Heart, Hustle, and Horsepower: DSR’s Grit-Filled Run at the Linda’s Speedway National Open

There’s something about the Linda’s Speedway National Open that makes every team bring their absolute best and for DSR, this year’s return marked our second shot at the prestigious event. But before we even made it to the track, the week leading up to the race was nothing short of a marathon.

Our 600cc motor had been out for a much-needed refresh, and as the days ticked down, the question on everyone’s mind was the same: Would it be ready in time? Then, Tuesday afternoon, the call came, NPS had it done. Relief. Excitement. Go-time.

We loaded up, picked up the motor, and hustled back to the shop. After reinstalling it in the No. 81 and firing it up, it was straight to 600 Performance, where Ryan and his crew fit us in on short notice to fine-tune the setup. Huge thanks to everyone there for going above and beyond to get us dialed in for the weekend.

Friday Night Lights: Practice and Time Trials

Friday kicked off with practice and time trials and this year brought a few new challenges. Not only was this our first trip to Linda’s with the new 81 car, but it was also our first winged race of the year.

Dominic took to the track for hot laps, getting a feel for the car and the wing setup. The car looked solid and consistent but we knew we needed a little more speed. After a quick gearing change, we rolled out for time trials and landed 27th out of 45. Not bad, but we wanted more. Another gear swap later, and Dominic hit the track again in the final practice, pushing hard and showing promise

By the time Friday’s sessions wrapped up, the 81 felt fast, balanced, and ready to take a shot at the A-Main.

Saturday Showdown: Heat Race Heartbreak

Saturday morning brought final prep, cleaning up the 81, checking everything twice, and working through tire setup. Dominic would roll off P6 in Heat 2, with the top five punching their ticket straight to the A-Main.

At the drop of the green, the first start was called back for a jump, but on the second try, it was game on. Dominic took a lap or two to settle in before making his move, climbing to P4 and putting the 81 in transfer position. But as the laps wound down, the car lost a bit of momentum, slipping back to P8 and heading to the C-Main.

That’s when things got interesting, and not in a good way. As the 81 was pushed back to the trailer, Dominic explained that the throttle had stuck wide open during the heat. Somehow, he kept it under control and finished the race, but it was a tense moment for everyone.

The crew dove in immediately to find the cause, tearing down the setup and checking every inch. Unfortunately, time ran out before we could diagnose it safely enough to send the car back out. Our night and our Nationals run came to an early end.

Trackside Takeaways

Every race tells a story, and this one was all about perseverance. From the last-minute motor pickup to the long nights at the shop, to battling through setup changes and mechanical issues, this weekend proved once again that racing isn’t just about results. It’s about resilience.

We learned more about our team’s grit and problem-solving under pressure than any win could teach us. The win will come, the heart is already there.

Appreciation Lap

A huge thank you to NPS for getting our motor ready in record time, and to Ryan and the crew at 600 Performance for squeezing us in and helping us dial in the setup.

Special shoutout to Scott Scholl — your late nights, teamwork, and dedication made this weekend possible.

The 2025 season might be winding down, but we’re not done yet. The No. 81 still has a few laps left to turn before shifting gears toward the 2026 season.

See you at the next one!