Willamette Speedway in Lebanon, Ore., on Wednesday announced it has joined the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series in its 60th season, becoming the second weekly Dirt Late Model oval with the national organization.

NASCAR will sanction six divisions at the 60-year-old, third-mile oval, including Super Late Models and Limited Late Models.

​"We’ve got a lot of talented drivers right in the Pacific Northwest, which I believe is the most untapped market in the nation," said Cory Penfold, entering his fifth year as Willamette promoter. "It’s time to put these drivers in a national spotlight and give them opportunities to be seen without them having to travel halfway across the country.”

The move brings back a guaranteed points fund to the track for the first time in nearly a decade with drivers chasing NASCAR’s Division I points and a potential $50,000 championship.

"I’ve struggled with getting away from tradition, but it’s time to move into the modern world of dirt track racing,” Penfold added. “This sport evolves quickly and you have to stay with the times. I wanted to do something to thank the drivers for the show they give the best fans in racing every week.”

Willamette’s season opens April 18.

Merritt Speedway in Lake City, Mich., last season became the lone weekly Dirt Late Model track with NASCAR sanctioning and continues with the organization in 2026.