Why Racing Fans Should Watch The 2024 Gateway Dirt Nationals
Why Racing Fans Should Watch The 2024 Gateway Dirt Nationals
The 2024 Gateway Dirt Nationals continues the legacy of high-stakes drama and elite racing on a one-of-a-kind track. Here's why you should watch this year.
The Gateway Dirt Nationals stands out on the calendar each year as one of the best dirt track races of the year, not just based on sheer entertainment value, but because it offers raw racing talent a chance to shine. And the 2024 edition will be no different.
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- Everything You Need To Know About The 2024 Gateway Dirt Nationals
- How To Watch The 2024 Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals At The Dome
Drivers like Tyler Carpenter and the late Scott Bloomquist have created legacies at the Dome, shaping the narratives of dirt racing through performances at one of the most unpredictable tracks in the nation.
As FloRacing content director Tim Truex puts it, Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals is the “great equalizer,” allowing anyone a chance to win based on guts and skill.
Here’s why you should watch the 2024 Gateway Dirt Nationals, according to Truex.
1. Gateway Is A Venue Like No Other
The Gateway Dirt Nationals, held inside the Dome at America's Center in St. Louis, is the only indoor race for dirt late models and Modifieds. Despite being an enormous stadium tailor-made for 70,000 football spectators, the available area for a real racetrack is pretty limited.
- “Gateway is unique because of the venue. It’s the only indoor race for dirt late models and Modifieds in existence. It’s full contact racing... sheet metal everywhere. Drivers don’t need their spoilers, and they are often hanging off after each race.”
Fans pack into the stadium with a smaller track that values strategy as much as horsepower. Here, big-money engineering and aerodynamics won’t will you to win. This is a close-quarters battle between metal, clay and raw skill.
- “The track is also unique because it is so small that big motors, aero, and other high-dollar considerations for these cars don’t matter. It’s a great equalizer that gives regional drivers a chance to beat national touring drivers on driving ability alone, without all of the engineering and money it takes to be competitive on larger tracks.”
2. Stacked Lineup Of Elite Drivers
This year’s event features an impressive lineup of drivers, including defending champion Brandon Sheppard, fan favorite Tyler Carpenter (two-time Gateway winner), Ricky Thornton Jr. (Lucas Oil champion and Castrol FloRacing Night In America champion) and Bobby Pierce (two-time Gateway winner).
- “Tyler Carpenter is looking for his third win. Brandon Sheppard is looking to defend his win last year. Ricky Thornton Jr. came up short on the last lap but is a clear favorite with all of his success this year.”
Rising stars, local heroes and legends make up the nearly 150 cars in the field, as Gateway Dirt Nationals boasts the largest car count of the year. Drivers and fans are packed like sardines, making the competition fierce and palpable.
- “In the Modifieds, Ricky Thornton could also double up. Drivers like Mike Harrison, Mike McKinney and last year’s winner Drake Troutman will also be in the mix.”
𝑻𝒐𝒑 𝑴𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 🔥 As we prepare for what is sure to be another wild and crazy @Castrol @GatewayDirt Nationals, let's take a look back at last year's @COMPCams Top Moments from The Dome. #DirtInDecember pic.twitter.com/Pml41fey7s
— FloRacing (@FloRacing) December 3, 2024
3. A Track That Weaves Shakepearian-Level Drama
The track itself is small, narrow, and unpredictable. It's a place where fates can shift in a second.
Wild passes, last-lap heartbreaks, and the sheer number of drivers make the race a showcase of pure, distilled car-racing ability. Gateway has become a place of legend, where talented drivers find themselves in the thick of the action.
From Shannon Babb’s dramatic win in 2016 to Tyler Carpenter’s rise to stardom, Gateway is special for the moments it's created in such a short time, and for the potential drama that has yet to unfold.
- “Thursday [in 2016] was a disaster... but [the] Friday [Feature] delivered one of the best races of the year with Shannon Babb passing Scott Bloomquist in the closing laps. In an instant, it became an event that every fan/driver knew could deliver good racing.”
But it’s not just the racing that has been high-quality. The experience around Gateway has improved year after year.
- “Every year gets better. From track prep to the different ways, the polish of the event grows. I’d say after last year, this event feels clearly ‘established’. We are doing a best-appearing car contest for late models/modifieds so we expect some really cool wraps to come out.”
4. Legends, Rivalries & Memorable Moments
Since 2016, Gateway has been a showcase for some of the best moments in dirt racing history, and the magnitude of the moment has propped up drivers in the process.
From the legendary Scott Bloomquist’s early dominance to the wild antics of drivers like Charlie Medford and Jason Welshan, the event is as much about the personalities off the track as it is about the racing.
- “Gateway launched Tyler Carpenter into mainstream stardom. Shannon Babb will always be a legend after his Friday win in 2016. Scott Bloomquist was also built for Gateway... He won the first finale in 2016 and he’ll be missed this year (we have a tribute planned for Saturday).”
- “Really everyone in the pits thinks they have a legitimate ’shot’ which makes it so interesting.”
How To Watch The 2024 Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals
Fans can watch on their SmartTVs, mobile phones or tablets, as well as computers on FloRacing.com. The FloSports app is available on Roku, FireTV, Samsung, LG, Google Play Store and the Apple Store.
2024 Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals Tickets
Plan on being in the St. Louis area and want to catch the Gateway Dirt Nationals action in person?
Reserved seating is $25-$45 on Thursday and Friday and will be $35-$55 on Saturday.
For more info, visit: gatewaydirt.com
Who Won The 2023 Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals?
Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Illinois, earned his first Gateway triumph in the Super Late Model division. Drake Troutman picked up the win in the Modified division.
All Past Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals Winners
Year: Winner, hometown
- 2023: Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, Ill.
- 2022: Tyler Erb, New Waverly, Texas
- 2021: Tyler Carpenter, Parkersburg, W.Va.
- 2020: Canceled
- 2019: Tyler Carpenter, Parkersburg, W.Va.
- 2018: Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, Ill.
- 2017: Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, Ill.
- 2016: Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, Tenn.
Archived Footage On FloRacing
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