DIRTRACKR Daily Podcast - Episode Transcript

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Ricky Thornton Jr. and Chris Madden "separated by security" in the pits | Daily 11-10-2024

It was only a few weeks ago they were crowned Lucas champions as driver and crew chief, but Ricky Thornton Jr. and Chris Madden looked like anything but teammates on Saturday at World Finals. We'll talk about their dustup, plus champions crowned and much more. Let's go!

It's Sunday, November 10th, I'm Justin Fiedler. This is DIRTRACKR Daily presented by Kubota Genuine Parts.

World Finals in the books, and with it the 2024 seasons for the World of Outlaws sprint cars and late models, and the Super DIRTcar Series. Three champions crowned, and plenty to talk about from the weekend. Even though he gave up major ground on Friday with an 18th place finish, Brandon Sheppard is going home with his fifth career championship, thanks in no small part to issues for his rivals. He entered the weekend with 44 points on Bobby Pierce and 50 on Nick Hoffman, but that lead was chopped to 26 after Thursday, and it was just 22 headed into Saturday. But Hoffman broke a rear end on Friday and DNF'd, taking him out of contention. And Pierce won Friday night, but then lost a right rear tire Saturday while inside the top five, and his fate was sealed as well. He needed to win the race and have Shepp outside the top ten. It certainly wasn't pretty for Sheppard all season, he won just three times, and no victories since July. But he was consistent enough through the year to hold off Pierce in the wake of the tire penalty and subsequent points lost. Last night ended this two year run for Sheppard in Longhorns, and his year-long stint as the Longhorn house car driver. He'll go to the Dome in December and Vado in January likely in his family owned B5, which I have hard time believing will be anything other than Rocket chassis. Brandon Overton and Anthony Burroughs take over the Longhorn Factory Team with Riggs Motorsports starting at the Dome. And if Sheppard does indeed return to the Rocket one, we won't have a defending champion next season on tour with the Outlaws, as all signs point towards a Lucas return for the Rocket house car. As for Shepp's championship rivals, we already knew Nick Hoffman is back next season, and we'll await plans for Bobby Pierce. The other weekend late model victories went to Ricky Thornton Jr. and Chris Madden. Those two just coming off a couple of months together teamed up at Koehler, and taking down a Lucas title together, but things were spicy between them, especially last night. They made contact multiple times on track during the feature, RTJ had comments during his victory lane interview, there was a run-in during the podium celebrations, and according to Dirt on Dirt the two had to be separated by security later in the pit area. I don't know if this was all from this weekend, or if maybe there was some animosity after their time together and the on track stuff just ignited it. Speaking to Hannah Newhouse post race on DIRTVision, RTJ said quote "Second left side he needs, I guess he needs it more than I do. Hopefully he goes to Senoia next week and we'll take care of it." Interesting how quickly things can change between these guys, especially since it was only a few weeks ago that they were standing on the stage at Eldora as Lucas champions. Madden helping lead RTJ's team to that first championship as crew chief, but clearly no love lost between these two with Madden back in the seat. RTJ not happy with how he was raced, and he was close to turning Madden around completely a few times. They do say that familiarity breeds contempt, and this wasn't the first time we've seen Madden and another driver chest to chest after a race. We also know RTJ isn't afraid to mix it up when he feels it's necessary. According to FloRacing's Kyle McFadden, the GR Smith owned 44 with Madden will be at Senoia this coming weekend, so we'll see if things continue. Thornton still in a tight battle there with Bobby Pierce for the Flo series championship, so maybe with a week to cool off and knowing there is still something bigger to play for, they will play nice. Or, you know, maybe not.

On the sprint car side, no such championship drama. David Gravel came into World Finals with a healthy lead, and easily clinched after a win, a fourth, and a second. His first career Outlaw title, and a very strong season all the way around. 15 wins was his most since 2017, and the most in an Outlaw season since 2021. Carson Macedo closed really well, but it just wasn't enough to overcome that tough start at Volusia, and a few stumbles along the way. Macedo though took another signficant step forward, showing he's ready to win one of these championships himself. An interesting stat too I think, is Macedo is now 18th all time with 47 Outlaw victories. In just six full time seasons, I don't think it would be too difficult to make a case for him as one of the top 20 sprint car drivers of all time, and a future hall of famer. Gravel versus Macedo might just be our next great sprint car rivalry. A couple of other on-track notes. Great car counts all week, with mid 40's, and a nice mix of teams. I was impressed with Justin Peck's start with Rudeen. He was on the podium two of three nights. I hope this is a sign of things to come for 2025, as it would be nice to see Peck and the 26 in contention regularly next year. And Tyler Courtney closing out strong with the win from the pole last night and $25,000. Their second half of the season didn't go how they had hoped, but this win will be a nice boost headed into the offseason. For most sprint car teams, World Finals is basically the end of the road. You will see a few at BAPS this coming weekend though, and then the 410 season really will be done.

With the Super DIRTcar Series, this was our tightest battle coming into Charlotte. Matt Sheppard had just a slight 15 point lead on Mat Williamson. That was entirely undone though by a DNF on Thursday night for Sheppard. He had mechanical issues and ended up 28th. With Williamson finishing fourth, the two traded spots, and Sheppard just couldn't recover the other two nights. Williamson won Friday, and was third in the finale last night behind Anthony Perrego. That was more than enough for Money Mat to bag career SDS championship number two. Sheppard ended up second, with Perrego third. Just a single SDS win for Sheppard this year, but he was incredibly consistent. Before Thursday's issues, he'd finished outside the top ten just one other time this season.

The next time we'll see the sprint cars and big blocks will be at Volusia next February for World Finals. The World of Outlaws late models begin January 22nd at Volusia for the Sunshine Nationals. That's literally ten weeks away. Dirt late model racing has no offseason anymore.

The only other weekend racing was the USAC CRA finale at Perris, and the Southern All Stars at 191. Ricky Lewis topped Jake Swanson for the CRA win, RJ Johnson already crowned the champion there. Derek Fisher was the $5000 SAS winner at 191, he topped Shannon Thornsberry and Dalton Cook. That podium for Cook secured him the SAS championship, his first with the series.

Looking ahead, there is still plenty of racing to come. This week we've got the ASCS season wrapping up, the USAC midget west coast swing starts, that BAPS finale, plus the Flo series finale at Senoia, and the Blue Gray 100 at Cherokee.

There were a bunch of other notes and news bits to come out of Charlotte, and more are likely coming. That includes series choices, some drivers news, and more. We're also still waiting on the World of Outlaw sprint car series schedule to be released. We'll dive further into that stuff in the coming days this week. With that said, we'll call it good right there for today.

Hope you guys have a great rest of your Sunday out there, we'll see you back here tomorrow!