Column: Mahaney Strong In Super DIRTcar Event At Weedsport; Mat Williamson Drives 21st To Third

Column By: MIKE WARREN / SUPER DIRTCAR SERIES – WEEDSPORT, NY – Mike Mahaney crossed the line second in the Heroes Remembered 100 Super DIRTcar Series event at Weedsport Speedway Sunday night, earning his second consecutive top five after finishing fourth at Albany Saratoga.

The Elizabethtown, NY driver said one key to another consistent finish was how well he started the night in Qualifying.

“We seem to be timing well and running good in the Heat (Race),” Mahaney said. “We just have to get it done in the Feature. Things change a lot at that point in the night.

“I really wanted to win the race tonight. Weedsport was one of my first Big Block wins. It was close to home for me; there’s a lot of hometown family and friends here. And I’d just love to win here; it’s been a long time.”

Defending Series champion Mat Williamson finished third, after starting 21st. The St. Catharines, ON driver had an uphill climb after spinning in his Heat Race, forcing him to transfer into the Feature through the Last Chance Showdown.

“I wasn’t easy on the racecar at all,” Williamson said. “The problem is you had to be up against the wall and going through the holes if you wanted to pass cars. Tonight was a good rebound for the guys. We unloaded slow and made it fast by the end of the night. I made an error on the first lap of the Heat Race and that made us fight from the back all night.”

With his podium finish, Williamson cut Alex Yankowski’s points lead to five points entering Monday’s race at Thunder Mountain Speedway. Yankowski finished eighth after going to the pits for a flat tire midway through the race.

Payne rebounded for fourth after passing 13 cars in the final 25 laps. Erick Rudolph rounded out the top five.