About this episode
Corey Kruseman, a legendary dirt track racer and coach, shares his journey from a young racer to running the Kruseman's Sprint Car Racing School. The episode dives into his experiences, including his time racing with notable figures like Tony Stewart and his unique stories from the track. Listeners will enjoy anecdotes about his career, the challenges of dirt racing, and insights into coaching aspiring drivers. The conversation also touches on the evolution of racing sponsorships and the importance of community in the sport.
Chili Bowl
"Two-time Chili Bowl champion, multiple titles within USAC and the SCRA. He's in the Sprint Car Hall of Fame."
The Chili Bowl is a famous race that happens every year in Oklahoma. It's a big deal for drivers who race small cars called midgets, and many talented racers compete there.
The Chili Bowl is a prestigious indoor midget car racing event held annually in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It attracts top drivers from various racing disciplines and is known for its competitive atmosphere and large field of participants.
USAC
"Two-time Chili Bowl champion, multiple titles within USAC and the SCRA. He's in the Sprint Car Hall of Fame."
USAC stands for United States Auto Club, which is a group that organizes and oversees different types of car races in the U.S. They help make sure the races are fair and safe.
The United States Auto Club (USAC) is a sanctioning body for various types of auto racing in the United States, including midget car racing and sprint car racing. It organizes events and maintains rules for fair competition.
Sprint Car Hall of Fame
"He's in the Sprint Car Hall of Fame. And then he also drove IRL NASCAR Truck Series."
The Sprint Car Hall of Fame is a place that celebrates the best sprint car racers and people who have helped the sport. It's like a museum for sprint car racing history.
The Sprint Car Hall of Fame honors the achievements of drivers, owners, and contributors to the sport of sprint car racing. It recognizes individuals who have made significant impacts in the racing community.
IRL
"And then he also drove IRL NASCAR Truck Series. I mean, he's been around."
IRL stands for Indy Racing League, which used to be a big organization for open-wheel car racing in America. They are known for organizing races like the famous Indianapolis 500.
The Indy Racing League (IRL) was a sanctioning body for open-wheel racing in the United States, primarily known for the IndyCar Series. It was established to promote American open-wheel racing and has since merged with other organizations.
NASCAR Truck Series
"And then he also drove IRL NASCAR Truck Series. I mean, he's been around."
The NASCAR Truck Series is a racing series where drivers compete in pickup trucks. It's part of NASCAR, which is a popular racing organization in the U.S.
The NASCAR Truck Series is a professional motorsport series in the United States featuring pickup trucks. It is part of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) and showcases both veteran and up-and-coming drivers.
road racing
"I'm a road racing guy, and I like world of outlaws and sprint cars."
Road racing is a type of car racing that takes place on paved roads or tracks. Drivers race against each other to see who can complete the course the fastest.
Road racing refers to a form of motorsport where cars compete on paved roads or tracks, often featuring a combination of speed and technical driving skills. It includes various formats, from endurance races to sprint events.
World of Outlaws
"I like world of outlaws and sprint cars."
World of Outlaws is a popular racing series in the U.S. that features fast cars racing on dirt tracks. It's famous for its exciting events and talented drivers.
The World of Outlaws is a premier series of dirt track racing events in the United States, featuring sprint cars and late models. It is known for its high-speed competition and skilled drivers.
sprint cars
"I like world of outlaws and sprint cars."
Sprint cars are a type of race car that is very fast and light. They race on short tracks and have big wings on top to help them go faster.
Sprint cars are high-powered racing vehicles designed for short, fast races on dirt or paved tracks. They are characterized by their lightweight construction and large wings for downforce.
sports car racing
"...longtime sports car racing family, buddy of mine..."
Sports car racing is a type of racing where fast, two-seater cars compete against each other on tracks. These cars are built for speed and handling.
Sports car racing involves racing vehicles that are designed for high performance and agility, typically featuring two seats and a focus on speed and handling. It is a popular form of motorsport with various series and events worldwide.
Silver Crown
"two Sprint car teams, two Silver Crown teams. He's given back to the sport."
Silver Crown cars are a kind of racing car that are bigger and heavier than sprint cars. They can race on different types of tracks, including dirt and pavement.
Silver Crown is a type of open-wheel racing series sanctioned by USAC that features larger, heavier cars compared to sprint cars. They race on both dirt and paved tracks and are known for their unique design and performance.
Honda
"...we ended up buying a Honda shop. I mean, all these things happened."
Honda is a popular car brand from Japan. They make many types of vehicles, including cars and motorcycles, known for being dependable and efficient.
Honda is a well-known Japanese automotive manufacturer, famous for producing reliable cars and motorcycles. They are particularly recognized for models like the Civic and Accord.
Keith Coons Motorsports
"...and runs Keith Coons Motorsports. So we became best friends."
Keith Coons Motorsports is a racing team that builds and races cars, especially in a type of racing called midget car racing. They help new drivers learn and compete.
Keith Coons Motorsports is a racing team known for competing in various forms of motorsport, particularly in midget car racing. The team has a reputation for developing competitive race cars and nurturing young talent in the sport.
midget car
"...I win my sixth race in a three quarter midget out here in the USAC West Coast..."
Midget cars are small racing cars that are very fast and light. They are built to race on short tracks and can be very exciting to watch.
Midget cars are small, lightweight racing vehicles designed for high-speed competition on short tracks. They typically feature a powerful engine and are known for their agility and speed in racing events.
TQ
"...I was racing a TQ."
TQ stands for TQ Midget, which is a type of racing car that is a bit bigger than regular midget cars. They are built for racing on small tracks and are very fast.
TQ, or TQ Midget, refers to a type of racing car that is slightly larger than traditional midget cars and is designed for specific racing events. They are known for their speed and maneuverability on short tracks.
MG Midgets
"100%. That is all three quarter midgets now. So then at the end of 93, or mid 93,"
The MG Midget is a small, classic sports car that was made in the 1960s and 70s. It's loved by many for being fun to drive and easy to handle, making it a popular choice for people who enjoy vintage cars.
The MG Midget is a small, affordable sports car produced by MG from 1961 to 1979, celebrated for its lightweight design and engaging driving experience. It holds significance as a classic British roadster, appealing to enthusiasts for its simplicity and charm.
three quarter midget
"...I'm broke and I can't race anymore. My three quarter midget..."
A three quarter midget is a small race car for kids, usually used in racing competitions for younger drivers. They are smaller than regular midget cars and help young racers learn the sport.
A three quarter midget is a small, lightweight racing car designed for young drivers, typically between the ages of 8 and 16. They are smaller than full-size midgets and are often used in entry-level racing.
horsepower
"Oh, OK, that's a lot of power. Yeah, so it goes from a motorcycle engine to 800 horsepower sprint car motor."
Horsepower tells you how powerful an engine is. The higher the horsepower, the faster and more powerful the car can be.
Horsepower is a unit of measurement for power, commonly used to quantify the output of engines. In automotive terms, it indicates how much work an engine can perform over time, affecting acceleration and top speed.
410 cubic inches
"Yeah, so that's all we had in Southern California. What size? 410."
410 cubic inches is a way to measure how big an engine is. Bigger engines can usually produce more power, which helps the car go faster.
410 cubic inches refers to the engine displacement of a sprint car engine, which is a measure of the total volume of all the cylinders in the engine. This size is typical for high-performance sprint car engines, allowing for greater power output.
midget racing
"...to race three-quarter midgets over there, a deal that I had already put together. It was like the little midget Grand Prix or something."
Midget racing involves small race cars that are built for speed. They race on smaller tracks and are known for being very fast and agile.
Midget racing is a form of auto racing that features small, lightweight cars known as midgets. These cars are designed for high-speed racing on short tracks and are popular in various racing circuits, particularly in the United States.
NASCAR truck races
"And then, see, I did a couple NASCAR truck races. We ended up in the chili bulls kind of going on in this background, right?"
NASCAR truck races involve racing pickup trucks on tracks. It's a popular form of motorsport in the U.S. where drivers compete to see who can finish the race the fastest.
NASCAR truck races are a series of stock car racing events featuring modified pickup trucks. They are part of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) and are known for their competitive nature and unique vehicle specifications.
Eldora
"to go run the Forecrown, which is at Eldora."
Eldora is a well-known racetrack in Ohio where different types of car races happen, including midget races. It's famous for its dirt surface and exciting events.
Eldora Speedway is a famous dirt track located in Rossburg, Ohio, known for hosting various types of racing events, including midget races, sprint car races, and the World 100, a prestigious late model race. It is a popular venue among dirt track racing enthusiasts.
midget race
"Now that Forecrown is a midget race,"
Midget racing is a form of car racing that uses small cars that are lighter and faster. They race on smaller tracks, and the cars are built to be very agile and quick.
A midget race refers to a type of auto racing that features small, lightweight cars known as midget cars. These cars are typically powered by high-revving engines and are designed for short track racing, often on dirt or paved oval tracks.
three spoke steering wheel
"...it goes through the steering wheel. So there's a three spoke steering wheel, right? So every time the front wheels hit..."
A three spoke steering wheel has three bars that connect the outer circle to the middle part where you hold it. It's often seen in sporty cars and helps drivers have better control.
A three spoke steering wheel is a type of steering wheel that has three distinct spokes connecting the outer rim to the center hub. This design is often found in sports cars and performance vehicles, providing a sporty aesthetic and sometimes improved grip.
Daytona 24 Hour
"We have a really big race at Daytona in January. What's it called? The Daytona 24 hour."
The Daytona 24 Hour is a famous car race that lasts for 24 hours. It takes place on a big track in Daytona, Florida, where different types of race cars compete to see who can go the longest distance in that time.
The Daytona 24 Hour is a prestigious endurance race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Florida. It is part of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and features various classes of sports cars competing over a 24-hour period.
Porsche 911
"...ontact on the bottom of the page when they write 911. That one always kind of alarms me."
The Porsche 911 is a famous sports car that has been around for a long time, known for being fast and fun to drive. People talk about it because it's considered one of the best sports cars ever made, with a unique shape and powerful engine.
The Porsche 911 is a high-performance sports car that has been in production since 1964, known for its distinctive design and rear-engine layout. It is significant in automotive history for its engineering excellence and has a dedicated fan base, often discussed for its performance and iconic status in the sports car world.
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