DIRTRACKR Daily Podcast - Episode Transcript
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Some builders won't sell you a sprint car engine | Daily 4-17-2025
410 sprint car engines are expensive, and they aren't easy to come by even if you have the cash. Today we'll dive into a very closed system of builders and who you can and probably can't get engines from. Let's go!
It's Thursday, April 17th, I'm Justin Fiedler. This is DIRTRACKR Daily presented by Kubota Genuine Parts.
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Going back about two weeks ago, I did a show where I compiled a list of all of the chassis, engine, and shock combinations for a bunch of the top sprint car teams. I said then that it was really difficult to get all of that info together, because much of it just isn't public information. Teams don't talk about it, or there aren't logos on cars, and some of the builders and manufacturers are basically non-existent online. One of the more difficult parts of that list to put together was the engine builders. Very recently, I was talking to a friend in the pit area about the engine builders and they clued me into just how closed a system those engine builders really are. Many don't have any sort of online presence or do marketing, or advertising, because they aren't looking for additional customers. There are several builders you can't even call up and get an engine from. They literally won't sell it to you. My friend was telling me stories of established car owners calling up some of these builders and offering to buy multiple engines at a time, money up front, and still being told no. And even for the builders you can get pieces from, there are often very long lead times. If we go back and look at my original list, there are a few different builders that only show up for a handful of teams. That includes Morrison, they provide engines for David Gravel and Gio Scelzi, Charlie Garrett shows up three times, with Brian Brown, Anthony Macri, and Spencer Bayston. And Cappetta. They are only on the list for Kasey Kahne Racing. And there are certainly others, like Speedway and Shaver that are more exclusive. Supposedly there have been deals where certain builders are contracted to just provide engines for one or two teams. That's one reason why engines wouldn't be available. Another is that some builders just want to handle a few teams. They can provide really hands on, bespoke service with a small operation, and aren't interested in anything bigger. Many of these engine builders only have small shops with a handful of employees. We are not looking at large scale production facilities. One example I've talked about with some friends, was the engine in Rico Abreu's cars. He runs steam from Speedway, and those engines are almost completely devoid of any super visible branding. Not even an oil pan or valve cover sticker. I'm told there are Speedway logos on the heads, but they are engraved and difficult to see in videos and photos. A driver with the following of Rico could certainly provide those parts suppliers with something to brag about, but Speedway doesn't care. Some examples of engine builders you might have some better luck with include Kistler, Don Ott, Stanton, and HP, but don't expect to have a brand new piece tomorrow. It could be up to a year, or maybe more from the time an engine is ordered, to the time it's available to be picked up. For the sprint car teams that are traveling circuits and run a significant number of races each season, it takes a lot of planning in advance to ensure they'll have the engines they need through the course of a season. And then from there, they also need to coordinate rebuilds and repairs. That's why it's not uncommon for teams to have four or six or eight engines at their disposal. And when you then do the math, understanding that those engines can cost $70,000 each or more, it takes serious funding to have a stock of engines like that. Six engines at $70 grand is $420,000. Getting back to that hands on service you get from these guys building these engines, I'm told that many crew chiefs are in constant contact on a race night with those builders to get information on the best settings as track and weather conditions change through the course of a program. Tuning these things just right means the difference between winning a race or missing a feature completely. Coming up this weekend, the World of Outlaws are at Knoxville for a big two day show that is going to draw a massive field, and most of the top teams in the country. And a track like Knoxville is going to require big power. Remember this conversation as you are watching those cars rip around the sprint car capital of the world.
Alright, let's run through a bunch of your dirt racing viewing options this weekend.
As I just said, the Outlaws are at Knoxville Friday and Saturday. The track is open tonight as well for practice. I see folks ask all the time what it would take to get a co-sanction World of Outlaws High Limit race, and weekends like this are the closest thing you'll get. All the Outlaws, Knoxville and the midwest's best, most of the top High Limit teams and guys like Kyle Larson. David Gravel enters the weekend as the championship leader by 64 points over Carson Macedo, with Logan Schuchart not far behind in third. Buddy Kofoid and Sheldon Haudenschild still trying to gain back some ground as well. For Donny Schatz in sixth, I think a lot of folks will be paying attention to that car with the different engine. This will be their first big track away from the Ford. I do think Larson will be a favorite, as will Gravel. Larson obviously the defending Knoxville Nationals champion, and we talked yesterday about that qualifying wing and it's potential effect coming up.
Other weekend sprint car action includes a full slate of shows in Central PA. Williams Grove has the Tommie on Friday, and Lincoln has the Weldon Sterner on Saturday. Those should draw plenty of cars, and we know a guy like Brady Bacon is headed that way to race the Dyson machine. Port Royal also with their usual Saturday show. In Ohio, you've got AFCS at Attica and Fremont, plus FAST at Atomic. No lack of options there. Go hit the AFCS social media accounts for the full rundown on series regulars, as they've been sharing a bunch here recently. You've also got MOWA at Highland, plus Sprint Car Challenge Tour at Merced.
On the late model side, neither national tour is racing this weekend, so you'll have teams scattered all around the country. A bunch of teams are headed for the MARS series triple-header that starts tonight at Cedar County. Action then shifts to 34 Raceway Friday and Saturday for the Slocum 50. Brandon Sheppard, Carson Ferguson, Gordy Gundaker, plus all the MARS full timers like Jason Feger and Ryan Unzicker will be racing these.
I talked yesterday on the show about the Comp Cams Super Dirt Series at Arrowhead Speedway on Friday for $15,000 to win. Jonathan Davenport, Cade Dillard, Ethan Dotson, and Logan Seavey are some drivers expected to head that way. And the Northern Allstars are at Paragon on Friday.
Here in the southeast, the Spring Nationals have some nice cash to pay out between I-75 and Tazewell Friday and Saturday. Jimmy Owens, Mike Marlar, Brandon Overton, Ricky Weiss and Garrett Smith are just a few of the drivers headed that direction. You've also got the new Southern Thunder Super Dirt Series at Milton, Florida for $10,000 to win on Saturday.
And finally on the late model front, Eldora Speedway's 2025 season opener is Saturday. They've got the American Late Model slash Iron Man Series, plus modifieds and super stocks.
For my modified friends, the Super DIRTcar Series at Albany Saratoga tomorrow night. Stewart Friesen leading that championship right now after one win and one race. This one pays $7500 to win. If you want a full rundown on northeast modified races coming up, head over to nemodfacts.racestatcentral.com. A very complete schedule is available there.
Alright, we will shut it down there for the day. Feel free to drop your weekend dirt racing plans below in the comments and any win picks. Thanks for tuning in all week.
Hope you guys have a great Thursday out there, we'll see you back here on Sunday!