Trautschold Joins Super DIRTcar Rookie Class

Mike Trautschold is the third confirmed rookie-of-the-year contender with the Super DIRTcar Series this year. (Jacy Norgaard photo)

WEEDSPORT, N.Y. – Mike Trautschold had a simple reason to join the Super DIRTcar Series. He wants to compete with the best drivers in big block modified racing.

“It’s the best of the best,” Trautschold said. “I love competition. To be the best, you have to beat the best. And that’s it.”

The Roscoe, N.Y., driver is the tour’s latest addition to the rookie-of-the-year battle, joining Matt Caprara and Alex Payne. Like the other two rookies, he’s no stranger to Super DIRTcar Series competition.

Trautschold made six Super DIRTcar Series appearances last year, including the season finale at The Dirt Track at Charlotte. He sees those races as learning experiences that prepare him better for his rookie effort.

“Racing is a learning curve,” Trautschold said. “You never stop learning. Everything you learn from one-year transfers to another. It’s basically a momentum thing.”

He’ll try and use that momentum to win the Rookie of the Year Award — one of his two goals this season.

“I want rookie of the year, and I want to win a Super DIRTcar Series race,” Trautschold said. “Financially, I have no sponsors, so I have to fund everything. It took me 20 years to build my company and my family and get myself to a situation where I can race at this level. Now, I know I can compete at the [top] level financially.”

“I think my skill set is close. I’m looking for Rookie of the Year and a win.”

Trautschold will kick off his season with the Super DIRTcar Series at Volusia Speedway Park during the Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals, Feb. 14-17. It’ll be the Empire State driver’s first visit to Volusia since 2022.

Trautschold said he’s excited to return to Florida, but a gator trophy isn’t his main focus. He wants to see where his program is and what he needs to change before the championship season begins at New Egypt Speedway on March 30.

“It’s really nothing more than just testing the waters,” Trautschold said of Volusia. “There’s a gator. But it’s not the start of our points season. So, you can see how you compete with the competition you’re going to be racing with on a weekly basis.

“I’m amped just to see what we’ve got.”

Every lap of the Super DIRTcar Series season, including the Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia, can be streamed live through DIRTvision.