The Current State of Regional 410 Sprint Car Racing

Over the weekend, FloRacing and High Limit Racing made a somewhat surprising announcement that the All Star Circuit of Champions would be returning after a one year hiatus. After the High Limit Racing schedule was released a few weeks ago, many people close to the industry were expecting some sort of announcement about the All Stars. Rumors were swirling after Fremont Speedway, a Dirtvision track, was included on the High Limit schedule.

The announcement came with the news that Fremont Speedway Promoter, Rich Farmer, would be the Race Director for the new version of the All Stars. In a Facebook Post, Farmer stated that he believes there is room in Ohio for the All Stars and that he has no intentions of competing with the existing AFCS mini-series that many of Ohio’s local racers compete in. Farmer also indicated that he believes that the current sprint car ecosystem can support both the FAST Series and the All Stars in and around the Ohio region.

While the reaction to the announcement seemed to be mostly positive, there was some backlash and additional information revealed. Aaron Fry, owner of the FAST Series, revealed that he was approached by Farmer, FloRacing and High Limit with a proposition to dissolve the FAST Series and “merge” with the new All Stars. Fry ultimately declined the offer, as he has worked hard to grow the regional series, increase purses/points fund, and expand their schedule. The FAST Series already has 20 races scheduled for the 2025 season, with more in the works.

Fry’s position left the door open for what Ohio Speedweek will look like in 2025. Last season, High Limit elected to leave Ohio Speedweek in the hands of Fry and the FAST Series. While there was some hiccups with track conditions, start times and organization, Fry and the FAST Series managed to complete the 2024 Ohio Speedweek at 9 different tracks. Car counts averaged above 50 for the week.

The cooperation from the tracks and promoters was a welcome sign, but it doesn’t sound like things are going to be that easy in 2025. Farmer and the All Stars have intentions of sanctioning an Ohio Speedweek in 2025, but Fry and the FAST Series claim that the decision about speedweek will be left in the hands of the tracks. While we are waiting for more information to come out, things are already starting to look a bit messy.

Sprint Car Unlimited’s Jeremy Elliott mentioned that the new version of the All Stars under Farmer will be more “Ohio-centric” and return to a “working man’s” series. Farmer has made calls to a few Central PA tracks, but outside of that, we have no idea what the schedule will look like. No information was provided about purses, points fund or tow money.

After hearing from a few Ohio-based drivers, it seems like everyone is waiting on more information. Some are excited about the potential for more races in the area, while others are hesitant about the entire situation.

I was originally excited about the announcement, as I have been adamant that there is room for a “feeder” series, but as more information and details have trickled out, I feel the decision to bring back the All Stars at this time is a bit rushed. While I don’t know what has or is transpiring behind closed doors, it seems like there was not a lot of communication with some of the other regional series that have been established for years.

The POWRi 410 series recently announced that they are expanding their footprint and moving more North. They have a new presenting sponsor in Honest Abe Roofing and have plans to increase their tow package, points fund and purses for 2025. While no numbers have been officially released, POWRi has indicated that the new points fund could be between $150,000 – $200,000, with the champion receiving $50,000. The regional series that has primarily existed in Missouri has already been leaking their 2025 schedule.

Some of the tracks that have already been announced include:

• Paducah, KY
• Tri-State, IN
• Benton, MO
• Lakeside, KS
• Lucas Oil, MO

With Honest Abe Roofing moving from the Maverick Series to POWRi, we can likely expect more races scheduled around Indiana and Illinois. While the POWRi series has had their fair share of issues in the past, things have really improved recently and really look to be heading in a positive direction. Their plans for expansion make a ton of sense when looking at where car counts are usually high.

Even with the POWRi announcement, there were plenty of rumors circulating about the Wisconsin-based IRA Sprints expanding South into Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Michigan. The IRA series has a solid core of regional drivers and an established foundation. They already have a relationship with FloRacing and have co-sanctioned shows with NOSA, Maverick and the previous version of the All Stars in the past. With the news about the All Stars returning with an Ohio-based schedule, it seems as if the IRA plans of expansion are unlikely and that they have been left out of the equation. Still, I am sure there could be talks about co-sanctioning events with Farmer’s All Stars in 2025.

Take a look at where these regional series operate and where the 2023 All Stars used to fit in.

FAST Series

• 2024 Schedule included 4 states (Ohio, Western PA, Indiana and Kentucky)
• Avg payout was $4,000 to win and $400 to start.
• Sucessfully sanctioned Ohio Speedweek
• Already have 20 races scheduled for 2025
• Only 2-3 drivers followed the entire series in 2024

POWRi 410

• 2024 Schedule included 5 states (Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Iowa)
• Avg Payout was $5,000 to win, $500 to start
• Sanctioned the $10,000 to win Hockett Memorial
• Only 3-4 teams followed the entire schedule in 2024

IRA Sprints

• 2024 Schedule includes 4 states (Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and North Dakota)
• Avg Payout was $4,000 to win, $400 to start
• Co-Sanctioned Maverick Mayhem and King of Wings with NOSA
• 10-12 drivers followed the full schedule in 2024

2023 All Star Circuit of Champions

• 2023 Schedule included 10 states (OH, PA, NY, NJ, IL, FL, WI, IA, MO, MI) – 20% of schedule based in Ohio – 45 race schedule
• Avg payout was $6,000 to win, $550 to start
• Sanctioned the Tuscarora 50, Knittel Memorial, 4-Crown Nationals, Rayce Rudeen, Silver Cup and Lou Blaney Memorial
• 7 drivers ran the full schedule in 2023

So, the question remains of how all of these regional series can fit into the 2025 equation. The easiest answer would be cooperation from all parties and co-sanctioned shows in the strongest regions. As we know, that is a lot easier said than done. The next question is where are all of the teams located that might be interested in running the new version of the All Stars or the new version of the POWRi 410 series. Based on what we currently know, those are the two series that will have competitive payouts and points funds.

With many teams and drivers still finalizing plans for 2025, let’s take a look at some of the potential drivers who could follow one of these series.

All Star Potential Drivers

• Zeb Wise – plans unconfirmed. Previously raced in Ohio and with the All Stars before joining High Limit in 2024. He could be a candidate for the Jay Kiser Racing no. 23 and the 2025 All Stars.
• Parker Price-Miller – plans unconfirmed. Previously raced with the All Stars. He’s located in Indiana.
• Chase Dietz – the PA Posse regular has a new home for 2025 with Stehman Motorsports. That team has the ability to travel and give Dietz a larger schedule.
• Cap Henry – previously raced with the All Stars. Has been a dominant car in Ohio and branches out occasionally.
• Kalib Henry – had a breakout season in Ohio with the Running Boxer Farm 101. He and that team are the perfect candidate for a regional series.
• Brock Zearfoss – rumors of Zearfoss leaving the Outlaws have been heating up. Zearfoss and Jim Shuttlesworth looked really fast at BAPS to close out the year and could do really well with a regional / pick and choose style schedule.
• Brandon Spithaler – back to back FAST Series championships have landed Spithaler a regional ride with the Barris Motorsports 32. Spithaler usually races his own car with a loaded regional schedule, but his new team will give him more opportunities to race.
• Zane DeVault – Lane Racing has previously followed the All Stars. DeVault had a solid 2024 season and could definitely be a target to join the All Stars in 2025.
• Sye Lynch – has raced off and on with the All Stars over the years. He branched out and raced a pick and choose schedule in 2024. He has the means to make the new All Star schedule work.
• Danny Sams III – Sams is rumored to be joining the Outlaws in 2025, but if he doesn’t, hes a perfect candidate for either regional series.
• Zeth Sabo – Sabo had his best season in a 410 sprint car in 2024. He drove for Rich Farmer and seems like a lock for the All Stars in 2025.
• Joel Myers Jr – Myers is racing in New Zealand until the end of April. I am not sure how that will impact his plans in the States, but he and the Hayward Motorsports team could make one of these regional series work for them.
• Brenham Crouch – Crouch and CJB Motorsports are still finalizing plans for 2025. If they don’t join one of the National series, a regional series makes a lot of sense for this new combination.
• Darin Naida – Naida won a few races this season at Butler. He’s a young, talented racer who fits the bill for a regional series.
• Bryce Lucius – Lucius and the new STP Motorsports team seem like they have the ability to do some traveling. A regional series would be perfect for him to continue his advancement as a driver.
• Ricky Peterson Jr – Before High Limit acquired the All Stars, Peterson had goals of joining the series. Now, he and the Chiappelli Motorsports team are putting together a schedule focused in Central PA, but he will have some ability to travel.
• Conner Morrell – Morrell dropped of the High Limit tour last season and returned to racing locally in Ohio. He won some races and could benefit from one of these regional series.
• Sterling Cling – Cling got his winged 410 career started in 2024 and had some mild success. He definitely improved and did a lot of traveling in 2024. He could be a candidate for either series.
• Brady Bacon – Bacon will focus on winged 410 racing in 2025 with two teams. While a pick and choose schedule is more likely, a regional series might fit into his plans.
• Cale Thomas – Thomas parted ways with the Jay Kiser Racing 23 at the end of 2024. He hasn’t announced plans, but he is one of the best regional racers in the country.
• Skylar Gee – Gee enjoyed one of his best seasons in 2024. I wouldn’t rule him out for one of the National tours in 2025, but if he sticks to a pick and choose schedule, he’s a perfect candidate.
• Kasey Jedrzejek – The young driver make great improvements in 2024. Look for him to do some more racing in 2025.

POWRi Potential Drivers

• Ayrton Gennetten – the back to back POWRi champion is primed to follow the entire POWRi series again in 2025.
• Joe B Miller – he won 5 races in 2024 and could be a top contender with either regional series.
• Blake Hahn – Hahn raced with both the 410 and 360 cars this season. I expected a larger 410 schedule from him in 2024, but maybe that will be the case in 2025.
• Noah Gass – the former World of Outlaws driver only raced a handfull of times in 2024. If he has plans for a larger schedule in 2025, either series would make a lot of sense.
• Riley Goodno – Goodno stuck to more of a regional schedule while still racing a bunch in 2024. He has the ability to make a regional series work.
• Xavier Doney – the young racer has plans to increase his schedule in 2025. A run with the new POWRi series would make a lot of sense.
• Jake Bubak – Bubak had his best 410 season in 2024. He raced a lot in the POWRi region and would fit in really well with the series full time in 2025.
• Kameron Key – some rumors are circulating about Key increasing his winged 410 schedule in 2025. One of these regional series could definitely be an option for him.
• Rees Moran – Moran raced a little with POWRi and the ASCS Elite Outlaws in 2024 with some success. The young driver could benefit from following a regional series in 2025.

There are still a lot of details to be announced and a lot of unknowns in terms of schedules, driver plans and silly season. Once those details come out, we will have a better idea of what things will look like on the regional side of things in 2025. Stay tuned.