Super DIRTcar Series
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.
| Category | Auto racing |
|---|---|
| Country | United States, Canada |
| Inaugural season | 1972 |
| Constructors | Bicknell Racing Products · DKM Chassis · HigFab · PMC Race Cars · Teo Pro Car · Troyer Race Cars |
| Tire suppliers | Hoosier Racing Tire |
| Drivers' champion | Mat Williamson |
| Makes' champion | Bicknell |
| Teams' champion | Buzz Chew Racing |
| Official website | Super DIRTcar Series |
| Current season | |
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 Tompkins | 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 | Lynn 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 |
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)[14]
References edit
- ^ "MAVTV - SPEED SPORT Announces Fifth Season of "Suzuki Presents SPEED SPORT" on MAVTV". www.mavtv.com.
- ^ "Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series All-Time Champions". www.coracingworld.com.
- ^ "Super DIRTcar Series History".
- ^ a b "DIRTcar 358 Modified Series". The Third Turn. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "NE Modified Facts & Stats - Mr. DIRT 358 Modified - Series Information". RaceStatCentral.com. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "'Mr. Small-Block' Pete Bicknell last veteran riding Mr. DIRTcar train". DIRTcarRacing.com. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b "The Mr. DIRTcar Championship Road Rolls Through Brockville Ontario Speedway". BrockvilleSpeedway.com. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
- ^ "Pat Ward, Curt Van Pelt, Gary Iulg & Jerry Rose Latest To Be Inducted Into NYSSCA Hall Of Fame". RaceProWeekly.com. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
- ^ "Lin Hough 2010 NE Modified Hall of Fame Selection". SuperDIRTcarSeries.com. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
- ^ Sciria, Chris (August 9, 2016). "Dirt Hall of Fame in Weedsport inducts new members". The Citizen (Auburn, New York). Retrieved August 15, 2023.
- ^ "Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series Rookie of the Year". www.coracingworld.com.
- ^ "Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series Stats". www.coracingworld.com.
External links edit
- Official website
- Series history at official website