As we go into the final NASCAR race to crown a champion isn’t it great to have a driver with local roots vying for the championship?

Ryan Blaney calls High Point, N.C., home, but he was born in Warren. For many years we have had so many great local drivers, but only two have made it to the NASCAR level — Dave and son Ryan. The Blaney family has won countless races across the country.

Grandpa Lou, a racing legend, has won hundreds of races in the Modifieds and Sprint cars, son Dave is a former World of Outlaws champion, Chili Bowl winner, won the Knoxville Nationals, and USAC Silver Crown Champion and so much more. Dave’s brother Dale is a six time All-Star Circuit of Champions champion with 137 wins along with winning many national races in a Sprint car. Dale started as a basketball player for West Virginia University and is now in their hall of fame. He went on to be drafted by the Lakers, later blew out a knee then went on to be a race driver. After a family of champions, it would be great to have a local NASCAR champion.

Dirt track racing is now more popular than ever with so many big money races, and streaming it has garnered more national attention than ever. The big news now in dirt track racing Sprint cars in particular is that Kyle Larson and his brother-in-law Brad Sweet have acquired the All-Star Circuit of Champions from Tony Stewart, who purchased the series in 2015.

Without going any further, no one has done more for dirt track racing than Tony Stewart. Now Larson and Sweet, both dirt track racers, are hoping to take it to the next level. After starting their own series, the High Limit Sprint car series, they’re running a limited 2023 schedule with more money for racers and big races for fans. Being racers themselves, they believe that they can provide more opportunities for drivers, fans and tracks.

At heart, they have the interest of these brave and talented racers. Looking forward to announcements and the 2024 schedule.

This Sunday is the NASCAR finale at Phoenix. Two of the four contenders came from dirt tracks — Larson and Bell — while Ryan Blaney has a family tree of dirt track racers. Let’s go Blaney and grass root racers for the championship.

sports@vindy.com