DIRT MotorSports' popular Modified mini-tour at Volusia begins Feb. 14 with a 30-lap feature headlining the program. The open-wheel action continues at the Barberville half-mile oval with 30-lap feature events on Tuesday and Wednesday before a big $5,000-to-win 50-lapper brings the curtain down Fri., Feb. 18.
Special appearances by the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series (Feb. 11 & 13) and World of Outlaws Late Model Series (Feb. 18 & 19) complete the big tripleheader that spotlight the biggest short track stars in the nation.
Florida continues to be a second home for open-wheel star Brett Hearn.
Since DIRT MotorSports returned to the Sunshine State in 1998, the Sussex, N.J. veteran has captured DIRT Winter Tour high point honors four times and amassed a record 13 feature wins during those same eight seasons.
Among the 43 drivers competing in three events at Volusia last February, Hearn joined first-time winners Billy Decker and J.R. Heffner in victory lane while New York veteran Pat Ward used a pair of runner-up finishes to garner his first-ever Florida Tour points championship by just two markers over both Hearn and Pennsylvanian Doug Hoffman.
The upcoming DIRT Tour marks the 20th trip to Florida for Northeastern Modified teams since 1978. It will be DIRT's 14th visit to Volusia since staging its inaugural event in 1982 under current owner/operator Dick Murphy.
Expect drivers like all-time DIRT MotorSports big-block Modified feature winner Alan Johnson, younger brother Danny Johnson, teammates Pat Ward and Billy Decker to join Hearn and Heffner while many more open-wheel hotshoes will be in competition hoping to write their own headlines in '05.
Don't be surprized to see former Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart land another DIRT ride as he has competed in four of the past five Winter Nationals, posting a 5th-place best finish in 2002.
Fans and race teams already planning to attend Volusia Speedway Park (386/985-4402) are encouraged to contact the track public relations offices for area hotel/motel accomodations. Overnight camping at Volusia is available across the road adjacent to the track for self-contained units.
Volusia Speedway Park is located 15 miles west of Daytona Beach on State Road 40 in Barberville, Fla. Mail is received at: 1500 E. Highway 40, DeLeon Springs, FL 32130.
Be sure to check out www.dirtmotorsports.com often to view the Florida Tour pre-race roster as the first edition will be posted later in January. Further information regarding the host track can be obtained from www.volusiaspeedwaypark.com.
By Tom Skibinski / DIRT Motorsports PR
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