| BATAVIA, Ohio (August 5, 2026) – Brandon Sheppard has emerged as the early leader in the 2026 Arizona Sport Shirts Crown Jewel Cup championship following the completion of the Silver Dollar Nationals at Shelby County Speedway. Through the first three Crown Jewel events of the season, consistency has proven to be the key. While several drivers have visited Victory Lane, Sheppard’s three top-five finishes have vaulted the New Berlin, Illinois driver to the top of the standings, giving him a 45-point advantage over Hudson O’Neal entering the next marquee event on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing schedule. O’Neal sits second after recording two top-five finishes through the opening three Crown Jewel events. Devin Moran is third, while Silver Dollar Nationals winner Ricky Thornton Jr. is fourth after earning his first Crown Jewel victory of the season. Brian Shirley rounds out the top five, followed closely by Garrett Alberson, Max Blair, Brandon Overton, rookie Josh Rice, and Carson Ferguson. The Arizona Sport Shirts Crown Jewel Cup rewards full-time Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series competitors for their performances in the Series’ premier events paying $50,000 or more to win. With several of dirt late model racing’s richest events remaining on the 2026 calendar, the championship battle is expected to intensify as teams continue their pursuit of the coveted title and the year-end bonus of $15,000. The next opportunity to earn valuable Crown Jewel Cup points comes on Saturday, August 8, when the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series heads to Florence Speedway for the 44th Annual Sunoco North/South 100, paying $75,000 to the winner. For the latest news, results, and championship standings from the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing, please visit LucasDirt.com. 2026 Arizona Sport Shirts Crown Jewel Cup ScheduleMay 16 – Eagle Raceway | Eagle, NE | $50,000 (Canceled)May 23 – Lucas Oil Speedway | Wheatland, MO | $75,000 (Bobby Pierce)June 27 – Lernerville Speedway | Sarver, PA | $50,000 (Devin Moran)July 18 – Shelby County Speedway | Harlan, IA | $53,000 (Ricky Thornton Jr.)August 8 – Florence Speedway | Union, KY | $75,000August 15 – Batesville Motor Speedway | Batesville, AR | $50,000August 29 – Port Royal Speedway | Port Royal, PA | $50,000September 19 – Knoxville Raceway | Knoxville, IA | $75,000September 26 – Brownstown Speedway | Brownstown, IN | $50,000October 3 – Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway | Imperial, PA | $50,000October 10 – Eldora Speedway | Rossburg, OH | $50,000October 17 – West Virginia Motor Speedway | Mineral Wells, WV | $100,000 2026 Arizona Sport Shirts Crown Jewel Cup Standings (as of July 18)Pos – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Points1 – 1 – Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 6652 – 71 – Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – 6203 – 99 – Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 6054 – 20RT – Ricky Thornton Jr – Chandler, AZ – 5905 – 3s – Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 5556 – 58 – Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 5507 – 111 – Max Blair – Centerville, PA – 5308 – 76 – Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – 5259 – 11 – Josh Rice – Crittenden, KY – 50010 – 93 – Carson Ferguson – Lincolnton, NC – 500 |
