TRENTON, N.J. — When fans and racers left the CURE Insurance Arena on Feb. 22, 2020 following an incredible 3rd annual East Coast Dirt Nationals, they wanted more and couldn’t wait for the event to be held the following year.
Unfortunately, because of Covid-19 restrictions that would follow, that one year wait was postponed not once, but twice.
With the memory of Jon Keller’s advancement from 24th to first in the 2020 event still very much intrenched in their minds, the wait is over. The 4th BELFOR East Coast Dirt Nationals will be held this weekend, February 24-25.
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The entry list is full of top drivers ready to buckle into 90 wingless 600cc Sprint racecars.
Drivers To Watch
Keller, a southern New Jersey resident, is one of the 90 drivers who pre-entered before the list hit its limit. With pit area parking space in the arena now full, further entries received will be held for possible cancellation.
A 600 Sprint regular, Keller’s victory gave division regulars two wins in the first three events held. Staten Island, N.Y.’s Whitey Kidd III upset the star studded field at the first event.
Dirt Modified and indoor TQ Midget star on the concrete series, Erick Rudolph won the second annual event. Rudolph’s victory gave New York staters two wins in three races. The car he drove, however, was owned by noted Pa. driver/owner Tom Frascetta.
This year’s entry list includes drivers from eight different states. Keller and dirt Modified super star Billy Pauch Jr. lead a group of home-state drivers hoping to take the victory. In the 2020 event, Pauch had a real shot at the win, but came up short in the final laps. After three runnings of the race, he owns the best overal record but wants to win and take home the $5,000 first place prize and most importantly, the big trophy and check.
The Micro Sprint rich states of Pennsylvannia and Delaware will have a real shot at gaining a first win. Talented Pa. drivers such as Tim Buckwalter, Alex Bright and Briggs Danner are expected to be top contenders. Coming off success at this year’s Tulsa, Okla. Indoor Chili Bowl, Delaware’s Kyle Spencer could bring a first win, for the first state.
The Program Rundown
This weekend’s program starts on Friday with a race fan’s dream event featuring four 20-lap Turp Coates Law of Hightstown, N.J. sponsored A-Main Qualifier races.
The top 60 in heat race points, finishing positions with the addition of passing points, advance to the four 20-lap A-Main qualifiers. Each winner earns $1,000. The top three in each transfer directly to Saturday night’s $5,000-to-win A-Main.
Finishing positions and passing points from Friday will then set the lineups for Saturday’s events for the remainder of the drivers who fail to finish in the top three on night one.
The drivers with the least points will begin Saturday’s program in one of two E-Mains that transfer the top four to the back of those assigned to the D-Main. This process continues with each letter until the top six finishers in each B-Main fill-out the field for Saturday night’s 24-car A-Main.