Alex Yankowski claimed his first DIRTcar Nationals Big Gator championship at Volusia Speedway Park, marking a significant improvement from his previous year's performances. The young Pennsylvania driver edged out Mat Williamson by just three points in a tight championship battle.

Despite finishing eighth in the final feature behind Erick Rudolph and runner-up Williamson, Yankowski's consistency throughout the week secured him the title. This achievement is particularly impressive considering his limited experience on Hoosier tires, having made only eight Super DIRTcar Series starts last season and approximately 14 total races on Hoosier rubber in 2024.

"Tonight, I just got too tight and kept thinking about how this was the worst night to miss it," Yankowski reflected. "We just had to recover all night after a not-so-great time trial."

The victory represents a remarkable turnaround from last year when Yankowski's best finish at Volusia was 12th in three starts. He attributes his success to his team's resilience and ability to adapt to the unique challenges of Volusia Speedway Park.

"This racetrack is just a different beast," Yankowski explained. "Clean air means so much here; you catch a guy and then get some aero tight. When you get to a guy, you have to get by them and put them away immediately; otherwise, you won't get the spot."

The championship serves as a confidence boost for Yankowski and his team as they prepare for future competitions. After two intense weeks in Florida, they'll return home with both small and big gator trophies as testament to their achievement.

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