TRENTON, N.J. — The East Coast Dirt Nationals, presented by Belfor Property Restoration, has become a must-see event for racing fans.
Since its debut in 2017, the event has captivated a growing number of enthusiasts with its intense action and jaw-dropping moments.
Electrifying comebacks have left fans wanting more, and this weekend, they’ll get their chance to satisfy that craving. On Feb. 21-22, 90 drivers will race for stardom on the banked, black clay oval built inside the CURE Insurance Arena, as the roar of the engines returns to Trenton!
The Trenton Indoor Dirt Nationals has built a reputation for unpredictable, edge-of-your-seat racing. None have been more thrilling than the two times a driver has rocketed from dead last to victory lane against all odds.
Jon Keller pulled off an unforgettable comeback in 2020. After flipping his car during Friday’s qualifying action, he started at the back in Saturday’s E-Main. Keller climbed through the ranks in the E, D, and C mains to make it to the B-Main, where he finished seventh, earning the 26th and final starting spot in the A-Main without winning a qualifier!
It took Keller 48 of the 50 laps to take the lead and claim the victory, marking the biggest win of his career and a huge achievement for weekly 600 Sprint drivers. Keller’s victory came over a talented field of big-car racers from multiple states.
Tim Buckwalter didn’t start last in the 2023 event, but after getting tangled up in a battle for the sixth spot on lap 12, he was forced to the rear. With only 38 laps to go, Buckwalter made a spectacular comeback, needing just 11 laps to pass the field, thanks to a long stretch of green flag racing. Once in front, he led Billy Pauch Jr. and lady racer Adrianna Deloponti to the finish line.
While Buckwalter’s run impressed the fans, it was Deloponti, a Norristown, PA driver, who captured their hearts. Starting 17th, she made an incredible charge, gaining second place with just a handful of laps remaining.
With Buckwalter stuck in traffic, Deloponti nearly passed him for the win, but a yellow flag with two laps to go halted her progress. Despite finishing third, she became the first female to make the A-Main in Trenton, earning loud cheers for her memorable performance.
In the inaugural 2017 event, Whitey Kidd III (later revealed to be Rob Vivona) made a stunning pass of Alex Bright to win, despite battling cancer. Kidd’s victory was an emotional moment, and after his passing in 2023, the Rob Vivona Memorial trophy was established in his honor.
Last year’s winner, Anthony Perrego, made history as well. The dirt modified driver had never driven a 600 Sprint until Thursday night’s practice. Starting 11th in the 2024 A-Main on Saturday, Perrego climbed through the field slowly, not reaching the top five until late in the race. He then shocked the crowd by going from third to first with eight laps to go to take the win.
In the five years of the event, only one winner started up front: Erick Rudolph from Ransomville, NY, who led from start to finish in 2018. It didn’t come easy. However, Pauch Jr. charged from the back of the field to second and nearly pulled off the winning pass.
The battle for Trenton begins on Friday night, with doors opening at 6 p.m. and racing starting at 7 p.m.
Watch all of the action on SPEED SPORT affiliate DirtTrackDigest.tv.
