NASCAR Stars Larson and Bell Dominate Outlaw Racing at Florida’s Volusia Speedway
The World of Outlaws sprint cars showcased an exciting four-day racing event at the Volusia County Speedway near Daytona last week, creating a buzz that could rival Daytona’s famed race. The spotlight shone brightly on NASCAR drivers, with Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell taking three of the four wins during the Gator Nationals series.
Carson Macedo’s Thrilling Win Kicks Off the Event
The series kicked off on Wednesday with Carson Macedo, who finished second in the World of Outlaws points standings last season. Macedo seized the opportunity, securing a hard-fought victory over defending Outlaw champion David Gravel. Despite a strong challenge from Larson, Macedo’s pace proved unmatchable, with Logan Schuchart and Brad Sweet rounding out the top five. Anthony Macri from Dellsburg finished in ninth place. While Bell struggled, finishing 16th in the Donnie Kreitz Jr. car, it was a day of mixed fortunes for others. Brock Zearfoss ended up in 27th place, while Danny Dietrich, Jacob Allen, and TJ Stutts couldn’t make it out of the B-main.
NASCAR Battle Heats Up on Thursday
Thursday witnessed a NASCAR showdown on the Volusia dirt oval, with Christopher Bell taking on Kyle Larson in a fierce battle for supremacy. Bell bested Larson for the win, adding another Florida Outlaw victory to Kreitz’s impressive resume. Schuchart finished third, while Gravel and Sweet completed the top five. Macri struggled again, finishing 16th, while Allen came in 18th and Zearfoss took 22nd. Stutts was relegated to the B-Main once more, and Dietrich faced a disappointing C-Main exit.
Kyle Larson Dominates Friday’s Event
On Friday, it was clear that the night belonged to Kyle Larson. In a flag-to-flag performance, Larson outpaced Bell, taking the victory with authority. Gravel, Sweet, and Ryan Timms rounded out the top five. Schuchart finished 8th, while Allen ended up in 16th, Zearfoss in 25th, and Macri in 26th. For Dietrich, the night ended at the B-Main, and Stutts again found himself in the C-Main.
Larson Closes the Weekend with Another Victory
In the Saturday finale, Larson completed the sweep with yet another victory, this time beating Schuchart to the line. Gravel, Macedo, and Tyler Courtney completed the top five, with Zearfoss finishing 11th. Dietrich came in 13th, Allen 17th, and Macri 25th. Bell, who had been strong throughout the weekend, was forced to retire early due to issues in the time trials, ending his hopes for a win.
Local Talent Makes Waves in the 360 Sprints
The 360 sprints brought some exciting moments of their own, with Mark Smith securing a win in Saturday’s event at Hendry County. Smith’s victory came over Tyler Clem, who had taken the win on Friday. Local racer Davie Franek finished 6th, showing that Florida’s racing scene is packed with emerging talent. Smith had earlier placed 3rd in Friday’s race, further adding to the competitive spirit at the event.
In Conclusion: NASCAR Stars and Local Heroes Shine at Volusia
The Gator Nationals series at Volusia County Speedway proved to be an electrifying event, showcasing the dominance of NASCAR stars like Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell. With local drivers like Mark Smith making waves in the 360 sprint car events, the competition was fierce from start to finish. Whether you’re a long-time NASCAR fan or a World of Outlaws enthusiast, this event left everyone eagerly anticipating what’s next in the racing world.
