MODOC, SC (October 14, 2026) – For the 20th consecutive year, the World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision will conclude the season in the Carolinas – with an added twist.

New in 2026 is a visit to Modoc Speedway for the Modoc 100 on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23-24. The inaugural Modoc event has become the lead-in to the annual finale at The Dirt Track at Charlotte as part of Dave Smith Motors World of Outlaws World Finals, Wednesday-Saturday, Nov. 4-7.

The greater Charlotte area has been the center of the full-fendered racing universe for eight decades, dating back to the moonshine-running era in the 1940s. Dirt tracks popped up all over the region in the years that followed, and while several were later paved alongside the rise of NASCAR, many have stayed true to their dirt roots to this day. The result is one of the strongest dirt Late Model scenes in the nation, and one that the World of Outlaws have played an important role in for the past two decades.

Here’s a look at the Carolina tracks that have been part of World of Outlaws history:

The Dirt Track at Charlotte: In the late 1990s, Bruton Smith and the team at Charlotte Motor Speedway wanted to expand the facility’s motorsports offerings beyond the 1.5-mile oval that opened in 1960. Their vision became public in 1999 when the announcement was made that a dirt track would be constructed on the opposite side of Highway 29 from the NASCAR oval.

The original blueprints included a 3/8-mile layout, but plans were changed to the eventual 4/10-mile size during construction. The Dirt Track at Charlotte was completed in the spring of 2000, with the inaugural event being a World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series doubleheader on Memorial Day weekend prior to the Coca-Cola 600.

It wouldn’t be long until the Late Model contingent got their first taste of the state-of-the-art Charlotte facility. The Hav-A-Tampa Series made two stops at Charlotte in 2000, with Scott Bloomquist winning on July 3 and Dan Schlieper taking the checkers on Sept. 23.

Several other touring series added Charlotte to their schedules in the years that followed – the Southern All Stars being the most frequent visitor – prior to the arrival of the World of Outlaws in 2007 for the first edition of World Finals. The new event created a combined championship weekend for the Late Model and Sprint Car communities, as well as the Super DIRTcar Series beginning in 2010.

World Finals has since grown into a premier staple of the World of Outlaws schedule, consistently featuring one of the largest car counts of the season. In the 19-year history of the event, no one has had more success than Jonathan Davenport, who won twice in 2025 to surpass Jimmy Owens as the winningest Late Model driver in World Finals history. Davenport’s eight victories place him second on the World Finals wins list across all three divisions, trailing only Donny Schatz with nine.

For a few years in the 2000s, World Finals wasn’t Charlotte’s only major World of Outlaws event. The Series also visited in the spring for the Colossal 100, an event won by Bloomquist (2007), Steve Francis (2008) and Earl Pearson Jr. (2009) before the race was discontinued.

Cherokee Speedway: Ask anyone to think about Late Model racing in the Carolinas, and there’s a good chance that Cherokee Speedway is one of the first things that comes to mind.

“The Place Your Mama Warned You About” has become one of the most widely known tracks in the sport since opening in 1957. Nearly every national and Southeast regional Late Model tour has made plenty of stops at the 3/8-mile in Gaffney, SC, including the World of Outlaws, starting in 2017.

Much like many other southeastern red-dirt ovals, Brandon Overton has been dominant in Series action at Cherokee, winning four of the nine World of Outlaws races held there. A pair of South Carolinians have also won their first Series race at Cherokee, those being Ross Bailes in 2019 and Michael Brown in 2022.

Cherokee has remained a hotbed for Super Late Model racing since their most recent World of Outlaws race four years ago, with their biggest event being the Blue-Gray 100 every fall. This year’s race is set for Sunday, Oct. 25, the day after the World of Outlaws event at Modoc, creating a tripleheader race weekend in the “Palmetto State.”

Fayetteville Motor Speedway: The lone track in eastern North Carolina that has hosted World of Outlaws racing is Fayetteville Motor Speedway, which appeared on the schedule eight times between 2008 and 2018.

The 5/16-mile oval maintained plenty of parity in Series action with seven different winners in eight races, with Josh Richards being the only repeat winner. Fayetteville is also the home track of current World of Outlaws regular Daulton Wilson, a former track champion in the Pure Stock division.

Following their final World of Outlaws race in 2018, Fayetteville continued to host regional and local racing until its closure at the end of the 2025 season.

Lancaster Motor Speedway: A hub of local and regional Late Model racing for almost 70 years, Lancaster Motor Speedway has a pair of World of Outlaws races in its history books from 2019 and 2020.

In the inaugural event, a blown right-rear tire for Lancaster, SC native Ben Watkins on Lap 20 of 50 handed the lead to Brandon Sheppard, who never looked back. Then on Labor Day weekend in 2020, Overton broke away to a lead of more than three seconds for his fourth-straight World of Outlaws win.

The track continues to host regional Super Late Model racing regularly, and Watkins is riding a six-race Carolina Clash win streak at his home track dating back to 2022.

311 Motor Speedway: No one misses 311 Motor Speedway’s spot on the World of Outlaws schedule more than Tim McCreadie.

The Watertown, NY native won both Series visits to Pine Hall, NC in 2012 and 2013, with both victories snapping a long winless streak lasting nearly a year. McCreadie is one of many big names with 311 wins on their resume alongside Bloomquist, Davenport, Overton, Dale McDowell and even NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Dillon, who won a pair of Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series races there in 2010.

While 311 has sat dormant since 2021, efforts have been made in the past year to potentially reopen the track.

Friendship Motor Speedway: The other dirt track in the North Carolina foothills is Friendship Motor Speedway, sitting 50 miles west of 311 in Elkin, NC.

Opening as a dirt track in 1982, Friendship spent a few seasons hosting pavement racing from 2003 to 2007 before returning to dirt for the 2008 season. Seven years later, Friendship welcomed the World of Outlaws for the first time in 2015 when North Carolina native Chris Ferguson collected his first Series win.

The event appeared to be a one-and-done until 2023, when the track was purchased by Bobby and Jessica Koehler of nearby Mt. Airy, NC, renamed Ultimate Motorsports Park and added to the World of Outlaws schedule on Memorial Day weekend in 2024. Bailes and Bobby Pierce split a pair of split-field Friday Features before Saturday’s main event was canceled due to rain.

When the Koehler family ended their operation of the track to focus on their other businesses, Ultimate Towing & Recovery and Koehler Motorsports, local businessman Chuck Melton stepped in to purchase the facility. The track’s original name was restored for 2026, and Friendship has become one of the few tracks in the southeast to run Super Late Models as part of its weekly racing program.

Carolina Speedway: One of the oldest continuously-operating tracks in the region, Carolina Speedway opened in 1961 under the management of Humpy Wheeler, who got his start in race promotion at Carolina before going on to become the general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway.

After hosting a handful of Hav-A-Tampa shows in the early 1990s, the Gastonia, NC oval got its lone modern-era national-touring event in 2016. The trophy went to Richards, who fended off Chub Frank and Rick Eckert for his fifth of 18 wins that season.

Race-by-Race History
April 21, 2007 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Scott Bloomquist
Oct. 10, 2007 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Shannon Babb
Nov. 2, 2007 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Scott Bloomquist
Nov. 3, 2007 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Donnie Moran
April 19, 2008 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Steve Francis
Oct. 7, 2008 – Fayetteville Motor Speedway – Josh Richards
Oct. 29, 2008 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Chris Madden
Oct. 31, 2008 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Scott Bloomquist
Nov. 1, 2008 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Josh Richards
March 29, 2009 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Earl Pearson Jr.
April 17, 2009 – Fayetteville Motor Speedway – Jeff Smith
Nov. 5, 2009 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Josh Richards
Nov. 6, 2009 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Scott Bloomquist
Nov. 7, 2009 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jimmy Owens
April 30, 2010 – Fayetteville Motor Speedway – Josh Richards
Oct. 13, 2010 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Josh Richards
Nov. 6, 2010 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jimmy Owens
Nov. 6, 2010 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jonathan Davenport
Oct. 12, 2011 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Josh Richards
Nov. 4, 2011 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jonathan Davenport
Nov. 5, 2011 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jimmy Owens
May 4, 2012 – 311 Motor Speedway – Tim McCreadie
Oct. 10, 2012 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Rick Eckert
Nov. 2, 2012 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jimmy Owens
Nov. 3, 2012 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jimmy Owens
April 20, 2013 – 311 Motor Speedway – Tim McCreadie
Nov. 8, 2013 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Darrell Lanigan
Nov. 9, 2013 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Josh Richards
May 2, 2014 – Fayetteville Motor Speedway – Darrell Lanigan
Nov. 7, 2014 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Darrell Lanigan
Nov. 8, 2014 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jimmy Owens
May 1, 2015 – Friendship Motor Speedway – Chris Ferguson
May 2, 2015 – Fayetteville Motor Speedway – Chris Ferguson
Nov. 6, 2015 – The Dirt Track at Charotte – Brandon Sheppard
Nov. 8, 2015 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jonathan Davenport
April 29, 2016 – Carolina Speedway – Josh Richards
April 30, 2016 – Fayetteville Motor Speedway – Brian Shirley
Oct. 28, 2016 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Josh Richards
Oct. 29, 2016 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Chris Madden
May 5, 2017 – Cherokee Speedway – Shane Clanton
May 6, 2017 – Fayetteville Motor Speedway – Brandon Sheppard
Nov. 3, 2017 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Brandon Sheppard
Nov. 4, 2017 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Dennis Erb Jr.
May 4, 2018 – Cherokee Speedway – Mike Marlar
May 12, 2018 – Fayetteville Motor Speedway – Jimmy Owens
Nov. 3, 2018 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Brandon Sheppard
Nov. 3, 2018 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Scott Bloomquist
May 3, 2019 – Cherokee Speedway – Ross Bailes
June 1, 2019 – Lancaster Motor Speedway – Brandon Sheppard
Oct. 4, 2019 – Cherokee Speedway – Brandon Overton
Nov. 8, 2019 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Chris Madden
Nov. 9, 2019 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jimmy Owens
Sept. 5, 2020 – Lancaster Motor Speedway – Brandon Overton
Oct. 2, 2020 – Cherokee Speedway – Brandon Overton
Nov. 4, 2020 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Brandon Overton
Nov. 5, 2020 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Tim McCreadie
Sept. 2, 2021 – Cherokee Speedway – Brandon Overton
Oct. 1, 2021 – Cherokee Speedway – Brandon Overton
Nov. 5, 2021 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jonathan Davenport
Nov. 6, 2021 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jonathan Davenport
March 25, 2022 – Cherokee Speedway – Michael Brown
March 26, 2022 – Cherokee Speedway – Max Blair
Nov. 2, 2022 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Mike Marlar
Nov. 3, 2022 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Tanner English
Nov. 5, 2022 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jonathan Davenport
Nov. 2, 2023 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Mike Marlar
Nov. 3, 2023 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Ricky Thornton Jr.
Nov. 4, 2023 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Ricky Thornton Jr.
Nov. 7, 2024 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Ricky Thornton Jr.
Nov. 8, 2024 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Bobby Pierce
Nov. 9, 2024 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Chris Madden
Nov. 6, 2025 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Hudson O’Neal
Nov. 7, 2025 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jonathan Davenport
Nov. 8, 2025 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jonathan Davenport

World of Outlaws Winners from the Carolinas
Chris Madden – Gray Court, SC – 40
Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 19
Chris Ferguson – Mt. Holly, NC – 2
Kyle Strickler – Mooresville, NC – 2
Jeff Smith – Dallas, NC – 1
Ross Bailes – Clover, SC – 1
Zack Mitchell – Enoree, SC – 1
Ben Watkins – Lancaster, SC – 1
Michael Brown – Lancaster, SC – 1
Daulton Wilson – Fayetteville, NC – 1

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision will wrap up the 2026 season with the Modoc 100 at Modoc Speedway (Friday-Saturday, Oct. 23-24), followed by the Dave Smith Motors World of Outlaws World Finals (Wednesday-Saturday, Nov. 4-7).

Get tickets in advance for both events by clicking here. Get free pit passes to World Finals by purchasing a two-day pass by Friday, Oct. 16.

Want to watch the World of Outlaws? Stream every race live on DIRTVision.

Closing Stretch at Modoc, Charlotte Users In New Era for Carolina Late Model Racing

MODOC, SC (October 14, 2026) – For the 20th consecutive year, the World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision will conclude the season in the Carolinas – with an added twist.

New in 2026 is a visit to Modoc Speedway for the Modoc 100 on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23-24. The inaugural Modoc event has become the lead-in to the annual finale at The Dirt Track at Charlotte as part of Dave Smith Motors World of Outlaws World Finals, Wednesday-Saturday, Nov. 4-7.

The greater Charlotte area has been the center of the full-fendered racing universe for eight decades, dating back to the moonshine-running era in the 1940s. Dirt tracks popped up all over the region in the years that followed, and while several were later paved alongside the rise of NASCAR, many have stayed true to their dirt roots to this day. The result is one of the strongest dirt Late Model scenes in the nation, and one that the World of Outlaws have played an important role in for the past two decades.

Here’s a look at the Carolina tracks that have been part of World of Outlaws history:

The Dirt Track at Charlotte: In the late 1990s, Bruton Smith and the team at Charlotte Motor Speedway wanted to expand the facility’s motorsports offerings beyond the 1.5-mile oval that opened in 1960. Their vision became public in 1999 when the announcement was made that a dirt track would be constructed on the opposite side of Highway 29 from the NASCAR oval.

The original blueprints included a 3/8-mile layout, but plans were changed to the eventual 4/10-mile size during construction. The Dirt Track at Charlotte was completed in the spring of 2000, with the inaugural event being a World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series doubleheader on Memorial Day weekend prior to the Coca-Cola 600.

It wouldn’t be long until the Late Model contingent got their first taste of the state-of-the-art Charlotte facility. The Hav-A-Tampa Series made two stops at Charlotte in 2000, with Scott Bloomquist winning on July 3 and Dan Schlieper taking the checkers on Sept. 23.

Several other touring series added Charlotte to their schedules in the years that followed – the Southern All Stars being the most frequent visitor – prior to the arrival of the World of Outlaws in 2007 for the first edition of World Finals. The new event created a combined championship weekend for the Late Model and Sprint Car communities, as well as the Super DIRTcar Series beginning in 2010.

World Finals has since grown into a premier staple of the World of Outlaws schedule, consistently featuring one of the largest car counts of the season. In the 19-year history of the event, no one has had more success than Jonathan Davenport, who won twice in 2025 to surpass Jimmy Owens as the winningest Late Model driver in World Finals history. Davenport’s eight victories place him second on the World Finals wins list across all three divisions, trailing only Donny Schatz with nine.

For a few years in the 2000s, World Finals wasn’t Charlotte’s only major World of Outlaws event. The Series also visited in the spring for the Colossal 100, an event won by Bloomquist (2007), Steve Francis (2008) and Earl Pearson Jr. (2009) before the race was discontinued.

Cherokee Speedway: Ask anyone to think about Late Model racing in the Carolinas, and there’s a good chance that Cherokee Speedway is one of the first things that comes to mind.

“The Place Your Mama Warned You About” has become one of the most widely known tracks in the sport since opening in 1957. Nearly every national and Southeast regional Late Model tour has made plenty of stops at the 3/8-mile in Gaffney, SC, including the World of Outlaws, starting in 2017.

Much like many other southeastern red-dirt ovals, Brandon Overton has been dominant in Series action at Cherokee, winning four of the nine World of Outlaws races held there. A pair of South Carolinians have also won their first Series race at Cherokee, those being Ross Bailes in 2019 and Michael Brown in 2022.

Cherokee has remained a hotbed for Super Late Model racing since their most recent World of Outlaws race four years ago, with their biggest event being the Blue-Gray 100 every fall. This year’s race is set for Sunday, Oct. 25, the day after the World of Outlaws event at Modoc, creating a tripleheader race weekend in the “Palmetto State.”

Fayetteville Motor Speedway: The lone track in eastern North Carolina that has hosted World of Outlaws racing is Fayetteville Motor Speedway, which appeared on the schedule eight times between 2008 and 2018.

The 5/16-mile oval maintained plenty of parity in Series action with seven different winners in eight races, with Josh Richards being the only repeat winner. Fayetteville is also the home track of current World of Outlaws regular Daulton Wilson, a former track champion in the Pure Stock division.

Following their final World of Outlaws race in 2018, Fayetteville continued to host regional and local racing until its closure at the end of the 2025 season.

Lancaster Motor Speedway: A hub of local and regional Late Model racing for almost 70 years, Lancaster Motor Speedway has a pair of World of Outlaws races in its history books from 2019 and 2020.

In the inaugural event, a blown right-rear tire for Lancaster, SC native Ben Watkins on Lap 20 of 50 handed the lead to Brandon Sheppard, who never looked back. Then on Labor Day weekend in 2020, Overton broke away to a lead of more than three seconds for his fourth-straight World of Outlaws win.

The track continues to host regional Super Late Model racing regularly, and Watkins is riding a six-race Carolina Clash win streak at his home track dating back to 2022.

311 Motor Speedway: No one misses 311 Motor Speedway’s spot on the World of Outlaws schedule more than Tim McCreadie.

The Watertown, NY native won both Series visits to Pine Hall, NC in 2012 and 2013, with both victories snapping a long winless streak lasting nearly a year. McCreadie is one of many big names with 311 wins on their resume alongside Bloomquist, Davenport, Overton, Dale McDowell and even NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Dillon, who won a pair of Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series races there in 2010.

While 311 has sat dormant since 2021, efforts have been made in the past year to potentially reopen the track.

Friendship Motor Speedway: The other dirt track in the North Carolina foothills is Friendship Motor Speedway, sitting 50 miles west of 311 in Elkin, NC.

Opening as a dirt track in 1982, Friendship spent a few seasons hosting pavement racing from 2003 to 2007 before returning to dirt for the 2008 season. Seven years later, Friendship welcomed the World of Outlaws for the first time in 2015 when North Carolina native Chris Ferguson collected his first Series win.

The event appeared to be a one-and-done until 2023, when the track was purchased by Bobby and Jessica Koehler of nearby Mt. Airy, NC, renamed Ultimate Motorsports Park and added to the World of Outlaws schedule on Memorial Day weekend in 2024. Bailes and Bobby Pierce split a pair of split-field Friday Features before Saturday’s main event was canceled due to rain.

When the Koehler family ended their operation of the track to focus on their other businesses, Ultimate Towing & Recovery and Koehler Motorsports, local businessman Chuck Melton stepped in to purchase the facility. The track’s original name was restored for 2026, and Friendship has become one of the few tracks in the southeast to run Super Late Models as part of its weekly racing program.

Carolina Speedway: One of the oldest continuously-operating tracks in the region, Carolina Speedway opened in 1961 under the management of Humpy Wheeler, who got his start in race promotion at Carolina before going on to become the general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway.

After hosting a handful of Hav-A-Tampa shows in the early 1990s, the Gastonia, NC oval got its lone modern-era national-touring event in 2016. The trophy went to Richards, who fended off Chub Frank and Rick Eckert for his fifth of 18 wins that season.

Race-by-Race History
April 21, 2007 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Scott Bloomquist
Oct. 10, 2007 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Shannon Babb
Nov. 2, 2007 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Scott Bloomquist
Nov. 3, 2007 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Donnie Moran
April 19, 2008 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Steve Francis
Oct. 7, 2008 – Fayetteville Motor Speedway – Josh Richards
Oct. 29, 2008 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Chris Madden
Oct. 31, 2008 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Scott Bloomquist
Nov. 1, 2008 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Josh Richards
March 29, 2009 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Earl Pearson Jr.
April 17, 2009 – Fayetteville Motor Speedway – Jeff Smith
Nov. 5, 2009 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Josh Richards
Nov. 6, 2009 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Scott Bloomquist
Nov. 7, 2009 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jimmy Owens
April 30, 2010 – Fayetteville Motor Speedway – Josh Richards
Oct. 13, 2010 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Josh Richards
Nov. 6, 2010 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jimmy Owens
Nov. 6, 2010 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jonathan Davenport
Oct. 12, 2011 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Josh Richards
Nov. 4, 2011 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jonathan Davenport
Nov. 5, 2011 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jimmy Owens
May 4, 2012 – 311 Motor Speedway – Tim McCreadie
Oct. 10, 2012 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Rick Eckert
Nov. 2, 2012 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jimmy Owens
Nov. 3, 2012 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jimmy Owens
April 20, 2013 – 311 Motor Speedway – Tim McCreadie
Nov. 8, 2013 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Darrell Lanigan
Nov. 9, 2013 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Josh Richards
May 2, 2014 – Fayetteville Motor Speedway – Darrell Lanigan
Nov. 7, 2014 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Darrell Lanigan
Nov. 8, 2014 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jimmy Owens
May 1, 2015 – Friendship Motor Speedway – Chris Ferguson
May 2, 2015 – Fayetteville Motor Speedway – Chris Ferguson
Nov. 6, 2015 – The Dirt Track at Charotte – Brandon Sheppard
Nov. 8, 2015 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jonathan Davenport
April 29, 2016 – Carolina Speedway – Josh Richards
April 30, 2016 – Fayetteville Motor Speedway – Brian Shirley
Oct. 28, 2016 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Josh Richards
Oct. 29, 2016 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Chris Madden
May 5, 2017 – Cherokee Speedway – Shane Clanton
May 6, 2017 – Fayetteville Motor Speedway – Brandon Sheppard
Nov. 3, 2017 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Brandon Sheppard
Nov. 4, 2017 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Dennis Erb Jr.
May 4, 2018 – Cherokee Speedway – Mike Marlar
May 12, 2018 – Fayetteville Motor Speedway – Jimmy Owens
Nov. 3, 2018 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Brandon Sheppard
Nov. 3, 2018 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Scott Bloomquist
May 3, 2019 – Cherokee Speedway – Ross Bailes
June 1, 2019 – Lancaster Motor Speedway – Brandon Sheppard
Oct. 4, 2019 – Cherokee Speedway – Brandon Overton
Nov. 8, 2019 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Chris Madden
Nov. 9, 2019 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jimmy Owens
Sept. 5, 2020 – Lancaster Motor Speedway – Brandon Overton
Oct. 2, 2020 – Cherokee Speedway – Brandon Overton
Nov. 4, 2020 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Brandon Overton
Nov. 5, 2020 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Tim McCreadie
Sept. 2, 2021 – Cherokee Speedway – Brandon Overton
Oct. 1, 2021 – Cherokee Speedway – Brandon Overton
Nov. 5, 2021 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jonathan Davenport
Nov. 6, 2021 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jonathan Davenport
March 25, 2022 – Cherokee Speedway – Michael Brown
March 26, 2022 – Cherokee Speedway – Max Blair
Nov. 2, 2022 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Mike Marlar
Nov. 3, 2022 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Tanner English
Nov. 5, 2022 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jonathan Davenport
Nov. 2, 2023 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Mike Marlar
Nov. 3, 2023 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Ricky Thornton Jr.
Nov. 4, 2023 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Ricky Thornton Jr.
Nov. 7, 2024 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Ricky Thornton Jr.
Nov. 8, 2024 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Bobby Pierce
Nov. 9, 2024 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Chris Madden
Nov. 6, 2025 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Hudson O’Neal
Nov. 7, 2025 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jonathan Davenport
Nov. 8, 2025 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Jonathan Davenport

World of Outlaws Winners from the Carolinas
Chris Madden – Gray Court, SC – 40
Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 19
Chris Ferguson – Mt. Holly, NC – 2
Kyle Strickler – Mooresville, NC – 2
Jeff Smith – Dallas, NC – 1
Ross Bailes – Clover, SC – 1
Zack Mitchell – Enoree, SC – 1
Ben Watkins – Lancaster, SC – 1
Michael Brown – Lancaster, SC – 1
Daulton Wilson – Fayetteville, NC – 1

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision will wrap up the 2026 season with the Modoc 100 at Modoc Speedway (Friday-Saturday, Oct. 23-24), followed by the Dave Smith Motors World of Outlaws World Finals (Wednesday-Saturday, Nov. 4-7).

Get tickets in advance for both events by clicking here. Get free pit passes to World Finals by purchasing a two-day pass by Friday, Oct. 16.

Want to watch the World of Outlaws? Stream every race live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/latemodels/closing-stretch-at-modoc-charlotte-ushers-in-new-era-for-carolina-late-model-racing/

PUTNAMVILLE, IN (October 14, 2026) – Dirt Sprint Car racing always occupied a space in Noah West’s mind no matter where life took him.

How could it not, after growing up in an environment that brought the likes of Jimmy Carr, Steve “Scuba” Swenson, Sonny Kreitzer, and others around him?

West was born in New York right into a racing family and moved to a major motorsports hub during his formative years.

“It’s kind of been something that we’ve always been involved in,” West said. “That’s why we actually moved out here to Indy. My dad (Jeff West) started Supermodified racing out in the northeast up in Oswego, building his own cars, chassis, stuff like that. Then he actually moved to Indy to work for Eddie Cheever in IndyCar doing some repair work and carbon repair stuff. From there, he started his own business with IPC.”

His father’s business introduced him to the famed crew chiefs previously mentioned. It’s also the time when he began to learn the mechanical basics of race cars. Lessons learned from his dad and other key figures would eventually lead West to wrenching for his own family’s World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car operation.

“My dad obviously taught me a lot of what I know from the mechanical side of things,” West said. “I spent a lot of time with Brinton Marvel and his dad Justin and was kind of just always learning as well with Ayrton (Olsen) and his dad. I was always surrounded by some really good minds in the sport.”

West’s teenage years brought a new passion outside of racing: hockey. The same competitive drive that fueled his family’s racing endeavors helped West reach Big Ten Conference level collegiate competition at the University of Michigan before a season of professional play in the ECHL with the Kansas City Mavericks.

“I raced Go-Karts when I was growing up, but hockey took over,” West recalled. “It just consumes your life, the same as Sprint Car racing. If you’re not eating, breathing, and sleeping hockey, you’re not going to be successful at it and be able to do it at the level we’re trying to do it at. Hockey, yeah, it’s a winter sport, but it’s really year-round. You’re training day in and day out six days a week, sometimes seven depending on the time of year. So, it consumed a ton of time and was a blast.”

Hockey may have required most of his time, but his love for racing never wavered. West remained involved in his family’s team, Three Stooges Racing, and their primarily pavement race cars. West truly began to lean into the dirt when the opportunity arose to turn the wrenches on the Hayward Motorsports No. 19 in 2023. That combination started strong as C.J. Leary put the car in the Eldora Million and finished 12th.

As West continued to lead the Hayward crew, the hunger to launch his own Sprint Car operation grew. He periodically attempted to persuade his father until finally he was convinced to add a dirt Winged Sprint Car to the Three Stooges stable.

“It was always something I really wanted to do,” West said of going Winged Sprint Car racing on dirt. “I mean, the pavement cars were fun, but I always told dad, ‘We need to have a Winged Sprint Car. Let’s go Winged Sprint Car racing.’ And it was always, ‘Well, when you’re out of college, we’ll start putting that together.’ Sure enough, my last year of college, the deal with Brodie (Hayward) was kind of ending, and I told my dad, ‘This is what I want to do still. We’re getting close to that time. Let’s do something.’ That was right after Kings Royal that year. I think we sat in the shop and talked and said let’s do it. He drove 10 minutes home to the house, and by the time I got home he called me and said, ‘Well, I got two cars on the way, and we’ll start this and put it together and see what we can do.’”

The Three Stooges Racing No. 51 Sprint Car debuted during the 2025 Kings Royal week with Joel Myers Jr. in the seat. Eventually, Scott Bogucki came aboard to close out the year with a pick-and-choose schedule as a plan began to form for them to go World of Outlaws racing in 2026.

“My dad was driving somewhere with my mom, probably leaving a brother’s hockey game or something; he called me and said, ‘I think we should just go Outlaw racing,’” West said. “I was like, ‘If that’s what you want to do, we’ll do it.’ He did some more talking to some people that we know and got everything together.”

They began the season with Bogucki and picked up a podium at only the eighth race of the campaign when he drove from ninth to second at Lawton Speedway. The two sides parted ways in May before the team brought Ashton Torgerson aboard for most of the summer. Then came their current pilot, Steven Snyder Jr., with his first weekend in the car at the Ironman 55in early August.

West believes he and the 20-year-old out of Rising Sun, MD are gelling fast and laying the foundations of a potent partnership. The results agree. Snyder Jr. drove from 16th to sixth at the Front Row Challenge during just their fourth night together. Less than a month later, he led laps before a top-five finish at Huset’s Speedway. Then came a 10th-to-second charge at El Paso County Raceway for Snyder’s first World of Outlaws podium. He battled for a win at Ventura Raceway to close out September.

“Steven, he’s got very high upside and potential,” West said. “We both want to build together and work together. We’re both ultra-competitive. Will it bite us some nights? Yes, but at the end of the day if I’m out here giving 110%, the last thing I want is for my driver who’s getting in my race car to not give me 110% back. I feel like with Steven here these last three months, he’s came in and given us that. As a crew chief and car owner, that’s all we can ask for.”

The short-term future with Snyder isn’t all that’s on West’s mind as they continue to grow. This isn’t merely some quick experiment. West wants to construct an organization to contend with the best of the best for years to come. He knows he may not always be able to be the one going up and down the road with the team, but he’s putting the pieces in place for his team to do so and continue the family racing tradition he was born into.

“I’d like to establish it into something like Big Game and what Tod Quiring has built there and KCP (Racing), Roth (Motorsports). I want to establish us to be something like that,” West said. “Whether it’s myself out here on the road full-time for years to come, I don’t know. I want to keep doing it, and I want to be out here for a few more years, but I’d like to turn it into something where when it’s time to have a family and kids and stuff I can also be at home while our team will be out here competing with the World of Outlaws.”

West, Snyder Jr., and the Three Stooges Racing crew continue to wind down the 2026 season this weekend at Indiana’s Lincoln Park Speedway on Friday, Oct. 16, and Illinois’ Belle-Clair Fairgrounds Park Speedway on Saturday, Oct. 17. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

Where can you watch every World of Outlaws race? Live on DIRTVision.

Where can you see the World of Outlaws in 2026? Click to see the full schedule.

RINK TO WRENCHES: Noah West’s Journey Through Childhood in Racing, Professional Hockey, World of Outlaws Crew Chief

PUTNAMVILLE, IN (October 14, 2026) – Dirt Sprint Car racing always occupied a space in Noah West’s mind no matter where life took him.

How could it not, after growing up in an environment that brought the likes of Jimmy Carr, Steve “Scuba” Swenson, Sonny Kreitzer, and others around him?

West was born in New York right into a racing family and moved to a major motorsports hub during his formative years.

“It’s kind of been something that we’ve always been involved in,” West said. “That’s why we actually moved out here to Indy. My dad (Jeff West) started Supermodified racing out in the northeast up in Oswego, building his own cars, chassis, stuff like that. Then he actually moved to Indy to work for Eddie Cheever in IndyCar doing some repair work and carbon repair stuff. From there, he started his own business with IPC.”

His father’s business introduced him to the famed crew chiefs previously mentioned. It’s also the time when he began to learn the mechanical basics of race cars. Lessons learned from his dad and other key figures would eventually lead West to wrenching for his own family’s World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car operation.

“My dad obviously taught me a lot of what I know from the mechanical side of things,” West said. “I spent a lot of time with Brinton Marvel and his dad Justin and was kind of just always learning as well with Ayrton (Olsen) and his dad. I was always surrounded by some really good minds in the sport.”

West’s teenage years brought a new passion outside of racing: hockey. The same competitive drive that fueled his family’s racing endeavors helped West reach Big Ten Conference level collegiate competition at the University of Michigan before a season of professional play in the ECHL with the Kansas City Mavericks.

“I raced Go-Karts when I was growing up, but hockey took over,” West recalled. “It just consumes your life, the same as Sprint Car racing. If you’re not eating, breathing, and sleeping hockey, you’re not going to be successful at it and be able to do it at the level we’re trying to do it at. Hockey, yeah, it’s a winter sport, but it’s really year-round. You’re training day in and day out six days a week, sometimes seven depending on the time of year. So, it consumed a ton of time and was a blast.”

Hockey may have required most of his time, but his love for racing never wavered. West remained involved in his family’s team, Three Stooges Racing, and their primarily pavement race cars. West truly began to lean into the dirt when the opportunity arose to turn the wrenches on the Hayward Motorsports No. 19 in 2023. That combination started strong as C.J. Leary put the car in the Eldora Million and finished 12th.

As West continued to lead the Hayward crew, the hunger to launch his own Sprint Car operation grew. He periodically attempted to persuade his father until finally he was convinced to add a dirt Winged Sprint Car to the Three Stooges stable.

“It was always something I really wanted to do,” West said of going Winged Sprint Car racing on dirt. “I mean, the pavement cars were fun, but I always told dad, ‘We need to have a Winged Sprint Car. Let’s go Winged Sprint Car racing.’ And it was always, ‘Well, when you’re out of college, we’ll start putting that together.’ Sure enough, my last year of college, the deal with Brodie (Hayward) was kind of ending, and I told my dad, ‘This is what I want to do still. We’re getting close to that time. Let’s do something.’ That was right after Kings Royal that year. I think we sat in the shop and talked and said let’s do it. He drove 10 minutes home to the house, and by the time I got home he called me and said, ‘Well, I got two cars on the way, and we’ll start this and put it together and see what we can do.’”

The Three Stooges Racing No. 51 Sprint Car debuted during the 2025 Kings Royal week with Joel Myers Jr. in the seat. Eventually, Scott Bogucki came aboard to close out the year with a pick-and-choose schedule as a plan began to form for them to go World of Outlaws racing in 2026.

“My dad was driving somewhere with my mom, probably leaving a brother’s hockey game or something; he called me and said, ‘I think we should just go Outlaw racing,’” West said. “I was like, ‘If that’s what you want to do, we’ll do it.’ He did some more talking to some people that we know and got everything together.”

They began the season with Bogucki and picked up a podium at only the eighth race of the campaign when he drove from ninth to second at Lawton Speedway. The two sides parted ways in May before the team brought Ashton Torgerson aboard for most of the summer. Then came their current pilot, Steven Snyder Jr., with his first weekend in the car at the Ironman 55in early August.

West believes he and the 20-year-old out of Rising Sun, MD are gelling fast and laying the foundations of a potent partnership. The results agree. Snyder Jr. drove from 16th to sixth at the Front Row Challenge during just their fourth night together. Less than a month later, he led laps before a top-five finish at Huset’s Speedway. Then came a 10th-to-second charge at El Paso County Raceway for Snyder’s first World of Outlaws podium. He battled for a win at Ventura Raceway to close out September.

“Steven, he’s got very high upside and potential,” West said. “We both want to build together and work together. We’re both ultra-competitive. Will it bite us some nights? Yes, but at the end of the day if I’m out here giving 110%, the last thing I want is for my driver who’s getting in my race car to not give me 110% back. I feel like with Steven here these last three months, he’s came in and given us that. As a crew chief and car owner, that’s all we can ask for.”

The short-term future with Snyder isn’t all that’s on West’s mind as they continue to grow. This isn’t merely some quick experiment. West wants to construct an organization to contend with the best of the best for years to come. He knows he may not always be able to be the one going up and down the road with the team, but he’s putting the pieces in place for his team to do so and continue the family racing tradition he was born into.

“I’d like to establish it into something like Big Game and what Tod Quiring has built there and KCP (Racing), Roth (Motorsports). I want to establish us to be something like that,” West said. “Whether it’s myself out here on the road full-time for years to come, I don’t know. I want to keep doing it, and I want to be out here for a few more years, but I’d like to turn it into something where when it’s time to have a family and kids and stuff I can also be at home while our team will be out here competing with the World of Outlaws.”

West, Snyder Jr., and the Three Stooges Racing crew continue to wind down the 2026 season this weekend at Indiana’s Lincoln Park Speedway on Friday, Oct. 16, and Illinois’ Belle-Clair Fairgrounds Park Speedway on Saturday, Oct. 17. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

Where can you watch every World of Outlaws race? Live on DIRTVision.

Where can you see the World of Outlaws in 2026? Click to see the full schedule.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/rink-to-wrenches-noah-wests-journey-through-childhood-in-racing-professional-hockey-world-of-outlaws-crew-chief/

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE Phoenix RacewayOctober 16-18, 2026

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race AdvancesChevrolet Newsroom

NASCAR’s three national touring series are set to make their final trip to the West Coast of the season for a race weekend at Phoenix Raceway, and Chevrolet will arrive with a Chase contender in front or in the hunt in every garage. Boasting a 2.8 average finish in The Chase, Kyle Larson will return to the site that delivered his second championship title with a 49-point lead, and he’ll look to extend that margin once again in Sunday’s Freeway Insurance 500. In the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Sheldon Creed narrowly maintains the points lead, pacing a tight battle that sees the top-six Team Chevy drivers sitting within a 59-point margin of each other heading into Saturday night’s Timberland PRO 200. Chevrolet’s top Craftsman Truck Series Chase driver, Christian Eckes, has finished second in back-to-back postseason races and sits fourth, 88 points behind the lead, as the division opens the weekend Friday night in the Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 Powered by POET.

Chevrolet’s Cup Series History at Phoenix Raceway:Chevrolet has been a part of Phoenix Raceway’s story since Dale Earnhardt, Sr. delivered the Bowtie brand’s first win in just the series’ third appearance at the track (Nov. 1990). Over the Cup Series’ 60-race history at the one-mile oval, Chevrolet has recorded a series-leading 27 victories. That total includes a record-setting streak of 10 straight, earned by six different drivers between 2005 and 2010, and a sweep of the 2023 events with William Byron (March) and Ross Chastain (November). The desert has also been a place of championship celebrations for the brand with three title-clinching performances alongside Chase Elliott (2020) and Kyle Larson (2025 & 2021).

LARSON CONTINUES TO LEAD THE WAYKyle Larson and the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team will return to the site of their title-earning campaigns, Phoenix Raceway, with the points lead intact after yet another impressive postseason performance. Though a sixth-place finish at Charlotte snapped his run of top-five finishes, it was still a strong day for the reigning champion. He drove to a points-earning run in both stages, including the Stage One win, and led a race-high 97 laps to build onto his points lead once again to now sit at a 49-point advantage heading into the final four race stretch of The Chase. Through six Chase races, he’s maintained a record-setting 2.8 average finish. Larson has one Cup win at Phoenix, the 2021 victory that clinched his first championship. He’s strung together four-straight top-five finishes at the desert oval, including a pair of third-place results that came in last season’s championship race and the series’ spring stop in March.

CREED ATOP TIGHT TOP-SIX BATTLEJust 59 points separates the top-six drivers in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Chase standings, all of which come from the Chevrolet camp. Haas Factory Team’s Sheldon Creed still leads the way, though his advantage has shrunk to two points over the reigning champion, Jesse Love. While Creed faced early-race woes at Charlotte after wall contact led to extended time on pit road for repairs, the No. 00 team rebounded to finish third. The West Coast native has found a sense of consistency at Phoenix Raceway, earning top-10 finishes in eight of his 10 O’Reilly Series starts at the track.

Love Returns to a Special PlaceJesse Love returns to the track where he clinched his first O’Reilly Series championship, and he arrives in a position to take a shot at the points lead. The reigning champion earned a runner-up finish and a 54-point race at Charlotte to close the gap to just two points behind leader Sheldon Creed. Phoenix has been a key part of Love’s career. He clinched his two ARCA Menards Series West titles there in 2020 and 2021; earned his first career top-five finish in the O’Reilly Series there in March 2024; and made the trip to victory lane to collect the title in last year’s championship race. He has posted a top-10 in all five of his O’Reilly Series starts there, most recently tallying a second-place finish in the spring event after leading a race-high 114 laps.

Day on a RollCorey Day has turned his first full-time O’Reilly Series campaign into true title potential. With back-to-back wins at Las Vegas and Charlotte, the Hendrick Motorsports driver has been able to make up an impressive 85 points over the last two races to now sit third and just seven points back from the lead. Day’s fourth win of the season didn’t come without a fight, where he had to rally from the back of the field after a pit road penalty at the conclusion of Stage One.

Allgaier’s Deep Desert History Looking to turn a six-win season into a second title, Justin Allgaier heads to Phoenix with some much needed momentum after a solid fourth-place run at Charlotte brought him within 15 points from the lead. Allgaier is a three-time winner at the one-mile oval, with his most recent coming in March when he led the final 11 laps to earn his first victory of the season. Also earning his first O’Reilly Series championship at Phoenix, the title came the hard way as he fell a lap down midway through the race before rebounding to finish second and beat the other three championship finalists. The result started an active streak of four-straight top-five finishes at the track that he will bring into the weekend.

ECKES HEATING UP Christian Eckes and the No. 91 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet are hitting their stride just at the right time, racking up back-to-back runner-up results to make yet another position gain up the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Chase Standings. Now sitting fourth, 88 points behind the leader, the Team Chevy driver heads to a track that could be a good place to make a breakthrough performance. Eckes’ one Phoenix victory came in the 2023 finale race. That win is part of a solid resume at the track that includes top-nine finishes in five of his six Truck Series starts.

BOWTIE BULLETS:·        Sunday’s Freeway Insurance 500 will mark the third of five races in Chevrolet’s ‘Making Strides Against Breast Cancer’ campaign, where Chevrolet will donate $1,500 for each Team Chevy driver that earns a top-10 finish in the NASCAR Cup Series race. The current contribution total is $9,000 heading into the Phoenix race weekend.  ·        Active Chevrolet drivers with a NASCAR Cup Series win at Phoenix Raceway:   Ross Chastain – one win (2023)William Byron – one win (2023)Kyle Larson – one win (2021)Chase Elliott – one win (2020) ·        In 60 NASCAR Cup Series races held at Phoenix Raceway, Chevrolet has recorded 27 victories, including a record-setting streak of 10 straight – earned by six different drivers between 2005-2010. ·        With a sixth-place finish at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Kyle Larson holds an average finish of 2.8 in The Chase – a feat that sets the record for the best average finish by a driver through the first six races of the postseason in NASCAR’s premier series.  ·        With Grant Enfinger’s win at Lime Rock Park, Chevrolet sits just two wins away from its milestone 300th all-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series win.  ·        With seven-straight victories to start the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season, Chevrolet set the record for the longest season-opening streak by a single manufacturer in the division’s history.  ·        In 175 points-paying races in the NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen era, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 75 victories – a winning percentage of 42.9%.  ·        Chevrolet is coming off its 29th all-time sweep of the NASCAR Cup Series championship titles – capturing its 34th driver championship and 44th, and fifth consecutive, manufacturer championship in 2025.  ·        With its 44 NASCAR Cup Series manufacturer championships, 34 NASCAR Cup Series driver championships, and 889 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title as the winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.

TUNE-IN:NASCAR Cup SeriesFreeway Insurance 500Sunday, Oct. 18, at 3 p.m. ETUSA Network, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90  NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts SeriesTimberland PRO 200Saturday, Oct. 17, at 7:30 p.m. ETCW, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90  NASCAR Craftsman Truck SeriesZero Carbon Bioethanol 150 Powered by POETFriday, Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m. ETFS2, NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90

QUOTABLE QUOTES:Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletWhat is it like going to Phoenix knowing it’s not the Championship race this year like it has been in the past?“For sure it’s going to be different. I mean, races with the Championship 4, that was a very unique thing that we’re not going to experience again in this current format. Phoenix got that race for several years and it had a different feel. I remember flying out there as part of the Championship 4 in 2022. I’ll never forget all that. It was one of the few times in my life I paid for wi-fi on the plane because I had a lot of texts and emails to respond to and I took those four plus hours and responded to a lot of people on my way to Phoenix. After we lost, I’ll be honest, I did not buy the wi-fi on the trip home (laughs). I just sat in silence and sulked as we finished second in the points that year. But to get a win there back in 2023 when it was the last race of the season, that was really cool and special. It was a huge win for me and I remember enjoying victory lane and going into the off-season as the most recent winner.” At what point in your career did you find that ability to move on and not dwell on results?“I mean it came with the success around 2018, and I started meeting with Josh Wise when it was just him out back at Ganassi. There was the physical side, but he was trying to make the couple of us that were working with him be strong enough to go perform in NASCAR. The way he explains things and talks to me and the way that we talk through things has just opened my eyes to a different outlook, and that’s what he’s really good at. You don’t leave Josh’s office ever feeling sad, and it’s not a fake pump up either. It’s truly a way to look at whatever the issue is. After a bad race, with a little bit of time, I can switch on to the next one. It does make it important for me to finish the season strong because I want to go into the off season feeling good since there isn’t a next race to reset to and focus on until the next year. I’m pretty fortunate that I’ve been taught the ability to switch the last race and its results off and focus on the next one.”   Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing ChevroletWhat are your thoughts on Phoenix Raceway?“Phoenix Raceway is a tough place. We’ve worked really hard on getting good finishes at the track, but it’s one of those places where you hit on the setup or you don’t. It’s a very challenging short track, but everyone on the No. 3 Dow Arm & Hammer Chevrolet team loves a good challenge. It’s a fun track for drivers because the track is so unique. You try and turn it into a short track, but the aero platform in the car really matters. One end of the track is flat, one end is banked, and you’re just trying to get the car neutral in both. You have to constantly work on improving there, but we’re always optimistic.” How much do you think you’ll be able to take from the Spring Phoenix Raceway race and apply to this weekend?“I would say some things will probably change, but not a whole lot. We just need to take good notes. Anytime we go to a track, we’re going to be writing notes and talking about ways we can get better and improve. There’s always something you can learn and take to the next event.”   Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet“Consistency wasn’t something we had throughout the regular season, but we’ve been really consistent during The Chase, and I’m proud of everyone’s effort. I think our race cars have gotten a little better, and the pit crew has been solid and consistent all year. Having a slightly faster race car has allowed me to be a bit calmer behind the wheel, which helps with consistency. Cliff [Daniels] and the engineers have also done a really good job with strategy and calling races. The combination of all those factors has been good and has translated into results.”    Daniel Suarez, No. 7 Spire Motorsports ChevroletYou’re returning to Spire Motorsports for the 2027 season. How pumped are you to continue building with this team, and what are your expectations heading into next year?“I’m really excited to continue with Spire Motorsports. I believe in this team and, more importantly, the people behind it. We’ve made a lot of progress this year and it’s been rewarding to see how much we’ve grown together. Making the Chase was an important milestone for us and I think it shows what we’re capable of as a team. There’s a lot of talent and determination within this organization and I truly believe in the direction we’re heading. We’ve built a strong foundation, and I’m looking forward to continuing that momentum and seeing what more we can accomplish together.” What can you take from the spring race at Phoenix to help you this weekend?“We had good speed here in the spring and learned a lot that we can take into this weekend. We’ll go back through our notebook, look at what worked well, and try to build on that to be even stronger this time around. We’re looking forward to having Freeway Insurance with us for the Freeway Insurance 500 and hopefully put together a solid weekend.”   Ty Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing ChevroletWhat are your thoughts on Phoenix Raceway?“We feel pretty confident and solid with our mile-and-a-half program. I think it’s the short track program with this new horsepower package—where we don’t have any notes from last year—that’s been a tough one for our team to develop and grow. We’ve been working really hard and I feel like we have improved, but that’s one area we can get better. Going back to Phoenix will be a big weekend for us to get one last crack at this short-track package before Martinsville Speedway. We want to learn as much as we can for our race team, and hopefully make the most of the opportunity. I love racing at those two speedways, and we want to have strong weekends at each of them.”   AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing ChevroletPhoenix has historically been a challenging track, but after a respectable finish in the spring, what are you taking away from that previous performance?“I guess the only thing I could say about Phoenix is that we were better there in the spring than we’ve been in the past. Hopefully we can carry over some of the things we’ve learned at other racetracks, like Iowa Speedway for instance, and build on what we did at Phoenix earlier this season. Honestly, it’s a track I enjoy when we’re decent at it. It’s a fun racetrack to drive, but it definitely hasn’t been one of our best throughout our history at Kaulig Racing. We’re looking to change that and have a good run.” What are your expectations heading into Phoenix?“It felt like we’d been making progress until Charlotte (Motor Speedway), so that was surprising. We’ll go on to Phoenix and do our best. I think if we could run in the top 20 there, that would be a positive, especially since we did a pretty good job there in the spring. So, we’ll see.”   Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet“We’re looking forward to getting back on track at Phoenix this weekend with Beyond Resilience returning to the No. 47 Chevrolet. It’s great to have them on board for back-to-back races, and we appreciate their continued support. Phoenix is a unique track where track position and having a good balance throughout the race are really important. Hopefully we can take what we learned last weekend at Charlotte, build on it, and put together a strong run for Beyond Resilience and everyone at Hyak Motorsports.”   Cody Ware, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet“Phoenix has always been a difficult racetrack. It’s not really a short track because it’s so wide and so fast. It kind of blends the lines of an intermediate, downforce-style track into a short track. Like a short track, we’re doing a lot of shifting at Phoenix, and there are different ways to approach the corners in regard to how many times you’re shifting and where you’re shifting. Loose is fast at Phoenix, and the setups there are very aggressive. You’ve got to run the car mechanically free, so you never feel good around Phoenix. Even though it’s only a 312-lap race, it feels like a very long 312 laps.”   Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports ChevroletWhat makes Phoenix such a dynamic track?“I feel like Phoenix is unique in its own way. With the ability to run the dog leg, you can see five-wide restarts and different lanes which makes for fun racing. There’s also a lot of intensity being late in The Chase and the season is winding down. It is a grueling season. You get to the end, and you don’t want the last couple of races to be that gut shot where you just feel like you’ve lost steam. You want to go out with good momentum, but it is going to be different going to Arizona and not ending the season there. We have shown a lot of speed here in the last few runs with Spire Motorsports, and I am hoping we can capitalize on this weekend. We will have a lot of friends and family coming to the race, so I am excited to see them and hopefully put on a good show based on the notes we have put together earlier this year. I think finishing strong across the last few weeks is really important as we build momentum going into the 2027 season and that momentum can be huge with good runs at Phoenix and Talladega.”   Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports ChevroletYour results at Phoenix don’t reflect the speed you’ve displayed. How can that change this weekend?“We have been fast at the flat tracks. We were pretty good at Gateway, which has similar characteristics, so we feel good about it. We have qualified really well there the last couple years, just haven’t necessarily gotten the finishes for one reason or another. Hopefully, we are up front and have an opportunity to get a good finish.”   Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletThe No. 88 Chevrolet will have a special version of the Jockey 150th Anniversary paint scheme at Phoenix, carrying the message “For the Generations.” What does that mean to you?“I’ve had the chance to drive the 150th anniversary car already this season, but the Phoenix scheme carries an added message with ‘For the Generations.’ It connects 150 years of Jockey providing comfort and care for families with a focus on helping protect the next generation, which makes this one especially meaningful. I’m proud that we can use the No. 88 and this race weekend to help bring more attention to the partnership between Jockey, One Mighty Fortress Foundation and A21.”  What are your thoughts entering Phoenix this weekend?“I love racing at Phoenix. That track is awesome and the restarts are crazy. I feel bad for the spotters having to call however many wide you are, how many are outside of you and how many are inside. It’s always chaotic there. The track is wide and there’s a lot of room to make moves, move around, and change the balance of your car. I love visiting that part of the country.”   Shane van Gisbergen, No. 97 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletDo you enjoy racing at Phoenix Raceway?“I really like Phoenix (Raceway). It’s a very tough track, flat but a lot of line variations and things you can do to explore. It’s one of my tracks that I like and starting to get better at. We had a pretty good race there in the spring. It was adventurous, we had an up and down day and finished 11th with the brake pedal falling off, so that wasn’t fun (laughs). The track changes so much, how you can move all over the place. It’s always a fun track to race at.” Since missing the Chase, are you and the team using the last part of this season to prepare for next year?“Yeah, obviously it’s disappointing to miss the Chase. We had a pretty rough Daytona and since then we’ve been struggling for a bit, but I think it’s for a reason. Like I said, we’ve been trying a bunch of stuff and trying to learn and get better for next year. I’m glad we’re thinking outside the box, but now hopefully we can start making more speed and find some things that work well and carry that with us into next season.”

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCEPhoenix RacewayOctober 16-18, 2026

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race AdvancesChevrolet Newsroom

NASCAR’s three national touring series are set to make their final trip to the West Coast of the season for a race weekend at Phoenix Raceway, and Chevrolet will arrive with a Chase contender in front or in the hunt in every garage. Boasting a 2.8 average finish in The Chase, Kyle Larson will return to the site that delivered his second championship title with a 49-point lead, and he’ll look to extend that margin once again in Sunday’s Freeway Insurance 500. In the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Sheldon Creed narrowly maintains the points lead, pacing a tight battle that sees the top-six Team Chevy drivers sitting within a 59-point margin of each other heading into Saturday night’s Timberland PRO 200. Chevrolet’s top Craftsman Truck Series Chase driver, Christian Eckes, has finished second in back-to-back postseason races and sits fourth, 88 points behind the lead, as the division opens the weekend Friday night in the Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 Powered by POET.

Chevrolet’s Cup Series History at Phoenix Raceway:Chevrolet has been a part of Phoenix Raceway’s story since Dale Earnhardt, Sr. delivered the Bowtie brand’s first win in just the series’ third appearance at the track (Nov. 1990). Over the Cup Series’ 60-race history at the one-mile oval, Chevrolet has recorded a series-leading 27 victories. That total includes a record-setting streak of 10 straight, earned by six different drivers between 2005 and 2010, and a sweep of the 2023 events with William Byron (March) and Ross Chastain (November). The desert has also been a place of championship celebrations for the brand with three title-clinching performances alongside Chase Elliott (2020) and Kyle Larson (2025 & 2021).

LARSON CONTINUES TO LEAD THE WAYKyle Larson and the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team will return to the site of their title-earning campaigns, Phoenix Raceway, with the points lead intact after yet another impressive postseason performance. Though a sixth-place finish at Charlotte snapped his run of top-five finishes, it was still a strong day for the reigning champion. He drove to a points-earning run in both stages, including the Stage One win, and led a race-high 97 laps to build onto his points lead once again to now sit at a 49-point advantage heading into the final four race stretch of The Chase. Through six Chase races, he’s maintained a record-setting 2.8 average finish. Larson has one Cup win at Phoenix, the 2021 victory that clinched his first championship. He’s strung together four-straight top-five finishes at the desert oval, including a pair of third-place results that came in last season’s championship race and the series’ spring stop in March.

CREED ATOP TIGHT TOP-SIX BATTLEJust 59 points separates the top-six drivers in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Chase standings, all of which come from the Chevrolet camp. Haas Factory Team’s Sheldon Creed still leads the way, though his advantage has shrunk to two points over the reigning champion, Jesse Love. While Creed faced early-race woes at Charlotte after wall contact led to extended time on pit road for repairs, the No. 00 team rebounded to finish third. The West Coast native has found a sense of consistency at Phoenix Raceway, earning top-10 finishes in eight of his 10 O’Reilly Series starts at the track.

Love Returns to a Special PlaceJesse Love returns to the track where he clinched his first O’Reilly Series championship, and he arrives in a position to take a shot at the points lead. The reigning champion earned a runner-up finish and a 54-point race at Charlotte to close the gap to just two points behind leader Sheldon Creed. Phoenix has been a key part of Love’s career. He clinched his two ARCA Menards Series West titles there in 2020 and 2021; earned his first career top-five finish in the O’Reilly Series there in March 2024; and made the trip to victory lane to collect the title in last year’s championship race. He has posted a top-10 in all five of his O’Reilly Series starts there, most recently tallying a second-place finish in the spring event after leading a race-high 114 laps.

Day on a RollCorey Day has turned his first full-time O’Reilly Series campaign into true title potential. With back-to-back wins at Las Vegas and Charlotte, the Hendrick Motorsports driver has been able to make up an impressive 85 points over the last two races to now sit third and just seven points back from the lead. Day’s fourth win of the season didn’t come without a fight, where he had to rally from the back of the field after a pit road penalty at the conclusion of Stage One.

Allgaier’s Deep Desert History Looking to turn a six-win season into a second title, Justin Allgaier heads to Phoenix with some much needed momentum after a solid fourth-place run at Charlotte brought him within 15 points from the lead. Allgaier is a three-time winner at the one-mile oval, with his most recent coming in March when he led the final 11 laps to earn his first victory of the season. Also earning his first O’Reilly Series championship at Phoenix, the title came the hard way as he fell a lap down midway through the race before rebounding to finish second and beat the other three championship finalists. The result started an active streak of four-straight top-five finishes at the track that he will bring into the weekend.

ECKES HEATING UP Christian Eckes and the No. 91 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet are hitting their stride just at the right time, racking up back-to-back runner-up results to make yet another position gain up the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Chase Standings. Now sitting fourth, 88 points behind the leader, the Team Chevy driver heads to a track that could be a good place to make a breakthrough performance. Eckes’ one Phoenix victory came in the 2023 finale race. That win is part of a solid resume at the track that includes top-nine finishes in five of his six Truck Series starts.

BOWTIE BULLETS:·        Sunday’s Freeway Insurance 500 will mark the third of five races in Chevrolet’s ‘Making Strides Against Breast Cancer’ campaign, where Chevrolet will donate $1,500 for each Team Chevy driver that earns a top-10 finish in the NASCAR Cup Series race. The current contribution total is $9,000 heading into the Phoenix race weekend.  ·        Active Chevrolet drivers with a NASCAR Cup Series win at Phoenix Raceway:   Ross Chastain – one win (2023)William Byron – one win (2023)Kyle Larson – one win (2021)Chase Elliott – one win (2020) ·        In 60 NASCAR Cup Series races held at Phoenix Raceway, Chevrolet has recorded 27 victories, including a record-setting streak of 10 straight – earned by six different drivers between 2005-2010. ·        With a sixth-place finish at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Kyle Larson holds an average finish of 2.8 in The Chase – a feat that sets the record for the best average finish by a driver through the first six races of the postseason in NASCAR’s premier series.  ·        With Grant Enfinger’s win at Lime Rock Park, Chevrolet sits just two wins away from its milestone 300th all-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series win.  ·        With seven-straight victories to start the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season, Chevrolet set the record for the longest season-opening streak by a single manufacturer in the division’s history.  ·        In 175 points-paying races in the NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen era, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 75 victories – a winning percentage of 42.9%.  ·        Chevrolet is coming off its 29th all-time sweep of the NASCAR Cup Series championship titles – capturing its 34th driver championship and 44th, and fifth consecutive, manufacturer championship in 2025.  ·        With its 44 NASCAR Cup Series manufacturer championships, 34 NASCAR Cup Series driver championships, and 889 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title as the winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.

TUNE-IN:NASCAR Cup SeriesFreeway Insurance 500Sunday, Oct. 18, at 3 p.m. ETUSA Network, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90  NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts SeriesTimberland PRO 200Saturday, Oct. 17, at 7:30 p.m. ETCW, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90  NASCAR Craftsman Truck SeriesZero Carbon Bioethanol 150 Powered by POETFriday, Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m. ETFS2, NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90

QUOTABLE QUOTES:Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletWhat is it like going to Phoenix knowing it’s not the Championship race this year like it has been in the past?“For sure it’s going to be different. I mean, races with the Championship 4, that was a very unique thing that we’re not going to experience again in this current format. Phoenix got that race for several years and it had a different feel. I remember flying out there as part of the Championship 4 in 2022. I’ll never forget all that. It was one of the few times in my life I paid for wi-fi on the plane because I had a lot of texts and emails to respond to and I took those four plus hours and responded to a lot of people on my way to Phoenix. After we lost, I’ll be honest, I did not buy the wi-fi on the trip home (laughs). I just sat in silence and sulked as we finished second in the points that year. But to get a win there back in 2023 when it was the last race of the season, that was really cool and special. It was a huge win for me and I remember enjoying victory lane and going into the off-season as the most recent winner.” At what point in your career did you find that ability to move on and not dwell on results?“I mean it came with the success around 2018, and I started meeting with Josh Wise when it was just him out back at Ganassi. There was the physical side, but he was trying to make the couple of us that were working with him be strong enough to go perform in NASCAR. The way he explains things and talks to me and the way that we talk through things has just opened my eyes to a different outlook, and that’s what he’s really good at. You don’t leave Josh’s office ever feeling sad, and it’s not a fake pump up either. It’s truly a way to look at whatever the issue is. After a bad race, with a little bit of time, I can switch on to the next one. It does make it important for me to finish the season strong because I want to go into the off season feeling good since there isn’t a next race to reset to and focus on until the next year. I’m pretty fortunate that I’ve been taught the ability to switch the last race and its results off and focus on the next one.”   Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing ChevroletWhat are your thoughts on Phoenix Raceway?“Phoenix Raceway is a tough place. We’ve worked really hard on getting good finishes at the track, but it’s one of those places where you hit on the setup or you don’t. It’s a very challenging short track, but everyone on the No. 3 Dow Arm & Hammer Chevrolet team loves a good challenge. It’s a fun track for drivers because the track is so unique. You try and turn it into a short track, but the aero platform in the car really matters. One end of the track is flat, one end is banked, and you’re just trying to get the car neutral in both. You have to constantly work on improving there, but we’re always optimistic.” How much do you think you’ll be able to take from the Spring Phoenix Raceway race and apply to this weekend?“I would say some things will probably change, but not a whole lot. We just need to take good notes. Anytime we go to a track, we’re going to be writing notes and talking about ways we can get better and improve. There’s always something you can learn and take to the next event.”   Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet“Consistency wasn’t something we had throughout the regular season, but we’ve been really consistent during The Chase, and I’m proud of everyone’s effort. I think our race cars have gotten a little better, and the pit crew has been solid and consistent all year. Having a slightly faster race car has allowed me to be a bit calmer behind the wheel, which helps with consistency. Cliff [Daniels] and the engineers have also done a really good job with strategy and calling races. The combination of all those factors has been good and has translated into results.”    Daniel Suarez, No. 7 Spire Motorsports ChevroletYou’re returning to Spire Motorsports for the 2027 season. How pumped are you to continue building with this team, and what are your expectations heading into next year?“I’m really excited to continue with Spire Motorsports. I believe in this team and, more importantly, the people behind it. We’ve made a lot of progress this year and it’s been rewarding to see how much we’ve grown together. Making the Chase was an important milestone for us and I think it shows what we’re capable of as a team. There’s a lot of talent and determination within this organization and I truly believe in the direction we’re heading. We’ve built a strong foundation, and I’m looking forward to continuing that momentum and seeing what more we can accomplish together.” What can you take from the spring race at Phoenix to help you this weekend?“We had good speed here in the spring and learned a lot that we can take into this weekend. We’ll go back through our notebook, look at what worked well, and try to build on that to be even stronger this time around. We’re looking forward to having Freeway Insurance with us for the Freeway Insurance 500 and hopefully put together a solid weekend.”   Ty Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing ChevroletWhat are your thoughts on Phoenix Raceway?“We feel pretty confident and solid with our mile-and-a-half program. I think it’s the short track program with this new horsepower package—where we don’t have any notes from last year—that’s been a tough one for our team to develop and grow. We’ve been working really hard and I feel like we have improved, but that’s one area we can get better. Going back to Phoenix will be a big weekend for us to get one last crack at this short-track package before Martinsville Speedway. We want to learn as much as we can for our race team, and hopefully make the most of the opportunity. I love racing at those two speedways, and we want to have strong weekends at each of them.”   AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing ChevroletPhoenix has historically been a challenging track, but after a respectable finish in the spring, what are you taking away from that previous performance?“I guess the only thing I could say about Phoenix is that we were better there in the spring than we’ve been in the past. Hopefully we can carry over some of the things we’ve learned at other racetracks, like Iowa Speedway for instance, and build on what we did at Phoenix earlier this season. Honestly, it’s a track I enjoy when we’re decent at it. It’s a fun racetrack to drive, but it definitely hasn’t been one of our best throughout our history at Kaulig Racing. We’re looking to change that and have a good run.” What are your expectations heading into Phoenix?“It felt like we’d been making progress until Charlotte (Motor Speedway), so that was surprising. We’ll go on to Phoenix and do our best. I think if we could run in the top 20 there, that would be a positive, especially since we did a pretty good job there in the spring. So, we’ll see.”   Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet“We’re looking forward to getting back on track at Phoenix this weekend with Beyond Resilience returning to the No. 47 Chevrolet. It’s great to have them on board for back-to-back races, and we appreciate their continued support. Phoenix is a unique track where track position and having a good balance throughout the race are really important. Hopefully we can take what we learned last weekend at Charlotte, build on it, and put together a strong run for Beyond Resilience and everyone at Hyak Motorsports.”   Cody Ware, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet“Phoenix has always been a difficult racetrack. It’s not really a short track because it’s so wide and so fast. It kind of blends the lines of an intermediate, downforce-style track into a short track. Like a short track, we’re doing a lot of shifting at Phoenix, and there are different ways to approach the corners in regard to how many times you’re shifting and where you’re shifting. Loose is fast at Phoenix, and the setups there are very aggressive. You’ve got to run the car mechanically free, so you never feel good around Phoenix. Even though it’s only a 312-lap race, it feels like a very long 312 laps.”   Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports ChevroletWhat makes Phoenix such a dynamic track?“I feel like Phoenix is unique in its own way. With the ability to run the dog leg, you can see five-wide restarts and different lanes which makes for fun racing. There’s also a lot of intensity being late in The Chase and the season is winding down. It is a grueling season. You get to the end, and you don’t want the last couple of races to be that gut shot where you just feel like you’ve lost steam. You want to go out with good momentum, but it is going to be different going to Arizona and not ending the season there. We have shown a lot of speed here in the last few runs with Spire Motorsports, and I am hoping we can capitalize on this weekend. We will have a lot of friends and family coming to the race, so I am excited to see them and hopefully put on a good show based on the notes we have put together earlier this year. I think finishing strong across the last few weeks is really important as we build momentum going into the 2027 season and that momentum can be huge with good runs at Phoenix and Talladega.”   Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports ChevroletYour results at Phoenix don’t reflect the speed you’ve displayed. How can that change this weekend?“We have been fast at the flat tracks. We were pretty good at Gateway, which has similar characteristics, so we feel good about it. We have qualified really well there the last couple years, just haven’t necessarily gotten the finishes for one reason or another. Hopefully, we are up front and have an opportunity to get a good finish.”   Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletThe No. 88 Chevrolet will have a special version of the Jockey 150th Anniversary paint scheme at Phoenix, carrying the message “For the Generations.” What does that mean to you?“I’ve had the chance to drive the 150th anniversary car already this season, but the Phoenix scheme carries an added message with ‘For the Generations.’ It connects 150 years of Jockey providing comfort and care for families with a focus on helping protect the next generation, which makes this one especially meaningful. I’m proud that we can use the No. 88 and this race weekend to help bring more attention to the partnership between Jockey, One Mighty Fortress Foundation and A21.”  What are your thoughts entering Phoenix this weekend?“I love racing at Phoenix. That track is awesome and the restarts are crazy. I feel bad for the spotters having to call however many wide you are, how many are outside of you and how many are inside. It’s always chaotic there. The track is wide and there’s a lot of room to make moves, move around, and change the balance of your car. I love visiting that part of the country.”   Shane van Gisbergen, No. 97 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletDo you enjoy racing at Phoenix Raceway?“I really like Phoenix (Raceway). It’s a very tough track, flat but a lot of line variations and things you can do to explore. It’s one of my tracks that I like and starting to get better at. We had a pretty good race there in the spring. It was adventurous, we had an up and down day and finished 11th with the brake pedal falling off, so that wasn’t fun (laughs). The track changes so much, how you can move all over the place. It’s always a fun track to race at.” Since missing the Chase, are you and the team using the last part of this season to prepare for next year?“Yeah, obviously it’s disappointing to miss the Chase. We had a pretty rough Daytona and since then we’ve been struggling for a bit, but I think it’s for a reason. Like I said, we’ve been trying a bunch of stuff and trying to learn and get better for next year. I’m glad we’re thinking outside the box, but now hopefully we can start making more speed and find some things that work well and carry that with us into next season.”

Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series Statistics Manufacturer Championships:Total (1949-2025): 44First title for Chevrolet: 1958Highest number of consecutive titles: 13 (2003-15)Most recent: 2025 Years Won: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 Driver Championships:Total (1949-2025): 34First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)Highest number of consecutive titles: 7 (2005-11)Most recent: Kyle Larson (2025)Driver and Manufacturer Championship Sweeps: 29 Years Won: 1957, 1960, 1961, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2025 Event Victories:Record for total race wins in single season: 26 (2007)                2026 STATISTICS:                                                                                                    Wins: 8Poles: 6Laps Led: 2,477Top-Fives: 52Top-10s: 109Stage Wins: 22 CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:Total Chevrolet race wins: 889 (1949 to date)Poles won to date: 772Laps led to date: 259,211Top-fives to date: 4,488Top-10s to date: 9,260                                                                                                          Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:                    General Motors: 1,223           Chevrolet: 889           Pontiac: 154           Oldsmobile: 115           Buick: 65            Ford: 855                                                                                          Ford: 755           Mercury: 96           Lincoln: 4            Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467           Dodge: 217           Plymouth: 191           Chrysler: 59            Toyota: 220

Thursday Program and Modified Competition Rescheduled for October 24 With inclement weather forecast for Wednesday through Friday, the schedule for the 46th Annual ARP Dirt Track World Championship presented by Summit Racing Equipment at West Virginia Motor Speedway has been revised. The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will contest its planned two-day program on Saturday and Sunday, October 17-18. “The remnants of Hurricane Isaias have left the grounds heavily saturated, and more weather is forecast for Wednesday through Friday,” officials said. “After consulting with our partners at BAM Weather, we made this decision in an effort to provide the best possible conditions for racers and fans.” The stakes remain enormous for Sunday’s finale. One eligible driver could win the $100,000 Dirt Track World Championship, secure the $250,000 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series championship, claim the $100,000 top-five bonus in the Big River Steel Bonus Program presented by ARP, and earn the additional $5,000 Summit Racing Equipment award. Together, those prizes would total $455,000. Saturday will feature qualifying, heat races, b-mains, and twin 25-lap features paying $5,000 to win. Sunday’s program will include last-chance races, the Jim Dunn Non-Qualifier and the 100-lap Dirt Track World Championship, which pays $100,000 to win and concludes the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series season. The program originally scheduled for Thursday, October 15, along with the Modified competition, has been moved to Saturday, October 24. All advanced three-day all-access tickets will be honored Saturday and Sunday, October 17-18, along with Saturday, October 24. Details regarding the Saturday, October 24 program will be forthcoming. Follow West Virginia Motor Speedway @VisitWVMS on social media and WVMotorSpeedway.com for the latest information. All gates are scheduled to open at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, with racing scheduled for 4:45 p.m. daily. Fans may begin placing chairs at 10 a.m. Order of Events – Saturday, October 17:Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Hot LapsLucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Time Trials – 2 LapsAllstar Performance Fast Time PresentationInvocation/National AnthemLucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Heats – 10 lapsLucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series B-Mains – 12 LapsLucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series 1st A-Main – 25 LapsLucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series 2nd A-Main – 25 Laps Order of Events – Sunday, October 18:Awards Presentation for Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Rookie of the YearLucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series B-Main Hot LapsInvocation/National AnthemLucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series B-Mains – 12 LapsLucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series A-Main Transfers Hot LapsLucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Jim Dunn Memorial Non-Qualifiers Race – 25 LapsLucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Dirt Track World Championship A-Main – 100 LapsAwards Presentation for Dirt Track World Championship Event WinnerAwards Presentation for Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Champion

Dirt Track World Championship Schedule Shifts to Saturday and SundayThursday Program and Modified Competition Rescheduled for October 24 With inclement weather forecast for Wednesday through Friday, the schedule for the 46th Annual ARP Dirt Track World Championship presented by Summit Racing Equipment at West Virginia Motor Speedway has been revised. The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will contest its planned two-day program on Saturday and Sunday, October 17-18. “The remnants of Hurricane Isaias have left the grounds heavily saturated, and more weather is forecast for Wednesday through Friday,” officials said. “After consulting with our partners at BAM Weather, we made this decision in an effort to provide the best possible conditions for racers and fans.” The stakes remain enormous for Sunday’s finale. One eligible driver could win the $100,000 Dirt Track World Championship, secure the $250,000 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series championship, claim the $100,000 top-five bonus in the Big River Steel Bonus Program presented by ARP, and earn the additional $5,000 Summit Racing Equipment award. Together, those prizes would total $455,000. Saturday will feature qualifying, heat races, b-mains, and twin 25-lap features paying $5,000 to win. Sunday’s program will include last-chance races, the Jim Dunn Non-Qualifier and the 100-lap Dirt Track World Championship, which pays $100,000 to win and concludes the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series season. The program originally scheduled for Thursday, October 15, along with the Modified competition, has been moved to Saturday, October 24. All advanced three-day all-access tickets will be honored Saturday and Sunday, October 17-18, along with Saturday, October 24. Details regarding the Saturday, October 24 program will be forthcoming. Follow West Virginia Motor Speedway @VisitWVMS on social media and WVMotorSpeedway.com for the latest information. All gates are scheduled to open at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, with racing scheduled for 4:45 p.m. daily. Fans may begin placing chairs at 10 a.m. Order of Events – Saturday, October 17:Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Hot LapsLucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Time Trials – 2 LapsAllstar Performance Fast Time PresentationInvocation/National AnthemLucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Heats – 10 lapsLucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series B-Mains – 12 LapsLucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series 1st A-Main – 25 LapsLucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series 2nd A-Main – 25 Laps Order of Events – Sunday, October 18:Awards Presentation for Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Rookie of the YearLucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series B-Main Hot LapsInvocation/National AnthemLucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series B-Mains – 12 LapsLucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series A-Main Transfers Hot LapsLucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Jim Dunn Memorial Non-Qualifiers Race – 25 LapsLucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Dirt Track World Championship A-Main – 100 LapsAwards Presentation for Dirt Track World Championship Event WinnerAwards Presentation for Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Champion

SAPULPA, OK (October 13, 2026) — Everything is on the line in Oklahoma. 

The 2026 American Sprint Car Series season will close with two nights at Creek County Speedway for the 11th annual Fuzzy’s Fall Fling on Friday-Saturday, Oct. 16-17. The weekend’s opener will pay $4,000-to-win, and Saturday’s finale will reward a $10,000 payday and crown a new champion for the ASCS National Tour and ASCS Sooner Region. 

Across the two nights, the 360 Sprint Cars will be joined by Factory Stocks and Dwarf Cars. Pit gates will open at 2 p.m. CT, grandstands will open at 5 p.m., and Hot Laps are scheduled to commence at 7 p.m. You can purchase tickets at the track on race day. 

Looking for more info about Creek County? CLICK HERE 

WATCH ON DIRTVISION

Here’s a look at the top storylines: 

The Final Battle – The jury is out on who will be the newest ASCS National Tour champion ahead of the Creek County finale: Sam Hafertepe Jr. or Matt Covington. 

The two drivers are separated by 21 points in the standings, with Hafertepe ahead of Covington. On the track, that means as close as a four-position difference and no room for error between the two contenders. Battling toe-to-toe for points and season stats since January, Hafertepe holds more Feature wins and podiums while Covington has more top-10 finishes and Heat race wins. 

When the Series visited the 1/4-mile for the Don Swope Classic in June, Hafertepe encountered an engine failure while Covington finished in the runner-up position. Hafertepe bounced back at Creek in POWRi 410 competition the following Saturday with a Feature win. 

Sooner Pride – The Oklahoma natives controlled Saturday in Texas at RPM Speedway, with Sapulpa’s Blake Hahn scoring his 27th career ASCS National Tour win, and his 15th with the Sooner Region. 

Hahn was one of the three Oklahomans to lead the 30-lap contest, with Tulsa’s Sean McClelland leading the first eight laps, then Glenpool’s Covington sat at the helm for 15 circuits before Hahn made the winning pass. 

Hahn will lead the charge of home-state defenders into Creek County as the reigning winner in the Don Swope Classic and the last two Fuzzy’s Fall Fling openers. McClelland, a six-time Sonner Region champion, is an 11-time winner at Creek County with ASCS, with his latest triumph coming in 2025. 

Top Dog – Bradley Fezard has two nights left in 2026 before he can officially be called an ASCS champion. 

Since taking control of the Sooner Region standings at Creek County in June, the Bonnerdale, AR driver leads 2024 champ Casey Wills by 74 points and Hayden Mabe by 81 ahead of Fuzzy’s Fall Fling. All three are hunting a first win to close the year. 

Fezard won at the track in 2022 with the United Sprint League and finished fifth in the two ASCS Features of 2026. Wills and Mabe are each looking for their first win at Creek County. 

Pivotal Points – Multiple positions across the top-10 in National Tour points remain unsolidified as “Creekadega” owns the final word through two nights. 

Sixth-place Austyn Gossel and seventh-place Cole Schroeder provide the closest battle, with six markers separating the two drivers. While Gossel is seeking to end with a career-high finish, Schroeder will clinch the year’s BRODIX Rookie of the Year to end his first-year racing Sprint Cars on a national scale. 

Eighth-place Brogan Carder is 30 points away from Schroeder as he’ll make a final charge at gaining position at Creek. While the Sioux Falls, SD sophomore ends his year in 360 Sprint Cars with ASCS, he’ll close 2026 in a World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series debut at The Dirt Track at Charlotte for Dave Smith Motors World of Outlaws World Finals. 

THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE

WHEN AND WHERE 

Friday-Saturday, Oct. 16-17, at Creek County Speedway in Sapulpa, OK 

AROUND THE CORNER 

Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 4-6, 2027, at Volusia Speedway Park in DeLeon Springs, FL 

CURRENT TOP-10 STANDINGS 

1. Sam Hafertepe Jr. (2998 pts)
2. Matt Covington (-21)
3. Seth Bergman (-107)
4. Kyler Johnson (-323)
5. Ryder LaPlante (-488)
6. Austyn Gossel (-589)
7. Cole Schroeder (-593)
8. Brogan Carder (-623)
9. Terry Easum (-678)
10. Garrett Benson (-1314)

FEATURE WINNERS (12 Drivers) 

6 wins – Sam Hafertepe Jr. 

4 wins – Seth Bergman 

3 wins – Tyler Courtney 

2 wins – Justin Peck, Matt Covington, Jett Barnes, Blake Hahn 

1 win – Kyler Johnson, Chris Martin, Brady Bacon, Levi Hillier, Gio Scelzi, Ryan Timms 

FEATURE LAPS LED (20 Drivers) 

102 laps – Sam Hafertepe Jr. 

73 laps – Seth Bergman 

54 laps – Kyler Johnson 

52 laps – Justin Peck 

49 laps – Matt Covington 

38 laps – Blake Hahn 

37 laps – Jett Barnes 

30 laps – Levi Hillier,  Ryan Timms 

29 laps – Brady Bacon 

24 laps – Austyn Gossel 

22 laps – Chris Martin 

21 laps – Austin McCarl 

20 laps – Gio Scelzi 

16 laps – Cameron Martin 

15 laps – Tyler Courtney 

13 laps – Brian Brown 

11 laps – Sean McClelland 

9 laps – Whit Gastineau 

7 laps – Cole Macedo 

2 laps – Brady Baker 

QUICK TIME AWARDS (11 Drivers) 

11 awards – Sam Hafertepe Jr 

4 awards – Matt Covington 

2 awards – Kyler Johnson, Jett Barnes 

1 award – Seth Bergman, Howard Moore, Chris Martin, Levi Hillier, Aaron Reutzel, Brogan Carder, Sean McClelland 

HEAT RACE WINNERS (44 Drivers) 

11 wins – Matt Covington 

8 wins – Seth Bergman 

6 wins – Sam Hafertepe Jr. 

5 wins – Ryder Laplante 

4 wins – Garrett Benson, Kyler Johnson 

3 wins – Chris Martin, Whit Gastineau, Justin Peck 

2 wins – Austyn Gossel, Cam Martin, Blake Hahn 

1 win – Jordan Mallett, Sean McClelland, Brady Bacon, Tyler Clem, Emerson Axsom, Brian Brown, Cole Macedo, Garen Linder, Colby Copeland, Nick Parker, Hank Davis, JJ Hickle, Alex Hill, Jeremy Campbell, Kade Morton, Alex Sewell, Brady Baker, Howard Moore, John Carney II, Tanner Holmes, Austin McCarl, Matt Juhl, Tyler Courtney, Ryan Timms, Tasker Phillips, Clint Garner, Evan Semerad, Brogan Carder, Cole Schroeder, Jett Barnes, Josh Schneiderman, Michael Day 

DASH STARTS (43 Drivers) 

17 starts – Sam Hafertepe Jr., Matt Covington 

12 starts – Kyler Johnson 

9 starts – Seth Bergman 

7 starts – Whit Gastineau 

6 starts – Ryder Laplante 

4 starts – Levi Hillier, Chris Martin, Jett Barnes, Garrett Benson 

3 starts – Tyler Courtney, Brian Brown, Justin Peck, Cameron Martin, Brogan Carder 

2 starts – Emerson Axsom, Austin McCarl, Brady Bacon, Davie Franek, Howard Moore, Austyn Gossel, Cole Schroeder, Blake Hahn 

1 start – Jordan Mallett, Paul Solomon, Brock Zearfoss, Cole Macedo, Tyler Clem, Hank Davis, Nick Parker, Colby Copeland, Garen Linder, JJ Hickle, Alex Hill, Alex Sewell, Kade Morton, Jeremy Campbell, Bryant Wiedeman, Brady Baker, Rich Bailey, Terry Easum, Paxton Fleming, Jamie Ball, Josh Schneiderman, John Carney II, Sean McClelland, Michael Day 

LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINNERS (15 Drivers) 

2 wins – Braxton Weger, Rico Abreu 

1 win – DJ Christie, Matt Covington, Tyler Clem, Whit Gastineau, Sterling Cling, Gage Montgomery, Brogan Carder, Bradley Fezard, Chris Martin, Cole Schroeder, Kade Morton, Zach Blurton, Austyn Gossel, Steven Shebester 

HARD CHARGER AWARDS (18 Drivers) 

3 awards – Seth Bergman, Whit Gastineau 

2 awards – Sam Hafertepe Jr. 

1 award – Ryder Laplante, Brady Bacon, Cole Macedo, DJ Netto, Brogan Carder, Joe B. Miller, Bradley Fezard, Hayden Mabe, Jack Thomas, Kyler Johnson, Casey Wills, Riley Goodno, Tasker Phillips, Rico Abreu, Cole Schroeder, Zach Blurton, Sheldon Bender, Austyn Gossel, Christopher Townsend, Steven Shebester 

PODIUM FINISHES (30 Drivers) 

13 podiums – Sam Hafertepe Jr. 

12 podiums – Matt Covington 

8 podiums – Seth Bergman 

4 podiums – Kyler Johnson, Tyler Courtney 

3 podiums – Garrett Benson, Justin Peck, Whit Gastineau, Brady Bacon 

2 podiums – Blake Hahn, Austin McCarl, Levi Hillier, Austyn Gossel, Ryan Timms, Aaron Reutzel, Jett Barnes 

1 podium – Cole Macedo, Emerson Axsom, Brock Zearfoss, JJ Hickle, Jordan Mallett, Chris Martin, Alex Sewell, Christopher Townsend, Gio Scelzi, Kyle Larson, Ryder Laplante, Cole Schroeder, Zach Blurton, Cameron Martin 

2026 AMERICAN SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE + WINNERS 

Date / Track / City, State / Winner (Total Wins) 

*Denotes Split-Field Prelim Feature 

1. Thu, Jan. 29 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Tyler Courtney
2. Fri, Jan. 30 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Tyler Courtney (2)
3. Mon, Feb. 2 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Brady Bacon
4. Sat, Feb. 21 / Central Arizona Raceway / Casa Grande, AZ / Justin Peck
5. Sun, Feb. 21 / Central Arizona Raceway / Casa Grande, AZ / Matt Covington
6. Sat, Feb. 28 / Central Arizona Raceway / Casa Grande, AZ / Justin Peck (2)
7. Sun, Mar. 1 / Central Arizona Raceway / Casa Grande, AZ / Levi Hillier
8. Sat, Apr. 11 / Salina Highbanks Speedway / Salina, OK / Chris Martin
9. Fri, May 8 / Benton Speedway / Benton, MO / Seth Bergman
10. Fri, June 5 / Creek County Speedway / Sapulpa, OK / Blake Hahn
11. Sat, June 6 / 81 Speedway / Park City, KS / Seth Bergman (2)
12. Fri, June 26 / Belleville High Banks / Belleville, KS / Sam Hafertepe Jr.
13. Sat, June 27 / Belleville High Banks / Belleville, KS / Sam Hafertepe Jr. (2)
14. Fri, July 10 / Batesville Motor Speedway / Locust Grove, AR / Matt Covington (2)
15. Sat, July 11 / Texarkana 67 Speedway / Texarkana, AR / Seth Bergman (3)
16. Sat, July 25 / Dodge City Raceway Park / Dodge City, KS / Sam Hafertepe Jr. (3)
17. Sat, Aug. 1 / Viking Speedway / Alexandria, MN / Kyler Johnson
18. *Thu, Aug. 6 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Gio Scelzi
19. *Fri, Aug. 7 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Tyler Courtney
20. Sat, Aug. 8 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Ryan Timms
21. Fri, Aug. 28 / Big Sky Speedway / Shepherd, MT / Seth Bergman (4)
22. Sat, Aug. 29 / Big Sky Speedway / Shepherd, MT / Sam Hafertepe Jr. (4)
23. Sun, Aug. 30 / Sheridan Speedway / Sheridan, WY / Jett Barnes
24. Fri, Sept. 4 / Gallatin Speedway / Belgrade, MT / Sam Hafertepe Jr. (5)
25. Sat, Sept. 5 / Electric City Speedway / Black Eagle, MT / Sam Hafertepe Jr. (6)
26. Sat, Sept. 12 / Moberly Motorsports Park / Moberly, MO / Jett Barnes (2)
27. Sat, Oct. 10 / RPM Speedway / Crandall, TX / Blake Hahn (2)

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: ASCS National Tour, Sooner Region Determine Champions in Fuzzy’s Fall Fling SAPULPA, OK (October 13, 2026) — Everything is on the line in Oklahoma. 

The 2026 American Sprint Car Series season will close with two nights at Creek County Speedway for the 11th annual Fuzzy’s Fall Fling on Friday-Saturday, Oct. 16-17. The weekend’s opener will pay $4,000-to-win, and Saturday’s finale will reward a $10,000 payday and crown a new champion for the ASCS National Tour and ASCS Sooner Region. 

Across the two nights, the 360 Sprint Cars will be joined by Factory Stocks and Dwarf Cars. Pit gates will open at 2 p.m. CT, grandstands will open at 5 p.m., and Hot Laps are scheduled to commence at 7 p.m. You can purchase tickets at the track on race day. 

Looking for more info about Creek County? CLICK HERE 

WATCH ON DIRTVISION

Here’s a look at the top storylines: 

The Final Battle – The jury is out on who will be the newest ASCS National Tour champion ahead of the Creek County finale: Sam Hafertepe Jr. or Matt Covington. 

The two drivers are separated by 21 points in the standings, with Hafertepe ahead of Covington. On the track, that means as close as a four-position difference and no room for error between the two contenders. Battling toe-to-toe for points and season stats since January, Hafertepe holds more Feature wins and podiums while Covington has more top-10 finishes and Heat race wins. 

When the Series visited the 1/4-mile for the Don Swope Classic in June, Hafertepe encountered an engine failure while Covington finished in the runner-up position. Hafertepe bounced back at Creek in POWRi 410 competition the following Saturday with a Feature win. 

Sooner Pride – The Oklahoma natives controlled Saturday in Texas at RPM Speedway, with Sapulpa’s Blake Hahn scoring his 27th career ASCS National Tour win, and his 15th with the Sooner Region. 

Hahn was one of the three Oklahomans to lead the 30-lap contest, with Tulsa’s Sean McClelland leading the first eight laps, then Glenpool’s Covington sat at the helm for 15 circuits before Hahn made the winning pass. 

Hahn will lead the charge of home-state defenders into Creek County as the reigning winner in the Don Swope Classic and the last two Fuzzy’s Fall Fling openers. McClelland, a six-time Sonner Region champion, is an 11-time winner at Creek County with ASCS, with his latest triumph coming in 2025. 

Top Dog – Bradley Fezard has two nights left in 2026 before he can officially be called an ASCS champion. 

Since taking control of the Sooner Region standings at Creek County in June, the Bonnerdale, AR driver leads 2024 champ Casey Wills by 74 points and Hayden Mabe by 81 ahead of Fuzzy’s Fall Fling. All three are hunting a first win to close the year. 

Fezard won at the track in 2022 with the United Sprint League and finished fifth in the two ASCS Features of 2026. Wills and Mabe are each looking for their first win at Creek County. 

Pivotal Points – Multiple positions across the top-10 in National Tour points remain unsolidified as “Creekadega” owns the final word through two nights. 

Sixth-place Austyn Gossel and seventh-place Cole Schroeder provide the closest battle, with six markers separating the two drivers. While Gossel is seeking to end with a career-high finish, Schroeder will clinch the year’s BRODIX Rookie of the Year to end his first-year racing Sprint Cars on a national scale. 

Eighth-place Brogan Carder is 30 points away from Schroeder as he’ll make a final charge at gaining position at Creek. While the Sioux Falls, SD sophomore ends his year in 360 Sprint Cars with ASCS, he’ll close 2026 in a World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series debut at The Dirt Track at Charlotte for Dave Smith Motors World of Outlaws World Finals. 

THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE

WHEN AND WHERE 

Friday-Saturday, Oct. 16-17, at Creek County Speedway in Sapulpa, OK 

AROUND THE CORNER 

Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 4-6, 2027, at Volusia Speedway Park in DeLeon Springs, FL 

CURRENT TOP-10 STANDINGS 

1. Sam Hafertepe Jr. (2998 pts)
2. Matt Covington (-21)
3. Seth Bergman (-107)
4. Kyler Johnson (-323)
5. Ryder LaPlante (-488)
6. Austyn Gossel (-589)
7. Cole Schroeder (-593)
8. Brogan Carder (-623)
9. Terry Easum (-678)
10. Garrett Benson (-1314)

FEATURE WINNERS (12 Drivers) 

6 wins – Sam Hafertepe Jr. 

4 wins – Seth Bergman 

3 wins – Tyler Courtney 

2 wins – Justin Peck, Matt Covington, Jett Barnes, Blake Hahn 

1 win – Kyler Johnson, Chris Martin, Brady Bacon, Levi Hillier, Gio Scelzi, Ryan Timms 

FEATURE LAPS LED (20 Drivers) 

102 laps – Sam Hafertepe Jr. 

73 laps – Seth Bergman 

54 laps – Kyler Johnson 

52 laps – Justin Peck 

49 laps – Matt Covington 

38 laps – Blake Hahn 

37 laps – Jett Barnes 

30 laps – Levi Hillier,  Ryan Timms 

29 laps – Brady Bacon 

24 laps – Austyn Gossel 

22 laps – Chris Martin 

21 laps – Austin McCarl 

20 laps – Gio Scelzi 

16 laps – Cameron Martin 

15 laps – Tyler Courtney 

13 laps – Brian Brown 

11 laps – Sean McClelland 

9 laps – Whit Gastineau 

7 laps – Cole Macedo 

2 laps – Brady Baker 

QUICK TIME AWARDS (11 Drivers) 

11 awards – Sam Hafertepe Jr 

4 awards – Matt Covington 

2 awards – Kyler Johnson, Jett Barnes 

1 award – Seth Bergman, Howard Moore, Chris Martin, Levi Hillier, Aaron Reutzel, Brogan Carder, Sean McClelland 

HEAT RACE WINNERS (44 Drivers) 

11 wins – Matt Covington 

8 wins – Seth Bergman 

6 wins – Sam Hafertepe Jr. 

5 wins – Ryder Laplante 

4 wins – Garrett Benson, Kyler Johnson 

3 wins – Chris Martin, Whit Gastineau, Justin Peck 

2 wins – Austyn Gossel, Cam Martin, Blake Hahn 

1 win – Jordan Mallett, Sean McClelland, Brady Bacon, Tyler Clem, Emerson Axsom, Brian Brown, Cole Macedo, Garen Linder, Colby Copeland, Nick Parker, Hank Davis, JJ Hickle, Alex Hill, Jeremy Campbell, Kade Morton, Alex Sewell, Brady Baker, Howard Moore, John Carney II, Tanner Holmes, Austin McCarl, Matt Juhl, Tyler Courtney, Ryan Timms, Tasker Phillips, Clint Garner, Evan Semerad, Brogan Carder, Cole Schroeder, Jett Barnes, Josh Schneiderman, Michael Day 

DASH STARTS (43 Drivers) 

17 starts – Sam Hafertepe Jr., Matt Covington 

12 starts – Kyler Johnson 

9 starts – Seth Bergman 

7 starts – Whit Gastineau 

6 starts – Ryder Laplante 

4 starts – Levi Hillier, Chris Martin, Jett Barnes, Garrett Benson 

3 starts – Tyler Courtney, Brian Brown, Justin Peck, Cameron Martin, Brogan Carder 

2 starts – Emerson Axsom, Austin McCarl, Brady Bacon, Davie Franek, Howard Moore, Austyn Gossel, Cole Schroeder, Blake Hahn 

1 start – Jordan Mallett, Paul Solomon, Brock Zearfoss, Cole Macedo, Tyler Clem, Hank Davis, Nick Parker, Colby Copeland, Garen Linder, JJ Hickle, Alex Hill, Alex Sewell, Kade Morton, Jeremy Campbell, Bryant Wiedeman, Brady Baker, Rich Bailey, Terry Easum, Paxton Fleming, Jamie Ball, Josh Schneiderman, John Carney II, Sean McClelland, Michael Day 

LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINNERS (15 Drivers) 

2 wins – Braxton Weger, Rico Abreu 

1 win – DJ Christie, Matt Covington, Tyler Clem, Whit Gastineau, Sterling Cling, Gage Montgomery, Brogan Carder, Bradley Fezard, Chris Martin, Cole Schroeder, Kade Morton, Zach Blurton, Austyn Gossel, Steven Shebester 

HARD CHARGER AWARDS (18 Drivers) 

3 awards – Seth Bergman, Whit Gastineau 

2 awards – Sam Hafertepe Jr. 

1 award – Ryder Laplante, Brady Bacon, Cole Macedo, DJ Netto, Brogan Carder, Joe B. Miller, Bradley Fezard, Hayden Mabe, Jack Thomas, Kyler Johnson, Casey Wills, Riley Goodno, Tasker Phillips, Rico Abreu, Cole Schroeder, Zach Blurton, Sheldon Bender, Austyn Gossel, Christopher Townsend, Steven Shebester 

PODIUM FINISHES (30 Drivers) 

13 podiums – Sam Hafertepe Jr. 

12 podiums – Matt Covington 

8 podiums – Seth Bergman 

4 podiums – Kyler Johnson, Tyler Courtney 

3 podiums – Garrett Benson, Justin Peck, Whit Gastineau, Brady Bacon 

2 podiums – Blake Hahn, Austin McCarl, Levi Hillier, Austyn Gossel, Ryan Timms, Aaron Reutzel, Jett Barnes 

1 podium – Cole Macedo, Emerson Axsom, Brock Zearfoss, JJ Hickle, Jordan Mallett, Chris Martin, Alex Sewell, Christopher Townsend, Gio Scelzi, Kyle Larson, Ryder Laplante, Cole Schroeder, Zach Blurton, Cameron Martin 

2026 AMERICAN SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE + WINNERS 

Date / Track / City, State / Winner (Total Wins) 

*Denotes Split-Field Prelim Feature 

1. Thu, Jan. 29 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Tyler Courtney
2. Fri, Jan. 30 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Tyler Courtney (2)
3. Mon, Feb. 2 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Brady Bacon
4. Sat, Feb. 21 / Central Arizona Raceway / Casa Grande, AZ / Justin Peck
5. Sun, Feb. 21 / Central Arizona Raceway / Casa Grande, AZ / Matt Covington
6. Sat, Feb. 28 / Central Arizona Raceway / Casa Grande, AZ / Justin Peck (2)
7. Sun, Mar. 1 / Central Arizona Raceway / Casa Grande, AZ / Levi Hillier
8. Sat, Apr. 11 / Salina Highbanks Speedway / Salina, OK / Chris Martin
9. Fri, May 8 / Benton Speedway / Benton, MO / Seth Bergman
10. Fri, June 5 / Creek County Speedway / Sapulpa, OK / Blake Hahn
11. Sat, June 6 / 81 Speedway / Park City, KS / Seth Bergman (2)
12. Fri, June 26 / Belleville High Banks / Belleville, KS / Sam Hafertepe Jr.
13. Sat, June 27 / Belleville High Banks / Belleville, KS / Sam Hafertepe Jr. (2)
14. Fri, July 10 / Batesville Motor Speedway / Locust Grove, AR / Matt Covington (2)
15. Sat, July 11 / Texarkana 67 Speedway / Texarkana, AR / Seth Bergman (3)
16. Sat, July 25 / Dodge City Raceway Park / Dodge City, KS / Sam Hafertepe Jr. (3)
17. Sat, Aug. 1 / Viking Speedway / Alexandria, MN / Kyler Johnson
18. *Thu, Aug. 6 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Gio Scelzi
19. *Fri, Aug. 7 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Tyler Courtney
20. Sat, Aug. 8 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Ryan Timms
21. Fri, Aug. 28 / Big Sky Speedway / Shepherd, MT / Seth Bergman (4)
22. Sat, Aug. 29 / Big Sky Speedway / Shepherd, MT / Sam Hafertepe Jr. (4)
23. Sun, Aug. 30 / Sheridan Speedway / Sheridan, WY / Jett Barnes
24. Fri, Sept. 4 / Gallatin Speedway / Belgrade, MT / Sam Hafertepe Jr. (5)
25. Sat, Sept. 5 / Electric City Speedway / Black Eagle, MT / Sam Hafertepe Jr. (6)
26. Sat, Sept. 12 / Moberly Motorsports Park / Moberly, MO / Jett Barnes (2)
27. Sat, Oct. 10 / RPM Speedway / Crandall, TX / Blake Hahn (2)

ARTICLE:https://ascsracing.com/what-to-watch-for/what-to-watch-for-ascs-national-tour-sooner-region-determine-champions-in-fuzzys-fall-fling/

CHICAGO (October 13, 2026) — For Funny Car team owner and driver Chris King this NHRA season has played out like an old school western movie where the hero is continually under siege, but he continues to fight back. Heading into the Texas Fall Nationals and second weekend of the Stampede of Speed at Texas Motorplex, October 15-18 King and the Howards Cams/Competition Products Funny Car are looking to circle the wagons and turn the tide. The full-time Chicago firefighter will return to Texas with his focus on continuing to improve his performance and battle into the top 16 of a tough field of Nitro Funny Cars.

“We have definitely taken some hits over the last two races, but we are not giving up thanks to the hard work of (crew chief) Bob Peck and support from other teams,” said King. “In Indy at the U.S. Nationals then two weeks ago at the Midwest Nationals in St. Louis we just had a couple things that did not go our way. I am looking for our racing luck to turn around a little this weekend in Texas and we can make four good qualifying runs.”

Chris King will be looking to make big strides at Texas Fall Nationals at Texas Motorplex,
photo credit Innovation Creative Experts

Chris King Galloping into Stampede of Speed

CHICAGO (October 13, 2026) — For Funny Car team owner and driver Chris King this NHRA season has played out like an old school western movie where the hero is continually under siege, but he continues to fight back. Heading into the Texas Fall Nationals and second weekend of the Stampede of Speed at Texas Motorplex, October 15-18 King and the Howards Cams/Competition Products Funny Car are looking to circle the wagons and turn the tide. The full-time Chicago firefighter will return to Texas with his focus on continuing to improve his performance and battle into the top 16 of a tough field of Nitro Funny Cars.

“We have definitely taken some hits over the last two races, but we are not giving up thanks to the hard work of (crew chief) Bob Peck and support from other teams,” said King. “In Indy at the U.S. Nationals then two weeks ago at the Midwest Nationals in St. Louis we just had a couple things that did not go our way. I am looking for our racing luck to turn around a little this weekend in Texas and we can make four good qualifying runs.”

Chris King will be looking to make big strides at Texas Fall Nationals at Texas Motorplex,
photo credit Innovation Creative Experts

The Howards Cams/Competition Products Funny Car has shown flashes of improvement with King setting career best performance records. The car is consistent and getting quicker. During a wild U.S. Nationals, the 12,000-horsepower Funny Car was lifting the nose as King accelerated down track creating a challenging driving environment for King. Between the U.S. Nationals and the Midwest Nationals the team made some adjustments with the help of Jonnie Lindberg, Alexis DeJoria’s crew chief and master fabricator, to keep the nose planted to the track.

“We made one run in Indy where the nose was off the track a couple times and that got a lot of airtime,” said King. “I kept it straight, but we made some fixes and St. Louis was a lot better. We were in the show until the last session and then just barely dropped to 17th. This weekend in Dallas there will be a lot of cars, but we think we have made enough improvements to get into the show and I would love to run in the threes.”

Throughout the season King and the Howards Cams/Competition Products Funny Car have had a singular goal. They want to continue to make performance improvements and wow the fans. They have been successful every race this season when they have taken to the track. They have also been fan favorites off the track offering first responders and veterans the opportunity to meet with King and sign his race car. King, a firefighter himself, views this as a small gesture to say thank you to the men and women who are putting themselves on the line day in and day out.

“It is cool to see fellow firefighters and veterans sign the car,” said King. “I talk to just about everyone who signs the car and we all have so much in common. I appreciate the sacrifices they are making for all of us. I have made those same sacrifices throughout my career, and I just want to give them a cool opportunity and experience.”

King will also be one of the featured Mission Foods Drag Racing Series drivers at the Pre-Stage Fanfest presented by Red Line Synthetic Oil at Railyard Park in downtown Waxahachie, Texas on October 15. Over 50 professional drivers will be in attendance along with 80 JEGS all-star drivers signing with King from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. The event will also feature live music, food trucks and vendors from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

“The fanfest before the Texas Fall Nationals is one of the biggest free fan events we go to all season,” said King. “The Meyer family and their staff are great. It is a cool way to start the race weekend and get everyone excited. I love meeting people at events like this and then seeing them in the pits at the races.”

Professional qualifying for the Texas Fall Nationals will feature two runs on Friday with the second run putting $15,000 on the line for King and the rest of the Funny Car field to make the quickest run of the night session. On Saturday there will be two final qualifying sessions to set the 16-car field for race day on Sunday. Final eliminations will start at noon, and the race will be broadcast nationally on FS1. For more information about the race or tickets visit www.stampedeofspeed.com or nhra.com.
 

ENNIS, TEX. (October 13, 2026) — Melanie Johnson and the Speedmaster Top Alcohol Dragster team kicked off the Stampede of Speed with a strong performance at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Regional event at Texas Motorplex, earning a runner-up finish and setting a new career best elapsed time.

Johnson set the tone early in qualifying, laying down a stellar 5.173-second pass at 277.71 mph to claim the No. 1 qualifying position. The run marked a new personal best E.T. for the California native.

Carrying that momentum into Sunday’s eliminations, Johnson opened round one with a victory over Chris Demke, clocking a 5.222 at 277.38 mph to Demke’s 5.406 at 274.07 mph. In the semifinals, she posted a 5.219 at 276.34 mph to defeat Jamie Noonan and earn a spot in the final round.

The final matchup produced a tight drag race against Alan Bradshaw. Johnson made a solid 5.240-second pass at 275.20 mph, but Bradshaw edged out the victory with a 5.227 at 275.13 mph, taking the win by a margin of just .021 seconds.

Melanie Johnson raced the Speedmaster A/Fuel Dragster to the final round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Regional event at Texas Motorplex on Sunday, photo credit Katy Gunter

“The car was on rails all weekend at the regional,” said Johnson. “To be out of the car for 4 weeks [since the U.S. Nationals] and set a career best E.T. on the first run of the weekend, really sets the tone and is a testament to that AJPE power. We have a great tune up for this track and I’m very excited to see what we can do this weekend. We’ve got our sights set on a Jegs All Stars win and a Texas Fall Nationals win. Pops & Richie have been making changes to the program and we’ve been seeing the success over the past few races. I think it’s all coming together right now.”

Johnson remains at Texas Motorplex for the second weekend of the Stampede of Speed to compete in the NHRA Texas Fall Nationals. Representing the Central Region in the Top Alcohol Dragster division, she will also compete in the prestigious Jegs Allstars event after earning points throughout the season to secure a spot on the regional team.

Johnson and the team are proud to be supported by primary sponsor Speedmaster, alongside Alan Johnson Performance Engineering (AJPE), NGK Spark Plugs, Lucas Oil, ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Shift Up Now, and WIMNA (Women in Motorsports North America).

MELANIE JOHNSON SETS PERSONAL BEST AND CLAIMS
RUNNER-UP FINISH AT TEXAS MOTORPLEX

ENNIS, TEX. (October 13, 2026) — Melanie Johnson and the Speedmaster Top Alcohol Dragster team kicked off the Stampede of Speed with a strong performance at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Regional event at Texas Motorplex, earning a runner-up finish and setting a new career best elapsed time.

Johnson set the tone early in qualifying, laying down a stellar 5.173-second pass at 277.71 mph to claim the No. 1 qualifying position. The run marked a new personal best E.T. for the California native.

Carrying that momentum into Sunday’s eliminations, Johnson opened round one with a victory over Chris Demke, clocking a 5.222 at 277.38 mph to Demke’s 5.406 at 274.07 mph. In the semifinals, she posted a 5.219 at 276.34 mph to defeat Jamie Noonan and earn a spot in the final round.

The final matchup produced a tight drag race against Alan Bradshaw. Johnson made a solid 5.240-second pass at 275.20 mph, but Bradshaw edged out the victory with a 5.227 at 275.13 mph, taking the win by a margin of just .021 seconds.

Melanie Johnson raced the Speedmaster A/Fuel Dragster to the final round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Regional event at Texas Motorplex on Sunday, photo credit Katy Gunter

“The car was on rails all weekend at the regional,” said Johnson. “To be out of the car for 4 weeks [since the U.S. Nationals] and set a career best E.T. on the first run of the weekend, really sets the tone and is a testament to that AJPE power. We have a great tune up for this track and I’m very excited to see what we can do this weekend. We’ve got our sights set on a Jegs All Stars win and a Texas Fall Nationals win. Pops & Richie have been making changes to the program and we’ve been seeing the success over the past few races. I think it’s all coming together right now.”

Johnson remains at Texas Motorplex for the second weekend of the Stampede of Speed to compete in the NHRA Texas Fall Nationals. Representing the Central Region in the Top Alcohol Dragster division, she will also compete in the prestigious Jegs Allstars event after earning points throughout the season to secure a spot on the regional team.

Johnson and the team are proud to be supported by primary sponsor Speedmaster, alongside Alan Johnson Performance Engineering (AJPE), NGK Spark Plugs, Lucas Oil, ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Shift Up Now, and WIMNA (Women in Motorsports North America).

Action for the NHRA Texas Fall Nationals and the Jegs Allstars begins this Thursday, October 15 at Texas Motorplex. Johnson will be present at the Pre-Stage Fanfest presented by Red Line Synthetic Oil at Railyard Park in Waxahachie on Thursday evening. She’ll sign autographs will fellow Jegs Allstars and Mission Foods Drag Racing Series competitors at the free event from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Pre-Stage FanFest will also feature live music and vendor booths. To learn more, visit www.stampedeofspeed.com. 

DALLAS (October 13, 2026) – The final race of the 2026 NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series will offer some of the most seasoned Chevrolet, Dodge and Ford teams one final chance to win a special 75^th anniversary NHRA diamond Wally trophy. The 41^st annual Texas NHRA Fall Nationals at Texas Motorplex, October 14-18, will give reigning world champion Mark Pawuk, Raymond Nash, one of the fiercest championship contenders, and rookie Matthew Hartman the chance to pick up their first wins of 2026.
 
For Pawuk the 2026 season has been eight races of figuring out the brand-new Dodge Challenger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak. The team has seen significant improvement and the two-time champion would love to end the season on a high note with a victory.
 
“I was really hoping to three-peat this year but that didn’t work out,” said Pawuk. “I would love to get one of those 75^thanniversary diamond Wallys for my trophy case. This year was a challenge with the Hustle Stuff Drag Pak, but I have always loved a challenge.”

 Two-time world champion Mark Pawuk is focused on a strong finish this weekend at Texas Motorplex and Texas Fall Nationals, photo credit Auto Imagery

Nash battled Jonathan Allegrucci down to the final day of the NAPA Midwest Nationals before Allegrucci raced to the final mathematically clinching the championship. During the Bristol national event Nash raced to a runner-up finish and the Dodge Drag Pak driver has his sights set on a strong finish to springboard him into the 2027 season.
 
“Winning the Texas Fall Nationals would mean a lot to us,” said Nash. “It would mean a lot to our family. We’ve set goals to win a Wally. But to win a diamond Wally would mean even more. David Barton and Ray Barton Racing engines have had a really big impact on improving our car. To be able to top the season off with a Wally would mean an extraordinary amount to myself, my son Zachary, who works on the car, Hunter, my wife Christina, who helps get the rig ready. I have to thank Race Tech who helps keep us safe. Everyone is pulling for us to get a win to close out the season.”

 Championship runner-up Raymond Nash and his Dodge Challenger Drag Pak ae bringing determination and momentuum to the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown season finale this weekend, photo credit Auto Imagery

“We finished the season number two in points, and we still got a race to go,” said Nash. “I think that’s pretty proud accomplishment. We went from race fans walking around at these race tracks to racing and being number two in points in a couple of years. I am excited to get on track for this last race of the season.”
Rookie driver Matthew Hartman saw his father Lee win for the first time at the rain delayed Great Lakes Nationals two weeks ago in St. Louis. The rookie season for the younger Hartman has been a dramatic learning curve but one he has enjoyed on the competition side and the team side. Heading into his first Stampede of Speed race, Hartman is eager to put all the skills he has learned in 2026 to good use.
 
“Getting a win in Dallas would go a long way,” said Hartman. “I am so grateful for this opportunity. I was all over the place with my expectations for this season, but I am happy with the progress so far. Looking back on the season I am a lot more comfortable in the car. I am focusing on going a couple rounds in Texas and we are going to try and make some big swings.”

 Matthew Hartman will look to cap his Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series rookie season with a win in Dallas, photo credit Auto Imagery

SEASON FINALE OFFERS FLEXJET FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN TEAMS
ONE MORE CHANCE FOR VICTORY

DALLAS (October 13, 2026) – The final race of the 2026 NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series will offer some of the most seasoned Chevrolet, Dodge and Ford teams one final chance to win a special 75^th anniversary NHRA diamond Wally trophy. The 41^st annual Texas NHRA Fall Nationals at Texas Motorplex, October 14-18, will give reigning world champion Mark Pawuk, Raymond Nash, one of the fiercest championship contenders, and rookie Matthew Hartman the chance to pick up their first wins of 2026.
 
For Pawuk the 2026 season has been eight races of figuring out the brand-new Dodge Challenger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak. The team has seen significant improvement and the two-time champion would love to end the season on a high note with a victory.
 
“I was really hoping to three-peat this year but that didn’t work out,” said Pawuk. “I would love to get one of those 75^thanniversary diamond Wallys for my trophy case. This year was a challenge with the Hustle Stuff Drag Pak, but I have always loved a challenge.”

 Two-time world champion Mark Pawuk is focused on a strong finish this weekend at Texas Motorplex and Texas Fall Nationals, photo credit Auto Imagery

Nash battled Jonathan Allegrucci down to the final day of the NAPA Midwest Nationals before Allegrucci raced to the final mathematically clinching the championship. During the Bristol national event Nash raced to a runner-up finish and the Dodge Drag Pak driver has his sights set on a strong finish to springboard him into the 2027 season.
 
“Winning the Texas Fall Nationals would mean a lot to us,” said Nash. “It would mean a lot to our family. We’ve set goals to win a Wally. But to win a diamond Wally would mean even more. David Barton and Ray Barton Racing engines have had a really big impact on improving our car. To be able to top the season off with a Wally would mean an extraordinary amount to myself, my son Zachary, who works on the car, Hunter, my wife Christina, who helps get the rig ready. I have to thank Race Tech who helps keep us safe. Everyone is pulling for us to get a win to close out the season.”

 Championship runner-up Raymond Nash and his Dodge Challenger Drag Pak ae bringing determination and momentuum to the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown season finale this weekend, photo credit Auto Imagery

“We finished the season number two in points, and we still got a race to go,” said Nash. “I think that’s pretty proud accomplishment. We went from race fans walking around at these race tracks to racing and being number two in points in a couple of years. I am excited to get on track for this last race of the season.”
Rookie driver Matthew Hartman saw his father Lee win for the first time at the rain delayed Great Lakes Nationals two weeks ago in St. Louis. The rookie season for the younger Hartman has been a dramatic learning curve but one he has enjoyed on the competition side and the team side. Heading into his first Stampede of Speed race, Hartman is eager to put all the skills he has learned in 2026 to good use.
 
“Getting a win in Dallas would go a long way,” said Hartman. “I am so grateful for this opportunity. I was all over the place with my expectations for this season, but I am happy with the progress so far. Looking back on the season I am a lot more comfortable in the car. I am focusing on going a couple rounds in Texas and we are going to try and make some big swings.”

 Matthew Hartman will look to cap his Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series rookie season with a win in Dallas, photo credit Auto Imagery

“Seeing my dad win the Great Lakes Nationals was everything,” added Hartman “It was six years in the making. When we started, I was the crew chief and now seeing where he came from is amazing. Thanks to Stanfield Racing Engines for all their support. I was at the finish line so I didn’t get to celebrate right away with my mom but there were some teams at the top end with me. When we saw that win light it was a perfect moment. “
 
Qualifying will get underway on Friday for the Texas NHRA Fall Nationals with two sessions on the schedule. On Saturday one more round of qualifying will be contested and the field will be set with the first round of eliminations happening Saturday night. The Fords, Chevrolets and Dodges will have three rounds of eliminations on Sunday with one fortunate driver hoisting the 75^th anniversary diamond Wally at the end of the day. For information on the NHRA Texas Fall Nationals visit www.nhra.com.
 
Flexjet Bounty Program
 
Gatornationals (Gainesville, Fla.)
$1,000 bounty collected by Jonathan Allegrucci, defeated Mark Pawuk (2025 Flexjet world champion)
 
NHRA 4-Wide Nationals (Charlotte, N.C.)
$1,000 bounty collected by Raymond Nash, defeated Ricky Hord (2026 Gatornationals winner)
 
Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals (Chicago)
$1,000 bounty was not claimed with Allegrucci’s victory
 
Super Grip Thunder Valley Nationals (Bristol, Tenn.)
$2,000 bounty was not claimed with Allegrucci’s victory
 
Norwalk Nationals (Norwalk, Ohio)
$3,000 bounty claimed by Taylor Dietsch, defeated Jonathan Allegrucci (2026 Chicago and Bristol winner)
 
Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals (Indianapolis)
$1,000 bounty collected by Scott Libersher, defeated Taylor Dietsch (Norwalk winner)
 
Dodge Great Lakes Nationals (Martin, Mich.)
$1,000 bounty collected by Raymond Nash, defeated Scott Libersher (Indianapolis winner)
 
NAPA NHRA Midwest Nationals (St. Louis)
$1,000 bounty collected by Doug Duell, defeated Lee Hartman (Martin winner)
 
2026 Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Results
 
Gainesville – Ricky Hord, winner; David Janac, runner-up
Charlotte – Jonathan Allegrucci, winner; Jason Dietsch, runner-up
Chicago – Jonathan Allegrucci, winner; Jason Dietsch, runner-up
Bristol – Jonathan Allegrucci, winner; Raymond Nash, runner-up
Norwalk – Taylor Dietsch, winner; Jonathan Allegrucci, runner-up
Indianapolis – Scott Libersher, winner; Jonathan Allegrucci, runner-up
Martin, Mich. – Lee Hartman, winner; David Janac, runner-up
St. Louis, Mo. – Jonathan Allegrucci, winner; Scott Libersher, runner-up
 
Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Point Standings
1.       Jonathan Allegrucci 788
2.       Raymond Nash       579
3.       Scott Libersher        513
4.       David Janac            457
5.       Lee Hartman           433
6.       David Davies II       404
7.       Jason Dietsch         370
8.       Richard Hord           362
9.       Mark Pawuk            381
10.     Doug Duell              354
 
 

DRIFTERS REJOICE FOR WORLD DRIFT DAY

The takeover, the break’s over. 14 countries, 1 global drift community.Monster Energy hosts World Drift Day around the world – and we shredded 👿.

Baggsy and the SB Motorsport team headed to Lithuania for the Baltics edition of World Drift Day, the boys set up camp at the billiant KART 3 track in Šiauliai. The undulating track filled with technical bends gave drivers plenty of opportunities to tandem and create a drift train, the perfect way to celebrate such a moment.

This isn’t just any event; Monster Energy’s target to reignite the passion for drifting was something we all got behind. The day had the boys celebrating the grassroots spirit that built this sport from the garage up.

Baggsy gave a short speech to the WDD crowd, reminding themselves to ditch the screens, lose the traction and find their purpose out on the track. This is Monster Energy’s way of giving back to the drift community, no corporate gloss here – just pure, unadulterated fun.

From the smell of burnt rubber to the scream of engines, World Drift Day was an absolute hit. The boys live and breathe sideways and this was just the tonic after a busy few months on the road. The SB Motorsport PS13 roared to life, the supercharged V8 screamed through the KART 3 track.

Some people chill out at a spa, we’ll chill out on track. Mostly sideways. Huge kudos to Monster Energy for putting on a worldwide party, they’re the real MVP 👊🏼.

Catch us at the next event 🏁:RONS Takeover Tour, Santa Pod Raceway 🇬🇧

TF Sport, Corvette hope previous experience will help in LMGT3 title fight DETROIT (October 13, 2026) – TF Sport’s drive to a title in the FIA World Endurance Championship with the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R heads back to Europe this weekend for the series’ first race in Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the Six Hours of Barcelona. Saturday’s round is notable for a couple of reasons. First, it takes the place of March’s season-opening race in Qatar, which was moved due to the conflict in the Middle East region. Second, there is a possibility of TF Sport wrapping up the LMGT3 Teams championship at Barcelona with the right results for the Le Mans-winning No. 33 Corvette of Nicky Catsburg, Jonny Edgar and Ben Keating.

If the trio finishes more than 26 points ahead of their closest competitor coming out of the race, then the No. 33 TF Corvette squad will clinch the championship with one race to go. The Drivers title will officially go to the season finale at Monza as Edgar leads by two points over Catsburg and 22 over Keating. Although Barcelona is new to the WEC, it’s not new to TF Sport. The team contested European Le Mans Series races there the last two years with one of its Corvettes and four of the WEC drivers – Edgar and No. 34 Racing Team Turkey by TF teammates Charlie Eastwood, Salih Yoluc and Peter Dempsey – all have previous experience at the circuit.  Speaking of the red-liveried No. 34 Corvette squad, it’s one of the hottest teams in LMGT3 with four points-paying finishes in its last five races. Among those was a class victory at Brazil and third place in the most recent WEC round at Fuji. That has elevated the No. 34 to third in the Teams standings and the three drivers to fifth in Drivers points. In addition, Eastwood was one of three TF Sport drivers to win the ELMS LMGT3 championship last weekend at Portimão – a repeat title for TF Sport and Corvette. The Six Hours of Barcelona for the FIA World Endurance Championship is scheduled for noon CET / 6 a.m. ET on Sunday. Live streaming coverage of the race, qualifying and Hyperpole, plus timing and scoring, is available through a subscription on FIA WEC Plus with additional live streaming on the HBO Max app in the U.S. Radio Le Mans also will provide live streaming audio coverage as well.

CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R PRE-EVENT DRIVER QUOTES

NICKY CATSBURG, NO. 33 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Barcelona should be a good track for the Corvette. It’s a pretty high-deg track, and usually we are a bit better than others on tires. So I do believe it’s going to be good for us. It’s an important weekend for us and I feel like we are able to do well. We might get away with a championship already there, which would be an unbelievable achievement for the team. In terms of success weight, we will still have 18 kilos as will the sister car. Some of our main opponents will have a lot of weight though. I have personally not been to the Barcelona circuit in many years. Luckily some of my teammates have been here a lot, so I will try to learn from them and then see how we go.”

JONNY EDGAR, NO. 33 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I’m interested to see how a WEC race will be in Barcelona. It will be pretty tough with tire degradation which is always a positive for us as the Corvette is one of the best cars at looking after the tires. I enjoy driving at Barcelona. It’s a track I know quite well as I’ve raced there in both F3 and LMP2. The goal will be to try and score as many points as possible for the championship to try and be in the best position possible for Monza, and if everything goes well there’s a chance we can already win the championship in Barcelona.”

BEN KEATING, NO. 33 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I have never raced at the Catalunya circuit. But I’m looking forward to going there and potentially racing for a championship. I also am happy that we should have a very competitive Corvette. We lost a bit of our success ballast in Fuji and it allows us to be a little closer to the front of the race. I think that will help in many ways like in cornering and managing the tires. If we can make that happen then I feel really good about chances to get back on the podium and hopefully wrap up the championship for our team and Jonny.”

CHARLIE EASTWOOD, NO. 34 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Barcelona definitely should suit the Corvette. I’ve been there the last two years with ELMS, and also we actually did the Prologue there as well because it’s the first race. So as a team, we’ve actually gotten lots of mileage around there, which we should have over quite a few other manufacturers. The Corvette was really good there this year; we just got hit from behind and that finished our race early. But Barcelona is one of those tracks that basically you can’t really have a weakness as a car. It has a bit of everything… straights, slow-speed, high-speed, off-camber, on-camber. So that’s where, again, the Corvette kind of comes into its own. “From the 34 side, we just need to win it. It’s as simple as that. So that’s the only mindset we have at the minute, and there’s no reason why we can’t repeat the likes of Brazil. Salih knows the track well and can get us to the front. Peter was just there in GT World Challenge. So I think we’re going to be as prepared as anybody going in.”

PETER DEMPSEY, NO. 34 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I’m looking forward to going to Barcelona with TF Sport and the Corvette. I was lucky to be able to race there a couple of weeks ago, so it will be nice to not have to learn a new track for a change. I feel we are going to have a strong package and we want to keep pushing for the championship. Our aim is to try to keep chasing down our teammates in the 33 car and try to give Corvette a 1-2 in the WEC standings. We have scored points in most of the races, but this is crunch time and we want to be as strong as possible. Can’t wait to get there.”

2026 FIA World Endurance Championship PointsLMGT3 Drivers Standings1. Jonny Edgar – 862. Nicky Catsburg – 823. Ben Keating – 644. Ian James/Mattia Drudi/Zacharie Robichon – 625. Charlie Eastwood/Peter Dempsey/Salih Yoluc – 58 LMGT3 Teams Standings1. No. 33 TF Sport – 862. No. 27 Heart of Racing Team – 623. No. 34 Racing Team Turkey by TF – 584. No. 91 Manthey DK Engineering – 545. No. 21 Vista AF Corse – 54 CORVETTE RACING AT BARCELONA: By the Numbers• 2: Championships already clinched this year for Corvette Z06 GT3.R entries – TF Sport’s ELMS LMGT3 championship and Orey Fidani’s Bob Akin Award in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship• 2: Wins for TF Sport this year in the FIA World Endurance Championship – Le Mans (No. 33) and Brazil (No. 34)• 2: Number of TF Sport Corvettes in the top-three of the LMGT3 Teams standings• 3: Number of TF Sport Corvette drivers in the top-three of the LMGT3 Drivers Championship• 4: Drivers on the TF Sport roster who have competed at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya: Charlie Eastwood, Salih Yoluc, Peter Dempsey and Jonny Edgar• 16: Manufacturer Championships for Chevrolet and Corvette Racing since 2001• 26: The points advantage that TF Sport’s No. 33 Corvette needs after the Barcelona round to win the FIA WEC LMGT3 championship• 35: Tracks at which Corvette Racing has won races – Baltimore, Charlotte Motor Speedway, COTA, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park/Mosport, Chang International Circuit (Thailand), Daytona, Detroit, Fuji, Houston, Imola, Indianapolis, Laguna Seca, Le Mans, Lime Rock, Long Beach, Lusail International Circuit (Qatar), Miami, Mid-Ohio, Monza, Portimão, Portland, Road America, Road Atlanta, Sāo Paulo (Brazil), Sebring, Sepang International Circuit (Malaysia), Sonoma, Spa-Francorchamps, St. Petersburg, Texas, Trois Rivieres, Utah, VIR, Washington DC and Watkins Glen• 44: Number of drivers to win races in Corvette Racing entries since 1999. The latest to join the list were TF Sport’s Peter Dempsey and Salih Yoluc at Sāo Paulo in WEC• 73: Years since Corvette was introduced to the world on Jan. 17, 1953 in New York City. A total of 300 cars were produced that year• 88: Number of drivers in Corvette Racing entries since 1999. K-Tunes’ Kazunori Suenaga and Sena Sakaguchi joined the list in the No. 96 Corvette at Suzuka in Japan Cup competition• 159: Victories worldwide for Corvette Racing – 119 in IMSA, 10 at Le Mans, six in the FIA WEC, 13 in GT World Challenge America, three in GT World Challenge Asia, GT America and the European Le Mans Series, and one in IGTC/GT World Challenge Europe• 398: Event starts by Corvette Racing since 1999• 521,597.52: Total number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing since its inception. The program went over the half-million mark at this year’s 24 Hours of Spa

CORVETTE RACING AT BARCELONA: Championship MarchTF Sport, Corvette hope previous experience will help in LMGT3 title fight DETROIT (October 13, 2026) – TF Sport’s drive to a title in the FIA World Endurance Championship with the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R heads back to Europe this weekend for the series’ first race in Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the Six Hours of Barcelona. Saturday’s round is notable for a couple of reasons. First, it takes the place of March’s season-opening race in Qatar, which was moved due to the conflict in the Middle East region. Second, there is a possibility of TF Sport wrapping up the LMGT3 Teams championship at Barcelona with the right results for the Le Mans-winning No. 33 Corvette of Nicky Catsburg, Jonny Edgar and Ben Keating.

If the trio finishes more than 26 points ahead of their closest competitor coming out of the race, then the No. 33 TF Corvette squad will clinch the championship with one race to go. The Drivers title will officially go to the season finale at Monza as Edgar leads by two points over Catsburg and 22 over Keating. Although Barcelona is new to the WEC, it’s not new to TF Sport. The team contested European Le Mans Series races there the last two years with one of its Corvettes and four of the WEC drivers – Edgar and No. 34 Racing Team Turkey by TF teammates Charlie Eastwood, Salih Yoluc and Peter Dempsey – all have previous experience at the circuit.  Speaking of the red-liveried No. 34 Corvette squad, it’s one of the hottest teams in LMGT3 with four points-paying finishes in its last five races. Among those was a class victory at Brazil and third place in the most recent WEC round at Fuji. That has elevated the No. 34 to third in the Teams standings and the three drivers to fifth in Drivers points. In addition, Eastwood was one of three TF Sport drivers to win the ELMS LMGT3 championship last weekend at Portimão – a repeat title for TF Sport and Corvette. The Six Hours of Barcelona for the FIA World Endurance Championship is scheduled for noon CET / 6 a.m. ET on Sunday. Live streaming coverage of the race, qualifying and Hyperpole, plus timing and scoring, is available through a subscription on FIA WEC Plus with additional live streaming on the HBO Max app in the U.S. Radio Le Mans also will provide live streaming audio coverage as well.

CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R PRE-EVENT DRIVER QUOTES

NICKY CATSBURG, NO. 33 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Barcelona should be a good track for the Corvette. It’s a pretty high-deg track, and usually we are a bit better than others on tires. So I do believe it’s going to be good for us. It’s an important weekend for us and I feel like we are able to do well. We might get away with a championship already there, which would be an unbelievable achievement for the team. In terms of success weight, we will still have 18 kilos as will the sister car. Some of our main opponents will have a lot of weight though. I have personally not been to the Barcelona circuit in many years. Luckily some of my teammates have been here a lot, so I will try to learn from them and then see how we go.”

JONNY EDGAR, NO. 33 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I’m interested to see how a WEC race will be in Barcelona. It will be pretty tough with tire degradation which is always a positive for us as the Corvette is one of the best cars at looking after the tires. I enjoy driving at Barcelona. It’s a track I know quite well as I’ve raced there in both F3 and LMP2. The goal will be to try and score as many points as possible for the championship to try and be in the best position possible for Monza, and if everything goes well there’s a chance we can already win the championship in Barcelona.”

BEN KEATING, NO. 33 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I have never raced at the Catalunya circuit. But I’m looking forward to going there and potentially racing for a championship. I also am happy that we should have a very competitive Corvette. We lost a bit of our success ballast in Fuji and it allows us to be a little closer to the front of the race. I think that will help in many ways like in cornering and managing the tires. If we can make that happen then I feel really good about chances to get back on the podium and hopefully wrap up the championship for our team and Jonny.”

CHARLIE EASTWOOD, NO. 34 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Barcelona definitely should suit the Corvette. I’ve been there the last two years with ELMS, and also we actually did the Prologue there as well because it’s the first race. So as a team, we’ve actually gotten lots of mileage around there, which we should have over quite a few other manufacturers. The Corvette was really good there this year; we just got hit from behind and that finished our race early. But Barcelona is one of those tracks that basically you can’t really have a weakness as a car. It has a bit of everything… straights, slow-speed, high-speed, off-camber, on-camber. So that’s where, again, the Corvette kind of comes into its own. “From the 34 side, we just need to win it. It’s as simple as that. So that’s the only mindset we have at the minute, and there’s no reason why we can’t repeat the likes of Brazil. Salih knows the track well and can get us to the front. Peter was just there in GT World Challenge. So I think we’re going to be as prepared as anybody going in.”

PETER DEMPSEY, NO. 34 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I’m looking forward to going to Barcelona with TF Sport and the Corvette. I was lucky to be able to race there a couple of weeks ago, so it will be nice to not have to learn a new track for a change. I feel we are going to have a strong package and we want to keep pushing for the championship. Our aim is to try to keep chasing down our teammates in the 33 car and try to give Corvette a 1-2 in the WEC standings. We have scored points in most of the races, but this is crunch time and we want to be as strong as possible. Can’t wait to get there.”

2026 FIA World Endurance Championship PointsLMGT3 Drivers Standings1. Jonny Edgar – 862. Nicky Catsburg – 823. Ben Keating – 644. Ian James/Mattia Drudi/Zacharie Robichon – 625. Charlie Eastwood/Peter Dempsey/Salih Yoluc – 58 LMGT3 Teams Standings1. No. 33 TF Sport – 862. No. 27 Heart of Racing Team – 623. No. 34 Racing Team Turkey by TF – 584. No. 91 Manthey DK Engineering – 545. No. 21 Vista AF Corse – 54 CORVETTE RACING AT BARCELONA: By the Numbers• 2: Championships already clinched this year for Corvette Z06 GT3.R entries – TF Sport’s ELMS LMGT3 championship and Orey Fidani’s Bob Akin Award in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship• 2: Wins for TF Sport this year in the FIA World Endurance Championship – Le Mans (No. 33) and Brazil (No. 34)• 2: Number of TF Sport Corvettes in the top-three of the LMGT3 Teams standings• 3: Number of TF Sport Corvette drivers in the top-three of the LMGT3 Drivers Championship• 4: Drivers on the TF Sport roster who have competed at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya: Charlie Eastwood, Salih Yoluc, Peter Dempsey and Jonny Edgar• 16: Manufacturer Championships for Chevrolet and Corvette Racing since 2001• 26: The points advantage that TF Sport’s No. 33 Corvette needs after the Barcelona round to win the FIA WEC LMGT3 championship• 35: Tracks at which Corvette Racing has won races – Baltimore, Charlotte Motor Speedway, COTA, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park/Mosport, Chang International Circuit (Thailand), Daytona, Detroit, Fuji, Houston, Imola, Indianapolis, Laguna Seca, Le Mans, Lime Rock, Long Beach, Lusail International Circuit (Qatar), Miami, Mid-Ohio, Monza, Portimão, Portland, Road America, Road Atlanta, Sāo Paulo (Brazil), Sebring, Sepang International Circuit (Malaysia), Sonoma, Spa-Francorchamps, St. Petersburg, Texas, Trois Rivieres, Utah, VIR, Washington DC and Watkins Glen• 44: Number of drivers to win races in Corvette Racing entries since 1999. The latest to join the list were TF Sport’s Peter Dempsey and Salih Yoluc at Sāo Paulo in WEC• 73: Years since Corvette was introduced to the world on Jan. 17, 1953 in New York City. A total of 300 cars were produced that year• 88: Number of drivers in Corvette Racing entries since 1999. K-Tunes’ Kazunori Suenaga and Sena Sakaguchi joined the list in the No. 96 Corvette at Suzuka in Japan Cup competition• 159: Victories worldwide for Corvette Racing – 119 in IMSA, 10 at Le Mans, six in the FIA WEC, 13 in GT World Challenge America, three in GT World Challenge Asia, GT America and the European Le Mans Series, and one in IGTC/GT World Challenge Europe• 398: Event starts by Corvette Racing since 1999• 521,597.52: Total number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing since its inception. The program went over the half-million mark at this year’s 24 Hours of Spa

PUTNAMVILLE, IN (October 13, 2026) – Throwing the top Sprint Car drivers in the world on bullrings never fails to thrill, and The Greatest Show on Dirt has a pair of the best quarter miles on deck.

First up is Indiana’s Lincoln Park Speedway on Friday, Oct. 16, for the Cushion Capital Clash. As the event name suggests, the “Hoosier State” track is known for a gnarly curb that the drivers must be willing to plant their right rear tires on to win. It’s made heroes and claimed victims and always entertains fans.

Then it’s over to the “Land of Lincoln” for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series’ debut at Belle-Clair Fairgrounds Park Speedway on Saturday, Oct. 17. The 1/4 mile is set to become the 12th Illinois track visited by the tour. Racing was brought back to the Belle-Clair Fairgrounds earlier this year when the oval opened and has already delivered excellent action. Expect Saturday to be no different.

BUY LINCOLN PARK TICKETS HERE
BUY BELLE-CLAIR TICKETS HERE

WATCH LIVE ON DIRTVision

Let’s look at the weekend’s top storylines:

HOME OF THE HOOSIERS

A pair of World of Outlaws competitors are ready for a home game Friday as the tour returns to the “Hoosier State.”

Franklin, IN’s Emerson Axsom is more than familiar with Lincoln Park Speedway. His days of driving without wings brought him to Putnamville, IN often. He topped a USAC Regional Midget race in 2020 and a local Non-Wing event in 2022. Two years later, Axsom claimed a USAC National Midget visit before winning with wings when the Interstate Racing Association (IRA) came to town and brought a huge field of 55 cars. The latter came with his current Klaasmeyer/Petry Motorsports team. The one other Indiana stop in 2026 resulted in a podium for Axsom in April at Tri-State Speedway. The 22-year-old has been on a roll since the Knoxville Nationals with 16 top 10s in 20 races.

Lebanon, IN’s Spencer Bayston doesn’t have quite as many Lincoln Park laps as Axsom, but he’s been fast whenever he visits the 5/16 mile. He’s made four trips with the USAC National Midgets and never finished worse than ninth. The highlight of those was a 2017 runner-up during his title campaign with the tour. The 26-year-old also made one Non-Wing Sprint Car appearance at Lincoln Park in 2015.

Axsom and Bayston head to home turf locked in a points battle. The rookie campaign for Axsom has been solid as he sits ninth in points, 18 markers ahead of Bayston and the Stenhouse Jr./Marshall team.

BIG DADDY’S DOMAIN

Another driver with this weekend circled is Chris Windom.

His Non-Wing tenure led him to Lincoln Park often. Windom’s résumé features far more laps at the bullring than most of his fellow World of Outlaws drivers. He was a winner there in 2017 and also bagged a 2020 USAC National Midget trophy.

Then on Saturday the scene shifts to a rare chance for Windom to race in his home state. The Canton, IL native had one other opportunity earlier this year when he finished 15th at Jacksonville Speedway. Saturday will be Windom’s first trip to the new Belle-Clair Speedway, but he did get laps at the former 1/5 mile with the USAC Midgets in 2014.

Windom’s sophomore season with Sides Motorsports has been solid to this point with his first career win at I-55 in August and more top fives (six) and top 10s (23) than his rookie campaign with seven races still to go.

ROLLIN’ FROM OHIO

All the momentum entering the two races ahead belongs to Sheldon Haudenschild thanks to a special visit home.

After a seventh opened his weekend at Millstream, Haudenschild went to win the final two rounds of the NOS Energy Drink Buckeye Brawl at Mansfield Speedway and Sharon Speedway. The latter required a charge from 10th, which equaled the farthest back a winner has come from this season. The pair of scores moved the Wooster, OH native’s 2026 victory tally up to 11. That’s already a career best, and he’s got seven more race nights to add to it.

The next two opportunities to do so are ahead this weekend. Haudenschild made his debut at Lincoln Park a year ago, finishing 18th after a crash in Qualifying got the night started on the wrong foot. He’ll get his first look at Belle-Clair on Saturday.

In addition to racking up checkered flags, Haudenschild’s consistency has him sitting third in the standings. That will mark a personal high result if he can stay there in his first year with KCP Racing.

CAPITAL OF CUSHION CONQUERERS

The last two trips to Lincoln Park have belonged to the two Series champions on tour, Donny Schatz and David Gravel.

Schatz’s score came in 2016 when the World of Outlaws returned after 28-year absence. The Fargo, ND native came out on top of a fierce battle with Gravel and Kyle Larson on his path to the eighth of his now 10 Series titles. Schatz finished eighth at Lincoln Park last year. He’s currently riding the momentum of four top fives in the last seven races with CJB Motorsports, including a trio of podiums.

Gravel went to Victory Lane a year ago when the tour came back for the first time since Schatz’s glory. He bested Buddy Kofoid after a late race duel led to final lap contact coming to the checkered flag. Gravel and Big Game Motorsports appear poised for a third consecutive championship with a 148-point advantage over Kofoid. They’ve reeled off five straight finishes of fourth or better over the last two weeks.

TIME IS TICKING

The calendar is running low on races for the 2026 campaign to reach a record of parity. This season has already produced 23 different World of Outlaws winners. The most in one year is 25 in 2004.

Two names immediately stand out that could help push the season’s tally to a record-tying amount. Bill Balog is the first as he’s been beating on the door of a victory in recent weeks. He started on the pole at Stockton Dirt Track before finishing fifth, bagged a Ventura podium, and was hit with heartbreak while leading the National Open at Williams Grove when a mechanical issue slowed the No. 17B. The “North Pole Nightmare” topped a trio of races last season and could pick one off before 2026 concludes. He’s led 77 Feature laps this season, which is the seventh most.

The next is Cole Macedo as he continues to chase his first World of Outlaws win. He’s watched six drivers do so this year and is hungry to add his name to the list. The closest he’s come in 2026 is a pair of podiums in the TwoC Racing No. 2C.

Another candidate that may fly a bit under the radar is Rising Sun, MD native Steven Snyder Jr. He’s impressed after taking over driving duties of the Three Stooges Racing No. 51 to the tune of an El Paso County Raceway runner-up and leading laps in a pair of races (Huset’s Speedway and Ventura Raceway) last month.

THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE

WHEN AND WHERE 
Friday, Oct. 16 at Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville, IN
Saturday, Oct. 17 at Belle-Clair Fairgrounds Park Speedway in Belleville, IL

AROUND THE TURN
Friday-Saturday, Oct. 23-24 at Texarkana 67 Speedway in Texarkana, AR (TICKETS)

CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (72/80 Races):
1. David Gravel – Big Game Motorsports No. 2 (9316 PTS)
2. Michael Kofoid – Roth Motorsports No. 83 (-148 PTS)
3. Sheldon Haudenschild – KCP Racing No. 18 (-230 PTS)
4. Carson Macedo – Jason Johnson Racing No. 41 (-316 PTS)
5. Logan Schuchart – Shark Racing No. 1S (-482 PTS)
6. Garet Williamson – Fischer Motorsports No. 23 (-666 PTS)
7. Donny Schatz – CJB Motorsports No. 15 (-712 PTS)
8. Cole Macedo – TwoC Racing No. 2C (-1040 PTS)
9. Emerson Axsom – Klaasmeyer/Petry Motorsports No. 27 (-1118 PTS)
10. Spencer Bayston – Stenhouse Jr./Marshall Racing No. 17 (-1136 PTS)

NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (23 Drivers):
15 Wins – Michael Kofoid
11 Wins – David Gravel, Sheldon Haudenschild
6 Wins – Carson Macedo
3 Wins – Anthony Macri, Logan Schuchart, 
2 Wins – Donny Schatz, Corey Day, Chase Dietz
1 Win – Spencer Bayston, Tyler Courtney, Brad Sweet, Kasey Kahne, Rico Abreu, Aaron Reutzel, Brent Marks, Bryce Lucius, Chris Windom, Kyle Larson, Garet Williamson, Emerson Axsom, James McFadden, Justin Sanders

FEATURE LAPS LED (35 Drivers):
453 Laps Led – Michael Kofoid
366 Laps Led – David Gravel
177 Laps Led – Logan Schuchart
151 Laps Led – Carson Macedo
147 Laps Led – Sheldon Haudenschild
124 Laps Led – Garet Williamson
77 Laps Led – Bill Balog
69 Laps Led – Corey Day
66 Laps Led – Emerson Axsom
64 Laps Led – Donny Schatz
62 Laps Led – Chase Dietz
59 Laps Led – Kyle Larson
56 Laps Led – Anthony Macri
40 Laps Led – Aaron Reutzel, Chris Windom
37 Laps Led – Tyler Courtney
33 Laps Led – Brady Bacon, Rico Abreu
28 Laps Led – Ryan Timms, Justin Sanders
26 Laps Led – Steven Snyder Jr.
25 Laps Led – Brad Sweet, Kasey Kahne
21 Laps Led – Kasey Jedrzejek
17 Laps Led – Spencer Bayston, Nate Dussel
16 Laps Led – Bryce Lucius
15 Laps Led – Christopher Thram
12 Laps Led – Cole Macedo
11 Laps Led – Giovanni Scelzi
8 Laps Led – Justin Whittall
7 Laps Led – Brian Brown
6 Laps Led – Brock Zearfoss, James McFadden
3 Laps Led – Brent MarksPODIUM FINISHES (38 Drivers):
32 Podiums – Michael Kofoid
31 Podiums – David Gravel
27 Podiums – Sheldon Haudenschild
20 Podiums – Carson Macedo
11 Podiums – Logan Schuchart, Garet Williamson
8 Podiums – Donny Schatz
5 Podiums – Anthony Macri
4 Podiums – Ryan Timms, Rico Abreu, Bill Balog, Emerson Axsom, Corey Day
3 Podiums – Spencer Bayston, Aaron Reutzel, Chris Windom, Chase Dietz
2 Podiums – Brady Bacon, Cole Macedo, Tyler Courtney, Giovanni Scelzi, Kasey Kahne, James McFadden, Justin Peck
1 Podium – Ashton Torgerson, Scott Bogucki, Brad Sweet, Justin Whittall, Troy Wagaman Jr., Kasey Jedrzejek, Brent Marks, Bryce Lucius, Daryn Pittman, Logan Rumsey, Kelby Watt, Kyle Larson, Steven Snyder Jr., Justin Sanders

SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (24 Drivers):
23 Quick Times – David Gravel
7 Quick Times – Michael Kofoid
6 Quick Times – Sheldon Haudenschild
5 Quick Times – Bill Balog
3 Quick Times – Logan Schuchart, Brady Bacon
2 Quick Times – Kasey Jedrzejek, Corey Day, Chase Dietz, Carson Macedo
1 Quick Time – Ashton Torgerson, Will Armitage, J.J. Hickle, Brian Brown, Danny Dietrich, Rico Abreu, Aaron Reutzel, Justin Henderson, Daryn Pittman, Logan Rumsey, Kasey Kahne, Tanner Thorson, Emerson Axsom, Cole Macedo

HEAT RACE WINNERS (64 Drivers):
37 Heat Wins – David Gravel
26 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild
20 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo, Bill Balog
17 Heat Wins – Michael Kofoid
14 Heat Wins – Logan Schuchart
13 Heat Wins – Garet Williamson
12 Heat Wins – Emerson Axsom
7 Heat Wins – Spencer Bayston, Donny Schatz
6 Heat Wins – Cole Macedo
5 Heat Wins – Christopher Thram
4 Heat Wins – Rico Abreu, Brent Marks, Ryan Timms
3 Heat Wins – Ashton Torgerson, Kasey Jedrzejek, Aaron Reutzel, Giovanni Scelzi, Anthony Macri, Kerry Madsen, Chris Windom, Steven Snyder Jr., Corey Day, Chase Dietz, Daryn Pittman
2 Heat Wins – Kasey Kahne, Austin McCarl, Jacob Hughes, Tyler Courtney, Justin Whittall, Kelby Watt, Brock Zearfoss, Rees Moran, Bryce Lucius, James McFadden, Max Mittry, Justin Sanders
1 Heat Win – Justin Peck, Tanner Holmes, Scotty Thiel, Will Armitage, Brian Brown, Danny Dietrich, Chad Trout, Joel Myers Jr., Andy Pake, Sam Henderson, Dayne Kingshott, Daison Pursley, Terry McCarl, Kyle Larson, Brady Bacon, Brent Shearer, Logan Rumsey, Danny Sams III, Riley Goodno, Chris Martin, Ayrton Gennetten, Carson McCarl, Kaleb Johnson, Skylar Gee, Cameron Smith, Lance Dewease

TOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (78 Drivers):
50 Dashes – David Gravel
44 Dashes – Sheldon Haudenschild
39 Dashes – Michael Kofoid
31 Dashes – Carson Macedo
27 Dashes – Bill Balog
26 Dashes – Garet Williamson
20 Dashes – Logan Schuchart
19 Dashes – Emerson Axsom
15 Dashes – Donny Schatz
13 Dashes – Cole Macedo
12 Dashes – Spencer Bayston
9 Dashes – Chris Windom
8 Dashes – Ryan Timms
7 Dashes – Ashton Torgerson, Kasey Jedrzejek, Chase Dietz
6 Dashes – Aaron Reutzel
5 Dashes – Rico Abreu, Brent Marks, Anthony Macri
4 Dashes – Brian Brown, Brady Bacon, Logan Rumsey, Kelby Watt, Christopher Thram, Skylar Gee, Steven Snyder Jr., Corey Day, Daryn Pittman
3 Dashes – Kerry Madsen, Tanner Holmes, Justin Henderson, Bryce Lucius, Justin Whittall, Justin Peck
2 Dashes – Scotty Thiel, Kasey Kahne, Troy Wagaman Jr., Will Armitage, J.J. Hickle, Austin McCarl, Joe B. Miller, Brenham Crouch, Conner Morrell, Tyler Courtney, Kyle Larson, Cory Eliason, Gage Pulkrabek, Max Mittry, James McFadden, Justin Sanders, Lance Dewease, Cameron Smith
1 Dash – Parker Price-Miller, Brock Zearfoss, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Rees Moran, Bryce Norris, Brad Sweet, Danny Dietrich, Logan Rumsey, Kody Hartlaub, Freddie Rahmer, Chad Trout, Giovanni Scelzi, Joel Myers Jr., Andy Pake, Tanner Thorson, D.J. Christie, Ricky Peterson, Brent Shearer, Dylan Norris, Sam Henderson, Sean Rayhall, Jett Yantis, Kaleb Montgomery, Dominic Gorden, Greg Wilson, Nate Dussel

MICRO-LITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (39 Drivers):
5 LCS Wins – Donny Schatz
4 LCS Wins – Garet Williamson, Cole Macedo, Emerson Axsom, Chris Windom
3 LCS Wins – Spencer Bayston, Logan Schuchart
2 LCS Wins – Michael Kofoid, Giovanni Scelzi, Skylar Gee, Tyler Courtney
1 LCS Wins – Cameron Martin, Bill Balog, Blake Hahn, Landon Crawley, Bryce Norris, Doug Hammaker, Daryn Pittman, Kerry Madsen, Justin Henderson, Joel Myers Jr., Daison Pursley, Zane DeVault, Logan Julien, Jordan Poirier, Matt Farnham, Jordan Thomas, Dylan Norris, Justin Whittall, Brent Shearer, Danny Dietrich, Rico Abreu, Lynton Jeffrey, Kelby Watt, Jacob Peterson, Sam Henderson, Bryce Lucius, Tim Kaeding, Brady Bacon, Nate Dussel

KSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (27 Drivers):
9 Hard Chargers – Carson Macedo, Logan Schuchart
8 Hard Chargers – Michael Kofoid
7 Hard Chargers – Donny Schatz
4 Hard Chargers – Spencer Bayston, Ashton Torgerson
3 Hard Chargers – Chris Windom, Cole Macedo, Sheldon Haudenschild
2 Hard Chargers – Garet Williamson, Ryan Timms, Shane Golobic, Danny Dietrich
1 Hard Charger – Giovanni Scelzi, Brady Bacon, Tyler Ross, Cameron Smith, David Gravel, Emerson Axsom, Logan Julien, Tyler Courtney, Kasey Jedrzejek, James McFadden, Corey Day, J.J. Hickle, Tanner Holmes, Ricky Peterson

ACME FASTEST LAP AWARDS (31 Drivers):
12 Fastest Laps – Michael Kofoid
7 Fastest Laps – David Gravel
6 Fastest Laps – Logan Schuchart
5 Fastest Laps – Sheldon Haudenschild, Bill Balog
4 Fastest Laps – Carson Macedo
2 Fastest Laps – Brady Bacon, Aaron Reutzel, Kasey Jedrzejek, Garet Williamson, Anthony Macri, Kyle Larson, Steven Snyder Jr., Donny Schatz
1 Fastest Lap – Brock Zearfoss, Cole Macedo, Ryan Timms, Brad Sweet, Kelby Watt, Kasey Kahne, Giovanni Scelzi, Rico Abreu, Christopher Thram, Bryce Lucius, Corey Day, Chase Dietz, Jace Park, Emerson Axsom, Justin Sanders, Justin Whittall, Nate Dussel

RACE READY CLOTHING HOTTEST LAP OF THE NIGHT AWARDS (24 Drivers):
20 Hottest Laps – David Gravel
9 Hottest Laps – Sheldon Haudenschild
8 Hottest Laps – Michael Kofoid
5 Hottest Laps – Carson Macedo, Garet Williamson
3 Hottest Laps – Logan Schuchart
2 Hottest Laps – Ashton Torgerson, Daryn Pittman, Bill Balog, Emerson Axsom
1 Hottest Lap – Austin McCarl, Brent Marks, Cole Macedo, Tyler Courtney, Ryan Timms, Giovanni Scelzi, Bryce Lucius, Nate Dussel, Logan Rumsey, Chris Windom, Spencer Bayston, Steven Snyder Jr., Camerson Smith, Skylar Gee

2026 WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE & WINNERS:
Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner
Wed, Feb 4 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Spencer Bayston (1)
Fri, Feb 6 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Michael Kofoid (1)
Sat, Feb 7 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Anthony Macri (1)
Sun, March 1 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Sheldon Haudenschild (1)
Mon, March 2 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Anthony Macri (2)
Fri, March 6 / Talladega Short Track / Eastaboga, AL / Donny Schatz (1)
Fri, March 13 / Kennedale Speedway Park / Kennedale, TX / David Gravel (1)
Fri, March 20 / Lawton Speedway / Lawton, OK / David Gravel (2)
Sat, March 21 / Creek County Speedway / Sapulpa, OK / David Gravel (3)
Fri, March 27 / US 36 Raceway / Osborn, MO / Carson Macedo (1)
Sat, March 28 / 81 Speedway / Park City, KS / Michael Kofoid (2)
Fri, April 10 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Michael Kofoid (3)
Sat, April 11 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Michael Kofoid (4)
Sun, April 19 / Tri-State Speedway / Haubstadt, IN / Tyler Courtney (1)
Fri, April 24 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Brad Sweet (1)
Sat, April 25 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / David Gravel (4)
Tues, May 5 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Michael Kofoid (5)
Fri, May 8 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Kasey Kahne (1)
Sat, May 9 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / David Gravel (5)
Fri, May 15 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Rico Abreu (1)
Sat, May 16 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Logan Schuchart (1)
Tues, May 19 / Jacksonville Speedway / Jacksonville, IL / Carson Macedo (2)
Sat, May 23 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Aaron Reutzel (1)
Mon, May 25 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Michael Kofoid (6)
Fri, May 29 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Carson Macedo (3)
Sat, June 6 / Plymouth Dirt Track / Plymouth, WI / Sheldon Haudenschild (2)
Sun, June 7 / Angell Park Speedway / Sun Prairie, WI / Carson Macedo (4)
Fri, June 12 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Brent Marks (1)
Wed, June 17 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Michael Kofoid (7)
Thurs, June 18 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Michael Kofoid (8)
Fri, June 19 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Sheldon Haudenschild (3)
Sat, June 20 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / David Gravel (6)
Fri, June 26 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / David Gravel (7)
Sat, June 27 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / Sheldon Haudenschild (4)
Thurs, July 9 / Hartford Speedway / Hartford, MI / Sheldon Haudenschild (5)
Fri, July 10 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI / Michael Kofoid (9)
Sat, July 11 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI / Sheldon Haudenschild (6)
Tues, July 14 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / Bryce Lucius (1)
Fri, July 17 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Corey Day (1)
Sat, July 18 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Anthony Macri (3)
Wed, July 22 / Ohsweken Speedway / Ohsweken, ON, Canada / David Gravel (8)
Sat, July 25 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, NY / Sheldon Haudenschild (7)
Sun, July 26 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, NY / David Gravel (9)
Wed, July 29 / BAPS Motor Speedway / York Haven, PA / Chase Dietz (1)
Fri, July 31 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Michael Kofoid (10)
Sat, Aug 1 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / David Gravel (10)
Fri, Aug 7 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Chris Windom (1)
Sat, Aug 8 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Logan Schuchart (2)
Wed, Aug 12 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA* / Sheldon Haudenschild
Thurs, Aug 13 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA* / Kyle Larson
Fri, Aug 14 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA* / Donny Schatz
Sat, Aug 15 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Kyle Larson (1)
Fri, Aug 21 / Ogilvie Raceway / Ogilvie, MN / Sheldon Haudenschild (8)
Sat, Aug 22 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Logan Schuchart (3)
Fri, Aug 28 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Garet Williamson (1)
Sat, Aug 29 / Fix It Forward Speedway / West Fargo, ND / Carson Macedo (5)
Mon, Aug 31 / Nodak Speedway / Minot, ND / Michael Kofoid (11)
Fri, Sept 4 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Sheldon Haudenschild (9)
Sat, Sept 5 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Michael Kofoid (12)
Sun, Sept 6 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Emerson Axsom (1)
Sat, Sept 12 / Dodge City Raceway Park / Dodge City, KS / Michael Kofoid (13)
Mon, Sept 14 / El Paso County Raceway / Calhan, CO / Michael Kofoid (14)
Fri, Sept 18 / Stockton Dirt Track / Stockton, CA / James McFadden (1)
Sat, Sept 19 / Stockton Dirt Track / Stockton, CA / Justin Sanders (1)
Tues, Sept 22 / Kings Speedway / Hanford, CA / Carson Macedo (6)
Fri, Sept 25 / Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway / Bakersfield, CA / Donny Schatz (2)
Sat, Sept 26 / Ventura Raceway / Ventura, CA / Corey Day (2)
Fri, Oct 2 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / David Gravel (11)
Sat, Oct 3 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Chase Dietz (2)
Thurs, Oct 8 / Millstream Speedway / Findlay, OH / Michael Kofoid (15)
Fri, Oct 9 / Mansfield Speedway / Mansfield, OH / Sheldon Haudenschild (10)
Sat, Oct 10 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH / Sheldon Haudenschild (11)
Fri, Oct 16 / Lincoln Park Speedway / Putnamville, IN
Sat, Oct 17 / Belle-Clair Fairgrounds Park Speedway / Belleville, IL
Fri, Oct 23 / Texarkana 67 Speedway / Texarkana, AR
Sat, Oct 24 / Texarkana 67 Speedway / Texarkana, AR
Wed, Nov 4 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Thurs, Nov 5 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Fri, Nov 6 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Sat, Nov 7 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC

*denotes unofficial split-field prelim race.

TOP FIVE STORYLINES: Former Non-Wing Stars Look to Shine with Lincoln Park, Belle-Clair Weekend Ahead

PUTNAMVILLE, IN (October 13, 2026) – Throwing the top Sprint Car drivers in the world on bullrings never fails to thrill, and The Greatest Show on Dirt has a pair of the best quarter miles on deck.

First up is Indiana’s Lincoln Park Speedway on Friday, Oct. 16, for the Cushion Capital Clash. As the event name suggests, the “Hoosier State” track is known for a gnarly curb that the drivers must be willing to plant their right rear tires on to win. It’s made heroes and claimed victims and always entertains fans.

Then it’s over to the “Land of Lincoln” for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series’ debut at Belle-Clair Fairgrounds Park Speedway on Saturday, Oct. 17. The 1/4 mile is set to become the 12th Illinois track visited by the tour. Racing was brought back to the Belle-Clair Fairgrounds earlier this year when the oval opened and has already delivered excellent action. Expect Saturday to be no different.

BUY LINCOLN PARK TICKETS HERE
BUY BELLE-CLAIR TICKETS HERE

WATCH LIVE ON DIRTVision

Let’s look at the weekend’s top storylines:

HOME OF THE HOOSIERS

A pair of World of Outlaws competitors are ready for a home game Friday as the tour returns to the “Hoosier State.”

Franklin, IN’s Emerson Axsom is more than familiar with Lincoln Park Speedway. His days of driving without wings brought him to Putnamville, IN often. He topped a USAC Regional Midget race in 2020 and a local Non-Wing event in 2022. Two years later, Axsom claimed a USAC National Midget visit before winning with wings when the Interstate Racing Association (IRA) came to town and brought a huge field of 55 cars. The latter came with his current Klaasmeyer/Petry Motorsports team. The one other Indiana stop in 2026 resulted in a podium for Axsom in April at Tri-State Speedway. The 22-year-old has been on a roll since the Knoxville Nationals with 16 top 10s in 20 races.

Lebanon, IN’s Spencer Bayston doesn’t have quite as many Lincoln Park laps as Axsom, but he’s been fast whenever he visits the 5/16 mile. He’s made four trips with the USAC National Midgets and never finished worse than ninth. The highlight of those was a 2017 runner-up during his title campaign with the tour. The 26-year-old also made one Non-Wing Sprint Car appearance at Lincoln Park in 2015.

Axsom and Bayston head to home turf locked in a points battle. The rookie campaign for Axsom has been solid as he sits ninth in points, 18 markers ahead of Bayston and the Stenhouse Jr./Marshall team.

BIG DADDY’S DOMAIN

Another driver with this weekend circled is Chris Windom.

His Non-Wing tenure led him to Lincoln Park often. Windom’s résumé features far more laps at the bullring than most of his fellow World of Outlaws drivers. He was a winner there in 2017 and also bagged a 2020 USAC National Midget trophy.

Then on Saturday the scene shifts to a rare chance for Windom to race in his home state. The Canton, IL native had one other opportunity earlier this year when he finished 15th at Jacksonville Speedway. Saturday will be Windom’s first trip to the new Belle-Clair Speedway, but he did get laps at the former 1/5 mile with the USAC Midgets in 2014.

Windom’s sophomore season with Sides Motorsports has been solid to this point with his first career win at I-55 in August and more top fives (six) and top 10s (23) than his rookie campaign with seven races still to go.

ROLLIN’ FROM OHIO

All the momentum entering the two races ahead belongs to Sheldon Haudenschild thanks to a special visit home.

After a seventh opened his weekend at Millstream, Haudenschild went to win the final two rounds of the NOS Energy Drink Buckeye Brawl at Mansfield Speedway and Sharon Speedway. The latter required a charge from 10th, which equaled the farthest back a winner has come from this season. The pair of scores moved the Wooster, OH native’s 2026 victory tally up to 11. That’s already a career best, and he’s got seven more race nights to add to it.

The next two opportunities to do so are ahead this weekend. Haudenschild made his debut at Lincoln Park a year ago, finishing 18th after a crash in Qualifying got the night started on the wrong foot. He’ll get his first look at Belle-Clair on Saturday.

In addition to racking up checkered flags, Haudenschild’s consistency has him sitting third in the standings. That will mark a personal high result if he can stay there in his first year with KCP Racing.

CAPITAL OF CUSHION CONQUERERS

The last two trips to Lincoln Park have belonged to the two Series champions on tour, Donny Schatz and David Gravel.

Schatz’s score came in 2016 when the World of Outlaws returned after 28-year absence. The Fargo, ND native came out on top of a fierce battle with Gravel and Kyle Larson on his path to the eighth of his now 10 Series titles. Schatz finished eighth at Lincoln Park last year. He’s currently riding the momentum of four top fives in the last seven races with CJB Motorsports, including a trio of podiums.

Gravel went to Victory Lane a year ago when the tour came back for the first time since Schatz’s glory. He bested Buddy Kofoid after a late race duel led to final lap contact coming to the checkered flag. Gravel and Big Game Motorsports appear poised for a third consecutive championship with a 148-point advantage over Kofoid. They’ve reeled off five straight finishes of fourth or better over the last two weeks.

TIME IS TICKING

The calendar is running low on races for the 2026 campaign to reach a record of parity. This season has already produced 23 different World of Outlaws winners. The most in one year is 25 in 2004.

Two names immediately stand out that could help push the season’s tally to a record-tying amount. Bill Balog is the first as he’s been beating on the door of a victory in recent weeks. He started on the pole at Stockton Dirt Track before finishing fifth, bagged a Ventura podium, and was hit with heartbreak while leading the National Open at Williams Grove when a mechanical issue slowed the No. 17B. The “North Pole Nightmare” topped a trio of races last season and could pick one off before 2026 concludes. He’s led 77 Feature laps this season, which is the seventh most.

The next is Cole Macedo as he continues to chase his first World of Outlaws win. He’s watched six drivers do so this year and is hungry to add his name to the list. The closest he’s come in 2026 is a pair of podiums in the TwoC Racing No. 2C.

Another candidate that may fly a bit under the radar is Rising Sun, MD native Steven Snyder Jr. He’s impressed after taking over driving duties of the Three Stooges Racing No. 51 to the tune of an El Paso County Raceway runner-up and leading laps in a pair of races (Huset’s Speedway and Ventura Raceway) last month.

THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE

WHEN AND WHERE 
Friday, Oct. 16 at Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville, IN
Saturday, Oct. 17 at Belle-Clair Fairgrounds Park Speedway in Belleville, IL

AROUND THE TURN
Friday-Saturday, Oct. 23-24 at Texarkana 67 Speedway in Texarkana, AR (TICKETS)

CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (72/80 Races):
1. David Gravel – Big Game Motorsports No. 2 (9316 PTS)
2. Michael Kofoid – Roth Motorsports No. 83 (-148 PTS)
3. Sheldon Haudenschild – KCP Racing No. 18 (-230 PTS)
4. Carson Macedo – Jason Johnson Racing No. 41 (-316 PTS)
5. Logan Schuchart – Shark Racing No. 1S (-482 PTS)
6. Garet Williamson – Fischer Motorsports No. 23 (-666 PTS)
7. Donny Schatz – CJB Motorsports No. 15 (-712 PTS)
8. Cole Macedo – TwoC Racing No. 2C (-1040 PTS)
9. Emerson Axsom – Klaasmeyer/Petry Motorsports No. 27 (-1118 PTS)
10. Spencer Bayston – Stenhouse Jr./Marshall Racing No. 17 (-1136 PTS)

NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (23 Drivers):
15 Wins – Michael Kofoid
11 Wins – David Gravel, Sheldon Haudenschild
6 Wins – Carson Macedo
3 Wins – Anthony Macri, Logan Schuchart, 
2 Wins – Donny Schatz, Corey Day, Chase Dietz
1 Win – Spencer Bayston, Tyler Courtney, Brad Sweet, Kasey Kahne, Rico Abreu, Aaron Reutzel, Brent Marks, Bryce Lucius, Chris Windom, Kyle Larson, Garet Williamson, Emerson Axsom, James McFadden, Justin Sanders

FEATURE LAPS LED (35 Drivers):
453 Laps Led – Michael Kofoid
366 Laps Led – David Gravel
177 Laps Led – Logan Schuchart
151 Laps Led – Carson Macedo
147 Laps Led – Sheldon Haudenschild
124 Laps Led – Garet Williamson
77 Laps Led – Bill Balog
69 Laps Led – Corey Day
66 Laps Led – Emerson Axsom
64 Laps Led – Donny Schatz
62 Laps Led – Chase Dietz
59 Laps Led – Kyle Larson
56 Laps Led – Anthony Macri
40 Laps Led – Aaron Reutzel, Chris Windom
37 Laps Led – Tyler Courtney
33 Laps Led – Brady Bacon, Rico Abreu
28 Laps Led – Ryan Timms, Justin Sanders
26 Laps Led – Steven Snyder Jr.
25 Laps Led – Brad Sweet, Kasey Kahne
21 Laps Led – Kasey Jedrzejek
17 Laps Led – Spencer Bayston, Nate Dussel
16 Laps Led – Bryce Lucius
15 Laps Led – Christopher Thram
12 Laps Led – Cole Macedo
11 Laps Led – Giovanni Scelzi
8 Laps Led – Justin Whittall
7 Laps Led – Brian Brown
6 Laps Led – Brock Zearfoss, James McFadden
3 Laps Led – Brent MarksPODIUM FINISHES (38 Drivers):
32 Podiums – Michael Kofoid
31 Podiums – David Gravel
27 Podiums – Sheldon Haudenschild
20 Podiums – Carson Macedo
11 Podiums – Logan Schuchart, Garet Williamson
8 Podiums – Donny Schatz
5 Podiums – Anthony Macri
4 Podiums – Ryan Timms, Rico Abreu, Bill Balog, Emerson Axsom, Corey Day
3 Podiums – Spencer Bayston, Aaron Reutzel, Chris Windom, Chase Dietz
2 Podiums – Brady Bacon, Cole Macedo, Tyler Courtney, Giovanni Scelzi, Kasey Kahne, James McFadden, Justin Peck
1 Podium – Ashton Torgerson, Scott Bogucki, Brad Sweet, Justin Whittall, Troy Wagaman Jr., Kasey Jedrzejek, Brent Marks, Bryce Lucius, Daryn Pittman, Logan Rumsey, Kelby Watt, Kyle Larson, Steven Snyder Jr., Justin Sanders

SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (24 Drivers):
23 Quick Times – David Gravel
7 Quick Times – Michael Kofoid
6 Quick Times – Sheldon Haudenschild
5 Quick Times – Bill Balog
3 Quick Times – Logan Schuchart, Brady Bacon
2 Quick Times – Kasey Jedrzejek, Corey Day, Chase Dietz, Carson Macedo
1 Quick Time – Ashton Torgerson, Will Armitage, J.J. Hickle, Brian Brown, Danny Dietrich, Rico Abreu, Aaron Reutzel, Justin Henderson, Daryn Pittman, Logan Rumsey, Kasey Kahne, Tanner Thorson, Emerson Axsom, Cole Macedo

HEAT RACE WINNERS (64 Drivers):
37 Heat Wins – David Gravel
26 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild
20 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo, Bill Balog
17 Heat Wins – Michael Kofoid
14 Heat Wins – Logan Schuchart
13 Heat Wins – Garet Williamson
12 Heat Wins – Emerson Axsom
7 Heat Wins – Spencer Bayston, Donny Schatz
6 Heat Wins – Cole Macedo
5 Heat Wins – Christopher Thram
4 Heat Wins – Rico Abreu, Brent Marks, Ryan Timms
3 Heat Wins – Ashton Torgerson, Kasey Jedrzejek, Aaron Reutzel, Giovanni Scelzi, Anthony Macri, Kerry Madsen, Chris Windom, Steven Snyder Jr., Corey Day, Chase Dietz, Daryn Pittman
2 Heat Wins – Kasey Kahne, Austin McCarl, Jacob Hughes, Tyler Courtney, Justin Whittall, Kelby Watt, Brock Zearfoss, Rees Moran, Bryce Lucius, James McFadden, Max Mittry, Justin Sanders
1 Heat Win – Justin Peck, Tanner Holmes, Scotty Thiel, Will Armitage, Brian Brown, Danny Dietrich, Chad Trout, Joel Myers Jr., Andy Pake, Sam Henderson, Dayne Kingshott, Daison Pursley, Terry McCarl, Kyle Larson, Brady Bacon, Brent Shearer, Logan Rumsey, Danny Sams III, Riley Goodno, Chris Martin, Ayrton Gennetten, Carson McCarl, Kaleb Johnson, Skylar Gee, Cameron Smith, Lance Dewease

TOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (78 Drivers):
50 Dashes – David Gravel
44 Dashes – Sheldon Haudenschild
39 Dashes – Michael Kofoid
31 Dashes – Carson Macedo
27 Dashes – Bill Balog
26 Dashes – Garet Williamson
20 Dashes – Logan Schuchart
19 Dashes – Emerson Axsom
15 Dashes – Donny Schatz
13 Dashes – Cole Macedo
12 Dashes – Spencer Bayston
9 Dashes – Chris Windom
8 Dashes – Ryan Timms
7 Dashes – Ashton Torgerson, Kasey Jedrzejek, Chase Dietz
6 Dashes – Aaron Reutzel
5 Dashes – Rico Abreu, Brent Marks, Anthony Macri
4 Dashes – Brian Brown, Brady Bacon, Logan Rumsey, Kelby Watt, Christopher Thram, Skylar Gee, Steven Snyder Jr., Corey Day, Daryn Pittman
3 Dashes – Kerry Madsen, Tanner Holmes, Justin Henderson, Bryce Lucius, Justin Whittall, Justin Peck
2 Dashes – Scotty Thiel, Kasey Kahne, Troy Wagaman Jr., Will Armitage, J.J. Hickle, Austin McCarl, Joe B. Miller, Brenham Crouch, Conner Morrell, Tyler Courtney, Kyle Larson, Cory Eliason, Gage Pulkrabek, Max Mittry, James McFadden, Justin Sanders, Lance Dewease, Cameron Smith
1 Dash – Parker Price-Miller, Brock Zearfoss, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Rees Moran, Bryce Norris, Brad Sweet, Danny Dietrich, Logan Rumsey, Kody Hartlaub, Freddie Rahmer, Chad Trout, Giovanni Scelzi, Joel Myers Jr., Andy Pake, Tanner Thorson, D.J. Christie, Ricky Peterson, Brent Shearer, Dylan Norris, Sam Henderson, Sean Rayhall, Jett Yantis, Kaleb Montgomery, Dominic Gorden, Greg Wilson, Nate Dussel

MICRO-LITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (39 Drivers):
5 LCS Wins – Donny Schatz
4 LCS Wins – Garet Williamson, Cole Macedo, Emerson Axsom, Chris Windom
3 LCS Wins – Spencer Bayston, Logan Schuchart
2 LCS Wins – Michael Kofoid, Giovanni Scelzi, Skylar Gee, Tyler Courtney
1 LCS Wins – Cameron Martin, Bill Balog, Blake Hahn, Landon Crawley, Bryce Norris, Doug Hammaker, Daryn Pittman, Kerry Madsen, Justin Henderson, Joel Myers Jr., Daison Pursley, Zane DeVault, Logan Julien, Jordan Poirier, Matt Farnham, Jordan Thomas, Dylan Norris, Justin Whittall, Brent Shearer, Danny Dietrich, Rico Abreu, Lynton Jeffrey, Kelby Watt, Jacob Peterson, Sam Henderson, Bryce Lucius, Tim Kaeding, Brady Bacon, Nate Dussel

KSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (27 Drivers):
9 Hard Chargers – Carson Macedo, Logan Schuchart
8 Hard Chargers – Michael Kofoid
7 Hard Chargers – Donny Schatz
4 Hard Chargers – Spencer Bayston, Ashton Torgerson
3 Hard Chargers – Chris Windom, Cole Macedo, Sheldon Haudenschild
2 Hard Chargers – Garet Williamson, Ryan Timms, Shane Golobic, Danny Dietrich
1 Hard Charger – Giovanni Scelzi, Brady Bacon, Tyler Ross, Cameron Smith, David Gravel, Emerson Axsom, Logan Julien, Tyler Courtney, Kasey Jedrzejek, James McFadden, Corey Day, J.J. Hickle, Tanner Holmes, Ricky Peterson

ACME FASTEST LAP AWARDS (31 Drivers):
12 Fastest Laps – Michael Kofoid
7 Fastest Laps – David Gravel
6 Fastest Laps – Logan Schuchart
5 Fastest Laps – Sheldon Haudenschild, Bill Balog
4 Fastest Laps – Carson Macedo
2 Fastest Laps – Brady Bacon, Aaron Reutzel, Kasey Jedrzejek, Garet Williamson, Anthony Macri, Kyle Larson, Steven Snyder Jr., Donny Schatz
1 Fastest Lap – Brock Zearfoss, Cole Macedo, Ryan Timms, Brad Sweet, Kelby Watt, Kasey Kahne, Giovanni Scelzi, Rico Abreu, Christopher Thram, Bryce Lucius, Corey Day, Chase Dietz, Jace Park, Emerson Axsom, Justin Sanders, Justin Whittall, Nate Dussel

RACE READY CLOTHING HOTTEST LAP OF THE NIGHT AWARDS (24 Drivers):
20 Hottest Laps – David Gravel
9 Hottest Laps – Sheldon Haudenschild
8 Hottest Laps – Michael Kofoid
5 Hottest Laps – Carson Macedo, Garet Williamson
3 Hottest Laps – Logan Schuchart
2 Hottest Laps – Ashton Torgerson, Daryn Pittman, Bill Balog, Emerson Axsom
1 Hottest Lap – Austin McCarl, Brent Marks, Cole Macedo, Tyler Courtney, Ryan Timms, Giovanni Scelzi, Bryce Lucius, Nate Dussel, Logan Rumsey, Chris Windom, Spencer Bayston, Steven Snyder Jr., Camerson Smith, Skylar Gee

2026 WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE & WINNERS:
Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner
Wed, Feb 4 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Spencer Bayston (1)
Fri, Feb 6 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Michael Kofoid (1)
Sat, Feb 7 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Anthony Macri (1)
Sun, March 1 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Sheldon Haudenschild (1)
Mon, March 2 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Anthony Macri (2)
Fri, March 6 / Talladega Short Track / Eastaboga, AL / Donny Schatz (1)
Fri, March 13 / Kennedale Speedway Park / Kennedale, TX / David Gravel (1)
Fri, March 20 / Lawton Speedway / Lawton, OK / David Gravel (2)
Sat, March 21 / Creek County Speedway / Sapulpa, OK / David Gravel (3)
Fri, March 27 / US 36 Raceway / Osborn, MO / Carson Macedo (1)
Sat, March 28 / 81 Speedway / Park City, KS / Michael Kofoid (2)
Fri, April 10 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Michael Kofoid (3)
Sat, April 11 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Michael Kofoid (4)
Sun, April 19 / Tri-State Speedway / Haubstadt, IN / Tyler Courtney (1)
Fri, April 24 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Brad Sweet (1)
Sat, April 25 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / David Gravel (4)
Tues, May 5 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Michael Kofoid (5)
Fri, May 8 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Kasey Kahne (1)
Sat, May 9 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / David Gravel (5)
Fri, May 15 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Rico Abreu (1)
Sat, May 16 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Logan Schuchart (1)
Tues, May 19 / Jacksonville Speedway / Jacksonville, IL / Carson Macedo (2)
Sat, May 23 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Aaron Reutzel (1)
Mon, May 25 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Michael Kofoid (6)
Fri, May 29 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Carson Macedo (3)
Sat, June 6 / Plymouth Dirt Track / Plymouth, WI / Sheldon Haudenschild (2)
Sun, June 7 / Angell Park Speedway / Sun Prairie, WI / Carson Macedo (4)
Fri, June 12 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Brent Marks (1)
Wed, June 17 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Michael Kofoid (7)
Thurs, June 18 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Michael Kofoid (8)
Fri, June 19 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Sheldon Haudenschild (3)
Sat, June 20 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / David Gravel (6)
Fri, June 26 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / David Gravel (7)
Sat, June 27 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / Sheldon Haudenschild (4)
Thurs, July 9 / Hartford Speedway / Hartford, MI / Sheldon Haudenschild (5)
Fri, July 10 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI / Michael Kofoid (9)
Sat, July 11 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI / Sheldon Haudenschild (6)
Tues, July 14 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / Bryce Lucius (1)
Fri, July 17 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Corey Day (1)
Sat, July 18 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Anthony Macri (3)
Wed, July 22 / Ohsweken Speedway / Ohsweken, ON, Canada / David Gravel (8)
Sat, July 25 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, NY / Sheldon Haudenschild (7)
Sun, July 26 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, NY / David Gravel (9)
Wed, July 29 / BAPS Motor Speedway / York Haven, PA / Chase Dietz (1)
Fri, July 31 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Michael Kofoid (10)
Sat, Aug 1 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / David Gravel (10)
Fri, Aug 7 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Chris Windom (1)
Sat, Aug 8 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Logan Schuchart (2)
Wed, Aug 12 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA* / Sheldon Haudenschild
Thurs, Aug 13 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA* / Kyle Larson
Fri, Aug 14 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA* / Donny Schatz
Sat, Aug 15 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Kyle Larson (1)
Fri, Aug 21 / Ogilvie Raceway / Ogilvie, MN / Sheldon Haudenschild (8)
Sat, Aug 22 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Logan Schuchart (3)
Fri, Aug 28 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Garet Williamson (1)
Sat, Aug 29 / Fix It Forward Speedway / West Fargo, ND / Carson Macedo (5)
Mon, Aug 31 / Nodak Speedway / Minot, ND / Michael Kofoid (11)
Fri, Sept 4 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Sheldon Haudenschild (9)
Sat, Sept 5 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Michael Kofoid (12)
Sun, Sept 6 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Emerson Axsom (1)
Sat, Sept 12 / Dodge City Raceway Park / Dodge City, KS / Michael Kofoid (13)
Mon, Sept 14 / El Paso County Raceway / Calhan, CO / Michael Kofoid (14)
Fri, Sept 18 / Stockton Dirt Track / Stockton, CA / James McFadden (1)
Sat, Sept 19 / Stockton Dirt Track / Stockton, CA / Justin Sanders (1)
Tues, Sept 22 / Kings Speedway / Hanford, CA / Carson Macedo (6)
Fri, Sept 25 / Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway / Bakersfield, CA / Donny Schatz (2)
Sat, Sept 26 / Ventura Raceway / Ventura, CA / Corey Day (2)
Fri, Oct 2 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / David Gravel (11)
Sat, Oct 3 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Chase Dietz (2)
Thurs, Oct 8 / Millstream Speedway / Findlay, OH / Michael Kofoid (15)
Fri, Oct 9 / Mansfield Speedway / Mansfield, OH / Sheldon Haudenschild (10)
Sat, Oct 10 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH / Sheldon Haudenschild (11)
Fri, Oct 16 / Lincoln Park Speedway / Putnamville, IN
Sat, Oct 17 / Belle-Clair Fairgrounds Park Speedway / Belleville, IL
Fri, Oct 23 / Texarkana 67 Speedway / Texarkana, AR
Sat, Oct 24 / Texarkana 67 Speedway / Texarkana, AR
Wed, Nov 4 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Thurs, Nov 5 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Fri, Nov 6 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Sat, Nov 7 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC

*denotes unofficial split-field prelim race.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/top-five-storylines-former-non-wing-stars-look-to-shine-with-lincoln-park-belle-clair-weekend-ahead/

DALLAS (October 13, 2026) — For veteran Funny Car team owner and driver Terry Haddock, competing at the Stampede of Speed and Texas NHRA Fall Nationals is more than just a race. Haddock lives in New Braunfels, Texas, his primary sponsor, Concho Supply, Inc., is a Texas-based company, and he has had success at the lead-up exhibition races, winning the Texas Invitational two years in a row (2023 and 2024). This weekend, Haddock will be campaigning a red, white and blue Concho Supply Funny Car celebrating and honoring America’s 250th anniversary at the historic Texas Motorplex during the fourth race of the NHRA Countdown. The Texas Fall Nationals will commence on Friday, October 16, and Haddock is looking to get off to a quick and fast start at his home track.

“I loved racing the Texas Invitational, and we have the championship belts proudly displayed in New Braunfels, Texas,” said Haddock. “Racing at the Stampede of Speed and Texas Fall Nationals is the highlight of our season as a Texas-based team. We have a ton of friends and family come to the race, and Concho Supply, Inc., has a major presence with our team.”

Haddock and Concho Supply, Inc., have had a long-standing relationship that has been integral to the growth and improvement of Haddock’s Funny Car race team in recent years. In addition to Concho Supply, Inc., Terry Haddock Racing will be representing Priority Systems Mechanical Services, Gearwrench, P&C Cable, Bowen Electric, Intergrated Metal Products, Rodak Coffee and Circle Racing Wheels. Many of these companies will attend the race, and for Circle Racing Wheels, Haddock’s own company, the Texas Fall Nationals is the perfect environment to grow his business.

“Concho Supply has been with us for almost a decade, and we are proud to represent them on our Funny Car and at events across the country,” said Haddock. “Our program has grown and continued to improve every year. We have made big strides this year, and I know our progress on and off the track is directly related to the support from all our sponsors.”

Terry Haddock has two victories at the Texas Invitational (2023 and 2024) and the veteran driver is looking to add a Texas Fall Nationals title to his collection this weekend at Texas Motorplex, photo credit Werner Communications

Funny Car’s Terry Haddock Looking to
Make an Impact in Countdown

DALLAS (October 13, 2026) — For veteran Funny Car team owner and driver Terry Haddock, competing at the Stampede of Speed and Texas NHRA Fall Nationals is more than just a race. Haddock lives in New Braunfels, Texas, his primary sponsor, Concho Supply, Inc., is a Texas-based company, and he has had success at the lead-up exhibition races, winning the Texas Invitational two years in a row (2023 and 2024). This weekend, Haddock will be campaigning a red, white and blue Concho Supply Funny Car celebrating and honoring America’s 250th anniversary at the historic Texas Motorplex during the fourth race of the NHRA Countdown. The Texas Fall Nationals will commence on Friday, October 16, and Haddock is looking to get off to a quick and fast start at his home track.

“I loved racing the Texas Invitational, and we have the championship belts proudly displayed in New Braunfels, Texas,” said Haddock. “Racing at the Stampede of Speed and Texas Fall Nationals is the highlight of our season as a Texas-based team. We have a ton of friends and family come to the race, and Concho Supply, Inc., has a major presence with our team.”

Haddock and Concho Supply, Inc., have had a long-standing relationship that has been integral to the growth and improvement of Haddock’s Funny Car race team in recent years. In addition to Concho Supply, Inc., Terry Haddock Racing will be representing Priority Systems Mechanical Services, Gearwrench, P&C Cable, Bowen Electric, Intergrated Metal Products, Rodak Coffee and Circle Racing Wheels. Many of these companies will attend the race, and for Circle Racing Wheels, Haddock’s own company, the Texas Fall Nationals is the perfect environment to grow his business.

“Concho Supply has been with us for almost a decade, and we are proud to represent them on our Funny Car and at events across the country,” said Haddock. “Our program has grown and continued to improve every year. We have made big strides this year, and I know our progress on and off the track is directly related to the support from all our sponsors.”

Terry Haddock has two victories at the Texas Invitational (2023 and 2024) and the veteran driver is looking to add a Texas Fall Nationals title to his collection this weekend at Texas Motorplex, photo credit Werner Communications

Concho Supply, Inc., specializes in providing a wide range of high-quality supplies and equipment for the oil and gas industry. Their product offerings include drilling tools, safety equipment, and maintenance supplies for oil and gas exploration and production. Concho Supply focuses on delivering reliable products and exceptional service with a serious focus on customer satisfaction.

“Since 2018, we’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Terry Haddock and his team both on and off the track,” said Keith Kincannon, President and CEO of Concho Supply, Inc. “What has always stood out is the team’s dedication, strong work ethic, and commitment to family. Those are values we hold close at Concho Supply, and they’re a big reason why this partnership has meant so much to us over the years. We’re proud to support Terry and grateful to be aligned with a team that represents integrity, perseverance, and respect in everything they do.”

This season, Haddock and the Concho Supply Funny Car have been a factor on the track, defeating Countdown-contending Funny Cars and posting strong elapsed times. During the first race of the Countdown, Haddock ran a career-best elapsed time and speed, lighting up the scoreboard with a 3.959-second, 317.35-mph pass in the first round of the Great Lakes Nationals. That win propelled Haddock past two-time Funny Car world champion Cruz Pedregon and advanced him to the second round, where he dropped a close race to championship contender J.R. Todd. Haddock will be looking to continue to be a factor in the Countdown championship run, as teams know they cannot overlook his improving independent Funny Car team.

“We are working very hard to be as competitive as possible in the toughest Funny Car class I can remember,” said Haddock. “We want to make quick, fast and clean runs every time we are on the track. Our team is focused on getting good qualifying positions and making great runs on Sunday. I am doing a lot on this team, from making crew chief decisions to driving to everything in between. We have an awesome crew, but we are still a small team racing against the big boys.”

Leading up to the Texas Fall Nationals, Haddock will be among the featured Mission Foods Drag Racing Series drivers participating in the Pre-Stage Fanfest presented by Red Line Synthetic Oil at Railyard Park on Thursday, October 15. This free event will have a driver autograph session from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and will also feature live music and vendor booths in Railyard Park in Waxahachie. During the race, Haddock will participate in a Q&A session in the premium-ticket Champions Club, as well as spend time with fans in the pits. The face-to-face interactions with fans throughout the event are a healthy diversion for the driver, crew chief and team owner.

“I love spending time with the fans, and sometimes you need a few minutes away from the race car to clear your head,” said Haddock. “I think about this Funny Car all the time, but the fans are so important. Without them, we cannot do this, and I appreciate every time I get to give someone an autograph or take a photo. The Stampede of Speed gives fans an amazing experience, and I am happy to be a part of this great race.”

Haddock and the Concho Supply Funny Car will have two qualifying runs on Friday, October 16, followed by two qualifying runs on Saturday, October 17. On Sunday, October 18, the quickest 16 Funny Cars will be competing for the 75th anniversary diamond Wally and a custom-fitted cowboy hat from American Hat Company. The race will be broadcast nationally on FS1, and fans can find all the information about the race at www.nhra.com and www.stampedeofspeed.com.

The takeover, the break’s over. 14 countries, 1 global drift community.Monster Energy hosts World Drift Day around the world – and we shredded 👿.

Baggsy and the SB Motorsport team headed to Lithuania for the Baltics edition of World Drift Day, the boys set up camp at the billiant KART 3 track in Šiauliai. The undulating track filled with technical bends gave drivers plenty of opportunities to tandem and create a drift train, the perfect way to celebrate such a moment.

This isn’t just any event; Monster Energy’s target to reignite the passion for drifting was something we all got behind. The day had the boys celebrating the grassroots spirit that built this sport from the garage up.

Baggsy gave a short speech to the WDD crowd, reminding themselves to ditch the screens, lose the traction and find their purpose out on the track. This is Monster Energy’s way of giving back to the drift community, no corporate gloss here – just pure, unadulterated fun.

From the smell of burnt rubber to the scream of engines, World Drift Day was an absolute hit. The boys live and breathe sideways and this was just the tonic after a busy few months on the road. The SB Motorsport PS13 roared to life, the supercharged V8 screamed through the KART 3 track.

Some people chill out at a spa, we’ll chill out on track. Mostly sideways. Huge kudos to Monster Energy for putting on a worldwide party, they’re the real MVP 👊🏼.

Baggsy, Shane Lynch and the SB Motorsport team brought the action to Greece, courtesy of Monster Energy.

Speed, awesome cars and epic action – just what the doctor ordered. Partnering McLaren Racing, Monster Energy arranged a stellar display of immersive and authentic experiences for the Allwyn x McLaren Racing: Live in Athens event. The event hosted the reigning Formula 1 World Constructors’ Champions with a live showrun outside of the Olympic Athletic Centre of Athens (OAKA), with a bespoke track made for all the action.

Baggsy, Shane Lynch and Sam Sheffield piloted the awe-inspiring SB Motorsport drift cars: The monstrous 1,000 HP+ GR Corolla – the latest build which recently made its dynamic debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the jaw-dropping Liberty Walk Nissan R35 GT-R and the angry supercharged V8 powered PS13. A shade under 3,000 HP just about covered the weekend.

Alongside Baggsy, Shane and Sam, Monster Energy brought Isle of Man TT specialists Davey Todd & John McGuinness, Spanish motorcycle racer Beatriz Neila, One Wheel Wavey and the Bike Life crew and local driver Christos Chantzaras for the show, guaranteeing controlled chaos to OAKA.

Baggsy and SB Motorsport are all about creating unforgettable memories, and for the 20,000 lucky fans to get tickets to the event, boy did they leave with the BEST memories.  2-time Formula 1 World Champion Mika Häkkinen and IndyCar racer & McLaren F1 reserve driver Pato O’Ward were also in the house, with Mika piloting the legendary McLaren MP4/6 of Ayrton Senna and Pato behind the wheel of the McLaren MCL60.

With Baggsy, Shane, Sam and Christos Chantzaras at the helm, the four cars put on one helluva show for the crowd!

A huge thank you to Monster Energy for bringing us out for this party, the boys loved hanging out with the Monster crew and of course, absolutely sending it sideways in Athens.

Catch us at the next event 🏁:Monster Energy World Drift Day – Lithuania 🇱🇹

A national championship, a $100,000 winner’s payday, and lucrative bonus awards await as the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series heads to West Virginia Motor Speedway for the 46th Annual ARP Dirt Track World Championship presented by Summit Racing Equipment.

Series competition is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, October 16–17, with racing beginning Thursday and entertainment kicking off Wednesday evening.

Brandon Sheppard enters the season’s final weekend with a narrow 45-point advantage over defending series champion Devin Moran. Moran tightened the championship battle with a charge from 15th to second in Saturday’s UNOH Clash on the Wabash finale at Eldora Speedway, while Sheppard finished sixth. Hudson O’Neal sits third in the standings, 140 points behind Sheppard.

Saturday’s finale will also settle the Big River Steel Bonus Program presented by ARP, with awards determined separately from the season-long national championship. Summit Racing Equipment will provide an additional $5,000 to the highest-finishing eligible driver in the Dirt Track World Championship. Eligibility includes the drivers who ranked first through 15th in the championship standings.

The five drivers who qualified for the first-through-fifth bonus division are competing for a $200,000 fund, paying $100,000, $40,000, $30,000, $20,000, and $10,000 in final bonus standings order. Moran leads that battle by just 20 points over Ricky Thornton Jr., with Sheppard, Brandon Overton, and O’Neal completing the group.

Another $50,000 is available in the division for drivers who ranked sixth through 15th at the eligibility cutoff. The top three in that division’s final bonus standings will receive $25,000, $15,000, and $10,000, respectively. Josh Rice enters the weekend leading Max Blair by 35 points, with Brian Shirley third, 80 points behind Rice.

The weekend marks the Dirt Track World Championship’s first visit to West Virginia Motor Speedway since 2010 and its first appearance on the facility’s reconfigured 3/8-mile oval. Known for its panoramic hillside seating, the Mineral Wells venue offers an amphitheater-style setting against West Virginia’s fall landscape. The track previously hosted the event in 1999, 2000, and 2010, with Steve Francis, Wendell Wallace, and Earl Pearson Jr. earning victories.

Racing begins Thursday, October 15, with a $5,000-to-win Steel Block Late Model feature and a $2,000-to-win Sport Mod feature. Friday’s Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series program includes qualifying, heat races, and twin 25-lap features paying $5,000 to win. Saturday brings last-chance races, the Jim Dunn Non-Qualifier, and the 100-lap, $100,000-to-win Dirt Track World Championship. UMP Modified competition is also part of the weekend program.

All gates are scheduled to open at 10 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, with racing listed for 5:30 p.m. daily. Fans may begin placing chairs at 10 a.m. Thursday. On-site primitive camping is available, with limited Creekside availability.

A full slate of entertainment and fan activities will complement the racing:

Wednesday, October 14

• 7:30 – 10 p.m. – Live music with Corey Galbreath.

Thursday, October 15

• Racing activities.

Friday, October 16

• 4 – 5 p.m. – Modified Driver Autograph Session.
• 4 – 5 p.m. – DTWC Merch Treasure Hunt.
• Friday night – Racing activities.
• 9:30 – 11 p.m. – Gage Joseph LIVE Post-Race Pit Party.

Saturday, October 17

• Noon – 1 p.m. – Dirt Racing Outreach Church Service.
• 2 p.m. – Best Campsite Decoration Contest judging.
• 2 – 3 p.m. – DTWC Interview Sessions.
• 3:15 – 5 p.m. – Live music with Donnie Barney on the Backstretch Midway.
• 4 – 4:45 p.m. – Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Driver Autograph Session.
• 4 – 5 p.m. – DTWC Merch Treasure Hunt #2.
• Saturday evening – 46th Annual Dirt Track World Championship.

All times are Eastern and subject to change.

West Virginia Motor Speedway is located at 788 Speedway Road in Mineral Wells, West Virginia. Tickets and camping information are available at WVMotorSpeedway.com.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Tire Rule:

Left Rear/Fronts – Hoosier (90) NLMT2, (90) NLMT3

Right Rear – Hoosier (92) NRM NLMT2, (92) NRM NLMT3, (92) NRM NLMT4

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Purses:

Friday, October 16: 1. $5,000, 2. $3,000, 3. $2,000, 4. $1,500, 5. $1,250, 6. $1,000, 7. $950, 8. $900, 9. $850, 10. $800, 11. $700, 12. $600, 13. $600, 14. $600, 15. $600, 16. $600, 17. $550, 18. $500, 19. $500, 20. $500, 21. $500, 22. $500, 23. $500, 24. $500 = $25,000 each x2 = $50,000 Total

Saturday, October 17:

46th Annual Dirt Track World Championship: 1. $100,000, 2. $25,000, 3. $10,000, 4. $8,000, 5. $7,500, 6. $7,000, 7. $6,500, 8. $6,000, 9. $5,500, 10. $5,000, 11. $4,200, 12. $3,600, 13. $3,000, 14. $2,900, 15. $2,800, 16. $2,700, 17. $2,600, 18. $2,575, 19. $2,550, 20. $2,535, 21. $2,525, 22. $2,515, 23. $2,500, 24. $2,500, 25. $2,500, 26. $2,500 = $225,000

Jim Dunn Memorial Non-Qualifiers Race: 1. $3,000, 2. $2,000, 3. $1,800, 4. $1,600, 5. $1,400, 6. $1,200, 7. $1,100, 8. $1,000, 9. $950, 10. $900, 11. $850, 12. $800, 13. $750, 14. $700, 15. $650, 16. $600, 17. $575, 18. $550, 19. $535, 20. $525, 21. $515, 22. $500, 23. $500, 24. $500 = $23,500

Previous Dirt Track World Champions:

2025 – Bobby Pierce

2024 – Bobby Pierce

2023 – Brandon Sheppard

2022 – Garrett Smith

2021 – Ricky Thornton Jr.

2020 – Brandon Sheppard

2019 – Brandon Sheppard

2018 – Josh Richards

2017 – Josh Richards

2016 – Brandon Sheppard

2015 – Scott Bloomquist

2014 – Scott Bloomquist

2013 – Brandon Sheppard

2012 – Jimmy Owens

2011 – Don O’Neal

2010 – Earl Pearson Jr.

2009 – Jimmy Mars

2008 – Brian Birkhofer

2007 – Chub Frank

2006 – Shannon Babb

2005 – Scott Bloomquist

2004 – Rick Eckert

2003 – Darrell Lanigan

2002 – Shannon Babb

2001 – Bart Hartman

2000 – Wendell Wallace

1999 – Steve Francis

1998 – Freddy Smith

1997 – Marshall Green

1996 – Billy Moyer

1995 – Jack Boggs

1994 – Ronnie Johnson

1993 – Freddy Smith

1992 – Ronnie Johnson

1991 – Freddy Smith

1990 – Jack Boggs

1989 – John Mason

1988 – Donnie Moran

1987 – Larry Moore

1986 – Billy Moyer

1985 – Freddy Smith

1984 – Jack Boggs

1983 – Freddy Smith

Championship Showdown Set for Dirt Track World Championship at West Virginia Motor Speedway

A national championship, a $100,000 winner’s payday, and lucrative bonus awards await as the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series heads to West Virginia Motor Speedway for the 46th Annual ARP Dirt Track World Championship presented by Summit Racing Equipment.

Series competition is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, October 16–17, with racing beginning Thursday and entertainment kicking off Wednesday evening.

Brandon Sheppard enters the season’s final weekend with a narrow 45-point advantage over defending series champion Devin Moran. Moran tightened the championship battle with a charge from 15th to second in Saturday’s UNOH Clash on the Wabash finale at Eldora Speedway, while Sheppard finished sixth. Hudson O’Neal sits third in the standings, 140 points behind Sheppard.

Saturday’s finale will also settle the Big River Steel Bonus Program presented by ARP, with awards determined separately from the season-long national championship. Summit Racing Equipment will provide an additional $5,000 to the highest-finishing eligible driver in the Dirt Track World Championship. Eligibility includes the drivers who ranked first through 15th in the championship standings.

The five drivers who qualified for the first-through-fifth bonus division are competing for a $200,000 fund, paying $100,000, $40,000, $30,000, $20,000, and $10,000 in final bonus standings order. Moran leads that battle by just 20 points over Ricky Thornton Jr., with Sheppard, Brandon Overton, and O’Neal completing the group.

Another $50,000 is available in the division for drivers who ranked sixth through 15th at the eligibility cutoff. The top three in that division’s final bonus standings will receive $25,000, $15,000, and $10,000, respectively. Josh Rice enters the weekend leading Max Blair by 35 points, with Brian Shirley third, 80 points behind Rice.

The weekend marks the Dirt Track World Championship’s first visit to West Virginia Motor Speedway since 2010 and its first appearance on the facility’s reconfigured 3/8-mile oval. Known for its panoramic hillside seating, the Mineral Wells venue offers an amphitheater-style setting against West Virginia’s fall landscape. The track previously hosted the event in 1999, 2000, and 2010, with Steve Francis, Wendell Wallace, and Earl Pearson Jr. earning victories.

Racing begins Thursday, October 15, with a $5,000-to-win Steel Block Late Model feature and a $2,000-to-win Sport Mod feature. Friday’s Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series program includes qualifying, heat races, and twin 25-lap features paying $5,000 to win. Saturday brings last-chance races, the Jim Dunn Non-Qualifier, and the 100-lap, $100,000-to-win Dirt Track World Championship. UMP Modified competition is also part of the weekend program.

All gates are scheduled to open at 10 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, with racing listed for 5:30 p.m. daily. Fans may begin placing chairs at 10 a.m. Thursday. On-site primitive camping is available, with limited Creekside availability.

A full slate of entertainment and fan activities will complement the racing:

Wednesday, October 14

• 7:30 – 10 p.m. – Live music with Corey Galbreath.

Thursday, October 15

• Racing activities.

Friday, October 16

• 4 – 5 p.m. – Modified Driver Autograph Session.
• 4 – 5 p.m. – DTWC Merch Treasure Hunt.
• Friday night – Racing activities.
• 9:30 – 11 p.m. – Gage Joseph LIVE Post-Race Pit Party.

Saturday, October 17

• Noon – 1 p.m. – Dirt Racing Outreach Church Service.
• 2 p.m. – Best Campsite Decoration Contest judging.
• 2 – 3 p.m. – DTWC Interview Sessions.
• 3:15 – 5 p.m. – Live music with Donnie Barney on the Backstretch Midway.
• 4 – 4:45 p.m. – Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Driver Autograph Session.
• 4 – 5 p.m. – DTWC Merch Treasure Hunt #2.
• Saturday evening – 46th Annual Dirt Track World Championship.

All times are Eastern and subject to change.

West Virginia Motor Speedway is located at 788 Speedway Road in Mineral Wells, West Virginia. Tickets and camping information are available at WVMotorSpeedway.com.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Tire Rule:

Left Rear/Fronts – Hoosier (90) NLMT2, (90) NLMT3

Right Rear – Hoosier (92) NRM NLMT2, (92) NRM NLMT3, (92) NRM NLMT4

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Purses:

Friday, October 16: 1. $5,000, 2. $3,000, 3. $2,000, 4. $1,500, 5. $1,250, 6. $1,000, 7. $950, 8. $900, 9. $850, 10. $800, 11. $700, 12. $600, 13. $600, 14. $600, 15. $600, 16. $600, 17. $550, 18. $500, 19. $500, 20. $500, 21. $500, 22. $500, 23. $500, 24. $500 = $25,000 each x2 = $50,000 Total

Saturday, October 17:

46th Annual Dirt Track World Championship: 1. $100,000, 2. $25,000, 3. $10,000, 4. $8,000, 5. $7,500, 6. $7,000, 7. $6,500, 8. $6,000, 9. $5,500, 10. $5,000, 11. $4,200, 12. $3,600, 13. $3,000, 14. $2,900, 15. $2,800, 16. $2,700, 17. $2,600, 18. $2,575, 19. $2,550, 20. $2,535, 21. $2,525, 22. $2,515, 23. $2,500, 24. $2,500, 25. $2,500, 26. $2,500 = $225,000

Jim Dunn Memorial Non-Qualifiers Race: 1. $3,000, 2. $2,000, 3. $1,800, 4. $1,600, 5. $1,400, 6. $1,200, 7. $1,100, 8. $1,000, 9. $950, 10. $900, 11. $850, 12. $800, 13. $750, 14. $700, 15. $650, 16. $600, 17. $575, 18. $550, 19. $535, 20. $525, 21. $515, 22. $500, 23. $500, 24. $500 = $23,500

Previous Dirt Track World Champions:

2025 – Bobby Pierce

2024 – Bobby Pierce

2023 – Brandon Sheppard

2022 – Garrett Smith

2021 – Ricky Thornton Jr.

2020 – Brandon Sheppard

2019 – Brandon Sheppard

2018 – Josh Richards

2017 – Josh Richards

2016 – Brandon Sheppard

2015 – Scott Bloomquist

2014 – Scott Bloomquist

2013 – Brandon Sheppard

2012 – Jimmy Owens

2011 – Don O’Neal

2010 – Earl Pearson Jr.

2009 – Jimmy Mars

2008 – Brian Birkhofer

2007 – Chub Frank

2006 – Shannon Babb

2005 – Scott Bloomquist

2004 – Rick Eckert

2003 – Darrell Lanigan

2002 – Shannon Babb

2001 – Bart Hartman

2000 – Wendell Wallace

1999 – Steve Francis

1998 – Freddy Smith

1997 – Marshall Green

1996 – Billy Moyer

1995 – Jack Boggs

1994 – Ronnie Johnson

1993 – Freddy Smith

1992 – Ronnie Johnson

1991 – Freddy Smith

1990 – Jack Boggs

1989 – John Mason

1988 – Donnie Moran

1987 – Larry Moore

1986 – Billy Moyer

1985 – Freddy Smith

1984 – Jack Boggs

1983 – Freddy Smith

1982 – Charlie Swartz

Event: Bank of America 400

Location: Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, North Carolina

Date: Sunday, October 11, 2026

Start: 27th

Finish: 4th

With a fourth-place finish in Sunday’s Bank of America 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Josh Berry and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team delivered the Wood Brothers their best finish at the track in years.

The result marked Berry’s and the team’s third top-five finish of the season and their 10th top-10.

Berry started Sunday’s race from 27th after inclement weather forced the cancellation of qualifying, with the starting lineup set per the NASCAR Rulebook. He steadily worked his way through the field, climbing to 19th by the time the competition caution waved on Lap 36. However, Berry fell back to 28th while avoiding an incident ahead of him on the ensuing restart.

Undeterred, Berry began another charge through the field, recovering to 14th by the conclusion of the 80-lap opening stage.

Berry continued his forward progress in Stage 2, breaking into the top 10 for the first time on Lap 90. He gained two additional positions before the end of the segment, finishing eighth to collect three valuable stage points.

In the third and final stage, Berry maintained his position inside the top 10 before making a late-race charge into the top five with eight laps remaining in the 267-lap event. He gained one final position in the closing laps to secure a fourth-place finish, marking the Wood Brothers’ best result at Charlotte since Morgan Shepherd finished runner-up in 1994.

“I felt like our car was really strong all day,” Berry said. “We had some good progress at the start, and then when the 54 got in the wall on that restart we went all the way to the back again because it was right in front of us. We battled back from the back again, and I was really happy with the car the majority of the race.”

Berry credited the team’s strong performance over the extended green-flag run to close out the race as a key factor in the fourth-place result.

“Early in that Stage I tried to just manage myself a little bit just in case it ran long, and ultimately it did,” he said. “I think some of those guys started to cord their tires and fall off, but it was just a really good job by [crew chief] Miles [Stanley] and the whole group.

Event: Bank of America 400

Location: Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, North Carolina

Date: Sunday, October 11, 2026

Start: 27th

Finish: 4th

With a fourth-place finish in Sunday’s Bank of America 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Josh Berry and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team delivered the Wood Brothers their best finish at the track in years.

The result marked Berry’s and the team’s third top-five finish of the season and their 10th top-10.

Berry started Sunday’s race from 27th after inclement weather forced the cancellation of qualifying, with the starting lineup set per the NASCAR Rulebook. He steadily worked his way through the field, climbing to 19th by the time the competition caution waved on Lap 36. However, Berry fell back to 28th while avoiding an incident ahead of him on the ensuing restart.

Undeterred, Berry began another charge through the field, recovering to 14th by the conclusion of the 80-lap opening stage.

Berry continued his forward progress in Stage 2, breaking into the top 10 for the first time on Lap 90. He gained two additional positions before the end of the segment, finishing eighth to collect three valuable stage points.

In the third and final stage, Berry maintained his position inside the top 10 before making a late-race charge into the top five with eight laps remaining in the 267-lap event. He gained one final position in the closing laps to secure a fourth-place finish, marking the Wood Brothers’ best result at Charlotte since Morgan Shepherd finished runner-up in 1994.

“I felt like our car was really strong all day,” Berry said. “We had some good progress at the start, and then when the 54 got in the wall on that restart we went all the way to the back again because it was right in front of us. We battled back from the back again, and I was really happy with the car the majority of the race.”

Berry credited the team’s strong performance over the extended green-flag run to close out the race as a key factor in the fourth-place result.

“Early in that Stage I tried to just manage myself a little bit just in case it ran long, and ultimately it did,” he said. “I think some of those guys started to cord their tires and fall off, but it was just a really good job by [crew chief] Miles [Stanley] and the whole group.

“That’s another good finish. We’ll go to Phoenix and try to do it again.”

NASCAR Cup Series Charlotte Motor Speedway Bank of America 400 Team Chevy Post-Race Report October 11, 2026

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race AdvancesChevrolet Newsroom

Kyle Larson and the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team started the second-half of the NASCAR Cup Series Chase with yet another strong campaign – leading the Bowtie brand with a sixth-place finish in the Bank of America 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Despite coming just short of keeping their postseason top-five streak alive, the reigning champions put together a solid points day that included the Stage One win to build onto their points lead once again to now sit at a 49-point advantage over Denny Hamlin. Trackhouse Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen drove his No. 97 Chevrolet to back-to-back top-10 oval finishes, taking the checkered flag to earn a seventh-place finish.  RACE RECAP:  Stage One: With inclement weather forcing the cancellation of yesterday’s on-track action, the lineup for this afternoon’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway was set by the metric, putting the points leader, Kyle Larson, on the pole position to lead the field to the green flag and officially kickoff the second-half of The Chase. Staying door-to-door with Chase Briscoe for much of the opening lap, Larson was able to clear last week’s winner in turn four to resume the top position of the leaderboard. Wasting no time, Larson quickly went to work on building his cushion, pulling away to over a second lead before the race hit a double-digit lap count. With a competition caution scheduled on Lap 35, Larson was quiet on the radio throughout the duration of the opening green flag run. Reporting that he was building loose during that run, crew chief Cliff Daniels called his driver to pit road for four tires, fuel and a slight balance adjustment. Exiting first off pit road, Larson maintained the top position to lead the field to the green flag for the restart. A quick caution setup for another restart that ultimately saw Larson lose the lead for the first time of the afternoon, but the speed of his Chevrolet prevailed, regaining the lead as he brought the field to 20 laps to go in the stage. While it was trending towards a green flag run to the end of the stage, a caution with three laps to go ultimately brought the stage to an early end, giving Larson the first green-white checkered flag.  Stage Two: Exiting first in the race off pit road during the stage break, Larson regained the lead to pace the field to the start of Stage Two. While the first-half of the stage saw Larson remain a steady fixture within the top-two, the No. 5 slipped up into the outside groove to lose a handful of positions. But with patience as the green flag run prolonged, Larson steadily made his way back up into the top-five before collecting fourth-place points at the end of Stage Two. Larson was one of three Team Chevy Chase contenders that drove to a points-earning run with Chase Elliott and Carson Hocevar taking the second green-white checkered flag in the ninth and 10th positions, respectively.  Final Stage: With a call for four tires and fuel under the stage break, the No. 5 pit crew performed once again, giving their driver a two-position gain in the race off pit road to inherit a spot back on the front row for the start of the final stage. Sitting on the outside lane, it was a drag race with Ryan Blaney for the opening lap of the stage, but it was a move by Christopher Bell that took them three-wide that saw Larson slip back to the fourth position. As the run built, the leaders began to single out with Larson steady in the fourth position as the field was just a handful of laps away from what would have been the first green flag pit cycle of the day, but a caution flew shortly thereafter for a spin by the No. 66. Maintaining position on the final trip to pit road of the day, Larson stayed within the top-five through much of the final run, but after building loose throughout the closing laps, the reigning champion held onto a sixth-place finish to round out yet another strong points day in his championship defending campaign.

Team Chevy Unofficial Top-10 ResultsPos.     Driver 6th – Kyle Larson 7th – Shane van GisbergenChevrolet’s season statistics with 32 NASCAR Cup Series races complete: Wins: 8Poles: 6Top-Fives: 52Top 10s: 109Stage Wins: 22

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase will continue at Phoenix Raceway with the Freeway Insurance 500 on Sunday, October 18, at 3 p.m. ET. Live coverage can be found on the USA Network, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Post-Race Driver Quotes: Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Finished: 26th“I thought we had a good No. 3 Morgan and Morgan Chevrolet as the race got underway. We were a touch tight, but we were driving forward and were inside the Top 10. Unfortunately, we got a speeding penalty on pit road and lost those gains, but I was able to drive our car forward again. We just built too tight as the race went on and the track changed. The 54 ran into us towards the end of the race, and after that we built even tighter. We were out of the track and snappy at the end. Proud of everyone’s efforts and look forward to Phoenix Raceway next weekend.”   Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletFinished: 6th“It’s just been a good start to The Chase for this No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet team. It’s our first finish outside of the top-five, but only one spot out of the top-five. We just kind of lost the balance there at the end. I knew it was a really long run and I just tried to take care of my tires early, but it just got really loose. We’ll take it. The first stage played out exactly how we needed it to. The cautions were kind of coming out right when I was about to get passed. The second stage was promising. I had that really bad start, but we fought our way back into the top-five and got good points there. Coming home with a sixth-place finish, all-in-all, I feel like we maximized our day.” With a 49-point lead, do you feel comfortable? “No, I won’t feel comfortable until it’s over. Obviously, (Chase) Briscoe winning and having a good day; you can take big chunks out of it if you win. We’re going to go to some tracks where others are really good coming up, so we just have to keep putting together days like we did today. We weren’t the fastest, but we got good points.”   Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletFinished: 12thThere were a couple of times where you had to come back down pit road, but you still came home with a 12th-place finish. How did you feel about your car and how much do you think those issues affected your finish? “It definitely affected it, how much, we’ll never know. We had a loose wheel there that one stop, and then I sped on the other one. I didn’t think I was speeding. I wasn’t concerned about my lights, at least, so that one surprised me based on our pre-race run. But it was what it was at that point. Unfortunately, it was a bad time to do that with starting the final stage. To get back to 12th, that was pretty good for all things considered.”   William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletSidelined by damage sustained in an accident at the end of Stage One. Finished: 39th “It looks like the No. 48 (Alex Bowman) just got loose and overcorrected it into the wall. I was running the top and I lifted right away, but I couldn’t get low enough because he kind of came back off the wall. I hate it for this No. 24 Valvoline Blood Cancer United Chevrolet team. We had a top-five run going, so it’s just unfortunate.”    Austin Hill, No. 33 Richard Childress Racing ChevroletFinished: 32nd“Long race for our Lucas Oil team. Nothing seemed to go according to plan today. Without practice or qualifying yesterday, we hoped the speed and balance from May would transfer over, but we fired off loose with the rear tires being out of the track. The guys kept working on it the entire race. We got on the other side of the balance but then were too tight. Our front windshield had a haze from the drop of the green flag and we tried everything. Removed all tear offs, cleaned the inside and outside windshield – nothing seemed to help. We’ll have to look over our Chevrolet back at the shop and improve for next season.”   Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletSidelined by damage sustained in an accident at the end of Stage One. Finished: 38th “I just got loose. Honestly, I had been really tight. I don’t know, as soon as it got to the exit of the corner, it snapped and it kind of didn’t stand a chance. Unfortunately, I grabbed too much wheel, overcorrected it and got in those two guys’ (Bubba Wallace and William Byron) way. I hate that for our No. 48 Ally Chevrolet team. We had a pretty fast car. I hate that for the No. 24 and No. 23 teams. It’s one thing to get loose and crash, but to ruin their days too really sucks.  It’s on me. I just didn’t hang onto it well enough. I was just caught off guard. I don’t know why I got as loose as I did. I hadn’t been loose at all, but that’s part of driving a racecar and unfortunately I didn’t do a good enough job of it.”    Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports ChevroletFinished: 19th“It was a busy day here in Charlotte. We had some speed in our Delaware Life Chevrolet, just not enough to accomplish what we were hoping for this weekend. We put ourselves in a great spot late in Stage 1 and Stage 2, unfortunately pit road was so tight and we got some damage there during one of our stops. We had an opportunity at a top 10, but it just wasn’t meant to be. Glad to have this 1.5-mile stretch behind us and looking forward to racing at home in Phoenix next weekend.”   Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletFinished: 21st“I really appreciate the hard work by everyone on the Red Bull Chevrolet team today. We made improvement from where we started the race and had a respectable finish. Randall and the guys made the car better, but it was still too tight there at the end. It’s certainly a step in the right direction.”    Shane van Gisbergen, No. 97 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletFinished: 7thReally good run on an oval again this weekend. Do you feel like you’re progressing to the point where you’re about to be a contender for wins? “Yeah, I’m glad the organization has gotten better. Having Ross (Chastain) up there too, we’ve had too many days of running 30th as a team, so it was good that we’ve made some progress. This No. 97 SuperFile Chevrolet team has had two solid weekends in a row and we can be proud of that. We changed a lot on our cars, trying to understand them and get them better. It’s really nice to see some progress. Charlotte (Motor Speedway) seems to suit us. We seem to have a good base setup for this track.”

NASCAR Cup SeriesCharlotte Motor SpeedwayBank of America 400Team Chevy Post-Race ReportOctober 11, 2026

Larson Opens Second-Half of The Chase with a Sixth-Place Finish at Charlotte Motor Speedway

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race AdvancesChevrolet Newsroom

Kyle Larson and the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team started the second-half of the NASCAR Cup Series Chase with yet another strong campaign – leading the Bowtie brand with a sixth-place finish in the Bank of America 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Despite coming just short of keeping their postseason top-five streak alive, the reigning champions put together a solid points day that included the Stage One win to build onto their points lead once again to now sit at a 49-point advantage over Denny Hamlin. Trackhouse Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen drove his No. 97 Chevrolet to back-to-back top-10 oval finishes, taking the checkered flag to earn a seventh-place finish.  RACE RECAP:  Stage One: With inclement weather forcing the cancellation of yesterday’s on-track action, the lineup for this afternoon’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway was set by the metric, putting the points leader, Kyle Larson, on the pole position to lead the field to the green flag and officially kickoff the second-half of The Chase. Staying door-to-door with Chase Briscoe for much of the opening lap, Larson was able to clear last week’s winner in turn four to resume the top position of the leaderboard. Wasting no time, Larson quickly went to work on building his cushion, pulling away to over a second lead before the race hit a double-digit lap count. With a competition caution scheduled on Lap 35, Larson was quiet on the radio throughout the duration of the opening green flag run. Reporting that he was building loose during that run, crew chief Cliff Daniels called his driver to pit road for four tires, fuel and a slight balance adjustment. Exiting first off pit road, Larson maintained the top position to lead the field to the green flag for the restart. A quick caution setup for another restart that ultimately saw Larson lose the lead for the first time of the afternoon, but the speed of his Chevrolet prevailed, regaining the lead as he brought the field to 20 laps to go in the stage. While it was trending towards a green flag run to the end of the stage, a caution with three laps to go ultimately brought the stage to an early end, giving Larson the first green-white checkered flag.  Stage Two: Exiting first in the race off pit road during the stage break, Larson regained the lead to pace the field to the start of Stage Two. While the first-half of the stage saw Larson remain a steady fixture within the top-two, the No. 5 slipped up into the outside groove to lose a handful of positions. But with patience as the green flag run prolonged, Larson steadily made his way back up into the top-five before collecting fourth-place points at the end of Stage Two. Larson was one of three Team Chevy Chase contenders that drove to a points-earning run with Chase Elliott and Carson Hocevar taking the second green-white checkered flag in the ninth and 10th positions, respectively.  Final Stage: With a call for four tires and fuel under the stage break, the No. 5 pit crew performed once again, giving their driver a two-position gain in the race off pit road to inherit a spot back on the front row for the start of the final stage. Sitting on the outside lane, it was a drag race with Ryan Blaney for the opening lap of the stage, but it was a move by Christopher Bell that took them three-wide that saw Larson slip back to the fourth position. As the run built, the leaders began to single out with Larson steady in the fourth position as the field was just a handful of laps away from what would have been the first green flag pit cycle of the day, but a caution flew shortly thereafter for a spin by the No. 66. Maintaining position on the final trip to pit road of the day, Larson stayed within the top-five through much of the final run, but after building loose throughout the closing laps, the reigning champion held onto a sixth-place finish to round out yet another strong points day in his championship defending campaign.

Team Chevy Unofficial Top-10 ResultsPos.     Driver 6th – Kyle Larson 7th – Shane van GisbergenChevrolet’s season statistics with 32 NASCAR Cup Series races complete: Wins: 8Poles: 6Top-Fives: 52Top 10s: 109Stage Wins: 22

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase will continue at Phoenix Raceway with the Freeway Insurance 500 on Sunday, October 18, at 3 p.m. ET. Live coverage can be found on the USA Network, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Post-Race Driver Quotes: Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Finished: 26th“I thought we had a good No. 3 Morgan and Morgan Chevrolet as the race got underway. We were a touch tight, but we were driving forward and were inside the Top 10. Unfortunately, we got a speeding penalty on pit road and lost those gains, but I was able to drive our car forward again. We just built too tight as the race went on and the track changed. The 54 ran into us towards the end of the race, and after that we built even tighter. We were out of the track and snappy at the end. Proud of everyone’s efforts and look forward to Phoenix Raceway next weekend.”   Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletFinished: 6th“It’s just been a good start to The Chase for this No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet team. It’s our first finish outside of the top-five, but only one spot out of the top-five. We just kind of lost the balance there at the end. I knew it was a really long run and I just tried to take care of my tires early, but it just got really loose. We’ll take it. The first stage played out exactly how we needed it to. The cautions were kind of coming out right when I was about to get passed. The second stage was promising. I had that really bad start, but we fought our way back into the top-five and got good points there. Coming home with a sixth-place finish, all-in-all, I feel like we maximized our day.” With a 49-point lead, do you feel comfortable? “No, I won’t feel comfortable until it’s over. Obviously, (Chase) Briscoe winning and having a good day; you can take big chunks out of it if you win. We’re going to go to some tracks where others are really good coming up, so we just have to keep putting together days like we did today. We weren’t the fastest, but we got good points.”   Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletFinished: 12thThere were a couple of times where you had to come back down pit road, but you still came home with a 12th-place finish. How did you feel about your car and how much do you think those issues affected your finish? “It definitely affected it, how much, we’ll never know. We had a loose wheel there that one stop, and then I sped on the other one. I didn’t think I was speeding. I wasn’t concerned about my lights, at least, so that one surprised me based on our pre-race run. But it was what it was at that point. Unfortunately, it was a bad time to do that with starting the final stage. To get back to 12th, that was pretty good for all things considered.”   William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletSidelined by damage sustained in an accident at the end of Stage One. Finished: 39th “It looks like the No. 48 (Alex Bowman) just got loose and overcorrected it into the wall. I was running the top and I lifted right away, but I couldn’t get low enough because he kind of came back off the wall. I hate it for this No. 24 Valvoline Blood Cancer United Chevrolet team. We had a top-five run going, so it’s just unfortunate.”    Austin Hill, No. 33 Richard Childress Racing ChevroletFinished: 32nd“Long race for our Lucas Oil team. Nothing seemed to go according to plan today. Without practice or qualifying yesterday, we hoped the speed and balance from May would transfer over, but we fired off loose with the rear tires being out of the track. The guys kept working on it the entire race. We got on the other side of the balance but then were too tight. Our front windshield had a haze from the drop of the green flag and we tried everything. Removed all tear offs, cleaned the inside and outside windshield – nothing seemed to help. We’ll have to look over our Chevrolet back at the shop and improve for next season.”   Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletSidelined by damage sustained in an accident at the end of Stage One. Finished: 38th “I just got loose. Honestly, I had been really tight. I don’t know, as soon as it got to the exit of the corner, it snapped and it kind of didn’t stand a chance. Unfortunately, I grabbed too much wheel, overcorrected it and got in those two guys’ (Bubba Wallace and William Byron) way. I hate that for our No. 48 Ally Chevrolet team. We had a pretty fast car. I hate that for the No. 24 and No. 23 teams. It’s one thing to get loose and crash, but to ruin their days too really sucks.  It’s on me. I just didn’t hang onto it well enough. I was just caught off guard. I don’t know why I got as loose as I did. I hadn’t been loose at all, but that’s part of driving a racecar and unfortunately I didn’t do a good enough job of it.”    Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports ChevroletFinished: 19th“It was a busy day here in Charlotte. We had some speed in our Delaware Life Chevrolet, just not enough to accomplish what we were hoping for this weekend. We put ourselves in a great spot late in Stage 1 and Stage 2, unfortunately pit road was so tight and we got some damage there during one of our stops. We had an opportunity at a top 10, but it just wasn’t meant to be. Glad to have this 1.5-mile stretch behind us and looking forward to racing at home in Phoenix next weekend.”   Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletFinished: 21st“I really appreciate the hard work by everyone on the Red Bull Chevrolet team today. We made improvement from where we started the race and had a respectable finish. Randall and the guys made the car better, but it was still too tight there at the end. It’s certainly a step in the right direction.”    Shane van Gisbergen, No. 97 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletFinished: 7thReally good run on an oval again this weekend. Do you feel like you’re progressing to the point where you’re about to be a contender for wins? “Yeah, I’m glad the organization has gotten better. Having Ross (Chastain) up there too, we’ve had too many days of running 30th as a team, so it was good that we’ve made some progress. This No. 97 SuperFile Chevrolet team has had two solid weekends in a row and we can be proud of that. We changed a lot on our cars, trying to understand them and get them better. It’s really nice to see some progress. Charlotte (Motor Speedway) seems to suit us. We seem to have a good base setup for this track.”

“Growing Organization Also Announces Move to New Race Shop in Welcome, N.C.”

October 11, 2026 (Sanford, North Carolina) – Peterson Racing is proud to announce that Harrison Burton has joined the organization with a multi-year agreement to compete in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Burton joins the growing organization as teammate to Lee Pulliam and will pilot the No. 78 Chevrolet starting with the 2027 season opening event at Daytona International Speedway in February.

“I am really excited to join Peterson Racing and be a part of what they are building,” stated Burton. “It is a blessing to continue my career, and I feel this is a great opportunity to grow alongside this team as we focus on becoming a race winning organization. They have done a great job in putting together a group that is primed to take the next steps in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. I just feel that Peterson Racing and I are a great fit and share the same goals of going to the racetrack and winning. I am excited to get to work and chasing that goal together.”

Burton has 287 career starts in NASCAR’s top three series with 136 of those coming in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. He has four wins in the series to his credit with the most recent coming at Martinsville Speedway in the fall of 2020. In that 2020 season, Burton became the first driver born in the 2000’s or later to win a NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race, and in 2024 became the first to win a NASCAR Cup Series race with his victory that summer at Daytona International Speedway.

“We are excited about adding Harrison to our program and expanding to a two-car operation in 2027,” stated Chris Seibel, General Manager for Peterson Racing. “Harrison is a great fit with what we have built so far at Peterson Racing, and we feel he will be a key piece to our continued growth process. We think that Harrison and Lee make a special combination of drivers and we look forward to them representing us on the track in 2027.”

In preparation for the 2027 season, Peterson Racing also announces it will be moving into a new race shop on the campus of Richard Childress Racing in Welcome, North Carolina. The move will come at the end of the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season. 

PETERSON RACING WELCOMES HARRISON BURTON TO PILOT NO. 78 WITH MULTI-YEAR DEAL

“Growing Organization Also Announces Move to New Race Shop in Welcome, N.C.”

October 11, 2026 (Sanford, North Carolina) – Peterson Racing is proud to announce that Harrison Burton has joined the organization with a multi-year agreement to compete in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Burton joins the growing organization as teammate to Lee Pulliam and will pilot the No. 78 Chevrolet starting with the 2027 season opening event at Daytona International Speedway in February.

“I am really excited to join Peterson Racing and be a part of what they are building,” stated Burton. “It is a blessing to continue my career, and I feel this is a great opportunity to grow alongside this team as we focus on becoming a race winning organization. They have done a great job in putting together a group that is primed to take the next steps in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. I just feel that Peterson Racing and I are a great fit and share the same goals of going to the racetrack and winning. I am excited to get to work and chasing that goal together.”

Burton has 287 career starts in NASCAR’s top three series with 136 of those coming in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. He has four wins in the series to his credit with the most recent coming at Martinsville Speedway in the fall of 2020. In that 2020 season, Burton became the first driver born in the 2000’s or later to win a NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race, and in 2024 became the first to win a NASCAR Cup Series race with his victory that summer at Daytona International Speedway.

“We are excited about adding Harrison to our program and expanding to a two-car operation in 2027,” stated Chris Seibel, General Manager for Peterson Racing. “Harrison is a great fit with what we have built so far at Peterson Racing, and we feel he will be a key piece to our continued growth process. We think that Harrison and Lee make a special combination of drivers and we look forward to them representing us on the track in 2027.”

In preparation for the 2027 season, Peterson Racing also announces it will be moving into a new race shop on the campus of Richard Childress Racing in Welcome, North Carolina. The move will come at the end of the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season. 

“The move to the RCR campus is another strong step in the growth of this Peterson Racing organization,” added Harrison. “I feel confident that bringing my experiences gained from racing with other organizations throughout my career combined with working alongside the structure they have built thus far at Peterson Racing that we will be able to continue this growth process. I am excited to have a teammate the caliber of Lee Pulliam and I think we will be great assets for each other. This is truly a unique situation that I embrace and am excited about.”

 CRANDALL, TX (October 10, 2026) — Oklahoma ruled the Dallas metroplex on Saturday.

While the Sooners reigned on the football gridiron in the afternoon, Blake Hahn closed the night with his second American Sprint Car Series win of 2026 at Crandall, TX’s RPM Speedway.

The Sapulpa, OK native started the night from sixth as John Carney II and Kyler Johnson led the field to the green flag. On the start, multi-time ASCS Sooner Region champion Sean McClelland caught the bottom of the two drivers to take the lead while Sam Hafertepe Jr. and Matt Covington took over second and third place, respectively.

When the first caution flew on Lap 7, it gave the field a chance to chase down McClelland’s No. 1 on the restart.

While McClelland held the two National Tour title contenders at bay through the first two laps after the restart, he made a critical mistake in Turns 3-4 when he hopped through the cushion. Hafertepe reached the inside of McClelland on the exit, but Covington sliced through the middle of the two drivers across the frontstretch to become the newest leader.

As Covington led, Hafertepe held on to the runner-up spot as Hahn took third from McClelland on Lap 10. When the halfway signal was shown, the leaders became logjammed with lapped traffic surrounding each line of the 1/4-mile bullring.

Hahn found a line of driving high into the corners, then dipped to the bottom to gain pace on the straightaways. He used the line to help him get around Hafertepe for the runner-up spot on Lap 16 while Covington attempted to manage a 1.5-second lead in the pack of lappers.

While Covington kept his No. 95 Triple X Chassis around the bottom, Hahn adjusted to the middle lane and continued to inch closer with his No. 52 machine. With six laps remaining, the Glenpool, OK pilot struggled through Turns 3-4 while Hahn capitalized on the slip by pulling to the inside of the leader and gaining clearance across the frontstretch.

Through the remaining five circuits, Hahn wheeled to his 27th career ASCS National Tour win and his 16th with the Sooner Region. He enjoyed the win with his grandfather and Series founder, Emmett Hahn, who celebrated his 86th birthday.

“This chassis was dialed in tonight,” Hahn said. “We made a few changes throughout the night after every race, but man, this thing was a rocket tonight. The track got a little rough there, but this thing just rolled right through it. It was unbelievable. Haven’t really been able to do a lot of racing here lately, and this was the first night on this car. So, to be able to come out and have a run like that was awesome and we’re super stoked.”

Covington finished second while Seth Bergman charged around Hafertepe in the final laps to take the last podium position. Carney finished fourth, and Hafertepe took fifth.

Leaving the penultimate weekend, Hafertepe continues to lead the standings by 21 points over Covington as the final event to determine the 2026 ASCS National Tour champion awaits.Recap Notes:

Quick Time Award: Sean McClelland 13.087

Heat Race Winners: Blake Hahn, Kyler Johnson, Matt Covington, Michael Day

Honest Abe Roofing Dash Winner: John Carney II

Smith Titanium Last Chance Showdown Winner:

Hard Charger Award: Christopher Townsend (+9)

UP NEXT: The ASCS National Tour will finish the 2026 season with two nights of racing in the Fuzzy’s Fall Fling at Creek County Speedway on Friday-Saturday, Oct. 16-17. The Series will be joined by the ASCS Sooner Region to decide their champion.

How can you find info for Creek County? Click here

Where can you watch every lap of the American Sprint Car Series? Live on DIRTVision.

RESULTS: Feature (30 Laps): 1. 52-Blake Hahn[6]; 2. 95-Matt Covington[4]; 3. 23-Seth Bergman[10]; 4. 8C-John Carney II[1]; 5. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr[7]; 6. 88R-Ryder Laplante[5]; 7. 91-Michael Day[8]; 8. 1-Sean McClelland[3]; 9. 3-Cole Schroeder[12]; 10. 88C-Brogan Carder[9]; 11. 11B-Kaylee Bryson[15]; 12. 71T-Christopher Townsend[21]; 13. 41-Casey Merrell[19]; 14. 2-Gage Laney[16]; 15. 8-Aydan Saunders[11]; 16. 16G-Austyn Gossel[23]; 17. 14R-Jake Nail[13]; 18. 938-Bradley Fezard[24]; 19. B2-Carson Bolden[14]; 20. 88-Terry Easum[20]; 21. 8M-Kade Morton[22]; 22. 45X-Kyler Johnson[2]; 23. 15JR-Thomas Johnson[18]; 24. 16S-Steven Shebester[17]

OKLAHOMA TAKEOVER: Blake Hahn Snags Second ASCS Victory in 2026 at RPM Speedway CRANDALL, TX (October 10, 2026) — Oklahoma ruled the Dallas metroplex on Saturday.

While the Sooners reigned on the football gridiron in the afternoon, Blake Hahn closed the night with his second American Sprint Car Series win of 2026 at Crandall, TX’s RPM Speedway.

The Sapulpa, OK native started the night from sixth as John Carney II and Kyler Johnson led the field to the green flag. On the start, multi-time ASCS Sooner Region champion Sean McClelland caught the bottom of the two drivers to take the lead while Sam Hafertepe Jr. and Matt Covington took over second and third place, respectively.

When the first caution flew on Lap 7, it gave the field a chance to chase down McClelland’s No. 1 on the restart.

While McClelland held the two National Tour title contenders at bay through the first two laps after the restart, he made a critical mistake in Turns 3-4 when he hopped through the cushion. Hafertepe reached the inside of McClelland on the exit, but Covington sliced through the middle of the two drivers across the frontstretch to become the newest leader.

As Covington led, Hafertepe held on to the runner-up spot as Hahn took third from McClelland on Lap 10. When the halfway signal was shown, the leaders became logjammed with lapped traffic surrounding each line of the 1/4-mile bullring.

Hahn found a line of driving high into the corners, then dipped to the bottom to gain pace on the straightaways. He used the line to help him get around Hafertepe for the runner-up spot on Lap 16 while Covington attempted to manage a 1.5-second lead in the pack of lappers.

While Covington kept his No. 95 Triple X Chassis around the bottom, Hahn adjusted to the middle lane and continued to inch closer with his No. 52 machine. With six laps remaining, the Glenpool, OK pilot struggled through Turns 3-4 while Hahn capitalized on the slip by pulling to the inside of the leader and gaining clearance across the frontstretch.

Through the remaining five circuits, Hahn wheeled to his 27th career ASCS National Tour win and his 16th with the Sooner Region. He enjoyed the win with his grandfather and Series founder, Emmett Hahn, who celebrated his 86th birthday.

“This chassis was dialed in tonight,” Hahn said. “We made a few changes throughout the night after every race, but man, this thing was a rocket tonight. The track got a little rough there, but this thing just rolled right through it. It was unbelievable. Haven’t really been able to do a lot of racing here lately, and this was the first night on this car. So, to be able to come out and have a run like that was awesome and we’re super stoked.”

Covington finished second while Seth Bergman charged around Hafertepe in the final laps to take the last podium position. Carney finished fourth, and Hafertepe took fifth.

Leaving the penultimate weekend, Hafertepe continues to lead the standings by 21 points over Covington as the final event to determine the 2026 ASCS National Tour champion awaits.Recap Notes:

Quick Time Award: Sean McClelland 13.087

Heat Race Winners: Blake Hahn, Kyler Johnson, Matt Covington, Michael Day

Honest Abe Roofing Dash Winner: John Carney II

Smith Titanium Last Chance Showdown Winner:

Hard Charger Award: Christopher Townsend (+9)

UP NEXT: The ASCS National Tour will finish the 2026 season with two nights of racing in the Fuzzy’s Fall Fling at Creek County Speedway on Friday-Saturday, Oct. 16-17. The Series will be joined by the ASCS Sooner Region to decide their champion.

How can you find info for Creek County? Click here

Where can you watch every lap of the American Sprint Car Series? Live on DIRTVision.

RESULTS: Feature (30 Laps): 1. 52-Blake Hahn[6]; 2. 95-Matt Covington[4]; 3. 23-Seth Bergman[10]; 4. 8C-John Carney II[1]; 5. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr[7]; 6. 88R-Ryder Laplante[5]; 7. 91-Michael Day[8]; 8. 1-Sean McClelland[3]; 9. 3-Cole Schroeder[12]; 10. 88C-Brogan Carder[9]; 11. 11B-Kaylee Bryson[15]; 12. 71T-Christopher Townsend[21]; 13. 41-Casey Merrell[19]; 14. 2-Gage Laney[16]; 15. 8-Aydan Saunders[11]; 16. 16G-Austyn Gossel[23]; 17. 14R-Jake Nail[13]; 18. 938-Bradley Fezard[24]; 19. B2-Carson Bolden[14]; 20. 88-Terry Easum[20]; 21. 8M-Kade Morton[22]; 22. 45X-Kyler Johnson[2]; 23. 15JR-Thomas Johnson[18]; 24. 16S-Steven Shebester[17]

ARTICLE:https://ascsracing.com/recap/oklahoma-takeover-blake-hahn-snags-second-ascs-victory-in-2026-at-rpm-speedway/

Ricky Thornton Jr. completed a weekend sweep at Tony Stewart’s Eldora Speedway with a victory in Saturday night’s Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series-sanctioned UNOH Clash on the Wabash finale. Thornton and his Koehler Motorsports team earned $65,000 over the two nights.

Thornton collected $50,000 for Saturday’s feature victory and an additional $5,000 bonus from Automotive Racing Products after winning Friday’s $10,000-to-win opener.

Devin Moran charged from 15th to second to keep his bid for a second consecutive series championship alive. He now trails Brandon Sheppard, who finished sixth, by 45 points heading into Carl Short’s Dirt Track World Championship next weekend at West Virginia Motor Speedway.

Josh Rice earned Hoker Trucking Hard Charger of the Race honors by advancing from 23rd to third, rounding out the Big River Steel Podium despite lingering damage from the night’s first B-Main. Polesitter Dale McDowell led the first 25 laps and finished fourth, while Kyle Bronson edged Sheppard at the finish line for fifth.

Thornton crossed the finish line 1.213 seconds ahead of Moran to make his 64th career trip to Lucas Oil Wieland Victory Lane.

“Dale was really good from the get-go, and so was Nick (Hoffman). I kept watching the board, and I knew if Josh (Rice) was going to pass a bunch of cars, it was going to be around the top. So I kept watching for him up on the board, and I thought he was like seventh or eighth on the restart. I was like, all right, if I could get a good enough start—and the start before, Dale blocked the middle—if he doesn’t get a great restart this time, and if he goes in and blocks the middle again, hopefully I could just drive through the middle,” said the Chandler, Arizona, native.

“It worked out, but it doesn’t always work out like that. After that, I felt really good until I got to lapped cars. Then every time I got behind a lapped car, I felt like it slowed me down like five seconds. I needed to do a little better when I got to lapped cars. I had a setup a little different than I normally run here. It worked for us, and of course we had a yellow with three laps to go. I’m like, man, Devin is running around the bottom. I knew he wasn’t going to the top fast because I was already out there. So I knew I had to get out there and get a good restart and get off of turn two really well. I ran the last three laps as hard as I could.”

Moran earned $20,000 for his runner-up finish, keeping him firmly in championship contention heading into the season finale.

“Ricky is obviously pretty dang good. You know he is one of the best for a reason. He is rolling right now, and he was really good the last two nights. All in all, it was a great run. We have just got to figure out how to start up front. Honestly, I was driving really hard before I got to Sheppy, and then I caught him. I probably slid him one lap too early, and that got me into the fence. That really messed up my mojo there for a little while. If I would have waited, I could have gained myself five or six laps.”

Rice struck debris and hit the wall in the B-Main, forcing him to use a provisional to start the feature. His crew made enough repairs to get him back on track, and he gained 20 positions to finish third.

“I ran over something there, and I guess Bobby (Pierce) got it too. I actually didn’t even pull back into my pit stall. I figured it was too bad to even fix. Hats off to my guys for getting us fixed enough to race the feature. We had everything tight, and nothing fell off of it. I was kind of glad it was over. I pretty much got to where I was going to finish. I could tell on that restart that I was not going to be able to launch, and we held on for third. Actually, I thought I was catching Devin for the lead, and then I saw Ricky leading. I picked up a vibration, and I was ready for the race to be over.”

Thornton’s Koehler Motorsports, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Cornett Racing Engine and sponsored by Knight’s Companies, Hoker Trucking, Capital Waste, Elite Ready Mix, Certified Inspection Services, Sunoco Race Fuels, Strange Oval, SI Towing and Recovery, and D&E Outside Services.

Completing the top 10 were Brandon Sheppard, Nick Hoffman, Tyler Erb, Jonathan Davenport, and Garrett Smith.

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will conclude its 2026 season with the 46th Annual ARP Dirt Track World Championship presented by Summit Racing Equipment on October 16-17 at West Virginia Motor Speedway. Sheppard enters the final weekend with a 45-point advantage over Moran as the championship battle heads to its conclusion.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series 

Race Summary 

The UNOH Clash on the Wabash | Night 2

Saturday, October 10, 2026

Eldora Speedway | Rossburg, OH

Allstar Performance Time Trials

Fast Time Group A: Dale McDowell | 15.213 seconds (Overall)

Fast Time Group B: Nick Hoffman | 15.290 seconds

Penske Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 17M-Dale McDowell[1]; 2. 40B-Kyle Bronson[3]; 3. 58-Garrett Alberson[5]; 4. 17SS-Brenden Smith[7]; 5. 95-Boom Briggs[4]; 6. 5J-Braden Jones[6]; 7. 97-Cody Overton[8]; 8. 8A-Rob Anderzack[9]; 9. 6-Clay Harris[2]

Summit Racing Products Heat Race #2 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[1]; 2. 10-Garrett Smith[3]; 3. 99-Devin Moran[2]; 4. 1T-Tyler Erb[4]; 5. 5T-Drake Troutman[5]; 6. 20-Jimmy Owens[7]; 7. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[6]; 8. 5N-Dustin Nobbe[8]

Cool-It Thermo-Tec Heat Race #3 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 22F-Chris Ferguson[1]; 2. 44M-Chris Madden[2]; 3. 20TC-Tristan Chamberlain[7]; 4. 76-Brandon Overton[3]; 5. 12M-Ryan Montgomery[6]; 6. S21-Seth Daniels[4]; 7. 9 1 1-Freddie Carpenter[5]; 8. 69-Jon Hodgkiss[8]

Simpson Race Products Heat Race #4 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 9H-Nick Hoffman[1]; 2. 111-Max Blair[2]; 3. 71-Hudson O’Neal[3]; 4. 32-Bobby Pierce[6]; 5. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr[7]; 6. 1P-Earl Pearson Jr[4]; 7. 49M-Luke Morey[8]; 8. 17SR-Brody Smith[5]

MyRacePass Heat Race #5 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 1-Brandon Sheppard[1]; 2. 19R-Ryan Gustin[2]; 3. 74X-Ethan Dotson[4]; 4. 8S-Brian Shirley[7]; 5. 95J-Jerry Bowersock[6]; 6. 7T-Christian Thomas[5]; 7. 7*-Logan Hitt[3]; 8. 15C-Curt Schroeder[8]

Lucas Oil Products Heat Race #6 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 1. 93F-Carson Ferguson[1]; 2. 49-Jonathan Davenport[2]; 3. 12J-Jason Jameson[3]; 4. 11-Josh Rice[6]; 5. 157-Mike Marlar[5]; 6. 60-Dan Ebert[4]; 7. 8-Dillon McCowan[8]; 8. 555-Brock Pinkerous[7]

Fast Shafts B-Main Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 2 Transfer): 1. 1T-Tyler Erb[2]; 2. 76-Brandon Overton[3]; 3. 5T-Drake Troutman[5]; 4. 17SS-Brenden Smith[1]; 5. 97-Cody Overton[10]; 6. S21-Seth Daniels[9]; 7. 9 1 1-Freddie Carpenter[12]; 8. 20-Jimmy Owens[8]; 9. 5J-Braden Jones[7]; 10. 5N-Dustin Nobbe[14]; 11. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[11]; 12. 8A-Rob Anderzack[13]; 13. 69-Jon Hodgkiss[15]; 14. 12M-Ryan Montgomery[6]; 15. 95-Boom Briggs[4]; 16. (DNS) 6-Clay Harris

UNOH B-Main Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 2 Transfer): 1. 8S-Brian Shirley[2]; 2. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr[4]; 3. 1P-Earl Pearson Jr[7]; 4. 95J-Jerry Bowersock[5]; 5. 8-Dillon McCowan[12]; 6. 60-Dan Ebert[9]; 7. 49M-Luke Morey[10]; 8. 7*-Logan Hitt[11]; 9. 15C-Curt Schroeder[14]; 10. 32-Bobby Pierce[1]; 11. 11-Josh Rice[3]; 12. 6-Clay Harris[16]; 13. 157-Mike Marlar[6]; 14. 7T-Christian Thomas[8]; 15. 555-Brock Pinkerous[15]; 16. (DNS) 17SR-Brody Smith

The UNOH Clash on the Wabash | Night 2 | Feature Finish (50 Laps):

Pos – Start – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Earnings

1 – 3 – 20RT – Ricky Thornton Jr – Chandler, AZ – $56,300

2 – 15 – 99 – Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – $21,300

3 – 23 – 11 – Josh Rice – Crittenden, KY – $11,000

4 – 1 – 17M – Dale McDowell – Chickamauga, GA – $8,000

5 – 7 – 40B – Kyle Bronson – Brandon, FL – $7,900

6 – 4 – 1 – Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – $7,000

7 – 2 – 9H – Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – $4,500

8 – 19 – 1T – Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – $4,000

9 – 12 – 49 – Jonathan Davenport – Blairsville, GA – $3,800

10 – 9 – 10 – Garrett Smith – Madison, GA – $3,600

11 – 21 – 76 – Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – $4,300

12 – 8 – 111 – Max Blair – Centerville, PA – $4,100

13 – 20 – 8S – Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – $3,900

14 – 6 – 93F – Carson Ferguson – Lincolnton, NC – $3,400

15 – 18 – 12J – Jason Jameson – Lawrenceburg, IN – $2,400

16 – 16 – 74X – Ethan Dotson – Bakersfield, CA – $2,300

17 – 17 – 20TC – Tristan Chamberlain – Richmond, IN – $2,200

18 – 5 – 22F – Chris Ferguson – Mt. Holly, NC – $2,100

19 – 13 – 58 – Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – $2,900

20 – 22 – 99JR – Frank Heckenast Jr – Frankfort, IL – $2,000

21 – 11 – 44M – Chris Madden – Gray Court, SC – $2,000

22 – 25 – 6 – Clay Harris – Jupiter, FL – $1,000

23 – 10 – 19R – Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IA – $2,000

24 – 24 – 60 – Dan Ebert – Lake Shore, MN – $2,900

25 – 26 – 8 – Dillon McCowan – Urbana, MO – $1,000

26 – 14 – 71 – Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – $3,400

27 – 27 – 17SS – Brenden Smith – Dade City, FL – $100

Race Statistics  

Entrants: 49

Bilstein Shocks Pole Sitter: Dale McDowell

MD3 Lap Leaders: Dale McDowell (Laps 1-25); Ricky Thornton, Jr. (Laps 26-50)

Hellraizer Jacks Halfway Leader: Dale McDowell

Wieland Feature Winner: Ricky Thornton, Jr.

Margin of Victory: 1.213 seconds

Hellraizer Jacks Cautions: Brenden Smith (Lap 11); Dillon McCowan

MyRacePass Series Provisional: Josh Rice, Dan Ebert

Fast Time Provisional: n/a

Emergency Provisionals: Clay Harris, Dillon McCowan, Brenden Smith

Track Provisional: n/a

Big River Steel Podium Top 3: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Devin Moran, Josh Rice

Penske Shocks Top 5: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Devin Moran, Josh Rice, Dale McDowell, Kyle Bronson

Behrent’s One-Lap-to-Go Top 3: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Devin Moran, Josh Rice

PEM 4th Place Feature: Dale McDowell

Diversified Machine 5th Place Feature: Kyle Bronson

Wilwood Brakes 7th Place Feature: Nick Hoffman

Wehrs Machine 11th Place Feature: Brandon Overton

Velocity Manufacturing 13th Place Feature: Brian Shirley

XS Power Batteries 15th Place Feature: Jason Jameson

Hoker Trucking Hard Charger of the Race: Josh Rice (Advanced 20 positions)

MD3 Most Laps Led: Ricky Thornton, Jr. (25 Laps) | Highest Finisher

Sunoco Race Fuels Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Ricky Thornton, Jr.

Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Brandon Sheppard

O’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: Josh Rice

Pro Fabrication Headers Fastest Lap of the Race: Dale McDowell | Lap 2 | 16.465 seconds

FK Rod Ends Hard Luck Award: Hudson O’Neal

Victory Fuel Power Move of the Race: Devin Moran

Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Justin Tharp

ARP Engine Builder of the Race: Cornett Racing Engines

Miller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn Chassis

Dirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Max Blair | 15.355 seconds

Time of Race: 25 minutes 23 seconds

Big River Steel Championship Standings Presented by ARP:

Pos – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Points – Earnings

1 – 1 – Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 7355 – $298,100

2 – 99 – Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 7310 – $402,474

3 – 71 – Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – 7215 – $276,300

4 – 20RT – Ricky Thornton Jr – Chandler, AZ – 6945 – $327,025

5 – 76 – Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – 6740 – $173,275

6 – 111 – Max Blair – Centerville, PA – 6670 – $178,225

7 – 11 – Josh Rice – Crittenden, KY – 6475 – $232,075

8 – 3s – Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 6260 – $173,550

9 – 58 – Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 6095 – $130,725

10 – 40B – Kyle Bronson – Brandon, FL – 5905 – $105,875

11 – 93 – Carson Ferguson – Lincolnton, NC – 5825 – $107,375

12 – 6 – Clay Harris – Jupiter, FL – 5810 – $110,775

13 – 60 – Dan Ebert – Lake Shore, MN – 5690 – $155,175

14 – 8 – Dillon McCowan – Urbana, MO – 5605 – $121,450

15 – 22 – Daniel Hilsabeck – Earlham, IA – 4985 – $68,850

16 – 17SS – Brenden Smith – Dade City, FL – 4645 – $54,125

17 – 93L – Cory Lawler – Hanover, PA – 4345 – $34,475

Big River Steel Top 5 Bonus Standings Presented by ARP ($100,000):

Pos – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Points – Gap

1 – 99 – Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 695

2 – 20RT – Ricky Thornton Jr – Chandler, AZ – 675 – -20

3 – 1 – Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 590 – -105

4 – 76 – Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – 540 – -155

5 – 71 – Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – 500 – -195

Big River Steel 6th-15th Bonus Standings Presented by ARP ($25,000):

Pos – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Points – Gap

1 – 11 – Rice, Josh – Crittenden, KY – 635

2 – 111 – Blair, Max – Centerville, PA – 600 – -35

3 – 3s – Shirley, Brian – Chatham, IL – 555 – -80

4 – 93 – Ferguson, Carson – Lincolnton, NC – 510 – -125

5 – 40B – Bronson, Kyle – Brandon, FL – 500 – -135

6 – 60 – Ebert, Dan – Lake Shore, MN – 450 – -185

7 – 8 – McCowan, Dillon – Urbana, MO – 435 – -200

8 – 6 – Harris, Clay – Jupiter, FL – 415 – -220

9 – 58 – Alberson, Garrett – Las Cruces, NM – 390 – -245

Thornton Completes UNOH Clash on the Wabash Sweep at Eldora

Ricky Thornton Jr. completed a weekend sweep at Tony Stewart’s Eldora Speedway with a victory in Saturday night’s Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series-sanctioned UNOH Clash on the Wabash finale. Thornton and his Koehler Motorsports team earned $65,000 over the two nights.

Thornton collected $50,000 for Saturday’s feature victory and an additional $5,000 bonus from Automotive Racing Products after winning Friday’s $10,000-to-win opener.

Devin Moran charged from 15th to second to keep his bid for a second consecutive series championship alive. He now trails Brandon Sheppard, who finished sixth, by 45 points heading into Carl Short’s Dirt Track World Championship next weekend at West Virginia Motor Speedway.

Josh Rice earned Hoker Trucking Hard Charger of the Race honors by advancing from 23rd to third, rounding out the Big River Steel Podium despite lingering damage from the night’s first B-Main. Polesitter Dale McDowell led the first 25 laps and finished fourth, while Kyle Bronson edged Sheppard at the finish line for fifth.

Thornton crossed the finish line 1.213 seconds ahead of Moran to make his 64th career trip to Lucas Oil Wieland Victory Lane.

“Dale was really good from the get-go, and so was Nick (Hoffman). I kept watching the board, and I knew if Josh (Rice) was going to pass a bunch of cars, it was going to be around the top. So I kept watching for him up on the board, and I thought he was like seventh or eighth on the restart. I was like, all right, if I could get a good enough start—and the start before, Dale blocked the middle—if he doesn’t get a great restart this time, and if he goes in and blocks the middle again, hopefully I could just drive through the middle,” said the Chandler, Arizona, native.

“It worked out, but it doesn’t always work out like that. After that, I felt really good until I got to lapped cars. Then every time I got behind a lapped car, I felt like it slowed me down like five seconds. I needed to do a little better when I got to lapped cars. I had a setup a little different than I normally run here. It worked for us, and of course we had a yellow with three laps to go. I’m like, man, Devin is running around the bottom. I knew he wasn’t going to the top fast because I was already out there. So I knew I had to get out there and get a good restart and get off of turn two really well. I ran the last three laps as hard as I could.”

Moran earned $20,000 for his runner-up finish, keeping him firmly in championship contention heading into the season finale.

“Ricky is obviously pretty dang good. You know he is one of the best for a reason. He is rolling right now, and he was really good the last two nights. All in all, it was a great run. We have just got to figure out how to start up front. Honestly, I was driving really hard before I got to Sheppy, and then I caught him. I probably slid him one lap too early, and that got me into the fence. That really messed up my mojo there for a little while. If I would have waited, I could have gained myself five or six laps.”

Rice struck debris and hit the wall in the B-Main, forcing him to use a provisional to start the feature. His crew made enough repairs to get him back on track, and he gained 20 positions to finish third.

“I ran over something there, and I guess Bobby (Pierce) got it too. I actually didn’t even pull back into my pit stall. I figured it was too bad to even fix. Hats off to my guys for getting us fixed enough to race the feature. We had everything tight, and nothing fell off of it. I was kind of glad it was over. I pretty much got to where I was going to finish. I could tell on that restart that I was not going to be able to launch, and we held on for third. Actually, I thought I was catching Devin for the lead, and then I saw Ricky leading. I picked up a vibration, and I was ready for the race to be over.”

Thornton’s Koehler Motorsports, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Cornett Racing Engine and sponsored by Knight’s Companies, Hoker Trucking, Capital Waste, Elite Ready Mix, Certified Inspection Services, Sunoco Race Fuels, Strange Oval, SI Towing and Recovery, and D&E Outside Services.

Completing the top 10 were Brandon Sheppard, Nick Hoffman, Tyler Erb, Jonathan Davenport, and Garrett Smith.

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will conclude its 2026 season with the 46th Annual ARP Dirt Track World Championship presented by Summit Racing Equipment on October 16-17 at West Virginia Motor Speedway. Sheppard enters the final weekend with a 45-point advantage over Moran as the championship battle heads to its conclusion.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series 

Race Summary 

The UNOH Clash on the Wabash | Night 2

Saturday, October 10, 2026

Eldora Speedway | Rossburg, OH

Allstar Performance Time Trials

Fast Time Group A: Dale McDowell | 15.213 seconds (Overall)

Fast Time Group B: Nick Hoffman | 15.290 seconds

Penske Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 17M-Dale McDowell[1]; 2. 40B-Kyle Bronson[3]; 3. 58-Garrett Alberson[5]; 4. 17SS-Brenden Smith[7]; 5. 95-Boom Briggs[4]; 6. 5J-Braden Jones[6]; 7. 97-Cody Overton[8]; 8. 8A-Rob Anderzack[9]; 9. 6-Clay Harris[2]

Summit Racing Products Heat Race #2 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[1]; 2. 10-Garrett Smith[3]; 3. 99-Devin Moran[2]; 4. 1T-Tyler Erb[4]; 5. 5T-Drake Troutman[5]; 6. 20-Jimmy Owens[7]; 7. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[6]; 8. 5N-Dustin Nobbe[8]

Cool-It Thermo-Tec Heat Race #3 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 22F-Chris Ferguson[1]; 2. 44M-Chris Madden[2]; 3. 20TC-Tristan Chamberlain[7]; 4. 76-Brandon Overton[3]; 5. 12M-Ryan Montgomery[6]; 6. S21-Seth Daniels[4]; 7. 9 1 1-Freddie Carpenter[5]; 8. 69-Jon Hodgkiss[8]

Simpson Race Products Heat Race #4 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 9H-Nick Hoffman[1]; 2. 111-Max Blair[2]; 3. 71-Hudson O’Neal[3]; 4. 32-Bobby Pierce[6]; 5. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr[7]; 6. 1P-Earl Pearson Jr[4]; 7. 49M-Luke Morey[8]; 8. 17SR-Brody Smith[5]

MyRacePass Heat Race #5 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 1-Brandon Sheppard[1]; 2. 19R-Ryan Gustin[2]; 3. 74X-Ethan Dotson[4]; 4. 8S-Brian Shirley[7]; 5. 95J-Jerry Bowersock[6]; 6. 7T-Christian Thomas[5]; 7. 7*-Logan Hitt[3]; 8. 15C-Curt Schroeder[8]

Lucas Oil Products Heat Race #6 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 1. 93F-Carson Ferguson[1]; 2. 49-Jonathan Davenport[2]; 3. 12J-Jason Jameson[3]; 4. 11-Josh Rice[6]; 5. 157-Mike Marlar[5]; 6. 60-Dan Ebert[4]; 7. 8-Dillon McCowan[8]; 8. 555-Brock Pinkerous[7]

Fast Shafts B-Main Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 2 Transfer): 1. 1T-Tyler Erb[2]; 2. 76-Brandon Overton[3]; 3. 5T-Drake Troutman[5]; 4. 17SS-Brenden Smith[1]; 5. 97-Cody Overton[10]; 6. S21-Seth Daniels[9]; 7. 9 1 1-Freddie Carpenter[12]; 8. 20-Jimmy Owens[8]; 9. 5J-Braden Jones[7]; 10. 5N-Dustin Nobbe[14]; 11. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[11]; 12. 8A-Rob Anderzack[13]; 13. 69-Jon Hodgkiss[15]; 14. 12M-Ryan Montgomery[6]; 15. 95-Boom Briggs[4]; 16. (DNS) 6-Clay Harris

UNOH B-Main Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 2 Transfer): 1. 8S-Brian Shirley[2]; 2. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr[4]; 3. 1P-Earl Pearson Jr[7]; 4. 95J-Jerry Bowersock[5]; 5. 8-Dillon McCowan[12]; 6. 60-Dan Ebert[9]; 7. 49M-Luke Morey[10]; 8. 7*-Logan Hitt[11]; 9. 15C-Curt Schroeder[14]; 10. 32-Bobby Pierce[1]; 11. 11-Josh Rice[3]; 12. 6-Clay Harris[16]; 13. 157-Mike Marlar[6]; 14. 7T-Christian Thomas[8]; 15. 555-Brock Pinkerous[15]; 16. (DNS) 17SR-Brody Smith

The UNOH Clash on the Wabash | Night 2 | Feature Finish (50 Laps):

Pos – Start – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Earnings

1 – 3 – 20RT – Ricky Thornton Jr – Chandler, AZ – $56,300

2 – 15 – 99 – Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – $21,300

3 – 23 – 11 – Josh Rice – Crittenden, KY – $11,000

4 – 1 – 17M – Dale McDowell – Chickamauga, GA – $8,000

5 – 7 – 40B – Kyle Bronson – Brandon, FL – $7,900

6 – 4 – 1 – Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – $7,000

7 – 2 – 9H – Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – $4,500

8 – 19 – 1T – Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – $4,000

9 – 12 – 49 – Jonathan Davenport – Blairsville, GA – $3,800

10 – 9 – 10 – Garrett Smith – Madison, GA – $3,600

11 – 21 – 76 – Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – $4,300

12 – 8 – 111 – Max Blair – Centerville, PA – $4,100

13 – 20 – 8S – Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – $3,900

14 – 6 – 93F – Carson Ferguson – Lincolnton, NC – $3,400

15 – 18 – 12J – Jason Jameson – Lawrenceburg, IN – $2,400

16 – 16 – 74X – Ethan Dotson – Bakersfield, CA – $2,300

17 – 17 – 20TC – Tristan Chamberlain – Richmond, IN – $2,200

18 – 5 – 22F – Chris Ferguson – Mt. Holly, NC – $2,100

19 – 13 – 58 – Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – $2,900

20 – 22 – 99JR – Frank Heckenast Jr – Frankfort, IL – $2,000

21 – 11 – 44M – Chris Madden – Gray Court, SC – $2,000

22 – 25 – 6 – Clay Harris – Jupiter, FL – $1,000

23 – 10 – 19R – Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IA – $2,000

24 – 24 – 60 – Dan Ebert – Lake Shore, MN – $2,900

25 – 26 – 8 – Dillon McCowan – Urbana, MO – $1,000

26 – 14 – 71 – Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – $3,400

27 – 27 – 17SS – Brenden Smith – Dade City, FL – $100

Race Statistics  

Entrants: 49

Bilstein Shocks Pole Sitter: Dale McDowell

MD3 Lap Leaders: Dale McDowell (Laps 1-25); Ricky Thornton, Jr. (Laps 26-50)

Hellraizer Jacks Halfway Leader: Dale McDowell

Wieland Feature Winner: Ricky Thornton, Jr.

Margin of Victory: 1.213 seconds

Hellraizer Jacks Cautions: Brenden Smith (Lap 11); Dillon McCowan

MyRacePass Series Provisional: Josh Rice, Dan Ebert

Fast Time Provisional: n/a

Emergency Provisionals: Clay Harris, Dillon McCowan, Brenden Smith

Track Provisional: n/a

Big River Steel Podium Top 3: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Devin Moran, Josh Rice

Penske Shocks Top 5: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Devin Moran, Josh Rice, Dale McDowell, Kyle Bronson

Behrent’s One-Lap-to-Go Top 3: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Devin Moran, Josh Rice

PEM 4th Place Feature: Dale McDowell

Diversified Machine 5th Place Feature: Kyle Bronson

Wilwood Brakes 7th Place Feature: Nick Hoffman

Wehrs Machine 11th Place Feature: Brandon Overton

Velocity Manufacturing 13th Place Feature: Brian Shirley

XS Power Batteries 15th Place Feature: Jason Jameson

Hoker Trucking Hard Charger of the Race: Josh Rice (Advanced 20 positions)

MD3 Most Laps Led: Ricky Thornton, Jr. (25 Laps) | Highest Finisher

Sunoco Race Fuels Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Ricky Thornton, Jr.

Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Brandon Sheppard

O’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: Josh Rice

Pro Fabrication Headers Fastest Lap of the Race: Dale McDowell | Lap 2 | 16.465 seconds

FK Rod Ends Hard Luck Award: Hudson O’Neal

Victory Fuel Power Move of the Race: Devin Moran

Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Justin Tharp

ARP Engine Builder of the Race: Cornett Racing Engines

Miller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn Chassis

Dirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Max Blair | 15.355 seconds

Time of Race: 25 minutes 23 seconds

Big River Steel Championship Standings Presented by ARP:

Pos – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Points – Earnings

1 – 1 – Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 7355 – $298,100

2 – 99 – Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 7310 – $402,474

3 – 71 – Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – 7215 – $276,300

4 – 20RT – Ricky Thornton Jr – Chandler, AZ – 6945 – $327,025

5 – 76 – Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – 6740 – $173,275

6 – 111 – Max Blair – Centerville, PA – 6670 – $178,225

7 – 11 – Josh Rice – Crittenden, KY – 6475 – $232,075

8 – 3s – Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 6260 – $173,550

9 – 58 – Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 6095 – $130,725

10 – 40B – Kyle Bronson – Brandon, FL – 5905 – $105,875

11 – 93 – Carson Ferguson – Lincolnton, NC – 5825 – $107,375

12 – 6 – Clay Harris – Jupiter, FL – 5810 – $110,775

13 – 60 – Dan Ebert – Lake Shore, MN – 5690 – $155,175

14 – 8 – Dillon McCowan – Urbana, MO – 5605 – $121,450

15 – 22 – Daniel Hilsabeck – Earlham, IA – 4985 – $68,850

16 – 17SS – Brenden Smith – Dade City, FL – 4645 – $54,125

17 – 93L – Cory Lawler – Hanover, PA – 4345 – $34,475

Big River Steel Top 5 Bonus Standings Presented by ARP ($100,000):

Pos – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Points – Gap

1 – 99 – Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 695

2 – 20RT – Ricky Thornton Jr – Chandler, AZ – 675 – -20

3 – 1 – Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 590 – -105

4 – 76 – Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – 540 – -155

5 – 71 – Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – 500 – -195

Big River Steel 6th-15th Bonus Standings Presented by ARP ($25,000):

Pos – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Points – Gap

1 – 11 – Rice, Josh – Crittenden, KY – 635

2 – 111 – Blair, Max – Centerville, PA – 600 – -35

3 – 3s – Shirley, Brian – Chatham, IL – 555 – -80

4 – 93 – Ferguson, Carson – Lincolnton, NC – 510 – -125

5 – 40B – Bronson, Kyle – Brandon, FL – 500 – -135

6 – 60 – Ebert, Dan – Lake Shore, MN – 450 – -185

7 – 8 – McCowan, Dillon – Urbana, MO – 435 – -200

8 – 6 – Harris, Clay – Jupiter, FL – 415 – -220

9 – 58 – Alberson, Garrett – Las Cruces, NM – 390 – -245

10 – 22 – Hilsabeck, Daniel – Earlham, IA – 335 – -300