CONCORD, N.C. — The Super DIRTcar Series big-block modifieds kicked off four nights of racing at the World of Outlaws World Finals with the Low-E Insulation Qualifying night to lock in positions for Thursday and Friday’s heat races.
Jimmy Phelps earned the Billy Whittaker Cars and Trux Fast Time Award in Thursday’s qualifying session with a 16.296 second lap, while nine-time and defending series champion Matt Sheppard earned the pole award in Friday’s qualifying session with a 16.676-second lap.
Both will also be on the pole for their heats on Thursday and Friday as Sheppard timed second quickest overall in Thursday’s Group A session and Phelps was quickest in Friday’s Group B session.
“(The Dirt Track at Charlotte) is one of those places where you really never know what you have,” Phelps said. “It’s exciting to come off the truck fast. Hopefully, we can translate that into a Friday night top-qualifying effort that’s just as good and we can keep ourselves up front. Anytime you can put yourself up front in the Heat Race, it’s definitely where you want to be.”
Their qualifying efforts also helped boast their points prospects with Fast Time awarding five points. Phelps bumped himself from fifth to fourth place in points with his Fast Time Award, giving him a three-point advantage over now fifth-place Mike Mahaney.
Sheppard extended his points lead over second-place Mat Williamson to 77 going into Thursday’s heats. Williamson won two of three races at the 2022 event and will look to replicate the same success as the week progresses.
“I think (tonight) was our best Qualifying effort down here,” Williamson said. “Obviously, we lost five points to Matt (Sheppard) with him going (Fast Time) in the second session there, but I think our car is going to race better than we time. It always does. So, we’ll see. All we can do is try to go out and win three races.”
Williamson will also be a heat race polesitter on Thursday and Friday by timing first quick in Thursday’s Group B session and second quick in Friday’s Group A session.
Alex Payne will be the fourth polesitter for Thursday’s heats and Anthony Perrego will be the fourth polesitter for Friday’s heat races.