Driver Profiles

by...Dave Roberts
Derek Wagner of Middleport, NY came into 2024 as the two-time defending Stirling Lubricants Champion. Making it three in a row is a tough feat to accomplish and Wagner found himself in an uphill battle early.

“We had such a rough start in 2024, it’s tough when you come off of two straight championships,” said Wagner. Despite having a very competitive season scoring 10 top ten’s and 6 top five’s, he would score only one victory. To say the Stirling Lubricants Sportsman class is highly competitive would be an understatement.

Wagner got his stock car racing experience, before moving into the Stirling Lubricants Sportsman, racing Mod Lites and Four Cylinders, traveling from New York to Virginia.

Derek has one of the best wenches in local short track racing on his team…Dave Botsford, who worked with DIRTcar Modified racing stars Danny Johnson and Alan Johnson. Dave is also Derek’s father-in-law. Derek married Dave’s daughter, Shannyn, in October 2023.

Derek has eight career Ransomville Speedway Stirling Lubricants Sportsman feature victories and crossed one major event off his bucket list in 2024, by driving at Charlotte Motor Speedway this past October to compete in the Short Track Championships. Over 500 cars filled the pit area for the three day stint, approximately 37 of them being DIRTcar Sportsman.

“I’ve always wanted to do that, but we were off after we messed up on the set up on the final night. The competition is so tough. We started tenth and got up as high as seventh”.

Derek’s biggest career victory was the 2017 King of the Hill, the final year they ran the Sportsman class for the King of the Hill.

Derek is dedicated to the Stirling Lubricants Sportsman class and shows no interest in moving up to the Krown Undercoating 358 Modifieds,“I like what I’m driving now, so I’m staying put.”

Sponsoring Derek Wagner Racing is Performance MFG, Eleanor Delilah, Villianis Lawn Landscape, Five Star Automotive, Drum Oil & Propane, N & M Farms, Pudgies Veggies, Harris Beach, Sigmamotor, Fish’s Automotive, Don & Jacquie O, Shelby Crushed Stone, CB Crane,
Wandering Trails Taxidermy, Middleport Tractor, Spanky, Meg and Gary and Milne Mfg, Hydro Fab, Memory of Ma Bailey and noclassratsgarage.

Along with Dave Botsford, Lyle Demmin, Scot Newman. Larry Wagner and Jesse Cottriss, who also competes in the Ransomville Speedway Krown Undercoating 358 Modifieds.

by Dave Roberts

Mat Williamson of St. Catharines, ONT won his fourth consecutive Krown Undercoating 358 Modified championship in 2024 at the Big R. An impressive feat one would say. However, add in his first championship at the Land of Legends Raceway and the highly coveted DIRTcar championship, and Williamson enjoyed what many would consider one of his best seasons to date.

Williamson’s first full season at Ransomville Speedway was in 2021 when he won five feature events leading him to the first championship there. Overall, Mat has captured 23 career Krown Undercoating 358 Modified feature victories at the big R.

Along with his four victories in 2024, Williamson was consistent when he wasn’t grabbing the checkered flag. Finishing in the top ten, eleven times.
“It was another good season at Ransomville Speedway,” said Williamson, who met with local car owners Pete Cocco and Paul Wendt just prior to the 2021 season about driving for them at Ransomville. The team enjoyed success right out of the gate and show no signs of slowing down.

In addition to his good fortune at Ransomville Speedway, Mat also captured the checkered flag in the Pepsi Big Blocks at Land of Legends Raceway, aiding him in garnering his first championship in a big block at a weekly track. This in his first season as a regular. Mat dominated the Super DIRTcar Series with eight victories.

Mat married his girlfriend, Natalie, over the past summer. Mat’s father is Randy Williamson, co-owner of Bicknell Racing Products. His parents, Randy and Tracy, are big supporters of Mat and have been a large part of his success.

Mat, 34, is a 2019 Super DIRTcar big block Modified champion and 2023 and 2020 Super DIRTcar 358 Modified champion. Mat won his second consecutive Salute to the Troops 150 at Oswego Speedway during the 52nd annual Super DIRT Week in October. In 2023, Mat won both the Salute to the Troops 150 and the Billy Whittaker Cars 200.

Ensuring Mat has the best seat possible, the following can be found either in the shop, at the track or both - John Cocco, Pete Cocco, Scott Kerwin, Mike Seefeldt, Johnny Villella, Mike Sweet, Edward Bubby Pawlak, Ray Samuel, Jon Kaior, Aiden Seefeldt & Marlee Seefeldt.

Sponsoring Williamson’s ride was Wendts Propane and Oil, Eibach Springs, Mark Cerrone Inc, Hytech Concrete, FL Services, Military Towing, All Pro Home Inspection, Rutland Corwin Funeral Home, Dilly’s Dirt Works, SW Service Centre, FW Webb, Cavagna Group, Quality Steel, Scruples Bar, Paul Collins, & Bud's Apple Pie.