CONCORD, N.C. — With track championships and a couple of Super DIRTcar Series victories already on Anthony Perrego’s resume, he’s eager to take the next step in his career.
Vinny Salerno is giving the Montgomery, N.Y. driver that chance, hiring Perrego to drive his famed No. 4* Big Block full-time on the Super DIRTcar Series tour.
“In the last couple years, I think we really came into our own with more experience,” Perrego said. “The more time you spend in the seat the better you’re going to get. I’m at the point right now in my career where I think it is time to go out and do the Series.”
Having known Salerno during his time racing at Orange County Fair Speedway, the two had met in 2020 to discuss potentially teaming up but were unable to put something together. For this season, all four stars aligned.
Perrego will continue to race weekly in Brian Smith’s No. 44 Modified while focusing on Salerno’s car for the Super DIRTcar Series tour. It makes for one of the busiest schedules of his career, but he said he’s confident in both teams’ programs.
“I think with Vinny’s knowledge, being around racing for many years, I think he’s got a lot of knowledge that can lead us to great things,” Perrego said. “Brian’s deal is really good, too. Really looking forward to working with Vinny and everyone over there.”
Salerno has a long history in dirt modified racing with his Four Star Racing team, seeing success with all-star drivers like Brett Hearn and Tim McCreadie. Kevin Root ran full-time for Four Star Racing last year and will continue to drive for the team this year, but won’t be full-time on the tour.
Perrego spent the last few years running Smith’s No. 44 modified, scoring multiple accomplishments including two Super DIRTcar Series wins in 2020 during OktoberFAST and three track championships last year – beating Matt Sheppard and Stewart Friesen for the Orange County Fair Speedway Big Block championship.
To him, it’s all a sign of his talent progression. The more he races, the more he learns. And at 27, he’s had the opportunity to learn a lot as he prepares for his first run at a Super DIRTcar Series championship. Currently, on his Super DIRTcar Series stats sheet, Perrego has two wins, two top-fives and six top-10s in 26 starts.
This season, his main goal is simple — win.
“Obviously you’re out there to win races,” Perrego said. “That’s the goal right now. Not following the Series (previously), I think we might hit a bump or two in the road. But the goal right now is to go out there and win some races and be successful. I think we have what it takes.”
While he has the benefit of having visited several tracks on the Super DIRTcar Series tour already, he’s also looking forward to the ones where he’s yet to race. It’s a challenge he knows will only make him a better driver.
“I think all and all, you start racing all of those Series races and it’s going to make you better,” he said. “Looking forward to that.”
The Super DIRTcar Series season kicks off during the DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park, Feb. 14-19.