DIRTRACKR Daily Podcast - Episode Transcript
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Engine updates: The Ford lives, Rico's new deal | Daily 10-30-2025
Two interesting sprint car engine developments to talk about today, including what's up with the Ford program, plus a key sprint car player gets involved with an engine builder. Details on that, plus we'll cover off on weekend racing. Let's go!
It's Thursday, October 30th, I'm Justin Fiedler. This is DIRTRACKR Daily presented by Kubota Genuine Parts.
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I want to talk a bit about sprint car engines today. Back in the spring, I did an episode about how difficult it can be to buy a sprint car engine these days, and when you are able to get a builder to sell you one, there are often very long lead times. I'd heard stories of team owners offering cash up front for multi-engine orders and still being told no by some of the main players. And there are other builders who have exclusive deals with teams to only supply 410 engines for their cars, and nobody else. That episode got quite a bit of attention, and six months down the road, there have been a couple of interesting developments to talk about. The first is the future of the Ford 410 engine. Back in March, we watched Tony Stewart Racing have a public breakup with the Ford piece, and we were told at some undetermined future date, there could be a return. That's obviously never happening, especially now given the fact that TSR is absorbing Rico Abreu Racing. More on that here shortly. Through the rest of the year though, Rudeen Racing, and driver Justin Peck, continued to run the Ford engines, and Shaver, who builds them, posted a photo in June to social media of their quote "first final design all new Ford Performance/Shaver 410 sprint car engine" unquote. And then just this week, Don MacAskill, who works for Shaver, posted a photo of a Ford engine on the dyno. Shaver revealed it's for Rudeen to use at World Finals, but it sounds like more is coming. "Dyno Don" shared in the comments quote "There are many folks dying to get their hands on this beautiful piece and Ford Performance is close to being able to make that happen with the newly designed upgraded parts. (Block, heads, cranks and rods)" unquote. In recent weeks I'd heard rumors that there could be other teams interested, and that maybe other builders could get involved. I don't know how true any of that is, but on this day before Halloween, the Ford engine is not dead, in fact, it's very much still alive. Back to Rico and TSR. TSR finished the season using more traditional Chevy-based 410s, which I believe were from Kistler. For 2026 though, Rico and crew chief Ricky Warner's preferences will take over, and the new TSR 24 will continue to be the same package we watched Abreu drive to a High Limit championship. Schnee Lawson chassis with Speedway power. Speedway Engine development has been around a long time, and has been central to Toyota's dirt racing efforts. Development of the Toyota 410 was split between them and Rider, and Speedway is heavily involved with the midget engines used by teams like Keith Kunz Motorsports. Speedway though also builds the Chevy-based 410 option. One rumbling I'd heard recently was that Rico was getting involved in the ownership of Speedway Engine Development, and in recent days paperwork filed with the Indiana Secretary of State seems to confirm that. A name reservation filing for Speedway Engines and Speedway Engines Incorporated shows as signed by Rico Abreu. And the address on the filing matches the one for Speedway Engine Development in Indianapolis. I'm sure it's not difficult for Rico and Ricky Warner to get engines when they need one, but certainly one way to ensure no future issues is to own at least a portion of your preferred builder. The engine stuff is so hush-hush, I doubt there will ever be any sort of announcement, but an interesting development nonetheless.
Alright, let's talk about the dirt racing coming up this weekend. Here not far from where I sit, the World Short Track Championship is going down at the Dirt Track at Charlotte. This kicks off the final few days of the season for the World Racing Group orbit. It's World Short Track, Xtreme finale at Millbridge, then World Finals. Teams are already on the property, and racing will begin tomorrow for all nine divisions. The proceedings will be streamed live on DIRTVision, and the grandstands are open, but this event is really geared towards the competitors. And for good reason. This is a big opportunity for more local and regional racers to get on the big stage and race at Charlotte. There are some big names racing, including Drake Troutman in a modified, and guys like Ross Bailes and Shane Clanton are running crate late models, but this is for the weekend racers. You'll also see WRG CEO Brian Carter race in a NE pro stock. He does this regularly at World Short Track and Super Dirt Week. At last check they were right around 500 total entries for the weekend.
If you want super late model action, check out the National 100 at East Alabama. The finale is $30,000 to win, it will be live on FloRacing, and some good names are expected. That includes Kyle Bronson, Tyler Erb, Dennis Erb Jr., Brandon Overton, Jimmy Owens, Garrett Smith, and Daulton Wilson. We've seen some crazy stuff over the years at this event, so don't sleep on it.
Your other super late model option is the Fall Clash series at Georgetown and Potomac. Trever Feathers won the Keystone Cup last weekend at Bedford, and he's trying to run down Mason Zeigler for the series championship.
Weekend sprint car action is down to about three options. That includes the Dirty Jersey Finale at Bridgeport. That one is unsanctioned winged 410s, plus USAC East Coast, 305s, and 4-cylinders. Anthony Macri is racing, Danny Dietrich, Freddie Rahmer, Briggs Danner, and more will be on hand.
You've also got the Short Track Nationals at Texarkana 67 Friday and Saturday. This one will feature Blake Hahn, Sam Hafertepe, Brenham Crouch, Tim Shaffer, Landon Crawley, Cole Macedo, Ian Madsen and more. Stock cars are the undercard here.
And at the Stockton Dirt Track, it's the Tribute to Gary Patterson. Sprint Car Challenge Tour, pro stocks, and wingless sprint cars on Friday. The NARC finale, dwarf cars, and BCRA midgets on Saturday. Austin Wood leads Seth Standley for the Sprint Car Challenge Tour title, and 39 points separates DJ Netto, Sean Becker, and Bud Kaeding for the NARC crown. Should be good racing there both nights.
That is the daily show for this week. If you want a full rundown on your streaming options in the coming days, don't forget to check out dirtrackr.com/watchtonight. What's racing, where, on what service, and start times where available. Thanks as always for tuning in and all of the support, it's very much appreciated.
Hope you guys have a great Thursday and a great weekend out there, we'll see you back here on Sunday!