BARBERVILLE, Fla. - The World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series season opener took place on the ninth day of the 12-day short track extravaganza – the 47th annual DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Florida.
Wednesday night’s 50-lap feature played out eerily similar to the Outlaws first night of competition at DIRTcar Nationals just one year ago.
A night of rain followed by a warm sunny afternoon developed into a heavy evening fog, which engulfed Volusia Speedway Park. The condensation from the fog made it dangerous for drivers to see despite the number of tear-offs on their helmets. Taking the drivers safety as top-priority, the feature was completed at 26 laps.
Although the feature was shortened, there was no short in excitement for the fans. The feature had three race leaders but it was Tim McCreadie who made the right move at the right time. Leading only one lap of the feature, McCreadie claimed the $10,000 payday and his first Series win since July 10, 2015 at River Cities Speedway.
“It sucks it ended the way it did because the three or four of us up there, man, it was slicy-and-dicey,” said McCreadie. “I know one thing in sports or things in general and that’s if you start apologizing for doing good or winning then you’re probably going to start working your way down the ladder instead of up… I know this sucks for everybody including us as drivers, but thank you to Volusia Speedway and everybody for keeping our best interest as drivers and safety in mind. Hopefully tomorrow we can get a full 50 (laps) in and have some fun.”
McCreadie charged to the front during a restart on lap 25. His Sweeteners Plus Longhorn Chassis was on the outside of the second row, behind Josh Richards and beside Chase Junghans. Richards, led 18-laps of the feature but settled for second when the race was called complete.
Chase Junghans finished in third, followed by Chris Madden in fourth and Blairsville, Georgia’s Jonathan Davenport in fifth.
Rick Eckert, Jimmy Owens, Dennis Erb, Shane Clanton, and Hudson O’Neal rounded out the top ten.
In other action, the fog also led to the postponement of the Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modified feature, which will now be run on Thursday night.
For more information, visit DIRTcarnationals.com.
DIRTcar Nationals
Volusia Speedway Park – Barberville, FL
Race Results – Feb. 14, 2018
World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series
1. 39-Tim McCreadie
2. 1r-Josh Richards
3. 18c-Chase Junghans
4. 44-Chris Madden
5. 49-Jonathan Davenport
6. 7-Rick Eckert
7. 20-Jimmy Owens
8. 28-Dennis Erb
9. 25-Shane Clanton
10. 71-Hudson O’Neal
11. 9-Devin Moran
12. 1-Brandon Sheppard
13. 22-Chris Ferguson
14. 157-Mike Marlar
15. 1P-Earl Pearson
16. 1x-Chub Frank
17. 16-Tyler Bruening
18. 116-Brandon Overton
19. B1-Brent Larson
20. 14m-Morgan Bagley
21. C8-Timothy Culp
22. 25z-Mason Zeigler
23. 91-Tyler Erb
24. 5-Don O’Neal
25. 22s-Brian Shirley
26. CJ1-Rusty Schlenk
27. 14-Darrell Lanigan
28. 7mm-Michael Maresca
29. 40B-Kyle Bronson
30. 7F-Jason Fitzgerald
31. 21jr-Billy Moyer
32. 31-Tyler Millwood
