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.

David Gravel, Huset's, Jackson and what Tod Quiring is doing for 2025 | Daily 11-4-2024

An update today on the situation with Huset's Speedway and David Gravel's future when it comes to choosing High Limit and the Outlaws, plus more High Limit schedule updates, and an example and illustration of how some driver and team deals are more complicated than they look. Let's go!

It's Monday, November 4th, I'm Justin Fiedler. This is DIRTRACKR Daily presented by Kubota Genuine Parts.

If you own or operate Kubota equipment, enhance your machine with their heavy-duty tracks, designed for maximum durability and gripping power. Whether your running a track loader or compact excavator, Kubota tracks are a high performance alternative. Did you know that their tracks are 50% more durable than standard aftermarket tracks? They will ensure you can tackle mud, soft soil, or slopes with confidence. Navigate the most demanding terrains effortlessly and elevate your productivity in every job. You can find a full line of Kubota Genuine Parts, including high quality tracks, at any one of the more than 1000 dealers nationwide. Find a dealer in the myKubota app or visit kubotausa.com.

The National 100 at East Alabama Motor Speedway wrapped up last night with a $30,000 pay day for Tyler Erb. Saturday's winner Ethan Dotson led the first 63 laps from the outside front row, but he went out of the lead with a flat tire, giving the lead then to Jimmy Owens. Dotson later battled back to fifth. Owens wasn't out front long though, as Erb drove around him on lap 73 for the lead, and he went on to win number 19 on the season. Zack Mitchell and Mark Whitener rounded out the podium. It was a tough night for Jonathan Davenport, who finished 19th after getting trapped in the hot pit before half way. Brandon Overton was out early as well, and Tim McCreadie ended up 12th in the Big Frog/Viper car. With the National 100 complete, the focus this week will shift to World Finals, with action starting at Charlotte on Wednesday.

It was exactly one week ago here on the show where we talked about the High Limit schedule for 2025, what I knew, and the potential for one key race track and their big events to possibly flip from the World of Outlaws to High Limit. Along with that, we also talked the potential swap of one key race car driver and team. And I'm obviously talking here about Huset's with owner Tod Quiring, and the Big Game Motorsports sprint car team with David Gravel. The most likely scenario that was being floated was some sort of split of the dates, with both the Outlaws and High Limit going to Huset's next season, and a potential split of the High Bank Nationals weekend, like we saw at Eldora this year during the Kings Royal. I was also sent another rumor that because Quiring also owns the Jackson Motorplex, it was possible that Jackson could get a High Limit show as well. Since I did that episode, I have had a number of industry friends reach out about the situation, and I wanted to update you guys today. It is my understanding that conversations between Quiring and the High Limit and Flo side did happen, but Huset's and Jackson are not on the High Limit slate for next year. It's looking like the High Bank Nationals, and second Huset's weekend, plus dates at Jackson will continue to be run under Outlaw sanction. I also talked about the potential for Huset's to flip their weekly racing from DIRTVision to Flo, meaning those Sunday night events, and it sounds like that part of the deal might not quite be resolved just yet, so stay tuned on that front. But with Huset's and Jackson staying Outlaws, I would expect David Gravel and the two team to remain full time with the World of Outlaws for 2025. There had been some rumors out there that if Gravel won the Outlaw title this season, they might flip, but I'm hearing right now that those were just rumors, and a such a move is not expected.

A couple of other High Limit schedule notes for you. I've had a bunch of people send me this one, but the Rayce Rudeen Foundation race that had been held at I-70 most recently, is moving to Wisconsin and the 141 Speedway for 2025. 141 is a 1/3 mile track, with a bit of an odd shape, located south and east of Green Bay. The track regularly hosts IMCA action, and has been a yearly stop for the IRA sprint cars. It has never hosted a major national touring sprint car series, and the last time a national series of any kind was there, was a Lucas late model show in 2018. We'll have to wait and see what that means for I-70's place on the schedule. But after being shut out of Wisconsin in 2024, the addition of 141 gets High Limit into a state where co-owner and series champion Brad Sweet has had a ton of success in his career. 141 was already being streamed regularly on FloRacing, so not surprising to see it get a chance here with High Limit. One race that is not returing for next year is the Dean Knittel Memorial at Portsmouth Raceway Park. That race will pay $26,000 to win and $1500 to start next year, but as of right now it is unsanctioned and promoter Jeff Knittel has not shared a date just yet. The Knittel was always the finale for Ohio Sprint Speedweek with the All Stars, before going High Limit this year. A return to speedweek for this event could be a possibility. Besides Eldora, Portsmouth and Atomic were the only other Ohio tracks on the 2024 High Limit schedule, but Atomic ended up getting rained out. We'll see if any other Ohio tracks make the cut for next year. If my information and sourcing is correct, we could see the full 2025 schedule for High Limit soon. Very soon.

Jumping back to Friday, there was a bit of interesting news around the IRA sprint car series and I wanted to talk about it a bit today. After winning the IRA championship this season, Scotty Thiel's situation is now very much up in the air for 2025. It was announced on Friday that IRA's rookie of the year, Logan Julien, will pilot the Gibbsville Cheese 73 sprint car next season. The 16 year old driver ended up 8th in the final standings, and had one top five and seven top tens in 28 410 races this season, driving his family owned 85J machine. Julien will take the Gibbsville cheese sponsorship to the Tulsa Shootout before beginning his sprint car season in 2025. You certainly don't see a driver win a championship, and then lose his ride very often, but this is actually more complicated than it looks on the surface. What I want to spotlight here, is how not all of these sprint car rides are as simple as a team hiring a driver to race their equipment. In this instance, the 73 team was actually mostly Thiel's equipment. A lot of which he is now selling, including three cars and the trailer. Ozzie Motorsports and Gibbsville are taking their engines and sponsorship to Julien, not necessarily hiring him into an existing, fully equipped team. And this isn't uncommon in the sport, for a deal to come together with both sides bringing something to the table. That can be equipment like engines, extra cars, trucks and trailers, and added sponsorship. As you see changes happen during silly season, it's often deals similar to this, and not drivers just bringing their helmet and seat in a for-hire situation. What's next for Thiel is still up in the air, as I said he is selling out, and he tweeted that he doesn't want to be a car owner anymore. Someone will be getting a very solid driver though, as he had four wins this year en route to the IRA title, and he's a guy that's run top ten against both the Outlaws and High Limit.

We'll call it good right there for today. Appreciate you guys tuning in, and for all of the support.

Hope you have a great Monday out there, we'll see you back here tomorrow!