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High Limit hired away World of Outlaws staffers... So who replaced them? | Daily 2-29-2024
To get their new year-long national series off the ground, High Limit hired experienced hands away from the World of Outlaws. Today we'll talk through who the Outlaws got to replace those employees, plus what to watch this weekend and more. Let's go!
It's Thursday, February 29th, I'm Justin Fiedler. This is DIRTRACKR Daily.
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Earlier this morning, episode two of the 410 sprint car build with Zach Hampton was posted to the YouTube channel. Check that out when you get a chance. Zach continues work on the interior, including the dash, fire bottle, and much more. You can also still go back and watch episode one at any time. In this video series, Zach is basically showing us every nut and bolt necessary to build a sprint car from the bare frame up. Check it out and let us know what you think. I know some folks mentioned Zach's usage of the word "um" in the first episode, but don't worry, that is cleared up for episode two and won't be a problem in future videos.
In the leadup to the 2024 sprint car season, we documented the various employees that flipped from the World of Outlaws side, to High Limit. That included more high profile hires like Mike Hess for competition, and announcers Chase Raudman and Tony LaPorta. By the time it was all said and done, the total list was six, with one I wasn't aware of initially in series official Cody Huson. We knew that Raudman was replaced as pit reporter by Conner Wade, but those other holes were still in question. LaPorta's content role is in the process of being filled, and Anthony Corini's timing and scoring spot now has a new face in Blaise Stuedle. Eloy Gutierrez though still around to advise on scoring with his decades of experience. On the official side, Mark Walsh is back, and that's a name and face that many competitors know and will remember. He was previously a long time World of Outlaws official and will bring stability and familiarity to that spot. Don't forget too, the Outlaws added a paramedic to their traveling staff to run the new safety truck that will be at all events. The big hole though for the Outlaws was at race director with the departure of Hess. Don Grabey was previously an Outlaw race director, and he returned to finish out the 2023 season. He was back at Volusia during DIRTcar Nationals running drivers' meetings and sitting in the tower, but it's my understanding he's likely not the guy going forward. An internal hire from World Racing Group's northeast operations is in line for that role, but there are some hurdles to clear before that happens. I'll share more once things become official on that front. Things ran smoothly from what I could tell at Volusia, and I wouldn't expect different going forward. A quick side note, the World of Outlaws late models also have a new race director this season. Mitch Hedstrom takes over that role under series director Steve Francis. Erik Grigsby was previously the late model race director, but he's moved to a new role within WRG. Plenty of experience on that late model staff as well with Francis and Kenny Kenneda leading tech.
Also, we talked about the one inch sprint car wicker bills earlier this week on a daily show, and headed back to Volusia on Sunday and Monday, the World of Outlaws are keeping that one inch wicker in place. We know this continues to be an experiment and the series may continue to use it for several races before making a final decision. The jury remains out on whether the drivers think this was a good move or not. We talked about public comments from Cole Macedo and Parker Price Miller, and other drivers I spoke with at Golden Isles had similar feelings. It sounds like High Limit will follow the Outlaws' lead on this into the future, ensuring their full timers an equal shot at races where they join up.
Looking around the country over the next few days, there is plenty of racing to check out. We'll wait and talk Outlaws at Volusia on the Sunday show. In the southeast, the Spring Nationals season starts with a trio of races in Georgia. Tonight it's $7500 to win at Waycross, Friday is $10k to win at Swainsboro, and Saturday is another $10k to win at Senoia. Waycross is new on the schedule, while the other two are regular stops. Brandon Overton has won the last two at Swainsboro, while Wil Herrington was the Senoia winner in 2023. Dale McDowell is the winningest driver in the history of Ray Cook's Spring Nationals, and Carson Ferguson is the two-time and defending series champion. Just a few names to expect at all or some of these races this weekend include Brandon Overton, Zack Mitchell, Ryan Gustin, Donald McIntosh, Peyton Freeman, Clay Harris, Cla Knight, and Ethan Dotson. All three Spring Nationals shows will stream live on FloRacing.
Also in the southeast this weekend, the Southern All Stars have two shows, Saturday at North Alabama for $5000, and they are sanctioning the Sunday super late model portion of Cherokee Speedway's March Madness. That Sunday show is a very nice $20,000 to win. March Madness usually draws in the big names, and this weekend won't be any different. Drivers expected include Chris Madden, Brandon Overton, Chris and Carson Ferguson and more. At this race last year, we had fireworks between Madden and Overton and a little pit area scuffle if you might remember. I don't see a streaming option for North Alabama, but Cherokee will be live on Hunt the Front TV.
In Indiana, the Northern All Stars Late Model series from James Essex gets going on Saturday at Brownstown for $5k to win. The series has seven events on it's 2024 schedule, including two other races at Brownstown, plus Florence, Circle City, Lawrenceburg, and Ponderosa. You can watch live over at dirt2media if you can't get there.
On the sprint car side, we have lost the USCS weekend at Hattiesburg to weather, and the Silver Cup at Silver Dollar in California is cancelled as well. There is 410 winged racing at Hunt County and Kennedale Speedway Park Friday and Saturday for the ASCS Elite Outlaw Sprint Cars. Those are both $4000 to win races.
Drop me a comment, let me know what your racing plans are for the weekend and any win picks you've got.
Alright, that's it for the Daily show this week. Make sure to stop by dirtrackr.com and checkout the streaming schedule and to see the latest dirt racing news.
Hope you guys have a great Thursday out there, we'll see you back here on Sunday!