BARBERVILLE, Fla. — In 18 years, Jimmy Phelps has reached the podium in the Super DIRTcar Series standings nine times. But he’s far from satisfied.
The Baldwinsville, N.Y. driver enters his 19th full season with one goal—adding a championship to his mantle. For that to happen, Phelps said he knows where his Heinke-Baldwin Racing No. 98H needs to be at the end of every race.
“We have to try and focus on getting podiums and, ultimately, some wins,” Phelps said. “In this deal, there’s a few guys that are really strong every year, and we really sort of need to be one of those guys. Consistency seems to get you the top five-point runs, but to win this thing, we have to win and be on the podium. And try to be fighting every night for that top spot.”
Going into this year, Phelps has 21 Super DIRTcar Series victories against some of the biggest names in big block modified history, like Brett Hearn, Alan Johnson and Matt Sheppard. However, he also realizes how difficult it is to win a feature and how one wrong adjustment can change your night.
“You got to be really strong, and a lot has to go your way,” Phelps said. “If you’re off a little bit, there’s a good chance there’s going to be a handful of guys that aren’t. There’s no gimmes, so it’s a tough deal.”
With the season kicking off this week at Volusia Speedway Park during Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals, Phelps notched two fourth-place finishes and a 14th in the finale.
The championship season for the series officially begins at New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway on March 30.