THE DIRT from Knoxville

S4-E18: Jason Reed, Knoxville Raceway GM!

It was officially announced on October 3, 2022 that Jason Reed has been named the new Knoxville Raceway General Manager. We wanted to introduce Jason to those who don't know him. He has a great resume and passion that will fit the role nicely. 

S4-E17: Chad Morgan and Season Championship Recap

We continue our 12 questions series with crew chief Chad Morgan who helped Ayrton Gennetten get his first win at Knoxville yo end their 2022 season at Knoxville. Then we recap Season Championship Night, discuss the point battles, end of the season stats, contemplate a Late Model Nationals preview and more! 

S4-E16: Nationals Recap and 12 Questions with Philip Dietz

Ben and Eric recap the Knoxville Nationals, 360 Nationals, Capitani Classic. We breakdown events of each night, story lines, who disappointed, who surprised us, and discuss rumors heard after hours during the Nationals. Also our 12 Questions interview with two-time Knoxville Nationals winning crew chief, Philip Dietz.

S4-E15: 12 Questions with Wayne Johnson

A round of 12 Questions with two-time 360 Knoxville Nationals Champion, Wayne Johnson. Plus a recap of Friday nights action.

S4-E14: 12 Questions with Jack Dover

Jack Dover joins us for a fun round of 12 questions. Also a quick recap of Thursday Preliminary Night of the 360 Knoxville Nationals! 

S4-E13: Terry McCarl

FINALLY, Terry McCarl has come to the show! We talk about the Front Row Challenge coming up on Monday, August 8th, his move to the 360 class this season, the new rivalry with Clint Garner, being the villain, broken bones, the joys and risks of being a promoter, why his father didn't want him to grow up to be a racer, his future in promoting races, tires and horsepower. You can buy tickets for the Front Row Challenge at OskyChallenges.com! 

S4-E12: Gunner Ramey

Meet Gunner Ramey from Sedalia, MO. The 19-year-old won his first sprint car feature a couple of weeks ago and it was a big one against the ASCS National Tour at US36 in Osborne, MO. He drivers the Terry Doogs 21 with support of Impact Signs, Awnings, & Wraps in the 360 class and they are beginning to dabble with a 410 engine recently as well. A kid with big racing dreams, Gunner spent a few years racing in Oklahoma in micros and doing school online to focus on racing. Now maturing into a solid sprint car driver, the sky is the limit for another young kid from the Midwest.  Ben and Eric discuss last weeks races at Knoxville, answer some fan questions, and give out some local food dining recommendations for the tourists coming to town as we grown closer to the Knoxville Nationals.

S4-E11: Kelby Watt

The return of Kelby Watt! A tip from car owner Dennis Gainey leads us to a conversation with Kelby and their partnership to enter the 360 Knoxville Nationals! Watt has been working an internship in Charlotte for Hendrick Motorsports and will be back home in Iowa soon to continue his education at Iowa State and hopefully more racing in his future as well. His journey the past year has been an interesting one working on shocks for Hendrick and more. We also breakdown this past weeks racing at Knoxville, Eldora, and County Fair experiences.

S4-E10: Sawyer Phillips and Hot Topics

Family, Farming and Racing is the way of life for Sawyer Phillips. After setting quick time this past week, crashing in his heat and rallying to a sixth place feature finish, this 24-year-old from nearby Pleasantville, Iowa has been inching closer to a win in the 410 class. It's time to meet the youngest of the Phillips Brothers. Ben and Eric also discuss this past weeks races, hot topics this week with a new sprint car series being announced, Larson says he won't compete at the Chili Bowl, how Knoxville points could change with some race teams going to the Kings Royal. Who will take advantage? And it is Fair Week in Knoxville! 

S4-E9: Kaleb Johnson

Kaleb Johnson is becoming a very good sprint car driver in the Upper Midwest the past few years. He currently sits third in Knoxville 360 points, fifth in Huset's 410 points and he won his first 360 sprint car race at Rock Rapids a month ago. We learn about his racing roots and his journey to managing his own race team to compete every weekend at two tracks. Ben and Eric also discuss the events of this past weekend at Knoxville, driver changes, big money events and more!