When INEX representatives from the Harrisburg, North Carolina, headquarters randomly show up at tracks across the country, is raises eyebrows to those at the track and across the Nation, regardless whether it is someone from the “brass” or in the tech department.
This past weekend, August 16 – 18, Josh Roller, Communications Manager at U.S. Legend Cars International and INEX, stopped off at three dirt Legends tracks across North Dakota and Minnesota, causing speculation INEX might be shopping for a track to place the 2025 Legends Dirt Nationals.
On Friday, Roller hit Dakota Speedway (ND), where they had a make-up Night of the Legends event as well as a regular-scheduled race. Saturday he moved on to Jamestown Speedway (ND) for another weekly racing program, and Sunday hit Buffalo River Speedway (MN) for their championship Legends event.
While many think INEX was there to find the next Dirt Nationals location, INEX claims that is not the case.
“I wouldn’t classify my trip to North Dakota and Minnesota as a scouting trip for a potential, future Legend Car Dirt Nationals host track,” Roller told LN. “It was an area that had four straight nights of racing that I had yet to visit. And with four straight nights, I was able to maximize my trip. Unfortunately the race at Norman County Raceway was canceled due to rain shortening the overall experience to three. I’ve met a few of the North Dakota and Minnesota drivers at the previous two editions of Dirt Nationals, so the goal of the trip was geared more towards the seeing more Legend Car dirt track racing ahead of this year’s Dirt Nationals in Pennsylvania, and putting faces with familiar names.”
Still, could one of these tracks end up being the host track for the 2025 Dirt Nationals?
“The problem INEX has is that there are several great locations to choose from in the areas Legend Cars race on dirt,” explained Roller. “As a company, we are grateful to have this problem as it is a great problem to have! It allows us to have options every time we open up the discussion of where we want to target having the next national event.”
Depending on the location of where they decide to put the Nationals in 2025, if up in a colder-weather area, timing of the Nationals can be a factor. But that does not rule out any track anywhere in the country, including having Nationals earlier than the end of the regular points season.
“When picking a date for any of our four fall nationals, INEX has several factors that we need to consider. The 2024 Legend Car Dirt Nationals is the second weekend of October, the first weekend after the 2024 INEX points season concludes. I would never rule out having the national sooner, but there are a few factors that go into that decision, such as host track location, timing with other INEX National events, the weekly/yearly schedule of the host track and what serves our drivers best when taking national points and other local track schedules into consideration. Could INEX schedule the Dirt Nationals sooner in 2025? Possibly. Will we? That is to be determined.”
Many drivers and teams Legends Nation spoke to regarding the INEX trip to these tracks over the weekend still believe their local track is being considered for the Nationals based on this trip. Roller told LN they are hoping to announce the host track sooner than they have in previous years.
“INEX is working to have the location and dates for the 2025 Dirt Nationals, along with the other three championship nationals in the fall of 2025, announced sooner than we have in recent seasons,” said Roller. “At this time, I am unable to put a date on an announcement for all or individual events. Like many, if not all, of our competitors, I am excited secure the 2025 INEX Nationals host tracks and to announce them.”
What do you think? Where do you want the 2025 Dirt Nationals? Tell us on the Legends Nation Facebook page by clicking here.
