Dave Osterman, Chad Barr, Todd Anstaett, Bub Balsley, Alex Brunner all receive awards in this portion of the video.

1.31.12 edition of In The Dirt with Webb Dillard, Kyle May and Brian Gray. This weeks guest were: James “Redd” Griffin, and Jason Adkins . You can listen in live every Monday night at 7pm Eastern on http://www.blogtalkradio.com/inthedirt.

The 2011 Moler Raceway Park Awards Banquet. Kevin Moler and Mike Goins recap the 2011 season.

1.23.12 edition of In The Dirt with Webb Dillard, Kyle May and Brian Gray. This weeks guest were: Kim Moler, Morgan Bagley and Randall Edwards. You can listen in live every Monday night at 7pm Eastern on http://www.blogtalkradio.com/inthedirt.

1.16.12 edition of In The Dirt with Webb Dillard, Kyle May and Brian Gray. This weeks guest were: Gene Mince, Shane Mugavin and Kevin Waddell. You can listen in live every Monday night at 7pm Eastern onhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/inthedirt.

Disclaimer: Some language may not be suitable for children. The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the The Dirt Racing Connection.Got some #&%@! to tell us? Tweet us: http://www.twitter.com/thedrc

What track do you think deserves to win "dirt track of the year?" Why? Twitter that $&?! to @TheDRC and we will post the best responses.

January 10, 2012 12:01 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@TheDRC

DirtRacingConnection

@thedrc: not the atomic "bomb" speedway in alma,ohio

January 10, 2012 12:03 pm via txtReplyRetweetFavorite

@KevinShankster

Kevin Shanks

@thedrc : florence speedway...they can run high and low there...usually crisscross coming out of turns

January 10, 2012 12:07 pm via txtReplyRetweetFavorite

@KevinShankster

Kevin Shanks

@TheDRC Tyler county speedway in my opinion gaining my respect with the black diamond 125 in September then adding the jackpot #great idea

January 10, 2012 12:07 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@DTR_Updates

Jacob Gibson

@TheDRC Portsmouth Raceway Park is my vote

January 10, 2012 12:17 pm via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite

@tphill67

Tim Phillips

@TheDRC Easy guess would be FALS, but other than that. Kokomo is a good choice.

January 11, 2012 6:06 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@RealChrisRische

Christopher Rische

@TheDRC @Lernerville ...best weekly show anywhere, and the specials are awesome. #FabFour #NowhereelseinUSA #nothingclose

January 11, 2012 6:07 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@21stCenturySkiz

g heeman

@TheDRC Well I'm partial to Eldora.. but my 2nd pick is good ol Union Co Speedway :)

January 11, 2012 6:22 pm via Twitter for AndroidReplyRetweetFavorite

@EdJohnson2

Ed Johnson™

@TheDRC Fairbury deserves this. A beyond great atmosphere, treat drivers with great respect, the fans are driven. Racing is at its best.

January 11, 2012 11:06 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@WadeLogan_DRC

Wade Logan

@TheDRC Fairbury, reason- its fucking better than everywhere else period.

January 13, 2012 3:16 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@tobywhallett

Toby W Hallett

Florence of course, Two great Lucas races and 3 entertaining 5g races. @TheDRC

January 13, 2012 8:04 pm via TweetCaster for AndroidReplyRetweetFavorite

@PRESTOMATIC

Preston Biddle

@TheDRC Lincoln Speedway in PA cause they have great track prep & great racing every week

January 13, 2012 8:09 pm via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite

@BarbJ94

Barb Johnson

@TheDRC jackson county speedway reopening and having a good year under first time ownership look for 2012 to be an awesome year

January 13, 2012 8:32 pm via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite

@T_Carr_16T

Tyler Carr

@TheDRC Fairbury because you can get your mind right with Turp and then take in some of Sandy Harlan's killer cookies.

January 13, 2012 9:07 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@AftershockDecal

Charlie Hoselton

@TheDRC #uticaromespeedway with its new banking and ties with #richieevans being inducted to # NASCARHOF

January 13, 2012 10:32 pm via Twitter for AndroidReplyRetweetFavorite

@c_wentrick

Charles Wentrick

@TheDRC I personally went to 8 different tracks last year. Florence Speedway was the best hands down. Lots of big races and lots of passing.

January 14, 2012 1:06 am via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite

@GarySkinner

Gary Skinner

@TheDRC Plus they had the Jerry Rice and Jason Jameson drama over doctoring tires. I loved watching people pick sides on whose fault it was.

January 14, 2012 1:10 am via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite

@GarySkinner

Gary Skinner

@TheDRCBest track conditions go to #Brushcreekmotorsports. Hands down.Best track management goes to moler, atomic, and Portsmouth.

January 15, 2012 6:43 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@coledemintC12

J. Cole DeMint

@TheDRC Fairbury. Racy track, big crowds, several campers for a weekly show, driver and fan interaction during open pits after the racing

January 15, 2012 7:24 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@Mike_ohio26

Mike Ross

1.9.12 edition of In The Dirt with Webb Dillard, Kyle May and Brian Gray. This weeks guest were: Kelley Carlton, and Jody Shannon. You can listen in live every Monday night at 7pm Eastern on http://www.blogtalkradio.com/inthedirt.

In this episode Brian discusses engine maintenance and teaches us how to degree a cam shaft in your own garage.

1.2.12 edition of In The Dirt with Webb Dillard, Kyle May and Brian Gray. This weeks guest were: Kelley Carlton, Eddie Davis, Randall Walker, Dillon Crim, and Jason Wilson. You can listen in live every Monday night at 7pm Eastern on http://www.blogtalkradio.com/inthedirt.

Disclaimer: Some language may not be suitable for children. The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the The Dirt Racing Connection.

Another season is gone, and I had a blast doing this website for all ya’ll. We hit some new tracks, some old ones, slept in my Buick, and added $206.53 along with a $3 gas card to the Late Model feature winner at Moler on fan night. It was another successful year here at The Dirt Racing Connection and now it’s time to celebrate some of MY favorite videos from the 2011 season. Did I miss something? Post it in the comments section. Feedback is always encouraged here.

Holy @#$& these are kids:

I wasn’t planning on shooting the Mini Wedge feature on this night, however, after seeing the heat races I decided I had to. These cars are basically Late Model shaped Go-Karts with kids, mostly under the age of 13, going wide open around a tacky Tyler County Speedway. These kids went four and five wide, split lapped traffic without lifting, and was dumping each other for position. This must be a regular thing  because the locals didn’t act too impressed. Me? I was frightened and expecting one to come flying through the fence Talladega style.

My fat ass is wore out:

This is the interview that introduced the world to Chad Stapelton’s unpredictable interview style. Stapleton first told the crowd that his “fat ass was wore out” and then told of his last trip to Brushcreek (when he hit a trashcan that was laying on the track). The only other post race interview I personally saw this season, that’s comparable, came from Stapelton as well. After winning a feature at Moler Raceway Park, Chad dedicated his victory to “the goon dick on 4m talking shit,” he then proceeded to challenge Scott Bloomquist to come race with him at the Williamsburg, Ohio bullring.  ”Total Chaos” ended both interviews by apologizing for his language to all the children in attendance.

This race sucked:

I wasn’t at the DTWC so I can’t comment on it from a first hand perspective. Unfortunately, I was present for the ADRA Series Opener at Moler Raceway Park. Some confusion with the format and scoring, along with early week rains, left everything wet except for the track. These factors made this the worst race we taped all season long.

Honorable mention(s):

The honorable mention of the year goes to this series of two videos from Moler Raceway Park. The first one is a great feature with lots of dicing and position changing up front. “Lil” John Whitney inherited the lead from Rick Combs near the end of the race and had a healthy lead on Wayne Chinn and Chad Stapleton. Whitney seemed to have a  comfortable lead with Stapleton back just a few car links. Stapleton threw a wide slider on Chinn and then nailed his marks three laps in a row to cut the lead and pull along side Whitney on the white flag lap. Heading into turn four Stapleton caught a case of SOD and pushed up into the marbles allowing Whitney to safely cross the line in first place.

One month later the same two drivers were racing for the win again, this time with the roles reversed with Stapleton leading Whitney. Whitney pulled along side Stapleton several times over but could not complete the pass. On the last lap Chad went into three and four hard but this time it stuck and Stapleton avenged his earlier defeat. Good clean racing between two of the best drivers in the Cincinnati area. The video also shows Stapleton’s progression from mid-pack driver to front runner at Moler Raceway Park.

My races of the year list: 

Down Goes Frazier:

After a rain out at Brushcreek we headed straight to Fairbury. We missed hot laps, qualifying, and heat races. We pulled in right before the features began after a frantic four hour sprint. When I heard Jason Feger had been fast all night and won the dash, I examined the track conditions and seen the highside appeared to be the dominate groove. This favored Feger and I wondered to myself, had we drove four hours to watch a twenty-five lap Feger beat down. When the green flag waved, Feger immediately attacked the cushion and looked to be crusing to an early season victory. Behind him young Jimmy Dehm was the lone car using the bottom groove with success, moving to second from the eigth starting position. As the kush moved higher and higher up the track, Feger slapped the wall a couple times, opening up the door for Dehm. As the checkered flag waved someone in the crowd yelled “Down goes Frazier!” Some excited race fans sitting in the front row started doing a little jig we later named “The Southtown Shuffle.” Great race, unexpected winner, great post race atmosphere.

Hawkins WFO UFO:

The Dirt Racing Connection went to the UFO season opener in 2010 and seen the race of the year, so there was no way we were missing this years opener. We pulled into a soggy Tyler County Speedway and prayed we would get to see a race. After about two hours of grader races and pack trucks to delay the start we were treated to an exciting night of racing. The heats were kinda blah compared to some of the UFO shows I have seen in the past. With Dohm starting up front and minimal passing in the heat races I didn’t expect much. Harold Redman gave Dohm fits in the early going but the story of the race was the Hawkins brothers. Jared made his way to the front within the first half of the race after starting thirteenth on the grid. Behind him his brother Jacob was battling through the field from his seventeenth starting position. Dohm slowed on the track, Jared took the lead,  Jacob followed him, the two raced for the lead till the checker flag waved. Behind them Mike Benedum worked his way into the fifth position from twenty-first. You can go ahead and pencil me in for the UFO opener in 2012.

Kokomo Klash:

Wade talked about this race at length already and I don’t have much to add that he didn’t say. This was an awesome race. Weaver from the back of the consi to make the race and then passing cars like they are standing still. This race was Bobby Pierce’s bar mitzvah of sorts as he now enters into manhood in the Dirt Late Model ranks. The Stapleton and Ruhlman post race actives will be talked about for years. It was a hecklers dream. Two of the most polarizing characters on the regional level face to face in the infield. I still laugh every time I think about the guy who bellowed out “take him to the Hilton!” when Ruhlman was discussing the incident with the police.

Turkey Gobbler:

If you would have told me this race was going to be on the list two months ago I would have laughed. Cold ass November in Ohio presents you with few options. You can pack the track hard and hope it slicks over before rubber gets laid. It could be rough like moto-cross track. Or you can cancel. Surprisingly, Moler picked door number four and had a hammer down racy track for their Turkey Gobbler. Jason Jameson looked like hell in his heat race. Jameson, Darrell Lanigan, and crew thrashed on the track all the way till feature time and it paid off. From the sixteenth starting spot Jameson was able to use the whole track to his advantage and passed Barry Doss in the closing laps to win another feature at MRP. Brandon Thirlby might of had something for him but trouble with lapped cars kept the Michigan driver stuck back in the third position. Despite the fact he turned some of the fastest laps ever seen in Brown County.

The Unanimous Decision:

One of the best races I have ever seen. From start to finish this was a masterpiece. There was a buzz leading into the event. It was going to be record hot and the humidity would make it feel like the inside of a erupting volcano. The Fairbury faithful assured people on the various forums and social media sites that the track would be in great shape and would be soaked with water all the way till race time. Needless to say in 100 degree weather the staff at Fairbury presented us with one of the best prepared tracks I have ever seen. Racing was close and fast all night long. I can go on and on about the race for days but nothing said can do it justice. One hour after this race was over I was in the pit shack with officials from Fairbury and UMP showing them the video and I still didn’t know who had one. Neither did they. Hats off to the staff at Fairbury American Legion Speedway, the attention to track conditions set up that wonderful finish that will go down as one of the most talked about races in the history of the sport.

Disclaimer: Some language may not be suitable for children. The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the The Dirt Racing Connection.Got some #&%@! to tell us? Tweet us: http://www.twitter.com/thedrc

Looking for everyone's most memorable dirt racing moment from 2011. We will post the best submissions on thedrc.net. Send them to @TheDRC.

December 22, 2011 6:28 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@TheDRC

DirtRacingConnection

@TheDRC Mars wins the firecracker then bloomer protests his tars and it takes forever to see if he was legit.

December 22, 2011 6:32 pm via Twitter for AndroidReplyRetweetFavorite

@comptonb_99

dobie

@TheDRC The final ten Laps of the Dream.

December 22, 2011 6:44 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@Gasface25

The Gas

@TheDRC how about a 1st career win video? http://t.co/EvNK4jug

December 22, 2011 7:05 pm via DigsbyReplyRetweetFavorite

@budzoracing

Chris Budzban

@TheDRC Jerry Gibson3 winning the king of the compacts.

December 22, 2011 7:36 pm via Twitter for AndroidReplyRetweetFavorite

@G1bsonracing

Jerry rooster gibson

@TheDRC Eldora World 100 fall 2011 feature race was unbelievable #eddiecarrierjr

December 22, 2011 9:05 pm via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite

@jkhdancer07

Jerica Howard

@TheDRC 2011 moment - Watching Nate Zimmer blow up while battling for the lead in the Earl J Hubert Memorial race #likeaboss

December 22, 2011 7:02 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@toekneehubert

Tony Hubert

Seeing my first Lucas Oil race at Florence at the North South 100. It's an incredible first time experience. @TheDRC

December 26, 2011 5:24 pm via TweetCaster for iOSReplyRetweetFavorite

@PhantomMtrsprts

Rob Crowley

My favorite moment @TheDRC of the '11 season was watching/announcing @austindillon3 win his first Ray Cook @SoNationals win at Wythe, VA!

December 26, 2011 7:01 pm via txtReplyRetweetFavorite

@tilleyracing

Chris Tilley

@TheDRC the best race I witnessed all year was the reopening of southern Ohio speedway as Tim dohm had the lead, came from the tail to retak

December 27, 2011 9:12 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@newsom1868

chad newsom

@TheDRC retake the lead just to loose on a bonzi last lap pass by Eddie carrier jr to win the $$$

December 27, 2011 9:14 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@newsom1868

chad newsom

@TheDRC best memory from 2011 is when Greg Wilson go punched in the face at Fremont Speedway

December 28, 2011 12:24 am via Mobile WebReplyRetweetFavorite

@Sray2309

Sierra Ray

@TheDRC The Firecracker 100 #ThemTars battle between Jimmy Mars and Scott Bloomquist #noquestion.

December 29, 2011 10:37 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@TrevKSteele

Trever.Steele

@TheDRC World Finals Saturday night portion. Eckert vs Richards for the WoO title on live/semi-live TV, couldn't ask for more.

December 29, 2011 10:38 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@21stCenturySkiz

g heeman

@thedrc 2011? Gotta be my 21st bday ass kickin' by Rusty Hawes. #ImNowAMan

December 29, 2011 10:39 pm via txtReplyRetweetFavorite

@WadeLogan_DRC

Wade Logan

@TheDRC Championship night at Fairbury a great late model race, Funk VS Flessner round 2 and a checkers or wreckers powderpuff #funberry

December 29, 2011 10:39 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@Mike_ohio26

Mike Ross

@TheDRC the insanity of the last late model feature at jackson county speedway

December 29, 2011 10:40 pm via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite

@T_Carr_16T

Tyler Carr

@thedrc my first trip to tazewell and volunteer speedways....awesome

December 29, 2011 10:47 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@InTheDirtRadio

In The Dirt Radio

@TheDRC epic campfire - 4wheeler, pukin boy, and the epic log #pootnanny

December 29, 2011 10:48 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@Mike_ohio26

Mike Ross

@TheDRC not one goddamn thing.

December 29, 2011 10:49 pm via Twitter for AndroidReplyRetweetFavorite

@tobywhallett

Toby W Hallett

@TheDRC Scott James vs. Darrell Lanigan at the N/S Tune Up, watching James hand his trophy to a very young fan afterwards

December 29, 2011 11:09 pm via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite

@Bucket5G

Garrett Browning

@TheDRC when Kevin Weaver came from dead last in the consi to finish second in the feature at the kokomo klash

December 30, 2011 2:01 am via Twitter for AndroidReplyRetweetFavorite

@MM47_DRC

Matt Murrell

@TheDRC The best have I seen in person was N/S Tuneup. With ScottJames beating Darrell Langian on a last lap pass. Plus James wrecks at line

December 30, 2011 4:47 am via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite

@GarySkinner

Gary Skinner

@TheDRC Plus the worst race if you ask was the choo-choo 100 at Atomic Speedway. ZZZzzzzz. Boring

December 30, 2011 4:49 am via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite

@GarySkinner

Gary Skinner

@TheDRC when don o'neal retaliated on jeep vanwormer at brownstown after jeep ran over him for the lead

December 30, 2011 10:29 am via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@DTR_Updates

Jacob Gibson

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the The Dirt Racing Connection.

This year was a most memorable one for me, personally. Thousands and thousands of miles across these United States to see great door-to-door, blood, sweat and gut racing. 2011 certainly did not let us down either, from my own backyard to clear across the midwest. I had the privelage to check out races and tracks I had always been told about but never got the opportunity to see; and it was these very tracks that grabbed me and stuck with me above all the others.

Of the 30 or so races I attended this season, these here are the top five that had me on my feet…

#5 ADRA $2000, Final Points Race, 10.7.11, Moler Raceway Park, Williamsburg, Ohio

The heated season-wide rivalry between Indiana driver, Chad Stapleton and local champion and contender Barry Doss met its simmering end at this race. All season we had seen the fueled disputes between these two and the entire crowd was split in two. Pro-Chad, Pro-Barry. With more than the local batch at the track that night it made it all more interesting. Two battles were occuring. The race for the $2000 that included names like Tim Prince, Rod Conely and the to-be winner, Eddie Carrier, Jr. And of course, the all too infamous fireworks between Chad and Barry. Eddie, Rod and Tim had no idea what pool they just dived into when they pulled their cars onto the track…

#4 The Hidden Gem, Brushcreek Motorsports, Peebles, Ohio.

It was Adams County in mid-July and I just hit town and my throat was dry… And it was humid and sticky and hotter than Hell. However this mid-summer, mid-week $10,000 to win show obviously made it to this list for a reason. The cause was great, all profits go towards college scholarships, something we don’t see much but should see more of in the sport. At first I was let down to see the DRC was the only campers for this race. We sat all night by our lonesome selves just waiting… but to no avail. The next morning we hiked up to Hillsboro, Ohio for a brew and some wings (which did not go over well), we ran down in time to see halfway through the day the hillside was filling with cars and the pits were halfway packed. Very soon the pits filled up with some great local drivers and of course many bigger-named drivers. College flags flew around the track and the seats were quickly filling to capacity. For a Wednesday show in the middle of no where Ohio, it was fantastic. The racing was just as fantastic. Darrell Lanigan took home the money but not after an epic battle with Tim Dohm. Lanigan had to do his best to hold of Eddie Carrier Jr, definitely a major player at Brushcreek, and Duane Chamberlain.

#3 Turkey Gobbler 40, Moler Raceway Park, Williamsburg, Ohio.

I remember sweating to death in Fairbury, thinking “Wow the end of the season is drawing near”, and I didn’t really imagine myself later seeing such a great late model race while freezing to death… wearing overalls and a toboggan. The Turkey Gobbler set in mid November was one of the last races around here, and for that reason the pits were packed. We were very skeptical to how the track would hold up, because freezing my ass off to see a crappy race, even if it was my last one, wouldn’t have went well with me. But much to my surprise it was beautiful. Easily one of Moler’s best, Jason Jameson clearing nearly the entire field to win the race was awesome. Brandon Thirlby nearly had the race in his back pocket, he drove that bullring like I hadn’t seen in many moons. It was very exciting to see “Fast” Freddie Carpenter there, had he not had to pull off so soon he would have been a major player in the race. The Molers certainly left a good mark on the fans and racers alike for their upcoming season.

#2 Sportsman race, Fairbury American Legion Speedway, Fairbury, Illinois.

After sleeping in our cars all night at Moler’s, we got up too early. Hungover and tired as Hell to drive across Ohio, Indiana and halfway up into Illinois to see this regular show at Fairbury. It was my first trip there and all the rumors I’d been told about this place had me on my toes. “Oh dude you’ll love it, best racing there is.” is all I heard for 6 hours. When we arrived, the rest was history. I was in love. I had never even heard of most of the drivers, especially in this particular race, but it definitely left a mark on my year. The racing overall was awesome, but the meltdown between Joel Funk and Daniel Flessner had the entire crowd speechless. While the call was being made you could have heard a tick fart across the street. The crowd, racers and staff were losing it like it was the Bill Frye vs. Scott Bloomquist debacle at the 1997 Dream at Eldora.

#1 Kokomo Klash, Kokomo Speedway, Kokomo Indiana

If anyone was at the DTWC this year, they went home pissed. Little did they know that nearly 230 miles away in the next state over was one of the best races of the season. Kokomo, yet another track that was a virgin to me and that I’d also been told about didn’t ease up on me. Again, the end of the night at the track included fireworks with Chad Stapleton, this time with Brian Ruhlman. However, even with a packed racing program the night before with sprints and other classes, the track was mint. We got there in time to save seats and get a hotel. The wind was unbarable. I remember thinking, “the sun is shining, the wind is fierce, I pray this track can hold up to its amazing history”, and lord have mercy it did. Compared to the 50,000 up for grabs at KC Raceway that weekend, the purse weighed in at just a couple thousand to win. However late models were piled into every nook and cranny, including the parking lot. By feature time nearly 600 tires had hammered down hundreds of times on this bullring and she was still ready for more. The late model race never let me down, the fireworks with Chad and Brian at the end added to it all. Kevin Weaver stole the show during the race, much like Jameson at the Turkey Gobbler 40. Weaver piloted the track moving from nearly dead last quickly to the top. Young Bobby Pierce proved he’s a reckoning force and I went home happy and at peace.

Wade Logan
wadeloganart@gmail.com