The Dirt Parlor

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!

Chris Blair, General Manager of World Wide Technology Raceway, joins the Dirt Parlor Podcast to talk about one of the biggest developments in St. Louis area dirt racing: the return of Belle Clair Speedway. Blair explains how the idea evolved from evaluating the old Belleville facility into designing and building a completely new racing venue, including the challenges of expanding the footprint, creating the right track layout, securing funding, and bringing the historic facility back to life.

The conversation goes behind the scenes of Belle Clair Speedway's opening, including the pressure of getting the track ready, extreme heat, rain, equipment failures, track preparation, and the excitement surrounding the racing action. Blair also discusses the importance of finding the right dirt surface, working with track and soil experts, and why the facility could become an even better racing surface after a full year of preparation. The guys also look ahead to the World of Outlaws and the potential for major sprint car and late model events at the new Belle Clair Speedway.

Blair also shares his philosophy on promoting racing, creating memorable fan experiences, and bringing more creativity and entertainment to dirt track events. From his long history in dirt racing and connections throughout the racing world to managing the massive event calendar at World Wide Technology Raceway, this episode offers an inside look at what it takes to operate major motorsports facilities while keeping the passion and culture of dirt racing alive.

🔥 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 goes deep inside the Knoxville Nationals for an unforgettable four-part episode featuring some of the biggest names and stories in sprint car racing. David Gravel breaks down the challenges of qualifying, heat races, B-Mains, points, track conditions, race strategy, and the incredible depth of today's Knoxville Nationals field while also sharing his journey from quarter midgets and micro sprints to becoming one of the sport's top drivers.

Sheldon Haudenschild then takes listeners behind the scenes of his dramatic Knoxville Nationals victory, explaining the winning move, his evolution as a driver, and the years of hard work it took to reach the national stage. The episode also features sprint car legend Steve Kinzer and author Dave Argabright discussing the early days of the World of Outlaws, Kinzer's incredible career and win totals, his partnership with Karl Kinser, and the pioneers who helped build modern sprint car racing.

Rico Abreu closes out the episode with a look at the modern side of sprint car racing, from his Tony Stewart tribute car and TSR program to marketing, fan engagement, social media, competition, and his relationship with Kyle Larson. Across all four conversations, the Dirt Parlor explores the history, competition, personalities, teamwork, business, and future of sprint car racing while celebrating the drivers, crew members, families, and fans who continue to drive the sport forward.

🔥 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 Horsepower Hydration and FK Rod Ends for their support. Your commitment fuels the passion, competition, and community that make dirt racing great!

🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

In this Dirt Parlor episode, Don Martin and Gordy Gundaker sit down with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Richard Marshall for an exclusive NOS Interview from the NOS Suite during the Knoxville Nationals. The conversation covers the Brian Clauson Tower, Brian Clauson's lasting legacy, and the history and significance of the Knoxville Nationals.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Richard Marshall discuss their sprint car teams, team ownership, their pursuit of Knoxville Nationals success, driver development, teamwork, and the business side of building a competitive dirt racing operation. Ricky also shares his passion for sprint car racing, his NASCAR career, and his desire to eventually return behind the wheel of a sprint car.

The episode also explores the growth of dirt track racing, the World of Outlaws, High Limit Racing, major sponsorships, rising fan attendance, livestream growth, and the increasing connection between sprint car and late model racing. This NOS Interview gives racing fans an inside look at the people, teams, and ideas helping shape the future of 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 Horsepower Hydration and FK Rod Ends for their support. Your commitment fuels the passion, competition, and community that make dirt racing great!

🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

Go behind the scenes with Aaron Reutzel, Brian Ridge, and the Ridgely Sons Racing team in this special Dirt Parlor Podcast RSR Shop Tour VLOG. Don Martin and Gordy Gundaker visit the 87 Shop in Knoxville, Iowa, getting an inside look at the RSR race shop just minutes from Knoxville Raceway. The team talks about what makes having a shop so close to the track such a major advantage during Knoxville Nationals week and gives viewers a firsthand look at where the race program comes together.

The shop tour leads into an in-depth conversation about Aaron Reutzel's pursuit of the Knoxville Nationals and what winning the biggest crown jewel in sprint car racing would mean to him and car owner Brian Ridge. Aaron discusses the pressure and nerves that come with Saturday night at Knoxville, his confidence heading into the event, and the race car he selected specifically for the Nationals after winning with it earlier in the season.

Aaron and Brian also reveal the story behind their race team, including how their partnership began, the struggles they faced early on, and how trust, consistency, preparation, and teamwork helped turn RSR into a serious sprint car operation. From the race shop and crew to Knoxville Nationals preparation and the grind behind building a winning program, this episode gives sprint car fans an inside look at the people and preparation behind one of the sport's biggest events.

🔥 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 Horsepower Hydration and FK Rod Ends for their support. Your commitment fuels the passion, competition, and community that make dirt racing great!

🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

Iowa is making a major comeback in super late model racing, and this part 2 episode of the Dirt Parlor Podcast goes behind the scenes of the massive Iowa Speed Week events bringing top dirt late model drivers, promoters, and fans together. Gordy Gundaker and Don Martin are joined by Jeff Hoker, Jerry Van Sickle of Marshalltown Speedway, Todd Staley of Mason City, and Ricky Kay to break down how this incredible stretch of racing came together and why Iowa is becoming a major destination for late model racing again.

The group discusses the return of major late model racing in Iowa, including events at Marshalltown Speedway, Mason City, Maquoketa, and Oskaloosa, plus the involvement of Lucas Oil, World of Outlaws, FloRacing, DirtVision, and the Wild West Shootout. They explain how promoters and racing organizations worked together to create a points fund, keep national touring teams in Iowa, and build a schedule packed with high-paying races. The conversation also dives into the history of Iowa dirt racing and the resurgence of super late models across the state.

Beyond the racing itself, this episode reveals what fans rarely see behind the scenes: racetrack preparation, weather challenges, promotion, sponsorship, fan experiences, and the work required to put on major dirt track events. The crew talks about preparing Iowa dirt tracks after heavy rain, creating full race-week experiences with concerts, car shows, kids zones and pit activities, and why passionate promoters and track workers are so important to the future of dirt racing. If you're a fan of dirt late models, super late models, Iowa racing, World of Outlaws, FloRacing, or grassroots dirt track racing, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

🔥 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!

🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.