CONCORD, NC (March 27, 2026) — This year marks Whit Gastineau’s 26th season in dirt track racing. And it might just be the best he’s ever felt behind the wheel.

At 41 years of age, the Oklahoma native has forged a reputation for being one of the state’s best local/regional pick-and-choose racers, making only occasional long-distance trips and seldom racing for points championships. But only seven races into the 2026 American Sprint Car Series season, he’s sitting sixth in the points standings with four top-10 finishes against some of the best 360 Sprint Car drivers in the nation.

“The past year is probably the best we’ve ever ran; it’s just figuring out the car and being consistent,” Gastineau said. “We’ve always had the right components; it’s just that sometimes the motor wasn’t there or the driver wasn’t there. Sometimes, the car wasn’t there. That setup can make you look really good or really bad.”

However, his recent strong runs only tell part of the story. Six months ago, Gastineau finally broke through to Victory Lane on the national circuit in back-to-back fashion, sweeping a doubleheader weekend at Salt City Speedway in Hutchinson, KS. In 40 laps of Feature competition, the Statewide Service Center, Shark Racing Engines-powered Maxim Chassis No. 2 led 31 of them.

Never before had his veteran talents taken him higher than a third-place finish against the national-touring stars. But for two consecutive nights, he paraded the field around the flat, 1/2-mile Kansas oval and banked two of the biggest wins of his career.

“It was good to finally do it,” Gastineau said. “I’ve raced as long or longer than all of the guys with ASCS. This is my 26th year, so I’ve been racing; I just haven’t had a whole lot of opportunities. I’ve got Jim Ellison, the car owner, of Statewide Service Center. I’ve never really had the opportunity to do it on the big scale.

“We’re good around here, we’re fast, but it’s good to have somebody that’s willing to help out and give us the opportunity to go out there and run at the top about every night.”

He recalls the cool October weekend well, turning the fastest lap in Qualifying before a flag-to-flag win in the main event on Friday. He was forced to pass for the lead halfway through Saturday’s Feature but again drove away from the field in another display of high-speed prowess en route to a weekend sweep worth $10,000.

“We started out pretty dang close, and every time we hit the track, we just got a little bit better,” Gastineau said. “We made small adjustments throughout the night, and that really helped to be close every time.”

After a career-highlight weekend, Gastineau returned home to the town of Moore, OK, and the company of his wife and two children. On Monday, it was back to work for the family business — Gastineau Lawns.

As it is for many others in the 360 Sprint Car world, both work and family take a massive priority before racing. But still, the most dedicated racers will find time to get to the racetrack.

“We have around 140–150 yards a week; I’m keeping the guys going and out helping them,” Gastineau said. “My brother (Beau), he’s the head crew guy, he has a full-time job, and Jimmy (Ellis) has to be at work also.”

As one of the most competitive talents in 360 Sprint Car racing from Oklahoma, Gastineau has garnered a considerable fanbase around his native territory. Though fonder of the bigger, high-speed ovals on the circuit, he knows he’s capable of strong results anywhere with his dedicated team.

“Around here, we’re as good as anybody, and I think everybody knows that,” Gastineau said. “We haven’t ever had the opportunity to do it full-time on the national tour, but I really feel like we could compete. I feel like we should be top five every night. The wins will come. Sometimes you’ll be there and sometimes you won’t, but I feel like we can run top five every night.”

Will fans ever see Gastineau’s black-and-gold colors on the track in pursuit of an American Sprint Car Series national championship? He’s not ruled out the possibility. But for right now, it’s all about the next race, the next track, and the next opportunity to show his sharpened skills again.

“We take it a day at a time and a year at a time and go from there,” Gastineau said. “I feel pretty good right now, and within the last year, between all the classes, this is the best we’ve ever been. We’ve got the family, and we’ll race when we can.”

The American Sprint Car Series returns to action at Salina Highbanks Speedway on Saturday, April 11. Tickets for the event will be sold at the track on race day.

If you can’t be at the track, how can you watch the American Sprint Car Series in 2026? Every race is broadcast live on DIRTVision.

Whit Gastineau Calls Recent Strong ASCS Results ‘The Best We’ve Ever Ran’

CONCORD, NC (March 27, 2026) — This year marks Whit Gastineau’s 26th season in dirt track racing. And it might just be the best he’s ever felt behind the wheel.

At 41 years of age, the Oklahoma native has forged a reputation for being one of the state’s best local/regional pick-and-choose racers, making only occasional long-distance trips and seldom racing for points championships. But only seven races into the 2026 American Sprint Car Series season, he’s sitting sixth in the points standings with four top-10 finishes against some of the best 360 Sprint Car drivers in the nation.

“The past year is probably the best we’ve ever ran; it’s just figuring out the car and being consistent,” Gastineau said. “We’ve always had the right components; it’s just that sometimes the motor wasn’t there or the driver wasn’t there. Sometimes, the car wasn’t there. That setup can make you look really good or really bad.”

However, his recent strong runs only tell part of the story. Six months ago, Gastineau finally broke through to Victory Lane on the national circuit in back-to-back fashion, sweeping a doubleheader weekend at Salt City Speedway in Hutchinson, KS. In 40 laps of Feature competition, the Statewide Service Center, Shark Racing Engines-powered Maxim Chassis No. 2 led 31 of them.

Never before had his veteran talents taken him higher than a third-place finish against the national-touring stars. But for two consecutive nights, he paraded the field around the flat, 1/2-mile Kansas oval and banked two of the biggest wins of his career.

“It was good to finally do it,” Gastineau said. “I’ve raced as long or longer than all of the guys with ASCS. This is my 26th year, so I’ve been racing; I just haven’t had a whole lot of opportunities. I’ve got Jim Ellison, the car owner, of Statewide Service Center. I’ve never really had the opportunity to do it on the big scale.

“We’re good around here, we’re fast, but it’s good to have somebody that’s willing to help out and give us the opportunity to go out there and run at the top about every night.”

He recalls the cool October weekend well, turning the fastest lap in Qualifying before a flag-to-flag win in the main event on Friday. He was forced to pass for the lead halfway through Saturday’s Feature but again drove away from the field in another display of high-speed prowess en route to a weekend sweep worth $10,000.

“We started out pretty dang close, and every time we hit the track, we just got a little bit better,” Gastineau said. “We made small adjustments throughout the night, and that really helped to be close every time.”

After a career-highlight weekend, Gastineau returned home to the town of Moore, OK, and the company of his wife and two children. On Monday, it was back to work for the family business — Gastineau Lawns.

As it is for many others in the 360 Sprint Car world, both work and family take a massive priority before racing. But still, the most dedicated racers will find time to get to the racetrack.

“We have around 140–150 yards a week; I’m keeping the guys going and out helping them,” Gastineau said. “My brother (Beau), he’s the head crew guy, he has a full-time job, and Jimmy (Ellis) has to be at work also.”

As one of the most competitive talents in 360 Sprint Car racing from Oklahoma, Gastineau has garnered a considerable fanbase around his native territory. Though fonder of the bigger, high-speed ovals on the circuit, he knows he’s capable of strong results anywhere with his dedicated team.

“Around here, we’re as good as anybody, and I think everybody knows that,” Gastineau said. “We haven’t ever had the opportunity to do it full-time on the national tour, but I really feel like we could compete. I feel like we should be top five every night. The wins will come. Sometimes you’ll be there and sometimes you won’t, but I feel like we can run top five every night.”

Will fans ever see Gastineau’s black-and-gold colors on the track in pursuit of an American Sprint Car Series national championship? He’s not ruled out the possibility. But for right now, it’s all about the next race, the next track, and the next opportunity to show his sharpened skills again.

“We take it a day at a time and a year at a time and go from there,” Gastineau said. “I feel pretty good right now, and within the last year, between all the classes, this is the best we’ve ever been. We’ve got the family, and we’ll race when we can.”

The American Sprint Car Series returns to action at Salina Highbanks Speedway on Saturday, April 11. Tickets for the event will be sold at the track on race day.

If you can’t be at the track, how can you watch the American Sprint Car Series in 2026? Every race is broadcast live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://ascsracing.com/news/whit-gastineau-calls-recent-strong-ascs-results-the-best-weve-ever-ran/