DIRTRACKR Daily Podcast - Episode Transcript
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Late model drivers on the move, sprint car team hints, Ricky Thornton Jr. back in sprint cars | Daily 10-21-2025
Today on the show we'll update you on several recent dirt late model ride changes, including one we told you was in the works several weeks ago. We'll also talk Ricky Thornton Jr backed in a winged sprint car, along with what we know about several High Limit team situations for 2026. Let's go!
It's Tuesday, October 21st, I'm Justin Fiedler. This is DIRTRACKR Daily presented by Kubota Genuine Parts.
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We've been super deep on the sprint car news and ride changes here lately, so today let's double back and talk about some of the things happening on the late model side. Last month on the September 16th Daily show, we talked about how things between Daulton Wilson and the JRR Motorsports ride were likely going sideways, and that Wilson was probably on his way out for 2026. That team had missed some races late in the season because of equipment issues, Wilson ran some races with Big Frog, and the rumors were flying. 2025 was year four on tour with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series for Wilson and the 18D, and after having made moderate progress through the first three, 2025 was a bit of a step back. They did win a North South 100 prelim feature, and ended up eighth in the points again, but some of the numbers were down. Fewer top fives and top tens, and average starting position and average finishing position were worse. I said back in September that Josh Rice's name was one being tossed around as a possible replacement, and he ended up driving a JRR ride here not more than two weeks ago. He raced at Atomic and swept the night in a local show there. Yesterday afternoon though, everything fell into place with Wilson and JRR announcing the split in separate announcements. Both sides said all of the usual nice things about each other, and Wilson shared that he's excited for the future and that he would quote "see all you fans at the track soon" unquote. Just a few hours after the split was official came word that Josh Rice is indeed joining the team to replace Wilson, and that his first race as their new driver will this weekend at Atomic with the Iron Man series. A 2026 schedule is still being finalized, but you'd have to assume it will either be another Lucas run or a switch to the Outlaws. If I remember correctly, the team did think about an Outlaw run this year before eventually staying Lucas. When people talk about regional guys who could make the step up, Rice is usually at the top of that list. He's made 60 starts across the two national series, and was a Lucas winner in 2021 and 2022. This season, he's got 10 super late model wins in 39 races according to MRP. Rice has traditionally been a Rocket chassis driver, but the team will start together with JRR's Longhorns. Kevin Kovac reported though the team would be open to a swap if Rice struggles. As for what's next for Wilson, I don't have super good information on that. One rumor pointed to a possible deal with Wells to restart the Infinity house car program, he could keep racing with Big Frog, and one message yesterday said quote "Wilson has a couple deals going" unquote. We'll have to wait and see where he ends up.
The other news to come out of the weekend was Donald McIntosh announcing he was departing Billy Hicks Racing as he was winning Lucas rookie of the year. McIntosh ended the season 10th in the standings with a top five, and 11 top tens in 44 main events. He beat out Daniel Hilsabeck for that rookie title. McIntosh told Dirt on Dirt that it was quote "just time for a change." He revealed for a lot of the season it was just he and his girlfriend working on the car with scattered extra help along the way. McIntosh did not share if he's got anything lined up for next season, but one rumor I've heard in the last day or so is a possible deal with Coltman Farms Racing. McIntosh is already a Coltman-sponsored driver, and he could be in the mix there. The now open Billy Hicks seat could also be a possible landing spot for Daulton Wilson. The Coltman Farms team has Tanner English out with the Outlaws for 2025, where is likely going to finish ninth in the standings. And Zack Mitchell missed out on a chance at the Hunt the Front championship with that failed tire test. English with three wins on the year, and Mitchell with nine. If any changes are coming to Coltman Farms Racing, I wouldn't expect them until after World Finals.
As we move forward into the late model offseason, if you can even call it that, I think some of this regional stuff, and smaller national teams are on the only places we're going to see changes. I've been sent some crazy rumors in recent days and weeks about big players, but when I've reached out to sources on comment, all have been debunked. I don't want to say there couldn't be surprises, but I just don't expect anything major to happen this year.
One more late model note for you, Garrett Alberson shared today he'll be back on tour with Lucas next season. 2025 was a career year for him, with four wins, 21 top fives, and 35 top tens on his way to a sixth place points result. Things didn't go their way down the stretch, but they were in the conversation for that final chase spot through the summer. In a social post, the team shared they will run the Fall Classic at Whynot this weekend, Senoia in a few weeks with the Flo series, then hit the Dome in December, and Wild West Shootout in January before the Lucas season starts.
A couple of sprint car things to chat about. First, we know that Ricky Thornton Jr. is making his USAC National Sprint Car debut this coming weekend at the Western World at Central Arizona. He was spotted testing there not long ago, but his open wheel exploits for 2025 won't stop there. RTJ is also expected to race at World Finals in Bernie Stuebgen's Indy Race Parts 71 again. Last year, Thornton and Bernie raced five times together, including at Lernerville with High Limit and at World Finals. RTJ with no winged starts so far this year, but the World of Outlaws shared to social media earlier today they have received his entry for Charlotte. I'm assuming Thornton will do double duty during World Finals, also driving the Koehler late model, as it's basically a home game for that North Carolina-based team. RTJ's schedule also has the Flo series at Senoia on it, and the Tulsa Shootout at the end of the year.
Another one of the sprint car rides we don't have any clarity on is the CJB deal. They've been a High Limit team the last few seasons, and 2025 saw them on the road with Brenham Crouch. Signing him was a move they took a lot of flak for in the offseason, and they did take a step back after Spencer Bayston departed for the Meyers 14. Eighth in the owner standings in 2024, and 10th this year. Crouch did improve though from year one to year two, earning his first three career top fives and bettering his average feature finish by more than two positions. In his High Limit banquet speech, it kinda sounded like they would all be back together next year. We definitely had to read between the lines there a bit. But what that looks like, we don't know. CJB did earn a High Limit franchise, but there have been rumblings of a World of Outlaws flip, or maybe a pick and choose schedule based around Central PA if they didn't stay High Limit. If a series or schedule change was in the plans, their franchise could be one for sale for any teams looking to make a move. A connected note here, I've heard that Leighton Crouch has sold some equipment, including the trailer they used for Brenham's team in 2024. It sounds like that trailer may have been sold to CMR/Spire as they ramp up to get a new team off the ground for Gio Scelzi. All signs pointing towards Scelzi in a CMR/Spire car with Eric Prutzman as crew chief, and maybe that team housed here in the Charlotte area. They're supposedly going High Limit racing next year with the acquired Meyers franchise.
By the way, if you're in the mood for some dirt racing reading material, check out dirtrackr.com/theslider. The Slider is our free email newsletter, and from time to time, I send out cool pieces from a rolling group of contributors. In the last few weeks I've sent interviews with sprint car drivers Tyler Thompson and Kalib Henry. Those are both available at dirtrackr.com/theslider if you want to check them out, and you can sign up there to get future issues sent right to you. If you want to contribute to a future issue, shoot me an email or DM.
That's all for today.
Hope you guys have a great Tuesday out there, we'll see you back here tomorrow!