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DIRTcar Racing PR

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Clanton Continues Impressive Start To 2015 With First Career Victory in Volusia Speedway Park’s DIRTcar Nationals

Veteran Georgia Racer Earns First Gator Trophy In Monday's DIRTcar Nationals Opener

BARBERVILLE, Fla. - Feb. 16, 2015 - Make room in your trophy case, Shane Clanton.

The Zebulon, Ga., racer added another piece of prestigious hardware to his expansive collection Monday night, earning his first Gator trophy with a victory during the opening night of the Late Model portion of Volusia Speedway Park's 44th annual DIRTcar Nationals.

"This feels real good," the 39-year-old Clanton said after lifting the first of six Gator trophies to be awarded to the winners of this week's six DIRTcar Nationals A-Mains at Volusia's half-mile oval. "One of those things has eluded me for a long time. We've run good down here, just haven't had Lady Luck on our side. Right now everything's clicking."

Continuing his terrific start to the season, the fifth-starting Clanton overtook Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., with four laps remaining in Monday's 30-lap DIRTcar Late Model-sanctioned main event on his way to claiming his second victory of the season.

Lanigan settled for second, 1.803 seconds behind Clanton. Crossing the finish line just before his engine expired, Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y.., finished third to give World of Outlaws Late Model Series regulars a top-three sweep. Rodney Sanders of Happy, Texas, was fourth with Casey Roberts of Toccoa, Ga., rounding out the top five in a race slowed by two cautions.

After struggling through one of the worst years of his career in 2014, Clanton has been on fire to start the new season. He's finished no worse than seventh in the seven races he's entered and holds the early lead in the WoO LMS points chase after scoring a victory and three more top-five finishes in four races on the national tour's 2015 campaign.

"Marshall Green and Capital Race Cars and my father-in-law (and car owner) Ron Davies give me everything I need to come out here and do this deal," said Clanton, whose Clements-powered Capital machine carries sponsorship from Weldbank Energy and Hornburg Oil. "My crew chief Brock (Wise) has come back this year and made a world of difference. We're gelling good and everything's going good right now."

Mastering Volusia's high-speed surface, Clanton quickly advanced to second from his fifth starting spot but waited until the race's closing laps to attempt a move on Lanigan. After erasing Lanigan's nearly straightaway lead, Clanton edged ahead on the back straightway on lap 23, only to give the spot back when a slower machine blocked his low lane in turns three and four.

The race's final caution one lap later gave the leaders clear track for the final run to the finish, allowing Clanton to display his superiority. He pulled even with Lanigan on lap 25 and completed the low-side pass exiting turn two on lap 26.

"I got by him there (on lap 23), but the (slower car of Mason Zeigler) was in the bottom and blocked my line," Clanton said. "I knew I had a good race car early in the race and was just biding my time and just saving my tires as long as I could. When it was time to go I went."

Lanigan, the three-time and defending WoO LMS champion who has struggled to match his dominant 2014 performance level so far this season, settled for his sixth top-five finish in 11 races this season but for the second straight night was denied a victory after starting the A-Main from the front row.

"Second sucks, but Shane did a great job," said Lanigan, who also started from the outside pole of Sunday's WoO LMS A-Main at nearby Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla., but was never a factor before dropping out of the race. "We've got a new piece here that's a pretty good hot rod. We'll see what we can get together for tomorrow night and see if we can't win tomorrow night."

The first of the two breaks in Monday's A-Main action occurred when Rick Eckert of York, Pa., ran into the back of Kyle Brunson's slowing car. The contact sent Eckert's car airborne as it completed a single barrel roll before coming back to the ground. Eckert emerged uninjured, but his new MasterSbilt by Huey machine suffered heavy damage.

Polesitter Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., saw his race come to an early end when mechanical issues forced him to retire during the red flag following Eckert's wreck. The race's other caution appeared when Sanders tangled with Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla., sending Pearson spinning from the sixth position.

The DIRTcar Nationals continue Tuesday at Volusia with another $7,000-to-win DIRTcar-sanctioned program. A $10,000-to-win DIRTcar event is slated for Wednesday with three straight $10,000-to-win World of Outlaws Late Model Series events rounding out the week. More information is available at www.DIRTcarNationals.com.

Results of DIRTcar Late Models DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park (Finishing Position/Driver/Laps Completed):

1. (5) Shane Clanton/30
2. (2) Darrell Lanigan/30
3. (13) Tim McCreadie/30
4. (9) Rodney Sanders/30
5. (4) Casey Roberts/30
6. (3) Scott Bloomquist/30
7. (14) Kenny Pettyjohn/30
8. (10) Josh Richards/30
9. (18) Dennis Erb Jr./30
10. (19) Brandon Sheppard/30
11. (7) Ricky Weiss/30
12. (6) Kent Robinson/30
13. (12) Terry English/30
14. (16) Billy Ogle Jr./30
15. (15) Tyler Bruening/29
16. (17) Mason Zeigler/25
17. (8) Earl Pearson Jr./24
18. (24) Eric Wells/12
19. (21) Boom Briggs/9
20. (22) Chub Frank/6
21. (23) Mike Hammerle/3
22. (1) Billy Moyer/2
23. (11) Kyle Bronson/2
24. (20) Rick Eckert/2

Time of Race: 13 Mins., 57 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 1.803 Secs.
Yellow Flags: Two (laps 2 & 24)
Lap Leaders: Lanigan (1-25); Clanton (26-30)
Provisional Starters: Hammerle, Wells

Time Trial Results (Position/No./Driver/Hometown/Best Lap):

Group 1
1. 101-Casey Roberts, Toccoa, Ga., 15.469
2. 39-Tim McCreadie, Watertown, N.Y., 15.892
3. 25-Shane Clanton, Zebulon, Ga., 15.960
4. 20-Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas, 16.080
5. 99B-Boom Briggs, Bear Lake, Pa., 16.105
6. 18-Eric Wells, Hazard, Ky., 16.112
7. B5-Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, Ill., 16.169
8. 21D-Dan Stone, Thompson, Pa., 16.328
9. 77-Jordan Yaggy, Rochester, Minn., 16.946
10. 18c-Chase Junghans, Manhattan, Kan., 17.254
11. 27-Jeff Beyers, Pana, Ill., 17.526
Group 2
1. 0-Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, Tenn., 15.751
2. 1-Josh Richards, Shinnston, W.Va., 15.973
3. 38-Kenny Pettyjohn, Millsboro, Del., 16.041
4. 7R-Kent Robinson, Bloomington, Ind., 16.077
5. 87-Walker Arthur, Forrest, Va., 16.235
6. 25z-Mason Zeigler, Chalk Hill, Pa., 16.237
7. 4ds-Chad Hollenbeck, Montrose, Pa., 16.242
8. 72-Michael Norris, Sarver, Pa., 16.532
9. 16R-Justin Rattliff, Campbelsville, Ky., 16.633
10. 15-Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D., 16.762
11. 99jr-Frank Heckenast Jr., Frankfort, Ill., no time
Group 3
1. 29-Darrell Lanigan, Union, Ky., 15.652
2. 7-Ricky Weiss, Headingly, Manitoba, 15.755
3. 1*-Chub Frank, Bear Lake, Pa., 15.882
4. 40B-Kyle Bronson, Brandon, Fla., 15.913
5. 16-Tyler Bruening, Decorah, Iowa, 15.981
6. 14-Tyler Clem, St. Petersburg, Fla., 15.986
7. 28-Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, Ill., 16.000
8. 7v-Rick Eckert,York, Pa., 16.220
9. 22-Gregg Satterlee, Rochester Mills, Pa., 16.309
10. 3c-Charles LaPlant, East Prairie, Mo., 16.578
11. c4-Freddie Carpenter, Parkersburg, W.Va., 16.762
Group 4
1. 1-Earl Pearson Jr., Jacksonville, Fla., 15.489
2. 201-Billy Ogle Jr., Knoxville, Tenn., 15.568
3. 21-Billy Moyer, Batesville, Ark., 15.568
4. 96-Terry English, Benton, Ky., 15.781
5. 79-Mike Altobelli, Saxton, Pa., 16.038
6. 25k-Tony Knowles, Newnan, Ga., 16.060
7. 11B-Stacy Boles, Clinton, Tenn., 16.619
8. 85-Mark Dotson, Cameron, Mo., 16.624
9. 8-Gregg Hill, Eveleth, Minn., 17.033
10. 16H-Mike Hammerle, St. Charles, Mo., 17.512

Heat No. 1 (8 laps - Top 4 Transfer): Roberts, Clanton, Sanders, McCreadie, Briggs, Sheppard, Wells, Stone, Junghans, Beyers.

Heat No. 2 (8 laps - Top 4 Transfer): Bloomquist, Robinson, Richards, Pettyjohn, Zeigler, Arthur, Norris, Hollenbeck, Schatz, Rattliff. Did not start: Heckenast.

Heat No. 3 (8 laps - Top 4 Transfer): Lanigan, Weiss, Bronson, Bruening, Eckert, Erb, Frank, Satterlee, Carpenter, LaPlant, Clem.

Heat No. 4 (8 laps - Top 4 Transfer): Moyer, Pearson, English, Ogle, Altobelli, Boles, Knowles, Dotson, Hill, Hammerle.

B-Main No. 1 (10 laps - Top 3 Transfer): Briggs, Sheppard, Briggs, Stone, Arthur, Wells, Junghans, Schatz, Hollenbeck, Beyers, Norris. DNS: Rattliff, Yaggy, Heckenast.

B-Main No. 2 (10 laps - Top 3 Transfer): Erb, Eckert, Frank, Satterlee, Boles, LaPlant, Hammerle, Knowles, Dontson. DNS: Altobelli, Carpenter, Clem. Hill.

For more information on DIRTcar Racing and to see the complete final points standings for all DIRTcar-sanctioned divisions, visit www.DIRTcar.com.

DIRTcar racing action is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Arizona Sport Shirts (Official Apparel Company), Armor All (Official Car Care Products), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Lincoln Welder (Official Welder), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), VP Racing Fuel (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award) and McCarthy's One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award); in addition to contingency sponsors: Butlerbuilt, Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, JRI Shocks, Mobil 1, MSD, Ohlins Shocks, QuarterMaster, Penske Shocks, Roush Yates Performance Parts, Superflow Dynos and Wrisco Aluminum; along with manufacturer sponsors Capital Race Cars, Integra Shocks, Intercomp, Jake's Carts, Racing Electronics, Rocket Chassis, and TNT Rescue.

Contact: Chris Dolack

World of Outlaws & DIRTcar PR

704-795-7223 | cdolack@dirtcar.com

Austin Dillon Takes DIRTcar Nationals Gator Championship Race

Shane Clanton wins first of six Late Model events at Volusia Speedway Park

BARBERVILLE, Fla. - Feb. 16, 2015 - Austin Dillon held off his brother, Ty, on Monday night at Volusia Speedway Park to win the DIRTcar Nationals Gator Championship for UMP Modifieds.

Dillon started ninth but charged forward quickly as three-time national champion Devin Gilpin and Saturday night winner Nick Hoffman showed the way. Dillon powered to the front with Hoffman giving chase. Ty Dillon eventually swept to second ahead of Hoffman and set his sights on his brother.

A late caution set up a furious rush to the checkered flag with two laps to go. Dillon put his car on the bottom to keep his brother behind him and drive off with the victory in the 12-day event's biggest night of racing for UMP Modifieds.

"It was on a rail, it was really fast," said Dillon, driver of the famous black #3 car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and grandson of legendary car owner Richard Childress. "I guess Ty got to me in lap traffic, I didn't know he was there. But that was fun, it was a heck of a race. It's awesome for Team Dillon Racing to go one-two, and like I said I've been coming down here for quite a few years now and to finally win a big Gator [trophy] feels awesome. I think that will help out for the points so maybe I will take home two. Ty's been taking the Big Gators home, he'll be fine until next year. That was awesome, this is a special place. Coming from ninth, man I have my head on straight. When the opportunities were there I took them. The bottom just kept coming to me. I like it down there."

DIRTcar Late Models also invaded the DIRTcar Nationals for the first of six nights of action. Shane Clanton drove past Darrell Lanigan on lap 26 to win for the first time in his career at Volusia Speedway Park. Tim McCreadie wound up third.

"This feels real good, it's one of those things has eluded me for a long time," said Clanton, of Zebulon, Ga. "We've run good down here, just haven't had Lady Luck on our side. Right now everything's clicking. I knew I had a good racecar early in the race and was just biding my time and just saving my tires as long as I could. When it was time to go, I went."

Nightly doubleheaders at Volusia run Tuesday through Saturday. On Tuesday night, DIRTcar UMP Modifieds wrap up their portion of the DIRTcar Nationals with Triple 20s as the DIRTcar Late Models return for a full program on the second of six consecutive nights.

For more information and updates on the DIRTcar Nationals, click DIRTcarNationals.com or follow on Twitter at @DIRTcarNats.

DIRTcar Nationals Statistical Report; Feb. 16, 2015; Volusia Speedway Park; Barberville, Fla.

DIRTcar UMP Modified A-Main (20 Laps) - A-Main - (30 Laps) - 1. 3-Austin Dillon [9] ($5,000); 2. 41-Ty Dillon [7]; 3. 2-Nick Hoffman [3]; 4. 1G-Devin Gilpin [1]; 5. 36-Kenny Wallace [12]; 6. 40B-Kyle Bronson [10]; 7. 13-Jake Hawkins [15]; 8. 9-Ken Schrader [2]; 9. 64JR-Billy Workman Jr. [6]; 10. 8-Kyle Strickler [5]; 11. 1X-Cody Erickson [20]; 12. 35-Jason Beaulieu [4]; 13. 51G-Brandon Green [17]; 14. 51-Justin Allgaier [22]; 15. 28-Paul Miles [23]; 16. K9-Will Krup [27]; 17. 7-Evan Taylor [11]; 18. BD4-Jackie Boggs [24]; 19. 77-Ray Bollinger [21]; 20. 54B-Larry Burkins [29]; 21. 96-Cory Daugherty [25]; 22. 67-Garret Stewart [13]; 23. 88-Matt Crafton [14]; 24. 11R-Josh Rice [8]; 25. 22T-Tony Anderson [28]; 26. 25-Tyler Nicely [16]; 27. 9M-Dale Mathison [18]; 28. 16C-Josh Harris [19]; 29. 01-Todd Sherman [26].

DIRTcar Late Model A-Main (30 Laps) - 1. 25-Shane Clanton ($7,000); 2. 29-Darrell Lanigan; 3. 39-Tim McCreadie; 4. 20-Rodney Sanders; 5. 101-Casey Roberts; 6. 0-Scott Bloomquist; 7. 38-Kenny Pettyjohn; 8. 1-Josh Richards; 9. 28-Dennis Erb Jr.; 10. 5B-Brandon Sheppard; 11. 7-Ricky Weiss; 12. 7R-Kent Robinson; 13. 96-Terry English; 14. 201-Billy Ogle Jr.; 15. 16-Tyler Bruening; 16. 25Z-Mason Zeigler; 17. 1P-Earl Pearson Jr.; 18. 18-Eric Wells; 19. 99-Boom Briggs; 20. 1*-Chub Frank; 21. 16H-Mike Hammerle; 22. 21-Billy Moyer; 23. 40B-Kyle Bronson; 24. 7v-Rick Eckert.

DIRTcar Nationals Day-by-Day Schedule (Grandstands open at 5 p.m.)

Tuesday, Feb. 17 - DIRTcar Late Models & DIRTcar UMP Modifieds Triple 20s

Wednesday, Feb. 18 - DIRTcar Late Models & Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds

Thursday, Feb. 19 - World of Outlaws Late Models & Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds

Friday, Feb. 20 - World of Outlaws Late Models & Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds

Saturday, Feb. 21 - World of Outlaws Late Models & Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds