Favorite Local Drivers

[BTExpress]

I know 99% of the talk on this board is about drivers on a national or regional level, but who are some of your favorite drivers that you root for at your local tracks? Some of mine in no particular order, that I like to see do well, are Jason Covert, Colby Frye, Gene Knaub, Bryan Bernheisel, Mike Lupfer, Matt Cosner and Austin Hubbard. A few of these are veterans who have had some success on a regional level and others are up and coming in the Mid-Atlantic region.

[Josh Bayko]

I'm a fan of Alex Ferree, Jared Miley, Michael Norris, Kenny Schaltenbrand and Matt Lux locally, and I always root for the locals when WoO/Lucas come around.

[Chris Thomason]

Jason Hiett from Talladega short track would be my local pick. Regionally, I was a big Ronny Lee Hollingsworth fan until he stepped away. Now I guess its Riley Hickman and Donald McIntosh.

[Pennsboro23]

Derek Doll, and I'm starting to come around on Tyler Carpenter. I root for the Dohms and Hawkins boys too but they're more of a regional driver than they are locals.

[TNDirt]

For me it is Jesse Lowe. The guy is a rising star in East Tennessee in the crate late models. He picked up his 14th win last night at his home track of Crossville, but he has won all over East Tennessee and against some really good competition too. I also cheer for Cory Hedgec0ck and Matt Henderson.

[chubfrankfan]

Max Blair, Dave Hess Jr. and Dave Scott here in Northwestern Pennsylvania.

[jlacey]

Hollidge, Lathroum, Moreland. Covert and Whaley have kinda become locals down here. Hardy, Hubbard, Kenny Pettyjohn, Dan Stone, Satterlee (b4 this year) usually come down for bigger shows. Stuhler doesn't come down anymore but he and Eckert were always popular when they came to town.

[Krooser]

Kinda odd but I have never really had any favorites.... always appreciated every driver. I certainly had good friends that raced with and against me... and certain guys I really liked (like Ironhead after I met him), Mark Martin, and others I had a chance to work with when I in the promoting biz. But I never played favorites and that helped out when tuff decisions had to be made...

[Zonks32x]

Admittedly, WI does not have the caliber of weekly DLM racing that our neighbors in IL, MI, and IA have.

That said, my favorite local guys are Brad J.J. Mueller, Mitch McGrath, Mike Mullen, and Jared Siefert.

J.J. has/will drive anything and pulls double-duty in a DLM across the state as well as a SLM on the pavement at Slinger. Great guy, and fantastic with young fans in the pits after races.

Mullen is always a threat to win in his mod and just started wheeling more DLM shows the last couple years.

McGrath and Siefert are two younger guys that I enjoy watching, and have bright futures ahead of them.

Great topic, have enjoyed the responses!!

[dirtcrazy4u]

Have to agree with Krooser, I pay for my ticket and I want to see a good race. If it's a guy up on the wheel and coming to the front. That's what I'm watching. Sometimes watching the guy out front can be boring racing.

[gumby_32d]

The 26m of Brent McKinnon from Carlyle Illinois!

[t4g2]

My favorite local is Scott Schmitt an all the other drivers that had run ins with pierce, I also like Derek smoke chandler, McKay and unzincker.

[gjohnston]

Zonks32 -

Jared Siefert turned 40 last month. That's not necessarily "old" but it's not "young" either. 10 years ago he won a national championship in his IMCA mod. He's been around quite awhile but this is only his 3rd year in a late model which is where the perception that he's "young" might come from.

[Bob Hubbard]

I like that Austin Hubbard guy .... The name alone tells you hes fast ....:-0

[71PRPFan]

JACKIE BOGGGSSSS
RJ Conley
Doug Drown
Casebolt

That Kody Evans boy sure making some fans round here too.

[Bob Hubbard]

Kody Evans looked good at florence last nite .... Seems last hes come along way pretty quick ...

[waaac77]

Admittedly, WI does not have the caliber of weekly DLM racing that our neighbors in IL, MI, and IA have.

That said, my favorite local guys are Brad J.J. Mueller, Mitch McGrath, Mike Mullen, and Jared Siefert.

J.J. has/will drive anything and pulls double-duty in a DLM across the state as well as a SLM on the pavement at Slinger. Great guy, and fantastic with young fans in the pits after races.

Mullen is always a threat to win in his mod and just started wheeling more DLM shows the last couple years.

McGrath and Siefert are two younger guys that I enjoy watching, and have bright futures ahead of them.

Great topic, have enjoyed the responses!!

Jimmy Mars
AJ Diemel
Brent Larson
Chad Mahder
Tim Isenberg

I'm sure there's more I cant think of off top of my head but you're right, still nowhere near IL or IA caliber. I would say that Mars is better than anyone from IL though. I'd say IA too but I think Moyer and Bloomer are both technically from IA

[Highside Hustler25]

I would say that Mars is better than anyone from IL though.

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[zyoung25]

I still like seeing Delmas Conley send these young punks home with their tails tucked.

[MI Dirt Fan]

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Was thinking the same thing but didn't want to be the first to comment. lol

[jr29]

I don't really have locals in my area. I think Dane Dacus is the only guy in west Tennessee who races a super late model.

[waaac77]

????????????????????:confused:???????????????????? ?????

Pierce is better right now. Mars is more accomplished than anyone from IL

[Krooser]

Gotta say this thread has brought out some new folks... that's good.

[Zonks32x]

Gjohnston,
You are 100% correct. I was thinking about Taylor Scheffler (age wise) and confused the fact that both Taylor and Jared hadn't been in lates for all that long. Hoping this dirt kings deal in WI gets bigger and better as they move forward.

[Zonks32x]

Waac77,

I didn't mention Mars b/c I consider him a national/regional racer. Diemel...sure, I guess he's technically a local racer at Red River/Cedar Lake, but he still does more WoO, Lucas, CBC, events than most WI drivers.

Isenberg?? Didn't he sell off all of his equipment 2-3 years ago. We both forgot Brady Smith, but again out of racing. Brent Larson is trying to be more of a regional/national guy AND he lives in MN.

I like Mahder, fun to watch at Cedar Lake.

While I like Mars, it's been awhile since he's had a "major" win in a DLM, and it's hard to argue that he's done more than B-Shepp, Pierce, Erb jr. or even Feger the last 3 years.

Hopefully, Jimmy gets a couple big wins here in '17.

[TerryM]

????????????????????:confused:???????????????????? ?????
It's not crazy to say Jimmy Mars has had a better career than any Illinois driver. Dennis Erb Jr would be the best argument. And now Bobby Pierce, of course. There hasn't been many Illinois drivers make a big splash nationally.

[racer x16]

Brandon Shepard could fit the bill

[TerryM]

Brandon Shepard could fit the bill
Dang, I totally forgot about him. He's definitely in the debate as well.

[Highside Hustler25]

It's not crazy to say Jimmy Mars has had a better career than any Illinois driver. Dennis Erb Jr would be the best argument. And now Bobby Pierce, of course. There hasn't been many Illinois drivers make a big splash nationally.

I assumed we were talking about present results. Not past history. No doubt Jimmy's had a stellar career. Thing is, he's just not traveling much and hasn't won a major one in a while.

I would take Shep or Pierce over a Jimmy based off of current results.

[Scott Boesel]

Some of my favorite locals from my area are Jesse Glenz #7, Jeff Wildung #50 and Mike Nutzmann #2

[gjohnston]

Gjohnston,
You are 100% correct. I was thinking about Taylor Scheffler (age wise) and confused the fact that both Taylor and Jared hadn't been in lates for all that long. Hoping this dirt kings deal in WI gets bigger and better as they move forward.

I'm with you on the Dirt Kings thing. So far it seems like it's working out well and has more stability than I thought it would at this point.

The way that series has played out so far has been eye opening. If you compare the two groups from the different tracks they run weekly, it appears that there is more depth overall in the Plymouth group and Shawano is top heavy with two guys and one of them doesn't run for track points because he'll run an open show when they are close by.

[waaac77]

Brady Smith was the man. Totally forgot about BShep though and he's one of tops nationally right now. BShep and Pierce have the potential to be the best ever but time will tell.

Saw Jesse Glenz a few times and he can really wheel. I hope to see him make a big splash in the coming years.

[LM14]

Coming from a mom and pop operation to win at the MLRA level I like JC Wyman from SW Iowa. 3rd generation racer. Great racing family.

Another group I like to watch from central Iowa is the Eckrich brothers (Dave, Denny and Andy with backup from Hall of Fame mom and dad Penny and Larry) and the Simpson brothers (Chad and Chris).

Fun to see them do well when the national hero types come to the area.

SPark

[Jim11h]

Jack Hewitt.......... Need anymore be said????

[BTExpress]

"Jack Hewitt.......... Need anymore be said????"

I didn't realize Jack still raced......thought he retired YEARS ago.

[dirtrackfan4]

My favorite local is Scott Schmitt an all the other drivers that had run ins with pierce, I also like Derek smoke chandler, McKay and unzincker.Amen!!! Thank you for keeping it local on that one!!! Scott Schmitt is one heck of a racer and a great guy at that! Chandler (who not to mention is a new father as of this past Tuesday), Wenger, Unzicker, Spatola, Thorston, Bull, Gardner, Gundaker...that's just to name a few!! If you haven't seen any of these guys race, you definitely should!!

[t4g2]

Yeah if people don't know of them they will after the pdc and I hope Scott gets his new car together an the others come race

[Mud]

Jimmy has his moment https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmRhBd0osF8

[Mud]

A quick look at Jimmys CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS:* 2016 Seven Victories Overall* 2016 World of Outlaws Series Winner at Lernerville (PA) Speedway* 2016 'George Scheffler Memorial' Winner at Oshkosh (WI) Speedzone Raceway* 2016 MARS / Corn Belt Clash Winner at Davenport (IA) Speedway* 2016, 2014, 2011, 2007, 2004, 1997, & 1996 'Punky Manor Challenge' Winner at Red Cedar (WI) Speedway* 2015 Six Victories Overall* 2015 'George Scheffler Memorial' Winner at Oshkosh (WI) Speedzone Raceway* 2015 UMP Summer Nationals Winner at Cedar Lake (WI) Speedway* 2015 American Late Model Series Winner at Fairbury A.L. (IL) Speedway* 2015, 2004, 1996, 1995, & 1994 'Red Clay Classic' Winner at ABC (WI) Raceway* 2014 Six Victories Overall* 2014 World of Outlaws Series Winner at Hibbing (MN) Raceway * 2014 World of Outlaws Series Winner at Cedar Lake (WI) Speedway* 2014 National Dirt Racing League Winner at Tucson (AZ) Int'l Raceway* 2013 Two Victories Overall* 2012 'Illini 100' Winner at Farmer City (IL) Raceway* 2012 WDLMA Series Winner at Manitowoc (WI) Expo Speedway* 2012 'Triple Crown' Winner at Cedar Lake (WI) Speedway* 2012 Seven Victories Overall* 2011 'Firecracker 100' Winner at Lernerville (PA) Speedway* 2011 UMP DIRTcar Series Winner at Volusia (FL) Speedway Park* 2011 Appalachian Mountain Speedweek Winner at Hagerstown (MD) Speedway* 2011 'Dacotah Rumble' Winner at Brown County (SD) Speedway* 2011 WDLMA Series Winner at Manitowoc (WI) Expo Speedway* 2011 DART Challenge Series Winner at Deer Creek (MN) Speedway* 2011 Eleven Victories Overall* 2010 Two-Time 'Wild West Shootout' Winner at USA (AZ) Raceway* 2010 World of Outlaws Series Winner at Superior (WI) Speedway* 2010 World of Outlaws Series Winner at Dakota (SD) State Fair Speedway* 2010 'Legendary 100' Winner at Cedar Lake (WI) Speedway* 2010 'Viking Fall Classic' Winner at Viking (MN) Speedway* 2010 Eight Victories Overall* 2009 ‘USA Nationals’ Winner at Cedar Lake (WI) Speedway* 2009 ‘North/South 100’ Winner at Florence (KY) Speedway* 2009 ‘Dirt Track World Championship’ Winner at Lawrenceburg (IN) Speedway* 2009 ‘Firecracker 100’ Winner at Lernerville (PA) Speedway* 2009 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Winner at Bedford (PA) Speedway* 2009 ‘Prairie Dirt Classic’ Winner at Fairbury American Legion (IL) Speedway* 2009 Nineteen Victories Overall* 2008 'National 100' Winner at East Alabama Motor Speedway* 2008 'Ultimate 14' Winner at Challenger (PA) Raceway* 2008 Four WDRL Series Victories* 2008 UMP Summernationals Winner at Fairbury American Legion (IL) Speedway* 2008 Sixteen Victories Overall* 2007 'Topless 100' Winner at Batesville (AR) Motor Speedway* 2007 'Jambalaya 100' Winner at Pike County (MS) Speedway* 2007 'Duel in the Desert' Winner at Las Vegas (NV) Motor Speedway* 2007 Four PolyDome WDRL Series Victories* 2006 UMP Summernationals Winner at Fairbury American Legion (IL) Speedway* 2005 'Prairie Dirt Classic' Winner at Fairbury American Legion (IL) Speedway* 2005 UMP Summernationals Winner at 34 (IA) Raceway* 2005 UMP Summernationals Winner at Fairbury American Legion (IL) Speedway* 2005 UMP Tri-Track Challenge Winner at I-55 (MO) Raceway* 2005 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Winner at LaSalle (IL) Speedway* 2004 'Masters' Champion at Cedar Lake (WI) Speedway* 2004 Northern Xtreme Series Finale Winner at East Bay (FL) Raceway Park* 2004 Xtreme Series Preliminary Victory at Knoxville (IA) Raceway* 2000 'Topless 100' Winner at Batesville (AR) Motor Speedway* 1999 NASCAR RE/MAX Series Rookie of the Year* 1999 STARS Florida Speedweeks Champion at East Bay (FL) Raceway Park* 1997 'Dream 100' Winner at Eldora (OH) Speedway* 1996 'USA Outlaw Nationals' Winner at Cedar Lake (WI) Speedway* 1996 'WISSOTA 100' Winner at Cedar (WI) Lake Speedway* 1992 'Silver 1000' Winner at Proctor (MN) SpeedwayPoints History* 3rd in 2013 National Dirt Racing League Point Standings* 2nd in 2005 UMP Summernationals Point Standings* 2nd in 2004 Xtreme Dirtcar Series Point Standings* 3rd in 2003 Xtreme DirtCar Series Point Standings* 4th in 2002 Xtreme DirtCar Series Point Standings* 8th in 2001 Xtreme DirtCar Series Point Standings* 9th in 2000 Xtreme DirtCar Series Point Standings12 Career Xtreme (Hav-A-Tampa, UDTRA) Feature Victories* Texas Motor Speedway - 2001* East Bay (FL) Raceway Park - 2002, 2003, & 2004* Bristol (TN) Motor Speedway - 2001* Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway - 2002* Green Valley (AL) Speedway - 2001* Cherokee (SC) Speedway - 2003* New Egypt (NJ) Speedway - 2004* Cedar Lake (WI) Speedway - 2004* Wythe (VA) Raceway - 2004* K-C (OH) Raceway - 2004