12/30/2025
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Traditional Championship Format Returns with Addition of $275,000 Bonus Program
BATAVIA, Ohio (December 30, 2025) – After three seasons using a playoff-style points system, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing is returning to a traditional season-long points system for 2026, while adding more than a quarter-million dollar lucrative late-season bonus program.
Teams will once again compete for dirt late model racing’s highest points fund of $1.2 million that will be divvied up after the 2026 champion is crowned at the season-ending Dirt Track World Championship at West Virginia Motor Speedway in Mineral Wells, W.Va.
With the unwavering dedication of Big River Steel and ARP, the national tour will also put up an additional $275,000 for the Big River Steel Bonus Program presented by ARP, awarding drivers following Aug. 29’s Rumble by the River finale at Port Royal (Pa.) Speedway in a separate miniseries encompassing the season's final five Saturdays.
“Over the past three years, we’ve elevated our program to be the most lucrative in dirt late model racing,” series director Rick Schwallie said. “FloSports remains dedicated to upholding the stature of our series and continues to grow with the support of our valued marketing partners. We are excited to revert to a traditional points structure, which will be complemented by the late-season bonus program to sustain the end of the year excitement.”
In the Big River Steel Bonus Program presented by ARP, the top 15 drivers in the championship standings will compete in a miniseries following Aug. 29’s Rumble by the River finale at Port Royal (Pa.) Speedway, encompassing the final five crown jewel events of the season.
The highest finishing driver of the top 15 in championship standings in each of those final five crown jewel events of the season will receive an additional $5,000.
The top five drivers in the championship standings will compete in a miniseries, earning points in those final five crown jewel events of the season. The highest points earner of the five drivers will take home an additional $100,000. Second through fifth will be awarded $40,000, $30,000, $20,000, and $10,000, respectively
For drivers 6th through 15th, a separate bonus program encompassing those same five crown jewel events of the season will pay $25,000 to the top point earner, $15,000 to second, and $10,000 to third.
While a dozen series races are scheduled after Port Royal, only the five consecutive scheduled Saturday events at Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway ($75,000-to-win on Sept. 19), Brownstown (Ind.) Speedway ($50,000-to-win on Sept. 26), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Motor Speedway in Imperial, Pa. ($50,000-to-win on Oct. 3), Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio ($50,000-to-win on Oct. 10), and WVMS will award points in the Big River Steel Bonus Program presented by ARP, which pays out $275,000 in all.
For the latest news, results, championship standings, and more about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing, please visit www.lucasdirt.com.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing Season Points Fund:
- $250,000
- $200,000
- $150,000
- $125,000
- $100,000
- $80,000
- $60,000
- $55,000
- $50,000
- $45,000
- $40,000
- $35,000
- $30,000
- $25,000
- $20,000
$1,265,000 Total
Bonus Rounds: Highest Finishing Driver
- Eligible drivers: 1st - 15th in Championship standings after Aug. 29 at Port Royal Speedway.
- Round 1 - Big River Steel - Saturday, September 19 - Knoxville Late Model Nationals (Knoxville Raceway)
O $5,000 to the highest finishing driver. - Round 2 - UNOH - Saturday, September 26 - Jackson 100 (Brownstown Speedway)
O $5,000 to the highest finishing driver. - Round 3 - Sunoco Race Fuels - Saturday, October 3 - Pittsburgher (Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway)
O $5,000 to the highest finishing driver. - Round 4 - ARP - Saturday, October 10 - Eldora Speedway
O $5,000 to the highest finishing driver o. - Round 5 - Summit Racing Equipment - Saturday, October 17 - Dirt Track World Championship (West Virginia Motor Speedway)
O $5,000 to the highest finishing driver. - Program Total: $25,000
Big River Steel Championship Top 5 Bonus Program-presented by ARP
- Eligible drivers: 1st – 5th in Championship standings after Aug. 29 at Port Royal Speedway.
- Final Five Events (Saturday Finale Only)
O Saturday, September 19 - Knoxville Raceway ($75,000 to win)
O Saturday, September 26 - Brownstown Speedway ($50,000 to win)
O Saturday, October 3 - Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway ($50,000 to win)
O Saturday, October 10 - Eldora Speedway ($50,000 to win)
O Saturday, October 17 - West Virginia Motor Speedway ($100,000 to win) - Points tallied at these five events are separate from season-long points standings.
O Season long points standings will be in a traditional format. - Program Points Fund:
O $100,000
O $40,000
O $30,000
O $20,000
O $10,000 - Program Total: $200,000
Big River Steel Championship Bonus Program-presented by ARP for 6th - 15th
- Eligible drivers: 6th – 15th in Championship standings after Aug. 29 at Port Royal Speedway.
- Final Five Events (Saturday Finale Only)
O Saturday, September 19 - Knoxville Raceway ($75,000 to win)
O Saturday, September 26 - Brownstown Speedway ($50,000 to win)
O Saturday, October 3 - Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway ($50,000 to win)
O Saturday, October 10 - Eldora Speedway ($50,000 to win)
O Saturday, October 17 - West Virginia Motor Speedway ($100,000 to win) - Points tallied at these five events are separate from season-long points standings.
O Season long points standings will be in a traditional format. - Program Points Fund:
O $25,000
O $15,000
O $10,000 - Program Total: $50,000
Submitted By: Jeremy Shields
