CONCORD, N.C. — Alex Yankowski reached the pinnacle of Big Block Modified racing in 2026 by winning his first Super DIRTcar Series title.
But that’s not all he accomplished.
The Covington Township, Pa., driver became the youngest champion at 22, beating the record Alan Johnson set in 1982 at 24.
It’s an objective Yankowski said he never expected to complete.
“I never thought I’d win a Modified race, let alone a Super DIRTcar Series race,” Yankowski said. “I thought just winning a support class race at a local track would be awesome. Then, one thing leads to another, a couple of lucky breaks, and it’s all worked out.”
Being the youngest champion isn’t the only history he made in 2026. He’s also the second driver from Pennsylvania to win the series title, joining Doug Hoffman, who won it 30 years ago in 1996.
“It’s been New York dominant for as long as I can remember,” Yankowski said. “The New Yorkers and the Canadians have kin d of whooped up on all the southern boys, and it was nice to change that. You need a lot of luck to change it, but it’s definitely special.”
Despite earning five wins en route to his championship, including a victory at The Dirt Track at Charlotte during World Finals, Yankowski built his title run on consistency. He’s the only driver who ran the series full time in 2026 that finished in the top 10 in all 21 points-paying events. He also finished outside the top five only four times.
That consistency, “Kid Rocket” said, comes down to how hard his team works, how long they’ve been together, and a little luck.
“The first race we had a mechanical problem, and we were able to get a top 10 out of it,” Yankowski said. “[Saturday], we got really lucky and were able to drive to fifth. These guys are tough, and you need good cars, good engines, good everything, and a lot of luck to have that possible.
“I’ve had the same crew chief and the same engine builder since 2018. And I think that’s something special and why we’ve been able to build as good as we have.”
That camaraderie with crew chief Kevin Bates and his crew is only part of the reason for Yankowski’s rapid growth in a Big Block. Another factor is his relationship with NASCAR Trucks Series star Stewart Friesen.
The two have become close over the past few seasons, and the Super DIRTcar Series champion said he’s learned a lot from his mentor.
“Just how to act, how to talk on camera,” Yankowski said. “And he’s saved me a lot of money on hotel rooms. When I go up to New York, I’ve been able to sleep at his place. Stew’s been a great friend and mentor to me, and I’m incredibly lucky to have him in my corner.”
Not only are the two drivers’ good friends, but Friesen also said he’s impressed by how well Yankowski manages every aspect of his team at a young age.
“I’m just proud of him,” Friesen said. “He’s got wisdom beyond his years. I’ve seen him kind of calm down a bit in the last year. He’s probably at a state in his mental game that it took until I was about 30 to get to.
“Just to see what he’s done running his race team. What he does at his engine shop, keeping it all going. Balancing it all is remarkable. I’m proud of him and proud to call him a good friend.”
With 2026 in the rearview mirror, attention has already turned to 2027 for the reigning Series champion. As for a repeat performance, he said he knows hard work will be the key to doing it again.
“There’s just so many variables,” Yankowski said. “We know we’re going to bust our butts, and we’re excited about 2027 already.”
