Daily | Conversations

Speedweeks rolls on for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series at Ocala, and even with a totally different track layout, it's been the same heavy hitters up front. With points going live tonight, Jonathan Davenport making his debut, RTJ trying to dig out of an early hole, and bigger fields rolling in, things are about to get serious in Florida. Plus, I've got a serious rant about an embarrassing wave of something I've seen popping up across dirt racing, and why this lazy nonsense is hurting the sport more than helping it.

It's all eyes on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series at Ocala where non-points races, drop nights, and a tight championship fight could completely reshuffle the order. Can Brandon Overton hold off Hudson O'Neal and Devin Moran while Ricky Thornton Jr. tries to dig out of a 200-point hole before Golden Isles? Plus sprint car season is about to erupt as the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series head back to Volusia, Central PA invades Bike Week, and two teenage standouts keep turning heads with the ASCS National Tour in Arizona.

Crate racing chaos again as Wil Herrington wins at All-Tech Raceway, gets DQ'd, then gets un-DQ'd hours later — all while unanswered questions still swirl around Michael Page's mysterious penalties. Plus we break down a wild Florida swing for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and World of Outlaws Late Model Series, and why 14-year-old Wyatt Miller just turned heads with the ASCS National Tour.

The 2026 dirt late model season is officially on as the World of Outlaws Late Model Series and the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series go head-to-head. Plus, Brandon Sheppard ends his drought, Ricky Thornton Jr. admits they're “lacking speed,” and Hudson O'Neal makes a shocking switch.

Hank Davis makes it 32 full-time national teams between the Outlaws and High Limit, but is this grid already too big to survive? Plus, we rank and react to the stacked 20-car Lucas Oil Late Model field and ask the big question — is the title already a two-man fight between Devin Moran and Ricky Thornton Jr.?

Is this Nick Hoffman's year? We discuss his opening stretch and a key change on his team. Plus more from Volusia, a surprise USAC sprint car winner at Ocala, thoughts from the World of Outlaws sprint car season opener, and more.

A dirt late model story you won't believe, High Limit's new title sponsor, Brad Sweet going racing with Paul Silva, and more.

Emerson Axsom is officially a full-time World of Outlaws rookie as a stacked field heads to Volusia, while High Limit rolls out notable rule changes for the 2026 season. Plus, a surprising late model team split, ASCS action from DIRTcar Nationals, and more.

We break down Jonathan Davenport's requirements to race select events and what appearance and tow money really look like for elite drivers today. Plus, we run through several newly revealed sprint car paint schemes ahead of the DIRTcar Nationals and World of Outlaws season..

The last sprint car free-agent domino finally falls as Sheldon Haudenschild is announced as the new driver for KCP Racing, and we break down what this move really means going into the World of Outlaws season. We also cover major changes for Brent Marks, Tyler Courtney's impressive return at Volusia, and weekend results across sprint cars, modifieds, and Hunt the Front late models.

Brandon Overton is officially returning to the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series full-time, and we break down what realistic expectations should be for the season. We also cover Hunt the Front purchasing Southern Raceway and the latest silly-season moves.

The national touring sprint car fields are nearly set as the season quickly approaches, we'll talk big names running 360s at Volusia this week, the World of Outlaws California races, and a lot more today.

More people are mad at Bobby Pierce, Kyle Strickler and Ethan Dotson got DQ'd, one crate racer had two wheels fall off in the same race, things got spicy down under, and a lot more today.

The 2026 dirt late model season is off and running, and to get you ready for the national tours, Speedweeks, and everything to come, we've got Kyle McFadden on today from Dirt on Dirt and FloRacing. We talk Davenport vs Terbo, championship favorites, what to expect from guys like Brandon Overton and Chris Madden, and a lot more.

DIRTRACKR went live on Wednesday, January 21st across YouTube, Facebook, and Patreon. This episode is a nice trimmed down version of all the discussion and questions. We talked sprint cars, late models, Jonathan Davenport, Tanner Holmes, World of Outlaws, and a lot more.

The Wild West Shootout lives up to it's moniker on the final night as Hudson O'Neal and Bobby Pierce tangle again, and things get spicy between Jonathan Davenport and Tyler Erb. Is this what we're in for all season, or are these guys just a bit jumpy coming out of the off-period. We'll talk about it, plus Brian Shirley chooses a tour and more.

Emerson Axsom is now a Chili Bowl winner, and my guest on the show today was there to see it in person and he had a chance to chat with everyone involved, including Axsom, Kevin Swindell, Kyle Larson, and many more.

It's driller day at the Chili Bowl and we'll preview tonight's main event, including who I think is the win favorite. Plus we'll talk another World of Outlaws full timer and why it seems like everyone is going Outlaws this year, Wild West Shootout updates and more.

Sprint car news to talk about today, including Buddy Kofoid's offseason racing being over, Emerson Axsom's comments, and Trophy Cup changes. Plus we'll talk Sammy Swindell vs. Tanner Thorson at the Chili Bowl, Josh Rice chooses a late model national tour, and more.

Kyle Larson makes Chili Bowl night one look pretty easy, we'll talk a little Wild West Shootout including DQs and run-ins, I think Sheldon Haudenschild and Kyle Ripper are just messing with us at this point, and plenty more.

Jonathan Davenport decides his 2026 schedule, so just how bad is this for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series? We'll discuss, plus heavy hitters struggle at the Wild West Shootout, the Chili Bowl starts, and more.

A busy show coming up, where we are talking Jonathan Davenport's troll job, a Central PA race director calls me out, and a bunch of series full timer announcements to pick through.

The two winningest Outlaw drivers in 2025 are confirmed back, we go through a few sprint car things with series choices and ride updates, and there is a curious sprint car rules thing to talk about.

The World of Outlaws driver announcements keep coming, what happened to the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series, and I've got a bunch of thoughts on cheating and one driver who isn't allowed to race at the Chili Bowl this year.

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.

Cheaters get busted and first time winners at the Tulsa Shootout, we've got our first late model wins of 2026, plus both the Outlaws and Lucas pick up full timers.

Today on the show we take a look at the full time Lucas late model field so far, including a surprise rookie announcement. Plus RTJ gets a Wild West Shootout ride, we'll talk James McFadden's 2026 sprint car plans, and more.

The World of Outlaws late model field grows and we'll talk what I know about their full timer list for 2026. Plus Lucas axes the chase, but then sort of brings it back. We've also got sprint car news and an update about the show.

Kyle Larson doubles up down under, and will now go chase his first golden driller of the year. We'll talk about that, plus we start picking through recent news items from the last week in dirt racing including several crew chief moves.

One of the more surprising and fun storylines of the 2025 sprint car season was the performance of Bill Balog. After 10 IRA titles and two seasons with the All Stars, he was an Outlaw rookie in 2024, but this year ended up with more Outlaw wins than Donny Schatz. On this episode come hang out with me and Bill as we talk through it all, including what made the difference this year, why he doesn't go drive for another team, and what he thinks about Carson Macedo and the Scelzis.

Sprint car racing continues to shift and change at a rapid rate. We've got two national series, a regional scene that is undergoing it's own transformations, and a bunch of driver and team swaps for 2026. One year ago around this time we talked the state of sprint car racing with Jeremy Elliott, and today he's back to do it again. We're talking World of Outlaws, High Limit, the PA series, champions, storylines, and a lot more.

At the top of dirt late model racing, there are only a handful of major chassis players. But when you venture away from the big tours, there are others building, pushing things forward, and helping people go race. On this special episode of the Daily, Warrior Race Cars owner Mike Nuchols takes us inside racing at the local and regional level, talks the cost of late model racing, putting dirt late models in a wind tunnel, and a lot more.

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.

Coming up we'll talk a few early updates on the World of Outlaws late model roster, plus Keith Kunz has set his Chili Bowl lineup, and will we see Kyle Larson in a late model this year?

Today on the show we're talking the nearly half million dollar price tag on Spire's High Limit franchise and why they bought one, a crappy situation regarding race pay comes to light on social media, and breaking sprint car news.

Another series is apparently on the hunt for title sponsorship, we'll update some dirt late model ride situations, talk regional sprint car news, and more.

Lucas axes their championship playoff format, and everyone rejoices. Sye Lynch picks his sprint car series. And a sprint car council is created, well for the second time anyway, and they immediately rule on a key safety situation.

Photos of a particular late model on display inside the PRI show have made the rounds on social media, and it's a cool looking piece, but it wouldn't be allowed to race with any major dirt late model series. We'll take a look at the car and share what's illegal, plus sprint car wraps, USAC schedules, and more.

It was a big day of breaking news across dirt racing from the PRI show. We'll dive into the big stuff today, including FloRacing buying Lucas, Gio Scelzi's deal is official, new rides for Daulton Wilson and Chris Madden, and more.

The World of Outlaws add a new rookie commit, and their roster is starting to come into focus. We'll also talk what other sprint car drivers are still out there that could choose a tour. Plus I've got a bunch of streaming and media updates and thoughts including notes on FloRacing, DIRTVision and Knoxville, and the situation in Central PA.

Donny Schatz is joining CJB Motorsports, but can the two sides find some of their past speed and magic? Plus one second you're racing around a football field track with a Christmas tree on your roof, and the next your looking for a deal. And the Chili Bowl crosses 300 entries with several notable changes from past years. We'll talk all that and more.

Is Hunt the Front buying a dirt track? I talked to them about it and will share what I know. Plus High Limit gets another commit, USAC hires a new president, and Muskingum County announces a race that might ruffle some feathers.

The Dome isn't pure racing. It's chaos, showmanship, and entertainment. But you know what, that's okay. We'll discuss, plus sprint car news from the both the High Limit and World of Outlaws sides and more.

The Dome starts and there was chaos before cars even hit the track. We'll also talk best wraps, including my absolute favorite. Then we'll dive into the freshly revealed World of Outlaws sprint car schedule for 2026, talk about those west coast TBAs, and where High Limit fits in here.

Coming up today, we'll talk sprint car series choices and a few updates, a High Limit driver will have a new crew chief next year and I think most completely missed the announcement, plus other sprint car and late model news.

Hunt the Front grows their series again, should High Limit worry about the NASCAR lawsuit, why did Central PA need a sprint car series, how does an old Mopar midget engine compare, and can race teams actually be profitable. We'll talk about all of that today.

Ricky Thornton Jr. and Koehler Motorsports confirm their recent crew hires, we'll debrief from the Brad Sweet interview and talk his schedule for next year, and some important points on sprint car tires. Plus bad news for a New Jersey dirt track.

Updates today on a few dirt late model ride situations for 2026, including a recent announcement for one team and free agent. Plus the one thing I think will hold the new PA sprint car series back, Turkey Night and weekend dirt racing results and more.

His full time sprint car driving career is over, but Brad Sweet has plenty to keep him busy. On a wide ranging interview we'll talk his retirement, best drivers in sprint car racing, the future of High Limit, franchises, rules, sprint car tires, and a whole lot more.

Big news in Central PA as they announce their own regional sprint car series. I like it, but I do have some questions and concerns. Plus Carson Hocevar's Dome late model wrap and possible sprint car hints, dirt late model rumors about Chris Madden and Brenden Smith, and more.