In the past two seasons, no one has thrived more in New Jersey than Darren Smith.
The Binghamton, NY competitor is the only driver to have two consecutive Super DIRTcar Series top fives in the “Garden State.” After finishing fifth at Bridgeport Motorsports Park in 2023, he backed it up with a runner-up finish at New Egypt Speedway last year.
In the race at New Egypt, he narrowly missed out on his first career Series triumph, leading 40 laps before Anthony Perrego passed him for the win at the white flag.
That finish motivates Smith, who’s entering his fourth season as a full-time driver on the Super DIRTcar Series tour.
“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve went back and watched that race,” Smith said. “It definitely stings a little bit, just watching and learning what you might’ve done wrong. Being your best finish on the Series, you can’t be upset with it, but when you lead up until the last lap, that kind of sucks.”
He’ll have the chance to redeem himself at New Egypt when the Series kicks off its 2025 championship season during the Power in the Pines on Saturday, March 29. The March race is the only time many full-time Super DIRTcar Series drivers will compete at the unique 7/16-mile dirt track.
That’s one of the reasons Smith said he’s confident he can be successful again.
“I don’t know if everyone just hasn’t woken up from their sleep yet,” Smith joked. “I think between Bridgeport and New Egypt, the regulars don’t have a lot of track time. So maybe that levels the playing field out.
“Hopefully, we can get off to a good start and keep it up there this year.”
Another reason Smith is confident is that he gained momentum from Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationalsin February. After not finishing the first night at Volusia Speedway Park, he bounced back with three consecutive top 10s.
“That was the best DIRTcar Nationals we’ve had,” Smith said. “I think last year we were floating in the top 15 realm at Volusia, and this year we had a really good car. We tried a different motor combination, but I think we lacked a bit in that department. But I think our car was spot on.”
He’ll aim to carry that momentum into New Egypt and beyond, looking for his third straight top five in New Jersey and his first Super DIRTcar Series win. He’s also looking to improve off his best points finish – an eighth in 2024.
“I think where our program is now with the cars and how we have things set up in the shop and me getting used to some of these tracks, we’re only going to keep getting better,” Smith said.
Smith and the Super DIRTcar Series head to New Egypt Speedway in New Egypt, NJ, for the Power in the Pines on Saturday, March 29, the 2025 championship season opener.
If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch all of the Super DIRTcar Series action on DIRTVision, either online or with the DIRTVision app.
