DIRTRACKR Daily Podcast - Episode Transcript
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Drivers on the move, series full timers, big track news - Bonus Daily! | Daily 12-13-2024
The news out of PRI keeps coming in hot, and on this special bonus Daily, we'll talk multiple sprint car silly season changes and where High Limit sits right now for full time teams in 2025. Plus a top late model driver makes his series choice, big news from two dirt tracks, and more. Let's go!
It's Friday, December 13th, I'm Justin Fiedler. This is DIRTRACKR Daily presented by Kubota Genuine Parts.
I wanted to jump on today and do a bonus episode. Nothing super earth shattering happening in the last 24 hours around PRI, but there is enough to talk about that I want cover off on a few things today so they don't get missed in the future. I am not going to talk High Limit's gambling announcement today, I will likely hit on that with the Sunday show. But I do have some stuff there, and tying it all together with USAC and WRG and some added insight.
Today though, we'll start first with more sprint car silly season moves. It was announced here just a little bit ago that Chris Windom is out of the Vermeer 55 after a season together. The 55 was full time with High Limit in 2024, and Windom down in 15th in the standings by season's end. Just three top fives and 10 top tens in 41 starts. This was year three for Windom full time in a winged sprint car after a bunch of success on the non-wing side and in midgets previously. He's still chasing that first 410 winged victory, and his transition hasn't gone as well as some of the other non-wing guys to find success, including fellow NOS racer Tyler Courtney. This situation between Vermeer and Windom has been bubbling for several months now, and I first heard about it back in October. Word was getting around that Windom was seeking options elsewhere, and in return Vermeer had start to explore possible replacements. In the months since, there were times where it felt like maybe he was staying, but now we know that's not true. It is my understanding that both Vermeer and Windom have their deals lined up for 2025 though. I would expect announcements from both in the coming days. It's sounding like Windom will remain on national tour with an established team, taking the NOS sponsorship with him. But I haven't heard who is a possible driver for Vermeer. I believe that Vermeer's schedule though isn't set yet, and a return to High Limit isn't a done deal.
When we pull back and look at the High Limit roster, we know they've got Brad Sweet, Tyler Courtney, Spencer Bayston in the 14, Daison Pursley in the 13, Aaron Reutzel in the RSR 87, Justin Peck in the Rudeen 26, and Tanner Thorson. I think it's also safe to assume that Rico Abreu will be back. So that's eight. Brent Marks remains a question mark, and it seems more and more likely the Roth 83 won't be back. We also don't know schedule plans for the CJB 5 with Brenham Crouch. Parker Price Miller is still ride searching, Kasey Kahne seems headed for a pick and choose schedule, and as I just said, plans are unknown for the Vermeer 55. I guess there is also still some chance a Crouch car could return. But of the 16 that ran full time this year, the loss of Roth, Kahne, and PPM takes that to 13, and then the questions around Marks, CJB, Vermeer, and Crouch take us to nine. The one I haven't mentioned here is Jacob Allen. His plans had not been officially talked about, but a lot of signs were pointing towards him dropping off a series full time and focusing on pick and choose, especially with a new baby around. And Bobby Allen confirmed that yesterday at PRI. In a video from Tanner Holmes, he shared that Jacob will put together a slate of races with the Outlaws, High Limit, in Pennsylvania, and quote "two or three other schedules." You'd have to think that means POWRi, the new All Stars, and FAST. How about Tanner breaking some silly season news not about himself. With eight confirmed right now, I'd guess that High Limit will probably settle in the 10 to 12 range. I think I'd lean Marks coming back, and they'll likely pick up some combo of those other cars with questions.
If you are curious about Parker Price Miller, it was just announced moments ago he'll be back with Guy Forbrook next year, focusing on a midwest schedule and the Knoxville track championship. PPM has raced with Forbrook before, and the release mentioned other possible races in his family owned 9P. He had supposedly been a candidate for the Sides 7S, but they are going a different direction (hint hint), for 2025. PPM ninth in High Limit points in 2024 with six top fives and 21 top tens in 47 races. He ended up having to finish the season though with Brandon Ikenberry after his own deal went south.
On the Outlaw side, it was sounding like we were maybe hours away from a driver announcement for the Premier Motorsports 70 following the departure of Kraig Kinser, but whatever was happening there now appears to be off. We'll have to wait and see what now is the plan going forward, but it sounds like everyone involved there is back to square one.
Moving over to late models, the World of Outlaws announced Bobby Pierce will be back full time with the series in 2025. The 2023 champion just missed out on the title in 2024, running out of races to catch Brandon Sheppard after the tire doping penalty from the start of the season. I had heard a few quiet things that maybe this wouldn't happen, but it makes too much sense despite all that had gone on. Pierce has dominated this series the past two years, and the path to a title will be easier next year with Sheppard off to Lucas full time in the Rocket house car. I know also there is all sorts of talk about this fallout between Pierce and Jeff Hoker with Hoker Trucking. Beyond what I've read online, I don't have any additional insight here. But I would say that sometimes these relationships just run their course. Sponsorship deals can be an interesting and difficult dynamic. If I remember correctly, Pierce joins Nick Hoffman, Brian Shirley, Daniel Adam, Ryan Gustin, Cade Dillard, Brent Larson, and Dustin Sorensen as 2025 Outlaw commitments. I don't believe we have known schedules yet for Kyle Bronson, Tyler Bruening, or Dennis Erb. That would cover the rest of the top 10 in 2024 Outlaw points. Pierce immediately becomes the championship favorite, with Hoffman and Gustin likely the two closest contenders. I would expect there to be more commitments on the Outlaw side before things get started at Volusia in January.
Finally today, two race track items. I know there is a ton of race track news we haven't covered here as of late, but two things have happened in the last 24 hours I want to mention. First is the sale of Pevely. Ray and Sue Marlar and Ken Schrader have an agreement in place to sell the Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 to Josh Carroll, who currently runs the Brownstown Bullring. The process isn't 100% complete, but should be soon. This ends a 29 year run for the Marlers in charge at Pevely. The track near St. Louis hosts a robust weekly program, and has been a staple of the World of Outlaws sprint car schedule, along with holding races for other series like the Summer Nationals. Carroll's Brownstown track in Illinois also has weekly racing, and held a MARS event in 2024. Definitely the end of era for Pevely.
Also, in Ohio, Portsmouth Raceway Park has announced they will not open the track for 2025. They only had a few events this past year, including High Limit in July, and some scattered local division races. Both of their Lucas late models were rained out. The track's marquee event was the $25,000 to win Dean Knittel Memorial for sprint cars, but High Limit decided to not schedule this show for next season. With the track not operating, it would seem as though the Knittel is in jeopardy, but behind the scenes, Jeff Knittel is working on a plan to move that race to another track. Stay tuned on details there. This also means the Lucas race set for July 4th is off. We'll see if Rick Schwallie moves to fill that hole.
Alright, there you go. Plenty of things to chew through there for this bonus Friday episode of the Daily. Thanks for tuning in.
Hope you guys have a great day out there, we'll see you back here on Sunday!