Volusia is set to host the Sunshine Nationals.
Key notes: The World of Outlaws Late Model Series kicks off its 2026 season at Volusia Speedway Park for the sixth straight year in the running of the seventh annual DIRTcar Sunshine Nationals. … The three-day event begins with 35-lap, $12,000-to-win features on Thursday and Friday night, preceding Saturday’s 50-lap, $20,000-to-win finale. … Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, Ill., is fresh off a victory in the Wild West Shootout finale in Arizona, worth more than $50,000 and begins the chase for his third career WoO points title (2023, ’25). … Ryan Gustin of Marshalltown, Iowa, topped last year’s $12,000 Sunshine Nationals opener at Volusia. … Josh Rice of Crittenden, Ky., is expected to make his national series debut aboard the James Rattliff Racing No. 11 entry. … Former JRR racer, Daulton Wilson of Fayetteville, N.C., is expected to compete for WoO Rookie of the Year honors aboard Augie Burttram’s No. 58v Big Frog Viper Motorsports entry. … Ricky Thornton Jr. of Chandler, Ariz., chases his second victory of the young season after winning the Wild West Shootout opener in Arizona, worth more than $38,000. … The Crate Racin’ USA Winter Shootout Series headlines the undercard, with 602 Crates joining the action nightly. … Pits open at noon and grandstands open at 3 p.m. with hot laps at 4, daily. … Watch live on DIRTVision. … A total of 50 Late Models signed in for Wednesday's practice.
Who to watch: Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, Ill., begins his World of Outlaws Late Model Series title defense.
Points chase: It's the season opener.
Expected entrants: Bobby Pierce, Ricky Thornton Jr., Tyler Erb, Nick Hoffman, Ryan Gustin, Hudson O’Neal, Chris Madden, Ethan Dotson, Brandon Overton, Tim McCreadie, Josh Rice, Dale McDowell, Dennis Erb Jr., Daulton Wilson, Kyle Bronson, Drake Troutman, Mark Whitener, Max Blair, Trey Mills, Cory Hedgecock, Cody Overton, Dustin Sorensen, Kyle Strickler, Donald McIntosh, Jake Timm, Brent Larson, Tristan Chamberlain, Logan Zarin, Eli Johnson and more.
Current weather: Broken Clouds, 70°F
Car count: 44
Next series race: January 23, Volusia Speedway Park (Barberville, FL) $12,000
From staff reports
BARBERVILLE, Fla. — Updates from Thursday’s seventh annual DIRTcar Sunshine Nationals opener, featuring a 35-lap, $12,000-to-win main event for World of Outlaws Late Model Series-sanctioned Super Late Models (results unofficial):
Thursday’s schedule
(All times local)
Noon - Pits open
3 p.m. - Grandstands open
4 p.m. - On-track activity
- Super Late Model hot laps
- 602 Crate group qualifying
- Super Late Model time trials (2 laps)
- 604 Crate group qualifying
Opening ceremonies
- Super Late Model heats (8 laps)
- 602 Crate first semifeature (15 laps)
WoO redraw
- Super Late Model consolations (10 laps)
- 602 Crate second semifeature (15 laps)
- Super Late Model feature (35 laps)
- 604 Crate first semifeature (20 laps)
- 604 Crate second semifeature (20 laps)
- 604 Crate third semifeature (20 laps)
- 604 Crate fourth semifeature (20 laps)
