Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

Most of us has seen this on social media that KTJ and Bayston lost their ride. 

Questions I've been asked: 

Does Brown fill his seat? probably not

Will JMR hire a full time driver for next year and if so who? 

Who's taking the Heiderbreder (ktj's) seat? 

Where does Gio land next year?

Why is Zeb Wise still sitting on the sidelines? 

Will Timms run a tour next year? 

And will Donny retire from running the WOO full time? 

Keep It Real

I'll bite.

Assume you mean Brian Brown - I just don't have the feeling that he wants to run for someone else. The guy has built one of the top sprint car operations in America on his terms and there's no indication to me that he would want to change. He puts in the work as an ambassador and seems great with his sponsor partners and I just don't see any reason that would change.

I would imagine JMR's plans are contingent on what happens with Day's pavement career. I think Day will always have an opportunity to run that car when time permits and if his pavement career continues to allow him to do so, and I don't follow NASCAR a ton but from what I've seen it sounds like his participation there will be full time in 2026. I saw Jason's comments to SprintCarUnlimited and it seemed to indicate they're looking towards next year but I also saw a Facebook post being shared where Shane Bowers had posted about four motors for sale. If they do make another full time run, I would think it would require an elite driver - Gio fits the bill and may be open. My best guess is this team runs a full time car with Day running a smaller schedule than 2025 - possibly just Crown Jewel events as they fit his NASCAR journey. Maybe they do prove me wrong and get another young West Coast guy like Tanner Holmes to drive the car.

The Heidbreider car is interesting - I have no clue who ends up in it, I have no clue how good that equipment really is. I know there will also be more drivers than open seats but it doesn't feel like a high-level opportunity to me.

You didn't mention it but my first thought is how long Hunter Schuerenberg holds on to the Vermeer seat - I haven't seen any conversation on that and IMO it should be boiling. Only one top five with WoO, no podiums and 11 top tens with National Series, an abysmal Knoxville, Clinton Boyles let the team. I saw they've hired Tye Wolfgang but I have to imagine this will be Hunter's last opportunity. I know it doesn't include WoO tow but he's made $79K in feature earnings in 53 races which is just an astonishingly low amount when compared to say Madsen in the Vermeer entry ($93K in 38 races).

Not sure what the deal with Zeb is - I've heard him talk a bit on The Drivers Project and it seems that he's being pretty picky on potential rides, but who knows if he's even had the opportunity to run anything either. I do think the longer he goes without racing, the more likely he will be to widen his range of acceptable rides.

I don't know if Timms needs to run a National Tour. They've put in a lot of time at Knoxville this year and obviously that paid off but it was paying off previously as well. I don't know if the Liebig team is built to run a National Tour, and if it's they intention or aspiration to do so, I would hope they'd take some time to prepare. I think they're the perfect type of team to just continue running how they're running - majority of the year in the Upper Midwest with a lot of Knoxville and Husets with a little traveling baked in.

And lastly, I don't know what to expect from Donny. The selfish part of me wants him to stay - he's been a constant since I've gotten into this sport, but I also don't want him to stay in too long and go out as a shell of what he used to be. I think it's clear that he still has the passion and drive to win, but they've just got to find somethign to get more competitive. I don't think he's got the appetite to go run a top 20 every night. I wouldn't be surprised either way.

I wonder if the Meyers ride becomes like the Silva 57 that is available to run when the nascar guys schedule permits and then hires a local Cali guy to run locally for select shows. Didn't sound to me like they were ready to commit for 2026 and if they were I think they would have just replaced Bayston instead of shutting the team down. But time will tell. 

Just to clarify, you're wondering if Brian Brown will put somebody in the Casey's 21 while his injuries heal?   Good question!

I personally think Gio would be an awesome fit for the JMR 14 full time assuming Day doesn't return full time. Timms would be too IMO.  

Don't think Zeb Wise is all that great.   Neither is Bayston, but I'm sure both will land somewhere.

I would bet Donny's ready to retire, but I hope not.   

Yes, the question is, would Brown hire someone to fill his seat until he can drive. He's not going to give up his team and jump to something less predictable. 

Keep It Real

Not sure I'm keeping my thoughts in any order and my knowledge is questionable.  Who knows about Brownie is he really done for the year, sorry for being out of the fresh info loop? JMR has great equipment, as a part timer Day set a pretty high standard for that car, tough shoes to fill. I'ts a great car, sure it would be nice to see them on the road. KTJ should probably stay with the non wingers, he's better there and knows the routine and I enjoy watching him in that discipline. Gio will find a deal much sweeter than the pizza shop. Bayston was good in midgets and hasn't done much in the big time winged racing I'm not sure he will. I don't see any stock left in Wise but who knows.  Timms spent some time in Knoxville and it's territories, now I'd like to see him spend a year or two in PA but that's just me being selfish, I'm sure he's ready to tour.

Brown used to talk about being a car owner once he quit racing, so I could see him putting someone in the car.  Being that Knoxville is done for the season he might focus on getting ready for next year though.  Could go either way.

Gio would fit the bill for JMR.  He's a high level guy and that car is fast. 

I understand Zeb is being picky, but you can't call yourself a race driver if you don't drive a race car.  The longer he waits the less likely he gets a good ride.

I don't see a reason for Timms to go National.  He's doing just fine with his current schedule and gaining confidence.  Not every good driver needs to join HL/WoO.  He's so good it'll happen at some point.  No need to rush it.

I think KTJ is a very underrated wing driver.  He's never ran them full time and has done pretty well.  His non-wing style translates pretty well to wing racing.  He more of smooth, controlled driver.

If Donny retires from the WoO I would guess he would stop driving.  He's been on the tour for 30 years now and can't see him being a true outlaw.

Call me greedy but Id like to see Donny run another year or two on the outlaws.  Also once he retires from the Outlaws he should run Knoxville weekly.  His nieces have practiced at Knoxville so they could run and get experience.  

When Donny retires do you think TSR will get out of sprint car racing? 

Keep It Real

Yes.

After today's news Ill say no

Stewart and Schatz parted ways, Kerry in the TSR #15 now. 

I know it says they are both looking forward to the 2026 season, but I'd be shocked to see both TSR with a new driver for 2026, and Donny driving with another team.  If I had to guess, I'd say at least 1 of the 2 will hang it up, if not both.  TSR is finishing out the year with Kerry for owner's points, and it wouldn't shock me if that's the end of TSR.  Just a hunch.

Kerry Madsen is 53. TSR not exactly going with the youth movement here. 

Of all the horses to bet on, I'm putting my money on TSR being gone at the end of the year. 
From going all in, to getting all out. 

I'm sure many of you have seen this but Bayston is in the 57 ride. The second 57 car based in CA. 

Keep It Real