| BATAVIA, OH (August 25, 2026) – The nation’s premier dirt late model drivers are headed to Pennsylvania’s Speed Palace this weekend as the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing returns to Port Royal Speedway for the Rumble by the River presented by FK Rod Ends on Friday and Saturday, August 28-29. The two-day blockbuster will put more than $199,000 in total purse money on the line and bring together the stars of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, many of the region’s top competitors and a strong field of local standouts on Port Royal Speedway’s famed half-mile dirt oval. Friday night’s opening program will feature a complete Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series show capped by a $10,000-to-win main event. The stakes rise dramatically on Saturday, when the weekend concludes with a $50,000-to-win finale. The Port Royal Speedway Limited Late Models will also be a part of the racing card each night. Ricky Thornton Jr. enters the weekend as the defending Rumble by the River winner after sweeping both nights of the 2025 event. His victory in last year’s 50-lap finale came after a fierce, back-and-forth battle with Chris Madden, adding another memorable chapter to the event’s growing history. Port Royal Speedway is located at 308 West Eighth Street in Port Royal, Pennsylvania, on the grounds of the Juniata County Fair. The historic half-mile dirt oval, widely known as “The Speed Palace,” has been a fixture of Pennsylvania motorsports for generations. On both Friday and Saturday, the pit gates are scheduled to open at 4 p.m. and grandstands at 4:30 p.m., with hot laps and on-track activity beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday’s pre-race activities will include a Dirt Racing Outreach service at 2 p.m. and a Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series driver autograph session from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. For more information, visit PortRoyalSpeedway.com or follow the track on social media. The championship battle is just as intense heading into Port Royal. Brandon Sheppard leads the Big River Steel Championship Standings Presented by ARP, holding a 95-point advantage over Hudson O’Neal and a 180-point margin over Devin Moran. Brandon Overton and Pennsylvania standout Max Blair complete the top five, while defending Rumble by the River winner Ricky Thornton Jr. sits sixth. For the latest news, results, championship standings, and more about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing, please visit LucasDirt.com. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Purses:Friday, August 28: 1. $10,000, 2. $5,500, 3. $3,500, 4. $2,700, 5. $2,500, 6. $2,300, 7. $2,200, 8. $2,100, 9. $2,050, 10. $2,000, 11. $1,600, 12. $1,400, 13. $1,200, 14. $1,000, 15. $950, 16. $925, 17. $900, 18. $875, 19. $850, 20. $825, 21. $800, 22. $800, 23. $800, 24. $800 = $48,575 Total Saturday, August 29:B-Main Purses: 1st Non-Transfer (after provisionals) $300, 2. $275, 3. $250, 4. $225, 5. $200, 6. $200, 7. $200, 8. $200, 9. $200, 10. $150, 11. $100, 12. $100, 13. $100, 14. $100 = $2,600 each x 2 = $5,200 Total A-Main Purse: 1. $50,000, 2. $20,000, 3. $10,000, 4. $8,000, 5. $7,000, 6. $6,000, 7. $4,500, 8. $4,000, 9. $3,800, 10. $3,600, 11. $3,400, 12. $3,200, 13. $3,000, 14. $2,500, 15. $2,400, 16. $2,300, 17. $2,200, 18. $2,100, 19. $2,000, 20. $2,000, 21. $2,000, 22. $2,000, 23. $2,000, 24. $2,000 = $150,000 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Tire Rule:Left Rear/Fronts – Hoosier (90) NLMT2, (90) NLMT3Right Rear – Hoosier (92) NRM NLMT2, (92) NRM NLMT3, (92) NRM NLMT4 |
