Making The Grade: Multiple Individuals Weigh In on 2026 Early-Season Stretch and Look Ahead Toward What is to Come

Statesville, North Carolina (July 16, 2026) – The Super Cup Stock Car Series wrapped up a stretch of five events and nine races in a 10-week span when summer officially began in mid-June. It was the first time since 2022 that not a single scheduled event fell victim to rain or was canceled or postponed to another date.

While weather smiling on the venues that were visited is surely positive, it of course meant drivers and teams had to be on their game week in and week out, being ready at the track and preparing for the next one. The current top trio of drivers in points capitalized the most and each shared their thoughts, evaluating their time since mid-April.

When the season kicked off at Shenandoah Speedway, two drivers visited victory lane. Damian Payton was the first, achieving his second consecutive win at the 3/8-mile oval. Chrissy Wallace took her initial green flag at the facility nestled within the mountains of Northern Virginia and won the second of twin races.

“I think we started off strong,” the current points leader in her first full season with the SCSCS recapped. “The first week of the series we ended up winning and I felt we could have won both races that night too. I just think that this D2 Motorsports team just keeps getting better and better. We’re working better as a team. Having Todd (Parrott), my dad (Mike Wallace), and Jeremy (Mayfield) here with all their knowledge motivates me to be a better driver and try even harder.”

Payton, also in his first year running the full schedule, has turned in no finishes worse than fourth. In fact, the 64 that displays on the sides of his ride now has the best average finish of any car number in series history due to his team’s strong and consistent performances. Nevertheless, the driver originally from Summit Point, West Virginia and now calling Winston-Salem, North Carolina home is striving for more successful outings.

“I think we’re doing good,” Payton briefly remarked. “Wish we could have finished up front a few more times, but we’ll work on it and continue to make it faster.”

The next event of the year was another annual favorite at the renewed look showcased around the Lonesome Pine Raceway 3/8-mile complex. Both races saw incredible competition for the top spot with Chrissy Wallace winning for the second time at a new track to her and Petersburg, West Virginia’s Brent Nelson with the highlight of his season so far, returning to his winning ways for the first time in more than a year.

The next few locations were new to many, but familiar to the Concord, North Carolina driver with two wins already up until that point. It also brought additional competitors, mentioned prior, as factors.

Even though it was the site where the first ever exhibition race for an unnamed touring concept at the time took place in 2007, a SCSCS checkered flag had not waved at Hickory Motor Speedway in nearly 15 years. That changed in mid-May with a debut driver having a ton of stock car racing experience ultimately taking home the trophy. Mike Wallace joined his daughter in the field and scored a popular outcome among the local fans.

Three weeks later, the three-event-in-a-row stay in North Carolina continued with the first of two inaugural visits for the series. Carteret County Speedway toward the coast of the state this time saw another past NASCAR Cup Series racer, Jeremy Mayfield, throw his hat into the ring. However, it was Chrissy Wallace outrunning her teammate in both races and extending the point lead at the tricky layout that took some learning for others to figure out.

The fast and competitive Orange County Speedway rounded out the first portion of the 2026 schedule and yet again had the point leader increase her win total to six. While the win column is rather lopsided, there has not been a repeat Pole Award winner yet in 2026. Nelson, Chrissy Wallace, and Mayfield are joined by Ben Ebeling and “ShoTime” Mike with that accomplishment. Ebeling has led laps in every single season he has competed, but so far has been shut out from that statistic despite a runner-up result at Hickory. The 2021 champion will be back in action before the season comes to a close.

Another former champion, two times to be exact, has yet to win a race or a pole but has remained right in the hunt week in and week out. Harvey Harrison graded his season where he comfortably sits third in the standings with more of a silver lining than most might.

“All in all, it’s been a good season,” the Renick, West Virginia driver commented. “We’ve had some real good runs, the car has been fast, but in racing it’s a lot of preparation and a little bit of luck. We’ve had some nights where we were capable of winning the race, but sometimes the fastest car doesn’t win the race. We’ll kind of regroup here on this little break. I think all the drivers will appreciate some time off and look forward to Ona and see what we can do.”

Ona Speedway is indeed the next round when the 3,300 pound, 600 horsepower, Gen 4-style stock cars roar back to life on Saturday, August 1st as part of the Putnam Bank Throwback Classic for the second straight year.

As it did for 2025 champion Mitch Gibson, the unique 7/16-mile oval that is the only asphalt short track in West Virginia could present some challenges for the leader in the points going in.

“Never seen, never been on it, haven’t even seen a picture, to be honest,” Chrissy Wallace admitted. “Honestly, my plan is to call on Harvey (a past track champion there in a Late Model) a little bit for his help. I was picking his brain a little bit earlier before we even had our features (at Orange County) and it’s like Carteret he leaned on me some. I’m definitely going to lean on him at Ona. No matter what, even if we don’t win either race, we’re going to go out there and have a good time and appreciate Ona for letting us to come out there as part of their Putnam County Bank Throwback Classic.”

Closing out the top five in points to date are Nelson and Dylan Godinez, also in his first full season with the series. In addition to Mayfield and Mike Wallace, Nathaniel Owens, Roger Stivenson, and Tom Toby have climbed aboard a car in the series for the first time this year so far.

Following Ona, fans will only have to wait two more weeks until the SCSCS returns to Tri-County Speedway after a well-received non-points event occurred late in 2025. Each of the series regulars have competed previously at the Hudson, North Carolina facility.

September remains reserved if a rain date or reschedule are to be needed. Then it is back to the track that has hosted the most series events over recent years to crown the 2026 champion and hand out many other deserving trophies at night’s end at Shenandoah on Saturday, October 10th.

Some circumstances across the world and in everyday life unexpectedly have made an impact on short tracks and touring series in 2026, but with more distinctive drivers having started at least one race at this point in the year than any in recent past since 2022 once again, series director Bill Ashton feels the momentum and optimism is riding high going into the final stretch and closer toward embarking upon the SCSCS 20th Anniversary in 2027.

“First half of the season I feel as though was all ups,” Ashton concluded. “We kind of ignore the downs if there are any, but even a bad day at the racetrack is better than not being there at all. Pretty much the same stuff, just going out and having fun. That’s what it’s all about.”

Additional information, including an upcoming preview going further in-depth about the Putnam County Bank Throwback Classic at Ona Speedway, can be found on the Super Cup Stock Car Series official website supercupstockcarseries.com, on Facebook (search Super Cup Stock Car Series), Twitter (@SCSCSRacing), Instagram (SCSCS_Racing), and https://www.youtube.com/SCSCSRacing.

Celebrating the Latest Member of the “100 Club” – Harvey Harrison

Statesville, North Carolina (July 2, 2026) – Longevity is arguably a trait that does not tend to be seen within the same organization or discipline of short track racing as much as it once was. The Super Cup Stock Car Series has bucked that trend in certain ways with now a fourth member entering the triple digits in total starts during the latest evening of competition at Orange County Speedway.

“It’s hard to believe,” Harrison indicated upon being recognized following the drivers meeting at the June 20th event in Rougemont, North Carolina. “I was surprised when I got that award. It surprised us all.”

Harrison and family came to the SCSCS with a host of racing experience, mostly in Late Models, at tracks such as Franklin County Speedway, Ona Speedway, and what is now known as Pulaski County Motorsports Park. His entrance during the tail end of the inaugural season at Hickory Motor Speedway behind the wheel of what would be the signature No. 51 for many years resulted in a respectable finish of sixth in a 15-car field.

A year later, the Renick, West Virginia driver quickly became a contender, taking his first victory at Lonesome Pine Raceway in May 2009 when the two leaders in front of him tangled late in the going. That season also featured his first career Pole Awards at series staple Shenandoah Speedway where he also went on to record his second win.

Since then, accomplishments continued with memorable wins. In 2012 he survived an eventful one at Ona Speedway, a track in which he was a former Late Model champion. Columbus Motor Speedway in 2016, during the final race for the series ever at the Ohio facility, felt like redemption after an enormous impact with the wall there five years prior.

The Harrison’s Motorsports team had to take a short break following 2017, but a surprise unannounced arrival at the popular Jennerstown Speedway in September 2018 had an outcome of another trophy being attained. There have been two more victories to-date, both coming again at Lonesome Pine on his way to a second series championship in 2023, the first occurring in 2016.

Altogether, even series officials almost lost track of the number of different venues Harrison has frequented, officially a total of 17 across five states. Approximately 150 different drivers have taken a green flag in a SCSCS race, and he has run side by side with almost all of them at one point or another.

“I never really thought about it,” Harrison added, regarding the feat. “All the tracks run together when you’ve run 100 (races). All in all, it’s been good.”

Another driver who eventually achieved the same milestone also made his debut on the same day as Harrison. Kevin Kromer from Walnutport, Pennsylvania had 10 wins in 112 starts with the series, culminating in a long sought-after championship in 2019. Kromer passed away in 2024, but the memories live on through his wife Kelly.

“Kevin and I both always enjoyed spending time with Harvey, his wife Mary, and family,” Kelly Kromer shared. “We even had the pleasure of visiting them one time at their home and considered them like family. In the early years of racing with the Super Cup Stock Car Series, we were on the (advisory) board of directors together and shared a lot of the same values, opinions, and dedication to the series and the sport. We also shared a love of family and discussions about our kids being involved in racing and all things that went along with that in the role of car owner, driver, and parent. His daughter Summer still reaches out with words of kindness and prayers. Harvey and Kevin were always there for one another and only ever showed great sportsmanship and friendship.”

During occasions when in need both Kevin Kromer and Harvey Harrison were known to lend parts to other competitors as well as each other, and each were early recipients of the “Racing Spirit” Award that was introduced by original series director and founder Joe Schmaling.

“I’ve said several times over the years that Harvey is someone who never loses his cool in a race,” Schmaling indicated about the fierce yet clean competitor. “Always has a smile no matter how he finishes. It was a pleasure to present him with the Racing Spirit Award, a well-deserved award given to special people.”

Bill Ashton, in which Harrison was one of the first to congratulate when the current series director won his first SCSCS race in his home state of Pennsylvania, echoed similar thoughts toward one of the drivers he respected most during his 100+ races behind the wheel.

“That’s pretty exciting to have a good guy like Harvey Harrison to join such an elite club.”

Although he and the other members have some years on them now, Harrison laughed during the time in which the award was given that when he gets in the car he feels like he’s 18. Another former champion and the driver currently first in all-time starts, Brent Nelson, offered his sentiments about one of his favorite and most trusted competitors to run side by side with.

“I’m glad Harvey came over to our old man’s club,” the 2024 series champion commented. “I think it’s Bill, myself, Harvey, and of course Kevin. We wish Kevin was here with us. Maybe we’ll be around and get 150, who knows.”

Although it is obvious at this point, it is worth mentioning family has played a crucial part toward Harvey’s success. There is never an instance where at least his wife Mary and his oldest son Brian are not by his side at the track, and his daughter Summer and son Brandon that has also driven on 34 occasions have often frequented on race days along with an extended crew, such as longtime spotter J.P. Booth and his family.

Potentially next to reach the echelon is Brian Harrison with 82 races under his own belt. He was just as surprised to see his father acknowledged for the accomplishment.

“I think it’s awesome. Dad loves this series and that’s why he’s here.”

“That’s crazy,” Brian Harrison additionally reacted upon being informed he might be next in line to reach 100. “We’re just going to keep on doing it. This is kind of our big family of racers that we’ve raced with for a long time.”

As someone who ranks within the top five all-time in categories of most top five and top 10 finishes, number of races with a lap led, hard charger awards, consecutive seasons with a lap led, consecutive top five points finishes, and consecutive top five race finishes, Harvey Harrison of course immediately looks ahead at what is to come.

“The season has been, you would say, like a rollercoaster, but we are still enjoying it, and we just have to buckle down and try to get everything together and we’ll be alright.”

The next article during the month-long summer break will take a look back at the first leg of the 2026 season from the eyes of the top drivers so far this year as well as peek ahead at what is still on the horizon, including the next event at Ona Speedway in West Virginia on Saturday, August 1st.

Additional information can be found on the Super Cup Stock Car Series official website supercupstockcarseries.com, on Facebook (search Super Cup Stock Car Series), Twitter (@SCSCSRacing), Instagram (SCSCS_Racing), and https://www.youtube.com/SCSCSRacing.