With days remaining in the 2026 Super DIRTcar Series season, one of the sport’s rising stars has already made his plans for 2027.

Logan Watt will join the Super DIRTcar Series next season as an MD3 Rookie of the Year contender, teaming up with Vinny Salerno to drive the iconic No. 4* Big Block. The 17-year-old adds his name to a list of superstars who’ve driven that car, including Brett Hearn, Jeff Strunk, Tim McCreadie, and Anthony Perrego.

“It’s an honor,” Watt said. “There’s a lot of great drivers out there. I knew Vinny a little bit beforehand, but I raced against him and Perrego on Saturdays at Grandview (Speedway). We had a meeting at the shop, and he asked what my plans were for next year, and when he asked (to drive the car), I said sure, we’ll do the whole thing.

“He was excited, and I’m really excited.”

Not only did Watt race against Salerno’s car at Grandview, but he beat Perrego and everyone else to earn his first track championship. Between those results and getting to know the Boyertown, PA driver more throughout the season, Salerno chose him to drive his car.

“He kicked our ass,” Salerno said. “I’ve known his dad for a long time over the years. Ryan has been racing forever, too. So, I knew the family, and with racing Grandview we became close and got to know everybody, and that’s kind of where it came from.”

Grandview wasn’t the only track where Salerno saw Watt gain experience. He also saw him make a few starts with the Super DIRTcar Series. Along with racing Series events at stops close to home, he traveled to New York the last two seasons to race during SummerFAST.

During those trips, Watt spent time learning by getting seat time against the top Series stars.

“You can really learn a lot against these guys in New York like (Jimmy) Phelps and (Matt) Sheppard and all them guys,” Watt said. “I’ve only been up there a handful of times, but when I have been up there, it’s been a lot of fun. I’m really looking forward to learning a little bit more and going from there.”

Salerno expects Watt to learn a lot in his first year competing with the Series, and he said he knows there’s a tough road ahead. That includes being ready to go when the No. 4* is unloaded from the trailer.

“I think the main thing is for him to learn how to time trial well, and to save the car in the longer races to be around at the end,” Salerno said.  “And get some experience. I’m learning every day, and he’s going to be learning every day. His dad is going to be around, and they got some help. So, I feel like for a 17-year-old kid, he’s pretty mature.

“It’s going to be a lot for him to handle, but he has the mindset for it. But my expectations aren’t much other than to try and make every race and just try to go forward. He’s a quick learner, and I think we’ll be ok.”

Watt’s views align with Salerno’s, knowing that his rookie year will be a learning curve. But despite the uphill battle he faces, Watt’s excited to take on the challenge.

“I want to make every race and get as many laps as I can and learn as much as I can,” Watt said. “I feel like if we take it one race at a time, it’ll all come together. We’ll let things funnel out and see what happens.”

Before Watt takes the reins of Vinny Salerno’s Big Block, he’ll drive the family-owned car with the Super DIRTcar Series during the Dave Smith Motors World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte, Nov. 4-7.

Where can you buy tickets to World Finals? You can buy tickets at http://worldofoutlawsworldfinals.com/.

Where can you watch the Super DIRTcar Series? Watch every lap live on DIRTVision.