It’s time for our weekly Friday morning tour around the racing world. From hot laps to the main event, here’s what’s on our mind this week.
Hot Laps: Perfect 10
Chevrolet has two chances to win its first race of the NTT IndyCar Series season this weekend at Iowa Speedway. Honda has won all 10 races so far this year.
Qualifying: USAC New Faces
A few new faces have arrived on the USAC scene in recent weeks. Drake Edwards got his first midget victory earlier this week, while Carson Garrett grabbed a sprint car victory last weekend.
First Heat: Crossover
More young racers than ever are getting laps in a variety of different types of race cars. It appears to be the latest road map to a NASCAR ride. How many of them are fast in every discipline?
Read about one of them, Carson Brown, here.
Second Heat: Buckeye State
Next week’s a big week for sprint car racing in the state of Ohio, anchored by four nights at Eldora Speedway.
It all starts with Monday July 14 with a High Limit Racing stop at Fremont Speedway. The following night, the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series stops at Attica Raceway Park for the annual Brad Doty Classic.
High Limit sanctions the first two nights at Eldora July 16-17, with the $100,000-to-win Joker’s Jackpot capping it off. The Outlaws then take over Eldora for the 42nd Kings Royal, which concludes with Saturday’s $200,000-to-win main event.
Third Heat: In-Season Challenge
Have you been captivated by NASCAR’s In-Season Challenge?
Copied after the popular March Madness tournament bracket for the ultra-successful NCAA basketball tourney, it pits driver against driver on a weekly basis for a $1 million payoff after four weeks.
Despite endless hype about it being head-to-head competition (it’s not), my guess is the only ones paying much attention are gamblers.
Racing-wise, it’s a bore.
Fourth Heat: Old Dogs?
Old Dogs — That would be the name of my podcast where I sit down with other longtime motorsports journalists such as Keith Waltz, Dave Argabright, Bones Bourcier, Bruce Martin, Ben White and others and discuss items from motorsports history that are being significantly ignored or mis-reported by those covering the sport today.
I’ve read many things this week arguing that Shane van Gisbergen may be NASCAR’s best road racer ever. Few mentioned Dan Gurney, and that’s a shame.
Dash: Shout Out
Speaking of racing history and old dogs, shout out to Mike Joy for his fabulous bit on the history of Lime Rock Park during FOX’s opening segment of the recent Craftsman Truck Series race at the renowned Connecticut road course. Nailed it!
B Main: IHRA Nitro
There is plenty of intrigue behind this weekend’s re-launch of the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series at Darana Raceway.
IHRA has not sanctioned professional nitro classes in nearly a decade and with eight-car fields for Funny Car and Top Fuel headlining a card that includes Pro Mods and Pro Stocks, it will be interesting to see exactly who shows up. IHRA has advertised $50,000 winner’s checks in both the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes.
Formerly known as National Trail Raceway, Darana Raceway has been renovated in preparation for this event. IHRA has stepped up the live stream as well, with a full broadcast-level production and talent complement, anchored by TV veteran Ken Stout alongside NHRA Top Fuel Funny car legend Tommy Johnson, Jr.
Watch today’s qualifying action streaming live on SPEED SPORT 2. Saturday’s elimination rounds will air Live on SPEED SPORT 1 beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Feature: High Rollers
At the midway point in the racing season, what’s the best championship race?
It’s the fight for the Kubota High Limit Racing title.
With 22 races in the books and 33 still on the schedule, five drivers are within 47 points as the series gets back on the track tonight with its first visit to Kentucky’s Florence Speedway.
Aaron Reutzel, who missed a race with an injury early in the season, leads the standings by a mere nine points over defending champion Brad Sweet.
Tyler Courtney is third, 19 points behind Reutzel, with Rico Abreu 31 points behind Reutzel and Brent Marks trailing the point leader by 47 digits.
It’s anyone’s ballgame as the series races toward the season finale Oct. 17-18 at The Dirt Track at Texas Motor Speedway.
