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

History

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, CRC Industries, Sun Country Cooler, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company and Advance Auto Parts.
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 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

Specifications

  • 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
  • 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 or Torison Bar, rear. Coil spring, 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
  • Steering system: Power steering
  • Brakes: 4 wheel hydraulic disc brakes

Events

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, & MavTV. 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

Mr. DIRTcar

Beginning with the 1976 season points earned in the Super DIRTcar Series were credited toward crowning an overall Mr. DIRT champion. Over the years, a variety of formulas have been used, and included bonus points for feature wins and/or seasonal standings at weekly home tracks. In 1998, the two titles were merged. Beginning in 2007 the Mr. DIRT series was rebranded to Mr. DIRTcar, and separate regional champions were also named. Since 2011 the overall title has been decided only on a driver's best 16 finishes at their weekly home track. In 2019 the contest garnered a title sponsor and was renamed the Hoosier Racing Tire Weekly Championship.

358-Modified Mr. DIRTcar

In 1983, the Mr. Dirt 320 Modified Championship trail was created. These small block modifieds emerged from NASCAR's Sportsman division, which had been revamped in 1968. Many Northeast race tracks continued to run the old class, and the new series allowed these racers from the St. Lawrence Valley to compete against their counterparts in the Hudson Valley and Twin Tiers regions of Pennsylvania and New York.
In 1985 the 358 cubic inch engine was introduced to the class, and in 2006 DIRT MotorSports initiated a new "Regional Point System" for the 358-Modified, Sportsman and Pro Stock divisions. Each race run within a specified region was added into a driver's point standings for that region. A driver's top 12 finishes were then used to calculate the regional point standings and determine a regional Mr. DIRT champion. Later the weekly home track competition replaced the regional points in determining the overall Mr. DIRTcar title.

Records

  • Most career wins: Brett Hearn
  • Most DIRTcar titles: Matt Sheppard
  • Most wins in a season: 10
  • Consecutive wins: 5
  • Most seasons with at least 1 win: Brett Hearn
  • Consecutive seasons with at least one win: Brett Hearn
  • Different track wins: Danny Johnson
  • Youngest winner: Alex Yankowski