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.

ILLINI 100 TICKETS

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

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

March 3, 2026 ARP Trish

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

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THE MONTH AHEAD: Busy March Ready to Bring 2026 World of Outlaws Season Back to Life

February 26, 2026 ARP Trish

CONCORD, NC (February 26, 2026) – The Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals in early February may officially signal the start of the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car season, but the month of March is when the campaign truly comes alive.

After a few weeks off, The Greatest Show on Dirt is set to tackle a stretch of 10 races in 28 days that will take the world’s best Sprint Car drivers to eight tracks in seven states. It starts with a return to Florida and journeys along the country’s southern rim before wrapping up in the Midwest.

Let’s look at where to find the World of Outlaws in March:

Volusia Speedway Park | Bike Week Jamboree (March 1-2): The “Sunshine State” welcomes the tour on the first day of the month as the World of Outlaws are set to bring some four-wheel flavor to Florida’s Bike Week. Whether you’re local to the area or a biker who rode in from afar, Barberville, FL’s Volusia Speedway Park is the place to be on the evenings of Sunday-Monday, March 1-2. David Gravel swept last year’s Bike Week Jamboree.