At A Glance; Super DIRTcar Series Kicks Off at Fulton

The  2017 edition of the SuperDIRTcar Big Block Modified tour kicks off today at the Fulton Speedway for the Highbank Holdup 100 lapper. Last season, Billy Decker took the checkers winning his first race with car owner Mike Payne. There's absolutely no reason why Decker can't repeat that performance, but the other 15 Platinum SDS drivers, and ever strong field that Fulton draws will be tough.

Jeremiah Fish Photography

The likes of Stewart Friesen, Brett Hearn, and Tim Fuller will compete full time on the tour again. Newcomers Mike Maresca in his prime St. Lawrence Radiology number seven, and Brandon Walters fresh off solid finishes at Volusia look to continue to make gains, and have signed the platinum agreement. HBR returns to a two car full time lineup with Jimmy Phelps and Max McLaughlin.

The full time field is stout, and prepped to take on the 28 race schedule. Unfortunately, the series won't return to the historic Williams Grove Speedway, but will head back to New Jersey to the Bridgeport Speedway 5/8ths mile instead. Also new to the schedule this year is a trip to Outlaw Speedway in Dundee, NY on June 20th. July 18th we will see the long haul out to Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio to run along side the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at the famed half mile oval.

Jeremiah Fish Photography

Matt Sheppard, the 2016 points champion, looks to continue his series dominance in his second year of owning his own car. The 9s is a frequent to victory lane no matter the venue, and I don't see much changing over last year.

In Florida in February, Brett Hearn took home the Big Gator. Now, back in the northeast, he's looking to use that momentum heading into the season. After a disappointing 2016 campaign, I can see him righting the ship, and getting back into championship form.

Jeremiah Fish Photography. 

I expect to see drivers like Keith Flach and Peter Britten have strong seasons too. Flach has shown great improvement, especially last season, and Britten's new ride shows promise as well.