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Planck third different winner in three nights at Volusia
Dale Planck became the third different winner in three nights in the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar series at Volusia Speedway Friday night. The Cortland, New York, driver passed Alan Johnson just prior to halfway, and then he held off through a number of late race restarts to claim the win.
“Finally,” said Planck in victory lane. “I’ve come so close, and I’ve been the fastest car here for years.
“I was terrible in one and two, but I’d just banzai through three and four. I’m very happy to be here, and this makes it all worth it.”
Dale Planck came from the eighth spot in his RezX Racing TEO, and he wasted no time breaking into the top five. Early race leader Johnson used his outside front row starting spot to get the lead, but the challengers were on their way with Planck reaching the top three by lap four.
The first of many cautions flew on lap three, and Johnson continually chose the outside groove to restart. Jamie Mills ran second through the early restarts, and he was no match for DIRT’s winningest modified driver.
Some of the field’s heavyweights got into troubleon the restart as they fanned four wide on the back stretch trying to advance. Jimmy Horton lost in that transaction as the driver running the furthest outside. Horton made contact with Pat Ward, and the contact likely resulted in his left rear tire flying off entering turn three. His race was over.
Planck used a great restart to move to second place, but it took a few additional restarts for him to finally get past Johnson.
The race behind the leaders was intense with Billy Pauch, Brett Hearn and Pat Ward trying to move forward, but the race for the win was being settled between AJ Slideways and Planck.
Once in front Planck continued to choose the inside groove for restarts. The veteran pilot worked the restarts to perfection, and he was able to keep the competition behind him.
The battle late in the race was between the drivers and the race track as many jumped the cushion in turn two, and then had to pedal their cars to keep them off the walls. Pauch, Ward, and Johnson all flirted with the concrete, but each time they were able to carry on.
The biggest move took place when AJ Slideways checked up in turn two after hopping the cushion. Pauch was too close to capitalize as he had to avoid Johnson, but Ward rocketed off the inside to pass both drivers.
Johnson fought back to regain the position, but Ward was able to stay in front of Pauch. In the end Planck finished first followed by Jonhnson, Ward, Pauch, and Hearn. Mario Clair, Matt Sheppard, Jimmy Phelps, Joe Isabell and Vince Vitale rounded out the top ten.
Official finish: Dale Planck, Alan Johnson, Pat Ward, Billy Pauch, Brett Hearn, Mario Clair, Matt Sheppard, Jimmy Phelps, Jeff Isabel, Vince Vitale, Keith Flach, Larry Wight, Andy Bachetti, Mark Forte jr, Rich Scagliotta, Rob Bellinger, Kevin Hirthler, Jim Rasey, Steve Downs, Wallace Stacey, Jordan Watson, Mike Perotte, David Van Horn, Mark Forte sr, Jamie Mills, Jimmy Horton.
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