Alex Payne Eyes Super DIRTcar Series Championship After Breakout Rookie Year
Alex Payne, the 19-year-old driver from Hopewell, NY, enters his second full-time Super DIRTcar Series season with growing confidence after winning Rookie of the Year honors and his first Feature in 2024.
Two dirt track racers competing
Competing against champions like Mat Williamson and Matt Sheppard at Land of Legends Raceway, where he finished fourth in track points, has prepared Payne for a title chase. "I think that we're capable of competing against these guys," Payne said. "If I can start up front, make the redraw every night, and get a couple of wins, I don't think it's that big of a reach."
Alex Payne smiling
His 2025 season started strong with a second-place finish at Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park, followed by three top 10 finishes and a fourth-place showing at Port Royal Speedway. Payne aims to improve upon his sixth-place finish at New Egypt Speedway when the championship season begins on March 29.
While his father Eldon will reduce his trackside presence to support Alex's sister Kennedy in her DIRTcar Sportsman division career, Payne remains unfazed. "We work a lot on our program, and when we get to the racetrack, we just bounce a couple of ideas off each other," he explained. "I think me and my guys are capable of doing the same job either way."
The Super DIRTcar Series championship season kicks off at New Egypt Speedway's Power in the Pines event on Saturday, March 29. Fans can watch all Super DIRTcar Series races on DIRTVision, either online or through the DIRTVision app.