DIRTRACKR Daily Podcast - Episode Transcript
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This driver made me look stupid, plus what's up with the Rocket 1? | Daily 5-9-2024
David Gravel made me look stupid, what's up with Tim McCreadie not running well, plus everything you need to know for the dirt racing weekend ahead, let's go!
It's Thursday, May 9th, I'm Justin Fiedler. This is DIRTRACKR Daily presented by Kubota Genuine Parts.
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Well, I certainly called it on the show yesterday, didn't I? After saying that David Gravel hadn't led laps at Lincoln since 2019, and hadn't won there since 2017, he promptly went out and led every lap from the pole and grabbed his third Outlaw victory in four races. Which is exactly what I said he'd do after I announced that I wouldn't pick him for the win. Gravel now with six Outlaw wins on the season, and last night was the 100th ever World of Outlaws victory for Big Game Motorsports. Gravel did gain a little ground in the championship, but not much, as his closest rivals all finished in the top five, with Gio Scelzi second, Carson Macedo third, and Donny Schatz fifth. As expected as well, Anthony Macri the top finishing Posse driver in fourth. Troy Wagaman Jr. and Chase Dietz had solid top tens, and Danny Dietrich, hat tip to him, a massive 24th to ninth charge after just sneaking into the feature with the final transfer in the B. He was not good in qualifying, and he did well to dig himself out of that hole. I definitely had some Posse folks sideways at me yesterday about my take that Macri was really the only win hope. But that's really what played out. Kody Hartlaub made the dash, along with Macri and Dietz, but Macri was the only one to really stay towards the front. I think this idea that the Outlaws are down this season because of the High Limit losses, just doesn't really seem to be showing itself as true. If you combine that likely incorrect idea with the strong local start that some of the PA drivers have had, there was a false sense of competitiveness leading into last night. I even had people tweeting local driver stats at me yesterday. The Outlaws lost five drivers in Brad Sweet, Spencer Bayston, Jacob Allen, Kasey Kahne, and James McFadden. Those five represent 18 Outlaw wins from 2023, but 11 of those were from Sweet, six from JMac, and one from Bayston. There will be added wins because of those losses, especially Sweet and JMac, but guys are just better this season as well. I think Gravel is trying to embrace this moment and seize on the chance at a title, and you can't deny they've been fast. Gio Scelzi is rolling along very nicely as he continues to improve, and Carson Macedo isn't winning a lot like we've seen him do in the past, but those guys have been hyper consistent since that tough opening stretch at Volusia. We've also got a different looking Donny Schatz which we've documented, a much better Sheldon Haudenschild from last year, and Buddy Kofoid with 14 straight top tens. The Outlaw top seven right now is really tough, and I think this group is going to be a problem wherever they go, regionally or nationally against the High Limit guys. We'll see if any racing happens this weekend at Williams Grove, obviously the forecast doesn't look great. So pay attention to websites and social media if you are trying to go.
With the Short Track Super Series at Delaware last night, it was all Stewart Friesen out front. He held off a few challenges from Anthony Perrego, but was pretty comfortably out front by the end. He picked up the $5000 win over Perrego and Mike Mahaney. Matt Sheppard ran in the top five after starting tenth, but was out late in the event with some sort of mechanical issue. It was his first non-top ten finish of the season. The Short Track Super Series modifieds are back next Tuesday at Accord Speedway.
After Thursday was rained out at Spoon River, Illinois Speedweek will get rolling tonight at Lincoln Speedway with the FloRacing Night in America opener. From there, it's on to Farmer City and Fairbury for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. We ran through the expected Flo series full timers yesterday, so check that show out if you are curious. Hudson O'Neal won the Lincoln Flo show in 2023, but that was driving for Rocket Racing. He returns this season driving a Longhorn out of his own shop. As for the Rocket house car, I did have a comment from someone asking why Tim McCreadie has not been running well, but I would push back on that just a bit. Six races so far, four top tens, including a fifth at Farmer City with the Outlaws. I don't know that anyone thought or expected TMac to just jump in the Rocket 1 and immediately start winning. It will take him and the Rocket team some time to find what works between them, and I don't think I'd pull the alarm bell just yet. Very different situations going from the Paylor 39 with Longhorns, to the Rocket house car. Just to give you a few numbers, from Golden Isles in January, to Golden Isles in February, McCreadie had 13 Lucas starts in the 39, with an average finish of 13th. In four Lucas races in the Rocket 1, his average finish is 9.25. So definitely positive movement. On the Lucas side, that fourth and final Lucas spot right now still very much up for grabs. Mike Marlar has it, but everyone down through McCreadie in ninth is still very much in the mix. I'd expect that group to continue changing each week. The forecasts look good, I'd expect nice car counts all three nights, and if you want to tune in, watch it live on FloRacing if you can't get there.
If you want other late model action this weekend, the Comp Cams series is at Batesville for two nights, the Friday Spring Nationals race at Natural Bridge is cancelled, but they do race Saturday at Beckley for $20 grand to win. You've also got ULMS at Lernerville and Latrobe, and East Alabama has a $10k super race.
Other weekend sprint car action includes High Limit at 34 and Tri City Friday and Saturday. Brad Sweet has won four of the last five races and is now the championship leader over Tyler Courtney. It's been seven races since someone not named Brad Sweet or Corey Day won a High Limit show. The last non Sweet/Day winner was Anthony Macri at Texas Motor Speedway on April 13th. Macri was actually the High Limit winner at 34 Raceway in 2023, but he won't be in attendance to repeat, as the 39M plans to stay in Pennsylvania this weekend. As for Tri City, Kyle Larson the winner there last season. With the Cup Series at Darlington, I wouldn't expect Larson to run either of these races. And even though they haven't won, both Sunshine and Brent Marks have been fast as of late. Marks has 13 straight top tens, and Sunshine 11. Both of these nights will be live on Flo.
If you're a non-wing fan, USAC sprint cars are racing Friday at Bloomington, and Saturday at Haubstadt. Justin Grant and Robert Ballou are the most recent winners, going back to Eldora, and Logan Seavey maintains the championship lead over Kevin Thomas Jr. and CJ Leary. Seavey's average finish for the season so far is an incredible 3.11, and those top three in the standings have all been incredibly consistent. KTJ has nine straight top tens. Both of those will be live on Flo if you can't get to Bloomington and Haubstadt.
You've also got the NARC sprint cars out west, racing Saturday at Antioch. Cole Macedo the points leader through two events, both of which he's won. The ASCS National Tour has a Friday stop at Red Dirt Raceway in Oklahoma with just one race complete so far. And the Xtreme Outlaw Midgets are back in action with races at Humboldt and 81 Speedway Friday and Saturday. Cannon McIntosh the championship leader, and no repeat winners yet through six races. McIntosh, Ryan Timms, Ashton Torgerson, Karter Sarff, Kale Drake, and Thomas Meseraull all winners so far. The NARC race will be on Flo, the other three I mentioned here will be on DIRTVision.
That's it for the daily show this week. As always, you guys tuning in and supporting what I do is much appreciated. If you want to see your weekend streaming options, make sure to stop by dirtrackr.com/watchtonight.
Hope you guys have a great Thursday and a great weekend out there, we'll see you back here on Sunday!