Schedule, track-by-track capsules for Speedweeks
By Robert Holman
DirtonDirt.com weekend editorThe 2018 Georgia-Florida Speedweeks race-by-race schedule for Super Late Model events at six dirt tracks, two in Georgia and four in Florida. Action runs from Feb. 2-17 at Golden Isles Speedway near Brunswick, Ga.; North Florida Speedway in Lake City; East Bay Raceway Park in Gibsonton, Fla.; Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga.; Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla.; and Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla. (complete Speedweeks coverage):
2018 Georgia-Florida Speedweeks schedule
Date, sanction, track/location, winning purse
Feb. 2, Lucas Oil, Golden Isles Speedway, Brunswick, Ga., $10,000
Feb. 3, Lucas Oil, Golden Isles Speedway, Brunswick, Ga., $12,000
Feb. 4, DIRTcar, North Florida Speedway, Lake City, Fla., $5,000
Feb. 5, Lucas Oil, East Bay Raceway Park, Gibsonton, Fla., $5,000
Feb. 6, Lucas Oil, East Bay Raceway Park, Gibsonton, Fla., $5,000
Feb. 7, Lucas Oil, East Bay Raceway Park, Gibsonton, Fla., $7,000
Feb. 8, Lucas Oil, East Bay Raceway Park, Gibsonton, Fla., $7,000
Feb. 9, Lucas Oil, East Bay Raceway Park, Gibsonton, Fla., $10,000
Feb. 9, WoO, Screven Motor Speedway, Sylvania, Ga., $8,000
Feb. 10, Lucas Oil, East Bay Raceway Park, Gibsonton, Fla., $12,000
Feb. 10, WoO, Screven Motor Speedway, Sylvania, Ga., $10,000
Feb. 11, Lucas Oil, Bubba Raceway Park, Ocala, Fla., $10,000
Feb. 12, DIRTcar, Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, Fla., $7,000
Feb. 13, DIRTcar, Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, Fla., $7,000
Feb. 14, WoO, Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, Fla., $10,000
Feb. 15, WoO, Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, Fla., $10,000
Feb. 16, WoO, Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, Fla., $10,000
Feb. 17, WoO, Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, Fla., $10,000
The six tracks hosting Super Late Model events during Georgia-Florida Speedweeks, listed by event order:
Golden Isles Speedway
Event: Super Bowl of Racing
Location: Waynesville, Ga. (13 miles west of I-95 on U.S. 82)
Dates: Feb. 2-3 (Friday-Saturday)
Configuration: 4/10-mile clay oval
Super Late Model sanction: Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Other divisions: Limited Late Models, E-mods and street stocks.
Schedule: Complete Lucas Oil programs with time trials, heats, consolations and features each night along with other divisions. Pit gates open at noon, grandstands at 3 p.m., drivers’ meeting at 4:30 p.m. and hot laps at 5 p.m. each day.
Tickets: $15 general admission Friday; $20 general admission Saturday, $5 for children 5-12 and children 4-and-under free ($40 pit passes Feb. 2; $45 pit passes Feb. 3)
More information: gisdirt.com or lucasdirt.com or call the track at (912) 386-0061.
Notes: Open practice is scheduled for 6:30-10 p.m. Feb. 1 for competing divisions. Grandstand admission for practice is $5; pit passes are $25. … While the track is in Waynesville, the track is commonly referred to as Brunswick. ... Golden Isles hosted a pair of Lucas Oil events last year with Brandon Overton of Evans, Ga., and Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., each grabbing a win. … The track is the traditional Lucas Oil Series season-opener. … GIS is again offering fans an opportunity to reserve their seats early by calling (912) 386-006. Limited reserve seating is available in section “O”, on the top deck on the side closest to turn four.
Feb. 2 purse: (1) $10,000, (2) $5,500, (3) $3,500, (4) $2,750, (5) $2,250, (6) $1,800, (7) $1,500, (8) $1,300, (9) $1,200, (10) $1,100, (11) $1,075, (12) $1,050, (13) $1,025, (14) $1,000, (15) $950, (16) $925, (17) $900, (18) $875, (19) $850, (20) $825, (21-24) $800.
Feb. 3 purse: (1) $12,000, (2) $5,500, (3) $3,500, (4) $2,750, (5) $2,250, (6) $1,800, (7) $1,500, (8) $1,300, (9) $1,200, (10) $1,100, (11) $1,075, (12) $1,050, (13) $1,025, (14-24) $1,000.
North Florida Speedway
Event: Winter Nationals
Location: Lake City, Fla. (just east of 41-441 on Race Track Lane)
Dates: Feb. 2-4 (Friday-Sunday)
Configuration: 4/10-mile dirt oval
Super Late Model sanction: DIRTcar (Feb. 4 only)
Other divisions: Limited Late Models (Feb. 2), UMP modifieds (Feb. 2-4), B-mods/E-mods (2-3), thunder stocks (Feb. 3-4)
Schedule: On the third of three days of racing, Super Late Models run a complete program with pits opening at 10 a.m. and grandstands at 1 p.m. Hot laps are scheduled for 1 p.m.
Tickets: Feb. 4 tickets are $25 adult general admission, $10 for children; pit passes are $40 for adults, $20 for children (two-day discount tickets are also available).
More information: northfloridaspeedway.com or call (386) 754-8800.
Notes: The track is owned and operated by Phil and Elizabeth Guadagno. … The track is hosting a Super Late Model event during Speedweeks for the sixth straight year; Tyler Erb of New Waverly, Texas, won last year’s race. Other winners include Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., (twice) and Mark Whitener of Middleburg, Fla. The 2016 event was rained out. … The track has averaged 16 Late Models per event, with last year’s race drawing 20 entrants. … All thunder stock drivers will be admitted to the pits free Feb. 4 as long as they are racing. … An open practice is scheduled for 6-10 p.m. Feb. 1. … The track’s first event was held in 1955.
Feb. 4 purse: (1) $5,000, (2) $2,000, (3) $1,000, (4) $900, (5) $700, (6) $600, (7) $550, (8) $500, (9) $450, (10) $350, (11-24) $300.
East Bay Raceway Park
Event: 42nd annual Winternationals
Location: Gibsonton, Fla. (south of Tampa just east of U.S. 41 on Burts Road)
Dates: Feb. 5-10 (Monday-Saturday)
Configuration: Third-mile loam clay oval
Super Late Model sanction: Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Other divisions: None
Schedule: After 6-9 p.m. practice Feb. 4, complete programs other six nights with the drivers’ meeting at 5:15 p.m., hot laps at 6 and racing at 7. Time trials, heat races, consolation races, Strawberry Dash and features each night.
Tickets: $210 for six-day pass, a $10 savings; $35 general admission (Feb. 5-8) and $40 (Feb. 9-10); children 12-and-under free with paying adult.
More information: www.ebrp.co or call (813) 677-7223.
Notes: Super Late Models are just part of the Winternationals that stretch from Jan. 23-Feb. 17 with a variety of dirt racing divisions at the track nicknamed The Clay by the Bay. … Billy Moyer is the all-time winningest Winternationals driver with 27 victories, but he’s not expected to compete. Moyer leads Don O’Neal (14) and Steve Francis (11) with a jumble after those three drivers. Scott Bloomquist (8) is fourth overall and Josh Richards (7) is fifth. Jimmy Mars and Dennis Erb Jr., are tied in sixth with six wins apiece. … Brandon Sheppard, Tim McCreadie, Richards and Bloomquist each won a race in 2017. There were two rainouts last year. … Lucas Oil practice is scheduled for Feb. 4. … All six of East Bay’s Super Late Model races will be aired on Lucas Oil Racing TV for annual subscribers.
Feb. 5-6 purses: (1) $5,000, (2) $3,000 3) $2,000, (4) $1,500, (5) $1,000, (6) $800, (7) $750, (8) $700, (9) $650, (10) $600, (11) $550, (12-25) $500.
Feb. 7-8 purses: (1) $7,000, (2) $3,500, (3) $2,000, (4) $1,500, (5) $1,400, (6) $1,300, (7) $1,200, (8) $1,100, (9) $1,000, 10) $950, (11) $900, (12) $850, (13) $800, (14) $750, (15) $725, (16-18) $700, (19) $650, (20-21) $625, (22-24) $600.
Feb. 9 purse: (1) $10,000, (2) $5,500, (3) $3,500, (4) $2,750, (5) $2,250, (6) $1,800, (7) $1,500, (8) $1,300, (9) $1,200, (10) $1,100, (11) $1,075, (12) $1,050, (13) $1,025, (14) $1,000, (15) $950, (16) $925, (17) $900, (18) $875, (19) $850, (20) $825, (21-24) $800.
Feb. 10 purse: (1) $12,000, (2) $5,500, (3) $3,500, (4) $2,750, (5) $2,250, (6) $1,800, (7) $1,500, (8) $1,300, (9) $1,200, (10) $1,100, (11) $1,075, (12) $1,050, (13) $1,025, (14-24) $1,000.
Screven Motor Speedway
Event: Winter Freeze VIII
Location: Sylvania, Ga. (6 miles south of Sylvania on State Route 21)
Dates: Feb. 9-10 (Friday-Saturday)
Configuration: 3/8-mile clay oval
Super Late Model sanction: World of Outlaws Late Model Series (Friday-Saturday)
Other divisions: Crate Late Models, SCDRA-sanctioned Renegade 4, mini late models, super street (Friday only) and street stocks (Saturday only).
Schedule: Open practice 6:30-10:30 p.m. Thursday with gates opening at 4 p.m.; gates open at 9 a.m. Friday with hot laps at 6; gates open at 8 a.m. Saturday with hot laps at 6; complete World of Outlaws programs including time trials, heats, consolations and feature events on Friday and Saturday.
Tickets: $20 Thursday, $40 Friday and $40 Saturday for general admission; children 12-and-under free. All tickets are a pit pass.
More information: screvenmotorsports.com or woolms.com or call (912) 857-4884.
Notes: The track is celebrating its 22nd season. ... Screven’s World of Outlaws action kicks off eight races over nine nights for WoO/DIRTcar competitors who head to Volusia Speedway Park the following week. … An open practice is scheduled for Feb. 8. … Rick Eckert and Chris Madden won last year’s WoO Winter Freeze event. … Come to the track hungry. Promoter Redd Griffin’s concession stand is more of a banquet hall with a wide variety of country cooking plates for sale. Breakfast will also be served from 7-9 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. … The Sport Compact Dirt Racing Series will compete for $13,000-to-win with front-wheel drive competitors expected from all over the country for a 100-lap feature with 44 cars starting the main event.
Feb. 17 purse: (1) $8,000, (2) $4,000, (3) $2,700, (4) $2,300, (5) $2,000, (6) $1,600, (7) $1,400, (8) $1,300, (9) $1,200, (10) $1,100, (11) $1,000, (12) $900, (13) $850, (14) $800, (15) $750, (16) $700, (17) $660, (18) $640, (19) $620, (20) $610, (21-25) $600.
Feb. 18 purse: (1) $10,000, (2) $5,000, (3) $3,000, (4) $2,500, (5) $2,000, (6) $1,700, (7) $1,400, (8) $1,300, (9) $1,200, (10) $1,100, (11) $1,050, (12) $1,000, (13) $950, (14) $900, (15) $850, (16) $800, (17) $770, (18) $750, (19) $730, (20-24) $700.
Bubba Raceway Park
Event: Seventh annual Bubba Army Winter Nationals
Location: Ocala, Fla. (6 miles north of Ocala on CR-25A)
Date: Feb. 11 (Sunday)
Configuration: 3/8-mile clay trioval
Super Late Model sanction: Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Other divisions: None
Schedule: Pit gates open at 2 p.m.; grandstand gate opens at 3 p.m. Drivers meeting at 4 p.m., with hot laps at 4:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m. Complete program with heat races, consolation races and main event.
Tickets: $40 for adults, $30 for children 11-15; pit passes $45.
More information: bubbaracewaypark.com or (352) 622-9400.
Notes: Ocala’s Speedweeks action includes a single day of Super Late Models but stretches from Jan. 31-Feb. 24 with a variety of other divisions, including Crate Late Models, USAC Sprints and All Star Circuit of Champions sprints in action for a total of 16 days, two more than in 2017. … NeSmith Crate Late Models wrap up Ocala’s Winter Nationals with four straight events Feb. 21-24. … Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., won last year’s Lucas Oil event. … Since 2011, Darrell Lanigan has four February wins at Bubba Raceway Park in 14 contested events. Josh Richards has three and Sheppard two. Other winners include Don O’Neal, Rick Eckert, Brady Smith and Frank Heckenast Jr. … The track co-owned by Bubba Clem, the famed Florida shock jock, switched to Lucas Oil Series sanctioning for the 2016 Bubba Army Winter Nationals after four years hosting World of Outlaws events. … The track’s odd shape is tricky, especially for newcomers, with a sweeping curvature from turns one through three before a tight turn-four exit.
Feb. 11 purse: (1) $10,000, (2) $5,500, (3) $3,500, (4) $2,750, (5) $2,250, (6) $1,800, (7) $1,500, (8) $1,300, (9) $1,200, (10) $1,100, (11) $1,075, (12) $1,050, (13) $1,025, (14) $1,000, (15) $950, (16) $925, (17) $900, (18) $875, (19) $850, (20) $825, (21-24) $800.
Volusia Speedway Park
Event: 47th annual DIRTcar Nationals
Location: Barberville, Fla. (15 miles west of I-95 on State Route 40)
Dates: Feb. 12-17 (Monday-Saturday)
Configuration: Half-mile D-shaped clay oval
Super Late Model sanction: DIRTcar Feb. (12-13) and World of Outlaws Late Model Series (Feb. 14-17)
Other divisions: DIRTcar modifieds (Feb. 6-12), World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Cars (9-11), Super DIRTcar Series big-block modifieds (Feb. 13-17)
Schedule: Complete programs for all divisions each night. DIRTcar programs include group time trials, six heats (three transfer), consolation races (two transfer) and main event (heat winners redraw for starting spot). WoO programs include time trials, heats (if four heats the top four transfer; if six heats the top three transfer) consolations and main event (redraw for starting spots). Pit gates open for team entry at 10 a.m. Pit pass sales begin at 1 p.m. (noon on Feb. 12). Pit area secured and pit passes required at 3 p.m. Fan pit pass gate opens at 5:30 p.m. Grandstands open at 5 p.m. daily with hot laps at 6 followed by qualifying; racing begins at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $35 general admission and reserved (Monday-Tuesday), $39 general admission and reserved (Wednesday-Saturday); adult three-day passes for Monday-Wednesday or Thursday-Saturday are $100. Online purchase is available. Reserved seats are $2 more day of show.
More information: dirtcarnationals.com or call (704) 795-7223, (386) 985-4402, (315) 283-3367 or (844) 347-8849.
Notes: DirtonDirt.com, in partnership with DirtVision, is providing a pay-per-view of all six events. … The DIRTcar Nationals get rolling Feb. 6 with UMP DIRTcar modifieds and a practice for sprint cars. DIRTcar modifieds, along with All-Star Sprints and the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series precede the arrival of Late Models. … After two 2017 wrecks sent sprint cars over the fence exiting turn two, Volusia Speedway Park received a $300,000 upgrade during the short offseason, including new catchfences, concrete retaining walls and guardrails. … The World of Outlaws will sanction four nights of Late Model racing at Volusia for the first time since 2004. … It’s the track’s 50th anniversary. … Four races last year produced four winners: Chris Madden, Brandon Sheppard, Shane Clanton and Don O’Neal (two races rained out). … Billy Moyer is the all-time winningest DIRTcar Nationals winner with 19 career victories, with Scott Bloomquist a distant second with 11. After winning three of six starts in 2016, Josh Richards has 10 DIRTcar Nationals wins.
Feb. 12-13 purses: (1) $7,000; (2) $3,500; (3) $2,000; (4) $1,500; (5) $1,200; (6) $1,000; (7) $900; (8) $800; (9) $700; (10) $600; (11-24) $500.
Feb. 14-17 purses: (1) $10,000, (2) $5,000, (3) $3,000, (4) $2,500, (5) $2,000, (6) $1,700, (7) $1,400, (8) $1,300, (9) $1,200, (10) $1,100, (11) $1,050, (12) $1,000, (13) $950, (14) $900, (15) $850, (16) $800, (17) $770, (18) $750, (19) $730, (20-24) $700.