By Mandee Pauch

They say third time’s a charm, right? This Monday, May 28, the Super DIRTcar Series will make its third attempt to kick off its 2018 points season.

After two races were won by Mother Nature, drivers and fans are eager for the Super DIRTcar Series invasion on Memorial Day for the Heroes Remembered 100 at New York’s Weedsport Speedway.

“It’s disappointing the tour has been rained out the first two attempts because, obviously, we’ve been itching to get it started,” said Jimmy Phelps, Weedsport Speedway’s general manager and a Super DIRTcar Series driver. “As a track, we’re excited to host the opener. We had a great turnout this past Sunday for the Ice Breaker. The racing was really good. I think Central NY is ready to get the series kicked off, so we’re excited to get to host the opener.”

Watch the Heroes Remembered 100 LIVE on FloRacing

Monday, May 28 | 6 PM EDT

Sunday evening’s opener at Weedsport saw the 2017 Super DIRTcar Series champion, Matt Sheppard, claw his way from 20th to take the victory in the 50-lap main event. Forty-two cars were on hand to attempt to qualify for Sunday’s Ice Breaker 50 in preparation for the Heroes Remembered 100 this Memorial Day.

Since its purchase by Al Heinke in 2013, Weedsport Speedway has become one of the premier dirt tracks in the Northeast. Under Heinke’s vision and guidance, along with the help of Phelps and his staff, the historic clay oval has made several improvements of the years and even more during the offseason—not only to the track but also to the facility.

“We’ve added some restrooms in our pit area which was a weak spot that’ll hopefully add some comfort to the pit area,” Phelps said. “We just opened our new beer garden with the Port Side Pub, which is a patio style bar area in the midway.”

The speedway even added a new jumbotron in the midway for everyone to keep up with the action on the track while they enjoy their food and a cold beverage.

“The jumbotron will make a great bonus in the midway along with several upgrades that we made to the food menu,” Phelps said.

Along with significant improvements on its facility, Weedsport Speedway also recently resurfaced its track with new clay.

“From a track standpoint, we’re excited with the new surface,” Phelps said. “It held up pretty well for our opener. We had two straight days of rain and a crazy winter which didn’t help, so the track crew was limited on the time we had to prepare for Sunday. All in all, I think it held up well and a race under our belts will try to help us make it perfect for next week.”

Not only will Phelps play his role as general manager this upcoming Monday, but he will also be strapping into the seat of his No. 98h Big Block Modified—all on the same day. So, what does race day look like for the general manager/race car driver? 

“By the time I get there, I’m bouncing between the track and the race shop when we have an event we're going to compete in,” Phelps said. “Until race time, I try to make sure that we’re ready in whatever capacity—helping track guys or any other staff member and try to make sure the property is ready and make sure all questions are answered from a promoter standpoint to administrative stuff. 

“I’ll be floating around making sure they have what they need or the answers they need to keep the day rolling. We’re very lucky we have such great staff. Once the gates open, they don’t really need me. That way I can shift gears and focus on the race car.”

Looking ahead, Phelps is excited to get the series underway and even more excited for it to kick off in his backyard.

“We’re striving,” he said. “We’re trying to create a situation where it’s an experience. It’s not just another race. It’s all about the fan experience to us and we’re trying to push that forward.”

You can catch the Big Block Modifieds come to life under the lights this Monday, May 28, LIVE on FloRacing.