Kyle Strickler Aims for Historic Fifth Big Gator Trophy at Volusia Speedway Park
Kyle Strickler, four-time champion, enters Volusia Speedway Park this February with renewed momentum after an unexpected opportunity boosted his championship chances.
After assisting Austin Wayne Self at Ocala Speedway, Strickler stepped into Jeff Mathews' No. 33 Elite Chassis, securing an immediate victory. He followed up with a podium finish before experiencing a DNF due to a broken axle.
Kyle Strickler on Reutimann tractor
Strickler's impressive Volusia record includes 17 victories: 14 during DIRTcar Nationals with UMP Modifieds, two with World of Outlaws Late Models, and one from the Emil and Dale Reutimann Memorial. He claimed his first Big Gator trophy in 2023.
Kyle Strickler racing headshot
The 2022 track improvements transformed Volusia from a high-speed venue to a more technical challenge. "Volusia used to be a motor killer," Strickler explains. "Now it's more technical, with conditions changing lap by lap, making it extremely challenging."
Strickler joins Nick Hoffman, Kyle Bronson, and Ryan Gustin as drivers who've won DIRTcar Nationals Gator trophies in both UMP Modified and Super Late Model divisions. His experience in Modifieds provides valuable preparation for Late Model competition, as he notes the Modified's more driver-dependent nature versus the Late Model's enhanced capabilities.
The 54th Annual Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals runs January 29-February 8 for UMP Modifieds, followed by DIRTcar Late Models and World of Outlaws Late Models February 10-15, where Strickler will pursue his second DIRTcar UMP Modified Florida Speedweeks and Big Gator title.
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