About this episode
In this episode of the Off-Road Racer Podcast, Matt Martelli sits down with one of the fastest and most innovative minds in off-road racing—Dale Dondel of Racer Engineering. Known for his blistering qualifying runs and relentless drive for performance, Dondel has carved a unique path in the sport as both a racer and elite vehicle builder. We dive into Dale’s roots in dirt bikes and short course, his time learning from legendary fabricator Nye Frank, and how those early influences shaped his philosophy of racing and design. He opens up about the evolution of his trucks, the challenges of chasing AWD performance, and why he continues to tear down and rebuild in pursuit of speed. This episode is a deep look at what it takes to stay ahead in off-road racing—both behind the wheel and in the shop.