DIRTRACKR Daily Podcast - Episode Transcript
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Longhorn, Kevin Rumley up to something new... | Daily 10-23-2025
Schedule updates today, including a big dirt late model event on the move, plus Kevin Rumley is up to something again with shocks, we'll talk weekend racing and more. Let's go!
It's Thursday, October 23rd, I'm Justin Fiedler. This is DIRTRACKR Daily presented by Kubota Genuine Parts.
Today's Daily show is being supported by BAPS Motor Speedway and SprintCarUnlimited.TV. This Saturday, BAPS has 410 sprint cars and wingless sportsman on tap, with gates opening at noon and hot laps on track at 2:15PM. The Britton Finkenbinder Memorial is set to draw names like Brent Marks fresh off his High Limit season, plus Ryan Smith in the Kreitz 69K, Anthony Macri, Brock Zearfoss, Troy Wagaman, Danny Dietrich, Chase Dietz and all of Central Pennsylvania's best. If you can't get to the track, watch it all live on SprintCarUnlimited.tv. Just a handful of 410 races remain on the schedule in 2025 at BAPS, and your options to see 410 sprint cars at all this weekend and the rest of the season are starting to get sparse. Head over to bapsmotorspeedway.com to see the rest of their track schedule, and if you want to watch each of the track championship races live, including this Saturday, and the season finale Sprint Showdown in November, you can do that all season long on SprintCarUnlimited.TV.
A couple of 2026 schedule updates to kick off this Thursday show. First, we are still waiting on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series schedule for next season to be revealed, but changes are coming to the Silver Dollar Nationals weekend that has been held in recent seasons at Huset's Speedway in South Dakota. Just a few days ago, Huset's track GM Doug Johnson was on the Hogie's Garage podcast and revealed that the event was going away. His quote was "we are not doing the Silver Dollar Nationals next year." He went on to say they are planning another big event for that same July weekend, but didn't go into details on what that could be. What happens next for that Lucas date is a bit up in the air. One rumor is things getting expanded at Shelby County Speedway, which is in Harlan, Iowa. Shelby County hosted a $25,000 to win Lucas show the Tuesday before the Silver Dollar Nationals in 2025, and that track hosting the Silver Dollar Nationals, or something like it has been discussed. Eagle Raceway in Nebraska is another option, but they had the High Bank Heist in May, and it's unclear how that would fit in with a Silver Dollar Nationals move. Huset's for late models just doesn't seem like it works, the racing at times hasn't been great, and the stands there were never full. That part of the country is very much sprint car heavy, and a big late model show seems like it's a tough sell. We'll see what Huset's does to replace the Lucas dates.
Also, the good news for West Virginia race tracks keeps coming with the Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series announcing a triple header weekend in the state for 2026. May 22nd through 24th, that's Memorial Day weekend, the late model tour will hit Elkins Speedway, Tyler County, and then West Virginia Motor Speedway. Those races will pay $10,000, $12,000, and $15,000 to win respectively. This will be the first ever trip for the series to the state of West Virginia. Upgrades and changes are underway at Elkins, which is now under the control of the same promoters as WVMS. And we know WVMS is now a much smaller configuration, and had a very successful debut a few weeks ago. They've already got the World of Outlaws late models also scheduled for next season. The full Hunt the Front schedule wasn't released last year until right before the middle of November, so it might be a few more weeks before we see their full slate.
Before we dive in and talk weekend racing, one more interesting note to chew on for you dirt late model folks. I mentioned on the show yesterday that there has been testing ongoing the last few nights at the Charlotte Motor Speedway dirt track, and we saw all sorts of different cars and teams participate. I've been told that on the late model side, this week's testing included some new stuff for Longhorn and that Kevin Rumley has been quietly working on a new shock package. Supposedly Ohlins could be making a major return to the dirt late model game, and Rumley, who's now not part of Bilstein anymore, has been leading on some development. Doing some searching around online, it looks like Ohlins hasn't really be involved in dirt late model racing in a major way for a few years. Jimmy Owens was an Ohlins guy before, and won the 2020 Lucas title on them. But the last mention I can find of him using Ohlins shocks was 2022. In more recent years, Bilstein, FOX, Integra, and Penske have really been the main players. A big change that took place for Ohlins in that 2021-2022 timeline, was them becoming the single source supplier for shocks for the NASCAR next gen car. All teams use Ohlins shocks for the Cup cars, and have since the car debuted in 2022. Kevin Rumley's own six car, which really serves as an R&D deal for Longhorn, has raced a few times this season with Hudson O'Neal in the seat, and I wouldn't be surprised if that car ran some of those races with Ohlins on it. I don't know that I'd expect some wholesale changeover by Longhorn teams from Bilstein to Ohlins, but this could be another option out there available. I'll let you know if I hear more on this front.
Alright, let's talk weekend racing. The World of Outlaws sprint cars were set for 81 Speedway and Arrowhead this weekend, but as of today, both of those shows have been cancelled because of weather. The Outlaws making the early decision to call things off and keep teams from traveling. With these races off, all that remains now for the World of Outlaws is World Finals. That means teams have the next two weekends off to either go find some other races, or head home for some off days. World Finals doesn't start until November 5th. This should just about wrap things up for David Gravel for the 2025 championship, with a 138 point buffer back to Buddy Kofoid.
I talked at the top of the show about the BAPS 410 show, so that's an option if you want some winged sprint car action. Another one that could draw some names is the Atomic races. They are running their Night the Stars Came Out event Friday and Saturday, and the sprint car portion pays $5000 and $15,000 to win. I'm sure that will draw a full slate of Ohio teams, but I've also heard about Danny Sams, Austin McCarl, and Skylar Gee making appearances. There are also a lot of other possible national guys who could hit that one up, especially with good money on the line. This event also features the same payouts for Iron Man late models, and on that side expect Devin Moran fresh off that Lucas championship, plus Josh Rice, Jason Jameson, and others. This one seems like it could have a national feel to it given everyone else is off or rained out. These two nights will be live on FloRacing, but if you're in the area, I'd check this one out. it could be your last chance to see a lot of these teams for 2025.
The other big late model weekend is the Fall Classic at Whynot Motorsports Park in Mississippi. Saturday pays $20,000 to win, and there are crates, street stocks, modifieds, factory stocks, and enduros on the undercard. We know Hunt the Front is headed that way with a few cars, and other names on the list there include Tyler Erb, Ashton Winger, Payton Freeman, Zack Mitchell, and a lot more are expected. This one will be on the streaming schedule at dirtrackr.com/watchtonight.
Other weekend late model races include the Fall Clash at Bedford for good money. The SAS hits I-75 for a $10k to win show, and there is other regional action like the Best Plumber 604 series ending their season Saturday at Bulls Gap. That one pays $5000 to win. The schedule at dirtondirt.com is always a good place to see a full rundown.
Other weekend sprint car action to check out includes the USAC National Sprint Cars at Central Arizona for the Western World. The pre entry list there is over 50 cars, and that one pays $35,000 to win on Saturday night. This one is drawing all the national guys, plus a bunch of west coast and CRA teams, you've got Ricky Thornton Jr. in a car for Petty, and Daison Pursley is one of a number of drivers doing double duty between USAC and the 360 sprint car series that's on the card. It should be a fun weekend out there. And at Kern County, NARC races Saturday with just two events left in the season. DJ Netto has just 12 points on Sean Becker for the title, and Bud Kaeding is also still in the mix. Plenty of sprint cars after dark coming up.
Don't miss as well, the Short Track Super Series closes out tonight at Orange County Fair Speedway for the Hard Clay Finale. It's live on Flo if you can't get there.
Finally today, the USMTS has cancelled their final two races of the year, Friday at Lakeside, and Saturday at 81, because of weather. Definitely a crap way to close out 2025 for the modified tour. That means Rodney Sanders is the 2025 series champion, which brings him to six series crowns for his career. Also, Joe Chisholm the rookie of the year.
That's all for this week. Thanks as always for tuning in and the support.
Hope you guys have a great Thursday and a great weekend out there, we'll see you back here on Sunday!