DEVIN’S DÉJÀ VU: Devin Moran Scores Second Consecutive Sunshine Nationals Win at Volusia

Devin Moran delivered history Friday night at Volusia Speedway Park.

The Dresden, OH native became the first driver to win two Sunshine Nationals Features with the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series, sweeping the first two nights of the season-opening event.

Moran said he could only describe his perfect start with one word: Awesome.

“I said we could only go downhill from here last night, but the ship ain’t sinking yet,” Moran said. “My guys have been working their butts off, working really hard, and doing everything they can to provide me with a good race car.”

“The Mailman” started third in the 25-lap Feature as Ricky Thornton Jr. and Rookie of the Year contender Nick Hoffman traded the lead in front of him.

However, a caution on Lap 8 for Mark Whitener gave Moran a chance to battle for the lead.

Restarting on the outside lane, Moran nosed ahead of Ricky Thornton Jr. down the front stretch and then closed in on Hoffman.

Using a similar move that got him the win over Tim McCreadie Thursday night, Moran thundered underneath Hoffman in Turn 4, sliding his spoiler across the Mooresville, NC driver’s nose and using that momentum to lead Lap 8 by inches.

Those inches were all he needed, as a caution for Jimmy Owens slowed the field for the second time on Lap 9, giving Moran a lead he wouldn’t relinquish.

Moran said that caution was crucial in scoring his 11th career Series win—one worth $8,000.

“I really didn’t know if we completed a lap or not,” Moran said. “I was praying that we did. I saw the [scoreboard] say 99, then 9, so I kind of assumed we did. I knew [Hoffman] wouldn’t make a mistake twice on that restart, so I’m glad we took advantage of it when we did.”

Tim McCreadie crossed the line behind Moran, charging to second from his seventh starting position. The Watertown, NY driver said he thought his chances for victory dwindled after he lost a few spots on a restart.

“I thought being on the outside on the restart was the way to be,” McCreadie said. “Off of [Turn 4] (Kyle) Strickler pushed and shut down, it got me shut down and got (Chris) Madden back beside me. We all went into Turn 1, and all three of us kind of made mistakes, and (Max Blair) got by all of us, and I kind of got hung out to dry.

“Then, the yellow came out, and it’s just kind of a racing deal. But that one full row back for the next start one lap later, it just took me a little while to get by the guys. I thought maybe I could scoop on the restart.”

Thornton grabbed the podium’s final spot and his second top five of the weekend.

After leading the race’s first lap, the Adel, IA driver said his car was too tight on the outside.

“You never want to start on the pole and run third,” Thornton said. “Overall, we had a really good night, won our [Heat Race], and qualified well. I was pretty good in the [Feature]. I was just a little too tight to run the outside like I needed to.”

Hoffman, the rookie of the race, finished fourth—his best-career World of Outlaws finish.

Despite falling back a few spots, he said he feels closer to scoring his first career Series win.

“I’m one or two adjustments away from now a fourth-place car to a winning car,” Hoffman said. “I’m just building a notebook, and I feel like we’re really close. I was able to kind of momentum around while I was in the lead. Then, that cushion got so far around where I was getting too tight to get to it, and I was really scared I was going to end up blowing through it.

“I was a little conservative, but I probably should’ve started doing that slider line in Turns 1 and 2 a little earlier, and maybe that would’ve helped me.”

Chris Madden rounded out the top five—his third straight top-five finish at Volusia Speedway Park.

After two races, the Gray Court, SC driver has an eight point lead in the Series standings over Hoffman and Brian Shirley.

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws CASE Late Models return to Volusia Speedway Park on Saturday, Jan. 21 for the 50-lap, $20,000-to-win Sunshine Nationals finale. For Tickets: CLICK HERE

CASE Construction Equipment Feature (25 Laps): 1. 99-Devin Moran[3]; 2. 39-Tim McCreadie[7]; 3. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[1]; 4. 9-Nick Hoffman[2]; 5. 44-Chris Madden[5]; 6. 8-Brian Shirley[11]; 7. B5-Brandon Sheppard[15]; 8. 40B-Kyle Bronson[18]; 9. 19R-Ryan Gustin[20]; 10. 8S-Kyle Strickler[4]; 11. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[9]; 12. 16-Tyler Bruening[8]; 13. 111-Max Blair[6]; 14. 11-Gordy Gundaker[14]; 15. 1ST-Johnny Scott[13]; 16. 96V-Tanner English[21]; 17. 32-Bobby Pierce[28]; 18. 18-Chase Junghans[16]; 19. 25-Shane Clanton[22]; 20. 22*-Payton Freeman[25]; 21. 97-Cade Dillard[26]; 22. 99B-Boom Briggs[24]; 23. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr[23]; 24. B1-Brent Larson[17]; 25. 18D-Daulton Wilson[19]; 26. 20-Jimmy Owens[27]; 27. 5-Mark Whitener[10]; 28. 10-Garrett Smith[12] Fox Factory Hard Charger: Ryan Gustin [+11]

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Sunshine Nationals
2023-01-20
Volusia Speedway Park
1500 East State Road 40
Barberville, Florida 32130 

Event Description
The World of Outlaws Late Model season will again kick off in the sunshine state again with DIRTcar Pro (604) and 602 Late Models — a true Late Model Palooza — before the historic DIRTcar Nationals!

Series Racing
World of Outlaws Late Model Series

Support Divisions
602 Late Models, DIRTcar Late Models, DIRTcar Pro Late Models

To Win Amount
$8,000.00

Feature Laps Length
25

Event Schedule
Wednesday
1PM Pit Sales & Hauler Parking
6-9PM Practice

Thursday
11AM Pit Gates and Pit Sales
4PM Front Gate Opens & Ticket Sales Begin
5PM Hot Laps
7PM Opening Ceremonies

Friday
1PM Pit Gates and Pit Sales
4PM Front Gate Opens & Ticket Sales Begin
5PM Hot Laps
7PM Opening Ceremonies

Saturday
12PM Pit Gates and Pit Sales
3PM Front Gaste Opens & Ticket Sales Begin
4PM Hot Laps
5:30PM Opening Ceremonies

See Detailed Schedule
*All times Eastern

Support Divisions
602 Late Models, DIRTcar Late Models, DIRTcar Pro Late Models

To Win Amount
$8,000.00

Type of Grandstand
Bleachers, Chairbacks

Stadium Seating
Stadium seats are allowed as long as they don't conflict with the aisle behind you.

Handicapped Seating
All Handicap seating is the first rows of each section

Handicapped Parking
Handicap parking spots available. All spots are first come first serve.

Pit Age Limit
There is no age restriction in the pits. Anyone 17 years of age or younger will need to fill out a minor waiver form and be accompanied by an adult.

Pit Gate Location
East or West side of the Track.

Personal Coolers
Six-pack maximum cooler size. No alcohol. No glass.

ATMs
1

Credit Card Use
Pit Gate, Ticket Window

Alcohol Sales
Beer is available for purchase at the track.

Smoking Policy
No smoking in the Grandstands.


Parking Cost
General Parking Free

Camping Availability
electric hookup, non-electric, onsite, sanitary facility, showers

Camping Cost
$30 a day for dry camping, $80 for electric/water/sewer.

Volusia Speedway Park
1500 East State Road 40
32130 

Track Phone
(386) 985-4402

Track Email
[email protected]

Track Type
0.500; dirt oval

Sprint Car Track Record
12.569s by Paul McMahan on 2-10-11; 360 Sprint Car: 14.160 sec. by Brenham Crouch on Jan. 27, 2023; Non-Wing: 16.362s by Thomas Meseraull on Feb. 14, 2023

Late Model Track Record
Super: 15.141 sec. by Billy Moyer on Feb. 20, 2012

Closest Airport
Daytona International Airport

Other Airport
Orlando Sanford

Pit Gate Location
East or West side of the Track.

Track Map

Competitor Downloads
 https://www.dirtcarmembers.com/downloads.php

Tire Rules
Must use the same set of 4 tires for Qualifying, Heat Races, and Last Chance Showdowns:
Left Rear/Fronts - Hoosier (90) NLMT1
Right Rear - Hoosier (92) NLMT2, (92) LM20
For the Feature, competitors may use 3 new tires:
Left Rear/Fronts - Hoosier (90) NLMT1, (90) NLMT2, (90) LM20, (90) NLMT3, (90) LM30
Right Rear - Hoosier (92) NLMT2, (92) LM20, (92) NLMT3, (92) LM30
*Grooving and Siping is allowed.
*Flat tire MUST be replaced with a used tire of the same compound and construction to retain starting position.


Competitor Info
REGISTRATION

COMPETITOR GUIDE FOR 602 and 604 LATE MODELS