BARBERVILLE, Fla. - Daryn Pittman and Christopher Bell waged an epic back-and-forth battle Saturday night at Volusia Speedway Park’s DIRTcar Nationals.
Pittman made his final charge with two to go for his second consecutive World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series victory to start the season at the Barberville, Florida raceway.
Bell, a NASCAR Xfinity Series driver and three-time Chili Bowl winner, led the first 18 laps before Pittman slid to the front on lap 19. Bell dove back in front a lap, as the two two exchanged the lead on laps 26 and 27. Pittman regained the lead on lap 28 and held off Bell to the checkered flag to complete the second caution-free 30-lap feature in a row.
Pittman’s victory on Saturday night was the 83rd of his series career.
“That was a lot of fun,” Pittman said. “Christopher Bell is a hell of a talent. I can’t beat him in a midget, but I love racing with him. I’m a big fan. For as little as he races these cars, he’s good.”
Bell was trying to win his fifth race and first at Volusia.
“It sucks to lose them like that, but Pittman ran a perfect race,” Bell said. “I don’t really know what I could have done any different. That’s something I’m going to be proud of when I get down the road. It really sucks to get beat at the end. This place is a ton of fun, I love this racetrack.”
Donny Schatz finished third, followed by Brad Sweet in fourth and Brian Brown in fifth.
In DIRTcar UMP Modifieds action, the first of two nights of qualifying races for Monday’s Gator Championship event wound up falling to rain with heat races completed shortly after the World of Outlaws feature was completed. Two Last Chance Showdowns and the feature will be run on Monday ahead of the regularly scheduled races.
The DIRTcar Nationals continues Sunday with the final night of World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series action at Volusia Speeway. For more information, visit DIRTcarNationals.com.
DIRTcar Nationals
Volusia Speedway Park – Barberville, FL
WoO NOS Sprint Car Series – February 9, 2019
1. Daryn Pittman
2. Christopher Bell
3. Donny Schatz
4. Brad Sweet
5. Brian Brown
6. David Gravel
7. Aaron Reutzel
8. Logan Schuchart
9. Jason Sides
10. Carson Macedo
11. Lucas Wolfe
12. Tim Shaffer
13. Sheldon Haudenschild
14. Cory Eliason
15. Kraig Kinser
16. Parker Price-Miller
17. Paul McMahan
18. Spencer Bayston
19. Shane Stewart
20. Kasey Kahne
21. Cale Conley
22. Brent Marks
23. Brock Zearfoss
24. Shane Golobic
25. Ian Madsen
26. Jacob Allen
