DIRTRACKR Daily Podcast - Episode Transcript
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Apparently it didn't matter to Ricky Thornton Jr... | Daily 12-18-2025
Ricky Thornton Jr. is unbothered by tires, what happens to the Flo late model series since they bought Lucas, racing coming up this weekend, and more. Let's go!
It's Thursday, December 18th, I'm Justin Fiedler. This is DIRTRACKR Daily presented by Kubota Genuine Parts.
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In a message not long ago, the Hoosier vs American Racer situation at the Dome came up, and I've had it on my list of topics to dive into. There has been so much going on though, I hadn't gotten to it yet. We know going into the Gateway Dirt Nationals, event promoter Cody Sommer took Nick Hoffman testing in both the late model and modified to try out tires from both manufacturers, and he ended up allowing teams to choose. They were limited on compounds and such, but they did have the brand option. And through the weekend there were teams on the American Racers, even if most were on Hoosiers. I don't think anyone made the late model main event on American Racers, it looked like all Hoosiers. But the modified action was a much different story. And I want to zero in here on event winner Ricky Thornton Jr., because it didn't seem to matter to him what tires were on that car. He started the Thursday program on Hoosiers, but won the prelim feature on American Racers. And then Saturday, he was back on the Hoosiers again to win the modified finale. I don't remember ever seeing a situation where a driver swapped tire brands mid program, let alone go on to win multiple races at one event on different tires like that. I'm not sure if that's a better look for Hoosier, or American Racer, or maybe neither. I do know though that we continue to see Ricky Thornton Jr. go fast in all sorts of different race cars, and apparently tires don't bother him. Knowing that American Racer has been poking around major sprint car racing series here, I would have liked to have seen them be a bit more competitive on the late model side, but that just might be because none of the big teams and drivers wanted to take the risk. But they looked plenty good on the modifieds. You'd think they would have pumped that up a bit on social media, but no such posts were made that i saw.
Two more YouTube/Patreon channel member questions today. The first is from Jeremy. He asks quote "With the addition of Lucas oil to the Flo portfolio, will we see the Flo series come to an end or continue?" Jeremy referring here to the FloRacing acquisition of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series that was announced last week at the PRI motorsports trade show. My assumption was that nothing would change for this series, given the successful run it's appeared to have. They draw good cars and some solid crowds. And a friend at Flo tells me the midweek series will continue as it has, and that the Lucas staff and officials will aid in running things at the track. Officiating and staffing previously was a bit of a hodgepodge of Flo people and various industry veterans. This coming season will be year six of the midweek late model tour that was born out of things that happened during covid in 2020. The series officially debuted in 2021, and has seen four different champions. They are Jonathan Davenport, Brandon Sheppard, Bobby Pierce, and Ricky Thornton Jr. We haven't seen a schedule yet for the Flo series, but that's not unusual. The 2025 schedule wasn't released until January. Flo also looking for new sponsorship for the series, as it was presented this past year by Kubota.
The final questions for the week come from Ryan. He says quote "With schedules coming out, what are some of the more interesting events on the calendar, in your opinion? With the unsanctioned late model "all-star" type event, do we ever think something similar could happen with the open wheel side?" I don't know that there is a specific group of events I'm looking forward to next year more than others. We've been told nothing will really change with the Lucas late models, but you've got to think there is something there that Flo will change. So I'll be curious to see what those races look like. There are some others on the schedule, like the return of racing to Mansfield, and the new configuration at WVMS that will certainly have my attention. Can West Virginia make it work this time around, and how will Mansfield be with all the money that Matt Tifft has put into that place trying to bring it back. For his second question about the unsanctioned late model event, I assume he's referring to the Lucas vs. Outlaws deal at Muskingum County. Outside of the normal times where the Outlaw and High Limit teams will get together at the big races, or something like the Front Row Challenge, I think that type of event isn't easy to do. There aren't many open dates, and can you convince the Outlaw teams to burn a freebie to go race. To do that, I think it would have to be something at a good race track that paid really well. So big money, at a point in the schedule where Outlaw, High Limit, and the top traveling guys would all get together. It would take a serious backer and some significant coordination. Thanks again to these guys for their questions. If you want to participate in the future, go investigate Patreon or YouTube channel membership.
Before we move on, a note on the schedule going forward. Today's show is the last more traditional Daily show until either the 30th or 31st. I'm going to take some time off here around Christmas, so any news that breaks between now and then we'll cover on the backside. I do have content coming next week, so don't go away. We'll do some fun stuff, maybe throw in an interview or two, and some content stuff we don't normally do around here. So stay tuned.
If you want to check out some racing this weekend, the Junior Knepper 55 is going down indoors at Du Quoin. They've got POWRi midgets and micros on Saturday night. Looks like 30ish micros, that includes Kyle and Brexton Busch, Daniel Robinson, Kyle Spence and others. The midget field is highlighted by Christopher Bell, who is a past winner of this event. I believe this is the first time in several years we'll see him back in a car he owns. Other entries listed include Thomas Meseraull, Frank Flud, Corbin Rueschenberg, and Zach Daum. I definitely think I'd put CBell as the favorite. After this, it will be just a few short days to Tulsa Shootout, then Chili Bowl in a few weeks.
There is also racing in Australia and New Zealand coming up. Clay Per View is your best bet if you want to tune in to those races. We know Kaleb Montgomery and Tanner English just got back from New Zealand. Montgomery cleaning up down there with I think four wins. Other American drivers have already raced in Australia, those include Justin Whittall and Brock Zearfoss. Things will pick up next week around Christmas with High Limit at Perth, and guys staying through January to run the Classic. Buddy Kofoid is headed that way, as are guys like Rico Abreu, Brad Sweet, Kyle Larson, Carson Macedo, Corey Day, and Daryn Pittman. Check out Toby Bellbowen's Sprint Car Hub for coverage from a bunch of those races.
Closing out, it's been a sad day in the racing community, with the loss of Greg Biffle, his family, and three others in a plane crash here at the Statesville airport. I didn't really know Biffle, but we were from the same neck of the woods out west, and I pitted some Nationwide Series races for him many years ago. You may remember the Baker Curb number 27 car. This photo on the screen you can see the team at Texas pre-race, and a much younger version of myself. A little more hair back then. Biffle was a great driver though and a hero to many here in North Carolina during the hurricane cleanup in the mountains with his helicopter work. We are certainly thinking of his family and friends, and those of the other people lost during such a terrible time.
We will see you guys back here soon.