DIRTRACKR Daily Podcast - Episode Transcript
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Where has Brandon Overton been? Are we overlooking Devin Moran? Can Jonathan Davenport go big? | Daily 8-1-2024
On this Thursday before a big dirt racing weekend, we'll talk three big late model drivers who are in very different positions. Plus Logan Seavey on the verge of a record and an update on his Triple Crown chances, racing ahead this weekend and more. Let's go!
It's Thursday, August 1st, I'm Justin Fiedler. This is DIRTRACKR Daily presented by Kubota Genuine Parts.
We are headed into a big dirt late model weekend, with the USA Nationals at Cedar Lake headlining action. We've been talking a lot of late model stuff here lately, but it's mostly revolved around guys like Ricky Thornton Jr., Bobby Pierce, and Hudson O'Neal given the news cycle. Today though, I wanted to hit on three other guys, all for varying reasons. We'll start first with Jonathan Davenport. JD will be in action this weekend with the Outlaws at Cedar Lake, and he could use a good result. He's got seven wins in 43 starts this season, won the Dirt Late Model Dream, and the Show Me 100, but he's been pretty quiet as of late. He hasn't led laps with Lucas since winning a split field feature at Lernerville in June, has one podium finish in his last nine series starts, and has slipped to third in the standings. And that's without mentioning that he missed the big show last weekend at Fairbury, ending up fifth in a B main. Davenport is no stranger to victory lane at the USA Nationals, and this could be a good weekend for a bounceback. Another driver who's been MIA as of late is Brandon Overton. He hasn't raced at all since July 16th, which is partially not his fault, as he had planned a bunch of Southern Nationals races, but they keep getting rained out. His last significant win was the Lucas victory at Smoky Mountain in June, which was also his last national touring appearance. Since then, he's been pretty quiet in regional action, outside of a split field prelim win at Bulls Gap. He returns to Hunt the Front Series racing this weekend, with two nights coming up at Duck River. That Saturday race is $20,000 to win. He leads the championship there over Sam Seawright and Ashton Winger. His fellow Wells Infinity chassis pseudo teammate Ryan Gustin has surpassed him in the Dirt on Dirt top 25 rankings. The final driver I want to spotlight here is Devin Moran. While the other two I've talked about today are racing this weekend, Moran is not. His Double Down squad is on a break before the North South 100 next weekend. I'm wondering if we aren't sleeping on Moran just a bit lately. The focus has been on some of these other guys, but Moran just keeps piling on the good finishes. 11 total wins this season, three Lucas victories in July, including the big cash at Huset's, he's up to second in the Lucas standings, and he hasn't finished outside the top ten in any race since June 20th at Lernerville. If any problems arise with Ricky Thornton Jr's transition to Koehler Motorsports, I think Moran will be the guy to benefit the most in the Lucas title fight. And he's in the best position to capitalize. I just talked about Davenport, and Hudson O'Neal is coming off a disappointing week at Fairbury, so the jury might be out just a bit yet on his chances with SSI. The next several weeks include some big money shows, and Moran could close even more on RTJ. I like as well that they are using this strategic weekend to rest and reset.
Taking a brief look at some of these late model races to come... Bobby Pierce the defending USA Nationals winner, and he enters red hot in Outlaw competition, winning five straight. Brandon Sheppard still the points leader with Nick Hoffman second. Pierce needs to continue chopping into Shepp's lead to have a chance come World Finals. Cedar Lake had near 50 cars last season, and should be near that starting tonight.
The Hunt the Front series should be in the mid 30's for car count at Duck River. They haven't raced since the end of June. Besides the series regulars, names like Tanner English and Dale McDowell will be in attendance.
The Southern Nationals will close out their season with two $7500 to win races at East Alabama and Senoia Friday and Saturday. Donald McIntosh holds a slight 10 point lead over Cory Hedgecock for that championship. Hopefully the weather plays nice.
Elsewhere, you've got the big money Woodtic at Merrit Speedway this weekend, plus the Northern All Stars at Brownstown Saturday for $10,000 to win.
Last night was another USAC National Sprint Car show, and another Logan Seavey victory. He's up to 13 on the season, and he's won seven of the last nine. The last time he didn't finish first or second was June 28th at Macon Speedway, when he was seventh by the end. Seavey is now one victory away from tying Tom Bigelow for the most USAC sprint car wins in a season. Bigelow had 14 back in 1977. Seavey has tied JJ Yeley and Robert Ballou for second on that list. Seavey had to work for it last night, battling early with Shane Cottle, and then actually losing the lead late to Kevin Thomas Jr. KTJ led inside ten to go, but Seavey took it back on lap 24 and went the rest of the way. Seavey and the Abacus team have won three of four sprint week shows and take a sizeable championship lead into the final three races. Tonight they take on Terre Haute, with Bloomington Friday, and Haubstadt on Saturday. As for Seavey's triple crown watch, it's not feeling as though his chances are getting better. He's in a strong position atop the sprint car points, but things aren't going his way in the other two series. He's currently third in the Silver Crown standings, 50 points behind Kody Swanson. Two top fives and five top tens in six races, but no wins and no laps led. Still eight races to go there though. The midget side seems like it will be the most difficult to get back into the mix with. He's currently fifth, but trails Daison Pursley by 161 points. 15 race nights still left on the schedule, but that's a lot of points to make up. That team has had plenty of speed, they just haven't had any luck. Several DNF's because of mechanical issues, and an average feature finish that is more than double what it was last season. I think Seavey would have to get red hot, plus have some help from other guys struggling to get back into this fight.
At Knoxville starting tonight, it's Nationals time. Racing kicks off this week with three days of the 360 Nationals. 100 plus sprint cars are pre-entered, and $20,000 goes to the winner on Saturday night. Brian Brown won a thriller last season, and other recent winners include Aaron Reutzel, Gio Scelzi, Kerry Madsen, and James McFadden. Brown, Reutzel, Sam Hafertepe, Austin McCarl, Tyler Courtney, Chase Randall, Emerson Axsom will be just a few of the names who will be contenders. A bunch of these teams will then stick around for the Cappy on Sunday, and the 410 Nationals next week. All three nights of the 360 Nationals will be streamed on DIRTVision if you aren't headed there.
If you want 410 sprint car action this weekend, things will be headlined by the World of Outlaws at Pevely for the Ironman 55. Kyle Larson won this race last season, while other recent winners include Brad Sweet and Sheldon Haudenschild. The Outlaw weekend at Pevely back in April saw Donny Schatz and David Gravel split the wins. With Knoxville looming, a bunch of other teams are either racing for the 360 Nats, or taking the weekend off, so don't expect a massive field of cars here. But $25,000 to win will draw some, and that will likely include Corey Day, who is coming off that first ARCA appearance. And joining the Outlaws both nights will be the Xtreme Outlaw Midgets. Following Saturday at Pevely, teams will supertruck to Knoxville overnight to race the Cappy and get those final laps in before Wednesday.
Drop me a comment, let me know what your dirt racing plans are for the weekend, and what you'll be watching on the streaming services.
We'll call it good right there for the week. Stay tuned Friday and or Saturday, as I might do another livestream. If we make it happen, we'll do it across platforms again, including YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch. So you'll have plenty of options of places to tune in.
Hope you guys have a great Thursday out there, we'll see you back here on Sunday!