Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals

Nick Hoffman still has a long way to go to match his DIRTcar UMP Modified success at Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals in a Late Model, but he’s made plenty of inroads this week.

After collecting his first Gator of the week on Wednesday at Volusia Speedway Park in DIRTcar Late Model competition, “The Thrill From Mooresville” backed it up on Thursday, winning for the first time this season with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision.

“You get that first one out of the way and it just makes these come a little easier,” Hoffman said. “Not that any of them are easy. Our car’s really good, as long as I don’t do nothing stupid, get myself qualified early in the night, it just makes the whole night a lot easier.”

The driver of the NOS Energy Drink No. 9 took control on the opening lap when Bilstein Pole Award winner Chris Madden slid too high exiting Turn 2, allowing Hoffman to cross underneath him going down the backstretch. A pair of cautions prevented Hoffman from getting too comfortable in the first half of the race, but he stood his ground on both occasions and ultimately crossed the line more than five seconds clear of the field.

“It’s so hard to slide somebody in Turn 1 here because it leaves yourself hanging off Turn 2,” Hoffman said. “[Madden] had no choice but to try and slide me, and I anticipated that and was able to cross and have enough grip down the back straightaway. Then once you get out front, I was just trying to save my tires just a little bit just in case we get a late caution. Was able to stretch it out and just kind of cruise.”

Hoffman entered the night as the World of Outlaws points leader and maintained his spot on top by eight points over runner-up Tim McCreadie. In the short term, he also took over the Big Gator points lead by 21 markers over Cody Overton, who was leading the weeklong points until recording a DNF on Thursday. Should Hoffman be able to hold on over the final two nights, it would be his first Big Gator in a Late Model to go with his seven from his Modified days.

McCreadie’s second-place run didn’t come easy, as he charged forward from 22nd in the starting order to earn FOX Factory Hard Charger honors in his 500th World of Outlaws Feature start. Bobby Pierce came home third for his best Series finish of the young 2026 season, while Tyler Erb and Madden made up the rest of the top five.

UP NEXT: Two more nights remain for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision at Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals, beginning with a $12,000-to-win main event on Friday, Feb. 13. Get your tickets in advance by clicking here.

Want to watch the World of Outlaws? Stream every race live on DIRTVision.

RACE NOTES:

Tyler Erb set the Dirt King Simulators Fastest Hot Lap.

Cody Overton won the Simpson Quick Time Award.

Cody Overton won Heat 1.

Chris Madden won STAKT Products Heat 2.

Nick Hoffman won Keyser Manufacturing Heat 3.

Brandon Sheppard won Jarrett Rifles Heat 4.

Tyler Erb won Heat 5.

Drake Troutman won Heat 6.

Josh Rice and Ethan Dotson won the Last Chance Showdowns.

Chris Madden won the Bilstein Pole Award.

Tim McCreadie won the FOX Factory Hard Charger Award.

Tim McCreadie was the WELD Racing Second-Place Finisher.

Bobby Pierce was the WIX Filters Third-Place Finisher.

Tyler Erb was the ARP Fourth-Place Finisher.

Chris Madden was the MSD Fifth-Place Finisher.

Ethan Dotson was the Swift Springs Sixth-Place Finisher.

Ricky Thornton Jr. was the Penske Racing Shocks Seventh-Place Finisher.

Brandon Sheppard was VP Racing Fuels Eighth-Place Finisher.

Drake Troutman was the Lifeline Ninth-Place Finisher.

Josh Rice was the COMP Cams 10th-Place Finisher.

Hudson O’Neal was the Quarter Master 11th-Place Finisher.

Ryan Gustin was the Cometic Gaskets 12th-Place Finisher.

Daulton Wilson was the Quarter Master 13th-Place Finisher.

Garrett Alberson was the ARP 14th-Place Finisher.

Brent Larson was the Arizona Sport Shirts 18th-Place Finisher.

Feature (35 Laps): 1. 9-Nick Hoffman[2]; 2. 9M-Tim McCreadie[22]; 3. 32-Bobby Pierce[10]; 4. 1-Tyler Erb[5]; 5. 44-Chris Madden[1]; 6. 74X-Ethan Dotson[20]; 7. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[7]; 8. 1S-Brandon Sheppard[4]; 9. 22*-Drake Troutman[3]; 10. 11R-Josh Rice[19]; 11. 71-Hudson O’Neal[8]; 12. 19R-Ryan Gustin[14]; 13. 58V-Daulton Wilson[9]; 14. 58-Garrett Alberson[15]; 15. 49-Jake Timm[24]; 16. 20TC-Tristan Chamberlain[11]; 17. 14-Trey Mills[27]; 18. B1-Brent Larson[25]; 19. 1Z-Logan Zarin[26]; 20. 7-Ross Robinson[18]; 21. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[23]; 22. 19-Dustin Sorensen[21]; 23. 157-Mike Marlar[17]; 24. 16-Tyler Bruening[16]; 25. 55E-Eli Johnson[28]; 26. 19M-Brenden Smith[12]; 27. 8S-Kyle Strickler[13]; 28. 97-Cody Overton[6]