Alex Yankowski captured his first DIRTcar Nationals Big Gator Championship at Volusia Speedway Park, marking a significant improvement from his previous year's performances at the track.

The championship battle came down to the wire, with Mat Williamson finishing just three points behind Yankowski. In the final feature, Williamson needed to beat Yankowski by eight positions and nearly succeeded, finishing second while Yankowski secured eighth place – his lowest but sufficient finish of the week to claim the title.

Despite his limited experience on Hoosier tires (only 14 races in 2024) compared to veterans like Williamson and Sheppard, Yankowski's performance demonstrated remarkable growth. Coming from Pennsylvania's American Racer territory, his achievement is particularly noteworthy.

"Tonight, I just got too tight and kept thinking about how this was the worst night to miss it," Yankowski reflected. "We just had to recover all night after a not-so-great time trial. I thought all of my guys did a really, really good job all week."

Yankowski highlighted Volusia's unique challenges, emphasizing the importance of clean air and decisive passing. "This racetrack is just a different beast," he explained. "You'll be great one night and terrible the next. Clean air means so much here; when you get to a guy, you have to get by them and put them away immediately."

The victory represents a dramatic turnaround from last year when Yankowski's best finish at Volusia was 12th place. This championship not only boosts his confidence but also validates his team's dedication and resilience throughout two demanding weeks in Florida.

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