Carl Short’s 46th annual ARP Dirt Track World Championship presented by Summit Racing returns to West Virginia Motor Speedway and serves as the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series season finale. It’s the first DTWC held at WVMS since 2010, a $50,000 payday won by Earl Pearson Jr. on the old 5/8-mile layout. This weekend’s program begins with Friday’s twin 25-lap, $5,000-to-win split-field semifeatures where the top-16 point earners will lock into Saturday’s 100-lap, $100,000-to-win main event, the most lucrative payout in track history; the rest of the field will need to qualify through one of Saturday’s consolations.

Where is the 2026 Dirt Track World Championship Held?

The Dirt Track World Championship is held at West Virginia Motor Speedway, a high-banked third-mile clay oval.

2026 Dirt Track World Championship Weekend Schedule

(All times local; subject to change)

Thursday, October 15

10 a.m. - Pits and grandstands open

3 p.m. - Technical and registration open

4:45 p.m. - Technical and registration close

5 p.m. - Drivers’ meeting

5:30 p.m. - On-track activity

- Limited Late Model group qualifying

- Sport mod group qualifying

Opening ceremonies

- Limited Late Model heats (8 laps)

- Sport mod heats (8 laps)

Intermission/track prep

- Limited Late Model consolations (8 laps)

- Sport mod consolations (8 laps)

Feature events

- Limited Late Models (40 laps)

- Sport mods (20 laps)

Friday, October 16

10 a.m. - Pits and grandstands open

1:45 p.m. - Tech and registration open

4:45 p.m. - Tech and registration close

5 p.m. - Drivers’ meeting

5:30 p.m. - On-track activity

- Late Model hot laps

- Late Model time trials (2 laps)

- Modified group qualifying

Opening ceremonies

- Late Model heats (10 laps)

- Late Model consolations (12 laps)

Intermission/track prep

- Late Model first semifeature (25 laps)

- Late Model second semifeature (25 laps)

- Modified heats (8 laps)

Saturday, October 17

10 a.m. - Pits and grandstands open

1:45 p.m. - Tech and registration open

2 p.m. - Church outreach service

4-4:45 p.m. - Driver autograph session

4:45 p.m. - Tech and registration close

5 p.m. - Drivers’ meeting

5:30 p.m. - On-track activity

- Late Model hot laps (consolation entrants)

Opening ceremonies

- Late Model consolations (12 laps)

- Late Model hot laps (feature entrants)

- Modified consolations (8 laps)

- Modified hot laps (feature entrants)

Feature events

- 46th annual Dirt Track World Championship (100 laps)

Postrace ceremonies

- Late Model non-qualifiers’ race (25 laps)

- Modifieds (30 laps)

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Point Standings

2026 DTWC Expected Entry List at West Virginia Motor Speedway

2026 Dirt Track World Championship Weekend Purse

Friday’s semifeatures (two races, each paying)

1. $5,000

2. $3,000

3. $2,000

4. $1,500

5. $1,250

6. $1,000

7. $950

8. $900

9. $850

10. $800

11. $700

12-16. $600

17. $550

18-24. $500

Saturday’s feature event

1. $100,000

2. $25,000

3. $10,000

4. $8,000

5. $7,500

6. $7,000

7. $6,500

8. $6,000

9. $5,500

10. $5,000

11. $4,200

12. $3,600

13. $3,000

14. $2,900

15. $2,800

16. $2,700

17. $2,600

18. $2,575

19. $2,550

20. $2,535

21. $2,525

22. $2,515

23.-26. $2,500

Saturday’s non-qualifiers’ race

1. $3,000

2. $2,000

3. $1,800

4. $1,600

5. $1,400

6. $1,200

7. $1,100

8. $1,000

9. $950

10. $900

11. $850

12. $800

13. $750

14. $700

15. $650

16. $600

17. $575

18. $550

19. $535

20. $525

21. $515

22.-24. $500

Who Won Last Year's Dirt Track World Championship?

Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, Ill., his second consecutive DTWC triumph.

Past Dirt Track World Championship Winners

Year: Winner, hometown

2025: Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, Ill.

2024: Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, Ill.

2023: Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, Ill.

2022: Garrett Smith, Eatonton, Ga.

2021: Ricky Thornton Jr., Chandler, Ariz.

2020: Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, Ill.

2019: Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, Ill.

2018: Josh Richards, Shinnston, W.Va.

2017: Josh Richards, Shinnston, W.Va.

2016: Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, Ill.

2015: Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, Tenn.

2014: Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, Tenn.

2013: Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, Ill.

2012: Jimmy Owens, Newport, Tenn.

2011: Don O’Neal, Martinsville, Ind.

2010: Earl Pearson Jr., Jacksonville, Fla.

2009: Jimmy Mars, Menomonie, Wis.

2008: Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine, Iowa

2007: Chub Frank, Bear Lake, Pa.

2006: Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, Ill.

2005: Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, Tenn.

2004: Rick Eckert, York, Pa.

2003: Darrell Lanigan, Union, Ky.

2002: Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, Ill.

2001: Bart Hartman, Zanesville, Ohio

2000: Wendell Wallace, Batesville, Ark.

1999: Steve Francis, Ashland, Ky.

1998: Freddy Smith, Knoxville, Tenn.

1997: Marshall Green, Dalton, Ga.

1996: Billy Moyer, Batesville, Ark.

1995: Jack Boggs, Grayson, Ky.

1994: Ronnie Johnson, Chattanooga, Tenn.

1993: Freddy Smith, Baton Rouge, La.

1992: Ronnie Johnson, Chattanooga, Tenn.

1991: Freddy Smith, Kings Mountain, N.C.

1990: Jack Boggs, Grayson, Ky.

1989: John Mason, Millersburg, Ohio

1988: Donnie Moran, Frazeysburg, Ohio

1987: Larry Moore, Dayton, Ohio

1986: Billy Moyer, Batesville, Ark.

1985: Freddy Smith, Kings Mountain, N.C.

1984: Jack Boggs, Webbville, Ky.

1983: Freddy Smith, Kings Mountain, N.C.

1982: Charlie Swartz, Ashland, Ky.

1981: Jim Dunn, Roseville, Ohio

2026 Dirt Track World Championship Weekend Tickets

Thursday, October 15

One-day general admission (13-and-up): $30

One-day youth general admission (6-to-12): $30

Three-day advance general admission (13-and-up): $90

Three-day general admission (13-and-up): $120

Three-day advance youth general admission (6-to-12): $60

Three-day youth general admission (6-to-12): $80

Reserved seating (all ages): Additional $10

One-day all access pit pass (all ages): $30

Three-day all access pit pass (all ages): $120

Friday, October 16

One-day general admission (13-and-up): $45

One-day youth general admission (6-to-12): $30

Reserved seating (all ages): Additional $10

One-day all access pit pass (all ages): $45

Saturday, October 17

One-day general admission (13-and-up): $60

One-day youth general admission (6-to-12): $30

Reserved seating (all ages): Additional $10

One-day all access pit pass (all ages): $60

2026 Dirt Track World Championship Weekend Camping

Primitive camping: $100

Online reservations: wvmotorspeedway.com/camping/wvms-camping/camping-101/

Camping questions, call: (855) 250-9867, (304) 771-6874 or (304) 771-5051

2026 Dirt Track World Championship Notes

• WVMS has had a revival under owner Mike Hurley, who shortened the track and made extensive renovations.
• Super Late Model winners this year at WVMS include Bobby Pierce and Tyler Erb (World of Outlaws), Drake Troutman (Iron-Man) and Devin Moran (unsanctioned Hillbilly Hundred).
• Points leader Brandon Sheppard is a five-time DTWC champ, four of them coming at Portsmouth (Ohio) Raceway Park (2013, ’16, ’19-’20) before 2023’s edition held at Eldora.
• The Burlile Ohio Valley Late Model Dirt Series is in action Thursday with a $5,000-to-win program.
• Brandon Sheppard enters the weekend with a 45-point lead over Devin Moran seeking his first career Lucas Oil Series title.
• Modifieds are on the undercard nightly contesting prelims on Friday before Saturday’s consolations and $5,000-to-win feature.

How To Watch The 2026 Dirt Track World Championship

Streaming: Watch the 2026 Dirt Track World Championship on FloRacing. SIGN UP HERE

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Cast: Cast to your smart TV including Vizio, Samsung and LG TVs.

On The Go: Download the FloSports app on iOS or Android.