We’re just over one week away from the biggest night in the history of pavement Late Model racing. The CARS Tour “Throwback Classic” presented by FloRacing will take place at Hickory Motor Speedway in Newton, North Carolina on August 1-2, and is expected to have two massive fields chasing the $50,000 payday in the Late Model Stock Car division, and the $30,000 prize to win the Pro Late Model feature.

• Dale Jr., FloSports & CARS Tour Unite For Throwback Classic
• CARS Tour Best Appearing Throwback Contest Returns With Higher Stakes
• Subscribe To Watch CARS Tour Throwback Classic Live On FloRacing

CARS Tour Throwback Classic Purse 

The Throwback Classic presented by FloRacing is the largest single-night payout in the history of pavement Late Model racing in America with the winner of the Late Model Stock Car race receiving a massive check for $50,000, and the winner of the Pro Late Model feature taking home $30,000.

What’s even better is that just making the LMSC race will result in a minimum of a $2,500 payout, while the Pro Late Model race pays $1,500 to start.

It’s also worth mentioning that second-place in each race will receive what a normal race pays to win for each division. However, the incentive of an extra $43,000 from first to second in the LMSC race, and an extra $25,000 from first to second in the Pro Late Model race cannot be ignored. It’s safe to say that the drivers might be a little bit crazier than usual with that type of money on the line.

Why Hold This Event At Hickory Motor Speedway?

Hickory Motor Speedway has been the home of the annual Throwback race for the CARS Tour since the race’s inception back in 2017. Back then it was known as the Throwback 276, but the point of the event was the same then as it is now. And that’s to pay tribute to the legends of the sport that came before us.

Hickory also just makes sense. Its nickname is “The Birthplace of the NASCAR Stars.” So many legends of racing have walked through the gates of this historic short track on US Highway 70 in Newton, North Carolina. Drivers like Ned Jarret, Dale Jarrett, Ralph Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Junior Johnson, Bobby Isaac, and many more have all raced at this track, while many of them have also won races and championships here.

On top of that, Hickory is one of the most exciting short tracks in the country. The 0.363-mile oval has extremely worn-out pavement that produces thrilling side-by-side racing with a penchant for contact. We’ve seen it plenty of times over the years for races that pay $10,000 to win or even less. Imagine what we’re going to see with $50,000 on the line now. 

How To Watch CARS Tour Throwback Classic At Hickory Live

The 2025 CARS Tour “Throwback Classic” presented by FloRacing will be broadcast live on FloRacing, just like every CARS Tour race throughout the 2025 season. This event will be a two-day broadcast with qualifying for both divisions set to take place on Friday, August 1 at 7:40 p.m. ET. The 225 laps of racing action across the Late Model Stock Car and Pro Late Model divisions will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, August 2.

Race fans can watch both nights of action from Hickory Motor Speedway live on FloRacing with a FloRacing subscription. Fans can subscribe to FloRacing by clicking here.

CARS Tour Best Appearing Throwback Contest

FloRacing is once again hosting the "Best Appearing Throwback" poll for this year's CARS Tour Throwback Classic. This year the winner will receive a $1,000 prize from TexaCon Cut Stone, a $500 prize from FloRacing, as well as a full Next Gen Body Kit from Five Star Race Car Bodies. The runner-up will receive a free car wrap from The Decal Source, while third-place will receive a full decal set.

The contest will begin on the evening of Friday, August 1 and will conclude on Sunday, August 3, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The winner will be announced on Monday, August 4, and will be presented with their awards during pre-race ceremonies at the next CARS Tour race at Anderson Motor Speedway on Saturday, August 16.