10/08/2026
National Championship Battles Set to Come Down to DIRTcar Fall Nationals at Lincoln Speedway
Just 13 points separate Super Late Model leaders; Modified and Pro Modified titles also up for grabs October 16-17
LINCOLN, IL — The 2026 DIRTcar racing season is coming down to the wire, and several national championships could be decided during the DIRTcar Fall Nationals at Lincoln Speedway, Thursday-Saturday, October 15-17.
Following an open practice on Thursday, four national point-paying divisions — DIRTcar Super Late Models, DIRTcar Modifieds, DIRTcar Pro Late Models, and DIRTcar Pro Modifieds — will each compete in complete racing programs on both Friday and Saturday. With the opportunity to earn as many as 80 points in a feature, as many as 160 feature points are available over the two nights, putting even more importance on every position as the season reaches its conclusion.
The closest battle comes in the premier DIRTcar Super Late Model division, where just 13 points separate Tanner English and Jason Feger entering Fall Nationals weekend.
English, of Benton, Illinois, leads the standings with 2,450 points, having collected eight victories, 34 top-five finishes, and 44 top-10s in 49 races. Bloomington, Illinois driver Feger is right behind with 2,437 points after a season that has included 13 wins in 59 starts.
There is plenty at stake. The DIRTcar Super Late Model national championship carries a $25,000 top prize, while second place is worth $12,500, making the difference between first and second alone worth $12,500.
Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Illinois, who leads the MARS Late Model championship standings, sits third with 2,313 points. Mike Spatola of Manhattan, Illinois is fourth at 2,296, while Zanesville, Ohio's Todd Brennan rounds out the top five with 2,230.
The DIRTcar Modified championship is also far from settled.
Plainfield, Illinois driver Mike McKinney leads with 2,197 points, but Owensboro, Kentucky's Cole Falloway is only 42 points back at 2,155. With two complete nights of racing remaining, that margin leaves plenty of opportunity for the championship to change hands at Lincoln.
McKinney has put together a tremendous season with 19 victories in 51 races, while Falloway has 13 wins and 35 top-five finishes in 45 starts.
Pontiac, Illinois driver Michael Ledford sits third with 2,060 points, followed by Dillon Nusbaum of Warsaw, Indiana at 2,014 and Kewanee, Illinois driver Ray Bollinger at 1,953.
Like the Super Late Models, the DIRTcar Modified national champion will receive $25,000, with $12,500 going to the runner-up.
Another championship that could come down to the final laps of the season is the DIRTcar Pro Modified title.
Zach Whaley of Hillsboro, Missouri leads Drake Compton of Lexington, Illinois by just 21 points, 1,499 to 1,478.
Whaley has been remarkably consistent, recording 19 victories, 26 top-five finishes, and 27 top-10s in 27 races. Compton has been equally impressive with 16 wins, 24 top-fives, and 26 top-10s in 29 starts.
Behind the two championship contenders are Jake Montgomery of East Peoria, Illinois with 1,277 points, Drew Schwartz of Ashmore, Illinois with 1,155, and Jimmy Cummins at 1,127.
With the separation between Whaley and Compton so small, the Pro Modified championship has the potential to be decided by only a handful of positions over the two Fall Nationals features.
The DIRTcar Pro Late Model championship picture is considerably different at the top. Taylorville, Illinois driver Braden Johnson has built a commanding advantage with 1,394 points, 173 ahead of Lincoln's Ryan Miller.
Johnson has enjoyed a dominant season, winning 14 of his 20 races while recording 19 top-five finishes. With the championship appearing secure, he'll look to put an exclamation point on the season with two more strong performances at Lincoln Speedway.
The battle behind him, however, is extremely close.
Miller holds second with 1,221 points, only 13 ahead of Chase Wilson of Hoopeston, Illinois at 1,208. Another tight fight is taking place for fourth, where Monticello's Hudson Dick leads Jacob Doolen by only eight points, 988 to 980.
The DIRTcar Pro Late Model national championship carries a $12,500 top prize.
While the DIRTcar Stock Car national championship will already be decided before Lincoln's event, many of the division's top competitors are expected for the Saturday, October 17 season finale. The Stock Cars join Saturday's program, bringing a fifth division to the Fall Nationals finale.
Friday night's program will carry additional significance for the Super Late Models and Modifieds with the Bennett Memorial. The special bonus program pays $50 to the leader of every feature lap in both divisions. A driver leading every lap could earn an additional $1,500 in the Super Late Model feature or $1,250 in the Modified feature, in addition to other bonuses and prizes. Following Friday's racing, fans, drivers, and teams are invited to a post-race party behind the grandstands featuring live music from AllNighter.
Fall Nationals Weekend
The weekend begins Thursday, October 15 with open practice for competitors. Friday, October 16 features the first complete racing program for the Super Late Models, Modifieds, Pro Late Models, and Pro Modifieds, while all four divisions return Saturday along with the Stock Cars. Friday's live racing program is scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM Central. Complete daily schedules, including pit and grandstand opening times, are available in the official competitor guide.
Fans can purchase a two-day Friday-Saturday grandstand ticket for just $45 in advance:
Tickets:
https://www.myracepass.com/tracks/1855/tickets/1554651
Teams planning to compete are encouraged to pre-register through MyRacePass:
Driver Registration:
https://www.myracepass.com/series/2056/registrations/14865
The official 2026 Fall Nationals Competitor Guide, featuring schedules, procedures, rules, entry information, pit policies, and additional weekend details, is available through LincolnSpeedwayIL.com. Tickets and pit passes will also be available at the track.
Camping is available at the Logan County Fairgrounds, and teams or fans looking for camping information can contact the Track Enterprises office at 217-764-3200. Lincoln Speedway's host hotels are the Hampton by Hilton in Lincoln, 217-732-6729, and Comfort Inn & Suites in Lincoln, 217-735-5800. Guests should mention the Lincoln Speedway discount when booking.
With championship money, national titles, Bennett Memorial bonuses, and two complete nights of racing on the line, the 2026 DIRTcar Fall Nationals are set to bring the DIRTcar season to a dramatic conclusion at Lincoln Speedway.
For additional information, visit LincolnSpeedwayIL.com or call 217-764-3200.
📸 Event Horizon Photo
