Kenny Wallace captured a podium finish during the second night of the 2026 Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park, securing third place in Nick Hoffman’s No. 36 modified and continuing his strong presence at the annual event in Florida. The Kenny Wallace DIRTcar Nationals podium achievement highlights his consistent competitiveness during the nine-day racing showcase, which launched on January 29 and runs through February 7.
Strong Start for Wallace at Volusia Speedway Park
Wallace, a well-known NASCAR veteran, kicked off the week with a win in his heat race and a fourth-place finish in the feature on opening night. Demonstrating steady pace and skill, he repeated his heat win on Night 2 and went on to secure third place in the 20-lap UMP Modified Feature against a tough field at Volusia’s half-mile track. His early performances at the DIRTcar Nationals reflect his commitment to this reputable dirt racing event.
Inside the Race: Wallace’s Perspective and Caution Challenges
Wallace started the feature event on the coveted front row, sharing the spot with Ricky Thornton Jr. Piloting the blue Southern Country Customs No. 36 Modified, the seasoned driver asserted himself in the initial laps, taking command at the front. As the race progressed, a succession of cautions brought the field back together, gradually eroding Wallace’s gap over his competitors and resulting in a third-place result by the checkered flag. Sharing his thoughts on social media afterward, Wallace wrote:
“It was a good night. we finished 3d. Congratulations to Charlie.😁”
Wallace provided further detail about his performance and the race’s unfolding during his Coffee with Kenny video:
“Had another good night last night. Wallace won his heat race again. Wallace, 62 years old. Wallace lined up on the front row with Ricky Thornton. Wallace led the first 13 laps. Oh, and then it ended. We ran third last night.” (0:11 onwards)
He emphasized the impact repeated caution flags had on the outcome:
“I thought I had that baby won. We had caution after caution after caution, but every time they dropped that green flag, I’d put about a second and a half on them.”
Early Momentum and Recent Successes for Wallace
This latest podium comes shortly after Wallace secured a win in the UMP Modified class during a recent camper racing event in Tennessee, earning $22.55 and quickly establishing himself as the early points leader in that division. Propelled by this string of solid performances, Wallace has committed to racing through the remainder of the DIRTcar Nationals, with competition continuing through February 7 at Volusia.
Recognizing Charlie Medford’s Achievement and Shared Qualities
In addition to celebrating his own result, Kenny Wallace offered praise to race winner Charlie Medford both online and on his video series, drawing comparisons between their careers. On Coffee with Kenny, Wallace acknowledged Medford’s recent victories:
“Charlie Medford, a good little kid that has grown up and become a great race car driver. Charlie won 10 grand to win at Eldora about three months ago,” he added. (0:51 onwards)
Wallace further reflected on the similarities between himself and Medford, noting their shared humor and positive outlook in the sport:
“Charlie Medford is a lot like me. He’s funny. He’s the one that at the dome… three, four years ago that said, ‘You can’t park there.’ He flipped his card. Me and Charlie Medford, we parallel each other. We’re happy people. And you can confuse happiness with crazy.”
Looking Ahead: Wallace’s Ongoing Campaign and Team Support
As the DIRTcar Nationals continue in Florida, Kenny Wallace thanked his sponsors and partners—including Nick Hoffman, Darrell Hoffman, and Rhonda Hoffman—for their valuable contributions that have helped maintain his competitive edge at Volusia Speedway Park. With more races to come, Wallace remains driven to build on his early momentum and contend for further podium finishes, showing that passion and experience continue to propel his dirt racing journey.
It was a good night.
we finished 3d. Congratulations to Charlie.😁 https://t.co/51x3cdLIsq— Kenny Wallace (@Kenny_Wallace) January 31, 2026
