Heinke-Baldwin Racing Set to Tackle Super DIRT Week

Story By: MANDEE PAUCH / HBR – WEEDSPORT, NY – With five Super DIRTcar Series wins this season, the Heinke-Baldwin race team is hungry for their first NAPA Super DIRT Week victory.

The largest Big Block Modified race of the year is less than a week away and the HBR team is locked and loaded for battle.

Phelps turned a few heads last year by capping off a seventh-place finish in the NAPA 200 from his 16th-place starting spot.

“I really never felt like we had a real firm handle on Oswego,” Phelps said. “I think due to really good maintenance, good equipment and partners, we had a car that was able to withstand the abuse and finish. I’m looking forward to getting back there and take a crack at it. We’ve had a good year gaining knowledge on these Teo cars.”

Phelps has visited victory lane three times this season and has his sites set on the $50,000 paycheck.

The closest Phelps ever came to tasting victory at Super DIRT Week came back in 2010 with a runner-up finish.

‘Mad Max’ made a statement last year at Oswego Speedway by picking up the Big Block Modified futures race at the Clay Palace.

“We had speed there last year,” McLaughlin said. “I feel like we have a lot stronger program now than we did a year ago. I think we have a good shot at it.”

Since then, McLaughlin has tremendously improved by picking up his first two Big Block Modified career victories this season.

The young gun is feeling confident with his program and team heading into the big week.

After a top-ten finish from both drivers this past weekend at Fonda Speedway with the Super DIRTcar Series, the team is looking like a force to be reckoned with leading into the biggest week of the year.

Heading to their 23rd different track of the season, Phelps currently sits sixth in the Super DIRTcar Series points while McLaughlin follows close in seventh.

Both drivers combined have collected five wins, 45 top-fives and 76 top-tens this season.

The HBR team will be taking the weekend off to put the final touches on their machines before they head to Oswego Speedway for the 46th Annual NAPA Super DIRT Week Wednesday October 4th – Sunday, October 8th.