RPW Exclusive: A Dream Season For Mat Williamson Culminated With First Super DIRTcar Series Crown

Column By: BOBBY CHALMERS / RPW – SYRACUSE, NY – Simply a dream season. There’s no other way to you can characterize Mat Williamson’s 2019 on the Super DIRTcar Series.

The St. Catherines, ONT driver not only became the first Canadian-born Series champion this past season, but he was able to do something that hasn’t been done since the 2014…replace Matt Sheppard at the head table for the Series’ awards banquet.

Williamson did just that Saturday evening at the Holiday Inn Liverpool (Syracuse) on the strength of three-wins, 17 top 5’s and 20 top 10’s in 22 starts. That means he and his Buzz Chew Chevrolet team were the models of consistency throughout the entire year.

“This was something I’ve dreamed about my entire life,” an emotional Williamson said. “I’ve worked so hard over the years just to be up on that stage. I’ve looked up to guys like Billy (Decker) and Matt (Sheppard) and Brett (Hearn)…everybody that I’ve watched growing up and this is the pedestal. I’m very emotional because this is something I’ve always dreamed of.”

Over last off-season, the Buzz Chew team made the switch behind the wheel, replacing driver Mike Mahaney who they had driving their machines for two seasons in exchange for Williamson, and that decision paid off in a big way with the team’s first Super DIRTcar Series title.

“Without the opportunity that I had to run for Buzz and Bryon (Chew) and this team this year, I probably wouldn’t be standing here tonight,” he said. “This just goes to show how much hard work it takes to get here.”

Williamson’s three wins on the tour this year came at Brewerton and Mohawk International in consecutive evenings the second weekend of September before he was able to capture the biggest race of the Series, the Billy Whittaker Cars 200 at Super DIRT Week. This was just a magical season for the 29-year-old driver.

“To stand on stage after winning Super DIRT Week at Oswego, it’s not what Syracuse use to be,” he said. “However, I grew up looking at that race as the one I wanted to win. That’s what my dad (Randy Williamson) instilled in me. That event was the best in Modified racing so to win that race was very overwhelming. It was something I never thought I’d be able to do in my life.”

It’s that disbelief that is what makes this season one Williamson will never forget.

“I never thought I’d do it (winning at Super DIRT Week) this early in my career,” he said. “You look up to those people who have won that race before, how hard they’ve worked to do so and when you actually do it, you don’t know what to do next.”

With 2019 being the first year Williamson was behind the wheel of the #88 machine, the results this team was able to produce just goes to show what a special group they have assembled. Mat is very quick to give all the credit to his team.

“The crew that I have behind us with this operation makes it very easy for me,” he said. “After it was all over, I sat back and reflected on what we did and realized it seemed just easy to do, but it was far from it. That’s just because of the people on this team. I am the luckiest guy in the world to be up on stage as the champion and we’re just going to keep digging for next year.”

As was stated before, there was very few times that Williamson and company were out of the top 10 on the Super DIRTcar Series. Even though Matt Sheppard led in the wins department (eight trips to victory lane on tour), Williamson held that title in top 5’s and 10’s…a true model of consistency.

“That just says a lot about the super team that we have behind us,” he said. “It says a lot for the guys up in Old Forge, NY (team’s shop)…how hard they work and how much preparation they put into this program. They’re the guys who put in the hours into the race car each week. It’s just incredible.”

Bryon Chew was in attendance to accept the car owner of the year award for his father on Saturday evening, and reiterated that exact same sentiment.

“Without these guys behind this team, we wouldn’t be standing here tonight as champions,” Chew said. “From Bicknell Racing Products to Billy the Kid, all of our sponsors, our families, my father and one hell of a race car driver. What can you say?”

Being a former NASCAR driver himself, Chew respects the abilities of the drivers and teams that follow the Super DIRTcar Series.

“The talent of the drivers and the teams that follow the series is simply amazing,” he said. “What a bunch of competitors, and to be standing here right now, with this team and this family, I can’t say any more.”

Having a solid team behind him is what gives Mat the drive and determination that he can compete with the best of the best on our, and he proved that this past season.

“Everybody that’s behind me helps me to elevate my game,” Williamson said. “That’s helped to make me a better race car driver. From my own crew to the rides that I’ve gotten throughout this year…their preparation is second-to-none and to finish every single race, every single lap, says a lot for what we have and the Billy the Kid engine program. Billy & Curtis (Mathes) build one hell of a motor.”

Even though he’s the first ever Canadian-born series champ, Williamson is proud of that, but doesn’t see borders when it comes to his team.

“It’s cool to be the first at something for a nation,” he said. “However, with our teams, this is a unified deal. This isn’t like our car is out of Canada or what not. This is one team, both from Canada and the United States, and we’re strong. I just can’t thank everyone who’s been behind me enough. This has just been a dream.”

Once you are able to achieve a dream, what do you do next? You try and accomplish that dream again, and again, and again, and that is what Williamson and the Buzz Chew Racing team are planning. Their goal is simple. Win as much as possible and go after another Super DIRTcar Series crown.

The 2020 season is now right around the corner. Can they do it?

Editor’s Note: More To Come Over Next Few Days From Saturday Night’s Banquet