SPRINGFIELD, IL (January 12, 2026) – DIRTcar Racing honored its 42nd year of weekly racing at the annual awards banquet at the Springfield Crowne Plaza on Saturday night.
National and regional points champions were highlighted along with special award winners. Leading the award winners was Adam Mackey, who received DIRTcar’s most prestigious honor, the Bob Memmer Award. DIRTcar Director Sam Driggers received a standing ovation amongst his colleagues for his impending induction to the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame, and Illinois Stock Car racer Ryan Taylor was recognized with the Lee J. Hall Sportsmanship Award.
Bob Memmer Award – Adam Mackey
Mackey, a longtime announcer and promoter, was bestowed the Bob Memmer Award for his continuous work and contributions throughout Illinois dirt track racing.
Mackey was surprised by the honor from Sam Driggers onstage while hosting the banquet’s events. He returned the favor to Driggers by celebrating his nomination to the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame in 2026.
“When you look at the folks that have won it, there’s guys that have been around for a long time,” Mackey said. “Now, I feel like I’m getting old. It was definitely a surprise, because when I see the people that have won it, it means so much because everyone’s meant so much to racing that I don’t really feel like I’m in that category. It’s really cool.”
Working alongside Track Enterprises founder Bob Sargent, Mackey oversaw some of the most famed dirt racing events in the “Land of Lincoln.” Since 2016, Mackey and Sargent have promoted Lincoln (IL) Speedway with marquee events that include the DIRTcar Summer Nationals and FloRacing Night in America.
“I think a lot of that is working with Bob; we get to do big events,” Mackey said. “His consistency for almost 40 years of race promoting, right? We had Macon Speedway for a long time, and it did well when I was there. Then, we’ve had Lincoln Speedway now for like 11 seasons, and we do really well.”
The race that stands out the most to Mackey is the DIRTcar Fall Nationals, which closes out the points season annually for Super Late Model, UMP Modified, Pro Late Model, Pro Modified, and Street Stock competition.
“We have the DIRTcar Fall Nationals, and that’s a big event we’ve done,” he said. “I really take a lot of effort just in that event. We draw a good field of cars, and we have great racing. The folks at the track do such a good job with track prep, whether it’s Dennis Vandermeersch or Bob Sargent, they do so well. We have great officials that have been doing it for a long time, so it all helps too.”
Lee J. Hall Sportsmanship Award – Ryan Taylor
Taylor, a native of Danville, IL, was surprised with the presentation of the Hall Award for displaying respect and honorable traits between his competitors each night. The award was created three years ago in memory of the former Stock Car driver after he died in 2022.
Taylor is the fourth recipient of the award, joining Hall’s son, Lee Joseph, Don Hilleary, and Kyle Anderson. In his 2025 campaign, Taylor finished third in Stock Car National points, which included 17 Feature victories, 32 top fives, and 35 top-10 finishes.
National Points Champions
Late Model – Jason Feger
UMP Modified – Cole Falloway
Pro Late Model – Dakota Ewing
Pro Modified – Deece Schwartz
UMP Sportsman – Lee Hobbs
Stock Car – Nick Seplak
Factory Stock – Blake Hull
Sport Compact – Matt Mackey
Other Special Awards
Late Model Engine Champion – Clements Racing Engines
Modified Engine Champion – Mullins Race Engines
Late Model Chassis Champion – Longhorn Chassis
DIRTcar Champions, Special Award Winners Receive Accolades at 2025 Banquet
SPRINGFIELD, IL (January 12, 2026) – DIRTcar Racing honored its 42nd year of weekly racing at the annual awards banquet at the Springfield Crowne Plaza on Saturday night.
National and regional points champions were highlighted along with special award winners. Leading the award winners was Adam Mackey, who received DIRTcar’s most prestigious honor, the Bob Memmer Award. DIRTcar Director Sam Driggers received a standing ovation amongst his colleagues for his impending induction to the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame, and Illinois Stock Car racer Ryan Taylor was recognized with the Lee J. Hall Sportsmanship Award.
Bob Memmer Award – Adam Mackey
Mackey, a longtime announcer and promoter, was bestowed the Bob Memmer Award for his continuous work and contributions throughout Illinois dirt track racing.
Mackey was surprised by the honor from Sam Driggers onstage while hosting the banquet’s events. He returned the favor to Driggers by celebrating his nomination to the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame in 2026.
“When you look at the folks that have won it, there’s guys that have been around for a long time,” Mackey said. “Now, I feel like I’m getting old. It was definitely a surprise, because when I see the people that have won it, it means so much because everyone’s meant so much to racing that I don’t really feel like I’m in that category. It’s really cool.”
Working alongside Track Enterprises founder Bob Sargent, Mackey oversaw some of the most famed dirt racing events in the “Land of Lincoln.” Since 2016, Mackey and Sargent have promoted Lincoln (IL) Speedway with marquee events that include the DIRTcar Summer Nationals and FloRacing Night in America.
“I think a lot of that is working with Bob; we get to do big events,” Mackey said. “His consistency for almost 40 years of race promoting, right? We had Macon Speedway for a long time, and it did well when I was there. Then, we’ve had Lincoln Speedway now for like 11 seasons, and we do really well.”
The race that stands out the most to Mackey is the DIRTcar Fall Nationals, which closes out the points season annually for Super Late Model, UMP Modified, Pro Late Model, Pro Modified, and Street Stock competition.
“We have the DIRTcar Fall Nationals, and that’s a big event we’ve done,” he said. “I really take a lot of effort just in that event. We draw a good field of cars, and we have great racing. The folks at the track do such a good job with track prep, whether it’s Dennis Vandermeersch or Bob Sargent, they do so well. We have great officials that have been doing it for a long time, so it all helps too.”
Lee J. Hall Sportsmanship Award – Ryan Taylor
Taylor, a native of Danville, IL, was surprised with the presentation of the Hall Award for displaying respect and honorable traits between his competitors each night. The award was created three years ago in memory of the former Stock Car driver after he died in 2022.
Taylor is the fourth recipient of the award, joining Hall’s son, Lee Joseph, Don Hilleary, and Kyle Anderson. In his 2025 campaign, Taylor finished third in Stock Car National points, which included 17 Feature victories, 32 top fives, and 35 top-10 finishes.
National Points Champions
Late Model – Jason Feger
UMP Modified – Cole Falloway
Pro Late Model – Dakota Ewing
Pro Modified – Deece Schwartz
UMP Sportsman – Lee Hobbs
Stock Car – Nick Seplak
Factory Stock – Blake Hull
Sport Compact – Matt Mackey
Other Special Awards
Late Model Engine Champion – Clements Racing Engines
Modified Engine Champion – Mullins Race Engines
Late Model Chassis Champion – Longhorn Chassis
Modified Chassis Champion – Elite Chassis