Merced Speedway

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Merced Speedway Merced Speedway Saturday Night Home of IMCA Modified Racing in The Valley!
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Merced Speedway is the fastest, smoothest dirt track in the Central Valley of California. With large, covered grandstands, fans are kept cool in the summer heat with an obstruction free view of the entire speedway.

🏁πŸ”₯ IT’S ALMOST TIME FOR THE 2026 DIRT NATIONALS AT MERCED SPEEDWAY! πŸ”₯🏁DIRT NATIONALS PRESENTED BY THE PETTIT SHOOTOUT!Ge...
10/12/2026

🏁πŸ”₯ IT’S ALMOST TIME FOR THE 2026 DIRT NATIONALS AT MERCED SPEEDWAY! πŸ”₯🏁

DIRT NATIONALS PRESENTED BY THE PETTIT SHOOTOUT!

Get ready for THREE BIG DAYS of dirt track action, October 22–24, as Merced Speedway hosts the final two rounds of the ULTIMATE FOUR-RACE CHALLENGE!

The Pettit Shootout at Watsonville Speedway kicked it off, and Merced Speedway will finish it with two nights of exciting racing, bonus money, and the crowning of our four-race champions!

🏁 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22 – PRACTICE NIGHT!

🏎️ All classes welcome!
⏰ Pits Open: 4:00 PM
🏁 Practice: 5:30–7:30 PM
πŸ’° Pit Passes: $35
πŸ”₯ 1-on-1 Bracket Racing: 8:00 PM
🍽️ FREE Dinner for everyone with a pit pass!
🌽 Co****le Tournament!

Come get those cars dialed in before the big weekend!

πŸ”₯ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23 – NIGHT ONE!

⏰ Hot Laps: 5:15 PM
🏎️ Racing: 6:00 PM
πŸ– FREE BBQ Dinner for everyone with a pit pass after the races!
🎸 Live Band Under the Grandstands!

🎟️ Adults (16+): $15
🎟️ Kids 15 & Under: FREE!

πŸ† SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 – CHAMPIONSHIP FINALE!

πŸ’₯ The final night of the four-race challenge!

πŸ₯ž FREE Breakfast in the Pits: 7–9 AM
⏰ Hot Laps: 4:30 PM
🏎️ Racing: 6:00 PM

πŸŽƒ FREE TRICK-OR-TREATING ON THE TRACK! πŸŽƒ

Bring the kids dressed in their Halloween costumes for an awesome opportunity to meet the drivers, see the race cars up close, and collect candy!

🍬 Trick-or-Treating: 5:15–5:45 PM
πŸ‘» Kids 15 & Under Get In FREE!

🎟️ Adults (16+): $20
🎟️ Kids 15 & Under: FREE!

πŸ’° $4,000 IN FOUR-RACE BONUS MONEY! πŸ’°

Drivers in Modifieds, SportMods, and Hobby Stocks will battle for bonus payouts, while eligible drivers get one more opportunity to cash in during the PETTIT HARD LUCK RACES!

πŸ† Four Races!
πŸ† Two Tracks!
πŸ† Three Divisions!
πŸ† One BIG Championship Weekend!

A HUGE thank you to the Pettit Family for their continued support of dirt track racing and for helping make this special weekend possible!

Whether you’re a racer getting ready for the weekend or a fan looking for some great family entertainment, MERCED SPEEDWAY IS THE PLACE TO BE OCTOBER 22–24!

πŸ“ Merced Speedway – Merced, California

🏁 WATSONVILLE STARTED IT. MERCED FINISHES IT! 🏁

πŸ”₯ SHARE THIS POST, TAG YOUR RACING FRIENDS, AND LET’S PACK THE GRANDSTANDS FOR THE 2026 DIRT NATIONALS!

SEE YOU THERE!!!

Remaining 2026 Event Schedule
10/09/2026

Remaining 2026 Event Schedule

The monsters are coming!!!Nov 14&15Tickets on sale next week!
10/09/2026

The monsters are coming!!!
Nov 14&15
Tickets on sale next week!

PETTIT SHOOTOUT & DIRT NATIONALS β€” UPDATED POINT STANDINGS2 RACES DOWN β€’ 2 RACES TO GO β€’ $4,000 IN BONUS MONEY ON THE LI...
10/08/2026

PETTIT SHOOTOUT & DIRT NATIONALS β€” UPDATED POINT STANDINGS

2 RACES DOWN β€’ 2 RACES TO GO β€’ $4,000 IN BONUS MONEY ON THE LINE! πŸ’°

The first two rounds of the four-race challenge are officially in the books following the Pettit Shootout at Watsonville Speedway!

Now the battle heads to Merced Speedway on October 23rd & 24th for the Dirt Nationals Presented by the Pettit Shootout, where the championships will be decided!

With two races remaining, the points battles are heating up in all three divisions!

πŸ† MODIFIEDS β€” TOP 5
πŸ₯‡ Gayvn Manning β€” 79
πŸ₯ˆ Troy Foulger β€” 77
πŸ₯‰ Ethan Killingsworth β€” 72
4️⃣ Shawn Natenstedt β€” 72
5️⃣ Matt Sanders β€” 71

πŸ”₯ Just 8 points separate the top five! This championship is wide open!

πŸ† SPORTMODS β€” TOP 5
πŸ₯‡ Fred Ryland β€” 79
πŸ₯ˆ Tanner Thomas β€” 72
πŸ₯‰ Ethan Johnson β€” 72
4️⃣ Tyler Irwin β€” 71
5️⃣ Landon King β€” 71

πŸ”₯ Fred Ryland leads the way, but with four drivers separated by just one point behind him, anything can happen at Merced!

πŸ† HOBBY STOCKS β€” TOP 5
πŸ₯‡ Nick Silva β€” 78
πŸ₯ˆ Randy Miller β€” 74
πŸ₯‰ Ryan Hart β€” 73
4️⃣ Casey Johnson β€” 67
5️⃣ Matt Kile β€” 66

πŸ”₯ Nick Silva holds a slim four-point advantage heading into the final two nights!

πŸ’° $4,000 IN BONUS MONEY UP FOR GRABS!

🏁 Modifieds β€” $1,750
🏁 SportMods β€” $1,250
🏁 Hobby Stocks β€” $1,000

Bonus money will be awarded to the TOP 3 OVERALL POINT FINISHERS in each division following Saturday night’s finale!

But that’s not all!

πŸ”₯ THE INAUGURAL PETTIT HARD LUCK RACES! πŸ”₯

We’re making sure the racers who have supported this four-race challenge still have something to race for!

On Saturday, October 24th, the bottom six eligible drivers in points who competed in the first three races and are in attendance for the finale will battle in the Pettit Hard Luck Races!

πŸ’΅ Modifieds β€” $400 to WIN!
πŸ’΅ SportMods β€” $300 to WIN!
πŸ’΅ Hobby Stocks β€” $250 to WIN!

All six competitors in each Hard Luck Race will receive bonus money!

🏁 DIRT NATIONALS WEEKEND
πŸ“ Merced Speedway

πŸ“… Thursday, October 22 β€” Practice, FREE dinner with pit pass & co****le tournament!

πŸ“… Friday, October 23 β€” Racing at 6 PM, BBQ dinner for pit pass holders following the races & live music!

πŸ“… Saturday, October 24 β€” CHAMPIONSHIP NIGHT! Racing at 6 PM, Pettit Hard Luck Races and trick-or-treating on the track from 5:15–5:45 PM! πŸŽƒ

πŸ† SPECIAL THANKS TO THE PETTIT FAMILY!

The Pettit Family has stepped up in a BIG way to help make this four-race challenge something special for California dirt-track racing!

From the bonus money and custom trophies to the meals and entertainment, their support is helping make this an unforgettable event for racers, crews and fans!

We hope to see you at Merced Speedway Oct 23&24!

Dirt Nationals presented by the Pettit Shootout Practice night Thursday October 22ndPractice Bracket racing Dinner See y...
10/07/2026

Dirt Nationals presented by the Pettit Shootout
Practice night Thursday October 22nd
Practice
Bracket racing
Dinner

See you there! πŸ‘ŠπŸ»

πŸπŸŽƒ DIRT NATIONALS IS COMING TO MERCED SPEEDWAY! πŸŽƒπŸFRIDAY, OCTOBER 23rd & SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24th, 2026We’re getting ready...
10/06/2026

πŸπŸŽƒ DIRT NATIONALS IS COMING TO MERCED SPEEDWAY! πŸŽƒπŸ

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23rd & SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24th, 2026

We’re getting ready for one of the most exciting and fun weekends of the year at Merced Speedway! 🏁πŸ”₯

Two nights of dirt track racing, Halloween fun, costumes, candy, and an experience the whole family can enjoy!

πŸŽƒπŸ‘» THE BIG ONE FOR THE KIDS! πŸ‘»πŸŽƒ

🍬 TRICK-OR-TREAT ON THE TRACK! 🍬

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24th
⏰ 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

We’re turning the racetrack into a giant Trick-or-Treat experience!

πŸ‘» Kids β€” COME DRESSED IN YOUR COSTUME!
🍬 Trick-or-treat directly from the drivers and race cars!
🏎️ Get up close to the cars and drivers!
πŸŽƒ Bring the whole family and make some Halloween memories!

❀️ BEST PART β€” IT’S FREE!

ALL KIDS IN COSTUMES GET IN FREE FOR THE TRICK-OR-TREAT SESSION!

This is about more than racing β€” it’s about bringing families together and giving the kids an experience they’ll talk about for years.

🏁 FRIDAY NIGHT
Adults 16+ β€” $15
Kids 15 & under β€” FREE

🏁 SATURDAY NIGHT
Adults 16+ β€” $20
Kids 15 & under β€” FREE

And of course… DIRT NATIONALS RACING! πŸ”₯🏁

βΈ»

πŸ† WE’RE LOOKING FOR AWARD SPONSORS!

We are currently looking for businesses and individuals who would like to help sponsor the special awards being presented throughout the Dirt Nationals weekend.

Awards include:

πŸ† Hard Luck Award
πŸ† Hard Charger
πŸ† Longest Tow
πŸ† Lap Leaders
πŸ† Last Car on Lead Lap
πŸ† Best Halloween-Themed Car
πŸ† Most Cars Passed During the Event
πŸ† Fastest in Hot Laps
πŸ† Practice Night Bracket Showdown
…and more!

This is a great opportunity to get your business name in front of racers, race fans, and families while helping us make this event even bigger and more memorable.

If you or your business would like to sponsor an award, please reach out to Doug Lockwood at:

πŸ“§ [email protected]

πŸŽƒπŸ COME FOR THE RACING. STAY FOR THE FUN. BRING THE KIDS.

Dirt Nationals β€” October 23rd & 24th at Merced Speedway!

πŸ”₯🏎️ LET’S MAKE THIS ONE TO REMEMBER! 🏎️πŸ”₯

🏁 2026 DIRT NATIONALS β€” OFFICIAL PAYOUTS πŸπŸ“ Merced SpeedwayπŸ“… Friday & Saturday β€’ October 23–24, 2026The Dirt Nationals a...
10/05/2026

🏁 2026 DIRT NATIONALS β€” OFFICIAL PAYOUTS 🏁
πŸ“ Merced Speedway
πŸ“… Friday & Saturday β€’ October 23–24, 2026

The Dirt Nationals are coming to Merced Speedway for TWO BIG NIGHTS of racing!

We will feature Modifieds, Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks & Mini Stocks!

Here is the complete payout and entry fee breakdown πŸ‘‡

Cash payouts Friday night after races!
Saturday payouts will be mailed!

πŸ”₯ FRIDAY β€” OCTOBER 23 πŸ”₯

🏁 MODIFIEDS β€” $40 ENTRY
πŸ’° $1,000 TO WIN β€’ $100 TO START

1st β€” $1,000
2nd β€” $600
3rd β€” $400
4th β€” $300
5th β€” $250
6th β€” $200
7th β€” $160
8th β€” $140
9th β€” $120
10th–20th β€” $100

🏁 STOCK CARS β€” $30 ENTRY
πŸ’° $750 TO WIN β€’ $50 TO START

1st β€” $750
2nd β€” $450
3rd β€” $300
4th β€” $250
5th β€” $225
6th β€” $200
7th β€” $150
8th β€” $125
9th β€” $100
10th β€” $75
11th–20th β€” $50

🏁 SPORTMODS β€” $30 ENTRY
πŸ’° $750 TO WIN β€’ $50 TO START

1st β€” $750
2nd β€” $450
3rd β€” $300
4th β€” $250
5th β€” $225
6th β€” $200
7th β€” $150
8th β€” $125
9th β€” $100
10th β€” $75
11th–20th β€” $50

🏁 HOBBY STOCKS β€” $30 ENTRY
πŸ’° $500 TO WIN β€’ $40 TO START

1st β€” $500
2nd β€” $300
3rd β€” $220
4th β€” $160
5th β€” $140
6th β€” $120
7th β€” $100
8th β€” $90
9th β€” $80
10th β€” $60
11th–20th β€” $40

🏁 MINI STOCKS β€” $30 ENTRY
πŸ’° $300 TO WIN β€’ $30 TO START

1st β€” $300
2nd β€” $150
3rd β€” $120
4th β€” $100
5th β€” $80
6th β€” $70
7th β€” $60
8th β€” $50
9th β€” $40
10th–20th β€” $30

πŸ”₯πŸ”₯ SATURDAY β€” OCTOBER 24 πŸ”₯πŸ”₯

Saturday night we TURN UP THE MONEY!

🏁 MODIFIEDS β€” $50 ENTRY
πŸ’° $2,000 TO WIN β€’ $200 TO START

1st β€” $2,000
2nd β€” $750
3rd β€” $600
4th β€” $500
5th β€” $400
6th β€” $350
7th β€” $300
8th β€” $250
9th–20th β€” $200

🏁 STOCK CARS β€” $40 ENTRY
πŸ’° $1,500 TO WIN β€’ $100 TO START

1st β€” $1,500
2nd β€” $750
3rd β€” $500
4th β€” $400
5th β€” $350
6th β€” $300
7th β€” $250
8th β€” $200
9th β€” $150
10th β€” $125
11th–20th β€” $100

🏁 SPORTMODS β€” $40 ENTRY
πŸ’° $1,500 TO WIN β€’ $100 TO START

1st β€” $1,500
2nd β€” $750
3rd β€” $500
4th β€” $400
5th β€” $350
6th β€” $300
7th β€” $250
8th β€” $200
9th β€” $150
10th β€” $125
11th–20th β€” $100

🏁 HOBBY STOCKS β€” $30 ENTRY
πŸ’° $1,000 TO WIN β€’ $60 TO START

1st β€” $1,000
2nd β€” $500
3rd β€” $300
4th β€” $200
5th β€” $150
6th β€” $120
7th β€” $100
8th β€” $90
9th β€” $80
10th β€” $70
11th–20th β€” $60

🏁 MINI STOCKS β€” $30 ENTRY
πŸ’° $500 TO WIN β€’ $40 TO START

1st β€” $500
2nd β€” $300
3rd β€” $150
4th β€” $120
5th β€” $100
6th β€” $80
7th β€” $70
8th β€” $60
9th β€” $50
10th–20th β€” $40

πŸ† TWO NIGHTS β€’ FIVE DIVISIONS β€’

Friday night kicks off the weekend before we raise the stakes Saturday night for the Dirt Nationals finale!

πŸ“… OCTOBER 23–24, 2026
πŸ“ MERCED SPEEDWAY

🏁 Modifieds
🏁 Stock Cars
🏁 SportMods
🏁 Hobby Stocks
🏁 Mini Stocks

Bring the cars. Bring the crews. Bring the fans.

πŸ”₯ THE 2026 DIRT NATIONALS ARE COMING TO MERCED SPEEDWAY! πŸ”₯

πŸ‘ŠπŸ»πŸ

10/03/2026

Quick Change Liquid Energy to Sponsor The Pettit Hard Luck Challenge

Quick Change Liquid Energy has built a reputation for and beginning this weekend at the 16th Annual Pat & Jim Pettit Shootout, that mantra continues.

On the fourth and final night at Merced Speedway, the bottom six eligible drivers in points who competed in the first three races (two at Watsonville Speedway and one at Merced Speedway) and are in attendance for the finale will compete in the special Pettit Hard Luck Challenge presented by Quick Change Liquid Energy.

The traditional two-day Pettit Shootout at Watsonville Speedway (October 2-3) will combine with the two-day Dirt Nationals (October 23-34) at Merced Speedway to create a four-race challenge for Modifieds, SportMods and Hobby Stocks.

Quick Change Liquid Energy is proud to support the Pettit Family at these prestigious events while lending a helping hand to racers who experience setbacks along the way. Because success isn't only measured by wins, but by perseverance, passion, and the drive to keep racing.

We would like to welcome Pearson Recycling as the Hard Charger sponsor for the Dirt Nationals presented by the Pettit Sh...
09/30/2026

We would like to welcome Pearson Recycling as the Hard Charger sponsor for the Dirt Nationals presented by the Pettit Shootout!
Thank you Dave for supporting the racers!

Oct 23&24

🏁 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES β€” DIRT NATIONALS AT MERCED SPEEDWAY! 🏁The Dirt Nationals presented by the Pettit Shootout ar...
09/30/2026

🏁 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES β€” DIRT NATIONALS AT MERCED SPEEDWAY! 🏁

The Dirt Nationals presented by the Pettit Shootout are coming to Merced Speedway Friday, October 23 & Saturday, October 24, 2026, and we’re looking for businesses and individuals who want to get involved and add some extra excitement for our racers!

We have several sponsorship opportunities available throughout the weekend, including:

β€’ Hard Luck Award
β€’ Hard Charger
β€’ Longest Tow
β€’ Lap Leaders
β€’ Last Car on the Lead Lap
β€’ Best Halloween-Themed Car πŸŽƒ
β€’ Most Cars Passed During the Event
β€’ Fastest in Hot Laps
β€’ Practice Night Bracket Showdown

Whether you want to sponsor one award or get involved in multiple parts of the weekend, every dollar goes toward making this event bigger and giving back to the racers who put on the show!

Businesses will receive recognition throughout the event and on our social media as we promote the Dirt Nationals leading up to race weekend.

πŸ”₯ Want to be part of the Dirt Nationals?

Contact Doug Lockwood at [email protected] for sponsorship information and available opportunities.

Please SHARE and help us connect with businesses and race fans who want to support dirt-track racing at Merced Speedway! 🏁

October 23–24, 2026 | Merced Speedway
Let’s make this a weekend to remember! πŸ†

Address

900 Martin Luther King Jr Way
Merced, CA
95341

Opening Hours

5pm - 10pm

Website

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