DIRTRACKR Daily Podcast - Episode Transcript
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Kyle Larson DQ'd, but it didn't really matter | Daily 11-25-2024
Kyle Larson gets DQ'd, but it sort of didn't matter. Corey Day using that old Mopar again. A bounty at the Knoxville Nationals. The first confirmed All Star dates, and more today. Let's go!
It's Monday, November 25th, I'm Justin Fiedler. This is DIRTRACKR Daily presented by Kubota Genuine Parts.
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It was a wild day at Merced on Sunday with the USAC midgets on hand for a double header. The track had to postpone Saturday because the surface was just too soggy, so you knew that Sunday would likely be a cowboy up race track with lots of character. And that's exactly what we got. The early sprint car qualifying session saw Aydan Saunders go for a big ride, and then Cody Spencer had one of the wilder saves you'll see. Well, actually, maybe it wasn't a save. He got into the turn 1 berm, pirouetted through the air, somehow landed right side up, kept the car running, and then just decided to keep driving. It's not often you see someone basically crash, but keep digging anyway. As they say, when in doubt, throttle out. He was able to put a respectable qualifying time on the board, even with a race car that was likely bent a bit. Both Kyle Larson and Tyler Courtney were in Paul Silva prepared sprint cars for the 360 portion, and both participated in qualifying, but apparently afterwards, both were light at the scales and DQ'd. I was a bit surprised it wasn't more of a talking point on social media. During some track work, Drake York interviewed Larson and he said they might be done for the night with the sprint cars in the aftermath. I'm not sure if that was a protest by Silva, or just trying to preserve equipment and avoid having to come from the back in heat races on a difficult surface. DJ Netto ended up as the winner of the first 360 race. In the night program, several other teams decided to sit out, so we only had 11 sprint cars, but Larson and Sunshine were back. They won the two heat races, and Larson dominated the feature, with Sunshine ending up third, feature one winner Netto was in between in second. Larson though nearly junked the 57 during that main event when he got over the track in turn four. He was able to save it and continue.
The first midget feature of the double header went to Corey Day. Driving the Willie Kahne car, he drove around Carson Macedo late to pick up his first USAC midget victory in over three years. When Day won a prelim night at the Chili Bowl, we talked then about how he did it with a nearly 20 year old Mopar engine under the hood. And in case you were curious, that same Mopar piece still under the hood. My favorite replies to that show from back in January were how that engine has obviously been rebuilt. And yes, nobody is running an engine from 20 years ago with no work and maintenance along the way. So I'll save those same trolls the time commenting today. Behind Day, Macedo and Buddy Kofoid were on the podium, with Kyle Larson hard charging from 14th to fourth. In the race for the midget title, Cannon McIntosh again ahead of Daison Pursley, this was the fourth straight race that ended that way. What was 87 before California, was now 48 points between them. In the backend of the twofer, Logan Seavey on the pole, he led the first 13 before Larson got around him after a restart. Yung Money went the distance from there, topping Kofoid and Seavey. Larson's win in the midget meant a sweep for him of the night shows. Maybe he should have jumped in a lightning sprint as well. That streak though of McIntosh in front of Pursley ended, with Daison seventh and McIntosh ninth. With two races left, the gap is now back up to 54. Not impossible for Cannon Mac, but starting to look improbable. A quick note on Bakersfield, they are supposed to race tomorrow night, but weather looks iffy. The track shared to social media that they can push things to Wednesday if necessary. So if you are in the area and looking to attend, keep that in mind.
I do want to hit on a few news items today as well. First, when the World of Outlaws schedule came out last week, several of the crown jewels next season had their payouts highlighted. We know that the High Bank Nationals at Huset's is paying $250,000 to win again, and the Kings Royal winner will get $200,000 in 2025. That is up from $175,000 in 2024. The Knoxville Nationals added $5 grand to their winner's share, to bring it up to $195,000. But, announced in recent days, that could go up even higher, up to $295,000, if the winner is using a specific set of wheels and hubs. Wheel manufacturer Keizer has put up a $100,000 bonus if a driver running their stuff wins. In the release from the track, Keizer shared that the Nationals is the one crown jewel their wheels haven't won, so they are hoping the added incentive will fill the void. If a team doesn't already have a contract or deal to run another manufacturer's wheels, it seems like a switch for the Nationals might be worth it. The Nationals take place next year August 6th through the 9th. Knoxville also announced in recent weeks that their weekly purse will rise to $41,000 total next year. All sprint car races are $6000 to win and $1000 to start now.
Over to the return of the All Star Circuit of Champions name, we don't have a schedule yet for next year, but I believe we have our first two confirmed dates. Michael's Mercer Raceway in Pennsylvania shared their sprint car schedule for next year, and it includes stops for the All Stars on June 28th and September 6th. Both of those are $5000 to win. Ohio promoter Rich Farmer is running this new iteration of the All Stars, and besides races in Ohio, these are likely not the last Pennsylvania dates we'll hear about. I've heard rumors of maybe All Star trips to other states as well, including Michigan. With Farmer operating Fremont, you'd expect races there, plus Attica and elsewhere. I've also been told that Farmer is working on locking up teams for this new series, and he's likely gotten at least a few commitments already. Besides the All Stars, Mercer will also have two FAST races, May 3rd and August 22nd, plus BOSS on June 7th, and Western PA Speedweek on May 28th. That May 28th date will open Western PA Speedweek, with PA Motor Speedway, Lernerville, Sharon, and Tri City to follow through June 1st.
That's your Daily show for today. Make sure you stop by the show tomorrow, because I'm doing a very cool giveaway thanks to my friends at FloRacing. You'll find out tomorrow how to participate in that. It may or may not involve tickets and VIP. That's the only hint I'll give. Alright, hope you guys have a great Monday out there, we'll see you back here tomorrow!