DIRTRACKR Daily Podcast - Episode Transcript
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Rocket vs. Longhorn all 2025! | Daily 12-16-2024
The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series field is filling up quick, and we'll talk today about another potential championship contender in a stacked group. Plus dirt late model body comments from a top figure in the sport, a big schedule for Billy Moyer, and a lot more. Let's go!
It's Monday, December 16th, I'm Justin Fiedler. This is DIRTRACKR Daily presented by Kubota Genuine Parts.
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Back on Friday at the PRI Show, Riggs Motorsports and Longhorn Factory Team crew chief Anthony Burroughs revealed to FloRacing's Kyle McFadden that the team and new driver Brandon Overton will be tackling the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series full time next year. Overton and Burroughs joined the team following the departure of Brandon Sheppard after World Finals. BShepp obviously headed back to the Rocket house car, and this deal to pair Burroughs and Overton had been in the works for a while. After winning the World of Outlaws championship though in 2024, this team will flip to the other side and chase that Lucas championship. This will be a return to national touring competition for Overton, who spent this past season running regionally mostly with the Wells team, picking up the Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series title. Overton was a Lucas full timer back in 2023 when he ended up sixth in the final standings. I found this stat a bit surprising, but Overton has only run a national tour three times in his career. In 2023 with Lucas like I just mentioned, plus 2015 and 2016 with the World of Outlaws. His best result there was a fourth in the Outlaw standings in 2016. The first race out for the new look Longhorn Factory Team was the Gateway Dirt Nationals, where Overton ended up 14th in the Saturday main event, after having a flat tire on his prelim night. The team had planned on testing in advance of that, but weather ruined those plans. Burroughs told McFadden they have tests coming up at Golden Isles and All-Tech, and that they will likely skip the Wild West Shootout at Vado and just be ready for the Lucas opener at Golden Isles in January. 2024 was definitely a down season for Overton, but we know what he's capable of when he's got a fast car underneath him. And Burroughs was one half of one of the most potent driver/crew chief combos we've ever seen in the history of dirt late model racing. If these two can find a sweet spot together, they should be right in that title fight next year.
Overton's confirmation brings us to 11 confirmed Lucas full timers so far, with the rest of the list including Max Blair, Devin Moran, Daulton Wilson, Clay Harris, Carson Ferguson, Dan Ebert, Brandon Sheppard, Tim McCreadie, Garrett Alberson, and Brenden Smith. We have a number of drivers and teams right now who still have questions surrounding their 2025 plans. That includes reigning champion Ricky Thornton Jr. We documented his quandry a few weeks go. RTJ is set to race Chili Bowl, but the Saturday racing directly conflicts with Lucas at Golden Isles. He told me then that they were still undecided on their schedule. We also haven't heard anything about Jonathan Davenport. JD seems to waver periodically on his enthusiasm for national tour racing, so we'll have to wait and see what the plans are for the Landers 49. I've also been assuming that Hudson O'Neal would return, but there are fairly public questions about the future of the SSI team. Some seem to think it could shut down completely, while its also possible they could switch from Longhorns to Rockets. Other drivers who are undecided as of right now include Drake Troutman in his new deal with Team 22 and GR Smith, plus Mike Marlar and Ross Robinson. We talked back on Friday about Bobby Pierce committing again to the World of Outlaws, and that field sits currently at eight. Some others debating national tour runs right now include Tanner English with Coltman Farms, Dillon McCowan, and Tristan Chamberlain. I've heard we may also get a national tour pick today out of another team. Lucas is starting to look incredibly difficult for 2025, especially if they end up getting Davenport and O'Neal to return. For some of those teams who will likely be fighting further down the order, the Outlaws may start looking a little more appealing.
Just today, here a little bit ago, the Outlaws did add one more, with ASD Motorsports and driver Ethan Dotson announcing a full go with the series next year. Dotson joined the team in May of 2024, and they were a winner late in the season during prelim action for the National 100. The California driver has made scattered starts between the two dirt late model national tours the past two seasons since moving up from modified competition. He's got five top ten results with each series. The rookie class for the Outlaws next year grows to two now, with Daniel Adam already committed.
One other late model note for you about the Outlaws. When World Racing Group CEO Brian Carter was on the EPARTRADE Race Industry Week call a few days ago, he did bring up the dirt late model body situation. Two weeks ago we talked here on the Daily show about some late season rule changes that had been put in place, and where things were likely headed going forward. On that call, Carter mentioned working with Outlaw series director Steve Francis about continuing to make progress in straightening out those twisted bodies. I think this was probably the first time I've heard a series or sanctioning body person make public comments in this space. This will clearly continue to be a focus for rules makers going forward, and that template system we've talked about a few times this year will make more appearances and continue to evolve.
If you are a Billy Moyer fan, it sounds like we could be seeing him a lot more in 2025. The 67 year old driver shared with the Dirt on Dirt guys at PRI that he's planning 50 to 70 races next season with car owner Keith Lawson. That would include a bunch of races in the midwest, and likely some crown jewels. Lawson picked up 2024 Longhorn from Lance Landers, a new transporter, and they are on the hunt for crew help to make it all happen. This will be Moyer's busiest schedule in quite a few years. MyRacePass has Moyer at 34 starts in 2024 with three wins, including a late season score at Batesville with the Comp Cams Super Dirt Series.
Before we close out today, a few USAC silly season items to share. We talked last week about Cannon McIntosh returning to Keith Kunz Motorsports for 2025 to again chase midget titles, and KKM has announced some other drivers as well. Jumping into the JBL ride will be Ohio driver Jacob Denney. Denny ran some late season races for KKM, and I know he's high on a lot of people's lists when it comes to young open wheel talent. Three career USAC midget wins, and he was the Turkey Night pole sitter a few weeks ago, leading laps and ending up fourth. Denney's addition also confirms the departure of Ryan Timms from KKM. No shock there as Timms looks to be back to focusing on the sprint car full time, joining Liebig for 50ish races. Returning to KKM is Gavin Miller for year four. He dealt with injury during the 2024 season, but did win the Xtreme finale at Jacksonville in October. He's also won with USAC. And KKM is going full time Xtreme racing next season with 15 year old Florida driver Colton Robinson. He's moving up from kart and micro action, and will debut next April at Farmer City.
Two other midget moves for you. USAC west coast midget rookie of the year Drake Edwards will be full time on the national tour next year, as he's set to join Chad Boat Industries. Edwards' effort will be back by Jerry Petty and Avanti, and this move will replace the departing Daison Pursley. Pursley coming off the championship and moving to High Limit sprint car action next season. Also, Kevin Thomas Jr. will be back to full time midget competition next year as he's signed up with 4Kings for a full run. KTJ ran some late season events with this team, and will debut with the series next spring.
Alright, that's the show for today. If you want even more dirt racing content, make sure to follow DIRTRACKR across social media. That includes Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Threads, Bluesky, and Instagram. If you are there, we are too.
Hope you guys have a great Monday out there, we'll see you back here tomorrow!