The Dirt Parlor

In this episode of the Dirt Parlor Podcast, the crew sits down with Justin Peck, driver of the No. 26 sprint car and a standout competitor in modern dirt racing. Fresh off a major breakthrough season, Justin opens up about what it really takes to win at the highest level of sprint car racing and the mindset behind consistent performance.

Justin breaks down his winning approach on and off the track, including race preparation, car setup decisions, and how he adapts to changing track conditions. He also reflects on his journey from quarter midgets and micros to competing full-time in elite sprint car competition, including his success at major events like the DIRTcar Nationals.

The conversation also dives into his current season and the challenges of competing in High Limit Racing, including team dynamics, consistency, and chasing wins against the best drivers in the country. This episode gives fans a real inside look at the strategy, mindset, and execution it takes to become a sprint car champion.

🔥 Shoutout to Our Sponsors: A huge thank you to Hoker Trucking, Nutrien, Bodies by Skinny, Millard Parker-Millard Family Chapels, Checkered Customs, 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.

This week on the Dirt Parlor, it's all about breaking down one of the most intense weekends in dirt racing. From the high-speed chaos at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 to the packed action at Farmer City Raceway, the guys dive into the biggest moments, wild incidents, and standout performances across sprint cars and late models.

The episode highlights the nonstop drama from Pevely, where tight racing, aggressive sliders, and multiple wrecks created one of the most talked-about events of the season. From controversial racing incidents to surprising struggles from top teams, the hosts break down how quickly things happen on track and why even the best drivers can get caught up in the chaos.

On the late model side, Farmer City delivered exactly what fans expected, with a stacked field, fierce competition, and classic Illinois short track intensity. The guys also discuss rising teams finding their rhythm, the importance of momentum early in the season, and what this weekend means as the racing calendar heats up. If you love raw, unfiltered dirt racing talk, this episode is packed with it.

🔥 Shoutout to Our Sponsors: A huge thank you to Hoker Trucking, Nutrien, Bodies by Skinny, Millard Parker-Millard Family Chapels, Checkered Customs, 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.

In this episode of the Dirt Parlor Podcast, hosts sit down with five-time USAC Sprint Car Champion Levi Jones, now the General Manager of Eldora Speedway, the most iconic venue in dirt racing. Levi shares his journey from championship-winning driver to leading one of the most historic tracks in motorsports, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to manage massive events like the World 100 and King's Royal.

Levi dives into the real challenges of running Eldora day-to-day, from balancing the needs of fans, drivers, and racing series to handling the pressure of hosting events with over 20,000 attendees. He opens up about leadership, decision-making, and how his experience working under Roger Penske and alongside Tony Stewart shaped his approach to building a world-class racing experience. This conversation is packed with insight into the business side of motorsports that fans rarely get to hear.

Beyond operations, this episode captures the passion and emotion behind dirt racing. Levi reflects on the electric atmosphere of Eldora, the mindset of competitors chasing victory, and his mission to preserve the track's legacy while continuing to evolve it for future generations. If you love dirt racing, leadership stories, or the inner workings of major racing events, this is an episode you don't want to miss.

🔥 Shoutout to Our Sponsors: A huge thank you to Hoker Trucking, Nutrien, Bodies by Skinny, Millard Parker-Millard Family Chapels, Checkered Customs, 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.

In this episode of the Dirt Parlor, we sit down with Derek "Suave" Kessinger, one of the most recognizable personalities in dirt late model racing. From his early days discovering Dirt on Dirt to becoming a staple on the Summer Nationals tour, Suave shares how a late-night email and a little bit of luck launched a 13-year career in racing media. His journey is a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build trust, tell authentic stories, and become a fan favorite in one of racing's most passionate communities.

Suave dives deep into the evolution of dirt racing, reflecting on the golden days of traveling the Summer Nationals, the camaraderie in the pits, and how the sport has shifted into a more professional era. He shares unforgettable moments with legends like Billy Moyer and Scott Bloomquist, stories from the road, and what made Dirt on Dirt such a powerful force in the racing world. If you love the culture, personalities, and raw energy of dirt track racing, this episode delivers it all.

We also explore life after full-time racing media, as Suave talks about scaling back his schedule, focusing on family and business, and what races still bring him back today. From hilarious road stories to real insight into the sport's transformation, this conversation captures the heart of dirt late model racing through the eyes of someone who lived it every single day.

🔥 Shoutout to Our Sponsors: A huge thank you to Hoker Trucking, Nutrien, Bodies by Skinny, Millard Parker-Millard Family Chapels, Checkered Customs, 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.

In this episode of the Dirt Parlor Podcast, Garrett Albertson joins the show to talk about the realities of competing on the Lucas Oil Late Model Series and what it takes to battle through a tough start to the season. Racing at the national level is more competitive than ever, and Garrett breaks down how momentum can make or break your results when every night feels like do-or-die on the track.

Garrett dives into the mental side of dirt late model racing, sharing how drivers handle adversity, bad luck, and mechanical issues while staying focused on long-term success. He explains why consistency, qualifying, and mindset are critical in today's stacked fields, and how even the smallest mistakes can cost you positions against the best drivers in the sport.

The conversation also explores Garrett's journey from grassroots racing in New Mexico to becoming a full-time national touring driver. From working as a crew chief to earning top rides, his path is built on persistence, hard work, and passion for racing. If you're a fan of dirt track racing, the Lucas Oil Series, or want real insight into the mindset of a professional driver, this episode delivers.

🔥 Shoutout to Our Sponsors: A huge thank you to Hoker Trucking, Nutrien, Bodies by Skinny, Millard Parker-Millard Family Chapels, Checkered Customs, 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.

Five-time Brad Sweet joins the Dirt Parlor Podcast to talk about the explosive rise of High Limit Racing and what it means for the future of sprint car racing. Fresh off the season opener in Las Vegas, Sweet breaks down the racing, the track conditions, and the strong fan turnout that helped kick off the High Limit season in a big way. With nearly 100 career wins in the World of Outlaws, Sweet shares his unique perspective as both a champion driver and now a key leader helping shape the direction of the sport.

In this episode, Sweet dives into how High Limit Racing evolved from a midweek concept into a full national series and the challenges that came with building something new in sprint car racing. He discusses the importance of improving the fan experience, increasing opportunities for drivers and teams, and how streaming platforms like FloRacing are helping bring dirt racing to a wider audience. The conversation also explores the growing competition between national touring series and how that competition is creating more opportunities across the sport.

Sweet also reflects on his legendary career, including championships with Kasey Kahne Racing, winning some of sprint car racing's biggest events, and the difficult decision to step away from a full-time schedule. After years at the top of the sport, he shares why he's focusing more on promoting, growing the sport, and building the future of dirt racing while still competing behind the wheel when the opportunity is right.

🔥 Shoutout to Our Sponsors: A huge thank you to Hoker Trucking, Nutrien, Bodies by Skinny, Millard Parker-Millard Family Chapels, Checkered Customs, 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.

In this episode of the Dirt Parlor, Don Martin and Gordy break down one of the most exciting weeks of dirt late model racing during Speedweeks. After mixed results earlier in the Florida swing, the action exploded at Golden Isles Speedway, where fans witnessed four nights of incredible racing, multiple grooves, and nonstop battles throughout the field. From dramatic restarts to drivers charging through the pack, Golden Isles quickly became must-watch racing for fans across the country.

The biggest moment of the week came when Jonathan Davenport made history by surpassing the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win record previously held by the legendary Scott Bloomquist. The hosts discuss what the milestone means for Davenport's legacy, how his dominance continues to reshape the sport, and why this achievement could stand for years to come in dirt late model racing.

The episode also dives into the biggest storylines from Speedweeks including Devin Moran charging from deep in the field, breakout performances from Trey Mills, and the surprising driver "musical chairs" situation that had teams swapping rides mid-week. With upcoming races and the season heating up, the Dirt Parlor crew breaks down what fans should watch next in the 2026 dirt racing season.

🔥 Shoutout to Our Sponsors: A huge thank you to Hoker Trucking, Nutrien, Bodies by Skinny, Millard Parker-Millard Family Chapels, Checkered Customs, 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.

This week on the Dirt Parlor, hosts Don Martin and Gordy Gundaker sit down with Casey Shuman for an inside look at the transformation of Lucas Oil Speedway. From reshaping the infamous turn three and four to adding new dirt and improving the racing surface, Casey breaks down the real work happening behind the scenes to elevate the on-track product. The guys talk candidly about racer feedback, technical track changes, and what it takes to create side-by-side racing that keeps fans coming back.

Casey also shares his journey from competitor to promoter, including his time directing the World of Outlaws Late Models. He opens up about learning the late model side after years in open-wheel racing, handling driver personalities, managing tire rules, and stepping into leadership roles that shaped his approach to running a facility. His experience across multiple corners of the sport now fuels his vision for Wheatland's continued growth.

Plus, Don and Gordy preview a stacked schedule featuring the legendary Show-Me 100 and a revitalized Jesse Hockett Memorial. With High Limit Sprint Cars, USMTS weekends, and creative additions like Big Rig Racing, Casey explains how thinking outside the box is key to drawing fans from the Lake of the Ozarks and beyond. If you're passionate about dirt racing and the future of the sport, this episode delivers insight you won't hear anywhere else.

🔥 Shoutout to Our Sponsors: A huge thank you to Hoker Trucking, Nutrien, Bodies by Skinny, Millard Parker-Millard Family Chapels, Checkered Customs, 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.

On this week's Dirt Parlor episode, we sit down with High Limit Tour driver Tanner Thorson for an in-depth conversation about innovation, risk-taking, and what it really takes to compete at the national level. From bold setup changes at the Chili Bowl Nationals to dialing in his half-mile program, Tanner opens up about the mindset behind constantly pushing the limits. Whether it works or backfires, he explains why staying comfortable is never the goal.

Tanner reflects on his journey from racing go-karts in Nevada on a shoestring budget to moving to Indiana at just 15 years old to chase a midget racing career. He shares how Rico Abreu and his father played a pivotal role in his development, and how lessons learned in the USAC ranks shaped him into the driver he is today. His path wasn't traditional, but the hunger to learn and the drive to understand the race car set him apart early on.

Now competing full-time on the High Limit Racing tour, Tanner breaks down the challenges of wing racing, the importance of top-tier equipment, and how mentor Stevie Smith has accelerated his learning curve on big tracks like Eldora Speedway and Port Royal Speedway. From working on his own cars during the week to fine-tuning shock packages and motor programs, this episode is a raw and honest look at what it takes to compete against the best in sprint car racing.

🔥 Shoutout to Our Sponsors: A huge thank you to Hoker Trucking, Nutrien, Bodies by Skinny, Millard Parker-Millard Family Chapels, Checkered Customs, 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.

On this week's Dirt Parlor Podcast, we welcome St. Catharines, Ontario's own Mat Williamson — the BuzzChew Chevrolet No. 88 and one of the most dominant forces in Big Block Modified racing. "Money Mat" breaks down his recent success at Volusia Speedway Park, including intense restart battles, racing in dirty air, and what it takes to win at one of the fastest tracks in dirt racing. From drawing deep in the field to capitalizing on clean air, Mat explains the small details that separate winning from running second.

We dive into format debates within the Super DIRTcar Series, including heat race redraws, inverts, and whether fast time truly gets rewarded in today's racing world. Mat also shares insight into the unique setup and driving style of a Northeast Big Block Modified, how it differs from Late Models and Sprint Cars, and why the Northeast modified scene remains one of dirt racing's most competitive and financially rewarding regions.

Beyond the racetrack, Williamson opens up about balancing 85–90 races a year with family life, becoming a father, and how priorities shift when you're chasing wins while raising a child. From ambitions of racing the Dome to expanding Big Block racing into the Midwest, this episode is packed with real talk, technical insight, and behind-the-scenes stories. If you're a fan of dirt racing, modifieds, or the grind of professional motorsports, this one is a must-listen.

🔥 Shoutout to Our Sponsors: A huge thank you to Hoker Trucking, Nutrien, Bodies by Skinny, Millard Parker-Millard Family Chapels, Checkered Customs, 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.