RANSOMVILLE, N.Y. — From SummerFAST to Summer Nationals, the Super DIRTcar Series keeps its thrilling summer swing going at Ransomville Speedway on Aug. 22.
It will be the only series stop at the half-mile track this season, paying out $7,500 to the victor of the 75-lap Summer Nationals feature.
With only four races remaining in the championship season, and third through fifth place separated by only 14 points, the drivers will be ready to battle every step of the way.
Here are the top storylines to follow:
HOME SWEET HOME
Mat Williamson will be in familiar territory this week when the series stars hit the track at Ransomville Speedway. The defending DIRTcar 358 Modified track champion and current track points leader will be a heavy favorite to win.
The Western New York track was the site of his sole championship season win last August, and his first at the track with the series. He’ll look to use his track familiarity to triumph once more and send himself to victory lane.
DRIVE FOR 10
Fresh off his second consecutive SummerFAST title win on Aug. 16 at Land of Legends Raceway, nine-time and defending series champion Matt Sheppard remains the driver to beat. He enters the Ransomville matchup with a 64-point cushion over second place Mat Williamson and will look to extend that with a top-notch run.
A two-time winner at the track, the Waterloo, N.Y. driver will use his notes from previous visits to make it third time he steps into victory lane.
UP FOR GRABS
Entering the Summer Nationals at Ransomville, third through sixth in series points are separated by a mere 15 points.
Jimmy Phelps (3rd, 1710 points): Through consistency, Jimmy Phelps has found himself third in the championship standings. And he’ll need to rely on that consistency with several of the series’ rising stars are on his heels looking to steal it.
Phelps, of Baldwinsville, N.Y., enters the Summer Nationals off finishes of seventh and 11th. In his last two series starts at the half-mile track, Phelps has finished 10th and 13th. He’ll look for his first series win at the track and first of the season.
Mike Mahaney (4th, 1704 points): Mike Mahaney had a successful Canadian swing, including his first series win outside of Albany-Saratoga Speedway on the second night at Autodrome Drummond, propelling him into the top five in points.
After another high caliber performance on Aug. 16 at Land of Legends, he comes into Ransomville Speedway six points behind third place Phelps. He finished seventh during his last visit to Ransomville with the series in 2017 but will aim to contend for his second series win this season.
Tim Sears, Jr. (5th, 1696 points): Tim Sears Jr., of Central Square, N.Y., scored his second top-five finish of the season at Brewerton Speedway during the opening night of SummerFAST, finishing third. It extended his string to three top 10 finishes in a row before a 20th-place run at Land of Legends hindered his momentum.
Sitting only eight points behind Mahaney, he’ll be poised to start a new top 10 streak, but hopefully with his first series win. In two starts at Ransomville with the series, his best finish is 15th.
Chris Hile (6th, 1695 points): 2021 Rookie of the Year Chris Hile comes into the Ransomville matchup in sixth place, anchored by four top-five finishes and seven top-10s. The matchup will be a decisive one for the Oswego, N.Y. resident as he is one point behind fifth-place Sears. Hile will have his work cut out for him as he finished 21st during his first and only visit to the track during the 2021 season.
LOCAL TALENT
Erick Rudolph, of Ransomville, N.Y., returns to the Super DIRTcar Series at Ransomville, looking for another win this season. He won the opening night at Autodrome Drummond in August, claiming his ninth series win, behind the wheel of the No. 3RS.
The Ransomville native will try to strike gold again in his home territory, where he’s already won multiple track victories and a track championship. He’s also won with the DIRTcar 358 Modified Series at the track in 2016. His last two visits to Ransomville with the Super DIRTcar Series resulted in fifth-place finishes.