Pennsylvania's Anthony Macri conquered Florida, winning the Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals finale at Volusia Speedway Park with a dramatic last-lap battle.
The Dillsburg native opened strong with third and fourth-place finishes before Saturday's $20,000 finale. Starting fourth, Macri seized the lead from Brian Brown on lap seven and appeared headed for an easy victory. But defending World of Outlaws champion David Gravel had other plans.
Gravel closed the gap and threw a slide job in Turn 1 as the white flag waved. Macri refused to yield, executing a brilliant diamond line through Turn 2 to build momentum. He squeezed past both Gravel and lapped traffic entering Turn 3, holding off the charge to claim the Big Gator trophy.
"I just pulled that one out of my butt," Macri admitted. "I was either putting it between Chase [Dietz] and the inside wall, or I was trashing this thing trying."
The victory marked Macri's eighth career World of Outlaws win, tying him with Jimmy Sills and Cody Darrah on the all-time list. It's his second triumph outside Pennsylvania, following last year's Kings Royal at Eldora.
David Gravel, and K1 drivers Carson Macedo, Buddy Kofoid, and Brian Brown rounded out the top five.
