Column: Felix Roy Making Big Gains In Second Half Of Rookie Super DIRTcar Series Season
News Director 
Column By: MICHELINA FRISS / DIRTCAR – WEST LEBANON, NY – Felix Roy’s quest for the 2023 Super DIRTcar Series Rookie of the Year title has found new life in the second half of the year.
The 18-year-old from Napierville, QC went from an 18.5 average finish in the first six races of the championship season to a 10.5 average finish in the last six, including two top-10 finishes in the last two races.
“To get Rookie of the Year would be nice,” Roy said. “We’re in a good spot. We were like 30 points away from (Steve) Bernard and we had some good results and we caught him.”
Roy currently leads Bernard by five points in the Rookie of the Year points battle as the Series heads to Lebanon Valley on Sat., Sept. 2 for the 2023 Mr. DIRT Track USA.
He’s spent an entire season adjusting to competition on American tracks that differ from the Canadian tracks he is accustomed to. With the help of a diligent, fast-learning crew chief, and Roy’s drive to be successful, he has proven he can run with the best.
The first glimpse of his season turnaround started in July at Big Diamond Speedway. Roy was running fifth before a mechanical issue forced him to the infield with five laps remaining. It would have been his first top-five finish with the Series.
Then, he earned back-to-back sixth-place finishes at Autodrome Drummond before scoring back-to-back ninth-place finishes a couple weeks later in August. The first came at Land of Legends Raceway in his second start there and the second came at Ransomville Speedway in his first start there. He’s also picked up multiple wins outside the Series this year.
“The more I race, the more I know what the car does and how to make adjustments,” Roy said. “We only have two laps of practice before Qualifying. So that’s the important thing, to get the feeling of the car in two laps. I’m getting better at it. I know what to tell (my crew chief) to do to make the car better.”
To keep his successful run going, qualifying will be a key area of focus.
“We’re trying to qualify better,” Roy said. “We’re getting better. We went to the redraw two or three times this year. We’re definitely looking forward to getting back in the redraw because it gives a good advantage.”
He’ll bring that same grit and determination to Lebanon Valley this Saturday to compete against a field loaded with talent. The “Valley of Speed” is known for its high caliber of local drivers, with the two-time and defending event champion Andy Bachetti being one of them. Roy finished 16th place during his first career visit to the track in May.
“Lebanon Valley is a fast track and a special track,” Roy said. “It’s different than anything else. Guys that run there weekly are always fast. I’m just going to try and make the show, get another top-10, and that will be perfect.”
The Super DIRTcar Series Big Blocks will head to Lebanon Valley Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 2, for a 100-lap, $15,500-to-win, Super DIRT Week 51 qualifier.
