DIRTRACKR Daily Podcast - Episode Transcript
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Ever wanted to work in sprint car racing? Several top teams are hiring | Daily 11-11-2022
The World of Outlaws late models have released their 2023 schedule, more sprint car drivers are headed down under, plus, have you ever wanted to work for a sprint car team? We know some people looking if you do. Let's go!
It's Friday, November 11th, I'm Justin Fiedler. This is DIRTRACKR Daily.
First of all, Happy Veterans Day and thanks to all of you out there in my audience who have served.
The first of the big series schedules got released yesterday with the World of Outlaws Late Models dropping a 53 race slate for next season. 30 tracks, which includes 11 new venues, will host the Outlaws next year with more than $3 million in purse money available for teams. New series director Steve Francis has quickly made his mark on the series with pumped up purses and a reworked season. The year will start with three nights at Volusia in January, before the series comes back in February for DIRTcar Nationals. The year will close out at Charlotte for World Finals, which again is a four day event, with the series racing three of those nights. Nearly half of the schedule now pays at least $15,000 to win, with big cash available at the Illini 100, a new two day show at the Talladega Short Track, $50 grand to win at Mississippi Thunder, Sharon is $25k to win, the second of two nights at 81 Speedway is $30 grand to win, the Prairie Dirt Classic is $50,000 to win and includes lap leader bonuses. You've also got the USA Nationals paying $50 grand, and the Quad Cities 150 finale that is $30,000 to win. The reaction that I've seen around the interwebs in the last 24 hours seems to be really positive, and I think this could be an enticing season for a few new teams to join up. If you want to see the full schedule for yourself, head over to worldofoutlaws.com.
I mentioned yesterday on the show about James McFadden and Brad Sweet running the Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic down under in NAPA sponsored rides, and thanks to Toby Bellbowen of Sprint Car Hub, we've got an idea of some more drivers that are headed that direction this season. He says that Tyler Courtney, Cory Eliason, Carson Macedo, Cole Macedo, Aaron Reutzel, Brock Zearfoss, Sheldon Haudenschild, Justin Sanders, and Ian Madsen all have plans to head to that side of the world in the coming months to compete with various teams. Because of COVID we haven't seen a lot of this the last few seasons, so it's nice that our friends down under will get to see these guys this season. Also, Krikke Motorsport has announced that Kerry Madsen is returning home to run a brief schedule for them starting in January. Madsen will compete for Krikke in several events at Perth Motorplex, plus Borderline Speedway and the Classic in January. Krikke will continue to run a car for Dayne Kingshott, and when necessary will roll out a second machine for Madsen. The Mad Man's first appearance is scheduled for January 21st at Perth. Lots of big stuff happening as the Australian and New Zealand seasons get rolling.
Speaking of sprint car racing, if you've ever wanted to work for a sprint car team, there are quite a few out there looking for help for the 2023 season. I try and share those job openings on Twitter when I see them, and in recent days and weeks we've seen listings from Brock Zearfoss, Kasey Kahne Racing, Riley Goodno, Clauson Marshall, and more. Zearfoss is looking for a tire specialist and they would prefer someone with a CDL. That CDL preference is not uncommon for these teams, as crew members trade off driving the trucks in between events. KKR says they have several positions and also are looking for those with a CDL. Riley Goodno's team is in search of a crew chief for a heavy schedule next season of 410 racing in the midwest. For details, including contact info, find Brock Zearfoss and KKR on social media. The Riley Goodno post is on the GP Motorsports Facebook page. Speaking as someone who has worked in motorsports for most of their adult life, understand that these jobs are incredibly difficult, but can also be really rewarding. It definitely takes a certain type of person to sign up for that schedule, but there are plenty of worse ways out there to make a living. If this is something you are interested in, good luck in your quest.
If you're a dirt late model fan in the southeast this weekend, things are looking up at Senoia Raceway for the Peach State Classic. Yesterday the track spent a bunch time laying tarps on the corners to try and keep the surface dryer as Tropical Storm Nicole passed through, and today the system has passed to the north and track work is ongoing. They are going to remove all the tarps they laid down and begin track prep for tonight's racing that includes a $20,000 to win show for the FloRacing Night in America late models. The weekend culminates in a $53,000 to win show on Saturday night. Senoia's team used a patchwork system of tarps and banners along with tires to protect the surface, and it's left many wondering if this is a solution for the future. I don't see a reason why it couldn't be if a facility had a proper drainage system. The water would clearly need somewhere to go as it rolled off the tarps. On a baseball field, the grounds crew rolls out the tarps on a big drum, and you could do something similar for dirt racing. I'm thinking of a trailer with a big roller on the back. A couple of laps around and you'd have the surface covered. It wouldn't be feasible everywhere, but something to think about for big events at the least. As for the weekend field, Brandon Sheppard will be in attendance to lock up his series championship. According to Dirt on Dirt we should also see Chris Madden, Scott Bloomquist, Dennis Erb Jr., Mike Marlar, Ricky Thornton Jr., Devin Moran, Hudson O'Neal, and a whole lot more. Even with the dueling XR event out west, both series will have quality fields. This one is live on FloRacing both nights.
And since I mentioned XR, the Duel in the Desert for the XR Super Series got underway last night out in Las Vegas and they ended up with a nice field of 42 late models. Bobby Pierce looked like he was on his way to a dominant victory, but things went sideways for him inside five laps to go. Pierce had a massive lead over Shane Clanton, and had lapped into the top ten, but his right rear tire had other plans. It started going soft in a hurry, and Clanton took the lead with three to go. He then drove off to the $20,000 win, which was his fourth of the season with XR. Tim McCreadie and Jonathan Davenport rounded out the podium, with Pierce falling all the way to eighth at the end. Announced yesterday, if Clanton were somehow able to win tonight and tomorrow to sweep the weekend, he would earn an additional $50,000 from sponsor Karl Chevrolet. We'll see if he can get that done. They are back at it again tonight for another $20,000 to win show, with Saturday paying $40,000 to win. And remember we've got that group of 13 teams who are in line for double prize money on Saturday. If you aren't near the Las Vegas dirt track, XR Plus has the live stream all weekend.
We are still a few days away, but the USAC midgets are getting ready to close out their season with a seven race swing through California. I wanted to mention this today, because there are a number of drivers who will be joining the USAC regulars for those events. We know that Spencer Bayston and Carson Macedo are teaming with Dyson Motorsport to campaign the 9AU and 99AU machines. Kevin Thomas Jr. and Ben Worth will be teammates for Dean Alexander. The Dave Mac Dalby squad is bringing Cannon McIntosh, Michael Pickens, and Austin Barnhill. And Tanner Thorson is making his return to racing in his own car, piloting the number 88 at six of the seven races, starting at Placerville. The first race of that swing is next Tuesday night at Bakersfield, and we'll talk more about it next week.
At Ark-La-Tex Speedway last night, the Cajun Swing for the Short Track Super Series continued, and it was Matt Sheppard who took down the $4000 win. He started third, but was to the lead just a couple of laps in and handled business from there. It had been a tough last few races for Sheppard who had two DNFs at World Finals, and only finished one of the two shows on Wednesday at Rocket Raceway Park. He'll have another opportunity to add to his 2022 season winnings coming tomorrow at Boothill Speedway to close out the Cajun Swing. Tonight's race at Boothill has been rained out, but they will race for $20,000 to win on Saturday. David Schilling and Ryan Godown completed last night's podium. You can watch the Saturday show live on FloRacing if you aren't headed for Boothill.
We are definitely slowing down for racing each week, but the streaming schedule is still pretty full for the next few days. We are around 30 shows for the weekend, including the Short Track Super Series, the XR Super Series, the FloRacing Night in America Series and more. For our friends down under, Perth Motorplex is not going to be on DIRTVision this season, but you can still watch a ton of racing on Clay-Per-View, so I'm going to start including them on the streaming schedule going forward. FloRacing still has quite a bit of international racing coming up as well. To see the full daily streaming schedule any time, head over to dirtrackr.com/watchtonight.
That's it for the show today, enjoy your 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!