RPW Column: Super DIRTcar Series Power Rankings Ahead Of Weedsport’s Cavalcade Weekend
News Director 
Column By: STEPHEN DURHAM / RPW – WEEDSPORT, NY – We are now into the fall months of racing, with the bigger shows upon us and the 50th Super Dirt Week just around the corner.
“Superman” Matt Sheppard has picked up the pace and has grown his lead over Mat Williamson as we entered into September in the championship standings.
For some, they are glad we are out of the dog days of summer, and into the fall months. McLaughlin entered September with a strong run and his best big block modified finish at Lebanon Valley at Mr. Dirt.
Marc Johnson continues his strong 2022 campaign on the Super DIRTcar Series. Adam Pierson, a new regular to the series as well, has made huge strides with success as of late as well.
Here are how things are looking in the power rankings heading into Weedsport this weekend.
1: Matt Sheppard (Previous Rank: 1):
Sheppard has been on a roll late this summer, taking home two wins during SummerFAST week at Brewerton and Land of Legends. Since Land of Legends last month, Sheppard leads with the best average finish, with two top 5s and three top 10s over these last 3 starts. Sheppard has increased his points lead over Mat Williamson heading into this weekend at Weedsport. Sheppard this year so far has finished 3rd and 4th at Weedsport and will look to continue his momentum, and is the defending winner from a year ago on Cavalcade weekend.
2: Mat Williamson (Previous Rank: 4):
Williamson is has found a groove as of late, coming just shy of grabbing another top 10 finish at Mr. Dirt. Williamson grabbed a win at Ransomville National last month and finished 4th at Land of Legends, and has the second best finishing average behind Sheppard over the last 3 races. In 2022, Williamson has a pair of 9th place finishes at Weedsport and will look to close the gap on championship leader, Matt Sheppard this weekend.
3: Stewart Friesen (Previous Rank: 3):
Friesen may not be fighting for the championship on the series, but he continues to be a contender week in, and week out. Friesen had a strong run going at Mr. Dirt but a mechanical failure would end his night early. Before Lebanon, Friesen had back to back top 10 finishes in 8th. Friesen captured the first win of the season at Weedsport earlier this year and will look to rekindle that magic this weekend.
4: Max McLaughlin (Previous Rank: 2):
The summer months haven’t been all that kind to “Mad-Max”, struggling to crack the top-10 since the Battle of the Midway in late July, until last weekend at Lebanon Valley. It was McLaughlin’s best finish at Lebanon Valley in his young career, finishing in 8th. Over the last 3 starts, McLauglin has averaged a 13.0 finishing position, which ranks 10th of those who have started at least 2 of the last 3 races. McLaughlin did have a strong run earlier this year in 6th in the first trip to Weedsport, but had a tough go during the second time around, coming home 19th, but did finish runner-up last September at Weedsport behind Sheppard..
5: Marc Johnson (Previous Rank: 5):
For Marc Johnson, it has been an unbelievable year in his full season with the Super DIRTcar Series. If you take away his most recent finish at Mr. Dirt and give him the finish he had in May, Johnson would have one of the best finishing averages over the past 3 races. Over the past 3 races though, Johnson has two top 10s at Land of Legends and Ransomville. Johnson currently sits 6th in the championship points. Weedsport in May and August was not kind to Johnson though and he will look to improve, with finishes in 20th and 21st.
6: Peter Britten (Previous Rank: 8):
Britten has been hitting his groove as of late, with a top 5 and two top 10s over the last 3 starts. Britten finished 2nd at Ransomville behind Williamson. Britten currently is 7th in the championship points and will look to make additional gains this weekend. Britten finished in the top 15 in both starts so far at Weedsport in May and August.
7: Jimmy Phelps (Previous Rank: 5):
For the Baldwinsville Bandit, it has been a steady pace for him, finding himself currently 3rd in the championship points. Phelps has finished 11th and 13th in the past 2 races, but finished 3rd at Land of Legends. Phelps also snagged the win at Weedsport during SummerFAST week. Phelps will be looking to double up on the wins at Weedsport, finishing 8th in May there as well.
8: Anthony Perrego (Previous Rank: 6):
Late summer has not been kind to Perrego, with his best finish being 11th at Ransomville and his only top 15 over the last 3 races. Perrego finished 19th at Land of Legends and 26th at Lebanon Valley. Perrego will look to turn things around this weekend, where on his lone visit during SummerFAST weekend, he brought it home on the 8th.
9: Billy Decker (Previous Rank: UR):
Decker has shown speed and consistency the past three races, bringing home a top 5 at Mr. Dirt, and two additional top 10s from Land of Legends and Ransomville. Decker’s two top 5s both coming from Lebanon Valley this year. Weedsport hasn’t been the kindest to the Franklin Flyger, finishing 16th and 22nd in the first two starts this season there.
10: Adam Pierson (Previous Rank: UR):
Pierson has been another driver on the series this year who has been taking notes and improving. Picking up another heat race win and his first podium finish, finishing 2nd at Land of Legends. He had a strong showing at Mr. Dirt, but his night ended early after redrawing the 2nd starting position. Pierson will look to keep the momentum up, as he finished 15th in May and 10th in August at Weedsport in the first two visits this year.
On the Radar:
– Jack Lehner: For Jack Lehner, he continues to show progress. Lehner comes off his best finish at Lebanon Valley in 7th, one position better than his run in May. Ransomville wasn’t all that kind to Lehner, ending his night early, and finishing 15th at Land of Legends. In his previous visits to Weedsport, Lehner finished 10th in May and 15th last month.
– Mike Mahaney: Mike Mahaney hasn’t followed the entire tour all season long, but has shown his speed and strength this season. Winner at Albany-Saratoga back in June. As the series heads to Weedsport, Mahaney this season has finished 2nd both times in May and August and will look to improve by one position this weekend.
