2/7/2026
Jordan Koehler Captures Big Gator at Volusia Speedway Park
Koehler Motorsports Sweeps Wednesday Preliminaries
MOUNT AIRY, N.C. (Feb. 10, 2026) — Koehler Motorsports turned in a banner week at Volusia Speedway Park, as all three team drivers—Evan Koehler, Jordan Koehler, and Ricky Thornton Jr.—earned victories during the 55th annual DIRTcar Nationals, highlighted by Jordan Koehler’s first career Big Gator Trophy.
Jordan Koehler secured the DIRTcar Nationals championship on Saturday night, punctuating a breakthrough week for the Mount Airy–based team. After an opening-lap setback, Koehler rallied to outrun teammate Ricky Thornton Jr. in the 30-lap finale to claim the $5,000 victory—his fourth of the week.
“Probably, just me getting in my own head,” Koehler said regarding the Lap 1 accident. “Ricky slid me, and it was so slimy at the top that I just got into it. It happens, probably getting into my own head more than anything, that’s about it. Luckily, it worked out for us, and I’m tickled, man. I probably won’t even be able to go to bed tonight.”
The team’s momentum began early in the week, as all three drivers took turns visiting victory lane. Evan Koehler highlighted his DIRTcar Nationals effort with a Wednesday night victory, while Ricky Thornton Jr. and Jordan Koehler each recorded multiple wins throughout the event.
Thornton Jr. swept Wednesday and Thursday prelims and then capped his weekend with a runner-up finish in Saturday’s finale, joining teammate Jordan [Koehler] and Tristan Chamberlain on the podium.
“I feel like our whole team is one big family,” Thornton said after Saturday’s runner-up. “I don’t know if I consider [Jordan and Evan Koehler] my brothers or my kids because they’re a bit younger than me. But, anytime we can go race together, I feel like our heads get together, and we joke around, have a good time.”
Jordan’s week opened with a solid fourth-place finish on Monday before closing the event with a flawless stretch. After recording three consecutive victories from Tuesday to Friday, he earned a spot in Saturday’s redraw, pulled the pole position, and successfully fended off challenges from Kyle Strickler and Thornton Jr. to secure the coveted Big Gator Trophy.
Complete results from the entire week can be found at www.DIRTcar.com.
Koehler Motorsports returned to action immediately following the DIRTcar Nationals, as the DIRTcar Late Model division take center stage at Volusia Speedway Park. Three DIRTcar-sanctioned events from Monday through Wednesday are followed by three World of Outlaws Case Late Model Series races.
Full event details are available at www.VolusiaSpeedwayPark.com.
Koehler Motorsports would like to thank all of their marketing partners, which include Ultimate Towing & Recovery, Capital Waste, Elite Ready Mix, Capital Electric, Scenic Motors, Law & Order Auto Sales, Mountain View Venue and Event Center, SRI Performance, Elite Chassis, Rogers' Reality and Auction Company, AB Co Performance, Shelton Lock & Key, Quesinberry's Garage, Five Star Metal Buildings, Cheap Cars, Red Line Oil, BHR55 Fabrication, Colt W. Simmons Construction Company, Ramey Racing Engines, RK Designs, Wells & Sons Motorsports, Midwest Sheet Metal, Go Lithium, Vic Hill Racing Engines, PRC, Racing Optics, FK Rod Ends, Behrent's Performance Warehouse, Impact Race Gear, Wiles Racing, Five Star Shop Service, Monster Tower, Boyland's Original, Wilwood, Ultra Shield Race Products, Hypercoils, Pro FABrication Headers & Exhaust, Quarter Master, Sunoco Race Fuel, Outerwears, Performance Bodies and Parts, Rocket Chassis, Jones Racing Products, and MyRacePass Marketing Services.
For the latest information on Koehler Motorsports, visit www.KoehlerMotorsports.com. Fans can also stay connected by subscribing to the team’s official mailing list at https://pages/KoehlerMotorsports.
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