National Championship battles set
to come down to DIRTcar Fall Nationals at Lincoln Speedway
[October 09, 2026]
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.
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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 at available
here
Teams planning to compete are encouraged to pre-register through
MyRacePass:
Driver Registration
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.
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