BARBERVILLE, Fla. — Volusia Speedway Park, the half-mile dirt track known for hosting the annual DIRTcar Nationals event during February Speedweeks, has ended its weekly racing program and will cease regular operations on Wednesday.
The news came courtesy of a statement from current track promoter Wendi Underwood on the track website.
“With circumstances beyond our control, VSP would like to announce with a heavy heart that we have closed the doors,” Underwood said in the statement. “I want to say how thankful I am for the past four wonderful years. I have met so many wonderful people and have formed some lifetime friendships.”
I have so many to thank and show my sincere appreciation to, and that I will do at a later date. I will also contact drivers at a later date about (the) end of year celebrations.”
The track had operated as a regular racing facility for the past four seasons, since the beginning of 2013.
Underwood had been leasing the track each year immediately following the DIRTcar Nationals, running weekly Saturday night racing programs from March through December.
Despite the end of weekly racing at VSP, DIRTcar Racing officials did confirm Monday night that the upcoming 46th annual DIRTcar Nationals, set to roll from Feb. 14-25, 2017, will go on as scheduled.
“We hate to see this happen to Dirt Life Racing and all the Volusia regulars,” said DIRTcar CEO Brian Carter, “but we assure you DIRTcar Nationals will go on as always and we’re excited about another great year at the fast half-mile.”
Brad Sweet won the sprint car ‘Big Gator’ championship this year, given to the top performing driver on points in each division for their week-long showing at the Nationals, while Josh Richards captured the ‘Big Gator’ in the late model ranks and Matt Sheppard won the Big Block Modified title.
The 2017 DIRTcar Nationals will kick off at Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14 and run through Feb. 25, featuring the DIRTcar Modifieds, DIRTcar Late Models and DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds among the headline divisions.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Cars and Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions also traditionally race during the two-week marathon of speed.
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Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network.
Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.
The 22-year-old is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as the full-time tour announcer for the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.
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