BARBERVILLE, Fla. — In just two years on the Super DIRTcar Series, Alex Payne has moved from Rookie of the Year to championship contender.
The Hopewell, N.Y., driver delivered a career-high third-place points finish in 2025, along with three wins, 18 top fives, and 24 top 10s.However, Payne’s dream season almost didn’t happen.
Following a strong run at Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals, Payne’s main sponsor decided to focus on new business ventures, which forced him to start from scratch.
“Our program had been centered around what it was for three to four years we spent building it,” Payne said. “And that’s where we spent all of our time, putting it into a program like we should’ve been doing. The problem was when it was over, I didn’t have anything. And we literally had to start from ground zero.
“I had a Big Block that was my first Big Block ever. And we got that out and got a car together and just started from there. We ran half of the year on the motor and put more laps on an engine than I ever thought was possible. But slowly over time, the right people came along and slowly turned the year into what we’d write into a storybook year.”
Despite the wear on his car and motor, Payne still delivered early in the season, earning eight top fives in the first 13 championship season races, culminating in his second career Series win at Brockville Ontario Speedway in July.
And he didn’t stop there. Along with the additions of sponsors Jenik Enterprises, Honeoye Auto Parts, and Big Creek Concrete throughout the season, Payne added two more wins at the end of the year at Georgetown Speedway and The Dirt Track at Charlotte. The “Slide Job Express” attributed that to everything clicking once they reached September.
“When some things work, they just work, and there’s no explanation, and you don’t even try to find one,” Payne said. “By no means did we have it all figured out. The 88 team was so good every time, but we were there. That’s the difference. We went second at Brockville, won Georgetown, second at Charlotte, won Charlotte. Like, back-to-back-to-back. We just did the same things, kept our heads down, and kept working for it. And it all just wound up to be pretty cool.”
His consistency throughout the season was also attributed to a slight change in his racing toward the end of the year. While he still went for the win in every race, he said there were nights when he was more conservative. However, he also said there were nights he left valuable Series points on the table.
“I think there were a few things that wound up being DNFs that should’ve been top fives, which would’ve made the stats even better,” Payne said. “As far as overall, I think there was definitely a few situations I was a little more cautious with and ended up running third, second, or fourth. Just really strong points runs where I maybe would’ve done something stupid or try something I shouldn’t have tried. I think I was in conserve mode more than I ever had been, I guess.”
Payne’s next stop with the Super DIRTcar Series comes at DIRTcar Nationals, Feb. 11-14, where he narrowly missed out on a win against Peter Britten last season. One year later, he enters Florida with a chip on his shoulder and more prepared than ever before.
“As far as our equipment goes and the position we’re in, it’s definitely the most well-prepared that I’ve ever been with equipment that’s been under our own roof,” Payne said. “We have everyone coming back. We really had a great year. And we’re looking forward to the tour this year with Jenik Group. Honeoye Auto Parts with Doug Dulen, and Big Creek Concrete and Butch Getz. We’re ready to go, and hopefully we can get a gator.”
