Taylor Cook (center) scored the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds feature victory in night two of the DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park on Wednesday night. Nick Hoffman (right) finished in second, with Brian Ruhlman (right) in third. Photo: DIRTcar Racing/Twitter
Taylor Cook made the most of his first appearance of the week at Florida’s Volusia Speedway Park by scoring his first career DIRTcar Nationals win in Wednesday’s DIRTcar UMP Modifieds feature.
Cook passed three-time defending DIRTcar Nationals Champion Nick Hoffman on the final lap to secure the victory.
“I knew we had a really good car and I knew that if I could hold by own line through the traffic and try to make something happen,” said Cook. “Plus, I had the safe benefit of being behind him (Hoffman) to see what he was doing, where he was going. I knew that if it played out just right, we’d win this thing.”
“I can’t thank my family enough for this,” he added. “We worked our butts off all winter. To come out on our first night of the new season and win the biggest race of my career. To win this in front of a field of cars like this, when someone like Nick finishes second, this is truly special.”
Perennial contenders David Stremme and Kyle Strickler started on the front row of the massive 28-car field and the green flag flew, the battle commenced immediately between the two rivals. It didn’t take long for something to happen as on lap two, the leaders collided, sending both up into the turn one wall. Opening night feature winner Michael Long, who was right behind the two combatants, had nowhere to go and slammed into both drivers. All three were done for the night. This gave the lead to Hoffman, who tried to immediately pull away from the rest of the field.
Brian Ruhlman and Cook worked their way up to the second and third spots and began chasing down Hoffman. With five laps to go, Cook maneuvered his way by Ruhlman and set his sights on Hoffman for the race lead. With three laps to go, Cook pulled up to Hoffman and the battle ensured.
As the white flag flew, Cook dove underneath Hoffman to take the lead, but Hoffman wasn’t giving up and charged back at Cook. With the checkered flag in the air, Cook was able to put just enough real estate between himself and Hoffman to secure his first career DIRTcar Nationals Feature win.
Hoffman settled for second for the second night in a row after starting fifth and takes over the DIRTcar Nationals points lead. Ruhlman finished in third, with Will Krup in fourth and Zeke McKenzie in fifth.
R.C. Whitwell, Jason Beaulieu, Lucas Lee, Curt Spalding and Allen Weisser rounded out the top 10.
In other action, Shane Stewart held off Daryn Pittman to score the his first career Val win in the first ever Volusia Speedway Park win in the Ollie’s All Star Circuit of Champions feature.
David Gravel finished in third, followed by Donny Schatz in fourth and Logan Schuchart in fifth.
Kyle Larson, Tim Shaffer, Carson Macedo, Aaron Reutzel and Paul McMahan rounded out the top ten.
The 48th annual DIRTcar Nationals continues for the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds for the third of seven straight nights (10 Features total) on Thursday, February 7. The Ollie’s Bargain Outlet All-Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars return for their final night of competition on Thursday before the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series takes over for three nights in a row starting on Friday.
For more information, visit DIRTcarNationals.com.
DIRTcar Nationals
Volusia Speedway Park – Barberville, FL
DIRTcar UMP Modifieds – Feb. 6, 2018
1. Taylor Cook
2. Nick Hoffman
3. Brian Ruhlman
4. Will Krup
5. Zeke McKenzie
6. R.C. Whitwell
7. Jason Beaulieu
8. Lucas Lee
9. Curt Spalding
10. Allen Weisser
11. Johnny Broking
12. Tyler Nicely
13. Ryan Thomas
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15. Gordy Gundaker
16. Garret Stewart
17. Kenny Wallace
18. David Reutimann
19. Shon Flanary
20. Justin Allgaier
21. Matt Crafton
22. Johnny Collins
23. Christopher Smith
24. Kyle Strickler
25. David Stremme
26. Michael Long
27. Troy Johnson
28. Will Long
DIRTcar Nationals
Volusia Speedway Park – Barberville, FL
Ollie’s All-Star Circuit of Champions – Feb. 6, 2018
1. Shane Stewart
2. Daryn Pittman
3. David Gravel
4. Donny Schatz
5. Logan Schuchart
6. Kyle Larson
7. Tim Shaffer
8. Carson Macedo
9. Aaron Reutzel
10. Paul McMahan
11. Brad Sweet
12. Ian Madsen
13. Tony Stewart
14. Sheldon Haudenschild
15. Kasey Kahne
16. Chad Kemenah
17. Brian Brown
18. Brent Marks
19. Cory Eliason
20. Jason Sides
21. Shane Golobic
22. Parker Price-Miller
23. Jacob Allen
24. Danny Dietrich
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