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DIRTRACKR Daily Podcast - Episode Transcript

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The sprint car LAND GRAB playing out that NOBODY is talking about | Daily 10-08-2024

There continues to be a void left by the end of the All Star Circuit of Champions, and lots of folks have been trying to fill it. One sprint car series is taking a big step forward in this area for 2025, and we've got details on the move, including where they want to expand, and all the different moving pieces involved. We'll also talk High Limit at I-70, Scotty Thiel and Trey Starks, and more. Let's go!

It's Tuesday, October 8th, I'm Justin Fiedler. This is DIRTRACKR Daily presented by Kubota Genuine Parts.

Off the top today, I want to dive into last night's announcement from POWRi. If you missed it, around 8:30 PM eastern, they posted a video to social media, effectively announcing a new title sponsor for their winged 410 sprint car series. Going forward, it will be the POWRi Honest Abe Roofing 410 Outlaw Sprints. The video doesn't reveal a whole lot outside of sharing the sponsor announcement, new logo, and that they will be increasing the point fund, tow money and having additional benefits for drivers. There is a lot to unpack here, and I think this is noteworthy because of where we find ourselves currently with the state of 410 sprint car racing. It hasn't really been a story we've talked about much in this later part of the season, but we are still feeling the effects of the absence of the All Star Circuit of Champions. Obviously the All Stars were acquired by High Limit late in 2023 as they ramped up for the first national, full season run. And there has been at least some void in regional sprint car racing in the aftermath. What exactly that void looks like, and how it's affected racers, I don't know that anyone is really sure about. The top of the sport is as lucrative as ever, and others made moves to try and snatch up some of the territory left absent by the All Stars' demise. There was an attempt in Ohio to start another traveling series that eventually died. But we know that FAST expanded a bit, including taking on Ohio Sprint Speedweek. We saw the creation of the Maverick Winged Sprint Series, POWRi sanctioned more 410 shows, and even the World Racing Group purchase of the ASCS is related here. What WRG's future plans are for the ASCS and regional racing we still don't fully know or understand. And beyond that, still very much in the mix here are series like the IRA and MOWA, that operate in a similar geographic footprint. As 2024 action has been wrapping up, plans for 2025 have been well underway, and that includes schedule construction and deal making. The Honest Abe Roofing part of the equation for POWRi with this announcement last night is significant, because it feels like it's an indicator that the Maverick Winged Sprint Series is likely dead. We know they ended up cancelling their final three races on the schedule for various reasons, and Kevin Newton was a backer of that series with Honest Abe. His support shifting is a blow, and friends I've talked to think Maverick probably won't continue, even if nothing has been officially announced. If it somehow does survive, they would face big challenges going forward. With POWRi, it is my understanding that they will substantially increase their point fund for 2025, with the champion potentially taking down $50,000. They mentioned the additional tow money and incentives, and plans are to expand the schedule and series footprint. The 2024 POWRi 410 slate included Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Texas, Kentucky, and Oklahoma, and further expansion north and east are likely. POWRi midgets race at a bunch of tracks in Illinois, and Indiana will be on the wishlist as well. This would mean crossover with the FAST, MOWA and IRA footprints, as IRA co-sanctioned the Maverick speedweek this season, and FAST raced at Circle City and Paragon. So will we see cooperation and more co-sanctions, or will this expansion be viewed as a threat and competition? I think that's still to be determined. I also think that this is a situation that USAC and WRG will be watching intently, as they both play in this same sandbox. WRG's Xtreme Midget series still did some co-racing with POWRi this year, but with the ASCS losing out on some events in the transition of ownership, and other factors, I could see those co-sanctions not continuing in 2025. And Indiana is USAC's backyard. Tracks there rely on USAC's big events and speedweeks, and Kevin Miller and Spridge will certainly have an opinion and sway. For the teams and drivers though in this discussion, that middle step between weekly and smaller regional racing, to the World of Outlaws is still missing with no All Stars. A lot of drivers cut their teeth and picked up valuable experience racing every week with the All Stars, before going on to full time Outlaw, and now what would be High Limit competition. That's a much bigger jump now without that opportunity, and I think Kenny Brown and POWRi and Kevin Newton are probably viewing this as their chance to be that middle step. When we step back from all of this, I know that regional sprint car racing landgrabs might not be the sexiest thing in the world, at least in terms of content, but there is actually a lot that plays out in the background that never gets talked about. There are politics and negotiating involved, relationships, past bad blood, manuevering, and a lot of drama. Most of which will never be spoken of publicly or revealed in any meaningful way. But what happens over the next few months will shape the 2025 season and beyond for a lot of series people, tracks, racers and teams.

Looking ahead to tonight, the Kubota High Limit sprint cars begin their final week of racing with a midweek championship stop at I-70 Speedway. Brad Sweet has already wrapped up the year long title, but four drivers remain in contention for the midweek championship that will get settled tonight. If Tyler Courtney finishes sixth or better, he's champion no matter what. Brad Sweet must win the race, and have Sunshine finish seventh or worse to get the title. Corey Day has to win the race, and have Sunshine 20th or worse and Sweet 12th or worse. And Spencer Bayston gets crowned if he wins, Sunshine is 22nd or worse, and Sweet is 14th or worse. Looking at the entries, 34 listed right now on the pre list, with all the usual suspects plus Aaron Reutzel, Scotty Thiel, Kerry Madsen, Logan Seavey, Emerson Axsom, Cole Macedo, Ayrton Gennetten and others. Ryan Timms is listed in the 10 car, and I've been told that might be the Liebig ride, which would make sense with Scott Bogucki racing here lately with Michael Dutcher and the 17GP. We haven't seen High Limit since the 4-Crown weekend at Eldora, with races at Florence and Atomic lost to weather. Rico Abreu and Justin Peck our most recent winners. $20,000 to win tonight, and we'll also be keeping on eye on shifts in the standings in regard to the charter positions. If you aren't headed for I-70, racing will be live on Flo.

One other High Limit note for you, Scotty Thiel is racing this week, including tonight at I-70 and tomorrow at Wheatland. His car will also be at Texas Motor Speedway for the two night finale, but not with Thiel driving. Trey Starks will drive the 73, as Thiel has a wedding to attend this weekend. Starks already with two High Limit victories this season, coming back-to-back at Grays Harbor and Skagit in August. Thiel was the 2024 IRA champion, and hasn't made a ton of national tour starts this year. Just two appearances with High Limit, and nine Outlaw starts. His best run was a 10th at Beaver Dam with the Outlaws in May.

If you were hoping to see some Super Dirt Week action tonight, unfortunately you'll be disappointed. The Hurricane Harvey 75 at Brewerton has been cancelled because of rain. Cars will hit the track at Oswego for the first time tomorrow with practice, time trials, and heats for pro stocks and 358s. They've also got the parade through the town of Oswego tomorrow starting at noon.

That's the Daily for today. Thanks as always for stopping by for a few minutes. Hope you guys have a great Tuesday out there, we'll see you back here tomorrow!