and the curtain drops with a big 50-lap finale to close out the Big-Block tour. The ‘11 edition marks the 27th trek to Florida for Northeastern Modified teams since 1978 and it will be DIRTcar's 20th visit to Volusia since staging its inaugural event in 1982.
Recently crowned overall Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar points king Matt Sheppard will be back to defend his Florida tour title, with some of the biggest names in Big-Block Modified racing looking to unseat the talented 28 year-old from Waterloo, N.Y.
A star-studded field of 44 DIRTcar Modified drivers signed in at VSP last February, with Canadian standout Stewart Friesen from Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario capturing the opener while Sheppard scored back-to-back victories to clinch the points championship. 2010 Super DIRT Week SEF Small Engine Fuels 200 Presented by Ferris/Snapper/Simplicity winner Friesen followed runner-up Dale Planck from Cortland, N.Y. on the final points chart with Empire State travelers Bobby Varin and Jimmy Phelps completing the top-five.
Located a half-hour from Daytona Beach, this famed facility has seating for nearly 10,000 fans. Coming up next February, the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series (Feb. 11-13) and World of Outlaws Late Model Series (Feb. 17 & 19) will join the Big-Blocks (Feb. 16-19) in kicking off their own race seasons. DIRTcar Late Models (Feb. 14-16, 18) and DIRTcar UMP Modifieds (Feb. 8-15) add to the 12-day DIRTcar Racing marathon down south with two nights of All-Star Circuit of Champions (Feb. 9 & 10) sprint specials opening up the month.
From Tom Skibinski / DIRTcar PR
