CONCORD, NC (January 5, 2025) – Only a month remains before the 2026 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series season is unleashed.
An 87-day off-season will conclude on Feb. 4-7 in Barberville, FL when Volusia Speedway Park’s Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals brings the campaign to life. The Greatest Show on Dirt’s 49th year of showcasing the best Sprint Car drivers in the world is set to begin with four consecutive nights of racing at the “Sunshine State” 1/2 mile, culminating in a $20,000-to-win finale and the crowning of a Big Gator champion.
Volusia has served as the season-opening site since 2005. The Florida oval annually welcomes a healthy field of entries as teams shake off the winter rust, and expect 2026 to be no different. More than 50 Sprint Cars rolled into the pit area for last year’s DIRTcar Nationals.
“The World’s Fastest Half Mile” is home to 67 previous World of Outlaws races, making Volusia the 11th most visited track in Series history. Assuming weather cooperates, it’ll crack the top 10 next month. Nobody comes close to Donny Schatz’s mark of 15 wins as he’s topped 22-percent of those 67 Features. David Gravel and Brad Sweet are tied behind Schatz with seven victories apiece.
Kyle Larson is the reigning Big Gator champion. “Yung Money” took the Silva Motorsports No. 57 to Victory Lane on each of the last two nights in 2025 en route to the title. Carson Macedo and Christopher Bell also won Features last year. David Gravel and Daryn Pittman are tied for the most Big Gators since the award was introduced in 2012. Both own three.
David Gravel’s quest for a three-peat will begin at Volusia. He and Big Game Motorsports have claimed the last two World of Outlaws titles. Only Steve Kinser, Donny Schatz, and Brad Sweet have won three championships in a row through the Series’ first 48 seasons. While Gravel may enter as the favorite, he’ll have a hungry group ready to dethrone him.
One of the most prominent storylines to follow in Florida will be familiar faces in new places. The most noteworthy is Donny Schatz making his first appearance in the CJB Motorsports No. 15 as he opens his 30th consecutive tour. Spencer Bayston returns to the World of Outlaws teamed with Stenhouse Jr./Marshall Racing. Sheldon Haudenschild’s departure opened the SJMR seat for Bayston. Haudenschild hasn’t announced his 2026 plans, but he’s expected to begin a new chapter this year at Volusia.
The trip south will also signal the start of the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year battle. Three competitors are already signed on with possibly more to come. Ashton Torgerson (Shark Racing), Scotty Thiel (Greg Wheeler Motorsports), and Scott Bogucki (Three Stooges Racing) are the current contestants.
BUY DIRTCAR NATIONALS TICKETS HERE
WATCH EVERY LAP LIVE ON DIRTVision
EVENT SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, Feb. 4
3:00pm – Pit Gates open
4:00pm – Front Gates open
5:30pm – Hot Laps
Thursday, Feb. 5
3:00pm – Pit Gates open
4:00pm – Front Gates open
5:30pm – Hot Laps
Friday, Feb. 6
3:00pm – Pit Gates open
4:00pm – Front Gates open
5:30pm – Hot Laps
Saturday, Feb. 7
3:00pm – Pit Gates open
4:00pm – Front Gates open
5:30pm – Hot Laps
World of Outlaws Sprint Car DIRTcar Nationals Big Gator Champions
2025 — Kyle Larson
2024 — David Gravel
2023 — Logan Schuchart
2022 — David Gravel
2021 — Logan Schuchart
2020 — Brad Sweet
2019 — Daryn Pittman
2018 — Donny Schatz
2017 — David Gravel
2016 — Brad Sweet
2015 — Daryn Pittman
2014 — Paul McMahan
2013 — Daryn Pittman
2012 — Sammy Swindell
1 MONTH ALERT: Volusia’s DIRTcar Nationals Ignite 2026 World of Outlaws Campaign
CONCORD, NC (January 5, 2025) – Only a month remains before the 2026 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series season is unleashed.
An 87-day off-season will conclude on Feb. 4-7 in Barberville, FL when Volusia Speedway Park’s Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals brings the campaign to life. The Greatest Show on Dirt’s 49th year of showcasing the best Sprint Car drivers in the world is set to begin with four consecutive nights of racing at the “Sunshine State” 1/2 mile, culminating in a $20,000-to-win finale and the crowning of a Big Gator champion.
Volusia has served as the season-opening site since 2005. The Florida oval annually welcomes a healthy field of entries as teams shake off the winter rust, and expect 2026 to be no different. More than 50 Sprint Cars rolled into the pit area for last year’s DIRTcar Nationals.
“The World’s Fastest Half Mile” is home to 67 previous World of Outlaws races, making Volusia the 11th most visited track in Series history. Assuming weather cooperates, it’ll crack the top 10 next month. Nobody comes close to Donny Schatz’s mark of 15 wins as he’s topped 22-percent of those 67 Features. David Gravel and Brad Sweet are tied behind Schatz with seven victories apiece.
Kyle Larson is the reigning Big Gator champion. “Yung Money” took the Silva Motorsports No. 57 to Victory Lane on each of the last two nights in 2025 en route to the title. Carson Macedo and Christopher Bell also won Features last year. David Gravel and Daryn Pittman are tied for the most Big Gators since the award was introduced in 2012. Both own three.
David Gravel’s quest for a three-peat will begin at Volusia. He and Big Game Motorsports have claimed the last two World of Outlaws titles. Only Steve Kinser, Donny Schatz, and Brad Sweet have won three championships in a row through the Series’ first 48 seasons. While Gravel may enter as the favorite, he’ll have a hungry group ready to dethrone him.
One of the most prominent storylines to follow in Florida will be familiar faces in new places. The most noteworthy is Donny Schatz making his first appearance in the CJB Motorsports No. 15 as he opens his 30th consecutive tour. Spencer Bayston returns to the World of Outlaws teamed with Stenhouse Jr./Marshall Racing. Sheldon Haudenschild’s departure opened the SJMR seat for Bayston. Haudenschild hasn’t announced his 2026 plans, but he’s expected to begin a new chapter this year at Volusia.
The trip south will also signal the start of the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year battle. Three competitors are already signed on with possibly more to come. Ashton Torgerson (Shark Racing), Scotty Thiel (Greg Wheeler Motorsports), and Scott Bogucki (Three Stooges Racing) are the current contestants.
BUY DIRTCAR NATIONALS TICKETS HERE
WATCH EVERY LAP LIVE ON DIRTVision
EVENT SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, Feb. 4
3:00pm – Pit Gates open
4:00pm – Front Gates open
5:30pm – Hot Laps
Thursday, Feb. 5
3:00pm – Pit Gates open
4:00pm – Front Gates open
5:30pm – Hot Laps
Friday, Feb. 6
3:00pm – Pit Gates open
4:00pm – Front Gates open
5:30pm – Hot Laps
Saturday, Feb. 7
3:00pm – Pit Gates open
4:00pm – Front Gates open
5:30pm – Hot Laps
World of Outlaws Sprint Car DIRTcar Nationals Big Gator Champions
2025 — Kyle Larson
2024 — David Gravel
2023 — Logan Schuchart
2022 — David Gravel
2021 — Logan Schuchart
2020 — Brad Sweet
2019 — Daryn Pittman
2018 — Donny Schatz
2017 — David Gravel
2016 — Brad Sweet
2015 — Daryn Pittman
2014 — Paul McMahan
2013 — Daryn Pittman
2012 — Sammy Swindell
World of Outlaws Sprint Car DIRTcar Nationals Feature Winners
February 8th, 2025 — Kyle Larson
February 7th, 2025 — Kyle Larson
February 6th, 2025 — Christopher Bell
February 5th, 2025 — Carson Macedo
February 10th, 2024 — Sheldon Haudenschild
February 9th, 2024 — Tyler Courtney
February 8th, 2024 — David Gravel
February 7th, 2024 — Brad Sweet
March 5th, 2023 — James McFadden*
February 10th, 2023 — David Gravel
February 9th, 2023 — David Gravel
February 12th, 2022 — David Gravel
February 11th, 2022 — Sheldon Haudenschild
February 10th, 2022 — Donny Schatz
February 6th, 2021 — Logan Schuchart
February 5th, 2021 — Brad Sweet
February 9th, 2020 — Logan Schuchart
February 8th, 2020 — Brad Sweet
February 7th, 2020 — Donny Schatz
February 9th, 2019 — Daryn Pittman
February 8th, 2019 — Daryn Pittman
February 11th, 2018 — Donny Schatz
February 10th, 2018 — Donny Schatz
February 9th, 2018 — Sheldon Haudenschild
February 19th, 2017 — Donny Schatz
February 19th, 2017 — Donny Schatz
February 17th, 2017 — Jason Johnson
February 14th, 2016 — Brad Sweet
February 13th, 2016 — Donny Schatz
February 12th, 2016 — Brad Sweet
February 15th, 2015 — Brad Sweet
February 14th, 2015 — Donny Schatz
February 13th, 2015 — Daryn Pittman
February 16th, 2014 — Steve Kinser
February 15th, 2014 — Donny Schatz
February 14th, 2014 — Brad Sweet
February 17th, 2013 — Danny Lasoski
February 16th, 2013 — Terry McCarl
February 15th, 2013 — Daryn Pittman
February 19th, 2012 — Donny Schatz
February 19th, 2012 — Craig Dollansky
February 18th, 2012 — Danny Lasoski
February 13th, 2011 — Jason Sides
February 12th, 2011 — Steve Kinser
February 11th, 2011 — Steve Kinser
February 7th, 2010 — Steve Kinser
February 6th, 2010 — Donny Schatz
February 8th, 2009 — Donny Schatz
February 7th, 2009 — Joey Saldana
February 6th, 2009 — Donny Schatz
February 10th, 2008 — Danny Lasoski
February 9th, 2008 — Jason Meyers
February 8th, 2008 — Craig Dollansky
February 11, 2007 — Daryn Pittman
February 10th, 2007 — Kerry Madsen
February 9th, 2007 — Donny Schatz
February 10th, 2006 — Joey Saldana
February 9th, 2006 — Chad Kemenah
February 13th, 2005 — Steve Kinser
February 11th, 2005 — Jeff Shepard