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WORLD OF OUTLAWs SPRINTSAMERICAN SPRINT CAR SERIES XTREME OUTLAW MIDGETSWORLD OF OUTLAWs

WORLD OF OUTLAWs SPRINTS

/www.worldofoutlaws.com

Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Late Model Series. Annually, the two series race nearly 140 times at tracks across the United States and Canada. CBS Sports Network is the official broadcast partner of the World of Outlaws. DIRTVision ® also broadcasts all World of Outlaws events over the Internet to fans around the world. Learn more about the World of Outlaws.

TRAVELING WELL: Macri Bags Big Gator for PA Posse After Last Lap Duel with Gravel

Macri and Gravel swap the top spot multiple times on the final circuit before Macri prevails at Volusia

Tyler Carr

BARBERVILLE, FL (February 7, 2026) - The Pennsylvania Posse travels well these days thanks in large part to Anthony Macri.

The “Concrete King’s” latest conquering? The state of Florida with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series.

The Dillsburg, PA native and his Macri Motorsports crew made the trip south to the “Sunshine State” for Volusia Speedway Park’s Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals. Macri opened the three nights of racing with strong finishes of third and fourth, but he saved his best for last.

Saturday brought the finale with $20,000 and Big Gator bragging rights on the line. Macri lined up fourth for the main event, putting him in the best position for the reptilian trophy as the two competitors ahead of him in points entering the night started 21st (Buddy Kofoid) and 12th (Carson Macedo).

But Macri wasn’t banking on them staying behind. He got to work right away and blasted around Brian Brown for the lead on the seventh circuit. That looked as if it may be all she wrote as Macri quickly built a lead, but defending Series champion David Gravel wasn’t about to make things easy.

Gravel muscled his way into second and trimmed away at Macri’s advantage, and the opening arrived as the white flag waved. Macri struggled to clear a lapper down the front straightaway, and Gravel took advantage by throwing a slide job in Turn 1. But Macri refused to flinch as he got the car squared up for a diamond line to build momentum down the back straightaway under both Gravel and the traffic. He found the run he needed, and it was enough to squeeze ahead into Turn 3 and hold off the Big Game Motorsports No. 2 to bank the $20,000 and bag the Big Gator.

“I just saw how those guys were able to diamond the corner off late in the race and make a lot of speed,” Macri said. “Once I almost got into Chase (Dietz) there, I knew he was breathing down my neck, and I knew he was going to make a move to win the race. I just pulled that one out of my butt. I was able to diamond the corner off and get a really good run down the backstretch, and I was either putting it between Chase and the inside wall, or I was trashing this thing trying.

“This is badass. I’m in a little bit of a predicament because I told these guys if I won the Big Gator this week, I was calling it a season already,” Macri added with a smile.

The eighth World of Outlaws victory of Macri’s career equals him with Jimmy Sills and fellow Pennsylvanian Cody Darrah on the all-time win list. It’s his second triumph off the Pennsylvania porch with The Greatest Show on Dirt with the first being last year’s Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway. He became the ninth different winner of the Big Gator.

David Gravel, Carson Macedo, Buddy Kofoid, and Brian Brown completed the top five.

RACE NOTES:

Logan Schuchart clocked the Race Ready Hottest Lap of the Night.

Schuchart kept the speed in Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying by laying down his 40th career Simpson Race Products Quick Time.

Heat Races belonged to David Gravel (NOS Energy Drink Heat One), Chase Dietz (DIRTVision Heat Two), Logan Schuchart (WIX Filters Heat Three), and Anthony Macri (TheGreatestStoreonDirt.com Heat Four).

The SPA Technique #1 Redraw went to Brian Brown.

Brown also topped the Toyota Dash.

Buddy Kofoid won the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.

Kofoid also wheeled from 21st to fourth to earn the KSE Racing Products Hard Charger.

The Tub O’ Towels Seventh Place Finisher was Logan Schuchart.

Anthony Macri ripped a 13.574 to also claim the ACME Trading Company Fastest Lap.

A ninth-place result was enough to give Kasey Jedrzejek the Five Star Bodies Rookie of the Race.

The Smith Titanium Brake Systems Break of the Race went to Emerson Axsom.

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars take a few weeks off before returning to Barberville, FL’s Volusia Speedway Park on Sunday-Monday, March 1-2 for the Bike Week Jamboree. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

Where can you get tickets to see the World of Outlaws in 2026? Click to see the full schedule.

Where can you watch every World of Outlaws race? Live on DIRTVision.

FEATURE RESULTS:

NOS Energy Drink Feature (25 Laps): 1. 39M-Anthony Macri[4]; 2. 2-David Gravel[3]; 3. 41-Carson Macedo[12]; 4. 83-Michael Kofoid[21]; 5. 21-Brian Brown[1]; 6. 23-Garet Williamson[9]; 7. 1S-Logan Schuchart[7]; 8. 19-Brent Marks[2]; 9. 6-Kasey Jedrzejek[5]; 10. 15-Donny Schatz[19]; 11. 18-Sheldon Haudenschild[6]; 12. 71-Parker Price Miller[20]; 13. 9-Daison Pursley[14]; 14. 17-Spencer Bayston[25]; 15. 7S-Chris Windom[26]; 16. 2C-Cole Macedo[27]; 17. 7BC-Tyler Courtney[22]; 18. 17B-Bill Balog[11]; 19. 13-Tanner Holmes[10]; 20. 1A-Ashton Torgerson[28]; 21. 16C-Scotty Thiel[24]; 22. 23D-Chase Dietz[8]; 23. 28M-Conner Morrell[16]; 24. (DNF) 88-Austin McCarl[23]; 25. (DNF) 17GP-Hank Davis[18]; 26. (DNF) 27-Emerson Axsom[13]; 27. (DNF) 3Z-Brock Zearfoss[17]; 28. (DNF) 5-Brenham Crouch[15]

For complete results, CLICK HERE.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/traveling-well-macri-bags-big-gator-for-pa-posse-after-last-lap-duel-with-gravel/

EVENT INFO: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/schedule/event-info/?event=4547976
TRACK INFO: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/tracks/?track=Volusia%2BSpeedway%2BPark

FAN 101: https://about.worldofoutlaws.com/

GOT A GATOR: Kofoid Makes Statement by Fending Off Gravel First Volusia Victory

The Roth Motorsports pilot bests the defending champion in another Florida thriller

Tyler Carr

BARBERVILLE, FL (February 6, 2026) - One of the biggest questions entering the 2026 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car season was could Michael “Buddy” Kofoid and the Roth Motorsports team survive Volusia Speedway Park? That question was answered with a resounding yes on Friday night.

The Florida oval sets the tone for the season. You can’t win the championship at Volusia, but it sure feels like you can lose it. A bad trip to the “Sunshine State” can leave a team trying to dig themselves out of a deep hole.

Volusia hasn’t been Kofoid’s worst track, but it certainly hasn’t been his best. Since joining forces with Roth, the Penngrove, CA native had made a dozen appearances at the 1/2 mile with top 10 results in only half and a best finish of fourth entering Friday. But Kofoid promptly silenced the doubters by grabbing his first gator.

The 24-year-old lined up on the outside of the front row for the 25-lapper and blasted to the lead on the opening circuit. It was far from a cruise to Victory Lane as defending Series champion David Gravel surged to second and closed in. The Big Game Motorsports No. 2 gave Kofoid everything he could handle, but he refused to let this one slip away. It wasn’t just a race. It was a statement to start the season. He wants Gravel to know he’s going to have to deal with him all year in the chase for another championship while Kofoid goes for his first.

“This place is tough on motors and crew chiefs and drivers,” Kofoid said. “I feel like we’ve finally been able to put it together and have things go our way, but this is only day one really. It’s a long year ahead. It definitely doesn’t hurt starting on the right foot, but there are a ton of tracks that David and Carson (Macedo) and everyone else on tour is really good at, probably some that they’re a lot better at than I am. I’ve just got to do the best I can and maximize everything to hopefully have a shot this year.”

Kofoid became the 25th different driver to top a World of Outlaws race at Volusia through 69 visits. The 23rd World of Outlaws win of Kofoid’s career moves him within one of equaling Ron Shuman for 28th all-time. While Friday marked Kofoid’s first Volusia score, it was the fourth for Roth Motorsports as Daryn Pittman (two) and James McFadden (one) also supplied Dennis and Teresa Roth with gators. With Friday’s race being the first full points night of the season, Kofoid is the officially atop the standings for the first time in his career.

David Gravel, Carson Macedo, Anthony Macri, and Logan Schuchart completed the top five.

RACE NOTES:

David Gavel clocked the Race Ready Hottest Lap of the Night.

Gravel also set Simpson Quick Time, the 146th of his career.

Heat Races belonged to David Gravel (NOS Energy Drink Heat One), Justin Peck (DIRTVision Heat Two), Carson Macedo (Wix Filters Heat Three), and Logan Schuchart (TheGreatestStoreonDirt.com Heat Four).

The SPA Technique #1 Redraw went to Buddy Kofoid.

Garet Williamson topped the Toyota Dash.

Donny Schatz won the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.

Schatz also wheeled from 21st to sixth in the Feature to earn KSE Racing Products Hard Charger honors.

Garet Williamson was the Tub O’ Towels Seventh Place Finisher.

Buddy Kofoid ran a 14.647 to set the ACME Trading Company Fastest Lap.

A 19th-place finish made Scotty Thiel the Five Star Bodies Rookie of the Race.

The Smith Titanium Brake Systems Break of the Race went to Conner Morrell.

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars battle for a Big Gator and $20,000 in the Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals finale at Volusia Speedway Park on Saturday, Feb. 7. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

Where can you get tickets to see the World of Outlaws in 2026? Click to see the full schedule.

Where can you watch every World of Outlaws race? Live on DIRTVision.

FEATURE RESULTS:

NOS Energy Drink Feature (25 Laps): 1. 83-Michael Kofoid[2]; 2. 2-David Gravel[3]; 3. 41-Carson Macedo[7]; 4. 39M-Anthony Macri[4]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart[5]; 6. 15-Donny Schatz[21]; 7. 23-Garet Williamson[1]; 8. 26-Justin Peck[8]; 9. 2C-Cole Macedo[17]; 10. 17-Spencer Bayston[22]; 11. 71-Parker Price Miller[6]; 12. 17B-Bill Balog[20]; 13. 7BC-Tyler Courtney[9]; 14. 10-Ryan Timms[14]; 15. 18-Sheldon Haudenschild[16]; 16. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss[11]; 17. 5-Brenham Crouch[24]; 18. 7S-Chris Windom[19]; 19. 16C-Scotty Thiel[10]; 20. 88-Austin McCarl[18]; 21. 27-Emerson Axsom[27]; 22. 44-Chris Martin[12]; 23. 1A-Ashton Torgerson[23]; 24. 6-Kasey Jedrzejek[25]; 25. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr[13]; 26. (DNF) 13-Tanner Holmes[15]; 27. (DNS) 28M-Conner Morrell

For complete results, CLICK HERE.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/got-a-gator-kofoid-makes-statement-by-fending-off-gravel-first-volusia-victory/

EVENT INFO: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/schedule/event-info/?event=4547975
TRACK INFO: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/tracks/?track=Volusia%2BSpeedway%2BPark

FAN 101: https://about.worldofoutlaws.com/

Saturday’s DIRTcar Nationals Program Postponed to Monday

BARBERVILLE, FL (Jan. 31, 2026) – Due to hazardous winds and frigid temperatures, Saturday’s DIRTcar Nationals program is being postponed to Monday, keeping the safety and care of drivers and fans in mind.

The American Sprint Car Series will run a full new program – still paying $12,000 to the Feature winner – in addition to the already scheduled Monday program with the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds. Saturday’s Modified program will conclude Monday evening after all other Features with four Non-Qualifiers and a Feature – the top 16 in points will be locked in.

This brings fans an action-packed night of racing on Monday with the American Sprint Car Series Big Gator Championship finale and seven Modified Features in total.

Fans with a Saturday ticket can use that ticket for Monday’s program. Single-day, two- and three-day bands can be exchanged for a Monday pit pass. Infield Tailgatoring carries over to Monday as well.

Grandstands will open at 3 p.m. (ET) and on-track action is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. (ET).

How can you get tickets to Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals? Visit the DIRTcar Nationals ticket page.

Where can you watch every day of DIRTcar Nationals? Live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: Saturday Postponed

EVENT INFO: dirtcarnationals.com
TRACK INFO: volusiaspeedwaypark.com

FAN 101: https://about.worldofoutlaws.com/

World Racing Group Taking Next Step in Safety With Incident Data Recorders
Devices can provide information during crashes to make improvements for drivers and their cars

CONCORD, NC (Feb. 4, 2026) – Continuing World Racing Group’s efforts to improve safety in motorsports, the organization will expand upon its use of incident data recorders (IDR) with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series.

The IDRs, developed by the FIA and already utilized by groups like NASCAR and IMSA, will be installed on World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series teams’ cars for the entire season, starting at Volusia Speedway Park's Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals. Last year, the device was tested on 30 cars in the last 13 races of the season.

The small, lightweight device records crash accelerations when a predetermined impact threshold is reached.

To help study and analyze the data collected from each event, World Racing Group is leveraging support and experience from NASCAR, which has utilized the same device across all of its series for several years.

With the help of NASCAR’s engineers and the technology, “the sky is the limit” for the potential of what could be learned, according to World Racing Group Fleet and Safety Manager Tom Devitt.

“With the help of John (Patalak, Vice President of Safety Engineering at NASCAR) and his team, if we have video, we can match the video to the graph of data collected from the device,” Devitt said. “I’ve seen some of the studies they do on other stuff, and it’s really, really intensive what they do, as far as what they’ve done for NASCAR.

“There’s probably stuff in there that we don’t know we’re going to learn.”

Patalak has a doctorate in biomedical engineering and has worked with NASCAR for over 20 years. He echoed Devitt’s sentiment about the unknowns of what could be learned but highlighted that the data will open the door for a variety of possibilities.

“The data recorder isn’t going to change anything that is happening in that particular crash; it simply records it,” Patalak said. “But that’s where the safety evolution can begin. You can go back and study it and learn from it. As you’re measuring things, you can learn how to improve them, and you’ll know quickly whether or not it is improving. Not just by trial and error or by putting things in the race car and seeing how they crash, but by using different engineering tools or test fixtures. We have all sorts of tests we can do that mimic the data that is coming out of the car. For instance, we can use a crash test dummy and run tests to see if a different seatbelt or mounting angle, or different foam in the seat, could reduce the loads on the driver. We know with confidence what the loads are that we put into the car because we measure them with the data recorder.

“I think the more data you get, the more powerful it becomes. The more data you capture, the more confident you are in what the data is telling you.”

Having the device on a multitude of cars will not only help speed up the process of collecting data, but help with the study of how crashes affect different drivers. Patalak stated how age, stature, weight, pre-existing conditions, bone density, and general health are all factors that play into a driver’s tolerance to acceleration and play into the study of the data.

So, while studying the data, there will not be a number where a line can be drawn that says things are either good under it or bad above it. A plethora of factors will have to be accounted for in every case study.

“The benefits to the drivers and safety in motorsports is when you collect enough of that data to start to see trends and do some statistics and understand the direction of the crash, the severity of the crash,” Patalak said. “The severity can be talked about in the change in velocity, it can be talked about in peak acceleration, or the Gs. There are lots of different ways to look at that data and see how it correlates to what the drivers are experiencing in the car when they undergo that crash.”

Along with being able to provide the data to the teams, Devitt hopes to utilize the data to help improve safety across the sport, such as with seats, mounts, facilities, and more. The data collected from the 13 races last year have already put those conversations in motion. And while the device will currently only be used with Sprint Car teams, Devitt said the goal is to eventually have it on every car across the organization – Late Models, Modifieds, etc.

“We wanted to start small with one series, so we can refine it, and then when we do go to the other series, we’ll have a process,” he said. “The more consistent we are with that, the better we can read the data and comprehend it.

“Of course, we don’t want to see anybody crash, but it is inevitable; it happens. If we can learn from it and make it better, maybe we can prevent an injury in the future.”

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/world-racing-group-taking-next-step-in-safety-with-incident-data-recorders/

FAN 101: https://about.worldofoutlaws.com/

Emerson Axsom, Klaasmeyer/Petry Motorsports Going Full-Time with World of Outlaws in 2026

Emily Schwanke

CONCORD, NC (February 3, 2026) - It’s happening. Emerson Axsom is hitting the road full-time with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series.

Fresh off the biggest win of his career at the Chili Bowl Nationals, the 21-year-old has finalized plans for a rookie campaign with The Greatest Show on Dirt aboard the Klaasmeyer/Petry Motorsports (KPM) No. 27. The addition of Axsom brings the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year contestants up to five as he joins Ashton Torgerson, Scotty Thiel, Scott Bogucki, and Kasey Jedrzejek.

Axsom is one of the sport’s brightest young talents, and his stock rose rapidly over the last couple years as his focus became Winged Sprint Cars. He got his feet wet with wings in 2023 before completely committing in 2024. He took the KPM machine to victories at Lincoln Park Speedway with the Interstate Racing Association (IRA) and at the famed Knoxville Raceway with both a 410 and 360 under the hood. The Franklin, IN native led laps and podiumed in only his sixth World of Outlaws Feature start at Beaver Dam Raceway and has since landed on the podium three more times. Last year, Axsom notched his first All Star Circuit of Champions checkered flag at Eldora Speedway.

Now, it’s time to take his talents to the highest level the sport has to offer and face the best night in and night out.

“It’s awesome,” Axsom said. “I’m just thankful for the opportunity with Dale Klaasmeyer and Scott Petry. I think, obviously, it’s going to be really tough, but I feel like I’ve done a lot of tough things in my racing career and jumped in with both feet. Obviously, the Outlaws is the highest form of racing, but I feel like we’re up for the challenge and excited for the opportunity.”

The Chili Bowl champion is no stranger to the road. He competed with the USAC National Midgets in 2021 and the USAC National Sprint Cars for two consecutive years (2022-2023). The KPM team attended the first 19 World of Outlaws races in 2025, and when Giovanni Scelzi parted ways with KCP Racing in July, Axsom got the call to fill in for a two-month stretch. The overall résumé for Axsom shows 62 career Feature starts and 24 top 10s with The Greatest Show on Dirt. His best finish is a runner-up at Angell Park Speedway in October.

It's not only a huge step in Axsom’s career, but also a dream come true for car owners Dale Klaasmeyer and Scott Petry. They’ve been wanting the right opportunity to put a car on the World of Outlaws tour, and Axsom intends to make them proud.

“I’m super thankful to have the right people behind me,” Axsom said. “Like you saw when I jumped in the 18 car (KCP Racing), this car didn’t race a single time. They told me the whole time, ‘If it doesn’t work, then we’re gearing up for 2026.’ Obviously, that opportunity didn’t work out. It was a great opportunity, and I’m thankful for it, but I think everything happens for a reason, right? I’m excited to be in this car and grateful to be in this car.”

Axsom may be a rookie, but this “Hoosier” has high hopes. He’s proven he can contend with the best, and now he’s ready to test himself by slugging it out with them over the nine-month journey that’ll take him coast to coast with more than 20 states on the schedule.

“I don’t really know what to do on expectations or goals,” Axsom admitted. “But I think if we unload every night with the attitude of wanting to win and the goal to win, then I think only good things can happen.”

Axsom and the Klaasmeyer/Petry crew will begin the 2026 campaign this week in Florida at Volusia Speedway Park’s Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals (Feb. 4-7).

Where can you get tickets to see the World of Outlaws in 2026? Click to see the full schedule.

Where can you watch every World of Outlaws race? Live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/emerson-axsom-klaasmeyer-petry-motorsports-going-full-time-with-world-of-outlaws-in-2026/

FAN 101: https://about.worldofoutlaws.com/

TOP FIVE STORYLINES: World of Outlaws 49th Season Begins with Volusia’s DIRTcar Nationals

Dave_Olson

BARBERVILLE, FL (February 2, 2026) - The wait is over. The 2026 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series season is ready to fire off.

Since 1978, the World of Outlaws has showcased the top Sprint Car talent on tracks across the country. Ted Johnson cultivated an idea into a legacy that carries on nearly five decades later.

All eyes are on Barberville, FL’s Volusia Speedway Park where the Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals is set to ignite the campaign. The Greatest Show on Dirt will be on display over four consecutive nights (Feb. 4-7) at the Florida 1/2 mile, culminating in a $20,000-to-win/$1,500-to-start finale.

It’s not only the nightly purse money up for grabs. Points will be tallied throughout the week to distribute a fund to the top three and crown a Big Gator champion.

It’s time to shake off the winter frost. It’s time to head south to the “Sunshine State.” It’s time for the world’s premier Sprint Car drivers to get back on track.

BUY VOLUSIA TICKETS HERE

WATCH LIVE ON DIRTVision

Let’s look at the top five storylines to watch in Florida:

Two-Time Eyes Three-Peat

Only three men – Steve Kinser, Donny Schatz, and Brad Sweet – have ever been able to claim three consecutive World of Outlaws Sprint Car titles. The opportunity to make it four drivers stands ahead of David Gravel.

He and Big Game Motorsports are the two-time and defending champions. The Tod Quiring-owned team has brought the entire core of crew members back in Cody Jacobs (crew chief) Pete Stephens (car chief), and Zach Patterson (tire specialists), along with adding a fourth set of hands on the road, former Stenhouse Jr./Marshall Racing car chief Luke Vaughn. All the pieces are in place to chase a third straight crown.

Volusia has historically been good to Gravel. The Watertown, CT native owns seven World of Outlaws checkered flags from “The World’s Fastest Half Mile,” including adding a pair last year. He also beat the All Star Circuit of Champions (ASCoC) there in 2017. He’s tied with Daryn Pittman for the most DIRTcar Nationals Big Gators with three and has a shot at a record-breaking fourth this week.

Gator Grabbers

Gravel is far from the only 2026 World of Outlaws competitor with a gator or two in their collection.

A section of Donny Schatz’s trophy room might be mistaken for a swamp courtesy of his Volusia history. He’s topped a whopping 24 main events at the 1/2 mile, including 15 in World of Outlaws competition. The 10-time Series champion opens a new chapter this week as he’s teamed with CJB Motorsports and has Barry Jackson on the wrenches.

Volusia Victory Lane has welcomed Carson Macedo on five occasions, most recently last year’s season opener. He’s still in search of a Big Gator title and will be gunning for one as his sixth consecutive year with Jason Johnson Racing begins.

Logan Schuchart caught little gators with wins in 2020 and 2021 (twice) and hauled in a pair of Big Gator Championships (2021 and 2023) to go along with that trio. The Hanover, PA native is set to start his 13th season on tour aboard the Shark Racing No. 1S.

The first World of Outlaws victory of Sheldon Haudenschild’s career came at Volusia in 2018, and he’s since added two more at the Florida oval (2022 and 2024). He’ll be debuting in his new ride – the KCP Racing/NOS Energy Drink No. 18 – this week.

Starting Strong

There are several capable competitors among this year’s World of Outlaws roster that will be in search of their first Volusia victory to kick the season off on the right foot.

Michael “Buddy” Kofoid has asserted himself as potentially Gravel’s biggest threat for the championship, but the Penngrove, CA native is yet to top a Volusia visit. The Roth Motorsports pilot was twice a runner-up at the 2023 DIRTcar Nationals.

Spencer Bayston is teamed with Stenhouse Jr./Marshall Racing for 2026 and would love nothing more than to check the Volusia win box to start the year. He’s still in search of his first Sprint Car triumph since August of 2023. The Lebanon, IN native owns a pair of top fives at the 1/2 mile, topping out at fourth in 2023 with the All Stars.

Bill Balog exceeded expectations a year ago by tallying a trio of checkered flags in his second season. Volusia Victory Lane has eluded him to this point in his career, with a sixth-place result in 2025 standing as his best.

Four sophomores – Garet Williamson, Cole Macedo, Chris Windom, and Conner Morrell – are all eying a speedy start to their second campaigns by scoring not only their first Volusia win, but their first World of Outlaws checkered flag.

Rookie Battle Begins

After 2025 delivered one of the most compelling Rookie of the Year contests in Series history, 2026 is sure to serve up another with four drivers currently committed to compete.

Ashton Torgerson was the first to toss his name into the hat, announcing his 2026 plans during World Finals last year. Torgerson’s move brings the famed Shark Racing No. 1A back on tour. The 19-year-old impressed last year as he and the Shark crew ran a pick and choose schedule from April onward, leading Torgerson to many new tracks. The pairing picked up a local win at BAPS Motor Speedway among many stout finishes.

Scotty Thiel hooked up with Greg Wheeler Motorsports for his maiden voyage with The Greatest Show on Dirt. The Sheboygan, WI native is an Interstate Racing Association champion (2024) and spent some time touring with ASCoC in 2023. Thiel has 38 career 410 Sprint Car wins to his credit.

Scott Bogucki teamed with Three Stooges Racing last August, and they put the pieces in place for a full World of Outlaws campaign in 2026. The McLaren Vale, SA, Australia native has a pair of American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) seasons under his belt.

Kasey Jedrzejek is climbing aboard the Bill Rose Racing No. 6 for his rookie season. The LaGrange, OH native sat on the pole of last year’s Kings Royal and picked up a World of Outlaws top five at Millstream Speedway.

Filling Florida

Expect a packed pit area this week in Florida as plenty of talent plans on battling the full-time World of Outlaws contingent. The DIRTcar Nationals continues to grow with last year’s running attracting more than 50 entrants.

Ryan Timms and the Liebig Motorsports team plan to escape the cold and make the long haul from their shop in Rapid City, SD to Florida. The pairing topped 18 races a year ago, highlighted by the Knoxville Nationals and Tuscarora 50. The Oklahoman is a two-time United Sprint Car Series (USCS) winner at Volusia.

The Pennsylvania Posse plan to send plenty of representation off the porch. Anthony Macri (Dillsburg, PA), Danny Dietrich (Gettysburg, PA), Brock Zearfoss (Jonestown, PA), Chase Dietz (York, PA), and T.J. Stutts (Liverpool, PA) have Volusia on their schedules. All five have World of Outlaws wins on their résumés.

Tyler Courtney and Brian Brown are both set to continue their comebacks from injuries sustained in 2025. The duo competed last week with ASCS at the Florida oval with Courtney winning both Thursday and Friday – putting him in contention for his first Big Gator title Monday night with ASCS. “Sunshine” also owns a World of Outlaws win at Volusia from 2024.

The new pairings of Daison Pursley with Kasey Kahne Racing and Tanner Holmes with Buch Motorsports will be on display. Both debuted at World of Outlaws World Finals last November. Pursley is a former USAC Sprint Car winner at Volusia while this week marks Holmes’ “World’s Fastest Half Mile” debut.

Additional competitors expected at Volusia include Austin McCarl (Altoona, IA), Sam Hafertepe Jr. (Sunnyvale, TX), Justin Peck (Monrovia, IN), Parker Price-Miller (Kokomo, IN), Hank Davis (Sand Springs, OK), and many more.

THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE

WHEN AND WHERE
Wednesday-Saturday, Feb. 4-7 at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, FL

2026 WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE:
Day, Date / Track / Location
Wed, Feb 4 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL
Thurs, Feb 5 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL
Fri, Feb 6 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL
Sat, Feb 7 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL
Sun, March 1 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL
Mon, March 2 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL
Fri, March 6 / Talladega Short Track / Eastaboga, AL
Sat, March 7 / Magnolia Motor Speedway / Columbus, MS
Fri, March 13 / Kennedale Speedway Park / Kennedale, TX
Sat, March 14 / Kennedale Speedway Park / Kennedale, TX
Fri, March 20 / Lawton Speedway / Lawton, OK
Sat, March 21 / Creek County Speedway / Sapulpa, OK
Fri, March 27 / US 36 Raceway / Osborn, MO
Sat, March 28 / 81 Speedway / Park City, KS
Fri, April 10 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO
Sat, April 11 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO
Fri, April 17 / Jacksonville Speedway / Jacksonville, IL
Sat, April 18 / Tri-State Speedway / Haubstadt, IN
Fri, April 24 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA
Sat, April 25 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA
Fri, May 1 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH
Sat, May 2 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH
Tues, May 5 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA
Fri, May 8 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA
Sat, May 9 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA
Fri, May 15 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH
Sat, May 16 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH
Sat, May 23 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA
Sun, May 24 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD
Fri, May 29 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND
Sun, May 31 / Nodak Speedway / Minot, ND
Fri, June 5 / Hartford Speedway / Hartford, MI
Sat, June 6 / Plymouth Dirt Track / Plymouth, WI
Sun, June 7 / Angell Park Speedway / Sun Prairie, WI
Fri, June 12 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA
Sat, June 13 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA
Wed, June 17 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD
Thurs, June 18 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD
Fri, June 19 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD
Sat, June 20 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD
Fri, June 26 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI
Sat, June 27 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI
Fri, July 10 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI
Sat, July 11 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI
Tues, July 14 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH
Fri, July 17 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH
Sat, July 18 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH
Tues, July 21 / Ohsweken Speedway / Ohsweken, ON, Canada
Wed, July 22 / Ohsweken Speedway / Ohsweken, ON, Canada
Sat, July 25 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, NY
Sun, July 26 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, NY
Wed, July 29 / BAPS Motor Speedway / York Haven, PA
Fri, July 31 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA
Sat, Aug 1 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA
Fri, Aug 7 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO
Sat, Aug 8 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO
Wed, Aug 12 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA*
Thurs, Aug 13 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA*
Fri, Aug 14 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA*
Sat, Aug 15 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA
Fri, Aug 21 / Ogilvie Raceway / Ogilvie, MN
Sat, Aug 22 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN
Fri, Aug 28 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND
Sat, Aug 29 / Red River Valley Speedway / West Fargo, ND
Fri, Sept 4 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD
Sat, Sept 5 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD
Sun, Sept 6 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD
Fri, Sept 11 / Belleville High Banks / Belleville, KS
Sat, Sept 12 / Dodge City Raceway Park / Dodge City, KS
Mon, Sept 14 / El Paso County Raceway / Calhan, CO
Fri, Sept 18 / Stockton Dirt Track / Stockton, CA
Sat, Sept 19 / Stockton Dirt Track / Stockton, CA
Fri, Sept 25 / Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway / Bakersfield, CA
Sat, Sept 26 / Ventura Raceway / Ventura, CA
Fri, Oct 2 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA
Sat, Oct 3 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA
Thurs, Oct 8 / Millstream Speedway / Findlay, OH
Fri, Oct 9 / Mansfield Speedway / Mansfield, OH
Sat, Oct 10 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH
Fri, Oct 16 / Lincoln Park Speedway / Putnamville, IN
Sat, Oct 17 / TBA
Fri, Oct 23 / Texarkana 67 Speedway / Texarkana, AR
Sat, Oct 24 / Texarkana 67 Speedway / Texarkana, AR
Wed, Nov 4 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Thurs, Nov 5 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Fri, Nov 6 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Sat, Nov 7 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC

*denotes unofficial split-field prelim race.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/top-five-storylines-world-of-outlaws-49th-season-begins-with-volusias-dirtcar-nationals/

EVENT INFO: https://dirtcarnationals.com/
TRACK INFO: https://volusiaspeedwaypark.com/

FAN 101: https://about.worldofoutlaws.com/

WORLD’S LUCKIEST SPRINT CAR FAN: Gibson Reflects on Journey to 30th World of Outlaws Season

Trent Gower

BARBERVILLE, FL (February 2, 2026) - Johnny Gibson could’ve never imagined the future that awaited when his first World of Outlaws Sprint Car race left him in awe.

The Pennsylvanian’s racing connection was rooted in Late Models. A few United Racing Club (URC) events introduced Gibson to Sprint Cars, but it wasn’t until a 1981 night at Lernerville Speedway that this race fan’s life changed. Ted Johnson’s band of travelers rolled through the Sarver, PA track during their fourth season, and Gibson knew he was witnessing something special.

“Going to see the World of Outlaws, that was an entirely different level,” Gibson recalled. “It was like, ‘Oh my, this is crazy. This is what I want to see from now on.’”

Fast forward 45 years, and Gibson’s name is synonymous with the Series. He’s set to begin his 30th consecutive season on the microphone with The Greatest Show on Dirt.

Gibson’s earliest aspirations didn’t include making a living announcing races. He planned to be a musician. Several years were spent playing in bands and bouncing around to whatever day jobs he could find to pay the bills. While music may have been his desired professional path at the time, the racing fandom never dimmed.

“If there was a weekend where the band wasn’t playing, I was off at a race,” Gibson said. “I can remember, probably in 1987, being at rehearsal with the band in Pittsburgh, and rehearsal ended up finishing up about 9:30 or 10:00, and jumping in my car and hauling ass to Sharon Speedway and got there for like the final 20 laps of the Ohio Speedweek feature. I drove like an hour and a half just for like 20 laps of a feature.”

The door to working with the World of Outlaws opened in 1994 when Gibson helped sell programs thanks to Kevin Eckert introducing him to Bill Woodside the year prior. That eventually progressed into becoming the primary program seller. Those early days were far from luxurious, but Gibson didn’t mind. Being on the road with the World of Outlaws was more than enough.

“They asked me if I wanted to take over the program gig full-time, and so I immediately said yes,” Gibson said. “So, the remainder of 1995 and all of 1996 I was basically on the road. I was an independent contractor. I paid all my own expenses, used my own vehicle, all that sort of stuff. So, it was a lot of nights sleeping in my van or staying with friends or crashing on couches just to be able to stay on the road and be able to see the races every night.”

The 1996 season also knocked over the first domino in Gibson’s route to cementing himself as the voice of the World of Outlaws. The tour stopped at California’s Kings Speedway in the fall, and track announcer Bobby Gerould invited Gibson to the booth for an interview about his job. The time came for Heat Races, and Gerould offered him the chance to call one after previous conversations revealed Gibson’s enthusiasm for the sport. Gibson stepped up to the plate and knocked it out of the park.

“Johnny had a notebook, and I was talking to him about his notes and that kind of stuff,” Gerould said. “He’s at all the races. He’d watched all the Outlaw races, and he’s got this notebook full of stats and numbers and stuff. He was just super dialed in to the whole deal. I remember asking him that night, early out by where they sell the food and stuff down there, ‘Have you ever thought about announcing?’ I don’t even remember what his answer was, but the bottom line was I was like, ‘Come up to the booth tonight and call a Heat Race if you want to, because I know you know these guys, and you know the stuff.’ So, he did come up to the booth, and it might’ve been the third Heat or something, and I said, ‘OK, here you go.’”

Joining Gerould and Gibson in the booth that night was Series Director Carlton Reimers, who quickly took note of Gibson’s talent.

“When he picked that mic up, it was just natural,” Reimers said. “And he just rattled off a Heat Race there like he’d been announcing and calling races his whole life.”

Something the World of Outlaws lacked to that point was their own announcer. Reimers wanted a voice that fans could associate with the growing Series. A passionate individual whose name crowds would recognize as much as they did Kinser or Swindell. So, he chatted with Ted Johnson about what he’d just witnessed during the Heat Race, and Gibson traded the programs for a microphone in 1997.

“I had been wanting for us to get our own full-time announcer for some time,” Reimers explained. “And I thought, ‘Boy, this is just a natural fit here. I’ve got to tell Ted about this and see what we can do.’ And of course, the rest is history.”

Over the next several years, Gibson and the World of Outlaws became inseparable. His voice attached to so many iconic moments. Fans echoing his famed Four-Wide Salute call in grandstands across the country. He didn’t simply travel with and call races for The Greatest Show on Dirt. He became part of The Greatest Show on Dirt. His contributions became so valued that Gibson was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 2022.

But Gibson remains humble despite growing into an iconic piece of the sport’s history. To him, he’s simply doing his job with the care and commitment that the best Sprint Car drivers in the world deserve and hoping to potentially help introduce others to the sport he cherishes.

“To this day, I don’t really think I’m that big of a part of the show,” Gibson said. “My job is to basically communicate and inform the fans who are watching what is the show, the racing itself. It’s still strange to me when people come up and ask for an autograph… But probably the coolest part is I help people maybe discover or learn more about the Series that is absolutely The Greatest Show on Dirt. It’s not just a marketing phrase. To me, that’s exactly what’s going on.”

Gibson may opt for humility, but the mark he’s made can’t be overstated.

“You just realize how important he is and the impact he’s had,” Reimers said. “Sometimes you see little kids come up and they’re rattling off Johnny’s call for the Four-Wide just like he does. They may not even know who Johnny Gibson is, but they know that voice, and they know the calls he makes.”

The dedication displayed by Gibson has led to some remarkable milestones. Not only will 2026 mark his 30th consecutive season calling World of Outlaws events, but it will also continue his streak of 2,412 straight races announced for The Greatest Show on Dirt. His list of tracks visited stands at a whopping 408 and counting.

The World of Outlaws may be his primary focus, but Gibson’s love for dirt extends to all corners of the sport. He’s called the Chili Bowl Nationals, including one trip where his devotion was on full display as he found himself working alongside Bobby Gerould again.

“Johnny wasn’t feeling good the night before one of those Chili Bowls,” Gerould explained. “We were hanging out, and he was like, ‘Yeah, man, I don’t feel good.’ He had a runny nose, a little cough, and his ears were messed up. He just really wasn’t feeling good, and I was thinking, ‘If I have to try to do this tomorrow by myself, that’s not going to work. What are we going to do? We might have to recruit someone to come in. It won’t be Johnny because he’s such a play-by-play guy, but it’s going to have to be someone who can give us a little color or whatever.’

“Well, Johnny, the next day, before we were supposed to start the Chili Bowl got up early, went to a clinic somewhere in Tulsa, and they diagnosed him with walking pneumonia. But when it was time to lace them up and put on the headset, there he was.”

Johnny Gibson is unquestionably a legend of dirt racing. The story of the World of Outlaws is not as powerful without him and his extraordinary care for the sport.

But he’ll never view himself that way. For Gibson, he’s still that same person that was mesmerized by the World of Outlaws when he first saw them. A race fan who’s found some good fortune along the journey.

“I just can’t wrap my head around it,” Gibson said of his 30th season. “There is no way that Johnny Gibson in 1997 would’ve imagined 30 years later still doing this. I thought, ‘OK, this might be cool for the next couple years.’ But I just never imagined 30 years later I’d still be doing this. I say this in every interview that I’ve ever done with anyone, but it’s just so true. There’s no getting away from it. I am the luckiest Sprint Car fan in the world. I get to watch the World of Outlaws every night, and I get to talk about it.”

Gibson begins his 30th season calling races for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars at Volusia Speedway Park’s Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals on Feb. 4-7.

Where can you get tickets to see the World of Outlaws in 2026? Click to see the full schedule.

Where can you watch every World of Outlaws race? Live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/worlds-luckiest-sprint-car-fan-gibson-reflects-on-journey-to-30th-world-of-outlaws-season/

FAN 101: https://about.worldofoutlaws.com/

Tub O’ Towels Partners With World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series

trent glover

CONCORD, NC (January 30, 2026) - The Greatest Show on Dirt will be supported by the “world’s hardest working wipes” as the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series welcomes Tub O’ Towels to its premier list of partners.

Tub O’ Towels joins the Series for the first time in 2026 in a partnership that will see the brand prominently featured throughout the year, presenting its heavy-duty cleaning wipes to dirt fans across the country.

“World of Outlaws fans don’t shy away from dirt, and neither do we," said Marcia Boyd, Brand Relations Manager with Tub O' Towels. "This partnership is a natural fit. We’re excited to grow together and support this incredible racing community.”

Tub O’ Towels Heavy Duty Cleaning Wipes are made for real work and real messes — the kind that doesn’t come off with soap and hope. They cut straight through grease, oil, dirt, brake dust, and grime without tearing up hands. After a long day in the shop, under the hood, on the jobsite, or in the garage, Tub O’ Towels gets the job done. No fluff, no gimmicks — just tough wipes that work as hard as the people using them.

Tub O’ Towels is manufactured at their headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio and takes great pride in not only offering products made in America but also keeping jobs in the US. With more than 55,000 five-star online reviews the brand’s reputation demonstrates how a small, family-owned business can successfully compete with large corporations in the cleaning wipes category through quality, consistency, and innovation.

The Tub O’ Towels brand has already had a strong presence on the World of Outlaws tour and in the dirt community, having been a long-time supporter of World of Outlaws driver Conner Morrell, who enters his sophomore season with the Series in 2026.

To learn more about Tub O’ Towels, visit tubotowels.com.

Where will the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars be and how do you get tickets? Find out at the World of Outlaws site.

How can you watch the World of Outlaws? Live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/tub-o-towels-partners-with-world-of-outlaws-sprint-car-series/

FAN 101: https://about.worldofoutlaws.com/

Cole Macedo Eyes Sophomore Surge with TwoC Racing

Tyler_Carr

CONCORD, NC (January 27, 2026) - Cole Macedo is ready to hit the road for his sophomore World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series season in 2026.

The Lemoore, CA native teamed with Todd Carlile’s TwoC Racing to make his debut campaign in 2025, and the pairing is officially back for more.

With 2020 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year, Wayne Johnson, on the wrenches, Macedo amassed five top fives and 20 top 10s last year. He peaked with a podium result at Eldora Speedway in May when he took the No. 2C from 12th to third. The 25-year-old also led Feature laps at both Talladega Short Track and Sharon Speedway before notching finishes of fourth and sixth.

“Obviously, the rookie season with a new team you’ve got your gremlins and bugs that you have to work out,” Macedo said. “I feel like the whole TwoC organization did a great job. It was just a big learning year. I feel like we learned all the things that we needed to work on and me as a driver what I needed to work on, you know, racing for points and that stuff.”

Macedo is fresh off a successful stay in Australia. He traveled “Down Under” to wheel the HighLine Motorsport No. USA40, picking up wins at Perth Motorplex during USA vs. WA Speedweek and at Premier Speedway in the International Sprintcar Carnival. He was leading the Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic before trouble in lapped traffic heartbreakingly ended his run at the prestigious crown.

“I think it’s very valuable to stay in the seat and keep your mind sharp and keep your body in shape and all that good stuff," Macedo said. “We really go there just to keep our tools sharp, but to have some success on top of it was really awesome and got me pretty confident rolling into Volusia here.”

The focus now shifts to a little pre-season practice at Volusia for Macedo and the TwoC crew. They’ll get some laps with the American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) at the “World’s Fastest Half Mile” this week (Jan. 29-31).

“I feel like it’s going to be a lot easier this year knowing most of the tracks, having a notebook,” Macedo said. “I feel like last year we had a learning year of what we needed to do to our race car to make it faster and more consistent for me, and I think we’re going to be able to address all of that here in the sophomore season.”

They’ll drop the 410 between the frame rails for Macedo to begin his second World of Outlaws tour next week at Volusia (Feb. 4-7) during the Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

Where can you see the World of Outlaws in 2026? Click to see the full schedule.

Where can you watch every World of Outlaws race? Live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/cole-macedo-eyes-sophomore-surge-with-twoc-racing/

FAN 101: https://about.worldofoutlaws.com/

THE WESTERN SWING: Four-Race California Trip Set for 2026, Led by Dennis Roth Classic

The Greatest Show on Dirt will tackle a trio of California tracks in September including a new facility

Devin_Mayo

The 2026 western swing for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is set.

After a weekend in Kansas that features trips to Belleville High Banks (Sept. 11) and Dodge City Raceway Park (Sept. 12) and a Monday night stop in Colorado at El Paso County Raceway (Sept. 14), The Greatest Show on Dirt will saddle up for a four-race, freshened California visit.

The “Golden State” stretch starts with a race that honors one of the most iconic figures in the sport as the fifth Dennis Roth Classic stays in the central valley but shifts to Stockton Dirt Track on Sept. 18-19, paying a stout $83,000 to win the finale. David Gravel topped the 2025 running in thrilling fashion.

The scene then shifts to “Bako” as the tour makes its second-ever visit to Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway on Friday, Sept. 25. Home state hero Michael “Buddy” Kofoid won the track’s first appearance on the schedule last year.

To wrap things up, a trip to the beach announces an exciting new chapter. The World of Outlaws has visited 20 different “Golden State” facilities since Ted Johnson unleashed the band of travelers in 1978, which is more than any other state. Ventura Raceway isn’t on that list, but that’s set to change. The Series will invade the “SoCal” seaside bullring on Saturday, Sept. 26, for what promises to be a thrilling debut.

That’ll wrap up the western swing, and then it’s a long haul east to Mechanicsburg, PA’s Williams Grove Speedway for the 64th National Open as the World of Outlaws face off with the Pennsylvania Posse for $75,000.

Tickets for the West Coast Swing will go on sale this coming week.

The 2026 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car season is set to begin on Feb. 4-7 at Volusia Speedway Park’s Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

Where can you see the World of Outlaws in 2026? Click to see the full schedule.

Where can you watch every World of Outlaws race? Live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/the-western-swing-four-race-california-trip-set-for-2026-led-by-dennis-roth-classic/

FAN 101: https://about.worldofoutlaws.com/

Carson Macedo Ready to Continue World of Outlaws Title Pursuit with Jason Johnson Racing

Tyler Carr

CONCORD, NC (January 23, 2026) - Jason Johnson’s ultimate goal when he built Jason Johnson Racing was a World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series championship, and Carson Macedo intends to fulfill it for him.

The Lemoore, CA native is officially signed on for his eighth consecutive year with The Greatest Show on Dirt and sixth since joining forces with the “Ragin’ Cajun’s” team. They’ve proven to be one of the sport’s top combinations as Macedo has racked up 52 Series victories and finished no worse than third in points aboard the No. 41. Their résumé together boasts a pair of National Open titles, an $83,000 Dennis Roth Classic score, four checkered flags from the famed Knoxville Raceway, and much more.

The 2025 season marked a slight slip for Macedo. After rising to runner-up in 2024, Michael Kofoid eclipsed him for second last year, forcing Macedo to settle for third. The stats for Macedo were still stout as he amassed 11 wins, 25 podiums, 35 top fives, and 53 top 10s. It marked Macedo’s fourth time in the last five years reaching double-digit victories.

The group continues to be led by team owner/crew chief Philip Dietz, with Robby McQuinn (car chief) and Adam Zimmerman (tire specialist) both returning for their third seasons with JJR. With the same crew committed and as motivated as ever, expect Macedo to be in the thick of the 2026 championship hunt.

Macedo and Jason Johnson Racing begin the chase for the 2026 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car championship at Volusia Speedway Park’s Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals on Feb. 4-7 in Barberville, FL. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

Where can you see the World of Outlaws in 2026? Click to see the full schedule.

Where can you watch every World of Outlaws race? Live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/carson-macedo-ready-to-continue-world-of-outlaws-title-pursuit-with-jason-johnson-racing/

FAN 101: https://about.worldofoutlaws.com/

Kasey Jedrzejek Joins Forces with Bill Rose Racing for Rookie World of Outlaws Campaign

Josh James

CONCORD, NC (January 22, 2026) - There’s a new driver of the Bill Rose Racing No. 6 in 2026, and his name is Kasey Jedrzejek.

The 21-year-old has teamed with the longtime racer for his rookie World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series season. Jedrzejek joins Ashton Torgerson, Scotty Thiel, and Scott Bogucki as the fourth competitor committed to chasing Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year honors.

Jedrzejek and Rose’s plan to join forces materialized quickly after the two connected at the Rumble in Fort Wayne last month. One thing led to another, and suddenly, Jedrzejek is preparing for his first tour with The Greatest Show on Dirt.

“A week or so after that, me and Bill got in contact, and we just started talking about possibly putting a deal together at that point,” Jedrzejek said. “Then I went out to Bill’s shop, checked everything out, and we put a deal together.

“I’m really excited to work with Bill and see how we get things going down in Florida in a couple weeks. Last year, I think they showed a lot of speed with Zach (Hampton), and I’m looking forward to getting in the seat and seeing what I can do. I think it’ll be great having Bill as an asset, not only as a crew chief, but he’s raced for 50 years as well.”

Jedrzejek spent the last two-plus years honing his talents aboard the Ed Neumeister No. 11N primarily in Ohio. The pairing picked up 11 wins together, including Jedrzejek’s first All Star Circuit of Champions triumph at Wayne County Speedway. The LaGrange, OH native also sat on the pole of the Kings Royal last July at Eldora Speedway. Two months later he notched his first career World of Outlaws top five at Millstream Speedway.

“They’ve helped me a lot grow as a driver the past two years,” Jedrzejek said. “I think we really built Ed’s program back up to where it was a couple years before I got there. The first year racing with them, we were just more of an average car out there, weren’t great weren’t bad. But then last year we really started to mesh a lot better together, I feel like, started being a lot more consistent up in the front and more consistently getting wins. They did a lot for me.”

The focus now moves to competing with the best drivers Sprint Car racing has to offer on a weekly basis as Jedrzejek readies for his debut campaign with The Greatest Show on Dirt. It’s not a position he expected to be in so quickly, but he’s ready to make the most of the chance as he takes a major step in his career.

“It’s crazy to think that I’m going to be racing with the Outlaws this year,” Jedrzejek said. “It went pretty smoothly putting a deal together with Bill. It was a lot of thinking on what would be best for me, and if this was something I wanted to go do. I came to the conclusion if I want to be able to race for a living and be on the tour, then I need to do this now. I’m just very excited for the opportunity Bill has given me.”

Jedrzejek and the Bill Rose Racing team begin the 2026 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car campaign at Volusia Speedway Park’s Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals on Feb. 4-7 in Barberville, FL. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

Where can you see the World of Outlaws in 2026? Click to see the full schedule.

Where can you watch every World of Outlaws race? Live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/kasey-jedrzejek-joins-forces-with-bill-rose-racing-for-rookie-world-of-outlaws-campaign/

FAN 101: https://about.worldofoutlaws.com/

Bill Balog Tackling Third Consecutive World of Outlaws Tour in 2026

Trent Gower

CONCORD, NC (January 21, 2026) - The “North Pole Nightmare” is back for more with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, feeling more prepared than ever before.

After a stellar sophomore season, Bill Balog will hit the road with The Greatest Show on Dirt for a third consecutive year in 2026.

The 2025 campaign brought plenty of highlights for the 46-year-old. Following a winless 2024, Balog got a victory out of the way early by topping the season’s seventh race at Talladega Short Track. He also won at Huset’s Speedway in June, part of a nearly $100,000 week for the Hartland, WI driver. Leading flag-to-flag at Perris Auto Speedway in September made it a trio of triumphs for Balog.

The statistics improved across the board for Balog on his way to a seventh-place result in the standings, a one-spot climb over his rookie year.

“Definitely better than I thought,” Balog said of his 2025 season. “We had a good year. It was pretty rewarding to make it that far. Didn’t expect to run that good at some of those races. Definitely happy with how all of that went, just getting to reflect on it a little bit over the winter here. Didn’t get to think about it too much at the time during those weeks. You just stay so busy.”

Little time remains to reflect on last year as the 2026 campaign is on the horizon. The off-season wraps up in two weeks, and it’ll be time for Balog to fire off his third year. He feels more prepared than ever.

“We can start off now with Dennis (Gregg) and Kevin (Ingle), so we’ve got an extra guy than we normally would with Kevin so that’s nice,” Balog said. “Hopefully we can just hammer away and get out of Volusia clean, leave there decent in points. Then we’ve just got to do a few things to get rid of some of those bad finishes. We’re going to keep doing what we’re doing and keep plugging away at it.”

Balog begins the 2026 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car campaign at Volusia Speedway Park’s Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals on Feb. 4-7 in Barberville, FL. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

Where can you see the World of Outlaws in 2026? Click to see the full schedule.

Where can you watch every World of Outlaws race? Live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/bill-balog-tackling-third-consecutive-world-of-outlaws-tour-in-2026/

FAN 101: https://about.worldofoutlaws.com/

Buddy Kofoid, Roth Motorsports Ready to Chase Championship in 2026

Tyler Carr

CONCORD, NC (January 20, 2026) - There’s one thing on Michael “Buddy” Kofoid’s mind entering 2026 – a World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series championship.

The 24-year-old is officially signed on for his third consecutive season with The Greatest Show on Dirt aboard the Roth Motorsports No. 83. Kofoid and Dennis and Teresa Roth’s team joined forces in the middle of 2023 and have quickly established themselves as one of the sport’s top pairings.

Kofoid engineered a historic Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year campaign in 2024 that saw him rack up seven wins and notch a fourth-place finish in points. He followed that up by bagging a dozen victories in 2025 including a pair of six-figure scores at Huset’s Speedway on the path to a runner-up result in the standings.

That leaves only one spot to climb for Kofoid as he aims to unseat reigning champion David Gravel. Kofoid is already Roth Motorsports’ second winningest driver with the Series, his total of 20 trailing only Danny Lasoski’s 41. And now, the kid from California wants more than anything to bring the legendary California car owners their first World of Outlaws championship.

“I’m more excited than anything,” Kofoid said in a press release. “I feel like we have the car in a really great place and I feel better than I’ve ever been. With that combination I’m looking forward putting it to work this year.”

Kofoid and Roth Motorsports kick off the 2026 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car season on Feb. 4-7 at Volusia Speedway Park’s Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals in Barberville, FL. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

Where can you see the World of Outlaws in 2026? Click to see the full schedule.

Where can you watch every World of Outlaws race? Live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/buddy-kofoid-roth-motorsports-ready-to-chase-championship-in-2026/

FAN 101: https://about.worldofoutlaws.com/

World of Outlaws Sprint Cars Returning to Colorado with Addition of El Paso County Event

Trent Gower

CONCORD, NC (January 15, 2026) - The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is coming back to Colorado.

A date has been added to the 2026 schedule at Calhan, CO’s El Paso County Raceway on Monday, Sept. 14. The Rocky Mountain Rumble is set to mark the state’s first time hosting The Greatest Show on Dirt in a decade. The most recent visit came in 2016 when the tour debuted at El Paso County. Colorado is home to 36 past World of Outlaws races spread across a trio of tracks – Colorado National Speedway (21), Rocky Mountain National Speedway (14), and El Paso County Raceway (one).

The added action will follow a Kansas weekend in the plains with returns to Belleville High Banks (Sept. 11) and Dodge City Raceway Park (Sept. 12) in store before the trip to Colorado.

Then the country’s best Sprint Car drivers will journey across the Rocky Mountains bound for a two-week west coast visit with the tracks to be announced at a later date.

Tickets for the Rocky Mountain Rumble at El Paso County Raceway and the Gunslinger Stampede at Dodge City Raceway Park are on sale now. El Paso County tickets can be purchased by CLICKING HERE. Dodge City tickets can be purchased by CLICKING HERE.

For the complete 2026 schedule, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, CLICK HERE to learn how to watch every race live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/world-of-outlaws-sprint-cars-returning-to-colorado-with-addition-of-el-paso-county-event/

EVENT INFO: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/schedule/event-info/?event=4549750
TRACK INFO: https://www.bstpromotions.com/el-paso-county-raceway-calhan

FAN 101: https://about.worldofoutlaws.com/

STAYING SHARP: Torgerson’s Busy Off-Season Helping Preparation for Rookie Season

Monster Trucks, Micros, and Midgets have been on Torgerson’s winter agenda as he gets ready for his first campaign with the World of Outlaws

Emily Schwanke

CONCORD, NC (January 13, 2026) - Some Sprint Car drivers spend their off-season relaxing. Others fly to Australia or New Zealand for the southern hemisphere’s summer to continue racing.

One opted to jump behind the wheel of a Monster Truck.

Less than three weeks after Ashton Torgerson revealed his 2026 plans of a rookie season with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series in the Shark Racing No. 1A, he climbed aboard one of the 12,000-pound behemoths for an event in Imperial, CA.

The Torgerson name is intertwined with Monster Truck history. Ashton’s grandfather, Stanley Torgerson, was an instrumental figure in the industry’s development, hosting one of the first ever shows with a crowd. That passion traveled through generations as Danny Torgerson, Ashton’s father, became heavily involved and still is today. It was only natural for Ashton to continue the family tradition.

“When I was a newborn baby, I was at the Monster Truck shows right away,” Torgerson said. “I’ve always been a part of it, either going to watch when I was little and have fun watching them or as I got older starting to help out a little bit more and driving a little bit more. It’s definitely unusual for a Sprint Car guy to drive a Monster Truck.”

Torgerson’s off-season action doesn’t end with Monster Trucks. The 19-year-old is fresh off competing in four divisions at the Tulsa Shootout. He’s on Tulsa time again this week as he chases a Golden Driller at the Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy Drink. He’ll pilot a Keith Kunz Motorsports entry in Thursday’s prelim to set himself up for Saturday’s finale.

“I think it’s pretty good to run the Micro stuff,” Torgerson said. “I run all four classes and being able to run four classes I feel like it’s more seat time on the track. I know they’re not really like a Midget, and they’re not going to race like a Midget, but I still think it’s that track time I get before Chili Bowl helps to get used to the dirt, the track, and all that… I think it definitely helps to keep in the seat and stay sharp.”

Once the Chili Bowl wraps up, Torgerson’s full focus will be on his run at Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year. The World of Outlaws season is set to fire off with four nights of racing at Volusia Speedway Park, Feb. 4-7.

It’s a position Torgerson didn’t anticipate finding himself in so quickly. After all, he linked with Shark Racing only nine months ago when Bobby and Jacob Allen put the Glendale, AZ driver in the seat of the No. 1A to see how they’d gel.

The pairing immediately began to turn heads. Torgerson, who didn’t even have a full season of 410 Sprint Car racing under his belt before 2025, beat the Pennsylvania Posse at BAPS Motor Speedway in his second night in the car. That was the first of many impressive outings that included a top 10 at Eldora Speedway’s Kings Royal, runner-up results at both Lincoln Speedway and Port Royal Speedway, and a pair of top 10s during Ironman 55 weekend with the World of Outlaws. Most of these finishes came at tracks Torgerson was seeing for only the first or second time and against some of the country’s toughest competition.

Torgerson and Shark’s connection boasted so much promise that they announced their intentions to hit the road with the World of Outlaws this year during World Finals. From only a few laps in a 410 Sprint Car to national prominence to joining The Greatest Show on Dirt in less than a year.

“It’s crazy to even think about. It’s honestly just a dream come true,” Torgerson said. “When I first drove the car, it was kind of a weekend deal to see how I did and see how we bonded as a team. We were able to have success right away, and Jacob had me rolling right away. It was nice to be comfortable with the team and have some good speed. Like I said, it’s really just a dream come true to be able to run on the Outlaw tour. This is going to be my first year, so I think there’s a lot to learn.”

Sadly, the team will be missing the man behind the inspirational story of Shark Racing. Bobby Allen passed away last October, leaving a large gap in not only the Shark shop, but the entire sport. “Scruffy” was a racer in the truest sense, going to great lengths like sleeping in ticket booths to keep his dreams alive. And that tenacity led him to cementing himself as one of the sport’s greats.

Carrying on without their leader will undoubtedly be emotionally taxing, but the team knows it’s what Allen would want. They’re ready to usher his legacy into the future by going up and down the road from track to track powered by the no-quit attitude Allen embodied.

“Bobby, he’s a legend and made Shark Racing what it is today,” Torgerson said. “He did all of his own stuff, and he’s one of the best Sprint Car drivers ever. He had such a great career. It’s such an honor to even be able to drive the 1A. Now to put it back on the Outlaw tour is just crazy. I know Bobby was super excited when we won that race, and he was super excited to be at the track with me, so I know we’re going to make Bobby proud this year.”

Torgerson and the Shark Racing crew start the 2026 World of Outlaws campaign on Feb. 4-7 at Volusia Speedway Park’s Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals in Barberville, FL. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

For the complete 2026 schedule, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, CLICK HERE to learn how to watch every race live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/staying-sharp-torgersons-busy-off-season-helping-preparation-for-rookie-season/

FAN 101: https://about.worldofoutlaws.com/

Garet Williamson Locked In for Sophomore World of Outlaws Season with Fischer Motorsports

Tyler Carr

CONCORD, NC (January 8, 2026) - Garet Williamson is back for more in 2026 with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series after his Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year campaign with Fischer Motorsports.

The Columbia, MO native cemented his name in the history books in 2025 by standing atop a stout crop of seven rookies. Williamson’s debut campaign yielded seven top fives, 26 top 10s, a pair of Quick Times, six Heat wins, and a dozen Dash appearances.

With 2025 behind him, the upcoming season is the continuation of a dream for Williamson. He looked up to World of Outlaws drivers throughout his childhood. He wanted to be one more than anything. Now, he’s here. He’s at the highest level of the sport. He’s a World of Outlaws driver that kids see at the racetrack and tell themselves they want to be where he is one day. It’s a position he’s not taking for granted.

“It’s been my dream and goal since I was a kid,” Williamson said. “So, now I’m just trying to make sure I’m doing my job good enough to keep having a good ride and keep doing it. I’m just super grateful for the partners I have and owners I have that let us go up and down the road and believe in us to keep growing.”

The only missing piece from Williamson’s Rookie of the Year campaign was a win. The closest he came in 2025 was third at Huset’s Speedway, his second career World of Outlaws podium. The 25-year-old knows making a trip to Victory Lane is easier said than done. It requires beating the best of the best. It requires no mistakes. Of the thousands that have tried, only 155 competitors can call themselves a winner with The Greatest Show on Dirt.

“The biggest thing is a win,” Williamson said. “I feel like that’s kind of what I lack right now is a win, but it’s not easy. It’s super hard to beat those guys. I think that’s one of the big ones, and being more consistent. I think that’s how wins come. Your top 10s, top fives, and podiums, they’ll turn into wins eventually. I want to be a threat to be there for big races. As a team, I want to keep proving we belong.”

Progress is also on Williamson’s mind as the season nears. The Rookie of the Year box was checked last year, and now he’s ready to climb toward the veterans above him in the standings. Consistently compete up front with the ones that have been on tour for years as he labors to reach his ultimate goal of becoming a World of Outlaws champion.

“I think it starts with bad nights being top 10s, not 22nd or anywhere back there,” Williamson explained. “You can’t be running back there. If you’re having a bad night, you’ve got to make up for it. You’ve got to salvage more than some of the bad nights we had.”

Williamson and the Fischer Motorsports crew kick off the 2026 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car season on Feb. 4-7 at Volusia Speedway Park’s Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals in Barberville, FL. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

Williamson plans to get a few extra Volusia laps during DIRTcar Nationals by competing with the American Sprint Car Series, Jan. 29-31, aboard a Dennis Gainey entry.

For the complete 2026 schedule, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, CLICK HERE to learn how to watch every race live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/garet-williamson-locked-in-for-sophomore-world-of-outlaws-season-with-fischer-motorsports/

FAN 101: https://about.worldofoutlaws.com/

Chris Windom Ready for Sophomore World of Outlaws Season with Sides Motorsports

josh james

CONCORD, NC (January 7, 2026) - Chris Windom is set for year two with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars.

The 35-year-old teamed with Sides Motorsports in 2025 for his first tour with The Greatest Show on Dirt, and their plans are the same for 2026.

Last year proved productive for Windom as he climbed aboard the NOS Energy Drink No. 7S. The Canton, IL native tallied four top fives, including a personal best second place run at Atomic Speedway, and bagged 22 top 10s during the coast-to-coast journey with Jason Sides turning the wrenches. Windom came home runner-up among the whopping seven rookies that signed on for 2025, trailing only Garet Williamson.

“I felt like it went pretty well,” Windom said of his debut campaign with the World of Outlaws. “It took a little while to get going, but I felt like we definitely had some good success there at the midpart of the summer. Overall, I was happy with how it went, battling it out for the Rookie of the Year all the way pretty much down to the end in Charlotte.”

An area Windom and the Sides crew have circled to better in 2026 is Qualifying. An average time trial result of 14.11 left Windom fourth among the rookies. He managed to move forward plenty later in the night with the fourth-highest Feature plus/minus ranking among full-time drivers at plus-115. But an improved Qualifying effort will make finding the results they’re looking for an easier task.

“Yeah, I would say that’s definitely at the top of the priority list,” Windom said of Qualifying. “I have notoriously never been that great of a qualifier, but I feel like I’ve gotten better in the wing side of things. I just felt like it was never just one circumstance. It was trying to get the fueling of the engines right at certain times of the year. It’s so tough once you get past those two laps on the Outlaw tour. Your night is kind of set up. Obviously, you can still pass cars, but it’s so hard to come from beyond the third or fourth row and beat the caliber of cars that are at an Outlaw race.”

What has Windom eager to get 2026 rolling is the fact that this year will mark the first time since transitioning to Winged Sprint Cars that he won’t be jumping to a new ride. The move to wings began in 2022 with Hayward Motorsports. Then it was off to Lane Racing in 2023. Vermeer Motorsports brought him aboard in 2024. Finally, he landed with Sides in 2025 and appears to be laying the foundations of a steady home.

“It’s definitely going to be nice to come back in 2026 with the same car for the first time in my Winged career,” Windom said. “I think it really takes sometimes even more than a year to, first of all, build a notebook. That’s the case because I may be different than the last guy that ran the car, and I may want to do something different than what Jason is used to doing. I felt like we ran into that quite a bit this year. It really just takes the experience of being at the racetrack doing it and learning kind of what not to do and what to do.”

The longevity has Windom feeling confident as he enters his second season of competing at the sport’s highest level.

“That, I feel like, should speed up our process on getting up to speed and being faster right out of the gate because now we’ve been to most of all these tracks we’re going to again together,” Windom said. “We can go back and look at if we were good there or if we were bad there and what we can do to try and be better everywhere we go.”

Windom and the Sides Motorsports crew kick off the 2026 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car season in just under a month on Feb. 4-7 at Barberville, FL’s Volusia Speedway Park for the Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

For the complete 2026 schedule, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, catch every lap live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/chris-windom-ready-for-sophomore-world-of-outlaws-season-with-sides-motorsports/

FAN 101: https://about.worldofoutlaws.com/

1 MONTH ALERT: Volusia’s DIRTcar Nationals Ignite 2026 World of Outlaws Campaign

Josh James

CONCORD, NC (January 5, 2025) - Only a month remains before the 2026 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series season is unleashed.

An 87-day off-season will conclude on Feb. 4-7 in Barberville, FL when Volusia Speedway Park’s Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals brings the campaign to life. The Greatest Show on Dirt’s 49th year of showcasing the best Sprint Car drivers in the world is set to begin with four consecutive nights of racing at the “Sunshine State” 1/2 mile, culminating in a $20,000-to-win finale and the crowning of a Big Gator champion.

Volusia has served as the season-opening site since 2005. The Florida oval annually welcomes a healthy field of entries as teams shake off the winter rust, and expect 2026 to be no different. More than 50 Sprint Cars rolled into the pit area for last year’s DIRTcar Nationals.

“The World’s Fastest Half Mile” is home to 67 previous World of Outlaws races, making Volusia the 11th most visited track in Series history. Assuming weather cooperates, it’ll crack the top 10 next month. Nobody comes close to Donny Schatz’s mark of 15 wins as he’s topped 22-percent of those 67 Features. David Gravel and Brad Sweet are tied behind Schatz with seven victories apiece.

Kyle Larson is the reigning Big Gator champion. “Yung Money” took the Silva Motorsports No. 57 to Victory Lane on each of the last two nights in 2025 en route to the title. Carson Macedo and Christopher Bell also won Features last year. David Gravel and Daryn Pittman are tied for the most Big Gators since the award was introduced in 2012. Both own three.

David Gravel’s quest for a three-peat will begin at Volusia. He and Big Game Motorsports have claimed the last two World of Outlaws titles. Only Steve Kinser, Donny Schatz, and Brad Sweet have won three championships in a row through the Series’ first 48 seasons. While Gravel may enter as the favorite, he’ll have a hungry group ready to dethrone him.

One of the most prominent storylines to follow in Florida will be familiar faces in new places. The most noteworthy is Donny Schatz making his first appearance in the CJB Motorsports No. 15 as he opens his 30th consecutive tour. Spencer Bayston returns to the World of Outlaws teamed with Stenhouse Jr./Marshall Racing. Sheldon Haudenschild’s departure opened the SJMR seat for Bayston. Haudenschild hasn’t announced his 2026 plans, but he’s expected to begin a new chapter this year at Volusia.

The trip south will also signal the start of the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year battle. Three competitors are already signed on with possibly more to come. Ashton Torgerson (Shark Racing), Scotty Thiel (Greg Wheeler Motorsports), and Scott Bogucki (Three Stooges Racing) are the current contestants.

BUY DIRTCAR NATIONALS TICKETS HERE
WATCH EVERY LAP LIVE ON DIRTVision

EVENT SCHEDULE:

Wednesday, Feb. 4
3:00pm – Pit Gates open
4:00pm – Front Gates open
5:30pm – Hot Laps

Thursday, Feb. 5
3:00pm – Pit Gates open
4:00pm – Front Gates open
5:30pm – Hot Laps

Friday, Feb. 6
3:00pm – Pit Gates open
4:00pm – Front Gates open
5:30pm – Hot Laps

Saturday, Feb. 7
3:00pm – Pit Gates open
4:00pm – Front Gates open
5:30pm – Hot Laps

World of Outlaws Sprint Car DIRTcar Nationals Big Gator Champions
2025 — Kyle Larson
2024 — David Gravel
2023 — Logan Schuchart
2022 — David Gravel
2021 — Logan Schuchart
2020 — Brad Sweet
2019 — Daryn Pittman
2018 — Donny Schatz
2017 — David Gravel
2016 — Brad Sweet
2015 — Daryn Pittman
2014 — Paul McMahan
2013 — Daryn Pittman
2012 — Sammy Swindell

World of Outlaws Sprint Car DIRTcar Nationals Feature Winners
February 8th, 2025 — Kyle Larson
February 7th, 2025 — Kyle Larson
February 6th, 2025 — Christopher Bell
February 5th, 2025 — Carson Macedo
February 10th, 2024 — Sheldon Haudenschild
February 9th, 2024 — Tyler Courtney
February 8th, 2024 — David Gravel
February 7th, 2024 — Brad Sweet
March 5th, 2023 — James McFadden*
February 10th, 2023 — David Gravel
February 9th, 2023 — David Gravel
February 12th, 2022 — David Gravel
February 11th, 2022 — Sheldon Haudenschild
February 10th, 2022 — Donny Schatz
February 6th, 2021 — Logan Schuchart
February 5th, 2021 — Brad Sweet
February 9th, 2020 — Logan Schuchart
February 8th, 2020 — Brad Sweet
February 7th, 2020 — Donny Schatz
February 9th, 2019 — Daryn Pittman
February 8th, 2019 — Daryn Pittman
February 11th, 2018 — Donny Schatz
February 10th, 2018 — Donny Schatz
February 9th, 2018 — Sheldon Haudenschild
February 19th, 2017 — Donny Schatz
February 19th, 2017 — Donny Schatz
February 17th, 2017 — Jason Johnson
February 14th, 2016 — Brad Sweet
February 13th, 2016 — Donny Schatz
February 12th, 2016 — Brad Sweet
February 15th, 2015 — Brad Sweet
February 14th, 2015 — Donny Schatz
February 13th, 2015 — Daryn Pittman
February 16th, 2014 — Steve Kinser
February 15th, 2014 — Donny Schatz
February 14th, 2014 — Brad Sweet
February 17th, 2013 — Danny Lasoski
February 16th, 2013 — Terry McCarl
February 15th, 2013 — Daryn Pittman
February 19th, 2012 — Donny Schatz
February 19th, 2012 — Craig Dollansky
February 18th, 2012 — Danny Lasoski
February 13th, 2011 — Jason Sides
February 12th, 2011 — Steve Kinser
February 11th, 2011 — Steve Kinser
February 7th, 2010 — Steve Kinser
February 6th, 2010 — Donny Schatz
February 8th, 2009 — Donny Schatz
February 7th, 2009 — Joey Saldana
February 6th, 2009 — Donny Schatz
February 10th, 2008 — Danny Lasoski
February 9th, 2008 — Jason Meyers
February 8th, 2008 — Craig Dollansky
February 11, 2007 — Daryn Pittman
February 10th, 2007 — Kerry Madsen
February 9th, 2007 — Donny Schatz
February 10th, 2006 — Joey Saldana
February 9th, 2006 — Chad Kemenah
February 13th, 2005 — Steve Kinser
February 11th, 2005 — Jeff Shepard

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/1-month-alert-volusias-dirtcar-nationals-ignite-2026-world-of-outlaws-campaign/

EVENT INFO: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/schedule/event-info/?event=4547973
TRACK INFO: https://volusiaspeedwaypark.com/

FAN 101: https://about.worldofoutlaws.com/

SEASON 30: Schatz Feeling Revitalized, Grateful for Opportunity with CJB Motorsports

Tyler Carr

CONCORD, NC (January 2, 2026) - Donny Schatz stepped on stage feeling bad for Johnny Gibson.

The suited men sat in front of hundreds at the 2025 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Awards Banquet. Thousands more watched at home on DIRTVision. So many eyes fixed on them. Gibson’s job? To find the good in every competitor’s campaign as an avenue of introduction.

“How could he possibly spin this positively,” Schatz wondered. The 48-year-old had been in this position several times before when Gibson needed no creative optimism. Schatz’s résumé boasts so many successful seasons with The Greatest Show on Dirt that have occurred right alongside Gibson’s tenure.

Schatz knew 2025 was not among them. He went winless for the first time since his rookie year in 1997. Headlines showed his name, but not in the fashion he’s accustomed to. The Sprint Car world was rocked when Schatz and Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing parted ways in August, ending a run that began in 2008. The Fargo, ND native then split time driving four different cars to finish the season. No way Gibson could find a sliver of sunlight in an entirely overcast sky, right?

But the longtime Series announcer proved Schatz wrong. All it took was a little math.

“Like five minutes before I went up to go on stage, I actually said to myself, ‘I’m not sure what Johnny Gibson, and he’s the best at his job, could possibly talk about with me in front of the crowd here that has a silver lining,’ and I said that to him when I got up there,” Schatz said. “And he said, ‘It’s 30 years next year.’ And I said, ‘No, Johnny, it’s not 30 years. It’s 29.’ And he said, ‘No, it’s 30.’ I guess you just lose track of anything past the first couple. It’s crazy to think about.”

Since that realization washed over Schatz, more reasons to be hopeful have entered his life. Along with reaching a major milestone by contesting his 30th season in 2026, he’ll open a new chapter.

The 10-time Series champion recently inked a deal with Chad Clemens’ CJB Motorsports for the upcoming season. The move pairs Schatz with one of the sport’s most legendary mechanics, Barry Jackson. After enduring one of the most trying years of his career, the move rejuvenated the 48-year-old as he prepares for his World of Outlaws career to span three full decades.

“I wasn’t to my full potential to finish out the season probably mentally,” Schatz admitted. “When things happen, it’s like a snowball effect. When bad things happen, they just keep going. I had a lot of people stick their neck out for me, and I felt like I did the best I could to get to the end and we got there. But the off-season has been a big reset. It’s been a mental reset. It’s been a physical reset. For me to start over and recharge the batteries and refresh the attitude and all the things it takes. I’m super pumped. I’m ready to get back racing.”

It’s also a dream come true for Clemens as the team owner. He’s had plenty of the sport’s best drive for him in the past. Sammy Swindell, David Gravel, and Paul McMahan are just a few who’ve piloted CJB machines. Now, he gets to add one of Sprint Car racing’s most accomplished wheelmen ever to the list.

“This is a dream of a lifetime,” Clemens said of having Schatz drive for him. “Not only is he a hell of a driver and has a lot left in him yet, but he’s also a good friend too. It’s not like I just know him as a race car driver. I know him as a friend. It’s more than just a race car driver. He’s just a really down-to-earth, good person. His family is awesome. I always talked to his father at the races. I’ve always talked to his mom. I’ve talked to his sister. It’s going to be a dream come true.”

Hiring Schatz meant expanding to a two-car team as CJB continues to field the No. 5 for Brenham Crouch. Assembling a crew and the many resources for a second top-tier Sprint Car operation is no small task. But when the opportunity with Schatz arose, Clemens and Jackson didn’t wonder if it was possible. It was merely a question of how they could make it work.

“When this whole thing came to possibly happening, my first comment to Barry was, ‘I know we can’t let this not happen. We have to make this happen somehow,’” Clemens said. “I asked him, ‘Are we able with our current situation and equipment, and are you willing to go back to the Outlaws?’ And the answers were, ‘Yes and yes.’”

Teaming up is far from the first connection between Schatz and Jackson. Their relationship dates back several years as Jackson’s path crossed with Schatz’s longtime crew chief, Ricky Warner.

“Barry is a Carlisle, Pennsylvania native, and he grew up with Rick Warner,” Schatz said. “Obviously, me and Rick have a good history together. Rick was someone that always confided in Barry for a lot of things. There was a time when Barry was building his own race cars, and I think we tried one a time or two at Oskaloosa and I think on the west coast. So, Barry is someone that’s been close back when I raced with Rick Warner. Ultimately, we respected each other. Barry is a very passionate, fiery person. You know what’s on his mind. I’m kind of the same way. I respect that.”

Roughly a month remains before the 2026 campaign begins. Luckily for the CJB crew, it ignites at a track that’s been kind to Schatz over the years. Barberville, FL’s Volusia Speedway Park is the destination in early February, and Schatz has won 24 times in 99 Sprint Car races at the 1/2 mile. With Schatz’s laps and Jackson’s extensive notebook, Schatz is optimistic they can come out of the gate swinging.

“It’s not going to take us six months to get going or get a win,” Schatz said. “I feel like we can get going right away because of Barry’s experience and my experience and obviously a fresh start. Those guys have been open to anything. They’ve asked me a lot, what it is I want to do here and there.”

Clemens shares his driver’s confidence.

“I think they’re going to start meshing right off the bat,” Clemens said. “Barry has a mindset that he wants to win and he’s driven and he’s dedicated, and Donny has the same mindset. When you have two guys that have the same mindset, I’m not going to put a projection on what I think we’re going to do, but I think it’s going to be a very positive year. I think it’s going to be a good year, and I have trust in both of them.”

Schatz’s plans are set. The season is nearing. Season number 30. A milestone that means so much to the kid from North Dakota that committed his life to Sprint Car racing. A number that’s put things in perspective and brightened his outlook as he readies for what’s ahead. He knows there’s plenty left in the tank. Schatz intends to contend in 2026.

“When it all comes together and we get to the first race, I think that’s when everybody is going to swallow hard and say, ‘Man, it took a lot to get to this point, but this is very rewarding and let’s go out and get some gators in Florida and get ourselves in a good position to race for a championship,” Schatz said.

Schatz and the CJB Motorsports No. 15 team will begin the 2026 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car season at Volusia Speedway Park’s Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals on Feb. 4-7. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

For the complete 2026 schedule, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, catch every lap live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/season-30-schatz-feeling-revitalized-grateful-for-opportunity-with-cjb-motorsports/

FAN 101: https://about.worldofoutlaws.com/

cLIMBING: How the All-Time Win List Looks After 2025

Trent Gower

CONCORD, NC (December 22, 2025) - The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series all-time win list is hallowed ground.

Since The Greatest Show on Dirt was born in 1978, thousands and thousands of drivers have attempted to add their name, and only a small percentage have succeeded. To earn a spot means beating the best Sprint Car drivers in the world.

The 2025 campaign delivered 16 different winners over 68 Features. Some made major strides. Some hit milestones. Some kept streaks alive. What they all have in common is every single victory is a cherished piece of history.

Let’s look at how the all-time win list shakes out after the 2025 season:

David Gravel – 120 Wins (seventh all-time): David Gravel led the Series in victories for the third year in a row, topping 17 races aboard the Big Game Motorsports No. 2. The closer toward the top of the all-time win list you get, the harder it becomes to advance spots. That’s the area where Gravel now resides, but he was able to leap Joey Saldana for seventh. The two-time champion is only two triumphs away from equaling Danny Lasoski for sixth. The top five is also within reach next year as Doug Wolfgang sits at 140 – 20 wins ahead.

Carson Macedo – 58 Wins (tied-16th all-time): Carson Macedo continues to climb the historical ladder with Jason Johnson Racing. Eleven victories this year made it four double-digit win seasons in five tries since jumping in the JJR No. 41. That elevated his career total to 58, equaling the Lemoore, CA native with one of his heroes, Jason Meyers. A similar output in 2026 would move Macedo ahead of Meyers, Craig Dollansky, and Bobby Davis Jr. A career-best season could also push him beyond Jac Haudenschild’s total of 72.

Sheldon Haudenschild – 46 Wins (19th all-time): The all-time win list remains one of Sheldon Haudenschild’s biggest motivations, and he added another four checkered flags to his total in 2025. The Wooster, OH driver entered the year tied with Andy Hillenburg and Logan Schuchart, and he cleared both. Jeff Swindell (51 wins) is Haudenschild’s next target.

Logan Schuchart – 44 Wins (20th all-time): The 2025 season made it 10 straight years of at least one triumph for Logan Schuchart in the Shark Racing No. 1S. The Pennsylvanian tallied two this year, enough to break a tie with Andy Hillenburg.

Kyle Larson – 39 Wins (22nd all-time): Kyle Larson continues to make the most of every opportunity to get in a Sprint Car. The now two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion won four of his 13 starts aboard the Silva Motorsports No. 57 with the World of Outlaws in 2025. That gives him 39 victories in 157 races, a nearly 25-percent clip. He passed his former driver, Shane Stewart (36 wins), in the history books this year.

Michael Kofoid – 22 Wins (29th all-time): Nobody was on the move up the list more in 2025 than Michael “Buddy” Kofoid. A dozen scores with the Roth Motorsports crew upped his total to 22 and elevated him all the way into the top 30 all-time. The spots become more spaced out from here, but the five ahead of him are well within striking distance next season. A superb 2026 could even allow him to catch Shane Stewart for 23rd all-time.

Rico Abreu – 21 Wins (tied-30th all-time): In 13 World of Outlaws races, Rico Abreu managed to bag an impressive four victories in 2025. That pushed the St. Helena, CA driver into a tie with fellow Californian Tim Kaeding and the “Ohio Traveler,” Rick Ferkel.

Anthony Macri – 7 Wins (tied-57th all-time): Dillsburg, PA’s Anthony Macri entered 2025 with a trio of World of Outlaws victories on his résumé, and he more than doubled that number. Macri defended the porch three times in Pennsylvania. He also changed his nickname from the “Concrete Kid” to the “Concrete King” in one night by claiming the Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway, banking $200,000 in riches. He’s now alongside Jeff Shepard, Chad Kemenah, Brian Brown, and Aaron Reutzel.

Bill Balog – 4 Wins (tied-75th all-time): One of Bill Balog’s main goals in his sophomore season was to snag at least one win, and he did so and then some. The “North Pole Nightmare” visited Victory Lane on a trio of occasions, putting his name in the company of Dub May, Jack Hewitt, and Ian Madsen on the all-time list.

More Movement: A handful of more competitors already established on the list added a single tally to their total. Christopher Bell, Giovanni Scelzi, Brad Sweet, Corey Day, and Dale Blaney all won once in 2025.

New Names: Two drivers added their presence on the all-time win list. First, Ryan Timms did so in spectacular fashion by leading all 50 laps of the Knoxville Nationals, becoming the first to ever have “The Granddaddy of Them All” be their first Series score. The other was Chase Dietz, who helped deliver bragging rights for the Pennsylvania Posse by winning night one of the National Open at Williams Grove Speedway.

For the complete all-time World of Outlaws win list, CLICK HERE.

The 2026 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car season will begin at Volusia Speedway Park’s Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals, Feb. 4-7. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

For the complete 2026 schedule, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, catch every lap live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/climbing-how-the-all-time-win-list-looks-after-2025/

FAN 101: https://about.worldofoutlaws.com/

NEW BEGINNING: Bayston’s Path to Uniting with Stenhouse Jr., the Marshalls for 2026

tyler carr

CONCORD, NC (December 18, 2025) - An important phone call for Spencer Bayston followed the 2025 Knoxville Nationals.

Uncertainty loomed as he’d parted ways with Jason Meyers Racing. The two linked at the end of 2024 with plans of a full year together, but the partnership didn’t go as they’d hoped. Struggles led to an eventual separation.

Without a ride in mid-August with plenty of big events still ahead is an unnerving position for any Sprint Car driver, especially one accustomed to touring nationally in top-tier cars.

But Bayston didn’t want to jump into any open seat. He needed the right opportunity. The chance to prove himself and rebuild confidence. One of the best crew chiefs in the sport opted to give him that shot.

“Fortunately, my phone rang pretty quick,” Bayston recalled. “(Paul) Silva called me. I think it was Sunday or Monday after (Knoxville) Nationals. With Gold Cup obviously being the following week, I needed to get that put together pretty quick. I lined that up with a conversation or two with Kevin (Kozlowski) and Paul and got my flights booked.”

The result was a revitalizing roll along the west coast. Bayston jumped in Kozlowski’s Works Limited Sprint Car for a six-race stretch with Silva on the wrenches. The tone was set with a runner-up at Thunderbowl Raceway. He only missed the top five twice over the run.

Then came a reunion with Tarlton Motorsports. Bayston drove for the team in 2020 and climbed back aboard for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series swing through California. The Lebanon, IN native closed out the few races by nearly winning $83,000 at the Dennis Roth Classic, finishing second just inches behind David Gravel.

“It was crucial for me,” Bayston admitted of the time out west. “I don’t know if I ever, throughout the season, doubted my ability, but maybe there were some questions there. ‘Am I the reason? Is it something I’m doing?’ Obviously, having a teammate (Corey Day) that was able to compete and go out and win races, and then look at our program and see that we’re struggling caused a little bit of questioning there, probably on everyone’s mind. But then, immediately going out quick time and running top five almost every night we were at a racetrack, it quickly took that doubt out of everyone’s head, my head included. I was like I’m still capable. I just need to utilize the right tools and be with the right people.”

Shortly after California, 2026 plans began to materialize. Stenhouse Jr./Marshall Racing (SJMR), co-owned by Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Richard and Jennifer Marshall, was on the hunt for a new driver. Sheldon Haudenschild and SJMR would be going different directions at the conclusion of their eighth season together.

The team’s list of candidates included Bayston, and they began to have conversations around the time he was on the “left coast.” Stenhouse Jr. scouted Bayston’s drives in the “Golden State,” and he didn’t disappoint.

“Any time when you start talking to people about driving your car and your equipment, if it’s something that they’re looking forward to doing, like in Spencer’s case, I feel like he probably had a decent amount of pressure on him to go out and perform, to show what he could do,” Stenhouse Jr. said. “I felt like as soon as we talked to him, he goes out there and steps up to the plate and knocks it out of the park. I thought that under pressure and under those circumstances, he did a really good job.”

But the recruitment talks were far from the first time Bayston and Stenhouse Jr. had chatted. Their connection dates back a decade to when the two were teammates in Bryan Clauson’s Midget stable for the 2015 Chili Bowl Nationals. It was Bayston’s debut in the prestigious event, and Stenhouse Jr. watched him lock in to the Championship Feature on his first try. The then 16-year-old Bayston impressed Stenhouse Jr. long before he’d ever considered having him drive his Sprint Car.

“We go way back, being teammates,” Stenhouse Jr. said. “My initial thoughts of Spencer when I first was around him, obviously I was already racing Cup back then, were just the respect he had for everybody that had hands on the race car and the team and his whole family. You could tell he was raised that way just based off his parents and sister and everybody that was around. I had a lot of respect for him and what he was able to do, and he was fast right off the bat, always ready to gas it up and get the job done.”

Ultimately, the team selected Bayston for a 2026 campaign with The Greatest Show on Dirt aboard the NOS Energy Drink No. 17, a new beginning he couldn’t be more appreciative of Stenhouse Jr. and the Marshalls providing.

“It’s very special for myself and my family,” Bayston said of his new home. “To align with Richard and Jennifer Marshall, people that have put so much into the sport of Sprint Car racing, is special. I worked with them when I was younger. They sponsored the team that I raced for in my Midget days. To get realigned with them now and continue that relationship is really special. Obviously, I think very highly of both of them and all they’ve accomplished in their world but also giving back to the sport of Sprint Cars.

“Then, obviously, with Ricky (Stenhouse Jr.) being involved with the program as well, a former Chili Bowl teammate of mine. I’ve known him for 10 years now. Obviously, he’s gone on to have success in NASCAR but still be involved in what he came from. The dynamic within the team is a really, really healthy workspace.”

On the ownership side, 2026 may signal the start of a new chapter for SJMR with Bayston coming aboard, but it’s also a milestone of longevity for Stenhouse Jr. It’ll mark the NASCAR Cup Series competitor’s 10th consecutive season of fielding a Sprint Car at the sport’s highest level. It’s a commitment that remains important to the 38-year-old who hasn’t forgotten his own path in motorsports.

“I didn’t think it had been that long. That’s wild,” Stenhouse Jr. said with a laugh. “Obviously, I raced for Tony (Stewart). I bugged him forever to let me race for him, and he finally let me race his USAC car. I always wanted to run his Outlaw car because I felt like I wanted to be a World of Outlaws driver. I grew up racing winged cars. That’s what I wanted to do for a living. Then things start all of a sudden opening up, and his USAC car became available. At the end of that season, all of a sudden, I’m signing with Roush Fenway Racing to go stock car racing. I’m racing the Nationwide series, and we’re winning championships. Then, I get to Cup in 2013, and I think it was always if I made it to Cup and I was in the right spot, I want to give back to the sport because if it wasn’t for Tony giving me that USAC ride, I don’t know if I would’ve ever made it to this point.”

November’s World Finals allowed Bayston and the SJMR crew to get acquainted. They fielded a second entry for Bayston to wheel around The Dirt Track at Charlotte and begin working with new crew chief Kyle Pruitt. They found speed out of the gate, finishing the three nights of racing with a pair of top fives against one of the toughest rosters of the year.

“It was very important for us to get Spencer in the car with Kyle working together going into the off-season to see what we have together and what we need to fix,” Stenhouse Jr. said. “That can go one way or the other. You could go to Charlotte against a really stout field and struggle, and then you’re kind of bummed the whole off-season. Or it can go really well. Spencer was very comfortable in the car. The speed was there with it.”

“It just felt good to unload with natural speed,” Bayston said. “I think it’s a testament to Kyle’s ability to jump into a new program with different cars than he’s worked with in the past and rebuild and reshape in a short period of time, and be able to immediately unload a car that has great speed and handling, getting myself comfortable almost right away. I think it has everyone excited.”

With the 2025 season in the books, all eyes are ahead for Bayston, Stenhouse Jr., and the entire organization. Along with Bayston in the seat and Pruitt turning the wrenches, they’ve also hired Joseph Sease as the car chief and Ace Pruitt, Kyle’s son, as the tire specialist to complete the crew on the road.

Bayston made the most of the second half of this year, and he’s ready to capitalize on a fresh start in 2026.

“I know from spending time with my guys they’re eager and chomping at the bit to get these cars put together, get the trailer all stocked up, and hit the road,” Bayston said.

Bayston and Stenhouse Jr./Marshall Racing begin the 2026 World of Outlaws campaign at Volusia Speedway Park’s Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals on Feb. 4-7 in Barberville, FL. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

For the complete 2026 schedule, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, catch every lap live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/new-beginning-baystons-path-to-uniting-with-stenhouse-jr-the-marshalls-for-2026/

FAN 101: https://about.worldofoutlaws.com/

Scott Bogucki Signed on for World of Outlaws Rookie Campaign with Three Stooges Racing in 2026

Tyler Carr

CONCORD, NC (December 16, 2025) - Add another competitor to the hunt for the 2026 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year.

Scott Bogucki is set for his first season with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series. The McLaren Vale, SA, Australia native will pilot the Three Stooges Racing No. 51 full-time with The Greatest Show on Dirt next year. He joins Ashton Torgerson and Scotty Thiel as the third confirmed rookie for the tour’s 49th season of racing.

“It’s unbelievable. It’s been my dream since I was 15 years old,” Bogucki said. “It’s the reason I left home, left my family and everything behind, was to come here and chase that dream. For me, it’s always been to be an Outlaw. Honestly, I don’t even really have words. It’s something I had kind of thought was never going to happen, and mentally realized that and became okay with it. It was always going to be disappointing, but I’d given it my best shot. So, when you think that’s happening and then all of a sudden you get with a new team and get together, and they’re like, ‘Hey, let’s do this,’ it doesn’t even really feel real to be honest.”

Three Stooges Racing added 410 Winged Sprint Cars to their stable in 2025. Joel Myers Jr. ran a handful of races for the Jeff and Noah West-owned operation in the summer before Bogucki came aboard in August. Bogucki competed in 10 races with the team before the year concluded, highlighted by a pair of All Star Circuit of Champions (ASCoC) top 10s, a fourth at Lee County Speedway with POWRi, and a respectable 12th at Lincoln Park Speedway in their only appearance together with the World of Outlaws.

“I’d spoken to Noah on and off with some other deals he’d been working on about racing with him,” Bogucki explained. “Timing had never played out in our favor. Jeff and I had created a relationship quite some time ago and became good friends. I think all the moving pieces just finally fell into place.

“I had, shortly before (Knoxville) Nationals, ended up parting ways with my previous deal. Around the same time, they (Three Stooges Racing) had with their people, and we got together right away and talked and were like, ‘Let’s run to the end of the year, go racing, have some fun, and see how we go, see how everything gels.’ I think we got three or four races in, and Noah and Jeff approached me and were like, ‘What do you think about this?’ And I was like, ‘Well, I’ve wanted to do it since I was 15 years old. You don’t have to ask me twice. That’s my dream right there.’”

Traveling tour experience is on Bogucki’s résumé. He’s a former full-timer with the American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) and owns eight wins with the country’s top 360 Sprint Car talent. Other highlights from his career so far include a top 10 run at the 2024 Knoxville Nationals and a top five outing with the World of Outlaws at Knoxville the same season.

Now, Bogucki is ready to take his career to the highest level by joining the World of Outlaws and taking on the nearly 90-race, coast-to-coast tour.

“Just going to the new places, the competition every night,” Bogucki said of what he’s most looking forward to. “If you want to be the best, you’ve got to race with the best, and it’s time to finally do that.”

Bogucki and Three Stooges Racing begin the 2026 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car season at Volusia Speedway Park’s Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals on Feb. 4-7 in Barberville, FL. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

For the complete 2026 schedule, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, catch every lap live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/scott-bogucki-signed-on-for-world-of-outlaws-rookie-campaign-with-three-stooges-racing-in-2026/

FAN 101: https://about.worldofoutlaws.com/

Scotty Thiel, Greg Wheeler Motorsports Partner for Rookie World of Outlaws Tour in 2026

Emily Schwanke

CONCORD, NC (December 10, 2025) - “The Big Wheel” is rolling to The Greatest Show on Dirt.

Scotty Thiel has teamed with Greg Wheeler Motorsports for a rookie run with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series in 2026. The Sheboygan, WI native joins Ashton Torgerson as the second driver committed to chasing Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year honors.

The move completes a lifelong goal for Thiel. He’s carved out a successful path for himself in the sport that includes the 2024 Interstate Racing Association (IRA) championship, and now he’s ready to make the final step to competing with the nation’s best Sprint Car drivers every week.

“At the end of this year, I started talking with Greg,” Thiel explained. “He didn’t really have any plans set for this coming season but mentioned doing a lot of races and maybe picking and choosing. I’m at the point in my life where I don’t really want to do that, just race to race. I want to race with a purpose and achieve a goal of racing full-time with the World of Outlaws.

“He was building up equipment over the years it seemed like, and the way that he laid it out to me, how we could run this thing kind of allowed me to build a package that I’m comfortable with.”

Thiel enters his maiden voyage with the World of Outlaws on the heels of a strong 2025. He topped seven main events in 40 nights of action, including four with IRA. A trio of his wins were at tracks on the 2026 World of Outlaws calendar: Plymouth Dirt Track, Angell Park Speedway, and Eldora Speedway.

Greg Wheeler Motorsports (GWM) had its own solid year in 2025 with Max Guilford behind the wheel of the No. 16C. They won three races together with IRA and finished fifth in points.

Now, Thiel and GWM are ready to join forces and see what they can do with The Greatest Show on Dirt. Thiel has worked hard to get to this point, and he intends to make the most of it.

“I didn’t think I’d ever be in this position with a program that is really able to go do this,” Thiel said. “I’m very grateful and excited for that. It’s going to be a stretch to get everything put together here, but we only have four races we have to worry about right away, and then we have a little break again, so we’ll be okay. I’m just really looking forward to the opportunity and just being able to use this leverage to build the program even more and racing with the best.”

Thiel and the Greg Wheeler Motorsports team kick off the 2026 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car season at Volusia Speedway Park’s Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals on Feb. 4-7 in Barberville, FL. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

For the complete 2026 schedule, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, catch every lap of the campaign live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/scotty-thiel-greg-wheeler-motorsports-partner-for-rookie-world-of-outlaws-tour-in-2026/

FAN 101: https://about.worldofoutlaws.com/

Logan Schuchart Set for 13th World of Outlaws Season with Shark Racing

Luke Ritz

CONCORD, NC (December 9, 2025) - One of the best stories in Sprint Car Racing is set to add another chapter in 2026. Logan Schuchart and Shark Racing have announced their return to the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series for their 13th consecutive campaign.

The Hanover, PA native is fresh off securing a fourth-place result in the 2025 standings with The Greatest Show on Dirt, his fifth time finishing within the top five against the nation’s top talent. He tallied a pair of victories, 13 podiums, 32 top fives, 53 top 10s, 13 Heat wins, and 31 Dash appearances this year.

Schuchart and the team owned by his grandfather, Bobby Allen, hit the road with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series in 2014. Many expected a lack of resources and experience to end their campaign early. But the calendar kept turning, and the Shark No. 1S kept pulling into dirt tracks across the country.

Determination and an unwavering willingness to finish what they started powered them to completing that first season.

Fast forward 11 years, and the pages of this feel-good story are still being written with no final chapter in sight.

The 32-year-old’s career résumé includes 44 victories (20th all-time) at 24 tracks, 151 podiums, 274 top fives, and 515 top 10s. He also won the highest-paying race in the sport’s history in 2023 at Eldora Speedway’s Eldora Million.

Schuchart and the Shark Racing team begin the 2026 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car campaign at Volusia Speedway Park’s Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals on Feb. 4-7. For tickets, CLICK HERE. Schuchart will compete in a Federated Auto Parts-backed ride at the season opening event before the DuraMAX No. 1S debuts at Volusia’s Bike Week Jamboree on March 1-2.

For the complete 2026 schedule, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, catch every lap live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/logan-schuchart-set-for-13th-world-of-outlaws-season-with-shark-racing/

FAN 101: https://about.worldofoutlaws.com/

Donny Schatz Joins CJB Motorsports for 2026 World of Outlaws Campaign

Tyler Carr

CONCORD, NC (December 8, 2025) - Donny Schatz has secured a new home at CJB Motorsports for the 2026 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series season.

This pairs the 10-time Series champion with renowned crew chief Barry Jackson as Schatz enters his 30th consecutive full season with The Greatest Show on Dirt.

The move also marks a return to the World of Outlaws for CJB Motorsports, which last competed on tour in 2023 with Spencer Bayston. The Chad and Ann Marie Clemens-owned team was founded in 2005 and owns 52 triumphs with The Greatest Show on Dirt, supplied by drivers David Gravel (32), Paul McMahan (13), Spencer Bayston (four), Fred Rahmer (two), and Shane Stewart (one). Schatz’s joining expands CJB to a two-car organization.

The Fargo, ND driver will aim to add his name to the list and expand upon his all-time great résumé. His 10 World of Outlaws championships trail only Steve Kinser’s tally of 20 titles. His 316 career Series wins rank third behind Steve Kinser (690) and Sammy Swindell (394). Overall, he’s won more than 500 Sprint Car Features in his historic career. Among them are 11 Knoxville Nationals (second most), six Kings Royals (second most), and six National Opens (most).

It’s a brand-new chapter for Schatz, who parted ways with Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing in August, ending a run that began in 2008. Schatz completed his 29th campaign splitting time driving for Tod Quiring, Dave Lunstra, Kevin Kozlowski, and Jason Sides. The 48-year-old will continue to carry his familiar No. 15 as he pursues an 11th championship.

Schatz and the CJB team begin the 2026 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car season with the Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals at Barberville, FL’s Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 4-7. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

For the complete 2026 schedule, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, catch every lap live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/donny-schatz-joins-cjb-motorsports-for-2026-world-of-outlaws-campaign/

FAN 101: https://about.worldofoutlaws.com/

The 2026 schedule welcomes back tracks after absences, features three races paying at least $200,000 to the winner, and maintains many fan favorites

Dave Olson

The 2026 schedule welcomes back tracks after absences, features three races paying at least $200,000 to the winner, and maintains many fan favorites

CONCORD, NC (December 4, 2025) - The 2026 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series schedule is here.

The Greatest Show on Dirt is all set for an 86-night national campaign that travels to at least 40 tracks in nearly half the nation’s states and one Canadian province.

The tour’s 49th season of showcasing the country’s top Sprint Car talent begins on the first week of February in the Florida sunshine and wraps up nine months later in North Carolina. In between, the teams will return to several tracks that are back after multi-year absences, travel to new facilities, compete in the sport’s most prestigious and richest races, and visit several staples of the calendar.

“We’re very excited about 2026 with the schedule we’ve assembled,” said Series Director Carlton Reimers. “The coast-to-coast campaign continues to bring the biggest events of the year, along with new events, new facilities, and many fan favorites. They all combine to create what promises to be another excellent season of The Greatest Show on Dirt.”

FLORIDA IN FEBRUARY

The tradition of kicking off the campaign in Florida continues in 2026 as the Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals open the season at Barberville, FL’s Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 4-7. Four straight nights of racing are punctuated by the annual crowning of a Big Gator champion. For DIRTcar Nationals tickets, CLICK HERE.

The Florida fun isn’t done when February wraps up. The World of Outlaws will return to Volusia on March 1-2 for the Bike Week Jamboree as the four-wheel and two-wheel worlds collide in the “Sunshine State.”

WELCOME BACK

Nodak Speedway (May 31): A North Dakota track returns to the schedule as Minot’s Nodak Speedway welcomes the World of Outlaws back on a Sunday in May. Nodak has hosted the tour on 13 occasions, most recently in 2018, and five of them have been won by hometown hero Donny Schatz.

Hartford Speedway (June 5): From one returning northern track to another. The World of Outlaws head back to Michigan’s Hartford Speedway for the first time since 2019 to open the month of June. Two-time and reigning Series champion David Gravel has topped the last two trips to Hartford.

Belleville High Banks (Sept. 11): Get the radar guns out for the speeds that the best Sprint Car drivers in the world are sure to reach at Belleville High Banks in 2026. Next year’s visit will close a 14-year hiatus from the Kansas dirt track for the World of Outlaws.

Dodge City Raceway Park (Sept. 12): The Kansas weekend is capped with the World of Outlaws heading back to Dodge City Raceway Park for the first time since 2020. With 27 past races in the history books in the town where Wyatt Earp locked up outlaws, Dodge City is the most visited “Sunflower State” track for the World of Outlaws.

Mansfield Speedway (Oct. 9): It’s been 44 years since Sammy Swindell won the most recent World of Outlaws race at Ohio’s Mansfield Speedway, but the long absence ends in 2026. Matt Tift revived the “Buckeye State” oval and is bringing The Greatest Show on Dirt to town as a part of Sheldon Haudenschild’s NOS Energy Drink Buckeye Brawl Weekend. Haudenschild’s event is expanding to three days next year, and Mansfield will be the meat in the Ohio sandwich between Millstream Speedway and Sharon Speedway.

NEW TRACKS

Creek County Speedway (March 21): The first new track for the World of Outlaws in 2026 puts the tour on Tulsa time. A little southwest of the city that’s home to the Chili Bowl lies Creek County Speedway. The Oklahoma oval has been a regular stop for the American Sprint Car Series over the years and is ready for its debut on the World of Outlaws calendar.

Texarkana 67 Speedway (Oct. 23-24): Texarkana 67 Speedway will welcome the tour for the first time for a huge fall weekend. It’s two events in one at the Arkansas oval. Friday’s opener will be the seventh Jason Johnson Classic as the tour honors the “Ragin’ Cajun.” Then for the finale, the World of Outlaws will sanction the historic Short Track Nationals. Both nights at Texarkana will dish out at least $20,000 to the winner.

CROWN JEWELS

Huset’s High Bank Nationals (June 17-20): Huset’s Speedway continues to help push Sprint Car racing forward with huge events, and the Brandon, SD track’s biggest grows even more in 2026. The BillionAuto.com Huset’s High Bank Nationals again packs two separate events into one with the Huset’s Hustle (June 17-18) kicking off the week and handing out $150,000 to the winner. Then, the focus shifts to the final two nights of the High Bank Nationals where the winner of the finale will bank a World of Outlaws record $300,000. Ticket packages are on sale and can be purchased by CLICKING HERE.

43rd Kings Royal (July 17-18): All eyes will be on Eldora Speedway in mid-July as the country’s best drivers contend for the crown in the 43rd running of the Kings Royal. The Knight Before starts the weekend on Friday before a King sits atop the throne on Saturday. Earl Baltes birthed the event in 1984, and Tony Stewart and Levi Jones continue to ensure the crown shines even brighter. The 2026 King will not only be granted Sprint Car royalty, but they’ll also be awarded $200,000 in spoils.

65th Knoxville Nationals (Aug. 12-15): The destination is Iowa’s Knoxville Raceway for the entire sport in mid-August. It’s simple. If you’re a Sprint Car driver, the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s is atop the list of races to win. Next year’s 65th running boasts a $200,000 champion’s check above the most generous purse from top to bottom in the sport. The “Granddaddy of ’Em All” is one of three races on the 2026 schedule paying at least $200,000-to-win. Ticket packages are on sale and can be purchased by CLICKING HERE.

64th National Open (Oct. 2-3): Sprint Car racing’s fiercest rivalry heats up in October for the biggest clash between the World of Outlaws and the Pennsylvania Posse. Williams Grove Speedway is the battleground as the two sides face off for big bragging rights and major money at the 64th running of the National Open. The 2026 champion will take home $75,000.

SWITCHING IT UP

Memorial Day Weekend’s New Home: Late May looks a little different in 2026 as the World of Outlaws head to Knoxville Raceway (May 23) and Huset’s Speedway (May 24) on Memorial Day weekend. The Stars and Stripes Salute will pay $20,000-to-win each night.

Busy Northeast Swing: After a King is crowned at Eldora in July, a busy swing through the northeast takes a new shape in 2026. First up, it’s straight across the border into Canada for the Federated Auto Parts Six Nations Showdown at Ohsweken Speedway on Tuesday-Wednesday, July 21-22. Then Weedsport becomes a two-day weekend once again on July 25-26. Three straight battles with the PA Posse close out the stretch with visits to BAPS Motor Speedway on July 29 and Williams Grove Speedway on July 31-Aug. 1 for the Summer Nationals. The finales of Ohsweken, Weedsport, and Williams Grove are all set to hand out $20,000 to the winner.

ALL DIRT ROADS: 2026 will mark the 20th consecutive season that the World of Outlaws punctuate the year at The Dirt Track at Charlotte.

The World of Outlaws World Finals brings the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, World of Outlaws Late Model Series, and Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modifieds together in the “Queen City” to complete each of their campaigns and crown champions, Nov. 4-7.

If you can’t make it to the track, catch every lap of the 2026 season live on DIRTVision.

2026 WORLD OF OUTLAWS NOS ENERGY DRINK SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE:

Wednesday-Saturday, Feb. 4-7: Volusia Speedway Park (Barberville, FL) BUY TICKETS
Sunday-Monday, March 1-2: Volusia Speedway Park (Barberville, FL) BUY TICKETS
Friday, March 6: Talladega Short Track (Eastaboga, AL)
Saturday, March 7: Magnolia Motor Speedway (Columbus, MS)
Friday-Saturday, March 13-14: Kennedale Speedway Park (Kennedale, TX)
Friday, March 20: Lawton Speedway (Lawton, OK)
Saturday, March 21: Creek County Speedway (Sapulpa, OK)
Friday, March 27: US 36 Raceway (Osborn, MO)
Saturday, March 28: 81 Speedway (Wichita, KS)
Friday-Saturday, April 10-11: I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park (Pevely, MO)
Friday, April 17: Jacksonville Speedway (Jacksonville, IL)
Saturday, April 18: Tri-State Speedway (Haubstadt, IN)
Friday-Saturday, April 24-25: Knoxville Raceway (Knoxville, IA)
Friday, May 1: Attica Raceway Park (Attica, OH)
Saturday, May 2: Sharon Speedway (Hartford, OH)
Tuesday, May 5: Lincoln Speedway (Abbottstown, PA)
Friday-Saturday, May 8-9: Williams Grove Speedway (Mechanicsburg, PA)
Friday-Saturday, May 15-16: Eldora Speedway (Rossburg, OH)
Saturday, May 23: Knoxville Raceway (Knoxville, IA)
Sunday, May 24: Huset’s Speedway (Brandon, SD) BUY TICKETS
Friday, May 29: River Cities Speedway (Grand Forks, ND)
Sunday, May 31: Nodak Speedway (Minot, ND)
Friday, June 5: Hartford Speedway (Hartford, MI)
Saturday, June 6: Plymouth Dirt Track (Plymouth, WI)
Sunday, June 7: Angell Park Speedway (Sun Prairie, WI)
Friday-Saturday, June 12-13: Knoxville Raceway (Knoxville, IA)
Wednesday-Saturday, June 17-20: Huset’s Speedway (Brandon, SD) BUY TICKETS
Friday-Saturday, June 26-27: Cedar Lake Speedway (New Richmond, WI)
Friday-Saturday, July 10-11: Wilmot Raceway (Wilmot, WI)
Tuesday, July 14: Attica Raceway Park (Attica, OH)
Friday-Saturday, July 17-18: Eldora Speedway (Rossburg, OH)
Tuesday-Wednesday, July 21-22: Ohsweken Speedway (Ohsweken, ON, Canada) BUY TICKETS
Saturday-Sunday, July 25-26: Weedsport Speedway (Weedsport, NY)
Wednesday, July 29: BAPS Motor Speedway (York Haven, PA)
Friday-Saturday, July 31-Aug. 1: Williams Grove Speedway (Mechanicsburg, PA)
Friday-Saturday, Aug. 7-8: I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park (Pevely, MO) BUY TICKETS
Wednesday-Saturday, Aug. 12-15: Knoxville Raceway (Knoxville, IA) BUY TICKETS
Friday, Aug. 21: Ogilvie Raceway (Ogilvie, MN)
Saturday, Aug. 22: Jackson Motorplex (Jackson, MN)
Friday, Aug. 28: River Cities Speedway (Grand Forks, ND)
Saturday, Aug. 29: Red River Valley Speedway (West Fargo, ND)
Friday-Sunday, Sept. 4-6: Huset’s Speedway (Brandon, SD)
Friday, Sept. 11: Belleville High Banks (Belleville, KS)
Saturday, Sept. 12: Dodge City Raceway Park (Dodge City, KS)
Friday-Saturday, Sept. 18-19: TBA (West Coast)
Friday-Saturday, Sept. 25-26: TBA (West Coast)
Friday-Saturday, Oct. 2-3: Williams Grove Speedway (Mechanicsburg, PA)
Thursday, Oct. 8: Millstream Speedway (Findlay, OH)
Friday, Oct. 9: Mansfield Speedway (Mansfield, OH)
Saturday, Oct. 10: Sharon Speedway (Hartford, OH)
Friday, Oct. 16: Lincoln Park Speedway (Putnamville, IN)
Saturday, Oct. 17: TBA
Friday-Saturday, Oct. 23-24: Texarkana 67 Speedway (Texarkana, AR)
Wednesday-Saturday, Nov. 4-7: The Dirt Track at Charlotte (Concord, NC)

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/2026-schedule-86-night-calendar-highlighted-by-several-returning-tracks-huge-paydays-new-look-swings/

FAN 101: https://about.worldofoutlaws.com/

AMERICAN SPRINT CAR SERIES

/www.ascsracing.com

The American Sprint Car Series was founded in 1992, comprised of regional races primarily in the Southwest region. It then went national in 1993 and has become the premier 360 Sprint Car Series in the country, while still sanctioning nine regional series that include 360 Sprint Cars, 410 Sprint Cars and Non-Wing Sprint Cars. ASCS is supported by DIRTVision, Hoosier Racing Tire, Honest Abe Roofing, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, Real American Beer (Official Beer), Smith Titanium, SIS Insurance, WEDG High Performance Karts, and VP Racing

Tyler Courtney Goes Back-to-Back with American Sprint Car Series at Volusia

BARBERVILLE, FL (Jan. 30, 2026) — America’s second Sprint Car race of 2026 gave fans one they’ll remember through the end of the year with multiple lead changes, hard charges and a hectic final 10 laps.

In the end, Tyler Courtney stood above all the others for the second night in-a-row at Volusia Speedway Park after topping the field Thursday night in his first race back in over six months. The 31-year-old Indianapolis native drove from fourth to the lead in the final four circuits around the historic 1/2-mile oval to secure his third career American Sprint Car Series victory as part of the 55th Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals.

“It was just chaotic,” Courtney said.

Coming from sixth on the starting grid, Courtney made the move on the opening lap to climb to third behind Brian Brown and Cameron Martin. Not long after, Courtney slipped past Brown to take second on Lap 6 and began to hunt down leader Martin, who held a gap of nearly a second-and-a-half at that point.

But before Courtney could make a move for the lead, fourth-starting Cole Macedo’s No. 2C car came to life, ducking underneath Courtney to take third on Lap 16 and sailing around the outside of Martin for the lead two laps later.

For a moment, Courtney’s charge appeared to be stalling in his difficulty getting by Martin. Once he did on Lap 20, Martin battled back to retake third, and on Lap 21, 10th-starting Brock Zearfoss went by both of them into the runner-up spot.

With time running out and the leaders coming up on lapped traffic, Courtney dug deep and found the speed he needed.

“They kinda got caught up behind the lap cars and we were able to sneak by them there,” Courtney said. “[Flagman] was holding up two-to-go, so I just held it wide-open and hope we made it to the end.”

Out of Turn 4 on Lap 23, Courtney sailed around the outside of a lapped car and Zearfoss to retake third. With a burst of speed down the frontstretch, he charged into Turn 1 with a run on Macedo and zoomed past him into the lead out of Turn 2.

“I thought once [Macedo] got the lead with how the track was there, I figured he’d kinda take off with it,” Courtney said. “But what’s the saying, ‘It’s never over ‘til the fat lady sings.’ I just never gave up, put my nose back down and dug deep to put it back here in Victory Lane.”

Courtney led the field to the white flag and back around to collect the checkered and the $3,000 prize with Macedo behind him in second and Zearfoss in third. Martin faded back to fourth while Austin McCarl completed his charge from 14th into the top five.

The most notable charge of the race came from 23rd-starting Brady Bacon in the Chris Dyson Racing No. 20. After electrical issues in his Heat Race, the Oklahoma native transferred in through the Smith Titanium Last Chance Showdown and drove all the way up to eighth by the checkered flag of the Feature.

UP NEXT

The American Sprint Car Series is back in action at Volusia Speedway Park on Saturday, Jan. 31, for its 30-lap, $12,000-to-win finale in the 55th Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals.

Grandstand gates will open at 3 p.m. and Hot Laps are scheduled for 4 p.m. Tickets are on sale in advance; click here to purchase.

Where can you watch every American Sprint Car Series race in 2026? Live on DIRTVision.

FEATURE RESULTS

Feature (25 Laps): 1. 7BC-Tyler Courtney[6]; 2. 2C-Cole Macedo[4]; 3. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss[10]; 4. 4-Cameron Martin[2]; 5. 88W-Austin McCarl[14]; 6. 2-Whit Gastineau[3]; 7. 27-Emerson Axsom[5]; 8. 20-Brady Bacon[23]; 9. 6S-Tyler Clem[8]; 10. 21-Brian Brown[1]; 11. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr[12]; 12. 28F-Davie Franek[7]; 13. 44-Chris Martin[9]; 14. 17GP-Hank Davis[11]; 15. 95-Matt Covington[21]; 16. 5K-Danny Sams III[22]; 17. 88R-Ryder Laplante[13]; 18. 32B-Dale Blaney[15]; 19. 45X-Kyler Johnson[16]; 20. 3-Cole Schroeder[17]; 21. 01-Jadan Bowling[24]; 22. 16G-Austyn Gossel[19]; 23. 0-Glenn Styres[20]; 24. 88C-Brogan Carder[18]

ARTICLE: https://ascsracing.com/recap/tyler-courtney-goes-back-to-back-with-american-sprint-car-series-at-volusia/
PHOTO CREDIT: Emily Schwanke

EVENT INFO: https://dirtcarnationals.com/
TRACK INFO: https://volusiaspeedwaypark.com/
FAN 101: https://ascsracing.com/about/

Tyler Courtney Wins ASCS Opener at Volusia in Return to Racing

Emily Schwanke

BARBERVILLE, FL (Jan. 29, 2026) — It was never a question if Tyler Courtney would get back to Victory Lane in a Sprint Car, but a question of when. As it turns out, he didn’t have to wait long.

In his first race back in the seat of the NOS Energy Drink, Clauson Marshall Racing No. 7BC since a hard crash that sidelined him last July, the Indianapolis native broke through to Victory Lane, taking the lead on Lap 22 and leading the final four circuits around Volusia Speedway Park to win the American Sprint Car Series season opener in the kickoff to the 55th Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals.

“I think you always have to think it’s possible to go do it, but I didn’t have the expectation to do it,” Courtney said. “I think, in the back of my mind, I really wanted to. It’s a good way to build your confidence back up. Sitting at home thinking about a lot of stuff, it really kicks you in the dirt. But I’ve got a great team behind me, and they’ve been behind me since day one in the hospital, all the way to tonight.

“Tonight, it proved to me, to my team, and everybody that’s in my support system, that I’m where I need to be and that’s behind the wheel of a racecar.”

The 31-year-old took the green flag from third on the starting grid and slipped back to fifth on the opening lap, where he stayed until he got by Whit Gastineau for fourth on Lap 7. After a red flag halted the action on Lap 10, Courtney immediately picked up his rhythm once again and began reeling in the top three drivers.

Up first was third-place Brady Bacon, who Courtney got by after trading slidejobs with on Lap 14. Next was Brian Brown, who was over 1.2 seconds ahead when Courtney took the third spot. Once he made the pass to Brown’s outside on Lap 18, Courtney began work on leader Austin McCarl, who held a gap of 1.6 seconds with under eight laps left.

“I think once I got to Brown and got clear of him, I was like, okay, if everything kinda goes my way here, we can win this race,” Courtney said. “But it’s still tough. Austin’s a great racecar driver. Any race nowadays is not easy to come by. Still had to work for it to get by him there.”

Despite the gap McCarl maintained, Courtney found the bottom lane in Turns 3–4 and erased the deficit in only four laps. He snuck by to McCarl’s inside out of Turn 4 to take the lead on Lap 22 and held on for his second career American Sprint Car Series Feature win.

“For me, through this whole thing, I’ve learned to appreciate everything,” Courtney said. “Not even just with racing, but everything in life. It can be taken from you in the blink of an eye. I thought my last race had ended in a helicopter ride out of Eldora, and so tonight, to show back up here after six months and park that thing in Victory Lane meant the world to me.”

Bacon charged to the runner-up spot in the final circuits to cross the stripe in second while McCarl shuffled back to third. Brown crossed in fourth and defending Series champion Sam Hafertepe Jr. rounded out the top five.

UP NEXT

The American Sprint Car Series is back in action at Volusia Speedway Park on Friday, Jan. 30, for the second of three nights of racing as part of Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals. Tickets are on sale online in advance; click here to purchase.

Where can you watch every American Sprint Car Series race? Live on DIRTVision.

FEATURE RESULTS

Feature (25 Laps): 1. 7BC-Tyler Courtney[3]; 2. 20-Brady Bacon[4]; 3. 88W-Austin McCarl[2]; 4. 21-Brian Brown[6]; 5. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr[8]; 6. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss[16]; 7. 44-Chris Martin[7]; 8. 2-Whit Gastineau[1]; 9. 27-Emerson Axsom[11]; 10. 28F-Davie Franek[5]; 11. 2C-Cole Macedo[22]; 12. 01-Jadan Bowling[17]; 13. 6S-Tyler Clem[18]; 14. 45-Nick Sheridan[14]; 15. 23-Seth Bergman[15]; 16. 5C-DJ Christie[21]; 17. 95-Matt Covington[12]; 18. 5-Ryder McCutcheon[24]; 19. 17GP-Hank Davis[13]; 20. 4-Cameron Martin[9]; 21. 7-Jordan Thomas[19]; 22. 5K-Danny Sams III[10]; 23. (DNS) 32B-Dale Blaney; 24. (DNS) 88R-Ryder Laplante

ARTICLE: https://ascsracing.com/recap/hello-sunshine-tyler-courtney-wins-ascs-opener-at-volusia-in-return-to-racing/
PHOTO CREDIT: Emily Schwanke Photo

EVENT INFO: https://dirtcarnationals.com/
TRACK INFO: https://volusiaspeedwaypark.com/
FAN 101: https://ascsracing.com/about/

Bacon Wins DIRTcar Nationals Finale; Courtney Crowned Big Gator Champion

Emily Schwanke

BARBERVILLE, FL (Feb. 2, 2026) — Volusia Speedway Park keeps on producing.

New champions. New winners. Unforgettable races.

Monday night, the historic 1/2-mile oval was the site of another thrilling American Sprint Car Series event, where Oklahoma native Brady Bacon scored his first career win at the Florida track and a $12,000 grand prize in the finale to the 360 Sprint Car portion of the 55th Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals.

Following a fourth-place finish in the 30-lap main event, Tyler Courtney, of Indianapolis, IN, was crowned points champion for his efforts over the three-race stretch, which included back-to-back wins for he and the Clauson Marshall Racing team last Thursday and Friday. Courtney was awarded the iconic Big Gator trophy for the first time in his career, topping Bacon and Iowa racer Austin McCarl in the final points tally.

Outside front-row starter Brian Brown took the lead at the drop of the green flag while polesitter Sam Hafertepe Jr. gave chase with Bacon in tow. As Brown reached the rear of the field on Lap 9 with Hafertepe right on his bumper, Bacon closed in on both and took his shot at the lead on Lap 10 with a slidejob on both cars in Turn 1.

But Brown was quick to battle back, taking the top spot back with a big run out of Turn 2. Down the backstretch the Missouri veteran zoomed past Bacon and into the lead again, while Hafertepe capitalized a big run on the outside through Turns 3 and 4 to retake second, but not without contact with Bacon’s No. 20 as they reached the flag stand.

Both drivers were able to keep going, and Bacon once again came back with a big run out of Turn 2 to retake second from Hafertepe. Bacon stepped hard on the throttle and in two laps had whittled Brown’s lead down to nothing as they reached the backstretch on Lap 13.

With a burst of speed into Turn 3, Bacon drove his car deep down to the bottom lane and slid up in front of Brown and a lapped car through Turn 4 to take the lead for the first time in the race.

“I knew that lapped traffic was gonna mean everything,” Bacon said. “We’ve been really good in traffic this week. [Brown] had kinda struggled. But if the good guys get out front in clean air, they’re gonna be hard to pass. So, you’ve gotta capitalize when you can.”

From there, Bacon was the man to beat out front. Despite two restarts after caution periods, “The Macho Man” was untouchable, driving away from his competition with the lead and never looking back en route to his 15th career American Sprint Car Series Feature win and first since April 2018.

For his efforts, Bacon was presented with his first gator trophy — a standout piece in his large collection of open-wheel racing accolades as an accomplished Winged and Non-Wing Sprint Car talent.

“It’s really cool; my kids will like it. I might have to arm wrestle Sean (Michael, crew chief) for it,” Bacon said. “We’ll have to do some trading with the check or maybe switch on-and-off custody or something.”

Indiana native Emerson Axsom was able to move up to second by the checkered flag while McCarl completed the podium. Courtney crossed in fourth while Brown hung on to finish fifth.

UP NEXT

The American Sprint Car Series returns to action Feb. 21–22 at Central Arizona’s Avanti Raceway Park in Casa Grande, AZ, for the first of two race weekends in the inaugural Sonoran Clash. Tickets for the event will be sold at the track on race day.

Where can you watch every race of the 2026 American Sprint Car Series season? Live on DIRTVision.

FEATURE RESULTS (view full results)

Feature (30 Laps): 1. 20-Brady Bacon[3]; 2. 27-Emerson Axsom[7]; 3. 88W-Austin McCarl[5]; 4. 7BC-Tyler Courtney[4]; 5. 21-Brian Brown[2]; 6. 2C-Cole Macedo[10]; 7. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr[1]; 8. 88R-Ryder Laplante[18]; 9. 5K-Danny Sams III[13]; 10. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss[8]; 11. 5C-DJ Christie[16]; 12. 2-Whit Gastineau[6]; 13. 16G-Austyn Gossel[20]; 14. 44-Chris Martin[9]; 15. 95-Matt Covington[11]; 16. 28F-Davie Franek[12]; 17. 3-Cole Schroeder[17]; 18. 45X-Kyler Johnson[14]; 19. 10SR-Paulie Colagiovanni[23]; 20. 5-Ryder McCutcheon[22]; 21. 23-Seth Bergman[19]; 22. 88-Terry Easum[25]; 23. G5-Gage Pulkrabek[24]; 24. 17GP-Hank Davis[15]; 25. 6S-Tyler Clem[21]; 26. 88C-Brogan Carder[26]

ARTICLE: https://ascsracing.com/recap/bacon-wins-dirtcar-nationals-finale-courtney-crowned-big-gator-champion/
PHOTO CREDIT: Emily Schwanke

EVENT INFO: https://dirtcarnationals.com/
TRACK INFO: https://volusiaspeedwaypark.com/
FAN 101: https://ascsracing.com/about/

CONCORD, NC (Jan. 28, 2026) — Austyn Gossel’s third full-time season with the American Sprint Car Series is on the horizon, and there’s one goal that stands above all others.

Victory Lane eluded the 25-year-old Colorado native in his rookie and sophomore seasons. But there’s plenty of reason to believe 2026 will be different as he tackles the full schedule aboard the BG Automotive, Shark Racing Engines-powered Triple X Chassis No. 16G.

“That’s very, very high on my list this year; I’m very hungry and motivated to get to the top step,” Gossel said. “I know I left quite a bit on the table last year. We’re planning on doing a bunch of races this year and keeping me fresh. I know we’re capable of winning somewhere down the line.”

The former Non-Wing and asphalt Sprint Car driver felt the grind of his rookie campaign in 2024, posting only six top-10 finishes in 27 Feature starts. Last year, Gossel grew leaps and bounds in his second year on the road, compiling two podiums, five top-fives and seven top-10 finishes in 26 starts.

The biggest sign of his progress came in June at Batesville Motor Speedway, where he led the first 13 laps of the Feature. Though an untimely crash dashed his chances for victory, the run stood as a benchmark of his true potential.

“Running with the best 360 guys, they’ve really been teaching me a lot,” Gossel said. “I’ve become pretty good friends with a lot of guys like Sam (Hafertepe Jr.), Matt (Covington), Zach (Blurton). They’ve all taught me a lot in how to race. My time will be coming.”

This Thursday–Saturday, Gossel opens his 2026 season at Volusia Speedway Park, where he debuted at the Florida 1/2-mile oval one year ago. Though he struggled to qualify for a Feature, the laps he turned there and at tracks similar and size throughout 2025 have given him a more positive outlook at taking on the historic facility this time around.

“Last year, I feel like we were just lacking some speed,” Gossel said. “That goes along with [Qualifying]. I still was struggling getting a good time in last year in the beginning, and I feel like we progressed over the year. Having Bobby (Craft, crew chief) now, I feel like we’re gonna be better off.”

The 35th American Sprint Car Series season gets underway Thursday–Saturday, Jan. 29–31, at Volusia Speedway Park in the 55th Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals. Tickets are on sale now; click here to purchase.

How can you watch the American Sprint Car Series? Live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://ascsracing.com/news/austyn-gossel-hungry-and-motivated-for-first-win-in-2026-american-sprint-car-series-campaign/
PHOTO CREDIT: Emily Schwanke
FAN 101: https://ascsracing.com/about/

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: ASCS Regulars Meet 410 Invaders in 35th Season Opener at Volusia

Emily Schwanke

BARBERVILLE, FL (Jan. 27, 2026) — The curtain rises on the 35th season of American Sprint Car Series racing this weekend at one of the fastest and most historic racetracks drivers will contest all year – Volusia Speedway Park.

The 1/2-mile oval hosts the kickoff to Florida’s largest dirt track racing events with three consecutive nights of racing in the 55th Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals, Thursday–Saturday, Jan. 29–31. Thursday and Friday’s main events will go 25 laps and award $3,000 to the winner, while the finale on Saturday will go 30 laps with a $12,000 winner’s share.

In addition to the main event purse, the top three finishers in the week-long Big Gator Championship points will receive a cash bonus — $2,000 to the champion, $1,000 to the runner-up and $500 to third place. The iconic DIRTcar Nationals Big Gator trophy will also be awarded to the points champion.

Points toward the overall American Sprint Car Series championship standings will be awarded to each driver based on rank in the final DIRTcar Nationals points standings. All three races will count as a single event toward the standings, meaning the Big Gator champion will earn 150 points, runner-up will earn 142 points, third place receives 135 points and so on, according to the ASCS Feature points scale.

Tickets for each day of the Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals are on sale online in advance (click here to purchase) and will also be sold at the track on race day.

Where can you watch every American Sprint Car Series event in 2026? Live on DIRTVision.

Here are the drivers to watch and storylines to follow this weekend:

DRIVE FOR SEVEN — After locking up his sixth American Sprint Car Series championship last November, Sam Hafertepe Jr. begins his quest for a seventh national points title this weekend.

Hafertepe, 40, of Sunnyvale, TX, won 11 Features on the national circuit last year and comes into Volusia as the odds-on favorite for the points championship. During the season opener last January, he was one of only three drivers to start all three main events and produced the best average finish among them at 7.0, which included a podium finish on opening night.

Hafertepe also stands as the most experienced driver on the full-time roster with over 50 Feature starts at the Florida oval — his first coming almost 20 years ago in February 2006.

CHAMPIONSHIP CHASERS — Several drivers that followed the American Sprint Car Series circuit in 2025 will return to the full-time roster in 2026, starting with the first races this weekend. Currently, the list includes Hafertepe, Matt Covington, Kyler Johnson, Austyn Gossel, Ryder Laplante, Terry Easum and Brogan Carder.

Covington, of Glenpool, OK, was the second of three full-timers in 2025 to start all three main events at Volusia, with a best finish of ninth on opening night. He finished runner-up to Hafertepe in the 2025 points standings and will likely be a contender for his first national championship in 2026.

Laplante started Saturday’s main event at Volusia one year ago and finished 18th. Johnson, Gossel, Easum and Carder are all looking for their first main event start at the track.

Additionally, 2024 Series champion Seth Bergman is set to make his Volusia debut this weekend and has indicated his plans to follow the national schedule full-time in 2026. The Snohomish, WA-native made 15 appearances with the Series last year, notching one win at Electric City Speedway in Montana.

SUNSHINE RETURNS — After six months out of the seat, Tyler Courtney returns to Sprint Car racing this weekend aboard the Clauson Marshall Racing No. 7BC.

Courtney, 31, of Indianapolis, IN, was hospitalized after a violent crash at Eldora Speedway last July and underwent spinal fusion surgery to repair his broken T7 vertebrae. After months of recovery and rehabilitation, the national 410 Sprint Car regular is set to return to action at Volusia, making his first start with the American Sprint Car Series since his triumph at Knoxville Raceway’s 360 Knoxville Nationals in 2024.

The two-time United States Auto Club champion has had success at Volusia in the past, notching 13 top-10s, three top-fives and one memorable Feature win with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars in a last-corner pass on Rico Abreu during DIRTcar Nationals in 2024.

OUTLAW INBOUND — The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series has a lone representative installing a 360c.i. engine to compete with the American Sprint Car Series this weekend and get some early track time before World of Outlaws action begins next week.

Cole Macedo, of Lemoore, CA, made his Volusia debut with the 360s one year ago and produced finishes of seventh, second, and fourth in the finale Saturday night. This weekend, the 25-year-old is back behind the wheel of the TwoC Racing No. 2C, owned by 2000 American Sprint Car Series champion Wayne Johnson, before starting his second full season on the national 410 Sprint Car circuit.

410 INVADERS — Multiple other 410 Sprint Car regulars are projected to join the 360 field this weekend, including standouts Brian Brown and Brock Zearfoss.

Brown, of Higginsville, MO, is a familiar face to 360 Sprint Car fans as a 21-time American Sprint Car Series Feature winner. One year ago, the 47-year-old came within one spot of his first Series victory since 2023 and his first career win at Volusia with a runner-up finish to Justin Peck. The following week, he posted finishes of sixth, 13th, 11th, and 15th with the World of Outlaws.

Zearfoss, of Jonestown, PA, will make his first American Sprint Car Series appearances since 2020 in his self-owned No. 3Z. The 35-year-old has made over 30 starts in 410 competition at Volusia with a best finish of seventh with the All-Star Circuit of Champions in 2023.

ARTICLE: https://ascsracing.com/what-to-watch-for/what-to-watch-for-ascs-regulars-meet-410-invaders-in-35th-season-opener-at-volusia/
PHOTO CREDIT: Emily Schwanke

EVENT INFO: https://dirtcarnationals.com/
TRACK INFO: https://volusiaspeedwaypark.com/
FAN 101: https://ascsracing.com/about/

SUN RISING: Tyler Courtney Returns to Sprint Car Racing with ASCS at Volusia

Tim Aylwin

BARBERVILLE, FL (Jan. 26, 2026) — Six months ago, Tyler Courtney laid in a hospital bed recovering from surgery, pondering his future and his odds to ever race a Sprint Car again.

A violent crash in July 2025 destroyed his race car, but not his drive to pursue his passion.

“I think there were times when I didn’t see a lot of progress happening. Those are tough times, I’ll tell you that,” said Courtney, of Indianapolis, IN. “Those are tough times when you kinda think your career might be over.

“But it never stopped me from working hard to get back to where I am now.”

This weekend, the national 410 Sprint Car regular will get back behind the wheel of the Clauson Marshall Racing, NOS Energy Drink No. 7BC for the first time since the accident with a 360c.i. engine under the hood as the American Sprint Car Series opens its 35th season of competition at Volusia Speedway Park.

Over the last 28 weeks, Courtney said he’s spent enough time in doctor’s appointments and physical therapy sessions to last him a lifetime. Being out of the race car was hard for the 31-year-old, but his wait is finally over. It’s time to put the helmet on once again.

“I would say excited is an understatement,” Courtney said. “I live, sleep, breathe, eat and drink racing. So, not doing anything to that nature… obviously, I was around the racetrack, but not being in the car the last six months really eats at you. Being able to get back behind the wheel is… exciting isn’t the right word. If there was a better word than ‘excited’ I’d use it.”

Courtney’s high-speed rollover crash at Eldora Speedway last summer led to safety officials extracting him from his car before medical personnel transported him to a hospital for evaluation. What doctors found forced him out of the seat for the remainder of his 2025 campaign.

“I broke my T7 (vertebrae) and they fused me from T5 to T9,” Courtney said. “I got 10 screws. I know for sure two, but there might be three plates in there, I’m not sure.”

He spent the next four months resting in recovery from the procedure and began physical therapy in November. Courtney also went through a period of wearing glasses to correct double vision — a temporary symptom of cranial nerve damage he suffered in the crash. Now fully healed from injury and cleared by all doctors, “Sunshine” is just thankful for a sense of normalcy to return to his schedule after questioning his future in the sport.

“I don’t think there was ever a point I thought I’d willingly not get back into it, but there were definitely points that I thought in the whole process that I might not be able to,” Courtney said. “Once I got cleared from my doctors, they were kinda up front with me on that, saying that they didn’t think I would be either. But obviously, they can’t just come out and tell you that. They want to keep your hopes up and make you work hard to get back to where you were.

“Obviously, that worked.”

A former standout in the non-winged variety of open-wheel racing, the two-time United States Auto Club champion made a transition to the 410 Winged Sprint Car world full-time in 2021, where he’s spent nearly every minute of his on-track time since. What few 360 Sprint Car starts he’s made in that time have come mostly with the American Sprint Car Series at Knoxville Raceway in the 360 Knoxville Nationals, which he won in 2024.

This Thursday–Saturday, he’ll make his first appearance with the Series since that triumphant night in Iowa.

“I got talking with my team, and I was like, ‘Why don’t we just go down there and run with the 360s? That would probably be a better way for me to kinda get my footing underneath me,’” Courtney said. “Obviously, it’s still fast in a 360 at Volusia, but it’s not quite a 410. So, we decided to go down there and get our feet wet. We put a deal together with our engine builder at Stanton Racing Engines to get a 360 built.”

The speed of the historic Florida 1/2-mile oval that is Volusia Speedway Park is not unfamiliar to Courtney. In 18 career starts, he’s compiled 13 top-10s, three top-fives and one memorable Feature win with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars in a last-corner pass on Rico Abreu.

“I think Volusia’s gonna be a great place, honestly, because it’s typically pretty smooth, it’s fast, and it races well when they have the track right,” Courtney said. “I think it’s gonna be a good place to get me back up to speed. I think speed is the one thing I’ve been lacking over the last six months — the raw speed of everything. Obviously, I’ve driven my streetcar around and stuff, but that’s not going 120 miles an hour around other cars.”

In the early stages of his recovery, Courtney set himself a goal to be fully recovered and ready for competition again by February. Opening night of competition at Volusia lands on January 29. He admits his physical recovery process exceeded his expectations, and he may have found some additional fortitude along the way as well.

“I think it’s made me stronger mentally,” Courtney said. “I always felt like I was pretty strong mentally before, but just not letting anything creep in or deter me from my ultimate goal was important for me to realize. I think the people around me helped me with that.”

His last six months have been difficult. But he’s taken the steps, he’s traveled the road to recovery and is ready for the biggest return of his career with one goal in mind.

“I think, for me, it was more important to prove to people that this can happen to you, but it’s up to me to make it happen and get back to where I was before,” Courtney said. “I think injuries don’t get talked about a lot in our sport; I think it’s just kind of a scary thing. But at the end of the day, racing is dangerous, and these things are gonna happen to people.

“I guess I just wanted to show people that you can get hurt and come back and be who you were before.”

How can you watch the American Sprint Car Series? Live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://ascsracing.com/news/sun-rising-tyler-courtney-returns-to-sprint-car-racing-with-ascs-at-volusia/
PHOTO CREDIT: Trent Gower, Tim Aylwin

EVENT INFO: https://dirtcarnationals.com/
TRACK INFO: https://volusiaspeedwaypark.com/
FAN 101: https://ascsracing.com/about/

1 MONTH ALERT: American Sprint Car Series Debuts at Central Arizona’s Avanti Raceway Park

Tyler Carr

CASA GRANDE, AZ (Jan. 22, 2026) — In one month’s time, national 360 Sprint Car racing will debut in the Sonoran Desert with the arrival of the American Sprint Car Series at Avanti Raceway Park.

The inaugural Sonoran Clash hits the 3/8-mile, high-banked oval — formerly known as Central Arizona Raceway — for two separate Saturday–Sunday stints, Feb. 21–22 and Feb. 28–March 1. Drivers will race for the Series standard $4,000-to-win purse on both Saturday dates and a $6,000-to-win purse on both Sunday dates.

Over the four-race stretch, drivers will earn points toward a special miniseries championship chase, which pays $3,000 to the winner, $2,000 to the runner-up and $1,000 to third place. This is separate from the season-long championship points standings which all drivers earn points by default.

Avanti will mark the fourth different track in “The Copper State” the American Sprint Car Series has raced at in its 34-year history. The most recent Series event in Arizona took place at Canyon Speedway Park in February 2020, won by six-time Series champion Sam Hafertepe Jr. The Series has also contested events at Cocopah Speedway (2012–2017) and USA Raceway (2009–2013).

Hafertepe will lead the charge for the Series regulars into Avanti as the defending Series champion, coming off an 11-win season last year. Matt Covington will follow him into the desert as the next biggest threat for the season-long championship after a runner-up finish in the 2025 points chase.

Tickets for both weekends of the event will be sold at the track on race day.

How can you watch every American Sprint Car Series race? Live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://ascsracing.com/news/1-month-alert-american-sprint-car-series-debuts-at-central-arizonas-avanti-raceway-park/
PHOTO CREDIT: Tyler Carr

EVENT INFO: https://ascsracing.com/schedule/
TRACK INFO: https://www.centralazraceway.com/
FAN 101: https://ascsracing.com/about/

Kyler Johnson Returns to American Sprint Car Series for Fifth Consecutive Campaign

tyler carr

CONCORD, NC (Jan. 21, 2026) — Looking at the record books, few drivers have improved so steadily year-after-year like Kyler Johnson. In 2026, he’s determined to cash in his developed skills for his first American Sprint Car Series victory.

The 22-year-old from Quinter, KS, completed his first tour with the national 360 Sprint Car circuit in 2022, and every year since has sharpened his skills and seen his results improve. That was apparent no more than during the 2025 season, when Johnson recorded a new personal-best four podium finishes, seven top fives and 12 top-10 runs en route to a sixth-place finish in the championship points standings.

The standout finishes were there, but one major milestone eluded his grasp. This year, he’s more focused than ever on getting his first American Sprint Car Series Feature win as he sets out on another yearlong grind across the country.

“This is our fifth year on the national tour, and we’ve definitely gained a lot since the first year we were on tour,” Johnson said. “Just gaining the knowledge and the race craft and being able to put ourselves in contention to win those races. Last year, we did a lot better job of putting ourselves in the Dash and being able to compete for wins, and now we’ve just gotta finish the job.”

One of his biggest career highlights thus far came last September at I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park, where he led 20 laps of the Feature and finished second in the $10,000-to-win event. While he came up one spot short, the run was a symbol of the great strides he’d made to this point on his path to 360 Sprint Car contendership.

Kyler gives a generous slice of credit to his brother, Kahne Johnson, for his role in the standout run. The 20-year-old joined the team over the summer as a crew chief, and his efforts produced immediate results, cutting Kyler’s average finish down to 6.5 from where it stood at 12.5 through the first 11 races of the season.

Kahne will return to help Kyler on the family-owned, Don Ott Racing Engines-powered Maxim Chassis No. 45x for the new year with sights set on that first Feature win and long-term goals of becoming a regular contender at any 360 Sprint Car race in the country.

“We’re looking forward to gaining off what we gathered last year,” Kyler said. “We had a pretty good run there up until the last two–three weekends of the year, and it just kind of left a sour taste in our mouths. We’re looking forward to growing on what we accomplished last year.”

How can you watch the American Sprint Car Series? Live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://ascsracing.com/news/kyler-johnson-returns-to-american-sprint-car-series-for-fifth-consecutive-campaign/
PHOTO CREDIT: Tyler Carr
FAN 101: https://ascsracing.com/about/

2026 SCHEDULE: American Sprint Car Series Visits New Venues, Returning Favorites in 35th Season

Emily Schwanke

CONCORD, NC (Jan. 19, 2026) — With the 35th consecutive season of American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) racing on the horizon, the full schedule has come more into focus, featuring a mix of ASCS staples, new venues and returning favorites.

Thirty-five race dates have been confirmed on the new calendar, which begins at Volusia Speedway Park, Jan. 29–31, as part of the 55th Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals and concludes at Creek County Speedway, Oct. 16–17, in the 11th edition of Fuzzy’s Fall Fling. The national 360 Sprint Car circuit will take drivers to 22 different tracks across 12 states in 10 months.

Drivers will vie for a slice of the $152,000 championship points fund, which awards $40,000 to the champion, $25,000 to the runner-up and $20,000 to third place. Dotted throughout the schedule are several special event purses, including five events with at least $10,000 to win and nine with a minimum $5,000 in store for the winner.

Tickets for each of these events will be sold at the track on race day. If you can’t make it to the track, stream every lap live on DIRTVision.

WHAT’S NEW

Texarkana 67 Speedway (July 11)

Three-time national ASCS champion Tim Crawley welcomes the tour back to his facility at Texarkana 67 Speedway on Saturday, July 11, for the Ralph Henson Memorial. The event salutes the late Little Rock native and will serve as the Series’ 14th appearance at Texarkana. ASCS’ visit to the 3/8-mile oval last June produced the most exciting race of the season, featuring a three-way, back-and-forth battle for the lead for several laps between Matt Covington, Blake Hahn, and race winner Sam Hafertepe Jr.

Worthington Speedway / Viking Speedway (July 30, Aug. 1)

Worthington Speedway was originally slated to host the Series on Friday, July 31, coupling with fellow Minnesota oval Viking Speedway on August 1. Due to a nearby scheduling conflict, ASCS will now make its debut at Worthington on Thursday, July 30, and then head to Viking to race Saturday, Aug. 1, in the two-race event dubbed the Gopher State 360 Challenge. Worthington and Viking will become the third and fourth tracks in the state of Minnesota to host the Series, joining Jackson Motorplex and North Central Speedway.

Riverside International Speedway (Aug. 22)

The historic Riverside International Speedway will host the Series for the 37th time in history in the second running of King of the Ditch. The $5,000-to-win main event ran unsanctioned in 2025 but welcomes the ASCS full-timers in 2026. Arkansas native Derek Hagar swept the weekend in the most recent national ASCS visit in 2024, marking his ninth and 10th career Series victories.

Gallatin Speedway (Sept. 4)

For the first time since 2021, the American Sprint Car Series heads to Gallatin Speedway in Belgrade, MT, to kick off a three-race weekend in “Big Sky Country.” The 3/8-mile oval, which hosts weekly IMCA and WISSOTA action on a weekly basis, has also hosted ASCS Frontier Region action in the past, and welcomes the national Series back for the 10th time on Friday, Sept. 4 before back-to-back nights at fellow Montana oval Electric City Speedway on Sept. 5–6.

Moberly Motorsports Park (Sept. 11-12)

The high-banked, 4/10-mile oval in Moberly, MO, welcomes the American Sprint Car Series back for the first time since its 2017 debut in a two-day event — Friday–Saturday, Sept. 11–12, with a $6,000 winner’s share for Saturday’s program. Moberly has hosted several ASCS-sanctioned events in the past under the Warrior Region banner in addition to the Sprint Invaders and Malvern Bank 360 Sprints.

RPM Speedway (Oct. 10)

The 1/4-mile bullring of RPM Speedway welcomes the Series back for the first time in two years on Saturday, Oct. 10. The track in Crandall, TX, hosted a two-day event for the national Series in October 2024, won by Series champions Seth Bergman and Sam Hafertepe Jr.

MARQUEE EVENTS

55th Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals (Jan. 29–31)

The 55th edition of Florida’s biggest dirt track racing extravaganza will feature the stars of the American Sprint Car Series against several national 410 Sprint Car invaders for the second consecutive year in a three-day 360 Sprint Car showdown at Volusia Speedway Park. The historic, 1/2-mile oval will host two, $3,000-to-win programs on Thursday and Friday before the $12,000-to-win finale on Saturday.

New for 2026 will be an event points fund. Each night, drivers will earn points toward the Big Gator Championship standings. The driver with the most points after all three races will be crowned the DIRTcar Nationals Big Gator champion, hoist the iconic golden gator trophy, and pocket a $2,000 bonus check. The runner-up will take home $1,000 and $500 will go to third place.

To get your tickets for DIRTcar Nationals, click the link below.

DIRTcar NATIONALS TICKETS

Sonoran Clash (Feb. 21–22, Feb. 28–March 1)

For the first time in Series history, Central Arizona Raceway will host the national 360 Sprint Car stars for two separate weekends of action at the 3/8-mile oval in the inaugural running of the Sonoran Clash – Feb. 21-22 and Feb. 29-March 1.

Drivers will compete for a $4,000 payday on both Saturdays, and then a $6,000 check on both Sundays.

Over the four-race stretch, drivers will earn points toward a special miniseries championship chase, which pays $3,000 to the winner, $2,000 to the runner-up and $1,000 to third place.

The Big One (June 26–27)

In July, the Series made its triumphant return to Belleville High Banks for the first time in 11 years. Next June, the historic, 1/2-mile oval welcomes the national 360 Sprint Car stars back in the second running of The Big One.

Friday’s preliminary program will pay $4,000-to-win before drivers compete in the $10,000-to-win, $700-to-start finale on Saturday.

Five-time Series champion Sam Hafertepe Jr. swept the inaugural event in July, beating Kansas native and fellow Series champion Jason Martin in a thrilling, high-speed battle through traffic on Friday before giving a dominant, flag-to-flag performance for the win on Saturday.

360 Knoxville Nationals (Aug. 6–8)

The biggest 360 Sprint Car race in the world goes green at Knoxville Raceway next August in the 36th annual Xtream Powered by Mediacom 360 Knoxville Nationals presented by Great Southern Bank.

Two preliminary nights of action kick things off Thursday and Friday at the historic 1/2-mile oval, setting the stage for the $20,000-to-win finale Saturday night. An additional $15,000 are up for grabs in lap money, making for a possible $35,000 winner’s share.

In August, fans were treated to a thrilling battle for the lead in the closing laps between Rico Abreu and Kyle Larson. Abreu retook the lead in the end and pocketed $34,000 total in his first career 360 Knoxville Nationals title.

Harvey Ostermiller Memorial (Aug. 28–29)

Big Sky Speedway hosts the ninth edition of the Harvey Ostermiller Memorial next August with big money on the line in Big Sky Country.

The 3/8-mile oval, located in Billings, MT, hosts the Series for the 10th time in track history with a two-night program featuring a special purse. The event pays tribute to the late Montana resident and Sprint Car supporter, who helped to build the track before its opening in 2003.

2025 Knoxville Nationals winner Ryan Timms swept the weekend last year in a dominant showing over the 360 Sprint Car regulars, two weeks after his triumph on dirt track racing’s biggest stage.

Fuzzy’s Fall Fling (Oct. 16–17)

The American Sprint Car Series champion will once again be crowned at its homeland in 2026.

Creek County Speedway hosts the 11th edition of Fuzzy’s Fall Fling, paying tribute to one of the Series’ most honorable figures — Fuzzy Hahn — the late wife of track and Series founder, Emmett Hahn. A $4,000 winner’s share is up for grabs on Friday night before a $10,000-to-win finale on Saturday. Following the checkered flag on Saturday comes a special championship celebration, complete with the presentation of the Emmett Hahn Trophy.

NOTE — The dates for this event were moved from its originally announced weekend of Nov. 13–14.

2026 American Sprint Car Series Schedule

Thursday–Saturday, Jan. 29–31 | Volusia Speedway Park | Barberville, FL

Saturday–Sunday, Feb. 21–22 | Central Arizona Speedway | Casa Grande, AZ
Saturday–Sunday, Feb. 28–March 1 | Central Arizona Speedway | Casa Grande, AZ

Saturday, April 11 | Salina Highbanks Speedway | Salina, OK

Friday, May 8 | Benton Speedway | Benton, MO

Saturday, May 9 | Paducah International Raceway | Paducah, KY
Friday, May 29 | TBA

Saturday, May 30 | Salt City Speedway | Hutchinson, KS

Friday, June 5 | Creek County Speedway | Sapulpa, OK

Saturday, June 6 | 81 Speedway | Park City, KS

Saturday, June 13 | Batesville Motor Speedway | Batesville, AR

Saturday, Aug. 1 | Viking Speedway | Alexandria, MN

Thursday–Saturday, Aug. 6–8 | Knoxville Raceway | Knoxville, IA
Friday, Aug. 21 | TBA

Saturday, Aug. 22 | Riverside International Speedway | West Memphis, AR

Friday–Saturday, Aug. 28–29 | Big Sky Speedway | Billings, MT
Friday, Sept. 4 | Gallatin Speedway | Belgrade, MT

Saturday–Sunday, Sept. 5–6 | Electric City Speedway | Great Falls, MT
Friday–Saturday, Sept. 11–12 | Moberly Motorsports Park | Moberly, MO

Sunday, Sept. 13 | Eagle Raceway | Eagle, NE

Saturday, Oct. 10 | RPM Speedway | Crandall, TX

Friday–Saturday, Oct. 16–17 | Creek County Speedway | Sapulpa, OK

ARTICLE: https://ascsracing.com/news/2026-schedule-american-sprint-car-series-visits-new-venues-returning-favorites-in-35th-season/
PHOTO CREDIT: Emily Schwanke
FAN 101: https://ascsracing.com/about/

Covington Focusing on Improving Mind, Body For 2026 ASCS Title Chase

Emily Schwanke

CONCORD, NC (Jan. 16, 2026) — Matt Covington got back into the win column last year and finished runner-up in the chase for the American Sprint Car Series championship. In 2026, he’s more determined than ever to trade his second-best efforts in for his first national Sprint Car crown.

The 36-year-old from Glenpool, OK, has contested 13 full seasons on the national 360 Sprint Car circuit and finished either second or third in the points standings in each of the last five years. Most recently, he was bested by Sam Hafertepe Jr., who clinched his sixth Series championship, winning 11 Features to Covington’s three.

But there’s reason to believe 2026 will be different as he tackles the entire schedule for the 14th time in his career.

“To me, what’s gonna separate a guy from winning three races versus 11 races is trying to work on myself more,” Covington said. “In my opinion, we’re not gonna change something on the car that’s gonna take us from a three-win year to an 11-win year. It’s gonna be deeper than that. I’ve kinda turned the camera around introspectively, tried to work on myself more to see if we can’t find some speed in the cockpit, so to say.”

During the winter of 2024, Covington underwent an operation to fix various nerve issues in his hands and arms, which caused grip issues when holding his steering wheel. Now fully recovered, he’s got no plans of wasting any time when the season begins in two weeks at Volusia Speedway Park, Jan. 29–31.

“I’m feeling pretty strong right now, not having to overcome having a surgery like that,” Covington said. “I hope to help us get off to a faster start, but really not changing anything. We’re coming back the same way with the same mindset we had last year and try to be one spot better.”

The No. 95 team will keep their same Fisher Racing Engines-powered Triple X Chassis for 2026, which is the same package Hafertepe utilizes. But Covington has spent a great deal of time pondering over the ways in which he can be different — both in the mind and body.

“I think if Sam’s not beating me in the chassis department or the engine department, then where’s it at?” Covington said. “I think it’s in the mentality. The dedication, not just in making sure the car’s perfect and all that, but the dedication away from the racetrack. Putting hours in the gym, with how important that last five laps of focus in the car is gonna be.”

Since his first Series victory in 2010, Covington has compiled 22 Feature wins on the national circuit — 13th-most all-time. He’s proud of all he’s accomplished thus far, but no trophy in his cabinet would stand out as much as the coveted Emmett Hahn Trophy as king of the 360 Sprint Car world.

“It would mean a lot. It’d be a dream come true,” Covington said. “That’s why we’ve fought hard to try and do it every year.”

How can you watch the American Sprint Car Series? Live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://ascsracing.com/news/covington-focusing-on-improving-mind-body-for-2026-ascs-title-chase/
PHOTO CREDIT: Emily Schwanke

EVENT INFO: https://dirtcarnationals.com/
TRACK INFO: https://volusiaspeedwaypark.com/
FAN 101: https://ascsracing.com/about/

Sam Hafertepe Jr. to Defend American Sprint Car Series Championship in 2026

Tyler Carr

CONCORD, NC (Jan. 8, 2026) — Sam Hafertepe Jr. made history in 2025, winning his sixth American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) championship. In 2026, he’ll go for a seventh national title with new crew help and renewed competitive drive.

Hafertepe, 40, of Sunnyvale, TX, will embark on a 10th full-time season with the national 360 Sprint Car circuit this year as the defending champion for the first time since 2020. In clinching his sixth ASCS national championship — most of any driver — he also ascended into second place on the all-time Feature wins list with 11 main event victories in 2025, now holding a total of 88 national Series wins.

He and the Ontario-based Hill’s Racing Team will begin their ninth consecutive year together in the season opener at Volusia Speedway Park — Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 29–31 — as part of the 55th annual Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals. Hafertepe drove the familiar Townline Variety, Fisher Racing Engines-powered Triple X Chassis No. 15H to two top-10 finishes, including a podium on opening night, at the historic Florida 1/2-mile oval one year ago.

These strong runs against a deep field of over 50 cars gave him the early advantage in the points standings he needed in the chase for the points title. He’s already working overtime to ensure even better results in 2026.

“The preparation’s a little more than usual just because we really have to be fully prepared once we get down there because the points season does start so early,” Hafertepe said.

To aid in his preparation, Hafertepe’s hired some new crew help in 16-year-old Brody Brown. The former Micro Sprint racer from Lawton, OK, spent last year racing in the 305 and 360 Sprint Car ranks and will assume the role of car chief on the No. 15H in 2026.

As Hafertepe begins his 31st season as a driver in the motorsports world and commemorates a decade of national 360 Sprint Car racing, he now stares down only one man in the ASCS record books — his hero, Gary Wright.

Wright, a four-time ASCS national champion from 2004–2007, amassed a total of 128 Feature wins in his career — an ASCS record — and was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall-of-Fame in 2011.

Hafertepe now stands 40 Feature wins away from tying Wright’s mark. It will take a great deal of skill, longevity and patience to reach that height, but Hafertepe is optimistic about his career and its future with ASCS.

“We hope to get excited about the future of ASCS and where World Racing Group can take it,” Hafertepe said. “It may be small strides or little-by-little, but that’s the kind of stuff that I do get excited to see out of ASCS, and hopefully it can continue to grow through the years.”

Tickets for the 2026 American Sprint Car Series season opener at Volusia Speedway Park are on sale now: click here to save in advance. If you can’t be there in person, stream every lap live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://ascsracing.com/news/sam-hafertepe-jr-to-defend-american-sprint-car-series-championship-in-2026/
PHOTO CREDIT: Tyler Carr, Emily Schwanke

EVENT INFO: https://dirtcarnationals.com/
FAN 101: https://ascsracing.com/about/

2026 ASCS Season Opens with DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park

Remixed event format awards points on Thursday–Friday programs to line up Dash, Heats on Saturday

Emily Schwanke

BARBERVILLE, FL (Dec. 29, 2025) — The 35th consecutive season of American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) racing begins in one month, Thursday–Saturday, Jan. 29–31, with more money and a new format on tap to open the 55th annual Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park.

For the second-straight year, 360 Sprint Car drivers from around the country will converge on the historic 1/2-mile oval in Barberville, Florida — approximately 30 minutes west from the famed Daytona International Speedway. Series regulars are projected to meet a host of national and regional 410 Sprint Car talent in the multi-day affair as the invaders prepare for competition with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series the following week.

2026 will bring a new challenge to the ASCS portion of the program with a new cash bonus for top performers. Both Thursday and Friday programs will be contested under the normal ASCS format and award event points to each driver for their finishes in Qualifying, Heat Races and the 25-lap, $3,000-to-win Feature.

At the conclusion of Friday’s Feature, the top eight drivers in event points standings will be locked into the Honest Abe Roofing Dash on Saturday, while all other drivers will be lined up by event points in one of four Heat Races. The finish of the Dash will set starting positions 1–8 for the main event, while the Heat Races will take the top three finishers to the main event. Non-transfers will be seeded into the Smith Titanium Last Chance Showdown or a C-Main, if necessary.

Saturday’s main event will go 30 laps and award $12,000 to the winner. In addition to the main event purse, the top three finishers in the week-long Big Gator Championship points will receive a cash bonus — $2,000 to the champion, $1,000 to the runner-up and $500 to third place. The iconic DIRTcar Nationals Big Gator trophy will also be awarded to the points champion.

Unlike 2025, the 2026 ASCS season will not include a “drop” race, meaning Volusia results (or lack thereof) will be reflected in each driver’s points total, regardless of full-time status.

In the Series debut last January, Indiana-native Justin Peck scored big, sweeping all three Features, pocketing $18,000 in first-place money and hoisting the Big Gator trophy for the first time in his career. In doing so, Peck became only the third driver in Series history to win the first three races of the season.

Tickets for all three days of ASCS action at DIRTcar Nationals are on sale now; click here to purchase. If you can’t be at the track, stream every lap live on DIRTVision.

IMPORTANT TIMES:

Thursday–Saturday, Jan. 29–31

Pit Gates Open — 1 p.m.

Grandstands Open — 4 p.m.

Hot Laps — 5:30 p.m.

COMPETITOR GUIDE — Click Here

ARTICLE: https://ascsracing.com/news/2026-ascs-season-opens-with-dirtcar-nationals-at-volusia-speedway-park/
PHOTO CREDIT: Emily Schwanke

EVENT INFO: https://ascsracing.com/schedule/event-info/?event=4547967
TRACK INFO: https://volusiaspeedwaypark.com/
FAN 101: https://ascsracing.com/about/

Thirteen Drivers Move Up American Sprint Car Series Wins List in 2025

Tyler Carr

CONCORD, NC (Dec. 23, 2025) — Thirty-four seasons of American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) racing have produced the careers of some of the nation’s top 360 Sprint Car racing talents.

In 2025, the tradition continued with 13 different drivers in 34 events making a Victory Lane appearance — four of which for the first time in their careers, ramping the total number of different winners up to 177 all-time.

Veterans surpassed legends. Rookies made their first mark. Regional contenders took down national stars. All took home a piece of ASCS history.

Here are the movers on the American Sprint Car Series’ all-time wins list:

Driver (All-Time Wins List Rank / # of Series Wins)

Sam Hafertepe Jr. (Rank: 2 / Wins: 88) — The newly crowned six-time Series champion logged 11 Feature wins in 2025, marking the third-best win total of his career in a single ASCS season and the fourth time he’s recorded double-digit wins in one ASCS season. After notching 12 wins in 2024, Hafertepe and the Hill’s Racing Team No. 15H has now led the Series in Feature wins the last two seasons. While his $10,000 score at Belleville High Banks in July was his richest of the year, his most significant came at Dodge City Raceway Park in May, when he bagged his 80th career Series victory and moved past the late Jason Johnson and took sole control of second-place on the all-time wins list.

Seth Bergman (Rank: 10 / Wins: 26) — The 2024 Series champion got the job done at Montana’s Electric City Speedway in August for his one and only Series Feature win of 2025. The win extended Bergman’s streak to four consecutive years with at least one national ASCS win and surges his name past fellow national champion Aaron Reutzel into 10th place on the all-time wins list.

Blake Hahn (Rank: 11 / Wins: 25) — Hahn added three more Feature wins to his total in 2025; the first coming at Batesville Motor Speedway in June, followed by victories at Lakeside Speedway in September and Creek County Speedway in November. These three moved the two-time Series champion into a tie with Aaron Reutzel for 11th place on the all-time wins list.

Matt Covington (Rank: 13 / Wins: 22) — Covington banked three Feature wins in Series competition this year — the fourth time in his career he’s reached that number in a single season (2018, 2021, 2023) — highlighted by a $10,000 score at I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park in September. These wins vaulted him over Johnny Herrera, Sammy Swindell and Brian Brown into 13th place on the all-time wins list.

Jason Martin (Rank: 17 / Wins: 17) — Martin was the third driver to reach three national ASCS wins in 2025 with triumphs at El Paso County Raceway, Electric City Speedway and Paducah International Raceway. Three wins marks the native Kansan’s second-best wins total in a single ASCS season after his nine-win championship campaign in 2023.

Ryan Timms (Rank: 29 / Wins: 9) — The 18-year-old sensation dominated the field in back-to-back fashion at Big Sky Speedway in August, leading all 50 laps of Feature competition over two nights and claiming a total of $19,000 in the eighth annual Harvey Ostermiller Memorial. The wins were his first with ASCS since September 2023 at Lucas Oil Speedway.

Rico Abreu (Rank: 45 / Wins: 4) — The national 410 Sprint Car standout won both his preliminary Feature and the finale of the 35th annual 360 Knoxville Nationals at Knoxville Raceway in August for his first ASCS wins since March 2014 at Arizona’s Cocopah Speedway.

Justin Peck (Rank: 55 / Wins: 3) — Another national 410 Sprint Car standout in Justin Peck triumphed over ASCS three-straight times this year to open the season at Volusia Speedway Park. The 27-year-old Indianan became only the third driver in Series history to win the first three races of the season after Jason Martin did it in 2023 and Sam Hafertepe Jr. won the first five consecutively in 2017.

Austin McCarl (Rank: 55 / Wins: 3) — The four-time Knoxville Raceway track champion scored his second career preliminary Feature win at the 360 Knoxville Nationals in August. The win marked McCarl’s third with ASCS and first since 2023 when he won at Lakeside Speedway.

Whit Gastineau (Rank: 64 / Wins: 2) — Gastineau had raced ASCS events sporadically over the past two decades but had yet to top the national Series coming into 2025. That all changed at Salt City Speedway in October, when the 41-year-old Oklahoman beat the national stars on back-to-back nights for a $10,000 sweep of the weekend on the Kansas half-mile oval.

Zach Blurton (Rank: 64 / Wins: 2) — Blurton topped the field at Salt City in May to capture his first national ASCS checkered flag since July 2022 at his home track of WaKeeney Speedway.

Cameron Martin (Rank: 104 / Wins: 1) — The 21-year-old Iowan scored the biggest win of his career at Eagle Raceway in September, outdueling Hafertepe in the 35-lap main event of the second annual Stewart Alley Memorial. Martin pocketed $10,222 for the win on the famed Nebraska oval and became the 176th different winner in Series history.

Zach Daum (Rank: 104 / Wins: 1) — Daum banked one of the biggest wins of his career in the season finale at Creek County Speedway in November, wrestling the lead from Hafertepe in the closing laps of the Fuzzy’s Fall Fling finale to pocket $10,000 and his first career Series victory. In doing so, the 34-year-old became only the second driver from the state of Illinois to win a national ASCS event, joining Kaley Gharst, who won at Knoxville Raceway in 2007.

The 2026 American Sprint Car Series season opens with the 55th edition of Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park, Jan. 29–31. For tickets, click here.

If you can’t make it to the track, catch every lap live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://ascsracing.com/news/thirteen-drivers-move-up-american-sprint-car-series-wins-list-in-2025/
PHOTO CREDIT: Tyler Carr
FAN 101: https://ascsracing.com/about/

WE THE KINGS: Five ASCS Regional Champions Crowned After 2025 Season

Emily Schwanke

CONCORD, NC (Dec. 15, 2025) — Regional racing has long been a part of the American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) brand, featuring the best-of-the-best in multiple areas across the Midwest, Southwest and Great Plains.

Five champions of their respective regions were crowned in 2025. Three of which are returning champions — Adam Trimble, Kelly Miller, Sean McClelland — and two clinched their first crowns — Bryan Gossel, Jake Brashier.

From March to November, these weekend warriors ruled the local dirt tracks and earned their own piece of ASCS history.

Here are the 2025 American Sprint Car Series regional champions:

Western Plains Region — Bryan Gossel

For the first time in his career, Bryan Gossel is an ASCS regional champion.

The 49-year-old from Windsor, CO, made his Sprint Car debut in 1999 and has since split time racing on both dirt and asphalt. He’s been a competitor in multiple ASCS events every year, and in 2025 decided to chase the ASCS Western Plains Region schedule.

But that was never the plan at first.

“It was awesome. Kind of surreal, in a way,” Gossel said. “I didn’t really even know I was points racing until the promoter called me and asked, ‘Are you coming to the next race?’ and I said, ‘Ah, I don’t know.’ He said I was leading the points, and I was like, ‘I am?’ I didn’t even know.

“I was like, well shoot, we better give it a whirl. And we did.”

Gossel, father of national Series regular Austyn Gossel, ended his season with two Feature wins — one of which came at nearby El Paso County Raceway in Calhan, CO. The 1/4-mile oval was the site of one of the most special wins in his career on May 3, where Bryan scored the win, Austyn ran third, and runner-up was Sprint Car Hall-of-Famer Sammy Swindell, piloting a third Gossel Racing entry.

“I would have never even dreamed that. It was so cool,” Gossel said. “The promoter had been after us to have Sammy run our cars for quite a while, and we just never had enough equipment at the same time to do it. I had gotten to know him a little bit better the last couple years racing with him.

“We were like, ‘Yup, we can do it.’ It was awesome. Sammy is such an incredible person and so nice.”

Northern Plains Region — Adam Trimble

After securing his first ASCS championship with the Western Plains Region last year, Adam Trimble has now topped regional action two years in-a-row as king of the Northern Plains Region in 2025.

The 37-year-old from Pueblo, CO, dominated the region this year, winning three of the nine races and posted top-five finishes in five of them. A big bright spot for he and Matejka-Heffner Racing came in a sweep of Northern Plains action at Wyoming’s Sweetwater Speedway in June, winning both Friday and Saturday’s main events.

While he admits their season was not perfect, Trimble and the team forged their way through mechanical issues mid-season and brought home another 360 Sprint Car points title.

“There were just some odd things that seemed to happen this year that, collectively, between the three of us, haven’t happened in any of our careers,” Trimble said. “So, it felt like a struggle, but looking back at it, we’re like, ‘Man, this was still actually a really successful season.’ We felt like we worked hard at it and just kept things going.”

Trimble has now spent two seasons racing under car owners Mark Matejka and Jeff Heffner. The Denver-based team also went to Victory Lane in Midget competition at El Paso County Raceway in September and are already looking forward to another year of partnership in 2026.

“It doesn’t matter if we’re winning or if we’re losing, DNF-ing, whatever the case is — they are working as hard as they possibly can to make the cars as fast as we can get,” Trimble said. “It’s hard to even think that we had DNFs with as hard as those guys work, really. But DNFs, wins, it doesn’t matter. They keep their heads down, and they keep going. It paid off for us.”

Hurricane Area Super Sprints — Jake Brashier

The second new regional champion to ASCS in 2025 is Jake Brashier — king of the ASCS Hurricane Area Super Sprints.

The 39-year-old from Denham Springs, LA, scored five top-fives and 11 top-10s in 12 starts to top all drivers in both categories.

“It was great for us. My goal was to make as many top-fives as I could, and I did a lot better than I had done previously,” Brashier said. “I learned a lot of stuff and made progress.”

Looking ahead to 2026, Brashier will take on a more integral role in the operations of the Hurricane Area Super Sprints as co-owner of the organization with former Series champion Lane Whittington. The two broke the news they had purchased the group in November, marking the start of a new era in southern Sprint Car racing.

The two racers are eager to get to work next year in their new managerial roles and already have plans in place to ensure the prosperity of the Series while they continue their own careers on the track.

“I couldn’t do it by myself, and I didn’t want to see it go away, which is what it looked like it was about to do,” Brashier said. “So, I talked to Lane and told him if we get the money to purchase it, he (said) he’d be willing to help do everything.

“Hopefully, we can get more Sprint Car racing in this area, more places to race at, and make it better for the racers and fans and tracks. We like racing, number one. There’s no politics or anything like that. No ulterior motives, we just want to race.”

Frontier Region — Kelly Miller

For the second consecutive year, the ASCS Frontier Region championship lands north of the border into the shop of Kelly Miller.

The 34-year-old from Lethbridge, AB, Canada, dominated the circuit in 2025, topping the region with eight Feature wins, 14 top fives and 16 top 10s in 18 Feature starts. No other driver had more than two wins in Frontier Region action.

Four of his eight Frontier wins came in back-to-back fashion, starting with the sweep of a two-day event at Big Sky Speedway in May and a second weekend sweep at fellow Montana oval Gallatin Speedway and Big Sky in September.

In the end, Miller held a gap of 301 points in the standings over runner-up Trever Kirkland to seal his third ASCS regional championship in two years after topping both the Frontier and Northern Plains Regions in 2024.

“This year, we definitely had some pretty good numbers to show for it,” Miller said. “Overall, we did continue to improve from last year and the year before that as well. Outside of the Frontier Region, we did manage to pick up some speed at Knoxville and through our little West Coast Speedweek as well. Everything is all building in the right direction, for sure.”

Considering the six wins he put together in Northern Plains Region action last year, Miller’s last two seasons have been among the most successful of his career.

“I think it’s just a matter of just repeating on a good notebook from the year before and building off speed that we currently have,” Miller said. “Not trying to reinvent the wheel, but just trying to make our program better in the long run when it comes to DNFs and being a smart driver. It all comes with time and experience. It’s all coming together now, I think it just took a few years.”

Sooner Region — Sean McClelland

With the clinching of his sixth points title, Sean McClelland adds some cushion to the record he holds for most ASCS Sooner Region championships all-time.

The 51-year-old from Tulsa, OK, debuted with the region in 2002 and won his first Sooner championship in 2005. Since then, he’s collected 24 Feature wins — most of any driver — and subsequent championships in 2010, 2019, 2020, and 2022.

McClelland’s 2025 championship came on the back of one win, four top fives and six top 10s in nine Feature starts. His lone victory came at Creek County Speedway in September, continuing the strong partnership he’s forged with his crew and car owner Robert McLain.

“It’s good for Robert, Gage, Gavin, and Darren — they’ve supported me all year,” McClelland said. “It’s good to win a championship for them. It’s all about them, and it’s all for them. I’ve won them before, but they haven’t, and it’s good for them. I can’t thank them enough for allowing me to drive this race car.”

ARTICLE: https://ascsracing.com/news/we-the-kings-five-ascs-regional-champions-crowned-after-2025-season/
PHOTO CREDIT: Emily Schwanke
FAN 101: https://ascsracing.com/about/

ASCS Adding Midwest Region, Gunsmoke Region in 2026

CONCORD, NC (Dec. 5, 2025) — The American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) is expanding its footprint with the addition of two more regional 360 Sprint Car series in 2026.

The ASCS Gunsmoke Region, featuring races around Western and Central Kansas, and ASCS Midwest Region, covering multiple states in the Midwest and the American Heartland, will be the new additions next year, joining the Frontier, Hurricane Area Super Sprints, Northern Plains, Western Plains and Sooner regions.

The ASCS Midwest Region, which originally operated from 2005–2014, will be revived under the direction of Chris Eccles. The Nebraska native served as Series Director of the Malvern Bank 360 Sprint Series from 2022 until its recent disbandment.

A slate of 10-12 races is currently planned for the Midwest Region’s resurgence, as well as a year-end points fund. A full schedule, including standard purse details, will be announced in the coming weeks.

During Eccles’ time helping to grow Sprint Car racing around America’s Heartland, he’s garnered a positive reputation among drivers and promoters for his dedication to the sport and said he’s excited to bring his hard-working attributes to ASCS in 2026.

“I’m looking to get the right partners involved,” Eccles said. “I’m looking to be as up-front as possible, find the right promoters that I can help grow — not only their facility, but trying to get 360 Sprint Car racing back as a stronghold in the area. I’m looking forward to working with their marketing partners and trying to work with everyone in the surrounding region to help grow and rebuild this sport.”

The Midwest Region ran its first races in 2005 and crowned Nebraska local favorite Billy Alley as its first champion. Fellow Midwesterners Toby Chapman, Natalie Sather, Jack Dover, Jason Danley, and Eric Lutz also went on to be champions before Alley was crowned with his second title in the region’s final year of competition. Missouri veteran Brian Brown won 26 Midwest Region races in his career and currently sits atop the Series’ all-time wins list.

The Gunsmoke Region will be run under the direction of Dodge City Raceway Park promoter Kyler Fetters. The Kansas native has been an active promoter of ASCS events in the state for several years at Dodge City, in addition to his stint at WaKeeney Speedway from 2020–2022.

The Series currently has plans for a slate of approximately 10 races. A standard purse of $2,000-to-win and $400-to-start has been set, as well as a points fund totaling $7,500. A complete schedule of events will be unveiled at a later date.

“We’ve seen the need for 360 racing in our area,” Fetters said. “With the growing demand for the 360 division to be here in Western Kansas and the surrounding area, we felt like it was a good time to expand this. We want to keep this to where the racetracks can bring in a 360 Sprint Car series at an affordable price and put on a good show for the fans.

“We’re excited to be part of ASCS because of their rule package. We feel like it’s a fair, honest organization, and we’re excited to be a part of that.”

The ASCS Gunsmoke Region staff thanks its partners at Shield Protection and Hoosier Racing Tire for their support.

Anyone with questions about the new regions can contact Chris Eccles at (443) 289-0225 and Kyler Fetters at (620) 393–5450.

ARTICLE: https://ascsracing.com/news/ascs-adding-midwest-region-gunsmoke-region-in-2026/
FAN 101: https://ascsracing.com/about/

CUP RUNNETH OVER: Hafertepe Reflects on 30-Year Career After Sixth ASCS Title

Emily Schwank

CONCORD, NC (Dec. 4, 2025) — It’s been five years since Sam Hafertepe Jr.’s last American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) championship. This one — the sixth of his career — may have shown him the most about his veteran status.

Achievement. History. Status. Passion. Longevity. Outlook.

All were themes he reflected on after a season of 11 wins, 22 top-fives and 27 top-10s earned in his eighth consecutive year with Ontario-based Hill’s Racing Team.

Achievement & History

Hafertepe, a native of Sunnyvale, TX, hoisted the Emmett Hahn Trophy for the first time on the team’s behalf one year ago as owner’s champions of the national 360 Sprint Car circuit. In 2025, he claimed the coveted statue of the Series founder for the first time as a driver — a symbol of his historic achievement, becoming the first driver in 34 years to win six national ASCS championships.

“I’ve always thought winning was the only answer,” Hafertepe said. “I’ve never really wanted to settle for less with ASCS. I’ve always thought that’s what we were capable of doing.”

In clinching the title, Hafertepe breaks the tie between he and the late Jason Johnson for most national Series championships all-time. Johnson won his first in 2008 and a second in 2010 before stacking three straight from 2012–2014. Hafertepe won all five of his previous titles consecutively from 2016–2020.

Like many veterans of the sport, Hafertepe observes history. His Sprint Car hero, Gary Wright, won each of his four championships consecutively from 2004–2007. The names and faces change, but the best talent always finds a way to the top.

“Every guy is an established, very successful racer in their own right,” Hafertepe said. “To be able to break the record of five… You’ve got to have longevity to do that, you’ve got to have really good people behind you.

“All these guys that have been able to win multiple championships — like Gary Wright, Jason Johnson, Terry Gray — they’ve all had really good people behind them. They’ve all been able to have the longevity that it takes. To be able to do that, it’s very humbling to be amongst those names, for sure.”

Status

Looking back on the record books, Hafertepe’s path to six ASCS titles was not one done traditionally. Following his Sprint Car debut in 2001, he spent much of the late 2000s and early 2010s in the 410 ranks with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series before coming back home to start a 360 program in 2014.

Two years later, he had his first ASCS title in-hand. But the Sprint Car world, and Hafertepe’s status within, was much different.

“When I won my first one, there was nothing expected of me,” Hafertepe said. “The only person that expected anything of me was myself. I knew I wanted to win, I knew we should be the people that were winning these races, in my mind, and I should be the champion. That’s the way I felt at that time.

“Now, everybody that we race in our series against feels that way. They feel like, ‘He’s the guy to beat.’ It’s kind of like you’ve got a bounty on you.”

After winning four more championships to complete the five-peat, Hafertepe had taken his place amongst the best in 360 Sprint Car racing history. He admits while the reputation for success is welcomed, it’s also a weight he still bears at the track today.

“It’s a bigger pressure than it’s ever been for me,” Hafertepe said. “When you go and you win all these races, you’re not expected to lose. It gets to a point where it’s very hard to, the older you get, maintain that same pressure of, ‘Hey, you’re expected to win, your owner expects you to win.’ You’ve not shown these people anything other than, ‘What we do is we go and win.’

“When that's expected of you all the time, it’s very draining, it's hard and it makes you have to work really, really hard in the off-season because Sprint Car racing is a young man’s sport. The older you get, (the more) challenges that come with this game. We’ve got newer, younger talent coming in way younger than they've ever come in before, and these young kids are getting faster at a way more rapid pace.”

Passion

Few drivers on the present-day ASCS roster can match Hafertepe’s experience and passion for the sport. Since laying the foundation for his own team to race with ASCS over a decade ago, he’s been at the forefront of his operation from top to bottom.

Crew members, car setups, equipment needs, even decisions on where and when to race are all at Hafertepe’s discretion. And he’d have it no other way.

“I'm the kind of guy that likes to earn a lot of stuff,” Hafertepe said. “I don't want to be just given a ride and just drive. It’s not a lot for me to do that. It doesn't mean a lot for me to just jump in a guy's car and drive it; I want to be connected in a lot of ways.

“I knew to race successfully on the World of Outlaws tour, I couldn't be my crew chief, I couldn't be my team manager, I couldn't be the driver, I couldn't do everything that I do now. I do like to control the situation, I do like to be the crew chief, I do like the fact of being so involved because, at the end of the day, it's more rewarding for me to accomplish something after I put in all this time. If I was just a driver and I won the races, I don't feel like I get as much accomplishment out of it.”

Hafertepe’s decision to come back to the Southwest and start a full-time 360 Sprint Car career with ASCS in the mid-2010s was a conscious decision. But after his return to the circuit in 2024, following three seasons back in the national 410 ranks, his passion for ASCS and desire for its prosperity has reignited.

He’s made it clear — he’s here to stay, and many others should do the same.

“I think you have good, quality guys here, and I think that these young guys can learn a lot,” Hafertepe said. “I think racing with guys like us gets these guys up to speed a lot faster and you're not just jumping into the World of Outlaws deal, and it’s super expensive compared to running with ASCS. I think it’s a really good spot for these guys to start.

“I think, for these young guys, to start on something that's 30-something races — maybe looking at 40-something this year — it does tell them, ‘Okay, do I really want to be out on the road with the World of Outlaws one day?’ It gives them that taste and it gives them the sample size of what they might want in the future.”

Longevity & Outlook

2025 was a year of several milestones for Hafertepe, celebrating 30 years of his driving career and turning 40 in November.

The veteran looks back fondly on the times he spent as a 20-something, still trying to find his footing in the Sprint Car world. It was in those trying times where he forged the grit and determination that has fueled his lengthy career.

“I would always ask these older guys — you're always looking for the magic answer, like there’s this magic answer out there that (says) the only reason you’re not winning is because you don’t know exactly what these other guys are doing, and if you knew what they were doing, you would just win,” Hafertepe said. “When you’re in your 20s, that’s what you think. You think that’s the answer. You think that you know that there’s this little piece of magic that, if we had that, we would just be winning all the time. And it’s not true. In your 20s, that’s what you think, and there’s no truth in that.

“It takes so much time to learn about a Sprint Car.”

Father Time eventually catches up to everyone, but Hafertepe has found a way to run faster. This year, he’s been more in touch with his personal health and conditioning to supplement his efforts in the race shop.

“You hit 40 and then you realize that you're not a young kid anymore and you can’t physically do some of the things that you used to be able to do that used to seem so second nature to you in the car,” Hafertepe said. “You honestly have to ramp your intensity up as much as you can the older you get.

“I know I physically still can do those things. I think some of the older guys choose not to because they know the consequences. So, I think, when you hit the 40 range, I think that's where you go. My biggest thing that I try to do is find ways to make my car so good that I don't have to do those things, and I can rely on my race car to do a lot of the work for me. It’s just an old guy thing.”

As he continues to defy age, Hafertepe is not ignoring the inevitable. A sixth championship has reminded him of what was and what is, but only time will tell what will be.

“I feel like if I stay in my prime — and I don’t know how long that will last nowadays — but if I stay in my prime, I think I can stay on top of it for a while. Honestly, when I lose that prime — how do you ever know when that’s gonna be — I think that’ll be the time that I bow out to going full-time anymore.”

ARTICLE: https://ascsracing.com/news/cup-runneth-over-hafertepe-reflects-on-30-year-career-after-sixth-ascs-title/
PHOTO CREDIT: Emily Schwanke
FAN 101: https://ascsracing.com/about/

ASCS ‘Sonoran Clash’ Debuts at Central Arizona Raceway February 2026

CONCORD, NC (Dec. 1, 2025) — The American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) is coming to Central Arizona Raceway in 2026 for two action-packed weekends of national 360 Sprint Car racing in the inaugural running of the Sonoran Clash.

The sweeping, 3/8-mile oval, located in Casa Grande, AZ, will host the Series for the first time for two separate Saturday–Sunday stints — Feb. 21–22 and Feb. 28–March 1. Drivers will race for the Series standard $4,000-to-win purse on both Saturday dates and a $6,000-to-win purse on both Sunday dates.

Both weekends will be the follow-up to the three-day event at Volusia Speedway Park that opens the 2026 season, Jan. 29–31, as part of the 55th annual Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals.

Central Arizona will mark the fourth different track in The Copper State the American Sprint Car Series has raced at in its 34-year history. The most recent Series event in Arizona took place at Canyon Speedway Park in February 2020, won by six-time Series champion Sam Hafertepe Jr. The Series has also contested events at fellow Arizona ovals Cocopah Speedway (2012–2017) and USA Raceway (2009–2013).

Promoter Brad Whitfield joined forces with well-known Sprint Car racing supporter and investor Jerry Petty — founder of Avanti Windows & Doors and Petty Performance Racing — in September 2024. Together, the two have made numerous upgrades to the track and surrounding facility including the installation of a new outside retaining wall and catchfence, new grandstand seats, tower suites, restrooms and various track equipment.

Over the past year, Petty and Whitfield have taken in multiple high-profile dirt track racing events with both national 410 Sprint Cars and Super Late Models. 2026 will continue to put the track in the spotlight with the welcoming of national 360 Sprint Car racing and the American Sprint Car Series’ debut.

“[ASCS] gets the premier drivers, and we’re trying to make ourselves a premier track, and we’re working very hard to do that,” Petty said. “With the fact that we have great weather in the winter, we’re hoping to make this something that becomes a destination event year-after-year.”

ASCS has held events at Central Arizona in the past under the Southwest Region and Canyon Region banners, stretching from 2007–2023, as well as the ASCS Desert Sprint Car Series and the ASCS Arizona Non-Wing Sprints.

Tickets to see the American Sprint Car Series at Central Arizona Raceway will be sold at the track ticket booth on each race day. If you can’t make it out to watch in person, stream every lap live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://ascsracing.com/news/ascs-sonoran-clash-debuts-at-central-arizona-raceway-february-2026/

EVENT INFO: https://ascsracing.com/schedule/event-info/?event=4549591
TRACK INFO: https://www.centralazraceway.com/
FAN 101: https://ascsracing.com/about/

XTREME OUTLAW MIDGETS

www.xtremeoutlawseries.com

The Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series presented by Toyota is brought to fans by many important sponsors and partners. Official partners include, Toyota (Title sponsor of the Midgets Series), DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Racing Electronics (Official Radio Supplier), Real American Beer (Official Beer) and SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider). Also supported by: AMKUS, CASM Safety Products, Intercomp, Honest Abe Roofing, Smith Ti, Summit Racing Equipment, and TJ Forged.

WORLD OF OUTLAWs

/www.worldofoutlaws.com

Five Star Bodies/MD3 Expand Partnership With World Racing Group

CONCORD, NC (Feb. 5, 2026) – Five Star Bodies and MD3 are expanding their partnership with World Racing Group in 2026, supporting three rookie of the year programs and a bonus incentive across multiple series.

In addition to providing racers around the world with elite race car body panels, windows, and components, the two companies will be top supporters of the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision, Super DIRTcar Series, DIRTcar Summer Nationals Late Models, and several other DIRTcar-sanctioned divisions.

Five Star Bodies will be associated with a legendary name in Sprint Car racing, joining the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series as the new sponsor of the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award. MD3 will continue its support of the World of Outlaws Late Model and Super DIRTcar Series Rookie of the Year programs, along with providing a bonus for weekly points leaders during the 2026 DIRTcar Summer Nationals Late Model tour.

“Supporting Rookie of the Year programs is something we are genuinely proud of,” said Corey Schultz, co-CEO of Five Star.

“These drivers are the future of dirt racing, and if we can help them get started with the right equipment and a little extra incentive, that is a win for everyone involved, the racers, the teams, and the sport as a whole,” added Garrett Schultz, co-CEO of Five Star.

The top three rookies at the end of the season with the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars and World of Outlaws Late Models will each receive a bonus. A new top-of-range body and $10,000 check will go to each Rookie of the Year winner, while the second-highest finishing rookies will get $3,000, and third will get $2,000.

Five Star Bodies – for the Sprint Cars – and MD3 – for the Late Models – will also award $100 to the highest finishing rookie of each race.

Stout rookie classes with the Sprint Cars and Late Models will be competing for those prizes. Currently, the 2026 World of Outlaws Sprint Car rookie class includes Emerson Axsom, Scott Bogucki, Kasey Jedrzejek, Scotty Thiel, and Ashton Torgerson. And the Late Model class includes Eli Johnson, Trey Mills, Todd Morrow, Daulton Wilson, and Logan Zarin.

The Rookie of the Year with the Super DIRTcar Series will get a $500 MD3 product certificate and a new top-of-range body.

A $500 MD3 product certificate will also go to the five weekly champions with the DIRTcar Summer Nationals Late Models.

In addition to the support of the national series, MD3 will provide product certificates to the top three in points with the DIRTcar 358 Modifieds, DIRTcar Sportsman, DIRTcar Pro Stocks, and all national DIRTcar divisions.

To learn more about Five Star Bodies visit, fivestarbodies.com. And to learn more about MD3, visit md3race.com.

How can you follow the World of Outlaws, Super DIRTcar Series, and DIRTcar Summer Nationals all year? Visit the World of Outlaws site, Super DIRTcar Series site, and DIRTcar Summer Nationals site.

How can you watch each series? All live on DIRTVision.

WORLD OF OUTLAWs SPRINTSAMERICAN SPRINT CAR SERIES XTREME OUTLAW MIDGETS

2026 WORLD OF OUTLAWS NOS ENERGY DRINK SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE:

2026 American Sprint Car Series Schedule

Thursday–Saturday, Jan. 29–31 | Volusia Speedway Park | Barberville, FL

Saturday–Sunday, Feb. 21–22 | Central Arizona Speedway | Casa Grande, AZ
Saturday–Sunday, Feb. 28–March 1 | Central Arizona Speedway | Casa Grande, AZ

Saturday, April 11 | Salina Highbanks Speedway | Salina, OK

Friday, May 8 | Benton Speedway | Benton, MO

Saturday, May 9 | Paducah International Raceway | Paducah, KY
Friday, May 29 | TBA

Saturday, May 30 | Salt City Speedway | Hutchinson, KS

Friday, June 5 | Creek County Speedway | Sapulpa, OK

Saturday, June 6 | 81 Speedway | Park City, KS

Saturday, June 13 | Batesville Motor Speedway | Batesville, AR

Saturday, Aug. 1 | Viking Speedway | Alexandria, MN

Thursday–Saturday, Aug. 6–8 | Knoxville Raceway | Knoxville, IA
Friday, Aug. 21 | TBA

Saturday, Aug. 22 | Riverside International Speedway | West Memphis, AR

Friday–Saturday, Aug. 28–29 | Big Sky Speedway | Billings, MT
Friday, Sept. 4 | Gallatin Speedway | Belgrade, MT

Saturday–Sunday, Sept. 5–6 | Electric City Speedway | Great Falls, MT
Friday–Saturday, Sept. 11–12 | Moberly Motorsports Park | Moberly, MO

Sunday, Sept. 13 | Eagle Raceway | Eagle, NE

Saturday, Oct. 10 | RPM Speedway | Crandall, TX

Friday–Saturday, Oct. 16–17 | Creek County Speedway | Sapulpa, OK

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