CONCORD, N.C. — The World Short Track Championship enters a new era for its 11th running with a rotation to the lineup of divisions set to compete at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Oct. 29-31.
The premier three-day event for short-track racers will welcome 525 Late Models and the Northeast’s popular 358 Modifieds for the first time, pairing them with the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds, Crate Modifieds, 604 Late Models, 602 Late Models, Mini Stocks, Street Stocks, Thunder Bombers and Hornets.
The DIRTcar Northeast’s 358 Modified division rotates in for the Sportsman and Pro Stocks, which will not be part of the event this year. The 358 Modified division has seen significant growth in the last couple of years, with more than 230 drivers having competed in a series event last season. The division is a step below the Big Block Modifieds and gets its name from housing a 358 c.i. engine between its frame rails.
Most notably, the 358 Modifieds are one of the premier divisions during Super DIRT Week — the Northeast’s most historic dirt track event — competing in the 150-lap Salute to the Troops 150 at Oswego Speedway.
525 Late Models are a staple of the South, racing within the Carolinas and surrounding states. They use a Chevrolet Performance CT525 engine, which is based on the all-aluminum Chevrolet Corvette LS3 engine. Their addition creates a “Late Model Palooza,” giving fans three chances to see Late Models compete around the four-tenths-mile dirt track.
In addition to the division shakeup, there will be a change to Thursday’s Championship Features. There will be two Championship Features this year, and the divisions competing in each will be drawn during Thursday’s drivers meeting.
More than $200,000 in prizes will be available for the 10 divisions between payouts and contingency awards. Saturday will again host feature action for all 10 divisions, turning local heroes into champions of the World Short Track Championship.
