Catching up on Sprint Car Silly Season

This year has been one of the more chaotic “silly seasons” in recent sprint car memory. It all started with Buddy Kofoid’s surprise exit from the Crouch Motorsports no. 11 and has since propelled into a sick game of musical chairs. It has gotten to the point where nothing would surprise anyone anymore. It’s hard to even remember all of the changes that have happened since the start of the 2023 season. See below for all of the changes that have happened this season.

Buddy Kofoid Leaves the no. 11

Kofoid and the Crouch Motorsports team were fast out of the gate. The new team showed speed and won some races together. It seemed like this combination had the potential to be one of the better 410 sprint car teams in the entire country. It was shocking to those of us on the outside when it was announced that they parted ways due to differences amongst the team.

Cory Eliason Leaves the Indy Race Parts no. 71 for the Crouch Motorsports no. 11

When the no. 11 car was without a driver, Eliason was the obvious choice. He was performing at a high level in the Indy Race Parts car and his name was immediately brought up as the guy many thought would replace Kofoid. Eliason was running a somewhat limited schedule in the no. 71 and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to run a full time “outlaw” schedule.

Kofoid Shows up in the Indy Race Parts no. 71

After parting ways with the no. 11, Kofoid made a few appearances in the Indy Race Parts no. 71. The Indy Race Parts car is a reoccurring theme in silly season, as their cars are top notch and attractive to the best drivers in the country looking for a ride. The pairing was successful in limited action but I think both sides knew it was going to be a temporary deal.

Vermeer Motorsports Parts Ways with Hunter Schuerenberg

In another somewhat surprising move, the Vermeer no. 55 team parted ways with driver Hunter Schuerenberg. Hunter was having a down year but it seemed like it was due to some horrible luck. The allure of Kofoid possibly being a free agent may have caused the Vermeer team to jump the gun and go after the young driver.

Kofoid runs the Vermeer no. 55 for Ohio Speedweek

Shortly after parting ways with Schuerenberg, it was announced that Kofoid would take the wheel for Ohio Speedweek. The announcement was a little strange, as no plans were given after the ASCOC events in Ohio. Kofoid did well in the car, but that would be the last we would see if him in the no. 55 machine.

Schuerenberg Makes an Appearance in the Newton no. 16TH Car

This one flew somewhat under the radar, but Hunter got in the Kevin Newton no. 16 for a random 410 race and then for another Outlaw race. It is not clear whether or not the combination plans to run more races together.

Ian Madsen Parts ways with the 2KS Team

In another surprising development, Ian Madsen and the 2KS Motorsports team parted ways. It was a little confusing at the time, as the Iowa based team seemed to have a good thing going.

Kofoid Joins Roth Motorsports

This one was not as surprising. The connection between Toyota, Roth and Kofoid made this move an obvious one. They were fast right out of the gate and it looks like Buddy has found a longtime home.

Kerry Madsen Joins the Vermeer Motorsports Team

Once it was established that Kofoid had other plans, this left the no. 55 without a driver once again. Kerry Madsen was running races at Knoxville in the Forbrook no. 5 and was having a great season. Madsen and the Vermeer team have a history together and the move made sense for a team trying to compete for the All Star owner points championship.

Chase Randall Claims the 2KS Motorsports seat

Chase Randall is a rising star in the 410 ranks. This was a no brainer for the 2KS team. We still see Randall in his Bush’s Chicken no. 9, but we will see him more often in the 2KS ride.

Scotty Thiel and the Pete Grove no. 70 part ways

Another move that got overshadowed by Kofoid and others. Thiel and the Premier Motorsports team were struggling to find consistent finishes with the All Stars. They only had two top fives. Neither side has really announced any plans, as we have randomly seen the no. 70 show up in Ohio.

Ian Madsen Drives the Sandvig no. 7 at Attica and Eldora

Ian Madsen was able to find a ride for Eldora in the Sandvig Motorsports no. 7. It is unclear whether this combination will continue to race together for the upcoming big events. They struggled a bit during the Eldora Million.

Schuerenberg to the Swindell Speedlab no. 39 for Eldora

With Justin Sanders competing for NARC points in California, the Swindell Speedlab team needed a driver for the Eldora Million and Kings Royal. The pair has not announced any future plans.

Anthony Macri Leaves the Family no. 39M

The biggest bombshell came during the morning of the Eldora Million, when it was announced that Anthony Macri was leaving his family owned no. 39M. Lance Dewease was able to fill in last minute, but he remains committed to his no. 69K. Macri never showed at Eldora and missed two of the biggest races of the year.

Tyler Courtney Gets Injured at Eldora

This isn’t silly season news, as Courtney is still the driver of the CMR no. 7BC. This development is important to what happens next in the never ending game of sprint car musical chairs.

Clauson Marshall Racing Announce Anthony Macri and Corey Day as Substitute Drivers

Due to Courtney’s back injury, CMR needed immediate replacements to continue their pursuit of the All Star Championship and the High Limit title. Macri was the obvious choice to fill in, as he had no secured a full time ride yet. Corey Day has been dominating the 410 scene on the west coast, and will run the no. 7BC for High Limit races.

Macri to run the Indy Race Parts no. 71 for High Limit Events

This one was likely inked immediately after Macri left his family ride. Bernie and the Indy Race Parts team offered Macri a ride for the Eldora Million, but he politely declined the offer. The pairing have a history and will run the remaining High Limit schedule together.

Jay Kiser Racing and Zeth Sabo part ways

In a less dramatic announcement, the Jay Kiser no. 23 team and Zeth Sabo parted ways. Sabo started the year with the All Stars but quickly left the tour. Recently, we have seen Sabo driving the Rich Farmer no. 29 in and around Ohio.

Hunter Schuerenberg Teams up with Jay Kiser Racing

Shortly after parting ways with Sabo, Kiser announced that Schuerenberg would be driving the car for the upcoming race weekend in Ohio. No plans have been announced for the pair in the future.

The Macri no. 39M Hires Justin Sanders

In another bombshell announcement from the Macri team, it was announced that Sanders would be joining the team for their renaming schedule. Sanders will not be in the car for the upcoming High Limit race at Grandview, but will be for the teams remaining schedule. The bulletin was a little confusing, but it seems like Sanders will be vacating the Swindell Speedlab ride after Grandview.

To be continued…