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Mike Warren
Photo: Joe Grabianowski
When the Super DIRTcar Series championship season began in March, it was business as usual for full-time drivers. But for four competitors, 2025 is anything but a typical season.
Along with battling for the coveted Series title, they’re taking on a new role – dad.
Former Series champions Matt Sheppard and Mat Williamson have already embraced that new title. Sheppard’s daughter, Blakely, was born in January, while Williamson’s daughter, Brenna, was born in April.
For Williamson, there’s only one way to describe being a dad.
“It’s the greatest thing ever right now,” Williamson said. “She’s sleeping, pooping, and eating. She’s either doing one of them three things or crying. It’s cool to go home and see her grow, and you miss her when you’re on the road.”
“Money Mat” also credited the importance of his wife, Nat’s, role at home while he’s navigating the grind of the Super DIRTcar Series schedule.
“My wife has been a champ of a mother being there on her own when I’ve been gone with a newborn at home,” Williamson said. “I can’t thank her enough. It’s tough. Luckily, we’re only doing a couple of days at a time.”
While Williamson’s daughter has been at home while he’s racing, that’s not the case for Sheppard.
The 10-time champion’s daughter has been traveling with him to the track and has already made a few appearances in Victory Lane. Blakely got to take a picture with her dad after Sheppard won the Natural 77 at Thunder Mountain Speedway, which had “Super Matt” smiling from ear to ear.
With Sheppard racing as much as he can, he’ll be in action on Father’s Day, meaning he’ll balance both of his roles throughout the day.
“Father’s day celebrations will be rather short,” Sheppard said. “From about 8am to 8:30 because we’re traveling to Vermont to go racing. They may or may not make the trip but it’s a very special Father’s Day nonetheless.”
As Williamson and Sheppard continue their journey as dads, Mike Mahaney and Justin Stone will take on that role later this year.
Mahaney and his wife, Mandee, are expecting their first child in August—a journey the Elizabethtown, NY, driver said he can’t wait for.
“I don’t know what it’s going to be like,” Mahaney said. “I’m extremely excited about it and nervous at the same time. But mostly excited and can’t wait for it to happen and see what it’s all like.
“For many, it’s a life-changing experience, and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Mahaney will have a different experience from most dads when the baby is born. With his wife Mandee’s Dirt Track Untold platform, fans get an inside look at their lives when they’re not at the track, and that includes the day-to-day life of being parents.
“I know that our lives and our child’s life is going to be out there for everyone to see in many situations,” Mahaney said. “Hopefully, that’s ok with our kid. It’s fine with me, and I think it’s great for the sport. What she does gives the fans a different perspective of what goes on behind the scenes.”
Stone and his wife, Madison, will welcome their first child in September. The Middlebury, VT driver said he knows there’ll be more to balance, but he’s still excited for another Stone to join the family.
“Everybody says that you’re not really prepared for it,” Stone said. “My wife Madison and I are preparing the best we can. But until it happens, I’m very excited. We both are. My family is. It’s the fourth generation of Stone to be in this world, and I’m really excited about that.
“It’s a lot to transfer your mind back and forth, and I’m sure once the baby arrives, it’ll be a lot to balance for work, a baby, and racing. From what people tell me, I’m not going to sleep much.”
While those four drivers will become first-time dads, they aren’t the only ones expecting a child this year. Long-time Super DIRTcar Series driver Peter Britten will also become a dad to a second daughter in September with his wife, Ashley.
Along with embracing their roles as dads, they’re also preparing for the next Super DIRTcar Series event at Lebanon Valley Speedway in West Lebanon, NY. The Beasts of the Northeast will battle for a $15,500 payday and a guaranteed Super DIRT Week starting spot at Mr. DIRT Track USA on Thursday, June 19.
This race will serve as the make-up for last year’s event, which was postponed after Hot Laps. Fans who kept their admission ticket can use it for this event.
If you can’t make it to the track, watch every lap live on DIRTVision.
