7th starting Kyle Strickler took advantage of a great initial start and a lap 24 restart to fend off local hotshoe Jason Garver for his first victory of the 2019 season in the 30-lap UMP Modified main event on the second night of the 2019 Winternationals at the North Florida Speedway in Lake City, FL.

Stickler moved into the top five on the original start of the race and after a lap 2 and lap 3 cautions bunched the field up early, Strickler made his move into the top spot and began to pace the field with Garver in tow. Garver made several valiant efforts to overhaul Strickler’s #8 but ‘the highside tickler’ was able to hold him off over the last six laps to garner the $1,500 payday and win at the North Florida oval for the third consecutive season. Garver defended his home turf well with his runner up finish and Nick Hoffman, who’s opening night was disastrous, rallied very well to come home in third. First time visitor Michael Long came home fourth and Zeke McKenzie outdueled Ray Bollinger in a race long battle for a top five finish.

North Florida’s previous Modified car count record was 35 until tonight when a track record 42 drivers entered UMP Modified action.

Karlin Ray won the Thunder Stock main event.
John Windham won the Box Stock feature.
Heath Walker won the Street Stock main.

UMP Modified Feature Finish: Kyle Stickler, Jason Garver, Nick Hoffman, Michael Long, Zeke McKenzie, Ray Bollinger, Curt Myers, Mavrick Varnadore, Tyler Nicely, Chris Smith, Drake Troutman, Ken Schrader, Austin Holcombe, Garrett Stewart, Makayla Tyrrell, Gary Dillon, Wesley Duboise, Dylan Browning, Todd Neiheiser, Christian Thomas, Zaccary Oedewaldt, Dave Wietholder, Mark Enk, Ryan Fowler