An 18-year wait ends this weekend. The DIRTcar 358 Modified Series returns to Lebanon Valley Speedway for its first race of the season on Saturday, April 19.
Drivers will battle in a 50-lap Feature, paying $ 5,000 to win, in the first visit to the track since 2007.
The DIRTcar Sportsman Series East Region, DIRTcar Pro Stocks, Limited Sportsman, Street Stocks, and 4-Cylinders are also on the card.
For more on the DIRTcar Northeast, follow the DIRTcar Facebook page and the Series’ X/(Twitter) page.
Here are the storylines to watch at Lebanon Valley:
First Time Since 2007: Saturday’s race is the first time in 18 years the Series will battle at the “Valley of Speed” since 2007 when Kenny Tremont scored the victory during the track’s Kings 200 weekend.
The only two drivers in that field projected to race this weekend are last year’s Series runner-up Lance Willix and defending Big Block Modified and 358 track champion Andy Bachetti.
Willix has made two starts at Lebanon Valley but hasn’t been to the track since that 2007 event. The Theresa, NY driver has two Series wins, his most recent one coming at Glen Ridge Motorsports Park last year.
Bachetti, meanwhile, has gone on to have a storied career at the track in 358 Modifieds and Big Block Modifieds, collecting 18 track titles and 127 wins between the two divisions. Of those victories are four of his five with the Super DIRTcar Series.
Rich Vleck interviews Andy Bachetti after winning Mr. Dirt Track USA at Lebanon Valley/Tom Morris
Hollywood Momentum: Defending Series champion Felix Roy gained the upper hand against a few of his DIRTcar 358 Modified Series rivals last weekend by scoring a win during Airborne Park Speedway’s season opener.
However, Saturday will be the first time the Napierville, QC driver competes in a 358 Modified at Lebanon Valley. “Hollywood” has made two Super DIRTcar Series starts at the 5/8-mile track, finishing 15th and 23rd.
Despite winning the championship last season, Roy is still searching for his first Series victory.
Championship Contenders: Along with Willix and Roy, there are several significant names aiming to take the 2025 DIRTcar 358 Modified Series crown, including two Super DIRTcar Series stars.
Mat Williamson, the 2023 champion, and Mike Mahaney will be in action Saturday at Lebanon Valley, but it’ll be their first time competing in a 358 Modified at the track. However, they do have laps with the Super DIRTcar Series there.
Williamson has collected three top five finishes and four top 10s in seven Super DIRTcar Series starts at the track. A win this weekend would be his seventh 358 Modified Series win.
Mahaney has collected a couple of podium finishes with the Super DIRTcar Series at Lebanon – a third in 2018 and a second-place finish in 2023. “Smooth Shoe” is searching for his second DIRTcar 358 Modified Series victory after winning during Malta Massive Weekend at Albany-Saratoga Speedway last Fall.
Home at the High Banks: Bachetti isn’t the only track regular that Series drivers will contend with this weekend. Joey Coppola, Kyle Sheldon, and Brett Haas, who finished behind Bachetti in the battle for the track championship last season, will also be on the hunt for the victory. Sheldon and Haas will look to return to Victory Lane after scoring wins last year while Coppola is searching for his first 358 Modified win at the track.
All three drivers finished the season with 11 top 10s in 12 races and could grab momentum in their quest for a track championship with a victory this weekend.
2025 DIRTcar 358 Modified Series Schedule
Saturday, April 19, Lebanon Valley Speedway, $5,000-to-win
Saturday, April 26, Fulton Speedway, $4,000-to-win
Thursday, May 22, Airborne Park Speedway, $5,000-to-win
Sunday, June 22, Glen Ridge Motorsports Park, $4,000-to-win
Wednesday, July 2, Can-Am Speedway, $4,000-to-win
Sunday, July 6, Weedsport Speedway, $5,000-to-win
Wednesday, July 16, Cornwall Motor Speedway, $10,000-to-win (Canadian)
Thursday, July 17, Mohawk International Raceway, $4,000-to-win
Friday, Sept. 19, Albany Saratoga Speedway, $4,000-to-win
Tuesday, Oct. 7, Brewerton Speedway, $4,000-to-win
Friday, Oct. 10, Oswego Speedway, $20,000-to-win
Saturday, Oct. 18, Brockville Ontario Speedway, $10,000-to-win (Canadian)
