DIRTRACKR Daily Podcast - Episode Transcript
Dirt racing news, results, discussion, analytics. Sprint cars, late models, modifieds, you name it. From national series, to top local shows. Brought to you five days a week. Email the show at info@dirtrackr.com.
Rico Abreu and Ricky Warner's plan to cash in this season at Knoxville | Daily 8-5-2024
The final tuneup for the Knoxville Nationals is over and we'll talk today about important runs for several drivers, and we've got some insight into whether the Cappy is a good preview for Nationals success. We'll also get into the Front Row Challenge, the Indiana Sprint Week finale, and more. Let's go!
It's Monday, August 5th, I'm Justin Fiedler. This is DIRTRACKR Daily presented by Kubota Genuine Parts.
The innovative myKubota app is an essential tool for managing your equipment efficiently and effectively. With real-time monitoring, maintenance reminders, and diagnostic alerts, myKubota streamlines operations and helps prevent breakdowns. You can also access helpful Kubota resources such as maintenance schedules and manuals, investigate fault codes, get help with step-by-step maintenance guides, and watch video resources to get the most out of your Kubota machine. And if you need parts or service, you can quickly locate the nearest dealer to your current location. Take control of your equipment and streamline your workflow today with myKubota. Download the app now and experience the difference! You can find the app in the Google Play or Apple app stores, you can click the links below in the video description on YouTube, or scan the QR code on your screen now.
Knoxville Nationals festivities are off and running with the Capitani Classic happening last night. They had an event record 82 cars signed in, which shows just how important it is to continue getting laps in the leadup to prelim nights starting Wednesday. There were some notable absences last night, including David Gravel, Logan Schuchart, and Bill Balog, all full time Outlaw drivers. The one missing High Limit full timer was Jacob Allen. There was also no Kyle Larson in the field following his Ironman 55 weekend sweep. Larson hasn't raced in the Cappy since he won it in 2020. Last night's main event came down to Daryn Pittman and Rico Abreu, with Rico leading 17 laps and taking the $13,000 victory. Gio Scelzi and Carson Macedo rounded out the podium, with early leader Pittman fading to fourth. I think if we look at last night as a bit of a barometer for what's to come later this week, we definitely saw some good signs for several drivers. Obviously Rico looks fast after the win and qualifying P2 in his group. Crew chief Ricky Warner has had more success at Knoxville than most, and this track has a been a focus for this team this season. Rico ran both Outlaw shows there in June, plus made two weekly appearances in July. They've also spent significant time with cars on the dyno, and that included some in recent days. In the past, Rico has raced the weekend before the Nationals, with regular appearances at the Ironman 55, and then last year it was the 360 Nationals. This team though deciding to take Friday and Saturday off, and instead focus fully on Knoxville. Daryn Pittman said last night he thinks the 24 is the car to beat this week. At this point though, Rico does not have a Nationals top five finish in his career. His best ever result was last year, where he came home seventh. We'll see if this is Rico's year, as they appear to have pulled out all the stops in search of Nationals success. I also think last night was an important performance for Carson Macedo. That team has not been good on half miles this year, struggling out of the gate at Volusia, not running well at Knoxville in June, and missing the main event at the Kings Royal. They showed plenty of speed last night though, which has to be a relief going into prelim nights. This team has won the Nationals before, and it's been strange to see Macedo regress on half miles, as they had bee a real strength of his. I was also impressed with Corey Day's 23rd to eighth charge. I think he's a sneaky one to watch all week, especially with the Knoxville win earlier this season against the Outlaws. Some guys who had issues last night, included Tyler Courtney, who had contact with the wall in his heat race, and James McFadden who had a flat tire in the B-Main. Brent Marks also with B-Main issues, struggling with brakes. I would still expect all three to be strong later this week. If you are curious about how Cappy winners have done at the Nationals, there is good news. Brad Sweet and David Gravel won the Nationals after taking the Cappy in 2018 and 2019. Larson won both as well in 2020, although that Saturday race wasn't technically the Nationals because of covid. The Cappy was rained out in 2023, but the 2022 winner in Logan Schuchart finished third in that Nationals that season. Only twice in the past 11 years has the Capitani Classic winner missed that Nationals feature. That was Bronson Maeschen in 2012, and Ian Madsen in 2014.
Looking ahead, things at Knoxville are quiet until Wednesday. There is a kickoff party on Tuesday evening at the track if you are in the area, which includes the queen contest. Tonight and tomorrow there are outlaw karts at nearby English Creek Speedway, and the Front Row Challenge is on track today at Southern Iowa Speedway. 410s and 305s on the card, with $21,000 going to the winner. I'd guess high 30s or low 40s for car count on the 410 side, James McFadden the winner a year ago. Kyle Larson had won three of the previous four. Some names to expect tonight at Osky include Larson, Anthony Macri, Brad Sweet, Parker Price Miller, Spencer Bayston, Kasey Kahne, Carson and Cole Macedo, and more. If you aren't headed to the track, FloRacing will have live coverage. If you need a FloRacing subscription, click the link below in the video description, or the links over at dirtrackr.com. That helps me out at no additional cost to you.
Before we move on, we've had a few new editions of The Slider hit email inboxes recently. Len Hayward had a piece looking at the effect of the battle between the World of Outlaws and High Limit this season in sprint car racing. And yesterday, Jacob Hord wrote about his experience this season at the Prairie Dirt Classic at Fairbury. You can read both issues and sign up for free to get them delivered right to you over at dirtrackr.com/theslider. If you'd like to contribute to The Slider, shoot me an email or DM on social media.
At Bloomington on Sunday, Indiana Sprint Week closed out, and Logan Seavey did get his weeklong championship, although it wasn't without plenty of drama. On lap 11 while running third, Seavey banged off the turn four cushion, and went flipping. The front end was destroyed on the Abacus 57, but an army of crew guys descended on the car in the work area, and they were able to get Seavey rolling again. A 15th place finish at the checkered was good enough for Seavey to win the title by 13 points over Brady Bacon. It was Seavey's first ever sprint week championship. Out front, the race came down to a battle between Briggs Danner and Daison Pursley, with both eventually leading laps. Danner took over for good on lap 20, and led the rest of the way for his second career national sprint car victory. Pursley and Bacon were the rest of the podium. I think both Danner and Pursley are on their way to stardom, and it was fun to watch them battle through traffic. Danner has now led laps in seven series races this season and seems to be ready for a big breakout. Oh, and the flying tail tank counter went up again. Tin foil I tell you, tin foil. The USAC sprint car season continues in 10 days with a return to Red Hill Raceway on August 15th. The next USAC national event of any kind is the Silver Crown cars at Jennerstown this coming Saturday.
That's it for today's episode of the Daily. Make sure to hit that subscribe button on YouTube or the podcast places, and like and follow DIRTRACKR across Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, and all the social media places.
Hope you guys have a great Monday out there, we'll see you back here tomorrow!