USAC Midwest Thunder Midget Monthly: Episode 2 w/ 2025 Champion Tyler Nelson!

Takeaways

The 2025 season faced significant weather-related challenges, impacting race schedules.

Tracks calling and signing up for the 2026 season!

Tyler Nelson's consistency was key to his championship win, with an average finish of 4.2.

The camaraderie among drivers in the series fosters a supportive environment.

Transitioning from national midget racing to D2 midgets offers a more affordable and competitive option.

The series aims to maintain competitiveness while ensuring affordability for participants.

Community engagement and visibility are crucial for the success of the series.

The importance of having a solid support system, including sponsors and crew members, is highlighted.

Future plans include enhancing tech processes and maintaining strong relationships with racetracks.

The series has seen a growth in participation and interest from new drivers.

Tyler Nelson's journey reflects the challenges and triumphs of grassroots racing and national news!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Season Overview

03:02 Weather Challenges and Race Cancellations

05:48 Highlights of the 2025 Season

11:56 Driver Insights and Competitive Spirit

18:04 Tyler's Championship Journey and Challenges

25:44 Season Highlights and Championship Dynamics

27:45 The Impact of External Factors on Racing

29:49 Driver Profiles and Their Journeys

36:04 Rookie Experiences and Emerging Talents

38:38 The Evolution of Racing and Its Challenges

44:33 Support Systems in Racing and Community Engagement

45:00 Tyler Nelson's Journey to Championship Glory

01:00:26 The Evolution of Midget Racing

01:02:32 Transitioning to D2: A New Challenge

01:05:00 The Competitive Spirit of Grassroots Racing

01:07:25 Visibility and Growth in Midget Racing

01:09:46 Building Community in Dirt Racing

01:10:20 Innovations in Chassis Design

01:16:21 Preparing for the Next Season

01:19:24 Future Plans and Aspirations

01:25:18 Looking Ahead: The Future of USAC Midwest Thunder Midgets

In Episode 69, Buddy gets bit, champions are crowned, and time is running out

00:44

TWIDR

October 20, 2012

1:06

Talking Points

-Gravel for Kofoid

-KTJ on a run

-Cridesville Speedway Track Champions

-2026 National Dirt Late Model HOF class announced

-2026 DTWC back to WVMS

-Rico and the Mailman poppin bottles

5:51

Victory Fuel promo code

6:23

Race recap and racing to come

13:20

Racing Plans

In episode 68: Dirt racing loses a legend, better safe than sorry, and points battles to crown a champion

00:44

TWIDR

October 19, 2013

1:02

Talking Points

-NARC purchase

-Driver’s Project suggest competition

-A MILLION reasons to race

-Winter Dirt Games

-Am I dreaming

-Better safe than sorry

-RIP Bobby Allen

10:39

Victory Fuel promo code

11:11

Race recap and racing to come

In episode 67: Was it really a surprise, 4 Crown recap, and wing tips

00:44

TWIDR

-October 4, 2015

1:03

Talking Points

-RAR and TSR

-Mansfield Speedway

-Moler and Fremont Track Champions

-Macari out

-Tulsa Shootout numbers

-Mike Marlar in a sprint car

-IRA Champion

-The Low Rider win(g)s

6:27

Victory Fuel Promo Code

6:58

Race recap and racing to come

17:32

Racing Plans

Episode 66: What is the current state of dirt racing, and if a sprint car flips over and people are there to see it, does a flag get thrown

00:47

TWIDR

September 13, 2008

1:04

Talking Points

-Current state of dirt racing

-GST v OVSCA

-Mansfield to kick the gates open in 2026

-Champions are crowned

-The eye in the sky wasn’t there for Kevin Newton

-4 Crown Nationals time

11:49

Victory Fuel promo code

12:20

Race recap and racing to come

31:02

Racing plans

In Episode 65, safety and suspensions, Rico getting hot at the right time, and Dave Andrews, Race Director of Atomic Speedway joins the show!

00:47

TWIDR

September 7, 1996

1:03

Talking Points

-Seat safety

-Sheldon’s punishment too light

-Chase Johnson Classic

-Season Champions

-Rico catches fire at the right time

-Weekend picks for the Tusky 50 and the World 100

5:56

Atomic Speedway Race Director Dave Andrews talks about:

-Race Day Preparations

-Family Involvement

-Challenges in Dirt Racing

-Engaging Younger Audiences

-Future Plans for Atomic Speedway

-Community and Collaboration

1:13:32

Victory Fuel promo code

1:14:04

Race recap and racing to come

1:24:38

Racing plans

In episode 64, there’s another 410 sprint car series in Ohio, another hot take, and Ryan Timms is tearing it up

00:50

TWIDR

August 27, 1994

1:07

Talking Points

-High Limit Hot Take

-Gladiator Sprint Tour

-Jim Ford Classic Jackpot

-Kokomo Smackdown breaks records

-Weird flex from the WoO Late Models

-The King and Pay Day

-Ryan Timms is on fire

-Michaels Mercer Raceway removes a series for a weekend

7:24

Victory Fuel promo code

7:56

Race recap and racing to come

18:14

Racing Plans

-Lincoln Park

In episode 63, Cha cha cha changes, the Jacque Beaber Fall Classic, and Cap Henry is on a tear

00:47

TWIDR

August 23, 2013

1:06

Talking Points

-A lot of movement

-High Limit rule change and why High Limit is doing something good for racing

-OVSCA Points

-Jacque Beaber Fall Classic

-Cade Dilllard gets parked

-𝐎𝐡𝐢𝐨 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟎𝟓 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐇𝐲𝐚𝐭𝐭 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲

-World 100 camping

7:22

Victory Fuel promo code

7:54

Racing recap and races to come

19:05

Weekend racing plans