THREE FOR THE BANDIT: Jimmy Phelps Holds Off Mat Williamson For Third World Finals Victory
During one of his best Super DIRTcar Series seasons, Jimmy Phelps added another milestone moment at The Dirt Track at Charlotte.
The Baldwinsville, NY driver led all 30 laps of Thursday’s Dave Smith Motors World of Outlaws World FinalsFeature, holding off a late charge by Mat Williamson for his 25th career Series triumph.
“Just an awesome car,” Phelps said. “We had a good Heat Race. Had a good pill draw. And we really needed to make tonight count because we’re a little deeper tomorrow. But for right now we’ll celebrate. It feels good.”
Phelps, the SRI Performance and Stock Car Steel Pole Award winner, led the field to the green in the 30-lap Feature, using the outside lane to pull away from Logan Watt. It wasn’t long before Phelps gained a significant advantage, taking a lead of over a second before the race’s first caution on Lap 7 for Paul Mancini.
When the race resumed, Phelps controlled the field again, this time getting a larger advantage on a long green-flag run. Behind Phelps, Watt dropped out on Lap 11 after the driveshaft broke on the No. 14W, handing the runner-up position to Williamson, who started sixth.
Williamson gained some ground on Phelps as the “Baldwinsville Bandit” battled through lap traffic, but a caution with 10 laps to go for Rex King Jr. brought the Buzz Chew Racing No. 88 within striking distance.
Phelps beat Williamson into Turns 1 and 2, but with a chance to tie Matt Sheppard for the most World Finalswins, “Money Mat” wasn’t going away. While Phelps ran the middle of the track, Williamson went to the extreme outside lane, closing within two car lengths on multiple occasions down the backstretch.
Williamson’s best shot to pass Phelps came with two laps to go, when he got a monstrous run exiting Turn 2. Williamson pulled even with the No. 98H as they raced down the backstretch and tried to inch ahead in Turn 3.
But Phelps’ momentum was too much for the three-time Series champion to overcome, as the Super DIRTcar Series veteran held off Williamson to earn the $10,000 victory and his third Series triumph of 2026.
“We fired really good,” Phelps said. “And as the right-rear tire started to wear, I knew I needed to make an adjustment in (Turns) 1 and 2. The 88 made us earn it toward the end. He got me to move. I’m not really even sure if I moved to the right line compared to where he was running, but I think it might’ve got me into the grip enough to hold him off the rest of the way.”
Williamson settled for second, earning his third straight top-two Series finish. The St. Catharines, ON driver said he wanted to make sure he ran Phelps clean while battling for the lead, after Phelps did the same thing at Georgetown last weekend.
“I don’t know if I needed any more, or if I needed the race to play out any differently,” Williamson said. “Obviously drawing six hurts, because you use your shit up getting to the front.
“The car and motor were really stout. I don’t think I could get any more out of it. I hate losing, but it was a lot of fun.”
Alex Yankowski rounded out the podium and holds an 87-point lead over Williamson with two races remaining.
Alex Payne finished fourth, and Felix Roy crossed the line fifth.
UP NEXT: The Super DIRTcar Series returns to The Dirt Track at Charlotte on Friday, Nov. 6, for another night of racing action at the Dave Smith Motors World Finals. For the second straight night, drivers will compete in a 30-lap Feature, paying $10,000-to-win.
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.
RACE NOTES:
JAM Performance Fastest Hot Lap Award: Jimmy Phelps
Billy Whittaker Cars and Trux Quick Time Award: Logan Watt
Bicknell Racing Products Heat Race 1 Winner: Jimmy Phelps
DIG Race Products Heat Race 2 Winner: Alex Yankowski
Wix Filters Heat Race 3 Winner: Mat Williamson
The Greatest Store on Dirt Heat Race 4 Winner: Felix Roy
SRI Performance/Stock Car Steel Pole Award Winner: Jimmy Phelps
Behrent’s Performance Warehouse One Lap to Go: Jimmy Phelps
World Finals Night 1 (30 Laps): 1. 98H-Jimmy Phelps[1]; 2. 88-Mat Williamson[6]; 3. 84Y-Alex Yankowski[8]; 4. 70A-Alex Payne[12]; 5. 91-Felix Roy[3]; 6. 26-Ryan Godown[4]; 7. 12-Darren Smith[9]; 8. 1-Tyler Dippel[7]; 9. 2-Jack Lehner[15]; 10. 21A-Peter Britten[13]; 11. 7MM-Michael Maresca[22]; 12. 35-Mike Mahaney[11]; 13. 9S-Matt Sheppard[10]; 14. 16-Louden Reimert[18]; 15. 9-Tim McCreadie[16]; 16. 11-Matt Caprara[19]; 17. 25-Erick Rudolph[20]; 18. 6-Matt Stangle[17]; 19. 35C-Chris Curtis[26]; 20. 3-Justin Haers[27]; 21. 29-Ryan Krachun[24]; 22. 15X-Justin Stone[25]; 23. 11T-Jeff Taylor[23]; 24. 44G-Sebastien Gougeon[28]; 25. 99L-Larry Wight[14]; 26. 165-Rex King Jr[5]; 27. 7M-Paul Mancini[30]; 28. (DNF) 17-Marcus Dinkins[29]; 29. (DNF) 14W-Logan Watt[2]; 30. (DNF) 28-Michael Trautschold[21]
