Many fans across the Northeast know Emmett Waldron as one of the top DIRTcar Sportsman Series competitors. But that’s not his only role.
He’s also a crew member for Super DIRTcar Series veteran Jimmy Phelps, giving Waldron the unique experience of competing in two different aspects.
It’s an opportunity the Savannah, NY driver embraces, learning from Phelps and Heinke-Baldwin Racing Crew Chief Brandon Ford.
“Jimmy and Brandon have really helped out my racing career a lot,” Waldron said. “Just giving me pointers on what to do and when to do it. A lot of setup things I’m still learning, like the coils and stuff like that, so those two guys they’ve helped keep things going. Especially Al (Heinke, the owner of HBR). Without him, I probably wouldn’t be racing because the sport is very expensive, and he’s given me the stuff to do it.
“I just have to work hard and keep grinding.”
By balancing both roles, it means Waldron only races his No. 4 DIRTcar Sportsman one night a week at Fulton Speedway, where he’s the points leader. But he’s still busy throughout the season, working with Phelps on Fridays at Brewerton Speedway and attending every Super DIRTcar Series event.
That becomes a challenge when the Beasts of the Northeast and DIRTcar Sportsman Series race on back-to-back nights, or during the same racing event. They’ll both race on the same day during Super DIRT Week 53 (Oct. 6-11) at Oswego Speedway, with the DIRTcar Sportsman Great Lakes 75 and Billy Whittaker Cars 200just hours apart.
“It’s nice we have one day where we can just focus on the Small Block deal,” Waldron said. “Then, we can do our Big Block deal, but we also have to get the Sportsman ready. It’s a lot of work, and it takes my crew guys to step up and come to the racetrack and get it ready, as I’m still helping Jimmy with whatever he needs.
“We park side-by-side, and if they need a hand, I have to give them a hand. It’s still my job at the end of the day, but my racing has got to go, too. It’s really tough at Super DIRT Week because everyone is on their game, and you have to be good. It’s the biggest race of the year.”
Balancing the two roles is only the beginning for Waldron, who’s aiming for his first DIRTcar Sportsman Series championship in 2025. Last season, more than 100 cars attempted to qualify for the 75-lap Feature, meaning the entire weekend could be decided on two laps.
“Fortunately, if you run good on the Series, you have that backer of a provisional,” Waldron said. “But that’s not always going to be there. So, you have to be on your game in Qualifying, where if you miss it, you could be 100th. That’s last. And if you miss it, it’s hard to dig yourself out of a hole in these Sportsman cars at any race.
“If you time bad, it’s not good. It’s hard to start a race in 22nd and get to the front. Everyone is running the same speed, and everyone’s so good. There’s no slouches in this game.”
Waldron knows what he’s up against at Super DIRT Week, racing against the best Sportsman drivers in the Northeast. But with the knowledge he’s gained from Phelps and Ford, along with his experience at Oswego, he said he’s excited for what could happen in October.
“It’d be the biggest win of my career,” Waldron said. “This year’s been really good to me. I’ve won every big race at Fulton so far that they offer, and I have to just start winning at other tracks. But Oswego would mean so much to me, and I don’t even know how to explain it. It wouldn’t feel real for a couple of days.
Waldron will balance both roles at Super DIRT Week 53 at Oswego Speedway, Oct. 6-11, competing in the DIRTcar Sportsman Great Lakes 75, along with being a vital crew member on Jimmy Phelps’ No. 98H during the Salute to the Troops 150 (Oct. 10) and Billy Whittaker Cars 200 (Oct. 11).
If you can’t make it to a Super DIRTcar Series event, watch all the action live on DIRTVision, either online or with the DIRTVision app.
