CONCORD, NC (December 10, 2026) – Since the revival of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series in 2004, the opening weeks of every season have included a stint in Florida.

Whether for a few nights or multiple weeks of racing, the warm weather, salty air and sandy coasts have served as a destination for racers and fans looking to escape the cold and usher in a new season.

The past 22 seasons of World of Outlaws racing in the “Sunshine State” have been split between two iconic facilities, with a third set to join the list in 2026 by hosting The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet for the first time.

Here’s a look at the events that have shaped Florida’s Late Model legacy:

DIRTcar Sunshine Nationals: Starting in 2020, fans no longer had to wait until February to see Late Models ripping around Volusia Speedway Park.

The inaugural edition of DIRTcar Sunshine Nationals featured several divisions of Crate Late Models kicking off the season in mid-January. Florida’s own Kyle Bronson dominated the weekend, going three-for-three in the 604 Late Models.

It was then decided that no “Late Model Palooza” could be complete without the Super Late Models, and the World of Outlaws were brought in to open the season at the event beginning in 2021. Bronson’s Sunshine Nationals speed carried over into the open motor division, as he won the first January World of Outlaws race at Volusia before Kyle Strickler collected his first Series victory to close out the weekend.

In the five Sunshine Nationals featuring the World of Outlaws, Devin Moran tops the win column with three victories in the event, while Dale McDowell, Hudson O’Neal, Ryan Gustin and Garrett Alberson have also hoisted trophies.

Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals: Since the inception of Volusia’s signature event in the 1970s, Late Models have been one of the premiere divisions entertaining fans each February.

The early years of DIRTcar Nationals saw names like Wayne Shugart, Morgan Shepherd and Larry Moore lead the way around the “World’s Fastest Half Mile.” Racing in the 1980s and 1990s fell under the banner of several of the premiere touring series of the era, including the Hav-A-Tampa Dirt Racing Series and the STARS Late Model Series.

In the leadup to the 2004 season, a new era of national Late Model racing dawned with the revival of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, and the first stop was set for Barberville, FL. A star-studded field of drivers converged on Volusia for the week, with Steve Francis taking the checkers on opening night to become the first fendered World of Outlaws winner in 15 years.

Francis was the first of four different winners in four races contested that week, as Bart Hartman, Shannon Babb and Scott Bloomquist also added their names to the list of Volusia winners.

The new February tradition quickly grew into one of the premiere weeks of racing on the Late Model calendar as more teams and fans began making the annual pilgrimage to Volusia. But every marquee event needs a signature prize, and DIRTcar Nationals got one in 2012 with the introduction of the “Big Gator” trophy.

The award went to the top points earner over the course of the week, and Dennis Erb Jr.’s one win and three top fives were enough to become the first Late Model Big Gator champion. In total, nine different drivers have earned the award in the 14 years since its debut. Brandon Sheppard tops them all with three (2019, 2020 and 2024).

Gator 100: For two seasons in the mid-2000s, World of Outlaws racing in Florida wasn’t confined to the winter. Eight months after the season began at Volusia, the Series returned in October to finish the year in the same spot with the Gator 100.

The inaugural running in 2005 was led wire-to-wire by Bloomquist, but the real excitement was behind him. On the final lap, Billy Moyer got around Francis for second to earn his third World of Outlaws championship in a tiebreaker over the “Kentucky Colonel.”

One year later, Chris Madden took command from Rick Eckert to score the 2006 victory. That marked the end of Volusia’s tenure as the season finale, as the final race moved to its current home at The Dirt Track at Charlotte as part of World of Outlaws World Finals in 2007.

Winter Nationals: The only other Florida track with a history of hosting the World of Outlaws lies an hour west of Volusia. The egg-shaped Ocala Speedway can be one of the most difficult tracks in the sport to master, with the fast and sweeping Turns 1 and 2 requiring a vastly different approach than the hairpin at the opposite end in Turns 3 and 4.

Ocala’s initial slot on the calendar was in March, with Darrell Lanigan winning the first two stops in 2010 and 2011. Beginning in 2012, the track was added to the Speedweeks slate, and the tour began visiting the 3/8-mile oval prior to DIRTcar Nationals for the track’s Winter Nationals event.

The date change didn’t bother Lanigan, as he won four more times at Ocala between 2012 and 2014 to bring his total to six World of Outlaws wins at the track. Josh Richards was the only other Outlaw to win at Ocala more than once, picking up three wins before the track left the schedule after 2015.

Swamp Cabbage 100: A new marquee Late Model event is set to join the calendar in 2026, as the World of Outlaws will venture the furthest south they’ve even been in Florida for the inaugural World of Outlaws Swamp Cabbage 100 at Hendry County Motorsports Park on Friday-Saturday, Feb. 20-21.

The race, held in conjunction with the Swamp Cabbage Festival in nearby LaBelle, FL, has been held since 2023 with a 100-lap Factory Stock Feature as the main attraction. However, the festivities are set to take on a new look, as one week after the 2026 DIRTcar Nationals, the World of Outlaws will head to the southernmost dirt track in the United States for two full programs.

Between a bass fishing tournament prior to the event on Wednesday, Feb. 18, and an all-inclusive ticket policy which grants grandstand ticket holders access to the pit area throughout the night, fans have plenty of reasons to extend their stay in Florida and be part of the first chapter of the state’s newest early-season tradition.

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series kicks off 2026 at Volusia Speedway Park during DIRTcar Sunshine Nationals (Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 22-24) and Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals (Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 12-14), followed by the Swamp Cabbage 100 at Hendry County Motorsports Park (Friday-Saturday, Feb. 20-21). Get tickets and more information for all three events by clicking here.

Revisiting Two Decades of World of Outlaws Sunshine State History

CONCORD, NC (December 10, 2026) – Since the revival of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series in 2004, the opening weeks of every season have included a stint in Florida.

Whether for a few nights or multiple weeks of racing, the warm weather, salty air and sandy coasts have served as a destination for racers and fans looking to escape the cold and usher in a new season.

The past 22 seasons of World of Outlaws racing in the “Sunshine State” have been split between two iconic facilities, with a third set to join the list in 2026 by hosting The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet for the first time.

Here’s a look at the events that have shaped Florida’s Late Model legacy:

DIRTcar Sunshine Nationals: Starting in 2020, fans no longer had to wait until February to see Late Models ripping around Volusia Speedway Park.

The inaugural edition of DIRTcar Sunshine Nationals featured several divisions of Crate Late Models kicking off the season in mid-January. Florida’s own Kyle Bronson dominated the weekend, going three-for-three in the 604 Late Models.

It was then decided that no “Late Model Palooza” could be complete without the Super Late Models, and the World of Outlaws were brought in to open the season at the event beginning in 2021. Bronson’s Sunshine Nationals speed carried over into the open motor division, as he won the first January World of Outlaws race at Volusia before Kyle Strickler collected his first Series victory to close out the weekend.

In the five Sunshine Nationals featuring the World of Outlaws, Devin Moran tops the win column with three victories in the event, while Dale McDowell, Hudson O’Neal, Ryan Gustin and Garrett Alberson have also hoisted trophies.

Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals: Since the inception of Volusia’s signature event in the 1970s, Late Models have been one of the premiere divisions entertaining fans each February.

The early years of DIRTcar Nationals saw names like Wayne Shugart, Morgan Shepherd and Larry Moore lead the way around the “World’s Fastest Half Mile.” Racing in the 1980s and 1990s fell under the banner of several of the premiere touring series of the era, including the Hav-A-Tampa Dirt Racing Series and the STARS Late Model Series.

In the leadup to the 2004 season, a new era of national Late Model racing dawned with the revival of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, and the first stop was set for Barberville, FL. A star-studded field of drivers converged on Volusia for the week, with Steve Francis taking the checkers on opening night to become the first fendered World of Outlaws winner in 15 years.

Francis was the first of four different winners in four races contested that week, as Bart Hartman, Shannon Babb and Scott Bloomquist also added their names to the list of Volusia winners.

The new February tradition quickly grew into one of the premiere weeks of racing on the Late Model calendar as more teams and fans began making the annual pilgrimage to Volusia. But every marquee event needs a signature prize, and DIRTcar Nationals got one in 2012 with the introduction of the “Big Gator” trophy.

The award went to the top points earner over the course of the week, and Dennis Erb Jr.’s one win and three top fives were enough to become the first Late Model Big Gator champion. In total, nine different drivers have earned the award in the 14 years since its debut. Brandon Sheppard tops them all with three (2019, 2020 and 2024).

Gator 100: For two seasons in the mid-2000s, World of Outlaws racing in Florida wasn’t confined to the winter. Eight months after the season began at Volusia, the Series returned in October to finish the year in the same spot with the Gator 100.

The inaugural running in 2005 was led wire-to-wire by Bloomquist, but the real excitement was behind him. On the final lap, Billy Moyer got around Francis for second to earn his third World of Outlaws championship in a tiebreaker over the “Kentucky Colonel.”

One year later, Chris Madden took command from Rick Eckert to score the 2006 victory. That marked the end of Volusia’s tenure as the season finale, as the final race moved to its current home at The Dirt Track at Charlotte as part of World of Outlaws World Finals in 2007.

Winter Nationals: The only other Florida track with a history of hosting the World of Outlaws lies an hour west of Volusia. The egg-shaped Ocala Speedway can be one of the most difficult tracks in the sport to master, with the fast and sweeping Turns 1 and 2 requiring a vastly different approach than the hairpin at the opposite end in Turns 3 and 4.

Ocala’s initial slot on the calendar was in March, with Darrell Lanigan winning the first two stops in 2010 and 2011. Beginning in 2012, the track was added to the Speedweeks slate, and the tour began visiting the 3/8-mile oval prior to DIRTcar Nationals for the track’s Winter Nationals event.

The date change didn’t bother Lanigan, as he won four more times at Ocala between 2012 and 2014 to bring his total to six World of Outlaws wins at the track. Josh Richards was the only other Outlaw to win at Ocala more than once, picking up three wins before the track left the schedule after 2015.

Swamp Cabbage 100: A new marquee Late Model event is set to join the calendar in 2026, as the World of Outlaws will venture the furthest south they’ve even been in Florida for the inaugural World of Outlaws Swamp Cabbage 100 at Hendry County Motorsports Park on Friday-Saturday, Feb. 20-21.

The race, held in conjunction with the Swamp Cabbage Festival in nearby LaBelle, FL, has been held since 2023 with a 100-lap Factory Stock Feature as the main attraction. However, the festivities are set to take on a new look, as one week after the 2026 DIRTcar Nationals, the World of Outlaws will head to the southernmost dirt track in the United States for two full programs.

Between a bass fishing tournament prior to the event on Wednesday, Feb. 18, and an all-inclusive ticket policy which grants grandstand ticket holders access to the pit area throughout the night, fans have plenty of reasons to extend their stay in Florida and be part of the first chapter of the state’s newest early-season tradition.

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series kicks off 2026 at Volusia Speedway Park during DIRTcar Sunshine Nationals (Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 22-24) and Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals (Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 12-14), followed by the Swamp Cabbage 100 at Hendry County Motorsports Park (Friday-Saturday, Feb. 20-21). Get tickets and more information for all three events by clicking here.

If you can’t make it to the track, stream every lap live on DIRTVision.