Unrattled by a Wednesday night performance where he finished sixth  during the evening’s consolation B-Main, two-time and defending Ollie’s Bargain Outlet All Star Circuit of Champions champion Aaron Reutzel was the class of the field on Thursday evening at Volusia Speedway Park. He concluded the All Star segment of the 2020 DIRTcar Nationals with a victory which is now the 26th of his career and a first-ever Series win at the "World’s Fastest Half Mile Dirt Track."

Check out the full results from 2020 DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia!

Defending World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series champion, Brad Sweet, finished second on Thursday night, followed by Ian Madsen, Donny Schatz and James McFadden.

“We do a lot in the off-season to try and make our cars better and better. I just can’t thank my guys enough,” Aaron Reutzel said, who amassed a Series-leading 16 victories in 2019. “Dylan Buswell is with us now because Cheeseburger is gone. He went home to better his career and you can’t blame someone for wanting to do that. This is just another testament to this team. We missed the A-Main last night but we came back with redemption tonight.”

Reutzel, driver of the Baughman-Reutzel Motorsports/Folkens Brothers Trucking/Fischer Body Shop/Nattress Construction/No. 87 sprint car, earned his $5,000 top prize from the inside of the second row, eventually working his way around front row starter and Wednesday night winner, Brad Sweet, with a diving move in turns one and two on lap eight, all before powering under race leader, Ian Madsen, in turn four on lap 16. A lapped car, which caused Madsen to slip out of his desired groove, aided Reutzel’s attempt.

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Despite an abrasive surface ultimately leading to a thin, but ultra-fast racing groove, Reutzel never faltered, maintaining command, as well as his composure, even as tire wear started to become an obvious threat during the later stages of the 25-lap program. 

Adding to the drama already assembling due to tire concern, cautions started to flood the main event with just four circuits remaining. In fact, caution lights appeared on lap 22 and again on lap 24, each for right-rear flats, ultimately setting up a green-white-checkered finish. In spite of concern, and a right-rear lacking tread, Reutzel persevered.

“The first couple of laps, I just kinda judged myself with everyone else. I could see Brad [Sweet] was moving around and he was pretty good, too. I eventually found the rubber and Brad found it at the same time, but luckily I was able to find it a little before he did,” Aaron Reutzel continued. “I eventually ran up on Ian [Madsen]. I thought I was running a pretty smart race but I think I got to Ian a little too quickly because he ended up seeing me and moving down on me. Regardless, it all ended up playing out in our favor. I was just trying to be as patient as I could.” 

Tony Stewart’s All Star Circuit of Champions will conclude their 2020 Florida vacation with a pair of East Bay Raceway Park starts on Monday and Tuesday, February 10-11. Dubbed the All Star Circuit of Champions presented by Winn-Dixie, the East Bay double will award a pair of $5,000 paydays. Fans should visit East Bay Raceway Park online for additional information: www.ebrp.co. The Tampa-area facility has not hosted an All Star Circuit of Champions program since 2010.

Hear from the top 3 finishers of the 2020 All Stars at Volusia: