Martinsville, VA -- 

“One shot... to seize everything you ever wanted... Would you capture it, or just let it slip?” - Eminem (Lose Yourself)

It is the scenario for several drivers on Saturday, September 19, in the Rumble in Rougemont at Orange County Speedway (NC) in the first playoff race for the SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic. 

The wildcards, or rather drivers six through tenth in points, have a “win and you're in” schematic if they want to have a chance at the championship. If any one of those drivers can win the race, they will be eligible to compete for the championship in the final two races of the season. 

The scenario involves a stout list of drivers, including the two-time and defending series champion, Luke Baldwin.

“I like our odds. We’ve got good momentum behind us right now, and Orange County is one of my favorite places,” said Baldwin, who is seventh in points. “I think the wildcard opportunity is nice to have, but I hate we’re in the position of having to use it. This year has been tough, but we’ve begun to turn it around recently. So, I look forward to seeing what we have at Orange County.”

Former NASCAR Trucks Series winner Joey Coulter IV is a playoff contender from one year ago, but also finds himself in the same scenario.

“I think it adds a lot of excitement to the points situation, and it's a great chance for a team like us, that has had a rough year, but at times had the pace and the results, to still be championship contenders,” explained Coulter, who is 10th in the standings.”

The recently uber-consistent Carter McMurray (sixth), Joey Braun (eighth) and Jack Baldwin (ninth) are also eligible for the wildcard opportunity at Orange County Speedway. For those five overall drivers, it gives them a second-chance to be a title contender.

“I believe we have a great chance to capitalize on this opportunity to get into the championship fight, and be there once we get to (North) Wilkesboro (season finale),” said Coulter, who is a two-time SMART Modified winner. “Orange County, Tri-County and Wilkesboro are probably my favorite tracks on the schedule. They are places that we have had lots of speed and I have confidence getting around. All three are multiple groove tracks, and those are the ones we tend to perform the best on as a team. If we can get in the fight, we've got as good of a shot as anyone.”

The Championship Five & Exciting Playoff Format

The top five in points will begin their battle for the SMARTY Championship trophy on Saturday in the Rumble in Rougemont. SMART championship leader Danny Bohn leads four other drivers into the 99-lap race. Ryan Newman, who has scored the most top-five finishes this season (8), is the second seed in the standings. The third driver entered in the playoffs is two-time winner this season, Jake Crum. Veterans Brandon Ward (one win) and Burt Myers (three-time champion), fourth and fifth in points, are locked into the championship chase beginning at the Rumble in Rougemont.

With the regular season complete, the top five in the standings had their points reset, and those drivers received bonus points according to their finishing position in the regular season – (1) 35 points, 2) 30 points, 3) 25 points, 4) 20 points, 5) 15 points). If one of the wildcard drivers wins the Rumble in Rougemont, six drivers would compete for the 2026 SMART Modified Tour championship in the final two playoff races.

Tri-County Speedway in Granite Falls, NC, will host the second playoff race on Saturday, October 3 (The Freeman Hoosier 99). The season finale, Friendly Tire 99, will occur on Saturday, October 17, at North Wilkesboro Speedway, also in North Carolina.

Newcomers and Big Names Highlight Massive Entry List at Orange County

27 cars are entered for The Rumble in Rougemont, which is a record number of entries for a SMART race at the North Carolina venue in the Tour’s modern era. Among the surprise names listed are zMAX CARS Tour racer Connor Jones, who will be behind the wheel of Phil Stefanelli's Modified. Another Late Model star, Cayden Lapcevich, makes his return to an open wheel Mod as well as Bowman Gray Stadium Sportsman standout Chase Robertson. Bowman Gray Stadium star John Holleman IV will make his second attempt in SMART of 2026 after racing at the Carteret Clash. CARS Tour Late Model Stock regular Carson Loftin returns for his seventh race on the SMART schedule trying to win his fourth of the season. Bryce Bailey is back racing after health issues kept him sidelined. He will pilot the Horsepower Hill no. 12 car. Jonathan Cash makes his return to SMART and to a familiar ride, behind the wheel of the Sadler-Stanley Racing 16VA. Speedweeks Crate Mod winner Ryan "Skip" Flores will make his debut on the SMART Tour. Also set to make his debut with SMART is Crate Mod racer and part-time Bowman Gray Mod driver Jaxon Casper in a Riggs Racing car. Veteran Mod driver James Civali will pilot the Hillbilly Racing no. 79 entry. 

Joey Braun, who enters Orange County as a wild card eligible driver, has parted ways with the Lisa and Buddy Ellis owned no. 24 team and is not entered. However, the Ellis team will be at the Rumble with 26-time Bowman Gray Modified winner Jonathan Brown in the seat.

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

SMART Modified Tour "Rumble in Rougemont" Entry List