NASCAR CUP SERIES CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS TEAM CHEVY DRIVER QUOTES FEBRUARY 28, 2026

Carson Hocevar, driver of the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, met with the media onsite at Circuit of The Americas in advance of the NASCAR Cup Series’ third points-paying race of the 2026 season.

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race AdvancesChevrolet Newsroom

Media Availability Quotes:  Can you talk about the new challenge with the track limits being maybe slightly differently enforced with those new barriers there? Also, what speed and gear will you be pulling through that section?“Yeah, I think it helps a little bit for the driver’s standpoint… now you have something to obviously hit, which is more risky. But the biggest thing is sometimes it’s hard to really 100% gauge because you want to be on the limit of the track limit, so it’s really difficult to judge at times. So as long as we’re not hitting a tire barrier, you know you’re pretty safe. And you know you’re probably not losing time to others that are really, really good at maximizing it all, whereas if you’re trying to be a little bit more conservative with it.  Yeah, I think it helps a lot of us just kind of know exactly how far we’re on the limit. You can kind of tell how close you are to that barrier, versus it’s such a different perspective when you’re looking up and you’re giving up two feet. Yeah, it’s hard to judge 100% when you know the penalty is pretty steep that you’ve got to do a stop and go.”    What’s your mindset coming into these road course races?“I would like to stay on the tarmac… that’s a big one. You know, just not make any mistakes;  know the track limits, don’t hit the tire barrier and hurt my toe, right? Just start with there and race the racetrack. Really, just not trying to get too much. I know this isn’t a place for us to go out and stack a huge points day. But, you know, just maximize whatever it is… whether it’s single digits, whether it’s teens.  Just get as many points as possible for us to help us towards next week for the metric. That’s the biggest thing. If I can break even on points, I think that’s a win. If I gain points, that’s really, really above expectations. But the goal is just not to lose any points on the gap to the cut.”   I was curious with the speed that you guys had at COTA last year. Will that be a matter of trying to just build that cushion so you guys are fourth in points, as opposed to, hey, maybe we can try to hang around late and try to fight for a win?“Yeah, I mean, for me, if there’s stage points available, I’d love to get it. Even if it’s like just two points, I just think it’s super important. And, you know, knowing how chaotic turn one restarts can get, it seems like you can always kind of get track position late. Yeah, obviously not to win the race or be super far from it, but I feel like you can kind of get back to where you were in stage three more likely to have even more restarts.  So, yeah, for us, I just think just continuing to build our points is just the biggest thing. If I could leave plus-29 points heading into Phoenix — whether I’m still fourth or seventh or whatever, if I’m still plus-29 points, I’d be really happy. On the network this week, there were comparisons made to you and Dale Earnhardt. Have you watched videos of Earnhardt? I mean, because clearly you weren’t old enough to kind of live out those glory days of Dale, but what do you think about the comparisons that fans are making to you at this juncture in your career?“Yeah, I’ve watched every documentary of every driver. I’ve watched the Dale documentaries, the Tim Richmond specials, Davey Allison, Alan Kulwicki. You know, I’ve watched it all, even as a kid.  Yeah, I don’t know. I mean, everybody’s open to their own interpretation. I feel like you’re always just going to be compared to somebody, whether they’re good or bad. You know, if I was really, really slow, there’s probably comparisons of guys that were really, really slow back in the day, too.  I just go out and race and I enjoy it. I take it as a massive compliment, you know, from Richard Petty, Kyle Petty, Dale Jr., all of them making comparisons. I’m appreciative of that. I would like to just have half the success any of those guys did. But I think we’re getting ready to get our cars in a really good spot to be able to be in position. I think we’ve been in position to win three of these races. I don’t know if this week we’ll show that, but I think we have really good tracks coming up that we can do that. But for me, I’m just going in the merch hauler and signing 77 diecasts. You know, that’s me. Maybe in 20-30 years, somebody’s hopefully making comparisons of myself to the next kid that was doing it and running good.  So, yeah, I just think it was a compliment, but you know, I’m not hanging up No. 3 posters on my wall and trying to pretend to be anything I’m not.”   Is there any one style, though, from doing the research and watching the videos or just watching over the last two decades that you’ve been alive that you’ve emulated their styles?“Well, no, not really. I think if you’re building a perfect race car driver, I think you want to be able to emulate a bit of this guy, a bit of this guy, a bit of this guy. You know, you don’t want to just emulate one whole driver. I think you just want to be successful or be versatile in all areas. So, yeah, there’s not like a direct style. I just want the style of whatever it takes to succeed, whether it’s being aggressive in this spot or letting somebody else be aggressive for me and taking that spot. It’s just all circumstantial. You’re racing at different corners at different times. You’re playing different people, right? You know, it’s not like any other sport where you’re just playing the same guy over and over and over. You have one restart and you have totally different guys than you’ve been racing around all day. You’re going to have to be able to change with them.”    I know wins and losses are in a driver’s stack column, but considering how much you won on the local scene as a kid, is it something that you think about now at the national level, like, oh, I’m 0 for such and such, and that kind of plays a role in your mentality on the track every Sunday?“You know, I feel like going into my rookie year, that was 33rd in owners points when I got into it, right? So, I think from Spires Motorsports’ steps, I think every team that’s not the big three teams that are basically dominating, they’re all trying to emulate Spires’ progression. You saw 23XI, they’re super successful. Trackhouse Racing is super successful. But now, we’re on that.  It’s a lot easier to say it and say you have a five-year plan, but it’s really hard to actually pull it off because when we get faster, the big teams see it and they want to get faster. So it’s like, did you actually get faster or did everybody else just get faster with you? So if everybody else got faster, did you actually get faster? The field just keeps getting tighter. The floors are raising higher than the ceiling right now. We continue to keep adding people, parts and pieces and processes that — I think it was known to all of us after the second year that it was expected to have won already, just because I think if we weren’t so fast, people would still think Spire is this little team. But there’s been a lot of times we’ve been in contention and we’ve changed that narrative ourselves.  So, yeah, I’m excited about it. I think we’re still really early here a little bit. I think we can do it. There were times where I felt like we were in impossible positions and there were things I couldn’t do from behind the seat that took us out of contention.  I think the track record so far this year of being up front in every race is holding a lot of weight for us and our confidence.”    The debut of 750 horsepower with this car on road courses this year, what changes do you foresee in handling and passing ability this weekend compared to the last?“I feel like tire wear is probably going to be a little bit more of an issue, or at least higher heat, which could have more comers and goers and probably reward the guys that can create speed without upsetting the tires. Just being able to make speed while keeping it under control and being on the limit there. So, yeah, I think there could be opportunities for more passing if guys really burn up their stuff early.”

NASCAR CUP SERIESCIRCUIT OF THE AMERICASTEAM CHEVY DRIVER QUOTESFEBRUARY 28, 2026

Carson Hocevar, driver of the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, met with the media onsite at Circuit of The Americas in advance of the NASCAR Cup Series’ third points-paying race of the 2026 season.

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race AdvancesChevrolet Newsroom

Media Availability Quotes:  Can you talk about the new challenge with the track limits being maybe slightly differently enforced with those new barriers there? Also, what speed and gear will you be pulling through that section?“Yeah, I think it helps a little bit for the driver’s standpoint… now you have something to obviously hit, which is more risky. But the biggest thing is sometimes it’s hard to really 100% gauge because you want to be on the limit of the track limit, so it’s really difficult to judge at times. So as long as we’re not hitting a tire barrier, you know you’re pretty safe. And you know you’re probably not losing time to others that are really, really good at maximizing it all, whereas if you’re trying to be a little bit more conservative with it.  Yeah, I think it helps a lot of us just kind of know exactly how far we’re on the limit. You can kind of tell how close you are to that barrier, versus it’s such a different perspective when you’re looking up and you’re giving up two feet. Yeah, it’s hard to judge 100% when you know the penalty is pretty steep that you’ve got to do a stop and go.”    What’s your mindset coming into these road course races?“I would like to stay on the tarmac… that’s a big one. You know, just not make any mistakes;  know the track limits, don’t hit the tire barrier and hurt my toe, right? Just start with there and race the racetrack. Really, just not trying to get too much. I know this isn’t a place for us to go out and stack a huge points day. But, you know, just maximize whatever it is… whether it’s single digits, whether it’s teens.  Just get as many points as possible for us to help us towards next week for the metric. That’s the biggest thing. If I can break even on points, I think that’s a win. If I gain points, that’s really, really above expectations. But the goal is just not to lose any points on the gap to the cut.”   I was curious with the speed that you guys had at COTA last year. Will that be a matter of trying to just build that cushion so you guys are fourth in points, as opposed to, hey, maybe we can try to hang around late and try to fight for a win?“Yeah, I mean, for me, if there’s stage points available, I’d love to get it. Even if it’s like just two points, I just think it’s super important. And, you know, knowing how chaotic turn one restarts can get, it seems like you can always kind of get track position late. Yeah, obviously not to win the race or be super far from it, but I feel like you can kind of get back to where you were in stage three more likely to have even more restarts.  So, yeah, for us, I just think just continuing to build our points is just the biggest thing. If I could leave plus-29 points heading into Phoenix — whether I’m still fourth or seventh or whatever, if I’m still plus-29 points, I’d be really happy. On the network this week, there were comparisons made to you and Dale Earnhardt. Have you watched videos of Earnhardt? I mean, because clearly you weren’t old enough to kind of live out those glory days of Dale, but what do you think about the comparisons that fans are making to you at this juncture in your career?“Yeah, I’ve watched every documentary of every driver. I’ve watched the Dale documentaries, the Tim Richmond specials, Davey Allison, Alan Kulwicki. You know, I’ve watched it all, even as a kid.  Yeah, I don’t know. I mean, everybody’s open to their own interpretation. I feel like you’re always just going to be compared to somebody, whether they’re good or bad. You know, if I was really, really slow, there’s probably comparisons of guys that were really, really slow back in the day, too.  I just go out and race and I enjoy it. I take it as a massive compliment, you know, from Richard Petty, Kyle Petty, Dale Jr., all of them making comparisons. I’m appreciative of that. I would like to just have half the success any of those guys did. But I think we’re getting ready to get our cars in a really good spot to be able to be in position. I think we’ve been in position to win three of these races. I don’t know if this week we’ll show that, but I think we have really good tracks coming up that we can do that. But for me, I’m just going in the merch hauler and signing 77 diecasts. You know, that’s me. Maybe in 20-30 years, somebody’s hopefully making comparisons of myself to the next kid that was doing it and running good.  So, yeah, I just think it was a compliment, but you know, I’m not hanging up No. 3 posters on my wall and trying to pretend to be anything I’m not.”   Is there any one style, though, from doing the research and watching the videos or just watching over the last two decades that you’ve been alive that you’ve emulated their styles?“Well, no, not really. I think if you’re building a perfect race car driver, I think you want to be able to emulate a bit of this guy, a bit of this guy, a bit of this guy. You know, you don’t want to just emulate one whole driver. I think you just want to be successful or be versatile in all areas. So, yeah, there’s not like a direct style. I just want the style of whatever it takes to succeed, whether it’s being aggressive in this spot or letting somebody else be aggressive for me and taking that spot. It’s just all circumstantial. You’re racing at different corners at different times. You’re playing different people, right? You know, it’s not like any other sport where you’re just playing the same guy over and over and over. You have one restart and you have totally different guys than you’ve been racing around all day. You’re going to have to be able to change with them.”    I know wins and losses are in a driver’s stack column, but considering how much you won on the local scene as a kid, is it something that you think about now at the national level, like, oh, I’m 0 for such and such, and that kind of plays a role in your mentality on the track every Sunday?“You know, I feel like going into my rookie year, that was 33rd in owners points when I got into it, right? So, I think from Spires Motorsports’ steps, I think every team that’s not the big three teams that are basically dominating, they’re all trying to emulate Spires’ progression. You saw 23XI, they’re super successful. Trackhouse Racing is super successful. But now, we’re on that.  It’s a lot easier to say it and say you have a five-year plan, but it’s really hard to actually pull it off because when we get faster, the big teams see it and they want to get faster. So it’s like, did you actually get faster or did everybody else just get faster with you? So if everybody else got faster, did you actually get faster? The field just keeps getting tighter. The floors are raising higher than the ceiling right now. We continue to keep adding people, parts and pieces and processes that — I think it was known to all of us after the second year that it was expected to have won already, just because I think if we weren’t so fast, people would still think Spire is this little team. But there’s been a lot of times we’ve been in contention and we’ve changed that narrative ourselves.  So, yeah, I’m excited about it. I think we’re still really early here a little bit. I think we can do it. There were times where I felt like we were in impossible positions and there were things I couldn’t do from behind the seat that took us out of contention.  I think the track record so far this year of being up front in every race is holding a lot of weight for us and our confidence.”    The debut of 750 horsepower with this car on road courses this year, what changes do you foresee in handling and passing ability this weekend compared to the last?“I feel like tire wear is probably going to be a little bit more of an issue, or at least higher heat, which could have more comers and goers and probably reward the guys that can create speed without upsetting the tires. Just being able to make speed while keeping it under control and being on the limit there. So, yeah, I think there could be opportunities for more passing if guys really burn up their stuff early.”

CASA GRANDE, AZ (Feb. 27, 2026) — Only three weeks removed from a crash that destroyed a brand-new race car, Kyler Johnson is back in the hunt for his first American Sprint Car Series championship.

Johnson, 22, of Quinter, KS, found needed momentum with the Series at Central Arizona Raceway last weekend with his first top-10 finish of the season on Saturday and a runner-up effort after leading several laps during Sunday’s main event. But those efforts didn’t come without a little resilience, having to get acclimated to a car he’d raced only once before.

For the start of his 2026 campaign, Johnson and his family had put together a brand-new car, which they debuted in the season opener at Volusia Speedway Park in January. That car met a disastrous fate when Johnson hit the outside wall in Turns 1 and 2 during his Heat Race on Saturday, resulting in terminal damage to the car’s frame.

The team turned to their backup car, which had not yet been raced, and finished the weekend before setting sights on the Sonoran Clash at Central Arizona. With only one night of racing on the car, Johnson came to Casa Grande with the kind of speed and skill seen from veterans in mid-season form, matching his career-best Series finish Sunday night.

“It’s good to pull the backup car down and be able to, basically, translate our speed from car-to-car,” Johnson said. “That just [shows] our efforts in the offseason of making both our cars identical. Everything’s just perfect on these things.”

Johnson began Sunday’s program by turning the fastest Qualifying lap of all 34 entrants before crossing the finish line second in the Honest Abe Roofing Dash to grid him on the outside front row for the main event. The green flag dropped, and while polesitter Justin Peck first looked to be the man to beat, a flat right-front tire dashed his chances for a repeat after winning Saturday and handed the lead over to Johnson with 13 laps complete.

Johnson led the field around for the next 10 laps, favoring the bottom lane around the 3/8-mile oval. His closest competition, Series points leader Matt Covington, had been making his way to the front with great speed on the top side and was rapidly closing the gap to the leader. With only five laps left, Covington zoomed past Johnson to his outside and into the lead before driving off with the victory.

“Early in the race, I was able to keep pace with Peck,” Johnson said. “After that yellow, I thought like the top was kinda too dry. Whenever I was running up there in traffic, I just felt like I was losing ground. I guess the top came in there toward the end of the race.

“Once I moved up there, I was just locked down. Matt was able to find it before I did, and that’s kind of the end of the story there.”

Despite falling one spot short of his first career American Sprint Car Series win, Johnson was still in good spirits after the race, knowing he and brother/Crew Chief Kahne Johnson’s efforts showed how capable they are of competing with the best in 360 Sprint Car racing and how close they might be to finally reaching Victory Lane.

“Any time you just have that one extra hand… [Kahne’s] really knowledgeable about setups,” Kyler said. “We’ve kinda got a whole new package going on this year compared to what we were doing last year, and we’re able to adjust on it the same way we had been. Definitely good to have speed early in the year, we’ve just gotta maintain it to have a fight at the championship here.”

The American Sprint Car Series is back in action at Central Arizona Raceway this Saturday and Sunday night, Feb. 28–March 1, in the finale of the inaugural Sonoran Clash.

Kyler Johnson Refocused After Strong Runs in Round 1 of Sonoran Clash

CASA GRANDE, AZ (Feb. 27, 2026) — Only three weeks removed from a crash that destroyed a brand-new race car, Kyler Johnson is back in the hunt for his first American Sprint Car Series championship.

Johnson, 22, of Quinter, KS, found needed momentum with the Series at Central Arizona Raceway last weekend with his first top-10 finish of the season on Saturday and a runner-up effort after leading several laps during Sunday’s main event. But those efforts didn’t come without a little resilience, having to get acclimated to a car he’d raced only once before.

For the start of his 2026 campaign, Johnson and his family had put together a brand-new car, which they debuted in the season opener at Volusia Speedway Park in January. That car met a disastrous fate when Johnson hit the outside wall in Turns 1 and 2 during his Heat Race on Saturday, resulting in terminal damage to the car’s frame.

The team turned to their backup car, which had not yet been raced, and finished the weekend before setting sights on the Sonoran Clash at Central Arizona. With only one night of racing on the car, Johnson came to Casa Grande with the kind of speed and skill seen from veterans in mid-season form, matching his career-best Series finish Sunday night.

“It’s good to pull the backup car down and be able to, basically, translate our speed from car-to-car,” Johnson said. “That just [shows] our efforts in the offseason of making both our cars identical. Everything’s just perfect on these things.”

Johnson began Sunday’s program by turning the fastest Qualifying lap of all 34 entrants before crossing the finish line second in the Honest Abe Roofing Dash to grid him on the outside front row for the main event. The green flag dropped, and while polesitter Justin Peck first looked to be the man to beat, a flat right-front tire dashed his chances for a repeat after winning Saturday and handed the lead over to Johnson with 13 laps complete.

Johnson led the field around for the next 10 laps, favoring the bottom lane around the 3/8-mile oval. His closest competition, Series points leader Matt Covington, had been making his way to the front with great speed on the top side and was rapidly closing the gap to the leader. With only five laps left, Covington zoomed past Johnson to his outside and into the lead before driving off with the victory.

“Early in the race, I was able to keep pace with Peck,” Johnson said. “After that yellow, I thought like the top was kinda too dry. Whenever I was running up there in traffic, I just felt like I was losing ground. I guess the top came in there toward the end of the race.

“Once I moved up there, I was just locked down. Matt was able to find it before I did, and that’s kind of the end of the story there.”

Despite falling one spot short of his first career American Sprint Car Series win, Johnson was still in good spirits after the race, knowing he and brother/Crew Chief Kahne Johnson’s efforts showed how capable they are of competing with the best in 360 Sprint Car racing and how close they might be to finally reaching Victory Lane.

“Any time you just have that one extra hand… [Kahne’s] really knowledgeable about setups,” Kyler said. “We’ve kinda got a whole new package going on this year compared to what we were doing last year, and we’re able to adjust on it the same way we had been. Definitely good to have speed early in the year, we’ve just gotta maintain it to have a fight at the championship here.”

The American Sprint Car Series is back in action at Central Arizona Raceway this Saturday and Sunday night, Feb. 28–March 1, in the finale of the inaugural Sonoran Clash.

Tickets can be purchased at the track on race day. If you can’t make it to the track, how can you watch the action? Every American Sprint Car Series race is live on DIRTVision.

CASA GRANDE, AZ (Feb. 27, 2026) — Only three weeks removed from a crash that destroyed a brand-new race car, Kyler Johnson is back in the hunt for his first American Sprint Car Series championship.

Johnson, 22, of Quinter, KS, found needed momentum with the Series at Central Arizona Raceway last weekend with his first top-10 finish of the season on Saturday and a runner-up effort after leading several laps during Sunday’s main event. But those efforts didn’t come without a little resilience, having to get acclimated to a car he’d raced only once before.

For the start of his 2026 campaign, Johnson and his family had put together a brand-new car, which they debuted in the season opener at Volusia Speedway Park in January. That car met a disastrous fate when Johnson hit the outside wall in Turns 1 and 2 during his Heat Race on Saturday, resulting in terminal damage to the car’s frame.

The team turned to their backup car, which had not yet been raced, and finished the weekend before setting sights on the Sonoran Clash at Central Arizona. With only one night of racing on the car, Johnson came to Casa Grande with the kind of speed and skill seen from veterans in mid-season form, matching his career-best Series finish Sunday night.

“It’s good to pull the backup car down and be able to, basically, translate our speed from car-to-car,” Johnson said. “That just [shows] our efforts in the offseason of making both our cars identical. Everything’s just perfect on these things.”

Johnson began Sunday’s program by turning the fastest Qualifying lap of all 34 entrants before crossing the finish line second in the Honest Abe Roofing Dash to grid him on the outside front row for the main event. The green flag dropped, and while polesitter Justin Peck first looked to be the man to beat, a flat right-front tire dashed his chances for a repeat after winning Saturday and handed the lead over to Johnson with 13 laps complete.

Johnson led the field around for the next 10 laps, favoring the bottom lane around the 3/8-mile oval. His closest competition, Series points leader Matt Covington, had been making his way to the front with great speed on the top side and was rapidly closing the gap to the leader. With only five laps left, Covington zoomed past Johnson to his outside and into the lead before driving off with the victory.

“Early in the race, I was able to keep pace with Peck,” Johnson said. “After that yellow, I thought like the top was kinda too dry. Whenever I was running up there in traffic, I just felt like I was losing ground. I guess the top came in there toward the end of the race.

“Once I moved up there, I was just locked down. Matt was able to find it before I did, and that’s kind of the end of the story there.”

Despite falling one spot short of his first career American Sprint Car Series win, Johnson was still in good spirits after the race, knowing he and brother/Crew Chief Kahne Johnson’s efforts showed how capable they are of competing with the best in 360 Sprint Car racing and how close they might be to finally reaching Victory Lane.

“Any time you just have that one extra hand… [Kahne’s] really knowledgeable about setups,” Kyler said. “We’ve kinda got a whole new package going on this year compared to what we were doing last year, and we’re able to adjust on it the same way we had been. Definitely good to have speed early in the year, we’ve just gotta maintain it to have a fight at the championship here.”

The American Sprint Car Series is back in action at Central Arizona Raceway this Saturday and Sunday night, Feb. 28–March 1, in the finale of the inaugural Sonoran Clash.

Kyler Johnson Refocused After Strong Runs in Round 1 of Sonoran Clash

CASA GRANDE, AZ (Feb. 27, 2026) — Only three weeks removed from a crash that destroyed a brand-new race car, Kyler Johnson is back in the hunt for his first American Sprint Car Series championship.

Johnson, 22, of Quinter, KS, found needed momentum with the Series at Central Arizona Raceway last weekend with his first top-10 finish of the season on Saturday and a runner-up effort after leading several laps during Sunday’s main event. But those efforts didn’t come without a little resilience, having to get acclimated to a car he’d raced only once before.

For the start of his 2026 campaign, Johnson and his family had put together a brand-new car, which they debuted in the season opener at Volusia Speedway Park in January. That car met a disastrous fate when Johnson hit the outside wall in Turns 1 and 2 during his Heat Race on Saturday, resulting in terminal damage to the car’s frame.

The team turned to their backup car, which had not yet been raced, and finished the weekend before setting sights on the Sonoran Clash at Central Arizona. With only one night of racing on the car, Johnson came to Casa Grande with the kind of speed and skill seen from veterans in mid-season form, matching his career-best Series finish Sunday night.

“It’s good to pull the backup car down and be able to, basically, translate our speed from car-to-car,” Johnson said. “That just [shows] our efforts in the offseason of making both our cars identical. Everything’s just perfect on these things.”

Johnson began Sunday’s program by turning the fastest Qualifying lap of all 34 entrants before crossing the finish line second in the Honest Abe Roofing Dash to grid him on the outside front row for the main event. The green flag dropped, and while polesitter Justin Peck first looked to be the man to beat, a flat right-front tire dashed his chances for a repeat after winning Saturday and handed the lead over to Johnson with 13 laps complete.

Johnson led the field around for the next 10 laps, favoring the bottom lane around the 3/8-mile oval. His closest competition, Series points leader Matt Covington, had been making his way to the front with great speed on the top side and was rapidly closing the gap to the leader. With only five laps left, Covington zoomed past Johnson to his outside and into the lead before driving off with the victory.

“Early in the race, I was able to keep pace with Peck,” Johnson said. “After that yellow, I thought like the top was kinda too dry. Whenever I was running up there in traffic, I just felt like I was losing ground. I guess the top came in there toward the end of the race.

“Once I moved up there, I was just locked down. Matt was able to find it before I did, and that’s kind of the end of the story there.”

Despite falling one spot short of his first career American Sprint Car Series win, Johnson was still in good spirits after the race, knowing he and brother/Crew Chief Kahne Johnson’s efforts showed how capable they are of competing with the best in 360 Sprint Car racing and how close they might be to finally reaching Victory Lane.

“Any time you just have that one extra hand… [Kahne’s] really knowledgeable about setups,” Kyler said. “We’ve kinda got a whole new package going on this year compared to what we were doing last year, and we’re able to adjust on it the same way we had been. Definitely good to have speed early in the year, we’ve just gotta maintain it to have a fight at the championship here.”

The American Sprint Car Series is back in action at Central Arizona Raceway this Saturday and Sunday night, Feb. 28–March 1, in the finale of the inaugural Sonoran Clash.

Tickets can be purchased at the track on race day. If you can’t make it to the track, how can you watch the action? Every American Sprint Car Series race is live on DIRTVision.

Shane van Gisbergen, driver of the No. 97 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet and the No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, met with the media in advance of running double-duty in the NASCAR Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Circuit of The Americas.

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race AdvancesChevrolet Newsroom

NASCAR CUP SERIESCIRCUIT OF THE AMERICASTEAM CHEVY DRIVER QUOTESFEBRUARY 27, 2026

Shane van Gisbergen, driver of the No. 97 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet and the No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, met with the media in advance of running double-duty in the NASCAR Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Circuit of The Americas.

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race AdvancesChevrolet Newsroom

Media Availability Quotes:  I’m sure you’ve seen the stats, but if you win this week, you’ll tie Jeff Gordon for the most road courses in a row. What would that mean to you?“Yeah, first, afternoon, everyone. Yeah, it’d be pretty cool. Kevin Harvick, I did an interview with him the other day, and he brought that up, so it’d be cool to do that. Very different time with a lot more races per year, but I guess as a crew, last year we had an amazing year and it’d be awesome to carry that on this year.”  It seems like at COTA, you’re human, you haven’t won here yet… so what makes this place so tricky? “Yeah, it’s a tough track, and I think it’s also an easy track. You see the gaps between cars are a lot closer, so it’s more down to executing, not making mistakes and qualifying well. I think you don’t see a big field spread like other tracks, talent-wise. And last year, COTA was only the third or fourth race again, too. So yeah, very new crew within Trackhouse. I made some mistakes. We weren’t quite there yet as a team early in the year, so hopefully that compounds and we’re a bit stronger this year.”  With the change to the Chase, as opposed to the “win and you’re in”, on road courses, do you anticipate any different decisions, where people are going to pit early to try to make a contention for the win late, as opposed to staying up and getting points in the stages?“Yeah, it’ll definitely change that dynamic. And especially on this track, you have a short amount of time really that you have to be close to the leader to have that extra lap to decide if you’re going to pit or not, so hopefully you’re in the lead or close and you can decide. But it’s definitely going to change, I think, how many people flip stages. You know, the points are so important this year, and it might even change us. If we’re not the dominant car, you might sacrifice the stage to get the points. Yeah, it’s all about points accumulation for us this year.”   On a wildly different note, I know when you were in New Zealand doing a competition with ‘Mad’ Mike Whiddett and Liam Lawson. I was just curious, is that the first time that you’ve jumped a lawnmower? “On a lawnmower? Yeah, and I wouldn’t recommend that (laughs). But it was a lot of fun playing around with those guys. At Red Bull, we do some pretty cool stuff. It was awesome.”  I think of you as at least somewhat of a semi-private person, and you opened your life up to this documentary that’s coming out. Was that hard for you to sort of open up on everything… your family and have all that stuff out there?“Yeah, I don’t really like doing it, I guess. In this day and age, people have so much access to you. I love people knowing more about my racing life, but I love going away, going home and no one knowing what I do, as well, is kind of cool. There’s still some things you like to keep private, but it was cool to show off our cars, I guess; my relationship with Dad and how much fun we still have hanging out. Yeah, I think he talked a lot about mom and stuff, so yeah, it was pretty cool…. (inaudible).”  I just want to get your general thoughts on the track here (at COTA). We touched on it earlier, you won on every road course last year except for this one, so does that make you even hungrier to win here?“Yeah, I do like the track. I love coming here. The weather’s a bit nicer than where we’re living. But yeah, it’s an odd track with how much grip is off the track. You know, you see everyone blowing the corners to try and get the grip off the track. It’s very different the way you drive. The restart zone is pretty chaotic into turn one… how wide it is, you know, it’s crazy. But yeah, we just have to hopefully have two good races and try and get some results.  But yeah, I like the place, I just haven’t managed to put a whole race together. I think every race I’ve done here in NASCAR, I’ve been reasonably quick, but for one reason or another, I haven’t managed to get it done.” Have you had a chance to enjoy Austin while you’re here? Maybe food, music, you name it…“Yeah, we’re going to Trackhouse Live tonight in town to have a look. I remember when I was here for the V8 Supercars race, I stayed an extra few days and went to some barbecue places and some hot rod shops. It was cool. But yeah, nowadays, we’re kind of in and out. It’s hard to look around, but I don’t mind this place.”   You mentioned, of course, the track is shortened. You’ve seen races here on the full course. Do you prefer one over the other?“I like the short track, yeah. The long track was great, too. But I think doing more laps, you get more chances to pass the crowd and better passing opportunities, too. It’s a lot more technical, I think, the sections that they’ve done. We haven’t really missed much by doing a shorter track, so I think it was a good thing. I think it was a good thing they listened and did the next cut through rather than the one we did in Supercars. It made for some pretty good racing and good passing last year.”  There’s no secret about the expectation that this is going to be a duel between you and Connor (Zilisch). I was wondering if you could kind of size up that matchup. And also, who else do you expect to be really at the front? You know, Tyler (Reddick) is going for history, and he’s won here before…“Yeah, I think on road course weekends, I find there’s probably six to eight guys that you see consistently up there and guys that are really highly good to race. You just don’t know in NASCAR. Everything’s so close. It’s who nails it on the weekend with preparation. And, yeah, there’s always some good drivers up front. And with Connor (Zilisch), it’s exciting, too. Pretty cool talent coming into this level now and obviously in the same equipment as me, too, so it’s going to be good. And as Justin (Marks) said in the meeting we had earlier in the week, we’re in a pretty cool position as a team. It’s special. We’ve got to take advantage of it and make sure we get it right and one of us needs to win, which would be cool.”   This new 750 horsepower package, somewhat similar to the old Supercar days. Is that going to play in your wheelhouse, or do you still need some more practice with the 750 to figure out how close it’s going to be?“No, the Supercar had less, actually. They had 640, 650. But, yeah, I haven’t really noticed it so far. At Bowman Gray, you couldn’t really use the power, I guess. But, yeah, with tomorrow being hot and slick, you’ll probably notice the power then and certainly fight for rear tire life. But, yeah, I don’t know. I haven’t really noticed it so far.”

CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIESFirestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg1.8-mile, 14-turn St. Petersburg street circuit St. Petersburg, FloridaFriday Practice ReportFebruary 27, 2026 ST PETERSBURG, FL (February 27, 2026) Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin was doubly quick in the opening practice for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The driver of the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet led the way on the Primary (black) and Alternate (Red) Firestone Firehawk race tires.  “Decent first day,” said McLaughlin after getting out of the car. “Obviously being P1 is a great start. The DEX Imaging Chevy was straight away fast, and felt good and comfortable. It’s good for us. It’s the start of a long season and it was nice to have a smooth session to start. We’ll keep pressing on and see how we go.” The first practice on the road and street course is split into three portions, with the entire field running the first 40 minutes, and the field split in two for a pair of 12-minute sessions.  McLaughlin, in the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet, led the 40-minute portion of practice on the blacks with a lap at 61.5938 seconds on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn St. Petersburg street circuit.  McLaughlin wasn’t the only Team Penske driver to make headlines in the first 40 minutes of practice on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn St. Petersburg street circuit.  His newest teammate, David Malukas, in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, was the only driver to utilize the Firestone Firehawk Alternate (red) tires, while Josef Newgarden, in the No. 2 Astemo Team Penske Chevrolet, went for a wild ride through Turns 11 & 12 before ending up nudging the tire barrier on the outside of the final corner.  Newgarden got back on track for his 12-minute session, getting a good read on his red tire run.  David Malukas was the only car to get an extended run on reds during the first 40 minutes.  McLaughlin’s best lap on reds during his 12-minute session was 61.1020 seconds on his 24th of 27 laps.  Christian Rasmussen in the No. 21 ECR Splenda Stevia Chevrolet, Malukas and Christian Lundgaard in the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet were also in the top ten on Friday.  The second NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice begins at 9:35 am and airs on FS1; qualifying starts at 4:35 pm and airs on FS2.

Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Friday Practice Combined Timesheet:

Tune-In Guide: SaturdayNTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice #2 – 9:30am (ET)/8:30am (CT)/7:30am (MT)/6:30am (PT) – FS1/ INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying – 4:30pm (ET)/3:30pm (CT)/2:30pm (MT)/1:30pm (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218 SundayNTT INDYCAR SERIES Warm Up – 9am (ET)/8am (CT)/7am (MT)/6am (PT) – FS1/ INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (100 laps) – noon (ET)/11am (CT)/10am (MT)/9am (PT) – FOX/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218

Chevrolet history on the Streets of St. Petersburg

Wins – 9 2024 – Pato O’Ward – Arrow McLaren2022 – Scott McLaughlin – Team Penske2020 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2019 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2016 – Juan Montoya – Team Penske2015 – Juan Montoya – Team Penske2014 – Will Power – Team Penske2013 – James Hinchcliffe – Team Penske2012 – Helio Castroneves – Team Penske

Poles – 10 2025 – Scott McLaughlin – Team Penske2024 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2022 – Scott McLaughlin – Team Penske2020 – Will Power – Team Penske2019 – Will Power – Team Penske2017 – Will Power – Team Penske2016 – Will Power – Team Penske2015 – Will Power – Team Penske2013 – Will Power – Team Penske2012 – Will Power – Team Penske

Podiums: 25 Chevrolet driver podiums on the Streets of St. Petersburg: Will Power (5), Josef Newgarden (4), Helio Castroneves (3), Pato O’Ward (3), Simon Pagenaud (3), Juan Montoya (2), Marco Andretti (1), James Hinchcliffe (1), Ryan Hunter-Reay (1), Tony Kanaan (1), Scott McLaughlin (1) Chevrolet team podiums on the Streets of St. Petersburg: Team Penske (18), Andretti Global (3), Arrow McLaren (3), Chip Ganassi Racing (1) Laps Led: 754 Chevrolet driver laps led on the Streets of St. Petersburg: Will Power (213), Scott McLaughlin (127), Josef Newgarden (83), Helio Castroneves (73), Juan Montoya (71), Simon Pagenaud (64), James Hinchcliffe (26), Christian Lundgaard (23), Pato O’Ward (23), Oriol Servia (16), Rinus VeeKay (13), Ryan Briscoe (9), Jordan King (5), Tomas Enge (4), JR Hildebrand (3), Mike Conway (1) Chevrolet team laps led on the Streets of St. Petersburg: Team Penske (640), Arrow McLaren (46), Andretti Global (26), ECR (19), Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (16), Panther Racing (7)

CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIESFirestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg1.8-mile, 14-turn St. Petersburg street circuit St. Petersburg, FloridaFriday Practice ReportFebruary 27, 2026 ST PETERSBURG, FL (February 27, 2026) Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin was doubly quick in the opening practice for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The driver of the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet led the way on the Primary (black) and Alternate (Red) Firestone Firehawk race tires.  “Decent first day,” said McLaughlin after getting out of the car. “Obviously being P1 is a great start. The DEX Imaging Chevy was straight away fast, and felt good and comfortable. It’s good for us. It’s the start of a long season and it was nice to have a smooth session to start. We’ll keep pressing on and see how we go.” The first practice on the road and street course is split into three portions, with the entire field running the first 40 minutes, and the field split in two for a pair of 12-minute sessions.  McLaughlin, in the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet, led the 40-minute portion of practice on the blacks with a lap at 61.5938 seconds on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn St. Petersburg street circuit.  McLaughlin wasn’t the only Team Penske driver to make headlines in the first 40 minutes of practice on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn St. Petersburg street circuit.  His newest teammate, David Malukas, in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, was the only driver to utilize the Firestone Firehawk Alternate (red) tires, while Josef Newgarden, in the No. 2 Astemo Team Penske Chevrolet, went for a wild ride through Turns 11 & 12 before ending up nudging the tire barrier on the outside of the final corner.  Newgarden got back on track for his 12-minute session, getting a good read on his red tire run.  David Malukas was the only car to get an extended run on reds during the first 40 minutes.  McLaughlin’s best lap on reds during his 12-minute session was 61.1020 seconds on his 24th of 27 laps.  Christian Rasmussen in the No. 21 ECR Splenda Stevia Chevrolet, Malukas and Christian Lundgaard in the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet were also in the top ten on Friday.  The second NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice begins at 9:35 am and airs on FS1; qualifying starts at 4:35 pm and airs on FS2.

Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Friday Practice Combined Timesheet:

Tune-In Guide: SaturdayNTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice #2 – 9:30am (ET)/8:30am (CT)/7:30am (MT)/6:30am (PT) – FS1/ INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying – 4:30pm (ET)/3:30pm (CT)/2:30pm (MT)/1:30pm (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218 SundayNTT INDYCAR SERIES Warm Up – 9am (ET)/8am (CT)/7am (MT)/6am (PT) – FS1/ INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (100 laps) – noon (ET)/11am (CT)/10am (MT)/9am (PT) – FOX/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218

Chevrolet history on the Streets of St. Petersburg

Wins – 9 2024 – Pato O’Ward – Arrow McLaren2022 – Scott McLaughlin – Team Penske2020 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2019 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2016 – Juan Montoya – Team Penske2015 – Juan Montoya – Team Penske2014 – Will Power – Team Penske2013 – James Hinchcliffe – Team Penske2012 – Helio Castroneves – Team Penske

Poles – 10 2025 – Scott McLaughlin – Team Penske2024 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2022 – Scott McLaughlin – Team Penske2020 – Will Power – Team Penske2019 – Will Power – Team Penske2017 – Will Power – Team Penske2016 – Will Power – Team Penske2015 – Will Power – Team Penske2013 – Will Power – Team Penske2012 – Will Power – Team Penske

Podiums: 25 Chevrolet driver podiums on the Streets of St. Petersburg: Will Power (5), Josef Newgarden (4), Helio Castroneves (3), Pato O’Ward (3), Simon Pagenaud (3), Juan Montoya (2), Marco Andretti (1), James Hinchcliffe (1), Ryan Hunter-Reay (1), Tony Kanaan (1), Scott McLaughlin (1) Chevrolet team podiums on the Streets of St. Petersburg: Team Penske (18), Andretti Global (3), Arrow McLaren (3), Chip Ganassi Racing (1) Laps Led: 754 Chevrolet driver laps led on the Streets of St. Petersburg: Will Power (213), Scott McLaughlin (127), Josef Newgarden (83), Helio Castroneves (73), Juan Montoya (71), Simon Pagenaud (64), James Hinchcliffe (26), Christian Lundgaard (23), Pato O’Ward (23), Oriol Servia (16), Rinus VeeKay (13), Ryan Briscoe (9), Jordan King (5), Tomas Enge (4), JR Hildebrand (3), Mike Conway (1) Chevrolet team laps led on the Streets of St. Petersburg: Team Penske (640), Arrow McLaren (46), Andretti Global (26), ECR (19), Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (16), Panther Racing (7)

Manufacturer History on the Streets Of St. Petersburg  Wins (with competition)  9 – Chevrolet (2024, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012)6 – Honda (2025, 2023, 2021, 2018, 2017, 2005) Poles (with competition)  10 – Chevrolet (2025, 2024, 2023, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012)5 – Honda (2023, 2021, 2018, 2014, 2005) Historical Chevrolet in the INDYCAR SERIES information INDYCAR SERIES Manufacturer Championships (since 1979)Chevrolet-Powered Wins in the Twin-Turbo 2.2L V6 Era (2012-present)Chevrolet-Powered Wins – All-Time

BARBERVILLE, FL (February 27, 2026) – Volusia Speedway Park was unforgiving to Carson Macedo and Jason Johnson Racing in 2024.

The pairing entered the year with hopes of challenging for their first World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series championship. But four nights outside the top 10 to start the year buried them in a deep hole. They did all they could to climb out, but ultimately the gap proved too large. Macedo settled for runner-up in the standings as David Gravel was crowned champion.

The next year, Macedo won the season opener, but it only awarded show up points. On the first full points paying night of the season, he slipped to 12th.

This year, there would be no slow start.

Only one car was on the Volusia podium all three nights during the Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals, and it was none other than the JJR No. 41. Macedo marched from ninth to runner-up in the season opener, came home third the next night, and finalized the week with a charge from 12th to third. The performance left Macedo trailing Michael “Buddy” Kofoid and Gravel by only four markers. No huge hole to dig out of.

“Yeah, it was just a great start for us,” Macedo said. “I feel like for JJR and myself to start off on that note is big for us. I think in the past for us we’ve left Volusia with a pretty heavy deficit, not every year, but most years… It’s just tough to play the catch-up game. It’s so close.”

The early speed is a testament to the efforts of Macedo and the JJR crew. One of the areas they highlighted to improve was Qualifying. A few years ago, they were arguably the top qualifiers on the circuit before sliding a bit over the last couple seasons. They had an average Qualifying result of sixth at Volusia and were fastest in their Flight on the second night.

“I just think that JJR put in a lot of work over the off-season to better our program, especially our qualifying program,” Macedo said. “I think, other than the last night, that really showed. We had a lot of speed early in the night.”

Another factor that plagued them in 2025 was the occasional mechanical gremlin. Issues with parts can lead to DNFs and have major points implications. Last year’s issues led to five finishes outside the top 20. For reference, Gravel’s championship stats showed only four results outside the top 10. Macedo slid a spot to third in points as Buddy Kofoid climbed ahead.

Winning a World of Outlaws championship requires near perfection. There may be room for one or two DNFs but nothing beyond that. Blend a few nights of not finishing with a few more nights of bad luck that are bound to struck over the long season, and that’ll effectively end a team’s title chances.

“I think the biggest thing is just our DNFs,” Macedo said. “You can’t have those. We blew up a few engines. I know we also had some stuff happen. Then one night there in Pennsylvania I packed the hood scoop and had to go to the work area and finished in the back because there were only a few laps to go. I got a flat at Attica with like four or five to go. I was running fourth or so before that. But it has nothing to do with luck. It’s on our shoulders to make sure we don’t have failures, don’t have problems and things like that. I do think over the off-season we’ve worked really hard in that area. We spoke to Paul Kistler about the engine failures that we had, and I feel like he’s addressed them. And I think that it wasn’t on his shoulders; it was part failures and other issues. You just can’t have that stuff happen.”

Volusia is ready to breathe life back into the 2026 campaign this weekend. After three weeks off, the tour returns to the Forida 1/2 mile on Sunday-Monday, March 1-2 for the Bike Week Jamboree. Those are the first two of a 10-race March that takes the Series to eight tracks in seven states, signaling the true beginning of the grind that is The Greatest Show on Dirt.

And this time around, Macedo and the team can head to the “Sunshine State” without wondering how they’re going to get themselves back in contention. They didn’t stumble out of the gate. They’re running stride for stride with two fellow title favorites. The 29-year-old feels mentally and physically better than he has in years. They’re a championship caliber organization. Now, it’s just a matter of putting the pieces together.

“I just think it’s big to not be coming in with a deficit,” Macedo said. “It sucks having to battle back and play the catch-up game. I feel like we’re all going in tied at this point, and that makes me confident. For whatever reason, even though we’ve had a lot of speed at Volusia and won races there, it’s just been like an Achilles heel for consistency for some reason.

“I think a big deal too is just coming in healthy for the first time in a while. I feel like I’m super healthy. My body is in a good place. My head is in a good spot, and I think that’s a big deal. I don’t have any broken legs or lingering injuries or a broken back from the year before. From my Knoxville wreck, it took me a while just to get completely in a physical spot. I think that’s helpful as well.”

Macedo and the Jason Johnson Racing team continue their championship chase this Sunday-Monday, March 1-2 at Volusia Speedway Park’s Bike Week Jamboree. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

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

NOT PLAYING CATCH UP: Carson Macedo Confident After Early Volusia Speed

BARBERVILLE, FL (February 27, 2026) – Volusia Speedway Park was unforgiving to Carson Macedo and Jason Johnson Racing in 2024.

The pairing entered the year with hopes of challenging for their first World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series championship. But four nights outside the top 10 to start the year buried them in a deep hole. They did all they could to climb out, but ultimately the gap proved too large. Macedo settled for runner-up in the standings as David Gravel was crowned champion.

The next year, Macedo won the season opener, but it only awarded show up points. On the first full points paying night of the season, he slipped to 12th.

This year, there would be no slow start.

Only one car was on the Volusia podium all three nights during the Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals, and it was none other than the JJR No. 41. Macedo marched from ninth to runner-up in the season opener, came home third the next night, and finalized the week with a charge from 12th to third. The performance left Macedo trailing Michael “Buddy” Kofoid and Gravel by only four markers. No huge hole to dig out of.

“Yeah, it was just a great start for us,” Macedo said. “I feel like for JJR and myself to start off on that note is big for us. I think in the past for us we’ve left Volusia with a pretty heavy deficit, not every year, but most years… It’s just tough to play the catch-up game. It’s so close.”

The early speed is a testament to the efforts of Macedo and the JJR crew. One of the areas they highlighted to improve was Qualifying. A few years ago, they were arguably the top qualifiers on the circuit before sliding a bit over the last couple seasons. They had an average Qualifying result of sixth at Volusia and were fastest in their Flight on the second night.

“I just think that JJR put in a lot of work over the off-season to better our program, especially our qualifying program,” Macedo said. “I think, other than the last night, that really showed. We had a lot of speed early in the night.”

Another factor that plagued them in 2025 was the occasional mechanical gremlin. Issues with parts can lead to DNFs and have major points implications. Last year’s issues led to five finishes outside the top 20. For reference, Gravel’s championship stats showed only four results outside the top 10. Macedo slid a spot to third in points as Buddy Kofoid climbed ahead.

Winning a World of Outlaws championship requires near perfection. There may be room for one or two DNFs but nothing beyond that. Blend a few nights of not finishing with a few more nights of bad luck that are bound to struck over the long season, and that’ll effectively end a team’s title chances.

“I think the biggest thing is just our DNFs,” Macedo said. “You can’t have those. We blew up a few engines. I know we also had some stuff happen. Then one night there in Pennsylvania I packed the hood scoop and had to go to the work area and finished in the back because there were only a few laps to go. I got a flat at Attica with like four or five to go. I was running fourth or so before that. But it has nothing to do with luck. It’s on our shoulders to make sure we don’t have failures, don’t have problems and things like that. I do think over the off-season we’ve worked really hard in that area. We spoke to Paul Kistler about the engine failures that we had, and I feel like he’s addressed them. And I think that it wasn’t on his shoulders; it was part failures and other issues. You just can’t have that stuff happen.”

Volusia is ready to breathe life back into the 2026 campaign this weekend. After three weeks off, the tour returns to the Forida 1/2 mile on Sunday-Monday, March 1-2 for the Bike Week Jamboree. Those are the first two of a 10-race March that takes the Series to eight tracks in seven states, signaling the true beginning of the grind that is The Greatest Show on Dirt.

And this time around, Macedo and the team can head to the “Sunshine State” without wondering how they’re going to get themselves back in contention. They didn’t stumble out of the gate. They’re running stride for stride with two fellow title favorites. The 29-year-old feels mentally and physically better than he has in years. They’re a championship caliber organization. Now, it’s just a matter of putting the pieces together.

“I just think it’s big to not be coming in with a deficit,” Macedo said. “It sucks having to battle back and play the catch-up game. I feel like we’re all going in tied at this point, and that makes me confident. For whatever reason, even though we’ve had a lot of speed at Volusia and won races there, it’s just been like an Achilles heel for consistency for some reason.

“I think a big deal too is just coming in healthy for the first time in a while. I feel like I’m super healthy. My body is in a good place. My head is in a good spot, and I think that’s a big deal. I don’t have any broken legs or lingering injuries or a broken back from the year before. From my Knoxville wreck, it took me a while just to get completely in a physical spot. I think that’s helpful as well.”

Macedo and the Jason Johnson Racing team continue their championship chase this Sunday-Monday, March 1-2 at Volusia Speedway Park’s Bike Week Jamboree. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

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

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

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Feb. 27, 2026) – The Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, which takes place March 5-8 at Gainesville Raceway, will once again kick off for fans at Burnyzz Speed Shop, March 4, with the Gatornationals FanFest hosted by Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Top Fuel driver Josh Hart and wife Brittanie Hart.

 The biggest names in NHRA will be at the Burnyzz Speed Shop FanFest in advance of the 2026 Gatornationals, photo credit Werner Communications

In advance of NHRA’s 75th anniversary season kickoff, NHRA is joining Ocala-based Top Fuel driver for John Force Racing and 2021 Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals Top Fuel winner Hart along with this wife Brittanie, to host the 4th annual Gatornationals FanFest. The free event will run from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Burnyzz Speed Shop. It will feature a massive car show, live music, food trucks and a driver autograph session from 7-8:30 p.m. that will include current NHRA Mission Food Drag Racing Series stars as well as former Gatornationals winners.
 
“Every year Brittanie (Hart, Josh’s wife) and our Burnyzz Speed Shop team do a great job organizing the FanFest and I love showing off Burnyzz Speed Shop,” said Hart. “The Gatornationals is one of the most historic motorsports events in the country and we are excited to have it in our backyard. I am looking forward to showing our shop to some of my new John Force Racing teammates and getting that second Gatornationals win. I want to thank everyone at Burnyzz Speed Shop for supporting this great event.”

 NHRA fans packed Burnyzz Speed Shop for the Gatornationals FanFest

AMALIE MOTOR OIL NHRA GATORNATIONALS FANFEST RETURNS TO BURNYZZ SPEED SHOP ON MARCH 4

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Feb. 27, 2026) – The Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, which takes place March 5-8 at Gainesville Raceway, will once again kick off for fans at Burnyzz Speed Shop, March 4, with the Gatornationals FanFest hosted by Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Top Fuel driver Josh Hart and wife Brittanie Hart.

 The biggest names in NHRA will be at the Burnyzz Speed Shop FanFest in advance of the 2026 Gatornationals, photo credit Werner Communications

In advance of NHRA’s 75th anniversary season kickoff, NHRA is joining Ocala-based Top Fuel driver for John Force Racing and 2021 Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals Top Fuel winner Hart along with this wife Brittanie, to host the 4th annual Gatornationals FanFest. The free event will run from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Burnyzz Speed Shop. It will feature a massive car show, live music, food trucks and a driver autograph session from 7-8:30 p.m. that will include current NHRA Mission Food Drag Racing Series stars as well as former Gatornationals winners.
 
“Every year Brittanie (Hart, Josh’s wife) and our Burnyzz Speed Shop team do a great job organizing the FanFest and I love showing off Burnyzz Speed Shop,” said Hart. “The Gatornationals is one of the most historic motorsports events in the country and we are excited to have it in our backyard. I am looking forward to showing our shop to some of my new John Force Racing teammates and getting that second Gatornationals win. I want to thank everyone at Burnyzz Speed Shop for supporting this great event.”

 NHRA fans packed Burnyzz Speed Shop for the Gatornationals FanFest

Drivers and former Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals winners who are scheduled to appear include NHRA legend Don “Big Daddy” Garlits, Hart, John Force Racing’s Jack Beckman, Jordan Vandergriff and Alexis DeJoria, as well as Top Fuel’s Justin Ashley, racing legend Tony Stewart, 2025 NHRA Rookie of the Year Spencer Hyde, Pro Stock Motorcycle reigning world champ Richard Gadson, Tony Schumacher, Jasmine Salinas, Ida Zetterstrom, former winners Darrell Gwynn, David Grubnic, Frank Hawley and Jim Yates, as well as other stars of the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.
 
A full list of drivers scheduled to appear is included below.
 
Frank Hawley                              Don Garlits                       Darrell Gwynn
David Grubnic                             Jim Yates                         Josh Hart
Justin Ashley                               Doug Foley                       Jasmine Salinas
Shawn Reed                               Tony Schumacher             Tony Stewart
Ida Zetterstrom                           Will Smith                         Scott Farley
Joe Morrison                               Jack Beckman                  Jordan Vandergriff
Buddy Hull                                  Alexis DeJoria                   Spencer Hyde
Chad Green                                Hunter Green                    Chris King
Dan Wilkerson                             Paul Lee                           Dave Richards
Stephen Bell                               Eric Latino                        Ryan Oehler
 
 
In addition, NHRA will have the specialty Gatornationals trophies on display for fans and there will be several ticket giveaways for car show participants and fans.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying features two rounds at 1:30 and 4 p.m. ET on Friday, March 6, and the final two qualifying rounds on Saturday, March 7 at 12:30 and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10 a.m. ET on Sunday, March 8.
 
To purchase tickets to the 2026 Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, including upgraded experiences in the Gainesville Top Eliminator Club, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general admission areas with the purchase of an adult ticket. For more information about the NHRA, visit www.nhra.com.

Friday Portion of Wieland Winter Nationals at Ocala Speedway Canceled Due to Severe Weather Threat

OCALA, FL – (February 27, 2026) – Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing and Ocala Speedway officials have announced that the Friday portion of the Wieland Winter Nationals at Ocala Speedway has been canceled due to the forecasted threat of rain and severe thunderstorms in the evening hours. With safety as the top priority for drivers, teams, staff, and fans, officials made the decision following updated weather models indicating a significant chance of heavy rainfall, and potentially severe storm conditions throughout the evening. “We are committed to providing a safe environment for everyone involved,” said Ocala Speedway management. “Given the timing and potential severity of the incoming weather system, canceling Friday’s program is the most responsible course of action.” Friday’s event will not be rescheduled. Saturday’s finale remains on schedule, featuring a complete Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing program, including Allstar Performance Time Trials, Heat Races, B-Mains, and a 50-lap, $25,000-to-win A-Main. Pit gates are scheduled to open at 2:00 PM, with grandstand gates opening at 5:00 PM. On-track action will begin with Dirt Draft Hot Laps at 6:00 PM.  For the latest news, results, championship standings, and more about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing, please visit LucasDirt.com.

Declan Bender (No. 70)

Posted on behalf of On The Box Racing DAYTONA BEACH, FL (February 27, 2026) – On The Box Racing (OTB Racing) is proud to officially announce its five-rider team for the 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season, marking a significant expansion for the team across three premier classes: Mission AFT SuperTwins, KICKER AFT Singles, and AFT AdventureTrackers. The 2026 program represents the largest and most comprehensive effort in the team’s existence and reflects the continued support and investment from our sponsors. Competing in AFT’s premier division, the Mission AFT SuperTwins, OTB Racing will field Declan Bender and Brandon Price. Price sat out a majority of the season in 2025 due to injury, where OTB picked up Bender for the remaining eleven races of the season. Bender finished 10th overall in 2025 with one podium finish, four top five finishes, and nine top 10 finishes. Price finished 13th overall, with only competing in five of the seventeen races last year, two of which were podium finishes. “I am so excited to be back with OTB racing for this season,” says Bender. “After how we finished 2025, I can’t wait to get back in the saddle and continue where we left off. The team and I have been putting in a lot of work this off-season, and are very confident in where we believe we should be, so now we just have to turn it into reality!” Price also chimed in on his gratitude. “I’m grateful to Wayne for the opportunity to race a full season at the top level once again with OTB Racing. I’m really comfortable on the Yamaha MT-07’s and I’m looking forward to working with Mike Luczak and Wyatt Neal. I’ve been putting in the work this offseason to run up front more consistently and contend for wins.”

Brandon Price (No. 92)

For the first time, OTB also has brought on a KICKER AFT Singles rider, Bradon Pfanders. Last year, Bradon finished 6th overall in the standings with one podium and eleven top ten finishes. Pfanders is super excited for the opportunity to ride for the OTB racing team in 2026. “It’s a fresh start for me, after riding another brand for most of my career and having this opportunity to ride Yamahas I was a little skeptical at first, but maybe it’s the piece of the puzzle that’s been missing to be where I know I should be. I am confident with myself and all the people in my corner we can consistently be fighting at the front all season long.”

Brandon Pfanders (No. 83)

Wrapping up the team’s line up is the two riders who will be competing in the AFT AdventureTrackers series, Austin Luczak and Will Harris. Both Luczak and Harris competed in the class last year. Luczak ran all four races of the series, finishing 6th overall and grabbing a third place finish as well as three tops fives. Team Owner, Wayne Sody is looking forward to the new challenges. “2026 is our year. We have researched and developed new technologies which will take us to the top. Crew chief, Mike Luczak has prepared our bikes for the last two years with absolute perfection and we are so excited to have the best equipment for our riders this season. I am thrilled to have OTB represented in three classes and see what is in store for us this season. We need to show our sponsors that their dedication to the team is well deserved and will bring home the consistent podium finishes that we strive for!” OTB has also added some new faces to the pit. Mike Luczak returns as crew chief along with Wyatt Neal as Brandon Price’s mechanic and Meg Neal as team manager. Rich Pfanders will be wrenching for Declan Bender, and Ryan Wells will wrench and coach the young gun, Bradon Pfanders. Thank you to our sponsors who make this all possible – Memphis Shades, Corbin, Sody Concrete, Glen’s Auto, Luczak Racing, Rausch Racing, Vortex Brewing Company, Fredericktown Yamaha, Lisa Niner, Black Hills Powersports, Vinson Construction, Motion Pro, Vortex, Arai, ODI, RP Exhausts, and Upstate Coatings.

OTB Racing Announces Expanded Five-Rider Program for 2026 Season

Declan Bender (No. 70)

Posted on behalf of On The Box Racing DAYTONA BEACH, FL (February 27, 2026) – On The Box Racing (OTB Racing) is proud to officially announce its five-rider team for the 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season, marking a significant expansion for the team across three premier classes: Mission AFT SuperTwins, KICKER AFT Singles, and AFT AdventureTrackers. The 2026 program represents the largest and most comprehensive effort in the team’s existence and reflects the continued support and investment from our sponsors. Competing in AFT’s premier division, the Mission AFT SuperTwins, OTB Racing will field Declan Bender and Brandon Price. Price sat out a majority of the season in 2025 due to injury, where OTB picked up Bender for the remaining eleven races of the season. Bender finished 10th overall in 2025 with one podium finish, four top five finishes, and nine top 10 finishes. Price finished 13th overall, with only competing in five of the seventeen races last year, two of which were podium finishes. “I am so excited to be back with OTB racing for this season,” says Bender. “After how we finished 2025, I can’t wait to get back in the saddle and continue where we left off. The team and I have been putting in a lot of work this off-season, and are very confident in where we believe we should be, so now we just have to turn it into reality!” Price also chimed in on his gratitude. “I’m grateful to Wayne for the opportunity to race a full season at the top level once again with OTB Racing. I’m really comfortable on the Yamaha MT-07’s and I’m looking forward to working with Mike Luczak and Wyatt Neal. I’ve been putting in the work this offseason to run up front more consistently and contend for wins.”

Brandon Price (No. 92)

For the first time, OTB also has brought on a KICKER AFT Singles rider, Bradon Pfanders. Last year, Bradon finished 6th overall in the standings with one podium and eleven top ten finishes. Pfanders is super excited for the opportunity to ride for the OTB racing team in 2026. “It’s a fresh start for me, after riding another brand for most of my career and having this opportunity to ride Yamahas I was a little skeptical at first, but maybe it’s the piece of the puzzle that’s been missing to be where I know I should be. I am confident with myself and all the people in my corner we can consistently be fighting at the front all season long.”

Brandon Pfanders (No. 83)

Wrapping up the team’s line up is the two riders who will be competing in the AFT AdventureTrackers series, Austin Luczak and Will Harris. Both Luczak and Harris competed in the class last year. Luczak ran all four races of the series, finishing 6th overall and grabbing a third place finish as well as three tops fives. Team Owner, Wayne Sody is looking forward to the new challenges. “2026 is our year. We have researched and developed new technologies which will take us to the top. Crew chief, Mike Luczak has prepared our bikes for the last two years with absolute perfection and we are so excited to have the best equipment for our riders this season. I am thrilled to have OTB represented in three classes and see what is in store for us this season. We need to show our sponsors that their dedication to the team is well deserved and will bring home the consistent podium finishes that we strive for!” OTB has also added some new faces to the pit. Mike Luczak returns as crew chief along with Wyatt Neal as Brandon Price’s mechanic and Meg Neal as team manager. Rich Pfanders will be wrenching for Declan Bender, and Ryan Wells will wrench and coach the young gun, Bradon Pfanders. Thank you to our sponsors who make this all possible – Memphis Shades, Corbin, Sody Concrete, Glen’s Auto, Luczak Racing, Rausch Racing, Vortex Brewing Company, Fredericktown Yamaha, Lisa Niner, Black Hills Powersports, Vinson Construction, Motion Pro, Vortex, Arai, ODI, RP Exhausts, and Upstate Coatings.

Next UpThe 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season will kick off with the Royal Enfield Short Track at DAYTONA doubleheader at the DAYTONA Flat Track during Daytona’s Bike Week festivities. The twin short track races will take place at the “World Center of Racing” on Thursday, March 5 and Friday, March 6. To purchase tickets to the Royal Enfield Short Track at DAYTONA I & II, visit: https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack. After the season opener, America’s Original Extreme Sport will head north for the Yamaha Atlanta Short Track at Senoia Raceway on March 21. Tickets are available now at https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-atlanta-short-track-165280

CONCORD, NC (February 27, 2026) – Michael Ledford is picking up speed in unfamiliar territories. 

Building on a career-high season in the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds during 2025, the 21-year-old racer is preparing to take bigger steps in his career with championship hunts in the Midwest Auto Racing Series (MARS) Modified Championship and the DIRTcar National standings, while gaining seat time in a Super Late Model for the 2026 DIRTcar Summer Nationals tour. 

The Pontiac, IL native has steadily built his resumé aboard a UMP Modified at his home tracks, Fairbury Speedway and Farmer City Raceway, at the start of the decade. In 2023, Ledford ventured across Illinois and Missouri with success. He grabbed 16 wins at local races, along with his first Prairie Dirt Classic Showdown victory with the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals, and his first MARS win in the season-closing FALS Frenzy. 

In 2024, Ledford failed to match his previous year’s stats, recording only four Feature wins. Deciding it was time for a reset before 2025, he joined Mike Learman’s Royal Race Cars to pilot the No. 9 house car. 

“It really starts there,” Ledford said. “I got ahold of Mike and wanted to do something a little different. I came off a pretty tough year in 2024, so I got with him and didn’t really plan on doing like a ton of Modified racing to start with. But we ended up winning the Illini 100 with the Modified and decided that we could go for a national title. But it was a really fun year, I did a lot more traveling than we ever did since we were stuck to two tracks (Fairbury and Farmer City).” 

The win at the MARS season-opener propelled Ledford to compete for the overall championship. Throughout the season, he faced an equal on-track adversary in the form of Owensboro, KY’s Cole Falloway. While Ledford topped Falloway in the wins column, the “Blue Grass State” driver scored his first MARS crown by 25 markers. Ledford finished runner-up to Falloway once more in the DIRTcar National points by 54 points. 

“I feel like we can race really hard against each other, but also really clean,” Ledford said. “I got a lot of respect for him. I hadn’t raced against him a ton previous to last year, so it was pretty cool doing that. We raced against each other almost 75% of the time, it seemed like.  

“That’s what made it tough at the end to gain points on him because he would win once and extend his lead, then I would maybe win the next one. But it canceled each other out more than anything. It was a lot of fun, but I kind of wish we were able to sometimes stay away from each other.”

After Ledford got a taste for season-long points racing, he looked to tackle a full slate with the Summit Modified Nationals for the first time in 2025. Through 14 starts, he earned a career-high three Feature wins at Macon Speedway, Farmer City, and Butler Motor Speedway, 10 top fives, and 13 top-10s en route to a third-place points finish. 

“The big thing is that a lot of the tracks were new to me,” Ledford said. “So, it’s like trying to learn how to get around there pretty good, then obviously, there’s a ton of work with these cars. I like my stuff pretty well maintained, and not having to worry about it breaking on the track. 

“It was a lot of work, but if you’re trying to get good laps, there’s no better place than the Hell Tour to get laps against really good competition. So, I’m looking forward to doing some of that with the Modified and Late Model to get some seat time, but it’s tough.” 

Ledford faced the “Sunshine State” for the first time with his UMP Modified at Volusia Speedway Park for the 55th annual Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals. The “World’s Fastest Half Mile” took the “Madman” out of his comfort zone with the high speeds, but he adapted through the week with a showing of three top fives and two second-place runs. 

“It was really fun, the facility and everything there was really, really nice,” Ledford said. “The track races really well. I had some issues in Qualifying just because I’m not used to hammering down and not really lifting. But I think towards the end, we got a lot better. 

“I mean, the only track close to a 1/2-mile is Red Hill (Raceway), and I don’t race there very much. The rest of the stuff around here is all 1/4-miles, so it took about four or five races until I started to feel like I had a little better feel for it. Just like anything, you need laps and learn to change your driving style a little bit.” 

Moving into the 2026 season, Ledford’s primary objective will be the chase for his first MARS Modified crown. After getting a feel for points racing against Falloway, he learned valuable lessons that will help him go a long way in the 21-race journey. 

“I think that starts with the little things,” Ledford said. “There was a night I missed the Feature, and I think I had a provisional that I didn’t use, then I had a couple of DNFs here and there. Matt (Curl) and Jonathan (Clayton) do a really good job with that Series. I really like it, the pay is really good, and it gives us a good regional tour.” 

Alongside the Modified activity, Ledford will get to open up the notebook for the Super Late Model in 2026. With little expectations, it allows him to understand the machine without extra pressure to win each night. 

“I don’t have much experience, but I don’t have a ton of expectations,” Ledford said. “Which is fun for me because with the Modified, you expect to win, and then you get upset if you finish second. I’m looking forward to getting some Summer Nationals time and locally around here at Farmer City and Fairbury.” 

Ledford will be present at the 2026 MARS Modified Championship presented by Summit Racing Equipment opener at Farmer City Raceway alongside the World of Outlaws Late Models presented by DIRTVision for the World of Outlaws Illini 100 on Thursday-Saturday, April 9-11. 

ILLINI 100 TICKETS 

Michael Ledford Chasing Championships in UMP Modifieds, Building Late Model Experience in 2026

CONCORD, NC (February 27, 2026) – Michael Ledford is picking up speed in unfamiliar territories. 

Building on a career-high season in the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds during 2025, the 21-year-old racer is preparing to take bigger steps in his career with championship hunts in the Midwest Auto Racing Series (MARS) Modified Championship and the DIRTcar National standings, while gaining seat time in a Super Late Model for the 2026 DIRTcar Summer Nationals tour. 

The Pontiac, IL native has steadily built his resumé aboard a UMP Modified at his home tracks, Fairbury Speedway and Farmer City Raceway, at the start of the decade. In 2023, Ledford ventured across Illinois and Missouri with success. He grabbed 16 wins at local races, along with his first Prairie Dirt Classic Showdown victory with the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals, and his first MARS win in the season-closing FALS Frenzy. 

In 2024, Ledford failed to match his previous year’s stats, recording only four Feature wins. Deciding it was time for a reset before 2025, he joined Mike Learman’s Royal Race Cars to pilot the No. 9 house car. 

“It really starts there,” Ledford said. “I got ahold of Mike and wanted to do something a little different. I came off a pretty tough year in 2024, so I got with him and didn’t really plan on doing like a ton of Modified racing to start with. But we ended up winning the Illini 100 with the Modified and decided that we could go for a national title. But it was a really fun year, I did a lot more traveling than we ever did since we were stuck to two tracks (Fairbury and Farmer City).” 

The win at the MARS season-opener propelled Ledford to compete for the overall championship. Throughout the season, he faced an equal on-track adversary in the form of Owensboro, KY’s Cole Falloway. While Ledford topped Falloway in the wins column, the “Blue Grass State” driver scored his first MARS crown by 25 markers. Ledford finished runner-up to Falloway once more in the DIRTcar National points by 54 points. 

“I feel like we can race really hard against each other, but also really clean,” Ledford said. “I got a lot of respect for him. I hadn’t raced against him a ton previous to last year, so it was pretty cool doing that. We raced against each other almost 75% of the time, it seemed like.  

“That’s what made it tough at the end to gain points on him because he would win once and extend his lead, then I would maybe win the next one. But it canceled each other out more than anything. It was a lot of fun, but I kind of wish we were able to sometimes stay away from each other.”

After Ledford got a taste for season-long points racing, he looked to tackle a full slate with the Summit Modified Nationals for the first time in 2025. Through 14 starts, he earned a career-high three Feature wins at Macon Speedway, Farmer City, and Butler Motor Speedway, 10 top fives, and 13 top-10s en route to a third-place points finish. 

“The big thing is that a lot of the tracks were new to me,” Ledford said. “So, it’s like trying to learn how to get around there pretty good, then obviously, there’s a ton of work with these cars. I like my stuff pretty well maintained, and not having to worry about it breaking on the track. 

“It was a lot of work, but if you’re trying to get good laps, there’s no better place than the Hell Tour to get laps against really good competition. So, I’m looking forward to doing some of that with the Modified and Late Model to get some seat time, but it’s tough.” 

Ledford faced the “Sunshine State” for the first time with his UMP Modified at Volusia Speedway Park for the 55th annual Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals. The “World’s Fastest Half Mile” took the “Madman” out of his comfort zone with the high speeds, but he adapted through the week with a showing of three top fives and two second-place runs. 

“It was really fun, the facility and everything there was really, really nice,” Ledford said. “The track races really well. I had some issues in Qualifying just because I’m not used to hammering down and not really lifting. But I think towards the end, we got a lot better. 

“I mean, the only track close to a 1/2-mile is Red Hill (Raceway), and I don’t race there very much. The rest of the stuff around here is all 1/4-miles, so it took about four or five races until I started to feel like I had a little better feel for it. Just like anything, you need laps and learn to change your driving style a little bit.” 

Moving into the 2026 season, Ledford’s primary objective will be the chase for his first MARS Modified crown. After getting a feel for points racing against Falloway, he learned valuable lessons that will help him go a long way in the 21-race journey. 

“I think that starts with the little things,” Ledford said. “There was a night I missed the Feature, and I think I had a provisional that I didn’t use, then I had a couple of DNFs here and there. Matt (Curl) and Jonathan (Clayton) do a really good job with that Series. I really like it, the pay is really good, and it gives us a good regional tour.” 

Alongside the Modified activity, Ledford will get to open up the notebook for the Super Late Model in 2026. With little expectations, it allows him to understand the machine without extra pressure to win each night. 

“I don’t have much experience, but I don’t have a ton of expectations,” Ledford said. “Which is fun for me because with the Modified, you expect to win, and then you get upset if you finish second. I’m looking forward to getting some Summer Nationals time and locally around here at Farmer City and Fairbury.” 

Ledford will be present at the 2026 MARS Modified Championship presented by Summit Racing Equipment opener at Farmer City Raceway alongside the World of Outlaws Late Models presented by DIRTVision for the World of Outlaws Illini 100 on Thursday-Saturday, April 9-11. 

ILLINI 100 TICKETS 

How can you watch the World of Outlaws and DIRTcar Summer Nationals? Live on DIRTVision. 

OCALA, FL (February 26, 2026) – Hudson O’Neal passed race-long leader Kyle Bronson on lap 14 and never looked back, capturing Thursday night’s Wieland Winter Nationals feature for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing at Ocala Speedway. O’Neal, who started ninth, earned $10,000 for his second career victory at Ocala. Devin Moran finished second, followed by Bronson, Ricky Thornton Jr., and Tim McCreadie. Despite a late-race caution with three laps remaining, O’Neal maintained control and crossed the finish line 0.924 seconds ahead of Moran. The win marked O’Neal’s 36th career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory and his sixth overall triumph of the season – a total that leads the nation. With the win, he also takes over the series points lead heading into Friday night’s $12,000-to-win main event. “It got latched up pretty early, and I was a little nervous,” said the Martinsville, Indiana native. “I was trying to use the right front and not the right rear, keeping the right rear underneath me. I wanted to make sure I didn’t have a flat, especially as hard as I was going to have to run after that last caution to get away from them. It’s pretty awesome to get one here in the middle of the week. Hopefully, this is what’s to come for the rest of the week. “It’s been a really good year so far, and I am very blessed in that aspect of life.” Moran, the defending series champion, came home second after starting seventh. “I was just holding on. I didn’t have much tire left,” Moran said. “Like I said last night, it doesn’t matter what the track conditions are here at Ocala — I love coming here. In three nights, I’ve got three podiums. We just need to work on our early program again. We were good early in the week, but we kind of made the wrong calls the last night or two. We’ll get back to our notebook and figure out what we can do the rest of the week.” Bronson, who led the opening 13 laps, rounded out the Big River Steel Podium despite battling handling issues. “It’s definitely good to run well. We had a really good race car, but the bumper got knocked off on the left front when I hit the wall on the first lap,” Bronson said. “I think me and JD got tight there — maybe he clipped the right rear quarter panel. I’ll have to watch the video. Hopefully he’s okay. I want to thank my guys for not giving up on me. It’s been a tough road here.” The winning Todd and Vickie Burns, SSI Motorsports, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Big River Steel, Wheeler Metals, Merrill Bonding Company, Professional Concrete Cutting and Drilling, O’Neal’s Salvage and Recycling, Lineal Contracting, Seven Spurs Ranch, Beeman Lumber, Lucas Oil Products, Indiana USSSA Fast Pitch Softball, Sunoco Race Fuels, and Penske Racing Shocks. Completing the top ten were Brandon Overton, Carson Ferguson, Boom Briggs, Drake Troutman, and Dennis Erb Jr. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Race Summary Wieland Winter NationalsThursday, February 26, 2026Ocala Speedway | Ocala, FL Allstar Performance Time TrialsFast Time Group A: Dallon Murty | 14.232 seconds (Overall)Fast Time Group B: Jonathan Davenport | 14.449 seconds Penske Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 40B-Kyle Bronson[2]; 2. 13-Dallon Murty[1]; 3. 71-Hudson O’Neal[4]; 4. 09-Michael Leach[3]; 5. 79-Cory Hedgecock[6]; 6. 93-Carson Ferguson[7]; 7. 18-Chase Junghans[5]; 8. 9-Tim McCreadie[8]; 9. 8-Dillon McCowan[10]; 10. 81F-Jadon Frame[9]; 11. 93L-Cory Lawler[11] Summit Racing Products Heat Race #2 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 3S-Brian Shirley[1]; 2. 99-Devin Moran[4]; 3. 58-Garrett Alberson[2]; 4. 99B-Boom Briggs[6]; 5. 60-Dan Ebert[5]; 6. 77-Preston Luckman[8]; 7. 76N-Blair Nothdurft[7]; 8. 32J-Justin Weaver[10]; 9. 17SR-Brody Smith[9]; 10. 16-Tyler Bruening[3] Cool-It Thermo-Tec Heat Race #3 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 49-Jonathan Davenport[1]; 2. 58V-Daulton Wilson[2]; 3. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[3]; 4. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[5]; 5. 19M-Brenden Smith[4]; 6. 111-Max Blair[7]; 7. 12M-Ryan Montgomery[6]; 8. 6-Clay Harris[8]; 9. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr[9]; 10. 15K-Cody Overton[10] Simpson Race Products Heat Race #4 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 76-Brandon Overton[2]; 2. 1-Brandon Sheppard[1]; 3. 22*-Drake Troutman[3]; 4. 11-Josh Rice[5]; 5. 1T-Tyler Erb[4]; 6. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[8]; 7. 7-Ross Robinson[6]; 8. 15-Clay Stuckey[9]; 9. 55-Eli Johnson[10]; 10. C4-Freddie Carpenter[7] Fast Shafts B-Main Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 93-Carson Ferguson[3]; 2. 60-Dan Ebert[2]; 3. 9-Tim McCreadie[7]; 4. 79-Cory Hedgecock[1]; 5. 18-Chase Junghans[5]; 6. 77-Preston Luckman[4]; 7. 8-Dillon McCowan[9]; 8. 76N-Blair Nothdurft[6]; 9. 81F-Jadon Frame[11]; 10. 93L-Cory Lawler[13]; 11. 32J-Justin Weaver[8]; 12. 17SR-Brody Smith[10]; 13. (DNS) 16-Tyler Bruening UNOH B-Main Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 19M-Brenden Smith[1]; 2. 111-Max Blair[3]; 3. 1T-Tyler Erb[2]; 4. 12M-Ryan Montgomery[5]; 5. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[4]; 6. 7-Ross Robinson[6]; 7. 15-Clay Stuckey[8]; 8. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr[9]; 9. 55-Eli Johnson[10]; 10. C4-Freddie Carpenter[12]; 11. 6-Clay Harris[7]; 12. 15K-Cody Overton[11] Wieland Winter Nationals Feature Finish (40 Laps):Pos – Start – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Earnings1 – 9 – 71 – Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – $10,0002 – 7 – 99 – Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – $5,5003 – 1 – 40B – Kyle Bronson – Brandon, FL – $3,5004 – 10 – 20RT – Ricky Thornton Jr – Chandler, AZ – $2,7005 – 21 – 9 – Tim McCreadie – Watertown, NY – $2,5006 – 4 – 76 – Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – $2,4007 – 17 – 93 – Carson Ferguson – Lincolnton, NC – $2,2008 – 15 – 99B – Boom Briggs – Bear Lake, PA – $2,1009 – 12 – 22* – Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – $2,05010 – 14 – 28 – Dennis Erb Jr – Carpentersville, IL – $2,00011 – 22 – 1T – Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – $1,60012 – 13 – 9 – Michael Leach – Sun River, MT – $1,40013 – 24 – 6 – Clay Harris – Jupiter, FL – $1,20014 – 19 – 60 – Dan Ebert – Lake Shore, MN – $1,00015 – 20 – 111 – Max Blair – Centerville, PA – $95016 – 16 – 11 – Josh Rice – Crittenden, KY – $92517 – 3 – 3S – Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – $90018 – 8 – 1 – Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – $87519 – 23 – 22 – Daniel Hilsabeck – Earlham, IA – $85020 – 26 – 7 – Ross Robinson – Georgetown, DE – $12521 – 18 – 19M – Brenden Smith – Dade City, FL – $80022 – 28 – 79 – Cory Hedgecock – Loudon, TN – $10023 – 25 – 93L – Cory Lawler – Hanover, PA – $10024 – 27 – C4 – Freddie Carpenter – Parkersburg, WV – $10025 – 6 – 58V – Daulton Wilson – Fayetteville, NC – $80026 – 5 – 13 – Dallon Murty – Chelsea, IA – $80027 – 11 – 58 – Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – $80028 – 2 – 49 – Jonathan Davenport – Blairsville, GA – $900 Race Statistics  Entrants: 41Bilstein Shocks Pole Sitter: Kyle BronsonMD3 Lap Leaders: Kyle Bronson (Laps 1-13); Hudson O’Neal (Laps 14-40)Hellraizer Jacks Halfway Leader: Hudson O’NealWieland Feature Winner: Hudson O’NealMargin of Victory: 0.924 secondsHellraizer Jacks Cautions: Kyle Bronson, Jonathan Davenport (Initial Start); Dallon Murty, Garrett Alberson (Lap 1); Brandon Sheppard (Lap 4); Freddie Carpenter (Lap 5); Brenden Smith (Lap 37)MyRacePass Series Provisionals: Daniel Hilsabeck, Clay HarrisFast Time Provisional: n/aEmergency Provisionals: Cory Lawler, Ross Robinson, Freddie Carpenter, Cory HedgecockTrack Provisional: n/aBig River Steel Podium Top 3: Hudson O’Neal, Devin Moran, Kyle BronsonPenske Shocks Top 5: Hudson O’Neal, Devin Moran, Kyle Bronson, Ricky Thornton, Jr., Tim McCreadieBehrent’s One-Lap-to-Go Top 3: Hudson O’Neal, Devin Moran, Kyle BronsonPEM 4th Place Feature: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Diversified Machine 5th Place Feature: Tim McCreadieWilwood Brakes 7th Place Feature: Carson FergusonWehrs Machine 11th Place Feature: Tyler ErbVelocity Manufacturing 13th Place Feature: Clay HarrisXS Power Batteries 15th Place Feature: Max BlairHoker Trucking Hard Charger of the Race: Tim McCreadie (Advanced 16 positions)MD3 Most Laps Led: Hudson O’Neal (27 Laps)Sunoco Race Fuels Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Hudson O’NealMidwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Brandon OvertonO’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: n/aPro Fabrication Headers Fastest Lap of the Race: Hudson O’Neal | Lap 39 | 15.384 secondsFK Rod Ends Hard Luck Award: Jonathan DavenportVictory Fuel Power Move of the Race: Hudson O’NealOuterwears Crew Chief of the Race: Jason DurhamARP Engine Builder of the Race: Clements Race EnginesMiller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn ChassisDirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Brenden Smith | 14.3025 secondsTime of Race: 32 minutes 01 seconds Big River Steel Championship Standings Presented by ARP:Pos – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Points – Earnings1 – 71 – Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – 935 – $37,0002 – 99 – Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 905 – $35,7003 – 76 – Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – 890 – $19,3004 – 1 – Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 790 – $27,2755 – 93 – Carson Ferguson – Lincolnton, NC – 770 – $10,7006 – 6 – Clay Harris – Jupiter, FL – 740 – $17,2007 – 40B – Kyle Bronson – Brandon, FL – 730 – $9,2008 – 20RT – Ricky Thornton Jr – Chandler, AZ – 705 – $9,0509 – 60 – Dan Ebert – Lake Shore, MN – 705 – $8,92510 – 11 – Josh Rice – Crittenden, KY – 700 – $8,12511 – 3s – Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 680 – $8,50012 – 111 – Max Blair – Centerville, PA – 675 – $7,10013 – 79 – Cory Hedgecock – Loudon, TN – 670 – $6,60014 – 58 – Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 660 – $9,80015 – 22 – Daniel Hilsabeck – Earlham, IA – 550 – $4,45016 – 13 – Dallon Murty – Chelsea, IA – 525 – $4,45017 – 9 – Michael Leach – Sun River, MT – 525 – $3,40018 – 19M – Brenden Smith – Dade City, FL – 520 – $4,57519 – 5 – Mark Whitener – Middleburg, FL – 515 – $5,40020 – 7 – Ross Robinson – Georgetown, DE – 515 – $3,82521 – 93L – Cory Lawler – Hanover, PA – 500 – $3,70022 – 77 – Preston Luckman – Coos Bay, OR – 490 – $2,92523 – 8 – Dillon McCowan – Urbana, MO – 485 – $2,17524 – 76N – Blair Nothdurft – Renner, SD – 485 – $2,75025 – 81F – Jadon Frame – Winchester, TN – 455 – $2,00026 – 32J – Justin Weaver – Clearspring, MD – 445 – $1,30027 – 15 – Clay Stuckey – Shreveport, LA – 445 – $60028 – 99JR – Frank Heckenast Jr – Frankfort, IL – 425 – $2,80029 – C4 – Freddie Carpenter – Parkersburg, WV – 420 – $60030 – 44 – Chris Madden – Gray Court, SC – 405 – $3,200

O’Neal Captures Thursday Night Victory at Wieland Winter Nationals in Ocala

OCALA, FL (February 26, 2026) – Hudson O’Neal passed race-long leader Kyle Bronson on lap 14 and never looked back, capturing Thursday night’s Wieland Winter Nationals feature for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing at Ocala Speedway. O’Neal, who started ninth, earned $10,000 for his second career victory at Ocala. Devin Moran finished second, followed by Bronson, Ricky Thornton Jr., and Tim McCreadie. Despite a late-race caution with three laps remaining, O’Neal maintained control and crossed the finish line 0.924 seconds ahead of Moran. The win marked O’Neal’s 36th career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory and his sixth overall triumph of the season – a total that leads the nation. With the win, he also takes over the series points lead heading into Friday night’s $12,000-to-win main event. “It got latched up pretty early, and I was a little nervous,” said the Martinsville, Indiana native. “I was trying to use the right front and not the right rear, keeping the right rear underneath me. I wanted to make sure I didn’t have a flat, especially as hard as I was going to have to run after that last caution to get away from them. It’s pretty awesome to get one here in the middle of the week. Hopefully, this is what’s to come for the rest of the week. “It’s been a really good year so far, and I am very blessed in that aspect of life.” Moran, the defending series champion, came home second after starting seventh. “I was just holding on. I didn’t have much tire left,” Moran said. “Like I said last night, it doesn’t matter what the track conditions are here at Ocala — I love coming here. In three nights, I’ve got three podiums. We just need to work on our early program again. We were good early in the week, but we kind of made the wrong calls the last night or two. We’ll get back to our notebook and figure out what we can do the rest of the week.” Bronson, who led the opening 13 laps, rounded out the Big River Steel Podium despite battling handling issues. “It’s definitely good to run well. We had a really good race car, but the bumper got knocked off on the left front when I hit the wall on the first lap,” Bronson said. “I think me and JD got tight there — maybe he clipped the right rear quarter panel. I’ll have to watch the video. Hopefully he’s okay. I want to thank my guys for not giving up on me. It’s been a tough road here.” The winning Todd and Vickie Burns, SSI Motorsports, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Big River Steel, Wheeler Metals, Merrill Bonding Company, Professional Concrete Cutting and Drilling, O’Neal’s Salvage and Recycling, Lineal Contracting, Seven Spurs Ranch, Beeman Lumber, Lucas Oil Products, Indiana USSSA Fast Pitch Softball, Sunoco Race Fuels, and Penske Racing Shocks. Completing the top ten were Brandon Overton, Carson Ferguson, Boom Briggs, Drake Troutman, and Dennis Erb Jr. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Race Summary Wieland Winter NationalsThursday, February 26, 2026Ocala Speedway | Ocala, FL Allstar Performance Time TrialsFast Time Group A: Dallon Murty | 14.232 seconds (Overall)Fast Time Group B: Jonathan Davenport | 14.449 seconds Penske Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 40B-Kyle Bronson[2]; 2. 13-Dallon Murty[1]; 3. 71-Hudson O’Neal[4]; 4. 09-Michael Leach[3]; 5. 79-Cory Hedgecock[6]; 6. 93-Carson Ferguson[7]; 7. 18-Chase Junghans[5]; 8. 9-Tim McCreadie[8]; 9. 8-Dillon McCowan[10]; 10. 81F-Jadon Frame[9]; 11. 93L-Cory Lawler[11] Summit Racing Products Heat Race #2 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 3S-Brian Shirley[1]; 2. 99-Devin Moran[4]; 3. 58-Garrett Alberson[2]; 4. 99B-Boom Briggs[6]; 5. 60-Dan Ebert[5]; 6. 77-Preston Luckman[8]; 7. 76N-Blair Nothdurft[7]; 8. 32J-Justin Weaver[10]; 9. 17SR-Brody Smith[9]; 10. 16-Tyler Bruening[3] Cool-It Thermo-Tec Heat Race #3 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 49-Jonathan Davenport[1]; 2. 58V-Daulton Wilson[2]; 3. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[3]; 4. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[5]; 5. 19M-Brenden Smith[4]; 6. 111-Max Blair[7]; 7. 12M-Ryan Montgomery[6]; 8. 6-Clay Harris[8]; 9. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr[9]; 10. 15K-Cody Overton[10] Simpson Race Products Heat Race #4 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 76-Brandon Overton[2]; 2. 1-Brandon Sheppard[1]; 3. 22*-Drake Troutman[3]; 4. 11-Josh Rice[5]; 5. 1T-Tyler Erb[4]; 6. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[8]; 7. 7-Ross Robinson[6]; 8. 15-Clay Stuckey[9]; 9. 55-Eli Johnson[10]; 10. C4-Freddie Carpenter[7] Fast Shafts B-Main Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 93-Carson Ferguson[3]; 2. 60-Dan Ebert[2]; 3. 9-Tim McCreadie[7]; 4. 79-Cory Hedgecock[1]; 5. 18-Chase Junghans[5]; 6. 77-Preston Luckman[4]; 7. 8-Dillon McCowan[9]; 8. 76N-Blair Nothdurft[6]; 9. 81F-Jadon Frame[11]; 10. 93L-Cory Lawler[13]; 11. 32J-Justin Weaver[8]; 12. 17SR-Brody Smith[10]; 13. (DNS) 16-Tyler Bruening UNOH B-Main Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 19M-Brenden Smith[1]; 2. 111-Max Blair[3]; 3. 1T-Tyler Erb[2]; 4. 12M-Ryan Montgomery[5]; 5. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[4]; 6. 7-Ross Robinson[6]; 7. 15-Clay Stuckey[8]; 8. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr[9]; 9. 55-Eli Johnson[10]; 10. C4-Freddie Carpenter[12]; 11. 6-Clay Harris[7]; 12. 15K-Cody Overton[11] Wieland Winter Nationals Feature Finish (40 Laps):Pos – Start – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Earnings1 – 9 – 71 – Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – $10,0002 – 7 – 99 – Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – $5,5003 – 1 – 40B – Kyle Bronson – Brandon, FL – $3,5004 – 10 – 20RT – Ricky Thornton Jr – Chandler, AZ – $2,7005 – 21 – 9 – Tim McCreadie – Watertown, NY – $2,5006 – 4 – 76 – Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – $2,4007 – 17 – 93 – Carson Ferguson – Lincolnton, NC – $2,2008 – 15 – 99B – Boom Briggs – Bear Lake, PA – $2,1009 – 12 – 22* – Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – $2,05010 – 14 – 28 – Dennis Erb Jr – Carpentersville, IL – $2,00011 – 22 – 1T – Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – $1,60012 – 13 – 9 – Michael Leach – Sun River, MT – $1,40013 – 24 – 6 – Clay Harris – Jupiter, FL – $1,20014 – 19 – 60 – Dan Ebert – Lake Shore, MN – $1,00015 – 20 – 111 – Max Blair – Centerville, PA – $95016 – 16 – 11 – Josh Rice – Crittenden, KY – $92517 – 3 – 3S – Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – $90018 – 8 – 1 – Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – $87519 – 23 – 22 – Daniel Hilsabeck – Earlham, IA – $85020 – 26 – 7 – Ross Robinson – Georgetown, DE – $12521 – 18 – 19M – Brenden Smith – Dade City, FL – $80022 – 28 – 79 – Cory Hedgecock – Loudon, TN – $10023 – 25 – 93L – Cory Lawler – Hanover, PA – $10024 – 27 – C4 – Freddie Carpenter – Parkersburg, WV – $10025 – 6 – 58V – Daulton Wilson – Fayetteville, NC – $80026 – 5 – 13 – Dallon Murty – Chelsea, IA – $80027 – 11 – 58 – Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – $80028 – 2 – 49 – Jonathan Davenport – Blairsville, GA – $900 Race Statistics  Entrants: 41Bilstein Shocks Pole Sitter: Kyle BronsonMD3 Lap Leaders: Kyle Bronson (Laps 1-13); Hudson O’Neal (Laps 14-40)Hellraizer Jacks Halfway Leader: Hudson O’NealWieland Feature Winner: Hudson O’NealMargin of Victory: 0.924 secondsHellraizer Jacks Cautions: Kyle Bronson, Jonathan Davenport (Initial Start); Dallon Murty, Garrett Alberson (Lap 1); Brandon Sheppard (Lap 4); Freddie Carpenter (Lap 5); Brenden Smith (Lap 37)MyRacePass Series Provisionals: Daniel Hilsabeck, Clay HarrisFast Time Provisional: n/aEmergency Provisionals: Cory Lawler, Ross Robinson, Freddie Carpenter, Cory HedgecockTrack Provisional: n/aBig River Steel Podium Top 3: Hudson O’Neal, Devin Moran, Kyle BronsonPenske Shocks Top 5: Hudson O’Neal, Devin Moran, Kyle Bronson, Ricky Thornton, Jr., Tim McCreadieBehrent’s One-Lap-to-Go Top 3: Hudson O’Neal, Devin Moran, Kyle BronsonPEM 4th Place Feature: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Diversified Machine 5th Place Feature: Tim McCreadieWilwood Brakes 7th Place Feature: Carson FergusonWehrs Machine 11th Place Feature: Tyler ErbVelocity Manufacturing 13th Place Feature: Clay HarrisXS Power Batteries 15th Place Feature: Max BlairHoker Trucking Hard Charger of the Race: Tim McCreadie (Advanced 16 positions)MD3 Most Laps Led: Hudson O’Neal (27 Laps)Sunoco Race Fuels Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Hudson O’NealMidwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Brandon OvertonO’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: n/aPro Fabrication Headers Fastest Lap of the Race: Hudson O’Neal | Lap 39 | 15.384 secondsFK Rod Ends Hard Luck Award: Jonathan DavenportVictory Fuel Power Move of the Race: Hudson O’NealOuterwears Crew Chief of the Race: Jason DurhamARP Engine Builder of the Race: Clements Race EnginesMiller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn ChassisDirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Brenden Smith | 14.3025 secondsTime of Race: 32 minutes 01 seconds Big River Steel Championship Standings Presented by ARP:Pos – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Points – Earnings1 – 71 – Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – 935 – $37,0002 – 99 – Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 905 – $35,7003 – 76 – Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – 890 – $19,3004 – 1 – Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 790 – $27,2755 – 93 – Carson Ferguson – Lincolnton, NC – 770 – $10,7006 – 6 – Clay Harris – Jupiter, FL – 740 – $17,2007 – 40B – Kyle Bronson – Brandon, FL – 730 – $9,2008 – 20RT – Ricky Thornton Jr – Chandler, AZ – 705 – $9,0509 – 60 – Dan Ebert – Lake Shore, MN – 705 – $8,92510 – 11 – Josh Rice – Crittenden, KY – 700 – $8,12511 – 3s – Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 680 – $8,50012 – 111 – Max Blair – Centerville, PA – 675 – $7,10013 – 79 – Cory Hedgecock – Loudon, TN – 670 – $6,60014 – 58 – Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 660 – $9,80015 – 22 – Daniel Hilsabeck – Earlham, IA – 550 – $4,45016 – 13 – Dallon Murty – Chelsea, IA – 525 – $4,45017 – 9 – Michael Leach – Sun River, MT – 525 – $3,40018 – 19M – Brenden Smith – Dade City, FL – 520 – $4,57519 – 5 – Mark Whitener – Middleburg, FL – 515 – $5,40020 – 7 – Ross Robinson – Georgetown, DE – 515 – $3,82521 – 93L – Cory Lawler – Hanover, PA – 500 – $3,70022 – 77 – Preston Luckman – Coos Bay, OR – 490 – $2,92523 – 8 – Dillon McCowan – Urbana, MO – 485 – $2,17524 – 76N – Blair Nothdurft – Renner, SD – 485 – $2,75025 – 81F – Jadon Frame – Winchester, TN – 455 – $2,00026 – 32J – Justin Weaver – Clearspring, MD – 445 – $1,30027 – 15 – Clay Stuckey – Shreveport, LA – 445 – $60028 – 99JR – Frank Heckenast Jr – Frankfort, IL – 425 – $2,80029 – C4 – Freddie Carpenter – Parkersburg, WV – 420 – $60030 – 44 – Chris Madden – Gray Court, SC – 405 – $3,200