CONCORD, N.C. — When Mat Williamson secured his second Super DIRTcar Series championship at The Dirt Track at Charlotte, he joined an elite group in Big Block Modified history.
The St. Catharines, Ont. driver became the ninth driver to earn their second series championship, and first since Matt Sheppard accomplished that feat in 2010.
Here’s a look at the drivers who’ve won multiple Super DIRTcar Series titles:
Brett Hearn, 10-Time Champion (’86, ’87, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’93, ’01, ’07, ’09, ’13)
The Hall of Fame driver set the benchmark for all other Big Block Modified contenders, being the first driver in the division’s history to reach 10 championships. Hearn, from Sussex, NJ, earned his first five titles in six seasons between 1986 and 1991 before adding another in 1993.
His last four titles came in a 13-year span, winning in 2001, 2007, 2009, and 2013.
While the “Jersey Jet” has retired from full-time competition, he has more series wins than any other driver with 141 victories—his last coming in 2021, which was also his 450th DIRTcar sanctioned victory and 920th Modified win.
Matt Sheppard, 10-Time Champion (’10, ’11, ’12, ’15, ’16, ’17, ’18, ’21, ’22, ’23)
Sheppard became the second 10-time series champion in 2023, joining Brett Hearn as the only two drivers to reach that milestone. With that 10th title, Sheppard has won seven championships in the last nine seasons, along with his three titles from 2010-2012.
The Waterloo, N.Y. driver is also approaching Hearn’s mark at the top of the series’ all-time wins list. Sheppard is currently second with 97 wins and aims to join Hearn as the only two drivers to win 100 Super DIRTcar Series Features in their career.
Alan Johnson, 5-Time Champion (’81, ’83, 03, ’04, ’06)
Like Hearn, Johnson’s championships are sprinkled throughout his full-time Super DIRTcar Series career. “AJ Slideways” earned his first title in 1981 before backing it up with another in 1983.
However, with the stiff competition in the 80s and 90s, it took Johnson 19 years to earn his third and fourth championships, which he won back-to-back in 2003 and 2004. He won his fifth and final title in 2006.
Johnson is fifth on the series all-time wins list—his last victory at Volusia Speedway Park in 2012.
Will Cagle, 4-Time Champion (’74, ’75, ’76, ’77)
Cagle became the first champion in Super DIRTcar Series history in 1974 and added three more titles the next three seasons.
The “Tampa Terror” dominated the 70s with track titles at Land of Legends Raceway, Rolling Wheels Raceway, and Weedsport Speedway. He finished his Super DIRTcar Series career with 22 victories, his first at Twin Valley Speedway in 1972 and his last at Rolling Wheels in 1984.
Jack Johnson, 3-Time Champion (’79, ’80, ’84)
After Cagle’s four-peat, Jack Johnson became the second champion in series history by winning back-to-back titles in 1979 and 1980. “Jumpin” Jack added a third title in 1984, clinching the title with a victory at the New York State Fairgrounds during Super DIRT Week.
The Duanesburg, N.Y. driver is tied with reigning champion Mat Williamson for ninth on the series all-time wins list with 31 career triumphs.
Danny Johnson, 3-Time Champion (’92, ’97, ’99)
Danny Johnson took hold of the Super DIRTcar Series in the 90s. The “Doctor” won his first championship in 1992, putting a pause on Hearn’s steak of title collections. Then, he added championships in 1997 and 1999.
The Rochester, N.Y., driver completed another full-time season with the Series in 2024, finishing 11th in the standings. He’s currently third on the series all-time wins list with 89 victories.
Bob McCreadie, 3-Time Champion (’85, ’94, ’95)
McCreadie earned his first Super DIRTcar Series title in 1985, winning at five different tracks to reach the top spot. However, it took “Barefoot Bob” nine more years to earn his second, winning back-to-back championships in 1994 and 1995 to join the list of three-time champions.
The Watertown, N.Y. driver is seventh on the series all-time wins list with 39 Super DIRTcar Series triumphs.
Billy Decker, 3-Time Champion (’98, ’08, ’14)
Billy Decker’s three Super DIRTcar Series titles span three different decades. The “Franklin Flyer” scored his first championship in 1998 with a four-win season, including two at Syracuse.
Then, he added two more in 2008 and 2014, joining Danny Johnson, Jack Johnson, and McCreadie as three-time champions.
Decker sits fourth on the series’ all-time wins list with 70 victories.
Mat Williamson, 2-Time Champion (’19, ’24)
“Money Mat” officially joined the list of multi-time champions in 2024 by securing his second title during November’s World of Outlaws World Finals. Williamson scored nine wins, including one at The Dirt Track at Charlotte en route to dethroning Sheppard for the championship.
His second title came five years after he broke a string of four Sheppard titles in 2019. Neither title came easy for Williamson too. Sheppard made him work for the crown down to the last lap of the last race both years.