The series primarily races on dirt ovals in the Northeastern United States and Canada along with select dates in Florida and North Carolina.

Will Cagle won the first points championship in 1974 over two-time Super DIRT Week champion Buzzie Reutimann.

Past series title sponsors include Schaefer Beer (1972–1975 and 1978), CRC Industries (1979–1985), Sun Country Cooler (1986), U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company (1987–1998) and Advance Auto Parts (1999–2008).

The series briefly included asphalt races on the championship trail from 1988 to 1992 at tracks such as Cayuga, Flemington, Nazareth, Oswego, Sanair and Thompson.

Over the years, a variety of formulas have been used, and included bonus points for feature wins and/or seasonal standings at weekly home tracks.

[6] In 1985 the 358 cubic inch engine was introduced to the class, and later separate championships were created for the traveling series and the weekly home track competition, with the later keeping the Mr. DIRTcar title.