Episode 96: Midget racings future, Great Lakes rising, & Rico goes back to back

Josh and EJ discuss what’s ahead for national midget racing, major changes coming to Ohio sprint car racing, and the season-ending championship battles. They also recap key race results and look ahead to a busy late-October schedule.

In this episode:

In this episode, Josh and EJ examine the uncertain future of midget racing, including the Xtreme Outlaw Midgets’ canceled Millbridge event and Keith Kunz Motorsports’ planned shutdown.

Josh questions what Kunz’s departure could mean for national midget racing; EJ highlights drivers who came through the team, including Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson.

They discuss Aaron Reutzel’s injury and High Limit Racing’s medical provisional, which allowed his team to earn points while he missed championship weekend.

EJ previews the USAC Sprint Car season opener at Ocala Speedway, February 15-20, with a $24,000 Winter Dirt Games point fund.

Josh and EJ break down the new Great Lakes Sprint Management Group, which will oversee six divisions in 2027, and consider how Ohio’s sprint car series can coordinate.

They debate whether Ford sprint car engines are gaining ground, weighing recent appearances against past parts and performance concerns.

The hosts recognize the 2027 National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame class and Josh Rice’s Lucas Oil Late Model Rookie of the Year season: three wins, 15 top fives, and 24 top tens.

Race highlights include Rico Abreu’s second consecutive High Limit championship, Giovanni Scelzi’s three straight wins to close the season, and Brandon Sheppard’s Lucas Oil Late Model title.

Josh and EJ discuss High Limit and World of Outlaws competition, then preview upcoming events including the Short Track Nationals, Western World Championship, and Modak 100.

Timestamps

00:00 - Episode 96 and the future of midget racing

03:10 - Reutzel’s injury and High Limit’s medical provisional

07:00 - USAC’s Florida opener and the 2027 schedule outlook

08:10 - Six sprint car divisions unite under Great Lakes management

11:57 - Ford engines: renewed interest and lingering doubts

14:32 - Keith Kunz Motorsports’ shutdown and the impact on midgets

19:34 - Hall of Fame class announced; Josh Rice’s breakout season

22:19 - WoO Lincoln Park qualifying and the High Limit championship weekend

23:44 - Dirt Track World Championship and Belle-Clair results

27:11 - Sam Hafertepe Jr. earns his seventh ASCS title

31:54 - Rico Abreu goes back-to-back; Gio Scelzi closes with three wins

34:31 - High Limit and World of Outlaws look ahead to next season

37:44 - Brandon Sheppard wins the Lucas Oil Late Model championship

39:23 - Late-October race previews and season wrap-up

You can check out all episodes on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, and iHeartRadio

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@dirtcourtjester

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/7t5GAutGpqaglvFPdAf56V?si=563c40fb97f94c3f

Apple

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dirt-court-jesters-podcast/id1746620904

iHeartRadio

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-dirt-court-jesters-podcast-159583714

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Episode 95: All In, Tire Tests, & Everybody’s Got a Price

In this episode:

Josh and EJ cover a busy stretch of dirt racing, from tracks facing uncertain futures to a new Hoosier sprint-car tire test and High Limit’s growing charter system. They also break down a dramatic championship turn at Lakeside and recap the racing that set up two major season finales.

Josh and EJ discuss Gas City Speedway’s $2 million asking price and the hope that it remains a racetrack, alongside other tracks facing sales or uncertain futures.

Devil’s Bowl Speedway in West Haven, Vermont, is removing its asphalt and returning to a true dirt surface.

Tyler Nelson earned his second straight USAC Midwest Thunder Midget championship, while Matt Williamson was disqualified from the Outlaw 200 after tech inspection found an unapproved intake manifold.

A Hoosier test at Eldora brought 10 teams together to try an 18-inch right-rear sprint-car tire. Josh and EJ weigh its potential against tire durability, costs, and sponsorship concerns.

They consider what Joe Gibbs Racing’s interest in High Limit could mean for charters, team economics, and competition with the World of Outlaws.

A crash involving Joel Myers Jr. and Aaron Reutzel at Lakeside was followed by Rico Abreu’s disqualification for fueling. With the ruling tightening the title race, the hosts preview the All-In Championship.

EJ shares highlights from the Buckeye Brawl, including Sheldon Haudenschild’s two wins in three nights and a strong showing at Millstream and Mansfield.

The hosts review notable results from Eldora, Williams Grove, Portsmouth, and other tracks, then make picks for the High Limit finale and the $100,000-to-win Dirt Track World Championship.

Timestamps

00:00 - Episode 95 begins and the 2016 Dirt Track World Championship is remembered

00:59 - Gas City Speedway is for sale as other tracks face uncertain futures

05:02 - Devil’s Bowl Speedway removes asphalt

06:53 - Tyler Nelson repeats as USAC Midwest Thunder Midget champion

07:29 - Matt Williamson loses the Outlaw 200 win after tech inspection

08:46 - Hoosier tests a new 18-inch sprint-car tire at Eldora

12:46 - Joe Gibbs Racing’s potential move into High Limit raises charter questions

19:20 - Lakeside crash and Rico Abreu’s disqualification reshape the title fight

26:46 - Race results: highlights from the weekly dirt-racing roundup

32:01 - Millstream recap and EJ’s take on the Buckeye Brawl

34:06 - Lawrenceburg results and Josh’s final track visit of the season

36:56 - Sheldon Haudenschild and Jacob Boxell deliver at Mansfield

40:10 - Eldora, Lakeside, and other Saturday results

42:11 - Haudenschild takes two Buckeye Brawl wins in three nights

43:02 - Upcoming events include the Dirt Track World Championship and High Limit finale

45:32 - Championship predictions for High Limit and Lucas Oil

48:14 - The hosts look back on the season and share their remaining race plans

You can check out all episodes on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, and iHeartRadio

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@dirtcourtjester

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/7t5GAutGpqaglvFPdAf56V?si=563c40fb97f94c3f

Apple

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dirt-court-jesters-podcast/id1746620904

iHeartRadio

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-dirt-court-jesters-podcast-159583714

Like, follow, share, and subscribe on Facebook, X, YouTube, and Spotify for more Dirt Court Jesters coverage!

Dirt Court Jesters Podcast: Behind the rock screen w/ Jakeb Boxell

Jakeb Boxell with 4 Kings Racing and Matt Westfall Racing on his season and his huge win Eldora Speedway with the USAC Racing National Midgets at the 4 Crown Nationals! Behind the Rock Screen with Jakeb JB Boxell is out NOW!

Josh welcomes Jacob Boxell, a USAC National Midget for 4 Kings Racing and non-wing 410 driver for Matt Westfall Racing, to discuss his first USAC National Midget victory at Eldora’s 4 Crown Nationals. JB reflects on the breakthrough win, how racing multiple cars has shaped his driving, and the team and plans behind his rapid rise.

Timestamps

00:00 - Boxell’s first USAC National Midget win at the 4 Crown

02:45 - The meaning of winning in the No. 54 at Eldora

05:07 - Why D2 laps only partly prepare drivers for the 4 Crown

06:25 - Putting sprint car trouble behind him

07:15 - How 410 sprint car seat time has improved his driving

09:30 - Racing 30 to 35 events and finding a sprint car breakthrough

10:44 - A second-place return to the USAC Midwest Thunder Midgets

11:59 - The people and teamwork behind 4 Kings Racing and Matt Westfall Racing

14:39 - The California swing and plans for the end of the season

15:34 - Australia, the Chili Bowl, and 2027 goals

17:06 - Taking time to appreciate a fast-moving career