This year marks the 50th anniversary of the DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park. In that time, hundreds of talented drivers have entered Volusia County, attempting to leave a winner. Many have. More are still trying.
From Sprint Cars to Late Models to Modifieds to Big Blocks, Volusia and the DIRTcar Nationals has served as one of the best time capsules for all of dirt racing. For the 50th year of the event, we went through the long list of drivers that have competed for the coveted DIRTcar Nationals championship title and picked 50 of the best to ever grace the clay surface.
These are the top-50 drivers of the DIRTcar Nationals in alphabetical order:
Steve Arpin
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ driver: @stevearpin
2007 will forever be remembered by the dominance of the then-23yr-old Canadian. Arpin won an incredible 5 Features in 7 UMP Modified starts to claim his first DIRTcar Nationals championship.
Tickets (Feb 2-13)? https://t.co/Tb78M02v2G pic.twitter.com/n5IN1xS9So
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) December 14, 2020
Dave Blaney
#FLinFeb Top5⃣0⃣ driver: Dave Blaney (@BuckeyeBullet10)
1995 World of Outlaws @NosEnergyDrink Sprint Car champion Dave Blaney has picked up multiple @VolusiaSpeedway wins during the DIRTcar Nationals, most recently in 2016.
Tickets (Feb. 2-13)?https://t.co/C1p1xH8FPI pic.twitter.com/cEilcdcEte
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) December 15, 2020
Scott Bloomquist
#FLinFeb Top 5⃣0⃣ Driver: @Bloomquist_0
With 12 victories, Bloomer is the winningest LM driver in DIRTcar Nationals history!
He’s won with DIRTcar, Hav-A-Tampa, and most recently the #WoOLateModels in 2018 at @VolusiaSpeedway.
Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/VzZBOfGymM pic.twitter.com/NM0ugfDc5w
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) December 16, 2020
Kenny Brightbill
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ driver: Kenny Brightbill
Brightbill was the DIRTcar Nationals @SuperDIRTcar Big Gator champion in 1980 and co-champion in 1984.
He has 6 total Series wins in Florida!
Tickets (Feb. 2-13)?https://t.co/C1p1xH8FPI pic.twitter.com/Uz7YveOyHD
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) December 17, 2020
Clint Bowyer
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ driver: @ClintBowyer
Bowyer clinched the 2011 DIRTcar Nationals UMP Modified championship on the strength of 3 Feature wins in 8 nights, all while fulfilling his #NASCAR duties at the #Daytona500. ? @stlracing
Tickets (Feb 2-13)? https://t.co/Tb78M02v2G pic.twitter.com/TUwjd732QI
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) December 18, 2020
Shane Clanton
#FLinFeb Top 5⃣0⃣ Driver: @Clanton25
??? ??????? ??????? is one of only four late model drivers with multiple #DIRTcarNats titles, winning big ?? in 2015 & 2017.
In ‘15, he swept all three @WoOLateModels races!
Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/VzZBOfGymM pic.twitter.com/VLIHktRG7w
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) December 19, 2020
Austin Dillon
#FLinFeb top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: @austindillon3
After two years of runner-up finishes in points, Dillon secured his first Big ? in the 2015 DIRTcar Nationals on the back of 3 UMP Modified Feature wins and 6 top-5 finishes in 6 starts.
Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/VzZBOfGymM pic.twitter.com/wX88yk154C
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) December 21, 2020
Ty Dillon
#FLinFeb top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: @tydillon
Ty won 9 UMP Modified Features in DIRTcar Nationals competition at @VolusiaSpeedway from 2011-2015 (the most of any driver in that span), claiming the 2012 and 2014 Gator championships.
Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/VzZBOfGymM pic.twitter.com/9YfdK2JIlm
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) December 21, 2020
Craig Dollansky
#FLinFeb Top 5⃣0⃣ Driver: @CraigDollansky
??? ????? ??????? is a DIRTcar Nationals champion and holds 5 wins in total @VolusiaSpeedway.
Watch him claim his first @WorldofOutlaws win at the track in 2008 below.
Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/VzZBOfGymM pic.twitter.com/Gq2sepv004
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) December 22, 2020
Rick Eckert
#FLinFeb Top 5⃣0⃣ Driver: @Eckert24
????? is one of nine drivers with 5 or more late model wins at the DIRTcar Nationals!
He split @VolusiaSpeedway wins with Hav-A-Tampa and DIRTcar across ‘01, ‘02, ‘04, ‘05 & ‘06.
Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/VzZBOfGymM pic.twitter.com/2vLIuMveJ5
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) December 23, 2020
Steve Francis
#FLinFeb Top 5⃣0⃣ Driver: @15SteveFrancis
??? ???????? ??????? has four DIRTcar Nationals triumphs to his name, three of them with the @WoOLateModels.
Here’s his 2009 season opening win at @VolusiaSpeedway!
Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/VzZBOfGymM pic.twitter.com/CRur8nWoxA
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) December 26, 2020
Stewart Friesen
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: @StewartFriesen
TWO Big Gators to his name (2011, 2014)
SEVEN Feature wins with his last coming in 2019!
Tickets (Feb. 2-13) https://t.co/VzZBOfGymM pic.twitter.com/gtjSiIFx8m
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) December 26, 2020
Tim Fuller
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: Tim Fuller
ONE Big ?
SIX Feature wins at @VolusiaSpeedway ?
Tickets (Feb. 2-13) https://t.co/VzZBOfGymM pic.twitter.com/bc6xskWCYr
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) December 28, 2020
David Gravel
#FLinFeb Top 5⃣0⃣ Driver: @DavidGravel
Along with his title of Knoxville Nationals champion, Gravel is also the 2017 DIRTcar Nationals Big Gator champion.
Watch as he picks up his first @VolusiaSpeedway win in ‘17 below.
Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/VzZBOfGymM pic.twitter.com/O2433IKWGS
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) December 28, 2020
Brett Hearn
#FLinFeb Top 5⃣0⃣ Driver: @bretthearn2
The Jet has landed NINE Big Gators
? ? ?
? ? ?
? ? ?21 @VolusiaSpeedway DIRTcar Nationals wins!
Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/VzZBOfGymM pic.twitter.com/a3ngZGHAli
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) December 30, 2020
Doug Hoffman
#FLinFeb Top 5⃣0⃣ Driver: Doug Hoffman
ONE Big Gator championship (1995)
SEVEN Feature DIRTcar Nationals wins at @VolusiaSpeedway!
Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/VzZBOfGymM pic.twitter.com/NL7yzVkdds
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) December 31, 2020
Nick Hoffman
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: @Nick_Hoffman2
? The only FIVE-TIME Big Gator champion of the DIRTcar UMP Modified division with 14 total DIRTcar Nationals Feature wins since 2008 at @VolusiaSpeedway ?
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/VzZBOfGymM pic.twitter.com/icDME64W1Z
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) January 1, 2021
Jimmy Horton
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: Jimmy Horton!
? THREE Big Gator championships at @VolusiaSpeedway (1986, 1997, 1999) and SIX Feature wins! ?
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/VzZBOfGymM pic.twitter.com/Uu4AknSu2a
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) January 1, 2021
Kenny Jacobs
#FLinFeb Top5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: Kenny Jacobs
Kenny Jacobs has three @VolusiaSpeedway wins during the DIRTcar Nationals. His first came during the first @ASCoC event in 1983.
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/VzZBOfGymM pic.twitter.com/R19rfpnu1Q
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) January 3, 2021
Alan Johnson
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: Alan Johnson!
? TWO Big Gator championships at @VolusiaSpeedway
(1983, 1989) and TWO Feature wins! ?2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/VzZBOfGymM pic.twitter.com/0b9k0FVyrU
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) January 5, 2021
Danny Johnson
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: Danny Johnson!
? FOUR Big Gator championships at @VolusiaSpeedway (1987, 1988, 2007, 2013) and TWELVE Feature wins! ?
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/VzZBOfGymM pic.twitter.com/iBKF5ZKqKn
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) January 5, 2021
Jack Johnson
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: Jack Johnson!
ONE Big Gator championship at @VolusiaSpeedway (1981) and FIVE Feature wins!
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) Right pointing backhand index https://t.co/VzZBOfGymM pic.twitter.com/9sWOljKCvn
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) January 6, 2021
Jared Landers
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: @JaredLanders777
The Arkansan won 5 UMP Modified Features at the 2009 DIRTcar Nationals en route to his first event championship, tying the record for most wins over the 7-day stretch.
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/VzZBOfGymM pic.twitter.com/PLnRTV6kIx
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) January 7, 2021
Steve Kinser
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: Steve Kinser
??? ???? ?
Kinser, the 20-time @WorldofOutlaws champ, has six wins @VolusiaSpeedway during the DIRTcar Nationals. Watch him celebrate his last win at the track in 2014.
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/XdRJ17ngqF pic.twitter.com/twjcVRyLqa
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) January 7, 2021
Darrell Lanigan
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: @DarrellLanigan
??? ????????? ?????? is one of only nine LM drivers with a DIRTcar Nationals title since 2005!
Here’s his last @WoOLateModels win at @VolusiaSpeedway from 2013.
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/zdVaV8Tkaq pic.twitter.com/9hewnWWJEa
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) January 9, 2021
Danny Lasoski
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: Danny Lasoski
??? ???? is one of the winningest drivers @VolusiaSpeedway with 19 victories.
Below you can watch him get his first @WorldofOutlaws Volusia win from 2008.
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/zdVaV8Tkaq pic.twitter.com/GFd2SxINyv
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) January 9, 2021
Chris Madden
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: @ChrisMadden44
?????? took home the DIRTcar Nationals championship just three years ago in 2018!
Let’s look back on his most recent @VolusiaSpeedway win from a year prior in 2017.
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/zdVaV8Tkaq pic.twitter.com/0kgUxunNvm
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) January 11, 2021
Tim McCreadie
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: @TimMcCreadie
?-??? has yet to score a DIRTcar Nationals championship, but he sure knows how to rack up the wins!
A 7-time @VolusiaSpeedway victor, here’s his last @WoOLateModels win from 2018.
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/zdVaV8Tkaq pic.twitter.com/rkkQMIZOTl
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) January 11, 2021
Billy Moyer, Sr.
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: Billy Moyer Sr.
What can you say? He’s the ?
With 15+ wins and three titles, ??. ?????? has a DIRTcar Nationals resume unlike any other!
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/zdVaV8Tkaq pic.twitter.com/pF06LKhLZ2
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) January 13, 2021
Don O’Neal
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: @DonONeal5
??? ???? ???? owns 8️⃣ DIRTcar Nationals wins!
Who remembers his most recent victory at @VolusiaSpeedway? It was this awesome 2017 finish with the @WoOLateModels… ?
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/zdVaV8Tkaq pic.twitter.com/U091VHrsOZ
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) January 14, 2021
Jimmy Owens
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: @JimmyOwens_20
??? ??????? ????????? had yet to win a DIRTcar Nationals feature entering 2020…
Then he won THREE back-to-back-to-back @WoOLateModels features last year!
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/zdVaV8Tkaq pic.twitter.com/lkMCQjnvJE
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) January 14, 2021
Billy Pauch
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: Billy Pauch
??? ??? has three DIRTcar Nationals championships and five @VolusiaSpeedway Feature wins!
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/zdVaV8Tkaq pic.twitter.com/Ce2VHiCVU8
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) January 16, 2021
Earl Pearson, Jr.
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: Earl Pearson, Jr.
Pearson, Jr. has five total wins @VolusiaSpeedway — his most recent was in 2009 with the @DIRTcar_Racing Late Models.
Watch him win that race below. ?
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/zdVaV8Tkaq pic.twitter.com/K0fn4A1ZMo
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) February 2, 2021
Daryn Pittman
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: @DarynPittman
Pittman is a 3x Big Gator champion — the most of all drivers — and has six wins in total @VolusiaSpeedway.
Watch him out run the field during his 2013 @WorldofOutlaws victory.
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/zdVaV8Tkaq pic.twitter.com/kOt67QCD5t
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) January 18, 2021
Josh Richards
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: @Josh_Richards1
The multi-time DIRTcar Nationals champion is one of the winningest Late Model drivers @VolusiaSpeedway with 10 wins.
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/zdVaV8Tkaq pic.twitter.com/UIg8N4HaSK
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) February 2, 2021
Brian Ruhlman
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: Brian Ruhlman
The Clarklake, MI-driver has two DIRTcar Nationals Feature wins with the UMP Modifieds, as well as two third-place points finishes in 2014 and 2017. Check out his win from 2017 below!
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/zdVaV8Tkaq pic.twitter.com/yJWDv5Drmp
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) January 19, 2021
Joey Saldana
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: @JoeySaldana
Saldana is a 2x DIRTcar Nationals champion (‘10 & ‘11) and 3x @VolusiaSpeedway winner.
Watch his @WorldofOutlaws win with @KKRdirt at the Florida track in 2009.
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/zdVaV8Tkaq pic.twitter.com/RJXcLZaLNT
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) January 21, 2021
Donny Schatz
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: @DonnySchatz
The #10X @WorldofOutlaws champ leads all drivers with 21 wins @VolusiaSpeedway. A win at the track this year would be his 300th career World of Outlaws win.
Watch his 2020 victory.
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/zdVaV8Tkaq pic.twitter.com/tvpptBAfBT
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) January 22, 2021
Kenny Schrader
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: @KenSchrader
The motorsports legend from Fenton, MO, is a two-time Big Gator champion of the DIRTcar UMP Modified division at @VolusiaSpeedway (2008, 2013) with 2 Feature wins to his credit.
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/zdVaV8Tkaq pic.twitter.com/oUij8mqlKz
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) January 25, 2021
Jeff Shepard
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: Jeff Shepard
Shepard won twice @VolusiaSpeedway, most notably in 2005 when the @WorldofOutlaws returned to the track for the first time since 1981.
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/zdVaV8Tkaq pic.twitter.com/TUhZWyfdi7
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) January 24, 2021
Brandon Sheppard
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: @B_Sheppard_B5
The 3x defending @WoOLateModels champ is also the 2x defending Big Gator champion AND has 8️⃣ total wins @VolusiaSpeedway.
Watch him win his fifth Series win in a row at the FL track.
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/zdVaV8Tkaq pic.twitter.com/wEeX59Oxkr
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) January 25, 2021
Matt Sheppard
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: 'Super' Matt Sheppard
EIGHT wins on the World's Fastest Half-Mile, @VolusiaSpeedway!
THREE Big Gator championships to his name!
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) Right pointing backhand index https://t.co/zdVaV8Tkaq pic.twitter.com/j0XyzKc1gL
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) January 26, 2021
David Stremme
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: @DavidStremme
The @LethalChassis founder has two DIRTcar Nationals UMP Modified Feature wins in his career, with a best points finish of third in 2018.
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/zdVaV8Tkaq pic.twitter.com/GmdHUSDzcI
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) January 27, 2021
Kyle Strickler
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: Kyle Strickler
The "@Highsidetickler" has eight Feature wins in DIRTcar Nationals competition with the UMP Modifieds and was runner-up for the Big Gator in 2018.
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/zdVaV8Tkaq pic.twitter.com/T8f9k70Rsi
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) January 28, 2021
Brad Sweet
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: @BradSweet49
The 2X defending @WorldofOutlaws champ is also the 2X defending Big ? champ. He has 7️⃣ total @VolusiaSpeedway wins & hasn’t finished worse than 4th in his last 7️⃣ starts at the track.
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/zdVaV8Tkaq pic.twitter.com/NMVcSPmfiB
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) January 30, 2021
Sammy Swindell
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: @1sam91
The 3X @WorldofOutlaws champion is also the 2012 Big ? champion. He holds two wins @VolusiaSpeedway.
Watch his 2011 win below.
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/zdVaV8Tkaq pic.twitter.com/bvuIRz7pUG
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) January 30, 2021
Kenny Wallace
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: @Kenny_Wallace
"The Hermanator" sits 8th on the all-time DIRTcar Nationals UMP Modified Feature wins list with four. Relive the action from his second event victory at @VolusiaSpeedway below!
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/zdVaV8Tkaq pic.twitter.com/xVQjeuhGG8
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) January 31, 2021
Pat Ward
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: Pat Ward
The Genoa Giant has TWO Big Gators to his name PLUS back to back @SuperDIRTcar wins at @VolusiaSpeedway in 2009!
Watch the highlights from '09 below.
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/zdVaV8Tkaq pic.twitter.com/XBqoArDEW6
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) February 2, 2021
Larry Wight
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: Larry Wight
“Lightning” has THREE Big Gators and four @SuperDIRTcar wins at @VolusiaSpeedway!
Watch this highlight from ‘19 ?
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/zdVaV8Tkaq pic.twitter.com/crQ7ujItr7
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) February 3, 2021
Doug Wolfgang
#FLinFeb Top 5️⃣0️⃣ Driver: Doug Wolfgang
Wolfgang has two @VolusiaSpeedway wins – most notably the first @WorldofOutlaws event at the track in 1981.
2021 Tickets (Feb. 2-13) ? https://t.co/zdVaV8Tkaq pic.twitter.com/Mp0kkwBB0r
— DIRTcar Nationals (@DIRTcarNats) February 2, 2021