BELLEVILLE, KS (June 23, 2026) — The Big One is back.
For the second straight year, the event is set to bring the American Sprint Car Series back to the “Sunflower State” for two nights of racing at Belleville High Banks.
The fast 1/2-mile Kansas dirt track opens its program on Friday, June 5, with the top 360 Sprint Car pilots chasing a $4,000 payday. Saturday will up the stakes with the night’s 25-lap Feature awarding the high-banked conqueror a $10,000 check.
Joining the National Tour between the two nights will be the Malvern Bank ASCS Midwest Region. Grandstand gates will open at 5:30 p.m. CT, with Hot Laps slated to begin at 6:30 p.m.
Here are the top storylines to look for:
Sweep 2.0 – Sam Hafertepe Jr. mastered the inaugural edition of The Big One, sweeping both Features.
Entering the 2026 running, Hafertepe leads the points standings by 22 markers over Matt Covington and 23 over Seth Bergman after 11 races but is missing one thing they both have – a win. The longest Hafertepe has gone without a win at the start of a championship season is nine races in 2018.
Despite lacking a win, Hafertepe has been in contention to win throughout the year, particularly at fast, high-banked tracks. He finished third during the season opener at Volusia Speedway Park and second at Saline Highbanks Speedway.
New Leaf – Matt Covington enters the weekend off the momentum of eight straight top 10 finishes and three straight top fives. Those results have put him in championship contention, sitting second in points, 22 points behind Sam Hafertepe Jr.
He’ll try to maintain that performance at The Big One, where he finished fourth and fifth, respectively, last year. However, with the goal of winning five races this season, and determined not to let the title fight slip through his fingers like years past, the Glenpool, OK driver has high expectations for the weekend.
RELATED: Covington Holding ASCS Title Fight Within Reach Entering Summer Stretch
Just Getting Started – Seth Bergman is in the mix for his second American Sprint Car Series title, with one point separating him from Covington and 23 away from Hafertepe as he heads to a track he hasn’t seen in 11 years.
The 2024 Series champion’s only visit to Belleville came with the Series in 2015, earning the Hard Charger award after working from a 17th-place starting spot to finish seventh.
The Snohomish, WA pilot currently has the most Feature wins of the full-time competitors in 2026, with two scores in the last three races at Benton Speedway and 81 Speedway. His best finish at a high-speed facility, so far, this year was a podium at Salina Highbanks Speedway in April.
Big Invaders – Belleville High Banks will bring the best talent in 360 Sprint Car racing together with the National Tours stars set to battle with the ASCS Midwest Region and Kansas locals.
While 2023 Series champion Jason Martin continues to recover from a crash in April, he has tapped Jake Bubak to pilot the No. 9 car for The Big One. The Arvada, CO racer is a two-time Belleville 305 Nationals champion and owns multiple wins at the track with the United Rebel Sprint Series and Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association.
The Malvern Bank ASCS Midwest Region is bringing its top contenders, such as Jack Thomas, Chase Brown, John Klabunde, and Semerad – all of whom are in their own tight points battle. The four drivers are separated by less than 30 points with Thomas leading the way, 11 markers ahead of Brown. Klabunde is 22 points back and Semerad is 29 points back. Of them, Klabunde is the only driver with previous experience at Belleville, finishing ninth in a 2023 Midwest Region visit.
Jewel Crafting – In three total appearances with the American Sprint Car Series, Belleville has proven to be one of the most demanding tracks on the schedule as The Big One continues to grow at into a crown jewel event.
The Series made its debut at the track in 2015 and saw Brian Brown earn his 12th National Tour triumph. When the Series returned last year, Sam Hafertepe Jr. made it his personal playground, leading flag-to-flag during both nights.
Along with awarding drivers a $10,000 payday on Saturday, the track will also give back to drivers and crews on Friday with a cookout after the races.
THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE
WHEN AND WHERE
Friday-Saturday, June 26-27, at Belleville High Banks in Belleville, KS
AROUND THE CORNER
Friday, July 10, at Batesville Motor Speedway in Batesville, AR
Saturday, July 11, at Texarkana 67 Speedway in Texarkana, AR
CURRENT TOP-10 STANDINGS
- Sam Hafertepe Jr. (1157pts)
- Matt Covington (-22)
- Seth Bergman (-23)
- Kyler Johnson (-163)
- Whit Gastineau (-166)
- Brogan Carder (-260)
- Ryder Laplante (-268)
- Austyn Gossel (-288)
- Terry Easum (-305)
- Cole Schroeder (-311)
FEATURE WINNERS (8 Drivers)
2 wins – Seth Bergman, Justin Peck, Tyler Courtney
1 win – Blake Hahn, Chris Martin, Brady Bacon, Levi Hillier, Matt Covington
FEATURE LAPS LED (16 Drivers)
52 laps – Justin Peck
30 laps – Levi Hillier, Blake Hahn
23 laps – Sam Hafertepe Jr.
22 laps – Chris Martin
21 laps – Austin McCarl
20 laps – Seth Bergman
19 laps – Matt Covington
18 laps – Brady Bacon
16 laps – Cameron Martin
13 laps – Brian Brown
10 laps – Kyler Johnson
9 laps – Whit Gastineau
7 laps – Cole Macedo
6 laps – Tyler Courtney
3 laps – Sean McClelland
QUICK TIME AWARDS (5 Drivers)
5 awards – Sam Hafertepe Jr
1 award – Seth Bergman, Howard Moore, Chris Martin, Levi Hillier, Kyler Johnson
HEAT RACE WINNERS (23 Drivers)
4 wins – Matt Covington
3 wins – Sam Hafertepe Jr, Whit Gastineau
2 wins – Seth Bergman, Chris Martin, Justin Peck
1 win – Jordan Mallett, Sean McClelland, Garrett Benson, Cam Martin, Brady Bacon, Tyler Clem, Emerson Axsom, Brian Brown, Cole Macedo, Garen Linder, Colby Copeland, Nick Parker, Hank Davis, Ryder Laplante, JJ Hickle, Kyler Johnson, Alex Hill, Jeremy Campbell, Blake Hahn, Kade Morton, Alex Sewell
DASH STARTS (34 Drivers)
9 starts – Sam Hafertepe Jr
7 starts – Matt Covington
5 starts – Kyler Johnson, Whit Gastineau
4 starts – Levi Hillier, Seth Bergman
3 starts – Chris Martin, Tyler Courtney, Brian Brown, Justin Peck
2 starts – Camerson Martin, Emerson Axsom, Austin McCarl, Brady Bacon, Davie Franek
1 start – Jordan Mallett, Howard Moore, Paul Solomon, Garrett Benson, Brock Zearfoss, Cole Macedo, Tyler Clem, Hank Davis, Ryder Laplante, Nick Parker, Colby Copeland, Garen Linder, JJ Hickle, Alex Hill, Blake Hahn, Alex Sewell, Kade Morton, Jeremy Campbell, Bryant Wiedeman
SMITH TITANIUM LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINNERS (7 Drivers)
2 wins – Braxton Weger
1 win – DJ Christie, Matt Covington, Tyler Clem, Whit Gastineau, Sterling Cling, Gage Montgomery
HARD CHARGER AWARDS (11 Drivers)
1 award – Seth Bergman, Ryder Laplante, Brady Bacon, Cole Macedo, Sam Hafertepe Jr., DJ Netto, Whit Gastineau, Brogan Carder, Joe B. Miller, Bradley Fezard, Hayden Mabe
PODIUM FINISHES (18 Drivers)
5 podiums – Sam Hafertepe Jr.
4 podiums – Matt Covington
3 podiums – Justin Peck, Seth Bergman
2 podiums – Tyler Courtney, Brady Bacon, Austin McCarl, Levi Hillier
1 podium – Cole Macedo, Emerson Axsom, Brock Zearfoss, Kyler Johnson, JJ Hickle, Jordan Mallett, Chris Martin, Blake Hahn, Alex Sewell, Whit Gastineau
2026 AMERICAN SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE + WINNERS
Date / Track / City, State / Winner (Total Wins)
- Thu, Jan. 29 / Volusia Speedway Park /Barberville, FL / Tyler Courtney
- Fri, Jan. 30 / Volusia Speedway Park /Barberville, FL / Tyler Courtney (2)
- Mon, Feb. 2 / Volusia Speedway Park /Barberville, FL / Brady Bacon
- Sat, Feb. 21 / Central Arizona Raceway / Casa Grande, AZ / Justin Peck
- Sun, Feb. 21 / Central Arizona Raceway / Casa Grande, AZ / Matt Covington
- Sat, Feb. 28 / Central Arizona Raceway / Casa Grande, AZ / Justin Peck (2)
- Sun, Mar. 1 / Central Arizona Raceway / Casa Grande, AZ / Levi Hillier
- Sat, Apr. 11 / Salina Highbanks Speedway / Salina, OK / Chris Martin
- Fri, May 8 / Benton Speedway / Benton, MO / Seth Bergman
- Fri, June 5 / Creek County Speedway / Sapulpa, OK / Blake Hahn
- Sat, June 6 / 81 Speedway / Park City, KS / Seth Bergman (2)
TOP FIVE STORYLINES: The Big One Brings High-Banked, High-Stakes Challenge to Belleville BELLEVILLE, KS (June 23, 2026) — The Big One is back.
For the second straight year, the event is set to bring the American Sprint Car Series back to the “Sunflower State” for two nights of racing at Belleville High Banks.
The fast 1/2-mile Kansas dirt track opens its program on Friday, June 5, with the top 360 Sprint Car pilots chasing a $4,000 payday. Saturday will up the stakes with the night’s 25-lap Feature awarding the high-banked conqueror a $10,000 check.
Joining the National Tour between the two nights will be the Malvern Bank ASCS Midwest Region. Grandstand gates will open at 5:30 p.m. CT, with Hot Laps slated to begin at 6:30 p.m.
Here are the top storylines to look for:
Sweep 2.0 – Sam Hafertepe Jr. mastered the inaugural edition of The Big One, sweeping both Features.
Entering the 2026 running, Hafertepe leads the points standings by 22 markers over Matt Covington and 23 over Seth Bergman after 11 races but is missing one thing they both have – a win. The longest Hafertepe has gone without a win at the start of a championship season is nine races in 2018.
Despite lacking a win, Hafertepe has been in contention to win throughout the year, particularly at fast, high-banked tracks. He finished third during the season opener at Volusia Speedway Park and second at Saline Highbanks Speedway.
New Leaf – Matt Covington enters the weekend off the momentum of eight straight top 10 finishes and three straight top fives. Those results have put him in championship contention, sitting second in points, 22 points behind Sam Hafertepe Jr.
He’ll try to maintain that performance at The Big One, where he finished fourth and fifth, respectively, last year. However, with the goal of winning five races this season, and determined not to let the title fight slip through his fingers like years past, the Glenpool, OK driver has high expectations for the weekend.
RELATED: Covington Holding ASCS Title Fight Within Reach Entering Summer Stretch
Just Getting Started – Seth Bergman is in the mix for his second American Sprint Car Series title, with one point separating him from Covington and 23 away from Hafertepe as he heads to a track he hasn’t seen in 11 years.
The 2024 Series champion’s only visit to Belleville came with the Series in 2015, earning the Hard Charger award after working from a 17th-place starting spot to finish seventh.
The Snohomish, WA pilot currently has the most Feature wins of the full-time competitors in 2026, with two scores in the last three races at Benton Speedway and 81 Speedway. His best finish at a high-speed facility, so far, this year was a podium at Salina Highbanks Speedway in April.
Big Invaders – Belleville High Banks will bring the best talent in 360 Sprint Car racing together with the National Tours stars set to battle with the ASCS Midwest Region and Kansas locals.
While 2023 Series champion Jason Martin continues to recover from a crash in April, he has tapped Jake Bubak to pilot the No. 9 car for The Big One. The Arvada, CO racer is a two-time Belleville 305 Nationals champion and owns multiple wins at the track with the United Rebel Sprint Series and Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association.
The Malvern Bank ASCS Midwest Region is bringing its top contenders, such as Jack Thomas, Chase Brown, John Klabunde, and Semerad – all of whom are in their own tight points battle. The four drivers are separated by less than 30 points with Thomas leading the way, 11 markers ahead of Brown. Klabunde is 22 points back and Semerad is 29 points back. Of them, Klabunde is the only driver with previous experience at Belleville, finishing ninth in a 2023 Midwest Region visit.
Jewel Crafting – In three total appearances with the American Sprint Car Series, Belleville has proven to be one of the most demanding tracks on the schedule as The Big One continues to grow at into a crown jewel event.
The Series made its debut at the track in 2015 and saw Brian Brown earn his 12th National Tour triumph. When the Series returned last year, Sam Hafertepe Jr. made it his personal playground, leading flag-to-flag during both nights.
Along with awarding drivers a $10,000 payday on Saturday, the track will also give back to drivers and crews on Friday with a cookout after the races.
THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE
WHEN AND WHERE
Friday-Saturday, June 26-27, at Belleville High Banks in Belleville, KS
AROUND THE CORNER
Friday, July 10, at Batesville Motor Speedway in Batesville, AR
Saturday, July 11, at Texarkana 67 Speedway in Texarkana, AR
CURRENT TOP-10 STANDINGS
- Sam Hafertepe Jr. (1157pts)
- Matt Covington (-22)
- Seth Bergman (-23)
- Kyler Johnson (-163)
- Whit Gastineau (-166)
- Brogan Carder (-260)
- Ryder Laplante (-268)
- Austyn Gossel (-288)
- Terry Easum (-305)
- Cole Schroeder (-311)
FEATURE WINNERS (8 Drivers)
2 wins – Seth Bergman, Justin Peck, Tyler Courtney
1 win – Blake Hahn, Chris Martin, Brady Bacon, Levi Hillier, Matt Covington
FEATURE LAPS LED (16 Drivers)
52 laps – Justin Peck
30 laps – Levi Hillier, Blake Hahn
23 laps – Sam Hafertepe Jr.
22 laps – Chris Martin
21 laps – Austin McCarl
20 laps – Seth Bergman
19 laps – Matt Covington
18 laps – Brady Bacon
16 laps – Cameron Martin
13 laps – Brian Brown
10 laps – Kyler Johnson
9 laps – Whit Gastineau
7 laps – Cole Macedo
6 laps – Tyler Courtney
3 laps – Sean McClelland
QUICK TIME AWARDS (5 Drivers)
5 awards – Sam Hafertepe Jr
1 award – Seth Bergman, Howard Moore, Chris Martin, Levi Hillier, Kyler Johnson
HEAT RACE WINNERS (23 Drivers)
4 wins – Matt Covington
3 wins – Sam Hafertepe Jr, Whit Gastineau
2 wins – Seth Bergman, Chris Martin, Justin Peck
1 win – Jordan Mallett, Sean McClelland, Garrett Benson, Cam Martin, Brady Bacon, Tyler Clem, Emerson Axsom, Brian Brown, Cole Macedo, Garen Linder, Colby Copeland, Nick Parker, Hank Davis, Ryder Laplante, JJ Hickle, Kyler Johnson, Alex Hill, Jeremy Campbell, Blake Hahn, Kade Morton, Alex Sewell
DASH STARTS (34 Drivers)
9 starts – Sam Hafertepe Jr
7 starts – Matt Covington
5 starts – Kyler Johnson, Whit Gastineau
4 starts – Levi Hillier, Seth Bergman
3 starts – Chris Martin, Tyler Courtney, Brian Brown, Justin Peck
2 starts – Camerson Martin, Emerson Axsom, Austin McCarl, Brady Bacon, Davie Franek
1 start – Jordan Mallett, Howard Moore, Paul Solomon, Garrett Benson, Brock Zearfoss, Cole Macedo, Tyler Clem, Hank Davis, Ryder Laplante, Nick Parker, Colby Copeland, Garen Linder, JJ Hickle, Alex Hill, Blake Hahn, Alex Sewell, Kade Morton, Jeremy Campbell, Bryant Wiedeman
SMITH TITANIUM LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINNERS (7 Drivers)
2 wins – Braxton Weger
1 win – DJ Christie, Matt Covington, Tyler Clem, Whit Gastineau, Sterling Cling, Gage Montgomery
HARD CHARGER AWARDS (11 Drivers)
1 award – Seth Bergman, Ryder Laplante, Brady Bacon, Cole Macedo, Sam Hafertepe Jr., DJ Netto, Whit Gastineau, Brogan Carder, Joe B. Miller, Bradley Fezard, Hayden Mabe
PODIUM FINISHES (18 Drivers)
5 podiums – Sam Hafertepe Jr.
4 podiums – Matt Covington
3 podiums – Justin Peck, Seth Bergman
2 podiums – Tyler Courtney, Brady Bacon, Austin McCarl, Levi Hillier
1 podium – Cole Macedo, Emerson Axsom, Brock Zearfoss, Kyler Johnson, JJ Hickle, Jordan Mallett, Chris Martin, Blake Hahn, Alex Sewell, Whit Gastineau
2026 AMERICAN SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE + WINNERS
Date / Track / City, State / Winner (Total Wins)
- Thu, Jan. 29 / Volusia Speedway Park /Barberville, FL / Tyler Courtney
- Fri, Jan. 30 / Volusia Speedway Park /Barberville, FL / Tyler Courtney (2)
- Mon, Feb. 2 / Volusia Speedway Park /Barberville, FL / Brady Bacon
- Sat, Feb. 21 / Central Arizona Raceway / Casa Grande, AZ / Justin Peck
- Sun, Feb. 21 / Central Arizona Raceway / Casa Grande, AZ / Matt Covington
- Sat, Feb. 28 / Central Arizona Raceway / Casa Grande, AZ / Justin Peck (2)
- Sun, Mar. 1 / Central Arizona Raceway / Casa Grande, AZ / Levi Hillier
- Sat, Apr. 11 / Salina Highbanks Speedway / Salina, OK / Chris Martin
- Fri, May 8 / Benton Speedway / Benton, MO / Seth Bergman
- Fri, June 5 / Creek County Speedway / Sapulpa, OK / Blake Hahn
- Sat, June 6 / 81 Speedway / Park City, KS / Seth Bergman (2)