2/13/2023
Nick Hoffman
Nick Hoffman Returns to Volusia for the DIRTcar Nationals
Nick Hoffman returned to Volusia Speedway Park (Barberville, Fla.) on Monday night for the opening round of the 52nd annual Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals.
Forty-six competitors entered the $7,000-to-win DIRTcar Super Late Model event, and Nick started the event by qualifying fastest in his group in time trials. He then won his heat race to earn a spot in the redraw, where he received the second-starting spot for the 25-lap feature. Hoffman jumped to the lead on the second circuit and paced the field until a lap-6 restart, when he slipped back to fourth.
Nick went on to record a fourth-place finish behind Hudson O'Neal, Tim McCreadie, and Chris Madden.
On Tuesday evening another $7,000-to-win program was held. Via preliminary action, Nick earned the 21st-starting spot for the feature. He advanced three spots to finish 18th.
The 51-car field was divided into three $5,000-to-win features on Wednesday with qualifying setting the feature grid. Hoffman qualified sixth fastest but got over the cushion early in the feature before retiring on lap-6 to an 18th-place finish.
Thursday's docket saw Hoffman returning to action with the World of Outlaws (WoO) Case Late Model Series. A stout 56 entries took to the 1/2-mile oval, and Nick qualified fourth fastest in his group before finishing third in his heat race to earn the 13th-starting spot for the 30-lap feature. In the main event, Nick struggled to get rolling and ultimately finished 20th at the checkered flag.
A $12,000-to-win program was slated for Friday evening, but rain arrived during heat race action, forcing the event to be canceled.
Saturday's DIRTcar Nationals finale proved to be a challenging outing for Nick. He was collected in a first-lap melee in his heat race, which relegated him to a B-Main. After failing to reach a transfer spot in the Last Chance Showdown, Hoffman utilized a provisional to start the feature in the 27th position. He was able to advance 10 spots to finish 17th.
Nick is eighth in the latest series standings.
Full results from the week are available at www.DIRTcarNationals.com.