By Joseph Terrell

Olympia, Wash: Before the start of 2023, then 17-year-old Dylan Bloomfield was just another young California teenager looking for his shot.

Well, his shot came when he was tapped to steer the Dave Vertullo Maxim for a full-time assault on the NARC King of the West and Sprint Car Challenge Tour. It was a great opportunity for a young driver looking to make his name in the Sprint Car world.

Before 2023, Bloomfield had bounced around during the 2021-22 season driving for Dave Johnson, Gary Silva, and his own family car. During this span, he gained experience and won a 360 race in April of 2021 at Antioch.

The high mark during this time may have been qualifying third quick at the Gold Cup Race of Champions in 2022 on his preliminary night. While Bloomfield had won non-winged races and showed speed in winged 410 and 360 Sprint Cars, everything was in a low-pressure environment just trying to get laps.

However, when one drives the Vertullo Motorsports sprinter it is hard to not be intimidated or feel the pressure because of those that have come before.

“At first it was a lot of pressure,” Bloomfield said. “I mean, I am thinking this is pretty crazy. The 83v is locally famous. They have had Kyle (Larson) and Brad (Sweet) in the car, so that brings expectations, but once I started racing for them, I realized they just wanted to give me an opportunity. They allowed me to build my race craft last year. Dave and Debbie (Vertullo) give me the best car possible every night”

Not only was Bloomfield trying to fill some huge shoes last year, but it was also was his first full season competing with SCCT and NARC. Once Bloomfield got the nerves out of his system and settled in, he had an impressive performance with both series.

In 12 starts with the SCCT series, the Oakley, Calif., driver had six top 10s. On top of that, he nabbed two top-five finishes and seven top 10s in 21 King of the West events. The highlight was his win at Silver Dollar Speedway during the Fall Nationals.

“I felt like we had a good season with finishing sixth in NARC points and third in SCCT points,” Bloomfield said. “I won the opening night of Fall Nationals. I ran second almost all year in SCCT points and had a chance to win the championship that final night. Whether we were running NARC or SCCT, it is pretty much the same drivers and competition.”

Though Bloomfield was happy with his 2023 season, he entered 2024 looking to turn up the wick. One reason was the addition of renowned California Crew Chief Darin Thomas, or “Heavy D” as he is known, who replaced Rusty Kruger after he left for the Bates-Hamilton team.

Thomas, who has worked with many of the young stars that have come from the Golden State including Sweet, has been a huge bonus for Bloomfield. And the results are there to prove it.

In eight winged 410 starts in 2024, Bloomfield has three top five and five top 10s and sits fifth in NARC points. In another eight winged 360 starts, Bloomfield has five top fives and seven top 10s. He is second in SCCT points.

“Every time I get in the car, it is fast and capable of winning,” Bloomfield said. “He [Darin] knows what he is doing on the racecar. I think our speed has been better this year. We have been running really well in the 360, and even our 410 program has been even better.”

While Heavy D may be the one spinning wrenches on race day, during the week Bloomfield does most of the maintenance … something he has always done.

“I work on the cars and go to the shop two-three days a week,” Bloomfield said. “Then Heavy D will come and check it out. I have worked and built my own cars ever since racing with my family team, and I now do it with Dave.

“Knowing the cars and working on them helps me communicate and give feedback to Heavy D that is more detailed and helps the crew chief know what needs to be done.”

Bloomfield is setting his sights toward the next few weeks as it kicks off what will be a huge summer of racing for Bloomfield and the Vertullo Motorsports team. They plan not only to compete in the remainder of the NARC races this year, but also intend to enter all the West Coast World of Outlaws and High Limit shows.

This is part of the transition to more 410 racing for Vertullo and Bloomfield, something he has been looking forward to and is excited about.

“I definitely like the 410 racing a lot more,” he said. “It takes more driver because the throttle control is so important with all the horsepower.

“The 360s are super competitive in California and have good racing,  but the 410s are getting there with more shows scheduled. But I do like the 410 a lot more and that is what I want to race as much as I can.”

So how does Bloomfield feel about his chances for Dirt Cup success in less than two weeks when he makes his second appearance at Skagit Speedway? While confident, he also knows he will be competing against one of the toughest fields all year out west.

“My expectation is top five,” Bloomfield admitted. “In reality, a top 10 would be a big deal. I mean, you will have Sanders, Scelzi, Golobic, Starks and a lot of good drivers. But as long as we qualify good, I think we will be okay.”

Dirt Cup week will be a big week for Bloomfield for another reason. He will fly back home after racing Grays Harbor on Sunday to graduate from High School on Tuesday. He will then fly back to Washington in time to be at Skagit for Thursday night of the Dirt Cup.

The high school graduate will enroll in community college, but Bloomfield made it clear his dream is to follow in the footsteps of Larson and Sweet.

“I would love to make it to NASCAR,” Bloomfield said. “Also, I would love to run with the Outlaws or High Limit. I want to be a paid driver.”