BATAVIA, Ohio — After three seasons using a playoff-style points system, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing is returning to a traditional season-long points system for 2026.
The series will also add more than a quarter-million dollar lucrative late-season bonus program.
Teams will once again compete for dirt late model racing’s highest points fund of $1.2 million that will be divvied up after the 2026 champion is crowned at the season-ending Dirt Track World Championship at West Virginia Motor Speedway in Mineral Wells, W.Va.
With the unwavering dedication of Big River Steel and ARP, the national tour will also put up an additional $275,000 for the Big River Steel Bonus Program presented by ARP, awarding drivers following Aug. 29’s Rumble by the River finale at Port Royal (Pa.) Speedway in a separate miniseries encompassing the season’s final five Saturdays.
“Over the past three years, we’ve elevated our program to be the most lucrative in dirt late model racing,” series director Rick Schwallie said. “FloSports remains dedicated to upholding the stature of our series and continues to grow with the support of our valued marketing partners. We are excited to revert to a traditional points structure, which will be complemented by the late-season bonus program to sustain the end of the year excitement.”
In the Big River Steel Bonus Program presented by ARP, the top 15 drivers in the championship standings will compete in a miniseries following Aug. 29’s Rumble by the River finale at Port Royal (Pa.) Speedway, encompassing the final five crown jewel events of the season.
The highest finishing driver of the top 15 in championship standings in each of those final five crown jewel events of the season will receive an additional $5,000.
The top five drivers in the championship standings will compete in a miniseries, earning points in those final five crown jewel events of the season. The highest points earner of the five drivers will take home an additional $100,000. Second through fifth will be awarded $40,000, $30,000, $20,000, and $10,000, respectively
For drivers 6th through 15th, a separate bonus program encompassing those same five crown jewel events of the season will pay $25,000 to the top point earner, $15,000 to second, and $10,000 to third.
While a dozen series races are scheduled after Port Royal, only the five consecutive scheduled Saturday events at Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway ($75,000-to-win on Sept. 19), Brownstown (Ind.) Speedway ($50,000-to-win on Sept. 26), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Motor Speedway in Imperial, Pa. ($50,000-to-win on Oct. 3), Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio ($50,000-to-win on Oct. 10), and WVMS will award points in the Big River Steel Bonus Program presented by ARP, which pays out $275,000 in all.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Points Fund
1. $250,000
2. $200,000
3. $150,000
4. $125,000
5. $100,000
6. $80,000
7. $60,000
8. $55,000
9. $50,000
10. $45,000
11. $40,000
12. $35,000
13. $30,000
14. $25,000
15. $20,000
$1,265,000 Total
