In 18 years, Jimmy Phelps has reached the podium of the Super DIRTcar Series standings nine times. But he’s far from satisfied.
The Baldwinsville, NY driver enters his 19th full season with one goal—adding a championship to his mantle. For that to happen, Phelps said he knows where his Heinke-Baldwin Racing #98H needs to be at the end of every race.
“We have to try and focus on getting podiums and, ultimately, some wins,” Phelps said. “In this deal, there’s a few guys that are really strong every year, and we really sort of need to be one of those guys. Consistency seems to get you the top five-point runs, but to win this thing, we have to win and be on the podium. And try to be fighting every night for that top spot.”
Going into 2024, Phelps has 21 Super DIRTcar Series victories against some of the biggest names in Big Block Modified history, like Brett Hearn, Alan Johnson, and Matt Sheppard. However, he also realizes how difficult it is to win a Feature and how one wrong adjustment can change your night.
“You got to be really strong, and a lot has to go your way,” Phelps said. “If you’re off a little bit, there’s a good chance there’s going to be a handful of guys that aren’t. There’s no gimmes, so it’s a tough deal.”
Phelps brings momentum into the Sunshine State when the Series kicks off its 2024 season at Volusia Speedway Park during Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals Feb. 14-17. The Baldwinsville Bandit finished second to Sheppard in the 2023 season finale at The Dirt Track at Charlotte—a track Phelps said is comparable to Volusia.
“There’s similarities between the two tracks,” Phelps said. “Especially in qualifying. It’s maneuverable, and you can churn the throttle and all that stuff. I think the biggest thing is that in qualifying trim, we were really good in Charlotte, and we kind of learned our way through.
“I thought our qualifying trim [at Volusia] was good last year; we just didn’t have the balance once the track kind of died. Every year when we come down here it seems like it’s a little different. We’ve been watching some of the racing on DIRTVision, and it seems like the track has a little different look. We’re just going to hope we’re unloaded properly and try to be smart about changes if we aren’t.”
As a former Big Gator champion, Phelps knows Volusia’s winning formula and the importance of consistency. It’s a formula in his 19th Super DIRTcar Series season he hopes to apply to Florida, and when the championship season begins at New Egypt Speedway on March 30.
“It’s just like the [Series],” Phelps said. “The reality of it is when you got this caliber of guys, and they’re out here to try to win races and get that gator, it’s important. But you’re probably not going to win this deal in four races if you’re not competing for the win.
“We have to qualify well. That’s first. We need to have a racecar that can keep us up in the hunt. That’s all we can ask for. We need to try and grab those top three’s and hopefully try to win one of these things.”
Phelps and the Super DIRTcar Series begin their quest for a Big Gator at Volusia Speedway Park during Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals Feb. 14-17. For tickets, visit DIRTcarNationals.com.
If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action live on DIRTVision, either online or with the DIRTVision app.
