Getting Up To Speed With Ben Deatherage

Chase Raudman returns to the Getting Up To Speed podcast. In this conversation, we discuss his new role as the lead commentator for the High Limit Sprint Car Series. We also talk about the time when he wasn't sure if he wanted to continue announcing, his content on his YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@Chase_Raudman/videos), some of the things he's looking forward to in 2024, NHL...

Tulare's Thunderbowl Raceway has a wonderful slate of racing in 2024.  In this episode, Gary Thomas and I broke down their schedule and what to look forward to, including several 410 Sprint Car events at the thrilling 1/3-mile clay oval and more! 2024 Thunderbowl Raceway Schedule Saturday May 4: NARC 410 Sprint Car Series and Kings of Thunder Winged 360 Sprint Cars (Chris & Brian Faria Me...

The biggest Midget race in the world is set to kick off on January 7th in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the 38th annual Chili Bowl Nationals. Over 300 competitors from around the planet are already signed in. We got a chance to catch up with event publicist Bryan Hulbert and talked about last year's fantastic edition and what to expect for this year. Check out www.chilibowl.com for the latest news, st...

When putting in the long hours on the road and at the track with the World Of Outlaws, Wes Irwin is a name on that list. At the merchandise trailer, Wes is definitely an individual who is dedicated to helping fans of the series feel welcome and entertained and want to come back for more. Irwin talks about his journey to be on the road with the World of Outlaws, his Living Like Outlaws pages, the y...

Gary Thomas returns to Track Talk to discuss the upcoming 2024 schedule for the Sprint Car Challenge Tour.  Some highlights are the expansion of the series into the Pacific Northwest for Speedweek, the Trophy Cup Tune-Up, the reconfigured Stockton Dirt Track, and returns to staple facilities, and more! 2024 Sprint Car Challenge Tour Schedule Saturday March 30: Placerville Speedway (8th annual Spri...

2024 will see some changes with the World Of Outlaws, and one of them will be the talent utilized trackside and around the world on Dirtvision with Conner Wade.  Wade took some time out of his busy day to discuss his career path to his new role with the "Greatest Show On Dirt" and his dedication to the sport he loves dearly.  Listen to tales about his start as a Micro Sprint announcer, h...

J.J. Hickle returns to the Getting Up To Speed podcast.  He talks about 2023, which saw him earn four victories, including sweeping the 360 and 410 features at Butler Motor Speedway in August and parking it in victory lane at Fremont in June.  Hickle also talks about the move to Sandvig Motorsports in 2024, a quick trip to the Netherlands, the NFL games he's attended, and much more! To listen...

With the 2023 NARC 410 Sprint Car Series all wrapped up we grabbed series General Manager, Jim Allen to discuss the upcoming 2024 schedule.  Jim and I go over each individual race including the expansion of the Fastest Four Days In Motorsports to the Fastest Five Days In Motorsports as well as the return to Santa Maria and Merced.  Listen and enjoy! 2024 NARC 410 SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE March 9...

Cole Sorenson is a young talent behind the microphone that is on the rise. In this discussion, Cole and I spend quite some time reminiscing about the British Columbia racing scene along with Asphalt and Dirt Sprint Car racing. We also get into him calling the action on the PA at the Open Wheel Showdown in Las Vegas. Hear how he started his career and some exciting things going on in Alberta next s...

Kicking our week of interviews off is Dalton Smith.  Piloting his family #75 entry, Dalton originally had no intentions of racing in 2023, but opportunity knocked, and he opened the door.  Smith discusses his years growing up around racing, his first time sitting in the cockpit of a 410 Sprint Car, what 2024 looks like, and more! Be sure to LISTEN, LIKE, and SUBSCRIBE and enjoy! To listen on YouTu...

Shane Hopkins has been a wheelman at Placerville Speedway for the last couple of seasons.  Hear about his racing journey from being a Kart racer as a kid to moving up to being a crew member and eventually becoming a Sprint Car driver.  Shane also shares on his fantastic relationship with legendary wrencher Brian Sperry and much more! Be sure to LISTEN, LIKE, and SUBSCRIBE and enjoy! To listen on Y...

When the dust settled at the Open Wheel Showdown in Las Vegas last Saturday, Aaron Willison would emerge victorious when all was said and done.  Representing the Pacific Province of British Columbia, Willison would lead all 100 laps to win in North America's biggest paying Winged Asphalt Sprint Car race.  In this interview, he also talks about his other long trips, including the Little 500, h...

2023 saw Jake Andreotti race nationwide in various Open Wheel divisions. Whether it was 410 or 360, Non-Winged or Winged Sprint Cars, or even racing Midgets, Andreotti competed in them. In this interview, Jake talks about being the first in his family to race, why he runs #7P for his family Sprint Car, how challenging it was to be on the USAC-National Midget tour, and more! Be sure to LISTEN, LIKE...

If you've ever ventured out to Attica or Fremont, Ohio to catch some racing chances are you have had the pleasure of hearing the iconic voice of Brian Liskai.  Liskai talks about his first announcing job, his heavy involvement in the Ohio racing scene, drivers from around the country converging to the Buckeye State, some cool things that folks involved in racing do for the Ohio Soldiers Home,...

A regular of the River Cities Speedway Sprint Car scene is Jack Croaker.  Croaker posted some quality results over the 2023 campaign, including a runner-up finish at Grand Forks in May.  Several topics are discussed, including why he runs the 8-Ball number, tracks of the Northern Outlaw Sprint Association, his family's reaction to him being a Sprint Car racer, and more! Be sure to LISTEN, LIK...

Conner Morrell had a big year in 2023. He tackled the All Star Circuit of Champions tour, formed a powerful bond with crew chief Landon LaLonde and car chief A.J. Stewart, and had a solid finish for the last few months of the season. Conner tells us about Florida living, manatees, his road to 410 racing, and more in this discussion! Be sure to LISTEN, LIKE, and SUBSCRIBE and enjoy! To listen on Yo...

A young man to keep your eyes on in the future is Ohio's Creed Kemenah. Kemenah had a rollercoaster season in 2023 but feels his team is in a good spot and looks to accomplish some great things next year. In this interview, you will hear about his start in racing from Quarter Midgets to 410 Sprint Cars, his family's roots in racing, life on the road with his father, Chad, and more! Be su...

Chase Dietz had quite the race season in 2023.  He formed Chase Dietz Racing last winter, fulfilled car owner Bruce Lee's dream of fielding a USAC-Silver Crown entry, and ran the Knoxville Nationals for Shark Racing!  Hear about his family's roots in racing, the challenges he overcame with his new team, his adaptation to the Silver Crown cars, and more! Be sure to LISTEN, LIKE, and SUBSC...

If you love pavement Sprint Cars and Midgets and Supermodifieds, don't miss out on the Open Wheel Showdown at the Las Vegas Bullring.  This will be the highest-paying pavement Sprint Car event of all time and features drivers from all over the United States and Canada.  In this interview event, Director of Communications Steven Blakesley talks about the pre-entry list and what to expect from...

With nearly 100 feature starts in the United States this year, Buddy Kofoid has been one of the busiest open-wheel drivers in the country. The Penngrove, California pilot spent most of the year aboard the Roth Motorsports #83JR powered by Toyota Racing Development and ran selective races for the Keith Kunz Motorsports #67 Midget. Hear about how things came together for the Roth ride, his incredibl...

The Faria family is well known in California's Central Valley.  Dawson Faria is one of the torchbearers of the family legacy, competing at famed facilities such as Kings Speedway and Thunderbowl Raceway.  Hear about how he started in Micro Sprints, where he dreams of racing in the coming years, some fun things to do in the Tulare area, and more! Be sure to LISTEN, LIKE, and SUBSCRIBE and enjo...

The cars and stars of the USAC National Midget Series are preparing for a residency in the state of California as they close out their 2023 season. Listen from USAC's own Drake York as we talk about the tracks, the talent, and more about this thrilling and exciting group of drivers.  Swing Schedule: Tuesday, November 14th Bakersfield Speedway (November Classic) Friday, November 17th, Placervi...

Justin Whittall is a young New Jersey man who logs in the miles. Whether racing in Central Pennsylvania nowadays or back in his Midget era, going to North Carolina regularly, he does not fear making a long trip to his next race. In this discussion, hear about his 2023 campaign, what he would like to accomplish in his career, how he started racing, and much more! Be sure to LISTEN, LIKE, and SUBSCR...

Knoxville Raceway is known for being called the "Sprint Car Capital of the World", it's also the home of Jamie Ball.  Racer, realtor, team owner, and husband, Ball is an extremely busy individual but has managed to put together a top-notch racing operation.  Hear about his love for his hometown, his lovely wife and her horse, his 2024 plans, some of the successes he experienced this...

Mark Dobmeier, the ruler of River Cities Speedway joins us on the program to talk about his rough start to 2023 but most importantly his bounce back including winning the track title at the famed Grand Forks oval.  We also discuss the NOSA Sprint scene, Huset's Speedway's comeback story, the health of the North Dakota racing area, and much more!  Be sure to LISTEN, LIKE, and SUBSCRIBE an...