DIRTRACKR Daily Podcast - Episode Transcript
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Where will Buddy Kofoid race in 2023? Plus Grandview is alive, at least for now | Daily 10-28-2022
Coming up today we'll talk the future for Buddy Kofoid, racing staying at Grandview Speedway for now, and more. Let's go!
It's Friday, October 28th, I'm Justin Fiedler. This is DIRTRACKR Daily.
So it looks like fans and competitors at Grandview Speedway in Pennsylvania have been given a reprieve, at least for now. The track posted an image on their Facebook page yesterday that read "you're invited to opening day 2023, date to be announced." This comes amid reports that the auction and salvage company Copart has continued to have issues getting the necessary permitting approvals from the township for their proposed facility. Back on September 28th I told you that the Washington Township had denied Copart's initial application because their plans included selling not just vehicles, but also other equipment, which isn't allowed by the type of zoning the track property is under. Copart then made modifications to their plans and resubmitted, but the application has again been denied according to the Reading Eagle newspaper. This time it was because the size and scope of Copart's plans don't match what the zoning allows for. Supposedly township officials are concerned about the amount of vehicle storage that is planned, and now Copart has filed an appeal, which must be heard within 90 days. The announcement of a 2023 season by the track points to either one of two possible outcomes. The Rogers family have said they won't shutter the track mid season, so either they believe Copart needs more time to get the necessary approvals and close the deal, or they think the Copart deal is falling apart, and are moving forward with track operation instead. I had heard early on that the township was not thrilled with Copart's plans, so it's not surprising to see the zoning officials fight the deal. Now we'll just have to wait and see if Copart can indeed convince them to grant the application, or if they will realize this is a losing battle and back out of the sale. Either way though, we will have racing at Grandview in 2023.
Now, I know a lot of you out there are NASCAR haters, which is cool, you do you. But I did want to point out something that happened yesterday on that side. David Gilliland Racing is becoming the defacto Toyota truck series team for next season with the departure of Kyle Busch to RCR, and in the midst of the announcement yesterday, Buddy Kofoid was brought up. Racing America's Matt Weaver tweeted quote "Of note, on Toyota development drivers, Buddy Kofoid will continue getting reps on pavement but he will do the most of his work on dirt next year and will spearhead the continued development of TRD's 410 Sprint Car engine" unquote. There is a bit to unpack there, but before we go too deep on that, Weaver later tweeted quote "A follow-up on Buddy Kofoid and his plans for 2023: I misunderstood the context and it sounds like the details are still being worked out" unquote. I want that noted here before we dive in too deeply into the original info from Matty Weavs. Kofoid is on the cusp of his second straight USAC midget title with Keith Kunz, and in between those races he's run a significant amount of winged sprint car stuff this season, along with scattered full bodied race car starts, between pavement and dirt. That includes ARCA and Truck Series appearances, and some late model shows with CARS and the CRA All-Stars. Just a few days ago he finished 4th in a CARS show at South Boston. I'm guessing here that Kofoid still has his eyes on a NASCAR career, which me and Ross Wece asked him about way back in 2019 on an episode of Open Red. And with the TRD pipeline, Kofoid could very easily follow the Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell path. Whether or not that actually happens though I think is still very much up in the air. And in the mean time, Kofoid could and probably will continue to make a significant amount of starts on dirt. We know that TRD has been working on this 410 engine for several years, and in 2022, Roth Motorsports and Aaron Reutzel have been a part of that development program. We also know that Kofoid has raced a bunch of 410 stuff this season for Crouch Motorsports, picking wins along the way, including his first Outlaw victory. Team owner Leighton Crouch said way back in January that they wanted to go full time Outlaw racing in 2023 with Kofoid as the driver, but that he knew that would depend on the TRD stuff. So could we see Kofoid full time as an Outlaw next season with Crouch and TRD power? Maybe, and as a sprint car fan, I would love that. But the Outlaw schedule is so heavy, I wonder if that would hinder Kofoid's pavement plans. There wouldn't be too many opportunities along the way to make pavement starts as a full time Outlaw. Because of that, I think I'd lean away from that being a serious possibility. What I could envision though, is still a heavy sprint car schedule, but more pick and choose, with holes for Kofoid to do other things. Something closer to what we've seen from Gio Scelzi and the KCP car. We've been talking about Buddy for so long now, you almost don't realize that he still isn't even 21 years old yet, and his career is very young. The possiblities for him are endless, and he's one of the most talented young drivers in dirt racing right now.
Alright, let's spotlight some racing coming up over the next few days. No World of Outlaws this weekend, but you can check out 410 sprint cars at Bridgeport Motorsports Park. Tonight is practice plus a non-winners race. The weekend also includes 360 sprint cars and USAC East Coast Sprint Cars. Saturday and Sunday at Bridgeport are full programs, with Saturday paying $5000 to win and Sunday paying $15,000 to win. I'm not totally sure on car count and entries, but a little research this morning seems to point to names like Danny Dietrich, Devon Borden, Cory Eliason, Lance Dewease off the National Open win, Anthony Macri, Justin Peck, Freddie Rahmer, Sye Lynch, Tim Buckwalter, Lucas Wolfe, Kyle Reinhardt, Ryan Smith, and others being in attendance. Briggs Danner is doing double duty, but not with the 410. Just the non-wing and winged 360 cars. Bridgeport always puts on good sprint car shows, so definitely check this one out this weekend. It's live over on FloRacing if you can't get to Bridgeport.
Out in Arizona tonight and tomorrow, the late season west coast swing for USAC begins with the national sprint cars at Cocopah Speedway. This event is the Western World Championships, but Cocopah is a first time facility for the USAC National Sprint Cars. Five race nights remain on the season, and Justin Grant is trying to protect a 78 point lead over Brady Bacon for the title. Friday's show is $6000 to win and Saturday's is $10,000 to win. The two nights will also include the USAC/CRA competitors, who have raced at Cocopah plenty in the past. Coming into the weekend, Damion Gardner has five straight CRA wins at the track. With the combination of the two groups, we should have good car counts both nights. At Arizona Speedway a year ago, this event drew 38 and 37. Both nights will be live on Flo.
If you're a northeast modified fan, check out the Short Track Super Series at Georgetown Speedway. Friday and Saturday are the two final nights of the year for the south region and Elite Series. Friday's program includes qualifying races and Saturday's 40 lap feature is $25,000 to win. Matt Sheppard has been on a roll in 2022, and he's in a very good spot to wrap up both the championships for elite and the south region. I don't know how you can really pick against him right now for the race win either. Last night, Danny Bouc topped Jeff Strunk and Matt Stangle in the 30 lap modified feature, while Ross Robinson beat Rick Eckert in the super late model race. This one is also live on Flo both nights.
With Lucas done and the Outlaws off until World Finals, a lot of super late model fans will be tuned into the National 100 at East Alabama. Saturday's 100 lapper pays $30,000 to win, and some big names are expected to be in attendance, including Brandon Overton, Jimmy Owens, Dennis Erb Jr., and Dirt Track World Championship winner Garrett Smith. We also know the Hunt the Front car with Joseph Joiner is coming, as are regional guys like Payton Freeman, Wil Herrington, and Mark Whitener. The main event was originally scheduled for Sunday, but a poor forecast has moved everything up, so Saturday is the day. You can also with this one on Flo.
And speaking of Flo, if you need a Flo subscription, click the link below in the video description, or the Flo links at dirtrackr.com. That gets you a boat load of races on your favorite devices, and helps me out in the process since I'm a Flo affiliate.
A couple of other weekends to mention. The ASCS National Tour wraps up their 2022 season tonight and tomorrow at Creek County. $3000 to win and $4000 to win, and Blake Hahn is set to wrap up his second consecutive series championship. He enters the final two nights with a 147 point lead over Wayne Johnson. Matt Covington, Jason Martin, and Tim Crawley complete the top five. Johnson and Sam Hafertepe Jr. lead the series with five wins each this season, but Hahn tops all drivers in top fives and top tens, and all full timers in average finish.
Also, the USMTS modifieds have two more race nights. I mentioned this one the show yesterday, but I wanted to double back because of Thursday's results. Dan Ebert picked up his first series win, but behind him, a seventh place finish for Dustin Sorensen was good enough for him to lock up the 2022 championship. Tanner Mullens is too far out now with two nights left to have a shot. The series heads to Lakeside Speedway tonight, and 81 Speedway on Saturday for the finale.
We are in the mid-30's for shows on the streaming schedule for the next few days. Plenty to check out across DIRTVision, FloRacing, RacinDirt, Fast Four, Speed Sport, and more. To see the full daily streaming schedule with links to watch, visit dirtrackr.com/watchtonight.
That's it for the show today, enjoy the dirt racing weekend. Please hit that like button, and subscribe to the show if you don't already.
Thanks everybody for tuning in, I'll see you tomorrow for more DIRTRACKR Daily!