Story By: MICHELINA FRISS / DIRTCAR – DRUMMONDVILLE, QUE – The Super DIRTcar Series makes its long-awaited return to Canada in 2023 with a three-day venture, including two days at Autodrome Drummond and one at Brockville Ontario Speedway.
The Series will compete at Autodrome Drummond in Drummondville, QC, in a $7,500-to-win matchup on Monday, July 31, and a $10,000-to-win matchup on Tuesday, Aug. 1 – also a Super DIRT Week Qualifier race. Then, they’ll head to Brockville Ontario Speedway, in Brockville, ON, on Wednesday, Aug. 2, for a $7,500-to-win matchup before returning to the states.
Drivers and fans on both sides of the border have expressed their excitement about the return after the four-year absence.
“All the drivers are excited about the return of the Big Blocks to race against the best in the business and try to beat them in front of the fans at home,” Autodrome Drummond promoter Yan Bussiere said. “There was only one driver who managed to take the victory several years ago. His name is Steve Poirier and the fans still talk about it. It was an incredible evening. The fans were euphoric.”
The Series is currently set to have two full-time Canadian drivers compete on the tour during 2023; Mat Williamson of St. Catharines, ON and newcomer Mathieu Desjardins of Yamaska, QC. Desjardins will take over #37 from teammate Paul St. Sauveur, who retired after last season.
The Yamaska, QC driver thrilled Canadian fans on night two of the 2022 World of Outlaws World Finals when he captured the Feature win in only his second Series start on American soil, beating out eventual season champion Matt Sheppard.
“Mathieu Desjardins, who won a race at the World Final a few weeks ago, gives hope to aspiring Quebec drivers,” Bussiere said. “It will be a very special edition in 2023. We will have the possibility of having two winners because the stars will be with us two consecutive evenings. Fans dream of this special edition, especially since they haven’t seen their favorite drivers since 2019.”
Williamson gave Canadian fans something to cheer about by winning the opening and closing Features of the World of Outlaws World Finals. Both nights, those in attendance were treated to several joyous renditions of the Canadian National anthem, “O, Canada” by enthusiastic Canadian fans who made the trek to Concord, NC.
“Canada is race country,” Williamson said. “The fans in Quebec are like no other. They’re the best fans…ever since we started racing nationally on the Super DIRTcar Series tour, the fans in Quebec always show up very well. I’m super excited when we go to Charlotte and we win races and they sing the anthem. That’s like the coolest thing in the world.”
Autodrome Drummond debuted with the Series in 1980 and has hosted 46 Super DIRTcar Series events. Brett Hearn has the most Series wins at the track with eight and Erick Rudolph won the last Series race there in July of 2019.
The Series debuted at Brockville Ontario Speedway in 2006 and has run 14 events there. Billy Decker and Danny Johnson are tied for the most wins with the Series at the track. Matt Sheppard won the last event there in 2019.