DIRTcar Summer Nationals return to
Lincoln Speedway this Thursday for rain-delayed Hell Tour stop
[June 30, 2026]
LINCOLN, Ill. – After Mother Nature
reshuffled much of the 2026 DIRTcar Summer Nationals schedule, one
of the most anticipated stops of the season is finally set to take
place as the Hell Tour rolls into Lincoln Speedway this Thursday,
July 2. The event serves as the makeup date for the rain-postponed
June 21 program and will feature the DIRTcar Summer Nationals Late
Models, DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals, and
Lincoln Speedway's exciting Crown Vic division.
Originally slated as part of Father's Day weekend, the Lincoln
Speedway event became one of many casualties of a relentless stretch
of rain and severe weather that has plagued the 40th anniversary
edition of the Hell Tour. In fact, the series managed to complete
just one event during the most recent week of competition as
repeated storms forced cancellations across the Midwest, resulting
in a reshuffled schedule that now brings one of the nation's premier
dirt late model tours back to central Illinois on Thursday night.
Despite the weather challenges, the racing has lived up to the
tour's legendary reputation whenever the green flag has waved. The
Summer Nationals opened June 9 at Brownstown Bullring with veteran
Shannon Babb collecting his first victory of the season before rain
interrupted the early schedule. Jason Feger captured victories at
Coles County Speedway on June 12, Wilmot Raceway on June 15, and
Farmer City Raceway on June 19, while Babb added another win at
Fairbury Speedway on June 13. Brian Shirley won at Sycamore Speedway
on June 14, Chris Simpson earned his first Hell Tour victory of the
season at West Liberty Raceway on June 16, Cade Dillard topped the
field at I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway on June 20, and Hall of
Famer Billy Moyer, Sr. most recently found victory lane on June 23
at Benton Speedway.
The Summer Nationals caravan still has plenty of racing ahead before
arriving in Lincoln. Drivers are scheduled to compete Monday at
Camden Speedway in Tennessee, Tuesday at Old No. 1 Speedway in
Arkansas, and Wednesday at Farmington Empire Speedway in Missouri
before making the trip north to Lincoln Speedway for Thursday
night's makeup event.
Heading into the week, Tanner English of Benton, Kentucky continues
to lead the DIRTcar Summer Nationals championship standings.
Three-time winner Jason Feger sits second, followed by Clay Stuckey,
Michael Leach, and Daniel Adam as the championship battle begins to
intensify entering the heart of the tour.
[to top of second column] |
The DIRTcar Summit
Racing Equipment Modified Nationals will also headline
Thursday's program, bringing another talented traveling field to
compete against Lincoln Speedway's strong contingent of Taco
Bell DIRTcar Modified regulars. Illinois veteran Ray Bollinger
enters the week atop the Modified Nationals standings, leading
Zeke McKenzie, Michael Long, Mike Harrison, and Damian Kiefer.
Fans can expect a tremendous night of racing as the nation's
best dirt late model and modified competitors square off against
many of central Illinois' top weekly stars. Lincoln Speedway has
long been one of the signature stops on the Hell Tour, producing
memorable races and packed grandstands throughout the history of
the Summer Nationals.
Pit gates open at 2:00 p.m., grandstands open at 4:00 p.m.,
local pill draw closes at 5:50 p.m., hot laps begin at 6:00
p.m., and racing gets underway at 7:00 p.m.
Grandstand admission is $30 for
adults, while children 11 and under are admitted FREE. Pit passes
are $45 for adults and $20 for children 11 and under. Tickets and
pit passes will be available at the gate on race day.
Camping is available at Lincoln Speedway with primitive camping for
$20 per night and electric hookup sites for $40 per night. Fans
wishing to reserve camping should call 217-764-3200. Discounted
lodging is also available at the Hampton by Hilton Lincoln and
Comfort Inn & Suites Lincoln by mentioning the Lincoln Speedway
discount when booking.
With the weather forecast looking favorable and the Hell Tour
championship heating up, Thursday night's makeup event promises to
deliver one of the biggest nights of dirt racing of the summer at
Lincoln Speedway.
For additional event information, visit LincolnSpeedwayIL.com or
follow Lincoln Speedway and on social media.
|
