Search
Close this search box.
Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals
Volusia Speedway Park | Barberville, Florida
Wednesday, February 07, 2024
Race Recap  

PREYING ON GATORS: Brad Sweet Claims Another Volusia Victory in World of Outlaws Season Opener

Brad Sweet loves to go gator hunting at Volusia Speedway Park.

The five-time and reigning World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car champion consistently contends for the win whenever visiting the Barberville, FL oval. And Wednesday night proved to be no different when The Greatest Show on Dirt unleashed its 47th season.

Sweet led all 25 laps as the Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals kicked off the World of Outlaws campaign to bank a $12,000 payday. “The Big Cat” started on the pole in the Kasey Kahne Racing #49 and held off a strong challenge from Tyler Courtney to make his 91st trip to Victory Lane with the Series.

“It’s just a lot of fun to come here and start out so strong,” Sweet said. “We’ve had a lot of success here at Volusia over the years. It’s going to be a long week, so hopefully we can keep celebrating in Victory Lane.”

The win marked Sweet’s 10th overall at Volusia and seventh with the World of Outlaws. That equals the track with Cedar Lake Speedway as the winningest on his résumé. Only Donny Schatz’s total of 14 Volusia victories with the World of Outlaws outranks the Grass Valley, CA native’s mark.

Sweet brought the field to green in the NOS Energy Drink Feature with Tyler Courtney alongside after the two claimed the top two spots in the Toyota Racing Dash. The duo raced wheel-to-wheel through Turns 1 and 2, and Courtney managed to nose ahead down the back straightaway. Sweet quickly responded by powering right back by the Clauson Marshall Racing/NOS Energy Drink #7BC Turns 3 and 4.

In the early portion of the race Sweet set a solid pace, but Courtney wouldn’t let him escape. One lap Sweet would be faster. Then Courtney would clock a quicker lap. The gap stayed below a second throughout the opening 10 laps and as they begin to navigate traffic.

A yellow flag on Lap 12 for a slowing Sheldon Haudenschild appeared to give Sweet a break as it removed him from traffic and provided clean air. But on the restart Courtney flexed his muscle with a challenge for the top spot.

Courtney got his momentum built up around the cushion while Sweet remained committed to the bottom. The margin shrank as the two worked opposite lines of the racetrack. On the 15th lap Courtney pulled alongside Sweet and looked poised to snag the lead. But a yellow flag spoiled those hopes when Michael “Buddy” Kofoid slowed to a stop on Lap 16.

Having seen Courtney’s challenge, Sweet opted for the top when the green flag brought the field back to life. And Courtney wasn’t able to find the run he had before as Sweet moved around the racing surface.

“I could hear him (Courtney) on my outside at the end of the back straightaway,” Sweet explained. “It’s just a lot of experience. Obviously, I’ve raced here a lot. I was making good speed. My car was really good on the bottom, but sometimes momentum just starts to build. I could hear him, and when that yellow came out I looked over at the screen and saw he was right there. So, then I opened my entry in (Turn) 1 and started using the banking to create momentum, and I think it just kind of took the air that he had.”

Brad Sweet races just ahead of Tyler Courtney at Volusia Speedway Park
Brad Sweet held off Tyler Courtney’s challenge for his 91st World of Outlaws win (Trent Gower Photo)

Courtney began to fade as Sweet stretched the advantage north of a second on Lap 19. But hope was restored as traffic became a factor late. Sweet struggled to navigate a slower car and allowed Courtney to cut the margin to less than half a second with only two laps remaining. But it was too little, too late as Sweet held on to secure the first checkered flag of 2024.

“My car was just phenomenal,” Sweet said. “We made it better all night. Eric (Prutzman, crew chief). It’s Tye’s (Wolfgang, car chief) birthday, so happy birthday to Tye. And we’ve got a new tire guy, Zane. Happy to get in Victory Lane for them. Happy that my wife and daughter are here.”

Courtney held on for second to begin his 2024 Sprint Car season. The runner-up result gave the Indianapolis, IN driver seven career World of Outlaws podiums. The ill-timed caution when challenging Sweet left Courtney a little disappointed, but he wasn’t sure that he would’ve gotten by Sweet even if the race remained green.

“I think one more lap he was going to keep hearing me and probably move up and just take my air away like he did there after the caution,” Courtney said. “When you’re racing a guy like him that’s done this a lot and has a lot of success, it’s tough to pull one over on him. I’m just excited about our whole Clauson Marshall, NOS Energy Drink, Elliott’s Custom Trailers team. We came down here last year and were just barely making the shows.”

Rounding out the first podium of the season was David Gravel aboard the Big Game Motorsports/Huset’s Speedway #2. The Watertown, CT driver admitted they may have gone slightly the wrong direction with the car ahead of the Feature with how track conditions played out. But even with that, Gravel came away encouraged with the top three run.

“I just think that was the fastest and stickiest track we had nearly all night long,” Gravel said. “We didn’t think it was going to stay that wet, so we just got too tight when we got close to those guys. In open track our car was really, really good. But once we got close to Tyler or lapped traffic and restarts I just couldn’t get going that good. Still a really strong night.”

Brian Brown and Logan Schuchart completed the top five.

A 25th to 14th drive gave Carson Macedo the first KSE Racing Hard Charger of the year.

Making his World of Outlaws debut, Landon Crawley set Simpson Quick Time in Sea Foam Qualifying aboard the Sides Motorsports #7S.

NOS Energy Drink Heats One, Three and Four went to Giovanni Scelzi, Rico Abreu, and David Gravel. Tyler Courtney topped Milton Hershey School Heat Two.

Austin McCarl won the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars return to Volusia Speedway Park on Thursday, Feb. 8 for night two of the Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, catch every lap live on DIRTVision.

RESULTS:

NOS Energy Drink Feature (25 Laps): 1. 49-Brad Sweet[1]; 2. 7BC-Tyler Courtney[2]; 3. 2-David Gravel[3]; 4. 21-Brian Brown[8]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart[14]; 6. 15-Donny Schatz[10]; 7. 18-Giovanni Scelzi[6]; 8. 17B-Bill Balog[4]; 9. 9-Kasey Kahne[16]; 10. 39M-Anthony Macri[9]; 11. 19-Brent Marks[12]; 12. 24-Rico Abreu[7]; 13. 13-Justin Peck[13]; 14. 41-Carson Macedo[25]; 15. 48-Danny Dietrich[22]; 16. 55-Chris Windom[15]; 17. 1A-Jacob Allen[11]; 18. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss[24]; 19. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr[17]; 20. 14-Corey Day[20]; 21. 7S-Landon Crawley[5]; 22. 26-Zeb Wise[23]; 23. 6-Bill Rose[26]; 24. 83-Michael Kofoid[19]; 25. 88-Austin McCarl[21]; 26. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[18]

[Read More]
Results  
Feature Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
11049Brad Sweet 250.00025Running150$12,000
2207BCTyler Courtney 25-0.667Running146$8,000
3302David Gravel 25-1.637Running144$5,000
48+421Brian Brown 25-3.404Running142$3,200
514+91SLogan Schuchart 25-4.117Running140$2,800
610+415Donny Schatz 25-4.916Running138$2,600
76-118Giovanni Scelzi 25-5.032Running136$2,400
84-417BBill Balog 25-6.295Running134$2,300
916+79Kasey Kahne 25-6.490Running132$2,200
109-139MAnthony Macri 25-7.429Running130$2,000
1112+119Brent Marks 25-7.827Running128$1,800
127-524Rico Abreu 25-8.846Running126$1,600
1313013Justin Peck 25-9.816Running124$1,400
1425+1141Carson Macedo 25-9.826Running122$400
1522+748Danny Dietrich 25-10.589Running120$1,200
1615-155Chris Windom 25-12.776Running118$1,200
1711-61AJacob Allen 25-13.224Running116$1,200
1824+63ZBrock Zearfoss 25-14.409Running114$1,200
1917-215HSam Hafertepe Jr25-15.380Running112$1,200
2020014Corey Day 24-1 LapsRunning110$1,200
215-167SLandon Crawley 24-1 LapsRunning108$1,200
2223+126Zeb Wise 24-1 LapsRunning106$1,200
2326+36Bill Rose 23-2 LapsRunning104$125
2419-583Michael Kofoid 15-10 LapsDNF102$1,200
2521-488Austin McCarl 13-12 LapsDNF102$1,200
2618-817Sheldon Haudenschild 10-15 LapsDNF102$1,200
KSE Hard Charger: Carson Macedo
Last Chance Showdown 1 Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
11088Austin McCarl 120.00012Running0$0
22048Danny Dietrich 12-1.948Running0$0
34+126Zeb Wise 12-2.994Running0$0
43-13ZBrock Zearfoss 12-3.826Running0$0
56+18Cory Eliason 12-5.214Running90$500
67+141Carson Macedo 12-5.662Running0$0
711+45TRyan Timms 12-7.440Running90$350
85-35Spencer Bayston 12-7.723Running90$300
912+324DDanny Sams III12-11.211Running90$300
1013+344Chris Martin 12-12.191Running90$300
118-322Riley Goodno 12-14.949Running90$200
129-370Kraig Kinser 12-17.105Running90$200
1314+11Brenham Crouch 11-1 LapsRunning90$200
1410-497UKRyan Harrison 11-1 LapsRunning90$200
Dash 1 Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
11049Brad Sweet 60.0006Running0$0
23+17BCTyler Courtney 60.000Running0$0
35+22David Gravel 60.000Running0$0
42-217BBill Balog 60.000Running0$0
54-17SLandon Crawley 60.000Running0$0
66018Giovanni Scelzi 60.000Running0$0
77024Rico Abreu 60.000Running0$0
88021Brian Brown 60.000Running0$0
C Main Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
11044Chris Martin 100.00010Running0$0
2201Brenham Crouch 10-3.615Running0$0
3300Justin Whittall 10-4.817Running90$150
47+311MBrendan Mullen 10-8.707Running90$150
58+316TJake Swanson 10-11.860Running90$150
69+36GBryan Gossel 10-14.367Running90$125
712+57BBen Brown 10-14.656Running90$125
85-315KCreed Kemenah 10-15.700Running90$125
96-364Andy Pake 9-1 LapsRunning90$125
1010016GAustyn Gossel 9-1 LapsRunning90$125
1111016THKevin Newton 9-1 LapsRunning90$125
124-86Bill Rose 0-10 LapsDNS0$0
131302CWayne Johnson 0-10 LapsDNS90$125
Heat 1 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
13+218Giovanni Scelzi 80.0001Running
21-17SLandon Crawley 8-1.3307Running
32-139MAnthony Macri 8-1.859Running
46+213Justin Peck 8-3.290Running
54-115HSam Hafertepe Jr8-4.881Running
65-188Austin McCarl 8-6.093Running
7705Spencer Bayston 8-7.283Running
88070Kraig Kinser 8-7.831Running
99044Chris Martin 8-9.553Running
1010015KCreed Kemenah 8-11.592Running
111106GBryan Gossel 8-13.545Running
121202CWayne Johnson 0-8 LapsDNS
Heat 2 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
1107BCTyler Courtney 80.0008Running
22049Brad Sweet 8-1.814Running
34+11AJacob Allen 8-2.913Running
43-155Chris Windom 8-4.060Running
55083Michael Kofoid 8-5.023Running
6603ZBrock Zearfoss 8-7.548Running
77041Carson Macedo 8-8.600Running
89+15TRyan Timms 8-9.554Running
911+20Justin Whittall 8-9.882Running
108-211MBrendan Mullen 8-10.858Running
1110-116THKevin Newton 8-12.885Running
Heat 3 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
11024Rico Abreu 80.0008Running
22017BBill Balog 8-0.389Running
34+115Donny Schatz 8-0.978Running
43-11SLogan Schuchart 8-2.594Running
55017Sheldon Haudenschild 8-4.581Running
66048Danny Dietrich 8-5.207Running
7708Cory Eliason 8-5.910Running
89+197UKRyan Harrison 8-8.002Running
98-11Brenham Crouch 8-9.616Running
1010064Andy Pake 8-11.723Running
1111016GAustyn Gossel 8-16.137Running
Heat 4 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
12+12David Gravel 80.0001Running
21-121Brian Brown 8-0.8217Running
33019Brent Marks 8-1.480Running
4409Kasey Kahne 8-3.589Running
55014Corey Day 8-6.391Running
67+126Zeb Wise 8-6.621Running
76-122Riley Goodno 8-8.489Running
88024DDanny Sams III8-9.469Running
9906Bill Rose 8-11.441Running
1010016TJake Swanson 8-12.046Running
111107BBen Brown 8-13.788Running
Qualifying Flight 1 Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
137SLandon Crawley Benton, AR13.3460.000
277BCTyler Courtney Indianapolis, IN13.448-0.102
31439MAnthony Macri Dillsburg, PA13.507-0.161
4649Brad Sweet Grass Valley, CA13.513-0.167
51218Giovanni Scelzi Fresno, CA13.521-0.175
6555Chris Windom Canton, IL13.542-0.196
71515HSam Hafertepe JrSunnyvale, TX13.549-0.203
881AJacob Allen Hanover, PA13.551-0.205
91188Austin McCarl Altoona, IA13.621-0.275
102183Michael Kofoid Penngrove, CA13.640-0.294
112213Justin Peck Monrovia, IN13.659-0.313
12163ZBrock Zearfoss Jonestown, PA13.677-0.331
13175Spencer Bayston Lebanon, IN13.688-0.342
142041Carson Macedo Lemoore, CA13.752-0.406
15270Kraig Kinser Bloomington, IN13.756-0.410
16911MBrendan Mullen Grand Forks, ND13.815-0.469
171344Chris Martin Ankeny, IA13.866-0.520
1845TRyan Timms Oklahoma City, OK13.983-0.637
191915KCreed Kemenah Alvada, OH14.227-0.881
20116THKevin Newton Terre Haute, IN14.308-0.962
21186GBryan Gossel Windsor, CO14.607-1.261
22232CWayne Johnson Oklahoma City, OK14.607-1.261
23100Justin Whittall Vincentown, NJ13.377-0.031
Qualifying Flight 2 Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
1624Rico Abreu St. Helena, CA13.3780.000
21721Brian Brown Higginsville, MO13.399-0.021
3417BBill Balog North Pole, AK13.423-0.045
4102David Gravel Watertown, CT13.480-0.102
531SLogan Schuchart Hanover, PA13.514-0.136
6719Brent Marks Myerstown, PA13.514-0.136
7815Donny Schatz Fargo, ND13.548-0.170
8159Kasey Kahne Enumclaw, WA13.600-0.222
9117Sheldon Haudenschild Wooster, OH13.616-0.238
101914Corey Day Clovis, CA13.657-0.279
112048Danny Dietrich Gettysburg, PA13.704-0.326
12222Riley Goodno Knoxville, IA13.744-0.366
13168Cory Eliason Visalia, CA13.757-0.379
141126Zeb Wise Angola, IN13.776-0.398
15221Brenham Crouch Lubbock, TX13.778-0.400
16524DDanny Sams IIINorth Port, FL13.939-0.561
17997UKRyan Harrison Rothwell, NTH13.980-0.602
18146Bill Rose Plainfield, IN14.100-0.722
191364Andy Pake Felton, MN14.107-0.729
202116TJake Swanson Anaheim, CA14.153-0.775
211216GAustyn Gossel Windsor, CO14.328-0.950
22187BBen Brown Marshall, MO14.434-1.056
Hot Laps Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
14021Brian Brown Higginsville, MO13.5560.000
23019Brent Marks Myerstown, PA13.738-0.182
3389Kasey Kahne Enumclaw, WA13.813-0.257
43115Donny Schatz Fargo, ND13.831-0.275
54348Danny Dietrich Gettysburg, PA13.868-0.312
63426Zeb Wise Angola, IN13.891-0.335
7332David Gravel Watertown, CT13.993-0.437
8451Brenham Crouch Lubbock, TX14.012-0.456
9261SLogan Schuchart Hanover, PA14.025-0.469
102213Justin Peck Monrovia, IN14.056-0.500
114214Corey Day Clovis, CA14.065-0.509
122417Sheldon Haudenschild Wooster, OH14.080-0.524
132183Michael Kofoid Penngrove, CA14.114-0.558
14398Cory Eliason Visalia, CA14.119-0.563
152041Carson Macedo Lemoore, CA14.144-0.588
162717BBill Balog North Pole, AK14.199-0.643
17270Kraig Kinser Bloomington, IN14.314-0.758
182824DDanny Sams IIINorth Port, FL14.323-0.767
19417BBen Brown Marshall, MO14.366-0.810
20100Justin Whittall Vincentown, NJ14.390-0.834
211188Austin McCarl Altoona, IA14.415-0.859
221439MAnthony Macri Dillsburg, PA14.432-0.876
231915KCreed Kemenah Alvada, OH14.488-0.932
24163ZBrock Zearfoss Jonestown, PA14.518-0.962
254416TJake Swanson Anaheim, CA14.565-1.009
261218Giovanni Scelzi Fresno, CA14.603-1.047
272522Riley Goodno Knoxville, IA14.608-1.052
28232CWayne Johnson Oklahoma City, OK14.611-1.055
291515HSam Hafertepe JrSunnyvale, TX14.661-1.105
30175Spencer Bayston Lebanon, IN14.705-1.149
3137SLandon Crawley Benton, AR14.765-1.209
3277BCTyler Courtney Indianapolis, IN14.786-1.230
33649Brad Sweet Grass Valley, CA14.832-1.276
343297UKRyan Harrison Rothwell, NTH14.865-1.309
351344Chris Martin Ankeny, IA14.906-1.350
36186GBryan Gossel Windsor, CO14.964-1.408
37911MBrendan Mullen Grand Forks, ND14.990-1.434
38555Chris Windom Canton, IL15.037-1.481
393664Andy Pake Felton, MN15.318-1.762
402924Rico Abreu St. Helena, CA15.549-1.993
4145TRyan Timms Oklahoma City, OK15.564-2.008
42116THKevin Newton Terre Haute, IN16.156-2.600
4381AJacob Allen Hanover, PA16.276-2.720
443516GAustyn Gossel Windsor, CO16.276-2.720
45376Bill Rose Plainfield, IN16.276-2.720
DIRTVision Highlights  
Event Info  

Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals
Monday, February 5th to Saturday, February 17th
Volusia Speedway Park
1500 East State Road 40
Barberville, Florida 32130 

Event Description
Kick off the racing season with two full weeks of racing in Florida at the World's Fastest Half-Mile, Volusia Speedway Park!

Week 1: World of Outlaws Sprint Cars and DIRTcar UMP Modifieds
Week 2: World of Outlaws Late Models, DIRTcar Late Models, Super DIRTcar Series, USAC Non-Wing Sprint Cars


World of Outlaws Sprint Cars & Late Models: $12K, $12K, $20K to win!

Series Racing
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series

Event Schedule
1PM Pit Gates open
4PM Grandstand Gates open
5:30PM Hot Laps/Qualifying
6:50PM Opening Ceremonies
Racing to follow

See Detailed Schedule
*All times Eastern

Event Hashtag
#FLinFeb

Related Documents
 https://dirtcarnationals.com/

Ticket Options  
Options And Prices
TICKETS

Grandstand Type
Bleachers, Chairbacks

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

Pit Age Requirement
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.

Parking Cost
General Parking Free

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

Camping Availability
Electric Hookup, Non-Electric, Onsite, Sanitary Facility, Showers

Camping Cost
Single Day Dry Camp $30
Single Day Water/Electric $75 (Special Event $80)
Single Day Full Hook Up $100
Weekend Dry Camp $60
Weekend Electric/Water $150
Weekend Full Hook Up $200


Frequently Asked Questions  
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

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
Single Day Dry Camp $30
Single Day Water/Electric $75 (Special Event $80)
Single Day Full Hook Up $100
Weekend Dry Camp $60
Weekend Electric/Water $150
Weekend Full Hook Up $200


Track Info  

Volusia Speedway Park
1500 East State Road 40
Barberville, Florida 32130 

Track Phone
(386) 985-4402

Track Email
[email protected]

Track Size
0.482

Track Type
D-shaped oval

Closest Airport
Daytona International Airport

Other Airport
Orlando Sanford

Pit Gate Location
East or West side of the Track.

Track Map
Competitor Info  

Which Schedule Would You like to Print?

2022_CASE_LMS_LOGO.png