WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Super DIRT Week Qualifiers Highlight Pennsylvania Swing for Super DIRTcar Series

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The Series stops at Big Diamond Speedway on June 4, and Selinsgrove Speedway on June 5

Mike Warren

Photo: Brent Smith

May 31st 2024- A two-night Pennsylvania swing is on tap for the Super DIRTcar Series, starting the road to Super DIRT Week 52.

The Series visits Big Diamond Speedway on Tuesday, June 4, in Pottsville, PA for the Anthracite Assault. Then, it heads to Selinsgrove Speedway in Selinsgrove, PA for the Sand Hill 75.

Both Features are 75 laps, paying $ 10,000-to-win. They also serve as the season’s first Super DIRT Week Qualifiers, meaning two drivers will earn a guaranteed starting spot in the Billy Whittaker Cars 200 at Oswego Speedway on Saturday, Oct. 12.

If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch all of the Super DIRTcar Series action on DIRTVision, either online or with the DIRTVision app.

Here’s a look at this weekend’s top storylines:

The First Qualifiers: The Pennsylvania doubleheader is the first two chances for drivers to earn a guaranteed starting spot at Super DIRT Week.

Each race that offers a starting spot in the Billy Whittaker Cars 200 will pay $10,000-to-win or more.

If a driver who’s already won a Qualifier wins another, the guaranteed starting spot will go to the next driver in the race’s finishing order who isn’t locked in.

Drivers will have nine chances to earn a guaranteed spot at Super DIRT Week in 2024.

Here are the seven remaining Super DIRT Week qualifiers in 2024 after the Pennsylvania swing:

Weedsport Speedway (July 14)
Autodrome Drummond (July 23)
Lebanon Valley Speedway (Aug. 31)
Weedsport Speedway (Sept. 7)
Albany-Saratoga Speedway (Sept. 21)
Atomic Speedway (Sept. 27 and Sept. 28)

Britten’s Rise: Peter Britten has emerged as the points leader after two races in the Super DIRTcar Series championship season.

The Brisbane, QLD driver has a three-point advantage over Anthony Perrego after a runner-up finish in the Heroes Remembered 100 at Weedsport Speedway.

Britten has two starts at both Big Diamond and Selinsgrove in his career. His best finish at Big Diamond is fifth in last year’s Anthracite Assault and ninth at Selinsgrove in 2023’s Icebreaker 40.

Perrego’s Chance to Pounce: Perrego has a chance to reclaim the points lead in Pennsylvania, as the Series races at two tracks where he’s found success.

The Montgomery, NY driver has three wins at Big Diamond, including last year’s Anthracite Assault when he held off Matt Sheppard for the win. He also has a win there in 2024, outdueling four-time Super DIRTcar Series winner Rick Laubach for the victory.

Perrego has only made one start at Selinsgrove in his career, finishing second in 2021’s Icebreaker 40 to Andy Bachetti.

He’s been the most consistent driver in Super DIRTcar Series events in 2024, as he’s the only driver to finish in the top five in all five events this season. He also gained momentum by earning his third win of 2024 at Airborne Park Speedway on Thursday.

Mat and Matt: Mat Williamson also rolls into Pennsylvania with momentum after winning three races last week, including his third Heroes Remembered 100 at Weedsport.

Mat Williamson in Victory Lane at Weedsport — Mat Williamson celebrates his victory at Weedsport/Alex Bruce photo

“Money Mat” has two podiums in the Anthracite Assault. One came last year with the Super DIRTcar Series, the other came in 2019. Like Perrego, Williamson has only made one start at Selinsgrove, finishing fourth in the 2021 Icebreaker 40.

While Williamson is winless at these two tracks, his championship rival Matt Sheppard has been to Victory Lane at both.

The 10-time defending champion won the Anthracite Assault in two of the last three seasons and finished second to Perrego last year. He also won the track’s Coalcracker in 2014.

Sheppard also won at Selinsgrove in 2010, winning with the Race of Champions Modified tour. He’s finished in the top five in three of his seven starts at Selinsgrove, adding a fourth in an ROC event in 2009 and a third in 2021’s Icebreaker 40.

Keystone Contingent: Anytime the Super DIRTcar Series travels to Pennsylvania, they’re met by a strong contingent of regional competitors. This time, they’ll be even hungrier with a guaranteed starting spot at Super DIRT Week on the line.

Two Pennsylvania drivers who’ve thrived in Super DIRTcar Series competition are Louden Reimert and Rick Laubach.

Reimert is currently 10th in Series points after an eighth at New Egypt Speedway and a 19th at Weedsport. And while the Oley, PA driver has yet to crack the top five this season, Big Diamond may be his best chance.

He has 10 consecutive top-10 finishes at the track, including a win in last September’s Coalcracker.

Laubach, a four-time Super DIRTcar Series winner, won the 2005 Anthracite Assault and aims for his first win at the Pennsylvania oval this season. He’s finished second, fifth, and 15th in three starts at Big Diamond.

The Quakertown, PA driver also has a win at Selinsgrove, earning an ROC victory in 2008.

He’s made three Super DIRTcar Series starts at Volusia Speedway Park in 2024. His best finish was seventh in the week’s finale.

One more Pennsylvania driver to watch is Alex Yankowski. He finished fourth in last year’s Anthracite Assault at Big Diamond and won the Coalcracker in 2021. His only start at Selinsgrove came with the USAC East Coast Sprint Car Series in 2020, where he finished ninth.

WHEN AND WHERE 
Big Diamond Speedway (3/8-mile) in Pottsville, PA on June 4
Selinsgrove Speedway (1/2-mile) in Selinsgrove, PA on June 5

TRACK RECORD
Big Diamond: 17.450 by Tim Fuller
Selinsgrove: TBD

FEATURE WINNERS: (3 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins

Matt Sheppard, Waterloo, NY- 2
Mat Williamson, St. Catharines, ON-2
Anthony Perrego, Montgomery, NY-1

HEAT RACE WINNERS (14 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins

Matt Sheppard, Waterloo, NY-4
Mat Williamson, St. Catharines, ON-2
Peter Britten, Brisbane, QLD, AUS-2
Jimmy Phelps, Baldwinsville, NY-2
Rick Laubach, Quakertown, PA-1
Alex Payne, Hopewell, NY-1
Rex King Jr., Bristolville, OH-1
Erick Rudolph, Ransomville, NY-1
Larry Wight, Phoenix, NY-1
Billy Pauch Jr., Frenchtown, NJ-1
Bob McGannon, Garnerville, NY-1
Tim Sears Jr., Hastings, NY-1
Stewart Friesen, Sprakers, NY-1
Max McLaughlin, Mooresville, NC-1

LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINNERS (8 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins

Larry Wight, Phoenix, NY-2
Felix Roy, Napierville, QC-1
Stewart Friesen, Sprakers, NY-1
Billy Pauch Jr., Frenchtown. NJ-1
Anthony Perrego, Montgomery, NY-1
Marc Johnson, Guilderland, NY-1
Brandon Walters, Unadilla, NY-1
Daniel Johnson, Middlesex, NY-1

PODIUM FINISHES (7 Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Podiums

Anthony Perrego, Montgomery, NY-3
Mat Williamson, St. Catharines, ON-3
Matt Sheppard, Waterloo, NY-2
Erick Rudolph, Ransomville, NY-2
Peter Britten, Brisbane, QLD-2
Larry Wight, Phoenix, NY-1
Stewart Friesen, Sprakers, NY-1

HARD CHARGER (5 Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – H.C.

Stewart Friesen, Sprakers, NY-1
Mat Williamson, St. Catharines, ON-1
Anthony Perrego, Montgomery, NY-1
Louden Reimert, Oley, PA-1
Larry Wight, Phoenix, NY-1

BILLY WHITAKER CARS AND TRUX QUICK TIMES (5 Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – QTs

Mat Williamson, St. Catharines, ONT-1
Rex King Jr., Bristolville, OH-1
Demetrios Drellos, Queensbury, NY-1
Peter Britten, Brisbane, QLD-1
Stewart Friesen, Sprakers, NY-1

JAM Performance Fastest Hot Lap Award (3 Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – QTs