Carter added that the fan experience will be enhanced during the DIRTcar Nationals and the enhancements will carry on throughout the World of Outlaws sprint car and late model seasons.
“The momentum for DIRTcar Nationals has been building throughout the summer,” he said. “The local support is higher than it has been in a long time. The DIRTcar Nationals is going to be a huge celebration for the locals as well as the national scene. The excitement with the sprints, late models, big blocks and UMP mods, it will be spectacular.
“You’re going to see the full deployment of our fan experience. The most visible parts of that will be the video boards. We have three large-screen videos for the fans to see.”
Carter estimated each video screen at 27 feet by 16 feet and a produced show will be shown rather than the DIRTVision broadcast.
In addition to the fan engagement, spectators may also see some new things around the facility, including better lighting and fencing. And of course, the new grandstands along the frontstretch that were opened during the 2020 DIRTcar Nationals will be available from the start of the event.
“2020 was the first year in over a decade that World Racing Group operated the property all year,” Carter said. “Our improvements have been made throughout the year. The changes are significant but much more subtle than they have been in the past.”
The significance of this anniversary stands out as well.
“It’s the 50th running of the DIRTcar Nationals,” Carter noted. “We have a lot of commemorative pieces, a lot of history being made. It’s a milestone. I hope it doesn’t get overshadowed by the pandemic. We’ll do a lot that we’ll pull back the history of the DIRTcar Nationals. We’ll have as many people on the property as we can. We’ll look for the historical pieces to come alive.”
Not to be lost in the shuffle is the racing at Volusia Speedway Park. The semi-banked, half-mile oval can produce electric action with many of the top drivers in racing duking it out for not only the win each night but the gator trophy that signifies an event championship.
Two-time and defending World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series champion Brad Sweet has enjoyed a lot of success during the DIRTcar Nationals, capturing the “big gator” in 2016 and again last year.
“It’s always exciting to get to Florida and start the season,” Sweet said. “We’ve been very successful and won two of the big gators. It’s fun to spend five nights at the same race track and get back in the groove of racing. It helps to get in the rhythm with the guys and work on your setups.
“I think there’s definitely some prestige. Since there’s five nights at the same track, it shows the team that comes out of the box the best,” Sweet added. “We’re getting a lot more fans, a lot more people excited about coming to Florida at the beginning of the season. You leave there and are very proud to win the big gator. It’s a pride thing and we’ve been proud to win two of those.”
While Sweet is ready to kick off the season with another stout weekend at one of his best tracks, he is also hoping for a less challenging season.
“We’ve had a lot of fans and the event keeps growing,” he said. “Hopefully, COVID will be starting to look like it’s in our rearview mirror. I think everybody has to approach the situation with their comfort level. You’re always going to have to protect yourself in whatever manor is responsible for yourself. If you feel at risk you’re probably going to stay in your trailer, wear a mask and try to socially distance.
“If somebody doesn’t feel that way, they can go about their business. There are a lot of unknowns with the virus. With a vaccine on the way, it gives people a lot more confidence there is light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully, we can get through those first few months (of the season) ducking and diving and making all the races.”