DIRTRACKR Daily Podcast - Episode Transcript

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Why this series is safe either way, right and wrong rumors, best sprint car driver without a win? | Daily 10-7-2025

Today we'll talk Drake Troutman's dirt late model future, including ride and series choice for 2026. Plus I've got some thoughts on the future for the Lucas late model tour, especially around the recent loss of Forrest Lucas. And who do you think is the best sprint car driver in the country without a national tour win? Let's go!

It's Tuesday, October 7th, I'm Justin Fiedler. This is DIRTRACKR Daily presented by Kubota Genuine Parts.

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One year ago, right after we'd crowned the Lucas champion at Eldora, here on this show I talked a bit about the future of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, and specifically the ramped up involvement by FloRacing. During that Dirt Track World Championship weekend, they announced the 2025 schedule, and revealed that FloRacing would be the series' presenting sponsor in a new quote "multi-year extension." Over the last several years as we've watched these streaming wars play out, there have at various stages been rumors about Flo potentially owning or buying into the late model series, and I do remember at one point sending Michael Rigsby, he's the FloRacing boss and founder of Dirt on Dirt, a message asking if it was true. He denied then that Flo owned the series, and there is publicly available documentation that shows to this day that the Lucas family is indeed still in control of it. Last year though, I did some speculation and said that I could still see a scenario where ownership or a stake was possible for Flo at some future time, and as I've seen some start to question what happens for the series with the Lucas family losing patriach Forrest Lucas earlier this year, I think that's important to keep in mind. The Lucas Oil company has gone through a lot of changes in recent years and we talked on one past show about their wide-ranging motorsports sponsorships really being pared down. If there ever came a point where they decided to divest themselves from the late model series, I would imagine that Flo would be there with bells on to carry it forward. There is absolutely no indication anywhere right now that the family is looking to get out, or some sort of deal is imminent, but for those fans of the series, I don't think I'd worry much about it's future. And to be fair, even with those sponsorships being reigned in, Lucas Oil still has a sizeable portfolio of motorsports deals, including in IndyCar, NASCAR, the NHRA, and dirt racing. As for the late model series, they have a lot of big events, a solid streaming deal with Flo, and a good team in place out on the road. And I'd wager a decent amount of money that succession plans or some sort of purchase has been discussed between the two sides, even if only for esses and gees. Something else to point out here, and a bit of naming gymnastics that didn't go unnoticed at the time, the series isn't called the High Limit Sprint Car Series. It's called High Limit Racing. That change was made after that initial midweek season came to a close. If Flo were to ever get into owning a big time dirt late model tour, or any racing series for that matter, the branding is already conveniently in place. Sprint cars and late models or insert series here under High Limit Racing... Doesn't seem to me to be that far fetched. Maybe it wasn't done specifically because they knew they'd own another series in the future, but it certainly gives them options.

It was just about two weeks ago that I did a short bit on Drake Troutman and his future in dirt late model racing. Coming out of the Late Model Knoxville Nationals, I'd heard he was likely going to return to the seat of the GR Smith-owned 22 machine, but that potentially a series flip was being discussed for 2026. Troutman a World of Outlaws full timer in 2025, and word going around was maybe they'd go Lucas racing next season. Troutman not a stranger to that tour, as he was a Lucas rookie in 2024, finishing 11th in the standings and earning rookie of the year honors while driving for his family owned team. The switch this season though to the deal with Team 22 saw him go full time Outlaw racing for the first time, and he's currently the series' leading rookie. He's got a win, 12 top fives, and 21 top tens in 38 starts. If all goes fine the next several weeks, he should easily be able to wrap up the rookie title, and earn that award in back-to-back years with two different series. He's got a fairly sizeable lead on Ethan Dotson currently. I heard from the team last night though that one rumor I heard was correct, and the other wrong. Troutman will indeed be back next year, but no series flip with another World of Outlaws season on tap. We don't usually get a clear picture of which late model drivers are running which tours until well into speedweeks, so unlike the sprint car side, we won't have full clarity for several months about what's coming for next season. But, the Outlaws have their first commit.

If you're a fan of northeast modifieds, it's a big week in that part of the country with Super Dirt Week at Oswego getting on track starting tomorrow. They were supposed to have a big party tonight, but weather has ruined those plans. But cars will be on parade tomorrow through town starting at noon, and we'll have race cars on track at 1PM with pro stock practice kicking things off. Preliminary action will continue all week, with the main events for pro stock and the 358 modifieds on Friday, the sportsman modifieds have their feature Saturday afternoon, and then the 200 for the big blocks is Saturday night. If you're at work the next few days and I want to sneak in some dirt racing, DIRTVision will have live coverage of action all day. If you want to see full event details for yourself, check out superdirtweek.com. We'll be keeping tabs on things as the event continues.

Last thing for today. In recent years if you asked who was the best sprint car driver in the country without a World of Outlaws or High Limit win, you could have pointed to some serious guys. I talked about Justin Peck at one point. You could bring up Justin Sanders as well. Both incredibly talented, and winners in other series and at other levels. Both of those guys though are off the hook now. Peck up to four High Limit victories since 2023, and Sanders won with High Limit in California not long ago. I bring this up now, because a more recent guy you could have maybe put the title on was Chase Dietz, but he's now an Outlaw winner with the Friday score during National Open. So the question for you, and feel free to throw out names in the comments below, is who currently is the best sprint car driver in the country without a High Limit or World of Outlaws win? Some candidates for you to consider if you can't think of anyone are Cap Henry, Troy Wagman, Austin McCarl, Garet Williamson, Emerson Axsom, Kalib Henry, Chris Windom, Chase Randall, and Hunter Schuerenberg. All have All Star wins, or other local and regional 410 victories, but not big touring series wins. And I'm not necessarily saying one of these guys will be the next to grab one, but the larger question of who is the best without one. Think on it, let me know your thoughts.

That's the show for today. Don't forget, if you want even more dirt racing content, make sure to follow DIRTRACKR across social media. That means Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and more. Wherever you are, so is DIRTRACKR.

Hope you guys have a great Wednesday out there, we'll see you back here tomorrow!