The nation’s premier dirt late model drivers are headed to Pennsylvania’s Speed Palace this weekend as the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing returns to Port Royal Speedway for the Rumble by the River presented by FK Rod Ends on Friday and Saturday, August 28-29.

The two-day blockbuster will put more than $199,000 in total purse money on the line and bring together the stars of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, many of the region’s top competitors and a strong field of local standouts on Port Royal Speedway’s famed half-mile dirt oval.

Port Royal Speedway is located at 308 West Eighth Street in Port Royal, Pennsylvania, on the grounds of the Juniata County Fair. The historic half-mile dirt oval, widely known as “The Speed Palace,” has been a fixture of Pennsylvania motorsports for generations. 

Ricky Thornton Jr. enters the weekend as the defending Rumble by the River winner after sweeping both nights of the 2025 event. His victory in last year’s 50-lap finale came after a fierce, back-and-forth battle with Chris Madden, adding another memorable chapter to the event’s growing history.

𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 🚨 #NASCAR Truck Series driver @03Butterbean will make his @LucasDirt Late Model debut this weekend at @PortRoyalSpdway. #LucasDirt | August 28-29 | Live on FloRacing 📺 pic.twitter.com/GKd0D0UlzP

— FloRacing (@FloRacing) August 25, 2026

Lucas Oil Rumble by the River at Port Royal Speedway Schedule

Friday night’s opening program will feature a complete Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series show capped by a $10,000-to-win main event. The stakes rise dramatically on Saturday, when the weekend concludes with a $50,000-to-win finale. The Port Royal Speedway Limited Late Models will also be a part of the racing card each night.

On both Friday and Saturday, the pit gates are scheduled to open at 4 p.m. and grandstands at 4:30 p.m., with hot laps and on-track activity beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday’s pre-race activities will include a Dirt Racing Outreach service at 2 p.m. and a Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series driver autograph session from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Point Standings

The championship battle is just as intense heading into Port Royal. Brandon Sheppard leads the Big River Steel Championship Standings Presented by ARP, holding a 95-point advantage over Hudson O’Neal and a 180-point margin over Devin Moran. Brandon Overton and Pennsylvania standout Max Blair complete the top five, while defending Rumble by the River winner Ricky Thornton Jr. sits sixth.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Port Royal Purses

Friday, August 28

1. $10,000, 2. $5,500, 3. $3,500, 4. $2,700, 5. $2,500, 6. $2,300, 7. $2,200, 8. $2,100, 9. $2,050, 10. $2,000, 11. $1,600, 12. $1,400, 13. $1,200, 14. $1,000, 15. $950, 16. $925, 17. $900, 18. $875, 19. $850, 20. $825, 21. $800, 22. $800, 23. $800, 24. $800 = $48,575 Total

Saturday, August 29

B-Main Purses: 1st Non-Transfer (after provisionals) $300, 2. $275, 3. $250, 4. $225, 5. $200, 6. $200, 7. $200, 8. $200, 9. $200, 10. $150, 11. $100, 12. $100, 13. $100, 14. $100 = $2,600 each x 2 = $5,200 Total

A-Main Purse: 1. $50,000, 2. $20,000, 3. $10,000, 4. $8,000, 5. $7,000, 6. $6,000, 7. $4,500, 8. $4,000, 9. $3,800, 10. $3,600, 11. $3,400, 12. $3,200, 13. $3,000, 14. $2,500, 15. $2,400, 16. $2,300, 17. $2,200, 18. $2,100, 19. $2,000, 20. $2,000, 21. $2,000, 22. $2,000, 23. $2,000, 24. $2,000 = $150,000

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Tire Rule

Left Rear/Fronts - Hoosier (90) NLMT2, (90) NLMT3

Right Rear - Hoosier (92) NRM NLMT2, (92) NRM NLMT3, (92) NRM NLMT4