The Dirt Parlor

The Dirt Parlor is back with Gordy Gundaker and Don Martin breaking down the latest action and biggest storylines in dirt track racing! This week, the guys discuss the Trophy Cup's controversial championship format, the transition from 360 to 410 sprint cars, and the exciting racing action that wrapped up another busy October. They also take a closer look at Tanner Thorson's impressive performance, the weekend's wild on-track moments, and the biggest surprises from the latest dirt racing events.

Ricky Thornton Jr. is on an incredible hot streak, and the guys break down his remarkable October run, including major victories at Eldora, Portsmouth, and West Virginia. They discuss his recent success with the team, the impact of fresh changes, and how he's managed to become one of the most dominant drivers in dirt late model racing. The conversation also covers the latest big block modified results, Alex Yankowski's impressive season, Matt Williamson's championship finish, and the drivers making their mark heading into the end of the season.

With World Finals approaching, Gordy and Don break down the championship picture across the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars, dirt late models, and big block modifieds. They discuss David Gravel's incredible third consecutive World of Outlaws championship, his consistency throughout the season, Buddy Kofoid's 17 victories, and what to expect from Carson Macedo and the competition next season. From championship contenders and driver report cards to the biggest storylines shaping dirt racing, this episode delivers plenty of discussion for sprint car and dirt late model fans.

🔥 Shoutout to Our Sponsors: A huge thank you to Hoker Trucking, Nutrien, Millard Parker-Millard Family Chapels, Checkered Customs, Dave Warren Powersports, Dirt Crew Chief, Hotrod Septic Treatment, Ace Doran Hauling & Rigging and FK Rod Ends for their support. Your commitment fuels the passion, competition, and community that make dirt racing great!

On this episode of the Dirt Parlor Podcast, hosts Don Martin and Gordy Gundaker welcome Mark Richards, the legendary car owner and driving force behind Rocket Chassis, to discuss the team's return to the top of dirt late model racing. Following a hard-fought Lucas Oil Late Model Championship season, Mark reflects on the team's journey, the importance of consistency, and what it takes to rebuild championship-winning chemistry. He also shares insights into the long-standing relationships and dedicated crew members who have helped Rocket Chassis remain one of the most successful teams in the sport.

Mark breaks down Brandon Sheppard's evolution as a driver, explaining how patience, tire management, and race strategy have become essential to winning today's dirt late model races. From adapting to slick track conditions to understanding the challenges of handmade racing tires, he offers an inside look at the technical decisions that can make the difference between running up front and falling behind. The conversation explores Rocket Chassis' approach to performance, the changing demands of modern dirt racing, and the lessons that racers can learn from years of championship-level experience.

The discussion also tackles one of the biggest challenges facing dirt late model racing: rising costs and the growing debate over race purse structures. Mark shares his perspective on why payouts should reward more finishing positions, how expensive equipment and travel affect racing teams, and why the long-term health of the sport depends on making competition financially sustainable. Whether you're a dirt late model fan, racer, team owner, or aspiring driver, this episode delivers valuable insight into championship racing, team building, technical innovation, and the future of dirt track racing. Tune in to the Dirt Parlor Podcast for an honest conversation with one of the sport's most influential figures.

🔥 Shoutout to Our Sponsors: A huge thank you to Hoker Trucking, Nutrien, Millard Parker-Millard Family Chapels, Checkered Customs, Dave Warren Powersports, Dirt Crew Chief, Hotrod Septic Treatment, Ace Doran Hauling & Rigging and FK Rod Ends for their support. Your commitment fuels the passion, competition, and community that make dirt racing great!

The Dirt Parlor is at the revamped Belleville Speedway for an exciting look at the world of dirt track racing with some of the biggest names in sprint car competition. Don Martin and Gordy Gundaker sit down with David Gravel, Garrett Williamson, Carson Macedo, and Cole Macedo to discuss the new racing facility, the unique track layout, and what it takes to compete at a brand-new venue. The drivers share their first impressions of Belleville Speedway and explain how adapting to an unfamiliar track can create new opportunities for the World of Outlaws competitors.

David Gravel opens up about championship pressure, consistency, race car setups, and the challenges of competing at the highest level of World of Outlaws Sprint Car Racing. He discusses his team's pursuit of another championship, the importance of stability and trust within a race team, learning from mistakes, and balancing the demands of a racing career with time away from the track. Garrett Williamson also shares how a chassis change helped turn his season around, the importance of confidence behind the wheel, and the work required to build a competitive sprint car program.

The episode also explores the revival of Belleville Speedway with Chris Blair and Mark Kern, who discuss the vision, planning, and community support behind the new facility. From the excitement of bringing World of Outlaws racing back to Belleville to the competitive depth of today's sprint car field, this three-part episode offers an inside look at the people, teams, and decisions shaping dirt track racing. Tune in to the Dirt Parlor for driver interviews, sprint car insights, and stories from behind the scenes of one of the sport's exciting new venues.

🔥 Shoutout to Our Sponsors: A huge thank you to Hoker Trucking, Nutrien, Millard Parker-Millard Family Chapels, Checkered Customs, Dave Warren Powersports, Dirt Crew Chief, Hotrod Septic Treatment, Ace Doran Hauling & Rigging and FK Rod Ends for their support. Your commitment fuels the passion, competition, and community that make dirt racing great!

Dirt racing is full of high-stakes championship battles, controversial moments, and split-second decisions that can change everything. On this episode of Dirt Parlor, Don Martin and Gordy Gundaker break down the biggest stories from the dirt racing world, including the Aaron Reutzel crash at Lakeside, the sprint car racing controversy surrounding the restart, and the intense competition heading into the final stretch of the season. They discuss the risks drivers take when racing on the edge and why understanding the rules and circumstances behind an incident matters before judging a driver's decisions. The conversation also dives into the late model racing championship battle between Ryan Unzicker and Feger, Kyle Bronson's crew changes, and Ricky Thornton Jr.'s impressive performance. Don and Gordy discuss the excitement surrounding Lucas Oil Speedway, the upcoming Dirt Track World Championship in West Virginia, and the pressure on teams competing for major prize money. From championship points and driver performances to team strategy and race preparation, this episode covers the storylines shaping dirt late model and sprint car racing. Gordy also breaks down the technical side of dirt late model racing, explaining deck height regulations, the droop rule, spoiler aerodynamics, suspension adjustments, and how teams search for every possible advantage within the rulebook. Whether you're a lifelong dirt track racing fan, a sprint car enthusiast, or a late model racing follower, this episode delivers insider perspectives, racing analysis, and the latest conversations from the track. Subscribe to Dirt Parlor for more dirt racing news, driver discussi

🔥 Shoutout to Our Sponsors: A huge thank you to Hoker Trucking, Nutrien, Millard Parker-Millard Family Chapels, Checkered Customs, Dave Warren Powersports, Dirt Crew Chief, Hotrod Septic Treatment, Ace Doran Hauling & Rigging and FK Rod Ends for their support. Your commitment fuels the passion, competition, and community that make dirt racing great!

Tanner Holmes joins the Dirt Parlor to talk about his incredible rise in sprint car racing and the breakout season that has established him as one of the sport's hottest young drivers. At just 22 years old, Tanner has made the jump to the national level with the Tom Buch 13 team, competing against some of the biggest names and toughest teams in sprint car racing. He shares how his first national win helped build his confidence and how experience, consistency, and better decision-making have transformed his performance.

Tanner also takes us behind the scenes of his journey from Oregon and a family-run racing operation to competing on the national stage. He discusses the challenges of traveling to nearly 100 races, learning new tracks across the country, racing at places like Volusia, Eldora, Port Royal, the Grove, and Tulare, and adapting to the speed and intensity of national sprint car competition. Tanner explains how having a committed crew chief and team gave him the freedom to make mistakes, learn, develop, and ultimately turn early-season struggles into podiums, top-five finishes, and wins.

The conversation also dives into the story behind Tanner's 18T, how the opportunity with the Tom Buch team came together through an unexpected Facebook message, and the mental challenges of not knowing where the next racing opportunity will come from. Tanner shares valuable advice for young racers about staying hungry, controlling what you can control, continuing to knock on doors, and believing in your path even when the outcome is uncertain. He also explains why educating fans through social media has become such an important part of his role in growing and showcasing sprint car racing.

🔥 Shoutout to Our Sponsors: A huge thank you to Hoker Trucking, Nutrien, Millard Parker-Millard Family Chapels, Checkered Customs, Dave Warren Powersports, Dirt Crew Chief, Hotrod Septic Treatment, Ace Doran Hauling & Rigging and FK Rod Ends for their support. Your commitment fuels the passion, competition, and community that make dirt racing great!

Logan Seavey joins the Dirt Parlor Podcast to break down an absolutely wild weekend at Eldora Speedway, where he climbed behind the wheel of four different race cars during the Four Crown weekend. From sprint cars and midgets to the Silver Crown and winged sprint car, Logan explains the challenge of constantly switching between cars, adjusting his driving style, managing different setups, and keeping up with an intense schedule.

Logan also takes us through his journey as a racer, from growing up as a first-generation racer in California to racing Outlaws, developing his skills on iRacing, and eventually getting opportunities with Keith Kunz Motorsports and other top teams. He explains how racing online with some of the best drivers in the world helped improve his race craft and how those connections eventually helped open the door to professional dirt racing.

Beyond the racetrack, Logan talks about how much his life has changed since becoming a dad, traveling with his family, the growth of dirt racing, increasing viewership, sponsorship opportunities, and the importance of connecting with young fans at the track. He also looks ahead to the rest of his 2026 season, including USAC Sprint Car races, the Western swing, and Turkey Night Grand Prix. This is a great conversation about dirt racing, career growth, family, and what it takes to compete at the highest levels of the sport.

🔥 Shoutout to Our Sponsors: A huge thank you to Hoker Trucking, Nutrien, Millard Parker-Millard Family Chapels, Checkered Customs, Dave Warren Powersports, Dirt Crew Chief, Hotrod Septic Treatment, Ace Doran Hauling & Rigging and FK Rod Ends for their support. Your commitment fuels the passion, competition, and community that make dirt racing great!

Steve Francis, the World of Outlaws Series Director and longtime dirt racing veteran, joins Don Martin and Gordy Gundaker on the Dirt Parlor Podcast for an in-depth conversation about the evolution of dirt late model racing. Known by many longtime fans as the "Kentucky Colonel," Francis shares his perspective on moving from behind the wheel to the series director role and the challenge of balancing the needs of racers, promoters, tracks, and series staff.

The conversation dives deep into how technology has transformed dirt late model racing over the last decade. Francis discusses horsepower, restrictors, shock technology, body technology, side force, aerodynamics, and how modern race cars have changed the way drivers approach the track. He also explains why some of the technological advances cannot simply be reversed and why every new rule can create new opportunities for engineers to find an advantage.

Francis, Martin, and Gundaker also discuss the rising cost of dirt racing, the shrinking number of weekly late model racers, the growth of national touring series, race schedules, speed weeks, tire competition, and the balance between national and regional racing. They debate whether the sport has reached a point where there can be too many races and too many competing series while also recognizing the growth, money, professionalism, and popularity at the top levels of dirt racing. It's a revealing conversation about where dirt racing has been, where it is today, and the challenges facing its future.

🔥 Shoutout to Our Sponsors: A huge thank you to Hoker Trucking, Nutrien, Millard Parker-Millard Family Chapels, Checkered Customs, Dave Warren Powersports, Dirt Crew Chief, Hotrod Septic Treatment, Ace Doran Hauling & Rigging and FK Rod Ends for their support. Your commitment fuels the passion, competition, and community that make dirt racing great!

Nick Hoffman joins the Dirt Parlor Podcast to break down the biggest victory of his racing career: winning the World 100 at Eldora Speedway. Hoffman takes Don Martin and Gordy Gundaker inside the 100-lap dirt late model crown jewel, explaining how he managed pressure, conserved his tires, navigated changing track conditions, and made his move late in the race. After running as far as 10 seconds behind the leaders, Hoffman found another gear in the closing laps and ultimately charged to his first World 100 victory.

Hoffman also reveals the preparation and detailed note-taking that helped him succeed at Eldora. From keeping years of track notes on his phone to applying lessons learned from racing for Scott Bloomquist, Hoffman explains how he studied Eldora's track conditions, tire management, car characteristics, and race strategy. He discusses the importance of saving his tires early, using the moisture along the infield wall, and having enough tire left to attack when the race entered its final stages.

Beyond the race itself, Hoffman shares the emotional story behind the victory, including the support of his wife, children, parents, crew, friends, and longtime racing partner Gordy Gundaker. He also takes listeners back to 2012 when, at just 19 years old, he built his first modified and won at Eldora before developing his own chassis business. From modified racing to late models and now the World 100, this episode explores the preparation, relationships, pressure, racing knowledge, and perseverance behind one of dirt racing's biggest wins.

🔥 Shoutout to Our Sponsors: A huge thank you to Hoker Trucking, Nutrien, Millard Parker-Millard Family Chapels, Checkered Customs, Dave Warren Powersports, Dirt Crew Chief, Hotrod Septic Treatment, Ace Doran Hauling & Rigging and FK Rod Ends for their support. Your commitment fuels the passion, competition, and community that make dirt racing great!

The Dirt Parlor Podcast breaks down the biggest stories from the World 100 at Eldora Speedway, including the controversial Dalton Cook left-front flat that ended up involving Dale McDowell and several other cars. Don Martin and Gordy Gundaker discuss the safety concerns surrounding the situation, whether the rules should be changed, and the difficult decisions drivers face when fighting for a transfer spot with only a few laps remaining.

The guys also recap an unforgettable World 100 weekend, from Nick Hoffman's victory and the incredible atmosphere at Eldora to the surprising number of big-name drivers who failed to make the feature. They discuss Adam Stricker's emotional World 100 story, JD starting on the front row, the World 100 format and Wheel of Misfortune, and whether drivers are ever tempted to manage their qualifying or heat-race position instead of racing all-out.

The conversation then shifts to the Tuskegee and James McFadden's impressive victory after Anthony Macri's team battled through multiple damaged race cars. Don and Gordy also look ahead to the upcoming Knoxville Late Model Nationals and the Hockett/McMillan event at Wheatland, discussing car counts, track conditions, High Limit Racing, and the ongoing points battle involving Reutzel and Rico Abreu.

🔥 Shoutout to Our Sponsors: A huge thank you to Hoker Trucking, Nutrien, Millard Parker-Millard Family Chapels, Checkered Customs, Dave Warren Powersports, Dirt Crew Chief, Hotrod Septic Treatment, Ace Doran Hauling & Rigging and FK Rod Ends for their support. Your commitment fuels the passion, competition, and community that make dirt racing great!

The Dirt Parlor Podcast breaks down one of the wildest Labor Day weekends in dirt track racing, covering major sprint car news, the decision by drivers not to race at the Belleville High Banks, and the ongoing debate over safety at one of America's fastest dirt tracks. Don Martin and Gordy Gundaker discuss why drivers and teams pushed back on the Belleville event and whether the decision could have been handled differently.

The conversation also dives deep into the controversial Aaron Reutzel and Trey Starks incident, breaking down the racing lines, speed, lane changes, and split-second decisions that led to Starks taking a major hit. Gordy offers his perspective as a race car driver, explaining why he believes the incident was hard racing rather than an intentional move, while the hosts discuss the reaction from fans and racers across social media.

The episode also highlights Rico Abreu's incredible run, his three-year streak of wins, the championship battle, Emerson Axsom's emotional breakthrough victory with his father, and Garrett Williamson's impressive rise on the World of Outlaws tour. From championship pressure and racing strategy to young drivers making their mark, this episode delivers an inside look at the biggest stories shaping sprint car racing right now.

🔥 Shoutout to Our Sponsors: A huge thank you to Hoker Trucking, Nutrien, Millard Parker-Millard Family Chapels, Checkered Customs, Dave Warren Powersports, Dirt Crew Chief, Hotrod Septic Treatment, Ace Doran Hauling & Rigging and FK Rod Ends for their support. Your commitment fuels the passion, competition, and community that make dirt racing great!