Martinsville, VA -- A new championship playoff system is now in place for the 2026 SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic season. Series officials made the announcement Tuesday after discussions with race teams and fans in the off-season. 

The “Highest Five” drivers in regular season points, in addition to a possible bonus driver, will compete in a three-race playoff format to close out the season. During those playoff races, drivers will be awarded points based on finishes and other normal bonus points, which will determine the champion and the remainder of the top five or six in the final season standings. 

2026 SMART Modified Tour Schedule

The possibility of a bonus driver will be determined in the first race of the SMART Playoffs, on Saturday, September 19, at Orange County Speedway in Rougemont, NC. If a driver who is sixth to 10th in points entering the event happens to win the “Rumble at Rougemont,” that driver will be added to the initial five drivers. In that case, six drivers would compete for the SMARTY Championship Trophy, manufactured by Jostens. 

“I like getting input about the point system from the teams and the fans,” said Chris Williams, Series Director for SMART. “Most people want a system where drivers earn points and this gives it to them. I think the sponsors, as well as the fans, will have plenty of excitement with the three-race SMART Playoff. This style will allow the competitors to earn the championship over a series of three races. 

“Also, having the possibility to add another driver, through points earned through the year and a victory in that first playoff race is another exciting aspect. It keeps all of our teams involved. I

really liked where we landed, especially with the input we received from teams, sponsors and fans.” 

Tri-County Speedway in Granite Falls, NC, will host the second playoff race on Saturday, October 3. The season finale will occur on Saturday, October 17, at North Wilkesboro Speedway, also in North Carolina. 

At the conclusion of the regular season, the top five in the standings will have their points reset, and those drivers will receive bonus points according to their finishing position before the playoffs begin. (1) 35 points, 2) 30 points, 3) 25 points, 4) 20 points, 5) 15 points). 

Only the top five in points, and a possible bonus driver (no bonus points), determined after the first playoff race, will compete for the championship and the top five, or possibly six, positions in the final season standings. 

The 2026 SMART Modified season will kick off on Saturday, February 28, 2026, with the Zach Brewer Memorial at Florence Motor Speedway, near the coast of South Carolina. More details regarding the event will be announced soon. 

All races are streamed live on FloRacing, the official streaming broadcast partner of the SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic. 

For updates on the SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic, be sure to follow the series on social media (Facebook: SMART Modified Tour| Twitter: @SMARTMods_ | IG: @smartmods_), as well as visiting the official series website. 

Written by: Bob Dillner (X - @bobdillner)