T.J.’s Takeaways – TJSlideways.com

The view most competitors see of Kody Swanson in Dick Myers $50M car when competing in the state of Michigan. (T.J. Buffenbarger Photo)

Great Lakes Edition: Race for the Million Brings Big Money Sprint Car Race to Berlin

The sprint car racing event lineup for this coming weekend in the state of Michigan has something for everyone. From larger paying races on the dirt and the pavement, two nights of racing with minimal travel, and a great event that celebrates one of the most historically significant races tracks in the state are taking place Friday and Saturday.

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T.J.’s Takeaways From the 43rd Kings Royal

Anthony Macri being the soft spoken leader of the PA Posse, why I feel Garet Williamson is on the verge of a breakout stretch of races, Rico Abreu feeling the disappointment of not winning the biggest race at one of his best race tracks, and why fuel stops are not going away anytime soon are all covered on this edition of the takeaways.

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Carson Macedo's entry being reassembled by multiple teams in work area Friday night at Eldora Speedway. (T.J. Buffenbarger Photo)

T.J.’s Takeaways from the Knight Before the Kings Royal

Corey Day recovering from his mistake on Thursday to win on Friday, JJR’s amazing work area effort, and why I still think the Kings Royal finale is wide open in regards to who will win the crown are covered in this edition of the takeaways.

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T.J’s Takeaways from the 2026 Jokers Jackpot

Kyle Larson can still be one of the greatest and make mistakes occasionally, Rico Abreu knocking on the door on winning one of the big money events at Eldora, and how the entire sport won along with Larson on Thursday at Eldora Speedway are covered on this edition of the takeaways.

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The back pit lane at Eldora Speedway during the 2026 Double Down Duels. (T.J. Buffenbarger Photo)

T.J.’s Takeaways From the 2026 Double Down Duels at Eldora

Eldora Speedway putting it’s best foot forward, the difference a year makes for Tyler Courtney, and how I feel this year’s Kings Royal is relatively wide open as far as the number of people that could potentially wear the crown are all covered in this edition of the takeaways.

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T.J.’s Takeaways from the USAC Show at Butler Motor Speedway

After a bonzi run from the far west side of Michigan to Butler Motor Speedway for the USAC National Sprint Car Series, dodging an extraordinarily brave and aggressive turkey on M60, here are my takeaways from the second non-wing appearance of the series at Butler.

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Brock Hallett (#5) racing with Jason Blonde (#10) Saturday night at Butler Motor Speedway. (T.J. Buffenbarger Photo)

T.J.’s Takeaways from the IRA Sprint Car Weekend in Michigan

Wanting to see Brock Hallett make more starts in the United States, why IRA”s trip to Michigan might prove to be the most influential weekend of the 2026 season for the series, and building fan support for what could become a great weekend of 410 sprint car racing in the Mitten are covered in this edition of T.J.’s Takeaways.

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Will Armitage with his team sidelined before Friday's A-Main at I-96 Speedway. (T.J. Buffenbarger Photo)

T.J.’s Takeaways from a Drama Filled Night at I-96

Will Armitage’s recent rough spell with engines, why I feel Clinton Boyles is the perfect fit for Home Pro Roofing’s race team, and IRA appears to be solidifying it’s position in Michigan again are all covered in this edition of the takeaways.

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T.J.’s Takeaways from the 40th Chili Bowl Nationals Finale

Axsom brilliant move to take the fight to Larson in the feature, Swindell Speedlabs reaches super team status, and victory laps are all covered in this edition of the takeaways.

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Logan Seavey in victory lane Friday night at the Chili Bowl Nationals. (Serena Dalhamer Photo)

T.J.’s Takeaways from Friday Night Program at the Chili Bowl Nationals

After a feature event Friday night at the Chili Bowl Nationals that made me struggle to find adjectives to describe how good the racing was, I could probably write 3,000 words on various takeaways from a thrilling night it was from start to finish.

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Brian Ruhlman (#49), Dustin Daggett (#85), and Jared Horstman (#17) racing three wide Friday at Tri-City Motor Speedway. (Jim Denhamer Photo)

T.J.’s Takeaways About the GLSS Switch to American Racer

Amid one of the busier winter stretches in our sport major news about tires has been a hot topic over the past several days capped off with Friday’s news of the Great Lakes Super Sprints switching to American Racer.

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T.J.’s Takeaways from Wednesday at the Chili Bowl Nationals

T.J. believes you shouldn’t sleep on Emerson Axsom for the Chili Bowl finale, life being more interesting with T-Mez in contention, and how the rest of the week will be hard pressed to be as good as the feature we witnessed on Wednesday night at the Chili Bowl Nationals.

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T.J.’s Takeaways from Tuesday Night at the 40th Chili Bowl Nationals

Blake Hahn creating a moment that made me start the entire takeaways column from scratch, Matt Seymour and Hank Davis are still very good, Jett Barnes impresses, and it’s great having Bondio back in the building, and several contenders find misfortune on the second night of action at the Chili Bowl Nationals.

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Justin Peck at Butler Motor Speedway during a High Limit Racing event. (T.J. Buffenbarger Photo)

T.J.’s Takeaways from the 2026 High Limit Schedule Release

T.J. offers his takeaways from the first revision of the 2026 High Limit Racing schedule that was released on Monday.

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T.J.’s Takeaways on Brad Sweet Stepping Away from Full Time Competition

During the 2025 Kubota High Limit Racing banquet Grass Valley, California sprint car driver and series owner Brad Sweet announced he would be stepping away from full time sprint car competition.

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