{"id":3745,"date":"2022-02-19T02:12:14","date_gmt":"2022-02-19T02:12:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/volusiaspeedwaypark.com\/uncategorized\/mad-for-gators-max-mclaughlin-scores-second-dirtcar-nationals-win-in-another-thriller\/"},"modified":"2022-08-17T00:21:40","modified_gmt":"2022-08-17T00:21:40","slug":"mad-for-gators-max-mclaughlin-scores-second-dirtcar-nationals-win-in-another-thriller","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dirtcarnationals.com\/super-dirtcar-series\/mad-for-gators-max-mclaughlin-scores-second-dirtcar-nationals-win-in-another-thriller\/","title":{"rendered":"MAD FOR GATORS: Max McLaughlin scores second DIRTcar Nationals win, Big Gator points lead"},"content":{"rendered":"
The first three times Max McLaughlin asked Volusia Speedway Park for its iconic gator trophy this week it said \u201cno.\u201d<\/p>\n
With every \u201cno,\u201d frustration grew. A third; an eight; and then a second. The latter, causing dejection to take over his posture.<\/p>\n
Friday night, during the fourth round of DIRTcar Nationals Super DIRTcar Series action, \u201cMad Max\u201d no longer asked politely. Feeling like he should\u2019ve already had a 2022 gator resting in his trailer, the Mooresville, NC driver extracted every ounce of grit he had for 30 laps to wrestle his way to victory.<\/p>\n
Jimmy Phelps, Mat Williamson and Demetrios Drellos tried to deny McLaughlin another win, but his patience triumphed, and he was handed his second DIRTcar Nationals little gator trophy \u2013 along with the Big Gator Championship points lead.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the start of the drop of the green I thought we were going to go backward in a hurry,\u201d McLaughlin said. \u201cI was really tight. I was like, there\u2019s no way we\u2019re going to be able to get off the bottom. The track had a lot of grip and the car kept getting better and better. Man, it was fun to drive.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy guys worked their asses off this week. We changed a motor and brought out a backup car. I got the best team in the world and wouldn\u2019t want to be anywhere else.\u201d<\/p>\n
McLaughlin showed his speed early, claiming the Billy Whittaker Cars Fast Time Award. That earned him the pole for his Heat Race but had to settle second at its conclusion after Peter Britten bested him for the win.<\/p>\n
Luck helped him in the Albany-Saratoga Speedway Redraw, placing him on the front row, alongside polesitter Demetrios Drellos, for the Feature.<\/p>\n
\n. @DIRTVision<\/a> HIGHLIGHTS: Check out the highlights from tonight's Feature!https:\/\/t.co\/xa4jgvEkrq<\/a><\/p>\n
— Super DIRTcar Series (@SuperDIRTcar) February 19, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n