DIRTRACKR Daily Podcast - Episode Transcript

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Let's unpack all the dirt racing news from World Finals | Daily 11-10-2025

Coming up, we'll unpack a bunch of the news items that came out of World Finals, including series choices, Donny Schatz's future, ride changes, and more. Let's go!

It's Monday, November 10th, I'm Justin Fiedler. This is DIRTRACKR Daily presented by Kubota Genuine Parts.

There were some news items that came out of World Finals going back the last three or four days, and I want to react to those today. I saved all of this stuff, because I wanted to just talk a bunch of racing and end of season stuff on the Sunday show yesterday. So check that out if you haven't tuned in yet. With most of the silly season stuff decided, the next big question is who goes on which national tour next year, and that picture is starting to become more clear. The one announcement we got during World Finals was the Shark Racing 1A with driver Ashton Torgerson deciding to go World of Outlaws in 2026. This one definitely surprised me, as even though we heard publicly they were on the fence, some indications I was getting through the grapevine was that this car would return to High Limit next year. Remember the 1A went High Limit in 2024 with Jacob Allen still in the seat then, before the car went pick and choose for 2025. Obviously before that, the 1A had been alongside the Shark Racing 1S for many years on tour with the Outlaws. Torgerson has run 68 races in 2025, with a win, five top fives, and 18 top tens, with most of those coming in the 1A. He won that weekly show at BAPS back in April, and has had some solid results in between. That's included two top fives with High Limit, and three top tens against the Outlaws. His World Finals results definitely flew under the radar, but on a weekend when some big players needed provisionals to start main events, Torgerson made all three features, with finishes of 14th, 12th, and 15th. As he gets set for his first season on a national sprint car tour, making features and not tearing up equipment will be the name of the game. Jacob Allen will serve as Torgerson's crew chief, and I think this is a solid sign that the 1S with Logan Schuchart will be back with the Outlaws next year as well. Not that there were serious indications of a flip, but with no High Limit franchises up for sale, and the path to the next five franchises being a two year commitment and not super clear yet, this makes sense. Torgerson becomes the first rookie to declare with the Outlaws, and I think it's likely he's not alone in the class come Volusia next February.

The other drivers we know for sure will go Outlaws are Spencer Bayston in the 17, and Cole Macedo with the 2C. We haven't gotten announcements from any other teams, but I would assume and predict at this point David Gravel, Buddy Kofoid, Carson Macedo, Logan Schuchart, and Bill Balog all return. I'll also throw Sheldon Haudenschild in there with KCP. Checking out some of the World of Outlaws banquet last night, it sure sounds like Garet Williamson, Skylar Gee, and Conner Morrell are planning on being back. And Chris Windom said he'll be back in the Sides car next year. All signs are pointing towards Hunter Schuerenberg out of the Vermeer 55, and potentially Kerry Madsen getting that deal full time. They could stay Outlaws with Madsen. But what happens with Donny Schatz, plus the Bill Rose 6 and Zach Hampton, I don't know. Schatz reiterated multiple times during the weekend at World Finals he's not retiring, and he told Sprint Car Unlimited's Jeremy Elliott quote "It's time to work on next year. There's a lot of things that are uncertain yet, but I know they're going to come into place, because I know the people who I'm working with, and they're first class, no question." I don't have any insight for you at the moment on where Schatz could or will end up. A second Big Game car was talked about previously, and I guess it's possible this Sides/JVI partnership could continue. But I don't have any other info here. As for additions, depending on where things go with the Outlaw platinum member package, there could be some opportunities here. For what it's worth, I did hear that World Racing Group is adding more money to the pot, but take that rumor with a pit area grain of salt.

And I think whatever World Racing Group decides to do with their compensation package next year could steer teams one way or the other. I also think it's why we don't have any public clarity on what the pay looks like for High Limit teams beyond the franchise group. Once it's clear what's available on both sides, some teams will make decisions. One of those is Danny Sams. He revealed to Jeremy Elliott at World Finals that they will likely be with a series again next year, but they haven't decided which one. Outside of the franchise teams with High Limit, Sye Lynch will be back, and word is he'll have a bit of a new look to his crew. I'd also think Chase Randall returns. So Sams is really the one question mark. Beyond that, we'll see if anyone else decides to make the leap. I'd heard rumblings about Landon Crawley in the 45X, Emerson Axsom and the KPM team could make the move, and Ayrton Gennetten had an interesting tweet several days ago in regard to the High Limit schedule.

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On the late model side, the silly season news to come out of the weekend is that World of Outlaws regular Cody Overton is on the hunt for a new seat. I was told that car owner Dave Steine is effectively retiring from team ownership, so Overton has no solid plans right now for next season. Overton ended the season eighth in the standings, with six top fives and 20 top tens in 43 races. This was year two on tour for the younger Overton brother, and he made solid improvement from the rookie year to 2025. Almost a four spot average feature finish jump, and his first ever top fives with the series. In between, he bagged some crate wins, and super late model victories with the Southern Nationals, the Southern Thunder Super Dirt Series, and the Summer Nationals. Overton got emotional last night at the banquet talking about Steine and the opportunity to drive for him. Overton joins Daulton Wilson and Donald McIntosh as drivers who were on a tour this season that are now looking for rides. I've heard Wilson may have a few different options, and that McIntosh is still on the hunt after leaving the Billy Hicks team. The other open seat at the moment is JCM Motorsports with Joseph Joiner deciding not to take that job. With Overton's improvement, and his success in the southeast, he may have to take a step back from a national tour gig, but he'll be in a car somewhere next season.

Before we shut down today, a quick update on modified racer Tyler Siri. He was involved in an ugly crash at World Finals, and had to spend some time in a Charlotte area hospital. As of yesterday evening though, he was released and was headed back home to New York. He's dealing with some cracked ribs and a broken sternum, along with a concussion and an injury to his left arm. Certainly a scary deal, and good to hear he'll be home and on the mend.

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 Monday out there, we'll see you back here tomorrow!