WEEDSPORT, N.Y. — After struggling with engine issues in 2023, Anthony Perrego delivered his best Super DIRTcar Series performance in 2024.
With three strong runs at the World of Outlaws World Finals that included a win in the season finale, he moved into third in the standings — his best Super DIRTcar Series points finish.
“It was a great year for us,” Perrego said. “We struggled in Canada, and our other big struggle was Fulton. Other than that, we had a really strong run of top fives and podiums. And it’s something to work on for next year.”
Perrego entered the season’s final weekend fifth in points, nine points behind Tim Sears Jr. for fourth, and 14 points behind Jimmy Phelps for fifth.
A runner-up finish on night one of the event was all he needed to move into third, a position he wouldn’t relinquish after finishing the weekend in Victory Lane.
Since driving the Vinny Salerno-owned No. 4* car at the 4/10 mile for the first time in 2022, Perrego has been a consistent threat, earning six top fives in nine starts, including three podium finishes.
He said the success comes from being fast as soon as the car comes out of the trailer.
“The first year with Vinny, we unloaded well there,” Perrego said. “And I think that’s just the key. We have something that works early on for [qualifying] and for the Heat Races.”
While Perrego finished the season on a high note in 2024, his struggles in Canada kept him from challenging Mat Williamson and Matt Sheppard for the championship.
After back-to-back 20th-place finishes at Autodrome Drummond, he said he has to rethink his approach to the Quebec facility next season.
“The first year there, we struggled with engines,” Perrego said. “This year, I feel like we qualified well, were in the top three in our group, and I think we won a Heat (Race). On the first night, we had a flat tire; on the second night, we had another flat tire.
“We weren’t into the race track like we needed to be, so I think we just have to work on something different there. It seems like our normal baseline doesn’t work.”
Knowing what he needs to adjust, Perrego is already looking ahead to 2025 and the battle for the Series championship. His ability to make those adjustments could be the key to challenging for his first title at Charlotte next season.
“We won two races this year, the first one and the last one,” Perrego said. “I think if you fill in the middle of the year with one or two more and go to Canada and run top five or top 10, then it gets you right in the ballpark.”