DIRTRACKR Daily Podcast - Episode Transcript
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Port Royal takes a beating for Tusky 50 field, ASCS might need to go boat racing | Daily 10-5-2023
So apparently it's a bad thing at Port Royal that the Tusky 50 field is growing and stacked. We'll talk about it, plus the ASCS might need to become a boat racing series, the Hunt the Front championship is down to the wire, and more. Let's go!
It's Thursday, October 5th, I'm Justin Fiedler. This is DIRTRACKR Daily.
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Alright, on today's episode of everyone is mad about everything, all the time, let me introduce you to Port Royal Speedway and the Tuscarora 50. The Tusky was supposed to be run about a month ago, but rain washed out most of that weekend, and the finale was postponed until Thursday, October 5th. And hey, that's today! This rescheduled, $60,000 to win Central PA crown jewel then leads into the World of Outlaws weekend at Port that has been a regular October stop. As we've talked about a few times lately, there were some Outlaw teams that had one freebie left of their four race allotment for the year, and instead of using it on High Limit at Lernerville like we were expecting, the Tusky rainout caused some teams to instead choose to use it for tonight. That list includes Tanner Holmes, Donny Schatz, Brock Zearfoss, Spencer Bayston, and Carson Macedo. The rescheduled event has also now drawn in some other names, including Rico Abreu, Buddy Kofoid, Ryan Timms, Chase Randall, and... Drumroll please, Kyle Larson. But instead of elation from the local fans for having an absolutely stacked, high paying show to watch on a Thursday night, there is a group furious that these other teams are being allowed to race. Their argument is that this was an All Star and local show, and anyone not there for that initial weekend shouldn't be allowed to compete. I certainly see their point, and if teams were promised that ahead of time I can understand why they'd be upset. But not allowing cars to race sort of feels like it goes against everything that big time dirt racing stands for. This isn't Donny Schatz showing up to a 305 race to steal $1500. Central PA views itself as maybe the top local 410 sprint car area in the country. And under no circumstances is a track like Port Royal going to turn cars away for their biggest race of the season, especially when those cars are for big name drivers who will draw more fans to the track. This one definitely confuses me.
Tonight's show at Port Royal is still All Star sanctioned, but being a special format, it was not going to affect the All Star championship anyway. Friday and Saturday at Port Royal flip to Outlaw sanction, and this is the final Central PA weekend for the Outlaws in 2023. Anthony Macri swept this Outlaw weekend a year ago, while Tyler Courtney, Lance Dewease, and Macri have won All Star shows at Port Royal this year. After Saturday, the Outlaws head west for a few weeks with upcoming stops at 81, Lakeside, and Devil's Bowl. Then it's back to Charlotte in early November to finish the season at World Finals. All signs at this moment are pointing towards a fifth straight Brad Sweet championship.
On the late model side of things, the Lucas guys are off this weekend as we await the Dirt Track World Championship. The Outlaws are headed for Browstown on Friday and Fairbury on Saturday. Just a handful of weekends are left on the season, and Bobby Pierce is taking a 146 point lead over Chris Madden into Friday's show. He's won two of the last three races and this could be a very good chance for him to extend.
Down in Georgia, the very first Hunt the Front series champion will be crowned this weekend at Swainsboro. $5000 to win Friday, and then $23,000 to win on Saturday. Josh Putnam has the lead right now, but it's just four points over Joseph Joiner. Wil Herrington remains in the mix as well, he's just 30 points back. On top of the title fight, this weekend is also drawing some big names, with Brandon Overton, Jimmy Owens, and Chris Ferguson among others who are expected to race.
In Arkansas, we were supposed to get the Short Track Nationals for the ASCS National Tour competitors, but the track received just a little bit of rain, and they have been forced to postpone the weekend. And by a little bit of rain, I mean a lot of rain. Look at these pictures. Already 6" have fallen and more is expected. Texarkana 67 Speedway effectively flooded out, and unless Terry Mattox is going to ask his teams to add pontoons to their sprint cars, I'd say this was a good call. As I joked on Twitter yesterday, there will still be some race fans complaining that they could have got it in. With these issues, the Short Track Nationals will now close out the 2023 ASCS season October 20th and 21st. Next up for the ASCS is Devil's Bowl October 13th and 14th.
Around Super Dirt Week, last night's 358 and sportsman wins at Brewerton went to Mat Williamson and Zach Sobotka. All the focus through Sunday will now be on Oswego. The pro stock and 358 main events are Saturday, with sportsman running Sunday afternoon in advance of the 200 lapper. A full day of action starts around 1PM today. After Wednesday's practice sessions, it sounds like Stewart Friesen is good to go. Barring a massive change in track conditions, he told Dirt Track Digest that he feels good in the car on the smooth surface. Keep an eye on the weather though the next several days. Mother Nature looks like she might throw a wrench into the weekend.
The final race I want to point you to today, is Saturday's Fall Nationals at Lawrenceburg Speedway. $20,000 to win for the USAC National Sprint Cars. Logan Seavey is the most recent series winner, following the non-wing sweep at 4-Crown at Eldora. Just three races are left this year for the sprint car teams, and Justin Grant has stretched away from Brady Bacon for the championship. He's up by 66 points at the moment. Grant has been on a tear since July, with top eight finishes in 15 of the last 16 features, including seven victories. He was also a winner at the Burg back on July 23rd. The sprint car season ends October 27th and 28th at Red Dirt Raceway in Oklahoma.
That's it for the Daily this week. Hit up the streaming schedule at dirtrackr.com/watchtonight over the next few days to see what your viewing options are, and keep an eye on websites and social media for weather updates. It does look like we could have some issues through the weekend.
Hope you guys have a great Thursday out there, we'll see you back here on Sunday.