Penn Sauter and Kristian Armstead
Episode 181 is on the scene and we end our 2026 Kulwicki Driver Development Program Series with third generation star Penn Sauter. Penn who is the son of former Craftsman Truck Series Champion Johnny Sauter and grandson of the legendary Midwestern competitor Jim talks to us about his upcoming season growing up in a racing family and if he faces any pressure to live up to the Sauter name and reputation.
Kristian Armstead grew up in Michigan but has settled in nicely in the South Boston area of Virginia racing in the Hornets Division. Last Saturday during Danville Toyota Race Night, him and his small team of three's hard work paid off with his first win ever at the speedway. Kristian joins us to discuss his career so far, what it means for him to win at a speedway that has seen so many legends do the same and overcoming some of the faster cars to claim his first win of what he hopes to be many.
Julian was at SoBo on Saturday and the boys reviewed
the other racing action from the Halifax County facility. From Trevor Ward picking up twin second place finishes to Peyton Sellers and Johnny Layne adding to their impressive career win totals in Late Models and Pure Stocks respectively to Jacob Derrick's late pass on Drew Dawson to win in Limiteds, it was quite the opening day for three of the track's four divisions.
We spoke with Bobby McCarty following his win in the second race. For McCarty, it has been a struggle the last few seasons getting his new team up and going and yes, there were times he thought it was over for him. Saturday proved otherwise by returning to victory lane just like Lee Pulliam did two weeks ago.
The SMART Modified Tour invaded Dominion Raceway on Saturday in a race absolutely dominated by Carson Loftin who grabbed his first win of 2026. We give our breakdown of the event which leads us to Hickory this weekend which we also preview.
The zMAX CARS Tour boogies on down to Nashville Fairgrounds this weekend and DLN gives you the scoop on what it means for the tour and who will take home the checkered in both the Pro Late Models and Late Model Stocks in our race preview!
We also discuss William Sawalich's first win in the O'Reilly Series, whether Corey Heim should be Chase Eligible while leading the points in the Truck Series despite missing two races (he's won two of the three he's been in) and whether Rockingham should always host an Easter Weekend O'Reilly/Craftsman Truck, ARCA triple header as we review the weekend from the Rock.
We also dive into some of the other winners from the Mid Atlantic Region, Ice Breaker talk from Thompson, a preview of the triple header from Bristol and more this week on DLN.
A special thanks to our sponsors
Tyler Hash: Virginia Farm Bureau
ALARS Inc
