Dirt on Dirt - Restart lifts Hoffman to $5,000 Volusia victory

February 11

Volusia Speedway Park,

Barberville, FL

Sanction: DIRTcar Supers (Federated DIRTcar Nationals second semifeature) - $5,000

Information provided by: Kevin Kovac and track reports (last updated February 12, 12:06 am)

Restart lifts Hoffman to $5,000 Volusia victory

Federated DIRTcar Nationals second semifeature

Nick Hoffman
Brandon Overton
Hudson O'Neal
Austin Smith
Max Blair
Drake Troutman
Ricky Thornton Jr.
Tristan Chamberlain
Kyle Strickler
Tyler Wyant
Ross Robinson
Evan Koehler
Jake Timm
Dallon Murty
Beckham Malone
Logan Zarin
Matthew Larson
Todd Morrow
John Garvin Jr.

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Nick Hoffman and kids celebrate his third career DIRTcar Nationals victory.

What won the race: Third-starting Nick Hoffman of Mooresville, N.C., made a bold third-to-first move on a lap-13 restart, clearing early leader Austin Smith exiting turn four before pacing the final eight laps in winning Wednesday's second 20-lap Federated DIRTcar Nationals semifeature at Volusia Speedway Park. Hoffman beat Brandon Overton to the line by 1.057 seconds for the $5,000 victory, his first win of the season and third career Late Model triumph at Volusia.

Quotable: “We knew the racetrack was going to be totally different than what we seen last night and it obviously was,” Hoffman said. “Our car is good in every condition, I feel like, and on that (lap-13) restart there Overton chose the bottom and it left me the outside lane. The outside’s been able to roll pretty fast last week and this week. So I just kinda hammered that cushion off of (turn) four and got that run on Austin (Smith).”

Key notes: Hoffman adds to DIRTcar Nationals victories in 2024 ($7,000 in DIRTcar Late Models) and '25 ($12,000 in WoO sanction). ... He now has 25 career gator trophies, including 22 as the all-time leader in modified competition. ... All three of Hoffman's Georgia-Florida Speedweeks victories have come at Volusia. ... Brandon Overton pressured Austin Smith in the early going and challenged Hoffman on a lap-17 restart before settling for second. ... Smith, who led the opening 12 laps from the pole, slipped to fourth after Hudson O'Neal passed him as they raced towards the white flag. ... Second-starting Tristan Chamberlain faded to eighth. ... The race was slowed by two cautions, the first coming on lap 13 when Matthew Larson slowed following contact as he was being lapped by Smith; the younger Larson appeared to dart back across the track, sending Hoffman slowing to avoid contact. ... Beckham Malone slowed from 15th for the final caution on lap 17. ... The 20-lapper lasted just shy of 10 minutes with 12 starters completing the distance. ... Mark Whitener scratched after losing an engine in hot laps.

On the move: Drake Troutman of Hyndman, Pa., started 13th and finished sixth.

Winner's sponsors: Hoffman’s Tye Twarog Racing Longhorn Chassis is powered by an Andy Durham Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from NOS Energy Drink, C&W Trucking, Petroff Towing, Tri Valley Equipment Sales, LoneWolf Petroleum, Haulin’ Haskells, Holdren Construction, Pivotal Propane, Bilstein Shocks, Eibach Springs, VP Racing Fuels and Wehr’s Machine.

Points chase: DIRTcar Nationals after Wednesday: 1. Cody Overton (220); 2. Hudson O’Neal (205); 3. Brandon Overton (194); 4. Nick Hoffman (193); 5. Ryan Gustin (184); 6. Devin Moran (174); 7. Tyler Erb (169); 8. Chris Madden (164); 9. Max Blair (162); 10. Brandon Sheppard (161).

Current weather: Scattered Clouds, 66°F

Car count: 59

Fast qualifier: Brandon Overton

Time: 15.428 seconds

Polesitter: Austin Smith

Next series race: February 12, Volusia Speedway Park (Barberville, FL) $12,000

Editor's note: Results and race details are unofficial.

From staff reports

BARBERVILLE, Fla. — Live updates from Wednesday’s Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals third round, featuring three 20-lap, $5,000-to-win split-field semifeatures for DIRTcar-sanctioned Super Late Models (results unofficial):

Semifeature

Third-starting Nick Hoffman of Mooresville, N.C., made a bold third-to-first move on a lap-13 restart, clearing early leader Austin Smith exiting turn four before pacing the final eight laps in winning Wednesday's second 20-lap Federated DIRTcar Nationals semifeature at Volusia Speedway Park. Hoffman beat Brandon Overton to the line by 1.057 seconds for the $5,000 victory, his first win of the season and third career Late Model triumph at Volusia.

Semifeature lineup

(20 laps)

Row 1: Austin Smith, Tristan Chamberlain
Row 2: Nick Hoffman, Brandon Overton
Row 3: Max Blair, Ricky Thornton Jr.
Row 4: Hudson O'Neal, Logan Zarin
Row 5: Kyle Strickler, Dallon Murty
Row 6: Matthew Larson, Ross Robinson
Row 7: Drake Troutman, Evan Koehler
Row 8: Tyler Wyant, Todd Morrow
Row 9: Jake Timm, Beckham Malone
Row 10: John Garvin Jr., Mark Whitener

Time trials

Group B
Driver (car no.), hometown, time (unofficial)
1. Brandon Overton (76), Evans, Ga., 15.428
2. Nick Hoffman (9), Mooresville, N.C., 15.601
3. Tristan Chamberlain (20tc), Richmond, Ind., 15.624
4. Austin Smith (11), Cedartown, Ga., 15.670
5. Max Blair (111), Centerville, Pa., 15.681
6. Ricky Thornton Jr. (20rt), Chandler, Ariz., 15.704
7. Hudson O’Neal (71), Martinsville, Ind., 15.767
8. Logan Zarin (1z), Moon Township, Pa., 15.826
9. Kyle Strickler (8s), Mooresville, N.C., 15.895
10. Dallon Murty (13), Chelsea, Iowa, 15.992
11. Matthew Larson (8), Lake Elmo, Minn., 15.994
12. Ross Robinson (7), Georgetown, Del., 15.995
13. Drake Troutman (22*), Hyndman, Pa., 16.112
14. Evan Koehler (114k), Mount Airy, N.C., 16.123
15. Tyler Wyant (24), Oil City, Pa., 16.155
16. Todd Morrow (T1), Penton, Ala., 16.346
17. Jake Timm (49), Winona, Minn., 16.562
18. Beckham Malone (23), Rock Hill, S.C., 16.584
19. John Garvin Jr. (J4), Sarver, Pa., 17.484
20. Mark Whitener (5), Middleburg, Fla., no time

Wednesday’s schedule

(All times local)
8 a.m. - Pits open
11 a.m. - Hauler parking (Super DIRTcar Series)
1 p.m. - Ticket and pit pass sales open
3 p.m. - Pits closed and cleared
3:15 p.m. - Competitor registration opens
3:45 p.m. - Grandstands, midway closed and cleared
4 p.m. - Grandstands open
4:45 p.m. - Drivers’ meeting (WoO command center)
5:20 p.m. - Sprint car engine heat
5:30 p.m. - On-track activity
- Late Model hot laps
- Modified hot laps
- Late Model time trials (2 laps)
- Modified time trials (2 laps)
Opening ceremonies
- First Late Model semifeature (20 laps)
- Modified heats (8 laps) 
- Second Late Model semifeature (20 laps)
Intermission/modified redraw
- Modified consolations (10 laps)
- Third Late Model semifeature (20 laps)
- Modified feature (30 laps)