CONCORD, N.C. — Mike Mahaney has hit the century mark.
By passing Mat Williamson to win the Chico Dingwall Memorial at Brockville Ontario Speedway last weekend, he picked up the $10,096 triumph and his 100th victory – spanning wins in the DIRTcar 358 Modified Series, Super DIRTcar Series, Empire Super Sprint Tour and more.
The Elizabethtown, N.Y., driver had been sitting on 99 wins since a Small Block victory at Albany-Saratoga Speedway in August but said it took a little longer than expected to reach 100.
“It’s amazing,” Mahaney said. “We kind of figured out earlier in the season at Albany-Saratoga that we only needed one more to make it 100. Then it was kind of like a jinx for a little while. Then we thought about it and said it would be cool to celebrate that.
“By now, I forgot. We got through victory lane there, and my mom just remembered. They made up a sign, and we forgot it.”
Mahaney’s win at Brockville was his 11th of 2026, and second DIRTcar 358 Modified Series win of the season. Those victories, along with his three Super DIRTcar Series triumphs, add to the milestone in his two-decade career.
“I’ve been racing for 20-plus years,” Mahaney said. “So, a lot of years of grinding and trying to make a living at this. I feel very accomplished to be a paid driver and make a living doing this. That felt like an accomplishment to me. Then I married my wife, Mandee, and she’s very competitive and kind of drove me to want to do more than just that.
“I’m glad the wins are coming, and to hit that 100 is very cool. And what a time to do it at our last 358 race of the year. I think that’s 10 358 wins this year.”
While Mahaney is grateful to reach 100 victories, “Smooth Shoe” said he knows he couldn’t do it alone. That includes the work Jacob Powell, his crew chief, puts into the car daily to help navigate the 66 starts he’s made so far in 2026. He also mentioned his owners, George and Julie Huttig, and how important they’ve been to make this possible.
“Between all the different tracks and the series, I think we’re up to 65 races or something this year,” Mahaney said. “It’s been a lot of work. I owe a lot to Jacob Powell for preparing these race cars at the shop. He works his butt off. I couldn’t do it without him. I’ve got a little boy that’s 14 months old, and he needs me a lot. And I need him. Jacob makes it so I can have a little time with him.
“I also want to talk about the Huttig family. They’ve been through so much, and they’ve given me a lot of opportunity to win these races. They’re just a special family to believe in me and get me equipment that can do it.”
While Mahaney is thankful for the support given by Powell and the Huttig family, he also remembers where it all began with his mom and dad. Before Mahaney earned a full-time ride, he drove his family’s Modified, following in his dad Jim’s footsteps.
“I wouldn’t be here racing without them now if they hadn’t got me into it,” Mahaney said. “My mom was pregnant, and she was at the track working on the car. She was carrying fuel jugs and those 106-inch drag rubber tires, putting them on and off.
“It’s just a long way from where you start to now. It’s a lot to think about.”
