DIRTRACKR Daily Podcast - Episode Transcript
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He's good, so why doesn't Justin Sanders have a big time deal sprint car deal? | Daily 3-6-2025
On this final show of the week, this regional sprint car driver is probably the best in the country without a top ride, so what gives? I've got some surprising rumblings about him today. Plus Logan Wagner's new deal, an injured sprint car driver returns, Hunt the Front again building a very tough roster, and much more. Let's go!
It's Thursday, March 6th, I'm Justin Fiedler. This is DIRTRACKR Daily presented by Kubota Genuine Parts.
Another big show today, with racing coming up and a few news items, but real quick before we get started, a quick word from today's show sponsor.
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One of the topics I've had on my list, basically since the offseason started, was to talk on a Daily show about Justin Sanders. I figured today was a good time with the NARC season opener coming up this weekend at Stockton. When we look around the country at regional sprint car drivers who have the skill to compete on a national level, Sanders has to be either at, or near the top of that list. In 2024, he nipped Cole Macedo by six points for the NARC championship, and had 16 total wins. Macedo now a full time World of Outlaws driver. Sanders 2024 included nine 360 victories, plus seven 410 wins. Along the way he also ran top five and top ten against both the Outlaws and High Limit. His best finishes were two second place runs against High Limit, one at Placerville and one at Douglas County. Going all the way back through 2016, he's won 23 total 410 races, and a very strong 79 360 shows. And yes, most of his success has come on the west coast, but he's run well during the handful of starts he's made elsewhere. That includes a Knoxville Nationals main event start in 2022, and good runs at tracks like Kokomo, Lincoln Park, Osky, Huset's, Jackson, and Bridgeport. Most of those coming in 2023 when he ran some races with Swindell Speedlab, and then filled in when Anthony Macri departed the family-owned 39. This past season though, not a single start outside of Oregon, Washington, and California, and somehow not hired by a national team this offseason, despite there being several very solid rides open. So what gives? The answer actually lies with Sanders himself. Unless a very tip-top ride comes calling for a full national run, it sounds like he's not interested in leaving California, his established deals there, and his J1S7 Suspension business, where he's a dealer for FK Shocks. I've been told that at least two teams running national tours in 2025 called Sanders and made offers over this past winter, and he declined both. He seems content to continue driving Demo Mittry's 2X in 410 shows, and Dale Miller's 4SA in 360 races. What's even more curious right now, is it's apparently possible that Sanders won't try and defend his NARC championship. Sprintcarunlimited.com reported this week that there are quote "indications" he won't be full time in 2025. He'd be the runaway favorite with no Macedo to deal with, and a number of other top California guys, like Dominic Scelzi, Shane Golobic, and DJ Netto planning pick and choose runs again. The pre-race release from NARC does mention Sanders starting his title defense, so I guess we'll see. But in a world where everyone is always trying to get to the next deal, I do respect Sanders for going about things his own way, even if it's a bit hard to understand.
As for the NARC season, it gets rolling Saturday at Stockton, with Sanders the defending race winner. We'll also see Golobic, Dominic Gorden, Tanner Carrick, the Kaedings, Tanner Holmes, and more. Hat tip as well to Angelique Bell, who appears to have the full slate of NARC races on her 2025 schedule. If you might remember, Bell was burned in a crash at the Southern Oregon Speedway early last summer, and spent much of the rest of the year recovering. She did race at Hanford in October, and is back again this year.
Another championship season set to get started is the Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series. They are at I-75 on Saturday for $20,000 to win. Their list of full timers is now 16 with the recent additions of Jackson Hise and Dalton Cook. Some friends tell me though it's possible they could have 20 signed on by Saturday, including some national level drivers who could be looking for a change of pace. If that happens, this will again be probably the toughest regional series in the country. Based on who we know is confirmed, I still think Sam Seawright, Zack Mitchell, and Joseph Joiner are championship favorites. I'd also throw in Cory Hedgecock, and Ross Bailes is my darkhorse.
Other late model racing to check out this weekend includes the Comp Cams Super Dirt Series at Boothill Speedway for $10,000. There is also Carolina Clash at County Line, and the Northern All Stars opener at Brownstown.
Weekend sprint car action is headlined by the World of Outlaws in the southeast. David Gravel leads the series to the Talladega Short Track on Friday, right across the street from the big track, and then to Magnolia Motor Speedway in Mississippi on Saturday. The Outlaws haven't raced at either since 2023, with Buddy Kofoid the most recent winner at Talladega, and Brad Sweet won the last Magnolia race. As a quick reset, Gravel leads Logan Schuchart by 44 points, and Carson Macedo by 46. A bunch of guys will be hoping to take a bite out of their early season deficits, like Gio Scelzi, Sheldon Haudenschild, and even Kofoid and Donny Schatz who are both already 82 back. Chris Windom the leading rookie right now in tenth.
Also on the schedule was the weekly opener at Port Royal. It's been called off though because of the wet stuff. One note about Port, past track champion Logan Wagner is teaming up with his dad Mike to form a two-car team this year centered around events at the track. Wagner split this past offseason with Don Kreitz's team, who will run this year with Christopher Bell, Daryn Pittman, and Ryan Smith sharing driving duties. Wagner picked up five wins last season at Port. When things do get rolling, his dad Mike will begin his track title defense. Things at Lincoln Speedway for Saturday are still on at the time I record this show.
Other weekend open wheel races to check out include the USCS at Deep South Speedway, and midgets and non-wing cars at Ventura.
And down in Texas, the USMTS modified series is headed to Rocket Raceway Park for rounds three and four. It was a Chisholm brother sweep last weekend, and Joe is the current championship leader over Tanner Mullens and Rodney Sanders. How about Kyle Strickler getting some racing in with the USMTS as well. The decorated modified shoe was fifth and 12th last week, and will be back again this weekend for more.
If you want to know what your streaming options are each day, don't forget to check out dirtrackr.com/watchtonight. There we've got the full daily schedule for all the streaming services covering dirt, including what's racing, where to watch, and start times where available.
That's the Daily show for this week. If you want more from DIRTRACKR, find us on social media. Wherever you are, so are we. That includes Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok among others. I'm always posting new stuff, short form videos, images, and more.
Hope you guys have a great Thursday and a great weekend out there, we'll see you back here on Sunday!