by John Gibson on February 15, 2011

Don O'Neal took home the checkered flag at Ocala Speedway on Sunday. Image Credit: R.E. Wing Photo

The races during the Florida Speedweeks bring out the best dirt track racers in the country, and huge car counts! Yesterday’s dirt late model event at Volusia speedway Park had over 70 entries! East Bay Speedway recorded car counts over 60, and Ocala’s “Battle Between the Coasts” event on Sunday which was won by Don O’Neal had 35 entries. All of these entries make it even more impressive that so many dirt late model veterans are capturing wins in 2011. Late model veterans like Moyer, Bloomquist, and O’Neal have already taken home a checkered flag in 2011.

for more information on the remaining schedules for Florida speedweeks make sure you visit each track’s website. Ocala Speedway, Volusia Speedway Park, and East Bay Raceway Park.

Billy Moyer bested a 71 car field yesterday evening at Volusia Speedway park to take home the $7,000 winners check. Moyer said something though that I believe shows why so many veterans have won this season. “It was like ice out there, so slick,” said Moyer. “I was just trying to take care of the car, the tires, everything on there, and was waiting for them (Pearson and Madden) to make a little bobble. They got to moving around on the racetrack a little bit and I had my old hot rod where it could stay on the bottom pretty good, and it worked out for us.” These veterans have encountered every known track condition throughout their experience and not only know how to adjust their setup but also know how to adjust their driving style to help find the grip.

Billy Moyer conquered the 71 car field Monday night at Volusia Speedway Park. Image Credit DirtCarNationals.com

Good track conditions haven’t come easy for the tracks this year. Rains have plagued the Florida tracks, and track conditions haven’t been ideal, although many drivers have commended the tracks for their work to get the tracks into decent conditions. Don’t misunderstand me these veterans are always tough at every track they show up at. But when track conditions aren’t perfect, these guys really shine. Just look at Scott Bloomquist’s stats from the DART WinterNationals at East Bay Raceway Park (which had to post-pone 2 events due to rain): 6 starts, 1 win, 3 top fives, and 4 top tens. That was good enough to win the overall title by 5 points at the DART WinterNationals then none other than Don O’Neal.

Tyler Reddick was one the rarities this week by capturing a victory early in the DART WinterNationals. Image Credit: EastBayRacewayPark.com

Luckily it hasn’t been all the veterans this week, Tyler Reddick showed the rest of us how it could be done by besting the likes of Bloomquist and O’Neal at East Bay Raceway Park early last week. The action continues tonight when the DIRTcar late models will pick up the action at Volusia Speedway Park and battle for another $7,000 check. Fans can log on to DirtVision.com to watch or listen to a live broadcast from the event.

http://www.onedirt.com/news/dirt-track-veterans-having-a-very-successful-speedweeks/