2020 TEAM DRYDENE HIGHLIGHTS: The Drydene World Short Track Championship

The 2020 Team Drydene highlights keep coming! Today we’re spotlighting three days of dirt-filled excitement: the fifth annual Drydene World Short Track Championship! The event took place at the Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina from Thursday, October 29 to Saturday, October 31. Seven divisions of the best weekly racers—over 300 drivers—from all over the country competed in this end of the season mega-event.

Broadcast live on DIRTVision Presented by Drydene and in partnership with the DIRTcar Racing family, the Drydene World Short Track Championship distributed a purse of over $125,000 and 40 slick, red-and-white trophies to winners. The Drydene WSTC also featured giveaways and special awards to drivers in each division, including:

• Longest Tow Award ($500 Drydene product certificate + sponsor prize pack)
• Hard Luck Awards ($200 Drydene product certificate + sponsor prize pack)
• Sportsman of the Year Awards ($500 Drydene product certificate + sponsor prize pack)

Additionally, for the first time, the Drydene WSTC sweetened the pot by introducing the Drydene Double Down Challenge. Before each Feature for the seven competing divisions on October 31, both the polesitter and outside polesitter had the option to drop to the tail of the field and take a shot at the win, doubling the amount written on their check in Victory Lane.

Drama and excitement in every feature

All seven divisions featured thrilling battles and outstanding action, and a few unforgettable storylines during the features:

• Drydene Racing Formulas Street Stocks: The 20-lap feature became a 15-lap feature after a number of incidents. Calon McLaughlin charged to a victory from a P4 start.
• FOX Racing SHOX Pro Late Models: John Ruggiero Jr. dominated the field during the 30-lap feature to take home the $4,000 victory check. In the bonus All-Star Invitational race, Wil Herrington, 2020 Sportsman of the Year, snagged the win.
• Chevrolet Performance 602 Late Models: There was heartbreak for 14-year-old Colton Trouille during the feature on Saturday night. Trouille put on a masterful performance to get to victory lane. However, post-race technical inspection discovered that the car’s motor was fitted with bolts that were not legal for his class. Trouille was disqualified, and the trophy was then given to Bryan Mullis, who finished second.
• Summit Racing Equipment DIRTcar UMP Modifieds: Kyle Strickler, the Highside Tickler, set Fast Time in Qualifying, won his Friday heat race, and pulled the outside pole position in the feature. Strickler passed polesitter David Stremme early and never looked back. Stremme, who finished fourth in the feature, would go on to win the 20-lap All-Star Invitational Feature.
• Hoosier Racing Tire Pro Modifieds: The Saturday night feature highlighted truly fast and furious action, where cautions caused an 11-lap Feature. Despite a feature that included less than half of its originally scheduled laps, driver Jeff Parsons was able to battle to a hard-fought victory.
• COMP Cams Monster Mini-Stocks: Nick “Hotrod” Walker took the checkered flag in the 25-lap feature, but had his victory lane celebration cut short. The 0 car of Walker was disqualified for an illegal floorpan in post-race technical inspection. Brayden Pruitt was declared the winner, making her the first back-to-back Champion of the event.
• VP Racing Fuels Hornets: The Hornet class’ 54 cars was divided into three separate feature races, leading to some serious excitement on the biggest stage of the season. John Windham broke a streak of “close, but no cigar” WSTC attempts with dominating wins both Friday and Saturday. Joey Kelly, a former World Short Track winner, had an uncertain season: after his father’s Lou Gehrig’s disease diagnosis, Kelly had cut back on racing and sold race cars to prioritize time with his dad. However, his dad encouraged him to make the trip, and a week before the action, Kelly made his preparations. Kelly picked up wins on both Friday and Saturday night, a true storybook ending. In the third feature, Chase Hopper took home his first WSTC win and celebrated in grand fashion with family in victory lane.

Join us next year

The entire Drydene team enjoyed seeing these drivers take center stage at the fifth annual Drydene World Short Track Championship. Thanks to all drivers and fans who chose to spend their Halloween weekend with us at the track. That support, dedication, and love for the sport drives outstanding events like the WSTC. We can’t wait for next year: mark your calendars and join us next year for the 6th annual event, Oct. 28-30, 2021!