Super DIRTcar Series

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Super DIRTcar Series
CategoryAuto racing
CountryUnited States, Canada
Inaugural season1972
ConstructorsBicknell Racing Products · DKM Chassis · HigFab · PMC Race Cars · Teo Pro Car · Troyer Race Cars
Tire suppliersHoosier Racing Tire
Drivers' championMatt Sheppard
Makes' championBicknell
Teams' championMatt Sheppard Motorsports
Official websiteSuper DIRTcar Series
Current season

The Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modifieds is a North American big block modified touring series currently promoted by World Racing Group. The series primarily races on dirt ovals in the Northeastern United States and Canada along with select dates in Florida and North Carolina.

The cars feature big block V8 engines (up to 467 c.i.) that develops over 750 hp and a center-steer style chassis that weighs at least 2,500 lb with driver included.

History[edit]

The series was founded in 1972 by Glenn Donnelly as a series of qualifier races for the inaugural Super Dirt Week at the New York State Fairgrounds Racetrack in Syracuse, New York. The series became a true points championship in 1974 that also awarded a points fund. Will Cagle won the first points championship in 1974 over two-time Super DIRT Week champion Buzzie Reutimann.

The series and Super Dirt Week grew in popularity along with corporate title sponsors & television coverage throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Past series title sponsors include Schaefer Beer (1972–1975 and 1978), CRC Industries (1979–1985), Sun Country Cooler (1986), U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company (1987–1998) and Advance Auto Parts (1999–2008).

The series briefly included asphalt races on the championship trail from 1988 to 1992 at tracks such as Cayuga, Flemington, Nazareth, Oswego, Sanair and Thompson.

The series was acquired by World Racing Group (then Boundless Motorsports) in 2003.

The crown jewel event of the series, Super Dirt Week had to changed venues for the first time in 2016 to a dirt-covered Oswego Speedway in Oswego, New York following the demise & razing of the New York State Fairgrounds Racetrack.

Cars[edit]

Specifications[edit]

  • Engine: Max cubic inches 467
  • Fuel system: Carburetor only 4 barrel Holley 950-1050 cfm
  • Horsepower: range 650-800 hp
  • Compression ratio: 13–14.5 :1
  • RPM: 7000-8300
  • Speed: Approximately 160 mph at the Syracuse Mile
  • Powertrain: 2 speed trans 1 reverse plus quick change rear end.
  • Lubrication system: Belt driven dry sump (app 13qts.)
  • Fuel: VP Fuels racing gasoline only
  • Wheelbase: 106”- 110”
  • Thread width: 74” min. to 86” max.
  • Weight: 2500 lbs. min. with driver
  • Chassis: 1018, 1020 steel only
  • Suspension: Mostly coil spring (coil over) or Torison Bar, rear. Coil spring (coil over), front.
  • Ground clearance: App. 5” front 6” rear on frame heights.
  • Minimum ground clearance: 2½”
  • Tire brand: Hoosier Racing Tire
  • Right rear tire: Circumference 92½”
  • Wheels: Aluminum (bead lock)
  • Steering system: Power steering (worm and sector)
  • Brakes: 4 wheel hydraulic disc brakes (no power assist)

Events[edit]

The premiere event for the series is the Billy Whittaker Cars & Trux 200, a part of NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week which is currently held at the Oswego Speedway in Oswego, New York. The race features one of the biggest purses in dirt modified racing with the purse paying $50,000 to the winner. The race is currently broadcast by [1] (live video), DIRTVision.com (live radio) & MavTV (delayed television).[1] The race was originally held at the New York State Fairgrounds Mile in Syracuse until the track was razed in 2016. Previous broadcasters of Super DIRT Week include CBS Sports Network, Empire Sports Network, ESPN, SPEED & TNN.

Other major events currently on the Super DIRTcar Series schedule include DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park, Hall of Fame 100 at Weedsport Speedway, Mr. DIRT Track USA at Lebanon Valley Speedway and the World of Outlaws World Finals at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Champions[edit]

Champions by year[edit]

Year Big Block Modified Series[2][3] 358 Modified Series[4]
2023 Matt Sheppard Mat Williamson
2022 Matt Sheppard Dave Marcuccilli
2021 Matt Sheppard Billy Dunn
2020 Not Awarded --
2019 Mat Williamson Erick Rudolph
2018 Matt Sheppard Larry Wight
2017 Matt Sheppard Steve Bernard
2016 Matt Sheppard Chris Raabe
2015 Matt Sheppard Steve Bernard
2014 Billy Decker Erick Rudolph
2013 Brett Hearn Erick Rudolph
2012 Matt Sheppard Dale Planck
2011 Matt Sheppard Danny Johnson
2010 Matt Sheppard Danny Johnson
2009 Brett Hearn Dale Planck
2008 Billy Decker Pete Bicknell
2007 Brett Hearn Mario Clair
2006 Alan Johnson Brett Hearn
2005 Tim Fuller Alan Johnson
2004 Gary Tomkins Pat Ward
2003 Alan Johnson Tim Fuller
2002 Alan Johnson Steve Paine
2001 Brett Hearn Alan Johnson
2000 Steve Paine Danny Johnson
1999 Danny Johnson Danny Johnson / Steve Paine[5]
1998 Billy Decker Alan Johnson[5]
1997 Danny Johnson / Brett Hearn Alan Johnson[5]
1996 Brett Hearn Danny Johnson[5]
1995 Bob McCreadie Pat O'Brien[6]
1994 Bob McCreadie Pete Bicknell[7]
1993 Brett Hearn Tim Fuller[8]
1992 Danny Johnson Pat O'Brien[6]
1991 Doug Hoffman Pete Bicknell[7]
1990 Brett Hearn Pat O'Brien[6]
1989 Danny Johnson Laurent Ladouceur[9]
1988 Jack Johnson Pat O'Brien[6]
1987 Jack Johnson Curt Van Pelt[10]
1986 Charlie Rudolph Doug Carlyle[9]
1985 Jack Johnson Lin Hough[11]
1984 Jack Johnson Jeff Hoetzler[12]
1983 Alan Johnson Tony Corcoran[4]
1982 Jack Johnson
1981 Alan Johnson
1980 Jack Johnson
1979 Will Cagle
1978 Will Cagle
1977 Dave Lape
1976 Will Cagle
1975 Will Cagle
1974 Will Cagle

Rookie of the Year winners[edit]

Year Driver
2023 Felix Roy
2021 Chris Hile
2016-2020 Not Awarded
2015 Tyler Dippel
2014 Erick Rudolph
2013 Matt Billings
2012 Tyler Siri
2011 Michel Chicoine
2010 Lance Willix
2009 Rich Scagliotta
2008 Larry Wight
2007 Mike Bowman
2006 Kenny Stafford
2005 Stewart Friesen
2004 Justin Haers
2003 Matt Sheppard
2002 Joe Beyea
2001 Frankie Caprara
2000 Jeff Brownell Jr
1999 Josh Skarzenski
1998 Todd Milton
1997 Tim McCreadie
1996 Vic Coffey
1995 Tim Fuller
1994 Jamie Mills
1993 Scott Scrader
1992 Ricky Elliott
1991 Lenny Boyd
1990 Scott Prentice
1989 John Ventura
1988 Mike Jeffery
1987 Steve Behrent
1986 Jim Ruston
1985 Rich Burgess
1984 Ray Underwood
1983 Jimmy Begolo
1982 Randy Glenski
1981 Craig Keel
1980 Roger Phelps
1979 Jim Jarvis
1978 Jerry Knox
1977 Rick Martell

[13]

Records[edit]

  • Most career wins: Brett Hearn (141)
  • Most DIRTcar titles: Matt Sheppard (10)
  • Most wins in a season: 10 (Brett Hearn 2002, Billy Decker 2008, Matt Sheppard 2016)
  • Consecutive wins: 5 (Alan Johnson: 1983)
  • Most seasons with at least 1 win: Brett Hearn (32)
  • Consecutive seasons with at least one win: Brett Hearn (22)
  • Different track wins: Danny Johnson (33)
  • Youngest winner: Alex Yankowski (17 years old)

[14]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "MAVTV - SPEED SPORT Announces Fifth Season of "Suzuki Presents SPEED SPORT" on MAVTV". www.mavtv.com.
  2. ^ "Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series All-Time Champions". www.coracingworld.com.
  3. ^ "Super DIRTcar Series History".
  4. ^ a b "DIRTcar 358 Modified Series". The Third Turn. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d "NE Modified Facts & Stats - Mr. DIRT 358 Modified - Series Information". RaceStatCentral.com. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d Hill, John (October 26, 1998). "Decker ends season with flair". The Post-Standard. p. 29. Retrieved October 8, 2023 – via NewspaperArchive.
  7. ^ a b "'Mr. Small-Block' Pete Bicknell last veteran riding Mr. DIRTcar train". DIRTcarRacing.com. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  8. ^ "Fuller, O'Brien and Cameron to be inducted into NE Dirt Modified Hall of Fame". The Citizen (Auburn, New York). May 7, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  9. ^ a b "The Mr. DIRTcar Championship Road Rolls Through Brockville Ontario Speedway". BrockvilleSpeedway.com. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  10. ^ "Pat Ward, Curt Van Pelt, Gary Iulg & Jerry Rose Latest To Be Inducted Into NYSSCA Hall Of Fame". RaceProWeekly.com. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  11. ^ "Lin Hough 2010 NE Modified Hall of Fame Selection". SuperDIRTcarSeries.com. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  12. ^ Sciria, Chris (August 9, 2016). "Dirt Hall of Fame in Weedsport inducts new members". The Citizen (Auburn, New York). Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  13. ^ "Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series Rookie of the Year". www.coracingworld.com.
  14. ^ "Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series Stats". www.coracingworld.com.

External links[edit]

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