Making History: World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway
Staff Report
Mark Martin (2) and Dick Trickle (99) lead the field to the green in the 1979 World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at Florida's New Smyrna Speedway. (Jim Jones/New Smyrna Speedway)
The World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing first ran in 1968, with Tom Pistone taking home the Late Model title.
Since then, a veritable who's who of short track stars have made their way to the high-banked half-mile of Florida's New Smyrna Speedway. Dick Trickle is a four-time champion, while drivers such as Pete Hamilton (1974-75), Mark Martin (1978) and Junior Hanley (1980-81). No driver has won in consecutive years since Pete Orr's three-year run in 1992-94.
Current NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Zane Smith and NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Harrison Burton made their names with World Series crowns in 2015 and 2017, respectively. Short-track notables Ty Majeski (2016), Bubba Pollard (2019) and Derek Griffith (2020) have added their names to the New Smyrna record books.
The Modifieds joined the show in 1976, with Maynard Troyer winning the title. Richie Evans took the top honors in 1977, the first of six titles he'd win at New Smyrna. Jimmy Spencer would follow with a crown in 1985, and Reggie Ruggerio won three times in four years. Steve Park went back-to-back in 1992-93, while Tom Baldwin won four championships.
Ted Christopher emerged as the driver to beat at New Smyrna, winning nine titles between 1998-2011. His 10th World Series crown came in 1991 when he split the former SK Modified Division title with his twin brother, Mike.
More recently, Ryan Preece won three straight Tour Modified titles amidst his ascension to the NASCAR Cup Series, while Matt Hirschman has won two of the last three years.
Future NASCAR Cup Series champions Joey Logano and Kyle Busch have tried their hand at a Modified at New Smyrna, while Christopher Bell recorded his first career NASCAR win in a Super Late Model at the World Series.
RELATED:From New Smyrna To Daytona Gallery | Past Stars At New Smyrna Gallery
This year's World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing runs from Friday, Feb. 5-Saturday, Feb. 13, and can be seen live on TrackPass on NBC Gold.
