Key notes: The Cagle Automotive Blue Ridge Outlaw Late Model Series opens its 2026 season with the fourth annual Steve Heintz Memorial at Carolina Speedway. … The two-day program begins with Friday’s time trials and dash preceding Saturday’s $3,500-to-win main event. … It’s the first of three scheduled Blue Ridge Outlaw visits this season. … Kyle Hardy of Stephens City, Va., topped last year’s $3,500 season opener at Carolina. … Adam Yarbrough of Denver, N.C., won $3,508 there last fall after Anthony Sanders suffered a late-race flat tire. … Jacob Brown of Gaffney, S.C., earned a $3,000 BROLM victory there last July. … Timbo Mangum of Rock Hill, S.C., earned a $3,000 victory in the fall of 2024 and is likely to be competing across multiple divisions each night. … The Southern Wedge Late Model Association headlines Friday’s five-division undercard. … Pits open at 3 p.m. and grandstands open at 5 with hot laps at 7:30. … Practice was Thursday night.

Who to watch: Kyle Hardy of Stephens City, Va., eyes his second straight season opening victory at Carolina.

Points chase: It’s the season opener.

Expected entrants: Kyle Hardy, Dillon Brown, Layton Sullivan, Anthony Sanders, Jacob Brown, Dale Timms, Bryan Mullis, Willie Milliken, Adam Yarbrough, Kennie Compton Jr., Travis Steele, Matt Long, Timbo Mangum, Brandon Dockery, Scott Shirey, Mark Greene, Braden Jones, Justin Hobgood, Terry Caples, Dalton Hodge and others.

Current weather: Clear, 75°F

Next series race: March 14, Lake View Motor Speedway (Nichols, SC) $3,000