DIRTRACKR Daily Podcast - Episode Transcript

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A new sponsor, a new look, and a new schedule? | Daily 1-5-2026

An update today on a few series title sponsor situations, plus Cody Overton's plans are confirmed, the Chili Bowl release prelim night rosters, and one big time Lucas regular might not be back in 2026. Let's go!

It's Monday, January 5th, I'm Justin Fiedler. This is DIRTRACKR Daily.

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If you missed it over the weekend, we did basically get confirmation that Kubota is out with High Limit and FloRacing following the 2025 season. Jeremy Elliott first reported this a few weeks ago, and back on Friday, High Limit reverted their logos across their social media and website back to the original High Limit Racing look. As we know by now, Kubota has exited all of their dirt racing deals, including High Limit and Flo, Hunt the Front, and this show. While High Limit will begin 2026 unbranded, I would not expect them to head to Las Vegas in March for the opener that way. I've heard they are in progress on a new deal, and it's expected that this new deal will be in place when they start racing March 12th through 14th at Vegas. If you spend any time online, there are certainly a lot of guesses going around about who it could be, and we know that FloRacing, Kyle Larson, and Brad Sweet all have ties to a number of different sponsors. People I've spoken with aren't 100% confident yet to say who it is, but I trust the info on a deal being close. I have not heard if there is a new sponsor deal coming for the FloRacing Night in America late models, but with that series not starting until May, I'd guess they are a bit lower on the priority list. We also know World Racing Group is on the hunt for a new title sponsor for the World of Outlaws late model series, but I don't have any intel on progress there at the moment beyond what's been shared previously by company CEO Brian Carter.

Sticking with the World of Outlaws late models, we found out today they are retaining another full time team from the 2025 roster. Around World Finals back in November, there was a lot of talk about Cody Overton being out with the Dave Steine-owned team. Overton was emotional during the banquet, and there was a brief situation where it looked like he was taking over the Billy Hicks ride. That deal didn't end up happening though, and Overton ended up driving at Senoia for the Flo finale in the two machine. Back in November after Overton gave me a snarky reply to an inquiry about future plans, I told you guys here on the show I'd heard he was maybe taking that team over. That was on the November 30th Daily if you are curious. All of that was confirmed today in a release from the series. Overton is back full time for 2026, and the Dave Steine team is now Cody Overton Racing. As expected, Steine wanted to pull back, but Overton told Spence Smithback that he's staying involved to help Overton. There are others as well coming on board to support the new team. Overton ended up eighth in the standings in 2025, with six top fives and 20 top tens in 43 races. He is still seeking his first career win with either national late model tour. Overton brings the Outlaws to seven confirmed, with Ryan Gustin, Nick Hoffman, Trey Mills, Drake Troutman, Logan Zarin and Tristan Chamberlain.

Another dirt late model situation to keep an eye on as we follow the full timer announcements, is what Jonathan Davenport and the Lance Landers Double L team do in 2026. Back on December 31st, they announced a new primary sponsor for the 49 car, with Ace Doran Hauling taking over from Nutrien Ag Solutions in that spot. The announcement did say that Nutrien is staying on however as a partner. After the announcement, FloRacing's Kyle McFadden tweeted quote "Jonathan Davenport teased at the Lucas Oil banquet there's an 'exciting announcement' coming before the New Year. I take this is that" unquote. Davenport then replied quote "there's more." I've been told here very recently that Davenport's other announcement could be a schedule change. He's been a series regular with Lucas for the past three seasons, but that could be coming to an end. A pick and choose schedule seems most likely, but it sounds like there has at least been contact between the team and the World of Outlaws about a potential flip. Davenport and the 49 were last pick and choose during the 2022 season, which turned into that famous $2 million dollar year where they took down the Eldora Million, plus the North South 100, World 100, Silver Dollar Nationals, USA Nationals, and a lot of other big paying shows. Since returning to Lucas full time in 2023, JD had made the Lucas playoffs all three seasons, but never really got close to winning the title. His last series title came in 2019. The team is scheduled to debut for 2026 at the Wild West Shootout next week, where we'll likely get to see that new wrap for the first time.

Over to the Chili Bowl, we are down to just the final few days here before move-in starts on Friday morning. But late last night the event released the first look at prelim night rosters. With 385 cars pre-entered at the moment, obviously they don't all race each day. So the field is split between five prelim nights to get everyone setup for Saturday's alphabet soup. As Bryan Hulbert posted though, keep in mind these rosters are subject to change. Teams and drivers are allowed to request certain days, and the event does it's best to try and accomodate everyone. Defending event winner Kyle Larson goes on Monday. Ricky Thornton Jr. is set for Tuesday, so he'll be good to go for not missing at least the early part of the Wild West Shootout. Saturday is still likely in question. 2025 Tuesday winner Landon Brooks also goes on Tuesday this year. Emerson Axsom is back to try and defend Wednesday, but he's gotta beat guys like Corey Day, Daison Pursley, Ryan Timms, and more. Tanner Thorson again runs on Thursday, he'll face Briggs Danner, Spencer Bayston, Brady Bacon, and Xtreme midget champ Jacob Denney. And previous winner Logan Seavey will try and win Friday again, up against Justin Grant, Gio Scelzi, and Daryn Pittman. Cars will be on track Sunday for practice, with prelim nights starting a week from today. You can see those full rosters over at chilibowl.com.

Real quick before we close out, and just because this is just too cool to not show off. Tanner Thorson's Chili Bowl wrap got revealed last night, and what a way to do it. He's partnered up with a classic truck broker in Oklahoma, and they showed off this photo and several more. I don't know if that old Chevy will actually be towing Thorson's midget into the expo, but the photos are super cool nonetheless. Well done guys.

That's the show for today. If you've watched all the way to this point and you aren't yet subscribed or don't follow DIRTRACKR, hit that button. That means YouTube, Facebook, and the podcast places.

Hope you guys have a great Monday out there, we'll see you back here tomorrow!