{"id":14822,"date":"2023-12-29T10:01:06","date_gmt":"2023-12-29T14:01:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/superdirtcarseries.com\/?p=14822"},"modified":"2024-01-12T12:15:52","modified_gmt":"2024-01-12T16:15:52","slug":"steve-bernard-lives-out-super-dirtcar-series-dream-after-healing-from-back-injury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/superdirtcarseries.com\/news\/steve-bernard-lives-out-super-dirtcar-series-dream-after-healing-from-back-injury\/","title":{"rendered":"Steve Bernard Lives Out Super DIRTcar Series Dream After Healing From Back Injury"},"content":{"rendered":"
Steve Bernard finally lived out his dream of joining the Super DIRTcar Series in 2023, overcoming a painful roadblock to get there.<\/p>\n
The Granby, QC driver was ready to join the tour in 2022 but injured his back during an off-season training session. After racing at DIRTcar Nationals he found the injury was too severe and was forced to sit out the rest of the season.<\/p>\n
Once his back healed, he didn\u2019t hesitate to jump back into his #54 Big Block Modified to run full-time with the Super DIRTcar Series in 2023. But the year off made for a slow start as his unconditioned body hindered his performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had spinal surgery on my L4 and L5,\u201d Bernard said. \u201cI stopped racing for a year and went directly to the Super DIRTcar Series (in 2023). I was off for a full season. So, at the start of the season I was struggling a bit just to get back in shape. I wasn\u2019t in a good condition.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut still. It\u2019s part of life, and you need to work with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
His body wasn\u2019t his only struggle throughout 2023.<\/p>\n
Throughout the season, he tangled with track surfaces he wasn\u2019t used to. Tracks like Autodrome Drummond, where Bernard races regularly, it\u2019s a fast and heavy surface compared to tracks in New York and Pennsylvania that slicken up before the Feature is over.<\/p>\n
The \u201cCowboy\u201d had to build a notebook throughout the season, visiting many venues for the first time.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was probably the hardest part,\u201d Bernard said. \u201cWe\u2019ve been struggling all year long to find the bite I was looking for and adjust the car to what I want. And we haven\u2019t really found it. So, I\u2019m not able to say it\u2019s me or the car. Maybe a little bit of both. So, I could probably improve myself on those circuits.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Despite learning all season, the 43-year-old driver said he enjoyed his experience on tour and wishes he could\u2019ve done it when he was a little younger.<\/p>\n
One of the younger drivers he competed with in 2023 was Felix Roy, who he finished second to in the battle for Rookie of the Year. Bernard described the feeling as bittersweet, as he hoped to etch his name into Series history.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was looking to get that Rookie of the Year (award),\u201d Bernard said. \u201cFelix won it, so I\u2019m happy for him. He had a superb year. It\u2019s kind of bittersweet. It just wasn\u2019t what we were looking for. \u201cBut I\u2019m happy to [run the tour] with my dad. That\u2019s something I\u2019ll remember for life. But it would\u2019ve been kind of perfect if we won Series rookie. We just need to go forward from there.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Bernard enjoyed the Super DIRTcar Series, he won\u2019t be making a return in 2024, electing to focus on tracks close to his Quebec home. However, there\u2019s another milestone he wants to accomplish\u2014winning his first Super DIRTcar Series race.<\/p>\n
He almost earned that feat at Drummond, where he\u2019ll have two chances to defend home turf, July 22-23, for the King of the North. It\u2019s another roadblock Bernard realizes won\u2019t be easy to get through.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would be another kind of dream come true,\u201d Bernard said. \u201cI\u2019ve been so close so many times. And it seems to never break on my side. It\u2019s a hard one to win. I think I\u2019m able to accomplish this, but the field is stronger every year. I think I\u2019m able to get that win. We\u2019ll try to get it next year.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Super DIRTcar Series starts the 2024 season at Volusia Speedway Park during the 53rd Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals, Feb. 14-17. For tickets, visit dirtcarnationals.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you can\u2019t make it to the track, watch all the action live on\u00a0DIRTVision, either online or with the DIRTVision app.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Steve Bernard finally lived out his dream of joining the Super DIRTcar Series in 2023, overcoming a painful roadblock to get there. The Granby, QC driver was ready to join the tour in 2022 but injured his back during an off-season training session. After racing at DIRTcar Nationals he found the injury was too severe … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":48,"featured_media":14823,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[64,696,177],"class_list":["post-14822","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-big-block-modifieds","tag-steve-bernard","tag-super-dirtcar-series"],"yoast_head":"\n