1/25/2024
Dirt2Media
PREVIEW: 2024 Florida Micro Funfest
OCALA, Fla. - A strong crop of locals, Tulsa Shootout Golden Driller winners, National Open Wheel 600 Series National champions, Deuces Wild Shootout winners, top ranking regional drivers from more than a dozen states, and some NASCAR flavor.. that's what you can expect at Florida Micro Funfest.
All eyes turn to Marion County Speedway as the NOW600 Wildcard Series makes its much anticipated debut in the Sunshine State on February 5th-10th.
Outlaw Non-Wing, Winged Outlaw, Restricted, Junior Sprints, and the Sunshine State Micro Sprints are all set to compete on the 1/4-mile dirt oval situated off Interstate 75 on the North side of Ocala.
Outlaw Non-Wing headlines the week with nightly $1,000 to-win prelims preluding the $5,000 to-win finale on Saturday. Winged Outlaw will compete for a $750 top prize each weeknight before the Saturday night $2,500 to-win special.
Preliminary nights for the Restricted division are set to pay $300 to-win with Saturday night's A-main jumping to $1,000 to-win. Junior Sprints will battle for a $100 paycheck all week before Saturday's finale paying $300 to-win.
The Sunshine State Micro Sprints, a local 250/450 division, join the fun on Friday and Saturday with complete racing programs being contested each night.
Winged Outlaw, Restricted, Junior Sprints, and 250/450’s will draw for Heat race starting positions each night. NOW600 passing points will be utilized to determine Feature starting positions. If a B-Main is needed, the Top 14 in passing points will transfer to the A-Main. The remainder of the field will be positioned heads up by points for a B-Main. If one B-Main is ran, the Top 6 will transfer to the A-Main. If two B-Mains are ran, the Top 3 from each will transfer to the A-Main.
Outlaw Non-Wing drivers will draw for Heat race starting positions. NOW600 passing points will be utilized. The Top 40 in passing points will go into 4-10 car Qualifiers with a four-car inversion. The Top 14 in combined Heat race and Qualifier passing points will transfer to the A-Main. The reminder of the field will be placed heads up by points into a B-Main. If one B-Main is ran, the Top 6 will transfer to the A-Main. If two B-Mains are ran, the Top 3 from each will transfer to the A-Main.
Expected entrants for Florida Micro Funfest include James Roselli, Cole Dewease, Frank Flud, Brecken Reese, Reed Whitney, Bryce Comer, Joe Askew, Braxton Weger, Kaden Weger, Autumn Criste, Cole Schroeder, Cody Key, Kyle Busch, Brexton Busch, Cruz Dickerson, Matthew Carr, Steven Snyder Jr., Robbie Smith, Paige Moss, Harley Hollan, and many others.
Dirt2Media has leased Marion County Speedway for the week and is handling overall operations of the event. Terry Mattox and the National Open Wheel 600 Series will serve as the Race Director and execute all officiating details. Track preparations and food/drink concessions will be managed by Marion County Speedway staff.
Watch LIVE coverage each night at www.dirt2media.tv!
A professionally produced broadcast led by Jacob Batycki will be accessible each night for Dirt2Media subscribers. Richard Ford, Jay Barker, and Mary Wendeln will serve as Camera-Operators, bringing over 30 years of experience to the team.
On-air talents Ryan "HOSS" Merz and Scotty Cook will provide play-by-play and expert analysis on the broadcasts, available both live and replay following the event.
The Dirt2Media and Florida Micro Funfest social media channels will be managed by Noah Wiekert and Ryan Bowling with highlights, driver interviews, recaps, and other exclusive creative content offered all week long.
Driver Entries and Pit Passes are still available in the Pit Pay app (https://www.pitpay.com/event/2815) for those wanting to pay by credit card or bypass the lines at check-in. Credit Cards will not be accepted on-site.
Florida Micro Funfest - Times
Sunday, February 4th
- 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM >> Parking open for teams who have purchased RESERVED PARKING through the PitPay app.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday - February 5th, 6th, 8th, + 9th
- 12:00 PM >> Parking open for teams who have purchased RESERVED PARKING through the PitPay app.
- 3:00 PM >> Pits Cleared
- 3:30 PM >> Pit Gate Opens (Non-Reserved Parking Begins)
- 5:00 PM - 6:15 PM >> Drivers Check-In/Draw
- 6:30 PM >> Drivers Meeting
- 7:00 PM >> Hot Laps
Saturday, February 10th
- 12:00 PM >> Parking Open
- 3:00 PM >> Pits Cleared
- 3:30 PM >> Pit Gate Opens
- 4:00 PM - 5:15 PM >> Drivers Check-In/Draw
- 5:30 PM >> Drivers Meeting
- 6:00 PM >> Hot Laps
Florida Micro Funfest - Event Format
Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday - February 5th, 6th, & 8th
HOT LAPS
-Winged Outlaw
-Restricted
-Outlaw Non-Wing
-Junior Sprints
OPENING CEREMONIES
RACING
- Heat 8-laps: Outlaw Non-Wing*
- Heat 8-laps: Junior Sprints
- Heat 8-laps: Winged Outlaw
- Heat 8-laps: Restricted
*Top 40 Passing Points Advance To 4-10 Car Qualifiers. Remainder To Back Of C-Mains.
- A-Main 20-laps: Winged Outlaw
- A-Main 15-laps: Junior Sprints
- C-Mains 10-laps: Outlaw Non-Wing*
- Qualifiers 8-laps: Outlaw Non-Wing
- A-Main 20-laps: Restricted
- B-Mains 12-laps: Outlaw Non-Wing
- 7 minute break
- A-Main 25-laps: Outlaw Non-Wing
*Top 3 To Back Of Corresponding B-Main
Friday, February 9th
HOT LAPS
-Winged Outlaw
-Restricted
-Sunshine State Micros
-Outlaw Non-Wing
-Junior Sprints
OPENING CEREMONIES
RACING
- Heat 8-laps: Outlaw Non-Wing*
- Heat 8-laps: Junior Sprints
- Heat 8-laps: Sunshine State Micros
- Heat 8-laps: Winged Outlaw
- Heat 8-laps: Restricted
*Top 40 Passing Points Advance To 4-10 Car Qualifiers. Remainder To Back Of C-Mains.
- A-Main 20-laps: Winged Outlaw
- A-Main 15-laps: Junior Sprints
- C-Mains 10-laps: Outlaw Non-Wing*
- Qualifiers 8-laps: Outlaw Non-Wing
- A-Main 20-laps: Sunshine State Micros
- B-Mains 12-laps: Outlaw Non-Wing
- A-Main 20-laps: Restricted
- A-Main 25-laps: Outlaw Non-Wing
*Top 3 To Back Of Corresponding B-Main
Saturday, February 10th
HOT LAPS
-Winged Outlaw
-Restricted
-Sunshine State Micros
-Outlaw Non-Wing
-Junior Sprints
OPENING CEREMONIES
RACING
- Heat 8-laps: Outlaw Non-Wing*
- Heat 8-laps: Junior Sprints
- Heat 8-laps: Sunshine State Micros
- Heat 8-laps: Winged Outlaw
- Heat 8-laps: Restricted
*Top 40 Passing Points Advance To 4-10 Car Qualifiers. Remainder To Back Of C-Mains.
- A-Main 20-laps: Winged Outlaw
- A-Main 15-laps: Junior Sprints
- C-Mains 10-laps: Outlaw Non-Wing*
- Qualifiers 8-laps: Outlaw Non-Wing
- A-Main 20-laps: Sunshine State Micros
- B-Mains 12-laps: Outlaw Non-Wing
- A-Main 20-laps: Restricted
- A-Main 25-laps: Outlaw Non-Wing
*Top 3 To Back Of Corresponding B-Main
Article Credit: Ryan Bowling